Sunday’s betting tips: Green emerging for Celtics

Who’s hot

NHL: The under is 5-0 in Vancouver’s last five overall and 4-1 in Anaheim’s last five overall.

NCAAB: Boston College is 6-1 ATS in its last seven overall.

NBA: The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last five overall and 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.

NBA: The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall and 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.

Who’s not

NHL: The Islanders are 1-4 in their last five overall.

NCAAB: Georgia Tech is 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight overall and 0-5 ATS in its last five home games.

NBA: The Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last six overall and 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.

NBA: The Hawks are 1-4 ATS in their last four home games.

Key stat

49 – Official number of penalty minutes racked up by New York Islanders left wing Trevor Gillies in his last two games, which came almost a month apart due to a nine-game suspension stemming from his first offense against Pittsburgh on February 11. Gillies delivered a blindside hit in his first game back against Minnesota on March 2 and the NHL dialed up a 10-game suspension for him later in the week.

The Islanders host New Jersey on Sunday and they are also expected to miss defensemen Mark Streit (shoulder), Radek Martinek (lower body), and Milan Jurcina (groin).

As for the latest victim of a Gillies’ cheap-shot, Wild right wing Cal Clutterbuck (upper body) is questionable for Sunday’s home game against Buffalo. Cam Barker (upper body), Cody Almond (lower body), and Chuck Kobasew (flu) are also questionable for Minnesota.

Injuries that shouldn’t be overlooked

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith suffered a strained right MCL on Monday and missed Wednesday’s win over Chicago and Friday’s loss to Oklahoma City. He practiced on Saturday, though, and is expected to return to the lineup when Atlanta hosts New York on Sunday.

“It’s cool,” Smith told the Atlanta Journal Constitution after his workout. “Obviously I am thinking about it and being more cautious. I’ve got to play with a clear mind. If I think about re-injuring it I probably will. I’ve just got to get [accustomed] to that brace. For the most part it felt all right. I think at this point it is going to be what it is. I’m just going to get treatment as much as possible and try to go tomorrow.”

The Knicks have even more problems on the injury front. Ronny Turiaf (knee) and Bill Walker (knee) are both questionable while Chauncey Billups (thigh) is doubtful.

Biggest game on the slate

Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio State Buckeyes (-7, 128.5)

Notable quotable

“I’ll say it again: I know for a fact there’s nobody in the country asking their freshmen to do more than we are. It’s not even close. Other teams have freshmen that are playing well but if they don’t, they’re OK. We’re not in that position. These kids have to perform.” – Kentucky head coach John Calipari, whose freshmen-led team is set for a road contest at Tennessee on Sunday afternoon

Tips and notes

After 55 seasons, Georgia Tech will be playing its final game in Alexander Memorial Coliseum when it hosts Miami on Sunday afternoon. “We hope there is one final game against Miami where everybodyes out and supports the student athletes and pays homage to the building,” said athletic director Dan Radakovich. The fans–or lack thereof–have not had much to cheer about with the Jackets wallowing at 11th in the Athletic Coast Conference. However, freshman Jason Morris has been inserted into the starting lineup over the past three games and that move has paid off–including with a blowout win at Wake Forest on Thursday. Morris went for 13 points, three assists, and four steals against the Deacons. He has made six threes in those three games after having drained a total of 13 during his first 26 outings.

The Celtics and Bucks may have trouble fielding teams for Sunday’s clash in Milwaukee. Well, not really; but the injury reports are borderline ridiculous. The Bucks will likely be missing Andrew Bogut (ribs), while Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (flu) are questionable. Boston will be without birthday boy Shaquille O’Neal, 39, who is expected to miss his 13th straight game with an Achilles’ problem. Glen Davis (patellar tendinitis) is out, while Delonte West (ankle) and Von Wafer (calf) are doubtful. The good news for the Celtics is that newly-acquired Jeff Green appears to be settling in nicely. After scoring a total of 18 points in his first three games with the team, Green contributed 21 on 8-of-11 shooting in Friday’s win over Golden State.

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