Tuesday 3-26-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NBA

26th March 2019
|
Scheduled American Airlines Center Dallas

The Sacramento Kings are still alive in the Western Conference playoff race but there is very little margin for error heading into Tuesday's road game against the Dallas Mavericks. Sacramento stands 6 1/2 games behind the eighth-place San Antonio Spurs with nine contests remaining.

The Kings suffered a damaging 111-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday for their 11th setback in the past 17 games. It also was Sacramento's fourth consecutive road loss and it occurred in the opener of a five-game road trip that includes visits to Houston and San Antonio. Dallas had lost 10 straight games and 15 of 17 before erupting to deliver a 126-91 whipping of the host Golden State Warriors on Saturday in what represents one of the biggest surprise blowouts of the entire NBA season. "I thought our energy was great all night long after we had some tough losses over the last few weeks," veteran forward Dirk Nowitzki told reporters afterward. "This is actually a good feeling. We've had a lot of disappointing losses on the road all season. This one we can be proud of."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE KINGS (36-37): Sharpshooter Buddy Hield made five 3-pointers in the loss to Los Angeles and knocked down 19 in the past three games. Hield has a franchise-record 250 3-pointers as he recently surpassed the mark of 240 that was set in the 2003-04 season by Peja Stojakovic, who is now the club's assistant general manager. Rookie power forward Marvin Bagley recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds against the Lakers and he has notched three straight double-doubles while topping 20 points in four of the past five games.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (29-43): Nowitzki scored a season-best 21 points and knocked down five 3-pointers in his final visit to Oracle Arena while rookie sensation Luka Doncic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Doncic topped 20 points in four of the past five games, with the exception coming when he struggled to 4-of-19 shooting while recording 13 points and 10 rebounds in Thursday's 116-100 road loss to the Kings. Doncic and forward Maxi Kleber made four 3-pointers apiece on Saturday as Dallas made 21 from behind the arc while holding Golden State to 4-of-30.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Kings are looking to finish 3-0 against the Mavericks, and a win would complete their first season sweep of Dallas since going 4-0 during the 1997-98 campaign.

2. Sacramento F Harry Giles III (thigh) is expected to play after a two-game absence.

3. Dallas C Salah Mejri (illness) is expected to return after a one-game absence.


Prediction: Kings 117, Mavericks 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NBA

26th March 2019
|
Scheduled Pepsi Center Denver

The Denver Nuggets are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference and look to rebound from a porous performance when they host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Denver was badly outplayed while dropping a 124-88 road decision against the Indians Pacers on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the first-place Golden State Warriors.

The Nuggets had won six straight games, including the first three of a four-game road trip, before the disappointing showing against Indiana. "I got the sense that we felt that we won six games in a row, 3-0 on this road trip, and that we could just show up and play and be OK," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters afterward. "It was an embarrassing effort by all of us. We've been winning games, playing well in stretches. And (Sunday) was just inconsistent basketball." The Pistons are battling the Brooklyn Nets for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic in close pursuit. Detroit, which is 1-3 on a five-game road trip after losing 121-114 to the Warriors on Sunday, has lost eight of its last nine visits to Denver.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (37-36): Detroit lost to another top Western Conference squad in the Portland Trail Blazers -- 117-112 -- on Saturday and point guard Ish Smith was insisting there is no reason to panic after Sunday's setback. "We can look back and kick ourselves because we could have won those games," Smith told reporters. "We just kept fighting and battling. We knew they were going to come out hard because of (Saturday) night's loss. I thought we competed but you don't get moral victories, you have to come out with wins." After the contest against the Nuggets, the Pistons play five of their final eight games at home.


ABOUT THE NUGGETS (49-23): Denver shot just 35.5 percent from the field against the Pacers with point guard Jamal Murray (2-of-12 shooting, four points), power forward Paul Millsap (2-of-8, six points) and backup shooting guard Malik Beasley (1-of-6, four points) being among the players who struggled. Center Nikola Jokic fell two assists shy of a triple-double as part of an effort that included 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. Jokic is averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds over the past two games and scored in double digits in each of his last 39 appearances.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. C Andre Drummond had 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting and collected 12 rebounds as the Pistons registered a 129-103 home win over the Nuggets on Feb. 4.

2. Denver SG Gary Harris is 10-of-14 shooting over the past two games.

3. Detroit SG Luke Kennard scored 20 points against Golden State and is averaging 16.3 over the past three contests.


Prediction:Nuggets 113, Pistons 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NBA

26th March 2019
|
Scheduled Staples Center Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week and the Washington Wizards, who visit the Lakers on Tuesday, are about to follow suit. The Wizards have lost four in a row, including a 113-108 setback against Miami at home Saturday night, pushing them 6 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Heat in the Eastern Conference with eight games to play.

"They pretty much beat us," star guard Bradley Beal told reporters following the loss. "They beat us in every way possible - off the dribble, three balls, offensive rebounds, everything that we said that they were going to beat us in, they pretty much did." Similar frustration has been felt in Los Angeles, where the Lakers' season has crumbled amid injuries and poor play, but the team did snap a five-game losing streak with a 111-106 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. LeBron James notched his eighth triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as Los Angeles also ended a five-game slide at home. The club is one loss away from clinching a sixth straight losing season.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (30-44): Coach Scott Brooks moved Bobby Portis back to power forward and started Thomas Bryant at center in Saturday's loss, and they excelled together in the new-look lineup with a pair of double-doubles. "I know he likes to shoot the ball a little bit more," Bryant told reporters of Portis. "I try to do my quickness down there in the post. You know, just trying to get rolls and it seems like it opens up a lot more for us. Whether he's rolling or I'm rolling, we've seen a way to get open." Beal was held to 16 points in Saturday's loss and is 6-for-27 from 3-point range during the losing streak.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (32-41): Despite missing out on the postseason for the first time in 14 years, James insists he is not going to mail it in over the final nine games. "I would never cheat myself," he told Spectrum SportsNet postgame Sunday. "I know we're out the playoff race, but if I'm on the court, I'm going to play how I play, and I play to win. So, I will never cheat the game." Forward Kyle Kuzma also came to play Sunday and finished with 29 points -- his best total since Feb. 10.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Washington has won eight of the last 10 meetings, including a 128-110 victory at home on Dec. 16, when it held James to a season-low 13 points.

2. Wizards SF Jeff Green scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting against the Heat after averaging 6.7 on 30.4 percent from the field over his previous three contests.

3. Lakers C JaVale McGee is averaging 25 points, 17 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots over his last two games.


Prediction: Lakers 120, Wizards 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Islanders vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

The New York Islanders are battling for supremacy in the Metropolitan but also trying to avoid falling into third place within the division with only six games remaining in the regular season. Trailing first-place Washington by one point, the Islanders go for their third straight win when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

New York is trying to join Ottawa as the only teams to allow the fewest goals in the NHL one season after surrendering the most, posting its league-high 10th shutout in Sunday's 2-0 win over Arizona. The Islanders have recorded two of those shutouts against Columbus and will be attempting to complete a four-game season sweep of the Blue Jackets, having outscored them 8-2. Columbus avoided a four-game winless road trip with a 5-0 victory at Vancouver on Sunday and returns home trailing the Montreal Canadiens by two points for the second wild card. "We have to treat every game from now on as a must win, really," forward Josh Anderson acknowledged. "This is the time of year where it's fun hockey. We are playing for something here, we all know that."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVAS, MSG-Plus (New York), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (44-25-7): Thomas Greiss did the heavy lifting in net while Robin Lehner was hurt earlier this month, but coach Barry Trotz went with Lehner in both ends of the weekend back-to-back and was rewarded with 53 saves on 55 shots in two wins. Greiss, though, could be in net Tuesday after beating Columbus in all three meetings this season, including a 2-0 shutout on March 11. "That's what good teams do," forward Jordan Eberle said. "They always have good goaltending, and we definitely have no shortage of that."

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (41-30-4): Second-year center Pierre-Luc Dubois sparked Sunday's win by setting up the first goal and scoring the second to break out of a ghastly slump in which he was held off the scoresheet in 11 straight games and failed to tally in 13. "I mean, it started off being frustrating and then it just gets, like, 'Really? Is this a joke? What's going on?'" said Dubois, who is third on the team with 56 points. Anderson scored twice Sunday to give him four goals and nine points over the past six games.

OVERTIME

1. New York is 1-for-37 on the power play in the past 16 games.

2. Blue Jackets G Sergei Bobrovsky posted his seventh shutout of the season Sunday, but has lost all three meetings to New York in 2018-19.

3. New York set a franchise record Sunday by allowing one goal or less for the 26th time this season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Blue Jackets 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals made the short trek to Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday, with the team's Russian-born captain telling President Donald Trump that they'd like to visit again in the near future. The Capitals look to improve their standing in their pursuit of a second title on Tuesday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in the opener of a home-and-home series.

"It's huge honor for us to be here and meet you personally," Ovechkin told the Commander-In-Chief. "We're going to try to (win) again. We have same team, experienced team, very good group of guys and we're going to try to do it again." The three-time Hart Trophy recipient has failed to find the net in his last four contests to remain stuck on an NHL-best 48 goals heading into Tuesday's tilt with Carolina, against which he recorded a hat trick in a 6-5 shootout win on Dec. 14 in Raleigh, N.C. While Washington has enjoyed a 10-3-1 run in its last 14 games to move atop the Metropolitan Division, Carolina has positioned itself as the Capitals' first-round opponent after winning six of eight to claim hold of the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Rookie Andrei Svechnikov, 18, scored in back-to-back games and fifth time in seven contests on Sunday after converting 3:15 into overtime in a 2-1 victory versus Montreal.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (42-26-7): Sebastian Aho scored two goals and set up two others in the first encounter with the Capitals and also tallied in a 3-1 setback at Washington on Dec. 27. The 21-year-old Finn, who leads the team in goals (30) and points (80), has failed to score and has just three assists in his last seven games overall. Fellow countryman Teuvo Teravainen, who collected a goal and two assists in the first meeting with Washington, has nine points (one goal, eight assists) in his last eight games overall.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (44-24-8): Tom Wilson scored in the first contest against Carolina and also tallied in the first period of Sunday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia to boost his goal total to 22, a number that eclipses his sum total of tallies over his first four NHL seasons (21). "Big thing about this time of year is feeling good about your game and executing," the 24-year-old Wilson said. Ovechkin has been executing at a solid clip with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in his last 19 games while fellow forward Brett Connolly has eight (four goals, four assists) in his past six.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina C Jordan Staal has three goals and three assists in his last five games.

2. Washington G Braden Holtby, who elected against attending Monday's festivities, boasts a 14-6-0 mark with two shutouts in 20 career encounters with the Hurricanes.

3. Carolina owns a winning record against each division except for the Metropolitan, against which it has dropped 12 of 22 contests.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

The Buffalo Sabres can point to their play away from home as one of the reasons they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the eighth straight season. Buffalo attempts to halt its 12-game road slide when it visits the league-worst Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

The Sabres have gone 0-10-2 in opposing arenas since posting a 5-4 victory at Columbus on Jan. 29 after dropping a 3-1 decision in New Jersey on Monday. Sam Reinhart scored for Buffalo, which is 1-9-1 in its last 11 overall contests. Ottawa is beginning a four-game homestand after concluding a 1-2-0 road trip with a 4-3 overtime victory in Edmonton on Saturday. Rookie Brady Tkachuk completed his third career two-goal performance - and first against a team other than Philadelphia - at 2:09 of the extra session for the Senators, who look to move over the NHL's version of .500 at home (16-16-4).

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo), TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE SABRES (31-35-9): Captain Jack Eichel was held in check Monday, keeping him at 99 career goals. The 22-year-old center ended a five-game drought in Saturday's loss at Montreal. Kyle Okposo, who needs one assist to reach 300 for his career, has registered only 25 points this season and enters Tuesday having been kept off the scoresheet in eight consecutive contests.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (26-43-6): Bobby Ryan scored for the first time since Feb. 18 in the win over the Oilers, ending his 15-game drought. The 32-year-old right wing, who registered four straight 30-goal seasons with Anaheim from 2008-12, has netted 20 tallies only twice in six campaigns with Ottawa and has recorded 14 in 2018-19. Chris Tierney was kept off the scoresheet Saturday following a five-game point streak during which he reached career milestones of 50 goals, 100 assists and 150 points.

OVERTIME

1. Tkachuk has recorded three goals in as many games and is one shy of 20 for the season.

2. Reinhart became the third member of the Sabres to reach the 20-goal plateau this campaign, joining LW Jeff Skinner (37) and Eichel (26).

3. Ottawa LW Zack Smith (back), who is one assist away from 100 for his career, sat out Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Sabres 4, Senators 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

The Montreal Canadiens are clinging to the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot and can take a big step in solidifying their standing when they host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Montreal leads Columbus by two points after Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss at wild-card leader Carolina, but the Blue Jackets have a game in hand with a matchup looming Thursday in Ohio.

Sunday's contest capped a successful six-day stretch (3-0-1) for the Canadiens, who after Tuesday finish with five games against playoff-bound clubs. "When you get seven points out of a possible eight, it's a pretty good week," Montreal coach Claude Julien told reporters. "If we do that (this) week, we'll be in pretty good shape. We have to attack (this) week the same way, one game at a time. We have to stay positive and stay focused and compete like we have." Carey Price made 38 saves Sunday and has allowed two or fewer goals in six of his last seven starts en route to a .943 save percentage during that span, prompting Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber to tell reporters: "It would have been nice to get the win and reward (Price) with two points.'' Florida fell 7-5 at Toronto on Monday for its fourth setback in five games and will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Montreal.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida, TSN2, RDS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (33-31-12): Jonathan Huberdeau (25 goals, career-high 84 points) scored twice versus Toronto to give him three goals and seven assists in his last six games, leaving him two tallies shy of matching the personal best he set last season. Rookie center Jayce Hawryluk recorded his second career two-goal performance on Monday, giving him three of his seven tallies in the last two contests. Captain Aleksander Barkov (34 goals, team-leading 87 points) has been kept off the scoresheet in his last two games after erupting for six goals and 13 assists during an eight-game point streak.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (40-28-8): Max Domi (26 goals, team-high 67 points) has recorded two goals and three assists in his last four games after not hitting the scoresheet on Sunday. Brendan Gallagher (club-most 33 goals, 51 points) notched an assist versus Carolina, giving him three goals and five points in his last four contests. Jonathan Drouin (18 goals, 52 points) hasn't recorded a point in 18 of his last 20 games and played a season-low 9 minutes, 57 seconds on Sunday.

OVERTIME

1. Montreal has 10 players with at least 30 points in a season for the first time since 2005-06 after C Paul Byron scored on Sunday.

2. Florida C Vincent Trocheck needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.

3. Montreal has won two of the first three encounters this season, with Domi and Barkov each scoring three goals.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Panthers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to a solid start on their five-game homestand and hope to continue that strong play when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, but it likely will not help them reach the postseason. Edmonton has gone 1-0-1 thus far during the stretch but is still seven points out of a wild-card spot with three other teams in its way.

The Oilers, who have seven games remaining, began their homestand Thursday with a win over Columbus and earned a point two days later in an overtime loss to Ottawa. Captain Connor McDavid scored Saturday to match his career high of 108 points, a total that earned him a second straight Art Ross Trophy last season. Los Angeles kicked off its three-game road trip Monday with a third consecutive win, knocking off Calgary 3-0. Jack Campbell made 42 saves en route to his second career shutout and Tyler Toffoli scored for the first time since Feb. 11 for the Kings, who have won back-to-back road games following a seven-game slide away from home (0-5-2).

TV: 9 p.m. ET, KCOP-13 (Los Angeles), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE KINGS (28-39-8): Toffoli's goal against the Flames ended an 18-game drought during which he recorded only three assists. Kyle Clifford celebrated appearing in his 600th NHL game on Monday by notching an assist, which gave him points in back-to-back contests for just the second time this season. The rugged 28-year-old left wing registered two assists on Feb. 11 at Washington and duplicated the feat at home versus Vancouver three days later.

ABOUT THE OILERS (33-34-8): Leon Draisaitl leads the team with a career-high 43 goals but has scored just once in his last six games. The 23-year-old German has notched five assists in that span, however, and is five points away from reaching triple digits for the first time. McDavid, who has been held without a point in only nine of his 71 contests this season, has collected seven goals and 19 assists while landing on the scoresheet in 14 of his last 15 games.

OVERTIME

1. Oilers LW Milan Lucic's next point will be his 500th in the NHL.

2. Los Angeles D Derek Forbert tallied on Monday to match his career high of two goals set in 2016-17 and end his 44-game drought.

3. Edmonton D Adam Larsson is one assist away from 100 for his career.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Kings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

26th March 2019
|
Scheduled Gila River Arena Glendale

The Arizona Coyotes enjoyed a sizzling 10-2-0 stretch to entertain the notion of securing their first playoff appearance since 2011-12, only to lose five in a row (0-3-2) to fall back on wrong side of the postseason picture. The Coyotes bid to get back on track on Tuesday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks, who posted a 7-1 shellacking of Arizona on March 11.

The Coyotes have struggled to ignite their sputtering offense, as the club mustered just four goals during the first three contests of their four-game road trip before being shut out for the seventh time this season on Sunday. "This hurts," Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said after the 2-0 setback to the New York Islanders. "... I thought we played a good game (Sunday), we're just having a tough time scoring right now." While the Coyotes reside two points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and play four of their last six contests at home, the Blackhawks are five back despite posting a 17-8-1 mark in their last 26 heading into the opener of a three-game road trip. "It's important to keep playing. Keep playing, maintain a high level, and this is a team that can go on a run and win a bunch in a row," Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (33-32-10): Two-time Norris Trophy recipient Duncan Keith became the 48th defenseman in NHL history over the age of 35 to score a regular-season overtime goal when he tallied 1:23 into the extra session of Sunday's 2-1 win over Colorado. "It's the biggest game of the year. Every game you could say, probably, biggest game of the year from here on out. We've been saying that for a while and that showed, I think, in our desperation, our management with the puck and guys competing," said Keith, who has six goals this season and 98 in his career. Former Coyote Brendan Perlini started March off strong with eight goals in his first seven games -- including notching his first career hat trick in the rout of Arizona -- before being held off the scoresheet in each of the last four contests.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (36-33-7): Chicago native Vinnie Hinostroza scored twice in the first encounter versus his former team in Arizona's 4-1 win on Oct. 18. The 24-year-old has been held off the scoresheet in five straight games since posting his first career hat trick in a 6-1 romp over Anaheim on March 14. Clayton Keller, who leads the team in assists (32) and points (46), has just one and two, respectively, in his last eight contests.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago RW Patrick Kane has just one of his club-best 41 goals in his last 11 games.

2. Arizona RW Richard Panik has just two goals in his last 17 contests, although one came against a Blackhawks team with which he spent parts of three seasons.

3. Chicago C Dylan Strome will play in his 100th career game against the team that selected him with the third overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.


Prediction: Coyotes 3, Blackhawks 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NHL

The Vancouver Canucks barely have a pulse in the race for the second wild card in the Western Conference despite a schedule that was set up to allow them to make a late-season charge. Coming off a pair of feeble offensive performances over the weekend, the Canucks resume their seven-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

Vancouver managed only one goal in consecutive home losses to Calgary and Columbus and trails eighth-place Colorado by seven points with six games remaining. "That wasn't our strongest game at all," Canucks forward Bo Horvat said after Sunday's 5-0 drubbing by Columbus -- the team's NHL-leading 10th shutout defeat. Anaheim, which is two points behind Vancouver in 14th place in the West with only five games left to play, is making the second stop of a four-game road trip. The Ducks have won two of three meetings against the Canucks this season but dropped a 4-0 decision in Vancouver on Feb. 25.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (31-36-10): Anaheim fell off the map after a stretch in which it lost 19 of 21 games, leading to the dismissal of coach Randy Carlyle, but the team is 10-10-1 since general manager Bob Murray moved behind the bench. "It hasn't been the season that we've wanted, but I think the way we've been playing now, everyone's coming to the rink with the attitude that we need to continue to play for each other," forward Cam Fowler said. Captain Ryan Getzlaf sat out Saturday's loss at Los Angeles but accompanied the team to Vancouver.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (32-34-10): Forward Sven Baertschi returned to the lineup Sunday after missing 23 games with concussion-related symptoms. Baertschi, who also missed 30 games earlier in the season when he suffered a concussion, admitted he has some catching up to do after failing to register a shot in more than 16 1/2 minutes. "You realize how fast the game is," Baertschi said. "But I was super excited. This has been hard and a real difficult time for me and my support system. Just being able to play again this year has been unbelievable."

OVERTIME

1. Canucks F Brock Boeser has scored in four of his last eight games but has one assist in the past four matchups versus Anaheim.

2. Ducks F Rickard Rakell has three goals in the past two games and 11 points in the last 12 contests.

3. Canucks G Jacob Markstrom posted his lone shutout of the season against the Ducks on Feb. 25.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Canucks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wichita St. Shockers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NCAAB

Sixth-seeded Wichita State will look to become the first team in the NIT's 82-year history to defeat the top three seeds during regional play when it visits top-seeded Indiana in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. The Shockers were 1-6 during American Athletic Conference play after a loss to Connecticut on Jan. 26, but they've won 13 of 16 since after eliminating third-seeded Furman and second-seeded Clemson in the first two rounds of the NIT.

"If you would have told me in January we would have won five games on the road and it would be March 24th and we would still be playing in the NIT with a chance to go to Madison Square Garden," Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall told reporters after a 63-55 victory over Clemson Sunday. "I would have bet you anything in the world that it's not going to happen." Guard Dexter Dennis finished with nine points and 11 rebounds Sunday, but it was his defense on Clemson guard Marcquise Reed that made the biggest impact as the freshman held the ACC's third-leading scorer to a 5-for-20 shooting performance while the Tigers shot 28.3 percent from the floor - the lowest by a Shockers' opponent this season. Indiana has become accustomed to playing in tight contests as nine of its last 13 games have been decided in the final minute and Saturday's second-round match against Arkansas was no different as the Hoosiers hung on for a 63-60 victory behind team-highs of 18 points, 11 rebounds and three steals from Devonte Green. "He's making a lot of plays. He's shooting the ball extremely well, with great confidence," Indiana coach Archie Miller told reporters regarding his junior guard. "I think we've won six out of seven, and we probably don't win any of them without Devonte's ability on both ends of the floor, and I give him credit."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT WICHITA STATE (21-14): Center Jaime Echenique has saved his best basketball of the season for the NIT's first two rounds as the junior has combined to score 34 points on 15-for-18 shooting while tying career-highs on Sunday with three steals and two 3-pointers. Senior Samajae Haynes-Jones had a crucial turnover late in Sunday's contest - one of seven the Shockers committed over the final seven minutes - but hit a clutch 3-pointer to make it a two possession game with under a minute left and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Markis McDuffie is averaging 18 points during two NIT games, which is on par with his team-leading season average of 18.3.

ABOUT INDIANA (19-15): The Hoosiers may be without leading scorer Romeo Langford (16.5 points per game), as the freshman has yet to play in the NIT after sustaining a back injury against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament. Senior Juwan Morgan registered 15 points with seven boards Saturday and is the squad's only other double-figure scorer (15.4) as well as its leading rebounder (8.3). Junior De'Ron Davis had his highest scoring performance off the bench since netting 12 points on Feb. 2 against Michigan State as the 6-10 forward scored 10 points in 21 minutes Saturday.

TIP-INS

1. The winner will face either Lipscomb or North Carolina State in the semifinals on April 2 at Madison Square Garden.

2. McDuffie has already attempted more 3-pointers in a single season then any Shockers player before him (228) and is fourth in makes (79) - closely trailing former teammates Ron Baker (80) and Landry Shamet (84).

3. This will be Wichita State's first ever visit to Bloomington, Ind. and the first time these programs have met since the seventh-seeded Shockers eliminated the 10th-seeded Hoosiers from the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

PREDICTION: Wichita State 79, Indiana 75

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Creighton Bluejays vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs Preview and Predictions 03-26-2019 in NCAAB

While success in the NCAA Tournament has proven elusive for TCU since Jamie Dixon's playing days, it has encountered no such problems in the NIT since he returned to his alma mater as their coach. The Horned Frogs attempt to move to 8-0 in the event under his direction Tuesday when they host Creighton for the right to go to the NIT Final Four for the second time in three years.

Dixon averaged 12.3 points and 5.4 assists as a senior guard for TCU when it last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1987, but he quickly turned around a moribund program upon his arrival in 2016-17, doubling the Horned Frogs' win total from the year before en route to the school's first postseason title. TCU ended its NIT championship run that season with three blowout wins and has seemingly picked up where it left off, earning double-digit home victories over Sam Houston State (82-69) and Nebraska (88-72). The Bluejays are on their own roll with wins in seven of their last eight contests, including a pair at home to begin their postseason journey. Creighton opened NIT action with a 70-61 victory over Loyola Chicago last Tuesday before using a 16-4 second-half surge against Memphis on Friday to pull away for a 79-67 triumph.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT CREIGHTON (20-14): With Martin Krampelj (13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds) limited to 18 minutes due to foul trouble Friday, 6-7 freshman forward Christian Bishop tied a season high with 21 minutes and produced eight points to go along with a career-high 10 rebounds, including six points, four rebounds and a steal during the Bluejays' pivotal run. Krampelj was still able to reach double figures for the 15th straight game, tallying 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Leading scorer Ty-Shon Alexander (15.9 points), who was held without a 3-pointer for the second time in four outings after setting the program record for consecutive games with at least one (33), moved into fourth place in school history for most points by a sophomore (524).

ABOUT TCU (22-13): Junior Desmond Bane (15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds) scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half Sunday, reaching the 30-point mark for the second time in 15 days after not accomplishing that feat once over his first 105 games, and is averaging 21.6 points on 41-of-65 from the field over his last five outings. Alex Robinson (12.6 points, Big 12-high 7.1 assists) has recorded at least nine assists in four of his last six NIT games and is averaging 11 points to go along with 10 assists at this year's event. Fellow senior JD Miller (10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds) has also fared well during NIT action, scoring 15 points in each contest while totaling 15 boards.

TIP-INS

1. TCU is 16-6 all-time in the NIT and 29-2 at home against non-conference opponents under Dixon.

2. Creighton, which has never won a true road game in the NIT (0-4), is seeking its first NIT victory away from home since 1942 and three straight wins in the NIT for the first time ever.

3. Bane's 30-point effort Sunday was the highest-scoring performance by a Horned Frog in a postseason game since Marquise Gainous tallied 30 against Nebraska in the 1999 NIT.

PREDICTION: TCU 75, Creighton 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Frank Sawyer

Mar 26 '19, 7:00 PM in 23m
NCAA-B | Wichita State vs Indiana
Play on: OVER 137½ -120

Take Over the Total in the game between the Wichita State Shockers and the Indiana Hoosiers. Wichita State (21-14) reached the Quarterfinals of the NIT on Sunday with their 63-55 win at Clemson as a 7-point underdog. The Shockers have then played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after a point spread win. Wichita State has also played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total on the road. Indiana (19-15) comes off a 63-60 win over Arkansas on Saturday. The Hoosiers have then played 5 of their last 7 games Over the Total after a straight-up win. Indiana has also played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after not allowing more than 60 points in their last game. Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Info Plays

Mar 26 '19, 7:00 PM in 23m
NCAA-B | Charleston Southern vs Hampton
Play on: Charleston Southern +2 -110 at sportsbook

1* FREE INFO PLAY on Charleston Southern +2 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kenny Walker

Mar 26 '19, 7:08 PM in 31m
NHL | Hurricanes vs Capitals
Play on: Hurricanes +125 at Bovada

Free Pick on Hurricanes