March 3, 2021 Results:

What we got right:

College Basketball:

Nothing

NBA:

Utah at Philadelphia - Utah has now lost three out of its last four games, with the last game being 131-123 overtime setback at the hands of Philadelphia. Joel Embiid had 40 points and 19 rebounds, and Tobias Harris had 11 points in the extra frame. We were right in saying this was going to be an entertaining game, as both teams came ready to play.

Brooklyn at Houston - James Harden had a triple double in his return to Houston as the Nets handed their 13th consecutive loss. In the 132-114 win for Brooklyn, Harden had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists. Just a few weeks ago Houston was 11-10 and was in prime position for a playoff spot. Now they are 11-23 and are searching for answers.

Charlotte at Minnesota - We will never understand why the line for this game was only 1.5 points. Charlotte completely dominated Minnesota, winning 135-102 and handing the Timberwolves their ninth straight loss. Charlotte heads into the all-star break at 17-18 and is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Chicago at New Orleans - We picked the Bulls to cover the five point spread, and they came out on top by four. Zach LaVine scored 36 points as the Bulls held off a late charge to defeat the Pelicans. Chicago is another team that is in the quagmire that is the middle of the Eastern Conference.

Oklahoma City at Dallas - How right we were that the Oklahoma City Thunder can’t score the basketball. This game looks like it came straight from the 1990s, as the Mavericks beat the Thunder 87-78. The 165 combined points was the lowest total in the NBA this season. We have seen the Nets almost put up that many points by themselves.

What we got wrong:

College Basketball:

#14 Creighton at #10 Villanova - Villanova got some revenge for their loss to Creighton earlier this season, winning 72-60 and taking the lead in the Big East. Villanova won this game on the defensive end, holding Creighton to 18 points below its season average. That was an impressive win for Jay Wright and the Wildcats.

Boston College at #11 Florida State - Florida State took control of this game early and never looked back, winning 93-64, and taking the top spot in the ACC standings in the process. It is Florida State and Virginia sitting above everyone else. What a weird year in College Basketball.

#19 San Diego State at UNLV - The line was 9.5 points and San Diego State won by nine. That is frustrating. San Diego State had a 15 point lead with less than a minute left, but two UNLV three pointers in the final 34 seconds caused them to cover the spread. That is why this is isn’t easy. Stuff like this happens all the time.

NBA:

Indiana at Cleveland - Indiana won this game to snap their own four game losing streak and Cleveland’s four game losing streak, but it wasn’t enough to cover the six point spread. T.J. McConnell set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half, and it was his tenth steal at the end of the game that sealed the deal for Indiana in the 114-111 win.

Atlanta at Orlando - Another game where a half point is all that kept us from earning a tie. The line was 3.5 points and the Hawks won 115-112. The Hawks made two free throws with 1.3 seconds left to get that final three point margin, but all we needed was one more point to get the win. This is further proof that the guys in Vegas know what they are doing.

Golden State at Portland - Damian Lillard hit a three pointer with 13 seconds left to give the Blazers a 108-106 win over Steph Curry and the Warriors. Lillard had 22 points in the loss, but it the big shot when it mattered, like he is known to do. Curry had 35 points in the loss for Golden State, but couldn’t get a bucket on their final possession.

Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento - Oh, Sacramento. Every time we pick you, you find a way to let us down. This time it was beating the Lakers by three points, when the line was four. The Lakers didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis, but kept the game close. The Kings should have blown them out, but let them hang around the entire game. They lack that killer instinct that all the good teams have.