Raptors resume road trip in Oakland vs. Warriors

Basketball Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors haven't been playing like a team headed towards the postseason and will resume a four-game road trip Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.

Toronto is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings and has dropped three straight and seven of eight contests, including Wednesday's 113-90 setback at Sacramento. Andrea Bargnani had 20 points and six rebounds for the Raptors, who are 0-2 on the trek and 10-21 away from Canada.

The Raptors lead Chicago by two games for the last spot in the East playoff race with 19 games to play.

"I think we got really selfish. We had guys coming down and taking shots and other guys are not happy that they don't touch the ball. We miss the shot and they (Sacramento) get the rebound and then fastbreak points," said Toronto head coach Jay Triano.

All-Star Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack and DeMar DeRozan each scored 14 points in a losing cause. Bosh is averaging 20.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists over his last five games. The Raptors are the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference and will also visit Portland on the road swing.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have lost six in a row to start the month of March and will resume a four-game homestand Saturday versus Toronto.

Golden State suffered a 110-105 loss to Portland in the opener of the residency on Thursday, as Corey Maggette recorded 24 points and six assists in defeat. Leading scorer Monta Ellis returned from a six-game absence due to a back injury and provided 17 points. Ellis is averaging 25.5 ppg.

"They made shots. In the beginning of the game we forced turnovers, got steals and got out to run. That's how we got the lead. We just couldn't hold it," Ellis said.

Stephen Curry added 15 points and Anthony Tolliver notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Warriors, who are 13-19 as the host and will also entertain the Lakers and Hornets by the Bay.

In injury news for Golden State, center Ronny Turiaf is questionable against the Raptors because of a sore left knee.

Toronto and Golden State are meeting are playing the first of two meetings this season, as the Raptors are slated to host the Warriors on April 4. Golden State has won eight of 11 and 10 of the last 14 games in this series.

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Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State

It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.

Work left to do:

Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.

Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.

Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

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