Mixed Basketball Parlay: Michigan State Gets Their Star Back and Hot Utah Takes on the Clippers

The Michigan State Spartans have only 5 losses this season. Oh, it’s not as good of a record as Kansas or Kentucky or even their opponent on Tuesday night, the Purdue Boilermakers, but it’s a classic Michigan State Spartans’ record.

Coach Tom Izzo is a master at getting the Spartans to peak at the exact right moment. Early season losses shouldn’t bother Michigan State fans or NCAAB sportsbook backers because Izzo is going to get his fellas to step it up, and it’s going to be soon. It might be tonight when they host the terrific Purdue Boilermakers.

Both Michigan State and Purdue are defensive minded teams; the Spartans allow only 65 points per game, the Boilermakers 62. The NBA half of my Hoops Parlay tonight is defensive minded as well. That team is the Utah Jazz who travels to the land of fruits and nuts to take on the Clippers tonight.

#6 Purdue Boilermakers vs. #10 Michigan State Spartans

Tip-off: 9:00 pm EST

: Michigan State -3, Total 139

Analysis: The Spartans get back their superstar, Kalin Lucas, back in tonight’s game. Lucas didn’t play in the Spartans 78 to 73 loss to Illinois three days ago.

Lucas is the key to Michigan State’s success. He was the reason that the Spartans ended up in the NCAAB Championship Game in 2009. He’s the reason that they are ranked in the Top 10 in 2010.

Lucas averages 15.6 points per game and 4.0 assists. He’s one of the few point guards in college hoops, much like Kentucky’s John Wall, who can control a game from beginning to end. When it comes to the Spartans, they are successful straight-up with Lucas on the floor, unsuccessful straight-up when he is not.

I write “straight-up” because against the spread, the Spartans have underperformed this season. They are 8 and 15 overall ATS, 4 and 8 ATS at home, and 0 and 4 ATS in their last 4 games. Some trends point to the Spartans’ success in this game, however, as Michigan State is 21-4-2 ATS in their last 27 games as a favorite of between ½ to 6 ½ points. They are also 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 home games versus a team with a winning road record.

Purdue will counter Lucas with the backcourt duo of former East Chicago, Indiana player E’Twaun Moore, who averages 17.2 points per game, and 6’ 3” Chris Kramer. Neither player can control a game the way that Lucas can.

When it comes to trends, the Boilermakers could be in trouble in this game. They are 2 and 6 ATS in their last 8 versus a Big Ten opponent, 1 and 4 ATS in their last 5 road games. They are also 1 and 5 ATS in their last 6 games versus a team with a winning straight-up record.

With those trends against them, how can I possibly back the Boilermakers in this game? I can’t. I have to go with Lucas and the Spartans in this one. Michigan State should cover the spread.

: Michigan State -3

Utah Jazz vs. L.A. Clippers

Tip-off: 10:30 pm EST

: Utah -4 ½, Total 202

Analysis: Don’t look now but the Utah Jazz has learned how to win on the road. In their last four road games, they have gone 3 and 1 straight-up. More impressive than that is the fact that the 3 victories were against the Dallas Mavericks, as 5 ½ point dogs ATS, the San Antonio Spurs as 5 ½ point dogs, and the Portland Trailblazers as 2 ½ point faves.