Larry's Picks (4 Live)
We have a total of 245.5 for Mavericks-Nuggets, and Aaron Gordon is out. While Peyton Watson returns, this is still a great spot for Christian Braun. He's cleared this prop total in six of his last eight games, the two misses coming by a half-point. He has shot over 50 percent in six straight games. Look for at least 12 points from Braun on Wednesday.
Auburn has won 66 straight non-conference home games, and that streak likely continues Wednesday vs. Nevada. But this is too many points to give a Wolf Pack team that's finally getting good minutes from 6-10 senior Joel Armotrading (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks last time out against Liberty). Nevada also should have a coaching edge. Take the points.
Dayton is 14-3 at home and gets to play its first home game in the NIT on Wednesday. The Flyers couldn't use their arena last week due to the First Four. They are as healthy as they've been all year and peaking down the stretch, going 10-2 SU with the only losses coming to VCU. Illinois State comes in making just 32.7 percent of its 3-pointers on the road. Look for the Redbirds to struggle against the bigger Flyers.
Dyson Daniels has faced the Pistons three times, putting up 27, 20, and 33 combined points, assists and rebounds. He's coming off a blowout win in which he played just 24 minutes. This game is expected to be tight, suggesting Daniels will play 30-plus minutes. Jalen Johnson (left shoulder inflammation) is questionable. I expect Johnson to play in this big matchup in Detroit, but if he doesn't then Daniels' usage certainly would go up.
Paolo Banchero took 27 shots and scored 39 points in Monday's heartbreaking loss to Indiana. He also finished with six assists as Jalen Suggs didn't play. Suggs is out again. Banchero won't get the same easy looks he got vs. Indiana, so I expect him to set up his teammates even more.
Tulsa might be short handed again, and the Shockers won two of three meetings this season. But at home, the Golden Hurricane are nearly unbeatable. Tulsa is a much better free-throw shooting team than Wichita State. That edge paid off last round and it could come into play Tuesday in the NIT quarters.
Alperen Sengun has a great matchup in Chicago, as the Bulls lack rim protectors who can stop him. He scored 23 points in the earlier meeting with the Bulls. Chicago also plays at the fourth-fastest pace and has allowed 124.5 points per game over its last seven outings. Sengun did not clear this prop line in four of his last five games, but this is a terrific matchup.
The Pacers own the fifth-worst defensive rating and give up the second-most rebounds per game (56.2). Paolo Banchero has faced Indiana twice this season, putting up 29 points and 10 rebounds and then 28 and 12. Indiana's Ivica Zubac is out for the season, and the Pacers started Pascal Siakam at center last time out.
The Red Raiders own wins over Duke, Arizona and Houston. Even though they remain without JT Toppin, they have enough to get by an Alabama team missing Aden Holloway. Texas Tech excels in transition defense, which will be key in this matchup. The Red Raiders rank third nationally in 3-point shooting percentage and have hit 42.9 percent over their past three games. They've also been just as good of a 3-point shooting team away from home.
St. Joseph’s is 6-2 SU in its last eight road games. The Hawks are excellent on the boards and at defending the 3-point line. They just held Colorado State to 7 of 30 from beyond the arc. Cal is coming off an impressive home win but has had some deflating home performances this season. This should be a very tight game, so grab the points.
Utah State executed down the stretch to beat Villanova, but this is a totally different challenge. Arizona's size will make it tough for the Aggies to do what they usually do, score in the paint. The Wildcats barely broke a sweat against LIU and will demonstrate why they're the second favorite to win it all. The only postseason game Arizona hasn't covered came in the Big 12 semis, when the Wildcats won a virtual road game 82-80 over Iowa State as 2.5-point favorites.