February 22, 2021 Results:
What we got right:
College Basketball:
Oregon at #17 USC - USC proved it is the class of the Pac-12 with a 72-58 win over the second place Oregon Ducks. The Trojans build a 21 point halftime lead and never looked back. This was a big win for USC, who needed to bounce back after their loss last week to Arizona. They got the job done.
NBA:
Chicago at Houston - Chicago got 24 points from Coby White, and handed the Rockets their 8th consecutive loss as they got the 120-100 win. This game was decided in the third quarter, when the Bulls outscored the Rockets 46-26. There was your 20 point margin of victory right there. The Rockets are a fun team to watch when healthy, they just need to get Victor Oladipo and Christian Wood back soon.
Memphis at Dallas - Dallas is starting to come together. After the 102-92 win over Memphis, the Mavericks improved to 14-15 this season. They haven’t sniffed .500 since they were 8-8 earlier this season. They need to build on this win and keep the momentum going if they are to reach the heights all the experts expected from them this season.
Miami at Oklahoma City - Miami is Dallas’ counterpart on the East, as they are starting to play better after a sluggish start as well. In the 108-94 win over the Thunder, the Heat forced 18 turnovers and were their usual dominating selves on the glass. This was a textbook Miami Heat win. They need more of these.
Washington at Los Angeles Lakers - Are the Lakers in trouble? That is what everyone is thinking as Los Angeles dropped its third straight game. The Wizards got the 127-124 overtime win for their fifth consecutive victory, and they did it behind the 33 points of Bradley Beal. LeBron James had 31 points in the loss for the Lakers, who need to find a way to win games without Anthony Davis.
What we got wrong:
College Basketball:
#15 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State - Why wouldn’t this game go into overtime as well? The first matchup between these two teams did, so this is just par for the course. The Cowboys dominated the extra frame, outscoring the Red Raiders 9-4 in the 74-69 win. With the win Oklahoma State earned the season sweep over Texas Tech.
NBA:
Portland at Phoenix - Damian Lillard scored 24 points, but it was the Suns who came out blazing hot and got the 132-100 win over the Blazers for their ninth win in eleven games. Phoenix is now tied with the Lakers for the #3 seed in the Western Conference. It is safe to say that no one saw this coming, but never underestimate what having a leader like Chris Paul does for your team.
Charlotte at Utah - The Utah Jazz set a franchise record, set earlier this season, with 28 made three pointers in the 132-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Six players made multiple three pointers, and Georges Niang went 7-7 from behind the three point line in the big win for Utah. The Jazz are running away with the Western Conference right now. Let’s see if that will hold.