BOB VALENTINO
Your comp play for Saturday will be to take the points and Villanova as the # 6 seed (and defending champ!) will take on the # 3 seed in the South Region, the Purdue Boilermakers from the XL Center in Hartford tonight.
Both teams showed resolve in their opening round victories, as the Wildcats held off a game St. Mary's edition, 61-57, while the Boilermakers were 13 point winners over Old Dominion.
I have a feeling this game is going to go back-and-forth and could well be decided by who has the basketball last. Since Villanova is getting +4 points (as I type my analysis) I think the points will work in this spot.
Carsen Edwards did indeed lead the Boilers on Thursday with 26 points, but he put up 23 shots and connected on only 7 of them! That has Edwards at 24-for-89 over Purdue's last 4 games. Edwards has had back issues that obviously could have him altering his shot, and he could well be fatigued too. Whatever the issue, I don't wish to be laying points against this capable 'Nova team.
Villanova continues to got solid senior leadership from Phil Booth who netted 20 points, and Eric Paschall who chipped in with another 14 points. The victory put the 'Cats at 14-1 straight up in the Big Dance since 2016. In other words, Jay Wright's team is not going to be an "easy out" for this Purdue team tonight.
As I look over the numbers for this game, there is just not a whole heck of a lot to separate these teams from one another, as Villanova averages 74.1 points per game, while Purdue scores the rock at 75.7 points per contest. On the defensive end, the Wildcats allow 66.8 to the Boilemakers 66.2 points allowed. Rebounds? 34 for Purdue per game to Villanova's 32.4 per contest. As far as free-throws go, both teams are right near 73%. Three-point percentage is also about the same at 36%, as is
field-goal percentage at 44% from the floor!!!
Again, this one should be tight for the full 40 minutes. I am backing the dog 'Cats in this second round plus the points to stay inside of the number.
4* VILLANOVA
Your comp play for Saturday will be to take the points and Villanova as the # 6 seed (and defending champ!) will take on the # 3 seed in the South Region, the Purdue Boilermakers from the XL Center in Hartford tonight.
Both teams showed resolve in their opening round victories, as the Wildcats held off a game St. Mary's edition, 61-57, while the Boilermakers were 13 point winners over Old Dominion.
I have a feeling this game is going to go back-and-forth and could well be decided by who has the basketball last. Since Villanova is getting +4 points (as I type my analysis) I think the points will work in this spot.
Carsen Edwards did indeed lead the Boilers on Thursday with 26 points, but he put up 23 shots and connected on only 7 of them! That has Edwards at 24-for-89 over Purdue's last 4 games. Edwards has had back issues that obviously could have him altering his shot, and he could well be fatigued too. Whatever the issue, I don't wish to be laying points against this capable 'Nova team.
Villanova continues to got solid senior leadership from Phil Booth who netted 20 points, and Eric Paschall who chipped in with another 14 points. The victory put the 'Cats at 14-1 straight up in the Big Dance since 2016. In other words, Jay Wright's team is not going to be an "easy out" for this Purdue team tonight.
As I look over the numbers for this game, there is just not a whole heck of a lot to separate these teams from one another, as Villanova averages 74.1 points per game, while Purdue scores the rock at 75.7 points per contest. On the defensive end, the Wildcats allow 66.8 to the Boilemakers 66.2 points allowed. Rebounds? 34 for Purdue per game to Villanova's 32.4 per contest. As far as free-throws go, both teams are right near 73%. Three-point percentage is also about the same at 36%, as is
field-goal percentage at 44% from the floor!!!
Again, this one should be tight for the full 40 minutes. I am backing the dog 'Cats in this second round plus the points to stay inside of the number.
4* VILLANOVA
MIKE LUNDIN
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Celtics vs. Hornets
Celtics-3½
The Charlotte Hornets picked up a 113-106 home win over Minnesota Thursday night. They had however lost two straight and four of their previous five prior to that victory and I think they'll come up short here against the Boston Celtics Saturday night.
The Celtics have a playoff spot locked in but are battling Indiana for the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage in the first round. "We don't want to look past these 10 games," said guard Terry Rozier, "but we're obviously getting prepared for the playoffs. Some guys may rest, but we got to get in that mindset right now. Once the playoffs are here, it's like, there are no taking steps back. We got to be ready from out the gate; fresh out the gate." Very sensible stance from the Celtics, but I think they'll want to put up a good performance tonight following back-to-back losses to Denver and Philadelphia.
The Hornets enter Saturday 2 1/2 games behind Miami for the final playoff spot but would have to leapfrog not just Miami, but also Orlando to get into the playoff picture.
The Celtics are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings in Charlotte and the Hornets are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight home games.
Free pick on the Boston Celtics.
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Celtics vs. Hornets
Celtics-3½
The Charlotte Hornets picked up a 113-106 home win over Minnesota Thursday night. They had however lost two straight and four of their previous five prior to that victory and I think they'll come up short here against the Boston Celtics Saturday night.
The Celtics have a playoff spot locked in but are battling Indiana for the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage in the first round. "We don't want to look past these 10 games," said guard Terry Rozier, "but we're obviously getting prepared for the playoffs. Some guys may rest, but we got to get in that mindset right now. Once the playoffs are here, it's like, there are no taking steps back. We got to be ready from out the gate; fresh out the gate." Very sensible stance from the Celtics, but I think they'll want to put up a good performance tonight following back-to-back losses to Denver and Philadelphia.
The Hornets enter Saturday 2 1/2 games behind Miami for the final playoff spot but would have to leapfrog not just Miami, but also Orlando to get into the playoff picture.
The Celtics are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings in Charlotte and the Hornets are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight home games.
Free pick on the Boston Celtics.
MARC LAWRENCE
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Mavs vs. Warriors
Mavs+16
Edges - Mavericks: 22-12-1 ATS versus foes coming off a win this season, including 16-6-1 AST when Dallas is coming off a loss … Warriors: 6-16-1 ATS at home off a win versus rested foes since November this season … With the Mavs looking to avenge a pair of same season losses, we recommend a 1* play on Dallas. Thank you and good luck as always.
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Mavs vs. Warriors
Mavs+16
Edges - Mavericks: 22-12-1 ATS versus foes coming off a win this season, including 16-6-1 AST when Dallas is coming off a loss … Warriors: 6-16-1 ATS at home off a win versus rested foes since November this season … With the Mavs looking to avenge a pair of same season losses, we recommend a 1* play on Dallas. Thank you and good luck as always.
ROB VINCILETTI
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Celtics vs. Hornets
Celtics-3½
Saturday card has 4 big NCAAB Tournament Plays including the 2019 Tournament Total Of The year and in NBA we have a 38-0 Statistical indicator and AAF Play. NBA Comp play below The NBA Comp play is on Boston at 6:15 eastern. The Celtics have covered 6 of 7 here in Charlotte and the favorite in the series has covered 4 of 5. The Celtics have covered in 3 of 4 on the road, Charlotte has lost to the spread in 6 of 7 at home and the last 6 times playing off a win. The Hornets have failed to cover 36 of 50 vs Atlantic division teams. The Celtics also fit a solid 87% system that plays on rested road favorites that scored and allowed 110 or more as a road dog and are now taking on a team that scored 110 or more in a home favored win and cover. Look for Boston to take this one.
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Celtics vs. Hornets
Celtics-3½
Saturday card has 4 big NCAAB Tournament Plays including the 2019 Tournament Total Of The year and in NBA we have a 38-0 Statistical indicator and AAF Play. NBA Comp play below The NBA Comp play is on Boston at 6:15 eastern. The Celtics have covered 6 of 7 here in Charlotte and the favorite in the series has covered 4 of 5. The Celtics have covered in 3 of 4 on the road, Charlotte has lost to the spread in 6 of 7 at home and the last 6 times playing off a win. The Hornets have failed to cover 36 of 50 vs Atlantic division teams. The Celtics also fit a solid 87% system that plays on rested road favorites that scored and allowed 110 or more as a road dog and are now taking on a team that scored 110 or more in a home favored win and cover. Look for Boston to take this one.
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Murray State at Florida State 6:10 ET
Seminoles (-) over Racers
Florida State has shown their grit making it to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship on to be denied by Duke. We are all aware of Zion Williamson and his status among those at the next level but there is another player on the court and not with Duke that has the pro's drooling. He is of course Ja Morant who many now think should be the No. 1 pick...hold your horses boys. Morant turned in a Triple-double against flawed Marquette as he scored or assisted on 53 of the Racers 83 points. Murray State enters with 12 straight wins but are up against the winningest (28) team in Florida State history. The size, balance and depth of the Seminoles will be the difference. Take FLORIDA STATE!
Murray State at Florida State 6:10 ET
Seminoles (-) over Racers
Florida State has shown their grit making it to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship on to be denied by Duke. We are all aware of Zion Williamson and his status among those at the next level but there is another player on the court and not with Duke that has the pro's drooling. He is of course Ja Morant who many now think should be the No. 1 pick...hold your horses boys. Morant turned in a Triple-double against flawed Marquette as he scored or assisted on 53 of the Racers 83 points. Murray State enters with 12 straight wins but are up against the winningest (28) team in Florida State history. The size, balance and depth of the Seminoles will be the difference. Take FLORIDA STATE!
MATT JOSEPHS
NCAA-B | Mar 23, 2019
Maryland vs. LSU
LSU-2
This line reeks a bit. LSU has won six of their last seven with the loss coming by three to Florida. They got a nice win against Yale and have the more athletic team of the two. This team is very nicely efficient on offense and has some size to counteract what the Terps do inside. Maryland is so young and really I didn't expect them to beat Belmont. I entered this tournament wanting to fade Maryland whenever I could and fortunately I get another chance. They've lost three of their last five. I think the line is a trap, but I'll take it anyways.
NCAA-B | Mar 23, 2019
Maryland vs. LSU
LSU-2
This line reeks a bit. LSU has won six of their last seven with the loss coming by three to Florida. They got a nice win against Yale and have the more athletic team of the two. This team is very nicely efficient on offense and has some size to counteract what the Terps do inside. Maryland is so young and really I didn't expect them to beat Belmont. I entered this tournament wanting to fade Maryland whenever I could and fortunately I get another chance. They've lost three of their last five. I think the line is a trap, but I'll take it anyways.
