Betting on the Toronto Raptors<\/h3>\n
[sc:NBA240banner ]Despite a 121-113 loss to Phoenix on Sunday, Toronto remains on top of the Atlantic Division with a 37-28 record.\u00a0 The loss was the Raptors\u2019 first at home in four games and third overall in the last 10. Kyle Lowry recorded 28 points and added 13 assists, while Terrence Ross contributed 22 points in a loss that could be largely blamed on the inability of the Raptors\u2019 bench to produce points. Toronto\u2019s relievers were outscored by Phoenix\u2019s counterparts, 59-11.<\/p>\n
The Raptors, who are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games, got All-Star numbers from Lowry in their recent games. The six-foot guard is averaging 22.0 PPG, 9.8 APG, and 7.2 RPG. He also leads the team in assists (7.9 APG) and steals (1.6 SPG). He is expected to play tonight against Atlanta after getting hurt in the game against Phoenix, when he was kneed in the head by P.J. Tucker during a loose ball scramble late in the game.<\/p>\n
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks<\/h3>\n
Even a bad 15-game stretch for the Hawks, in which they only went 1-14 SU, was not enough to take them out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. After losing to the Clippers on March 8, the Hawks regrouped and found their groove, winning their next four assignments. Next up for Atlanta is a game against the Raptors, whom the Hawks have beaten eight times in the last 10 meetings at Philips Arena.<\/p>\n
Defense has been the driving force for the Hawks in their latest wins. They haven\u2019t allowed opposing teams to score more than 97 points in their last three wins, holding them down to an average of 39.3% shooting from the field. With focus clearly on stopping the other team\u2019s offense, it\u2019s no wonder the Hawks are 3-0 UNDER in their last three games and 6-1 in the last seven overall.<\/p>\n
Prediction \u2013 Total Goes Under<\/h3>\n
The Raptors benefited from a relatively lax defense by Phoenix in the last game, enabling them to score more than 100 points for the first time in four games. That won\u2019t happen tonight, as the Hawks\u2019 defense will ground them to below 95 points.<\/p>\n
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Xavier Musketeers (9:10 PM EST)<\/h2>\n
Line: North Carolina State Wolfpack (+2.5<\/a>) vs. Xavier Musketeers (-2.5<\/a>); total 142.0<\/a><\/p>\n The Wolfpack missed the opportunity to play in the ACC championship game when they lost to Duke in the conference semis, 67-75. Playing against Xavier tonight in their First Four match-up, the Wolfpack are eager not to miss the boat to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They are 5-0 ATS in their last five games.<\/p>\n Eyes will be on ACC player of the year T.J. Warren for this game. Warren is the third-best scorer in the nation with 24.8 PPG. The sophomore guard has done even better in the Wolfpack\u2019s last five games by scoring 31.2 PPG. Earlier this month, Warren dropped back-to-back 40-plus-point games against Pittsburgh (41) and against Boston College (42). North Carolina State won both games.<\/p>\n Just like the Wolfpack, Xavier lost in its conference tournament semifinals, when Creighton beat them, 78-86. The loss was a sorry one for Isaiah Philmore, who scored a season-high 23 points on 9-13 shooting. A repeat of Philmore\u2019s performance and the return to form of big man Matt Stainbrook are the keys to a victory for the Cincinnati-based school.<\/p>\n Now, fighting for a spot in the round of 64, the Musketeers are hopeful that Stainbrook will finally get his bearings back after a sprained knee forced him to sit out Xavier\u2019s last regular season game, and limited him to just 15 minutes in the team\u2019s Big East tournament quarterfinals win over Marquette. Stainbrook is the Big East\u2019s fifth best rebounder, hauling down 7.3 boards per game and is an imposing presence on defense with 1.0 BPG.<\/p>\n The Musketeers will dominate the boards with the return to fine form of Matt Stainbrook, opening opportunities on the perimeter for Semaj Christon and Justin Martin.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wait: bet on these games now<\/a>. And don\u2019t forget that Top Bet is your home for NBA and college basketball odds<\/a>, news and betting lines.<\/p>\n[sc:NCAAB490Banner ]\nBetting on the North Carolina State Wolfpack<\/h3>\n
![\"T.J.](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/T.J.-Warren-North-Carolina-State-Wolfpack-NCAAB-March-Madness.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBetting on the Xavier Musketeers<\/h3>\n
Prediction \u2013 Xavier Wins and Covers<\/h3>\n