-Odds.jpg "2016-Duke-at-Pittsburgh-(CBS)-Odds")
After a loss to No. 12 Miami a month ago, Duke's postseason hopes were in serious jeopardy. The Blue Devils were sitting at 15-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play with a brutal stretch ahead of them. Coach K and the Dookies persevered and after wins over No. 3 Virginia, No. 7 North Carolina and No. 11 Louisville, the Blue Devils sit at No. 15 in the rankings. Their spot in the postseason is secure, but Pittsburgh still needs a win or two in its final three games to confirm its spot. A win here for the Panthers would be just their second all year over a ranked team.
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HOW THE DUKE BLUE DEVILS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
The Blue Devils have had a perilously thin bench all season and it finally caught up with them at the end of a tough stretch of games in the second half against Louisville. Duke held a 13 point in the second half, but wore down before falling to Louisville by seven.
The one Blue Devil who had a great performance in the loss was Grayson Allen. Allen went 8-for-12 from the field and 5-of-8 from three point range in leading all scorers with 29 points. However, no other Blue Devil managed to break double digits and the rest of the team shot a collective 13-for-35 for the game. Allen is the one player Duke has that can keep it in any game.
Duke's lack of depth is going to be an issue come tournament time and the Blue Devils can't afford to have one of their starters get hurt. Until then though, the reliance on the starting five can be seen as a boost now that they’re all battle tested.
HOW THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Pittsburgh has traditionally gotten it done with big men under coach Jamie Dixon and that has been the case again this season. The Panthers are led by Michael Young, who leads the team with 15.9 PPG and 6.9 RPG, and Jamel Artis, second on the team with 14.5 PPG and 4.9 RPG.
While Young is more effective in the traditional role of playing down low, Artis is a big man that is also a great perimeter shooter. Artis is currently hitting 36 percent of his three point attempts and leads the team with 1.4 made three pointers a game. If Young and Artis play up to their potential against Duke, the Panthers have a great chance to win.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Blue Devils are 5-2-1 ATS on the road this season and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road tilts. The under has been a solid bet in Duke road games with five of the eight going under the total.
Pittsburgh has had a woeful season against the number thus far, posting a 5-10 ATS mark at home this season. The Panthers have failed to cover three consecutive home affairs and four of their last five. The over has been a marginally profitable play in Panthers' home games with an 8-7 record.
Duke badly needs Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson to return from injuries and Jones may be available to play in this one. If he does, Duke will be able to at least have a one or two man rotation and should be able to get the victory. This prediction is null and void if Jones isn't able to go, but with him in the lineup Duke will get another big road win.
Duke 73, Pittsburgh 69
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BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Pittsburgh Panthers is scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. ET at Petersen Events Center. The game will be televised nationally on CBS.
