My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mil Bucks at 8:30 ET.

Toronto had a great chance to win Game 1 of this series but the Bucks outscored the Raptors 32-17 in the 4th quarter, ending the game on a 10-run for a 108-100 victory. Milwaukee then routed Toronto in Game 2, 125-103 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. At the point, the Bucks were 10-1 SU & ATS in the 2019 playoffs. Oh, how things have changed since then! The Raptors have won the past THREE contests, including a 105-99 road win on Thursday that enabled them to take a 3-2 series lead. Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points in Game 5 (his fourth 30-point outing of the series) and has provided Toronto with the big-time performances the club was looking for when it acquired him from the San Antonio Spurs.The Bucks were up by 14 points early in Game 5 but entered the 4th quarter leading by just three. Toronto opened an eight point lead in that final period but Milwaukee tied it at 93-all with 2:44 left. However, it was Toronto which made the plays down the stretch.

Milwaukee won a league-best 60 games in the regular season and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (25.9-12.3-4.9 this postseason) was adamant that his team will still win the series. "We're not going to fold," Antetokounmpo said afterward. "Come on, man. Best team in the league, man. We're not going to fold. We're going to go in and give it everything we've got. We can't fold. We're going to come back to Milwaukee." Malcolm Brogdon made his first start of the postseason in Game 5 and had 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. PG Eric Bledsoe scored a series-best 20 but neither effort was good enough.

"I'm not afraid of the moment," Leonard told reporters afterward. "This is what I work out for in the summer. I'm just trying to win. It's a matter of me being aggressive and don't shy away from anything." Leonard carried Toronto in teh Game 5 win, as Toronto's other four starters shot a combined 10 of 35 from the floor (28.6%). However, backup PG Fred VanVleet scored 21 points on seven 3-pointers in the Game 5 victory and is 10-for-12 from long range over the last two games, after being 2-for-11 over the first three games

Milwaukee not only owned the NBA's best regular season record (60-22) but it also owned its best ATS mark, as well (47-34-1). That's a rare 'daily double. Expect  Antetokounmpo to play 'HUGE,' Middleton to NOT go 2-of- 9 again plus I love the fact that Milwaukee's starting guards (see above) combined for 38 points. Can Kawhi really do it 'alone?' I'm with Giannis, this series is headed back to Milwaukee for a Game 7.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game 5 Tie-Breaker is on the Mil Bucks at 8:30 ET.

Kawhi Leonard (31.8 PPG & 8.5 RPG) had carried Toronto's offense through the team's first two playoff series, as PF Pascal Siakam (20.8 & 7.3) and PG Kyle Lowry (12.4-5.0-7.1) were the only other Raptors averaging in double digits in the first two rounds. As for Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, he led Milwaukee to an 8-1 SU & ATS start to the postseason, averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds. However, I predicted this series was NOT just Kawhi vs Giannis. Antetokounmpo's supporting class had been strong. SF Khris Middleton (19.1-6.0-4.6) plus PGs Eric Bledsoe (16.0-3.3-4.3) and George Hill (12.1) looked "ready for primetime." What's more, combo guard Malcolm Brogdon (15.6-4.5-3.2 during the regular season), looked ready-to-go for this series, after scoring 10 points in 17 minutes in the clinching win over Boston, after missing the previous seven-plus weeks with a foot injury. More notably, Milwaukee's bench was averaging 37.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting, while Toronto's was averaging 21.6 points on 38.9 percent shooting.

Milwaukee was "off' in Game 1 but outscored the Raptors 32-17 in the 4th quarter, ending the game on a 10-0 run to win AND cover, 108-100. In Game 2, it was all Milwaukee, as the Bucks won 125-103. The series shifted to Toronto for Game 3 and despite Giannis and Middleton combining for just 21 points (on 8 of 32 shooting), the Bucks had chances to win, before falling in OT. Leonard was the star  (36 points) for Toronto and Siakam added 25 & 11. The Bucks then followed with their worst game of the series in Game 4. The team's 2-0 lead has evaporated, after Toronto's 120-102 victory on Tuesday. Leonard, who had topped 30 points in each of the first three games of the series, had just 19 in Game 4 while often appearing to be hindered by a left leg injury. PG Kyle Lowry scored 25 points plus three bench players excelled. SF Powell had 19, PF Ibaka had 17 & 13 (his best game of the series) and PG Van Vleet had 13.

The series is now tied at two-all, with tonight's Game 5 looming large.I don'r remotely trust the Raptors on the road. Yes, they were 2-0 in Orlando but is that a big deal? In five road games since (against Philly and Milwaukee), Toronto is 1-4 SU and ATS, with those four losses coming by an average of 15.5 PPG. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 6-1 SU & ATS at home during the playoffs, upping the team's home record this season to 39-9 SU, while averaging a whopping 119.1 points. Milwaukee's bench will bounce back (don't expect Toronto's reserves to come anywhere close to performing like they did in Game 4) and expect Giannis to be brilliant. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Warriors coasted to a 116-94 win in Game 1 but had to overcome a 17-point deficit in Game 2, before escaping with a 114-111 victory. "We stole that game," Golden State head coach Steve Kerr told reporters. Golden St was down 15 at the half in Game 2 but a 39-24 third quarter put them back in position to win it in the 4th. Fast-forward to Game 3 in Portland. The Blazers opened a 66-53 halftime lead but once again, the Warriors dominated in the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 29-13, before pulling away in fourth en route to a 110-99 triumph.The Blazers WILL NOT come back and win four in a row but the question here is, can they win this Game 4?

Draymond Green scored a postseason-high 20 points to go with 13 rebounds and 12 assists on Saturday (his third triple-double of the playoffs), setting the tone for a Warriors team that fell into an 18-point hole in the first half and was down 14 with 8:08 left in the third quarter. His ability to push the tempo and get the rest of his teammates to feed off his energy propelled the Warriors to a victory. That said, let's NOT forget Curry, who scored a team high 36 points, his fourth straight 30-plus effort since K.D. was lost to a calf injury.

Portland didn't just fold in the third quarter, as they totaled just 33 points in the entire second half, after putting up 63 points in the first half. "Our offense fell apart," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "We missed some shots. Took some tough shots. Didn't move the ball as well. They were scoring, so we were taking it out of the net. Didn't get any transition. So, I said at the beginning of the series, to beat Golden State, you've got to be able to score. Scoring 33 in the second half is not going to do it." Damian Lillard has yet to get rolling offensively in the series (he's shooting 32.6 percent from the floor and has committed 14 turnovers in the first three games, plus he and McCollum have been totally outplayed by Curry and Thompson. in the series.

Is this "All she wrote?" The Warriors are just one win shy of earning their FIFTH straight NBA Finals appearance, something that hasn't been done since the 1960s Boston Celtics. As to the team's back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3, the Warriors have become the first team in NBA history to rally from at least a 13-point deficit in consecutive playoff wins. However, SF Andre Iguodala (lower leg) left Saturday's game and is the Warriors don't expect him to play here. As for K.D, word is he only plays if the Warriors are forced to a Game 7 (fat chance that happens). That said, I am not tasked to "look ahead," just focus on the here and now.

Portland has shown it can play with Golden State in Games 2 and 3 but the team has NOT been able to "close he show." I've had the Blazers in Games 2 and 3 and will "go to the well" with them again, here. Portland lost its first home game after the calendar turned to 2019 (Jan 4  to OKC) but then ended the regular season on an 18-2 SU run at home. The Blazers are 5-2 at home in the postseason, so that means they are on a 23-4 SU run on their home floor. Portland closed a three-point favorite in Game 3 but there has been a line 'swing' of right about a 'TD!". I'm 'barking' with the home dog!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Tor Raptors at 7:05 ET.

The Bucks needed a 32-17 fourth quarter to win and cover Game 1 against the Raptors, including ending the game on a 10-0 run. I had the Bucks in that one and came right back with them in Game 2, saying  that it was my belief that Game 1 was a HUGE "opportunity lost" for Toronto. Milwaukee was an incredible 9-1 SU & ATS this postseason at that point and after its Game 1 win, checked in at 38-9 SU at home, averaging 119.0 PPG. I said "lay the points," again. The Bucks had their way with the Raptors in Game 2, jumping out to a 35-21 first quarter lead and a 64-39 advantage at the half. After trailing by as many as 28 points, Toronto made a push to draw to within 13 in the third quarter but the final was 125-103.

Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds but Ersan Ilyasova (17 points), Malcolm Brogdon (14) and George Hill (13) combined to go 17-of-29 from the floor off the bench in Game 2, with each of the three logging more than 20 minutes. "We have a great group of coaches who trust us, and I think it's all about chemistry," Ilyasova told reporters. "When we go to locker room, even when we lose the game, everybody stays positive. It's just we're all about the next game. I think for us it's big time when we go to the playoffs."

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points in each of the first two games but in Game 2, Toronto's other four starters combined for just 33 points. Center Marc Gasol struggled to two points on 1-of-9 shooting in Game 2 and placed the blame for the loss on himself. However, he was hardly alone. All-Star PG Kyle Lowry, who scored 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting in Game 1, slumped to 15 points on 4-of-13 in Game 2.

"The ball," as they say, is Toronto's court. The Raptors were 32-9 during the regular season at home and have gone 5-2 in the playoffs. Toronto has been best-known for its underachieving postseason but the difference in this year's team is, Kawhi Leonard. He's averaging 31.7 PPG (on 52.7% shooting) and 8.5 RPG in the postseason. It's up to him to 'carry' the Raptors to a win. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Golden State Warriors have gone up 2-0 in their series with the Blazers, despite the absence of K.D. (Durant was averaging a NBA postseason-high of 34.2 PPG). The Warriors coasted to a 116-94 win in Game 1 but had to overcome a 17-point deficit in Game 2, before escaping with a 114-111 victory. "We stole that game," Golden State head coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "I thought they outplayed us for much of the night, the majority of the night, but we brought enough competitive fire in the second half to overcome their great play. We've been here before. I think our experience helped us. We've done this a few times, and yeah, we stole it for sure. They outplayed us." As for Portland, the Blazers head home with some confidence due to the way they played for most of Game 2. "You know, you hate to lose a game, but I think we showed that we can compete with them," Portland head coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "It was a much better game than we played in Game 1. Now we've got to go get two at home, but it starts with Game 3. But yeah, we beat them in the regular season, and we did play a good game, much better game at both ends of the floor tonight. So, we've got to take that into Game 3."

This series was billed as a battle between the NBA's two-best backcourt duos. After two games, Curry and Thompson have 'KO'd' Lillard and McCollum. The Warriors' dynamic duo has combined to average 56.5 PPG, while the Blazers' twosome is averaging just 40.5 PPG. Curry has averaged 35.3 PPG in the three games KD has missed, with Thompson chipping in 25.7. Since Game 6 of the LAC series, Draymond Green is averaging 13.7-10.7-7.9. Maybe the Warriors can "win it all," without KD?

Lillard came into the series averaging 28.4 PPG in the 2019 playoffs and McCollum came in averaging 26.6. A return home HAS to help. Here's the bottom line. Portland lost its first home game after the calendar turned to 2019 (Jan 4  to OKC) but then ended the regular season on an 18-2 SU run at home. The Blazers are 5-1 at home in the postseason, so that means they are on a 23-3 SU run on their home floor. "Home is where the heart is" (right?) and expect Lillard and McCollum to respond plus don't ignore the fact that Seth Curry matched his postseason high with 16 points off the bench in Game 2 and that Rodney Hood is averaging 14.5 points off the bench in the series. If not NOW, WHEN for Portland?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Mil Bucks at 8:30 ET.

The Eastern Conference finals features the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Toronto Raptors. Leading MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the series averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds, as the Bucks went 8-1 SU and ATS against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, outscoring those opponents by an average of 15.3 PPG. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard averaged 31.8 points(8.5 RPG) in his 12 playoff games, including setting a franchise record with nine straight 20-point outings. Leonard had 41 points in Toronto's Game 7 two-point victory over the 76ers, including first Game 7-winning buzzer-beater in NBA history, which featured  four bounces on the rim. Milwaukee has reached the East finals for the first time 2001, while Toronto is in the East finals for just the second time in franchise history.

Game 1 was was somewhat of a surprise, as the underdog Raptors led most of the way on Wednesday. However, the Bucks outscored the Raptors 32-17 over the final 12 minutes, including 10-0 run in the final 3:31 of the contest for a 108-100 win and COVER! Talk about a 'miracle' ATS win for Milwaukee bettors. Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points but only two came in the final stanza (both on FTs), as he struggled through a 10-of-26 shooting performance. PG Lowry was great, scoring 30 points (his 2019 playoff-high), including 14 poinst in the 4th quarter. Incredibly, he was the only Toronto player to make a FG in the 4th quarter (5 of 7), as the other seven players went a combined 0-15. In fact, on the game, take away Lowry and Leonard and the remainder of the Raptors went 14 of 51 from the floor (27.4%).

Giannis was not spectacular but he did have a double-double (24 & 14). The game's breakout star was center Brook Lopez, who scored  29 points (a career playoff-high) with 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. That's after  averaging just 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in the five-game conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Another piece of good news for Milwaukee was that combo guard Malcolm Brogdon scored 15 points off the bench (in 27 minutes), after scoring 10 points in 17 minutes in the clinching win over Boston. He had missed the previous seven-plus weeks with a foot injury.

The Raptors HAVE to feel that they let Game 1 "get away," while the Bucks believe they can improve Friday night in Game 2, after shaking off their rust. Obviously, both teams can improve in Game 2. The Raptors shot 37 percent (34-for-92) overall, including 35.7 percent (15-for-42) from behind the arc. The Bucks shot 39.8 percent (37-for-93) from the floor and only 25 percent (11-for-44) from three-point territory. I had the 'lucky' Game 1 winner in Milwaukee and wrote prior to that game, that this series is NOT just Kawhi vs Giannis. Milwaukee's bench entered averaging 37.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting, while Toronto's was averaging 21.6 points on 38.9 percent shooting. In an "off game" for both teams, Milwaukee's bench outscored Toronto's, 22-12 (winning margin was eight points!). It's my belief that Game 1 was a HUGE "opportunity lost" for Toronto. Milwaukee is an incredible 9-1 SU & ATS this postseason (no other remaining team comes close to matching that) and after its Game 1 win, checks in at 38-9 SU at home, averaging 119.0 PPG. Lay the poitst again, as this win comes with more 'breathing room!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Por Blazers at 9:00 ET.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson totally out-played Portland's backcourt duo of Lillard and McCollum in Game 1. Curry scored 36 points (made NINE three-pointers) and Thompson added 26. In contrast, Lillard had 19 points and McCollum 17. What's more, the Warriors shot 50.5% from the floor, including making 17 of 33 three-pointers. The Blazers made just 36.1% from the floor, including 7 of 28 on three-pointers.

Curry took several uncontested three-point shots during his fourth 30-point effort of the postseason and Damian Lillard knows that something needs to change. "That was very poor execution defensively on our part," Lillard said. "Just having our bigs back that far; understanding the team we are playing against, they are not going to shoot midrange jumpers and try to attack the rim. If they see the opportunity to shoot a 3, they are going to tell you. They shoot it at a high clip. We've got to bring our guys up and run them off the line, and (Tuesday) they were setting solid screens and coming off shooting practice shots." Portland needs to shore its defense plus CAN'T commit another 21 turnovers.

Kevin Durant is expected to miss Game 2 and after ranking 28th out of 30 teams in points off the bench during the regular season, the Warriors have gotten some much-needed help from its reserves in Game 6 vs Houston and in Game 1 vs the Blazers. Kevon Looney had 14 points and Shaun Livingston 11, as the Warriors dominated the Rockets 33-17 off the bench in that 118-113, series-clinching win. Then in Tuesday's Game 1, all eight Warriors backups who participated recording a positive plus/minus as Golden State's reserves outscored their Portland counterparts 36-28.

However, will the Warriors be able to keep that up? The Warriors are just 19-28-1 ATS at home this season (including 3-4 in the playoffs) and remember won Game 4 at OKC plus Games 2 and 7 at Denver, which was the NBA's best home team this year. Head coach Terry Stotts is confident his team will shoot better and NOT turn the ball over as much. Lillard noted after Game 1 that Portland shot horribly, while Golden St shot "lights out," yet the Blazers trailed by just six points entering the fourth quarter. I agree. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eastern Conference Game 1 Stunner is on the Mil Bucks at 8:30 ET.

The Eastern Conference finals comes down to the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Toronto Raptors. Game 1 is Wednesday night and the series features tow of the NBA's best. Leading MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds, as the Bucks went 8-1 SU and ATS against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, outscoring those opponents by an average of 15.3 PPG. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 31.8 points(8.5 RPG) in 12 playoff games, including a franchise record nine straight 20-point outings. Leonard had 41 points in Toronto's Game 7 two-point victory over the 76ers, including first Game 7-winning buzzer-beater in NBA history, which featured  four bounces on the rim. Milwaukee has reached the East finals for the first time 2001, while Toronto is in the East finals for just the second time in franchise history.

Leonard is carrying Toronto's offense, as PF Pascal Siakam (20.8 & 7.3) and PG Kyle Lowry (12.4-5.0-7.1) are the only other Raptors averaging in double digits in the postseason. Regarding Lowry, he's been a HUGE underachiever in his postseason career and  he's shooting just 41.5 percent from the floor (28.1% on threes), so far. In contrast, Antetokounmpo's supporting class has been strong. SF Khris Middleton (19.1-6.0-4.6) plus PGs Eric Bledsoe (16.0-3.3-4.3) and George Hill (12.1) have more than looked "ready for primetime." What's more, combo guard Malcolm Brogdon (15.6-4.5-3.2 during the regular season), looks ready-to-go for this series, after scoring 10 points in 17 minutes in the clinching win over Boston, after missing the previous seven-plus weeks with a foot injury.

Yes, Leonard makes Toronto a much more viable contender but can I really overlook the team's 3-14 record in playoff openers (1-1 this postseason)? This series is NOT just Kawhi vs Giannis. Milwaukee's bench is averaging 37.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting, while Toronto's is  averaging 21.6 points on 38.9 percent shooting. Milwaukee comes in 37-9 at home this year (including the playoffs, averaging 119.2 PPG. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* 2nd Round ‘GAME OF YEAR’ is on the Den Nuggets at 3:30 ET.

The Denver Nuggets ended a five-year playoff drought by earning the West's No. 2 seed in 2019 (54-28). Their Game 5 home rout of the Blazers (124-98) put them ONE win away from the team's first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2009 but the Blazers responded with a 119-108 home in Game 6 (Portland's 13th win in its last 14 home games), sending this series back to Denver for a Game 7.

Portland's dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard (29.8-4.3-5.8 this postseason) and McCollum (24.5-5.5-3.6) were HUGE in Game 6, scoring 32 and 30 points, respectively. However,

backup Rodney Hood erupted for 25 on 8-of-12 shooting, posting a career playoff-high. Hood is averaging 16 points on 60 percent shooting vs the Nuggets. PF Zach Collins chipped in 14 points in Game 6 and the Blazers have outscored Denver by 22 points in 113 minutes with Hood and Collins on the floor during the series (according to NBA.com). An issue  for Portland issue has been center Enes Kanter, who is averaging just 6.0 PPG on 26.1 percent shooting over the last three games, after averaging 19.7 on 60 percent through the first three contests in the series.

Denver's star center Nikola Jokic is having quite a first-ever postseason. He's averaging 24.8-13.0-8.9 with 11 double-doubles in 13 games (four, triple-doubles). He's averaging 26.4-14.4-8.8 assists against Portland in this series. PG Jamal Murray is averaging 21.6-4.2-4.7 in the playoffs, including 24.7 PPG vs Portland. Veteran PF Paul Millsap is playing as he did when he was in his prime vs Portland, averaging at 18.7 & 9.0.

The Golden State Warriors are in the Western Conference Finals for the fifth straight year and await the winner of this Game 7. I've noted above the play of Hood and Collins off the bench for Portland but I've said all season that the Nuggets are arguably the NBA's deepest team. Yes, Jokic is having a "breakout" postseason plus Murry and Millsap have been excellent in this series but note that NINE Denver players have gotten into all 13 games this postseason for the Nuggets. Jokic and Murray are topping 20 PPG, Millsap is averaging 15.0 and Harris is at 14.2. However, FIVE others are chipping in from 4.6 to 9.2 PPG. 

I expect Jokic to again lead the way (he's dominated Kanter lately) but I also expect Denver's depth to be a difference-maker. Also, Hood and Collins WON'T replicate their Game 6 heroics here for the Blazers. Denver was an NBA-best 34-7 at home during the regular season, going 26-4 in its final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center. Throw in them winning FIVE of seven at home in the postseason and the Nuggets are 31-6 in their last 37 home games. There have been 133 Game 7s in NBA history and home teams have won 105, or 79%. I'm NOT about to "take the points" with the Blazers, as in 48 home games this season (regular and postseason, combined), Denver has outscored its opponents 113.0-to-102.9 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Por Blazers at 10:35 ET.

The Denver Nuggets ended a five-year playoff drought by earning the West's No. 2 seed in 2019 (54-28) and with Tuesday's 124-98 home rout of the Blazers, are ONE win away from  the team's first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2009 (Can you say 'Melo?). Star center Nikola Jokic continued his stellar series with 25 points and 19 rebounds in Game 5 and he is averaging 26.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists against Portland. He's averaging 24.5-13.1-9.0 in his first-ever postseason with 10 double-doubles in 12 games (including four triple-doubles). Portland's dynamic guard duo of Lillard and McCollum came up woefully short in Game 5. Despite scoring 22 points, Lillard was just 9-of-21 shooting, including 2-of-9 from three-point range. As for McCollum, he had just a2 points, while making only 5 of 16 shots (31.3%).

I've noted all season that Denver is arguably the league's deepest team and in back-to back impressive wins (116-112  at Portland in Game 4 and Game 5's home blowout), 13-year veteran power forward Paul Millsap has scored 21 and 24 points. He's been a difference-maker in the series, averaging 19.0 & 9.6, while recording three double-doubles. In contrast, Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu managed just three points on 1-of-8 shooting in Game 5, after scoring a series-best 19 points in Game 4. As for center Enes Kanter, he is honoring Ramadan by not eating from sunrise to sunset and got dominated by Jokic, scoring just nine points on 2-for-9 shooting (he did have a team-high eight rebounds).

We've got two must-wins," Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts told reporters after Game 5. "Somebody was going to have a must-win after (Tuesday), and it's us. So we've got two must-wins ahead of us."That's pretty simple and I'm far from counting Portland out, here. Can Denver really beat them THREE in a row? After all, the Nuggets finished the regular season (from Dec 1 through its end) going a pathetic 1-10 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams. They were just 1-4 SU on the road in the postseason, prior to their Game 4 win. As for Portland, the Blazers had not lost a home game since March 7, 129-121 in OT to OKC, when its 12-game home winning streak was broken in Game 4. The Nuggets are headed back for a SECOND straight Game 7 at home.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Showdown (Part 3) is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET.

The Houston Rockets have the momentum in this series, having won Games 3 and 4 at home to knot this Western Conference semifinals series at 2-2. However, the Rockets will have to figure out a way to win a game in Oakland if they are to finally get the best of the Warriors in this series. The Houston/Golden St rivalry has turned into a best-of-three for the second straight year. Houston broke the 2-2 tie with a win in Game 5 at home in last year's Western finals but Golden State then swept the final two games to reach the NBA Finals, where the Warriors captured their second straight championship and third in four years (note: Chris Paul missed Games 6 & 7).

Houston has made 66 three-pointers in the series, 26 more than the Warriors. James Harden has drained 18 three-pointers while averaging 35.8 points but two other Houston players have been key. Shooting guard Eric Gordon has made 16 three-pointers while averaging 23 points and power forward P.J. Tucker is averaging 12.3 points and 10.7 rebounds over the past three games, while also harassing K.D.

However, Kevin Durant is averaging 36 points in the series, with a high game of 46 and a low output of 29. However, Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have not held up their end. Curry is 12-of-46 (26.1%) from three-point range in the series and Thompson is just 8-of-26 (30.8%). Joining the above-mentioned trio in the starting lineup have been Green and Iquodola. Green is averaging 15.8-11.2-8.2 and Iquodala 13.6 & 5.2. Iguodala has played 29 or more minutes in all four games of the series. He played more than 29 minutes just seven times during the regular season. He's also started all four games alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Green, after never having joined that All-Star quartet in the starting lineup in any regular-season game during his Warriors career.

Here's what happened down the stretch in the last two games at Houston. Houston was clinging to a one-point lead in Gamer 3 when Iguodala's three-pointer put Golden State up 112-110 with 45 seconds remaining. Harden made two free throws a few seconds after that to tie it and Durant missed a jump shot on the other end to give Houston a chance to win it in regulation. Chris Paul was in the lane when Klay Thompson forced a jump ball. Harden got the ball but didn't have time to get a shot off before the buzzer. Houston then won by five in OT (who will forget Curry's blown dunk shot?) In Game 4, the Rockets were up by nine before the Golden State scored the next seven points, capped by a three from Stephen Curry, to get within 110-108 with 19 seconds left. Harden made one of two free throws with 11.5 seconds left. Kevin Durant missed a three after that. But the Warriors got the rebound and Curry also missed a 3-point attempt before Golden State was forced to foul Chris Paul. "We got a couple of wide-open looks," Durant said. "They just didn't fall for us." Paul made one of two free throws with 2.9 seconds left to secure the four-point victory.

However, Golden St knows it out-shot Houston 48.2 percent to 44.4 and out-rebounded the visitors 41.5 per game to 33.5 in the first two games of this series. We saw BOTH home teams (in similar 2-2 series) win in blowout fashion last night and after ca$hing two straight wins on the Rockets, I'm "all in" on the defending champs in this one. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Showdown Part 2 is on the Hou Rockets at 9:35 ET.

The Houston Rockets outplayed the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 but barely escaped with the win. Is that an indication of a "lost chance" by the Warriors or should we anticipate that a slightly better effort from Golden St would give them a commanding 3-1 lead in the series? James Harden stepped up down the stretch to lead the Rockets to a 126-121 overtime victory in Game 3. He finished with 41 points and led the charge as Houston scored 52 points in the paint and dominated the interior. SG Eric Gordon scored a postseason career-high 30 points, Clint Capela added a double-double (13 & 11) plus Houston's players and coaches were effusive after Game 3 in their praise of power forward PJ Tucker, who finished with seven points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks while doing the best job on the team of slowing Durant

Kevin Durant scored 46 points to keep the Warriors in the game (he's averaging 39.4 points over the last seven games!) plus Draymon Green added his third triple double in the team's last four contests with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. However, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson struggled from the floor. Curry went 7-of-23 from the floor and endured the most embarrassing moment of Game 3 when he missed a dunk in the final stretch of overtime that would have cut the deficit to three points. Curry suffered a dislocated finger in Game 2 and is shooting 35.3 percent from the floor in the series and is 8-of-32 from beyond the arc.

Houston has played "second-fiddle" to Golden St in recent years, most notably in last year's seven-game loss to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals. The Rockets won an NBA-best 67 games last season and took a 3-2 lead in that series, only to lose Game 6 and Game 7 (at home), without an injured Chris Paul in either contest. Both teams had stretches this season in which they looked vulnerable but Houston came into the postseason playing better basketball (Rockets went 20-4, while the Warriors were a modest 15-9 over the regular season's final eight weeks), The Rockets had chances to win each of the first two games in this series (in Oakland) but failed to make the key play. That 'turned' in Game 3 and I say (will bet) that the Rockets will get the better of the Warriors again in Game 4.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks didn't panic after losing 112-90 at home to the Celtics in Game 1 of this series. The Bucks didn't need to make any drastic changes, they just needed to increase the aggressiveness and execution.  Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way, averaging 30.5 & 11.0 in Games 2 and 3, with Milwaukee shooting 47.4% as a team and scoring 123 points in both wins. Boston's star, PG Kyrie Irving, scored 26 points on 12-of-21 shooting in the Game 1 win but went a combined 12-of-40 (30.0%) from the floor in Games 2 and 3, including 3-of-13 from three-point range (23.1%). 

Antetokounmpo led the way in Game 3 with 32 points but it was the supporting cast that pushed Milwaukee over the top. Shooting guard Pat Connaughton scored 14 points and PG George Hill led the "Bench Mob" with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in 29 minutes. For Boston, after shooting 54.0% in its surprising Game 1 upset, the Celtics have made just 69 of 167 shots (41.3%) in Games 2 and 3.

The Bucks' playoff win in Boston in Game 3 was rather noteworthy. It was the first playoff win in Boston for the Bucks since May 13, 1987. Yes, Milwaukee was just 0-5 in that span but FOUR of those losses came in an Eastern Conference first-round series last year, when the Celtics survived in a seven-game series (home team won all seven games). Getting back to Boston, its Game 3 home loss was just the Celtics' SECOND home playoff loss in 14 games the last two postseasons. If Boston head back to Milwaukee down 3-1, it would likely be "all she wrote." Expect Kyrie to shine and I'm backing Boston.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on the Por Blazers at 7:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers battled each other in the longest postseason game since 1953 on Friday, with Portland coming out on top 140-137 in only the second four-overtime contest in postseason history.  Now, some 41 hours after the end of that memorable contest, the teams will tip it off again in Game 4. "(The Blazers) have the same turnaround," Denver head coach Mike Malone said after Game 3. "You try to learn from the loss and get (the players) ready for battle. Both teams are exhausted. It's the same for them as it is for us. We will not use it as an excuse. We haven't used it all year long, and we won't use it now." Portland head coach Terry Stotts added this after his Blazers had finally put away the Nuggets to grab a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. "I have no idea what happened in the first half, the second half or the first three overtimes. I've never been involved in a game like that, regular season or playoffs." To set the record straight, Game 3 was a three-hour, 35-minute marathon that left players and coaches drained at the final buzzer. There were 24 lead changes and 18 ties.

Denver center Nikola Jokic logged a game-high 65 minutes and finished with 33 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists for his third triple-double of the postseason. He led the Nuggets in scoring, rebounding and assists in the regular season and is doing so again in his "breakout" postseason (24.8-12.9-9.1). Jamal Murray added 34 points in 55 minutes for Denver in the loss while Gary Harris (13 points, 50 minutes) and Paul Millsap (17 points, 13 rebounds, 49 minutes) were also pushed to the limit. Murray's averaging 20.5 PPG in the postseason plus four more players chip in between 9.1 and 13.1 PPG, while two others add 6.3 & 6.2 PPG. Denver is the NBA's deepest team.

Star PG Damian Lillard added 28 points in 58 minutes in the win and leads Portland this postseason, averaging 30.8-4.4-6.0. However, it was his backcourt mate, CJ McCollum, who drained the big shots in the fourth quarter and in the third overtime to keep the game alive, before finishing with 41 points in 60 minutes. McCollum is averaging 24.9-5.6-4.12 in the playoffs. Center Enes Kanter is battling a separated shoulder but still managed 18 points and 15 rebounds in 56 minutes in Game 3 and is averaging a double-double this postseason (15.6 & 10.2). Let's NOT ignore Rodney Hood, who came off the bench to score seven of his career playoff-high 19 points in the fourth overtime. His three-pointer with 18.6 seconds remaining gave the Blazers a 138-136 lead they wouldn't relinquish. He's averaging 17.0 PPG in the series!!

Denver is the deeper team, so does that favor them here off Friday's 'marathon?' I guess one could argue that but I'm NOT one of them. Look at the facts. The Nuggets finished the regular season (from Dec 1 through its end) going a pathetic 1-10 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams. Here IN the playoffs, the Nuggets are 1-4 SU on the road. Meanwhile, the Blazers last lost a home game way back on March 7, 129-121 in OT to OKC. Portland takes a 12-game home winning streak into this contest and with this pointspread, should cover "with room to spare!?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 3:35 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers dropped the first game of their Eastern Conference opening round series at home vs the Brooklyn Nets but rebounded to win and cover the next four games. Could it be deja vu all over again for Philly in their semifinal series against the Toronto Raptors? The 76ers were manhandled 108-95 by the Raptors in Game 1 but then won Game 2 by the score of 94-89, which broke a 14-game losing streak for the 76ers in Toronto. Was that win a breakthrough? It sure looked like that in Game 3, as the 76ers routed the Raptors, 116-95. All five Philly starters scored in double digits but Embiid (33 & 10) and Butler (22-9-9) were the key performers.

Leonard's been outstanding for Toronto this postseason, averaging 31.5 PPG on shooting 57.9%, including averaging 37.7 points on 60.9 percent shooting in this series. All-Star PG Kyle Lowry is shooting 36.1 percent from the floor in the series and slumped to seven points on 2-of-10 from the floor in Thursday's loss. Lowry's had a history of very erratic play in the postseason. Maybe a bigger problem for Toronto is that the 6-9 Pascal Siakam, who had a breakout regular season and is averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 rebounds on 36.3 minutes through the first three games. He's listed as doubtful due to a right calf contusion.

Embiid has been hampered by a sore left knee throughout the postseason but had a playoff career-high 33 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in only 28 minutes in Game 3. He became the first player since Boston's Kevin McHale to post at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in less than 30 minutes in a playoff game. Butler was the star in Philly's Game 2 win and was excellent again in Game 3 (see above). Not only did all five Philly starters reach double digits in Game 3 but all five are averaging double figures during Philly's eight postseason games.

I realize Philly looks to be in a great position in teh series, especially with Siakam listed as doubtful but don't be surprised to see him "give it a go." However, I'm still not completely sold on Philly plus one never knows when Embiid's sore left knee will act up. As for Toronto, Leonard is capable of carrying his team plus as noted above, Lowry has been know to follow dreadful efforts in the playoffs with excellent ones. Also, Ibaka (15.0 & 8.1 in the regular season) is overdue for a big game, as is veteran center Gasol, who has been dominated by Embiid (Gasol is 6-of-20 from the floor in the series).

The Raptors had held opponents under 100 points in six straight playoff games (winning the first five), allowing the 76ers to shoot 51.2 percent from the floor in Game 3, while scoring 116 points. "I think we had six straight games of tremendous effort and tremendous defense, right?" Toronto head coach Nick Nurse asked reporters. "(Thursday) night we didn't have that, so again I think that the six in a row is what you're trying to get back to, with that kind of effort and whatever." Toronto has lost back-to-back games but has lost THREE straight just ONCE all season, way back from Nov 12-16. I'm "all over" the Raptors in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Showdown is on the Hou Rockets at 8:30 ET.

The Golden State Warriors brushed aside the chatter about officiating after Game 1 (a 104 victory) and earned a 115-109 win in Game 2 on Tuesday. The teams have been off for three days when they resume their bitter rivalry tonight in Houston, as the Warriors look to take a commanding 3-0 advantage in Saturday's Game 3. The Rockets had their chances in each of teh first two games but it was the Warriors who made the big (key) plays.

K.D. is averaging 34.2 PPG in the postseason but it's impossible to ignore the recent play of Green and Iquodala. With Cousins out, Kerr has returned to the starting lineup which won the team it first title, beating the Cavs in the 2015 NBA Finals. Iquodala, who won the 2015 Finals MVP, has been added to the starting lineup and he's averaged 15.0-4.3-3.3 the last three games, after averaging just 5.7 PPG during the regular season. Green has long been considered one of the NBA best overall players but he had a so-so season. However, he's averaged 15.0-11.7-8.7 the last three games. His defense, along with Iqoudala's, KD's and Thompson's, make the Warriors one helluva team.

However, the Rockets have given the Warriors first the last couple years, but in the end, always seem to fall short. Will it change here in 2019? James Harden had to leave Game 2 briefly after getting scratched in both eyes. "He got raked pretty good in the eyes, but that's him," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "I mean, I didn't have a doubt that he was coming back unless it was something catastrophic. I'm sure he would have loved to play better. Under the circumstances, I thought he played great." Harden averaged 36.1-6.6-7.5 in the regular season but he's shooting just 37.7% in the postseason (down from 44.2%), while averaging 29.0 PPG.

This is Houston's game to win.The Rockets have had off since Tuesday and falling behind 0-3 leaves them in an impossible position. As good as Golden St is, Houston has won the last two season series against them and led 3-2 in the Western Conference finals last year, before Paul got hurt and couldn't play in Games 6 & 7 (Golden St won both). All hands are on deck for this one and if not now for Houston, when?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Tor Raptors at 8:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors lost their Game 1 against the Orlando Magic in the first round, 104-101. No one could have been too surprised, as the Raptors fell to 2-14 in playoff openers. However, Toronto rebounded to sweep the next four games against the Magic, covering all four. Toronto fans were on "high alert" for Game 1 of this second round series with the 76ers, who like the Raptors, lost Game 1 of their first round series against the Nets but then won and covered the next four. So what happened in Game 1 vs Philly? Kawhi Leonard scored a playoff career-high 45 points, as the Raptors won convincingly, 108-95. However, Toronto was NOT able to carry its positive mojo into Game 2, as the 76ers 'stole away' homecourt advantage in the series with a 94-89 win.

Philly's victory snapped a 14-game losing streak for the 76ers in Toronto, as Jimmy Butler scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. "He was just a tremendous rock," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters of Butler, who had just 10 points in Game 1. Philadelphia set the tone for its Game 2 victory by holding Toronto to 17 first-quarter points and it maintained the defensive intensity for most of the contest. Butler was the lone standout among Philly starters but the 76ers bench come up big. James Ennis scored a playoff career-high 13 points, while Greg Monroe backed up Embiid with 10 points and five rebounds (note: Joel Embiid has been battling knee issues but it was a stomach illness that nearly caused him to miss Game 2 before he contributed 12 points in 32 minutes). Philly's bench totaled 26 point for the game.

As for Toronto, Leonard scored 35 points and Pascal Siakam added 21 (note: he shot just 9 of 25 from the floor). Leonard made 13-of-24 shots in Game 2 but the rest of the Raptors were 20-of-66 (30.3%). Toronto's bench scored a total of just FIVE points, shooting a combined 2-11 (18.2%). Toronto will need a more balanced effort in Game 3, Leonard (40.0) and Siakam (25.0) need help.

The Sixers' defense was shaky in Game 1 but terrific in Game 2, as they held the Raptors to 36.7 percent shooting, including 27.0 percent from beyond the three-point arc (10 of 37). Raptors head coach Nick Nurse isn't focused solely on statistics. He believes the Raptors simply missed too many shots. Sure, the Sixers' defense might have been improved but the Raptors missed 27 three-point attempts (poor shooting, not good defense). As poorly as Toronto played, Danny Green misfired on a potential three-pointer that would have tied Game 2 in the waning seconds.

Leonard makes Toronto a "different team" this postseason and speaking of defense, the Raptors have allowed fewer than 100 points in SIX straight playoff games.That's a recipe to win on the playoff road and this win comes with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

Boston was able to get past Milwaukee last year, escaping with a Game 7 win at home to eliminate the upstart Bucks in the first round. However, the Bucks won more games than any team in this year's NBA (60) and opened their second round series with the Celtics this postseason as prohibitive favorites, after averaging 121.8 points during a four-game, first-round sweep of the Detroit Pistons. Boston won 49 games during the regular season (11 fewer than Milwaukee) and while the Celtics also delivered a four-game sweep in the first round (over the Pacers), Sunday's Game 1 results has to be considered stunning. Fourth-seeded Boston frustrated Milwaukee MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and received an outstanding performance from Al Horford while posting a dominating 112-90 victory.

Kyrie Irving opened the series with 26 points and 11 assists (no surprise, as he's led the team in scoring all season) but it was Horford's performance that had all talking after the game. Horford had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the 22-point triumph and led the charge against Antetokounmpo, who was just 7-of-21 shooting while scoring 22 points. Horford was on the floor at the same time as Antetokounmpo for 22 minutes. During that time, Antetokounmpo made just 2 of 11 shots and had two shots blocked by Horford, as the Bucks posted a 63.3 offensive rating in those minutes. The top-seeded Bucks shot just 34.8 percent from the floor and had 11 shots blocked! Forward Khris Middeton (18.3-6.0-4.3 during the regular season) contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists but Milwaukee's other three starters combined for just 12 points on 3-of-17 shooting.

So what should we expect in Game 2? Boston not only played great D in Game 1 but also shot 54 percent. It was the team's highest field goal percentage in a conference semifinal game since Game 5 in 2010 at Cleveland. Boston is unbeaten in the postseason and is attempting to start a postseason with six straight wins for the first time since 1985-86. The Celtics are allowing 91.4 PPG in their first five playoff games. Getting back to Milwaukee, the Bucks' 34.8 shooting percentage was their worst in a postseason game since Game 6 of 2015's first round contest against the Chicago Bulls. Do NOT expect a repeat performance.

Milwaukee averaged 118.1 PPG (1st) in the regular season, while making 47.6% from the floor (3rd). The Bucks have averaged 119.2 PPG at home in going 35-9 SU (includes the postseason) and what's more, Milwaukee held its opponents to 43.3% shooting during the regular season, best in the league. The "real" Bucks show up tonight, as does the team's would-be league MVP. Sunday's loss was the third-worst loss by a No. 1 seed in a series opener under the league's current format. The Bucks have NO intention of joining the 2018 Toronto Raptors as the only top seed to fall behind 2-0 in this round under the current 16-team format that began in 1984. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Den Nuggets at 10:30 ET.

The third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers will be well-rested when they visit the second-seeded Denver Nuggets for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday. The Blazers eliminated the OKC Thunder in five games last Tuesday, while the Nuggets needed all seven games to get past San Antonio. Denver edged the Spurs 90-86 this past Saturday night at Pepsi Center.

Portland PG Damian Lillard exploded for 50 points in the team's Game 5 clincher against the Thunder, with the last three coming on a step-back three-pointer at the buzzer from 37 feet away. Lillard (33.0-4.4-6.0) and backcourt partner CJ McCollum (24.4-5.4-4.0) carried the scoring load in the first round but the team was able to overcome the loss of starting center Jusuf Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4 during the regular season) thanks to the play of Enes Kanter (13.2 & 10.2).

Denver has arguably been the NBA's deepest team all season but its first round win came mostly on the back of the team's All Star center, Nikola Jokic. He led the Nuggets in scoring (20.0), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.2) in the regular season and recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 7. Jokic's postseason debut has been a "coming-out" party. His 43 points in Game 6 established a franchise playoff record he averaged 23.1-12.1-9.1 assists vs the Blazers with six double-doubles (included were triple-doubles in Games 1 & 7). Point guard Jamal Murray, the team's second best player during the regular season (18.2-4.2-4.8), was inconsistent in the first round but came through with a team-high 23 points in the clincher.

The Blazers are better rested but the Nuggets come in with plenty of confidence. Denver was an NBA-best 34-7 at home during the regular season, going 26-4 in its final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center. Throw in them winning THREE of four at home in the first round and the Nuggets are 29-5 in their last 34 home games. The Nuggets fared well against the Trail Blazers in the regular season, winning the first three meetings (extending their winning streak to SIX in a  row over Portland), before the Blazers ended that six-game skid with a 115-108 home win on April 7.However, in that contest, Denver rested both Jamal Murray AND Nikola Jokic. Safe to say Jokic won't be rested here and I believe a fully-healthy Kanter would have a difficult time dealing with Jokic. However, it's hard to see Kanter being 100 percent. He reportedly played through a separated shoulder in the Game 5 win last Tuesday and has received treatment all week while practicing on a limited basis.  I think the Blazers are doing a very good job taking care of it. But, I mean obviously, I'm not going to lie, it hurts pretty bad," Kanter told reporters Friday. "I mean I'm having a hard time changing my shirt or eating food. So it's a process. We're just taking it day by day, see how it feels."That does NOT seem like promising news for Portland fans (bettors).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the GS Warriors at 3:30 ET.

The Golden State Warriors barely escaped the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference finals last season. PG Chris Paul went down in Game 5 of that series with a hamstring injury and the Warriors would go on to take the series, winning Game 6 at home in a rout and then eking out a Game 7 win in Houston, as the Rockets 'shot themselves in the foot' by missing 27 three-pointers in a row during the decisive Game 7. The teams meet in a rematch a round earlier this year and the while the top-seeded Warriors own the homecourt advantage this time around, the fourth-seeded Rockets did win both regular season meetings in Oakland during the regular season.

The Rockets went up 3-0 in their series with the Jazz and after a Game 4 'stumble,' closed out Utah back at Houston in Game 5. Meanwhile, the Warriors were shocked in Game 2 at home by the Clippers and then again at home in Game 5, after they entered that contest off back-to-back wins in LA. Golden St took care of the Clippers easily in Game 6, as K.D. had a career playoff-high 50 points and the team's defense (thanks in large part to Andre Iguodala) harassed LA's Lou Williams into 3-for-21 shooting in the series finale (note: Williams had 36 and 33 points in Gam2 and Game 5 wins at Oakland). Maybe it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the Rockets had an easier time in the first round than the Warriors, as over the regular season's final eight weeks the Rockets went 20-4, while the Warriors were a modest 15-9.

However, while James Harden struggled to 37.4 percent from the floor in the first round, Kevin Durant averaged 35 points on 56.7 percent shooting vs the Clippers. The rivals will be meeting in the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons, with Golden State having prevailed in the previous three. The Rockets lost 10 of 11 in the regular season and eight of 10 in the playoffs to the Warriors to begin the Steve Kerr coaching era but have won each of the last two season series. However, let's NOT forget Houston's loss to Golden St in last year's Western Finals (see above). Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both limped off the court after rolling ankles in Friday's Game 6  but I sure wouldn't count them out, here. Game 1 is HUGE and I'm making a 'big play" on the three-time NBA champs (over a four-year span).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs forced a Game 7 with Thursday's 120-103 win at home. LaMarcus Aldrige had pretty much been a non-factor in the first five games of the series but scored 26 points and added 10 rebounds in Game 6. DeRozan, the team's leading scorer in the postseason so far at 22.5 PPG, chipped in 25-7-7, plus Rudy Gay had 19 points. San Antonio opened the fourth quarter on a 22-4 run, blowing the game open and finished the contest shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. The Nuggets dominated the paint in Game 6 (outscored the Spurs 72-36) but shot a woeful 6 of 24 (25%) on threes. Jokic posted a career-playoff high of 43 points and just missed a triple-double with 12 rebounds and nine asists.

The series concludes with Saturday's Game 7 in Denver. San Antonio is looking to avoid its second straight first-round exit, after staving off elimination by shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and committing just eight turnovers. Can the Spurs really do that again here in Denver?The Spurs did win Game 1 of this series in Denver but in Game 2 and 5 losses at Pepsi center, the Spurs averaged just 97.5 PPG on 43.2% shooting, including 28.6% on threes.

Denver's All-Star center Nikola Jokic's postseason debut has been a "coming-out" party. His 43 points in Game 6 established a franchise playoff record and he enters Game 7 averaging 23.5-11.7-9.0 with five double-doubles in the series. Denver has arguably been the NBA's deepest team all season but its bench totaled only 13 points on 5-of-24 shooting in Game 6. Doesn't that almost HAVE to change here in Game 7?

Here's the rub. The Spurs had gone 0-6 SU (0-6 or 0-5-1 ATS) against Western Conference playoff teams on the road since the calendar turned to 2019, before winning Game 1. Throw in San Antonio's road losses (and non-covers) in Games 2 and 5 and the Spurs are 1-8 SU and 1-8 ATS (or 1-7-1 ATS)  in tonight's situation since Jan 1. As for Denver,  the Nuggets were an NBA-best 34-7 at home during the regular season, going 26-4 in their final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center. Throw in this series and the Nuggets are 28-5 in their last 33 home games. Home teams win Game 7s more than 80% of the time and I'm laying the points. This is NOT "your father's" Spurs!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the SA Spurs at 8:05 ET.

The 48-34 San Antonio Spurs entered the 2019 postseason as the West's No. 7 seed but they've been playoff regulars, as 2019 marked the team's 22nd consecutive postseason appearance (it's the longest streak among the four major North American sports). As for the 54-28 Denver Nuggets, they lost a chance to make the postseason last year when they lost in OT at Minnesota in the season's final game. However, Denver surprised this season by battling the Golden State Warriors until the final week for the West's top-seed. The Nuggets ended a five-year playoff drought by earning the West's No. 2 seed with a record in the regular season. The Spurs shocked the Nuggets in Game 1, winning at Pepsi Center. However, the Nuggets have won Games 2, 4 & 5 of the series and tonight in San Antonio are in position to win a playoff series for the first time since 2009. Meanwhile, the Spurs are looking to avoid their second consecutive first-round exit and to avoid that scenario, will have to put up a better effort than they did in Game 5.

The Nuggets dominated Game 5, leading by 11 at the half and by as many as 30 points in the final quarter to seize their first lead of the series. I've noted all season that the Nuggets are arguably the NBA's deepest team. Jamal Murray paced Denver with 23 points, one of SEVEN Nuggets in double figures. All-Star center Nikola Jokic has four double-doubles (including one triple double) during a strong playoff debut. He's averaging 19.6-11.6-9.0 in the series.

Second-year PG Derrick White starred in the first three games of this series, averaging 23.0 PPG, as the Spurs went up 2-1. However, he's struggled in two straight losses, averaging just 10.0 PPG on 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%). LaMarcus Aldridge paced the Spurs in Game 5 with 17 points and 10 rebounds but overall, has been a non-factor in the series, after leading San Antonio in scoring (21.3) and rebounding (9.2) during the regular season. Spurs SG DeMar DeRozan added 17 points but made just 6 of 15 shots. He's averaged just 18 points in the back-to-back setbacks, dropping his team-best series average to 22.0.

Here's the rub. "A close-out game is the hardest game that many of our young players will ever play in, especially against a team like San Antonio," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters."We want to win two straight," Spurs guard Bryn Forbes said,. "Our goal is to play the best two games we can put together and try to win these next two." I just don't see the veteran Spurs "going out' in this Game 6 at home. After all, when the Nuggets 'rocked' the Spurs in Game 4, that victory snapped a 14-game losing streak in San Antonio which stretched back to March 4, 2012. That Game 4 win also was just Denver's SECOND win on the road (in 13 tries!) vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. This series is headed back to Denver for a Game 7.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the OKC Thunder at 10:35 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of reaching the Western Conference semifinals after taking a 3-1 series lead over the sixth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Portland is best-known as an offensive team but the team's defense has been equally important in building a 3-1 lead in this first-round playoff series with OKC. The Blazers have held the Thunder under 100 points in each of their three wins. That said, let's NOT ignore Portland's dynamic guard duo of Lillard (28.8) and McCollum (26.3), who have helped the team take a 3-1 lead. Lillard and McCollum combined for 51 points and 11 assists in Game 4, which was 34 points more than the Thunder's starting backcourt accounted for. Then there is center Enes Kanter, who has stepped in for the injured Nurkic to average 13.3 & 9.5, outplaying OKC's Steven Adams (Adams was held to six points on Sunday, his first single-digit effort of the series).

Can (will?) Portland close it out there in Game 5? Paul George is averaging 26.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in the series but is shooting only 37 percent from the floor, including 30.8 from three-point range. Guard Russell Westbrook is averaging 21.3--8.3-9.8 but is shooting 36.3 percent from the floor, including 30.4 from the three-point line. OKC needs more form its complementary players as noted by backup point guard Dennis Schroder. "We've got to move the ball,"  he told reporters. "They're doing a great job playing (All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George), but I think the other guys who were on the floor got to be aggressive, got to get the ball, make a play for somebody else or finish."

That makes sense but if OKC is to win, Westbrook and George will have to come up big. Game 1 came down to the wire but then Portland routed OKC in Game 2, Westbrook was 5 of 20 in Game 2 but rebounded with 33 points and 11 assists in Game 2, a 120-108 OKC win. Westbrook was 5-of-21 from the floor in Game 4, including 0-of-10 in the second half, as the Blazers again routed OKC (George struggled with an 8-of-21 effort). No series pick from me but I expect OKC's "Big 2" will carry the day, here (watch out for Adams, as well).

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on the Brk Nets at 8:05 ET.

The Brooklyn Nets (+7.5) upset the 76ers in Game 1 by a score of 111-102 in Philly, as the home team heard boos coming off the court. However, Philly has recovered to win THREE in a row, including a 112-108 victory at Brooklyn in Game 4. "We were right there," guard Spencer Dinwiddie told reporters after Saturday's loss put the Sixers up 3-1. "We feel like we should've won. We weren't saying this was a learning experience when we won Game 1. So we can't fall back on that now. We need to try to pull off something incredible."  To do so, sixth-seeded Brooklyn will need to keep its emotions in check following a contest that saw multiple ejections after a scrum along the baseline.

The Nets have relied on the backcourt duo of Caris LeVert and D'Angelo Russell, who combined for 46 points in Game 4. Russell (22.3) is leading the team in this series, followed by LeVert (21.8) and fellow guard Dinwiddie (17.5). Center Jarrett Allen is averaging 11.8 & 6.3 and is coming off his best game of the season, going for 21 & 8 on Saturday. However, after shooting a league-best 47.4% from three-point range this season, Joe Harris missed all six of his long-range attempts in the Game 4 loss and is 0-for-12 in the three straight defeats, after making 3-of-4 in the victory in Game 1. He averaged 13.7 PPG during the regular season but is averaging just 8.8 in the series, while shooting 18.8% on threes.

Joel Embiid is averaging 25.3 points (on 51% shooting), 13.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and four assists while playing about 26 minutes per game. He led the way for Philadelphia with 31 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and six blocked shots in Game 4, after sitting out Game 3. He was limited to an average of 22.5 minutes through the first two games of the series and missed 14 of the final 24 regular-season games (not to mention Game 3 of this series). Is it possible Embiid could 'sit' tonight, or at least be limited?

Let's not forget that the Nets were 8-18 through Dec 5 but went 34-22 from that point to finish 42-40 and grab the sixth seed. Brooklyn does NOT have to win here, to "get the cash" and note that Philly was just 13-17 ATS its final 30 regular season games. The bet is to take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on the Orl Magic at 7:05 ET.

The Raptors were shocked by the Magic in Game 1 of this series, as Orlando won 104-10 in Toronto. That shouldn't have been too much of a surprise, as the Raptors fell to 1-10 in the openers of first-round series in franchise history with the loss and to just 2-14 in Game 1 of any postseason series. However, what is different this year is, Toronto has Kawhi Leonard. Leonard scored 37 points in the Raptors' 111-82 Game 2 victory and while he was less than 100% in Game 3 (dealing with an illness), he still manged 16 points and 10 rebounds. Leonard led the assault in Toronto's 107-85 Game 4 win, scoring 34 points. As for Orlando, after making 14 of 29 three-pointers (48.3%) in their Game 1 win,

the Magic have gone a woeful 29 of 111 (26.1%) from three-point range in three straight losses.

Leonard is averaging 28.0 points in the series and said after Game 4 he is enjoying being back in the playoffs after missing the postseason last season while injured with the San Antonio Spurs. Power forward Pascal Siakam is averaging 22.3 points and nine rebounds in the series, following his excellent regular season. The Magic are averaging just 86.7 points during their three straight losses, scoring 85 or fewer points in two of the losses. That said, Orlando won Game 1 here and also won on the road as part of a 2-2 split in the regular season. Yes, Leonard's presence makes Toronto a different team in 2019 but the Raptors have NEVER previously won four straight in a playoff series. Expect the Magic to play 'loose' here and let's not forget, the Magic are getting about two 'TD' (excluding extra-points). Take those points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Ut Jazz at 10:35 ET.

James Harden incredibly missed his first 15 field-goal attempts and finished 3-of-20 from the floor but came through with a pair of thee-pointers in the fourth quarter and had no trouble getting to the free-throw line (14 of 16) while finishing with 22 points in Houston's 104-101 victory in Game 3. Harden scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 assists and six steals in the victory. PG Chris Paul scored 18 points, Clint Capela recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds and P.J. Tucker scored the last of his 12 points at the free-throw line to seal the win on Saturday.

Utah saw guard Donovan Mitchell score a series-high 34 points in Game 3 but he missed a wide-open look at a three-pointer that would have tied the game with 8.7 seconds left. Overall, Mitchell was just 9 of 27 from the floor and he missed FIVE of his 17 free-throw attempts. Head coach Quin Snyder gave Jae Crowder the Game 3 start but he finished with just five points in 24 minutes. SF Joe Ingles is only 4-of-17 from three-point range in the series.

One could look at this series this way. The Utah Jazz did about as well as any team can possibly do defensively against James Harden in Game 3, yet still couldn't come away with a victory. "We didn't capitalize as much as we needed to, especially during a stretch there in the third quarter where I thought we had a chance to build a little bit of a lead," Snyder told reporters after the game. "We got some looks that we had to take, and they didn't fall." The Jazz were understandably deflated after the game but struggling Donovan Mitchell promises he and his teammates will put forth an extreme effort in Game 4. "I don't think anybody is going to just lay over Monday," Mitchell said during a press conference. "I don't think that is going to be the case. I don't think that is what our organization is based on. ... It is an uphill battle, but we are not going to lay over and give them a game."

Houston is in prime position to close out the first-round series with Utah but the Rockets haven't swept a playoff series since taking three straight from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 1997 postseason (that's more than 20 years ago!). The Jazz finished the regular season with an eight-game winning streak at home, with an average margin of victory of 14.8 PPG. Here in Game 4, the Jazz are small home dogs, unlike in Game 3 in which they were a small favorite. Expect Utah to send this series back to Houston.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Orl Magic at 7:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors Lost Game 1 of this series, 104-101 at home. That could hardly been too much of a surprise, as the Raptors fell to 1-10 in the openers of first-round series in franchise history and just 2-14 in Game 1 of any postseason series. However, what is different this year is, Toronto has Kawhi Leonard. Leonard scored 37 points in the Raptors' 111-82 Game 2 victory. He was way less than 100% in Game 3 (dealing with an illness) but he still manged 16 points and 10 rebounds. Stepping into the void was third-year forward Pascal Siakam, who scored 30 points (a career playoff high) on 13-of-20 shooting while also collecting 11 rebounds in 42 minutes, as the Raptors eked out a 98-93 win to take a 2-1 series lead.

Orlando won 13 of its final 14 regular-season home games but shot just 36.3 percent from the floor and committed 16 turnovers in Game 3. Swingman Terrence Ross scored a team-high 24 points off the bench, while center Nikola Vucevic scored 22 on 7-of-13 shooting. The Magic may have lost but Vucevic's return to scoring form in Game 3 was great news. He had averaged 20.8 points (51.8% shooting) and 12.0 rebounds during the season, but had averaged 8.5 points and 7.0 in the first two games of the series. His 22 points and 14 rebounds on Friday need to be replicated in Game 4. Staritng guards Augustin (Game 1 hero) and Fournier also need to play MUCH better, as in the two losses, the duo has combined to shoot 9 of 37 (24.3%).

Orlando may be the No. 7 seed but the Magic went 22-9 (.710) in the regular season after Jan 31. Only the Houston Rockets (24-8, .750) and Milwaukee Bucks (24-9, .727) had a better winning percentage in the NBA during that span. As noted above, the Magic won 13 of their last 14 home games. The Magic hardly played well in Game 3 but still lost by just five points. Expect a MUCH better effort here and remember, the Raptors (in their SIXTH straight postseason), are a "money-burning" 7-18 (28.0%) ATS on the road in the playoffs. Home dog barks LOUDLY in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Bos/Ind Over at 1:05 ET.

The Indiana Pacers (48-34) went 8-14 down the stretch and the Boston Celtics (49-33) were able to earn the East's No. 4 seed and the homecourt advantage in their first round series with the Pacers, despite going just 7-6 down the stretch. In what was supposed to be a six or seven game series, Boston has controlled both ends of the floor against Indiana and with a 3-0 series lead, can become the first NBA team to advance to the second round of the playoffs when the teams play Game 4 of their best-of-seven series Sunday in Indianapolis. Boston held the Pacers to just 74 points in a 10-point Game 1 win, then outscored Indiana 31-12 in the fourth quarter of Game 2, for an eight-point win. The Pacers had SEVEN players in double digits at home in Game 3 but still weren't able to crack 100 points, losing 104-96.

Kyrie Irving finished Game 3 with 19 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and just two turnovers and is averaging 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists in the series. Jaylen Brown, who is starting at shooting guard with Marcus Smart (oblique) sidelined, scored 23 points while making 8-of-9 shots on Friday, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. As for Indiana, the Pacers fell victim to another bad quarter in Game 3, losing the third by a 21-12 margin. "The silver lining is that we've been in every single game," PG Darren Collison told reporters. "All it takes is one win. Definitely ain't going to be no quit in us. I know it sounds foolish outside looking in, being down 3-0, but in this locker room there's definitely not going to be no quit."

No team in NBA history has ever won a series after falling behind 3-0 and Indiana is basically reduced to playing for pride at this point. Defense was an issue down teh stretch for Indiana, which allowed 11 of its 13 opponents to score 102 or more points. In fact, Boston averaged 115.5 PPG in the two high-stakes meetings from Indiana in the final two weeks, 114-112 in Boston and later 117-97 at Indiana. Not sure whether the Pacers can earn their way into the win column but I believe we'll see the Pacers give a four-quarter offensive effort. Have three straight unders, this one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND Play is on the Ut Jazz at 10:35 ET.

Houston at the buzzer, 112-11. Then, both Denver and Portland won the next night, dropping the Rockets to the No. 4 seed. However, Houston has shown no signs of a let down, routing the Jazz 120-90 in Game 1 and 118-98 in Game 2. "The Rockets are playing at an unbelievably high level," Jazz head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "They're going to make plays. The adjustment to that is to just keep competing. That's the mindset that we have to have." Utah is struggling to find a rhythm on offense and in particular, the Jazz have made just 15-of-65 (23.1%) from three-point range in the first two games.

James Harden is averaging 30.5-8.5-10.5  in the first two games plus backcourt mates Gordon (16.5) and Paul (15.5) are supporting him nicely. Center Clint Capela is averaging a double-double (11.5 & 11.0) and he's been supported by fellow frontcourt players Tucker (13.5), House (9.5) and Faried (9.0 & 6.0). On the Utah side, center Gobert (16.5 & 12.) and PG Rubio (16.0) have out-performed the Jazz' best player, Donovan Mitchell (23.8-4.1-4.2 in the regular season). Mitchell has averaged just 15.0 PPG, while shooting percent, including 4 of 15 on threes. Jae Crowder was a valuable role player in the regular season (11.9 & 4.8) but he's scored just 14 points in two games, shooting 16.7% from the floor, including 2 of 13 on threes.

After watching the first two games, Houston looks unbeatable. However, is it EVER that simple? Utah's Snyder put it simply. "Our group has always been a group that's responded, and that's what we have to do. We played poorly, and we have to be better. That will be the focus." I'll add that the Jazz finished the regular season with an eight-game winning streak at home, with an average margin of victory of 14.8 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers were able to edge the OKC Thunder 103-99 in Game 1 and then had little trouble going up 2-0 in their first-round series by routing OKC 114-94 in Game 2. It will come as no surprise that the Blazers have been led by their dynamic guard duo of Lillard (29.5-4.0-5.0) and McCollum (28.5-7.0-4.0). On the OKC side, Paul George has led the Thunder by averaging 26.5 & 9.0, while PG Westbrook has added 19.0-9.5-10.5. That said, Westbrook made just 5 of 20 shots in Game 2 has been soundly outplayed by Lillard.

"I know how quickly things can change," Lillard told reporters. "I know that a series doesn't start until you win a game on the road. I also know how capable their team is. So, we've just got to maintain our focus, stay sharp in the things we've been sharp in and understand how well we played in the first game and the second game is not going to be good enough in the third game, especially on their home floor. We've got to keep our heads down and keep working." Lillard and McCollum have led the way but Enes Kanter (13.0 & 11.5) has been HUGE for Portland, as he's played OKC center Steven Adams to a standstill.

Here's what OKC must change in Game 3. The Thunder have made only 10 of 61 shots (16.4%) from three-point range. Paul George is 6 for 22 on his three-point attempts and Russell Westbrook is 1 for 10 in the series. Jerami Grant and Dennis Schroder are both 0 for 8 and Terrance Ferguson 2 for 7.It's hard to make up numbers that bad! What's more, OKC has committed 16 turnovers in each of the first two games, with Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has pointed toward the miscues as one reason for the team's stagnant offense.

OKC returned from the All Star break to go 7-13 and seemed headed for the West's No. 8 seed and a first round meeting with the Warriors. However, the Thunder won their final FIVE regular season games (4-1 ATS) to earn the No. 6 seed. OKC got what it wanted (avoiding Golden St). Tonight, the Thunder need to "step up" and avoid falling down 0-3 vs the Blazers. My bet says Westbrook responds and the Thunder do just that!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers 8:35 ET.

Kyrie Irving is making the most of his first playoff series with the Boston Celtics. He scored 20 points and helped lead a dominant defensive effort in a series-opening 84-74 win and then finished with 37 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Wednesday's come-from-behind 99-91 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference best-of-seven matchup.

Boston trailed by 12 points with 11 minutes remaining in Game 2, before putting together a 16-0 run during a fourth quarter in which the Celtics would outscore the Pacers 31-12 for a 99-91 win. In Game 1, the Pacers led 45-38 at the half but then got outscored 26-8 in the quarter. "It's always been one quarter that kills us in the second half," Pacers forward Thaddeus Young told reporters of his team, after Indiana fell behind 2-0 in the series. "We're getting good looks and shots are not falling. ... We gotta put together a 48-minute game and we haven't been able to that."That pretty much sums it up.

Jayson Tatum scored 26 points in Wednesday's win and was the catalyst in a game-ending 10-0 surge by producing six points and one assist. Tatum is averaging 20.5 points on 54.8 percent shooting in the series but Boston could use more balanced scoring. Kyrie is averaging 28.5-5.5-7.0 but Boston needs more from the rest of its players. Indiana knows all to well about players underachieving in the series, so far. Big men Sabonis and Turner, who averaged 14.1 & 9.3 and 13.3 & 7.2 during the regular season, respectively, have been playoff "no-shows." Sabonis is averaging a woeful 4.0 PPG (7.0 RPG), while Turner has hardly been much better (6.5 & 6.5). Shooting guard Wesley Matthews (10.9 PPG in the regular season) was held to six points in Game, his second straight single-digit effort.

Boston has won five straight meetings overall with Indiana, the last four of which have come in a 20-day span. The Pacers have shot 39 percent in the series, including 31 percent on three-pointers and have totaled just 165 points in the first two games. Considering that Indiana has lost its last 10 games when the team has failed to reach triple digits (note: The Celtics have won five in a row when holding opponents under 100), the Pacers have to find a way to "score the ball." Consider this. Remember that the Celtics went up on Milwaukee with two series-opening wins at home in the first round last year, only to lose two straight on the road to let the Bucks right back in that series. Boston did go on to win that in seven games but the Celtics finished a pathetic 1-7 on the road in the 2018 postseason. Pacers get back in it here.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 9:05 ET.

Denver was an NBA-best 34-7 at home, after going 26-4 in their final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center but the SA Spurs, who had gone 0-6 SU (0-6 or 0-5-1 ATS) against Western Conference playoff teams on the road since the calendar turned to 2019, would win Game 1 last Saturday by the score of 101-96. In Tuesday's Game 2, the Nuggets found themselves down 19 points (78-59) late in the third quarter, headed for an 0-2 hole in the series. However, PG Jamal Murray, who made critical mistakes down the stretch in Game 1 and was dreadful for the first three quarters of Game 2, erupted to score 21 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of the comeback victory. Murray missed all eight of his field-goal attempts over the first three quarters but coach Michael Malone stuck with him and he was a blistering 8-of-9 shooting as Denver outscored the Spurs 39-23 over the final 12 minutes (55-27, after that 78-59 deficit).

"We don't quit," reserve guard Malik Beasley told reporters. "Playoff experience matters, but as long as you play hard and play together, that's what matters on the court." Guard Gary Harris scored 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Game 2 and is averaging 21.5 points in the series. Center Jokic, who led Denver is scoring (20.0), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.2) on the season, added 21-13-8. Veteran PF Millsap had 20 points, one of four 20-point scorers for Denver in Game 2. I've noted often that Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more are averaging between 5.8 and 8.7 PPG (does not include "IT" who has played just 12 games this season, after playing in two of the team's six April games and hasn't played in the series).

As for the Spurs, it was a big missed opportunity. "We got Game 1. We fought, tried to get Game 2, but we got homecourt shifting our way," Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "Now, it's on us to go home and do what we need to do, understand if we take care of home, like we've been doing all year, we can come back here with an opportunity. We feel great where we're at. We understood it wasn't going to be a cake walk." Aldridge (21.3 & 9.2) and DeRozan (21.2-6.0-6.2) were the Spurs' "one-two punch" during the regular season and although the Spurs can't quite meet the overall depth and strength of Denver's bench, the Spurs still own quite a impressive group of role players. In Game 1, White had 16 points (he's averaging 16.5 in the series), Forbes (15 points) and Gay (14 points). Then in Game 2, DeRozan poured in 31 points,Aldridge added 24 and PG D White 17 but no other player scored in double digits.

Let's not forget that the Spurs led Tuesday's game from the middle of the first quarter to the middle of the fourth (often by double digits). The Spurs now return home and have to be more than just a little angry that they are not up 2-0. What better head coach could a team ask for in this situation than Pop. The Nuggets have to feel as if they are playing with 'house money' after stealing Game 2 bu the task ahead is a formidable one. Denver has lost 13 straight games in San Antonio, a streak that dates back to March 4, 2012. Even of more importance is the following. The Nuggets finished the regular season going a pathetic 1-10 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. Lay the more than reasonable points with the Spurs.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* 1st Round Total of the Year is on Ind/Bos Over at 7:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics finished the regular season going 5-5 SU but just 1-9 ATS over their final 10 regular season games. However, the Celtics were able to edge the Pacers for the 4th-seed in the East. The Pacers sure made it easier for Boston, as after winning their first road game after the All Star break., Indiana lost 10 straight road games (2-8 ATS), before winning at Detroit amd Atlanta to end the season. The two teams met Sunday at TD Garden in Game 1 of their first-round series, with the Pacers taking a 45-38 halftime lead. However, the Celtics outmuscled in the Pacers in the second half on their way to an 84-74 win (Boston outscored Indiana 26-8 in the third quarter).

Indiana shot just 33.3 percent from the floor (including 6-of-27 on threes) in Game 1 plus also went only 12-of-21 from the FT line. Just ONE starter scored in double digits, as the team's five starters combined for only 38 on 15-of-44 (34.1%) shooting from the floor. Also, the Indiana bench contributed to the team's poor offensive effort, with the usually reliable Domantas Sabonis (3-for-9), Tyreke Evans (3-for-11) and Doug McDermott (1-for-7) combining to shoot just 7-for-27 (25.9%). The Celtics had five players score in double digits, yet scored only 84 points, while shooting 36.4 percent, overall. Despite their lowest scoring game of the season, the Celtics prevailed 84-74 in Game 1 by dominating the second half and limiting the Pacers to 29 points.

The Pacers were just 2-of-19 from the floor in the third quarter and made only eight FGs in the entire second half, going 8-for-38 (21.1 percent). The 74-point total was 15 points lower than any previous game this season for the Pacers. The Celtics shot just 32 percent in the first half, before improving to 41 percent in the second half, in what was their lowest scoring game of the season.

So what to expect in Game 2? Is it possible that either team will shoot so poorly again? The Pacers shot 47.5% from the floor during the season (4th-best), including 37.4% on threes (5th-best). No way they shoot 33.3%, including 22.2% in Game 2. As for Boston, the Celtics shot 46.5% on the season, 10 percent better than in Game 1. These teams played in Boston down the stretch (March 29), with the Celtics winning 114-112. This game may not reach that level of scoring but I expect both teams to be in 100s and the current total is about a 'TD' lower than what it closed in Game 1 (210.5). This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

Denver surprised this season by ending a five-season playoff drought. In fact, the Nuggets battled the Golden State Warriors until the final week for the West's top-seed, before finishing 54-28 to earn the No. 2 seed. As for the Spurs, they were inside the playoff 'cut line' almost the entire season (although not by much) and finished 48-34 (No. 7 seed) to make the team's 22nd straight postseason. The veteran Spurs led for most of Game 1 but the Nuggets were down just five with 2:24 left and had a chance to take the lead but Jamal Murray misfired on an 18-footer with 9.4 seconds left. The Nuggets also had an opportunity to force overtime but Spurs rookie PG Derrick White stole the ball from Murray with 2.1 seconds remaining and hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds left to seal the 101-96 victory.

All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs in scoring (21.3) and rebounding (9.2) during the season and his 'partner in crime' was shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (21.2-6.0-6.2). DeRozan had 18 points and 12 rebounds but made just 6 of 17 shots. He was one of five San Antonio players to score in double digits. Aldridge contributed 15 & 8 but was just 6-of-19 from the floor. Derrick White (16 points), Bryn Forbes (15 points) and Rudy Gay (14 points) picked up the slack and shot a combined 19 of 28 (67.9%).

The Spurs held Denver to 42 percent shooting and Denver didn't score a point in transition. San Antonio held Denver center Nikola Jokic (20.0-10.8-7.2) to 10 points by double-teaming the All-Star center when he was in the low post. However, he added 14 rebounds and 14 assists in Game 1 to become the fourth player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his first career playoff game. Jamal Murray (18.2-4.2-4.8) had 17 points but was just 8-of-24 from the floor (33.3%), including missing that dreadful wide-open shot late, that might have been the difference between winning and losing.

Denver was an NBA-best 34-7 at home during the regular season, going 26-4 in their final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center. Meanwhile, the Spurs had gone 0-6 SU (0-6 or 0-5-1 ATS) against Western Conference playoff teams on the road since the calendar turned to 2019, before winning Game 1. It's hard to see White, Forbes and Gay  combing for 45 points on 67.9% shooting, again. Also, will the Spurs go 7-of-15 from three-point range like in Game 1, with Denver going 6-of-28 (21.4%)? Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team and with better shooting performances from Jokic and Murray, should win rather easily.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Tor Raptors at 8:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors have been well-known for their postseason failures but still, the Orlando Magic's 104-101 win in this Eastern Conference first-round matchup was a considered a stunning upset. Then again, we shouldn't have been surprised. After all, the Raptors are now 1-10 in the openers of first-round series in franchise history and just 2-14 in Game 1 of any postseason series. As for Orlando, the Magic may be the East's No. 7 seed, but they went 22-9 (.710) in the regular season after Jan 31. Only the Houston Rockets (24-8, .750) and Milwaukee Bucks (24-9, .727) had a better winning percentage in the NBA during that span.

Orlando's vet PG Augustin was 9-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, while pouring in 25 points in Game 1. His three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left was the game-winner, after he had tied the game with a layup. "These last few months, especially since after All-Star break, I think we have one of the best records in the NBA," said Augustin after Game 1. "It's just a mindset that we came in with. Our goal was to make the playoffs, and just not make it, we want to make noise and win a series or two. We feel like we can, we believe in ourselves, coach believes in us and I feel like that's all we need to get some good wins and build momentum." Orlando won with tits two best players, Vucevic (20.8 & 12.0) and Gordon (16.0 & 7.4)  combing to make just 6 of 24 shots (.25.0%). The Magic's perimeter shooting made took up teh slacke, as the etam made 14 of 29 three-pointers (48.3%).

The Raptors were confused on Augustin's decisive play, as neither small forward Kawhi Leonard nor center Marc Gasol made a move to contest his shot and the end result was a surprising setback. "It was a mistake made on that play," Gasol told reporters of the missed assignment. "We mis-communicated and he made a good shot." Kawhi Leonard (26.6 & 7.3) scored 25 points in his first playoff outing with the Raptors, while forward Pascal Siakam (16.9 & 6.9) also stood out with 24 points and nine rebounds. However, Raptors PG Kyle Lowry (14.2-4.8-8.7) missed all SEVEN of his shots (0-for-6 from three-point range), while going scoreless in the opener.

OK, so the Raptors are in a familiar spot, as the fell to 2-14 in Game 1 of any postseason series in franchise history. However, Toronto has never had a player like Leonard, who won an NBA title with the Spurs in 2014, when he was named Finals MVP. The Raptors were 32-9 SU at home during the season and NO WAY the Magic hit 48% from three-point range again. Magic 'return to earth' in this one plus expect a huge bounce-back from Lowry. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 8:00 ET.

The Brooklyn Nets finished 42-40 to earn the East's No. 6 seed. It's the team's first playoff appearance since 2015, with the team entering this season off years of 21, 20 and 28 wins. Brooklyn guards D'Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie combined for 67 points on Saturday, leading the Nets to a 111-102 victory in Philadelphia over the 76ers to seize homecourt advantage away from the No. 3 seed. The 76ers saw Jimmy Butler score 36 points and Joel Embiid add 22 and 15 rebounds in his return from a knee issue,  but they were a woeful 3-of-25 (12.0%) from three-point range.

LeVert paced a 59-point attack for the Brooklyn's bench combined for 59 points in Game 1, getting 23 very productive minutes (23 points) from LeVert, roughly two months into his return from a dislocated foot. D'Angelo Russell started slowly by missing 12 of his first 15 shots but led the Nets with 26 points. The key to Game 1 for Brooklyn was its reserves outscoring Philly's by a 59-26 margin by adding 23 points. Four Brooklyn reserves played at least 20 minutes. Butler was terrific but while and Embiid had 22 & 15, it was 'quiet' 22 as he missed 10 of 15 shots. He also seemed to shay away from the physical play of Brooklyn's big men. Philadelphia saw its other three starters, Tobias Harris (18.2 & 7.9), JJ Redick (18.1) and Ben Simmons (16.9-8.8-7.7) combined for only 18 points on 8 of 23 shooting (34.8%).

Philly heard plenty of boos in Game 1 (the 76ers trailed by as many as 16 points) and need to start strong in Game 2.  The Nets are back in the postseason for the first time since 2015 and a win would mark the first time the team has held a 2-0 lead in a series since sweeping the New York Knicks in the opening round of the 2004 postseason. Philly was 31-10 at home during the regular season by averaging 117.9 PPG. I just don't see Brooklyn's reserves can possibly match their Game 1 performance plus expect Philly's starters to rebound. Philly shot 35.9% (8th) from three-point range on the season, so NO WAY we'll see another 3-of-25 effort. Also, Philly missed 13 FTs in Game 1. 76ers bounce back in a big way in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insideris on the Hou Rockets at 9:30 ET.

The Houston Rockets won an NBA-best 67 games last season and led the Warriors 3-2 in the Western Conference finals, before Chris Paul missed Games 6 and 7, which Golden St won. While last year's MVP James Harden had another MVP-like season this year (36.1-6.6-7.5), the Rockets finished a much more modest 53-29, leaving them with the No. 4 seed in the West. In fact, the Rockets had the No. 3 seed in its sights in their final game of the regular season, before OKC came back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to nip Houston at the buzzer, 112-11.The Jazz followed last year's 48-34 record by going 50-32 this season, entering the playoffs as the West's No. 5 seed for the second straight year (Utah ousted No. 4 seed OKC last year in six games). The Rockets then handled the Jazz fairly easily in the second round of last season's playoffs, taking the series 4-1 with Houston's wins coming by 14, 21, 13 and 10 points. The teams split four regular-season meetings this season, with each team recording one road victory.

The Jazz have an excellent starting-five in leading scorer Mitchell (23.8-4.1-4.,2), PG Rubio (12.7 & 6.1 APG), swingman Ingles (12.1-4.0-5.7), PF Favors (11.8 & 7.4) and center Gobert (15.9 & 12.9). However, Favors missed five of the team's last six games and Rubio (quadriceps) missed the final three games of the regular season (he is expected to give it a go in Game 1). Mitchell sat out the team's final regular season with a back issue and while it's hard to imagine he's not playing, he is being listed as questionable. Also, Korver (9.1 PPG off the bench) has missed the last six games with a knee injury.

As noted, Harden could win a second straight MVP and is joined by Gordon (16.2) and Paul (15.6-4.6-8.2) to give Houston quite the guard trio. Both House (9.4) and Green (9.2) are also dangerous perimeter players (swingmen), who have been known to "light it up." Then there is center Clint Capela, who averaged career highs in points (16.6) and rebounds (12.7). He missed 15 games with a thumb injury (team went 5-1) but after he returned and after Houston lost his first game back (right after the All Star break), the Rockets won 20 of their final 24 games. Another major addition was PF/C Faried, who in 25 games down the stretch with Houston, averaged 12.9 & 8.2.

The Jazz have too many health-related question marks entering this series to take them in Game 1. Houston's only losses in their last 24 games came by two points at home to Golden St, by one-point in OT at Memphis, by six points at Milwaukee (owners of the NBA's best record) and then that one-point disaster in Game 82 at OKC. The Rockets want that rematch with Golden St and will get it a round earlier than they had hoped but first they need to take care of business vs the Jazz. I always take the playoffs (and each series) one game at a time and off of last year's results, I really like the Rockets here in Game 1.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Por Blazers at 3:30 ET.

The Blazers opened March 1-3 but won 14 of their last 17 games to clinch the No. 3 in the West at 53-29 (edged the Rockets in a tie-breaker). The Thunder seemed headed for the West's No. 8 seed (and a first-round series with the Warriors) but OKC ended the season on a five-game winning streak to finish 49-33, one game better than the Spurs (No. 7) and Clippers (No. 8). The series will feature star PGs Damian Lillard (25.8-4.6-8.9) and Russell Westbrook (22.9-11.1-10.7).  Lillard averaged 34.8 points and 7.8 assists while Westbrook averaged 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the teams' four regular season games. However, OKC took all FOUR of the regular season meetings.

Paul George (28.0-8.2-4.1), not Westbrook, led the team in scoring this season. However, he is struggling with right shoulder soreness. He insists that he will play in the opener. George was superb against Portland in the regular season with averages of 38 points and 10.5 rebounds and said the postseason is no time to sit with an injury. "It's playoff time, so it's more than this, it's about being out there with my guys," George told reporters. "As much as I can get it a hundred (percent) as possible, or close to it, you can expect me out there Sunday." Portland has a key player with an injury question as well. Lillard's backcourt partner CJ McCollum (21.0) missed 10 games late in the season with a knee injury and didn't fare well upon his return, averaging 10.0 PPG  in two games before being rested in the season finale. He made just 8-of-26 shots (30.1%), including 2-of-11 form three-point range. "I feel good, I feel like I'm ready to play, looking forward to the playoffs," McCollum told reporters. "I'm glad I was able to get back and get a couple of games in, get a few game minutes in before the playoffs start. ... My wind is fine, no minutes restrictions."

The season-ending ending injury to Portland center Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4) was expected to be a 'killer,' but Enes Kanter has been a 'savior,' averaging 13.1 & 8.6 in his 23 games for the Blazers (team went 18-5 in those game). Portland will rely on Kanter to combat OKC center Steven Adams (13.8 & 9.5), his former Thunder teammate. A closer look at OKC's closing five-game winning streak revels wins over the Lakers, Pistons and T-wolves (no big deal there), the team's miracle comeback from 14 down vs Houston and a season-ending win at Milwaukee, when the Bucks rested all their starters. Just prior to that stretch, OKC had gone 7-13 SU and a money-burning 5-15 ATS in its previous 20 games. As noted above, Portland closed its season on a 14-3 SU run, including eight straight home wins. Average winning margin in Portland's last 14 victories was 11.0 PPG. Forget the regular season, Portland was 32-9 SU at home, averaging 118.2 PPG with an average winning margin of just shy of nine points per. The Blazers win this one with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Playoff Opener is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

The 48-34 San Antonio Spurs are playoff regulars, as 2019 marks the team's 22nd consecutive postseason appearance (it's the longest streak among the four major North American sports). As for the 54-28 Denver Nuggets, they lost a chance to make the postseason last year when they lost in OT at Minnesota in the season's final game. However, Denver surprised this season by battling the Golden State Warriors until the final week for the West's top-seed. The second-seeded Nuggets will be ending a five-year playoff drought when they host the Spurs in Saturday's opener of the Western Conference first-round series.

The seventh-seeded Spurs enter this series having won their last three games and six of their past nine (big deal?). "We ended off strong," guard DeMar DeRozan (21.2-6.0-6.2) told reporters. "Our confidence is high. ... I think we've got our mindset where it's supposed to be heading into the playoffs." All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, led the Spurs in scoring (21.3) and rebounding (9.2) during the season, plus averaged 22.3 points and shot 55.7 percent from the floor in four games against Denver this season (home team won all four). San Antonio has two guards who finished among the top five in three-pointers by a reserve in Patty Mills (third with 155) and Marco Belinelli (fifth with 145) but San Antonio's overall depth is NOT what it used to be.

In contrast, Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. All-Star center Nikola Jokic will be the focal point after posting the second-most double-doubles (56) and triple-doubles (12) in franchise history,. He led the team in scoring (20.0), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.2) on the season. PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.8) and behind those two,  Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus five more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.7 PPG (including "IT" who has played just 12 games this season, after playing in two of the team's six April games).

Sure, the Spurs are the more experienced team and Pop is Pop but, this is NOT your father's Spurs. "There's an excitement (about the playoffs)," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "This is a new challenge for our guys. We're going to embrace it, we're looking forward to it. We'll see what we can do." Denver was an NBA-best 34-7 at home, after going 26-4 in their final 30 regular season games at Pepsi Center. One last thing. The Spurs have gone 0-6 SU (0-6 or 0-5-1 ATS) against Western Conference playoff teams on the road since the calendar turned to 219. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Finale is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

Here's what I wrote yesterday in taking the Jazz over the Nuggets as my NBA Game of the Week. "I don't understand Denver's Malone sitting Jokic, Murray and Millsap, so won't try to. Who will he play here? Here's what I know. With Sunday's loss at Portland, the Nuggets are 1-9 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1." The Jazz won 118-108, as the Nuggets fell to 1-10 SU  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1.

It appeared that Denver had squandered an opportunity to nail down the No. 2 seed by losing its last two games but the Nuggets got some improbable help from Oklahoma City. The Thunder trailed the Rockets at home by 14 points with 9:08 remaining but stunned Houston 112-111, with Paul George delivering the final blow, nailing the game-winning three-pointer with 1.8 seconds left.

The Rockets have finished the regular season 53-29, meaning the 53-28 Nuggets can claim the No. 2 seed by beating the 36-45 Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Pepsi Center. "We haven't rested anybody in four years," head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "We had a crazy schedule, we had six games in nine nights, it was unbelievably hard, and all those guys were nursing injuries. We're playing everybody tonight. For people in Houston and people in Denver to be thinking that we are resting people because we intentionally lost so we could avoid a matchup is very wrong, very erroneous reporting." The Nuggets didn't sit anybody on Tuesday but Malone used a lot of his bench against the Jazz. They were within four points midway through the fourth period but the Jazz went on a 16-2 run to put it away. As for Jokic, who lead the team in scoring (19.9), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3), he's played only 16 minutes over the last two games in the hope he will be fresh for the Denver Nuggets' first playoff appearance in six years. The strategy might have paid off in a big way, thanks to some help from the Oklahoma City Thunder (see above).

I can't imagine the Nuggets going "all-out" here with the No. 2 seed just a win away. Ironically, this marks the second straight season that these two teams wrap up the regular season against each other. Last year's game was a play-in game for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, after Denver went on a tear to tie Minnesota in the standings. However, the Timberwolves prevailed in overtime in that game, leaving the Nuggets at home for the postseason. The Timberwolves have been decent at home this season (25-16 at Target Center) but Minnesota comes into Denver having gone just 11-29 away from home. The Nuggets have "something to play for" and are 33-7 at home this season, including 25-4 in their last 29. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The 53-27 Denver Nuggets lost out on their battle with the Golden St Warriors for the West's top-seed but with two games to go in the regular season, now find themselves engaged in a tight battle for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with the 53-28 Houston Rockets. The Nuggets dropped a 115-108 decision to the host Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in game in which they rested Jokic, Murray and Millsap. "They're tired. It's been a long season," head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "Neither of those guys -- Jamal, Paul or Nikola has sat out one game this year due to rest or load management." Denver seems more focused on entering the postseason fresh, rather than securing the No. 2 see. They may just get their 'wish.'

Utah was making a run at No. 4 seed Portland for homecourt advantage in the probable first-round series between the teams but fell two games back with two to play after suffering a dreadful 113-109 loss to the host Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Utah head coach Quin Snyder was frustrated  after Sunday's loss, as a depleted Lakers' squad outplayed and outworked his team.  "Regardless of where you're seeded, you have to play well and play a certain way to win," Snyder told reporters afterward. "We've won some games, so sometimes that masks some things we weren't doing well. Everyone has been talking about the winning streak, but that doesn't mean anything."The 49-31 Jazz are unlikely to catch Portland but expect an outstanding effort in this, the team's home finale of the regular season.

I don't understand Malone sitting Jokic, Murray and Millsap, so won't try to. Who will he play here? Here's what I know. With Sunday's loss at Portland, the Nuggets are 1-9 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. The Jazz are off an embarrassing loss at the Lakers on Sunday, a contest in which they had taken a 12-1 SU run into. What's more, Utah has won each of the Nuggets' last eight visits to Salt Lake City. Gotta love Utah at this price!

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Game of the Month is on Tex Tech/Va Over at 9:20 ET.

Texas Tech (31-6)  meets Virginia (34-3) in the NCAA Tournament championship game Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as each school looks to win its first-ever title.. Virginia has limited opponents to a national-best 55.5 PPG on 38.4 percent shooting (5th), while Texas Tech allows 58.8 PPG (3rd) on 36.8 percent shooting (1st). I could go into a detailed analysis of thsisgame but I prefer to make it "short and sweet!"

Virginia's 18 regular season ACC games finished with 120 points or more (opening total of this game was 119) in 12 of 18 contests. In UVa's seven postseason games (two ACC tourney games and five NCAA tourney ones), FIVE of the seven have exceeded 120 or more. As for Texas Tech, 17 of its 18 Big 12 games finished with 120 or more points. The Red Raiders were bounced in their first Big 12 tourney contest (79-74 by West Va) and in five NCAA games, the final has finished with 120 or more, three times.

I'm just going say "O-V-E-R" and let the chips fall where the may.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Nuggets clinched the Northwest Division title with a 119-110 victory over the Trail Blazers on Friday and Sunday night  53-26 Denver will try for its SEVENTH straight over 50-29 Portland when they visit the Trail Blazers. Each team's playoff position is still to be decided, as Denver is two games behind first-place Golden State in the Western Conference with three to play and 1 1/2 games clear of Houston for the No. 2 seed. As for Portland, the Blazers are clinging to a one-game lead over Utah for fourth seed and home court advantage in the first round.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.4), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.9). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.6 PPG. Damian Lillard paces the team with 25.9 PGG (4.6 RPG & 6.9 APG)  but he's averaged only 18.3 in three contests against Denver this season after scoring 14 on Friday. Yes, Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4) is out for the season but Enes Kanter (12.8 & 8.0 in 21 games with the Blazers) has now scored 20 or more points in a career-high four straight games after reaching that total seven times previously this season.

Here's the key. Word is that McCollum (21.3) will play in this one for the first time since March 16 for Portland and that Denver is expected to rest Jokic, Murray and Millsap. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

Orlando reached a low point on Jan 29, when a loss to OKC dropped the Magic 11 games under .500. However, the Magic have since gone 20-9 and Friday's 149-113 t home win over the Hawks gave them EIGHT wins in their last 10 and moved them into sixth place in the East (the Nets won last night, moving into a ie with Magic at 40-40 apiece!). The Magic are looking like the cream of the crop in a crowded race for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and are on the cusp of snapping a six-year postseason drought, needing  just one win to clinch a playoff berth. However, Sunday's game in Boston will be a tough one. The 48-32 Celtics need just one win (or an Indiana loss) to nail down the East's No. 4 seed, after crushing the Pacers 117-97 at Indiana on Friday.

Orlando is healthy coming down the stretch and the team's 42-18 first-quarter lead over the Hawks allowed the Magic to give most of their regulars an easy night, as the team secured its NINTH straight home win (Orlando's longest in-season streak in 10 years.). However, the Magic are just 15-24 SU on the road and face a Boston team which is 28-12 SU at home and is playing its final home game of the regular season. SIX players scored in double figures in Friday's rout of Indiana, including Gordon Hayward. He made all nine of his shots en route to 21 points and has averaged 1 6.4 points on 58.8 percent shooting over his last seven games. Boston has SIX players averaging in double digits, plus Smart (8.9) and Rozier (8.8) just miss.

The Magic have  won the first two meetings vs the Celtics this season (by a total of just five point) but DON'T expect the third time to be the 'charm.' Boston wins and clinches the No. 4 seed "with room to spare."

Good luck.,..Larry

My 9* play is on the Ind Pacers at 5:05 ET.

The Brooklyn Nets earned a dramatic win over the league-leading Bucks on Saturday in Milwaukee, ending the game on a 7-0 run  to win, 133-128. The 40-40  the Nets moved into a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with Orlando, a half-game up on eighth-place Detroit and 1 1/2 ahead of Miami (currently on the outside looking in at the East's playoff picture). Brooklyn concludes a critical back-to-back set Sunday when the Nets visit the 47-33 Indiana Pacers, who will likely be the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana needs to reassert itself after letting the Celtics shoot 52.2 percent from the floor in Friday's 117-97 loss, which allowed Boston to claim a 3-1 season series win and the first tiebreaker between the two teams. 

Brooklyn shares the same record as Orlando but the Nets won two of three meetings with the Magic to claim the head-to-head tiebreaker. Brooklyn is also a half-game ahead of the Detroit Pistons and beat them in two of three meetings to get the tiebreaker. As for teh Pacers, they now need to win their final two games and have Boston lose its last two to gain home court for the first round. Indiana can basically say "hello" to the 5th-seed. The Pacers won six straight from Feb 2-11 but are are 9-14 since, including going 3-8 in its last 11 games. Six of those losses are by single digits and Friday was the second-most points allowed in this slump.

However, Indiana has won NINE straight over Brooklyn (8-1 ATS), 12 of 14 and SEVEN straight at home since Dec 18, 2015. Meanwhile, Brooklyn is 3-10 ATS in the 2nd night of back-to-back games (played in Milwaukee last night). Pacers get this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NCAA Tourney Game of the Year is on Michigan State at 8:49 ET.

The Michigan State Spartans were the fifth overall seed in the tournamen t(one of four, No. 2 seeds) but wound up in the same bracket as Duke, the tourney's overall No. 1 seed. The Selection Committee's explanation was it was based on geographical considerations (anyone buying that?). However, the Spartans just "got to work" and last Sunday earned Tom Izzo's eighth trip to the Final Four with a one-point victory over Duke and freshman phenom Zion Williamson (not to mention Barrett, Reddish and Jones). The 32-6 Spartans will take on 30-6 Texas Tech (the East's No. 3 seed), which took out the West's No. 1 seed (Gonzaga), 75-69 last Saturday. Tech will be making the school's first-ever Final appearance, as will current head coach Chris Beard, who is a relative unknown among the four remaining coaches.

Texas Tech isn't a "Johnny Come Lately," as the Red Raiders lost in the Elite Eight to national champion Villanova last season. That said, Tech had some reloading to do. Guard Matt Mooney (11.0) is a transfer from South Dakota and the 6-8 Tariq Owens (8.9 & 5.8) is a St John's transfer. Both are contributing at what Beard said was an "All-Big 12" level. Mooney starts in a three-guard lineup which includes Culver  and Moretti. Culver leads the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (6.4) and assist (3.7), while Moretti (11.6) is Tech's third double digit scorer. Owens is the team's best inside player and gets some help from the 6-8 Odiase (4.2 & 5.2). However, Tech wins with its defense, which comes in allowing 59.0 PPG (3rd) on 36.9% shooting (2nd).

Michigan State is led by junior PG Cassius Winston, the team leader in scoring (18.9 points) and assists (7.6). A key to MSU's success has also been the outside shooting of the team's two seniors, guard Matt McQuaid (9.8 PPG with 70 three-pointers) and 6-7 forward Kenny Goins (8.1 & 9.0 plus 56 three-pointers). Goins gets plenty of help up front, as he;'s joined by the 6-18 Ward (13.2 & 7.3), the 6-8 Tillman (10.1 & 7.3) and 6-6 freshman Henry. Since Tillman moved into the starting lineup 12 games ago, he's averaged 13.8 points and 8.1 rebounds, scoring a career-high 19 points twice (including against Duke). Henry has emerged as an important cog for the Spartans in the postseason, as he's averaged 10.2 PPG in the NCAA Tournament

Tech is a terrific defensive team (see above) but let's NOT forget Izzo teams always play excellent D, as well. This year's team allows 65.1 PPG (34th) on 37.9% (3rd-best in the nation!). MSU's frontcourt is VASTLY superior to Tech's. Winston has been excellent with the ball in the tournament, averaging 7.7 assists against 2.7 turnovers and he can be counted on to handle the trapping Texas Tech defense. Izzo says he is never worried what his junior captain will deliver. "Cassius is always Cassius," he said. Izzo's team advances to Monday night with a chance to earn that second NCAA title (no small deal!).

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

LBJ's first (last?) season in LA is coming to an end. LBJ (27.4-8.5-8.3) last played in a 129-115 home win over New Orleans but has been shut down for the rest of the season. LA beat Memphis 130-106 without him (Mar 31) but has opened April losing 119-103 at OKC and last night, 108-92 at home to the Warriors. The Lakers will play again tonight at Staples Center but as the road team in a contest with the Clippers. While the 35-44 Lakers will watch the postseason on TV, the 47-232 Clippers are in the playoffs and currently own the No. 6 seed (1 /2 games back of the 5th-seeded Jazz and 1 1/2 games up on the 7th-seeded Thunder). The Clippers enter this game off a 135-103 home beating at the hands of the Rockets.

For LA, it's not just LBJ who is missing from the lineup. I won't bother to list all the missing piece but rather note that Alex Caruso (7.6) was rewarded with his first start of the season Thursday. The second-year guard shot just 4 of 14 (nine points), after becoming the first player in team history with at least 23 points, six assists and four steals off the bench since steals became an official statistic in 1973-74 on March 29 vs Charlotte. Rookie forward Johnathan Williams (5.7 & 3.6) recorded 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds versus Golden State in 27 minutes, which marked his second-most time of the season. Who are thees guys? 

Here's who the Clippers are. They are NOT a team which packed it in after trading Harris and his 20.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG (like so many thought).  According to Elias Sports Bureau, Lou Williams (20.2 points) and Montrezl Harrell (16.8) are the highest-scoring reserve duo in NBA history. The there is Landry Shamet, who was acquired from Philadelphia in February, who leads rookies in three-point field goal percentage at 41.9 percent (he has averaged 11.0 in 22 games with the Clippers). Let's not forget Danilo Gallinari, who is averaging 19.8 & 6.2 and has a career-high seven double-doubles this season. This year's effort comes after he suffered through a tough first season with the team, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the floor and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries.

The Clippers entered Wednesday's game feeling good after winning EIGHT of their previous nine, as well as  13 of their previous 15,. However, Houston took that all away by entering the 4th quarter with a 102-73 advantage heading into the final quarter. The Clippers finish the regular season at Golden State on Sunday and against the Jazz on Wednesday in a contest that could decide fourth place in the Wet. However, that game would almost assuredly mean little if they can't take advantage of the lone 'soft spot' left on their schedule. That being, tonight's game with the Lakers. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 8:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are almost guaranteed to be headed toward a first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, each enter thsiscontest at 47-32 and the team which ends the regular season with the better record (a tie will go to Boston)  will earn the home floor edge. Both teams were victorious in their respective games Wednesday night, as the Celtics made it FOUR wins in their past five with a 112-102 win at Miami. The Pacers earned an impressive 108-89 win in Detroit, snapping an 'ugly' 10-game road losing streak. Boston owns the tiebreaker by virtue of its 2-1 record against the Pacers this season (note: home team has won all three meetings thus far).

PG Kyrie Irving (23.9-5.0-7.0) scored 23 points in the win over the Heat and Gordon Hayward continued his solid stretch run with 25 points. Hayward has experienced ups and downs this year, after missing virtually all of last season with a foot injury. He has scored at least 11 points in six straight games to raise his season average to 11.3. Boston's strength is its depth but that will be tested here, as while Horford (13.6-6.8-4.2) is listed as probable, Brown (13.0 & 4.3) is questionable and Morris (14.0 & 6.1) is expected to miss.

The Pacers held the Pistons to 38.8 percent shooting in Wednesday's win, as Thaddeus Young (12.6 & 6.5) led five players in double figures with 21 points. Guard Cory Joseph tied a season high with 12 assists. The Pacers have reinvented themselves since All-Star Victor Oladipo (18.8) was lost for the season in January with a ruptured quad tendon,. The back-to-back wins over Detroit were much-need, as they followed a stretch in which Indiana had lost SEVEN of eight. Like Boston, Indiana has excellent depth but guards Darren Collison (groin) and Wesley Matthews (hamstring) are listed as day-to-day.

Indiana's recent problems came mostly on the road (just ONE of the losses in that 1-7 stretch came at home) and the Pacers KNOW how important this game is, with just THREE games remaining for both Boston and Indiana. The Pacers are 29-10 at home, while the Celtics are 19-20 on the road. The SU winner equals the ATS winner with pointspread, so the play is on the Pacers.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on the Hou Rockets at 10:35 ET.

Many thought the Clippers were "throwing in the towel" when they moved key leading scorer Harris (20.9 & 7.9) at the trade deadline  However, as the 47-31 LA Clippers welcome the Rockets to Staples Center, they have won 11 of their last 13 games. The 50-28 Rockets also come in on a roll, as they've won 17 of their last 20 contests. Playoff seeding is front-and-center in this meeting, as the the Rockets are one-half game ahead of Portland for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are one-half game behind the fifth-seed Jazz.

Houston won 130-105 last night in Sacramento, as Harden (36.4-6.5-7.6) scored 36 points, while adding 10 assists. Eric Gordon () supplied a 20-point effort and some real good news was that Kenneth Faried returned from a three-game absence due to a knee issue to produce 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes. PG Paul (15.5 & 8.2 APG) joins Harden and Gordon to give Houston as good a guard trio as there is in the NBA but a healthy Faried is big news. He's averaging 13.5 & 8.8 in his 22 games and along with center Clint Capela (averaging career highs of 16.5 PPG and 12.6 RPG), give Houston a real frontcourt presence.

Gallinari (19.8 & 6.2) recorded 27 points and a season-best 15 rebounds in Sunday's 113-96 home victory over Memphis. The 30-year-old Gallinari has registered a career-high seven double-doubles this season, after suffering through a tough first season with the club, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the floor and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries. Sixth-man Lou Williams scored 17 points against the Grizzlies and has recorded 15 or more in 20 of his last 21 contests, as he leads the team in scoring (20.3) and assist (5.3 APG)

The Clippers have beaten the Rockets in both previous meetings but both games were played in October, as Houston opened the season 1-5. Chris Paul will be motivated vs his ex-teammates plus Houston still has an outside shot at catching the Nuggets for the No. 2 seed in the West. Revenge (double, at that) works!

Good luck...Larry

The 46-32 Indiana Pacers are battling for the No. 4 seed in the first round of the playoffs with the Boston Celtics, who are also 46-32 but own the tiebreaker. The Pacers snapped a three-game slide in beating the Pistons 111-102 at home on Monday. The 39-38 Pistons, who are fighting for one of the final three spots in the East playoff bracket (currently own the No. 6 seed but are just a half-game up on the Nets, one game up on the Heat and 1 1/2 games clear of the Heat, who currently sit outside the playoff 'cut line'). Detroit now gets a chance for some "quick revenge," as the Pacers visit Little Caesars Arena tonight.

Indiana did not have a player reach 20 points on Monday but shot 54.5 percent from the floor and placed seven scorers in double figures, including reserve guard Aaron Holiday (5.6), who scored 10 points and handed out five assists in 25 minutes. Holiday was getting extra playing time in the absence of starting PG Darren Collison (11.4 & 6.1 APG), who remains day-to-day with a groin injury. The Pacers lost four straight games after leading scorer Victor Oladipo (18.8) suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee in late January but they got over the initial shock of losing him by posting a 9-3 record in February. However,  they're increasingly feeling his absence, particularly during crunch time. The playoff-bound Pacers finished March 4-10, including a 1-7 mark over the last eight games.The April 1 win was big but the Pacers need to avoid looking ahead to a home date with Boston on Friday.

Blake Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5) missed his second consecutive game on Monday (knee) and his presence was missed in the paint on the defensive end (he's listed as questionable here). Center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.3) tried to make up for the loss of Griffin and collected 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and four steals in the loss. PG Jackson (15.5 & 4.2 APG) had 22 points and Wayne Ellington came up big with 26 points. Ellington has given Detroit an outside shooting threat, as he has averaged 11.8 in 23 games since joining Detroit.

I'd LOVE to see Griffin play here but either way, I'll take the Pistons. Detroit has won 11 straight at home (11-0 ATS), it's best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season.Meanwhile, Indian limps in on a 10-game road losing streak and hardly can cover without winning SU with this pointspread. Detoit's the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET.

The Warriors won their third title in four years last season, while the Nuggets missed the Western Conference playoffs by one game. However, as those two teams meet tonight in Oakland, the Nuggets are 51-25 and the Warriors sit 52-24. It's a contest that could decide the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Denver had a chance to go into tonight's contest tied with Golden State but watched its offense fall apart in the second half, as it suffered a 95-90 home loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. That same night, the Warriors were showing off just how good they can be in a 137-90 rout of the Charlotte Hornets.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.9) and assists (7.4), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.1-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.6 and 8.5 PPG. However, Denver's offense has suddenly has disappeared,. as Denver is averaging 94.6 points in its last five games and has scored 90 or fewer in three of those contests (not surprisingly, all losses). "I don’t know," Nuggets power forward Paul Millsap told reporters when asked about the offensive funk. "If we don't figure it out going on this roadie, it's going to be tough to win. It's something we've got to look at, for sure, and try to nip it in the bud."

Sunday's Golden St victory came just two nights after a contentious overtime loss at Minnesota that left the team frustrated with the officiating. "Nights like tonight show our full potential," Warriors superstar Stephen Curry told reporters after Sunday's win. "It's obviously starting to get real with the countdown being what it is. It's a good feeling right now, so we have to keep it going." Curry (27.9-5.4-5.3), KD (26.6-6.6-5.8) and Thompson (22.1) lead an offense scoring 117.7 PPG (2nd) on 48.9% (1st), including 38.3% (3rd).

Golden St has been a money-burner since last season but this game should have a "playoff atmosphere." The Warriors' remaining schedule is not difficult, with home games against Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers plus road contests against three teams already assured of being lottery-bound, the Lakers, New Orleans and Memphis. A win here would be HUGE. The Nuggets broke through last Friday with a 115-105 win at OKC. However, that victory ended a stretch in which the Nuggets had gone 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. Lay the points with Golden St.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NIT Game of the Year is on Wichita St at 7:00 ET.

Wichita State opened its American Athletic Conference schedule with a 1-6 record (8-11 overall) but head coach Gregg Marshall's  team has since won 14 of its last 17 games. That run includes three road wins in seven days over Furman, Clemson and Indiana to become the first team in the NIT’s 82-year history to sweep the top three seeds in its region en route to the semifinals (note: new format of four, eight-team regions only began in 2007). Now 22-14 Wichita State will meet 28-7 Lipscomb in the semis. The Bisons will be playing their first neutral-site contest of the season, after producing a nation-best 14 true road wins. THREE of those wins have come in the NIT, at Davidson, at UNC-Greensboro and at NC State.

Veterans like 6-8 senior McDuffie (18.3 & 4.9), senior guard Haynes-Jones (12.0) and 6-11 junior Echenique (9.2 & 5.9) have beem mainstays. However, as Gregg Marshall notes, his key freshman continued to improve throughout the season, as they acclimated to the competition. “They’ve had ample time to grow as far as their future. This experience, this year in total has to help them going forward. They will certainly be veterans at this point next year or even at the beginning of next year.” Dexter Dennis (8.3 & 5.4) was named to the AAC all-rookie first team, PG Jamarius Burton (f5.9 & 3.4 APG ) set a freshman school record  with a 1.86 assist-to-turnover ratio and Erik Stevenson averaged 6.6 PPG in 21.8 minutes per as the sixth man.

Lipscomb saw more than 90 percent of its offensive production return after the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance a season ago and enters this contest having won 19 of its last 22 contests.  Senior guard Garrison Mathews (20.7) was the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and had a career-high 44 points in the 94-93 win at NC State. He's paired with junior PG Kenny Cooper (10.6 & 4.3 APG), who scored the eventual game-winner with 1.7 seconds remaining against the Wolfpack. The 6-7 Marberry (14.8 & 4.2) is the team's third double digit scorer, while the 6-8 Pepper (7.5 & 7.2) is the team's leading rebounder. The Bisons rank in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (84.0), scoring margin (plus-13.9) and assists (17.6).

It's defense vs offense in this one. The Shockers have held their three NIT opponents to a tournament-best 62.7 PPG, while the Bisons have averaged 89.7 PPG, tops in the 32-team field. I'm betting that defense wins here plus one has to hand it to Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall. Wichita State is one of just FOUR programs that have won 22 or more games in each of the last 10 seasons. The Shockers are joined by little-known BKB schools like Duke, Kansas and Gonzaga in that 'club!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The 39-37 Detroit Pistons visit the Pacers on Monday, before hosting them back in Detroit on Wednesday. The Pistons were able to beat Portland 99-90 on Saturday, despite All-Star forward Blake Griffin sitting out to rest a sore knee. It was Detroit's 11th straight home win (11-0 ATS run!), its best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season.The Pistons currently own the 6th-seed in the East, a half-game ahead of the Nets, one game up on the Heat and just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Magic, who are the 9th-seed. The 45-32 Pacers have dropped SEVEN of their last eight games to fall into fifth place in the East, after dropping a 121-116 decision at home to the Orlando Magic. "It's unacceptable," Indiana PG Darren Collison told reporters. "We can't lose a game like that, especially at home. Especially when everything is going our way most of the game. It's a tough loss for us but it was inexcusable on our part."

Detroit was held to 11 points in the first quarter and 31 in the first half against teh Blazers but got things together at both ends in the second half on Saturday for the 99-90 win. PG Reggie Jackson (15.4 & 4.2 APG) led the way with 28 points and center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.3) collected 22 points and 19 rebounds in the absence of Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5), who is listed as day-to-day. If Grifffin sits, Detroit just may not have enough against Indiana. The Pacers lost four straight games after leading scorer Victor Oladipo (18.8) suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee in late January but they got over the initial shock of losing him by posting a 9-3 record in February. However,  they're increasingly feeling his absence, particularly during crunch time. The playoff-bound Pacers finished March 4-10, including a 1-7 mark over the last eight games.

Indiana's players and coaches collectively bemoaned a defensive effort that allowed 65 second-half points on Saturday. Prior to that loss, most of the damage had occurred on the road for the Pacers. Indiana checks in 28-10 SU at home this season and since Feb 1, has gone 10-3 SU at home (lost to the Warriors and the Magic, two times) and off that recent loss to Orlando, should be highly motivated here. Indiana and Boston have  the same record but currently, Boston owns the tiebreaker. With a game in Detroit on Wednesday (remember, the Piston s are on an 11-0 SU & ATS run at home), this game qualifies as a "must win." I'm laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 7:05 ET.

The 44-32 San Antonio Spurs have clinched a playoff berth for the 22nd straight season. A little history first, before getting to the game. The Spurs' playoff streak matches the league's longest run of postseason appearances, set by Syracuse/Philadelphia from 1950 to 1971. The Nationals made the playoffs 14 straight times (1950-63) before moving to Philadelphia after the 1962-63 season and becoming the 76ers. Philadelphia then advanced to the postseason eight straight times (1964-71).

However, San Antonio has plenty to play for over the next 11 days (regular season ends April 10), in the tightly-bunched Western Conference field. The Kings' 119-108 loss at Houston on Saturday locked up the playoff spot for the Spurs, who are in seventh place in the West but just 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for sixth and trail fifth-place Utah by two. San Antonio opened its current three-game homestand with a 116-110 victory over Cleveland on Thursday, its 11th win in 14 contests. Sacramento was the last remaining team in the West with a mathematical chance of catching the Spurs or Oklahoma City for a postseason berth but had no answer on Saturday, as James Harden scored 50 points for the Rockets.

The 37-39 Kings still have a chance to avoid a 13th straight losing season with a strong finish but don't expect them to add to their win total in this spot. The Spurs are 11-3 SU and 9-4-1 ATS over their last 14 overall plus come into this contest having won 12 of their last 13 at home. Speaking of home, the Spurs have won 11 straight at home over the Kings, a streak that dates back to 2012. The number is a little high but LAY IT!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Duke at 5:05 ET.

Top-seeded Duke (32-5) has squeezed by its last two opponents in the final possession and now takes on red-hot second seed Michigan State (31-6) in the East Region final at Washington D.C. The Blue Devils have survived UCF's game-winning shot in the second round and Virginia Tech’s attempt to tie in the final second Friday, in the Region semifinal (Tech missed three shots in the last 10 seconds!) . Meanwhile, Michigan State has taken a rather smooth path to this stage, with three double-digit victory margins in the tournament, including Friday night's 80-63 handling of third-seeded LSU.

Senior PG Cassius Winston (18.8 & 7.6 APG)  is averaging 18.7 points and seven assists in the tournament and MSU's frontcourt has terrific depth. There's the 6-9 Ward (13.4 & 6.8), the 6-8 Tillman (9.8 & 7.2) and the 6-7 Goins (9.1 & 9.0). What's more, Tom Izzo received career games from freshmen forwards Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown to beat LSU. Henry (6.0 & 3.9) registered career highs of 20 points along with six assists, while Brown chipped in 15 points, also a career high.

Duke freshman forward RJ Barrett (22.6-8.7-4.3) told reporters after recording 18 points and a career-high 11 assists Friday. “And we somehow find a way to keep winning at the end. It’s great and we’re not surprised by it, but we’ve just got to keep it up.” Blue Devils freshman phenom Zion Williamson  (22.7 & 7.6) scored 23 and added three blocks in the 75-73 victory over Virginia Tech. He is averaging 26.8 points in six games since returning from a knee sprain. However, head coach Mike Krzyzewski called PG Tre Jones’ (9.5-3.7-5.3) performance Friday “magnificent,” after the freshman PG registered season highs of 22 points and five made three-pointers while handing out eight assists with ZERO turnovers in 40 minutes. Freshman swingman Cam Reddish (13.6 points) was a late scratch Friday due to a knee injury and his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Here's the bottom line. Mich St is clearly playing better, as the Spartans have rolled in the Big Dance so far and come in on an EIGHT-game winning streak. Meanwhile, it's been 'Escape City' for Duke, a team many think is overrated. That said, Duke holds a 12-2 all-time record against Michigan State, including SEVEN straight victories since a 2005 NCAA Tournament win for the Spartans. Coach K 'owns' Tom Izzo!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Elite Eight Situational Stunner is on Virginia at 8:49 ET.

26-9 Purdue blew an 18-point lead in the Sweet 16 against Tennessee (99-94 in OT) but survived behind a career-high 27 points from Cline, a pair of tying free throws late in regulation by Edwards (29 points) and a sweet 15-of-31 performance from three-point range. The Boilermakers hope to end lengthy Final Four drought in the South Region Finals up against No. 1 seed Virginia. 32-3 Virginia has bounced back from last season's embarrassing upset against a 16th seed in its tournament opener, to reach the Elite 8, giving them a chance to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1984 (note: Purdue's last Final 4 was back in 1980).

Edwards (23.8) and Cline (12.1) are Purdue's lone double digit scorers and while the 7-3 Haarms is a huge figure, he averages just 9.5 & 5.5. Purdue has impressively shut down Old Dominion, routed defending champion Villanova and outlasted Tennessee in overtime, in the first three rounds of this event. Purdue has scored an average of 93 points in its last two wins, with Edwards averaging 32.3 points in the tournament.

Virginia has reached the Elite 8 by defeating Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma and Oregon (all seeded ninth or lower!). The Cavs are a perimeter oriented team, led by the trio of Hunter (15.1 & 5.1), Guy (14.9 & 4.4) and PG Jerome (13.0 & 5.3 APG). Guy entered the tourney as UVa's leading scorer but made just 8 of 38 shots (21.0%), including 3 of 26 on threes! The 6-9 Diakite is UVa's lone big man of note but he's averaged just a modest 7.3 & 4.2 on the season. However, he's scored 38 points and pulled down 29 rebounds in the three tourney games so far.

Guy has HUGELY underachieved so far and Hunter has been disappointing, as well (he has surpassed 16 points only once in his last six games). If those two 'click,' this will be  an easy UVa win. If not, Virginia has proven it can win with a defense allowing 54.8 PPG (1st) on 38.1% shooting (4th), including 28.1% on threes (2nd). This could be UVa's year.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

The 38-37 Detroit Pistons returned home off a 1-4 road trip to post a 115-98 win over the Magic on Thursday. The victory puts Detroit in sixth-place in the East's playoff picture but just 1 1/2 games clear of the playoff 'cut line' over ninth-place Orlando. The Pistons will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, who have won NINE of their last 10 contests, after rolling to a 118-98 triumph in Atlanta on Friday. 47-27 Portland resides in third place in the Western Conference, but just one-half game ahead of Houston.

The Blazers have relied on their dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard (26.3-4.6-6.8) and McCollum (21.3) all season, along with center Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4). However, Nurkic was just lost for the season due to a broken leg, while McCollum remains sidelined with a knee ailment (he's missed the last six, all Portland wins). "Obviously, CJ being out is a blow and Nurkic being out is a blow, but we haven't used it as a crutch or excuse," said Lillard. "We haven't put our heads down and pouted about it. We just kept working and kept going after it." Lillard scored 36 points against the Hawks and has registered FIVE 30-point performances in his last seven games. Portland is sure glad it signed Enes Kanter around the trade deadline, as he's averaging 10.8 & 7.1 in 17 games and those numbers will balloon with more playing time.

Much like Portland, Detroit has relied on a "Big Three." The Pistons trio consists of PF Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5), center Drummond (17.3 & 15.4) and PG Jackson (15.2 & 4.2 APG). However, veteran guard Wayne Ellington has given Detroit an outside shooting threat, as he matched season bests of 25 points and seven 3-pointers in the win over Orlando. Ellington has averaged 11.3 in 21 games since joining Detroit and head coach Dwane Casey is thrilled with the production. "I was jumping up and down when I found out we had a chance to sign Wayne," Casey told reporters of a player who received a buyout from Phoenix after being acquired from Miami in February.

No doubt Portland is on a roll (see above), even without McCollum and Nurkic. However, the Blazers played last night while the rested Pistons are seeking an 11th straight home win (10-0 SU & ATS run!). It's Detroit's best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season. The Pistons just lost at Portland (Mar 23) but only five points and the change of venue will make ALL the difference.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Elite Eight GAME OF THE YEAR is on Gonzaga at 6:0 ET.

29-6 Texas Tech has used its defense to advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year. After holding Northern Kentucky to 57 poinst and Buffalo to 58 points in the opening week, the Red Raiders held Michigan to just 16 first-half points and a season low in points in a dominating 63-44 victory on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Awaiting them will be 33-3 Gonzaga, the West's No. 1 seed. The Bulldogs avenged last year's loss to the Seminoles by beating fourth seed Florida State, 72-58, earlier on Thursday. Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring (88.2), field-goal percentage (52.8), scoring margin (23.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76) and will be attempting to reach the Final Four for the second time in three years.

Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver, the Big 12 Player of the Year, leads the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (6.4), assists (3.8) and steals (1.5) and had a team-high 22 points in the win over Michigan. Sophomore guard Davide Moretti is second in scoring (11.6) while shooting a team best 46.2 percent from three-point range and had 15 points. Matt Mooney, a 6-3 graduate transfer from South Dakota, is also averaging in double figures (10.9). 6-10 forward Tariq Owens, a graduate transfer from St. John's, gives the Red Raiders a key shot-blocking presence in the paint with 85 blocks and is also averaging 8.9 & 5.8.

As for Gonzaga, the Bulldogs have two 6-8 junior forwards who are likely lottery picks. West Coast Conference Player of the Year Rui Hachimura leads the team in scoring (19.6) while also shooting 45.5 percent from three-point range and WCC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Clarke is averaging 16.9 points and a team best 8.5 rebounds plus leads the NCAA with 115 blocks (had five against Florida State). Guards Zach Norvell Jr. (15.1) and Josh Perkins (10.9) also are averaging in doubles figures, with Perkins ranking eighth nationally with 228 assists (6.2 per).

Chris Beard got his team past John Beilein and Michigan but getting past Mark Few and Gonzaga is a 'bridge too far!' Tech's D is outstanding (58.7 PPG ranks 3rd / 36.7% FG percentage against ranks 1st) but Gonzaga will NOT shoot 32.7% (including 1 of 19 on threes) like Michigan. Gonzaga has won 30 games by double-digits, including 20 by 20 or more points. Lay the reasonable price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on Duke at 9:39 ET.

Duke entered the tournament as the favorite to win its sixth national championship but the Blue Devils narrowly avoided a second-round exit against UCF. Duke trailed by three with 14.4 seconds left but got hoops by Williamson and Barrett (off Zion's missed free-throw) and avoided a buzzer-beating defeat when the Knights missed two chances on the final possession. The tournament's overall No. 1 seed (Duke is now 31-5) scored SEVEN of the final nine points to pull out the 77-76 second-round victory. Duke is at this stage of the season for the 27th time, the second-most all-time behind North Carolina's 29. Twenty-five of Duke's Sweet 16 qualifications have come under Coach K.

Meanwhile, Va Tech rallied past Saint Louis for a 66-52 first round win, the school's first NCAA win in 12 years! Virginia Tech's 67-58 victory over Liberty on Sunday gives teh Hokies a 26-8 record and puts them in the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament expanded in 1985 (26 wins are a program record!). Now the fourth-seeded Hokies take aim at trying to join North Carolina in taking down the Blue Devils twice this season. Virginia Tech won 77-72 on Feb 26 in Blacksburg, Va, although Duke freshman forward Zion Williamson did not play.

That said, the Hokies were without senior guard Justin Robinson (13.4-3.2-5.0) in the win over Duke. However, he's returned after missing 12 games with an injured foot to average 11 points in the first two rounds. Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16.4-4.2-3.9) leads the hteam in scoring and he and Robinson are joined in double figurtes by guard Hill (13.1) and the 6-10 Blackshear (14.9 & 7.3). Virginia Tech an outstanding defensive team, allowing 61.7 PPG (9th) and that D came through vs Liberty. After a sluggish start, Va Tech they locked down on defense, allowing only six FGs in the second half.

The Blue Devils boast the most dominant freshman duo in the nation in RJ Barrett (22.8-7.8-4.1 assists) and Zion Williamson (22.5 & 8.8 rebounds), who have combined for 99 points in the first two rounds. Fellow freshman Reddish (13.6) and PG Jones (9.2-3.7-5.3) round out Coach K's latest "diaper dandies." Duke averages 83.4 PPG (9th).

Does history matter? Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams now has two NCAA Tournament wins, which ties him for the most in program history with Howie Shannon and Charles Moir. Meanwhile, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is 96-29 in the NCAA Tournament and has led the Blue Devils to the Sweet 16, 25 times. One can claim Duke is overpriced, as it has covered only ONE of five games since Zion returned to active duty plus is only 3-10 ATS its last 13 (going to Feb 12, before Williamson’s now-healed injury). That said, it's not as if Duke is laying mid to high double digits. Off its 'escape act' over UCF, Duke rolls.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver is 50-24, just ONE game back of the Warriors for the West's top record. However, Denver missed a chance to move into a tie with Golden St last night when the Nuggets lost badly in Houston to the Rockets, 112-85. Denver  looks to complete a four-game sweep of the season series when it visits the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The Nuggets have won the first three meetings by an average of nine points and prevailed 105-98 back on Nov 24 in their first visit to Oklahoma City this season. The Thunder have been struggling, dropping five of six games before posting a 107-99 home win over Indiana on Wednesday. The 44-31 Thunder currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference with seven games remaining. The 5-8 spots are tightly bunched (teams separated by just 1 1/2 games) but OKC appears destined to be on the road in the first round of the playoffs, as the Thunder are 3 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.7 PPG. However, Denver's offense suddenly has disappeared, as the Rockets have failed to reach 100 points in three straight games for the first time all season. The Nuggets shot just 36.9 percent from the floor, including 4-for-24 from three-point range last night in Houston.

The Thunder looked headed for a defeat as the Pacers built a 11-point lead on Wednesday but they scored 24 consecutive points over a stretch of nearly seven minutes to seize control (Pacers missed 14 consecutive shots during that span). Paul George (28.2-8.1-4.1) is expected to play despite left shoulder pain, after scoring 31 points in the win over his former team. Russell Westbrook (22.9-11.0-10.4) collected 17 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds against the Pacers, for his 29th triple-double of the season and the 133rd of his career.

It's hard to really trust OKC but I went against Denver last night with Houston and will do so again here with the Thunder. Here's why. This will be the Nuggets' sixth road game in the last seven contests and is part of the toughest stretch of the season, Last night's contest against Houston began a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games will be against probable Western Conference playoff games. After last night's 'ugly' defeat, the Nuggets fell to 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. "Case closed," as Archie Bunker used to famously say!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 7:29 ET.

28-9 Auburn has won 10 straight games, after its 89-75 win over Kansas, one of the nation's traditional juggernauts. The Tigers are in teh Sweet 16 for teh first time since 2003 and face Midwest's No. 1 seed, the 29-6 North Carolina Tar Heels (another CBB 'blue blood!').  "What a better way of, or a better opportunity to try to make history, than to have to go through Kansas and then have to go through North Carolina," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl told reporters. North Carolina beat Washington 81-59 in teh second round and look to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in the last four seasons

Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.9 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the 6-8 Okeke,who averages 11.8 & 6.7. The Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St but only 17 points vs Kansas. Auburn averages 79.8 PPG and has heavily relied on its three-point shooting during its 10-game winning streak and on the season (421 made three-pointers).

Senior guard Cameron Johnson (16.9 & 5.8) and fellow senior, the 6-8 Maye (14.9 & 10.6), plus freshman PG White (16.1-3.6-4.1) have been team leaders all season for the Tar Heels, However, 6-6 freshman reserve forward Nassir Little (10.0 & 4.7) has 39 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his first two NCAA games. North Carolina averages 86.0 PPG, 3rd-best in the nation entering the Sweet 16.

"305 threes ties our school record for makes in a season, that's pretty impressive. They've made 421," North Carolina head coach Roy Williams told reporters. "So our 305 is not quite as impressive." However, knows how to win in this round, as he's 8-1 in the Sweet 16 while with the Tar Heels.In contrast, Auburn is seeking its first Elite Eight berth since 1986. Bruce Pearl’s Auburn team has been living well since suffering an 80-53 blowout loss at Kentucky in late February,However, "Live by the three, die by the three." The Tar Heels are currently 17-2 in their last 19 games (only defeats coming to ACC juggernauts Virginia and Duke) and  27 of NC's 29 victories this year have come by six points or more.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Virginia at 9;59 ET.

This year's Sweet 16 almost HAS to be feature the strongest field in NCAA history. The top-three seeds have advanced in all four regions with only two four-seeds not playing this  second weekend. 5-seed Auburn beat 4-seed Kansas in the Midwest but since the Tigers were actually favored, that could hardly be seen as an upset. The only so-called 'Cinderella' in this year's tourney is 12-seed Oregon but note that Oregon beat a weak 5-seed in Wisconsin and then drew 13-seed Cal-Irvine. Yes, Oregon is a 12-seed but the Ducks were the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12. So, in Thursday's South Regional, it's No. 1 seed Virgiia (31-3) against 12-seed Oregon (25-12). The red-hot Ducks have won 10 straight contests, after knocking off Wisconsin by 18 points in the first round and rolling past UC-Irvine 73-54 in the second on Sunday. Virginia, which became the first No. 1 seed in history to lose to a 16th seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, rallied from 14 points down to beat Gardner-Webb in the opening round but looked much better in putting the defensive clamps on Oklahoma in the second round Sunday, winning 63-51.

PG Payton Pritchard (13.0-3.8-4.6) is the only remaining player from the Ducks’ Final Four team in 2017 and the junior guard is averaging 19.0 points his last five games. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (13.4 & 5.6) has also raised his production, making 15-of-27 from the from the floor  the past three contests. 6-8 senior forward Paul White is the third and final player averaging in double figures (10.6 & 3.8), after totaling 50 points the past four contests. Surprising against Cal-Irvine were senior guard Ehab Amin (5.8), who had 12 points, while 6-9 sophomore forward Kenny Wooten (6.5 & 4.8) had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks in the win! Then there is Oregon's D, The Ducks which is allowing an average of just 54.2 points and 34.9 percent shooting overall (23.0% from three-point range) during its 10-game winning streak.

When talking Virginia basketball, defense is what one thinks.The Cavs allow an NCAA-low 55.0 PPG on 38.1% shooting (4th), including 27.8% on threes (2nd). Of note is that Virginia registered a pair of double-digit wins last weekend, despite rough shooting performances from Kyle Guy (15.1), who went 4-of-23 from the floor, including 1-of-15 from three-point range. Sophomore swingman De’Andre Hunter now leads the team in scoring (15.2 & 5.0 RPG), after averaging 16.5 PPG last weekend. PG Jerome contributes 13.0 PPG and a team-best 5.3 assists.The 6-9 Diakite (7.4 & 4.) is a modest contributor, while 6-8 guard Key averages 6.1 PPG and a team-high 5.5 RPG off the bench.

The Ducks were 15-12 and going nowhere fast but back-to-back routs over Arizona State (79-51) and Arizona (73-47) sparked a stunning turnaround that included four wins in four days to win the Pac-12 tournament title prior to the back-to-back NCAA Tournament blowout victories (10-0 SU and ATS), Will Oregon get a 'lucky' 11th straight win and cover? I say the answer is a resounding N-O! Expect Kyle Guy to rebound from a dreadful two-game slump plus don't ignore that fact that Mamadi Diakite is averaging 15.5 points and nine rebounds in the NCAA Tournament, well above his season marks of 7.4 and 4.0, respectively. Big things were expected from Tony Bennett’s Virginia team last year but I have a feeling, 2019 will be the Cavs' year! Oregon goes home, as UVa wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Michigan at 9:29 ET.

Second-seeded Michigan (30-6) takes on No. 3 seed Texas Tech (28-6) in the West Region semifinal in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday in a battle of two of the top defensive teams in the country. Michigan allows 58.2 PPG (2nd to only UVa's 55.0 PPG), while Texas Tech ranks 3rd in the nation in allowing 59.2 PPG.First team to 60 wins? Michigan bested Montana (74-55) and Florida (64-49) to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, while notching 30 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. Texas Tech knocked off Northern Kentucky 72-57, before shutting down high-flying Buffalo 78-58 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second time in as many years.

The Red Raiders enter having won 13 of their last 15. Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver had 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the win against Buffalo, recording his fifth double-double of the season. He leads Texas Tech in scoring (18.8), rebounding (6.5) and assist (3.3). Fellow guards Moretti (11.5) and Mooney (10.9) start, with sixth-man Francis coming off the bench to add 6.2 PPG. The 6-10 Owens (8.9 & 5.7) and the 6-8 Odiase (4.3 & 5.4) start up front. Odiase added a season-high 14 points (his season-high in points had been nine!) plus set a new program record for the most rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game with 15. Still, it was Tech's D which was the ultimate "difference-maker," holding Buffalo to almost 27 points below their season average.

Jordan Poole (12.9) scored a team-high 19 points and the 6-7 Isaiah Livers (8.2 & 3.9) was the only other Wolverine to finish in double figures as he added 10 points off the bench. However, PG Xavier Sampson (9.1-5.1-6.8) flirted with his second triple-double of the season by contributing nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Guard Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.1) and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the 6-7 Iggy Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.2), who combined for 36 points and 17 rebounds in win against Montana, were limited to 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Michigan's D "saved the day," controlling the game in holding Florida to 34.5 percent shooting.

I'll argue that the Big Ten is the superior league (over the Big 12), as it placed a conference-record eight teams in the Big Dance TY. Nothing against Tech's Chris Beard but Michigan's John Beilein is 20-7 SU in the NCAAs since 2009. He and his team don't have a number to worry about here. Go Big Blue!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver has won SEVEN of its last eight and at 50-23, is just a half-game back of the Warriors for the West's top record (who'da thunk it!). The Nuggets visit Houston tonight, to take on the Rockets. Houston won an NBA-best 67 games last season but currently sit 47-28 (four back of Denver), as the Rockets battle the 47-27 Blazers for the No. 3 seed (note: the Jazz and Clippers are just two games back of Houston for the 4th-seed). Tuesday's 95-92 home win over the Detroit Pistons gave the Nuggets their first 50-win season since going 57-25 in 2012-13, while Houston suffered a 108-94 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.1-4.2-4.9). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.9 and 8.9 PPG. Reigning MVP James Harden (36.2-6.5-7.5) has made a strong case to win it again this season, while Gordon (16.2) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack. Swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night, although Green is expected to miss his third straight game (shoulder). Center Clint Capela flys under the radar but he's averaging career highs in points (16.5) and rebounds (12.5).

Here's the bottom line. The Nuggets posted a 136-122 home win over the Rockets back on Feb 1 but that  win halted a NINE-game losing skid against the Rockets. This  contest against Houston begins a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games are against probable Western Conference playoff games. The problem? The Nuggets are 0-6 SU (1-5 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1! Let's NOT ignore Houston's dominance over Denver in recent years (see above) or that since Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets have been tough to beat. The Rockets lost their first game with him back in the lineup. but they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs), jump-starting a 14-3 SU run. Lay the VERY fair price.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Tennessee at 7:29 ET.

Purdue has played two very strong games so far in the NCAA Tournament, while Tennessee has managed to log two very impressive halves. The second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers put their 31-5 record on the line in a Thursday matchup with the third-seeded Purdue Boilermakers (25-9). Purdue has put forth two excellent efforts, holding Old Dominion to 26.9 percent shooting in an opening-round 61-48 triumph, before crushing defending champion Villanova 87-61 in the Round of 32. Meanwhile, Tennessee has dominated the first half in each of its first two games, leading Colgate 42-30 and Iowa 49-28 at the break, before barely escaping with a victory each time. In particular, the Volunteers blew a 25-point lead against Iowa and were forced to go into overtime on Sunday, avoiding what would have been a record-setting collapse.

Purdue guard Carsen Edwards (23.6 PPG) established career bests of 42 points and nine 3-pointers as Purdue trounced defending national champion Villanova. He is averaging 34 points in the tournament, after scoring 26 in the first-round win over Old Dominion.He's joined on the perimeter by PG Cline (11.7 & 3.4 APG) and Eastern (7.4 & 5.6), while the 7-3 Haarms (9.4 & 5.4) and the 6-6 Eifert (5.6 & 5.1) start up front.

Tennessee has no one the size of Haarms but MUCH better balance. The 6-7 Williams (18.8-7.5-3.1) has been voted the SEC player of the year the last two seasons plus FOUR guards average in double digits. Schofield leads the way (16.4 & 6.1), along with PG Bone (13.6 & 5.9 APG), Turner (10.7) and Bowden (10.5). The 6-11 Alexander (7.3 & 6.6) starts up front with Williams.

Sure, Tennesse comes in on a three-game ATS slide (SEC title-game embarrassment vs Auburn and now two noncovering NCAA efforts) but the Vols HAVE the better and more-balanced team., Purdue's take down of Villanova (defending champs with two titles in three years) was impressive but should we expect a let down.  It's hard to ignore that the Sweet 16 hasn't been kind to Purdue during Matt Painter's 14 seasons as coach, as the Boilermakers are 0-4 under Painter, including losses in each of the last two seasons. Purdue would likely need another super-human effort by Edwards to win here and I'm NOT betting on that. Vols are headed to the Elite 8.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NCAA Tourney Total of the Year is on FSU/Gonzaga Over at 7:29 ET.

29-7 Florida State has won EIGHT of its last nine games, including a 90-62 rout of Murray State and Ja Morant in the Round of 32 Saturday. The team's only loss in that stretch came in the ACC tournament final against Duke (note: the Seminoles also lost to the Blue Devils 80-78 on a Cam Reddish 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds to go during the regular season on). Awaiting the Seminoles in the West Region's Sweet 16 is No. 1 seed Gonzaga, The Bulldogs routed Fairleigh Dickinson 87-49 and then took out No.9 seed Baylor 83-71. Gonzaga is making its FIFTH consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the longest streak in the nation, one which includes a run to the 2017 national title game.Gonzaga will surely remember Florida State, as the Seminoles ended Gonzaga's 2018 season (as well as a 16-game winning streak) with a 75-60 upset in the Sweet 16 in Los Angeles during their surprising run to the Elite Eight last March.

The Seminoles will again be without senior forward Phil Cofer (7.4), who besides battling a foot injury also lost his father, former NFL linebacker Mike Cofer, to a lengthy illness just before the win over the Racers. "I think that's why you saw our guys so focused," head coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "I think the night was in response to the respect we had for Murray State, but also the respect we had for Mr. Cofer." The 6-11 Mfiondu Kabengele(13.4 & 5.9) is FSU's leading scorer and comes off the bench (he's the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year). He scored a game-high 21 points in teh first round and then had 22 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the win over Murray State. 

Senior guard Terance Mann (11.6 & 6.5) is joined by PG Forrest (9.0-4.4- 3.7) and  Walker (7.5) to give FSU a solid guard trio. Cofer (7.4 & 3.5) will be missed but the 6-8 Gray (4.0 & 2.2) added 11 points agauinst Murray St. The 7-4 Koumadji (6.6 & 5.6 in just 15 MPG) can also not be overlooked.

Gonzaga is loaded. The Zags have three likely first-round NBA picks up front including 6-8 junior forwards, Rui Hachimura (19.7 & 6.6), the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, and Brandon Clarke (17.0 & 8.4), the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, Both are likely lottery picks in June. Then there is Killian Tillie, a 6-10 junior forward who missed last year's loss to Florida State but will play this time around despite missing a good chunk of the season with ankle and foot injuries. He is averaging 6.7 & 4.1, while shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range off the bench. In the backcourt it's Zach Norvell Jr. (15.1 & 4.3) and PG Josh Perkins (10.8 & 6.3 APG). Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring offense (88.6), field goal percentage (53.2), scoring margin (23.8) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76). Other than that, the Zags don't have match.

The knee jerk reaction is to say "revenge" but FSU enters this contest having won 16 of its last 18, with the lone losses coming to No. 1 seeds Duke and North Carolina.Throw in the fact that FSU is a perfect 6-0 ATS as an underdog in the Big Dance since 2009, so "laying it" could be dangerous to one's bankroll. That said, Mark Few WILL have his team ready for this game and this 'scoring machine' will get its share of points. As for FSU, this year's edition has also shown it can put points on the scoreboard, having averaged 75.4 PPG on the season, including 83.0 PPG in its first two NCAA games this year. This one's Goin' Over,

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on NC State at 9:00 ET.

24-11 North Carolina State squeezed past Hofstra (84-78) and Harvard (78-77) in the first two rounds of the NIT and Wednesday will host 27-7 Lipscomb, with a trip to New York and a Final Four game at MSG on the line. Both NC St's wins were non-covers but note that Hofstra was the CAA's regular-season champs and Harvard was the Ivy League's co-regular season champs. Nothing new here, as Lipscomb shared the Atlantic Sun regular-season title with Liberty. The Bisons have beaten Davidson (89-81) and UNC Greensboro (86-69) on the road but to reach New York, will have to win at a pretty tough venue, Raleigh's Reynolds Coliseum.

Lipscomb features great depth, as 10 players get 10-plus minutes of playing time. Seniors Mathews (120.0 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Marberry (15.0 & 4.3) lead the way, while junior PG Cooper (10.2-3.5-4.2) rounds out teh double digit scorers. The total sems to be more than the sum of its parts with Lipscomb, as the Bisons average 8.7 PPG (). Speaking of depth and balance, NC State has SIX players averaging between 8.9 and 13.4 PPG, led by 6-5 senior guard Torin Dorn (13.4). He also produces a team-high 7.2 RPG. PG Markell Johnson adds 12.4 points and a team-best 4.2 assists per contest, while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range. Bryce adds 11.6 & 4.6 and the lone non-guard of NC State's "core six" is 6-10 sophomore Funderburk (8.9 & 4.3).

The Atlantic Sun co-champs (Liberty and Lipscomb) have acquitted themselves quite well in the postseason, with Lipscomb’s pair of wins (and covers) at Davidson and NC-Greensboro plus Liberty's effort in the San Jose sub-regional (Flames upset Miss St 80-76 as a 7-point dog and then lost by nine to Va Tech, getting anywhere from 8.5 and 9.5 points in a lose/push/win scenario). The Wolfpack played 18 of 19 home games at PNC Arena during the regular season but have used on-campus Reynolds Coliseum.for the NIT games. “The crowd, the atmosphere is awesome,” NC State senior forward Wyatt Walker told the Raleigh News & Observer after Sunday’s win. “Reynolds is awesome.” Yes, NC State has been cutting it close in the NIT so far, but this marks Lipscomb's THIRD road game in nine days. NC State AD Debbie Yow complained the her Wolfpack got snubbed by the Big Dance Selection Committee but getting to Madison Square Garden for next week’s semifinals should be viewed as a nice consolation prize. That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on teh Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were 46-36 last season (one game out of the West's final playoff spot), so few (if any) expected them to be challenging the Golden St Warriors (three titles in the last four seasons) for the West's best record in the 2018-19 season, However, that's the situation as the NBA enters its final 16 days. The 49-23 Nuggets are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference as the Warriors are just a half-game better as of Tuesday morning, at 50-23. The Piston also missed the last season (like the Nuggets, they were 9th) but they were a sub-500 team at 39-43). However, at 37-36 on the season to-date, Detroit is cling to the East's 6th-seed, in a virtual tie with the 38-37 Nets and one game up on the 8th-seeded Heat. Detroit also has to be concerned with Orlando (five straight wins) and Charlotte (three straight wins), who are also clearly withing striking distance. The stage is set for the Piston vs the Nuggets tonight in Denver.

Detroit concludes a five-game road trip tonight at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets are 1-3 so far, with their lone win coming in Phoenix, over the pathetic 17-58 Suns. PF Griffin (24.7-7.5-5.5) and center Drummond (17.3 & 15.4) join PG Jackson (15.3 & 4.2 APG) as the only consistent contributors. In stark contrast, Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assist (7.6), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (17.9-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus five more, averaging between 5.8 and 8.9 PPG (include Thomas, who has played just 10 games).

The goods news for Detroit is, that the Pistons will play five of their final eight games at home, following tonight's game. However, that won't help here. Detroit has lost EIGHT of its last nine visits to Denver, which will surely remember getting humbled by 26 points at Little Caesars Arena back on Feb 4. Denver returns home for this one off a four-game road trip and will have to go right back on the road after tonight's game (at Houston on Thursday and at OKC on Friday). Considering that and with the team's embarrassing Feb 4 loss at Detroit still somewhat fresh, expect the Nuggets (30-6 at home, average winning margin of 11 points) to roll. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on TCU at 9:00 ET.

Both Creighton (20-14) and TCU (22-13) have advanced to this third round game with back-to-back home wins. The winner of tonight's game in Fort Worth, advances to MSG and the NIT's version of its 'Final Four' next Tuesday. The Bluejays have won SEVEN of their last eight contests, including a pair of NIT home games, 70-61  over Loyola-Chicago and a 79-67 over Memphis. The Horned Frogs have earned double-digit home victories over Sam Houston State (82-69) and Nebraska (88-72).

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott starts four guards and the 6-9 Martin Krampelj (13.7 & 6.9). All five scored in double digits in the team's win over Memphis, despite  Krampelj being limited to just 18 minutes due to foul trouble (he still had 12 points). 6-7 freshman forward Christian Bishop (just 3.9 & 2.0 on the season) tied a season high with 21 minutes and produced eight points to go along with a career-high 10 rebounds. The team's guard quartet includes Alexander (19 & 4.0), Ballock (11.0-4.4-3.2), Zegarowski (10.6-3.2-3.4) and Mintz (9.8-3.0-3.1). 

TCU starts a pair ov veteran guards, junior Bane (15.6 & 5.7) plus senior PG Robinson (12.6 & 7.1 APG, along with a solid three-man frontcourt. The trio includes the 6-7 Noi (13.8 & 4.9), the 6-8 Miller (10.9 & 6.6) and 6-11 freshman Samuel (7.7 & 6.9). All starters save Robinson (9 points and 9 assists), scored in double digits in Sunday's home win over Nebraska. Bane scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half Sunday, reaching the 30-point mark for the second time in 15 days, after not accomplishing that feat once over his first 105 games!

Sure, the Bluejays have surged as of late (see above) but Creighton has NEVER won a true road game in the NIT (0-4) and will be seeking its first NIT victory away from home since 1942, not to mention the chance to win three straight games in the NIT for the first time ever!In contrast, head coach Jamie Dixon has returned to his alma mater  and quickly turned around the basketball program upon his arrival in 2016-17. He doubled the Horned Frogs' win total from the year before, en route to the school's first postseason title (2017 NIT). TCU ended its 2017 NIT championship run that season with three blowout wins and has seemingly picked up where it left off, as the Horned Frogs are seeking their EIGHTH straight NIT win. Why won't they get it here? TCU is  29-2 SU at home against non-conference opponents under Dixon and the pointspread and the impost too steep!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on TCU at 9:30 ET.

Nebraska suffered through a 2-11 stretch (from Jan 21-Mar 5) but erased an early 14-2 deficit at home to beat Butler 80-76 on Wednesday. It was the school's first postseason victory in 11 years! Last year's NIT bid was a let down, as Nebraska won 23 games (finished fourth in the Big Ten) and admitted it was not pumped for last year's NIT. TY's team says it feels different. The fourth-seeded Cornhuskers (19-16) now visit the top-seed in its NIT bracket on Sunday, the 21-13 TCU Horned Frogs. TCU felt it was snubbed by the NCAA this season and came out out sluggish against Sam Houston State. The Horned Frogs trailed by eight before closing the first half on a 15-3 run and then made 11 of their first 14 attempts after intermission to take 17-point lead in an eventual 82-69 win.

Nebraska's 6-8 Isaiah Roby (12.1 & 7.1) scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Butler. Starting guards James Palmer Jr. (19.7-4.2-3.0) had 23 points, five rebounds and three assists against Butler, while Glynn Watson Jr. (13.5-4.0-3.0 assists) scored 17 points. That trio has stepped up since Nebraska lost the 6-9 Copeland (14.0 & 5.4)  for the season after 20 games. In fact, Palmer is averaging 24.6 points, Roby 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, and Watson 18.6 points and shooting 19-of-41 from the arc, over the team's last five games.

Six TCU players scored in double digits against Sam Houston St. PG Alex Robinson (12.7-3.7-7.1) recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 assists. The 6-8 JD Miller (10.8 & 6.6) contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while leading scorer Desmond Bane (15.2-5.6-2.4) added 13 points and nine rebounds. Freshman center Kevin Samuel (7.6 &.7.0) scored 11 points. TCU's fourth double digit scorer on the season is the 6-7 Noi (13.9 & 4.9).

Nebraska may be claiming that the team is "pumped' for this year's NIT but a comeback home win over a Butler team which struggled all season on the road, hardly convinces me. The Huskers’ 80 points against Butler were their most in EIGHT postseason games, dating back to the 2004 NIT. Nebraska travels to Fort Worth tonight to face a TCU team which won the NIT in 2017 and is surely capable of winning it again, this year. Nebraska is 2-9 SU in true road games this season, while allowing 78.6 PPG. End of the 2019 'road' for the Cornhuskers.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Virginia at 7:45 ET.

Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to fall in the NCAA tournament's first round in 2018, losing to Maryland-Baltimore County. It seemed like "deja vu all over again" on Friday, as the top-seed in the South fell behind by double digits in the first half on Friday against Gardner-Webb before pulling away for a 71-56 win (non-cover). Oklahoma improved to 20-13 on the season with its 95-72 rout of Ole Miss.

The Sooners were lucky to even be in the tournament after going 4-8 down the stretch, including a loss to last-place West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament opener. However, they exploded against Ole Miss on Friday (shot 57.6 percent from the floor), rolling up their highest point total of the season and their most in an NCAA Tournament game since they scored 124 against Louisiana Tech in 1989. Four Sooners scored at least 18 points, led by guards Christian James (14.4 & 6.2) and Rashard Odomes (7.1) with 20 each. 6-7 forward Kristian Doolittle (11.4 & 7.2) scored 19 and equaled a career high with 15 rebounds plus the 6-9 Brady Manek  (12.2 & 5.9 added 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

The Cavaliers did connected on 51.9 percent from the floor in Friday's win, as sophomore De'Andre Hunter (15.4 & 5.1)r, who missed last year's tournament with an injury suffered in the ACC Tournament, topped the team with 23 points. The 6-9 Mamadi Diakite (7.2 & 3.9) added 17 points along with a team-high nine rebounds and PG Ty Jerome (13.0 & 5.4 APG) scored 13. Guy (15.4 & 4.4), the third guard in UVa's outstanding perimeter trio, was held to just eight points. However, Virginia out-rebounded Gardner-Webb 35-21 and has now held eight of its last 10 opponents under 60 points.

Here's the bottom line. The Cavaliers allow an average of just 55.1 PPG, the lowest in the nation and Oklahoma has struggled with top defenses this season. The Sooners have gone 0-5 against teams that finished the season ranked in the top -10 in defense. No 'scare' here, as UVa romps.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs have certainly been streaky this season. The Spurs' annual "Rodeo Road Trip" was a disaster, as they went 1-7 from Feb 4-25. San Antonio then ripped off NINE wins in a row, before losing 110-105 at home vs Miami (Wed) and then 111-105 at Houston on Friday (Harden has 61 points!). The 42-31 Spurs now sit alone in eighth place in the West, although OKC, Utah and the LAC are all just one game better at 43-30. The Sputs visit TD Garden tonight to take on a Boston team in shock, after Saturday's 124-117 loss in Charlotte. The Hornets closed Saturday night's game on a 30-5 run. Charlotte trailed 112-94 with 8 minutes, 22 seconds remaining!!!.The 43-30 Celtics are one game back of the Pacers for the East's No. 4 seed, edge in the first round.

The Spurs are led by guard DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and PF Aldridge (21.0 & 8.9) but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.1 PPG. Guard Bryn Forbes (11.6) hit all three of his three-point tries en route to a team-high 20 points at Houston but his teammates were just 4-of-21 from beyond the arc (note: Spurs are the NBA's best three-point shooting team at 39.7%). LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points to lead San Antonio to a 120-111 victory back on Dec 31 over the Celtics at home but was held to 10 at Houston and has fallen short of his average (21.0) in four of the last five games.

Kyrie Irving (24.0-5.1-7.0) scored 31 points and Jaylen Brown (13.2 & 4.3) had 29 in Saturday's loss, which has the team wondering where to go as it heads into the second half of a back-to-back. Boston's depth is impressive, as along with Irving and Brown, they have forwards Tatum (15.9 & 6.2), Morris (14.2 & 6.6) and Hayward (10.8 & 4.3),  F/C Horford (13.2-6.7.4-1) plus guards Rozier (9.3) and Smart (8.5).

Brad Stevens' team has been a huge underachiever this season but I have to believe Boston will respond here at home, off last night's total collapse. Let's not ignore that San Antonio's nine-game winning streak (prior to its Wednesday loss at home to Miami and Friday's loss at Houston),was comprised of SEVEN home wins. The lone road wins came against losers like Atlanta and Dallas. The Spurs come to Boston 3-8 SU on the road since Feb 1 and would basically need to win to cover here. Back the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Virginia Tech at 7:10 ET.

29-6 Liberty rallied for its first-ever NCAA Tournament win in school history on Friday, beating the East's fifth-seeded Miss St Bulldogs, 80-76 (as 7-point underdogs). Up next for the 12th-seeded Flames will fourth-seeded Virginia Tech (25-8), which rallied past Saint Louis for a 66-52 first round win (BTW...It was Tech's first NCAA win in 12 years!). San Jose, Ca is the setting for Sunday's game with a trip to the Sweet 16 going to the winner.

Junior guard Celeb Homesley (12.5 & 5.5) erupted for a career-high 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Liberty's Friday win. He's part of an excellent perimeter group. which includes Cabill (12.5 & 5.5) and three other guards averaging between 7.1 and 7.7 PPG. 6-8 junior forward Scottie James leads the team in scoring (12.9) and rebounding (8.7). Liberty is an outstanding defensive team, allowing 61.2 PPG (8th).

Not only did Va Tech win its first NCAA game in 12 years but the Hokies got a big boost by the return of senior PG Justin Robinson (13.5-3.2-5.0), who chipped in nine points and a pair of steals after missing the previous 12 games with a foot injury. "It was like riding a bike," Robinson told reporters. "There was a little rust. I had (two) assists, four turnovers." Leading scorer, sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16.7-4.1-3.9), not surprisingly led the team with 20 points. Tech has two other double digit scorers in guard Hill (13.0) and the 6-10 Blackshear (14.7 & 7.2), who had 15 points.Like Liberty, Va Tech plays outstanding D, allowing 61.8 PPG (10th).

Two excellent defensive teams but Va Tech played the MUCH tougher opponents (schedule). Liberty had its 'day in the sun" on Friday but let's NOT forget the Flames lost 79-70 at Vandy ('Dores went 0-18 in the SEC this season), 88-78 at Georgetown and 84-75 in a neutral game to Alabama. Sure, they won at sad-sack UCLA but the Bruins are "the Bruins" these days in name only. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Duke at 5:15 ET.

Duke pretty much breezed through its first round game beating North Dakota State 85-62, as Duke's heralded freshmen embraced the NCAA Tournament in their first shot. The 30-5 Blue Devils, the top seed in the East Region, now take on ninth-seeded UCF (24-8) in Sunday's second round at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC, after the Knights impressively took down VCU, 73-58.

UCF's 7-6 center Tacko Fall (11.0 & 7.7) had 13 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks in Friday’s win. The Knights are excellent at the defensive end (64.1 PPG allowed ranks 26th in the nation), in no small part because Fall can control  the paint. However, the team's scoring 'punch' comes from its backcourt and B.J. Taylor (16.0) and Aubrey Dawkins (15.1 & 5.1) combined for 29 points against VCU. PG Allen (6.8 & 4.2 APG) rounds out an excellent guard trio, while the 6-11 Smith (8.1 & 5.1) has complemented Fall all season.

Slow starts have been a bit of a concern recently for the Blue Devils, who led by only four at halftime against North Dakota State. However, Duke can look unstoppable once it gets going. Barrett (23.0-7.7-4.1) and Williamson (22.2 & 8.7) have been dominant all season and were so again vs ND St. Barrett had 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Williamson added 25 points Rounding out the team's "Fab Four" are Reddish (13.6) and PG Jones (9.1 & 5.3 APG).

Fall played like "Wilt" vs VCU but he entered the tourney averaging a modest 25 minutes per game. He doesn’t run the floor well and his offensive game is VERY limited!  Barrett and Williamson are on pace to become the first freshman teammates in history to each average more than 20 points in a season. Is this duo a 'lock' to reach the Final 4? Maybe not but the Blue Devils WILL reach the Sweet 16 for the 27th time against a UCF team coming off the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The win comes "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 2:40 ET.

Washington easily won the Pac-12's regular season title with a 15-3 record (three clear of ASU) but lost in the conference tourney title game to red-hot Oregon. The Huskies received a 9-seed in the Midwest Region but bounced back in impressive fashion on Friday with a 78-61 win over 8-seed Utah State. Washington's Jekyll-and-Hyde season continues Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, where the Huskies face top-seeded North Carolina in a Midwest Region second-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament.The Tar Heels had some early struggles against 16th-seeded Iona but shot 63 percent in the second half to secure the 88-73 win.

Washington scored a season-low 44 points in a loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament title game but bounced back by shooting 49 percent from the floor, including 10-of-17 from three-point range against Utah State. Pac-12 Player of the Year Jaylen Nowell (16.3-5.3-3.2) had 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win over Utah State,  while Nahziah Carter (8.0) stepped up after David Crisp (12.3 PPG) fouled out with eight minutes left and finished with 13 points off the bench. Thybulle (9.3 & 3.5 SPG),  the two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, added 10 points, five steals, three blocks and three rebounds for the Huskies, who held MWC Player of the Year Sam Merrill to 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting. Washington also received a welcome spark from 6-8 senior forward Noah Dickerson (12.4 & 7.5), who broke out of a mini-slump by recording 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior guard Cameron Johnson (17.1 & 5.9) scored a team-high 21 points for the Tar Heels against Iona.He and fellow senior, the 6-8 Maye (14.8 & 10.4), plus freshman guard White (16.1-3.5-4.2) have been team leaders all season, However, 6-6 freshman reserve forward Nassir Little (9.7 & 4.6) added 19 points for the Tar Heels in his first NCAA Tournament game.

Washington’s Jekyll-and-Hyde season continues Sunday in Columbus, Oh and I wonder if the Huskies are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time.  Washington's second-year head coach Mike Hopkins (former Jim Boeheim assistant at Syracuse) has effectively implemented his mentor’s 2-3 matchup zone defense, as the Huskies allow 64.3 PPG (28th). However, North Carolina averages 86.1 PPG (3rd-best) and is coming off a sluggish effort. Washington only averages 70.1 PPG (252nd) and I believe will NOT be able to keep up with a North Carolina team headed for yet another Sweet 16. Beating MWC champ Utah St is one thing. Beating (or even staying close) to a blue-blood program like North Carolina is another. Lay it

Good luck...Larry

My signature 10* LEGEND Play is on Kansas at 9:40 ET.

Auburn and Kansas both played in their respective conference tournament championship games last weekend (Auburn won / Kansas lost) and both advanced to this second round contest. However, 5th-seeded Auburn barely survived 78-77 over 12th-seeded New Mexico St, while 4th-seeded Kansas rode a 32-6 second-half run to coast to an 87-53 win over 13th-seeded Northeastern.

Auburn made 15 three-pointers and recorded 14 steals en route to securing its first SEC Tournament title since 1985 with Sunday's 84-64 rout of Tennessee, its fourth game in four days. However, the collective wear-and-tear of a FIFTH game in eight days nearly caught up with the Tigers on Thursday when they escaped with a 78-77 victory over New Mexico State after nearly blowing a seven-point lead in the final minute! Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.7 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the he 6-8 Okeke averages 11.8 & 6.8. he Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St.

Kansas scored 50 points in the paint for the second straight game in its win over Northeastern and the Jayhawks set several season bests in Thursday's rout, field-goal percentage for a half (70.4), field-goal percentage for a game (55.7) and field-goal percentage defense (28.7). That's not a bad 'trifecta.'The 6-9  Dedric Lawson (19.1 & 10.3)  had 25 points and 11 rebounds in only 27 minutes to post his 21st double-double on the season. Freshman guard Devon Dotson (12.3-3.7-3.5) scored 18 points and did not commit a turnover Thursday. Since Vick (14.1 & 4.0) was lost after 23 games, Agbaji (8.9 & 4.8) and Garrett (7.3 & 4.2) have stepped up on the perimeter to complement Dotson.

Auburn comes in on a nine-game winning streak but almost didn't survive against New Mexico St. Auburn features a guard-oriented attack and puts up 79.5 PPG but I took New Mexico St against them nothing that playing at altitude (Salt Lake City) could have an effect for a team playing its FIFTH game in eight days. It's now a SIXTH game in 10 days and note that EIGHT of Kansas' nine losses this season have come in true road games (Jayhawks went 3-8 on the season). That makes this Bell Self-coached team 23-1 SU in home and neutral games (16-0 at home / 7-1 in neutral) on the season. Auburn's last Sweet 16 appearance came back in 2002-03, so look for the nation's preseason No. 1 team to make it 24-1 and be the ones advancing to this season's Sweet 16.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Villanova at 9:00 ET.

26-9 Villanova is the South Region's No. 6 seed and will play the No. 4 seed Purdue (24-9) tonight in Hartford, Ct for a spot in the Sweet 16. 'Nova outlasted Saint Mary's 61-57 on Thursday by holding the Gaels to 41.8 percent shooting and limiting them to just six free-throw attempts. "The tempo was excruciating," Wildcats head coach Jay Wright told reporters. "We felt going in we were going to have to grind with them."Meanwhile, Purdue (the Big Ten's regular-season co-champ), held Old Dominion to just 26.9 percent shooting in a suffocating 61-48 triumph on Thursday. The team's leading scorer, Carsen Edwards (23.1), scored 26 points to lead the way.

It was no surprise that the Wildcats were led on Thursday by seniors Phil Booth (20 points) and Eric Pachall (14), Both were members of the All-Big East first team, as guard Booth averages 18.7-3.9-3.9 and the 6-8 Paschall 16.5 & 6.2. Sophomore guard Gillespie (10.9) is the team's only other double digit scorer but a trio of frontcourt players (Bey, Samuels and Cosby-Roundtree) combine to chip in about 20 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Edwards had 26 points but made just 7 of 23 of shots against ODU. He has really struggled with his shooting over the last four games, connecting on just 27 percent of his shots over that stretch, including 11-of-45 (24.4%) from three-point land. Edwards' backcourt partner Ryan Cline (11.7 & 3.4 APG) was just 1-of-11 fromthree3-point range against Old Dominion and has scored eight points or fewer in FOUR of the last six games. Purdue's lone big man of note is the 7-3 Haarms but he averages a modest 9.2 & 5.3.

Villanova has won TWO of the last three NCAA titles and enters this contest 14-1 in its last 15 NCAA Tournament games. In veterans like Booth and Paschall plus head coach Jay Wright, 'Nova has an edge. Booth has not been held below 13 points since Dec 8, while his counterpart, Edwards, is slumping (see above). Jermaine Samuels has scored at least 10 points in FIVE of his last seven contests and along with Bey and Cosby-Roundtree (again, see above), joins the veteran Paschal to give Purdue's so-so frontcourt all sorts of trouble. Even better, we get a few points with the Wildcats,.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Florida St at 6:10 ET.

Murray State (28-4) pulled off the 12 vs 5 upset Thursday in beating Marquette 83-64. Potential NBA Draft lottery pick Ja Morant (24.4-5.7-10.2) did not disappoint by posting the first triple-double in the NCAA Tournament since Draymond Green recorded one in 2012, scoring 17 points with 11 rebounds and 16 assists. Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Seminoles (28-7) got a first-round scare from Vermont in the West Region when they found themselves tied with the Catamounts at the half, before pulling away from Vermont in a 76-69 win.

Morant scored or assisted on 53 points against the Golden Eagles but the Racers were far from a one-man show. Freshman guard Tevin Brown (12.0 & 4.8) had a team-high 19 points while fellow guard Shaq Buchanan (13.1 & 4.3) added 14. The 6-9 KJ Williams (7.8 & 4.7) had 16 points and is joined up front by the 6-8 Cowart (10.3 & 6.6). Murray St averages 83.3 PPG (11th) on 49.7% shooting (6th).

The 6-11 Mfiondu Kabengele(13.1 & 5.9) is FSU's leading scorer and comes off the bench (he's the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year). He scored a game-high 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting while also going 9-of-12 from the free-throw line and adding 10 rebounds against the Catamounts. Senior guard Terance Mann (11.4 & 6.4) helped fuel FSU's second-half surge by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half. PG Forrest (9.0 & 3.7 APG) plus Walker (7.8) give FSU a solid guard trio. Up front, the 6-8 Cofer (7.4 & 3.5) plus the 7-4 Koumadji (6.6 & 5.5 in just 15 MPG), make for a very balanced FSU offense. As always, FSU plays solid D, allowing 67.2 PPG (61st in the nation).

Murray State has won 12 straight and along with Morant, have received plenty of pre-tournament coverage. However, FSU will be a tough matchup. The Seminoles came out a bit flat vs Vermont but that shouldn't have been too much of a surprise considering they were coming off an intense run to the ACC Tournament championship game. Leonard Hamilton just may have his best-ever team this season, as Florida State’s 28 wins are the most in program history. One more and it's off to the Sweet 16. Bye-bye Ja. See you on draft night.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Michigan at 5:15 ET.

Second-seeded Michigan (29-6) routed No. 15 seed Montana 74-55 on Thursday and now moves on to take on 10th-seed Florida in the West Regional (game is in Des Moines, Ia). Florida nearly squandered an 18-point second-half lead but held on to knock off seventh-seeded Nevada 70-61 on Thursday. The Wolverines's victory over Montana was their 17th NCAA Tournament win since 2013, which is the most of any team during that span. Michigan is looking advance to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in its last six appearances. As for Florida, the Gators needed a pair of wins in the SEC Tournament to punch their ticket to the Big Dance but have won three of their last four games after dropping the previous three and hope to build off their upset of the Wolf Pack by advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years.

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes (8.3 & 6.2) scored a team-high 16 points to go along with three blocks before fouling out with 2:20 to go, as the Gators scored the final seven points to stave off a late rally by Nevada. Guard Jalen Hudson (9.2) added 13 of his 15 points in the first half while SF Keyontae Johnson (8.1 & 6.3) chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Wolf Pack. KeVaughn Allen (team's leading scorer at 11.9 PPG) scored all 10 of his points in the second half while freshman PG Andrew Nembhard (8.1 & 5.3 APG) had eight points, seven rebounds and five assists. It's no surprise that Florida won with defense (63.6 PPG ranks 21st), as it held Nevada to 34.5 percent from the floor, including 5 of 24 from three-point range.

Michigan guard Charles Matthews 12.3 & 5.0) was bothered by an injured right ankle in the Big Ten tourney but looked fine vs Montana, leading the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds to register the seventh double-double of his career in the win. 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and added 14 points and seven rebounds, while PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.0-6.7) had just four points but produced 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Grizzlies to become the first player in program history to have eight games with at least 10 assists in a single season.

Guard Poole (12.7) and 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 7.0) round out Michigan's core, one which is more than capable of furthering John Beilein's recent NCAA successes. I noted Florida's strong defensive numbers earlier but Michigan has held 20 opponents to 60 or fewer points this season and enters this contest allowing 58.5 PPG, the second-fewest points in the nation. Michigan is holding opponents to 39.7% shooting (17th), including 28.7% on threes (5th-best). Michigan's D is even better than Florida's plus the Wolverines have more scoring options on the offensive end of the court. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on LSU at 12:10 ET.

LSU head coach Will Wade was suspended indefinitely after a Yahoo! Sports report on March 7 detailed his comments from June of 2017 on FBI tape about making an "offer" and a "deal" for current guard Javonte Smart, one of the top recruits in the nation at the time. The Tigers clinched the SEC regular-season title with an 80-59 victory over Vanderbilt (their first title since 2009 under interim coach Tony Benford) but while Smart played, the Tigers were upset by eighth-seeded Florida in their first game in the SEC tournament. With suspended coach Will Wade dominating the headlines this past week, No. 3 seed LSU managed to place all the distractions behind it and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 79-74 win over 14th-seed Yale. Early Saturday afternoon, it's a game with sixth-seeded Maryland, which was able to hold off 11-seed Belmont, 79-77.

Maryland trailed by six points at halftime but used a 14-0 run to start the second half. After Belmont took a seven-point lead midway through the second half, the Terps went on a 14-4 run to take a 74-71 lead with 2:47 left and held on. Maryland survived due to the inside play of inside play of 6-10 freshman Jalen Smith (11.6 & 6.8) and 6-10 sophomore Bruno Fernando(13.7 & 10.5). Smith had 19 points & 12 rebounds (eight offensive) and  Fernando had 14 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks..Sophomore guard Darryl Morsell (8.4) scored 18 points. Maryland's top scorer, PG Cowan (15.8 & 4.4 APG) had a modest effort (nine points / six assists).

The Tigers opened a 16-pont halftime lead over Yale but needed to withstood a late three-point barrage by the Bulldogs to hold on for a 79-74 victory. Guard Skylar Mays (13.5) finished with a team-high 19 points to provide the Tigers their first NCAA Tournament game win since 2009. 6-10, 240-pound freshman Naz Reid (13.8 & 7.3) had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while the  6-11 Kavell Bigby-Williams (7.9 & 6.7) added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Leading scorer Waters (15.1 & 6.0 APG) had 15 points.

Maryland's five-game postseason losing streak (NCAA and Big Ten) wasn't secured until Eric Ayala tipped away a pass on a backdoor cut intended for Belmont's leading scorer Dylan Windler (35 points) with three seconds to play. I doubt Maryland will be that fortunate again here vs LSU. The Tigers have excellent balance inside and out and the Yale final is somewhat misleading. LSU opponents usually have their hands full with Reid but when Bigby-Williams is complementing Reid on the inside, it's "big trouble." The Tigers improved to 10-0 in games in which Bigby-Williams has had a double-double in the win over Yale.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Ohio St by 9:50 ET.

Iowa State entered the Big 12 tourney on a three-game losing streak but came away from Kansas City with the Big 12 Tournament championship trophy for the FOURTH time in six years. The 23-11 Cyclones earned a No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region after a 78-66 victory over Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament championship game. Awaiting them are the 11th-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio St was considered a bubble team entering the Big Ten tourney but a win over Indiana seemingly was good enough to earn an at-large bid., despite the team's modest 19-14 overall record. Iowa State had the better season but both teams experienced an up-and-down stretches

Ohio State opened 12-1 but then lost five straight, ending the season with an 8-12 record in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes enter the tournament with four losses in their last five games, but three of those losses were without big man Kaleb Wesson, who returned from a three-game suspension for the Big Ten Tournament. Wesson (14.4 & 6.8) returned from his suspension against Indiana and made a huge impact with 17 points and 13 rebounds before managing only seven points and three rebounds in a loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Ohio State need production from its guards, point guard C.J. Jackson (12.2-4.0-3.5), heralded freshman Luther Muhammed  (8.0) and battle-tested Keyshawn Woods (7.7), a Wake Forest graduate transfer. Let's not forget Wesson's 6-6 brother Andre, who averages 8.8 & 4.0 and typically draws the toughest defensive matchup.

Steve Prohm's Iowa St team is loaded on the perimeter with the 6-9 Jacobson (11.5 & 6.0) being ISU's lone frontcourt player of note. Shayok (18.6 & 4.9) is the team's leading scorer, followed by fellow guards Wigginton (13.5 & 4.1), Horton-Tucker (12.1 & 5.0), PG Weiler-Babb (9.2-5.0-4.0 and Haliburton (). When "on its game," Iowa State is one dangerous team.

Iowa State is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight years and the 20th time in school history However, which Cyclones team will show up. The one that lost the final three games of the regular season and six of its final eight, or the squad that swept through the Big 12 tournament last week? Sure, Ohio State has had it's fair share of Jekyll-and-Hyde moments but Kaleb Wesson should dominate the much smaller Cyclones plus Ohio St can dominate the glass on both ends. Head coach Chris Holtmann (ex-Butler) loves the role of tournament underdog. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 1st Round Game of the Year is on VCU at 9:40 ET.

23-8 UCF earned an at-large bid for the first time in program history and the 9th-seed in the East Regio. The Knights will face No. 8-seed VCU in a first-round matchup on Friday in Columbia, SC. UCF set a program record with 23 regular-season wins, while posting statement victories over then-No. 6 Houston on the road and then-No. 19 Cincinnati in the span of five days. However, UCF (3rd in the AAC) fell in the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament 79-55 to Memphis. VCU was predicted to finish seventh in the conference in a preseason poll but claimed the Atlantic 10 regular-season title with a 16-2 league record. However, the top-seeded Rams suffered a 75-70 setback to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament and take a 25-7 record into the Big Dance.

The Knights have an excellent guard trio in Taylor (16.0), Dawkins (15.2 & 5.0) and PG Allen (6.8-3.2-4.3). Up front, it's the 7-6 Fall (10.9 & 7.3) and the 6-11 Smith (8.3 & 5.2). Defense is the team's strength, holding opponents to 64.3 PPG (28th) on 39.5% shooting (13th). VCU's best player Marcus Evans (13.8-3.0-3.2) was forced to leave last Friday’s quarterfinal loss in the first half with a knee injury but is expected to play in the NCAA Tournament. Backcourt mate Jenkins (11.4 & 3.9) joins him in double digit scoring, as do a pair of forwards, the 6-6 Vann (10.9 & 3.5) and the 6-7 Santos-Silva (10.1 & 7.4). Speaking of defense, the Rams allow 61.6 PPG (10th) on 38.4% shooting (6th), including 27.6 on threes (3rd).

This marks the first at-large bid in program history for UCF and only its fifth NCAA appearance all-time. UCF has never been seeded higher than 14th before. VCU was just 18-15 in 2017-18, missing the postseason for the first time in 12 years iIt also ended a stretch of SEVEN straight NCAA appearances). This year's turnaround  was envisioned by head coach Mike Rhoades, who told his team they could make the tournament after last year's disappointment. Expect the loss to Rhode Island in the A-10 tourney to be a HUGE motivating factor for the Rams. Does VCU have anyone to handle the 7-6 Fall? Not really but Fall only plays about 25 minutes per game, doesn’t run the floor well and his offensive game is VERY limited!  VCU wins this battle of defensive teams.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs saw their nine-game winning streak snapped with a 110-105 home loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. They open a three-game road swing tonight in Houston, against a Rockets team which is also coming off a loss on Wednesday, 126-125 in OT at Memphis. Houston had won 12 of 13 prior to that defeat and at 45-27, resides in third place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, while the 42-30 Spurs are in a four-way tie for the fifth through eighth spots (current tiebreakers have SA with the No. 6 seed)..

San Antonio had good offensive balance in the loss against Miami, with five players scoring 15 or more points. That's nothing new. DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and Aldridge (21.1 & 9.0) have been the team leaders all season but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.2 PPG. The Spurs make 47.8% of their shots (2nd), including an NBA-high 39.9% on threes.

Reigning MVP James Harden (36.1-6.5-7.7) poured in 57 points on Wednesday (his seventh 50-point effort of the season). Harden almost a comeback from a 19-point deficit but his effort left the Rockets one point short."If we play that way, the way that we played in the fourth quarter (and) overtime defensively, then we'll be all right," Harden said after the game. Gordon (16.5) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack plus swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night. However, don't overlook center Clint Capela, who is averaging career highs in points (16.8) and rebounds (12.4).

Note that when Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets lost their first game with him in the lineup. However, they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs) and were on a 12-1 run before losing Wednesday. Yes, the Spurs had won NINE in a row prior to their Wednesday loss but SEVEN wins came at home. The lone road wins were in Atlanta (Hawks are 25-48) and Dallas (Mavs are 28-44 and losers of 15 of their last 17!). The Spurs are just 13-22 SU on the road, where they allow 115.1 PPG. NONE of that spells good new against a Houston team off a rare loss. Home team gets the "W" and the 'CASH!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Houston at 7:20 ET.

The 31-3 Houston Cougars were American Athletic Conference regular-season champions, posting the fourth 31-win season in the program's history and first since 1983-84. The Cougars were 16-2 in AAC play and earned their first outright regular-season title since 1984, when they were members of the Southwest Conference. However, the Cougars lost to Cincinnati 69-57 in the AAC championship game on Sunday, after beating the Bearcats twice in the regular season. They now must refocus as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region with a first round matchup against 14th-seeded Georgia State (24-9), which both the Sun Belt Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Georgia State makes its third appearance in the Big Dance over a five-year stretch and will meet Houston for the first time ever.

FIVE players scored in double figures last Sunday as the Panthers beat Texas-Arlington 73-64 in the Sun Belt final (team's fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games). Junior guard D’Marcus Simonds leads the Panthers in scoring at 18.4 PPG (adds 5.0 RPG and 3.7 APG) but 6-6 senior forward Malik Benlevi (12.0 & 5.8) was named the Sun Belt Tournament’s most outstanding player. He's recorded three straight double-doubles, averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in the process. Mitchell (12.2) and Williams (11.4 & 3.6 APG) join Simonds in the backcourt, while 6-5 SF Thomas (11.7 & 4.5) gives Ga St five double digit scorers.

Senior guard Corey Davis Jr. (team-high 16.7 PPG) was bothered by a hip strain Sunday while going 3-of-13 from the floor. Houston expects (hopes?) he'll be fine for this one. Houston regularly plays five guards, as Brooks adds 13.6 PPG (and a team-high 6.5 RPG) plus there's PG Robinson (8.0 & 4.9 APG), Jarreau (8.9 & 3.9) and Hinton (7.6 & 4.4) Houston's strength is a defense allowing 61.2 PPG (8th) on 36.7% shooting (1st), including 27.6% on threes (2nd). 

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson has taken four teams to a total of 16 Big Dances in his 26 years of coaching. He was the AAC's coach of the year and said his team needed a rest and welcomed not having to start the tournament with a game on Thursday. Playing Friday plus a short trip from Houston to Tulsa, gives the Cougars an extra day to heal after a 34-game season and a brutal stretch in the AAC tournament. The Panthers, bussing home from New Orleans to Atlanta on Sunday, pulled into a truck stop to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show, where they found out who and where they would be playing. I say Houston was NOT a team Ga St wanted to draw. The Cougars will likely be well-supported in Tulsa and should be primed to extend there season. Expect just that, with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Utah St at 6:50 ET

26-8 Washington easily won the Pac-12's regular season title with a 15-3 record (three clear of ASU) but lost in the conference tourney title game to red-hot Oregon. The Huskies received a 9-seed in the Midwest Region and will face 8-seed Utah State. The Aggies have won 10 straight and 17 of their last 18 contests, including a 64-57 title-game win over San Diego St in the MWC finals. Both schools are making their first NCAA appearance since 2011..

The Huskies are led by Pac-12 player of the year Jaylen Nowell (16.2-5.3-3.1) and the league’s defensive player of the year, Matisse Thybulle (9.3 PPG and 116 steals). Guard Crisp (12.5) and the 6-8 Dickerson (12.2 & 7.4) join Nowell in double digits for a team that ranked just 11th in the Pac-12 in scoring at 69.8 PPG (255th nationally). However, Washington's D allows only 64.4 PPG, which ranks 29th in the nation.

Utah State was picked ninth in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll but tied Nevada for the regular season title and then won the MWC tourney. MWC player of the year Sam Merrill (21.2-4.0-4.2) scored 24 points in the 64-57 title-game win over the Aztecs, while 6-11 freshman center Neemias Queta (11.1 & 8.9) had 17 points and eight rebounds. Few know much about Queta, a rim protector with a 7-5 wingspan who blocked NINE shots during the MWC tournament. Guards Brito (8.2) and Miller (8.0) complement Merrill in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Taylor (8.0 & 6.3) helps Queta up front.

Washington's second-year head coach Mike Hopkins (former Jim Boeheim assistant at Syracuse) has effectively implemented his mentor’s 2-3 matchup zone defense but Utah State has an well-oiled offense that averages 79.2 PPG (10 points more that UW) and ranks 10th in Division I with 17.2 assists per game. FIVE of the Aggies' top-six scorers hit 35% or better from beyond the arc, so watch out! Utah State has to be excited to play a team from the Pac-12 and Washington, which comes in on a 1-6 ATS run, should play the perfect foil.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on Wisconsin at 4:30 ET.

Oregon was a top-20 team to begin the season and the preseason choice to win the Pac-12. However, the Ducks lost 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) - a likely NBA lottery pick - to a foot injury just after nine games should didn't have the look of an NCAA Tournament team, with a 15-12 record after dropping three straight on a win-less road trip from Feb 16 to Feb 23. All of a sudden, a 79-51 home win against Arizona State sparked a dominant close to the regular season in which Oregon won all four of its games by an average of 18.3 points. The Ducks kept it going in Las Vegas, claiming an automatic berth by winning the Pac-12 title game with their third double-digit victory in four days following Saturday's 68-48 rout of top-seeded Washington.

The 12th-seeded Ducks (23-12) will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin (23-10) in the first round of the South Region in San Jose, Ca. on Friday afternoon. The Badgers finished fourth in the Big Ten (14-6) with a strong finish to the regular season. Wisconsin won FIVE of its last six (lone loss was a double-overtime road loss to Indiana). The Badgers then edged Nebraska in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday, before bowing out to Michigan State in the semifinals.

Oregon PG Payton Pritchard (12.7-3.7-4.5) was the Pac-12's tournament MVP, averaging 19.3 points and 6.7 assists over the last three games in Las Vegas. Three more guards combine to average almost 20 PPG but a trio of 6-9 frontcourt players have been making 'waves.' Freshman King (12.7 & 5.5), joined by fellow forwards White (10.6 & 3.9) and Wooten (6.2 & 4.6)

The 6-11 Happ leads Wisconsin in scoring (17.5), rebounding (10.1) and assists (4.6). He is the first player in program history to be named to the All-Big Ten first team three times in his career and he's attempting to join LSU's Ben Simmons as the only Division I players over the last 20 years to averaging at least 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.The 6-11 Reuvers (7.8 & 3.8) plays alongside Happ up front The Badgers own a deep backcourt, led by Trice (11.7) & Davison (10.7) plus a trio of other backcourt players who combine for about 16 points per game.

Dana Altman's Oregon teams have been traditionally know for their scoring but this year's edition has won with its defense. The Ducks have forced over 15 turnovers per during their eight-game winning streak and only Arizona State (75 points in overtime) has scored more than 61 points over that span. Then again, don't preach defense to Wisconsin, as the Badgers allow just 61.4 PPG (9th) on 39.3% shooting (11th). Oregon's run ends here, as teams don't out-defense the Badgers!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Iowa at 12:15 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats won the American Athletic Conference tournament championship by beating then-No. 11 Houston 69-57 on Sunday. 28-6 Cincinnati expected a much higher seed than the one it got (No. 7 in the South Region) but looking on the bright side, the Bearcats will only have to travel 107 miles north (Columbus, Ohio) when they take on 22-11 Iowa (10-seed). The Hawkeyes are back 'dancing' after missing out the last two seasons. Iowa was sitting pretty at 20-5 overall on Feb.16 (9-5 in the Big Ten). The Hawkeyes were ranked for 14 weeks in a 16-week span but they crumbled down the stretch in losing SIX of their last eight games, including a 74-53 setback Friday against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. 

6-9 forward Tyler Cook leads the way for the Hawkeyes in scoring (14.9) - on 52.8 percent shooting from the floor - and rebounding (7.9) for the second straight season. The 6-11 Garza (12.9 & 4.4) and 6-7 Baer (6.7 & 4.6) lend solid support. A four-guard rotation is led by Bohannon (11.3 & 3.4 APG) and Wieskamp (10.8 & 4.8). The Bearcats beat Houston behind 33 points from AAC player of the year Jarron Cumberland (18.8-4.5-3.1). Cincy's depth is good, with five more players averaging between 8.0 and 10.1 PPG. A trio of guards chip in about 25 PPG  plus the 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 6.9) and the 6-11 Brooks (8.0 & 6.4) handle the frontcourt. However, Cincy's bread-and-butter is a defense that allows 62.2 PPG (12th) on 40.6% shooting (30th).

The Columbus venue is nice but it's NOT Cincy's home floor. Was Cincy's rousing win over Houston last Sunday to capture the AAC’s automatic bid a confidence-builder or does a "let down" lay in wait for the Bearcats? I will note that Cincy limped into the AAC tourney on an 0-8 ATS run, before going 3-0 (2-1 ATS) to win the title. Remember, this Iowa team was ranked for 14 weeks in a 16-week span. I want ANY points I can get.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Total of the Week is on Det/Pho Over at 10:05 ET.

The 36-34 Detroit Pistons are trying to secure the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference but they opened a five-game road trip with an 'ugly' 126-119 loss at the lowly Cleveland Cavs. The Pistons continue their road trip tonight in Phoenix, where they will take on the 17-55 Suns (Phoenix owns the West's worst record by 11 1/2 games). The Suns are heading for the draft lottery but had been playing better of late (6-4 run), before dropping a 116-101 decision at home to the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Detroit was coming off a home win over the Toronto Raptors when it suffered the letdown against the Cavaliers plus All-Star forward Blake Griffin (24.7-6.6-5.4) was given  the night off to rest on Monday but he will be back against Phoenix. Detroit's defense was porous in Cleveland, as the Cavs shot 58.2 percent from the floor, as the Pistons matched a season high in regulation points allowed.

Phoenix had won six of 10, capped by a 138-136 overtime triumph in New Orleans on Saturday, before opening a two-game homestand with a dud against the Bulls.It wasn't good news that SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (16.9 & 4.9 in his 40 games with the Suns) sat out Monday with a thumb injury and is listed as day-to-day. However, Booker (25.6-4.2-6.8) and Auton (16.4 & 10.3) will be on hand, for sure.

Detroit enters this game just a half-game up on Brooklyn and 1 1/2 games up on Miami in a three-way battle for the 6, 7 & 8 seeds in the East. The Pistons will face West contenders Portland, Golden State and Denver in the final three stops of the trip, so to say the least, Detroit really needs a win at Phoenix. Expect Detroit to score here vs a Phoenix team allowing 118.7 PPG over its last six, as well 116.1 PPG on the season (27th) on 48.2% shooting (29th). Detroit scored 110 points or more in 12 of 14 games, before being held to 75 and 74 points in back-to-back games (Mar 11 & 13). However, Detroit enters this game having scored 111, 110 and 119 points in its last three. This contest has O-V-E-R written all over it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Syracuse at 9:57 ET.

Syracuse dropped five of its last seven contests but at 20-13 earned an 8-seed in the West Region. The Orange will met the 9th-seeded Baylor Bears who enter the tourney on a four-game slide. The Bears were picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll and lost 6-9 sophomore forward Tristan Clark (14,6 & 6.3) to a season-ending knee injury Jan 8. They have since navigated injuries to senior guards Makai Mason (foot) and King McClure (knee), who each missed several games. Mson averages 14,6 PPG and McClure 8,7 & 5.2. Mason McClure are the only two players on the team with NCAA Tournament experience. If the Bears are going to get past Syracuse, Mason and McClure will need to be at their best.

Junior guard Tyus Battle leads Syracuse with 17.2 PPG but he missed the past two games because of a bruised hip. However, he practiced Sunday and is expected to be close to 100 percent Thursday. PG Howard (8.9 & 2.9 APG) showed some of his offensive ability in the ACC Tournament, averaging 23 points in two games. Part of that was because Battle was sidelined, but if Howard can be more of a scoring threat, Syracuse will greatly benefit. Up front, the 6-6 Hughes (13.4 & 4.4) and the 6-8 Brissett (12.4 & 7.5) should give Baylor fits.

The winner of this contest advances to face No. 1 Gonzaga (barring a Fairleigh Dickinson shocker), so this will likely be a "One & DONE" game. We've seen Boejheim 'work his magic' in the NCAAS before and why shouldn't his match-up zone D give a less than 100 percent healthy Baylor team fits. Syracuse limped into the Big Dance as a No. 10 seed three years ago, after losing five of six. The Orange then ripped off four consecutive victories in a thrilling ride to the Final Four, where they were stopped by North Carolina. Last year, the Orange snuck into the NCAAs after losing four of their last six games but then won a First Four game and two more before narrowly losing 69-65 to Duke in the Sweet 16. Same old, same old for Boeheim. Maybe, Gonzaga had better watch out on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Wofford at 9:40 ET.

20-13 Seton Hall of the Big East is a 10-seed in the Midwest Region and will face 29-4 Wofford of the Southern Conference Thursday night in Jacksonville. Yes, Wofford is riding a 24-game win streak but the Terriers' 7-sed raised more than a few eyebrows.  After going 9-9 in conference play, the Pirates played their way off the bubble with a run to the Big East Tournament championship game, where they lost 74-72 to Villanova. Seton Hall is playing in its FOURTH consecutive NCAA Tournament and as a No. 8 seed knocked off North Carolina State 94-83 in the first round. Wofford wanted no part of counting on the Selection Committee and ensured its spot in the field with a fifth Southern Conference Tournament championship in the last 10 seasons (first since 2015). It’s the fifth NCAA Tournament appearance for the Terriers, who still are looking for their first victory.

Myles Powell (22.9) is Seton Hall's go-to guy and he averaged 26 points and 4.7 assists in the Hall's run to the Big East title game. Fellow guard Cale (10.3) is far behind Powell, even though he's the team's second-leading scorer. PG Quincy McKnight (9.5 & 4.0 APG) is a defensive stopper who is likely to draw the tough task of guarding Fletcher Magee (more later). Up front, the 6-8 Nzei (9.2 & 5.3) and the 6-10 Sandro Mamukelashvili (8.9 & 7.8) could give Wofford's frontcourt players trouble but maybe not (more on that in a bit, too)?

The Terriers are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation, averaging 83.0 PPG (12th) on 49.3% shooting (10th), which includes 41.6% on threes (2nd). The aforementioned Fletcher Magee (20.5 points) is the Southern Conference's Player of the Year. Backcourt mates Nathan Hoover (13.3) and PG Murphy (7.8 & 3.1 APG) round out the starters. Up front, it's the 6-8 Jackson (14.6 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Aluma (6.9 & 6.8).

The Terriers will have heh motivation to prove they’re worthy of their No. 7 seed, much like Belmont had in proving the OVC school deserved an at-large bid. "Mission Accomplished" for Belmont with its 81-70 win over Temple on Tuesday. It's Wofford's turn here and note that the Terriers were 11-1 ATS in their last 12 league games AND they've out-rebounded 27 of their 33 opponents this season, going 26-1 in those games.  Wofford's headed to a Round of 32 game on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Villanova at 7:20 ET.

Villanova is the defending NCAA Tournament champions (two titles in the last three years) and enters the Big Dance after winning the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. 25-9 Villanova earned a modest 6-seed in the South region and opens its quest for third national championship in four years against No. 11 seed Saint Mary's in Hartford, Ct. Saint Mary's was not expected to make this year's field of 68 but it upset then-No. 1 Gonzaga in the WCC championship game, 60-47. Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett has led the Gaels since 2001 but 22-11 St Mary's has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in the last six years. In contrast, Villanova has made the NCAA Tournament in seven straight years and 14 of the last 15.

Junior guard Jordan Ford averages a team-best 21.3 PPG, after averaging 11.1 last season. The only other St Mary's player in double digits is 6-8 sophomore forward Malik Fitts (15.3 & 7.6). Nobody else on the team averages more than nine points, although the 6-10 Jordan Hunter is a presence on the interior with averages of 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Villanova relies heavily on guard Booth (18.6-3.9-3.8) and the 6-8 Paschall (16.5 & 6.2), a pair of first-team Big East selections who have been part of both national title winners. Sophomore guard Gillespie (11.1) is the team's third double-digit scorer plus the 6-8 Saddiq Bey (8.4 & 5.3) has emerged in the second half of his freshman season, registering double-digit points in 11 of the last 16 games.

Villanova became the first school to win three consecutive Big East tournaments titles and will likely remember that it was bounced by the Gaels in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. This Hartford venue is a LONG way from St Mary's home in Moraga, Ca and I don't believe the Gaels can beat the defending champs right after upsetting Gonzaga.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Nevada at 6:50 ET

THREE of Nevada’s four losses (Wolf Pack are 29-4) have come in the team's last eight games. Nevada lost 81-76 at Utah St on Mar 2 and then lost in the MWC semis 65-56 to SD State, as a 10-point favorite. As a result, the Wolf Pack drew only a seventh-seed in the West Region and will open against 10th-seeded Florida (19-15) in Des Moines, Iowa. The Gators ended the regular season on a three-game slide but then beat Arkansas (66-50) and top-seeded LSU (76-73) in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, before falling 65-62 to eventual-champion Auburn in the semis.

Mike White's Gator allow 63.6 PPG (21st) and force an average of 14.8 turnovers per contest. Th guard-oriented team has just one double digit scorer in KeVaughn Allen (12.0). Fellow guards Noah Locke (9.6) and Jalen Hudson (9.0) are close behind plus PG Nembhard adds 8.1 and a team-high 5.3 APG. The 6-9 Hayes and SF Johnson both average 8.1 PPG and combine to grab 12.5 RPG.

The Martin twins, Caleb (19.2 & 5.1) and Cody (11.7-4.5-5.1) plus the 6-7 Caroline (17.3 & 9.6) are Nevada's stars. However, six more players contribute about 27 points and 12 rebounds per game. Nevada's D is almost as good as Florida's, as the Wolf Pack allow a modest 66.7 PPG (55th). However, let's NOT ignore that while Florida averages just 68,3 PPG, Nevada averages 80.7 (25th).

Florida is making its third straight Big Dance appearance but its No. 10 seed matches its lowest in 22 appearances since the NCAA tourney expanded to 64 teams in 1985. To say the least, this is not a vintage Florida team! Meanwhile, head coach Eric Musselman’s Nevada team opened 24-1, en route to matching the single-season program record for wins with 29. The Wolf Pack are also in the Big Dance for the third straight season. Last March, with virtually the same roster, the seventh-seeded Wolf Pack rallied from double-digit deficits to beat Texas (87-83) and upended second-seeded Cincinnati (75-73), before losing a 69-68 thriller to eventual regional champ Loyola Chicago in the South semifinals.Can Ne vada make another run? Yes, but FIRST things FIRST. Florida has won at least one NCAA tourney game in its last six appearances but that streak ends right here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situatuional Stunner is on New Mexico St at 1:30 ET.

Auburn reached a high of No. 7 in the AP poll but after a slump fell out of the poll for six weeks. However, Auburn won its final four games of the regular season, including an 84-80 home win over Tennessee. The Tigers then won FOUR games in four days to capture the SEC Tournament title, ending with an impressive 84-64 victory in the SEC final over Tennessee on Sunday, The eight-game winning streak earned 26-9 Auburn the fifth seed in the Midwest Region and a first-round matchup with 12th-seeded New Mexico State in Salt Lake City. The Aggies come in 30-4, after winning the WAC tourney for the third straight year and seventh time in the past eight seasons. New Mexico St routed Grand Canyon 89-57 in Saturday’s title game and the Aggies will bring a 19-game winning streak into the Big Dance.

First-team All-WAC honoree Terrell Brown is the only player on the roster averaging in double figures, scoring 11.3 PPG. Head coach Chris Jans has 11 more players seeing 10 minutes or more of "PT." FIVE of them chip in between 7.5 and 9.8 PPG  New Mexico St plays outstanding defense (64.1 PPG allowed ranks 26th) and is an excellent rebounding team. Bryce Brown (15.8) averaged 16.5 points en route to winning the SEC Tournament MVP. PG Harper adds 15.2 PPG and 5.8 APG and Auburn's best frontcourt player is the 6-8 Okeke averages 11.7 & 6.8. The Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament.

The Tigers have made an SEC record 396 three-pointers and rode that prowess to an eight-game winning streak that produced the school's first conference tournament championship since 1985. As for the Aggies, they are in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight seasons but they have been one-and-out in each of their past 10 appearances. In fact, they last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1993, when they beat Nebraska before losing to Cincinnati.

Auburn carries what some call the “anti-angle” of being a major conference tournament winner favored in the NCAA First Round. Auburn relies heavily on an overload of the lowest-percentage of shots (three-pointers) and this game will be played at "altitude." The elevation is customary for New Mexico State which is long overdue for a first-round NCAA win. Upset?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on LSU at 12:40 ET.

22-7 Yale (14th seed) takes on 26-6 LSU (3rd seed) in a first round game from Jacksonville. Yale wrapped up the Ivy League championship with a 97-85 victory over arch-rival Harvard on Sunday to earn the Ivy's automatic bid. LSU coach Will Wade was suspended indefinitely after a Yahoo! Sports report on March 7 detailed his comments from June of 2017 on FBI tape about making an "offer" and a "deal" for current guard Javonte Smart, one of the top recruits in the nation at the time. Neither Wade nor Smart were participants when the Tigers clinched the regular-season title with an 80-59 victory over Vanderbilt (their first title since 2009 under interim coach Tony Benford. However, while Smart played, the Tigers were upset by eighth-seeded Florida in their first game in the SEC tournament

Ivy League Player of the Year Miye Oni (17.6-6.3-3.5) starts in the backcourt with Copeland (13.8). Up front, it's the 6-7 Reynolds (11.4 & 4.5), the 6-9 Bruner (10.2 & 8.3) and the 6-11 Atkinson (9.1 & 5.1). Guards Swain and Phills combine to add about 15 PPG, as Yale averages a healthy 81.1 PPG (24th) on 49.8 percent shooting (9th). LSU's sophomore guard Tremont Waters leads the team in scoring (15.1) and assists (5.9). Fellow guards Mays (13.4) and Smart (11.5) give  the Tigers a strong perimeter group. 6-10 freshman Naz Reid averages 13.7 & 7.2 and many are touting him as a future NBA star (he had 26 & 14 vin the loss to Florida). Like Yale, LSU averages an excellent 81.4 PPG and let me add, vs a much tougher schedule.

The Tigers looked distracted when kicking away their SEC Tourney game to Florida but I'm betting that's "old news." This is just Yale's fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament and its only victory came when the Bulldogs defeated Baylor 79-75 in 2016. Don't expect "lightning to strike twice."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA 35-Club-Play is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET.

The 50-21 Toronto Raptors and the 42-29 Oklahoma City Thunder play the front end of a home-and-home set on Wednesday. The Raptors reached the 50-win threshold for the fourth straight season by routing the New York Knicks 128-92 on Monday, despite All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard being held out to rest. The Raptors have 11 games left and own a four-game lead in the race for the No. 2 seed plus sit three games back of the Bucks for the East's top seed.OKC's three-game slide leaves them with the West's No. 6, just 1 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed but also just a half-game ahead of the No. 8 seed.

Leonard (27.1 & 7.4) is expected to play here but PG Lowry (14.8-4.8-9.0) suffered an injury to his right ankle in the third quarter of the Knicks game and he could sit out Wednesday. Lowry missed the previous two games with a left ankle injury and told reporters after the contest that the now-injured right ankle was "pretty tender." Serge Ibaka (15.1 & 8.1) will be available again tonight, after a fight-caused three-game suspension. However, it should be noted that the late additions of Gasol (9.5 & 6.9) and lin (8.4) have made the Raptors a deeper AND better team.

Westbrook (22.9-11.1-10.5) served a one-game suspension for drawing his 16th technical foul of the season and missed Monday's 116-107 home loss to the Miami Heat. Dennis Schroder (15.4) moved into the starting lineup in place of Westbrook and scored 20 points but the bench took a major hit without him. The Miami reserves had a 67-10 edge in points as Oklahoma City's bench was 4-of-22 shooting and missed all 10 of its three-point attempts. Paul George (28.3-8.2-4.2) scored 31 points against the Heat and is averaging 30.3 PPG over the past four contests,

The Raptors seem to have settled into the idea that they will be the East's No. 2 seed and their recent form has been less than inspiring, going 10-5 SU but 5-10 ATS in their last 15. Meanwhile OKC needs to focus down the stretch, as the team has legitimate shots at finishing as the West's No. 3 seed or its No. 8 seed! OKC badly needs to end its three-game slide tonight. Westbrook is back and my bet says the Thunder will roll!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* First Four Play (Part 2) is on Arizona St at 9:10 ET.

Bobby Hurley won a pair of NCAA titles as Duke's PG (1991 &1992) and Chris Mullin helped St. John's to the 1985 Final Four, before going on to have an excellent NBA career. The two will now butt heads as coaches, when Arizona State and St. John's meet Wednesday in the First Four at Dayton, looking to advance to a Friday game as the a No. 11 seed (winner will meet No. 6 Buffalo in the West Regional). 22-10 ASU was the Pac 12's No. 2 seed but lost a tough OT game to red-hot Oregon in the semis (Ducks won the Pac 12 tourney). St John's, with the benefit of playing the Big East tourney at MSG (the Red Storm's home-away-from-home), was able to get past DePaul but then got buried 86-53 by a Marquette team seeking double-revenge.

The 6-10 center De'Quon Lake (4.5 & 3.8) starts but adds little, a three guards and three forwards comprise ASU main 'guns.' The 6-8 Zylan Cheatham (11.8 & 10.4) was the only Pac-12 player to average a double-double this season, recording 13 double-doubles. The 6-8 White (8.7 & 5.3) starts alongside of him, with the 6-7 Lawrence (8.7 & 3.6) coming off the bench. 6-4 guard Luguentz Dort (16.1 & 4.3) was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, reaching double figures in 17 of 20 conference games. Sophomore PG Remy Martin adds 13.4 PPG and team-best 5.1 assists. Edwards (11.3) comes off the bench to give ASU four double-digit scorers.

St John's features five double digit scorers, including four guards. PG Ponds leads the way (19.5-4.2-5.2 ), followed by Heron (14.9 & 4.7)), Figueroa (14.3 & 6.2) and Simon (10.4). The 6-7 Clark (10.8 & 45.4) is the lone frontcourt player of note. St John legend Chris Mullin is in his fourth season as head coach and has made steady improvement.

St. John's is making its first NCAA appearance under Mullin and the Red Storm last made the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

The Red Storm opened the season 12-0 but then went 8-10 in Big East play (also lost a non-conference game to Duke on ), before losing to Marquette in the Big East tourney (after beating DePaul). “St. John’s was the last team in,” NCAA Tournament selection committee chair Bernard Muir said on CBS after the bracket was revealed and note teh Red Storm haven't won a Big Dance game since 2000. Meanwhile, ASU is playing well, winning SIX of its last eight games. After Friday's 79-75 overtime loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 semifinals, Hurley proved prophetic by telling reporters: "When the committee looks at our season, I think that we’ll be rewarded for being great in the non-conference, beating the No. 1 team in the country at one point (Kansas in December) and having a very strong effort in the league.”

Arizona State is in the First Four for the second consecutive season, but this time around, Hurley is bringing a much better team to Dayton. Last year's team relied too heavily on the three-point shot and didn't have enough easy offense to get past Syracuse in the First Four, losing 60-56. This year's team is bigger and more balanced. St John's Clark will be over-matched by Cheatham, White and Lawrence plus ASU's trio of guards is plenty good enough to 'hang' with St John's excellent perimeter quartet. Arizona State is making back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 1981 and Hurley "gets it right" this year against a St John's team that is just 2-5 over its last seven games, with all losses coming by double digits. A win will set up a Friday game against Buffalo, a school he led to a 42-20 record as its head coach from 2013-15, before taking the Sun Devils reins. See you Friday.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

The 44-27 Indiana Pacers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as they continue a four-game road trip against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on Tuesday. The Pacers enter off a 106-98 loss Monday night at Portland. A Miami Heat loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, or a Pacers victory, would have clinched a playoff berth for Indiana but neither happened. Losers of seven of their last 11, the Pacers visit the 41-30 Clippers, who are closing in on wrapping up a Western Conference playoff berth. The Clipps have won SEVEN of eight and are six games clear of the ninth-place Sacramento Kings with 11 left to play.

Indiana center Center Myles Turner (13.3 & 7.0) scored a season-best 28 points against Portland to fall three points shy of his career high but PF Thaddeus Young (12.5 & 6.5) was on the other end of the spectrum as he scored a season-low two points on 1-of-8 shooting. With Oladipo (18.8-5.6-5.2) out for the season, SF Bogdanovic 917.8 & 4.1), big man Sabonis (14.2 & 9.1, despite just FIVE starts), PG Collison (11.3 & 6.0 APG) and swingman Evans (9.8) are the main contributors, They have recently been joined by SG Mathews (12.5 PPG in 15 games), a late addition from the Mavs t

LA sixth-man man Lou Williams (20.4 & 5.2 APG) buried a three-pointer as time expired to provide the club with a 119-116 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Along SF Gallinari (19.4 & 6.1) and 6-8 PF Harrrell (16.4 & 6.7), the trio represents the core of LA's team since the NBA trade deadline when the Clippers made three separate moves to alter a roster that was fighting for playoff eligibility. When the Pacers earned a 116-92 home win Feb 7 over the Clippers, leading scorer Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott, Marcin Gortat, Milos Teodosic and Avery Bradley never made it to Indiana that night. Clippers players who had yet to arrive by then, but have since helped the team to an 11-4 record while solidifying L.A.'s playoff chances include, Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Jamychal Green, Garrett Temple and Ivica Zubac.

So LA takes the court 11-4 in its last 15, including wins in SEVEN of its last eight. In stark contrast, the Pacers enter having lost SIX consecutive road games (1-5 ATS). It may come as a surprise to many that the "left for dead" Clippers are just ONE game behind San Antonio (No. 5 seed) and 2 1/2 games back of the No. 4 seed. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* First Four Opoener is on Belmont at 9:10 ET.

Fran Dunphy is a Philadelphia sports icon, having coached Penn for 17 years and now 13 years at Temple. Dunphy announced prior to this season that 2018-19 would be his his final season as a college basketball coach and he's going in style, as Temple is back to the NCAA Tournament. The 23-9 Owls won six of their final seven games before falling to Wichita State 80-74 in the quarterfinals AAC Tournament and likely needed every one of those wins to sneak into the field of 68. The Owls will play Belmont in a First Four game for the 11-seed in the East Regional (winner will play 6-seed Maryland on Thursday). The 26-5 Belmont Bruins were the No. 1 seed in the OVC but were upset by Ja Morant and Murray State in the conference title game. However the Selection Committee gave them a reprieve with an at-large bid (one of seven for a Mid-Major). This marks Belmont's eighth NCAA Tournament but its first with an at-large bid (note: this is the first at-large bid for an OVC team in 32 years!).

The announcement of Belmont's at-large selection brought veteran coach Rick Byrd to tears. I'm emotional right now," he said to The Tennessean in Nashville Sunday. "I get that way about those I care about, and I feel that way about this team. We were hopeful but you never know. This is an unbelievable accomplishment for this team and this program. Belmont is led by 6-8 "big guard" Dylan Windler, who averages 21.4 PPG (shoots 43% from three) and an impressive 10.7 RPG. Fellow guard McClain adds 16.3 PPG plus PG Murphy (9.8-4.5-6.6) make up a terrific perimeter trio. Belmont enters the tourney as the second-highest scoring team in Division I behind Gonzaga at 87.4 PPG and its 49.9 percent from the floor ranks fourth-best. It's good news that the 6-11 Nick Muszynski (14.9 & 5.9), who missed the conference title game with an ankle injury, is expected to play.

Temple is led by American Athletic Conference scoring leader Shizz Alston (19.7 PPG), who also leads the AAC in free throw percentage (90.7), minutes per game (37.1) and ranks second in assists (5.0). The Owls also have an outstanding perimeter group, as Rose adds 16.5 PPG and Pierre-louis (13.3 & 5.7). At issue is the lack of much of  a frontcourt presence, as the 6-10 Aflokoi (5.9 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Moorman (5.8 & 4.1) are not major contributors.

Looking closer, Temple's Rose is just 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) from long distance over his last nine games and Pierre-Louis has failed to surpass his scoring average in any of his last four games. Noting the likely return of Belmont big man Muszynski, he has 65 blocks while Temple has only 72 as a team. Dunphy has been an NCAA regular (16 previous appearances with Penn and Temple), but he's won his first game just THREE times (he's NEVER won a second game / 3-16 overall). I will admit that Belmont is winless in seven previous Big Dance appearances but Belmont IS the better team here (87.4 PPG on 49.9% shooting) and I believe won't miss this "at-large" opportunity to finally get the school's first-ever NCAA win. Expect more tears from Rick Byrd and Maryland had better watch out come Thursday.

Good luck...Larry

My NIT 10* Game of the Week is on Memphis at 8:00 ET.

The San Diego Toreros finished seventh in the West Coast Conference and lost in the semifinals of the MWC tourney to eventual champion Saint Mary's. At 21-14, the Toreros didn't even bother to hold a team watch party on Sunday night to view the selection show, feeling chances were so slim at garnering the school's first-ever NIT invite. However, San Diego was the 32nd and final team announced to the NIT field (the 6-seed in the TCU bracket). Often, schools invited to the NIT experience a letdown, disappointed after failing to garner a spot in the NCAA Tournament. That is clearly NOT the case with San Diego.

However, San Diego opens its first-ever NIT game against a school that is also FAR from being disappointed to be playing in the NIT. 21-13 Memphis is headed to a postseason tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 season as the No. 3 seed in the TCU bracket. The Tigers' last trip to the NIT came in 2010 and Memphis won the tournament in 2002. Under first-year head coach Penny Hardaway, Memphis forced its way to the edge of the Big Dance bubble with a late-season run that ended with a three-point loss to Houston in the AAC semifinals last Saturday.

The Toreros are led by an impressive trio of seniors. The 6-7 Pineiro (19.1 & 9.5) will be the best player on the floor, supported by a pair of veteran guards in Carter (14.8) and Wright (13.8 & 4.7 APG). That said, Memphis counters with a superb pair of seniors, as well. PG Martin leads the team in scoring (19.6), assists (4.4) and steals (2.2) and was a first team All-AAC pick. Up front, it's 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.2 & 7.1). Hardaway loves to use multiple players, as while freshman guard Tyler Harris (10.6) also averages in double figures, SIX more Tigers chip in between 4.8 and 8.5 PPG.

I wish these teams weren't playing each other but that's the luck of the draw. Memphis was 15-12 SU at home during the regular season (lost to only Tennessee and Cincinnati), while averaging about 85.0 PPG. The Tigers got to play on their home floor (FedExForum), beating Tulane 83-68 and UCF 79-55, before barely losing 61-58 to Houston (31-3 and 11th-ranked in the final AP poll). Memphis will likely have to win on the road the rest of the way in this year's NIT but that's NOT the case here. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Pho Suns at 10:05 ET.

It's a battle of bottom-dwellers as the 19-52 Chicago Bulls visit the 17-54 Phoenix Suns. However, while the Bulls enter 1-7 over their last eight games (lone win was a 108-107 upset of the 76ers in Chicago). In Chicago's seven losses in that stretch, the Bulls are 1-6 ATS. As for the Suns, they are finishing an otherwise difficult season with some much-improved play of late (have won of six of their last 10 contests, after ending a franchise-worst, 17-game losing streak. )

The Bulls have lost FIVE straight, including the first two of their current three-game road trip. They allowed 73 second-half points and had just two starters hit double figures in Sunday's 129-102 loss at Sacramento, which dropped them to 2-12 on the road against Western Conference opponents. The Phoenix Suns appeared headed to double-overtime or perhaps losing on a last-second shot when the New Orleans Pelicans rolled the ball inbounds with 1.1 seconds remaining in overtime of a tied game Saturday. However, New Orleans' head coach Alvin Gentry inexplicably called a timeout his team didn't have. Instead, and Devin Booker made the go-ahead technical foul shot (Suns went on to post a 138-136 victory).

Chicago's starting-five combined to go 20-for-52 from the floor at Sacramento, while totaling 11 assists and 10 turnovers in Sunday's loss. As for Phoenix, Booker (25.5-4.1-6.8) is now a bonafide All-Star and the overall NBA's No. 1 pick (Auyton) is averaging a double-double on the season at 16.2 & 10.3. Then there is small forward Kelly Oubre Jr, who is taking advantage of his opportunity since being acquired from the Washington Wizards. He scored a career-best 32 points against New Orleans and is now averaging 16.8 & 4.9 in his 40 games with the Suns (he's averaging 20.2 PPG since the All-Star break).

The Suns have a heavy dose of home games to finish the season and will play SEVEN of their next nine at home, including five versus sub-.500 teams. That stretch begins tonight with tonight's matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Suns win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry