–These teams played on Monday, with the Magic eventually pulling away in the second half in a 16 point win. Now, these teams will meet again in a spot that historically favors the team that lost the first game. While Indiana has had a disappointing season, I actually like the roster they mustered together after the Trade Deadline. With Tyrese Halliburton, Buddy Hield, and Oshae Brissett leading the way, this is a team that is sneaky. They entered Monday’s matchup with no days of rest after beating the Celtics by 21 on Sunday; that alone should tell you how much potential this young roster has. Orlando is a bad basketball team that has won back-to-back games just two other times this season. I like the Pacers to enact revenge tonight in what has been a very profitable angle.
*CBB(0.8u): Creighton 1H ML(+135) vs UCONN–7:30 PM CT
Creighton is 2-point underdogs in the 1st Half of this one, yet we are getting +135 odds at our disposal. By my calculation, this should be at +115 or maybe +120. The line value alone doesn’t get me on this play, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Creighton actually beat UCONN in Hartford earlier this season and is a team I generally believe has been undervalued by the oddsmakers. Sure, this is a young Blue Jays team that hasn’t lived up to past teams’ offensive success, but they have made up for that by their defensive prowess, ranking 26th in defensive efficiency. Prior to Saturday’s loss at Providence, Creighton had won their previous 6 games. I really don’t fault them for the Providence loss because it was their second straight road game and Providence had all the motivation in the world to clinch their first ever regular season Big East title. Speaking of second straight road games, that is the situation UCONN finds themselves in tonight. They did beat Georgetown their last time out, but they were outscored by 6 in the second half and looked lethargic on the defensive end of the floor. This team has won 5 straight, but I don’t believe they’re as good as their record might indicate. I’m looking towards Creighton to take a lead into the half.
*CBB(1u): Miami -4(-110) @ Boston College–8 PM CT
Miami has regressed a bit as of late, losing 2 straight close home games to Virginia and Virginia Tech. However, the Hurricanes are 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS on the road in conference play this season. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Virginia Tech, this is anything but a “let down” spot for a team that still has everything to play for. I liken this to a game Miami played at Pittsburgh last week; they came out hot and eventually won by 21. Boston College is a talentless basketball team that simply can’t trade buckets with high-octane offenses like Miami. I like the Hurricanes to bounce back and cover the short spread.
