February 17, 2021 Results:

What we got right:

College Basketball:

Valparaiso at #22 Loyola Chicago - After the way Valparaiso played against Drake a couple weeks ago, we knew they would be a tough out for Loyola Chicago. We were right as the Crusaders fought valiantly but came up just short. This game was a defensive struggle, with Loyola Chicago getting the 54-52 victory.

#23 Kansas at Kansas State - The Wildcats have now lost 13 games in a row, and this one was ugly. Kansas State shot just 31% from the field and had its lowest offensive output in 17 years, falling to the Jayhawks 59-41. Kansas didn’t even play that great, especially on the offensive end. Kansas State is just that bad.

NBA:

Atlanta at Boston - Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. That is what we did in this one and it paid off. Trae Young scored 40 points as the Hawks ended their four game losing streak with a 122-114 win over the Celtics. Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston with 35 points, but Jaylen Brown went just 6-22 from the field in the loss.

Indiana at Minnesota - This game needed overtime, but the Pacers did just enough to cover the 5.5 spread, winning 134-128 over the Timberwolves. Domantas Sabonis had a triple double, with 36 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win. Karl-Anthony Towns was not on a minutes restriction as he played 37 minutes, and had 30 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Portland at New Orleans - It seems like Damian Lillard has a stretch every season when he just can’t be stopped. He is in the middle of that stretch right now, as he dropped 43 points to lead the Blazers to its sixth win in a row. The big play in this one was a three point play with 16 seconds left, to lift the Blazers to the 126-124 victory over the Pelicans.

Miami at Golden State - Another game that needed overtime to go our way, the Warriors battled back from ten down in the fourth quarter to force the extra period and walked away with the 120-112 win. Stephen Curry went 5-20 from three point land in this one, but he made big plays down the stretch to secure the win.

Utah at Los Angeles Clippers - Without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George the Clippers were looking for someone else to step up on offense. It didn’t happen. The Jazz won their ninth game in a row, beating the short-handed Clippers 114-96. Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Jazz with 24 points, who continue to run away from the rest of the Western Conference.

What we got wrong:

College Basketball:

Arizona State at #17 USC - This was just a two point game at halftime as both offenses were clicking. The Sun Devils ran out of gas in the second half, and USC made them pay in the 89-71 loss. USC has now won seven games in a row and is 18-3 on the season. They are a very good team and should be getting more respect nationally, but because they are in the Pac-12 they are overlooked.

South Carolina at #19 Tennessee - Tennessee is no longer scuffling. This was complete domination from start to finish. Tennessee won the game 93-73, shooting 54% from the field. It seemed like Tennessee was getting easy looks at the basket all night long. When their offense is humming like that they are tough to beat.

NBA:

New York at Orlando - The Knicks had a three point halftime lead in this game, but then forgot how to put the ball in the basket. The 33 points they scored in the second half was a season low, and the Magic raced past them to get the 107-89 win. Orlando held New York to 38% shooting and forced 16 turnovers in the win.

Houston at Philadelphia - This is a game we should have won. The 76ers had an 18 point lead going into the fourth quarter and it seemed like the y were destined to cover. They got outscored by 12 points in the final frame to make this game closer than it should have been. Joel Embiid had 31 points and 11 rebounds in the 118-113 win.

Denver at Washington - What is going on with the Nuggets? They let the Wizards hang around in this game, and when Bradley Beal hit two free throws with .1 seconds left, Washington secured the 130-128 victory. The Nuggets need to win games like this if they are going to make some noise in the Western Conference. They can’t take any days off.

Oklahoma City at Memphis - The Grizzlies got back on track after an embarrassing loss to the Pelicans the night before, beating the Thunder 122-113. Ja Morant had his first triple double of the season in the win, as the Grizzlies moved back to .500 on the season at 12-12.

What we pushed on:

NBA:

Detroit at Chicago - Zach LaVine continued his quest for his first all-star team, dropping 37 points for the Bulls in the 105-102 win over the Pistons. Chicago rallied from a 25 point second quarter deficit, which was the biggest comeback in the NBA this season.