Larry's Picks (3 Live)
76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe poured in 25 points in 40 minutes of action last time out at Golden State. He was plus-27 in the box score. The No. 3 overall pick should get another big workload in a game with a total of 234, second-highest on the board. The Lakers are below average defensively, and Edgecombe scored 15 points in 38 minutes when LA visited Philly on Dec. 7. With Paul George suspended and Joel Embiid questionable, the surging 76ers are relying on Edgecome to supplement Tyrese Maxey's offense.
UAB is 0-4 in conference home games, while Memphis is 1-6 in true road games. The Tigers' lone road win came over a month ago at Rice. Memphis continues to deal with key injuries and leads the American with 14.3 turnovers per game. The Blazers rank second in the conference in turnover margin (plus 3.18). Look for UAB to get a little payback for the Tigers' three-game sweep of the Blazers last season.
Tennessee Tech won the first meeting 59-54 despite shooting 25 percent from deep and 50 percent on free throws. The Leathernecks have beaten only one Division I team this season and come in off a 40-point home defeat. No Western Illinois player scored in double digits in that loss, the team's 12th straight. Back the Golden Eagles to win their third straight and cover their fourth straight.
Sacred Heart had won five straight until losing at MAAC leader Merrimack by 17 points Sunday. I like the Pioneers to get back on track at home against a similarly talented team in Fairfield. Sacred Heart has been boosted by the return of senior forward Anquan Hill, who missed eight games in December and January. He averages 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 30.8 minutes. Back the Pioneers to win and cover their fourth straight in this series.
Iowa is an impressive team with its offensive efficiency and hard-nosed defense. But the Huskies are turning things around under Danny Sprinkle. They've gotten healthier and have covered four straight. They're 4-2 in games in which they've had their big three scorers fully available. Iowa 6-7 senior Tavion Banks is dealing with an undisclosed injury but will play. If he is not effective, however, the Huskies' big men should feast on the glass. It's also not a good start time for the Hawkeyes' body clocks (10 p.m. Central time). Grab the points in a game that should go down to the wire.
Donovan Mitchell scored 14 points last time out, and he's stayed Under this number in three straight. But with Evan Mobley out, Darius Garland traded and new teammate James Harden doubtful, look for Mitchell to shoulder the load. He had 37 points in 33 minutes vs. the Clippers in his only previous matchup with them this season. Expect Mitchell to play about 35 minutes and pour in 30 points.
Georgetown took Creighton to overtime in Omaha, losing 86-83. I like the Hoyas to get payback at home and earn their fourth straight win. Vince Iwuchukwu missed 10 games earlier this season, and his return has sparked the Hoyas. The 7-1 center is 15 of 22 from the field during the win streak, with 44 points and only three turnovers. The Blue Jays are 2-5 SU on the road and come in off two blowout losses in which they averaged just 60 points.
Wright State has won three straight and 10 of 11, and the Raiders lead the Horizon. But I like the Colonials, who are 9-3 at home, to potentially pull the upset. Robert Morris has covered three straight in the series and ranks third in the conference in field-goal defense (44.7 percent). The Colonials also are the Horizon's top rebounding team, with a margin of plus 7.5 per game. Grab the points.
UNLV won the first meeting 84-72 with 6-9 freshman Tyrin Jones dominating. He had 18 points on 7-for-7 shooting, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Jones is out with a shoulder injury after being listed as questionable. He missed the previous two games, part of the Rebels’ three-game skid. Fresno State has played tough at home (losing by one to Nevada, for instance) and comes off a confidence-boosting shooting performance against Air Force.
Warriors third-year forward Gui Santos has scored in double digits in three straight games. In that span, he is 5 of 12 from deep. Golden State won't have Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler or Jonathan Kuminga available. Look for Santos to again play around 25 minutes and clear this prop total.
Virginia has been shaky in its last three games, losing to UNC and then eking out wins over Notre Dame and Boston College. In the past two games, the Cavaliers shot 16 of 52 from deep. Look for the offense to come alive at home against lowly Pitt, the ACC's 16th-ranked defense (45.2 percent field goals allowed).
Davion Mitchell returned from a sprained shoulder Sunday against the Bulls, dishing out six assists in only 21 minutes as the game turned into a massive blowout. He should play more in a competitive matchup against Atlanta. The total is 240, highest of the NBA slate. These teams rank 1-2 in pace. In his lone previous matchup with the Hawks this season, Mitchell recorded seven assists in 29 minutes.