The Sunday basketball slate includes a few key games in both college hoops and the NBA. Covers checks in on the action and line movement, with insights from Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US in Las Vegas.
College
Penn State Nittany Lions at Nebraska Cornhuskers – Open: -1; Move: None
Nebraska is the No. 1 team in the nation for bettors, but heads into its regular-season finale uncertain of its NCAA Tournament prospects. The Cornhuskers (21-9 SU, 21-7 ATS) won six in a row SU and eight in a row ATS before falling at Illinois a week ago, but bounced back with a 66-57 home win over Indiana as a 3-point chalk Tuesday.
Penn State looked as if it was making a march toward the madness with a well-timed 6-1 SU and ATS surge that included a blowout home win over Ohio State. However, the Nittany Lions (19-11 SU, 14-11-1 ATS) have since dumped two in a row, losing a tight one at Purdue, then falling at home to Michigan 72-63 as a 4-point favorite Wednesday.
“The money is for Nebraska so far, but a helluva game,” Bogdanovich said of the 5:15 p.m. ET tipoff. “I think we’ll write pretty good business to it.”
Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina State Wolfpack – Open: -2.5; Move: -3; Move: -2; Move: -1.5
North Carolina State is picking it up at the right time, winning three in a row and six of its last eight games. The Wolfpack (19-9 SU, 11-10 ATS) coasted past Boston College 82-66 as a 5-point home fave Tuesday.
Following a 1-3 SU and ATS hiccup, Florida State got back on track with a pair of wins, though it didn’t cash in either case and is 1-5 ATS in its last six outings. The Seminoles (19-8 SU, 14-10-1 ATS) topped Pittsburgh 88-75 laying a massive 22 points at home last Sunday.
“A little sharp money showing for the ‘dog,” Bogdanovich said of action that took this line down to N.C. State -1.5, after it got as high as 3 for the 6 p.m. ET meeting. “But again, a game around pick ‘em should be good two-way action. It’s a big game for both teams.”
NBA
San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers – Open: -5; Move: -4.5; Move: -5
Cleveland has regained its status as the flavor of the week, at least against pretty much anyone other than Golden State and perhaps Houston. The Cavaliers (35-23 SU, 19-28-1 ATS) remain the NBA’s worst team for bettors, but are on a 5-1 SU and ATS run with their revamped roster. LeBron James and Co. rolled by Memphis 112-89 laying 4.5 points on the road Friday.
San Antonio can only wonder how things would be with Kawhi Leonard, who now appears to be out for the season with a leg injury after missing the first two months and playing just nine games. The Spurs (35-25 SU, 31-27-2 ATS) have lost four in a row and six of seven, including a 122-119 setback at Denver as a 4-point pup Friday.
“All the money is on Cleveland, but it’s square money,” Bogdanovich said, noting that action led him to move from 4.5 back to the opener of 5 this morning. The game tips at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets – Open: -4.5; Move: None
Houston is red-hot and owns the best record in the NBA as it heads to the Mile High City for an 8 p.m. ET contest. The Rockets (45-13 SU, 29-28-1 ATS) are on an 11-game winning streak (6-5 ATS), returning from the All-Star break with a 120-102 victory over Minnesota as a 7.5-point home chalk Friday.
Denver has won seven of its last eight SU and seven of nine ATS. The Nuggets (33-26 SU, 28-28-3 ATS) returned from the break with a 122-119 victory over San Antonio on Friday, falling short as a 4-point home favorite.
“Good two-way action for this game so far, so that’ll be a good-bet game for both sides,” Bogdanovich said.
Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.
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