My 10* Daytime Dominator is on Tennessee at 1:30 ET.

Wisconsin and Tennessee meet Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Wisconsin entered the season having been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers had a solid returning core. However, Wisconsin enters this contest just 6-5.The Vols went 31 games last season (made it to teh Sweet 16) but lost FOUR starters off that team, including tw0-time SEC player of the year, Grant Williams. The Vols are 8-3, as they enter their final game in 2019, with the team's SEC schedule opening Jan 4 with a home game against LSU 

The 6-11 Reuvers (15.6 & 5.6) is not Happ but he's an excellent big man. He's joined up front by the 6-8 Ford (10.0 & 4.5) plus a quartet of guards round out what has been Wisconsin's six-man rotation. King (11.5 & 3.8), Trice (9.8-4.6-3.1), Davison (9.3 & 4.1) and Pitzl (6.9 & 4.0) are all seasoned players. I just noted Wisconsin's six-man rotation but it's now SEVEN, as the 6-11 Porter, an Ohio St transfer, just became eligible in mid-December. He came off the bench to score12 points with five rebounds in his first game (an 83-64 win over Milwaukee last Saturday) and will CLEARLY be a key contributor the rest of the way. 

Rick Barnes lost plenty from last year's team but was set to rebuild around veteran guards Turner and Bowden, a pair of promising freshman plus 6-9 junior Fulkerson. Tennessee lost back-to-back games to then No. 13 Memphis at home (Dec 14) and then at Cincinnati on Dec 18. An easy win over Jacksonville State (Dec 21) may have "felt good' but NOT for long. Senior point guard Lamonte Turner (12.3-3.5-7.1) announced after the game that he was going to have season-ending shoulder surgery, thus ending his career with the Vols. Turner had been battling shoulder problems for several years. “I cried when I came back in the locker room just knowing that was my last time stepping out there,” Turner said after the 75-53 win over the Gamecocks last Saturday. “I have cried plenty of times thinking about it and I have cried plenty of times through this injury.” 

Senior Jordan Bowden (13.5-4.1-2.4 assists) scored a game-high 19 points in the win over Jacksonville St, while 6-9 junior John Fulkerson added 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting (he's shooting 67.1% on the season, averaging 11.8 & 5.3). Junior swingman Yves Pons (11.7 & 5.5) tied Tennessee's single-game record with six blocks and has rejected at least one shot in 11 straight games. As for those freshman I mentioned earlier, Josiah-Jordan James is scoring 7.4 PPG and adds a team-high 6.3 rebounds, while the 6-8 Nkamhoua is averaging 4.9 & 4.5.

I realize that with the 6-11 Porter now eligible, Wisconsin will be a more formidable team moving forward but the Badgers have yet to win away from Madison. Wisconsin is 0-2 in true road games and 0-3 in neutral contests. Winning at Thompson-Bolling Arena is no easy task, as when the Vols lost at home to Memphis on Dec 14 (note: Tigers are now ranked 9th at 10-1), it ended a 31-game home winning streak for the Vols. The Vols play outstanding D, holding opponents to just 57.2 PPG on 38.1% shooting (23rd) and "at this price," I expect Tennessee to cap 2019 with a solid victory, before heading off to SEC play when the calendar turns to 2020.

Good luck...Larry

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

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 8:05 ET.
The Indiana Pacers are 21-10 as they await the return of Victor Oladipo (expected to return near the end of January). The Pacers head down to Miami having won SIX of the last seven, hoping for another victory against a high-quality opponent. The Pacers own recent wins over the 21-7 Boston Celtics and the24-7 LA Lakers. The Pacers also just bested the 21-10 Toronto Raptors (defending champs) 120-115 in overtime on Monday night, improving to 14-3 at home. The 22-8 Miami Heat have won three in a row after a 107-104 home win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, improving their home record to an NBA-best 13-1.The Heat welcome teh 76ers to Miami tomorrow night but don't expect any "looking past' Indiana, as the Pacers won all THREE meetings with the Heat last season (Pacers will take a four-game winning streak over the Heat into tonight's contest).

The Pacers beat the Raptors despite playing without star guard Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon spent his first three seasons with the Bucks, before he was acquired by Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer. He's been teh team-leader with Oladipo sidelined, averaging 18.3-4.5-7.6. However, he's been playing with taped-up fingers on his right hand after he dislocated his right pinkie and tore a ligament in the finger earlier this month. He's at best, questionable for this game. Head coach Nate McMillan has been playing his 'two bigs" together as of late and it has worked well. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (17.8 & 13.5) is having a terrific season and his 12 & 17 effort vs Toronto was his 25th double-double. The 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury but is chipping in 12.1 & 5.7. TJ Warren is doing what he did for the Suns, and that's to be a reliable scorer, averaging 17.7 PPG. SG Lamb (13.9 & 4.7) was back in the lineup Monday, after missing the previous two games (groin). Indiana has excellent depth with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 10.2 and Justin 7.4), McDermott (9.6) and McConnell (7.1 & 5.0 APG).

Miami's starting backcourt is made up of All Star Jimmy Butler (20.4-6.5-6.6) and undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn (16.2) . PG Dragic (16.0 & 5.0 APG) is averaging 16.5 points in two games since returning from a groin injury, which is great news for Miami. Rookie guard Herrro (14.0 & 4.1) and second-year SF Robinson (11.7) have provided excellent depth all season. Maybe the biggest surprise has been the play of the 6-9 Bam Adebayo (15.7 & 10.6), who chipped in 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks in the win over the Jazz. The 22-year-old is averaging 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and five assists in December (no one misses Whiteside). The Heat will miss Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) but they have gotten used to him being in and out of the lineup.

The Heat are well aware that the Sixers come to town Saturday night, looking to avenge a 108-104 loss to the Heat on Dec 18, which was Philly's first home loss of the season, However, as I also noted, the Heat have some revenge on their mind here (0-3 last season vs Indiana), which should keep them VERY focused. Indiana has done much better than most expected (without Oladipo) but note that the team's seven road wins have come at Brooklyn (twice), Orlando, Memphis, OKC, the NYK and Atlanta. NONE of those teams own winning records. Again, the Heat are 13-1 SU at home, going 11-3 ATS. Lay the very modest number.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

Detroit has been shuffling its lineups with Blake Griffin (knee), Christian Wood (knee), Derrick Rose (knee), Bruce Brown (calf) and Luke Kennard (knee) all missing time recently. The Pistons return from a two-day break (Christmas Eve and Day) on a five-game slide and an overall record of just 11-20. Visiting the Pistons are the 9-20 Washington Wizards, who are dealing with their own injury issues but managed to snap a three-game slide with a 121-115 triumph at the New York Knicks on Monday. The Wizards were without guards Isaiah Thomas (suspension) and Jordan McRae (finger), forwards Davis Bertans (quad), Rui Hachimura (groin) and Mortiz Wagner (ankle) plus center Thomas Bryant (foot) on Monday. The teams will be meeting for the THIRD time this season, with the Wizards winning both (more later).

Washington got a big boost off the bench from Troy Brown Jr. (9.2 & 5.3) on Monday, who scored a career-high 26 points while adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Guard Gary Payton II was signed out of the G League and played 34 minutes in his team debut, collected 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and six steals. With Wall out for the entire season, Beal was expected to have a HUGE season and he has, averaging 28.3-4.9-6.8. However, as noted above, the Wizards will be severely short-handed in this contest.  Rookie Hachimura (17.9 & 5.8) is the team's second-leading scorer, Bertans checks in at 15.4 & 4.9, Wagner at 11.1 & 6.8 and center Bryant (13.9 & 5.8). All  FOUR will miss tonight's game plus PG  Thomas (13.6 & 4.8 APG) will serve the last of a two-game suspension for confronting a fan in the stands at Philadelphia.

Despite losing for a FIFTH straight time, the Pistons got good news, as Griffin (15.8 & 4.4), Wood (9.0 & 4.7) and Rose (16.5 & 6.0 APG) all returned to the lineup on Monday after missing some time. Griffin struggled while going 2-of-14 from the floor while Wood was limited to four minutes off the bench. "Eleven and 20 is not good," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We need every hand on deck. I applaud Blake for going tonight. All the guys for going tonight. Christian Wood is not 100 percent. He went tonight. We need all hands on deck at 11 and 20. There’s no magic wand. It’s going to be grind it out, game by game, to get back in this." Center Andre Drummond led the way with 27 points on Monday after being relegated to a reserve role as punishment for missing shootaround. Drummond is having an outstanding season (18.0 & 16.1).

Sure, Detroit is missing some players but the Wizards lineup is really depleted.  Detroit's current five-game skid began with a 133-119 home loss to Washington on Dec. 16. However, in that contest, Hachimura, Bertans and Thomas combined for 47 points. Neither of those three will play here, nor will big men Bryant and Wagner (averaging a combined 25.0 PPG and 12.6 RPG). The Wizards also beat the Pistons back in Washington on  Nov 4, 115-99. "THIRD time is the charm" for Detroit.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Washington at 9:00 ET.

No. 21 Washington (10-2) will face 9-3 Houston in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Christmas evening. The Huskies reached the title game easily taking care of Ball St (85-64) Ball State and the host school (Hawaii), 72-61. Meanwhile, the Cougars advanced with wins over Portland and Georgia Tech by average of 18 points. Washington is looking for its NINTH victory in the last 10 games, while Houston is looking for its EIGHTH victory in the last nine contests.

Kelvin Sampson is in his sixth season with Houston. He has to bring in EIGHT new players in his first season and won just 13 games. However, four straight 20-plus win seasons have followed, including 33 wins last season, when the Cougars reached the Sweet 16. However, juts ONE starter returned from that squad. The  team's lone returning starter from last year is the 6-8 White (10.3 & 76.1) and  he recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds in Monday's win over Ga Tech, giving him his  first double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Quentin Grimes (started every game for Kansas last season) was given a waiver to be able to play this season for Houston and is averaging 15.3-4.2 on the season.  He's averaged  22 points in the first two games of this tourney, including a 26-point effort against Georgia Tech in which he tallied 23 in the first half (he has scored in double digits NINE times in 12 games). Hinton is a 6-5 sophomore guard who averages 12.8 PPG and a team-leading 9.3 RPG (he has collected nine or more rebounds in SIX straight games). Freshmen guards Caleb Mills (11.8) and Marcus Sasser (6.5), olus junior guard Jareau (8.8) round out the major contributors.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 29017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky. 6-9 freshman Isaiah Stewart recorded 26 points and 13 rebounds in Washington's 72-61 semifinal win over Hawaii on Monday for his fourth straight double-double and sixth of the season. He leads the team in both scoring (18.80 and rebounding (8.9), while fellow freshman, the 6-10 Jaden McDaniel chips in 14.7 & 5.8. He struggled to eight points on 2-of-8 shooting vs Hawaii but did collect a season-high 13 rebounds.  PG Quade Green (that Kentucky transfer) is averaging 17.2 points over the last five games to raise his average to 11.5 PPG, to go along with a team-high 5.3 APG. Swingman Carter, with more "PT" this season, is averaging 13.3 & 5.8.

The Cougars have lost at Oregon and in home games to BYU (72-71 at the buzzer) and to Oklahoma St. That Dec 15th home loss to OSU was 'ugly,' as the Cougars scored just 55 points at home, while shooting just 33.1%. However, Houston has rebounded to win THREE in a row by margins of 20, 25 and 11 points (3-0 ATS). As for Washington, its win over Hawaii was its first true road win but an impressive one, as the Huskies held the Rainbow Warriors (who entered on a seven-game home winning streak) to 28.4 percent from the floor, including 9-of-39 from three-point range.

Washington will open Pac-12 play on Jan 2, so ending 2019 with a tourney win over a school which won 33 games last season, would be a nice confidence-builder for a team with such young talent. The Pac-12 is loaded this season, with Oregon ranked 6th and Arizona 24th, while Stanford sits 11-1 plus Colorado and USC at 10-2. Washington's two big freshman give the Huskies a big advantage inside plus Green and Carter on the perimeter are more than a match for Houston's solid perimeter group. The Cougars allowed Oregon to shoot over 50% from the floor in losing to the Ducks, in a game the Cougars shot just 2 of 20 on threes. Deja vu?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the LA Lakers at 8:05 ET.

The Lakers and Clippers met on Opening Night (Oct 22) with the Clippers (sans George) getting the better of the Lakers, 112-102. These Staples Centers co-tenants meet again on Christmas & despite George being active since Nov 14, the Lakers have been the better team, so far (Lakers enter 24-6 & the Clippers 22-10). Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable but both are expected to start. The Clippers were without six-time All-Star Paul George on Opening night (he missed the first three weeks of the season while rehabilitating two offseason shoulder injuries) but he's back and has teamed with the Clippers' other blockbuster offseason acquisition, Kawhi Leonard, to post an 11-3 record when both are in the lineup. With "all hands on deck," this contest is one of the most anticipated games so far this season.

Paul George (24.2-5.8-3.7) is thrilled to be playing in front of his family on Christmas Day and understands all the hype surrounding the contest. "It is going to be crazy," George told ESPN. "Playing on Christmas is one of the biggest things but then the matchup that is going to be on that floor. Two top 10 players on each side, both teams with loaded benches. I think as a competitor, you want to play against the best. It will make for a great show." Leonard (25.5-7.8-5.1) is not cleared to play in back-to-back games this season because of lingering knee issues. He played on Saturday night in a one-sided win at the San Antonio Spurs but rested on Sunday when the Clippers lost at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Veteran guard Williams (19.5 & 6.1 APG) and PF Harrell (19.0 7 7.50 give the Clippers the best "one-two" bench duo in the NBA. The Clippers were also without starting PG Patrick Beverley against the Thunder (sore right groin), with Williams moving into a starting role for the fifth time in 105 games over the past two seasons (he had 22 points and seven assists).

LBJ missed his first game of the season on Sunday due to the injury (he's dealing with a thoracic muscle strain in his back) while Davis has an injured right knee. Davis (27.9 & 9.4) James (25.8-7.5-10.6) both participated in a walk-through on Tuesday. The duo has carried the Lakers all season but Kuzma (11.3) is as healthy as he's been all season and will see increased playing time after scoring 16 points in 21 minutes against Denver on Sunday. Guards Bradley and Rondo have been in and out of the lineup all season but both Caldwell-Pope (8.9) and Green (8.5) have each played all 30 games. With Davis and LBJ garnering all the headlines, the Lakers' two-headed center combo of McGee and Howard, has contributed 14.0 PPG and 13.0 RPG.

As noted above, this contest is one of the most anticipated games of the season to-date and with the Lakers coming off THREE straight losses (had gone 24-2 since their Opening night loss to the Clippers),  this is a HUGE one for the team which has DOMINATED the LA basketball scene 'forever.' I'm "all over" the Lakers.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the Phi 76ers at 2:35 ET.

My 10* play is on the Phi 76ers at 2:35 ET.
The Philadelphia 76ers will host a rare Christmas Day game when they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday afternoon. It will be the first home game on Christmas since 1988 for the Sixers and it's a possible preview of the East Finals. The 27-4 Bucks own the best record in the NBA and have won 21 of their last 22 games, including a 117-89 demolition of the Indiana Pacers this past Sunday. Philly opened 14-0 at home this season but then lost back-to-back home contests to Miami (on Dec 18) and to Dallas  on Dec 20). However, the 76ers have bounced back by scoring 125 points in each of their last two outings, winning by 17 points at home to Washington and then by 16 point at Detroit. Philadelphia is 22-10 (15-2 at home) on the season and while that leaves them with just the East's fifth-best record, the three team ahead of them (excluding Milwaukee), are all within a game of each other in the standings.

Antetokounmpo (31.0-12.9-5.6) is having another MVP-caliber season but Milwaukee will be without Bledsoe (15.0-4.9-5.7), who is expected to miss a few weeks with a leg injury (he's already missed five games). However, the Bucks have plenty of depth. Middleton (18.0 & 5.4) is a solid second-scoring option to Giannis, plus guards Hill (10.3), Mathews (8.3), DiVencenzo (8.5 & 4.5 APG) and Korver (6.2) will see more time with Bledose out. Starting center Brook Lopez (10.0 & 5.1) is backed up by his brother Robin (5.2) plus PF Ilyasova (7.7 & 4.8) is a steady producer off the bench.the bucks lead the NBA in scoring (120.6 PPG) and rank second in FG percentage (48.2%). Milwaukee is also 1st in defensive FG percentage (41.4%) and 9th in points allowed (107.1 per).

The 76ers pulled out of a funk that saw them drop three in a row by cruising to easy wins over Washington and Detroit in the last two contests. The three-game slide featured teams playing zone defense and relying on the 76ers to miss shots. PG Ben Simmons (14.4-7.0-8.2) drove the lane in Monday's rout of the Pistons, finishing with 16 points, a career-high 17 assists and 13 rebounds (his 24th career triple-double). "Just trying to be a force downhill," Simmons explained to reporters. "Trying to find open guys when they're open." All starters are healthy for Philly, with Richardson (14.6)  back in the lineup after missing eight games. Philly's frontcourt is one the league's best, with center Embiid (23.0 & 12.6) joined by forwards Harris (19.7 & 6.7) and Horford (13.1 & 6.7. Korkmaz (8.20 and Ennis (6.9 & 3.50 add depth on the perimeter and the 6-10 Scott (6.4 & 3.3), does so up front.Philly is shooting 47.6% from the floor (3rd) but averaging a more modest 109.8 PPG (17th). On the defensive end, while the Sixers are a just 14th in FG percentage against (45.6%), they are holding opponents to 104.9 PPG, which ranks 3rd-best.

The Bucks are not having any problem knocking off the other top teams in the Eastern Conference, as Milwaukee hasn't lost to an Eastern Conference foe since falling at Boston on Oct 30. However, teams just can't "win them all," and this Christmas Day game in Philly makes for one tough spot. Philadelphia has not been favored by less than five points in ANY of its previous 17 home games but will be a home dog in this one. "Statement game" for the Sixers here and my bet is that they are "up to the challenge."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Tourney Takedown is on Hawaii at 11:00 ET.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 29017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited  a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky (more in a bit). Washington is currently ranked 22nd in the AP and won its first round game in the Diamond Head Classic, 85-64 over Ball St, to up its record to 9-2. The Huskies will face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors tonight in the second round, who upped their record to 8-3 with a late-night win over UTEP, 67-63. Hawaii head coach Eran Ganot is in his 5th season at Honolulu and he believes this is the best team he's had. "Bigger, faster and stronger," is the way he described this year's squad.

Washington's two freshman forwards, the 6-9 Stewart (18.1 & 8.5) and the 6-10 McDaniels (15.7 & 5.1), have lived up to expectations. McDaniels scored a career-high 22 points in Sunday's win and Stewart added 19 points and 10 rebounds. PG Green, a transfer from Kentucky, matched his career high with 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting with a game-high six assists (he's averaging 11.5 PPG and 5.1 APG on the season). Swingman Carter, with more "PT" this season, is averaging 13.5 & 5.8.

Hawaii cannot match Washington's overall talent but the Rainbow Warriors are a 'tough out,' here at home (tourney is played at the Stan Sheriff Center, Hawaii's home court). Senior guard Eddie Stansberry (18.5 & 3.9) is joined on the perimeter by Avea (11.5 & 4.5) and PG Buggs (10.7-3.9-5.6), while the 6-9 Raimo (9.3 -7.0-4.4) and the 7-0 Carper (6.9 & 3.9) start up front. UTEP led Hawaii by as many as nine points after the break and had a 51-43 lead midway through the second half. However, a 7-0 spurt over a 64-second span cut Hawaii's deficit to a point with nearly nine minutes to play. Buggs' layup with 39 seconds left capped a 10-2 run and gave the Rainbow Warriors a 64-60 lead. Leading scorer Eddie Stansberry was limited to seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in 38 minutes but 6-9 freshman Bernardo da Silva (4.8 & 3.0) scored a season-high 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Avea added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Buggs scored five points in the final 39 seconds.

Hawaii was out-classed by then-No. 13 Oregon on Dec 7, 89-64. However, that was in Eugene. Here, Hawaii is playing on its home court, where the Rainbow Warriors have won SEVEN in a row. Just how good is Washington? I'm NOT sure we know, just yet. This will be the Huskies' first true road game of the season. Washington opened the season with a neutral site game against Baylor (Nov 8) and while the Huskies won 63-58, Baylor failed to make a field goal over the final five minutes, allowing Washington to erase a 63-53 deficit. Clutch play by Washington, or 'choke job" by Baylor? About a week later, Washington/Tennessee was the middle feature in the James Naismith Hall of Fame Classic, an NCAA triple header at Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto. The Huskies didn't fare so well north of the border, falling behind by as many as 14 against the Volunteers, before losing 75-62. Washington's lone win away from home this season came yesterday, against a mediocre Ball St team. I'm willing to 'bite' on the home dog in this spot. Visiting 'paradise' often offers more than a few distractions.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Toronto Raptors fell behind the Dallas Mavericks 83-53 with just under three minutes remaining in Sunday's home game but stormed back for a 110-107 triumph. The 30-point comeback was the largest in franchise history and the the first of that magnitude in the NBA in more than 10 years. Forward Chris Boucher  (just 5.7 & 4.1 on the season) scored a career-high 21 points in the win, while PG Kyle Lowry scored 20 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, as Toronto outscored Dallas by a whopping 47-21 margin! While the Raptors stormed back in the 4th quarter vs Dallas, the Pacers pretty much "packed it in" during the 4th quarter of their Sunday loss to the Bucks. Indiana saw ts five-game winning streak come to an end in a big way, as the Pacers lost 117-89  at Milwaukee, getting outscored 34-16 in the final period.

Siakam (25.1 & 8.0), Powell (14.4)and Gasol (6.6 & 6.6) are all out indefinitely for the Raptors and that's why Boucher played enough to score 21 points. Lowry will need to carry the load until those players get back on the court, with help from VanVleet (17.6-4.0-6.8), Ibaka (13.2 & 7.4) and Anunoby (11.4 & 5.8).  Lowry's big Sunday included a 12-for-23 effort from the floor along with 10 assists, eight rebounds and one turnover in 42 minutes. "He was doing it all," head coach Nick Nurse told the media. "I'm not sure I've seen anything like it." Methinks Nick Nurse is "overstating, more than just a little." The Raptors 'got away with murder' on Sunday, as all Raptors other than Lowry shot a combined 35.2 percent.

Malcolm Brogdon was drafted by Milwaukee and spent his first three seasons with the Bucks, before he was acquired by Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer. He was welcomed back with cheers and a tribute video last night but  finished with 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting and 10 assists, as the Pacers were routed, 117-89. Brogdon is playing with taped-up fingers on his right hand after he dislocated his right pinkie and tore a ligament in the finger earlier this month. However, he continues to be the team-leader, averaging 18.3-4.5-7.6. Head coach Nate McMillan has been playing his 'two bigs" together as of late and while last night was a 'nightmare,' it has worked well, overall. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (18.0 & 13.4) is having a terrific season and his 19 & 18 effort last night was his 24th double-double (tied for second-most in the NBA). The 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury but is chipping in 11.5 & 5.6. TJ Warren is doing what he did for the Suns, and that's to be a reliable scorer, averaging 17.5 PPG.

One wonders how the 21-8 Raptors will react off Sunday's historic comeback win. The Pacers are 13-3 SU at home and have some "splainin' to due" after last night's 'give up' in Milwaukee. Lamb (14.0 & 4.7) has missed the last two games (groin) and is day-to-day but Indiana has excellent depth with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 9.9 and Justin 7.6), McDermott (9.7) and McConnell (7.0 & 5.0 APG). The home team won all three meetings a year ago between these teams and I don't see how the injury-depleted Raptors 'hang' with the Pacers in this one. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Hawaii at 11:55 ET.

The UTEP Miners travel to 'paradise' (or Hawaii if you prefer), to take on the 7-3 Rainbow Warriors late Sunday night. UTEP has struggled this season to score, averaging a modest 69.7 PPG (234th) on 44.3% shooting, including  31.4% from beyond the arc. 6-8 senior forward Bryson Williams (19.6 & 7.0) is easily the team's best player, as the only other UTEP player averaging double-digits is junior guard Souley Boum (11.7 PPG). Hawaii is not exactly 'lighting up' the scoreboard, averaging 72.8 PPG but the team is shooting 45.8% from the floor, including 38.2% from beyond the arc (ranks 33rd). Senior guard Eddie Stansberry (19.7 & 3.7) is joined on the perimeter by Avea (11.1 & 4.1) and PG Buggs (10.9-4.0-5.4), while the 6-9 Raimo (9.3 & 7.2) and the 7-0 Carper (7.4 & 4.1) give Hawaii some inside 'muscle,'

UTEP recently won The Sun Bolw Classic on its home floor but then got blown out on the road by Houston on Thursday, 77-57. Hawaii has been off since last Sunday, when the Rainbow Warriors routed Samford, 94-73. Rodney Terry is in his second year as UTEP's head coach (spent seven modest years at Fresno St) and at 8-2, he's already matched his win total from his 'rookie season' at UTEP, as the Miners were just 8-21. However, here's the catch. The Miners have not won a road game in their last 15 chances (dating back to last season) and Hawaii checks in at 7-1 at the Stan Sheriff Center. What's NOT to like about Hawaii at this price?

Good luck...Larry

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

The 19-9 Dallas Mavericks visit the 20-8 Toronto Raptors on Sunday with each team missing its star player. Luka Doncic (29.3-8.3-9.6) is still sidelined with a sprained ankle but the Mavs have  already knocked off two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Doncic sidelined. Dallas has sandwiching wins at Milwaukee and Philadelphia around a home loss to Boston. The Raptors stretched their latest winning streak to four in a row on Friday, despite the absence of the 6-9 Siakam, who has blossomed into a start this season, averaging 25.1 & 8.0.

Doncic leads Dallas in scoring, rebounding and assists but the team had SIX players step up to score in double figures in Friday's win at Philly. "This has been a good thing for us, just from the standpoint of having other guys put in the situation to have to step up," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "It's forced us as coaches to make certain adjustments that we have to make. You never want to be without a guy like Luka Doncic. He's a great all-around player, and we need him back as soon as possible. But as long as he's out, we have a plan and the guys are executing well." Kristaps Porzingis (17.6 & 9.5) and  Tim Hardaway Jr. (13.5) have been in double digits all season, while Seth Curry (10.2) has just 'snuck in.' Porzingis collected 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds at Philadelphia while Hardaway scored 27.

Siakiam is out with a groin injury and Serge Ibaka (13.6 & 7.6) started in his place, scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 122-118 Friday home win over Washington. All-Star PG Kyle Lowry (19.5-4.9-7.4) recorded 26 points and nine assists in the win. With Siakam, Gasol (6.6 & 6.6)  and Powell (14.4) all out indefinitely, Lowry needs to carry the load along with Ibaka, OG Anunoby (11.6 & 5.7) and Fred VanVleet (18.0-4.0-7.1).

The Mavericks are an impressive 11-2 on the road, including SEVEN straight wins, but the Raptors are 9-3 SU at home and won't need to win by much of a margin to cover, here. Dallas earned a 110-102 home win over Toronto on Nov 16 behind 26 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists from Doncic. However, the Mavs caught the Raptors on the FINAL stop of a five-game, nine-day road trip in that one plus neither Lowry nor Ibaka played in that contest. There are key injuries to both teams but I'm backing the defending champs in this revenge spot.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on USC at 9:00 ET.

9-2 USC is hoping to add to its potential NCAA Tournament resume when it takes on 7-3 LSU at Staples Center on Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The Trojans have won three in a row heading into the contest, including an impressive road win at TCU. Most (some?) likely remember that LSU head coach Will Wade was suspended by LSU last March due to allegations over illegal recruiting charges. He's back but gone from last year's team are PG Waters (15.3 & 5.8 APG) plus frontcourt players the 6-9 Reid (13.6 & 7.2) and the 6-11 Bigby-Williams (7.9 & 6.7). Andy Enfield came to USC with unlimited fanfare. He led Florida Gold Coast to 26 wins and a Sweet 16 appearance back in the 2012-13 season and used that as a springboard to come to LA. He also brought along stock in a company he helped manage to more than $100 million in net worth plus a beautiful former model of a wife (the perfect fit for California). However, he's had three winning and three losing seasons at USC. Last year's team was just 16-17.

Key players returning for LSU this year are PG Javonte Smart (in the center of LY's recruiting scandal) and Skylar Mays. Mays leads the team in scoring (15.7) and Smart leads in assists (5.2), while adding 10.6 PPG. A pair of 6-6 forwards are back, with Williams chipping in 15.5 & 8.2 and Days 13.2 & 7.9. Prized freshman, the 6-9 Trendon Watford, adds 12.5 & 5.5. Junior guard Manning (8.3) rounds out LSU's main contributors.

Leading the way for the Tojans is 6-9 freshman Onyeka Okongwu. He was a back-to-back winner of California's Mr. Basketball award and is one of the nation's best 'rookies,' leading USC in scoring (18.4) and rebounding (9.0). Another freshman, the 6-9 Mobley, is also making solid contributions, averaging 9.3 & 6.6, Veteran leadership is provided by two seniors, the 6-11 Nick Rakocevic and guard Jonah Mathews. Rakocevic (11.8 & 8.2) and Mathews (12.4) became the 41st and 42nd players in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark earlier this season.

LSU was upset by Southern Conference favorite East Tennessee State 74-63 on Wednesday and maybe the team was 'rusty' after a 10-day break for final exams. However, the Tigers struggled inside in the loss to East Tennessee State, which finished with a 40-29 rebound edge, including 19-7 on the offensive boards, and scored 40 points in the paint. That HARDLY bodes well against USC's two big freshman ( Okongwu and Mobley) and senior Rakocevic. "Two of our Achilles' heels this year popped themselves back up," Wade said. "We turned it over 15 times (note:  LSU is averaging 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them in a tie with La Salle for 276th nationally) and getting smashed on the glass like that."

The Trojans have had some solid non-conference wins over Harvard on a neutral court and at Nevada, but a neutral-court victory over the defending regular-season SEC champion Tigers could carry a lot of weight come March. "SEC school, that will be a top-tier win for us," senior guard Mathews told the Orange County Register. "Beating them would help our resume down in March." I agree and will take USC in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Game of the Month is on Dayton at 6:30 ET.

Anthony Grant had success at both VCU and Alabama, before taking Dayton job for the 2017-18 season (he had a successful four-year playing career as a Flyer). His current team is off to  a9-1 start, with its lone loss coming to current No. 1 Kansas, 90-84 (OT) back on Nov 27th in the Maui Invitational championship game. The Flyers are currently 13th in the AP poll and will take on 9-2 Colorado on Saturday, in the Chicago Legends showcase at the United Center. Tad Boyle took the Colorado job in 2010-11 and won 20-plus games in FIVE of his first six seasons (three NCAA appearances). However, mediocre 19-15 and 17-15 seasons followed, before Colorado went 23-13 last year. The Buffs didn't make the Big Dance last season but all FIVE starters returned and big things were expected.

The Buffs opened 7-0 but like Dayton, fell to Kansas back on Dec 7, 72-58 in Lawrence. A 79-76 home loss to Northern Iowa followed (Buffs were favored by 9 1/2 points), before Colorado won 56-48 at Colorado State and 83-64 at home to Prairie View A&M. Colorado features a trio of double-digit scorers. The 6-7 Tyler Bey (12.6 & 10.1) is a terrific player and is joined in double figures by PG Wright (11.3-5.1-3.9) and the 6-7 Schwartz (10.4). Some inside 'muscle' comes from the 6-8 Bailey (9.7& 6.2) and the 6-7 Siewert (7.7& 4.9), who comes off the bench. The Buffs are an excellent defensive team, allowing just 59.7 PPG (23rd).

Dayton plays decent defense as well, allowing opponents to score 66 .4 PPG (127th). That's "plenty good enough" when a team owns an offense shooting a nation-best 53.7 percent from the floor, translating into 84.8 PPG (6th). 6-9 sophomore Obi Tuppin (20.1 & 8.1) is having an outstanding season and he's joined by FOUR more double digit scorers. The 6-7 Mikesell (10.9 & 3.9) joins Toppin up front plus the Flyers have an excellent perimeter group. Junior guards Crutcher (12.5 & 5.5 APG) and Chatwood (8.5 & 4.0 APG) get help in the backcourt from two transfers, Landers (10.2 & 5.4) from Chattanooga and Watson (10.1) from Michigan.

The Buffaloes have struggled with their offensive flow for most of the season and are still averaging 15.5 turnovers per contest The Buffs are scoring just 68.7 PPG (257th), which is about 20 points less than Dayton, while Colorado's FG percentage of 41.2 (290th) is dwarfed by Dayton's 53.7 percent. If that's not all, the Flyers have a HUGE revenge motive here, as Colorado got the better of Dayton last March, when the schools met in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament in Boulder. The Buffaloes’ earned a hard-fought 78-73 victory in that one but there will be no home cookin' in this one. Flyers win "with room to spare!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Top-10 Showdown is on Kentucky at 5:15 ET.

No. 5 Ohio State (10-1)  and No. 6 Kentucky (8-2) square off Saturday in a CBS Sports Classic game in Las Vegas, as each school looks to solidify its spot in the AP top-10. Both have been upset within the past week, as Ohio State lost 84-71 last Sunday at Minnesota and Kentucky lost 69-66 just this past Wednesday to Utah, right here in Las Vegas. Ohio State bounced back from the loss at Minnesota to handle Southeast Missouri State 80-48 on Tuesday but this is Kentucky's first game since that loss a few days ago, one in which the Wildcats went an abysmal 2-of-17 on threes.

Calipari has become the master of the "One-and-Done era" but this year's Kentucky team has a few more veteran players. Freshman guard Maxey (12.9-3.9-3.1) and fellow freshman, the 6-7 Brooks (7.1 & 4.0), are important cogs but sophomore PG Hagans (13.9-4.1-7.1) leads the team in scoring and assists. Sophomore guard Quickley (11.3) and 6-11 junior Richards (12.9 & 7.6) round out the double digit scorers. The 6-10 Montgomery (9.6 & 6.0) is a sophomore and the 6-9 Sestina (6.3 & 6.3) is a graduate transfer from Bucknell (he averaged 15.8 points and a Patriot League-best 8.5 rebounds a season ago).

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and three NCAA bids later, got the job in Columbus. His first season was a 25-win one but last year, while the Buckeyes did get an NCAA bid, they lost in the first round to finish just 20-15. The centerpiece of Ohio St's team this season is 6-9 junior center Kaleb Wesson, a preseason All-Big Ten pick, who leads the team in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (9.1). Holtmann's team has great depth, as EIGHT players are averaging between 7.5 and 14.3 PPG. Two guards join Wesson in double digits, sophomore  Duane Washington (11.4) and  5-star freshman recruit PJ Carton(10.7). Washington has missed the last two games with a rib injury and his absence was noticeable in the loss at Minnesota.

Washington is listed as questionable and Ohio St will be "in trouble" if he doesn't play. Either way, I'm "all over' Kentucky, which seems to be in the "perfect situation" for a bounce-back game after that awful outing vs Utah, right here in Las Vegas (no travel plans needed for this one!). Ohio State has had a great start to the season but the Buckeyes are shooting 41.6% on threes on the season (5th-best) and I just don't see that kind of accuracy continuing. Note that Kentucky hasn't lost TWO games in a row since Feb 10-14, 2018 at Texas A&M and Auburn. ANY points we get are a bonus.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Oklahoma St at 5:30 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a  roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. This year's version of the Golden Gophers is just 5-5 but Minnesota looks to build on its first win over a Top-5 team since 2013, when it faces Oklahoma St as part of the BOK Center Basketball Showdown in Tulsa on Saturday. The Golden Gophers bounced back from a 72-52 setback to Iowa in their Big Ten Conference opener in a big way, as they handed the Buckeyes their first loss of the season, 84-71 last Sunday.

Oklahoma State ended a mini two-game skid with a 61-55 road win against Houston (also last Sunday), improving to 8-2 for the second time in three seasons under head coach Mike Boynton. The Cowboys held the Cougars to 31.1 percent shooting from the floor en route to their FOURTH consecutive win away from Stillwater, which is their longest streak since 2017. Oklahoma St, after winning 20 and 21 games in Boynton's first two seasons, was just 12-20 last year. However, all FIVE starters are back this season.

Pitino will sure misses guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The 6-10 Oturu (17.6 & 11.2) is off to a strong start and is ranked eighth nationally in blocks per game (3.4). He has posted three double-doubles in his last four outings and is joined up front by the 6-9 Demir (7.7 & 4.0), a graduate transfer from Drexel. Minnesota owns an excellent backcourt trio, led by PG Carr (15.2-5.4-6.7), joined by Kalscheur (11.2) and Willis (11.0). Carr poured in a career-high 35 points to go along with a team-leading seven assists and a pair of steals in the win over Ohio State.

The 6-10 Yor Anei (12.1 & 6.3) had 18 points, eight rebounds and one blocked shot in the win against Houston, stretching his streak of games with at least one block to 27. The 6-7 Cameron McGriff (10.5 & 6.7) added 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Cougars to register the seventh double-double of his career, while guard Lindy Waters (13.4 & 4.9)  scored 11 points to move within 41 of reaching 1,000.  Guard Thomas Dziagwa (9.2) finished with 11 points. The previous three seniors were named tri-captains at the start of the season. Of issue is 6-4 sophomore guard Isaac Likekele (13.7-5.3-5.0), who missed his third straight game with an illness and his status for Saturday is unknown.

Still, I'm backing the Cowboys, who will playing near home in Tulsa. Expect a let down from Minnesota off its upset of Ohio St and it should NOT go unnoticed that Minnesota is 0-4 away from Minneapolis this season (0-3 road / 0-1 neutral). In contrast Oklahoma St is 4-0 away from Stillwater (2-0 road / 2-0 neutral) and with or without Likekele, should get revenge from an 83-76 setback to the Golden Gophers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis last season.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Dec Game of the Month is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

The Orlando Magic ended a six-year playoff drought last season, finishing 42-40. They returned the core of that team intact and entered the season healthy but the Magic are just 12-16 as they wrap up a four-game road trip tonight in Portland. Speaking of under performing, the Portland Trail Blazers opened the season with high expectations after making the 2018-19 Western Conference finals but welcome the Magic to Moda Center with 12-16 record as well, which is HUGELY disappointing! Orlando has dropped FIVE of its last six games, after losing second-half leads against the Utah Jazz (Tuesday) and Denver Nuggets (Wednesday). As for Portland, the Blazers opened the season at 5-12 but have won SEVEN of 11 since, following a 122-112 victory over Golden State on Wednesday that evened their home-court record at 6-6 (Blazers were 32-9 at home last season).

Orlando had hoped to build on last season's playoff appearance but things have not gone smoothly . Case in point was Wednesday's game in Denver, where the Magic led by 15 at the half, only to lose 113-104! Shooting guard Evan Fournier leads the team in scoring (19.8) but his 13 points on Wednesday was his lowest total in 17 games. All-Star center Nikola Vucevic (17.1 & 11.1) is back from an ankle injury that cost him 11 games, but he's just 11 of 31 (35.5%) from the floor in the team's losses at Utah and Denver. Aaron Gordon averages 13.3 & 6.9 on the season but is just 10-of-36 (27.8%) from the floor the past three contests. The third member of Orlando's starting frontcourt is Jonathan Isaac (12.4 & 7.1 plus a team-high 2.6 blocks). He was limited to 17 minutes Wednesday by hamstring and lower-back tightness, and he's questionable for the finale of this four-game trip.

The Blazers are in the middle of a stretch in which they play SIX of seven at home. Portland has won three of its last four, after Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, the opener opener of a four-game homestand. PG Damian Lillard had 31 points and a matched a season best with 13 assists, while backcourt partner CJ McCollum scored 30 points. Lillard (26.5-4.3-7.6) and McCollum (22.0-4.5-3.7) once again lead the way for the Blazers but center Hassan Whiteside (15.9 & 12.9) was a beast in the interior with a season-high 23 rebounds to go with 16 points against Golden St. "He accepts the challenge all the time, and I think that's why we've been able to start coming along as a team, because of him being able to protect the paint and cover up so many of our mistakes," Lillard said in a post-game television interview about Whiteside.

Orlando is in a tough spot here, playing its FOURTH game in six days and facing a Portland team that finally seems to be "getting its act together." Lillard and McCollum are "always' there" but Whiteside now boasts double-doubles in 12 consecutive games and is averaging 18.4 points and 14 rebounds in eight December contests. There is also this and it's something I'd NEVER thought I would say, "Carmelo Anthony is actually playing for the good of the team!" I laughed when the Blazers signed him but he's averaging 16.8 & 6.2 in about 32 minutes, plus is making 46% of his threes over the last five games! The Blazers have won EIGHT of the last 10 matchups with the Magic in Portland and this line seems awfully 'cheap.' I checked the NBA power ratings at the start of the season and the Blazers would have been favored by EIGHT points over the Magic in Portland if this was the first game of the 2019-20 season. Here, it's HALF of that and as noted above, the Blazers have begun playing like the team most (all?) thought that they would be. Lay that 'cheap' number!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Best vs Best is on the Mill Bucks at 8:05 ET.

The LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks share the best record in the NBA (both are 24-4) and will meet tonight at Fiserv Forum. Ironically, both clubs lost their most recent game heading into this showdown, as the Bucks saw their 18-game winning streak snapped with a 120-116 loss at home to the Mavericks on Monday, while the Lakers had their 14-game road winning streak snapped on Tuesday when they fell 105-102 at the Indiana Pacers. Milwaukee lost to Dallas despite the Mavericks playing without star Luka Doncic AND Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 48 points for the Bucks. As for the Lakers, A.D. (27.4 & 9.3) missed the game with the Pacers due to mild ankle sprain.

Davis injured his right ankle during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Hawks and LA hopes not playing against the Pacers will allow him to be on the floor against Milwaukee (to be determined). LBJ (25.9-7.4-10.6) dominate LA's "stat sheet," as Kuzma (11.1) is the only other Laker in double figures and he will likely miss his fifth straight game with an ankle issue. Backup center Dwight Howard enjoyed his best game of the season in the loss at Indiana, scoring 20 points (on 10-of-10 shooting) with six rebounds and two blocked shots in 26 minutes of action. He's averaging 7.0 & 7.0 on the season and paired with starting center McGee (7.3 & 6.2), has given the Lakers a better than average center presence. LA owns the best shooting percentage in the league (48.5) and on defense, is allowing just 103.9 PPG (2nd) on 43.6% shooting (6th).

Milwaukee is right behind LA with a shooting percentage of 48.4 (2nd) and more importantly, is scoring a league-high 121.0 PPG, EIGHT more that LA. Antetokounmpo (31.7-12.8-5.3) is having another MVP-caliber season but Milwaukee will be without Bledsoe (15.0-4.9-5.7), who is expected to miss about two weeks with a leg injury (NOT good news). However, the Bucks have plenty of depth. Middleton (18.1 & 5.4) is a solid second-scoring option to Giannis, plus guards Mathews (7.7), Divencenzo (8.6 & 4.3 APG) and Korver (5.9) will see more time with Bledose out. Starting center Brook Lopez (9.6) is backed up by his brother Robin (5.2) plus PF Ilyasova (8.0 & 4.9) is a steady producer off the bench.

We likely won't know about Davis until game-time but either way, I'm backing the Bucks. Milwaukee went 5 1/2 weeks without losing but in the loss to Dallas, the team lost because it all Antetokounmpo. He was 18-of-31 with 48 points, while the other four starters chipped in just 23 points on 9-of-34 shooting (26.5%). Remember, Milwaukee is shooting 48.4% as a team on the season and a bounce-back sure seems likely. The Bucks have defeated the Lakers a franchise-record five straight times and my bet is that they make it SIX straight tonight, "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Loyola-Chicago at 6:30 ET.

"The Bryce Drew era" didn't last long at Vandy, as the former Valpo star player and head coach was let go after three seasons. He led Vandy to an NCAA appearance in his first season (winning a modest 19 games) but the 'Dores won just 12 games in his second season in Nashville (6-12 in the SEC), before going 9-23 last season, while becoming the first SEC school to winless in league play since 1953-54, when Vandy went 0-18 in SEC games. First-time head coach Jerry Stackhouse is now in charge and he'll lead 6-3 Vandy against Loyola-Chicago as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase in Phoenix at 6:30 ET, tonight. Few will forget Loyola-Chicago's great run to the Final 4 in 2018. Following that 32-win season, last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone are Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, three starters are back and the Ramblers have opened 7-3.

Vanderbilt is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing loss, as the Commodores went ice cold in the second half of their 61-56 home loss to Liberty on Saturday (note: Liberty is 12-0!). "They're learning and that's all we can ask for," Jerry Stackhouse told reporters. "Every game there is different scenarios that comes up that we can talk about and learn from to help these guys down the road." Vanderbilt was held to 35.3 percent shooting from the floor en route to finishing with a season-low points total against Liberty. The 6-6 Nesmith averaged 11.0 & 5.1 last season but has doubled his scoring output this season, leading the 'Dores with 22.3 PPG (adds 4.9 RPG). PG Lee (17.2-4.2-5.7) gives Vandy an excellent backcourt duo but the remaining roster is anything but.

The Ramblers' returning players are contributing as expected, led by 6-9 center Krutwig, who leads in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (7.5). Guard Williamson is averaging 11.4 & 4.1 plus the 6-7 Uguak adds 5.6 & 3.6 up front with Krutwig. New this year and making solid contributions are 6-6 swingman Hall (14.4 & 4.6), a JC transfer, plus freshman guard Kennedy (8.4). More good news for Loyola is that Keith Clemons, who averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship, just became eligible. He's averaging 9.3 PPG in helping the Ramblers win three in a row.

The Commodores scored at least 90 points in four of its first eight games, but have been limited to an average of 57 points in their last two losses. They'll face a Loyola team which allows a modest 62.8 PPG. Also note that Loyola is connecting on 51.6% from the floor, ranking 6th-best in the nation. The Ramblers haven't been a afraid when "stepping up in class," as they've won FOUR of their last five games against SEC opponents. This SEC opponent is coming off an 0-18 SEC record last season and will be looking for its first victory on a neutral court since Nov. 25, 2016. NOT!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Creighton at 8:30 ET.

Lon Kruger led Kansas St to four NCAA tourneys in his four seasons in Manhattan and then led Florida to a Final 4 berth (1994) in his six years in Gainesville. Next was three NCAA berths at Illinois in a four-year stint and then four NCAA trips by UNLV in his seven years at Las Vegas. He's been at Oklahoma since the 2011-12 season and has led the Sooners to seven NCAA berths, including a Final 4 trip in 2016. This year's team is off to a 7-2 start, losing 73-54 to Stanford in a tourney at Kansas City and this past Saturday 80-75 at Wichita St.  Oklahoma is 2-2 on its five-game road trip and hopes to head bacjk ro Norman on a winning note Tuesday, when the Sooners conclude their trip against Creighton. The Bluejays are coming off their most lopsided victory of the season on Friday, as they took down Texas Rio Grande Valley 89-58. Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. The Bluejays welcome the Sooners to Omaha at 8-2 on the season.

Oklahoma returned an excellent trio from last year's NCAA team but little else. Guard Reaves (17.1 & 5.6) is the team's leading scorer this season, joined by returning frontcourt players, the 6-7 Doolittle (16.8 & 8.3) and the 6-9 Manek (14.0 & 5.8). Doolittle had a game-high 22 points and team-high seven boards in the loss at Wichita St, while Reaves, who transferred from Wichita State after his sophomore season, struggled against his former school as he finished with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Freshman De’Vion Harmon (9.0) had his best offensive performance since scoring 23 points on opening night against Texas-San Antonio, as the tied his career-high with three triples Saturday en route to 14 points. JC transfer Williams (7.1) and returning sophomore guard Bieniemy (5.0-3.8-3.0) round out Oklahoma's main contributors.

Junior Ty-Shon Alexander (17.1 7 6.1) had team-highs of 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the romp over Texas Rio Grande Valley. Sophomore guard Marcus Zegarowski never scored more than 17 points against a Division I opponent during his rookie year, but added 21 points for the Bluejays Friday and is scoring a team-best 19.4 PPG this season (3.6 RPG and 4.1 APG). Zegarowski and Alexander have both scored 20 or more points in each of the past two games and look to become the first pair of Creighton teammates since 1985 to hit the mark in three straight. Guard Mitch Ballock (12.5 & 5.2). is the team's third double digit scorer and joining that trio in the starting lineup are forwards Bishop (8.5 & 5.8) and Jefferson (7.2 & 4.6) while the 6-11 Jones (5.3 & 4.8) and guard Mitchell (5.4) are the top-two reserves.

Oklahoma had a NINE-day layoff prior to the Wichita St game but the team wasn't rusty, rather the Sooners faded down the stretch (hardly a good sign). It's another tough venue here, as Creighton is 7-0 at home this season, winning its games by an average of 16.1 PPG. More good news come Creighton's way in that  highly touted transfer 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney is eligible to play Tuesday and is expected to make his Bluejays debut after the junior led Southeast Missouri State in scoring with 19.3 PPG as a sophomore. More bad news in store for Kruger and Co. tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Chicago Bulls are just 10-18 on the season but at times, look like a team capable of making a run at the playoffs. Chicago showed off its Jekyll and Hyde nature last week by beating Atlanta 136-102, falling to the Charlotte Hornets 83-73 and then knocking off Western Conference powerhouse the Los Angeles Clippers 109-106 on Saturday. The Bulls will try to put together two strong performances in a row when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. The Thunder opened a four-game road trip with impressive wins at Portland and Utah but ended the trip with a one-pint loss at Sacramento and then an eight-point loss in Denver. OKC returns home where the team is 8-5, giving them an 11-14 mark, overall.

Zach LaVine is Chicago's leading scorer (22.6-3.7-4.5) but he was held to just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting in Friday's loss to Charlotte. However, he bounced back the next night, pouring in 31 points while going 11-of-21 from the floor against the Clippers. The 6-11 Lauri Markkanen collected 13 points and 17 rebounds in the win to record his third double-double of the season. (he's averaging 14.3 & 6.9 on the season). The 6-9 Carter (12.0 &9.8) was Chicago's top pick in 2018 from Duke, while North Carolina PG White (11.5) was the team's top pick in 2019. Both look like solid NBA players.

Of course, the Thunder are rebuilding after losing Durant back in 2016 to the Warriors and then Westbrook (to Houston) in last year's off-season. Paul George came in a trade form Indiana but stayed just two seasons, leaving for the Clippers last off-season (with Westbrook). These days, I'm sure OKC would have preferred to keep Oladipo and Sabonis (sent to the Pacers for George). At least Chris Paul (15.6-4.2-6.3) came  in the Westbrook trade and he's tutoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads OKC with 18.5 PPG (also 5.1 RPG and 3.0 APG). Reserve PG Dennis Schroder is having no trouble finding the basket of late and finished with 22 points on Saturday to reach at least 20 for the fourth time in the last five games. He's third on the team in scoring at 17.0 PPG (3.7 RPG and 3.4 APG).  SF Danilo Gallnari (17.6 & 5.8) is a consistent scorer but he suffering through an awful shooting night at Denver, finishing with seven points on 1-of-13 from the floor. The veteran forward missed one game with an ankle injury early last week and is a combined 6-of-26 in two games since coming back. Do NOT expect that to continue. Center Adams is still around and is a quality big man (11.7 & 9.5).

Here's the bottom line. OKC is definitely rebuilding but the Thunder catch the Bulls after their big win over the Clippers (note: Kawhi missed that game) and the Thunder are 8-5 at home, with two of those losses coming to the Lakers (tree points) and Bucks (two points), the NBA's two-best teams. Good spot for OKC to pick up a "W" and I expect that win to come "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Kent St at 7:00 ET.

The UC-Irvine Anteaters won 31 games last season, including an upset of 4th-seeded Kansas St  (as a No. 13 seed) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Russell Turner enters his 10th season as UCI's head coach and while last season was his "best year," his teams have won 20-plus games in FIVE other seasons, including 28 in 2017 when the team was the runner-up in the CIT. Irvine was picked second in this year's Big West to UC-Santa Barbara but the team's non-conference schedule has seen an underwhelming performance, as the Anteaters are just 6-5 SU & ATS.

Rob Senderoff knows something about winning games too, as this marks his NINTH season at Kent St. FIVE of his first eight teams have won 20-plus games, including last year's 22-win team.
Senderoff led the Golden Flashes to their first MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in eight years in 2017, but the team lost to UCLA in the first round. Kent was picked second in the MAC East this season behind  Bowling Green but unlike UCI, Kent's non-conference play has been excellent, as the Golden Flashes come to El Paso for the Sun Bowl Invitational, 8-1 SU & 7-2 ATS.

Kent features a trio of backcourt players all scoring in double digits. Senior PG Williams (14.0 & 4.2 APG) leads the group, followed by sophomore Roberts (13.3) and New Mexico graduate transfer, Simons (12.3 & 4.4). 6-9 junior Pippen (13.7 & 7.1) and 6-8 senior Whittington (10.4 & 6.7) are the team's top frontcourt players. UCI has seven-man rotation. The backcourt is manned by two seniors, PG Worku (11.4 & 4.2 APG) and Leonard (9.8). There is excellent depth up front, with the 6-9 Welp (14.2 & 6.5) and the 6-8 Rutherford (10.8 & 3.50 leading the way. 6-10 center Greene (8.9 & 6.5), SF Edgar (7.7 & 4.7) and 6-9 freshman Johnson (6.9 & 4.2) round out the top contributors.

Kent St's only loss has come ay=t Ohiuo St (Buckeyes lost Sunday for teh first time) and while the Golden Flashes have not played a challenging non-conference slate, they have won the games they should. KSU is a well-balance team (five players in double figures) and UCI is clearly more than just a 'step below' last year's team, as home losses to Detroit (86-74 as a 12-point favorite) and Cal-Baptist (68-60 as a 10-point favorite) attest.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Arizona at 10:00 ET.

When Mark Few arrived in Spokane, the "Zags" had been to two NCAA tourneys in school history. All Few has done is go 20-for-20, entering this season on a streak of FIVE consecutive Sweet 16 appearances (reaching at least the Elite 8 in THREE of those five). Gonzaga lost a 'ton' off last year's team, including a pair of 6-8 forwards who both went in the first round of the NBA draft, Hachimura (19.7 & 6.5) and Clarke (16.9 & 8.6). Also moving on were guards Norvell (14.9-4.3-3.1) and Perkins (11.0 & 6.3 APG) but the refrain at Gonzaga is, "no worries." Gonzaga is 'loaded' up front with the 6-11 Petrusev (Serbia), who leads with 15.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG. The 6-7 Kispert (13.7), the 6-10 Tillie (13.7 & 5.0 in six games) plus 6-10 freshman Timme adds 10.4 & 5.5. A&M transfer Gilder (9.7), No. Texas transfer Woolridge (9.9-4.7-4.0) and returning guard Ayayi (10.1 & 6.0) are the main contributors on the perimeter. Gonzaga is averaging 85.9 PPG (5th) on 49.9% shooting. 

Sean Miller began his 10th season as the Arizona head coach during the 2018–2019 season but Arizona ended the season 17−15, missing the NCAA tournament for only the SECOND time in the previous 34 seasons. Miller's 11th season at Arizona featured a top-5 recruiting class and the Wildcats were ranked No. 21 in the AP's preseason. As noted above, the Wildcats are 10-1 and currently ranked 15th. The freshman class includes the 6-11 Zeke Nnaji (15.9 & 6.7) plus guards Nico Mannion (14.9 & 6.2 APG) and Josh Green (12.9 & 5.1). 6-10 senior center Chase Jeter has scored in double digits in five straight games and is averaging 14.4 points on 26-of-36 shooting during the stretch to raise his season mark to 9.1 PPG (5.8 RPG). Returning guards Smith (9.1) and Baker (7.2) round out the main contributors. Arizona is right behind Gonzaga averaging 85.5 PPG (8th) while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor. 

Arizona needs a win over Gonzaga and the McKale Center has provided the Wildcats with one of college basketball's toughest home venues for 40-plus season (opened in 1973).  Home team gets a BIG win! 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks' lone game this week (so far) was a Thursday night game in Mexico City against the Pistons. Dallas won 122-11, the team's 11th win in its last 13 games, led by Luka Doncic's 41-point triple-double. The 17-7 Mavs welcome the 18-7 Miami Heat to Dallas on Saturday, with the Heat coming off a 113-110 loss last night to the Lakers. It was Miami's first home loss of the current season (had opened 11-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena).

Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 23 points for Miami last night and he's scored at least 20 points in all seven games this month. However, he is just 1-for-13 from three-point range over a three-game span and missed a relatively open look from beyond the arc at the buzzer against the Lakers. Butler's arrival in Miami in the off-season was the team's biggest news and yes, he has delivered (20.7-6.7-6.8). However, Miami's success this season has also been fueled by undrafted rookie Nunn, who has come out of nowhere to average 16.2 PPG and second-year player Robinson (a 6-7 SF who averaged just 3.3 PPG in only 15 games last season), who is averaging 11.7 PPG.  Then there is center Bam Adebayo, who after averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two NBA seasons, is having a "career year" by averaging 15.1 & 10.6. The Heat also have excellent depth, but PG Dragic (15.9 & 5.0 APG) and SF Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) will miss tonight's contest.

Doncic's Thursday triple-double was his EIGHTH of the season (NBA-best), as he continues to post Westbrook-like numbers on the season (30.4-9.9-9.3). Kristaps Porzingis (16.6 & 8.7) added 20 points for Dallas and Doncic told reporters after the game, "I think we're getting better and better every day," speaking of him and Porzingis. "He's going to get better. I'm going to get better. And with us two, the team is going to get way better." Hardaway (12.7) is the only other Mav in double digits but SEVEN more players, who have played in 20-plus games, are chipping in between 6.2 and 9.2 PPG. Seth Curry (9.2) leads that group and he scored 30 points while making 11-of-15 shots off the bench in the Mexico City win. He became the first Dallas player to reach the 30-point mark off the bench in nearly eight years.

I noted above that the Mavs have played just ONCE this week and that they have won 11 of their last 13, overall. Let me add here that the Mavs have also covered in EACH of those 11 wins. Meanwhile, the Heat are not only playing on back-to-back nights (off their first home loss of the season) but the team's two previous games (prior to the LA loss), went into OT. Tough stretch here for Miami and Dallas will NOT be a 'warm' host! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Month is on Wichita St at 6:00 ET.

Lon Kruger led Kansas St to four NCAA tourneys in his four seasons in Manhattan and then led Florida to a Final 4 berth (1994) in his six years in Gainesville. Next was three NCAA berths at Illinois in a four-year stint and then four NCAA trips by UNLV in his seven years at Las Vegas. He's been at Oklahoma since the 2011-12 season and has led the Sooners to seven NCAA berths, including a Final 4 trip in 2016. This year's team is off to a 7-1 start, 73-54 to Stanford. in a tourney at Kansas City (Cardinal are ). Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). The Shockers are 8-1 to open the current season, losing only to West Va, which has also opened 8-1. Wichita State hosts Oklahoma on Saturday, looking to complete the "Okie Double," having won 80-61 at Oklahoma State this past Sunday.

Oklahoma returned an excellent trio from last year's NCAA team but little else. Guard Reaves (17.6 & 5.5) is the team's leading score this season (he began his career at Wichita St), joined by returning frontcourt players, the 6-7 Doolittle (16.0 & 8.4) and the 6-9 Manek (14.0 & 5.8). Returning sophomore guard Bieniemy (5.3) is joined on the perimeter by freshman Harmon (8.4-3.3-2.4) and JC transfer Williams (7.5). With Reaves and Doolittle, the Sooners are one of just THREE teams from a major conference (along with Creighton and Vanderbilt) to have two players averaging 16 points or more.

The Shockers have no real star but own great balance, as SIX players are averaging at least eight points. PG Stevenson leads the way with 13.4 PPG. Four more guards chip in between 6.9 and 11.4 PPG plus up front, 6-8 junior forward Trey Wade, a transfer from UTEP, averages 9.6 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds. Freshman guard Tyson Etienne (11.4) leads the way in that group, while fellow guard Burton (9.9-3.8-3.9) just misses averaging in double figures. Excellent news has come Wichita's way as the 6-11 F Jaime Echenique (9.2 & 6.0 last season) has returned from a hand injury to play the last five games, averaging 9.6 & 4.6 in just 16 MPG. The 6-8 Udeze (5.8 & 3.2) filled in for him but will likely see fewer minutes the rest of the way.
 

This Wichita St may be 'under the radar" now but watch out. Freshman Etienne is already reminding some of past Wichita State greats Ron Baker and Landry Shamet in how he moves without the ball and sets up open lanes for passes. He is shooting 46.2 percent from three-point range (good for 22nd nationally) and leads the American Athletic Conference with 24 three-pointers. His KenPom Efficiency Rating of 128.3 was second among Division I freshmen to Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis (131.8) and 19th overall. Erik Stevenson and Jamarius Burton have been the players most responsible for feeding Etienne and the rest of the Shockers as the duo has combined for 6.9 assists per game. Stevenson, a sophomore who leads the team in scoring and is second in rebounding, is one of the top players in Division I in assist to turnover ratio, ranking ninth at 3.86. Burton, also a sophomore, had a career-high 11 assists against Oklahoma State to climb to a tie for 26th in Division I with a 2.82 assist-turnover ratio.

Tough venue (Charles Koch Arena) here for the Sooners and note that Oklahoma's only previous true road game this season was an 82-80 'escape' at North Texas (as a 6 1/2-point favorite), a C-USA team that has opened the current season 4-6. Shockers complete that "Okie Double," winning with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

No. 10 Oregon (7-2) will visit No. 5 Michigan (8-2) Saturday at 12:00 ET, playing at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor for the first time in school history. Oregon won its first six games before, losing a pair of close games to ranked teams in the Battle 4 Atlantis, a one-point overtime heartbreaker to then-No. 8 Gonzaga and a four-point loss to then-No. 6 North Carolina. The Ducks have eased into their December schedule, as they have only played one game this month, an 89-64 victory over Hawaii on Saturday. Michigan was unranked heading into the season but vaulted to No. 4 after beating then No. 6 North Carolina and eighth-ranked Gonzaga to win the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament during Thanksgiving weekend. (note: Oregon lost to those same teams in that tourney). However, after losing to No. 1 Louisville in their first game with a ranking, the Wolverines bounced back with a home victory over Iowa on Dec 6 but then lost their big Ten road opener 71-62 at Illinois on Dec 13.

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and he likes this year's team (I agree). The Ducks are led by senior guard Payton Pritchard, who is averaging 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He is one of two players nationally averaging at least 18 points, six assists and four rebounds (Western Carolina's Mason Faulkner). Senior guard Anthony Mathis (10.8) and junior guard Chris Duarte (10.3 & 5.4) are the Ducks' other double-figure scorers, although Oregon goes 'nine-deep." Sophomore guard Will Richardson comes off the bench and is up to 9.4 PPG after averaging 16.5 points over his last two games. Starting alongside of Pritchard, Mathis and Duarte are 6-8 freshman Walker (5.9 & 3.2) and 6-9 sophomore Okoro (5.1 & 6.0).

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers (why?), after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over is former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who had to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). However, the cupboard was far from bare. 6-7 junior forward Isaiah Livers averages a team-best 14.8 points and is shooting 52 percent from the floor. 7-1 senior center Jon Teske averages 14.3 PPG plus a team-high 9.0 RPG and is set to play his 89th straight game in this contest. Senior PG Xavier Simpson checks in with a line of 12.0-4.4-8.6 and junior guard Eli Brooks adds 11.7 PPG. Other key contributors are the 6-8 Wagner (7.7 & 3.3) and guard DeJulius (7.4 & 3.1).

I'm a HUGE fan of Altman but I noted above that Oregon will be playing in Ann Arbor for the first-time ever but more notable, this is the Ducks' first true road game this season. In fact, it is Oregon's LONE true road game in 2019 (of 13), as the Ducks next head out on the road for their Pac-12 opener Jan 2 at Colorado. I mentioned above that Oregon's two losses came to Gonzaga and North Carolina in the Bahamas and while "comparison scores" can often be deceiving, it's hard NOT to note that Michigan beat Gonzaga 82-64 and beat North Carolina, 73-64. Oregon's first visit to Crisler Arena "dos NOT end well!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 7:05 ET.

The Lakers' season-opener (Oct 22) at Staples Center was a contest with Clippers, as they were the designated road team. The Lakers lost that one but have since won EACH one of their last 12 road games. 22-3 Los Angeles visits 18-6 Miami tonight and the Heat are a perfect 11-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena. LA opened a five-game road trip with a 96-87 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. "I'm happy about the win ... but I'm not satisfied with the way we played," forward LeBron James said afterward, alluding to the Lakers blowing a 24-point first-half lead before recovering to win for the 15th time in the past 16 games. "We have to be a lot better." Miami is coming off a wild 135-121 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday that saw forward Duncan Robinson match the franchise record of 10 3-pointers and rookie guard Kendrick Nunn score a season-high 36 points, while center Bam Adebayo and swingman Jimmy Butler recorded triple-doubles.

LBJ recorded his sixth triple-double of the season in the win over Orlando (25-11-10) but Anthony Davis tallied just 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting, after scoring a season-high 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the previous game. A.D. (27.2 & 9.2) and LBJ (25.8-7.0-10.8) stand far and above the rest of Lakers, as only Kuzma (11.1) is within two 'TDs' of LA's "dynamic duo."  Kuzma could sit out for the second straight game with an ankle injury,  while PG Rajon Rondo (8.5 & 5.9 APG) hopes to return after a two-game absence due to a hamstring issue. Flying under the radar has been LA's two-headed center play, as starter McGee and backup Howard are combining to average 14.0 & 13.0.

Butler's arrival in Miami in the off-season was the team's biggest news and yes, Butler (20.6-6.9-7.0) has delivered. However, Miami's success this season has also been fueled by undrafted rookie Nun, who ahs come out of nowhere to average 16.2 PPG and second-year player Robinson (a 6-7 SF who averaged just 3.3 PPG in only 15 games last season), who is averaging 11,8 PPG.  Then there is center Bam Adebayo, who after averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two NBA seasons, is having a "career year" by averaging 15.3 & 10.5 (Hassan Whiteside, we hardly knew you!). The Heat also have excellent depth, even though PG Dragic (15.9 & 5.0 APG) and SF Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) will likely sit in tonight's contest.

Something has to give! LA's 12-game road winning streak or Miami's 11-0 start at home. The Lakers easily handled the Heat 95-80 back in LA on Nov 8, when the Heat shot just 35.0%, including a horrid 6 of 35 on threes. Here at home, expect the Heat to shoot MUCH better, as Miami is tied for fourth on the season, connecting on 47.1 percent from the floor. The Heat were an eight-point dog in LA, so getting points here at home (I took five), makes them a STRONG play. Upset alert? I would NOT call a Miami win an upset.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 8:05 ET.

18-7 Philadelphia has won 11 of its last 13 games overall during a home-heavy stretch (nine at Wells Fargo Arena) and travel to Boston Thursday night to face the 17-6 Boston Celtics in the first half of TNT's doubleheader. The 76ers remained perfect at home this season (13-0) by eking out a 97-92 win over the Nuggets on Tuesday. "I think throughout this whole year we've been able to find ourselves in a lot of positions late in the fourth quarter, where we have to really be in crunch time and be ready to pull out a win," forward Tobias Harris told reporters after Tuesday's win. "And this was another one of them, where I thought we did a really good job of just getting stops and being solid." As for Boston,  the Celtics had a four-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday's 122-117 road loss to the Indiana Pacers, despite Kemba Walker pouring in a season-best 44 points. The Celtics were 'done in' when they allowed the Pacers to outscore them 38-23 in the fourth quarter! However, Boston (like Philly) is unbeaten at home, going 10-0 (7-2-1 ATS).

Center Joel Embiid recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds against Denver for his 12th contest of at least 20 points and 10 boards this season. He has six double-doubles in the past seven games and leads Philly in scoring (22.0) and rebounding (12.4).  Harris (19.0 & 7.0) and Horford (13.8 & 6.8) join Embiid in the frontcourt and Philly got good news Tuesday when Josh Richardson (15.4) returned to the court after missing SIX games with a hamstring injury.  He started and played in 19 minutes, but scored just three points. Simmons (14.0-7.0-8.4) rounds out Philly's starting-five. Major contributors off the bench are Korkmaz (8.4) and rookie Thybulle (5.1) in the backcourt plus Ennis (7.4 & 3.4) and Scott (6.2 & 3.3), up front.

Boston blew a 10-point lead over Indiana in the fourth quarter, during which Gordon Hayward exited following a palm to the nose by the Pacers' Doug McDermott. Hayward said he went through concussion testing and would be re-evaluated Thursday morning before his availability for the Philadelphia game is determined. He had just returned Monday from a month-long absence following surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand, scoring 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the Celtics' 110-88 win over Cleveland on Monday night  He's averaging 17.4-6.3-4.0 and is part of an excellent Boston frontcourt trio which also includes Tatum (20.9 & 71.) and Brown (19.9 & 7.0). Theis (7.0 & 6.4) usually joins that group in starting, while the 7-1 Kanter (7.1 & 5.8) typically comes off the bench. Boston has played its past two games without guard and team leader Marcus Smart (11.8-3.4-4.6), who is dealing with an eye infection and is day-to-day. Boston would love to see him return here but, who knows. Walkers was terrific last night and leads the Celtics with 22.8 PPG, as well as adding 4.4 RPG and 5.2 APG (no one misses Kyrie!).

Boston has had Philly’s number the past couple of years and won another three of four last season (7-2 SU & 8-1 ATS the last nine meetings), entering this season. However,  the 76ers routed Boston back on Oct 23 in Phiily,107-93. That said, I'm not sure that win means much here, other than as a motivating factor for Boston. The Celtics CAN'T be happy about their 4th-quarter collapse last night, so I expect Boston to bring its "A-game" in this one (with or without, Hayward and/or Smart). As noted above Boston is 10-0 SU (7-2-1 ATS) at home this season and let me add here that since opening the season 3-0 on the road, the 76ers are just 2-6 SU away from the friendly confines of Wells Fargo Arena, beating only the 5-19 Cavs and the 5-20 Knicks. They've lost to mediocre teams like Phoenix, Orlando and OKC, while also failing to beat playoff-bound teams like Utah, Denver and Toronto. The Celtics "fit the bill" of a playoff-bound team and get the "W" in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Iowa St at 8:00 ET.

It's 73rd edition of the Cy-Hawk series on Thursday, as 7-3 Iowa visits Ames to take on 6-3 Iowa State. Iowa bounced back from a loss to then-No. 4 Michigan on Friday with a 72-52 victory over Minnesota on Monday to pick up its first Big Ten win. The Hawkeyes had surrendered more than 100 points against the Wolverines (103-91) in their conference opener, but held the Golden Gophers to their lowest scoring output since 2007 in the rivalry. As for the Cyclones, they avenged an 84-76 loss to then-No. 13 Seton Hall in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Nov 29 with a 77-66 victory over the the now-No. 22 Pirates on Sunday to record their first win over a top-25 team this season.

Iowa's Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The 6-11 Garza (22.5 & 9.8) is the team's best player and his only help up front comes from the 6-10 Kriener (6.1 & 4.2). Iowa's perimeter group is 'deep,' led by Wieskamp (11.9 & 5.4), Fredrick (10.4) , Bohannon (8.4) and McCaffrey's son, Connor (7.7-3.5-4.1).

Iowa St finished last year's regular season on a 2-6 run but then won three games in three days to win the Big 12 tourney for the FOURTH time in the last six years. However, Steve Prohm lost his top-three scorers from last year's team. However, Iowa St has an excellent guard trio in PG Haliburton (16.2-6.0-8.2), Penn St graduate transfer Bolton (15.3) and Nixon (10.2). The 6-10 Conditt (10.6 & 5.3), the 6-8 Young (9.7 & 4.0) and the 6-9 6-9 Jacobson (9.1 & 7.6) make up a solid frontcourt. Conditt had 17 points to go along with six rebounds and five blocks to help the Cyclones improve to 5-0 at home this season in the win over Seton Hall, while Haliburton added 17-6-5 to finish in double figures for the EIGHTH time in nine games. Bolton also scored 17 in that contest.

ISU improved to 5-0 at home on the young season and has won 12 straight at home over non-conference opponents. How does one ignore that  the home team has won 14 of the last 16 meetings in the series? What's more, Iowa is looking for its first win at Hilton Coliseum (in Ames) in 16 years! Lay the modest points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Cal 10:00 ET.

Mark Fox spent five years at Nevada where he led the Wolf Pack to 20-win seasons each year and three NCAA tourneys. He left for Georgia but in NINE years, won 20 games just four times (a high of 21) and led the Bulldogs to just two NCAA bids. He was NOT offered a 10th year last March but by the end of the month, Cal hired him. The Bears opened the season on a high note with four straight wins but have dropped four of their last five contests, after last Saturday’s 71-52 loss at Santa Clara.

Cal welcomes Fresno State to Berkeley on Wednesday. Justin Hutson was an assistant at  San Diego State through April of 2018 but was named the 21st head coach in Fresno State history, replacing Rodney Terry, who departed for the head coaching position at UTEP. The Bulldogs went 23-9 last season but did NOT play in the postseason. FSU has struggled in the early going of this season, opening 2-6, including going 0-4 on the road. 

That said, the Bulldogs turned in an encouraging outing in last Saturday’s 77-70 overtime loss at Utah State, as 6-8 senior Nate Grimes recorded his third straight double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds (he leads the team in scoring at 13.0 PPG and in rebounding at 9.9 per game). Senior guard New Williams (8.2 & 3.8) broke out of a shooting slump by scoring a career-high 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Freshman guard Jarred Hyder ranks second on the team in scoring at 12.7 PPG and 6-10 freshman Robinson checks in at 9.9 & 5.8.

Cal's backcourt is led by returning guards Bradley (17.0 & 4.1) and Austin (6.7) plus transfer South, who joins Bradley as the only other double digit scorer at 10.9 PPG. Starting up front are a pair of 6-8 returning players in Anticevich (8.4 & 6.7) and Kelly (7.0 & 4.9). Cal is coming off eight-win seasons in back-to-back years and was picked to finish last in the Pac-12 preseason poll. Cal opened 4-0 but was not up to the task of taking on Duke and Texas at MSG on Nov 21 and 22. However, the Bears ARE improved and Fresno looks like the type of opponent they should be able to handle. Cal is 5-0 at home and is playing with revenge from last season's 95-73 loss in Fresno. Just why is Fresno, an 0-4 team on the road to open the current season, a favorite??

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (East) is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

Boston swingman Gordon Hayward returned from a fractured hand to score 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the Celtics' 110-88 win over Cleveland on Monday night as Boston improved to 10-0 at home with a dominating performance. The 17-5 Celtics are now healthy and look to extend their latest winning streak to FIVE in a row when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The 15-9 Pacers have split their last six games, after opening a brief two-game homestand with a 110-99 loss to the LA Clippers on Monday. Indiana trailed by 24 points late in the third quarter in Monday's game and was held below 100 points for the first time since Nov 16 (11 games ago).

Hayward (18.3-6.9-4.1) looked great after missing a month of action, with Tatum telling reporters "It was good to have him back. I was excited, everybody was excited, and he was excited." Kemba Walker (21.8-4.4-5.1) scored 22 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Celtics, who shot a season-high 57.7 percent while making 15-of-27 three-pointers. Tatum (21.1 & 7.2) is right behind Walkers in points scored and Jaylen Brown (20. & 6.9) saw his role become more important with Hayward sidelined. Marcus Smart (11.8 & 4.6 APG-3.4-4.7) missed Monday's game with an eye infection and is day-to-day.

The loss of All-Star Paul George in the 2017 off-season elicited preseason projections of an Indiana team near the basement of the Central division but the emergence of swingman Victor Oladipo as an All-Star powered the Pacers to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18, a feat they duplicated last year. Oladipo averaged 23.1-5.2-4.3 two seasons ago and then 18.8-5.6-5.2 last season, before going down with a season-ending knee injury. Oladipo has yet to return but Indiana has won EIGHT of its last 11 an despite Monday's loss to the Clippers, is 9-3 at home. In contrast to Boston's perimeter-oriented look, the Pacers are led by a dynamic, young frontcourt of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. Sabonis is having a career year through the first two months of 2019-20, averaging 18.4 PPG and 13.5 RPG (he collected a career-best 22 boards on Monday). Center Myles Turner's (10.9 & 5.6) production has dipped from a season ago due in part to recovering from an ankle injury sustained in November. Still, at 2.4 blocked shots per game, her has been one of the NBA's better rim protectors.

Malcom Brogdon (former Milwaukee Buck) has become the team-leader this season, averaging 19.1-4.7-7.5 and small forward TJ Warren was a scorer for the Suns and he's done the same for the Pacers, averaging 18.4 PPG. SG Lamb (15.7 & 5.3) has been a great addition plus McDermott (9.5) and a pair of Holidays, Aaron (8.7 & 2.8 APG) and Justin (7.6 & 3.8), add depth. Including a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs last season, Boston has won seven consecutive meetings. However. Boston hosts Philly Thursday night on TNT and I expect a HUGE effort from the Pacers off their embarrassing home showing against the Clippers, who played without Kawhi.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Baylor at 9:00 ET.

Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, Butler opened 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!'Butler added two more wins last week (now 9-0 and now ranked 18th, including an impressive 76-62 home win over Florida last  Saturday. Butler's won five games this season against major conference teams and will look to add a sixth 'scalp' to its resume tonight, as the Bulldogs play No.11 Baylor in Waco. Baylor played a home game against then-No. 12 Arizona (9-0) on Saturday, but it felt more like a road game due to the Arizona fans making the trip from Tempe and most of the Bears fans focused on the Big 12 football championship game starting at the same time. However, the Bears won 63-58, thanks to an early 15-0 run and some tough defense. It was Baylor's second win over a ranked team this season, as the Bears beat then-No. 17 Villanova 87-78 in Myrtle Beach back on Nov 24. Baylor jumped SEVEN spots in the Monday's latest AP poll and enter this contest ranked 11th.

The Bulldogs beat Florida by holding the Gators to 6-of-26 beyond the arc and limiting them to just FOUR offensive rebounds. PG Aaron Thompson (7.2-3.1- 6.1) led the way against the Gators with a career-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and added seven assists and four rebounds, while 6-6 forward Sean McDermott (11.0 & 5.1) matched Thompson with 16 points, while grabbing seven rebounds. Those two are joined in the starting lineup by leading scorer Baldwin (16.9 & 4.2), who starts in the backourt with Thompson. Starting up front with McDermott are the 6-7 Nze (11.4 & 7.2) and the 6-9 Golden (8.8 & 4.0). Coming off the bench is 6-7 Duke transfer Tucker, who became eligible last season but is finally fulfilling expectations by adding 9.4 PPG.

Baylor has been greatly helped by two transfers this season, guard MaCio Teague (15.4 & 5.0), who led the Bears with 19 points in the 63-58 victory Saturday over Arizona. Mitchell (8.6) is an Auburn transfer and joins a deep backcourt which also features leading scorer Butler (18.6), Bandoo (8.8 & 4.4) and Vital (6.4 & 5.6). The 6-8 Gillespie (9.4 & 9.1) has been the team's best frontcourt player but the good news is that the 6-10 Clark (14.6 & 6.3 last season before being lost for the year to an injury) is back, averaging 5.0 & 3.5 in five games (he's working his way back).

Baylor head coach Scott Drew took the head coaching position at Baylor after the resignation of Dave Bliss due to scandal. Four years of sanctions later, Drew got things turned around and Baylor has had 12 straight winning seasons, making eight NCAA tourneys plus finishing as runner-up in the 2009 NIT and winning it in 2013. Both Baylor and Butler have surprised so far, but I like the Bears here, who 'take down' a second straight ranked and unbeaten opponent. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Phi 76ers at 8:05 ET.

The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season. Denver was rolling along having won SIX straight and 10 of 11, before blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead at Sacramento (lost 100-97 in OT) back on Nov 30. The Nuggets then welcomed the Lakers to Pepsi Center on  Dec 3 and fell, 105-96. Denver left on a four-game road trip after the loss to LA and after winning 129-92 at MSG over the sad-sack NY Knicks last Thursday, the Nuggets lost Friday at Boston and then Sunday at Brooklyn. That's FOUR losses in five games, as 14-7 Denver wraps up its four-game road trip tonight in Philly. The 17-7 Sixers have won 10 of their last 12 overall, including a 110-104 home victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, as Philadelphia kept its home record perfect at 12-0.

Center Nikola Jokic led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). However, he has not quite been that good so far this season, although his line does read 16.1-10.1-6.1. Starting up front with Jokic are PF Millsap (13.0 & 5.9) and swingman Barton (14.2 & 6.5), while PG Murray (18.2-4.3-4.8) and Harris (10.6) start in the backcourt. Denver's bench is not quite as deep as last season but it's still a formidable unit, led by frontcourt players Grant (9.5 & 3.5) and Plumlee (6.9 & 5.8) plus backup PG Morris (7.2 & 3.4 APG).  Denver was crushed in the interior in the loss to Brooklyn, as it was outscored 66-22 in the paint. Doing better against Philly's formidable frontcourt will be a must.

Tobias Harris scored 26 points against Toronto to stretch his double-digit scoring streak to 13 consecutive games (he's averaging 19.2 & 7.0 on the season). Simmons (14.3-6.9-8.5) almost posted a triple-double (16-11-9), while connecting on 8 of 11  FGs. Rookie guard Matisse Thybulle (4.7 PPG) established season bests of 20 points and five 3-pointers against Toronto and the first-round pick continues to impress his teammates. "He's been great the whole season and he's bringing it every night, especially defensively," center Joel Embiid told reporters. "Even though we have so many guys that can score the ball, him adding what he's been adding, especially his shooting, has been tremendous." Speaking of Embiid (21.9 & 12.5), most (I sure did) expected him to have "big game" vs Toronto (was scoreless while going 0 of 11 in a 101-96 loss at Toronto on Nov 25) but he had the modest line of 10-8-6.

Sure, Philly will lose eventually at home but there is NO reason to expect it will be here! Denver's offense has struggled this season (106.5 PPG ranks 22nd) plus as noted, "The Joker” is not having the big season so many expected of him. The 76ers will surely remember losing 100-97 at Pepsi Center back on Nov 8, when Jokic (26), Murray (22) and Barton (20 mad a combined 28 of 52 shots (53.8%). It's Denver's FOURTH game in six days and Philly makes it 13 straight home wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Tor Raptors at 8:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors saw Kawhi "take his talents to LA" after leading the Raptors to the NBA title last season (starting guard Danny Green also left for the Lakers) but Toronto has done just fine without him. The Raptors also kept 'chugging along' even when PG Lowry and PF Ibaka  were sidelined, going 8-2 without both in the lineup. However, the Raptors are now struggling through their first three-game losing streak in more than a year, despite getting floor general Kyle Lowry back from a thumb injury three games ago (Ibaka has been back for four games). The now 15-7 Raptors visit Chicago tonight to take on a Bulls team that pushed the Heat to overtime at Miami on Sunday, before dropping a 110-105 decision. It was Chicago's FIFTH loss in its last seven and the Bulls opening a four-game homestand tonight against the Raptors, just 8-16 on the season.

Toronto could not dig out of a 15-point halftime deficit in falling to the 76ers 110-104 on Sunday night. Lowry (21.0-4.6-6.9) scored 26 points but Pascal Siakam continued his recent shooting woes. The 6-9 Siakam (24.6 & 8.5) has played at an All Star level but was held to 16 points and seven rebounds on Sunday. He's shooting just 38.9 percent from the floor, while making only 2-of-14 from three-point range during the losing streak. Guard Fred VanVleet (18.0-3.8-7.0) has proven his Finals performance against the Warriors was no fluke but he left Sunday's contest with a right knee contusion and is considered day-to-day. The 6-10 Ibaka (13.0 & 6.4) has proven his days as a valuable contributor are far from over.The Raptors are also getting key contributions from guard Powell (13.1 & 3.9) and SF Anunoby (11/2 & 5.6), who is proving he's an NBA regular (had 19 points and 10 rebounds last night at Philly).

Guard Zach LaVine (22.3-4.2-3.9) had led Chicago in scoring in each of the last EIGHT games but he was held to 18 points on 5-of-19 shooting at Miami. Lauri Markkanen (14.3 & 6.8) scored 22 to lead the Bulls, while Kris Dunn (just 6.9 PPG) chipped in a season-high 16 points. Chicago's No. 1 pick of the 2019 Draft, guard Coby White (12.4), has played well, as has the team's No. 1 pick of the 2018 Draft, the 6-9 Carter (12.1 & 10.0).

The Raptors could sure use a win to snap their three-game slide and a meeting with the Bulls seems like "just what the doctor ordered." The Raptors have won 10 straight over the Bulls, including a 108-84 rout earlier this season here in Chicago. In fact, Toronto is a perfect 5-0 ATS during its current 10-game winning streak against the Bulls at the United Center, and has covered 10 of 14 chances as a favorite this season. Both teams played last night but note that Toronto is 10-4 ATS since the start of last season when unrested. Road team wins and covers "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

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

LA recovered from a 28-point loss at Milwaukee on Friday to open their six-game road trip, by shooting 52.1 percent from the floor en route to a 135-119 win at Washington on Sunday  Kawhi Leonard registered his first double-double in nine games with 34 points and 11 rebounds, while former Pacer Paul George scored 27. Leonard (25.1-7.9-5.2) connected on 12-of-18 from the floor Sunday, after going 8-of-29 in the previous two games. George (23.0-6.2-3.5) made 11-of-21 against the Wizards and is shooting 51.5 in four outings this month. No team can match LA's "one-two punch" off the bench, as guard Lou Williams (20.6 & 6.2 APG) and PF Montrezl Harrell (18.8 & 7.8) are "special." Harrell is averaging 20 points in December and has made at least half his shots from the floor in SEVEN of the last nine games, combining to shoot 61.3 percent during that stretch. Lou Williams poured in 18 points off the bench Sunday, but note that he's just 16 of 44  (36.4%) from the floor the past three games.

Oladipo is still not ready to return for Indiana but center Myles Turner (11.0 & 5.4) and SG Jeremy Lamb (16.0 & 5.4) are both back on the court after dealing with ankle sprains and that's great news. Malcom Brogdon (former Milwaukee Buck) has become the team-leader this season, averaging 19.0-4.9-7.7 but also be aware that the 6-11 Sabonis is quietly becoming a star. He had a breakout season last year (14.6 & 9.3) but is even better this season. The Gonzaga product is averaging 18.4 & 13.1 on the season, posting double-doubles in each of the last eight games and 16 of his last 17. Small forward TJ Warren was a scorer for the Suns and he's done the same for the Pacers, averaging 18.7 PPG. Warren has been the go-to player over the last few weeks, averaging 22.9 points in the last eight games, while shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range overall. 

Brogdon missed the Pacers' Saturday game at the Knicks with a hand injury and his status for Monday’s contest is uncertain (listed as questionable). That's hardly good news but the Pacers are getting scoring from reserves McDermott (9.4) plus a pair of Holidays, as Aaron is averaging 8.9 PPG and Justin, 7.8. "Load management" is now part of the NBA lexicon and LA's Doc Rivers told The Athletic that Leonard or George could be rested against Indiana, with another three-game stretch in four nights beginning on Wednesday. My guess would be that Kawhi sits, as Paul George will surely want to play against his "old team." Bottom line is that the Clippers have been a poor road team this season (4-6 SU and 3-7 ATS), while the Pacers are 9-2 SU at home (Indiana is a small home dog, so ATS record means little here). The Pacers have won FIVE of their last six overall meetings with the Clippers, who have lost their last THREE here at Indiana. LA's going through a challenging stretch, as this is the team's  FIFTH contest in NINE days to open December .

Good luck...Larry

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

Iowa State and Seton Hall have each played basketball for over 100 years but their paths had never crossed until the day after Thanksgiving in the Bahamas last month, when the schools met in the fifth-place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Seton Hall won that contest 84-76 and the 6-2 Pirates (ranked 16th in the latest AP poll) visit Ames, Iowa for a rematch with the 5-3 Cyclones, tonight. The Hall has not played since that Nov 29th game, while Iowa St was able to get back on track with Wednesday's 79-61 home victory over Missouri-Kansas City.

Seton Hall's Myles Powell, who was voted the preseason Big East Player of the Year and he's currently a potential All-American and Naismith Award candidate. The senior gyard is averaging 23.4 & 4.1 to lead the Pirtaes and just one other player, the 6-11 Sandro Mamukelashvili (12.3 & 5.3), is averaging in double digits. Powell scored 24 points the last time against Iowa St, while Mamukelashvili had season-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in that contest. Guard McKnight (9.5 & 4.4 APG) and Cale (6.8 & 4.6) start in the backcourt with Powell, while the 7-2 Gill (4.9 & 5.8) joins Mamukelashvili up front.

Iowa St finished last year's regular season on a 2-6 run but then won three games in three days to win the Big 12 tourney for the FOURTH time in the last six years. However, Steve Prohm lost his top-three scorers from last year's team. However, Iowa St has an excellent guard trio in PG Haliburton (16.1-6.0-8.6), Penn St graduate transfer Bolton (15.1) and Nixon (10.3). Haliburton is the only player in the nation with at least 120 points, 65 assists, 45 rebounds and 20 steals. The 6-9 Michael Jacobson (9.6 & 7.3) was held scoreless for the first time this season against Seton Hall but responded with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and added a career-high tying three steals in 28 minutes against UMKC. His frontcourt partner is the 6-8 Solomon Young (9.9 & 3,6).

I'm a fan of Seton Hall and its head coach (Kevin Willard) and will note that the Pirates' only two losses this season have come in games in which they gave up late leads to ranked opponents, Michigan St and Oregon. However, Iowa State's Hilton Coliseum is a tough venue for any visitor, no less one which hasn't played in NINE days and is attempting to beat the Cyclones for a SECOND straight time. Let me note that in the teams' meeting in the Bahamas, Iowa St led by nine points in the first half, before Seton Hall used a 13-1 run midway through the second half break it open. ISU's guard trio combined for 54 points in that Nov 29th meeting and should be ready for a similar effort here at home, while big men Jacobson and Young are SURE to improve on their combined 3 of 9 shooting. "Home is where the heart is," and is also where Iowa St will serve up some 'sweet payback!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Phi 76ers at 6:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors saw Kawhi "take his talents to LA" after leading the Raptors to the NBA title last season (starting guard Danny Green also left for the Lakers) but Toronto has done just fine without him. The Raptors also kept 'chugging along' with PG Lowry and PF Ibaka sidelined. Both have returned, Ibaka three games ago and Lowry for the last two. However, the duos return has not gone smoothly. Toronto routed Utah in Ibaka's first game back (Dec 1) but with both Lowry and Ibaka back playing, the Raptors have lost home games to Miami and Houston. The  Raptors have not lost three games in a row in over a year but to avoid that happening here, they'll have win at Philly on Sunday night, something no team has done yet in the current season. The 76ers own the NBA's best home record at 11-0, after routing the the Cavs last night, 141-94. The Raptors KNOW Philly will be focused for this contest, as the 76ers lost 101-96 in Toronto on Nov 25 (more on that in a bit).

Lowry's a five-time All-Star and his line is 20.5-4.5-7.1 for the season. The 6-10 Ibaka (13.5 & 6.4) has proven his days as a valuable contributor are far from over. The 6-9 Siakam (25.0 & 8.6) has played at an All Star level and guard Fred VanVleet (18.7-3.9-7.3) has proven his Finals performance against the Warriors was no fluke. Back-up guard Powell (13.4 & 4.0) has taken advantage of extra "PT" with Lowry out and SF Anunoby (10.9 & 5.4) is proving he's an NBA regular. Center Marc Gasol (6.4 & 6.3) has been a disappointment but the good news is he is shooting 52.4 percent from the floor in December after posting a 30.9 percent effort in November and a 31 percent mark in October.

Josh Richardson (16.1) did not play last night (hamstring) and will miss his SIXTH straight game Sunday, while SG Matisse Thybulle is day-to-day after rolling his right ankle against Cleveland. Ben Simmons (14.7--6.7-8.4) scored a career-high 34 points on 12-of-14 shooting in just 26 minutes in last night's win over the Cavs. Joel Embiid (22.6 & 12.7) sat out Saturday's blowout win over the Cavaliers with a bruised left hip, but all reports are that he'll be "good to go" for the second half of this back-to-back set. Harris (18.9 & 7.) and Horford (14.0-6.9-3.9) join Embiid in the frontcourt, while Korkmaz (8.8) and Burke (7.1 & 3.4 APG) are getting more time in the backcourt with Richardson sidelined. SF Ennis (7.3 & 3.5) and PF Scott (6.0 & 3.4) come off the bench up front.

It's not been unusual for Embiid to sit out (see Kawhi's "load management") but as noted, he's expected to play here. One HAS to believe he'll be highly-motivated, as in that Nov 25 loss at Toronto, he was held scoreless for the first time in his career, going 0 of 11 from the floor and 0 of 3 from the FT line! Philly has struggled ATS as of late but this pointspread is MORE than manageable and I believe a real bargain. Yes, the Sixers lost Nov 25th at Toronto but they were a small road favorite in that one, which makes this price "one I WON'T pass up!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Xavier at 5:00 ET.

The 6-2 Cincinnati Bearcats and the 8-1 Xavier Musketeers are set for their annual Crosstown Shootout to be played at on Xavier's homecourt (Cintas Center). This is a bitter rivalry, as the two schools are separated by three miles in Cincinnati, making the archrivalry one of the closest major rivalries in the country. The game was first played in 1927 and has been played every year since 1946..

The Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin has "taken his talents" to Westwood (UCLA), after a terrific 13-year run at Cincinnati. Taking over is John Brannen, who comes from No. Kentucky, where he won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019. Senior guard Jarron Cumberland, was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 18.8-4.4-3.6 assists. He was the ONLY Cincy player to average in double digits last season. Guards Jenifer and Broome (8.6 & 8.3 PPG) graduated and the 6-11 Brooks (8.1 & 6.3) transferred to Miami. Returning starters joining Cumberland are senior 6-8 forward Tre Scott and junior guard Keith Williams However, the Bearcats had an influx of roster additions including 7-1 transfer Chris Vogt, who followed Brannen from Northern Kentucky. Two highly regarded freshman guards,  Zach Harvey and Mika Adams-Woods plus Jarron Cumberland's cousin Jaevin, a graduate transfer from Oakland (17.2 PPG), make up Cincy's core  this season.

However, Bearcats head coach Brannen listed standout Jarron Cumberland as questionable with a hip injury. Cumberland (14.3) wasn't able to practice Thursday after leaving Cincinnati's victory over Vermont on Tuesday. The senior guard also missed a game with an ankle injury and another as a disciplinary measure for failing to meet practice and preparation standards (trouble in 'paradise?'). The 7-1 Vogt (12.9 & 6.9) has been an excellent new addition, while returning guard Williams (12.8 & 4.1) and 6-8 senior Scott (9.4 & 10.1) have been very solid. Jaevin Cumberland (11.0) has played well but freshman guards Zach Harvey and Mika Adams-Woods have combined to average 6.3 PPG.

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins who averaged 10.6 & 5.3. The Musketeers feature a terrific forward duo in the 6-7 Marshall (15.4-5.8-3.8) and the 6-9 Jones (14.2 & 9.4). Guard Paul Scruggs (15.1 7 4.3) completes Xavier's "Big Three." Supporting that trio have senior guard Goodin (6.8), 6-9 freshman Zach Freemantle (6.8 & 4.0) and 6-8 Ohio U transfer Jason Carter (6.7 & 5.6). Good news comes in that freshman guard KyKy Tandy scored 10 points in Tuesday's win over Green Bay. It was his second game of the season, after returning from an injury.

Xavier may have been looking ahead to this revenge game in its non-covering, lackluster 84-71 Tuesday home win Green Bay but it's safe to say (bet?) that the Musketeers will be HIGHLY motivated after being held to their lowest point total since 2012 in last year's 'ugly' 62-47 loss at Cincy. Who knows the status of Cincy's Jarron Cumberland but we DO know that Xavier has won SEVEN straight at the Cintas Center in the series and has gone 92-16 (.852) at home since joining the Big East back at the start of the 2013-14 season. REVENGE works in a "big way" in this Rivalry Rout!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Game of the Month (Big Ten) is on Wisconsin at 4:30 ET.

Archie Miller began his third season as Indiana's head coach and KNEW he had better improve on the 16 and 19-win seasons the Hoosiers delivered in his first two seasons at Bloomington. Indiana lost two NBA players from last year's team, guard Langford (16.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Morgan (15.5 & 8.2), but this year's team is off to an 8-0 start. That said, one must note that the Hoosiers have played all EIGHT games at Assembly Hall and until cruising past No. 17 Florida State 80-64 on Tuesday as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Indiana hadn't really been tested. As for Wisconsin, the Badgers opened 4-1 (lone loss in OT to St Mary's) but the lost a pair of games in the Legends Classic to Richmond (62-52) and New Mexico (59-50), before going 5-of-23 from three-point range in 69-54 Wednesday loss at NC State as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Veteran returning guards Green (15.8) and Durham (12.6) give Indiana a solid backcourt, while highly-touted 6-9 freshman Jackson-Davis (15.5 & 9.4) has been as good as advertised. He's joined up front by returning 6-7 forward Smith (14.3 & 5.1) and 6-11 Butler graduate transfer Brunk (7.9 & 4.1). PG Rob Phinisee, who is averaging nine points and 4.5 assists this season, missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury, but may be ready to return to the lineup.

The Badgers need to "stop the bleeding" and do it FAST! Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ ((17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers have a solid returning core. The 6-11 Reuvers (14.9 & 5.4) is not Happ but he's an excellent big man. He's joined up front by the 6-8 Ford (10.1 & 5.0) plus a quartet of guards round out Wisconsin's six-man rotation. Davison (11.0 & 4.), King (10.4 & 4.0), Trice (8.4 & 4.8) and Pitzl (7.3 & 5.3) are all seasoned players. Don't sell Wisconsin short, just yet. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts with the Badgers!

Indiana is off to an 8-0 start and just routed No. 17 FSU, so why are the Hoosiers pick'em at 4-4 Wisconsin, which enters on a three-game losing streak? The answer lies in the fact that the Hoosiers have lost their last 16 visits to Wisconsin Kohl Center. Make that 17 losses in a row, as Indiana finds a road game "not to its liking."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were rolling along, having won SIX straight and 10 of 11 before blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Sacramento on Saturday, falling 100-97 in OT. The Nuggets then welcomed the Lakers to Pepsi Center on Tuesday and fell, 105-96. Denver got back on the winning track last night with a 129-92 win but it came at MSG over the sad-sack 4-18 NY Knicks. The Nuggets play again tonight and the opponent will be the 15-5 Boston Celtics, who own the second-best record in the East (Bucks' 19-3 mark is tied with the Lakers for an NBA-best). What's more, Boston is one of just three teams to still be undefeated at home, as their 8-0 record at TD Garden is tied with Miami and bested only by Philly's 10-0 home mark. Boston last played Wednesday night, when they handled the Heat impressively, in a 112-93 win.

EIGHT players scored in double digits and the Nuggets shot 56.3 percent from the floor, including 21-of-39 from three-point range, in the easy victory over the Knicks. Denver piled up a season-high 38 assists, while standout big man Nikola Jokic contributed eight of the assists in just 25 minutes. "He just makes the right play. What I love about Nikola is he's totally selfless," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "He exemplifies what we talk about with our culture." The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season and Jokic was big reason why. He led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). However, Jokic has not quite been that good so far this season, although his line does read 14.9-10.1-6.2. Starting up front with Jokic are PF Millsap (13.7 & 5.9) and swingman Barton (14.9-5.9-3.4), while PG Murray (18.5-3.7-4.5) and Harris (10.8) start in the backcourt. Denver's bench is not quite as deep as last season but it's still a formidable unit, led by frontcourt players Grant (9.5 & 3.5) and Plumlee (7.5 & 5.9) plus backup PG Morris (7.0 & 3.4 APG).

Jaylen Brown established season bests of 31 points and five 3-pointers against Miami. Brown's roll has become more important with the injury to Hayward (18.9-7.1-4.1) and he's now averaging 19.9 & 6.9 on the season. PG Kemba Walker has more than filled the 'hole' left at PG by Kyrie leaving for the Nets, averaging 21.9-4.7-5.1 and his ability to create pressure on defenders and make sound decisions leads to players like Brown and Jayson Tatum (21.0 & 7.0) getting open looks. "The beneficiaries are going to be the guys standing, spotting up," head coach Brad Stevens said after the win. "I think our guys did a really good job of driving and kicking and moving the ball, finding the next right guy." Some bad news for Boston is that  Marcus Smart (11.9-3.4-4.7) missed the Miami game (illness, oblique) and is questionable for Friday.

Tough spot here for Denver, as the Nuggets were only able to get past teh Celtics 96-92 back in Denver on Nov 22, a game in which  Kemba Walker was knocked out of after playing just 12 scoreless minutes due to a head injury. What's more, the Celtics made just 7 of 27 threes that night (25.9%). The price is "more than fair" here in this "payback spot" for Boston and that's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Rhode Island at 7:00 ET.

All-Big East selection Alpha Diallo hasn't been able to build on his impressive junior campaign. The 6-7 guard struggled for the second straight game in Sunday's close win over Pepperdine, connecting on just 8 of 26 shots (30.8%) in that span. That said, he does lead the team in scoring (13.2) and rebounding (8.9). Returning guards Duke (12.9- 4.6-4.1), White (9.3) and Reeves (6.8) have been joined on the perimeter by have been joined by graduate transfer Pipkins (8.8 & 5.2 APG). The 6-7 Holt (8.7 & 5.2) is happy that 6-10 center Watson is finally back on the court after an injury, as he  chipped in 15 points off the bench against the Waves. He has averaged 9.0 PPG in playing the last five games.

Rhode Island's Fatts Russell (21.1-4.9-3.5) became the first Ram since Tavorris Bell (2000-01) to score at least 20 points in six straight games, after erupting for a season-high 32 against West Virginia. The 6-8 Cyril Langevine (10.5-10.5) is one of just three A-10 players averaging a double-double. Joining those two in scoring double digits are guards Dowtin (13.9) and Martin (10.6 & 5.3).

It's true that Providence has 'owned' this series recently (Friars have won EIGHT of the last nine meetings) but the under-performing Friars look VERY vulnerable in this one. The Friars 'limp' into their annual showdown with the Rams on a 1-6 ATS run, with the team's lone "cover" coming against Merrimack. Rhode Island may be just 5-3 but its losses have come against two unbeatens on the road, at West Va (see above) and at now-No. 3 Maryland (9-0) plus against the SEC's LSU (6-2) in the Jamaica Classic. The Rams are 4-0 SU at home in the early going and get a "break-through win" against the Friars here, moving to 5-0.

Good luck...Larry

James Harden just keeps piling up HUGE numbers. He recorded his fourth career 60-point outing against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday (he had exactly 60 in Houston's 158-11 home win over the Hawks) and followed with 50 points during Tuesday's 135-133 double-overtime loss at the  San Antonio Spurs. Tuesday's effort was Harden's 21st career game with 50 or more points but as noted, it didn't result in a victory, as Houston blew a 22-point,second-half lead. Harden made all 24 of his free-throw attempts against San Antonio but struggled from the floor as he was 11-of-38 overall, including 4-of-20 from three-point range. 13-7 Houston will head north on Thursday to take on the 15-5 Toronto Raptors, who are coming off an OT loss as well. PG Kyle Lowry returned Tuesday after missing 11 games with a fractured left thumb but had just 12 points on 2-of-18 shooting while missing all 11 of his three-point attempts. Toronto suffered its first home loss of the season, after winning a franchise-record NINE straight home games to begin the season. 

Harden is averaging 42.6 points over the past five games to raise his season mark to 39.5 PPG (also 6.1 RPG and 7.8 APG). PG Russell Westbrook has adapted to a complementary role (21.9-7.8-7.1) and center Clint Capela returned from a two-game absence due to illness and made all nine field-goal attempts while recording 22 points and 21 rebounds for his third 20-20 outing of the campaign. He's having a "career season," averaging 15.1 PPG and RPG. However, the Rockets miss Eric Gordon's scoring 'punch' (he has a career 16.6 PPG average). House (12.4) is getting extra minutes but he's no Gordon. 

The Raptors saw Kawhi "take his talents to LA" after leading the Raptors to the NBA title last season but Toronto has done just fine without him. The Raptors also kept 'chugging along' with Lowry (20.7-4.4-7.0) and Ibaka (13.8 & 6.5) sidelined. Both have returned, Ibaka two games ago and Lowry in that Tuesday home loss to Miami (final was 121-100 but that came in OT). Ibaka scored 13 points in each of his two games back, while averaging 6.5 PPG (it was like he never left). That was NOT the case for Lowry (see above). However, the five-time All-Star did record 11 assists with only one turnover (note: he's well-known for his shooting slumps). The 6-9 Siakam (25.1 & 8.6) has played at an All Star level and guard Fred VanVleet (18.7-3.8-7.4) has proven his Finals performance against the Warriors was no fluke. Back-up guard Powell (13.4 & 4.1) has taken advantage of extra "PT" with Lowry out and SF Anunoby (10.9 & 5.5) is proving he's an NBA regular.

Is the Harden/Westbrook pairing really working in Houston? In the team's 2-OT loss at San Antonio, while Harden was scoring 50 points (and going 11 of 38 from the floor), Westbrook produced his 142nd career triple-double (19-10-10) but hoisted up a season-high 30 shots, making only SEVEN! On the season, Westbrook is shooting only 41.0%, including 22.9% on threes. Houston is 13-7 but just 10-10 ATS, while Toronto is 15-5 and 13-7 ATS (8-2 ATS at home). I'm playing Toronto, the more balanced team.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on North Carolina at 9:30 ET.

Ohio St's Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and three NCAA bids later, got the job in Columbus. His first season was a 25-win one but last year, while the Buckeyes did get an NCAA bid, they lost in the first round to finish just 20-15. The Buckeyes opened teh season ranked 18th in the AP's preseason poll but with an impressive 7-0 start (including wins over Cincy and Villanova), Ohio St heads to Chapel Hill tonight ranked 6th in the latest AP poll. Hosting the buckeyes in tonight's  ACC/Big Ten Challenge with be the North Carolina Tar Heels, coached by some guy named Roy Williams (you may have heard of him?). North Carolina opened 9th in the preseason and enters this game 6-1 and ranked 7th. The Tar Heels finished third at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, losing to Michigan 73-64 on Thanksgiving but they rebounded with a satisfying 78-74 win over then-No. 11 Oregon on Friday, holding the Ducks to 35.7 percent shooting from the floor.

The young Buckeyes entered the week second in the nation in FG percentage defense (32.7), sixth in scoring defense (52.7) and are making 39.7 percent from three-point range with a balanced offense that features seven players averaging between 7.3-12.7 PPG. The centerpiece of Ohio St's team is 6-9 junior center Kaleb Wesson, a preseason All-Big Ten pick who shed some weight and is more mobile. He leads the team in scoring (12.7), rebounding (9.3) and blocks (1.7). Freshman D.J. Carton adds 10.4 points and 2.9 assists, while sophomore guard Duane Washington Jr. checks in averaging 10.1 PPG (he's 14-of-27 from three-point range. 6-8 junior forward Kyle Young has also been quite efficient, averaging 8.9 points on 65.8 percent shooting from the floor, while grabbing 6.6 RPG.

The Tar Heels lost four starters from last year's team but freshman PG Anthony (20.7-7.3-4.0) and 6-10 freshman Bacot (11.7 & 9.6) are already looking like seasoned vets. Bacot scored a season-high 23 against Oregon and became the first Tar Heel to record at least 23 points along with 12 rebounds and six blocks since 1995 when Rasheed Wallace accomplished the feat. Offering not only experience but real contributions are 6-9 junior forward Garrison Brooks (12.9 & 8.3) plus senior G Brandon Robinson, who returned from a preseason ankle injury to average 11.3-4.-0-3.3  with just three turnovers in three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis tourney.

Ohio St may be 7-0 but the Buckeyes have yet to leave Columbus. They do so here and the "Dean Dome" is no place to play one's initial true road game of a season. The Tar Heels have won 12 of the 14 previous meetings with the Buckeyes, including the last seven, after an 86-72 triumph at home in 2017. That margin sound "just about right," here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers earned an impressive 105-96 win last night in Denver. As the duo has done all season, Anthony Davis and LeBron James led the way.  Despite requiring intravenous fluids at halftime, A.D.  played through his illness and finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds. As for LBJ, he had 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds. However, there is no rest for the weary, as the 18-3 Lakers now travel from "Mile High" Denver to Salt Lake City to take on the 12-9 Jazz. The Jazz are back at home after a 1-4 road trip that included losses of 19 points to the Indiana Pacers and 20 to the Toronto Raptors, with Utah's ONLY win coming at 6-14 Memphis.

Davis (26.1 & 9.3) and LBJ (25.6-7.1-10.8) have just one other teammate averaging in double figures and that's Kuzma (10.9), who has started just one game. LA's myriad group of guards have hardly been consistent but the team's 'two-headed' center duo of McGee and Howard has been surprisingly effective. McGee starts but Howard is averaging a few more minutes per game. Combined, the duo is averaging 14.0 PPG and 13.3  RPG. In last night's win, the duo combined for 17 points and 12 rebounds. All in all, LA is connecting on 48.7 percent from the floor as a team, ranking second in the league.

The Jazz HAVE to be glad to return home (Utah is 8-1 at Vivint Smart Home Arena) but PG Mike Conley (13.9-3.5-4.6) injured a hamstring during Monday's 103-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and will miss Wednesday's game.Then again, Conley has NOT been a consistent force for Utah, so I doubt the team is overly concerned. What is concerning is that the Jazz trailed the 76ers by as many as 26 points before rallying to make the score respectable, one night after losing y 20 points in Toronto.  Head coach Quin Snyder termed the defeat as another lesson. "For me, it's important for our team to learn from games," Snyder told reporters. "Not to ignore bad games by any means, but what can you do with it. I think that mindset if you keep working, this team is different than the teams we have had. There is enthusiasm about that."

Good news coming out of the Philly loss was that center Rudy Gobert scored a season-best 27 points against Philadelphia and also collected 12 rebounds for his 14th straight double-digit performance on the boards. Gobert is averaging 14.0 & 13.7, on the season plus SG Mitchell (24.9-4.8-3.6) and SF Bogdanovic (20.9 & 4.4) have led the way all season for Utah on the offensive end. I noted earlier that Utah has lost just ONCE this season at home, a surprising 112-102 defeat at the hands of the T-wolves but the Jazz avenged that loss two nights late in Minnesota, winning 103-95. Among Utah's eight home 'victims' this season are the 16-6 Clippers , the 15-6 Sixers and the 18-3 Bucks. My bet says the 18-3 Lakers join that 'hit list' tonight, as the Jazz have beaten the Lakers EIGHT straight here in Salt Lake City (note: A.D. may not be 100 percent and who knows, could miss).

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The Miami Heat are coming off a 121-110 overtime win over the Raptors at Toronto on Tuesday. Jimmy Butler scored the first eight points in the extra session, as part of his fifth career triple-double as Miami improved to 15-5 overall but the Heat are just a modest 7-5 on the road. The 14-5 Celtics are coming off a 1-1 trip to the New York City area over the weekend, losing 112-107 to the Nets at Barclays Center on Friday but bouncing back with a 113-104 win over the Knicks at MSG on Sunday. 

Butler finished with 22 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and 12 assists in the impressive win at Toronto. He leads the team averaging 19.0-6.0-6.7 but Miami's strength is its depth. EIGHT players are averaging 20-plus minutes per game, with SEVEN averaging in double digits (Olynyk just misses at 9.1). Duncan Robinson (11.7) had 22 points against the Raptors while making 6-of-9 three-pointers (he's now 14-of-22 from long distance over a three-game span). However, undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn (15.7 PPG) is trending in the other direction, missing all nine of his three-point attempts in the win over the Raptors to fall to 2-for-20 over the same three-game stretch. More bad news comes Miami's way in that PG Dragic (15.9 & 5.0 APG) sat out Tuesday's game and already has been ruled out for the visit to Boston. 

Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and Jaylen Brown added 28 in Sunday's win at Madison Square Garden, as Boston overcame Smart's scoreless 20 minutes and a 6-for-18 shooting effort by Kemba Walker. That said, Walker has more than filled the 'hole' left at PG by Kyrie leaving for the Nets, averaging 21.6-4.7-50. Tatum (21.1 & 7.1) is now in his third season and constantly getting better plus with Hayward sidelined, Brown's roll has become more important (he's averaging 19.3 & 7.1).  Some bad news is that the Celtics expect to play Wednesday without guard and team leader Marcus Smart (11.9-3.4-4.7), who exited Sunday's win over the Knicks with an oblique injury. Smart, also dealing with a cold, didn't practice Tuesday and has been labeled doubtful against Miami. "He's only going to play if he's 100 percent or close," head coach Brad Stevens said. 

Miami handed Toronto its first home loss in 10 chances this season, narrowing the list of NBA teams undefeated at home to three, Interestingly, all three of those teams play in the East. Phily is 10-0 at home and the other two are playing in this contest, Miami (8-0) and Boston (7-0). As noted above, the Heat are a modest 7-5 SU on the road and expecting them to win at Toronto and Boston on consecutive night's is "too big of an ask." Miami has lost three straight to Boston and 11 of its last 14 meetings with team. Lay the points with the Celtics. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The top two teams in the Western Conference meet Tuesday when the 17-3 Los Angeles Lakers visit the 13-4 Denver Nuggets. Both teams enter off a loss, as the Lakers had a 10-game winning streak halted by the Dallas Mavericks 114-100 on Sunday, while the Nuggets blew a 17-point halftime before suffering a 100-97 overtime loss at the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. How much will the outcome of this game mean come April?  That's TBD but right now, the Lakers are 2 1/2 games ahead of the Nuggets in the race for the best record in the West, although they have played three more games.

A.D. (26.1 & 9.3) and LBJ (25.7-7.2-10.9) have led LA all season and Davis produced 27 points and 10 rebounds, while James recorded 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals against the Mavericks. However, Dallas broke the game open by outscoring LA 35-17 in the third quarter. Los Angeles head coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "We've been really sharp and really consistent, but during that stretch we weren't, and it cost us the game." The Lakers also committed 17 turnovers, with six of the miscues coming from James. Kyle Kuzma (11.3) has an ankle issue and struggled against Dallas by scoring just four points on 1-of-8 shooting over 21 minutes. LA's center duo of McGee (7.1 & 6.4) and Howard (6.8 & 6.9) have "made it work," with both averaging about 20 minutes per game.

The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season and a 10-2 November has Denver in position to challenge for the top spot in the West. Center Nikola Jokic led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). However, Jokic has not quite been that good so far this season, although his line does read 15.6-10.4-6.0. Jokic is in a scoring slump with three straight single-digit games and had seven points on 3-of-11 shooting against the Kings, after being limited to eight in each of the previous two games. If there is one criticism of the Serbian big man, it's he doesn't shoot enough. Starting up front with Jokic are PF Millsap (13.5 & 5.8) and swingman Barton (15.4 & 7.3), while PG Murray (18.5-4.5-4.9) and Harris (11.1) start in the backcourt. Denver's bench is not quite as deep as last season but it's still a formidable unit.

It will likely come as a surprise that the Nuggets have won this season largely on the play of their defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the NBA (101.8 PPG). The Nuggets also rank third in defensive FG percentage (42.8) and 1st in three-point percentage (30.9). Yes, Los Angeles had won 10 in a row before dropping a home game to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. but Denver was rolling, too, having won SIX straight and 10 of 11 before blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Sacramento on Saturday. The Lakers have lost EIGHT of their last 10 visits to Pepsi Center, where Denver has already beaten Miami, Philly, Houston and Boston (those teams are a combined 56-22, .718) in going 8-2 SU (Denver owned an NBA-best 34-7 SU record at home last season). Hard (impossible?) to go against the Nuggets at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Month (Southeast) is on the Was Wizards at 7:05 ET.

The 8-11 Orlando Magic will be in Washington tonight to take on the 6-12 Wizards. It will be a contrast in styles, as the Wizards are the East's highest-scoring team at 118.8 PPG (2nd-best in the NBA), while the Magic have limited opponents to an East-low 101.9 PPG (also, 2nd-best in the NBA). Washington was crushed 150-125 on Sunday night at the Los Angeles Clippers to finish off a four-game road trip 1-3, allowing 131.0 PPG in the process. The Magic are coming off a 100-96 Sunday home win over the Warriors, holding Golden St to just 39.6 percent from the floor.

Orlando's best player, All-Star center Nikola Vucevic (17.1 & 11.6), remains out with ankle injury and will miss his SIXTH straight game, tonight. Shooting guard Evan Fournier had a season-high 32 points in Sunday's win and leads the team with 19.2 PPG. Fournier left the game briefly in the first quarter after hyper-extending his right knee but fought through and provided the key basket down the stretch with a driving layup but is expected to play in this one. Vucevic's frontline mates have both had minor injuries but both Isaac (13.1 & 7.5) and Gordon (12.4 & 6.4) are back on the court. Ross is averaging 11.9 PPG without starting, while PGs Fultz (11.7 & 3.8 APG) and Augustin (8.7 & 4.7 APG) split time running the team, while also playing together at times.

With Wall lost for the season, Bradley Beal was expected to have a HUGE season and that's exactly the case (28.0-4.3-7.3). The 6-10 Bryant (13.9 & 8.5) has played well in the post (no one misses Gortat) plus head coach Scott Brooks is getting better-than-expected play from 6-8 rookie Rui Hachimura (13.3 & 5.6), former Spur Davis Betrans (13.2 & 4.4) plus 6-11 second-year player Moritz Wagner (12.0 & 5.6).

Washington can score but the Wizards also allow 122.7 PPG on 49.3% shooting (rank 30th in both categories). However, can Orlando take advantage? The Magic don't just rank 29th in scoring (see above) but also 29th in both FG percentage (42.3) and three-point percentage (31.2). These team met in Orlando back on Nov 17 and teh Magic did score 125 points in a four-point win but this game is on the road. The Magic are a woeful 1-7 SU away from home this season, averaging only 101.0 PPG. The Wizards won BOTH games played in Washington against the Magic last season and the Magic were a playoff team at 42-40. Orlando is not playoff 'material' as of now, especially without Vucevic. Here's something I won't say often this NBA season, "Take the Wizards!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Ole Miss at 7:00 ET.

As all know, Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six yeas, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, after hanging on to defeat Stanford 68-67 in the Hall of Fame Classic championship game, Butler sits 7-0 and Monday entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Kermit Davis took Idaho and Middle Tenn St to the "Big Dance" and in his first year at Ole Miss, won 20 games before losing in the NCAA's first round. Ole Miss got off to a nice 5-1 start (lone loss was by one point to current No. 15 Memphis) but the Rebels fell WAAAAY short against Oklahoma State, scoring a season low in a 78-37 defeat in the NIT Tip-Off title game. this past Friday at Barclays Center.

Butler guard Kamar Baldwin (15.6 & 4.4) was named the MVP of the Hall of Fame Classic and has a veteran backourt partner in PG Thompson (6.4 & 6.4 APG). Joining Baldwin in double figures are 6-7 Milwaukee transfer Bryce Nze (12.7 & 7.6) and  6-6 redshirt senior forward Sean McDermott (10.6 & 5.0) . Butler lost the 6-10 Folwer (5.5 & 3.7) to graduation and the 6-11 Brunt (7.6 & 3.6) to Indiana (graduate transfer) but the 6-9 Golden (9.6 & 4.3) and the 6-7 Tucker (9.0 $ 2.5) are doing just fine.

Ole Miss was just plain awful against OSU, shooting 25.9% for the game, including a hard-to-believe 1-of-20 from three-point range. Still, guard Breein Tyree (15.1 & 4.1) and the 6-7  KJ Buffen (12.4 & & 7.4) were named to the NIT Tip-Off All-Tournament Team. 6-7 sophomore guard Blake Hinson has averaged 12.3 & 5.0 in his three games since returning to the team following a health scare plus PG Shuler (9.4-4.0-2.9) and the 6-10 Sy (6.6 & 4.6) round out a solid starting-five.

Ole Miss will be glad to be back in Oxford, where the Rebels have opened 4-0, outscoring opponents 72.2-to-52.0 PPG. Of course, Butler is BY FAR the best visitor to come to The Pavilion at Ole Miss but let me point out that this is Butler's first true road game of the current season. Kermit will also remind his team that Ole Miss lost a hard-fought 83-76 contest in Hinkle Fieldhouse last November, in just the second game of the season. Ole Miss has SEVEN games under its belt going into this one and is not only playing with "revenge" but also to "make up for" that horrible performance against Okla St. GREAT spot for the Rebs!

Good luck...Larry

The Big Ten-ACC Challenge gets underway Monday with a pair of games, including 5-2 Clemson visiting 3-4 Minnesota. Clemson opened the season with a 67-70 home loss to Va Tech but then won FIVE in row, including erasing a 15-point deficit to force overtime and eventually edge TCU 62-60 on Nov 24th in Las Vegas. However, the Tigers then lost two nights later 71-67 to Colorado, which is 6-0 and ranked 21st in the most recent AP poll. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 73-68 home loss to DePaul (Nov 29) and already had losses to Oklahoma, Butler and Utah on their resume.

The loss to Colorado was the first time this season that the Tigers had allowed an opponent to reach 70 points. "Our guys are getting better," head coach Brad Brownell told reporters. "We're fighting. We've got to get better at executing a few things, but we're getting there. Our players work hard for us, and I love coaching them." 6-8 junior forward Aamir Simms (11.9 & 8.9) is the lone returning starter for the Tigers but Clemson's best player is 6-6 senior forward Tevin Mack (15.4 & 5.6), a grad transfer from Alabama. Sophomore guard John Newman III (11.6 PPG) and freshman PG Al-Amir Dawes (10.1 & 3.4 APG) are Clemson's other double digit scorers. Clemson's strength is its defense, allowing 61.0 PPG (41st) on 37.5%  shooting (34th).

Richard Pitino will sure miss guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. However, Pitino likes his team and the team's 3-4 start is unacceptable. The 6-10 Oturu (17.0 & 11;9) is off to a strong start and is joined up front by the 6-9 Demir (7.7 & 3.7), a graduate transfer from Drexel. Minnesota owns an excellent backcourt trio, led by PG Carr (13.0-5.9-6.3), joined by Willis (12.9) and  Kalscheur (11.7). 

Pitino has had a  roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. This game IS important, as Minnesota opens Big Ten play with a game at Iowa (Dec 9) and the home to Ohio St  (7-0 and ranked 10th) on Dec 15. Clemson is beatable and is traveling back from a three-day stay in Las Vegas, If Minnesota can't win here, it will be a LONG season for "little Ricky."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 7:05 ET.

The 12-8 Utah Jazz 'limp' into Philadelphia on Monday on the heels of Sunday's 130-110 loss in Toronto. The Jazz  fell behind by 40 points at the half (largest halftime deficit in franchise history), rendering Utah's 49-point effort in the third quarter a virtual non-factor. The 14-6 Sixers lost at Toronto 101-96 last Monday, a game in which Embiid went scoreless in 32 minutes, going 0 of 11 from the floor and 0 of 3 from the FT line. However, Philly has won all THREE since that loss, although all have come by single digits (six, six and three points), going 0-3 ATS.

"We were awful. I think the important thing for us is to understand why," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "There were a lot of issues but our urgency to make certain things important defensively, whether that be an assignment, sprinting back and not jogging back against a team that runs the way they do. There were too many breakdowns and too many possessions where we lacked the urgency we needed." Donovan Mitchell (24.8-4.9-3.7) was limited to 16 points at Toronto. PG Mike Conley (14.2-3.6-4.5) led Utah with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting in Sunday's loss, after connecting on 9-of-40 (22.5%) over his previous four games combined. Bogan Bogdanovic (21.5 & 4.5) has been Utah's second-best scorer all season and center Rudy Gobert had 12 points and 11 rebounds. The tender ankle that caused him to miss a couple of games in the latter part of November seems much better, as he owns 12 double-doubles in averaging 13.3 & 13.8 on the season.

Joel Embiid had 32 points and 11 rebounds in Philly's win over the Pacers and since his "no-show" in last Monday's loss at Toronto, is averaging 30.7 points and 14.7 rebounds. "I changed my mindset," Embiid told reporters after making 15-of-15 free throws in the win over the Pacers. "I hadn't been as aggressive, so I've been more aggressive creating contact and causing other people to foul me." Philly owns a formidable frontline with Embiid (22.8 & 12.2) joined by Harris (18.0 & 7.1) and Horford (14.4-7.0-4.1).  The Sixers miss Richardson's 16.1 PPG, as he's been bothered by a hamstring issue and likely won't be joining Simmons (12.9-6.9-8.40 in the starting backcourt tonight).

TOUGH spot for Utah, playing its FIFTH game in eight days against a team that has yet to lose at home (9-0). What's more, Philly is out for a little "payback" from a 106-104 loss in Salt Lake City back on Nov 6. In that game, Simmons did not play in the second half because of right shoulder soreness, while Embiid, Harris and Horford combined to shoot 12 of 41 (29.3%). FYI...Embiid is shooting 49.3% on the season, Harris 45.7% and Horford 48.2%. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Non-Conference Crusher is on the Tor Raptors at 6:05 ET.

You may remember the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship last season but all also likely know that Kwahi "took his talents" to "the City of Angels." If that wasn't enough, All Star PG Lowry went down after just eight games, averaging 21.8-4.2-6.5, while PF Ibaka, adding 14.0 & 6.5 off the bench, went down at the same time. Neither has returned (they are due back soon) but the Raptors just keep rolling. Toronto is 14-4 and trails only 17-3 Milwaukee (which is on an 11-game wining streak) in the East. Toronto has won its last six games and on Sunday, will welcome the 12-7 Utah Jazz to Scotiabank Arena looking to make it SEVEN wins in a row. Utah is 8-1 at home (only loss to Minnesota?) but Friday's 103-94 win at Memphis was its first win 1-2 on its current five-game road trip (Jazz are 4-6 on the road, after opening this trip 1-2).

Bogan Bogdanovic (22.1 & 4.4) scored 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter at Memphis on Friday, as Utah completed a rally from a 15-point halftime deficit. Center Rudy Gobert chipped in 13 points and 13 rebounds for his 11th double-double, as he's back after missing a couple games at the end of November with a tender ankle (he's averaging 13.4 & 13.9 on the season). Utah is led by guard Donovan Mitchell (25.3-5.1-3.7), who is proving he was the steal of the 2017 draft (chosen 13th in a draft which saw Fultz and Ball go 1 & 2). PG Conley (13.9-3.6-4.6)  is playing more consistently but he's still shooting just 36.1%

Toronto picked up a 90-83 victory at Orlando on Friday, surviving its worst shooting performance of the season (36.9 percent). Norman Powell (12.7) scored a career-high 33 points, while Pascal Siakam, who leads Toronto in scoring (25.1), was held to a season-low 10 points on 4-of-22 from the floor at Orlando. He did chip in 13 rebounds and five assists and was a big part of a defensive effort that stifled the Magic.  Guard Fred VanVleet has upped the ante with Lowry sidelined, scoring 20-plus points in SIX of his last eight and is now averaging 18.5-3.9-73 on the season.

The Jazz may be tough in Salt Lake City (8-1) but they are an average (vulnerable) team on the road and this marks their FOURTH game in seven nights. Meanwhile, Toronto is 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS at home to open the current season, outscoring opponents on average, 119.4-to-104.6 PPG. The price is 'right!'. Lay the 'cheap' number.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the NO Pelicans at 5:05 ET.

The New Orleans Pelicans traveled to OKC to take on the Thunder on Friday, in what was the first game of a home-and-home set. The teams had met back on Nov 2 in OKC, with the Thunder prevailing 115-104. New Orleans won THREE in a row from Nov 17-21 but entered Friday's contest having lost THREE in a row while surrendering an average of 125.3 PPG. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City entered on a 2-6 run. New Orleans came into Friday's game dealing with a lot of emotions, as on Wednesday, the Pelicans hosted the NBA-best Lakers, with former team star Anthony Davis returning to New Orleans to score 41 points in LA's 114-110 win. However, the Pelicans showed little 'hangover' on Friday, as they led by EIGHT points early in the fourth quarter, before Oklahoma City rallied behind Dennis Schroder (he scored NINE of his 25 points in the final nine minutes) to 'steal' a 109-104 decision over the Pelicans. The 7-11 Thunder will now try to pick up a sweep of the home-and-home set when the teams meet again Sunday in the Big Easy (Pelicans come in 6-13).

The "new-look" Thunder have long-time All Star Chris Paul (15.7-4.2.-5.6) and second-year player Gilgeous-Alexander (18.3-4.8-3.1) both capable of running the team plus OKC also has Schroder coming off the bench to do the same, if needed. He's averaging 15.4-4.0-4-0 and as he proved Friday night, he's a quality NBA player. SF Gallinari is averaging 18.2 & 5.2 and is a proven NBA scorer plus center Adams (9.3 & 8.9) seems fully recovered after missinga few games back in early November. The 6-10 Noel (7.6 & 4.8) has shown 'flashes' that he can be a solid backup and contributor. A bonus for OKC the last two games has been SF Abdel Nader, who after scoring a career-high 23 points at Portland on Wednesday, added another 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Friday's win. "I'm really happy for him," head coach Billy Donovan said of Nader, whose opportunity arose when Hamidou Diallo (8.8 & 3.8) suffered an elbow injury. "Because there's nobody that works harder or is more committed or is in the gym more than he is."

New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after Friday's loss, "We had an opportunity to win it at the end but we have to do a better job all together. Defensively, we had a few missed assignments at the end that cost us big. We've just got to be able to execute things at the end of the game defensively and offensively." New Orleans won the third quarter by a 31-17 margin, before fading late to fall to 2-8 on the road. Guard Lonzo Ball (11.1-4.1-5.7) missed his second straight game with an illness while forward Derrick Favors (8.3 & 8.9) remained out for personal reasons. Zion is still a ways from getting on the court  but SF Brandon Ingram (25.9-7.4-4.0) is liking New Orleans just fine (he came from LA in the Davis deal).  PG  Jrue Holiday (19.0-5.1-7.2) is the team-leader plus SG Redick is chipping in 15.3 PPG, while shooting 46.3% on threes.

Here's the deal. The Thunder caught the Pelicans off an emotional game against the Lakers when the teams met Friday night in OKC, yet need to rally from EIGHT points down in the fourth quarter to win, at home. This quick turnaround provides the Pelicans a great opportunity for some "payback" and why shouldn't they get it? The home team has won SIX straight in series!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* West Coast Crusher is on St Mary's at 11:30 ET.

Tim Duryea was on Stew Morrill's staff at Utah St for 14 seasons, a span in which the Aggies made six NCAA Tournaments and won five conference championships (the Big West in 2003 and Western Athletic Conference four straight years from 2008 to 2011). Duryea was hired as head coach on March 30, 2015, after Morrill retired. However, he was just 47-49 over three seasons and was fired. Taking over was Craig Smith and in just his first season at the school, he led the Aggies to a share of the Mountain West regular-season title, as well as the tournament title, which earned Utah St its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011 (28 wins were tied for the 3rd-most in school history). The Aggies have opened the current season 7-0 and will visit Moraga, Ca to take on the 6-1 St Mary's Gaels, ranked 15th in the latest AP poll. St Mary's head coach Randy Bennett has led the Gaels for 18 years, winning 20-plus games in each of the last 12. The Gaels are coming off a season in which they finally beat Gonzaga in the WCC championship game, earning their 7th NCAA bid under Bennett. The previous season, St Mary's 28 wins were not enough to earn them an at-large NCAA bid.

Utah State is off to its best start since 1961. The Aggies are holding opponents to 57.7 PPG during their 7-0 start, ranking 14th in the nation in points allowed. The Aggies start a trio of guards in Merrill (16.6-4.6-4.7), Miller (10.6) and Porter (6.0 & 3.9 APG). Without injured 7-0 sophomore center Neemias Queta (11.8 & 8.9 last season), the reigning Mountain West defensive player of the year, the 6-7 Bean (13.4 & 11.4) and 6-7 JC transfer Anderson (14.7 & 6.3) are "stepping up" in the frontcourt. Anderson has been coming off the bench, as is guard Brito, who is also averaging in double digits at 11.7 PPG. Utah St is known for its defense but the Aggies are averaging 82.6 PPG (32nd).

The Gaels opened with a neutral-site win over Wisconsin but then lost 61-59 at home to Wofford (as nearly a 3-'TD' favorite), before ripping off FIVE straight wins. St Mary's is led by senior guard Jordan Ford, who averages a team-high 20.7 PPG. PG Kusher (7.5 & 3.8 APG) is steady backcourt partner for Ford plus a trio of big men give Bennett  a solid frontline. It consists of the 6-8 Fitts (13.1 & 6.0), the 6-6 Krebs (12.1 & 4.3) and the 6-10 Tass (7.1 & 4.7). More good news comes in that the team got a welcome boost from 7-3 center Aaron Menzies, who made his first career start for the Gaels in their last game, recording nine points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes.

Utah St just claimed the Jamaica Classic title last week with victories over LSU and North Texas but this marks the team's first true road game. Moraga has not been a very hospitable place for visiting teams, as the Gaels are 172-22 in McKeon Pavilion over the last 11 seasons .Also 'looming' over this contest is Utah State's 86-63 win over St Mary's in a holiday tourney played last November in Las Vegas. St Mary's WILL remember that game well, as while the Aggies shot 49.2% from the floor, St Mary's shot just 29% (18 of 62), including 6 of 24 on threes. REVENGE works in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on VCU at 9:30 ET.

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The 6-12 New Orleans Pelicans travel to OKC to take on the 6-11 Thunder on Friday, in what is the first game of a home-and-home set  (teams play in New Orleans on Sunday). These teams met back on Nov 2 in OKC, with the Thunder prevailing 115-104. New Orleans won THREE in a row from Nov 17-21 but enter this contest having lost THREE in a row while surrendering an average of 125.3 PPG. Oklahoma City lost for the SIXTH time in eight games with Wednesday's 136-119 loss in Portland, a contest in which the Thunder fell behind 40-17, then found themselves chasing the game the rest of the way.

New Orleans dealt with a lot of emotions in its Wednesday game against NBA-best Lakers, as former team star Anthony Davis scored 41 for LA. PG Jrue Holiday had 29 points and a season-best 12 assists against the Lakers. Forward Brandon Ingram was just 4-of-21 shooting against his former team but still had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ingram is averaging 25.9-7.4-4.0 on the season and has topped 20 points in EIGHT straight appearances. Holiday checks in averaging 19.3-5.2- 7.3, while Redick (15.0) is 'heating up' from behind the arc, making 41-of-81 on three-pointers his last nine games. Ball (11.1-4.1-5.7) is out with the flu, while PF Favors (8.3 & 8.9) remains out due to personal reasons (he's played in just NINE of 18 games this season).

The Thunder have long-time All Star Chris Paul (6.2-4.1-5.6) and second-year player Gilgeous-Alexander (18.8-5.1-3.1) both capable of running the team plus OKC also has Schroder coming off the bench to do the same, if needed. He's averaging 14.8-4.1-3-9. SF Gallinari is just 15-of-38 shooting over his last three games but he's averaging 18.3 & 5.1 on the season. The last time these teams met (Nov 2), center Adams (9.0 & 8.7) was sidelined but he's back now plus the 6-10 Noel (7.6 & 4.7) has shown 'flashes' that he can be a solid backup and a solid contributor.

I won't play 'on' OKC very often but I did have them back on Nov 2 against the Pelicans and see no reason NOT to play them again, here. The Pelicans allow 120.1 PPG (29th) on 47.5% shooting (25th), including allowing 123.1 PPG in going 2-7 SU on the road. OKC does have a slight impost here but I don't see them missing a chance to pick up a "W," so I'll lay the modest points.

Good luck...Larry

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers (why?), after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over was former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who would have to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but now finds itself in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis after beating Iowa St (83-76) and No. 6 North Carolina (73-64). Waiting in the title game will be 8-0 Gonzaga, which is ranked No. 8 in the latest AP poll. You may have heard of Gonzaga and its head coach, Mark Few. When Few arrived in Spokane, the "Zags" had been to two NCAA tourneys in school history. All Few has done is go 20-for-20, entering this season on a streak of FIVE consecutive Sweet 16 appearances (reaching at least the Elite 8 in THREE of those five). Gonzaga eased past Southern Miss 94-69 on Wednesday but then needed OT to get past No. 11 Oregon 73-72 on Thanksgiving (this just in...the Ducks are an excellent team!).

Michigan's style under Howard has been to push the offensive tempo. The win over North Carolina marked SIX straight in which the Wolverines scored at least 70 points, as the Wolverines are SIXTH in the nation in field-goal percentage (52.7) and 34th in scoring (82.5 PPG). PG Simpson is the team leader (12.2-4.5-9.2) but junior guard Brooks connected on 9-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc on Thursday to score 24 points. That raised his scoring average on the season to 13.7, second on the team behind 6-7 junior forward Isaiah Livers (16.3). 7-1 senior center Jon Teske has chipped in 12.3 PPG plus adds a team-best 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

Gonzaga lost a 'ton' off last year's team, including a pair of 6-8 forwards who both went in the first round of the NBA draft, Hachimura (19.7 & 6.5) and Clarke (16.9 & 8.6). Also moving on were guards Norvelll (14.9-4.3-3.1) and Perkins (11.0 & 6.3 APG) but the refrain at Gonzaga is, "no worries." Gonzaga is 'loaded' up front with the 6-11 Petrusev (Serbia), who leads with 17.0 PPG and 8.6 RPG. The 6-7 Kispert (14.1), the 6-10 Tillie (11.7 & 5.7 in just three games) plus 6-10 freshman Timme adds 11.1 & 5.6. A&M transfer Gilder (11.0), No. Texas transfer Woolridge (9.5-5.5-3.9) and returning guard Ayayi (9.3-6.5-3.6) are the main contributors on the perimeter. Gonzaga is averaging 87.1 PPG (7th) on 50.9% shooting (13th), while allowing 61.9 PPG (plenty good enough with its scoring output at the other end).

Michigan came to Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis unranked, but can leave with a championship. However, after upsetting North Carolina, I don't see back-to-back wins over top-10 teams being 'in the cards.' The Bulldogs led Oregon by 17 points in the early going and by five points with a minute left in regulation, before having to rally in overtime. Mark Few has too many options and could counter  a fast Michigan team with a big lineup, a strategy the Bulldogs employed against Oregon. Few often paired the 6-foot-10 Tillie with 6-foot-11 Petrusev, utilizing the former in the high post and wing and Petrusev on the low block. Kudos to Howard's fast start but he's got a LONG way to go to match Few's coaching acumen.

Good luck..Larry

My 10* "signature" LEGEND Play is on San Diego St at 10:30 ET.

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Blue Jays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season on came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. 4-1 Creighton heads into the Las Vegas Invitational with three players ranked in the top- 40 nationally in 3-point shooting percentage and will face 6-0 San Diego St in Thursday night's semifinal at Orleans Arena, a team that comes in ranked 19th in three-point shooting defense (26.2%). It may come as a surprise to some that San Diego St has won at least 19 games for each of the last 14 seasons and owns the NCAA's 14th-best winning percentage (.733) in that time frame. The Aztecs entered last season having made SEVEN of the last nine NCAA tourneys and played in the postseason in 12 of the previous 13 years.

The Bluejays have a solid seven-man rotation, led by by guards Marcus Zegarowski (18.0 & 4.8), Ty-Shon Alexander (17.4 & 4.8) and Mitch Ballock (13.8 & 5.8). Alexander is shooting 53.6% on threes,  Zegarowski 50.0% and Ballock 46.9%. Joining that trio in the starting lineup are forwards Jefferson (9.0 & 5.2) and Bishop (7.8 & 4.4), while the 6-11 Jones (7.0 7 5.4) and guard Mitchell (4.2 & 2.6) are the  top-two reserves.

SDSU's 21-13 record left them "sitting out" postseason play last year but the Aztecs are off to their first 6-0 start since the Kawhi Leonard-led team finished 34-3 in the 2010-11 season. The Aztecs are well-balanced with SIX players getting 20-plus minutes, three guards and three frontcourt players. PG Flynn (13.3 & 5.7 APG) leads the team in scoring and assists and is joined in the starting lineup by fellow guards Schakel (10.2) and Feagin (9.0). Two 6-10 players round out the starting lineup, Wetzell (10.2 & 7.2) and Mensah (7.0 & 8.0). The 6-6 Mitchell (comes off the bench to add 10.0 & 4.5. SDSU has been known for its defense since Fisher arrived in San Diego and current head coach Brian Dutcher (he was on Fisher's staff in Michigan and SDSU), preaches the same 'sermon.' The Aztecs are allowing just 56.0 PPG (11th) on 35.9% shooting (17th), which includes the team's 26.2% on threes.

All four of Creighton's wins have come at home and against modest competition (Kennesaw St, La Tech, Cal Poly and North Florida), while the team's lone road game did not turn out well. Creighton ranks just 249th in defensive FG percentage and it showed in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines made 56.6% from the floor in a 79-69 win. The Bluejays had trouble keeping Wolverines’ G Zavier Simpson from driving in the paint and that will be an issue here, against SDSU point guard Flynn in this neutral setting. Actually, San Diego St is a Las Vegas regular playing UNLV  and the MWC tourney in Sin City. More notably, San Diego St has had just one close encounter in its 6-0 start, an impressive 76-71 road win at BYU. The Aztecs' other five wins have come by an average of 21.4 PPG. Grab them at this price, playing in familiar and friendly surroundings.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Oregon at 9:30 ET.

No. 11 Oregon is 5-0 and  No. 13 Seton Hall is 4-1, as the two schools square off in a Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinal matchup in the Bahamas. Both schools are averaging more tahn 80 points, with Oregon checking in at 80.4 and Seton Hall at 84.40. This week’s tournament, which also includes No. 8 Gonzaga, No. 6 North Carolina, Alabama, Iowa State and Michigan, could serve as a key showcase for both Oregon and Seton Hall, with both looking to position themselves for the NCAA Tournament.

Seton Hall's lone loss was a three-point home loss to Michigan St but the Pirates have rebounded with two wins since, the most recent being last Saturday’s 87-51 victory over Florida A&M.  Star guard Myles Powell, who was voted the preseason Big East Player of the Year, scored 23 points in the win. He's averaging 22.6 & 4.6 so far, having topped 20 points in FOUR of five games this season. Senior guard Quincy McKnight had 14 points and five assists in the win over Florida A&M and is averaging 10.8 points and 4.6 assists for the Pirates. Kevin Willard's team features a HUGE frontcourt, with the 6-11 Mamukelashvili (11.2 & 5.0), who is joined by a pair of two 7-footers, Gill (5.6 & 6.4) and Obiagu (4.6 & 2.2).

Oregon's last outing was a 78-66 victory over Houston last Friday.  Senior PG Payton Pritchard (the last holdover from the 2017 Final Four team) is on pace for a "career season," averaging 19.4-5.4-5.6. He teams with fellow New Mexico graduate transfer Mathis (15.0) plus JC transfer Duarte (9.0 & 54.8) in the backcourt. Up front, 6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (9.8-5.6) and 6-9 sophomore Okoro (8.0 & 7.3) are joined by two freshman, the 6-7 Patterson (6.8) and the 6-8 Lawson (4.8 & 4.0). Mathis made five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points in last Friday’s win, while forward Francis Okoro added 12 points and four rebounds.

The Ducks don't have the Pirates' size but they have already beaten a 13th-ranked team (Memphis) and a team that made the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 last season in Houston, while opening 5-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when they reached the Elite Eight. What's more, Oregon is shooting 51.9% (9th), including ranking 7th in three-point percentage (42.7). On the other end of the court, Oregon ranks fourth nationally in three-point FG percentage defense at 20.5 percent (pretty nice combo). I like Kevin Willard and Seton Hall but NOT here vs Dana Altman and the Ducks. Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and I believe this year's team has an excellent chance to 'go deep' in this season's "Big Dance," A win here and the Ducks will almost surely be playing No. 8 Gonzaga (great test), next. First things first, though!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Wichita St at 8:30 ET.

Bob Huggins became famous while coaching Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 16 straight postseason berths, including 14 straight NCAA bids. He was 'forced out' and after spending a year out of the coaching profession, accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. It was a one-year 'pit stop' (23-12), as he returned to Morgantown (where he was born) to take the West Va job. As expected, he's led West Va to postseason berths in NINE of 12 seasons but is coming off just his second losing season with the Mountaineers, as they were just 15-21 in the 2018-19 season (4-14 in the Big 12 left them in last-place). However, this year's Mountaineers are off to a 5-0 start, as they get set to take on 6-0 Wichita St in the championship game of the Cancun Challenge.

Huggins has a great coaching history but his counterpart in tonight's title game, Gregg Marshall, is no slouch. He led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011).

Wichita State led from start to finish in a 70-47 rout of South Carolina last night and can become the first two-time winner of this tournament (the Shockers won in 2012). Wichita St jumped out to a 27-9 lead on Tuesday, went up 19 at halftime, and cruised. Marshall's team is averaging 75.3 PPG and allowing just 56.2 (14th). The Shockers have no real star but shown great balance, as FIVE players are averaging at least nine points. PG Stevenson leads the way with 12.2 PPG plus a team-high 3.7 APG.. Four more guards chip in between 7.2 and 11.4 PPG plus up front, 6-8 junior forward Trey Wade, a transfer from UTEP averages 11.8 points and a team-best 7.7 rebounds. Excellent news has come Wichita's way as the 6-11 F Jaime Echenique (9.2 & 6.0 last season) has scored 11 points combined in the last two games after missing the first three with a hand injury.

While Wichita cruised to an easy win last night, the Mountaineers had to rally from 13 points down in the final nine minutes to beat Northern Iowa 60-55. Senior guard Haley, who averaged 7.1 points along with 4.1 rebounds last season, is averaging a team-high 12.2  PPG and also chipping in 7.2 RPG. Also making 'noise' in the early going has been 6-9  freshman Oscar Tshiebwe, who is averaging 11.2 PPG and a team-best 8.2 rebounds. 6-10 sophomore forward Emmitt Matthews is averaging 9.4 & 5.6 plus while 6-10 sophomore Derek Culver was held to three points in the semifinal, he had 15 rebounds (9.2 & 7.4 on the season).

Nothing bad to say about West Va but I just believe Wichita is the better team and the Shockers have opened the season with six straight victories for the first time since starting 35-0 in 2013-14,  one year after reaching the Final Four.Could this be another 30-win campaign for Marshall? Time will tell but for tonight, I'm "all over" Wichita in this spot, at this price!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Houston Rockets were 'flying high' when they traveled to Denver last Wednesday for a game with the Nuggets. Houston took an eight-game winning streak into that contest but the Rockets were held under 100 points for the first time this season in a 105-95 loss. (Houston entered averaging an NBA-best 119.5 PPG). Harden finished with "just" 27 points, snapping his string of eight consecutive games with 36 or more. Houston then lost 112-109 at the Clippers last Friday, before returning home to get run off the court by Luka Doncic and Mavs, 137-123. As Vince Lomabardi once famously said, "What the hell going on out there?" The now 11-6 Rockets welcome the 12-4 Miami Heat to Houston on Wednesday, looking to snap their three-game slide and avenge an embarrassing 129-100 loss at Miami back on Nov  3.

Miami has been one of the league's surprising teams so far, coming off a 39-43 non-playoff season last year. Miami has won SIX of its last seven, after a 117-100 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Small forward Jimmy Butler scored 21 points against the Hornets but complained of illness after the game and his availability for Wednesday hasn't yet been determined. Kelly Olynyk (8.3 & 5.6) collected a career-best 16 rebounds against Charlotte and also scored 15 points for his first double-double of season. Butler is off to an unspectacular start (18.9-5.4-6.7) but the Heat have gotten strong play from starters and bench players all season. Undrafted rookie Nunn (16.9 PPG) has been the biggest surprise plus has seen fellow guard Dragic (15.3 & 5.3 APG with zero starts) and rookie guard guard Herro (14.3 PPG in just three starts) make major contributions. 6-9 center Adebayo has played in and a started all 16 games, averaging a double-double (14.3 & 10.3) plus it s expected that Justise Winslow (concussion) is probable after missing the previous nine games (in five games, he's averaging 13.9-8.0-4.1)

Harden (37.9-6.1-6.0) and Westbrook (22.2-7.5-6.8) lead the way for Houston, although Clint Capela (14.6 & 14.7) is sure making  a strong case as being one of the NBA's top centers (he 's had 20-plus rebounds in FIVE of his last six). .Eric Gordon (16.6 PPG career scorer) is missed but House (11.5 & 4.6) was back vs Dallas on Sunday, scoring 16 points in 35 minutes. Dallas racked up 45 points and led by 16 when the first quarter concluded and led 78-60 at halftime while cruising to a win on Sunday. Luka Doncic scored 41 points and Tim Hardaway poured in a season-best 31, as Houston's defense was routinely carved up. Asked what the Rockets did wrong on defense, Harden's answer began with this word; "Everything." We allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do from the beginning of the game and when you give a team like that comfort ... they gain confidence," Harden told reporters. "And that's what they did."

The Rockets NEED a bounce-back here and avenging that 'ugly' 29-point loss at Miami should help provide some extra motivation. In that contest, Harden, Westbrook and a then-healthy Gordon combined to shoot 11 of 35 from the floor (31.4%), including 3 of 20 on threes (15.0%). No team likes to be on the road the night before Thanksgiving and visiting Houston, where the Heat have lost FIVE of their last six meetings, is NOT where the Heat would chose to play. Houston snaps its three-game slide and "returns the favor" while avenging that Nov 3 loss in Miami. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Bailout Blowout is on Colorado at 11:30 ET.

Tad Boyle took the Colorado job in 2010-11 and won 20-plus games in FIVE of his first six seasons (three NCAA appearances). However, mediocre 19-15 and 17-15 seasons followed, before Colorado went 23-13 last year. The Buffs didn't make the Big Dance last season but all FIVE starters returned and big things were expected. The Buffs have opened 4-0 and and are currently ranked 23rd in the AP's latest poll. Colorado played an 'ugly' first half last night against Wyoming (game was tied at 15-all) but the Buffs pulled away for a 56-41 victory. Clemson opened the season with a 67-70 home loss to Va Tech but has since won FIVE in row, after erasing a 15-point deficit to force overtime and eventually edge TCU, 62-60.

I really like this Colorado team, which is holding opponents to 54.5 PPG (11th) and is led by three double-digit scorers. The 6-7 Tyler Bey (14.0 & 12.0 ) is a terrific player and is joined in double figures by PG Wright (12.8-4.0-3.8) and the 6-7 Schwartz (12.5). Some inside 'muscle' comes from the 6-8 Bailey (7.8 & 7.3) and the 6-7 Siewert (6.8 & 5.5), who comes off the bench. 

6-8 junior forward Aamir Simms (10.0 & 8.2) is the lone returning starter for the Tigers but led Sunday night's comeback by scoring all 13 of his points in the second half, to go with 12 rebounds. Clemson's best player is 6-6 senior forward Tevin Mack, a grad transfer from Alabama. He scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the win over TCU. He leads the team in scoring (16.2) while also shooting 44.7 percent (17-of-38) from three-point range. Sophomore guard John Newman III and freshman PG Al-Amir Dawes are tied for second in scoring (10.8) and have combined for 32 assists and 14 steals. 

Just how good is Clemson? The loss to Va Tech is understandable (Hokies are 6-0 and just beat Mich St) but before scoring the final 15 points of the game Sunday to send the contest to OT (and win), the Tigers' previous four wins all came at home over Coppin St, South Carolina-Upstate, Lehigh and Delaware St. I don't see Clemson "coming back" against this talented, balanced and excellent defensive team in Colorado. Lay the modest points. 

Good luck...Larry

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

Mike Young spent 17 years at Wofford, where he led the Terriers to five NCAA appearances, including last season. Wofford defeated Seton Hall 84-68 iin LY's Big Dance, giving him the first NCAA Tournament win of his career. He took over at Va Tech, when Buzz Willaims used Tech's Sweet 16 appearance last season to take the Texas A&M job. On November 5th, 2019, Young recorded his 300th career win and first win as Virginia Tech's men's basketball coach, by defeating Clemson 67-60. The Hokies haven't looked back, as they upset No. 3 Michigan State 71-66 in the opening round of the Maui Invitational on Monday. The 6-0 Hokies will meet Dayton on Tuesday, which improved its record to 4-0 with Monday's 80-61 win over Georgia. Anthony Grant had success at both VCU and Alabama, before taking Dayton job for the 2017-18 season (he had a successful four-year playing career as a Flyer).

Dayton's 6-9 Tuppin (24.0 & 8.3) will easily be the best big man in this game, as the Hokies' tallest starter is 6-7. He's joined upfront by the 6-7 Mikesell (11.3 & 3.8) plus an excellent perimeter group. Junior guards Crutcher (13.3 & 5.8 APG) and Chatwood (12.0 & 4.5 APG) get help in the backcourt from two transfers, Landers (Chattanooga) and Watson (Michigan), who have combined to average 15.3 PPG.

Young lost Va Tech's leading scorer from last year (Alexander-Walker at 16.2) to the NBA and couldn't convince the 6-10 Blackshear (14.9 & 7.45) to stay (he's a graduate transfer at Florida). However, the 6-7 Nolley (20.5 & 4.7) is off to an excellent start and the 6-5 Horne (9.8 & 4.7) plays bigger than his size. Freshman guard Alleyene (12.2) is the only other double digit scorer outside of Nolley but FIVE more guards chip in between 5.3 and 7.7 PPG.

Tech loves to shoot the three-ball and is connecting on 42.9% (7th). However, Dayton should control the paint and is averaging 87.2 PPG (7th) on a nation-best 54.2% shooting. TOUGH spot for Tech off its upset of Michigan St. Dayton wins and advances to the championship game, where No. 4 Kansas will likely be waiting.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late-Breaker is on Bradley at 8:30 ET.

Northwestern and Bradley square off tonight in the first round of the Fort Myers Tip-Off. After three years of gradual improvement, the 2016-17 season saw Chris Collins lead the Northwestern Wildcats to their best season since before World War II. The Wildcats finished with their first winning Big Ten Conference record in 49 years, earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, and went to win their first NCAA Tournament game (note: Northwestern had been the only member of a power conference to have never made the tournament). However, Northwestern went 15-17 (60-12 Big Ten) the following season and last year fell to 13-19, finishing last in the Big Ten at 4-16, for the first time since the 2006-07 season. .

Brian Wardle took the Bradley head coaching job in 2015-16, after having no success at Green Bay. That first season was a disaster (5-27) but in his fourth season (last year), Wardle led the Braves to the NCAA Tournament by winning The Missouri Valley’s “Arch Madness” Tournament (first MVC title for Bradley since 1988), as the Braves overcame an 18-point deficit to beat Northern Iowa 57-54. The win led to Bradley's first NCAA Tourney appearance since 2006.

Northwestern is a disappointing 2-2 to open this season, losing a pair of home games to Merrimack (71-61) and Radford (67-56), despite being double digit favorites in each one. The Wildcats returned two big men and both the 6-11 Nance (15.3 & 9.0) and the 6-7 Kupp (11.8 & 5.0) have posted good numbers. 6-9 freshman Beran was the team's most highly-touted recruit but he's averaging just 4.8 & 1.8 in 12 minutes. However, fellow freshman Young (6-10), is averaging 11.5 & 7.5. The starting guards are returning players Spencer (7.5-4.5-4.3) and Gaines (6.5).

Bradley's a veteran team, led by returning guards Brown (13.8 & 6.8 APG) at the point and Kennell (13.2). LSU transfer Kingsby (8.2) starts with that in the backcourt, with the 6-7 Childs (12.8 & 9.6) and the 6-11 Bar (10.0 & 10.) starting up front. Kennell was the MVC's 6th-man of the year last season and maybe the 6-6 Henry (10.5 & 4.5) can claim that title this season.

Bradley lost its season-opener to St Joe's but enters on a four-game winning streak and I expect that the Braves will have little trouble making it FIVE straight wins, here.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

The 11-5 Utah Jazz open a five-game road trip with a visit to Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum on Monday night. The Jazz enter off three consecutive victories and SEVEN wins over their last nine games, following a 128-120 triumph over New Orleans on Saturday at home. The 13-3 Bucks own the East's best record (Lakers are an NBA-best 14-2) and their only loss over their last 12 games came on the road at Utah 103-100 back on Nov 8. Milwaukee has since won SEVEN in a row.

The Jazz held off the Pelicans 128-120 on Saturday without center Rudy Gobert in the lineup. Gobert (13.3 & 14.1) was sidelined with an ankle injury he suffered a day earlier against the Warriors. In his absence, Utah turned to a fast starting offense to be the difference maker. The Jazz opened the game on a 14-0 run and scored a season-best 44 points in the first quarter. Donovan Mitchell (25.9-5.7-3.9) scored a season-high 37 points on 12-for-26 shooting (including a season high six 3-pointers) to go with seven rebounds and five assists. Bojan Bogdanovic  (20.7 & 4.2) added 28 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Bogdanovic had a season-high 33 points and hit the game-winning three-pointer in Utah's Nov 8 win over Milwaukee.

Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is off to a historic start, as he was the first player in NBA history to exceed 200 points, 100 rebounds and 50 assists (61) in the first eight games of season, He enters this contest averaging 29.9-13.9-6.4 and is the first player with 16 straight double-doubles to start a season since Moses Malone did so in 1981-82.However, the Bucks are NOT just Giannis and they are proving just that with Khris Middleton (18.5 & 5.7) missing the last six games with a thigh contusion (more details in a bit). PG Bledsoe (17.6-5.3-5.2) is having an excellent year and there is plenty of depth on the perimeter with Hill (9.2-3.2-3.1), Matthews (7.4) and DiVencenzo (8.2). Center Lopez (11.2 & 4.8) remains steady and the Bucks would 'love' to see Gobert miss this one (he's listed as questionable).

Either way, I'm taking the Bucks, who lead the NBA by averaging 119.8 PPG. Middleton a quality player and the Bucks are CLEARLY a better team with him in the lineup but DiVencenzo has started in his absence (has averaged11.0 PPG) and while the Bucks may only be 3-3 ATS (6-0 SU) in the six games Middleton has missed, it should be noted that the team's average margin of victory in those contests is 12.7 points! "Remember Nov 8" is tonight's 'battle cry' from Giannis and Co. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on Loyola-Chicago at 1:30 ET.

Loyola-Chicago, which made that great run to the Final 4 in 2018, will take on USF, last year's CBI champs, in the first round of the Cayman Islands Islands Classic on Monday afternoon. Loyola had to replace three key players from last year's team and enter the contest 3-2, while USF had all five starters back from last year's team but that's NOT the case now, as the Bulls visit the Cayman Islands at 2-2.

Following a 32-win season in which head coach Porter Moser led the Ramblers to the Final 4, last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone are Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, three starters are back and contributing as expected. 6-9 center Krutwig leads in scoring (16.6) and rebounding (6.8), guard Williamson checks in second on the team in scoring at 14.0 PPG plus the 6-7 Uguak adds 8.4 PPG. Also making an impact are 6-6 swingman Hall (12.4 & 5.6), a JC transfer, and freshman guard Kennedy (11.4 & 3.2).

Here's the 'dope' on USF. Before playing a game this season, the 6-8 Yetna (12.3 & 9.6 LY) was lost for the year with a knee injury and then head coach Brian Gregory announced former four-star forward Mayan Kiir, who hadn't played all year because of personal issues after appearing in every game in 2018-2019, was leaving the program. The Bulls' outstanding guard duo of Collins (14.5 & 4.2) and Rideau (12.5 & 5.2) are leading the way but the team has little size outside of the 7-0 Durr, who is averaging modest totals of 5.2 & 5.5.

Loyola lost at home 76-72 to Coppin St (as a three-'TD' favorite) but enters thsi contest off back-to-back wins over St Joe's and IUPUI. As for USF, the team's two wins have come against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Wofford. The Bulls are really struggling to score, as they enter averaging 63.0 PPG (314th of 351 schools), on 40.7 shooting (285th). When they get to the free-throw line, they are making a woeful 55.7%, which ranks 347th. At this pick'em price, the Ramblers are a strong play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Month (Southwest) is on the Hou Rockets at 3:35 ET.

he Houston Rockets owned an eight-game winning streak before losing at Denver to the Nuggets (Wed) and in LA against the Clippers (Fri). 11-5 Houston 'limps' home to host the 10-5 Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon, who come to Houston on a four-game winnings streak. The Mavs scored 142 points in routing the Warriors on Wednesday and then followed by scoring 143 in a romp over the Cavs on Friday. Dallas' scoring binge leaves them tied with Houston (each are averaging 117.9 PPG) as the top scoring team in the West (the Bucks lead the NBA with 119.8 PPG).

Is it possible that Dallas PG Luka Doncic could be "the best player on the floor" when the teams face off in the Toyota center? He's led his team to 40-plus routs in each of the last two games and leads Dallas in scoring (29.9 PPG), rebounding (10.4), assists (9.7) and steals (1.3). He's accounted for SEVEN triple-doubles and counting. Kristaps Porzingis' return from knee surgery has provided the Mavericks the boost they needed to compete in the Western Conference. Porzingis is averaging 18.1 & 8.9 through 14 games plus has offered the defensive impact that bolstered his two-way reputation. While the Mavs match Houston in putting points on the board, only Hardaway (11.2) is in double digits outside of Doncic and Porzingis (note: I'm not counting Barea, who is averaging 11.5 PPG but has played in just two games).

Harden leads the NBA in scoring at an average of 38.3 PPG plus adds 5.9 RPG and 7.8 APG. Westbrook is averaging 21.9-7.7-6.9 but is shooting only 41.5% from the floor, including 22.0% on threes. Center Clint Capela is headed towards a career-season, averaging 14.1 & 14.1. He had pulled down 20 or more rebounds in FIVE straight games, before falling short Friday in LA, grabbing "only" 19. The Rockets will play their next three and FIVE of their next seven at home, where they own a 6-1 record.

As for Dallas, after completing a 4-0 homestand, the Mavs face their toughest stretch of the young season, beginning with this game in Houston. Up next, they will welcome the Clippers to Dallas on Tuesday, then head out on a three-game road trip. They will visit Phoenix first (Suns are no longer a 'pushover' at 8-7) and then play at Staples against the Lakers (at 14-2, the Lakers currently own the NBA's best record). The Mavericks haven't played a stretch this difficult yet and as the saying goes, "We will see, what we will see."  I expect that Houston will not only want to get back "on track" after its 'lost' two-game foray to Denver and LA, but I expect Harden and Westbrook (Harden, in particular), to show "the new kid" (that's Doncic), just 'Who's the Boss!" Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

Portland won 53 games last season and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. At 5-11 to open the current season, Portland is at least in the running for this season's "Most Disappointing Team." It sure hasn't helped that center Jusef Nurkic is not expected back until mid-Feb or that promising power forward Zach Collins' shoulder will keep him sidelined until March. The team's best player, Lillard (28.6-4.9-7.1), has missed the last two games with a back issue (is listed as probable here) plus center Hassan Whiteside (14.9 & 12.0) has fought nagging injuries all season and is listed as questionable for this one. The Blazers opened this six-game road trip with a win at San Antonio (everyone is beating the Spurs these days!) but then have lost at Houston, New Orleans and Milwaukee, while allowing an average of 128 points! The Blazers wrap up the trip with this game in Cleveland and then a Monday game at Chicago.

The 4-11 Cavs are in a three-way tie with the Knicks and Hawks for the East's worst record and only the sad-sack 3-14 Warriors own a worse record in the entire NBA. Cleveland welcomes Portland to town on a SIX-game losing streak, after getting routed 143-101 at Dallas on Friday. Porzingis sat for Dallas but the magnificent Doncic had 30 points and 14 assists (missed a triple-double with seven rebounds), as the Cavs allowed Dallas to shoot 58% from the floor, including a blistering 20 of 37 on threes. That's some defense?

It will sure help if Lillard returns to join McCollum, who is averaging 22,3-4.6-3.9. Hood has started all 14 games he has played in for the Blazers, averaging 11.4 PPG. A sign Portland may be desperate is that the team signed 'Melo, who did not play all last season. He's averaged 14.0 & 5.0 in two games but when has this guy ever been a "good influence" on a team? PF Kevin Love (17.9 & 11.8) and center Thompson (14.1 & 9.9) are solid players  for the Cavs plus second-year guard Sexton (17.7) is proving he belongs in the NBA. Clarkson chips in 13.5 PPG off the bench.

Neither team has shown much interest in playing much defense these days (see above). The Cavs are going nowhere this season, as Cleveland's supposed best player (leader?) is Love. The last time I checked, he was averaging ONE offensive rebound per game. The Cavs' six-game slide is no fluke, as there will be plenty of losing the rest of the way for this team. Meanwhile, the Blazers WILL get things straightened out. Even without a healthy roster, the Blazers will "take care of" the Cavs, who are playing on back-to-back nights for just the second time this season. The first time saw them lose 123-105 at the pathetic Knicks. The Blazers beat the Cavs 129-112 in Portland last season and 123-110 in Cleveland. That ounds about right to me, here?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Rout is on St John's at 2:30 ET.

Bobby Hurley is a member of a famous basketball family of coaches and he enters his fifth season as Arizona State's head coach. He's led ASU to back-to-back NCAA tourneys the last two seasons and that's "big news" in Tempe, as the last time the Sun Devils made consecutive "Big Dance" appearances was in 1980 and 1981. ASU opened the current season with a game in China against Colorado and got beat, 81-71. However, the Buffs return all five starters from last year and have opened 3-0 (are currently ranked 23rd in the latest AP poll). The Sun Devils have since routed Central Connecticut State 90-49 and after falling behind early by eight points, pulled away to beat Rider 92-55 (both games were in Tempe).

St John's comes in 4-1 and its lone loss came at the buzzer against Vermont. Let's note that the 4-1 Catamounts are no slouches, as their lone loss has come to defending champion Virginia, 61-55. Scoring 55 points vs the Cavs is noteworthy, as UVa's first three 'victims' averaged just 36.7 PPG. Chris Mullin resigned after last season, ending a disappointing four-year run at his alma mater.The Red Storm posted losing records in his first three seasons but last year's team went 21-13 and did make an NCAA appearance (no small deal, as it was just this once-proud basketball program's THIRD Big Dance appearance in 17 years!). Taking over is Mikle Anderson, who came to renown at UAB and Missouri, before returning to Arkansas . His eight-year run with the  Razorbacks didn't go as planned, as the school made just three NCAA appearances. At the end of last year (18-16, including 8-10 in the SEC), he was fired, marking the end of a 25-year association with Arkansas as both an assistant and head basketball coach.

ASU's best player from last year (Dort) left after averaging 16.1 PPG and 4.3 RPG as a freshman. Another big loss was senior center Cheatham, who averaged a double-double (12.1 & 10.3). However, veteran guards Martin (19.0-4.7-4.7) and Edwards (16.0) are back and are leading the way.The 6-8 White (6.5 & 9.0) is the third returning starter and he's solid. JC transfer Verge (8.3-4.7-3.7) is starting in the backcourt with Martin and Edwards plus 6-9 freshman Graham has come off the bench to average 6.7 & 3.7.

St John's is missing do-everything PG Ponds (19.7-4.1-5.1) plus two key frontcourt performers from last year, Clark (10.5 & 5.4) and Simon (10.4 & 5.1). However, Anderson really likes the perimeter group he has this season. The 6-5 Heron (17.8) and the 6-6 Figueroa (16.6 & 6.0) are back plus they are joined by two talented newcomers. The 6-2 Dunn has averaged 13.5 PPG in two games, after being given the OK to play (was a transfer from Cleveland St), plus 6-7 freshman Champagnie (10.4 & 7.6) is already living up to high expectations. Returning forwards Earlington (9.2 & 5,.4) and Roberts (7.4 & 9.0) have both been solid.

OK, I know November tournaments have been really good to Arizona State in the past two years, Hurley's team won the 2017 Continental Tire Invitational with victories over Kansas State and Xavier (both wound up as Sweet 16 teams) and then took the MGM Resorts Main Event last year with wins over No. 15 Mississippi State and eventual Mountain West champ Utah State. However, I'm playing the 'revenge angle" just like last night, when I won with Oregon over Houston. Arizona St beat St John's 74-65 last year at Dayton in an NCAA Tournament First Four game. Expect a reversal of that result, here.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on USC at 11:00 ET.

Andy Enfield came to USC with unlimited fanfare. He led Florida Gold Coast to 26 wins and a Sweet 16 appearance back in the 2012-13 season and used that as a springboard to come to LA. He also brought along stock in a company he helped manage to more than $100 million in net worth plus a beautiful former model of a wife (the perfect fit for California). However, he's had three winning and three losing seasons at USC. Last year's team was just 16-17 and the Pac 12 has FOUR teams currently ranked in the AP top-25 (Oregon, Arizona, Colorado and Washington). However, USC has won its first five games by at least seven or more points, for the first time since 1963, USC has won its first five games by at least seven or more points. The 5-0 Trojans will try to keep that streak alive on Friday night when they host unbeaten Temple (3-0). The Owls return three starters and 10 lettermen from a 23-10 team that lost to Belmont in the First Four in the NCAA Tournament. However, longtime head coach Fran Dunphy (who led Penn and Temple to a combined 17 NCAA appearances), finally retired. Yes, Temple has a first-year head coach in Aaron McKie, but he's hardly "new." McKie played three years at Temple (he was the 1993 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year as a junior) and then after a 15-year NBA career, returned to Temple as Dunphy's assistant from 2014-19. Temple was picked to finish seventh in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll but comes in off a 70-65 Big-5 win over La Salle on Saturday plus also has won home games over Drexel (70-62) and Morgan State (75-57). Junior guard Nate Pierre-Louis posted his third straight double-double vs LaSalle and is averaging 18.1-11.0-4.3. Senior guard Quinton Rose (16.0) and fellow guard Alanui Moore (10.3) join Pierre-Louis in double figures.The frontcourt consists of the 6-7 Perry (7.7), the 6-7 Moorman (5.0 & 6.3) and the 6-11 Damion Moore (4.0 & 5.5). USC is coming in off a 91-84 home victory over Pepperdine on Tuesday that saw 6-9 freshman forward Onyeka Okongwu score a career-high 33 points, the most by a Trojan freshman since O.J. Mayo scored 37 in a 2008 game against Arizona State. Okongwu (18.2 & 9.4) helped lead Chino Hills High School to three state titles and is already a star in LA.  However, Okongwu is just part of an impressive Trojan front line that also includes 6-11 senior Nick Rakocevic (16.4 & 9.8), who was a preseason first team All-Pac-12 pick, as well as 6-10 freshman Isaiah Mobley (9.4 & 5.0), a McDonald's All-American who had 14 points in 18 minutes off the bench against the Waves. Senior guard Mathews (11.8) is a steadying influence and along with Rakocevic, became the 41st and 42nd players in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark earlier this season. Temple flies a long way for this contest and does not own the quickness nor the SIZE to match the Trojans. Temple already has FOUR players averaging 30-plus minutes and comes in shooting a putrid 39.2% (307th) on the young season. USC is averaging 80.8 PPG and the Trojans are 33-4 SU in their last 37 home non-conference games. Make that 34-4, with tonight's win coming "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

The 11-4 Houston Rockets will visit Staples Center tonight to take on the 10-5 LA Clippers. The two teams met back in Houston on Oct 13, with the Rockets winning 102-93, as James Harden poured in 47 points. However, unlike in that meeting in Houston, when the Clippers take the court tonight against the Rockets, BOTH Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be in the starting lineup. LA's "dynamic duo" were part of a victory in their first time together on the court Wednesday night, as the Clippers survived OT to beat the Celtics 107-104. As for the Rockets, they had an eight-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday's 105-95 loss in Denver. It was Houston's lowest scoring output of the season plus James Harden scored "just" 27 points, snapping a streak of at least 36 in EIGHT straight games.

Harden only took 16 shots against Denver (in comparison, he hoisted 41 against Minnesota on Saturday), as Houston was just 12-of-38 from three-point range. That said, Harden gave Denver's defense little (no?) credit for Houston's shooting woes. "They just double-teamed every possession," Harden told reporters. "They got lucky. They got away with one. We didn't execute how we needed to." OK, if you say so James. Harden continues to post remarkable numbers (38.4-5.8-7.5) and I guess he and Westbrook (21.8-7.9-6.9) have found a way to work together, However, I'm just not sold (I had Denver on Wednesday). I noted in my Wednesday write up that center Clint Capela (13.9 & 13.7) "is one of the NBA's least appreciated big men," and he scored 12 points while pulling down 21 rebounds in the loss at Denver. Note: He's recorded 20 or more rebounds in five straight games, the best such streak since Ben Wallace of the Pistons also had five straight in March of 2003. However, I also noted on Wednesday that the Rockets are without Eric Gordon (a 16.6 PPG scorer in his career) and that the team's depth is VERY questionable.

Leonard (25.8-8.6-5.7) scored 17 points but was just 7-of-20 shooting, while George (28.3-6.3-4.8 in four games) recorded 25 points and eight assists in the successful first pairing in terms of the victory column. "The fact of the matter is we are going to have growing pains, and I think the most positive thing is we understood that," George told reporters afterward. "Nobody was pointing fingers or dropping their heads in huddles. ... At no point was this team ever dysfunctional." While Leonard and George were drawing double teams, Lou Williams (22.5 & 5.7 APG) scored 27 points and Patrick Beverley (7.7-6.9-3.0) had a superb all-around game with a career-best 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points and seven assists. Leonard and George each played 37 minutes against Boston and their fitness could be tested by the fast-paced Rockets as they learn to play with one another. "It's pretty much just finding each other's spots and knowing the plays," Leonard said of potential improvement. "It's still tough. We are both kind of on a minute restriction - hard to get into a flow. But just knowing plays and each other's spots and the language on the defensive end. Repetition is what we need right now."

I've NEVER been a fan of Harden or Westbrook and I expect the Clippers to "take care of business" tonight, avenging that Nov 13 loss (sans George). While Houston's depth can be rightly questioned (note: Danuel House, averaging 11.2 PPG, departed the Denver game and is unlikely to play Friday), the Clippers own an OUTSTANDING bench led by Williams (see above), Harrell (18.1 & 7.3) plus Green (8.1 & 7.0in 22 minutes). Green flies a little under the radar, as he's played in all 15 games, scoring in double digits seven times and grabbing 10-plus rebounds three times. It's Kawhi and Paul over James & Russell, with an assist from the LA bench.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The Celtics were favorites to win the East a year ago but struggled to find the right chemistry in a 49-win campaign. Boston swept the Pacers in the first round but after shocking the Bucks in Game 1 of a second-round series in Milwaukee, lost FOUR straight by an average of 16.3 PPG. Kyrie Irving left for Brooklyn and Al Horford for Philly but Kemba Walker was a HUGE pick up (he sought a winning environment after eight seasons mostly under .500 with Charlotte) and joined an excellent trio of frontcourt players. The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season, after winning a seven-game series over the Spurs and then losing one vs the Blazers, led by center Nikola Jokic's incredible playoff numbers (25.1-13.0-8.4).

The 11-3 Celtics dropped a 107-104 overtime decision in LA to the Clippers on Wednesday for their second loss in three games, following a 10-game winning streak. "We believe, truly, that we can compete with anybody in this league," PG Marcus Smart said afterward. "But it's going to take every possession. We can't take it for granted. We got to take every possession like it's our last possession and we got to really protect the ball." Also on Wednesday, the 10-3 Nuggets figured out how to slow down James Harden by holding him to 27 points, after he had scored at least 36 in each of the previous eight games. Jokic delivered 27 points and 12 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.

Boston PG Kemba Walker (22.6-4.9-4.8) has been terrific but he had just 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting against the Clippers. In contrast, standout forward Jayson Tatum (20.9 & 7.4) scored a season-best 30 points in the game. However, the Celtics missed their first 16 three-point attempts, finishing 12-of-45 (26.7%). Brown (18.5 & 7.5) is also having an excellent season, although the loss of Hayward (18.9-7.1-4.1 on 55.5% shooting) will take its toll until he returns (late Dec?).

Denver PG Jamal Murray (18.5-4.5-5.2) established season bests of 39 points and seven 3-pointers Sunday at Memphis but then scored just 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting in Wednesday's win over Houston. He has battled consistency issues all season but remains a big part of this team. Jokic checks in averaging 17.2-9.0-5.8 plus the rest of the starting-five are also averaging in double digits. Swingman Barton (14.8 &7.4), PF Millsap (13.8 & 6.1) and SG Harris (10.6) round out the group. Denver's bench may not be quite as 'deep' as last season but PFs Grant (9.2 & 3.4) and Plumlee (6.2 & 5.0) plus PG Morris (6.8 & 3.6 APG) contribute, nightly.

This is a tough spot for Boston, playing the final contest of a five-game, eight-day road trip at altitude. Denver ranks third in the NBA in scoring defense (102.3 PPG) and fifth in defending three-pointers (32 percent). "When we're locked in defensively, we're a really good team," Nuggets guard Gary Harris said after the win over Houston and the Nuggets are 7-0 when holding teams under 100 points. The Nuggets won both of last season's meetings with Boston and the fact that Murray scored a career-best 48 points in the meeting here at Pepsi Center should help his "inconsistency." The Nuggets were an NBA-best 34-7 at home last season and I expect an 'easy' Denver victory in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Oregon at 9:00 ET.

Oregon opened the season No. 15 in the AP's preseason poll and the Ducks are up to No. 11 after a 4-0 start. Visiting Eugene tonight will be a 2-1 Houston team which is coming off a 33-win season that saw the Cougars advance to the Sweet 16. Although Kelvin Sampson's squad lost FOUR starters from that team, his Cougars were still picked to win the American Athletic Conference. The 11th-ranked Ducks are averaging 81.5 PPG (61st) and have already posted quality wins over Fresno State, Boise State and Memphis. Meanwhile, the Cougars opened with an 84-56 home win against over-matched Alabama St but then lost at home 72-71 at the buzzer against BYU on Nov 15. The Cougars enter this game off a come-from-behind 97-89 win over crosstown rival Rice on Tuesday.

Sophomore guard Quentin Grimes (started every game for Kansas last season) was given a waiver to be able to play this season for Houston and is averaging 18.3-5.3-3.3. He scored a career-high 32 points and added nine rebounds with five assists in the win over Rice, while sophomore guard Nate Hinton added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the second double-double of his career. The 6-5 Hinton averages 7.7 PPG and  a team-high 8.7 RPG. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has also been encouraged by the play of freshmen guards Caleb Mills (12.0 & 4.0) and Marcus Sasser (9.7), who scored a combined 27 points against the Owls. Jarreau (12.0) is a fourth guard, while the team's lone returning starter from last year is the 6-8 White (10.7 & 7.7).

Oregon's Dana Altman has some notable freshman as well but he's easing them in, as he is able to rely heavily on a handful of experienced players. Senior PG Payton Pritchard (the last holdover from the 2017 Final Four team) is on pace for a "career season," averaging 20.3-6.3-5.8. He teams with fellow New Mexico graduate transfer Mathis (14.3) plus JC transfer Duarte (9.3 & 5.3) in the backcourt. Up front, 6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (10.8-5.5) and 6-9 sophomore Okoro (6.7 & 8.3) are joined by two freshman, the 6-7 Patterson (8.3) and the 6-8 Lawson (5.0 & 4.8).

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and his team will be out for a little 'revenge,' after an un-ranked Houston team (at the time) beat the then-No. 18 ranked Ducks 65-61. That contes marked Houston's first-ever game in its new home ($60 million Fertitta Center). Oregon fell behind by 20 points in the first half, before cutting the lead to two with 10 seconds left. Don't expect Oregon fall behind in this one (at home), rather look for the Cougars to serve up a little "payback" in a convincing win. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Tourney Takedown is on Texas at 7:00 ET.

4-0 Texas entered the latest AP poll this past Monday at No. 22 (first time ranked in nearly a year) and will take that ranking to Madison Square Garden to meet 3-1 Georgetown in the 2K Empire Classic. Thursday's game marks just the third meeting between Texas and Georgetown (first since 2012) with the series tied at a game apiece. Texas won last year's NIT, which holds its Final 4 at MSG (Longhorns beat TCU in the semis and Lipscomb in the title game). As for Georgetown, "The Garden" is a VERY familiar venue, as the Hoyas have played roughly 100 games there, most coming in the Big East Tournament.

Missing from last year's NIT champs are big men Osetkowski (11.1 & 7.2) and Hayes (10.0 & 5.0), who was a one-and-done (8th overall pick of the 2019 draft by Atlanta). Guard Roach was suspended THREE different times in his stay at Austin but he ended his Texas career by being named the NIT's most outstanding player. All will be missed but Texas has an experienced group of players back. Depth on the perimeter is a strength, led by PG Coleman (14.5-4.5-4.3) and Jones (13.3), who are supported by Ramey (9.0 & 5.3), Febres (8.0) and freshman Williams (5.3). Taking over up front for Osetkowski and Hayes are the 6-8 Liddell (9.3 & 5.0) and the 6-9 Sims (8.3 & 7.3).

This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news is, FOUR starters are back, although the loss is a big one. Govan averaged 17.5 & 7.5 in making the all-Big East first team. 7-0 senior Yurtseven (17.0 & 12.5) is Georgetown's best player this season, joined up front by a trio of fowards who have combined to average right about 30 points and 11 rebounds per game. The Hoyas start three guards, PG Akinjo (12.3 & 4.5 APG), McClung (12.3) and Mosley (7.5 & 3.30.

Georgetown's three wins have come over 'nobodies,' while its lone loss came 81-66 at home to a Penn St team that was just 14-18 last season. Shaka Smart came to Texas with great fanfare, after a terrific run at VCU (Google it). However, his Texas teams have made just two NCAAs in his first four seasons at Austin, with both teams getting bounced in the first round. Last year's NIT title was 'nice,' but Smart was not hired to win NIT championships. Smart's trademark has always been "team defense" and Texas has held all opponents to 66 points or less, allowing 55.2 PPG (18th) on 36.3% shooting (45th). Texas has won its lone 'test' of the young season, winning 70-66 at then-No. 23 Purdue. A win here and Texas will get a chance at current No. 1 Duke in Friday's tourney championship (assuming the Dookies beat Cal). I look forward to seeing how Texas fares against Duke but first, the Longhorns will have to dispatch Georgetown. My bet says that win comes convincingly!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Rout is on SD State at 11:00 ET.

It may come as a surprise to some that San Diego St has won at least 19 games for each of the last 14 seasons and owns the NCAA's 14th-best winning percentage (.733) in that time frame. The Aztecs entered last season having made SEVEN of the last nine NCAA tourneys and played in the postseason in 12 of the previous 13 years. However, the team's 21-13 record left them "sitting out" postseason play last year. San Diego welcomes SD St to the Jenny Craig Pavilion off a a 21-15 season that earned them an NIT bid. SD St enters 3-0 to open the current season, while San Diego is off to a 2-3 start.

The Aztecs rely on a trio of guards and frontcourt players. The backcourt features Flynn (15.3 & 6.3 APG), Schakel (13.0) and Feagin (10.0), while the frontcourt consists of the 6-6 Mitchell (9.0 & 5.3), the 6-10 Mensah (8.7 & 10.3) and the 6-10 Wetzell (6.0 & 7.0). As always, the Aztecs are a strong defensive team, allowing 58.0 PPG (34th). San Diego lost its top-four scorers from last season and like SD St, relies on three key perimeter players and three more in the frontcourt. Guards Calcaterra (16.8), Hartfield (11.4 & 6.8) and Humphrey (9.0) team with the 6-10 Massalski (11.0 & 5.0), the 6-7 Jean-Marie (8.6 & 8.4) and the 6-7 Floresca (7.0 & 4.4).

San Diego may be at home but it is in a tough spot here. The Toreros are averaging just 66.2 PPG (278th) on 40.2% shooting (286th). SDSU head coach Brian Dutcher was an assistant for 18 years under Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then here at SDSU, where he was known as a "head coach in waiting." He took aver at SDSU when Fisher retired and took the Aztecs to an NCAA appearance in 2017-18 but as noted above, fell short of ANY postseason bid last year. I expect this year's team to be back in postseason play and tonight, to avenge last year 's 73-61 loss at home to local rival San Diego. Revenge works here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on UNLV at 10:00 ET.

Danny Kaspar led the Texas State Bobcats to a 24-10 record last season (his 1st at San Marcos), the school's most wins in 25 years. Kaspar had the challenge this season of replacing three starters and the Bobcats visit the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas at 3-2 (more in a little bit). UNLV was unhappy with Marvin Menzies and he was let go after three seasons. The Rebels brought in TJ Otzelberger, who in three seasons at South Dakota St, took the school two to NCAA tourneys, including winning 28 games in the 2017-18 season. However, UNLV has opened a disappointing 2-3.

Texas St is led by guards Pearson (15.0 & 4.0) and Harrell (8.4 & 45.0) and its best frontcourt player is the 6-8 Small (12.2 & 8.6), a JC transfer. Six more players are getting 14-plus minutes per game , while chipping in 5.2-to-7.6 PPG. Hardy was UNLV's top returning scorer and the junior guard is leading the way averaging 19.0-3.4-3.0. Texas graduate transfer Mitrou-Long has been an excelelent backcourt partner, adding 12.6-4.6-3.2. Up front, the 6-7 Tillman (the Pac 12's 6th man of the year last season), has been allowed to play this season and is scoring 12.4 PPG with 4.4 RPG. The 6-11 Diong is averaging 7.2 PPG and a team-high 10.6 RPG.

Texas St has won all three at home but the opponents were 'cup cakes' Texas Lutheran, PV A&M and Jackson St. The Bobcats have lost both road games, at Air Force and Baylor. Yes, UNLV is 2-3 but the losses have in OT vs Kansas St and on the road vs Pac 12 schools Cal (also in OT) and UCLA. The Rebels haven't beaten anyone of of note yet, winning at home against Purdue-Fort Wayne and Abilene Christian. A victory over Texas St will not be considered a "quality win" but UNLV could sure use a "confidence-builder." I say the Rebels get a "W" (and cover) in this one, as Texas St is just 5-12-1 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less.

Good luck...Larry

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

It's the 11-3 Houston Rockets and the 9-3 Denver Nuggets meeting tonight at Pepsi Center in a matchup of two of the Western Conference's best teams.The Rockets have won EIGHT in a row led by James Harden (more in a bit), while the Nuggets open a four-game homestand looking to break through against Houston, which has won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two teams.

Harden scored 36 in Monday's 132-108 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers (Rockets' 8th straight win), while PGF Russell Westbrook contributed 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 141st career triple-double. Harden is averaging an NBA-best 39.2 PPG (also 5.7 RPG and 7.6 APG), while Westbrook checks in at 21.6-8.4-7.1. Center Clint Capela (14.1 & 13.1) is one of the NBA's least appreciated "big men" but the Rockets are without Erc]ic Gordon, a 16.6 PPG scorer in his career.

The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season and have opened 9-3. Center Jokic led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). However, Jokic has not quite been that good so far this season, although his line does read 16.4-8.8-6.0. Recent good news is that PG Jamal Murray (19.2-4.8-4.8) established season bests of 39 points and seven 3-pointers Sunday at Memphis, when the Nuggets had their highest point total of the season in a 131-114 road win. PF Paul Millsap (14.1 & 6.1) matched his season high of 23 points against Memphis and has reached double digits in six straight contests.

Some (many?) thought it would be a problem having two ball-dominant guards on the floor at the same time in Harden and Westbrook, but through 14 games the plan has worked. Then again, the Rockets are just 7-7 ATS this season. Yes, the Rockets are a slight underdog here so a win means a cover but I believe Denver's depth will be the difference. Jokic and Murray typically carry the main offensive load but Millsap (see above), Barton (14.8 & 7.4) and Harris (10.7) are also capable of big offensive nights. Denver arguably owns the NBA's deepest bench and was one of the main reasons Denver had the NBA's best home record last season at 34-7. Tough two-game road trip for the Rockets (here and at the Clippers on Friday) and I think they will be fortunate to win either one. I won't get ahead of myself, so tonight the play is on Denver.

Good luck...Larry

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

Danny Sprinkle attended Montana St and back in 1996, scored 30 points in the Big Sky championship game to lead the Bobcats into the "Big Dance." The Bobcats haven't been back since. However, on April 4, 2019, Sprinkle was hired as the 23rd head men's basketball coach at Montana State. He took over at a school which has won between seven and 16 games the last five seasons. Dan Majerle had a 14-year NBA career and was the associate head coach for the Phoenix Suns from 2008–2013. On March 15, 2013, it was announced that Majerle would coach for Grand Canyon University in their its season as a Division I team. In Malerle's third season, he led the Antelopes to 27 wins and into the CIT quarterfinals, then followed with 22, 22 and 20-win seasons. Each of the last two seasons, Grand Canyon has lost in the WAC championship game, to New Mexico St (one win shy of an NCAA berth).

Sprinkle has an "international cast of characters," led PG Frey (17.2-5.8-6.0) from Noway. Two London-born players are the 6-9 Belo (11.2 & 6.2) and guard Adamu (9.8 & 4.2) plus guard Paulo (9.4) hails from Toronto. The Bobcats are off to an impressive start at 4-1, which includes three wins in THREE days in Greensboro, NC playing in the Spartan Classic. Mon St beat App St 59-56, host UNC-Greensboro 67-66 and Ten Tech, 52-39.

Meanwhile, Grand Canyon stumbled out of the gate with THREE straight losses, before beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 67-54. Grand Canyon lost two key players from last year's team in the 6-10 Finke (12.1 & 5.1) and PG Milstead (10.3 & 3.6 APG) but Majerle has a solid team. Guard Johnson (13.5 & 6.8) leads the team in scoring and rebounding plus four more players average in double figures. That group includes guard Brown (12.8 & 4.2), freshman Blacksher (12.2 & 5.2) and 6-7 graduate transfer swingman Jenkins (10.2 & 3.8) plus the returning 6-10 Lever (11.5 & 2.8).

I can't explain Grand Canyon's early stumbles but Montana State just finished playing three games in three days in Greensboro (Fri-Sun) and now flies to Phoenix with only ONE day between playing a FOURTH game in five days! That's asking A LOT! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the NY Knicks at 7:05 ET.

Two of the East's worst teams square off tonight at MSG, as the 4-8 Cleveland Cavaliers take on the 3-10 NY Knicks. The Cavaliers come to New York having dropped three straight, after losing 114-95 to Philadelphia at home on Sunday afternoon. The Knicks were off on Sunday, after suffering a last-second 103-102 loss Saturday night to the visiting Charlotte Hornets.

The Cavs' last win came over the Knicks, 108-87 in New York back on Nov 10. The Cavs took an 18-point halftime lead in that one, as Collin Sexton finished with 31 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Sexton is in his second season and is averaging 18.2 PPG, tying him with Kevin Love (18.2 & 12.1) for the team lead. Love scored just 12 points in Sunday's loss, after averaging 20.5 in his previous two games. Center Tristan Thompson (14.9 & 10.5) was just a rebound shy of his ninth double-double of the season (12 & 9) against Philly. Cleveland has a fourth double-digit scorer in guard Clarkson (14.8).

New York owns its only two wins this month over improving Dallas but has yet to post back-to-back victories this season. The Knicks followed a Nov 8 win at Dallas with the above-mentioned home loss to the Cavs and then after beating Dallas again this past Thursday, lost 103-102 to visiting Charlotte on Friday. The Knicks could not hold an eight-point lead in the final six minutes, as the Hornets won on a three-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining. “We didn’t take the game,” Knicks forward Julius Randle told the New York Post. “We let them stay around instead of us really taking the game.” Randle (15.5-9.5-3.9) leads the team in rebounds and assists, while fellow forward Morris (18.2 & 5.9) leads in scoring, with rookie RJ Barrett justifying being picked third overall in last June’s draft by averaging 15.8-5.8-3.8.

The Knicks were riding high after beating the Mavs on Thursday night and then leading by as many as 15 points Saturday vs Charlotte, before 'spitting out the bit.' I doubt I'll be 'on' the Knicks very often this season but they are catching the Cavs on the second of a back-to-back and if head coach David Fizdale can't get his team to win in a spot like this, his 'seat' will go from 'hot' to 'boiling.' Cleveland is 'ripe for the taking' in this one and I'll back the Knicks.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Orl Magic at 6:05 ET.

The Orlando Magic ended a six-year playoff drought last season, finishing 42-40. They returned the core of that team intact and entered the season healthy but opened 2-6. However, the Magic have won THREE of the their last four as they get set to host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.The Wizards will play the entire season with All Star PG John Wall and are not expected to compete for a playoff spot. Washington has opened just 3-7 The Wizards wrap up a three-game road trip here in Orlando, after losing 140-133 at Boston and winning 137-116 at Minnesota.

Bradley Beal was expected to have a "career year" with Wall sidelined and coming off a 44-point effort in Friday's win at Minnesota, he's doing just that. He's averaging 29.7-4.6-4.9 with FIVE more Wizards averaging between 11.4 and 14. PPG. One of those players is the 6-11 Mortitz Wagner (2nd-year pro out of Michigan), who turned in a 30 & 15 effort against the T-wolves.The Wizards can score (117.3 PPG ranks 3rd) but they are also allowing 119.6 PPG, which ranks 28th in a 30-team league.

Speaking about scoring, after being held to just 95.1 PPG during a 2-6 start, the Magic have averaged 109.8 PPG over their last five games, including 110.8 over the first four of a five-game homestand in which they've one THREE of four. Orlando's starting frontcourt of center Nikola Vucevic (17.82& 11.7) plus forwards Aaron Gordon (14.0 & 6.3) and Jonathan Isaac (12.1 & 6.5) is a formidable one that had started together in the team's first 11 games. Isaac (ankle) sat out Friday but returned to practice on Saturday and is probable to return. SG Fournier (16.2) is a scorer on the perimeter and is coming off a season-high 26 points in Friday's 111-109 win over the Spurs PGs Fultz (9.8 & 3.2 APG) and Augustin (9.6 & 4.5 APG) have each played in all 11, with Fultz starting seven and Augustin, five. Terrence Ross (10.3) has done a great job off the bench and after missing back-to-back games in early November (knee), has averaged 15.0 PPG in his three games back.

The Magic have begun to resemble the playoff team of last year recently and that should continue here, as they can conclude their homestand with a 4-1 record by winning tonight. As good as Beal is, I'm betting "under 44 points" for him this game, as well as going "under" 30 points and 15 points for Wagner, who checks in with season averages of 12.8 & 5.9. Washington has lost SIX of eight, allowing a 131.3 PPG in its six losses. As noted, Orlando's offensive woes of its first eight games is behind them and I'm looking for a "comfortable" win here. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Bailout Blowout of the Month is on USC at 11:00 ET.

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Dal Mavericks at 8:35 ET.

The Toronto Raptors opened defense of the franchise's first-ever NBA title in October with Kawhi in LA playing for the Clippers plus starting guard Danny Green (outstanding defender and three-point shooter) also in LA, although he's playing for the Lakers. The good news was that head coach Nick Nurse (reigning Coach of the Year) still had a familiar cast. Pascal Siakam was the NBA's Most Improved Player and then averaged 19.0 & 7.1 in the postseason. PG Kyle Lowry's been an All-Star each of the last five seasons and many believe that Marc Gasol was a trade-deadline acquisition whom the Raptors wouldn't have won the title without (he was a former Defensive Player of the Year). Guard Fred VanVleet shot 40% on threes while averaging 14.0 PPG in the Finals and most believed Serge Ibaka has plenty left (he's not an "old 30."). Toronto has opened 8-3, despite the fact that Kyle Lowry (21.8-4.3-6.5) and Serge Ibaka (14.0 & 6.5 while averaging just 23 minutes) have each missed the last three games. Lowry ( fractured thumb) is out until at least late-November and Ibaka (sprained ankle) is listed as "out indefinitely."

Toronto is playing the finale of a five-game road trip on Saturday and has won THREE of the first four stops. The Raptors bounced back from a 98-88 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday (Raptors got outscored 25-10 in the 4th quarter, one night after beating the Lakers 113-104 on the same court) with a 114-106 triumph at Portland on Wednesday. VanVleet went off for a season-high 30 points in Wednesday's win and is averaging 22.3 PPG over the last three contests (with Lowry sidelined). Siakam is averaging 27.2 & 9.2 on the season, as he's turned into an All-Star.

The Dallas Mavericks were playoff 'regulars' from 2000-01 to 2015-16, making the postseason in 15 of those 16 years (won lone NBA title in 2011). However, the Mavs opened the current season off THREE consecutive losing years, with win totals of just 33, 24 and 33. However, after Luka Doncic won rookie-of-the-year honors last season (21.2-7.8-6.0), expectations were that Dallas would be a playoff team in 2019-20. Kristaps Porzingis was acquired from the Knicks last season in a trade and he was healthy and ready to go to open this season. He's averaging 18.5 & 8.2 and with Doncic putting up Westbrook-like numbers (28.7-10.3-9.3), the Mavs surely have shown signs of being a playoff team. Five more players have played in all 11 games this season, with two others playing in 10 of 11. That group consists of guys averaging anywhere from 6.4-to-11.6 PPG.

However, the Mavs check in at a modest 6-5 and that includes TWO losses to the pathetic NY Knicks, home and away, in a seven-day span. Dallas has yet to convince me that "it is back," but the Raptors are in a tough spot, playing their FIFTH game in nine days. With no Lowry or Ibaka for Toronto, I expect Dallas to get a much-needed, confidence-building win here at home, against the defending champs.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Pittsburgh at 7:00 ET.

Bob Huggins became famous while coaching Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 16 straight postseason berths, including 14 straight NCAA bids. He was 'forced out' and after spending a year out of the coaching profession, accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. It was a one-year 'pit stop' (23-12), as he returned to Morgantown (where he was born) to take the West Va job. As expected, he's led West Va to postseason berths in NINE of 12 seasons but is coming off just his second losing season with the Mountaineers, as they were just 15-21 in the 2018-19 season (4-14 in the Big 12 left them in last-place). West Virginia held off Akron 94-84 in its season opener on Nov 8. Pittsburgh welcomes the Mountaineers to the Petersen Events Center on Friday, with the Panthers off to a 2-1 start. Jeff Capel's first season at Pitt (2018-19) was a disaster, as the Panthers went 14-19 (3-15 in the ACC). Capel, a former standout at Duke, has previously led both VCU and Oklahoma to NCAA tourney bids. Early indications are that Jeff Capel is making some progress at Pitt.

Here's how Huggins described last season. "You can't lose four starters (during the season) and be successful," he said. "We lost our PG, the best shot-blocker in the nation and two other starters who were pretty good , too, You can't do that!" The 6-10 Culver is back and he opened with 16 & 7 against Akron. The 6-7 Matthews looked good as well, chipping in 13 & 7 plus highly-touted 6-9 freshman Tshiebew added 5 & 5 in 10 minutes. The backcourt is deep with senior Harley (16-7-3) and freshman McBride (11-6-4) contributing the most in the team's season opener.

Pittsburgh actually has three games under its belt, although the Panthers would like to forget getting upset 75-70 at home by Nicholls State, which was picked to finish 11th in the Southland Conference. However, the Panthers will want to build on their71-57 win at Robert Morris on Tuesday. The victory snapped a 24-game, true-road losing streak. Pittsburgh impressively overcame an 18-0 Colonials' run in the first half to record a true-road victory for the first time since Feb.8, 2017, at Boston College. The 6-10 Terrell Brown had eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks in his first start of the season (9.7 & 5.7). "Brown was really the difference in the game," Robert Morris coach Andrew Toole said. "His ability to protect the rim, and make it hard for our guys to finish around the basket had a huge impact on us offensively." Pitt is basically a perimeter-oriented team, with junior guard Murphy (17.0 & 3.7) leading all scorers, joined by sophomore guards McGowens (15.0-6.7-4.0) and Johnson (10.0-5.7-3.7) plus 6-6 freshman guard Champagnie (7.7 & 4.7).

This is the 187th edition of the "Backyard Brawl," one which West Va won last season, 69-59. However, I noted above that Pittsburgh snapped its 24-game, true-road losing streak but that's 'chump change' compared to West Va's road woes. The Mountaineers will be seeking their first true road win in 633 days, since a win at Baylor back on Feb 20, 2018! What's more, they will have to do accomplish that against a hated-rival in Pittsburgh, which is 70-3 all-time in the month of November at the Petersen Events Center. At this price, Pitt is the ONLY way to go!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* No. 3 vs No. 12 Showdown is on Seton Hall at 8:30 ET.

The Gavitt Tipoff Games wrap up a week-long schedule when No. 3 Michigan State travels to South Orange, NJ to take on No. 12 Seton Hall. The Spartans are coming off a run to the Final Four last season and were voted the AP's preseason No. 1 time for the first time in school history but lost 69-62 to then-No. 2 Kentucky on Nov 5 in the Champions Classic played at MSG. Kentucky rebounded from that season-opening loss with an easy 104-47 home win over Binghamton this past Sunday. Seton Hall returned four starters from last year's 20-win NCAA team and opened as the No. 12 team in the AP's preseason poll. The Pirates have opened 2-0 and held their spot in the first regular season poll but the Hall's 74-57 Saturday home win over Stony Brook came at a high 'price.' Senior guard Myles Powell averaged 23.1 PPG last season and scored 27 in the team's season-opener but he suffered a severe ankle injury early in Saturday's contest (he will NOT play here).

Michigan St's loss to Kentucky was a disappointment but paled in comparison to the death of Zachary Winston, the younger brother of Spartans senior PG Cassius Winston (Preseason P-O-Y). Zachary died of an apparent suicide on Saturday night and he was friends with many players on the Spartans squad. However, Winston (19.0 & 7.5 APG) played the very next day and was outstanding against Binghamton, finishing with 17 points, 11 assists and just one turnover. 6-8 junior forward Xavier Tillman (12.0 & 8.5) rebounded from a disappointing opener with 17 points and eight rebounds against Binghamton. He's one of five MSU frontcourt players averaging between 7.5 and 12.5 PPG (the 6-6 Henry leads at 12.5). MSU's weakness is on the perimeter, as outside of Winston, Izzo's team does not have a consistent outside shooter with Langford (15.0 PPG last season) not expected to be available until January at the earliest.

Myles Powell was voted the preseason Big East Player of the Year and according to head coach Kevin Willard, his sprained his left ankle will cause him to miss multiple games, although the ankle has reportedly responded well to treatment. Powell will be missed but PG McKnight (12.0 & 5.0 APG) is hardly alone in the backcourt. Rhoden (11.5) and Reynolds (9.0) each played extra minutes after Powell went down, as Rhoden played 27 minutes (11 points) and Reynolds played 28 (9 points). Willard's team features a HUGE frontcourt, with the 6-11 Mamukelashvili (14.0 & 5.) being aided by a pair of two 7-footers, Gill (9.0 & 6.0) and Obiagu (7.5 & 2.5).

I'm a HUGE fan of Izzo but Kevin Willard can coach. He's led Seton Hall to four straight 20-win seasons, earning a bid to the "Big Dance" in each one. I had Kentucky when it beat Mich St back on Nov 5 and wrote, " I think MSU is a bit overrated. The Spartans lost the 6-9 Ward (12.9 & 6.1), the 6-7 Goins (7.9 & 8.9) and SG McQuaid (9.8) from LY, will NOT get Langford back as expected (until Jan) and additionally, 6-6 forward Kyle Ahrens (4.7 & 2.5) is nursing a high ankle sprain." Nothing much has changed. Seton Hall took down Kentucky 84-83 (OT) last Dec 8th at MSG and here on its home court, does the same to Mich St. Take the points but expect a SU win by the Pirates.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 7:35 ET.

The LA Clippers and Houston Rockets have each opened 7-3 and will square off in the first game of Wednesday's ESPN doubleheader. Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship in his lone season with the team last spring and helped the Clippers to a 98-88 victory over his former team on Monday. Leonard struggled in going just 2-of-11 from the floor on Monday but finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals. The Rockets played on Monday night as well, winning 122-166 at New Orleans, as James Harden scored 39 points (more on him in a bit).

Leonard is the 'face' of the Clippers, averaging 26.9-8.5-5.9 but Paul George is expected back soon, giving LA a formidable "1-2 punch!" As good Leonard and George are, LA's outstanding bench will be a huge part of any success the Clippers will have this postseason. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams (22.3 & 5.6 APG) plus forwards Harrell (19.8 & 7.1) and Green (9.1 & 6.3), give the Clippers one of the NBA's deepest and best group of bench players.

Houston's Monday win was its FOURTH in a row and Harden's 39 points was the fourth straight game in which he has scored at least 35 points. Harden's average of 37.3 points through the first 10 games is the highest the league has seen through a 10-game start since the NBA-ABA merger, besting Michael Jordan's 36.9 points in 1988-89 and 1986-87.Westbrook (21.9-8.7-7.4) has meshed well with Harden and both will be counted on even more than usual with third guard Eric Gordon (16.6 PPG scorer in his career) undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday, sidelining him for about six weeks.One of the league's best-kept 'secrets' is center Clint Capela, who is averaging 13.5 & 11.7.

Kawhi has sat out two games due to "load management" and both were in games against quality opponents. He missed LA's game at Utah Oct 30 and then missed the team's home game on against Giannis and the Bucks (still don't get that one?). The Clippers will play at New Orleans tomorrow and one would expect Kawhi to play here but you just never know. The Clipper may have held Toronto to just 10 points in the 4th on Monday and to 88 points for the game but the Clippers have allowed a WHOPPING 120.7 PPG in their only three road games this season and here, face the NBA's top-scoring team (Rockets average 120.3 PPG). 'LOVE' the Rockets at the opening number but if Kawhi sits, I'll lay the higher number, as well.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on VCU at 6:00 ET.

No. 23 LSU (1-0) visits Richmond, Va to take on VCU on Wednesday, which opened No. 25 in the AP's preseason poll but dropped out in Monday's new poll, despite opening 2-0. LSU head coach Will Wade returns to the place where he won 51 games and made a pair of NCAA Tournaments in two seasons as the school's head coach. Wade was 51-20 at VCU from 2015-17 before taking the job in Baton Rouge,where he helped the 28-7 Tigers win their first SEC regular-season title since 2009 last season Lost in the Sweet 16). Mike Rhoads took over at VCU for Wade when he left for LSU and after the Rams won a disappointing 18 games in his first season, went 25-8 last season as VCU earned an NCAA bid for the NINTH time in the last 11 seasons.

Most likely remember that Wade was suspended by LSU last March due to allegations over illegal recruiting charges. He's back (for now), so let's talk basketball. Gone from last year's team are PG Waters (15.3 & 5.8 APG) plus frontcourt players the 6-9 Reid (13.6 & 7.2) and the 6-11 Bigby-Williams (7.9 & 6.7). Key players returning this this year are guards Javonte Smart (in the center of LY's recruiting scandal) and Skylar Mays. Smart had 21 points in Friday's 88-79 home win over Bowling Green, while Mays had 18 & 8. Sophomore forward Emmitt Williams had 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor, after averaging just 7.0 PPG last season. Fellow sophomore forward Davis had 13 points and seven rebounds, coming off averaging 5.3 & 4.0 last year. The team's most promising freshman is the 6-9 Trendon Watford, who debuted with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Rams return all four of their double-figure scorers from last season’s team, as the lone starter lost from the 2018-19 team was the 6-8 Mobley. He started 23 games and chipped in modest totals of 4.2 & 2.5 (no real loss). The core of this year's team will be senior guards Jenkins (14.0 & 4.5) and Evans (12.5), plus 6-7 junior Santos-Silva (12.0 & 12.5). However, don't dismiss senior guard Mike’L Simms just yet, as while he's gone just 2-of-9 from the floor in the first two games, he as just ONE turnover in 49 total minutes.

“VCU is a great place,” Will Wade told reporters. “As a coach you travel around a lot. That’s the longest I’ve been in one place. I was there four years as an assistant. I was there two years as the head coach. They’ve got tremendous fans. … It will be rowdy, but it should be fun.” My bet follows the saying, "You can't go home." VCU is well-balanced and well-coached and will be looking to get back into the top-25 by knocking off LSU in this one. This contest is VCU's lone real test before playing in Niceville, Fl (Emerald Coast Classic) Nov 29-30. Wade and his Tigers will fine "nothing fun" about this visit to the Siegal Center!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Top-15 Showdown is on Oregon at 9:00 ET.

Penny Hardaway's first season as head coach of his alma mater (Memphis) resulted in a 22-win season. The Tigers lost all FIVE starters from that team but they've been replaced by what most considered the best recruiting class of the 2019-20 season. However, the situation is not without drama, as the 'jewel' of that class, 7-1 freshman James Wiseman, is the center of an NCAA investigation which ruled him ineligible. Attorneys for Wiseman have since sued the NCAA and while the legal process continue Wiseman, has averaged 22.5 & 10.0 in the Tigers' 2-0 start. Memphis is ranked 13th in the latest AP poll and tonight visits the Moda Center (home of the Trail Blazers) to take on 2-0 Oregon, which is ranked 14th. Oregon opened with a 14-point win over Fresno St and then shot 70 percent from the floor (including 13 of 19 from three-point range), in a 106-75 rout of Boise St.

Wiseman leads the consensus top recruiting class in the country, which also includes guard Ellis (15.0), the 6-9 Achiuwa (12.0 & 7.5) and the 6-7 Jeffries (9.5 & 4.0). There's more, in freshman guards Quinones (7.0-3.5-4,.0) and Baugh (4.0 & 6.0 APG). Sophomore guards Alex Lomax and Tyler Harris, the only prominent holdovers from last season’s team, have combined to average 16.5 points in the wins over South Carolina State and the UIC.

Oregon's Bol Bol is gone plus a trioo0f 6-9 players, King, White and Wooten, who were major contributors in Oregon's Pac 12 tourney title and Sweet 16 runs, are also gone. However, PG Ptrichard (21.5-6.5-7.0) leads an excellent cast. He teams with fellow senior Mathis (19.5) plus JC transfer Duarte (11.5-6.0-3.5) in the backcourt. Up front, 6-7 freshman Patterson (8.5) joins 6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (10.5-4.5-5.0) and 6-9 sophomore Okoro. Okoro missed Saturday’s game after posting 10 points and 10 rebounds in the opener. He was struck by a car and is listed day-to-day.

The Phil Knight Invitational (named for the Nike co-founder) is technically a neutral-court game, but it's less than two hours from Eugene, home of the Ducks. Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and owns a HUGE coaching edge over the still untested Hardaway. In 'friendly surroundings,' I 'love' the Ducks at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The loss of All-Star Paul George in the 2017 off-season elicited preseason projections of an Indiana team near the basement of the Central division but the emergence of swingman Victor Oladipo as an All-Star powered the Pacers to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18, a feat they duplicated last year. Oladipo averaged 23.1-5.2-4.3 two seasons ago and then 18.8-5.6-5.2 last season, before going down with a season-ending knee injury. He is practicing with the team but there is still no timetable for his return. Indiana opened the current season 0-3 but the Pacers now look like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference with SIX wins in their last seven games. As for OKC, it seems like a 'lifetime ago' that the Thunder were in the NBA Finals, led by Durant, Westbrook and Harden (it was 2012). Harden left that year as a FA to sign with Houston. Durant famously left to sign a FA deal with Golden St in 2016 and then this past offseason, Westbrook was traded to Houston (note: George was traded to the Clippers, as well). It's a 'Whole New World' these days for the Thunder, as the team's top-four scorers are in their first season with OKC.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21.0-5.8-3.4) leads the way, followed by Gallinari (18.6 & 5.0, while shooting 43.7% on threes), Paul (16.1-3.6-5.2) and Schroder (14.7-5.2-34.7).The Thunder pushed the Milwaukee Bucks to the brink on Sunday, before falling 121-119. Gallinari suffered through one of his worst shooting games (was just 4-of-17 from the floor) but made a key three-pointer down the stretch to keep his team close. Backup PG Dennis Schroder helped keep the Thunder in the game with a season-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting. OKC features a balanced attack but it could sure use a healthy Steven Adams. The center is averaging 8.3 & 10.1 but sat out the Milwaukee game and has missed THREE of OKC's last five with a knee issue (he's listed as questionable for this one).

The Pacers welcome the Thunder to Bankers Life Fieldhouse with center Myles Turner (14.8 & 6.8) and newly-acquired SG Jeremy Lamb (17.0& 6.4) both dealing with ankle sprains and neither will play. Malcom Brogdon (former Milwaukee Buck) has become the team-leader this season, averaging 20.8-5.2-8.9. However, the 6-11 Sabonis is quietly becoming a star. He had a breakout season last year (14.6 & 9.3) but is even better this season. The Gonzaga posted his fourth straight double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds in Sunday's 109-102 victory at Orlando plus matched a season high with seven assists (he's averaging 20.0-13.0-4,1 on the season). Small forward TJ Warren was a scorer for the Suns and he's done the same for the Pacers, averaging 18.0 PPG. With injuries to Turner and Lamb, SFs McDermott and Sampson are seeing more time, as is reserve point guard T.J. McConnell. McDermott has averaged 17.0 PPG over his last three games and McConnell has scored 29 points and handed out 17 assist over his last two.

Indiana is on a roll, going 6-1 SU & 5-1-1 ATS its last seven. The Pacers are a very tough matchup for OKC, which seemed to be developing a defensive identity,  allowing 100.7 PPG (3rd), while leading the NBA in defensive FG percentage (40.3) and three-point percentage (27.3) heading into a Thursday game at San Antonio. However, the Thunder have allowed 116.7 PPG over their last three games and now take on an Indiana team averaging 112.9 PPG over its last seven games. OKC has four wins this season, two over 2-9 Golden St and one each against 2-8 New Orleans and 3-7 Orlando. One last thing, the Thunder are 0-3 on the road, allowing 112.3 PPG. "Batten down the hatches" and lay the points with Indiana.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Game of the Month is on Xavier at 7:00 ET.

Missouri and Xavier have both opened 2-0, as the two teams meet Tuesday night in Cincinnati (Cintas Center). The Tigers are coming off a 15-17 season and in the preseason, were picked to finish 13th in the 14-school SEC. Xavier is coming off a 19-16 season, although the Musketeers were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll (despite a 2-0 start, Xavier was ranked 21st in the first regular season poll).

This marks Cuonzo Martin's third season at Missouri. He led theTigers to an NCAA appearance in his first but the Tigers had no such success last season. Missouri has opened 2-0 while holding opponents to 49.0 PPG but the team's opening win was over Incarnate Word. SEVEN of last year's top-nine scorers are back, led by 6-10 junior Jeremiah Tilmon. He's averaging 14.5 & 6.0 but the only other Missouri player in double digits is sophomore guard Xavier Pinson (11.5-3.0-5..5), who comes off the bench. Mark Smith, a 6-5 junior guard who missed the final seven games of last season with a foot injury, failed to score in an opening win over Incarnate Word but rebounded with 19 points in Friday's victory over Northern Kentucky (note: No. Ky won 26 games last year and made the "Big Dance"). Evansville transfer Dru Smith starts alongside of Mark Smith in the backcourt and is averaging 8.5 PPG.

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins who averaged 10.6 & 5.3. The Musketeers feature a terrific forward duo, as 6-9 senior Jones is averaging 18.5 & 8.5 plus 6-7 junior Marshall is averaging 18.45-7.0-5.5. Some bad news is that returning guard Paul Scruggs (12.3 PPG last season), who had 12 points against Jacksonville before suffering a knee injury , did not play against Siena and appear s unlikely to play against Missouri (he was a preseason honorable mention all-Big East selection). However, 6-9 freshman Zach Freemantle and 6-8 Ohio U transfer Jason Carter, could play play big roles for Xavier this season. Freemantle is off to a promising start (9.0 & 5.5), while Carter (5.5 & 2.0), not so much.

This will be Xavier's first 'test' of the season, or is it? Martin did lead Missouri to the NCAAs in his first season, despite a 5-6 road record. However, the Tigers had gone an "hard-to-believe" 0-30 on the road in the previous three seasons and last year reverted to form by going 2-8 on the road. Why should Missouri win here, where Xavier has gone 88-16 (.846) since joining the Big East back at the start of the 2013-14 season. What's more, 'ringing in Xavier's ear' will be Missouri's 71-56 home win over the Musketeers last season. REVENGE works in a "big way": in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on San Francisco at 9:00 ET. Yale's James Jones is the longest tenured coach in the Ivy League. He's led the Bulldogs to three Ivy championships in the last five seasons, including two NCAA appearances. The 2015-16 season was special, as Yale won 23 games (the most since 1906-07) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 54 years where the Bulldogs upset Baylor to earn the first NCAA Tournament victory in Yale history. Last season wasn't bad either, as Jones guided Yale to Ivy League regular season and tournament titles and a 22-8 overall record. The Bulldogs knocked off Harvard in a thrilling Ivy League Tournament championship game and then nearly upset third-seeded LSU in the NCAA Tournament. Yale has opened 2-0 but gets a real test tonight, when the school visits the San Francisco Dons, who have also started 2-0. San Francisco saw head coach Tyler Smith, after three straight 20-win seasons, leave to take the Washington St job. However, his assistant coach, Todd Golden takes over. The Dons are thrilled with his promotion, as he played at St Marry's and has worked under Smith at Columbia and here at San Francisco, with a 'pit stop' under Bruce Pearl at Auburn, in between. Yale lost four starters (as well as its top-three scorers) of last year's team. Most notable, is the loss of Ivy League POY Miye Oni (17.1 & 6.3). However, Jones feels that the 6-10 Atkinson and guard Swain are almost returning starters, as each played in every game last season. He may be right about that, as Atkinson is averaging 19.0 & 4.5 and Swain 14.0 & 4.5. The team's lone returning starter, the 6-9 Bruner (10.4 & 8.3 LY), is averaging a double-double to open this season at 10.0 & 10.5 The Dons love Golden's pedigree but he will have to replace the heart and soul of last year's team, PG Ferrari (14.7 &5.5 APG). That said, the current team looks very solid and balanced. The Dons have started a trio of guards in Mineland (15.5 & 4.), Bouyea (13.0 & 6.0) and Ratinho (13.0), while Central Washington transfer Shabazz (11.0 & 6.5) looks like an excellent addition. The 7-0 Lull (12.0 & 8.0) and the 6-8 Kunen (7.5 & 7.0) start up front, with the 6-9 Raitanen (6.5 & 5.5) coming off the bench. This contest begins a tough stretch for Yale, which plays at Oklahoma St (11/17) and Penn St (11/23) a part of the NIT Season Tip-Off. San Francisco opens with SIX of its first seven at home and will take the court tonight on a nine-game November winning streak. The Dons went 7-0 in November of 2018 and have opened 2-0 here in 2019. The Dons beat two Ivy League schools in last November's 7-0 run (Harvard and Dartmouth) plus beat Princeton by 10 Saturday at Chase Center (Warriors new home) and will take a seven-game winning streak against Ivy League opponents into tonight's contest. "The Price is Right" and I'm taking the home team. Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the SA Spurs at 5:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics had no answers for the the 76ers in Philly back on Oct 23, losing 107-93 in their season-opener. However, Boston has won SIX in a row, since. Boston's 6-1 record is tops in the Eastern Conference and the Celtics look to make it SEVEN straight wins when they visit AT&T Center in San Antonio for a game with the 5-3 Spurs. The Celtics easily won 108-87 Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night,while the Spurs snapped a two-game slide with a 121-112 win over OKC the same night.

It seems like Boston is happy with Kemba Walker as its PG, instead of Kyrie, who is now in Brooklyn. Walker (24.3-5.1-4.0) has been an easy fit within Brad Stevens' offense plus the return to form of SF Gordon Hayward has put a smile on Stevens' face. The former All-Star battled through an inconsistent 2018-19 season while recovering from a leg injury but has averaged 20.3-7.9-4.6 so far, looking more like the star from his Utah years. He joins Jayson Tatum (21.6 & 7.7) to give Boston an outstanding starting forward duo. Boston also got swingman Jaylen Brown (16.0 & 6.3) back against the Hornets and he scored 12 in the win. He had missed three games with a leg infection that he said required five hospital trips. Center Enes Kanter (knee) has missed the last six games and is not expected to play Saturday but reports are, "he's close."

San Antonio's "Big 3" is a thing of the past, although guard Derozan (20.0-4.5-5.0) and PF Aldridge (19.0 & 6.6) give the team a solid "Big 2." That said, San Antonio had been waiting for a breakout game from Aldridge and finally got one on Thursday, when he went off for a season-high 39 points on 19-of-23 shooting. Aldridge had averaged 12.3 points on 39.1 percent shooting in the four previous games (Spurs were just 1-3). More good news came in that PG Dejounte Murray added 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds on Thursday for his first points-assists double-double of the season. Murray (12.9-8.0-5.4) looks fully recovered from his knee injury and is off his minutes restrictions. He joins FOUR other Spurs (no counting DeRozan and Al\ldridge), scoring in double digits. The group includes Forbes (14.5), backup PG White (11.9), Mills (11.6) and SF Green (10.5 & 6.9). Tre Lyles starts at center and while he's not much of a scoring threat (4.2), he's averaging 7.8 RPG in only 20 minutes.

Here's the bottom line. The Spurs' domination of the Celtics has 'long legs,' as San Antonio is 44-13 in their matchups with Boston since 1990. However, recent history, is more applicable.The Celtics last won at San Antonio in March 2011, before proceeding to drop 14 of their next 15 to Gregg Popovich's squad (Spurs are 11-3-1 ATS, 79% in that span, dating back SEVEN years). Brad Stevens has bested Popovich only ONCE, a 108-94 home win in October 2017. What changes here? NOTHING! Especially at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is off to a historic start, as he is the first player in NBA history to exceed 200 points (232), 100 rebounds (114) and 50 assists (61) in the first eight games of season, as he's averaging 29.0-14.2-7.6. Giannis had a season-high 38 points to go with 16 rebounds and nine assists while leading the Bucks to a 129-124 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, a contest Kawhi sat out (???). The 6-2 Bucks visit the 5-3 Utah Jazz on Friday in search of their fifth straight win. Utah snapped a two-game slide with a 106-104 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, as star guard Donovan Mitchell had 24 points and a season-best eight assists.

Middleton (18.6 & 5.2) continues too provide Milwaukee with a solid "second scoring option" to Antetokounmpo, while guards Bledsoe (14.5-5.8-4.5) and Hill (11.4) plus center Brook Lopez (10.4 & 4.4) also are averaging in double digits. The Bucks also own a deep bench, helping Milwaukee to average an NBA-high 122.1 PPG, while shooting a league-best 47.7% from the floor. Mitchell (25.5-4.8-3.9) is Utah's best player but he hardly stands alone. SF Bojan Bogdanovic (20.1 & 4.4) is making a smooth transition to the team while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc plus new PG Conley is finding his 'sea legs' after a poor start. He scored 15 points against the 76ers for his third 15-point outing in four games and he is averaging 17.8 points during the stretch. Let's NOT forget Rudy Gobert (11.2 & 12.5), who is the centerpiece" of the NBA's stingiest defense. Utah allows an NBA-low 96.6 PPG on 41.6% shooting (3rd).

This game features the top-scoring team in NBA against its best defensive one. I'm "all in" on Milwaukee being the East's best team but winning in Salt Lake City is NEVER easy for any team (more in a bit). First let me note that the Jazz are 4-0 SU at home outscoring opponents 107.2-to-94.0 PPG. to open the current season (have beaten the LAC & Sixers). Let me also add that the Jazz are in the rare role of being a home dog in this one, having gone 19-9 in their last 28 games in that role (68%). Milwaukee comes in playing its THIRD road game in five days (note: Hill took an elbow to his eye at the end of Wednesday's game and could be limited) and how does one IGNORE this factoid? The Bucks have lost their last 15 visits to Utah, going a money-burning 2-13 ATS, which is an 87% "go-against". Case Closed, as Archie Bunker liked to say!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division (Central) Game of the Month is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

Not sure I've seem this before but Friday night, Central Division rivals Detroit and Indiana meet for the THIRD time in the season's first 18 days. The Pacers won THREE of four meetings last season, with those three victories coming by an average margin of 21.7 PPG, but the Pistons have won both meetings this season, 119-110 at Indiana back on Oct 23 and then 96-94 in Detroit on Oct 28. Both teams come in off impressive offensive performances on Wednesday, as the Pistons routed the Knicks 122-102 and the Pacers beat the Wizards, 121-106.

Detroit's Tony Snell (9.7) made all nine of his shots and became the first player in NBA history to shoot 100 percent from the floor with at least six 3-pointers in a 24-point effort. Center Andre Drummond (21.9 & 18.6) added 27 & 12 plus Markieff Morris (11.9 & 3.9) chipped in 22. Detroit shot 55.7 percent from the floor and recorded 37 assists (a season-high for the team). However, Detroit remains with out Blake Griffin (24.5-7.5-5.4 ), who has yet to play. What's more Derrick Rose (21.8 & 6.3 APG) has sat out the last two with a hamstring injury and won't play, starting PG Jackson has missed the last seven games and is expected to be out another month plus backup PG Tim Frazier remains listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury.

Victor Oladipo averaged 23.1-5.2-4.3 two seasons ago and then 18.8-5.6-5.2 last season, before going down with a season-ending knee injury (possible return in Dec). The 6-11 Myles Turner (14.8 & 6.8) is questionable with an ankle injury and SG Lamb (17.0) will not play, also because on ankle issue. However, Indiana has won FOUR of five following an 0-3 start. Malcom Brogdon (former Milwaukee Buck) has carried the load through the ups and downs of the current season, averaging 22.2-5.0-9.9. The 6-11 Sabonis had a breakout season last year (14.6 & 9.3) but is even better this season, averaging 20.3 & 12.3. Small forward TJ Warren was a scorer for the Suns and he's done the same for the Pacers, averaging 18.0 PPG. With injuries to Turner and Lamb, SFs Sampson (7.2) and McDermott (7.1) had big games vs Washington, as Sampson had 14 & 6 and McDermott 19 & 7.

Detroit is 4-5 with HALF of its wins coming against the Pacers. Detroit's other two wins have come over the 3-4 Nets and 1-7 Knicks plus the Pistons have yet to win on the road (0-3 SU & ATS), except for their first game at Indiana. Indiana did lose at home to the Pistons to open the season but have gone 3-0 SU & ATS, since. The third time IS the charm, as the Pacers win this one "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Tourney Takedown is on Davidson at 6:00 ET.

Auburn made an incredible run to last year's Final 4, before losing 63-62 to eventual champ Virginia. The Tigers lost a 'ton' off that team, most notably guards Brown (15.9) and Harper (15.3) plus the 6-8 Okeke (12.0 & 6.8). However, the Tigers will start four seniors in 2019-20. In contrast, Davidson comes off a 24-10 season and returns all five starters. The two schools square off in the Veterans Classic in Annapolis at 6:00 ET with Auburn coming off a nine-point home win over Ga Southern on Nov 5 and Davidson playing its season-opener.

The Wildcats return their entire starting lineup from last season, led by Atlantic 10 Player of the Year , PG Jon Axel Gudmundsson (16.9-7.3-4.8). He's joined on the perimeter by Kellan Grady, an all-conference pick who averaged a team-high 17.3 PPG last season and Luke Frampton (10.3 PPG last season). Starting up front are the 6-6 Pritchett (6.9 & 3.6) and the 6-10 (Drogkovic (11.1 & 6.0). Sure Auburn lost five contributors from last season, the Tigers opened this season starting FOUR seniors plus freshman Isaac Okoro, who head coach Bruce Pearl called the best defensive guard he's ever signed. Okoro scored 12 points and added five points in Tuesday's win. He joined those four seniors in the starting lineup. SF Doughtly led with 20 points, while frontcourt mates center Wiley (13 & 9) and PF Purify (13) also scored in double digits. Starting PG McCormick had nine points and four assists.

Auburn snuck into the bottom of AP's preseason poll at No. 24, while Davidson was unranked. However, many think (including myself), that the Wildcats could easily be a top-25 team this season. For those "in the know," it should NOT go unnoticed that the Blue Ribbon CBB Yearbook ranked Davidson 17th! Auburn struggled against Ga Southern on Tuesday, most notably turning the ball over 21 times (averaged just 11.7 TOs per game last season). Bob McKillop starts his 31st season as Davidson's head coach and he's had quite a run (578-350 overall, with nine NCAA teams). His best-known team was the 2007-08 edition, when Steph Curry led the Wildcats into the Elite 8. Not ready to say this year's team can match that one but the Wildcats are the A-10's best team and I expect they will be NCAA-bound. Expect the Wildcats to earn a "quality win" right out of the gate.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

The Detroit Pistons under-performed relative to their own expectations last season, finishing 41-41. Detroit was then swept out of the playoffs by the Bucks in four games, getting outscored by an average margin of 23.8 PPG. The Pistons are hoping that the team's "Big Three," PF Blake Griffin (24-7.5-5.4), C Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.6) and PG Reggie Jackson (15.4 & 4.2 APG) will develop more chemistry this season but health will play a big factor. Poor health has already played a HUGE factor in Detroit's 3-5 start, as guards Derrick Rose (hamstring) and Reggie Jackson (back) were on the sidelines when the Pistons lost 115-99 at Washington on Monday plus Blake Griffin (hamstring) has yet to make his season debut.

The Pistons welcome the NY Knicks to Detroit on Wednesday, who enter the contest with the worst record in the Eastern Conference (1-6) including an 0-4 mark on the road. New York fell behind by 26 points after three quarters at home against Sacramento on Sunday before falling 113-92. That embarrassing loss followed an excellent effort Friday in Boston, when the Knicks lost just 104-102. Forward Marcus Morris (17.9 & 5.4) scored 28 points in the loss to the Kings, but the other frontcourt starters, Julius Randle and Bobby Portis, combined for 10 points on 5-for-19 shooting. Randle scored 25 points in NY's season opener but has since averaged 11.5 PPG on shooting 38.4 percent from the floor, while missed all 14 of his three-point attempts.Portis is averaging 10.4 & 7.7. Rookie guard RJ Barrett (18.3 & 6.1) leads the team in scoring and had 22 points in the loss to the Kings, but he is 17-for-48 from the floor (35.4%) over the last three games, plus is 3-for-15 (20.0%) from three-point range over the last four. Remember Frank Ntilikina, the 8th pick of the 20187 Draft? He's averaging less than 20 minutes while averaging 3.2 PPG on 29.6% shooting (23/2% on threes).

Detroit has played its first eight games this season without Griffin, who is still waiting for medical clearance after rehabbing hamstring and knee injuries. Starting point PG Reggie Jackson will miss at least a month of action due to a stress reaction in his lower back plus Jackson's backups, Derrick Rose (hamstring) and Tim Frazier (shoulder), have missed the past two games. However, the makeshift backcourt of Luke Kennard and Bruce Brown has been a bright spot for Detroit, as the pair is averaging a combined 42 points and 11.5 assists over the last two contests. Kennard has back-to-back 24-point efforts and is shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc overall and is now averaging 17.4 PPG on the season. Center Andre Drummond saw his 20-20 streak come to an end at three games in Monday's loss but he still managed his NBA-leading eighth straight double-double (15 & 24) ) out of the gate. Drummond's been a 'beast,' averaging 21.3 & 19.4!

"It's the NBA. There are no excuses," Detroit head coach Dwane Casey told reporters after his depleted team scored just 38 second-half points on Monday. "We got enough guys in that room to compete, to fight." While Jackson will miss several more weeks, Rose is day-to-day and Griffin has indicated he is close to playing his first game. The good news is, the Knicks should (will) provide a soft landing spot for the Pistons, as they won and covered all FOUR meetings with the Knicks last season. "The Price is Right," and I'm "all over" Detroit!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* No. 1 vs No. 2 Showdown in on Kentucky at 9:30 ET.

For only the second time in NCAA Division I history, the No. 1 and 2 teams will open their seasons against each other, as No. 1 Michigan State takes on No. 2 Kentucky in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday. The Spartans are coming off a run to the Final Four last season and were voted the AP's preseason No. 1 time for the first time in school history. Kentucky reached the Elite Eight of the 2019 NCAA Tournament and is ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, the NINTH straight top-five preseason ranking for the Wildcats (who says One-and-Done can't work?).

The leader of Tom Izzo's squad is senior PG Cassius Winston, who averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 assists in winning Big Ten Player of the Year honors a season ago. The 6-8 Xavier Tillman emerged in the second half of the season in 2018-19, finishing with averages of 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. MSU also expected SG Joshua Langford (15.0 PPG before getting hurt last season) to be back but his ankle is now expected to keep him out until mid-January. Gone are the 6-9 Ward (12.9 & 6.1), tje 6-7 Goins (7.9 & 8.9) and SG McQuaid (9.8).

Winston is getting lots of "pub" (Blue Ribbon named him Player of the Year) but Kentucky also has an outstanding returning PG in Ashton Hagans, who is the team leader in points, assists and steals among returnees. There is a lot of buzz for Hagans' backcourt partner, freshman Tyrese Maxey, a McDonald's All-American who was named to the All-SEC preseason second team before he's stepped on the court. However, like MSU, Kentucky lost guards Herro (14.o) and Johnson (13.5) plus forwards Washington (15.2 & 7.2) and Travis (11.2 & 7.2).

The key for me here is that Calipari has become the 'master' of the One-and-Done era and as he has in the past, quickly sees his team mesh. The starting-five will consist of two freshmen and two sophomores, plus graduate transfer Nate Sestina from Bucknell. He figures to be a welcome addition, as he will provide some needed experience. The 6-9 forward averaged 15.8 points and a Patriot League-best 8.5 rebounds a season ago,. I think MSU is a bit overrated. The Spartans lost a lot (see above), will NOT get Langford back as expected (until 2020) and additionally, 6-6 forward Kyle Ahrens (4.7 & 2.5) is nursing a high ankle sprain. I'm calling for a Kentucky "W" and will take the points. Don't call it an upset.

Good luck...Larry

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

Jimmy Butler missed the first three games of the season for the Heat (attending the birth of his child) but returned to score 21 points on Oct 29, as the Heat routed the Hawks in Miami, 112-97. He was held to just five points in a rematch with Atlanta on Oct 31 (Heat won in Atlanta) and then scored a modest 18 as the Heat beat the Rockets, 129-100 in Miami. That contest is notable in that the Heat sprinted to a 46-14 first-quarter lead, with the 32-point margin being the third largest in the shot-clock era! The 5-1 Heat open a three-game road trip tonight in Denver, taking on the 4-2 Nuggets. Denver opened 3-0 but then lost 109-106 at home to Dallas, before losing 122-107 at New Orleans on Halloween (more in a bit). Denver struggled to find an offensive rhythm in Saturday's 91-87 road win at the Orlando Magic, as it shot just 37 percent from the floor.

Miami has opened well, notably posting an impressive overtime win at Milwaukee in the second game of the season without Jimmy Butler. EIGHT Miami players are averaging double figures in scoring and the big offseason acquisition, Butler, is just sixth on the team at 14.7 PPG, after missing the first three games of the season. Some bad news could be that Justise Winslow (14.8-8.5-5.8) is questionable (back), after sitting out the last two games. The team's guard play has been outstanding, with undrafted rookie Nunn (played at Oakland) leading the way by averaging 19.5 PPG, joined by  vet Dragic (16.2 & 4.2 APG) and Kentucky rookie Herro (15.7 & 6.0).

Murray (18.5-4.8-3.5) is leading the Nuggets in scoring, while Jokic (15.8-10.5-6.0) is right behind him. Denver is without question, the NBA's deepest team (at least 10-deep) and former HS prodigy Michael Porter Jr could lend a helping hand, as he made his NBA debut with 15 points on Halloween. Speaking of that Halloween game, head coach Michael Malone didn't hold back when he ripped his team's performance in that blowout loss at New Orleans. He called out the effort and commitment to defense, and the players responded with a win at Orlando two days later.

The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season but so far they haven't shown any killer instinct in Denver. They needed overtime to beat the Phoenix Suns in their home opener and then got outworked by the Dallas Mavericks in a home loss a few nights later. That said, Denver owned the NBA's best home record last season, going 34-7! Jokic led Denver ins coring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). Jokic is NOT off to a great start (see above), as he entered the Orlando contest averaging just 10.7 PPG over the previous three contests. Malone made it clear he wants his big man to take more shots. "For us to be at our best we need him to take at least 15 shots a night," Malone said in reference to Jokic taking just 14 total shots in back-to-back losses prior to the win over the Magic. "

Denver was 2-0 against Miami last season and has won FOUR of the past five meetings. I'm pretty 'high' on this Denver team and it is overdue for a breakout home game. How about tonight?

Good luck...Larry

My NCAAB 10* Season Tip-Off is on Kansas at 7:00 ET.

Duke reached the 30-win mark for the 15th time in 39 years under Coach K in 2018-19 but despite being led by three top-10 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Blue Devils  fell short of a national championship, falling to Michigan State in the Elite Eight. Kansas know more than a little about failing to meet expectations last season, as the Jayhawks did not win the Big 12 for the first time in 15 years, then bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 32 against Auburn. Kansas  enters this contest No. 3 in the AP's preseason poll and Duke checks in at No. 4. Duke owns a 7-5 series advantage over Kansas but the Jayhawks have won the last THREE meetings, including an Elite Eight overtime thriller at the end of the 2017-18 season. However, only two players from each side that played in that game remain on the roster of their respective teams (turnover is the rule in college hoops these days).

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Brk Nets at 7:35 ET.

My 10* "signature" 36-Club Play is on the LA Clippers at 9:05 ET.