Wednesday 2/10/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (30-22) at Nets (14-39)

Date: February 10, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The positive vibe that the Memphis Grizzlies had been feeling during their best stretch no longer remains following their first back-to-back losses in six weeks.

For the first time in three seasons, they'll move on for an extended period without the player general manager Chris Wallace called the cornerstone of the franchise.

With Marc Gasol sidelined indefinitely, Memphis looks to get back on track with a season high-tying third straight road win Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Grizzlies soared to fifth in the Western Conference with an 11-2 spurt from Jan. 8-Feb. 5. Gasol averaged 21.1 points over nine games in the middle of that surge.

The two-time All-Star finished with 22 points in a 114-110 overtime home loss to Dallas on Saturday that snapped the team's five-game winning streak before he was forced to leave Monday's 112-106 overtime defeat to visiting Portland in the first quarter.

Gasol underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a broken bone in his right foot. He hadn't missed a game this season after Memphis went 10-14 without him over the prior two.

"It hurts everybody," coach Dave Joerger told The Commercial Appeal. "Marc is a guy who lays it out there for his teammates and the fans. We're going to fight, scratch and claw.'

Joerger's club hopes to do that as it tries to avoid its longest losing streak since a season-high four-game slide in early November. At the same time, the Grizzlies (30-22) are chasing their first three-game road winning streak since Nov. 25-Dec. 9.

Without Gasol, Jeff Green and Matt Barnes are likely to get more playing time in the frontcourt while Zach Randolph and Mike Conley will try to pick up the scoring load.

Green has totaled 21 points on 9-of-28 shooting in his last two games after scoring 24 per game with a 60.3 field-goal percentage during the winning streak. Randolph, though, has put up a combined 46 points and 23 rebounds over his past two.

Conley, who had a season-high 27 points against the Trail Blazers, led the way with 22 and eight assists in a 101-91 home win over Brooklyn (14-39) on Oct. 31. Randolph added 15 points and 13 boards while Gasol was held to seven points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Randolph has averaged 18 points and 11.7 rebounds over three straight wins in this series. Memphis has won two of three road meetings since the Nets moved to Brooklyn.

Brook Lopez, who averages a team-high 20.2 points, has scored 24 per game over his last seven but has been limited to 11.7 in the past three matchups with Memphis.

Thaddeus Young finished with 20 points, Markel Brown had a career-high 19 and Lopez added 16 in Monday's 105-104 win over Denver. Joe Johnson banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Nets in position to win back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 8 and 10.

"I knew I had one-point-something (on the clock), so I had enough to at least take a dribble," Johnson said. "I don't even know how it went in.'

The Nets have played well offensively at home, averaging 107.8 points while making 47.9 percent from 3-point range in their last six games there. However, they've given up 110.0 per game and a 48.6 field-goal percentage over their past four overall.

Memphis has averaged 104.9 points on 48.7 percent over its last 12 games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Clippers (35-17) at Celtics (31-23)

Date: February 10, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

There might not be another team looking forward to the All-Star break more than the Los Angeles Clippers after surviving multiple health issues and an off-court distraction.

They've kept winning through it all, though.

The Clippers look to complete a perfect four-game road trip Wednesday night and beat Boston for the fifth straight time since Doc Rivers left the Celtics to coach Los Angeles 2 1/2 years ago.

Blake Griffin suffered a quad injury Christmas Day before breaking his hand in an altercation with a team trainer Jan. 23 in Toronto, but the Clippers (35-17) have gone 18-4 without him.

Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer on Tuesday announced a four-game suspension for Griffin that will begin when he's cleared and ready to play, finally giving a resolution to a situation that has drawn plenty of unwanted attention.

Reserve Austin Rivers broke his left hand last Wednesday against Minnesota, though, and is expected to be out four to six weeks. Los Angeles had its issues against lowly Philadelphia in its first game without him, but J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford scored 23 points apiece in Monday's 98-92 overtime victory.

Chris Paul added 19 points, and DeAndre Jordan added 12 and 21 rebounds.

"We refuse to talk about injury," Doc Rivers said. "We refuse to make excusesâ?¦ We come to win, that's the only thing we have to think about.

"We're becoming that team that no matter how it looks or the game is being played, we're finding ways at the end."

The Clippers look to head into the break by sweeping this four-game trip and winning on the road for the 13th time in 15 tries. Crawford especially has stepped up lately, averaging 22 points over his last five.

"I think it's a credit to Doc and his system," Crawford told the team's official website. "I think it's a credit to us believing in what he's doing, believing in each other. We just keep buying in together. Coach and his staff keep us focused, and we just take it game by game."

Rivers coached Boston (31-23) for nine seasons and won the 2008 NBA title before leaving to take over the Clippers in 2013-14. He was reunited with Paul Pierce this season when Pierce signed with Los Angeles, and the veteran is expected to play - possibly for the last time - at TD Garden after resting Monday.

The Clippers have won each of the four meetings since Rivers' arrival, including a 119-106 victory March 29 at Boston when Redick finished with 27 points and Paul added 21 and 10 assists.

Rivers' successor, Brad Stevens, has the Celtics sitting third in the Eastern Conference in his third season, and they had won four straight and nine of 10 before Tuesday's wild 112-111 loss at Milwaukee.

Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley scored 18 points apiece as Boston rallied from 18 points down in the fourth quarter, tying it with one second left on Kelly Olynyk's two free throws that resulted from a deadball foul on the alley-oop inbound attempt.

But Bradley inexplicably fouled Khris Middleton with 0.6 left, and Middleton hit a free throw to give the Bucks the win. Stevens refused to blame Bradley and instead praised Crowder, who has been bothered by an ankle injury and bounced back after scoring nine points while going 4 of 16 from the field over his previous two.

'He just wants to get better every single day," Stevens said. "His work ethic is terrific. He sets a good example.'

Boston is averaging 112 points during a seven-game home win streak.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lakers (11-43) at Cavaliers (37-14)

Date: February 10, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

While the book slowly closes on Kobe Bryant's playing career, another is just opening for Tyronn Lue as a coach.

The next meeting between the former teammates features Lue continuing to mold his first team while Bryant waves goodbye to yet another city when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Bryant and Lue won a pair of championships together on the first two legs of the Lakers' three-peat in the late 1990s and early 2000s, merely the beginning of Bryant's legacy. But as the 37-year-old superstar closes his storied career during a dismal Los Angeles season, Lue, 38, is trying to build the Cavaliers (37-14) into a stronger NBA Finals contender than they were under David Blatt.

Cleveland is 7-3 since Lue took over for the fired Blatt on Jan. 22, and the Cavs have rebounded nicely from their first losing streak under their new coach by posting consecutive blowout victories at home over New Orleans and Sacramento.

Kyrie Irving matched a season high with 32 points and tied a career high with 12 assists, and LeBron James posted his 40th triple-double in Monday's 120-100 win over the Kings. James finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, even while sitting the entire fourth quarter.

Bryant may be passing the NBA's torch on to James, who reminisced about receiving a pair of sneakers from his All-Star counterpart while in high school - the type of gift Bryant has given to Draymond Green, Paul George and Kevin Durant during his final season.

'Anytime I even watch his games, even when I'm not playing him, it's always like very emotional just knowing it's his last hurrah,' James said. "It's going to be really cool to see him for sure. I know our fans will give him a great reception, well deserved.'

The Lakers and Cavaliers meet one final time in Los Angeles on March 10.

Bryant did not play in last season's 120-105 loss at Quicken Loans Arena on Feb. 8 after undergoing right rotator cuff surgery, so the last matchup between him and James came about three weeks earlier in a 109-102 Cavaliers win in Los Angeles. The two squared off in the fourth quarter, and James finished with 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting while Bryant had 19 and a career-high 17 assists.

Cleveland's back-to-back victories ended a stretch of eight games in which these teams traded wins. The Cavaliers have won eight of the last 10 meetings in Cleveland.

Though Bryant has averaged 26.4 points in the last five games, Los Angeles (11-43) lost three of them and is mired in a 3-16 slump.

The Lakers dropped their second straight with Monday's 89-87 loss to Indiana, dropping them to 1-2 on their four-game road trip. Bryant made 6 of 25 shots for 19 points and Los Angeles shot a season-low 31.2 percent while making 8 of 35 3-pointers.

Bryant made three straight 3s late in the fourth quarter but missed his final five shots.

"Sometimes you live and die with it," coach Byron Scott told the team's official website. "And I'm willing to do it with him. ... He hit three big ones in a row for us, so I wasn't going to go away from him then."

The Lakers have lost seven of eight on the road to fall to 5-25, while the Cavaliers are an Eastern Conference-best 21-4 at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jazz (26-25) at Pelicans (19-32)

Date: February 10, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Mention jazz during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and it's not going to make many people think of any Utah basketball teams.

There might be more of a chance of the Beehive State being recognized on Bourbon Street this year with Quin Snyder's streaking team heading to the Big Easy a night after Fat Tuesday aiming to extend its own celebration through the All-Star break with a win over the Pelicans.

Gordon Hayward sunk a fadeaway jumper as overtime expired to give Utah (26-25) a 121-119 win in Dallas on Tuesday and push its winning streak to seven, matching a run from 2010-11 for its longest since winning nine straight the season before. The Jazz are over .500 for the first time since being 8-7 on Nov. 28.

"I think we are learning more and more how to make winning plays," Snyder said. "Gordon made the right play, and he made the shot."

It wasn't the only one with time running out. Hayward's shot was made possible by Rodney Hood's game-tying 3-pointer with under two seconds left in regulation, and it's more often been Hood rather than Utah's top scorer leading the way lately. The second-year guard finished with 29 points, has scored at least 23 in his last three and is averaging 21.8 in his last 10. He's also scored 24.8 in his last four on the road.

"It was great playing against a veteran team like that and being able to gut one out at their place," Hood said.

Hayward has averaged 20.7 over the same 10-game span, and the team has generally made the pair's points count with strong defensive efforts.

The Jazz have given up more than 95 points four times in their last 11 games, and all four of those contests went to at least one overtime. On the winning streak, they've limited opponents to 89.9 points and 41.8 percent shooting, and that includes two OT contests.

The Jazz and Pelicans have split two games in Utah this season, and Anthony Davis is averaging 31.8 points on 66.2 percent shooting with 11.7 rebounds in his last four games against the Jazz.

New Orleans (19-32) ended a four-game losing streak with Monday's 116-102 win in Minnesota. The Pelicans shot 48.5 percent and hit 10 of 24 from 3-point range for a much-needed offensive effort after averaging 93 points on 42.9 percent and 25 percent from long range on the losing streak.

Davis had 27 points, as did Jrue Holiday to combine with Ryan Anderson's 26 and pace the Pelicans' 67 bench points. New Orleans averages an NBA-leading 42.5 for the season and that's only improved over an 8-6 span in which it's managed 45.6.

"Even when we have bad starts (to games), we have guys who can come in and make plays," said Davis, who has averaged 29.5 points in the last four games. "We're very grateful for (Holiday and Anderson)."

It might seem strange to have Holiday coming off the bench with Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans out, but New Orleans has been monitoring Holiday's minutes to try to keep him healthy. Coach Alvin Gentry has had to appoint an assistant who has the power to overrule him and remove Holiday from the game. The guard has averaged 19.8 points in the last nine games.

"I had to assign a guy to do that because it would be hard for me to do it," Gentry said. "It really is, especially when he's playing at the level that he is and the game is still teetering either way."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawks (30-24) at Bulls (27-24)

Date: February 10, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Bruised and battered - physically and mentally - from a miserable trip, the Chicago Bulls return home looking to salvage something positive before the All-Star break.

Things aren't as rough for the Atlanta Hawks, but they're also feeling frustrated following back-to-back defeats.

The Bulls can avert their longest home skid in six years by avoiding a season-high fourth consecutive defeat overall Wednesday night against the Hawks.

A loser in 12 of 17, Chicago (27-24) sits seventh in the Eastern Conference after Monday's 108-91 loss to Charlotte concluded a 2-5 trip.

"You've got to be upset," said center Pau Gasol, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds. "It's up to us to get out of it ... We've got to do it together."

The Bulls' season-long road stretch proved to be a grueling one.

All-Star Jimmy Butler missed the last two games after suffering a left knee strain in Friday's 115-110 loss at Denver and will be sidelined the next three to four weeks. Derrick Rose sat Monday with general soreness after he averaged 20.6 points in the previous five contests.

Though the Bulls shot a respectable 44.8 percent for the trip, their last six opponents averaged 110.3 points and made 47.7 percent of their attempts.

"We have to put this trip behind us,' coach Fred Hoiberg said. 'It was a long, grinding trip. It took a toll on our guys.'

It remains to be seen if Chicago can recover in time to rebound in this final contest before the break. The Bulls haven't dropped four straight since December 2013 and five in a row at home since March 2010.

The Bulls have averaged 85 points and shot 37.6 percent while losing their last three home games to Dallas, Golden State and Miami.

"It's rough," forward Taj Gibson said. "We've just got to figure out how to win one quarter at a time. We've got to be better."

Chicago's lost three of four to Atlanta (30-24), which led by 11 after one quarter and shot 52.1 percent - third-highest by a Bulls' opponent - in a 120-105 victory Jan. 9. Al Horford had a season-high 33 points with 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocks.

Horford scored 27, Paul Millsap had 22 with 13 boards and Jeff Teague added 21 points Monday but the Hawks lost to Orlando for the second time in as many days, 117-110 in overtime. Atlanta never led by more than two in Sunday's 96-94 road loss and failed to hold a 20-point advantage in the rematch.

'We lost our focus at times,' Horford said. 'We've had this problem ... It's hard to take.'

The Magic shot 49.5 percent Monday, owned a 29-18 scoring advantage in the fourth and became the first Atlanta opponent in five games to score more than 97 points.

'I think we've got to be better late in games - myself, the players, everybody," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team has dropped seven of 11.

Ex-Bull Kyle Korver went 4 of 6 from 3-point range for 16 points Monday. He's shot 52.2 percent from beyond the arc in 11 games against the Bulls since leaving Chicago after 2011-12, but has scored more than 10 points once in the five road meetings.

Gasol totaled 40 points and 28 rebounds in two at home against Atlanta last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (35-16) at Timberwolves (16-37)

Date: February 10, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors might be earning an extended break more than any other team, but given how they're playing, they might also be the last to want to kill their momentum.

Toronto can head into the All-Star break with 15 wins in 16 games Wednesday night, and there's been no shortage of success against the Minnesota Timberwolves for 12 seasons.

The Raptors (35-16) have won three straight after Monday's 103-89 victory in Detroit. They've taken seven of eight on the road in their 14-1 span while winning three of four to start a season-high six-game road stretch that'll conclude after the break.

Toronto shot 55.7 percent against the Pistons - a season best on the road - and it's 23 of 39 (59.0 percent) from 3-point range in the last two games.

"We're growing a lot," guard DeMar DeRozan told the team's official website. "I think we've got to credit the coaching staff for really staying disciplined with us and understanding no matter how many games we win in a row or what record we stand at in the conference, we've got to play with that sense of urgency every single night."

Kyle Lowry has done that. His 25 points led the way in Detroit, and the guard has averaged 27.0 points and shot 56.3 percent in the last three games, including 14 of 25 from 3-point range. His 21.1 points per game is well up from his career high of 17.9 in 2013-14, and that has plenty to do with a career-best 39.7 percent mark from long range while attempting a career-high 7.1 per game.

Lowry has also had at least two steals in seven straight games, and his season average of 2.25 is a drastic bump from last season's career-best 1.56.

Bench play has also been a significant part of the success, scoring 42 points against the Pistons and hitting 8 of 12 from 3-point range with Terrence Ross scoring 18 and Cory Joseph adding 15 on 7-of-9 shooting. Dwane Casey's reserves have averaged 36.1 points and shot 49.9 percent over the last 13 games.

"I thought Cory and T. Ross came in, (Patrick Patterson) was a plus-23 and he was 3 for 4 from the field so he was doing some energetic things defensively, (he was) active, moving the basketball, he was screening and creating space, and Cory was Cory," Casey said. "Coming in and changing the game with his energy and toughness and grit and grime. The bench really came in and carried us tonight."

The Raptors have won 20 of 21 meetings dating to the start of 2004-05, and a 113-99 victory in Minnesota on April 1 came with Lowry sidelined.

For Minnesota (16-37), Monday's 116-102 home loss to New Orleans ended a two-game winning streak, and it has its opponent scoring average at 110.5 over the last four.

While opponents have shot 40.2 percent from long range in those games, the Timberwolves' perimeter game has been awful over the past six contests while connecting on 25.0 percent and 3 of 24 in the last two.

"We talked less last night," center Gorgui Dieng told the team's official website. "I think that's what coach (Sam Mitchell) was trying to emphasize today, just to make sure we talk more on defense. Talking defensively, especially me and (Karl-Anthony Towns), telling people where they're at. That was a big communication night and we missed it."

Towns has otherwise been a bright spot with eight straight double-doubles while averaging 21.8 points on 60.0 percent shooting with 12.5 rebounds.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Warriors (47-4) at Suns (14-39)

Date: February 10, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Every victory brings the Golden State Warriors closer to the 20-year-old record for most in a season, and talk of their pursuit only will heat up coming out of the All-Star break.

The Phoenix Suns already have experienced a couple blowouts at the hands of the Warriors, but interim coach Earl Watson believes they're showing some signs of improvement.

Golden State can extend its winning streak to 11 by winning a sixth consecutive meeting Wednesday night in Phoenix.

The Warriors (47-4) secured the best 51-game start in NBA history with Tuesday's 123-110 win over Houston, one game ahead of the pace of the record-setting 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who finished 72-10.

Stephen Curry had his 23rd performance of at least 30 points with 35 while adding nine assists, and Andrew Bogut had one of his best games with 13 points, 11 boards and a season-high six blocks.

The defending NBA champions have won eight times by double digits during their 10-game winning streak, which is the longest active run in the league.

'We can definitely play better and just sustain our level of play and be more consistent over 48 minutes. It's hard,' Curry said. 'As long as you keep that at the forefront and challenge yourselves, that's what hopefully inspires to continue to get better.

"It's not going to be pretty every minute we're out there, it's not going to be perfect, we're not going to blow everybody out. But we strive to be great every night.'

Curry had 41 points in a 135-116 win at Phoenix on Nov. 27, then finished with 25 while Klay Thompson poured in 43 in a 128-103 home win over the Suns on Dec. 16. Curry is averaging 32.5 points and shooting 56.3 percent - 53.3 from behind the arc - his last four against the Suns.

Opponents routing Phoenix (14-39) has been commonplace for much of the season, but it has been more competitive since Watson's debut Feb. 2 after the firing of Jeff Hornacek.

The Suns have dropped all four under Watson during their eight-game losing streak but only one by double-digits - Monday's 122-106 loss to Oklahoma City. They led by as many as six in the third quarter, though, before coming undone.

Markieff Morris finished with 23 points and is averaging 21 under Watson after scoring 10.2 in his first 32. Archie Goodwin added 20 for Phoenix, which has dropped 23 of 25 but also is dealing with injuries to Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, T.J. Warren and Ronnie Price.

Knight and Price are expected to return after the break, but Bledsoe and Warren are out for the season.

"We have to love the process, embrace the process and be a part of the journey," Watson said after the Suns shot 50.7 percent for their highest mark in their last 17 games.

'I think you see our team, we're growing, we're getting better. We're not discouraged. We won't be discouraged.'

Slowing the Warriors likely will be a tough task with Phoenix allowing the second-most points per game in the league at 106.7. Golden State is averaging 122.3 during its winning streak - nearly seven more than its season average - and has shot 54.4 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from 3-point range in the two meetings this season.

Mirza Teletovic is averaging 15.7 points over his last three and had a season-high 24 in the last matchup with the Warriors.

Golden State said after Tuesday's contest that coach Steve Kerr was feeling ill, but he still plans to fly to with the team to Phoenix.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (27-27) at Trail Blazers (26-27)

Date: February 10, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Allen Crabbe believes the Portland Trail Blazers have learned how to lock down defensively during a surprising push that has them eyeing a playoff spot.

They've already shown that ability against the high-scoring Houston Rockets.

In a matchup between teams vying for eighth place in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers hope to head into the All-Star break with their 12th win in 15 games and second victory in five days over the visiting Rockets on Wednesday night.

Portland (26-27) was nine games under .500 and in 10th place, two games out of a playoff spot, on Jan. 8 before an 11-3 stretch brought the club within a half game of eighth-place Houston following the Rockets' 123-110 loss at Golden State on Tuesday.

The Blazers have averaged 105.8 points - well above their previous 100.9 mark - during that surge. Damian Lillard has had four 30-point performances and six double-doubles, while reserve Gerald Henderson has scored in double figures in five straight.

Portland also has stepped up defensively in crunch time, allowing 40.7 percent shooting - far below its 44.8 season mark - in the final period of its last 13 games.

Lillard finished with 33 points and hit five 3-pointers Monday, C.J. McCollum had 21 with six assists and three steals and Henderson scored 16 in a 112-106 overtime win at Memphis. Portland held the Grizzlies to 2-of-13 in the extra period.

"We know how to close games out now," said Crabbe, who had 13 points and three steals. "We know what it takes now. Everybody is digging down defensively to get the stops we need. I think everybody's game has taken that next step."

The Blazers hope to continue that trend back home as they look to move past the Rockets and get back to .500 for the first time since they were 4-4 on Nov. 9.

Houston ranks among the league's leaders with 105 points per game, but has had all kinds of trouble knocking down shots in this series. After rallying from 17 points down despite shooting 34.8 percent in a 108-103 overtime home win Nov. 18, the Rockets shot a season-low 32.5 percent in Saturday's 96-79 home defeat.

They were outrebounded 54-43 and fell behind by 32 points en route to their third loss in the past four meetings. James Harden had 33 points but committed 10 of the team's 23 turnovers, while Dwight Howard finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The rest of the team scored a combined 50 while shooting just 24.4 percent.

Harden, second in the NBA with 27.9 points per game, has averaged 37 over his last five meetings. He scored 45 with 11 assists and five steals in the November win.

The All-Star overcame a scoreless first quarter to finish with 37 points against the Warriors. Trevor Ariza scored 19 and Howard added 16 with 15 rebounds.

'We didn't win the game but we gained some momentum. It was a competitive game against an undefeated team at home and we put ourselves in a position to win,' Harden said.

The Rockets (27-27) will try to avoid their fifth loss in seven road games and sixth in their past eight overall. They've been awful defensively away from home, allowing an average of 120.8 points and 45.6 percent shooting from 3-point range in their last six.

Terrence Jones is likely to miss a fourth straight game with a concussion, while Portland's Noah Vonleh is probable after a three-game absence from an ankle sprain.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Wednesday, February 10 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I'm not a huge fan of either Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, but I obviously respect their greatness. And it's a shame that arguably the two best players of this generation never got to play against one another for an NBA championship. Of course they have played together for Team USA in the Olympics, winning gold in 2008. But their best chance for a Finals matchup probably was in 2009. Those Cavaliers led the NBA with 66 regular-season wins and the Lakers were second with 65. But the Cavs were knocked off by Orlando in the conference finals. The Lakers beat the Magic in a five-game Finals. The Lakers got back the next year, too, but Cleveland didn't, losing to Boston in the East semis. I bring this up because Wednesday could be the final time Kobe and LeBron square off. Yes, the Cavs visit the Lakers on March 10, but who knows if Kobe will be healthy by then.


Hornets at Pacers (-4.5, 201)

Charlotte got back to .500 with a 108-91 pounding of the visiting Bulls on Monday. Kemba Walker had 30 points and Nic Batum 19 points and 13 rebounds. Indiana beat the visiting Lakers 89-87 on Monday. Paul George scored six straight points late to lead a comeback. Ian Mahinmi suffered a gash over his eye and had eight stitches but returned to action. This is the first meeting of the season between the teams. Indiana has won 11 consecutive regular-season home games in series.

Key trends: The home team is 4-0-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in six of the past seven in Indiana.

Early lean: Pacers and under.

Spurs at Magic (+9, 199.5)

Wouldn't shock me to see Gregg Popovich rest some guys here as San Antonio was in Miami on Tuesday and this is the team's final game before the All-Star break. I'd actually be surprised if Pop doesn't do that. The Magic completed a home-and-home sweep of Atlanta on Monday, 117-110 in OT. They were down as much as 20 in that one. Nikola Vucevic scored 25 of his 28 points after halftime. Forward Tobias Harris sat out both games with a sprained ankle. San Antonio has won nine straight vs. Orlando, including 107-92 at home on Feb. 1.

Key trends: The Spurs are 4-0 ATS in the past four in Orlando. The under is 5-2 in the Magic's past seven vs. the West.

Early lean: Magic and under.

Kings at 76ers (+4, 217.5)

Will this be the final game for Kings head coach George Karl? Some reports are that it will be but then others that he's still safe after a last-second change of heart by Kings management. What a clueless franchise. The Kings have dropped four straight and allowed at least 120 points in the past three. Ironically, Karl took over the Kings during last year's All-Star break. Former Kings forward Corliss Williamson was expected to take over as interim coach if there's a move. Philadelphia blew a 19-point lead Monday in a 98-92 OT home loss to the Clippers. The 76ers had a chance to win it in regulation, but Jahlil Okafor's 18-foot jumper was long. The Sixers won in Sacramento 110-105 on Dec. 30.

Key trends: The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 6-1 in the Kings' past seven overall.

Early lean: 76ers and over.

Clippers at Celtics (-1.5, 209)

Los Angeles clearly took Philadelphia for granted early in Monday's game in falling behind by those 19 points, the Clippers' largest deficit of the season. But L.A. managed to win in OT despite giving Paul Pierce the night off to rest. J.J. Redick had 23 points, including the tying 3-pointer late in regulation. The Clips have won 12 of their past 14 on the road. Pierce certainly will play here against his former team. Boston was in Milwaukee on Tuesday on a four-game winning streak. The Clippers have won four straight games against the Celtics, their longest win streak against Boston in franchise history.

Key trends: The road team is 4-0 ATS in the past four. The under is 5-1 in Boston's past six in the second of a back-to-back.

Early lean: Clippers and over.

Grizzlies at Nets (TBA)

Memphis dropped a second straight home OT game on Monday, 112-106 vs. Portland. Jeff Green accidentally tipped in a Blazers miss at the end of regulation. Marc Gasol scored 11 points before leaving late in the first quarter with a right foot injury. He did not return. My guess is he gets this game off. Brooklyn beat visiting Denver 105-104 on Monday thanks to a buzzer-beating banked-in 3-pointer from Joe Johnson. Rookie Chris McCullough made his NBA debut for the Nets, more than a year after suffering a torn ACL while at Syracuse. Memphis beat the visiting Nets 101-91 on Halloween.

Key trends: The road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 7-2 in the past nine in Brooklyn

Early lean: Wait on Gasol.

Nuggets at Pistons (-6.5, 210)

Denver lost by one at Brooklyn on Monday on that buzzer-beater by the Nets' Johnson. Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points and Kenneth Faried had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets. Detroit lost a second straight Monday, 103-89 at home to Toronto. The highlight of that game was a made 80-footer by Pistons center Andre Drummond, the longest made shot in the NBA since 2007. Denver beat the visiting Pistons 104-101 on Jan. 23.

Key trends: The home team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 9-4 in the past 13.

Early lean: Pistons and over.

Lakers at Cavaliers (-16, 207)

First game of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. L.A. lost a second straight Monday, 89-87 at Indiana. Kobe was just 6-for-25 from the field and 4-for-14 on 3-point attempts. The Lakers shot a season-low 31.2 percent from the field and were 8-for-35 on 3-point attempts. L.A. center Roy Hibbert missed his first game of the season due to a sprained ankle. Cleveland blew out the Kings on Monday behind LeBron's first triple-double of the season: 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He didn't even play the fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 32 points and tied his career high with 12 assists. Kevin Love was back after missing a game with a bruised thigh.

Key trends: The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in the past five in Cleveland. The over is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Cavs and over.

Hawks at Bulls (TBA)

Atlanta was swept in a home-and-home by previously struggling Orlando on Monday, 117-110 in OT. The Hawks were up 20 in the first quarter. Al Horford led Atlanta with 27 points and Paul Millsap had 22 points and 13 rebounds. Millsap made a jumper at the end of regulation, but it was just after the buzzer. Chicago finished a seven-game road trip at 2-5 after a 108-91 loss in Charlotte on Monday. Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Derrick Rose all sat out; only Rose has a shot of playing here. Butler could miss up to another month and thus the All-Star Game. Hawks won first meeting of season with Bulls 120-105 at home on Jan. 9.

Key trends: The Hawks are 3-7 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The under is 8-1 in the past nine in Chicago.

Early lean: TBA for Rose. I like Hawks regardless.

Raptors at Timberwolves (+6.5, 208.5)

Toronto won its third straight and 14th in the past 15 on Monday, 103-89 in Detroit. Kyle Lowry led the way with 25 points. Toronto outscored the Pistons 16-3 in fast-break points. The Raptors have now won 23 consecutive games when allowing fewer than 100 points. Minnesota had a two-game winning streak end in a 116-102 win over New Orleans on Monday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. First meeting of the season between the Raptors and Wolves.

Key trends: Toronto is 9-1 ATS in its past 10 at Minnesota. The under is 8-3 in the past 11.

Early lean: Raptors and over.

Jazz at Pelicans (-2.5, 194)

New Orleans snapped a four-game losing streak with a 116-102 win in Minnesota on Monday. Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday scored 27 points apiece. The Pelicans turned it over only four times. Tyreke Evans sat out again and won't play here. Utah was in Denver on Tuesday looking for a seventh straight win. The Pelicans and Jazz have split two meetings this season in Salt Lake City.

Key trends: The Jazz are 4-0-1 ATS in the past five in New Orleans. The over has hit in 10 of the Pelicans' past 13 overall.

Early lean: Jazz and under.

Warriors at Suns (+17, 218.5)

Golden State hosted Houston on Tuesday on a nine-game winning streak. Phoenix lost 122-106 to Oklahoma City on Monday for its ninth straight loss. The Suns scored on their first 15 possessions but still couldn't take the lead. The Warriors have won both meetings this season and five straight vs. Phoenix.

Key trends: The home team is 9-4 ATS in the past 13. The over is 5-0 in Golden State's past five vs. teams with a losing record.

Early lean: Suns and over.

Rockets at Trail Blazers (TBA)

The ESPN nightcap. Houston was in Oakland on Tuesday with James Harden questionable. Portland won at Memphis 112-106 in OT on Monday for its second win in a row. Damian Lillard had 33 points. Forward Noah Vonleh missed his third consecutive game with a left ankle sprain. The Rockets and Blazers have split two meetings in Houston this season. Portland has won the past two at home in series.

Key trends: Houston is 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 6-2 in the past eight in Portland.

Early lean: Portland regardless of what Houston does vs. the Warriors.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Wednesday's hot teams
-- Spurs won their last five games (15-7AF). Orlando split its last six games, covering five of them (7-4HU).
-- Hornets won four of their last five games (9-8AU). Indiana won five of its last seven games (2-4 last 6HF).
-- Denver is 4-3 in last seven games; they covered 10 of last 12.
-- Memphis won nine of its last 12 games (2-4 last 6AF).
-- Clippers won seven of their last eight games (6-4HF). Celtics won eight of their last ten games (5-1 last 6HF).
-- Cleveland won seven of its last nine games (3-3HF with Lue).
-- Utah won its last seven games (2-7 last 9AU).
-- Raptors won 14 of their last 15 games (7-7AF).
-- Golden State won its last ten games (6-3 last 9AF).
-- Portland won seven of its last eight games.

Cold teams
-- Sacramento lost eight of last nine games (1-3AF). 76ers lost five of their last ix games (5-2 last 7HU).
-- Pistons lost five of their last seven games (12-2 last 14HF).
-- Brooklyn lost six of its last eight games (4-2 last 6HU).
-- Lakers lost 12 of last 14 games, but covered seven of last ten.
-- Pelicans lost four of their last five games (0-4 last 4HF).
-- Hawks lost five of their last eight games (5-9 last 14HU). Bulls lost five of their last six games (5-3 last 8HF).
-- Minnesota lost six of its last eight games (4-1 last 5HU).
-- Suns lost their last eight games (7-5HU).
-- Houston lost five of its last seven games.

Series records
-- Spurs won last nine games with Orlando,, but Magic covered three of last four.
-- 76ers won six of last eight games with Sacramento.
-- Pacers won eight of their last ten games with Charlotte.
-- Nuggets won eight of last ten games with Detroit.
-- Nets lost six of last eight games with Memphis.
-- Clippers won their last four games with Boston.
-- Lakers lost three of last four games with Cleveland.
-- Jazz lost five of last eight games with New Orleans.
-- Hawks won three of last four games with Chicago.
-- Raptors won last eight games with Minnesota (7-1 vs spread).
-- Warriors won last five games with Phoenix (4-1 vs spread).
-- Portland won three of last four games with Houston.

Totals
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten San Antonio games.
-- Six of last seven Sacramento games went over.
-- Five of last seven Charlotte games stayed under.
-- 12 of last 15 Denver games went over the total.
-- 12 of last 14 Memphis games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Clipper games.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland games went over.
-- Six of last eight Utah games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Chicago games went over.
--Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Minnesota games.
-- Seven of last ten Golden State games went over.
-- Eight of last nine Houston games went over total.

Back/backs
-- Spurs are 7-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Boston is 8-4 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Utah is 4-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Warriors are 10-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Houston is 3-8 vs spread in its last 11 games if it played nite before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Aggies (18-5) at Crimson Tide (13-9)

Date: February 10, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Texas A&M has an opportunity to get back into first place in the SEC if it can break out of its funk this week.

The 15th-ranked Aggies will first have to avoid another road loss Wednesday night against Alabama, which is seeking another win over a Top 25 opponent.

Texas A&M lost its lead in the SEC by dropping three of four and suffered its first home loss Saturday, 81-78 to then-No. 25 South Carolina. The Aggies' other two league defeats came on the road to middle-of-the-pack teams Arkansas and Vanderbilt, sandwiched around a 72-62 victory over then-No. 14 Iowa State in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Jan. 30.

"I don't think it was the game plan or the coaches doing something wrong. It was the players, including myself, not being ready to play well enough," said guard Alex Caruso, who had a season-high 16 points Saturday. "It's up to us to get our motors going and be ready to play every game."

The Aggies (18-5, 7-3) are facing another two games away from home capped by a matchup with SEC-leading LSU on Saturday. Winning each of those contests would push them into at least a tie for first depending in large part how the Tigers fare at South Carolina on Wednesday night.

First, the Aggies will have to avoid becoming Alabama's next upset victim. In their first season under coach Avery Johnson, the Crimson Tide (13-9, 4-6) are 3-2 against ranked opponents after losing 21 straight before his arrival.

They blew out then-No. 19 South Carolina 73-50 in Tuscaloosa in the latest such matchup Jan. 13. That was also Alabama's lone victory in its first six SEC games, but it has won two straight and three of four after topping Missouri 80-71 on Saturday.

Johnson will face a team with which he's well acquainted. His son, Avery Johnson Jr., played 13 games as a freshman for Texas A&M in 2014-15 and is sitting out this season after transferring to Alabama.

"We don't ever take anything for granted. There are no assumptions. We're going to go in there like a clean sheet of paper, like we've never seen them before, even though we spent a year watching them and being behind the scenes," the Crimson Tide coach said. "Junior will give us some information, but at the same time, we've got to execute. They're an outstanding team."

Alabama is hoping to get second-leading scorer Shannon Hale back from a foot injury that's kept him out the past two games. Johnson said Hale could have played 15 minutes Saturday but he chose to let him keep healing.

Hale, averaging 11.3 points, has a combined 36 in his past two games. Riley Norris, averaging 8.6, has totaled 34 in the last two and scored a team-best 18 against Missouri.

Norris, though, had seven points in 45 minutes in Alabama's two wins against Texas A&M last season.

The Crimson Tide, 8-3 at home, have won in four of the Aggies' five all-time visits.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Friars (18-6) at Golden Eagles (15-9)

Date: February 10, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Experiencing another untimely slump, Providence's season is beginning to play out much like the last.

The 20th-ranked Friars hope to change that trend Wednesday night by reversing their dubious history at Marquette, a traditional roadblock on their Big East schedule.

After rising to eighth in the Top 25 off a 14-1 start and later earning a breakthrough overtime win at Villanova on Jan. 24, Providence (18-6, 6-5 Big East) has fallen to the middle of the conference pack by dropping three of four. The Friars have lost two straight for the first time this season after a 72-60 defeat in Saturday's rematch with the current No. 1 Wildcats followed a 77-70 setback at DePaul last Tuesday.

Providence encountered a similar slide last year, splitting its final 10 conference regular-season games after winning six of its first eight.

"It's a long season, but we're still in good shape," coach Ed Cooley said. "It's tough with the way we've played lately. We don't need anybody being negative. It's not the end of the world because we lost a basketball game. It's a journey and you teach and encourage and we'll look to continue to improve.'

Winning at Marquette (15-9, 4-7) would qualify as an upgrade, as Providence is 0-9 all-time on the road in the series with the Golden Eagles winning the last six in Milwaukee by an average of 18.8 points. They also upset the then-No. 8 Friars 65-64 in Providence on Jan. 5 when star freshman Henry Ellenson rejected Kris Dunn's 15-footer at the buzzer for their 12th victory in the schools' last 14 meetings.

The young Golden Eagles have been expectedly inconsistent since, losing three straight in mid-January before winning three in a row. They've struggled defensively in dropping their last two, with Seton Hall shooting 50 percent in a 79-62 victory last Wednesday and then-No. 6 Xavier going 13 of 20 from 3-point range in Saturday's 90-82 win.

Marquette trailed by one with 2:15 left but turned it over on three consecutive possessions as the Musketeers pulled away with a 7-0 run.

'Turnovers have been our Achilles heel all year,' coach Steve Wojciechowski said. 'We have some amazing turnovers at costly times. Against a team like Xavier, there isn't any margin for error. You can't have empty possessions.'

That could be an issue as well against Providence, which leads the Big East with 15.3 takeaways per game and has the conference's reigning defensive player of the year in Dunn, second in Division I in steals (3.18 per game). The junior guard had five as the Friars scored 24 points off 19 Marquette giveaways in last month's matchup.

Providence also tops the conference in 3-point percentage defense (30.8) but has been vulnerable inside, an advantage the bigger Golden Eagles exploited by shooting 62.5 percent inside the arc in the previous meeting. Villanova did as well on Saturday, outscoring the Friars 32-14 in the paint and finishing with a 46-29 rebounding edge.

The Wildcats capitalized on Ben Bentil's ankle injury that held the Big East's scoring leader to two rebounds, though the standout sophomore still managed 20 points in 34 minutes.

"He toughed it out,' Cooley said. 'He hadn't practiced since leaving the floor the other day, but a talent like that is tough to keep off the floor."

Bentil had 28 points and nine rebounds against Marquette last month, but Dunn committed a season-high seven turnovers and the Friars shot 37.7 percent. They've been held under 40 percent in each of their last three losses.

Ellenson compiled 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in the last matchup and is averaging 21.3 points over his last three.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bears (17-6) at Wildcats (14-9)

Date: February 10, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

In an attempt to end its first losing streak, Baylor will have to visit a team that already gave it one of its toughest tests this season.

If that wasn't enough, Kansas State is also coming off a stunning upset on its own floor and will try to capture another Wednesday night.

Another poor shooting performance sent No. 21 Baylor to an 80-69 loss at then-No. 14 West Virginia on Saturday. The Bears (17-6, 6-4 Big 12) finished at 38.7 percent after connecting on 12 of 36 attempts in the second half and shot a season-low 35.2 in a 67-59 defeat to visiting Texas on Feb. 1.

"We've been missing a lot of layups in the past two games and against quality teams, you can't miss as many layups and shots as we've missed," coach Scott Drew said. "We just haven't executed at a high enough level. Defensively, we haven't forced the other teams to miss enough shots."

Baylor shot a more respectable 49.1 percent and held Kansas State to 40.6 on Jan. 20, but needed double overtime for a 79-72 victory at home. Taurean Prince scored 19 points and matched a season high with 13 rebounds in the Bears' fourth win in the past five matchups.

Baylor, though, has alternated wins and losses in its last six games at Kansas State. It fell 63-61 as the No. 22 team in the nation in its previous visit Jan. 17, 2015. The Wildcats (14-9, 3-7) pulled off an even bigger upset Saturday with an 80-69 win that knocked Oklahoma out of the No. 1 spot.

"It's tough to play on the road anywhere, but we have to go in there and take care of business," Baylor guard Ishmail Wainright said.

Kansas State, 12-2 at home, lost its first seven games against Top 25 opponents this season but prevailed Saturday behind Wesley Iwundu's 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Coach Bruce Weber changed his starting lineup with freshman guard Barry Brown replacing Justin Edwards and D.J. Johnson replacing Dean Wade.

Wade matched a season high with 17 points while also making 7 of 11 shots, and Kansas State outshot the Sooners 52.9 percent to 43.1. Johnson went 5 of 6 from the floor while scoring 12.

"It wasn't that we didn't believe. We just didn't get it done. ... You have to make it happen," Weber said. "We had chances against North Carolina, West Virginia, Baylor, Texas. We've had chances against a lot of people. We just didn't make it happen and now we did so I hope that will continue.

"We have a lot of opportunities to continue to get Top 25 wins, and that continues with Baylor on Wednesday."

Kansas State freshman guard Kamau Stokes, who scored a team-best 20 points last month at Baylor, is likely out for the season following right knee surgery. Iwundu had 10 points in that game - slightly below his team-high average of 12.8 - but matched a career best with 10 rebounds.

Johnathan Motley had 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting and nine boards off the bench for the Bears. Al Freeman scored all of his 11 points in the two overtimes, and Lester Medford matched a career high with 13 assists.

Prince scored 20 points in the most recent visit to Kansas State and is averaging 17.7 in his past three matchups.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cyclones (17-6) at Red Raiders (13-9)

Date: February 10, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Adversity isn't anything new for an Iowa State team that's been adjusting to injuries and defections since the summer.

Short-handed on the road for a second consecutive game, the 14th-ranked Cyclones will rely on that resiliency once again in Wednesday night's matchup with fading Texas Tech.

Lacking both size and depth heading into coach Steve Prohm's first season, the Cyclones have been further thinned in both areas. Starting guard Naz Mitrou-Long was lost to a season-ending hip injury in mid-December and Prohm suspended center Jameel McKay prior to Saturday's game at Oklahoma State. Iowa State (17-6, 6-4 Big 12) has withstood those challenges, not to mention former coach Fred Hoiberg's departure to the NBA in June, to remain a contender in a league rated as the nation's toughest by the RPI.

The transition hasn't always been smooth, as evidenced by consecutive losses to ranked teams Texas A&M and West Virginia entering the Oklahoma State game, in which the Cyclones overcame an unusually poor shooting opening half to earn a much-needed 64-59 win.

Iowa State shot 57.1 percent after the break and ended the game on a 10-4 run after trailing 55-54 with 3:22 left.

'I think it was just adjusting,' guard Monte Morris said. 'We talked big about spacing at halftime and that was a big emphasis that we put in after halftime. We came out and were able to get the job done.'

Morris and Georges Niang, the two constants during the Cyclones' trying season, sparked the surge. Niang, who moved to center in McKay's absence, scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half and Morris had 13 of his 16 in the final period.

Prohm will deploy that same lineup against struggling Texas Tech (13-9, 3-7) after announcing that McKay, third in the Big 12 with 9.0 rebounds per game and Iowa State's best interior defender, won't play again as punishment for violating an unspecified team rule. Prohm said during his Monday press conference he's hopeful the senior will be reinstated for Saturday's home game against Texas.

"I have younger kids that I have to set an example for. I've got recruits. I want to do special things here," Prohm said. "I want things a certain way, and that's the way it needs to be in every area. Some things I let go that the end of the day, I can't let go.

"It's not just about this year. I want Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Jameel McKay and Abdel Nader to come back in three years and be damn proud of the Iowa State basketball program. That's why I have to make the decisions I make."

McKay's absence should be felt, as he recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds in a 76-69 home win over the Red Raiders on Jan. 6.

Whether Texas Tech can take advantage remains to be seen. The Red Raiders are without top post player Norense Odiase, sidelined with a broken foot, and have shot 36.3 percent over their last four games. Leading scorer Devaugntah Williams (11.6 ppg) is averaging just 6.0 points during a stretch of four losses in five games.

Texas Tech has lost eight of 10 following an 11-1 start and 13 straight against ranked teams since a 78-73 win over then-No. 9 Iowa State in Lubbock on Jan. 24, 2015. The Red Raiders were 11 of 24 on 3s in that game but 2 of 15 in last month's meeting.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Golden Hurricane (15-8) at Mustangs (20-2)

Date: February 10, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

SMU's quest for an undefeated season ended a little more than two weeks ago, but coach Larry Brown finally believes his squad is simply playing for itself.

The No. 16 Mustangs can build on their most decisive American Athletic Conference victory by remaining undefeated at home Wednesday night against Tulsa.

After losing two of three and shooting 40.4 percent in the previous two, SMU (20-2, 9-2) shot 60.3 percent - second-highest this season - in Sunday's 92-58 road rout of lowly South Florida.

Though the Mustangs faced little resistance while going 14 of 24 from 3-point range and recording a season-high 27 assists, Brown might have been most pleased with his team's care-free approach.

'Maybe the pressure of everybody talking about how special we were and we had this chance of going undefeated ...' Brown said. 'I never thought about that, to be honest. But I think it might have affected our kids.'

An unbeaten run during a season in which NCAA sanctions prohibit the program from any postseason competition became a hot topic until the Mustangs lost 89-80 at Temple on Jan. 24. Following a 12-point home win over Memphis six days later, SMU fell 71-68 at Houston on Feb. 1.

After getting back on track again, the league-leading Mustangs try to win consecutive games for the first time since starting 18-0. Despite matching a season-low shooting effort against Memphis, SMU has still hit more than half of its attempts while averaging 79.1 points during a 15-game home winning streak that dates to its 62-54 loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 5, 2015.

That run included last season's 67-62 win over Tulsa (15-8, 7-4), which dropped its fourth straight in the series by allowing SMU to shoot 56.4 percent and go 10 of 15 from 3-point range in an 81-69 home loss Dec. 29.

"When you play a team that is as talented as they are and as skilled as they are, in terms of scoring the basketball, you have to make plays when you have the opportunity to make plays," Tulsa coach Frank Haith said after that meeting. "We weren't able to make those plays. Give them credit. They are an extremely talented team."

A 23-win team that went 14-4 in the league last season, the Golden Hurricane haven't been quite as sharp in 2015-16. Though it shot 51.9 percent in Sunday's 77-63 home victory over the Cougars, Tulsa's hit 38 percent of its shots and gone 11 of 52 from 3-point range while losing two straight on the road.

"The way this has played out you can't hang your head, and you got to move on to the next one," Haith said. "We have another great opportunity on Wednesday to play one ofthe best teams in the country."

Third in the AAC averaging 16.2 points, Tulsa guard James Woodard hit five 3-pointers and finished with 22 points against the Mustangs in December. He went 10 of 16 from beyond the arc while scoring a career-high 30 at SMU last season.

Nic Moore (15.8 ppg) scored 23 at Tulsa, and has averaged 20 in three career meetings.

Freshman teammate Shake Milton, who scored 22 on Sunday, had a season-high 24 against the Golden Hurricane.

Tulsa has lost 16 straight road games against Top 25 teams since winning at then-No. 11 Tennessee Dec. 23, 1999.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards


**LSU at South Carolina**

-- The Westgate SuperBook opened South Carolina as a 4.5-point favorite for Wednesday’s SEC showdown vs. LSU.

-- South Carolina (20-3 straight up, 15-5 against the spread) is undefeated in 12 home games with a 7-2 spread record.

-- South Carolina captured its best win of the season this past Saturday when it went into College Station and handed Texas A&M its first home loss of the year. Frank Martin’s squad won an 81-78 decision as a nine-point underdog. Sindarius Thornwell was the catalyst, producing 25 points, six rebounds, three steals and nine assists compared to just one turnover. Michael Carrera drained all five of his attempts from 3-point range in a 20-point effort.

-- Carrera is averaging 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He’s making 49.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and 48.7 percent from 3-point range. Thornwell (12.7 PPG) paces the Gamecocks in assists (3.6 APG) and steals (1.5 SPG).

-- LSU (15-8 SU, 8-12 ATS) is alone atop the SEC standings with an 8-2 record in league play. South Carolina, Texas A&M and Kentucky are each one game back with 7-3 SEC ledgers.

-- LSU is No. 74 in the RPI Rankings due to a 1-3 record against the Top 50. However, the Tigers have produced a 6-6 mark versus the Top 100. They have wins at Vanderbilt and at Alabama, in addition to home triumphs over Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Georgia.

-- LSU has lost four of seven road games, going 2-5 ATS.

-- South Carolina is No. 27 in the RPI with a 1-0 record against the Top 50 and a 7-3 ledger versus the Top 100. The Gamecocks have road wins at Texas A&M, at Ole Miss and at Clemson, in addition to neutral-court victories over Hofstra, Tulsa and DePaul. They also own home wins over Alabama, Vanderbilt and Memphis.

-- LSU is led by true freshman sensation Ben Simmons, who averages team-bests in scoring (19.4 PPG), rebounding (12.3 RPG), assists (5.0 APG), field-goal percentage (56.7%), steals (1.9 SPG) and blocked shots (1.0 BPG).

-- LSU has won four of its last five games with the lone loss coming previously top-ranked Oklahoma in a game it led by 10 with less than 10 minutes remaining. The Tigers beat Mississippi State 88-77 as 9.5-point home favorites this past Saturday. Antonio Blakeney erupted for 31 points on 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point land, while Keith Hornsby finished with 25 points and five assists compared to merely one turnover. Simmons flirted with a triple-double, tallying 16 points, nine boards, seven assists, three steals and a pair of blocked shots.

-- LSU has been an underdog seven times this year, going 3-4 both SU and ATS.

-- LSU has won three in a row over USC while going 2-0-1 ATS. The ‘under’ has cashed in three consecutive encounters.

-- The ‘under’ is 12-8 overall for the Tigers, 5-2 in their seven road assignments.

-- Totals have been an overall wash (10-10) for South Carolina. The ‘over’ is 5-2 in the Gamecocks’ last seven games, 6-3 in their home outings this year.

-- Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

**Washington at Utah**

-- Utah (17-7 SU, 9-12-1 ATS) opened as an eight-point favorite Tuesday at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. The Utes have won 11 of 12 home games while posting a 4-5 spread record.

-- Utah is led by seven-foot sophomore center Jakob Poeltl is averaging 17.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots. Those are all team-highs along with his field-goal percentage (65.0%).

-- Washington (15-8 SU, 12-9 ATS) is in a third-place tie with Arizona in the Pac-12 standings, two games back of pace-setting Oregon and its 9-2 league mark. Meanwhile, Utah is in a fifth-place tie with Colorado as both teams are 6-5 in conference play.

-- Washington has lost three of its last five games, including Saturday’s 77-72 home loss to Arizona as a 4.5-point underdog. Andrew Andrews scored 20 points in the losing effort, while Marquese Chriss finished with 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.

-- UW freshman power forward Noah Dickerson injured his ankle against Arizona and was limited to only seven minutes of playing time. Dickerson is listed as ‘questionable’ at Utah. The Atlanta produced signed with Florida but when Billy Donovan left for the NBA, UF gave Dickerson his release and he decided to go to UW. He is averaging 8.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.

-- Lorenzo Romar’s squad is 3-2 both SU and ATS in five road outings.

-- Washington owns a 6-6 record both SU and ATS in 12 games as an underdog.

-- Utah owns a 1-2-1 spread record in four games as a single-digit favorite.

-- Since winning five straight in Pac-12 action, Utah has dropped back-to-back contests both SU and ATS. The Utes lost 71-69 Thursday at Oregon St. before falling 76-66 Sunday at Oregon as 6.5-point road underdogs.

-- Utah’s Kyle Kuzma had 18 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in Eugene. Jordan Loveridge finished with 16 points and 10 boards, while Poeltl had 13 points and eight rebounds. Foul trouble limited Poeltl to 29 minutes of playing time, and he had only five shots from the field and the charity stripe. He made four of his shots from the floor and all five of his free throws.

-- The ‘over’ is 13-9-1 overall for the Utes, 8-2 in their home games.

-- The ‘over’ is 14-7 overall for UW, 5-0 in its road assignments. The ‘over’ is on a 13-2 run in the Huskies’ last 15 games.

-- ESPN2 will have the telecast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Monmouth cruised to an 87-61 win at Marist last night as a 9.5-point road favorite. The Hawks have won six in a row with five of those victories coming by double-digit margins. They are No. 31 in the RPI.

-- Purdue allowed a 16-point halftime lead to get away at home last night vs. Michigan State. The Spartans rallied to force overtime before losing an 82-82 decision. However, they covered the number as two-point road underdogs.

-- Dayton and Miami dodged legit upset bids at home last night. The Flyers clipped Duquesne 76-74 but failed to cover as double-digit ‘chalk.’ The Hurricanes held off Pitt, 65-63.

-- Iowa State center Jameel McKay will miss a second straight game Wednesday against Texas Tech due to a suspension. McKay averages 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds. He also has 36 blocked shots.

-- UNLV freshman center Stephen Zimmerman will miss at least a week with an injury sustained Saturday. Zimmerman is averaging 10.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's Top 25 Trends

Wednesday, Feb. 10

Matchup Records Skinny Projection

Providence
Overall: 18-6 SU, 13-10 ATS
Big East: 6-5 SU, 6-5 ATS
Totals: 13-10 O/U

Marquette
Overall: 15-9 SU, 9-14 ATS
Big East: 4-7 SU, 4-7 ATS
Totals: 14-9 O/U

(20) Providence at Marquette
The Friars look to snap an 0-9 mark against the Golden Eagles in Milwaukee to avoid their first three-game losing streak. Excellent PF Ben Bentil should play despite not practicing the last two days in order to give his injured ankle time to heal. Providence won the first meeting between these teams 65-64 on Jan. 5. Avoiding miscues should be the key to this near pick'em. Marquette ranks 316th nationally in turnover percentage, while Providence forces them at a clip that ranks 22nd. All-America candidate Kris Dunn squares off with impressive Marquette freshman Haanif Cheatham in a battle of talented big guards, while Bentil will see plenty of skilled big man Henry Ellenson, a potential lottery pick.

Providence 69
Marquette 68


Texas A&M
Overall: 18-5 SU, 8-8 ATS
SEC: 7-3 SU, 3-6-1 ATS
Totals: 7-11 O/U

Alabama
Overall: 13-9 SU,
SEC: 4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS
Totals: 10-10 O/U

(15) Texas A&M at Alabama
The Aggies have fallen out of first place in the SEC following losses in three of their last four. A&M is on its first losing streak of the season as it visits Tuscaloosa before visiting first-place LSU on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide is 3-2 against ranked foes this season and hopes to have forward Shannon Hale (11.3 ppg) back after a two-game absence due to a foot injury. Alabama is 8-3 at home (5-3 ATS) and has beaten the Aggies in four of their last five trips into town. The Crimson Tide is 2-2 SU (3-1) ATS as a home underdog like they are tonight. A&M saw its 81-78 weekend home loss to South Carolina end a run of seven straight where the under prevailed. The over has hit in three consecutive 'Bama games.

Texas A&M 74
Alabama 69


Baylor
Overall: 17-6 SU, 5-11 ATS
Big 12: 6-4 SU, 4-5-1 ATS
Totals: 10-7 O/U

Kansas State
Overall: 14-9 SU, 13-6 ATS
Big 12: 3-7 SU, 7-3 ATS
Totals: 11-9 O/U

(21) Baylor at Kansas State
The Wildcats come off this season's landmark win, an 80-69 victory over then-No. 1 Oklahoma on Saturday. They'll look to avoid an emotional hangover as a slight favorite against another nationally-ranked foe, a Bears squad they lost to 79-72 in double-OT in Waco, covering as an 8.5-point underdog on Jan. 20. K-State hasn't won consecutive games since Dec. 29, struggling in Big 12 play. K-State is 1-8 (5-3-1 ATS) against ranked opponents, but is 10-2 (7-3 ATS) straight up at home. Bears forwards Taurean Prince (14.9p/6.0r) and Rico Gathers (12.7p/10.3r) combined for 30 points and 21 boards in the win. K-State's leading scorer in that game, Kamau Stokes, poured in 20 off the bench but is unavailable tonight due to a knee injury.

Baylor 74
Kansas State 70


Iowa State
Overall: 17-6 SU, 11-8 ATS
Big 12: 6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS
Totals: 7-12 O/U

Texas Tech
Overall: 13-9 SU, 9-10 ATS
Big 12: 3-7 SU, 3-7 ATS
Totals: 9-10 O/U

(14) Iowa State at Texas Tech
The Cyclones snapped a two-game losing streak at Oklahoma State over the weekend, allowing a season-low 59 points. F Jameel McKay, the Cyclones' top rebounder (9.0) and shot-blocker (1.7), remains suspended indefinitely. Texas Tech has gone 1-4 since PF Norense Odiase broke his foot. The Red Raiders have lost eight of 10 since opening Big 12 play with a win over Texas, a stretch that started with a 76-69 loss at Iowa State on Jan. 6 where they covered as 11-point dogs. That game was lower-scoring than expected, which has become a trend of late since the under is 6-0-1 in ISU's last seven games. The under has hit in Texas Tech's last three contests.

Iowa State 80
Texas Tech 74


Tulsa
Overall: 15-8 SU, 10-9 ATS
American: 7-4 SU, 5-4 ATS
Totals: 10-12 O/U

SMU
Overall: 20-2 SU, 8-10 ATS
American: 9-2 SU, 5-6 ATS
Totals: 10-8 O/U

Tulsa at (16) SMU
Larry Brown's Mustangs are just 2-2 since opening the season 18-0, but remain atop the American Athletic Conference standings. They'll look for a season sweep of the Golden Hurricane, which they beat in Tulsa 81-69 on Dec. 29 to open league play. SMU freshman guard Shake Milton, a Tulsa native, scored 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting, hitting 7-for-8 3-pointers. The Golden Hurricane's top scorer, James Woodard (16.2 ppg), had 22 points against SMU last month and torched it for a career-high 30 in last year's loss in Dallas. Tulsa has won 7 of 9 and is 4-2 (SU and ATS) in true road games. SMU is 12-0 (3-5 ATS) at home and has a massive game scheduled in Dallas this weekend against visiting Gonzaga.

Tulsa 64
SMU 73

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAA Basketball Betting 3-Point Play: Three Interesting Feb. 10 Opening Lines
by Alan Matthews

Could a team that wins a Power 5 conference's regular-season title still be a bubble team for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid? That question could be asked about LSU right now as the Tigers are unlikely leaders of the SEC but certainly no lock for the Big Dance yet. A win at South Carolina on Wednesday night certainly will help things for freshman star Ben Simmons' Tigers.

LSU at South Carolina (-4.5)

This SEC game tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. I've said it before and will say it again: the NCAA Tournament won't be as interesting if Simmons isn't in it. But LSU (15-8, 8-2) has more work to do despite leading the SEC by a game over South Carolina, Texas A&M and Kentucky. So we could have a four-way tie by Wednesday night. ESPN Bracketology currently has LSU as a No. 10 seed in the Big Dance. Simmons was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday for the third time. Simmons averaged 18.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and seven assists in wins over Auburn and Mississippi State last week. He shot 61.5 percent from the field. The star freshman in Saturday's win over the Bulldogs was Antonio Blakeney, who had 31 points off the bench. He became just the sixth LSU freshman ever to reach 30 points. Simmons has done it twice.


South Carolina (20-3, 7-3) was upset at unranked Georgia last Tuesday but bounced back with an 81-78 upset of then-No. 8 Texas A&M in College Station on Saturday. Sindarius Thornwell had a season-high 25 points with nine assists and six rebounds in the win. That gave USC its first 20-win season since 2008-09, the Gamecocks' first road win against a ranked opponent since 2010 and the first over a Top 10 team since 2006. The Gamecocks made a season-high 12 3-pointers in the game and shot 57 percent from long range. USC has lost three straight to LSU, including in Columbia in 2013 & '14.

Key trends: LSU is 2-7 against the spread in its past nine road games. USC is 13-3 ATS in its past 16 at home.

I'm leaning: South Carolina.

Washington at Utah (-8)

This Pac-12 game is at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The Huskies (15-8, 7-4) are another bubble team. They are currently projected as a No. 10 seed for the NCAA. UW has alternated wins and losses over its past six. It was beaten 77-72 at home by No. 23 Arizona on Saturday. Pac-12 leading scorer Andrew Andrews led Washington with 20 points. Dejounte Murray was held to 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting after scoring a career-high 34 earlier in the week against Arizona State. Freshman Noah Dickerson was limited to seven minutes due to an ankle injury, and he's questionable here. Dickerson averages 8.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

I still think Utah (17-7, 6-5) is arguably the third-best team in the conference behind Oregon and Arizona, but the Utes were swept over the weekend at the Oregon schools. They were beaten 76-66 at conference-leading Oregon on Sunday. Jakob Poeltl, the Pac-12's second-leading scorer at 17.4 points per game, had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Utes. Utah won at Washington on Jan. 24, 80-75 in overtime. Poeltl scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Utes completed a weekend road sweep of conference games (beating Washington State a couple of days before) for the first time since joining the Pac-12. Andrews led UW with 17 points. Dickerson had 14.

Key trends: UW is 4-0 ATS in its past four after a loss. The Utes are 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings.

I'm leaning: Utah.

San Jose State at UNLV (-15.5)

No national TV for this Mountain West tip at 10 p.m. ET. San Jose State (8-15, 3-8) is the conference's worst team. But the Spartans have won two straight, upsetting both Air Force and Fresno State last week (been off since Wednesday). A two-game winning streak may not sound like much, but it's SJSU's first in conference play in five years. Air Force and Fresno State averaged just 53.5 points, which is 20.5 points below SJSU opponents' average on the season. The Falcons and Bulldogs shot just a combined 31.6 percent.

UNLV (13-11, 4-7) got some terrible news on Monday when star freshman center Stephen Zimmerman, one of the top recruits in the country, was ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury. He suffered a bad sprain in Saturday's 111-104 double-overtime loss to Fresno State, the Rebels' third straight defeat. Zimmerman is averaging 10.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game and is a lock lottery pick in the 2016 draft if he declares as expected. His injury likely will lead to minutes for walk-ons Austin Starr or Barry Cheaney because the team is pondering a medical redshirt for junior Tyrell Green. Less than two weeks ago, the Rebels also lost big man Ben Carter to a season-ending torn ACL. Carter averaged 8.6 points and was second on the team with six rebounds per game. This is the only regular-season meeting between SJSU and UNLV. The Rebels won both last year, including by 34 at home.

Key trends: San Jose State is 8-1 ATS in its past nine road games. It has covered eight of its past 10 overall. UNLV is 1-4 ATS its past five games.

I'm leaning: San Jose State.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Notes for Wednesday's games..........

Butler won four of five gaes with Seton Hall, winning by 7-4 in its two visits here. Pirates' only win was in '14 Big East tourney. Bulldogs won three of last four games; they're 2-4 on Big East road, beating two worst teams in league- they're 2-6 vs spread outside of DePaul/St John's. Big East home favorites of less than 5 points are 7-4 vs spread. Seton Hall won its last four games, covered its last sevem- they're 3-2 as HF.

Memphis lost four of last six games; they're 1-3 on AAC road, winning by 11 at UCF. Tigers won six of last seven games with Houston, with wins by 19-18 points over Cougars LY; Memphis won two of last three visits here. Houston won three of last four games after losing four strait; they're 1-2 as AAC home favorites, AAC home teams are 4-6 against the spread in games with spread of 3 or less points.

Indiana State turned ball over 20 times (-9), lost 79-66 Jan 20 in foulfest at Southern Illinois, where Sycamores took more FTs (42-34) than SIU. ISU won four of last five series games, winning last six played at home, with three of last five by 10+. State is 6-0 at home in MVC (2-2 as HF); they covered once in last seven games. MVC home favorites of 6 or less points are 5-9 vs spread. SIU lost its last four games after an 18-3 start.

LSU won last three games with South Carolina by 18-3-6 points- they won last three visits here, by 10-18-3 points, but Gamecocks have had breakthrough year, are 20-3, 4-0 at home in SEC, winning by 4-9-10-14 points.LSU won four of last five games; favorites covered their last four road games. SEC home favorites of 5 or less points are 8-4 vs spread. Carolina won five of last seven games, is 3-1 as a home favorite.

St Joe's won 15 of its last 17 games, is 5-0 on A-14 road; they lost two home games in conference. Hawks lost 76-71/64-60 last couple years to George Washington. St Joe's is 5-0 on A-14 road, with four of five wins by 9+ points. A-14 home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-5 vs spread. GW won last three games by 6-10-3 points; they're 2-3 as home faves. GW's only home loss was in double OT to Richmond.

Alabama is 3-1 vs Texas A&M in SEC play; home side won all three of regular season meetings. Avery Johnson's son was a sub at A&M LY, but transferred to Alabama to be with his dad- he is sitting out this year but knows Aggies well. SEC home underdogs of 5 or less points are 8-9 vs spread. A&M lost three of last four games; they're 3-2 on SEC road, with wins by 1-4-34. Alabama won three of last four; they're 1-2 as HU.

Baylor won three of last four games with Kansas State; they split last four visits to Little Apple. Bears lost three of last four games; favorites are 4-1 vs spread in their road games. Baylor is 3-2 on road, with three wins by 5 or less points. K-State lost four of last six games; favorites are 4-1 vs spread in their home games. Big X favorites are 11-5 vs spread in games with spread of 5 or less points. Baylor won first meeting 79-72 in double OT Jan 20, despite going 15-29 on foul line.

Pac-12 home favorites of 7+ points are 11-1 vs spread. Utah won 80-75 in OT at Washington Jan 24, in brickfest where teams went 12-50 from arc. Utes won four of last five series games, winning by 9-21 in last two played here. Washington is 2-3 in last five games; they're 3-2 on Pac-12 road, losing by 32-10 points. Utah got swept in Oregon last weekend; they're 3-1 at home, 2-2 as home favorites, winning by 6-9-22 points.

SMU made 10-15 on arc, won 81-69 at Tulsa Dec 29, Mustangs' third straight series win, with other two in OT. SMU split its last four games after starting season 18-0; they're 1-4 as AAC home favorites. Tulsa is 1-3 as an AAC underdog, 2-3 on road, with losses by 19-3-4- they are most experienced team in country, but still lost last two games on road. AAC double digit home favorites are 6-10 vs spread.

Home side won nine of last ten Boise-Colorado State games; Broncos are 1-4 in last five visits here, losing by 17-11-20-6 points, with line win in 2014. Boise lost three of last four games, losing last two road games by 8-10 points. Mountain West home underdogs of 4 or less points are 3-6 vs spread. Rams are 3-4 in last seven games but won last two at home, by 8-9 points. Boise is forcing turnovers 20.9% of time in MW play.

UNLV is down to seven scholarship players, five of whom are guards- they have zero healthy size. Rebels are 3-0 vs San Jose St in Mountain West play, winning 74-40 here LY, but they've lost four of their last five games overall. San Jose is 4-1 as road underdog, with three of five losses by 8 or less points; they've covered eight of last ten games. MW double digit home favorites are 4-7 against the spread.

Neb-Omaha lost 87-76 at South Dakota State 13 days ago; Jackrabbits shot 68% inside arc- they're 6-1 in series games, winning last four by 17-19-22-11 points. State won its last five games, four by 11+ points; they are 2-3 as road favorites. Omaha lost three of last four games, two of last three at home, with losses by 5-3 points. State is best in Summit when it comes to protecting the ball. Omaha forces turnovers 19.8% of time. protects ball Summit League home underdogs are 4-5 vs spread.

Tennessee State lost 81-79 at Tennessee Tech 13 days ago, in game TSU led by 10 at half; home side won four of last five series games. Tech lost five of last six visits here, winning by 4 two years ago. State lost three of last five games; they're 8-2 vs spread in OVC games. Tech scored 81.8 ppg in winning last four games; they're 4-2 on OVC road. OVC home teams are 11-13 vs spread in games with spread of 4 or less points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Wednesday
By Mike Dempsey

Songbird did not disappoint on Saturday, winning the $350,000 Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita, the Eclipse Award winner for outstanding juvenile filly in 2015 remaining undefeated in five career starts.

She proved faster than her male counterparts last year, with many thinking she would be an early betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) perhaps.

But her connections remain steadfast that she is headed to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) instead and will not take on the boys, at least not yet.

“It would be nice to win the Kentucky Derby, but I’d like to do it with a nice colt,” her owner Rick Porter said after the race. “I don’t like the (Kentucky Derby) point system. We’d have to run in the Santa Anita Derby with her. I think it’d be great for your ego, but the smart move is to stay on the path we’re on to the (Kentucky) Oaks.”

She remains the 1-2 early betting favorite for the Oaks, an absurdly low number considering we are still three months away from the race.

The current second choice in the wagering is Rachel’s Valentina, the daughter of the great Rachel’s Alexandra, who beat the boys in the 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1).

Her daughter has made three starts, breaking her maiden in her debut, winning the Spinaway (G1) and then running second to Songbird in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

She is a talented filly who still appears to have plenty of upside potential. If you want to take a stab against Songbird, there are several talented fillies at generous prices:

Odds to win the Kentucky Oaks
Songbird 1-2
Rachel’s Valentina 8-1
Carina Mia 10-1
Nickname 10-1
Cathryn Sophia 12-1
Polar River 14-1
Tap To It 14-1
Dothraki Queen 20-1
Nemoralia 30-1


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

GP Race 1 Md Sp Wt (12:35 ET)
#1 Sudestada 7-2
#8 Sanctifica 2-1
#7 Ginned Up 8-1
#3 Alabama Ashley 5-1

Analysis: Sudestada faded to finish fifth last out and now returns off a four-month break here for the Albertrani barn that is 9% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180-day layoff. Two back this filly ran a decent third at the Spa earning a career top. A repeat of that effort puts her in the mix in this spot.

Sanctifica pressed the early pace and weakened to finish sixth last out on the main track at the Spa. This will be her first go on turf. The Clement barn is 25% winners with runners coming back off a +180-day layoff. By Distorted Humor out of a stakes placed Saint Ballado mare, the pedigree leans a bit more toward dirt, but she is in a sharp barn that dopes well on turf and hits at as 23% clip in turf sprints overall.

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 1,8 / 1,3,7,8
TRI: 1,8 / 1,3,7,8 / 1,3,5,7,8

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

GP Race 8 Md Sp Wt (4:05 ET)
#8 Bel Citron 6-1
#10 Dakota Queen 7-2
#3 Tiz Jeweled 6-1
#4 Truly Together 4-1

Analysis: Bel Citron makes her first start since a fourth in her debut last October at Belmont Park where she drew a tough spot and was picking it up late in a race void of any pace. The top pair came out of the race to win next out, the winner Fourstar Cook beating state bred Alw-1 foes on Nov. 18. The Shug barn does not win first out often and hits at a 27% clip (with a +ROI) with second out maidens and has strong numbers off the bench. She has a nice pedigree, a half to three turf winners including stakes winner Air Support ($937,619).

Dakota Queen also drew a bum post in her debut and she came with a good late rally to just miss by a neck at 5-1 in a field of 11. Clement hits at a 16% clip with second out maidens. This gal is bred to be a good one, out of the stakes winner Moon Queen ($171,571) who has dropped five turf winners and a couple of stakes winners, top earner Beauty Parlor ($208,570).

Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 7-2 or better.
EX: 8,10 / 3,4,8,10
TRI: 8,10 / 3,4,8,10 / 3,4,5,8,10

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: #7 Ginned Up 8-1
R2: #6 Venom Girl 8-1
R3: #8 Camerton Hall 10-1
R5: #7 Upholder 10-1
R6: #6 Surprise Her 8-1
R10: #4 Go Duke Go 12-1
R11: #4 All About Diva 12-1

Good luck today!