Today’s Picks (3/11): Atlanta/Utah, West Virginia/Notre Dame, Chicago/Carolina, and more
So close, yet so far away. Looking at the numbers that matter, I had a 1-2 showing with last night’s picks. However, I almost, almost, almost came out looking like a genius with the Clippers’ pick, that is, until they unsurprisingly imploded in the fourth quarter, throwing away a 17-point lead against Cleveland. And in Minnesota, the Wild made a valiant comeback from 3-0 down to send San Jose to overtime,
So, I’ll be looking to get back on the winning track tonight, and if you came out on the losing end last night, hopefully you get back to winning ways tonight as well.
NBA
Atlanta Hawks vs. Utah Jazz (7 P.M. ET)
The Jazz just won’t stop winning, will they? They had a tight game for much of the way last night at Indiana, but they pulled away in the fourth and posted a 107-96 victory, their 12th in a row.
That winning streak should get a much tougher challenge tonight when they hit Atlanta. After a stretch where they lost 7 of 10, the Hawks have won back to back games, and they’re currently a game and a half ahead of Miami for the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the impressive winning streak, Utah has struggled on the road against the league’s better teams. Their four road wins in the win streak are against Minnesota, Golden State, Toronto, and Indiana, and their most impressive road win of the season might be against Detroit in December. This isn’t to say that I don’t think they’re a great team, but I don’t see their winning streak hitting lucky #13.
College Basketball
West Virginia vs. Notre Dame (7 P.M. ET)
Every game is a must-win for Notre Dame at this point, and while West Virginia’s hopes for a NCAA Tournament berth aren’t reliant on running the table at the Big East tournament as is the case with the Irish, the Mountaineers will probably be breathing a lot easier on Sunday afternoon if they can pick up at least one win at Madison Square Garden.
Notre Dame passed their first test with a 61-50 win over Rutgers last night, but this is where it gets really tough. In their previous meeting, West Virginia came out on top 79-68 in Morgantown.
West Virginia has won their last two Big East tournament openers, and they’re a comfortable favorite for tonight’s showdown. But, in making my wager on this one, I picked Notre Dame, and it’d be pointless to give you the opposite, wouldn’t it? Their performance against Rutgers wasn’t the convincing one that I had expected to see, and I can’t say I see them winning the tournament, but I think they can at least make it to tomorrow.
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes (8:30 P.M. ET)
There’s just a trio of games tonight in the NHL, and though I was leaning towards Anaheim vs. Vancouver for a little while, this is the pick of the litter for me.
Carolina has won four straight, and they’re 8-2 in their last 10 games. With a win tonight, the Hurricanes would move level on points with current #5 seed Montreal and within striking distance of current #4 Philadelphia.
But the Blackhawks sport a 17-6-6 record at home, and they’ll be eager to atone for a 5-1 thrashing by last-place Colorado in their last home game on Sunday.
Dont Agree? Let us Know. We love hearing your thoughts and picks!
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