March Madness: Kentucky-Notre Dame Lines Preview

The Kentucky Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Joyce Center in the third round of the National Invitational Tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jodie Meeks scored 16 points to lift Kentucky past Creighton 65-63 in the second round of the NIT on Monday night.
Kentucky cashed as 2-point road underdogs as the teams played under the 139-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Notre Dame nearly blew a 10 point lead, but managed to pull out a 70-68 win over New Mexico in the second round of the NIT on Thursday. Notre Dame failed to cover the 5.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the game's posted total of 147.
Luke Harangody dropped a game-high 26 points to lead the charge.
Team records:
Kentucky: 22-13 SU, 15-14-1 ATS
Notre Dame: 20-14 SU, 11-18 ATS
Kentucky most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

Notre Dame most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Notre Dame
Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Notre Dame
Kentucky is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Notre Dame's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Notre Dame's last 5 games at home
Notre Dame is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Notre Dame is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Sweet 16 Betting: Oklahoma Is First Big Test For Syracuse

Those who bet on March Madness have to hand it to Syracuse. Many online betting fans wrote them off as “tired” entering March Madness betting because of their potentially draining six-overtime win over UConn in the Big East tournament. But the Orange have silenced those critics, winning each of their first round matchups relatively easily (by 10 or more points) and advancing to the Sweet 16 odds.

Sports betting sharps have a few important questions for the Orange right now. First, were they tested enough in the first two rounds? The breezed past Stephen F. Austin and Arizona State on the strength of their high-octane, spread-out offense. Standout guard Jonny Flynn leads a group featuring five guys who averaged double-figures during the regular season. Even if Sweet 16 opponent Oklahoma keys on Flynn, the Orange can hurt the Sooners in other ways.

The second big question is whether or not Syracuse can contain Blake Griffin. The powerful Griffin, who is the consensus top player in the March Madness odds, averaged 30.5 points and 15 boards in the first two rounds. The Sooners go as he go, meaning Syracuse should prevail if they can slow Griffin down. Obviously, that’s a huge “if.” Based on what the Orange have shown over the last several weeks, they have the toughness and size to get their noses dirty against Griffin. Bet on the deeper, more versatile Syracuse to beat Oklahoma. Even if Griffin goes off, Syracuse‘s distributed offense can match whatever he does.

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Tuesday Sports Rundown

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Lakers look to roll over the Thunder, the Jazz get a visit from the Rockets, and the Habs aim for a win over the Thrashers.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

There are just four games on the NBA’s schedule for Tuesday night, including Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on the road against Oklahoma City. Los Angeles got past Chicago 117-109 on Saturday night, as Bryant poured in 28 points to go along with seven assists, and Pau Gasol added 23 points. The last time the Lakers and Thunder met was February 24, with L.A. winning 107-93 on the road.

Chicago will host Detroit on Tuesday night, while Golden State is at San Antonio, and Utah gets a visit from Houston. The Jazz are coming off a 101-94 win over the Thunder, with Deron Williams picking up 24 points and 11 assists. Utah also topped Houston the last time the two teams met, as Carlos Boozer scored 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a 101-94 Jazz home victory back on March 4.

A break from the Madness . . .

The National Invitational Tournament offers up the only college hoops contests on the Tuesday night schedule, with Auburn vs. Baylor and Florida vs. Penn State in quarterfinal action. The NIT quarterfinals will conclude on Wednesday night, with the semifinals being held on March 31, and the championship April 2.

Headlines…

Curt Schilling announced that he is retiring from baseball…Japan defeats South Korea in extra innings for the World Baseball Classic title…Lance Armstrong is expected to ride on the Tour de France…New Jersey is suing for the right to allow sports betting in the Atlantic City sportsbooks. For the latest updates on that and Barney Frank’s campaign on behalf of gambling choice, check out betting news.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The National Hockey League offers up eight games on Tuesday night, including Montreal at home to Atlanta. The Canadiens were unable to beat the rival Maple Leafs on Saturday night, getting a pair of goals from Maxim Lapierre in a 5-2 defeat. Jaroslav Halak stopped 37 of 42 Toronto shots. The Thrashers skated to a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday, with Johan Hedberg making 29 saves.

Rounding out the NHL’s Tuesday slate: Minnesota at the Rangers, Washington at Toronto, Columbus at Tampa Bay, Anaheim at Nashville, Los Angeles at St. Louis, Detroit at Edmonton, and Vancouver at Dallas. The Stars’ playoff chances took a hit on Saturday afternoon when they fell 5-2 to the Sharks in San Jose. Dallas forward Brad Richards suffered a broken hand and will be out indefinitely.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The end of the World Baseball Classic leaves baseball fans with just Grapefruit and Cactus league action until the regular season finally gets underway in a couple of weeks. Tuesday’s exhibition action on the diamond includes games between the Red Sox and Yankees, White Sox and Indians, and Nationals and Orioles. Vegas oddsmakers don’t like the chances of either Washington or Baltimore to win their respective league pennants this year; the Nats are at 60/1 in the National League on that prop, with the O’s at 50/1 in the American League. The other longshots heading into the regular season: Seattle (50/1) and Kansas City (50/1) in the AL, as well as San Diego (50/1) and Pittsburgh (75/1) in the NL.

Rockets-Jazz Lines Preview

The fans at EnergySolutions Arena will be treated to a game between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz when they take their seats on Tuesday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jazz listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Rockets defeated San Antonio 87-85 as a 3-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (177.5).
Ron Artest scored a game-high 24 points for Houston, while Luis Scola added 19 points and 17 rebounds in the win.
Deron Williams went for 24 points and 11 assists to lead the Jazz past the Thunder 101-94 on Friday night.
Utah covered as 5-point road favorites as the game played under the 200-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Houston has won 4 straight games.
Utah has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 47-25 SU, 35-36-1 ATS
Utah: 43-26 SU, 36-33 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 10-0
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing San Antonio are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Utah most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Phoenix are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games on the road
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games at home
Utah is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games
Next up:
Houston home to LA Clippers, Saturday, March 28
Utah at Phoenix, Wednesday, March 25

Warriors-Spurs Odds Preview

The Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at AT&T Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Warriors lost to New Orleans 99-89 as an 8.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (216).
Stephen Jackson led Golden State with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Kelenna Azubuike had 16 points.
The Spurs lost to Houston 87-85 as a 3-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (177.5).
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 23 points and Tony Parker delivered 22 points and 12 assists in the loss.
Current streak:
San Antonio has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 25-45 SU, 34-35-1 ATS
San Antonio: 45-24 SU, 34-33-2 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing New Orleans are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Atlanta are 8-2
After playing Houston are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Golden State's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 8 games
Golden State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Golden State's last 10 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
San Antonio is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Golden State
San Antonio is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Golden State
Next up:
Golden State at Dallas, Wednesday, March 25
San Antonio at Atlanta, Wednesday, March 25

Lakers-Thunder Lines Preview

The fans at Ford Center will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder when they take their seats on Tuesday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 8-point favorites versus the Thunder, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Kobe Bryant dropped 28 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Lakers to a 117-109 victory over the Bulls on Saturday. The Lakers covered the 4-point spread, and the 226 points sailed OVER the posted total of 211.5.
Pau Gasol chipped in with 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
The Thunder defeated Minnesota 97-90 as a 2-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (199.5).
Kevin Durant scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook had seven points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in the win.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 55-14 SU, 34-34-1 ATS
Oklahoma City: 20-50 SU, 41-28-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Chicago are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Toronto are 2-8
After playing Minnesota are 2-8
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
LA Lakers are 17-5 SU in their last 22 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
Oklahoma City is 16-6-1 ATS in its last 23 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers at Detroit, Thursday, March 26
Oklahoma City at Toronto, Friday, March 27

Pistons-Bulls Odds Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls meet at United Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Pistons lost to Miami 101-96 as a 2-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (183).
Rodney Stuckey led Detroit with 24 points and Antonio McDyess had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Ben Gordon scored 21 points to lift the Bulls past the Wizards 101-99 on Monday night.
Chicago couldn't cover as 6.5-point road favorites as the game played under the 210-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Detroit: 34-35 SU, 30-39 ATS
Chicago: 33-38 SU, 36-34-1 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After playing Miami are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Miami are 5-5
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games
Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Chicago is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit home to LA Lakers, Thursday, March 26
Chicago home to Miami, Thursday, March 26

March Madness: Penn State-Florida Lines Preview

The fans at Stephen O'Connell Center will be treated to a game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Florida Gators when they take their seats on Tuesday for the third round of the National Invitational Tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Penn State poured in 42 first half points and went on to defeat Rhode Island 83-72 in the second round of the NIT tournament last Thursday. Penn State covered the slight 1-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 140.
Stanley Pringle netted 19 points, and Talor Battle went for 16 in that win.
Nick Calathes had 21 points with six rebounds and seven assists in helping Florida defeat Miami 74-60 in the second round of the NIT Tournament last Friday. Florida covered the 5.5-point spread, and 134 points fell UNDER the posted total of 144.
Alex Tyus went for 13 points, and Dan Werner had 12 in that win.
Team records:
Penn State: 24-11 SU, 16-12 ATS
Florida: 25-10 SU, 13-15 ATS
Penn State most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
After playing Rhode Island are 1-0
After a win are 6-4

Florida most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
After playing Miami are 3-0
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Penn State's last 6 games
Penn State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Penn State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Penn State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Florida is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games at home
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

March Madness: Baylor-Auburn Lines Preview

The Baylor Bears and the Auburn Tigers will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum in the third round of the National Invitational Tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Baylor used a balanced offensive attack to beat Virginia Tech 84-66 on Saturday in the second round of the NIT.
The Bears won as 4.5-point underdogs, while the final score played OVER the day's posted total of 146.5.
Auburn held an 11-point lead at halftime as they defeated Tulsa 65-51 in the second round of the NIT last Friday. Auburn covered the 6-point spread, and the 116 points fell UJNDER the posted total of 131.
Rasheem Barrett shot 7-for-14 from the field with 17 points.
Team records:
Baylor: 22-14 SU, 11-16-1 ATS
Auburn: 24-11 SU, 21-7 ATS
Baylor most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
After a win are 4-6

Auburn most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Baylor is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Baylor is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Baylor is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Baylor's last 13 games
Auburn is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Auburn is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Auburn is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Auburn is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games

NBA Betting Trends and Injury Information

Here are computer betting trends for the Monday night betting card compiled by the top NBA handicappers as far as beating the live NBA odds. All records are against the spread.

Bulls-Wizards

The Bulls are 10-2 off an straight up loss, but 4-15 to the Southeast. Washington is an abominable 24-49 as home underdogs. For Washington, guard Dixon and forward Butler are questionable.

Timberwolves-Hawks

Minnesota is 3-13 to an opponent that allowed 100 or more points last game. Atlanta is 11-1 their last 12 at home and 8-0 as home favorites.

Magic-Knicks

The Magic are a ho-ho 47-15 to opponent that allowed 100 or more points last game. New York is 16-5 as underdogs of 5-10.5 points.

Clippers-Celtics

Clippers are 22-46 to the Atlantic and 4-23 their last 27 Monday games. Boston is 16-5 at home against teams with a road winning percentage of .400 or less. They are 2-11 on one days rest though. Clippers forward Thorton is questionable.

76ers-Trail Blazers

The Sixers are 1-7 to the West.

Nuggets-Suns

Denver is 1-6 their last seven road games. Phoenix is 11-24 off a spread win. The favorite has covered seven straight in the series. The Suns forward Barbosa is out.

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