Dana Lane Sports Picks

Connor McDavid recently endured three straight games without registering a point, which I believe is something that happened once last year. Hard times. Since then, he’s picked up four points (1-3-4) in his last two games, which brings him to within two points of the league leader and teammate Leon Draisaitl. In other words, things are looking like they’re getting back in order.

As much as the players would like to return to a Bell Centre full of their own fans, they may be thankful that the building will be empty if they struggle as mightily in their own zone versus the Anaheim Ducks. After two games surrendering 50-plus shots followed by two others giving up more than 20 shots in the opening period, the Canadiens are quickly going from just a team that doesn’t win many games to a foil for opposing clubs.

As of Wednesday, Danny Green (right hip pain) was upgraded to questionable for the next contest. Seth Curry (left ankle soreness), Shake Milton (back contusion), and Ben Simmons (personal reasons) remain out.

The Sixers assigned rookie Jaden Springer and transferred two-way contract player Myles Powell to the Delaware Blue Coats. Paul Reed remains on assignment.

After a 17-game absence for the Lakers, Anthony Davis (knee) played 25 minutes and tallied eight points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and four blocks in their most recent game. Davis was listed as probable against the Sixers entering gameday morning. Sekou Doumbouya (G League - Two-Way), Mason Jones (G League - Two-Way), and Kendrick Nunn (right knee bone bruise) are out.

Too many moving parts for both teams to produce offensive consistency

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been heating up lately, winning eight of their last 11 games. They have catapulted themselves into seventh place in the Western Conference. They are coming off of a 109-107 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers behind a 40-point performance from Anthony Edwards.

The Timberwolves have built a very solid three-headed monster, especially on the offensive end of the court. They can fill it up in bunches. Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, and Karl-Anthony Towns are all averaging over 19 points per game. Despite a 11-13 road record, they have covered in 13 of those 24 games and the over has hit in 11 of their last 14 road games. These three can flat out score.

San Diego is one of the best defensive teams in College Basketball, allowing just 62 ppg. Pepperdine is the opposite on defense allowing over 75 PPG. I can't see the Wave staying within the number. 

Elon is one of the worst defensive teams in the country, allowing almost 75 points a game. The Tribe needs to cut down on TO's, if they do, they'll stay within this number. 

#6 Purdue’s first win against the Hawkeyes, 77-70, came with an asterisk. Despite the homecourt advantage and a big lead in the second half, the Hawkeye’s press gave Purdue’s offense fits again and pulled the game to within one possession late. All of this was with Coach McCaffrey missing his best player, Keegan Murray.

The UC Riverside Highlanders enter this game in fantastic form as they have won each of their last three games including a ten-point road victory against the Cal State Northridge Matadors in their last game. In that game, UC Riverside's offense was productive as it scored 77 points while shooting 48.1% from the floor and 39.4% from the three-point line. 

The UAB Blazers lead the Conference USA West Division with a record of 16-4overall and 6-1 in the conference. Their only conference loss came at Rice on January 8, but since then, they have win 3 straight. The last two wins have their best of the season as they beat Conference USA East leader Florida Atlantic 76-65 on January 15, and followed that up with an 83-76 win at Louisiana Tech in their last game on January 22. 

The Cougars are one of the better defensive teams in the country, allowing just 40% FG against. If they take care of the ball against an equally sloppy Broncos team, the Cougars should run away with this one..

The Red Wolves are extremely well coached which is why most of their offensive trips result in good looks. App State is too sloppy for me to put my money behind.