ORLANDO at CLEVELAND
(Sports Book Betting Line: Magic -6.5 , Total 190) — The top scorers on each of these teams is out - Dwight Howard for the Magic and Kyrie Irving for the Cavs. We have already seen what kind of effect the loss of rookie Irving has had on Cleveland’s fortunes over the long run, as they have plummeted right out of any kind of playoff consideration in the East. The loss of Anderson Verajao, one of the top offensive rebounders and defenders in the league, did not help either.

Howard, as you know, tried to lead a movement to oust coach Stan Van Gundy, but that hasn’t happened yet. Of course, you figure that with the trouble-making Howard gone, the Magic might be a little more harmonious. But that doesn’t appear to be the case, with Orlando shooting just 37% and 39% in the last two games. More significantly, the defense suffers without Howard, as both the Wizards and Hawks shot better than 50% from the field. Meanwhile, Cleveland has been giving good value against the number, covering six of their last seven. And they’ve actually won three of their last six straight-up, which is better form than Orlando has been showing lately. Under the circumstances, the Cavs may provide some value getting points at home.

SPORTS BOOK BETTING PLAY: CLEVELAND +6.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

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SACRAMENTO at L.A. CLIPPERS
(Sports Book Betting Line: Clippers -8, Total 204.5) — The Clippers are on something of a roll, having won seven of their last eight games, making sure they are in good position to challenge for a home series in the playoffs. Of course, the addition of Chris Paul (19.3 ppg, 4.5-to-1 assist-turnover ratio) has made quite a bit of difference, as has the further development of Blake Griffin, whose numbers might be slightly down but is shooting with a higher level of efficiency this year. The Clippers have been somewhat erratic defensively. in fact, they have allowed the opposition to shoot 50% or better in five of the last ten games. That doesn’t make them championship material. Defense would come in handy in a game like this, because Sacramento has been scoring a lot of points lately; in fact, the Kings have tallied over 100 points in eleven of the last thirteen games. However, they were stopped short at home by the Clips the other night, when they hit only 41.7% and got 85 points, their lowest total since February 15.

SPORTS BOOK BETTING PLAY: L.A. CLIPPERS -8 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

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L.A. LAKERS at DALLAS
(Sports Book Betting Line: Mavs -4.5, Total 190) — Dallas is looking for some payback after being beaten twice this season by the Lakers. In those games the Mavs, who hit 20 three-pointers in the final game of last year’s playoff series, have gone just 12 of 58 from beyond the arc. That’s no fluke, because it is something the Lakers have done pretty well this season, allowing opponents to shoot less than 32%. Kobe Bryant has shot just 40% in the last nine games, and he is hoisting a lot of shots up there in an effort to win the scoring title.

Dallas went through a very rough stretch of games starting with the 96-91 loss to the Lakers on February 22. They lost eight of ten before getting themselves together and winning the last four. Beating Denver at the Pepsi Center was particularly impressive, and now they have had a day off. The Lakers extended themselves in a losing effort at Houston last night, and they’ve been no value whatsoever on the road, with a 7-16 ATS record.

SPORTS BOOK BETTING PLAY: DALLAS -4.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

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NCAA Tournament @ Portland
DAVIDSON vs. LOUISVILLE
(Line: Louisville -7, Total 139) — This could wind up being a trick bag for Davdison. And no, Stephen Curry has not suddenly reappeared for the Wildcats. When you ramble to the Big East championship, you have to go through a real meat grinder, and Lousiville did just that, with four wins in four days. That’s a tremendous achievement, but it also takes a lot out of a team. Now, after a long trip, they are going to try to cover the floor against a balanced Davidson team. And Lousiville may have to shoot better from the arc (only 31% this season) to match Davidson’s long-range exploits. These first-round games are hardly walkovers for Louisville and Rick Pitino; last year they were eliminated early by Morehead State.

SPORTS BOOK BETTING PLAY: DAVIDSON +7 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

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NIT Tournament
BUCKNELL at ARIZONA
(Sports Book Betting Line: Arizona -8.5, Total 132) — There is no question that Arizona is a team with players who are very experienced in tournament play, as the ‘Cats made it to the Elite Eight last season. But the campaign to replace Derrick Williams as a go-to scorer has been a difficult one. This team’s been erratic from the field (only 44% shooting), and is now suffering from the loss of suspended freshman guard Josiah Turner, who added a lot of energy and had started 17 games. Bucknell rebounds well (+6 per game), which somewhat mitigates an edge Arizona might have with forwards Jesse Perry and Solomon Hill, who both average over seven rebounds. yes, Bucknell did let some games get out of hand. But this team is not likely to be intimidated down low, as many “small” schools are, as NBA-size center Mike Muscala holds court in the middle. An upset may not happen, but a close game is certainly not out of the question.

SPORTS BOOK BETTING PLAY: BUCKNELL +8.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

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