The Indiana Pacers haven’t been playing up to par lately despite compiling four straight wins. They are going to need their A-game tonight against a suddenly hot and well-rested New York Knicks team. Meanwhile, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Tennessee Volunteers scramble for the last ticket to the NCAA Tournament’s second round.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks (8:00 PM EST)
Line: Indiana Pacers (-2.5) at New York Knicks (+2.5); total 195.5
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers became the first eastern conference team to get to 50 wins after defeating the lowly but pesky Philadelphia Sixers, 99-90, on Monday. With the win, the Pacers improved to 4-0 SU in their last four games. Paul George and Lance Stephenson teamed up against the Sixers, scoring 24 and 25 points.
On paper, the recent win streak by the Pacers seems to convey that they have fully recovered from the four consecutive setbacks they suffered earlier this March. However, those wins came against teams bellow .500. The Pacers began the streak with a home victory against Boston, followed by a road win over Philadelphia, before beating Detroit in overtime, and the Sixers again at home.
Up next for Indiana is a road game against the Knicks, whom the Pacers have beaten in their last three meetings.
Betting on the New York Knicks
Hiring Phil Jackson as the new head honcho of the New York Knicks’ front office breathes needed competence to the much-maligned squad. But that wasn’t the only good news to come out of Gotham City. The Knicks have won six in a row to fan their playoff hopes as they move within just 5.5 games behind current no.8 Atlanta Hawks in the eastern conference standings.
The Knicks come into tonight’s game against Indiana after a three-day rest. Their last game was a 115-94 win at home against the Milwaukee Bucks as 10-point underdogs, improving their ATS record to 5-1 in their last six games. The offense has been clicking for the Knicks, who are 4-0 OVER in their last four games, during their winning run. They scored more than 106 points in each of their last six games and averaged 113.8 PPG in their last 10 games.
Prediction – Pacers Win and Cover
This will be a statement win for Indiana. New York’s offense won’t be as hot in this game given that the Pacers’ have the NBA’s best defense.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers (9:10 PM EST)
Line: Iowa Hawkeyes (-2.5) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (+2.5); total 144.0
Betting on the Iowa Hawkeyes
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]In their first inclusion in the 68-team field of the tourney since 2006, the Hawkeyes set their sights on advancing to the second round, something they haven’t accomplished in 13 years. Iowa had a roller coaster ride throughout the regular season. The school was ranked as high as no. 10 in the AP poll rankings but a horrendous conference play nearly had them miss the boat to the tournament. They finished the regular season with a three-game losing streak and went 1-6 SU in their last seven.
Roy Marble is going to be one of players relied upon by coach Fran McCaffery to deliver. The 6-foot-6 guard leads the Hawkeyes –no. 10 in the nation in scoring – with 17.3 PPG. The high-scoring Hawkeyes failed to hit their season average of 82.0 PPG in their last two games, thus going under in totals in both games. Nevertheless, Iowa is 8-2 over in their last 10 outings.
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers gave overall no.1 Florida all it could handle in the semifinals of the SEC tournament before eventually yielding to the Gators, 56-49. Known for their defense, the Vols got a taste of their own medicine, particularly in the second half, where the Gators made Tennessee bleed for 14 points, the Vols’ lowest in the entire season.
Before their loss to Florida, the Volunteers coasted to a 5-0 SU record; they accomplished this record with a swarming defense that limited opponents to just 61.1 PPG, no. 10 in the nation. The 56 points they gave up against Florida was the highest in their last five games. Over that span, Tennessee’s opponents averaged only 47.4 PPG. Tennessee is 5-0 UNDER in those games.
Prediction – Total Goes Under
Tennessee knows how to put the clamps on opponents’ offense. Count the struggling Hawkeyes among those teams that will feel the wrath of the Vols’ D.
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