Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Basketball, NBA, NHL and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 03/17/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021
The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the UEFA Champions League.

The NIT begins with two first-round games on ESPN2. Toledo plays Richmond at the UNT Coliseum in Denton, Texas, at 7 PM ET. The Rockets, 21-8, were upset in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament by Ohio, 87-80, as a 3-point favorite on Saturday. The Spiders, 13-8, lost their opening-round game in the Atlantic 10 tournament in a 67-62 upset loss to Duquesne as a 3.5-point favorite on March 4th. Toledo is a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 154 (all odds from BetOnline). 

The NIT nightcap on ESPN2 has Western Kentucky facing Saint Mary’s at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, at 9 PM ET. The Hilltoppers were upset in the Conference USA Championship Game against North Texas, 61-57, as a 2.5-point favorite. The Gaels lost in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament to Gonzaga, 78-55, as an 18.5-point underdog on March 8th. Saint Mary’s is a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 125.5.

Seven games are on the NBA docket. An ESPN doubleheader tips off at 7:05 PM ET with Milwaukee playing at Philadelphia. The Bucks have won four straight and nine of ten after their 133-122 win at Washington as an 8.5-point favorite on Monday. The 76ers won their sixth straight game in a 99-96 victory against New York as a 7-point favorite on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Clippers play at Dallas on ESPN at 9:35 PM ET. The Clippers defeated the Mavericks, 109-99, as a 1-point favorite on Monday. Dallas has now lost two of their last three games. Los Angeles is a 3-point road favorite with a total of 227.

Six games are on the NHL schedule. A doubleheader on the NBC Sports Network begins at 7:38 PM ET, with Philadelphia playing at New York against the Rangers. The Flyers ended a two-game losing streak with a 5-4 win against the Rangers on Monday. New York has lost four of their last five games. Philadelphia is a -127 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. 

The second game on the NBC Sports Network has Calgary hosting Edmonton at 10:08 PM ET. The Flames have won three in a row after a 4-3 win against the Oilers on Monday. Edmonton was on a four-game winning streak before that loss. Calgary is a -108 money line favorite with a total of 6. 

The UEFA Champions League has two matches in the final second leg of the Final 16 at 4 PM ET. Bayern Munich plays at home against Lazio as a -1.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. The Bavarians won the first leg on the road, 4-1, on February 23rd. 

Chelsea hosts Atletico Madrid after winning 1-0, on the road, in the first leg on February 23rd. The Blues are a -0.25 goal line favorite at home at Stamford Bridge, with the total at 2. Both games are available on Paramount, formerly the CBS  All-Access.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2024 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.