February 4, 202 Results:

What we got right:

College Basketball:

#7 Ohio State at #8 Iowa - This was a fun basketball game to watch, and it was very even throughout. Each team had 20 assists and 6 turnovers. Each team made 14 three point baskets. The biggest difference in this game was rebounding. Ohio State had a +7 rebounding edge. In a game between teams this evenly matched, it’s all about hustle, and Ohio State wanted this game just a bit more.

NBA:

Utah at Atlanta - Utah got back in the win column with a 112-91 victory over the Hawks, and Jordan Clarkson was a big reason why. He hit five three pointers on his way to 23 points off the bench, as Utah protected the best record in the NBA. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Hawks, who now sit at 10-12.

Golden State at Dallas - Defense was optional for the Mavericks, as the Warriors scored at least 36 points in every quarter in a 147-116 win. Kelly Oubre Jr dropped a career high 40 points for Golden State, who also got 28 from Stephen Curry. Luca Doncic scored 27 points, but was just 8-20 from the field. Things are bleak in Dallas right now.

Denver at Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers outscored the Nuggets by 33 points in the second half, turning a 12 point deficit into a 21 point win. LeBron James had a triple double in the win for Los Angeles, and it is truly remarkable what he is doing in year 18 in the NBA. He is averaging 25 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds a game as a 36 year old who gets defenses best efforts every night. We have never seen something like this in the NBA before.

What we got wrong:

College Basketball:

#1 Gonzaga at Pacific - For 20 minutes the #1 team in the country was put on notice that if they don’t play their best, even they can lose. Pacific turned the game into a slow physical contest and at the halftime break had a one point lead. Gonzaga woke up in the second half, matched the Tigers intensity, and turned a one point deficit into an 18 point win. The 76-58 win was not enough to cover the spread, and it was the lowest offensive output the Bulldogs have had all season.

NBA:

Portland at Philadelphia - This was a tie game at halftime, before the Blazers had one of their best quarters of the season. Portland outscored Philadelphia 40-19 in the third, and left Philadelphia with the 121-105 win. They did this with Damian Lillard not playing because of an injury. Even though the 76ers did not have Ben Simmons in this one, there is no reason why they should lose a game in which CJ Elleby plays 31 minutes. But that is what happened.

Houston at Memphis -