Little Caesars Arena – Syndication Server

Michigan State basketball blows out No. 6 Baylor inside of Little Caesars Arena

Michigan State blows out No. 6 Baylor inside of LCA:

It was the tale of two totally different teams coming into the Motor City Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Baylor entered the contest ranked at No. 6 after a 9-0 start to the 2023-24 season, while MSU entered the game with an abysmal 4-5 record and desperate for a win.

It was the Spartans who showed up in a big way on Saturday, absolutely crushing the Bears inside of Little Caesars Arena, 88-64.

The first half went just about as perfect as a first half could go for the Spartans, going into the halftime break ahead 45-17 after blitzing Baylor from the jump.

Baylor tried to make the game interesting, putting a lot of pressure on Michigan State early in the second half, cutting the lead down to 20 and forcing the Spartans on their heels. The Spartans never wavered though, and stiffened up to stop the bleeding to continue leading big to the finish line.

Tyson Walker (25 points) led the way for the Spartans, while AJ Hoggard (14 points) and Tre Holloman (11 points) also finished in double figures. Eight other Spartans found their way onto the scoresheet, but most notably, Xavier Booker played good minutes for MSU and scored 7 points.

MSU will be back in action next Saturday against Oakland.

Watch: Notre Dame coach’s son pulls a Chris Webber

Gotta know the timeout situation if you’re inbounding in the final seconds of a close game.

We’re sure that Detroit Pistons rookie Jaden Ivey, the son of Notre Dame coach [autotag]Niele Ivey[/autotag], will have a fine NBA career. Like with any rookie, he’s bound to make mistakes as he gets a feel for the professional game. However, it’s unlikely anyone had him celebrating Chris Webber’s 50th birthday in fitting fashion on their bingo card.

In the closing seconds of a game against the Chicago Bulls, the Pistons had a chance to tie or maybe win after mounting a furious fourth-quarter rally. Ivey was charged with inbounding the ball out of the Pistons’ final timeout. He couldn’t find any open teammates, and in an effort to avoid a five-second violation, he did something that undoubtedly triggered PTSD for the many Michigan fans that had to have been present at Little Caesars Arena:

It’s unfortunate that Webber had a Hall of Fame career and calling a timeout with none left in the national championship game remains his legacy. However, sports fans don’t forget mistakes in high-stakes situations, so here we are.

The good news for Ivey is this gaffe, which played a key role in the Pistons’ 117-115 loss, won’t be nearly as remembered. Plus, he has a brilliant basketball mind in his mother who should help them through this. He’ll be OK.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds, picks and best bets

[jwplayer wcHtPTSE]

The Tampa Bay Lightning (43-20-5) tangle with the Detroit Red Wings (16-48-5) Sunday at Little Caesars Arena at 5 p.m. ET. We analyze the Lightning-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Curtis McElhinney vs. Jonathan Bernier

McElhinney is expected to get the starting nod after the Lightning just played in Boston Saturday night with Andrei Vasilevskiy getting the call in that one. The Lightning backup has posted an 8-7-2 record, 2.83 goals against average and .908 save percentage with a shutout, so he is more than capable, especially against the lowly Wings.

Bernier gives the Wings their best chance to win, as he is 14-21-3 with a respectable 2.88 GAA and .909 SV% in his 39 starts and 44 appearances. At home he is a solid 10-10-1 with a 2.75 GAA and .906 SV% in his 21 starts and 24 appearances. It’s unlikely the team turns to Jimmy Howard for this tough matchup. He is a dismal 2-23-2 with a 4.20 GAA and .882 save percentage.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Lightning at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 12:23 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 4, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Lightning (-278) should be able to dominate this game, but they are playing less than 24 hours after a hard-fought and important game in Boston, and then they had to hop right on a plane for Hockeytown. Still, the Red Wings (+225) have next to no chance. But still, AVOID.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lightning -278 returns a profit of $3.60 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Red Wings +225 results in a profit of $22.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The LIGHTNING (-1.5, even) is the much better play, with or without tired legs. They have so many offensive weapons that it’s hard to envision the cellar-dwelling Red Wings (+1.5, -121) slowing them down. Tampa Bay is 41-11 in the past 52 games against teams with a losing record, too, so they rarely let up or play down to their competition.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-139) is the play here, but because it’s Lightning against Red Wings. If Tampa were playing virtually anyone else, the lean would be Under. The Under is 7-1 in their past eight in the second end of a back-to-back. But the Over is also 7-2 in their past nine as a favorite.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Utah Jazz (40-22) continue the road trip against the Detroit Pistons (20-43) Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. We analyze the Jazz-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Jazz at Pistons: Key injuries

Jazz

PG Mike Conley (rest) probable

Pistons

PG Bruce Brown (knee) probable
PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
PG Brandon Knight (knee) probable
PG Derrick Rose (ankle) out

Jazz at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jazz 113, Pistons 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-358) are extremely expensive in this game, a continuation of their road trip. This game might be a lot closer than most think, although the Pistons (+275) are also a risky play at home based on their overall body of work this season. Jazz point guard Mike Conley played last night, and he has not been playing in back-to-back slates. The team said they expect him to play tonight, but they’d see how he felt when he woke up Saturday morning. The best course of action is to AVOID, and look to the line.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz to win outright would return a profit of $2.79.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PISTONS (+7.5, 100) are actually a solid 4-1 ATS across the past five outings while going 4-1 in the past five as an underdog. The Pistons are also 4-0 ATS in the past four on two days of rest. For the Jazz (-7.5, -121), they’re 1-4 ATS in the past five as a road favorite, 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven overall and 2-11-2 ATS in the previous 13 overall as a fave.

Over/Under (O/U)

Sometimes trends are made to be broken. The series trends suggest a slam-dunk under play. However, the OVER 214.5 (-106) is the way to go in this one. The over has hit in nine of the past 12 for Utah on the road, while going 8-2 in the past 10 as a road favorite. The over is also 21-7 in the past 28 for the Pistons at LCA, while going 12-3 in the past 15 at home against teams with a winning road mark.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

[jwplayer wcHtPTSE]

The Minnesota Wild (30-25-7) square off with the Detroit Red Wings (15-46-4) Thursday at Little Caesars Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wild-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Wild at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Devan Dubnyk vs. Jimmy Howard

Dubnyk was an All-Star last season, but he has fallen on hard times, while G Alex Stalock has been much more effective. However, Dubnyk is expected to make the start at LCA, and he’ll get a crack at the league’s worst team in an effort to build up his confidence. He enters 11-15-2 with a 3.34 goals against average and .892 save percentage.

Howard has been horrific this season, going 2-22-2 with a 4.08 GAA and .886 save percentage. He has the league’s worst offense in front of him, which doesn’t help. Of course, allowing north of four goals a game doesn’t help either.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Wild at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Wild 4, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Wild (-213) have been struggling, so even a date with the league’s worst team, the Red Wings (+175), isn’t necessarily a slam-dunk play. In fact, if you were to take a flier on either team, Detroit is the better option. Still, the best play is to AVOID.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wild ML returns a profit of $4.69 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Red Wings ML results in a profit of $17.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

If you’re going to make a small-unit wager on this game, the WILD (-1.5, +125) are a better play. The Wild won their last road game and covered the puck line in a 5-3 victory at the Edmonton Oilers Friday. Five of their past nine wins have results in puck-line covers, too. The Red Wings (+1.5, -154) are a little too expensive if you’re looking for a little insurance.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-121) is worth a roll of the dice, going 10-3-1 in the past 14 meetings between these sides in the Motor City. The Over is also 4-0-1 in the past five for Minnesota against the East, and 8-3 in the past 11 on the road.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets

The Charlotte Hornets (16-36) travel to meet the Detroit Pistons (19-36) Monday night at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. We analyze the Hornets-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Hornets at Pistons: Key injuries

Hornets

SG Nicolas Batum (illness) out
PF Cody Martin (concussion) out

Pistons

PG Bruce Brown (thumb) probable
PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
SG Svi Mykhailiuk (hip) out
PG Derrick Rose (hip) doubtful
SF Khyri Thomas (foot) out
PF Markieff Morris (flu) questionable

Hornets at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 11:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Hornets 118, Pistons 116

Moneyline (ML)

The HORNETS (+125) are worth a look on the road as short ‘dogs, as the Pistons (-150) are just too banged up to be favored against anyone right now. Yes, Charlotte is 0-5 straight up & against the spread across its past five, but this is the Hornets’ best chance in a while at a win.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Hornets to win outright would return a profit of $12.50.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The HORNETS (+2.5, -110) aren’t a bad play if you want a little bit of extra insurance, although taking them with the points won’t give you plus-money. The Hornets are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings in this series, and 4-0 ATS in their past four trips to Motown.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 206.5 (-110) is a decent small-unit play, as neither team has been terribly mindful at the defensive end lately. The over is also 11-1 in Detroit’s past 12 as a favorite, including 7-1 in the past eight as a home favorite. The over is also 12-4 in the past 16 for the Pistons against teams with a winning percentage under .400.

For the Hornets, the over has connected in four of the past five overall, and four of the past five in which they are an underdog, too. The over is also 20-7-1 in the past 28 meetings between these teams in the Motor City.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (12-34) and Detroit Pistons (17-30) will battle at Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Cavaliers-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Cavaliers at Pistons: Key injuries

Cavaliers

PG Brandon Knight (knee) out
SF Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) probable
SG Dylan Windler (shin) out
C Ante Zizic (illness) out

Pistons

PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
PG Reggie Jackson (back) questionable
SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
PG Derrick Rose (knee) probable
SG Tony Snell (illness) questionable
SF Khyri Thomas (foot) out

Cavaliers at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pistons 115, Cavaliers 112

Moneyline (ML)

The Pistons (-286) are heavily favored vs. the Cavaliers (+225), but it’s buyer beware. These teams just met at LCA Jan. 9, and the Pistons were favored by 7.5 points and lost outright to the Cavs 115-112 in overtime. AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The CAVALIERS (+7.5, -129) are worth a small-unit bet based upon the two most recent meetings, which saw Cleveland cover in both outings. Overall the Pistons (-7.5, +105) are 2-1 SU/1-2 ATS in three meetings this season.

Neither of these teams are very good against the number, as Detroit is 2-10 ATS in the past 12 at home, and 1-4 ATS in the past five as a favorite. Cleveland is 2-5 ATS in the past seven overall, but is a solid 4-0 ATS in the past four on the road against teams with a losing home record, and 16-7-1 ATS in the past 24 against teams with a winning percentage under .400.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 219.5 (-121) is your best bet, cashing in all three meetings this season, and each of the past six meetings overall between these rivals. The Over is 10-3 in Cleveland’s past 13 overall, and 12-5 in the past 17 on the road, while the Over is 6-1 in Detroit’s past seven overall and 6-0 in the past six against teams with a losing overall record.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (10-27) and Detroit Pistons (14-24) square off for the second time in three days, this time at Little Caesars Arena Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Cavaliers-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Cavaliers at Pistons: Key injuries

Cavaliers

PG Dante Exum (illness) out
PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) out
SF Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) out
SG Dylan Windler (shin) out

Pistons

PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
PG Reggie Jackson (back) out
SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
PF Markieff Morris (foot) out
SG Khyri Thomas (foot) out

Cavaliers at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pistons 113, Cavaliers 109

Moneyline (ML)

The Pistons (-294) are just too expensive in the second end of this home-and-home. It wouldn’t be advised to risk three times your investment on any team, let alone lowly Detroit Basketball. AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The CAVALIERS (+7.5, -121) are catching nearly four buckets from the Pistons (-7.5, +100). The Pistons defeated the Cavs 115-113 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Tuesday. The Cavaliers are 3-8 ATS in the past 11 games on the road, so you’d be going against the grain a little here. They’re also just 1-4 ATS in the past five overall.

However, the Pistons are 3-9 ATS in the past 12 games overall, while going 1-5 ATS in the past six games overall. They should pull out a win against their Lake Erie rivals, but they won’t win by more than four buckets.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 221.5 (-106) is worth a small-unit play, as the total has inched over the line in each of the past five meetings. The Over is also 4-0 in the past four for Cleveland, and 8-3 in its last 11 away from home.

For the Pistons, it’s been all about the Over lately, too. The Over is 7-0 in their past seven as a favorite, 5-1 in the past six at home and 7-2 in the previous nine games overall, too.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Washington Wizards (9-20) and Detroit Pistons (11-20) tip it off at Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Wizards-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Wizards at Pistons: Key injuries

Wizards

SF Davis Bertans (quadriceps) out
C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
SG Jordan McRae (finger) questionable
SG C.J. Miles (wrist) out
PG Isaiah Thomas suspension
C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Pistons

PG Jordan Bone (knee) doubtful
PF Bruce Brown (calf) questionable
PF Blake Griffin (flu) probable
SG Reggie Jackson (back) out
SF Luke Kennard (knee) out
SF Khyri Thomas (foot) out
C Christian Wood (knee) probable

Wizards at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated 1 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 128, Pistons 119

Moneyline (ML)

The WIZARDS (+220) just beat the Pistons (-278) by a 133-119 score Dec. 19 at LCA, and they’re 2-0 SU/ATS vs. Detroit this season. What you have to like about Washington is its bombs away perimeter shooting. It ranks third from behind the 3-point line, while the Pistons are a dismal 23rd in 3-pointer defense.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wizards to win outright returns a profit of $22.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The WIZARDS (+5.5, -106) are a nice play against the spread. As mentioned, they’re 2-0 ATS against the Pistons (-5.5, -115), who enter the game on a five-game losing skid while also going 0-5 ATS. They have averaged just 105.4 PPG in the past five while allowing 120.6 PPG.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 231.5 (-106) is where it’s at. The Pistons are terrible defensively, especially lately, while the Wizards have been dropping in plenty of triples. Washington was 18-of-34 (53.0 percent) from behind the 3-point line in the Dec. 16 meeting. The offenses might not be as prolific in this one, but an Over bet is still the way to go.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Saturday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Pittsburgh Penguins (16-9-4) and Detroit Red Wings (7-20-3) do battle Saturday evening at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Hockeytown. We analyze the Penguins-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Penguins at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Jimmy Howard

Murray is expected to get the start Saturday after Tristan Jarry posted a shutout Friday night, his second straight. There is a goaltender controversy in the Steel City, and Murray needs a big performance to keep Jarry from continuing to carve into his role. Murray is 9-5-4 with a 2.84 goals-against average and .897 save percentage with one shutout.

Howard has been terrible, going 2-11-1 with a 3.94 GAA and .887 save percentage, as he comes in on an 0-6-1 skid while allowing three or more goals in six of the past seven outings.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Penguins at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 5, Red Wings 2

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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