Charlotte Bobcats (27-31) vs. Miami Heat (42-14)
Monday March 3
American Airlines Arena – Miami, FL
7:30PM
Moneyline:No moneyline currently listed
Spread: Miami -11.5
Total: 196.5
Charlotte
The Bobcats have been a pleasant surprise this season.
I know that it may not seem possible but Spring Training – yes Spring Training has already started for MLB teams – most of the talking can now cease and results on the field can be the measuring stick to which teams are defined.
The Tampa Bay Rays have gone from laughing stock to one of the most consistent teams in the AL the last half-dozen years – they haven’t had a losing record over that span and they have made the playoffs four of the last six years.
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we were talking about the Blue Jays as a legitimate World Series contender – this year we are talking about the team just being competitive and with an outside shot at a Wild Card spot.
Whew – things have certainly changed in the Bronx ahead of the 2014 season! Gone are Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano from what was a typically potent lineup and in are some new pieces including Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran.
The Boston Red Sox will attempt to build on a worst-to-first 2013 campaign while trying to repeat as improbable World Series Champions. The Sox had a relatively quiet offseason – there were more departures on this team than there were acquisitions.
The Baltimore Orioles will be looking to get back to their 2012 form in which they won an astounding 93 games with what was, on paper, an average team.
This season Virginia is 14-2 at home and Syracuse is 7-1 on the road. In their last games Syracuse is 57-55 and Virginia beat Miami 65-40.
The Jayhawks have already clinched another conference title under coach Bill Self. Preseason they were supposed to have to battle teams like Oklahoma State for that title but as the season progressed their overwhelming talent began to shine through.
Illinois looked like a potential sleeper early in the season but they have struggled in conference play. They are coming into East Lansing on a two game winning streak but that if the first time they have won back to back B10 games since the first two.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Saint Mary’s Gaels are both looking to finish the season strong, and they’ll have the chance to do that against one another in the final outing of the 2013 regular season. Despite their strong records, both teams have slipped just a bit as the year has come to an end.
The No. 11 Louisville Cardinals arrive in Memphis looking to extend their seven-game winning streak against the 22-ranked Tigers who have been nearly unbeatable at home. .
The Golden State Warriors will look to get back on the rails when they arrive in the Big Apple on Friday to take on the slumping Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Seton Hall Pirates return home on Friday after dropping consecutive road games, to take on the Friars who are looking to boost their tournament hopes with a big win.
The Bulls are 29-28 ATS with an O/U record of 23-34 and the Mavs are 33-26 ATS with an O/U record of 32-27.
Race for the President’s Trophy Commences Friday Night – Ducks Host Blues
The NHL overall leaders Anaheim Ducks begin their stretch run Friday night when they play host to one of the teams nipping at their heels in the President’s Trophy race, the St. Louis Blues.
