Stephen Nover

This may be Charlotte's game of the year. The Hornets are two games out of the final playoff spot in the East and have triple revenge against the 76ers, losing three times to them this season by an average of only two points per game.  The Hornets play much better at home with a 21-14 mark compared to 10-24 on the road.  The 76ers have covered just 42 percent of their road games this season going 14-19. Philly is in a sandwich spot, too. The 76ers just upset the Bucks on the road in a nationally televised game this past Sunday and host the Celtics on Wednesday. So it's easy for the youthful 76ers to look past the Hornets.  The 76ers already have said they will sit out Joel Embiid in order to rest him for the Celtics. Philly has failed to cover five of the past six times when meeting a below .500 opponent.

I want the Maple Leafs going for me here after they were embarrassed, 6-2, by the Senators this past Saturday. Toronto has had two full days to live with that humiliation and to tighten its defense. The Maple Leafs are 14-2 the past 16 times when playing on two days rest. They've also won in four of their past five visits to Nashville. The Predators are fat and happy returning to Nashville after an impressive 4-2 road win against the Sharks on Saturday. I don't think they will match the Maple Leafs' anticipated intensity level. 

I don't think the Hurricanes are as good as the Penguins. That has been proven in the standings and in past meetings.  Pittsburgh is 10-3 the last 13 times taking on the Hurricanes holding them to two or fewer goals in 11 of those games. The Penguins also have defeated the Hurricanes five of the last six times in Carolina. The spot is good, too, for the Penguins. They are coming off two consecutive home losses. They have had a good rhythm when playing on one day rest winning 15 of the past 22 times in that spot. 

Unlike the NCAA Tournament, some teams aren't excited about getting to play in the NIT. Dayton is one such team. The Flyers finished their regular season in highly disappointing style losing, 64-55, as 4 1/2-point favorites against St. Louis in their opening game of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament.  Indications are the Flyers are not excited about traveling to Boulder, Colo., for this matchup. Not helping matters for the Flyers is their leading scorer, Obi Toppin, is deaing with a knee injury.  Contrary to Dayton, Colorado is excited about competing in this tournament. The Buffaloes are young and expect to return all of their main players for next season. They want to use this tournament to gain more big-game experience.  The Buffaloes are 10-3 in their last 13 games. They also have covered eight of the last 10 times versus opponents with a winning record.  This is what Colorado coach Tad Boyle was quoted as saying about his team and playing in the NIT: "We're playing well here down the stretch. There are a few teams that are leaking oil this time of year, but we're not one of them. I like the way we're playing and really the key for our guys is they are excited, they are going to embrace this. They did not want their season to end."