Today’s Best Bets: NBA, College Hoops and NHL winners

After falling to the Western Conference-worst New Orleans Hornets, the last thing the Utah Jazz need to see on the final night of their back-to-back-to-back set is the Western Conference-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. SportsOptions.com and Tony Finn combine to offer up today’s best bets.

Utah at Oklahoma City (-12, 200)

When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Jazz have dropped six of their last eight games and have not had a lot of recent success against Oklahoma City. The Thunder have had three full days of rest since going into Utah and beating the Jazz 101-87 on Friday. Russell Westbrook went 28 points in that one and is averaging 30.0 over the last four. Utah’s brutal stretch looked a lot better Sunday after a win over the Memphis Grizzlies under its belt and the lowly Hornets on the horizon. Instead, the Jazz have to hope for a win over Oklahoma City to go even during their stretch of four games in five days. 

Oklahoma City has taken four straight in the series, averaging 110.8 points along the way.

Take OKC and the UNDER in this Tuesday night NBA contest.

PREDICTION: Thunder 105, Jazz 89

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Ohio St. at Minnesota (+8, 129)

When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Both Ohio State and Minnesota are coming off disappointing home losses. The Buckeyes saw their 39-game home win streak come to an end Sunday in a 58-48 setback against then-No. 11 Michigan State, falling back into a tie with the Spartans atop the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers went into overtime last Thursday against then-No. 22 Wisconsin before falling, 68-61. Ohio State swept a pair of contests against Minnesota last season, eking out a 72-69 home win and adding an 82-69 victory in Minneapolis four weeks later en route to the outright conference title. The Buckeyes were held almost 29 points below their previous season scoring average in the loss to Michigan State, shooting just 26 percent (14 of 53) from the floor. Sophomore PF Jared Sullinger finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds in defeat, but he shot just 5 for 15 and turned the ball over 10 times. Sullinger still leads the team with 17.4 ppg and 9.3 rpg, while senior SF William Buford and sophomore F Deshaun Thomas add 15.0 and 14.3 points, respectively. Sophomore PG Aaron Craft leads the Big Ten in steals (2.2).

The Golden Gophers have been solid on defense, allowing 63.5 points while leading the Big Ten in blocked shots (5.3) and ranking third in steals (7.8), but they have still had trouble filling the void left by a season-ending knee injury to leading scorer and rebounder Trevor Mbakwe. Junior F Rodney Williams has done his part, leading active Minnesota players with 10.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 1.6 blocks. Freshman G Andre Hollins (6.2 ppg) scored a career-high 20 points in the loss to Wisconsin.

Play Under the total of 129

PREDICTION: Ohio State 62, Minnesota 54

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Dallas at Detroit (-200, 5.5 u-110)

When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Red Wings can make history Tuesday. Coach Mike Babcock’s club will vie for an NHL-record 21 consecutive home victories when the Dallas Stars pay a visit to Joe Louis Arena. The league-leading Red Wings, who last lost at home on Nov. 3 to the Calgary Flames, are tied with the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers for the honor. Detroit is riding a three-game winning streak after posting a 4-3 triumph over the Flyers on Sunday.  After suffering its fifth loss in seven home games with a 4-2 decision versus the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, coach Glen Gulutzan’s club may be looking forward to hitting the road. “I think we just have to take that road mentality and bring it home,” Gulutzan said. “We’ve played way better on the road. We talked about that today, more of a team game. It’s not going to come easy.” Dallas is 13-13-1 on the road. Right wing Michael Ryder, who netted his team-leading 21st goal Sunday, has three goals in four games. He scored twice and set up another in a 5-4 loss to Detroit on Jan. 3. Much has been made of Detroit’s streak – since three of the victories have come via the shootout and one in overtime, luxuries not afforded the previous owners of the record. To a man, the Red Wings aren’t publicly putting much stock in the streak. “We don’t want to talk about it,” captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. “We just want to keep it going.” Right wing Johan Franzen’s team-leading 22nd goal of the season Sunday also ended up being his league-leading 10th game-winning goal. The 32-year-old Swede has two goals and an assist in three games versus the Stars this season.

Play Detroit on the puck line -1.5 +135

PREDICTION: Red Wings 4, Stars 2

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