Basketball season is heating up big time. The college basketball regular season is approaching championship week as teams scramble for position in their respective conferences. The NBA is also getting very interesting as teams scramble for a playoff berth.
The Wisconsin Badgers and the Maryland Terrapins are two of the top teams in college basketball’s Big Ten conference. They meet tonight in what should be a thrilling affair. The pros don’t shy away from giving us big matchups either as the resurgent Indiana Pacers take on a red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. Read on for our take on the best games to bet on today.
Want more explosive basketball matchups today? Then head over to our complete previews for the Cavaliers vs. Pistons and Warriors vs. Wizards.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Wisconsin Badgers vs. Maryland Terrapins (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Wisconsin Badgers (-6) at Maryland Terrapins (+6) – view these lines
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]The Wisconsin Badgers have quite a weapon on their hands in Frank Kaminsky. He ranks in the top five in points (17.7), rebounds (8.7) and blocks (1.6) per game in the Big Ten. Wisconsin’s giant doesn’t lose a step on the road, averaging 18.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per conference road game this season. The Badgers have won 10 straight games heading into Maryland.
With Wisconsin locking down Maryland’s big men with Kaminsky, a mobile guard may be what the Terps need to get themselves on the board. They have the perfect man for the job in Melo Trimle. The freshman is averaging 18.6 points per game in conference road games this season. He was especially on-point against Nebraska on February 19, where he finished with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Maryland is 7-0 at home in Big Ten play, but just 2-5 against the spread.
Writer’s Prediction
Kaminsky powers through Maryland for a monster game. Take Wisconsin to win and cover on the road.
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Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Indiana Pacers (+7) at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7); total 203.0 – view these lines
Russell Westbrook has adjusted pretty well with Kevin Durant (foot) and Steven Adams (hand) out for an extended amount of time. He’s averaging 29.3 points since the All-Star Game, while dishing out 12.3 assists. He set a career-high 17 assists against Denver in Sunday’s 119-94 win as big men Enes Kanter (20 points and 12 rebounds) and Serge Ibaka (20 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks) stepped up.
Oklahoma City welcomes a dangerous Indiana team which has averaged 104.1 points per game over their last seven. Rodney Stuckey has done his best Westbrook impression with 30 points in back-to-back games, one against the league-best Golden State Warriors. The Pacers also have tight defense that could limit Kanter and Ibaka. Indiana ranks second in the league in points allowed in the paint with 38.5 per game.
The Thunder have won their last three at home against Indiana, both straight up and against the spread.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City wins, but the Pacers cover +7.
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