Media by Associated Press – Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler plays against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
The NHL has reached its All-Star break, so many people will notice there is a major decline in action on Thursday night. However, while there is no football or hockey available, there is plenty of other games to keep people occupied. Basketball is still raging on, both professionally and in college, which provides an opportunity to put together a parlay.
Northern Kentucky Norse (-1) at Robert Morris Colonials
The Norse are 9-3 in Horizon League play and would like to find a way to emerge from a four-way tie — along with Youngstown State, Milwaukee, and Cleveland State — to move into sole possession of the first place. Northern Kentucky plays at a more deliberate pace. The Norse only allow 63.5 points per game, which ranks 37th nationally.
Northern Kentucky is just an average offensive team. The Norse, which is 6-14 against the spread, shoot 42.8 percent from the field, which ranks 278th nationally. Northern Kentucky shoots 33.2 percent from the 3-point line.
Robert Morris is only 6-6 in league play but has won three straight games. The Colonials are another team that hangs its hat on defense.
Robert Morris allows 66.8 points per game and only allows opponents to shoot 42.7 percent from the field. The Colonials have been vulnerable to teams with good perimeter shooting. Northern Kentucky will steal one on the road.
Miami Heat at New York Knicks (+1.5)
The Knicks need to start to turn things around. New York has lost six of its past eight games, including an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday. The Knicks are still above .500 but will need to keep grabbing wins to improve their playoff seeding. Miami has won four of five games and is entering the third game of a four-game road swing.
The Knicks are 26-24-2 against the spread but only 4-6 over their past ten games. New York is once again a strong defensive team under coach Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks are second in the league in field goal percentage defense and five in defensive 3-point percentage.
Miami is 21-29-2 against the spread. The Heat are second in the league in scoring defense, only allowing 108.2 points per game. New York will grind out an ugly win over its old rivals.
Michigan Wolverines at Northwestern Wildcats (-3.5)
Northwestern saw its hot streak lose some steam when it lost to Iowa by 16 points on the road Tuesday night. However, the Wildcats have shown that they are capable of hanging with the best teams in the Big Ten. Michigan, which has been up and down this season, beat Northwestern by seven during the team’s first meeting.
The Wildcats put pressure on teams with their defense. Northwestern only allows 62.2 points per game and for teams to shoot 40.1 percent against them, which ranks 24th and 31st nationally, respectively. The Wildcats are 12-9 against the spread.
Michigan has lost two straight games. The Wolverines are 3-6-1 against the spread in their last ten games. Northwestern will extend Michigan’s suffering.
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