My selection is on Memphis plus the points over Los Angeles at 10:40 pm ET on Friday.

The Grizzlies will take the court with double-revenge in mind after dropping two earlier meetings with the Clippers this season. They’ll also be looking to bounce back after consecutive road losses, including an 'upset' defeat against Portland two nights ago. While Memphis has struggled to find consistency, this is a good situational spot to catch Los Angeles in a potential letdown.

The Clippers enter on a four-game SU and ATS winning streak, sitting just one victory shy of matching their longest such run of the season. However, they’re coming off a hard-fought home win over Cleveland and could be vulnerable here, especially given Memphis’ desperation to get back on track. Expect the Grizzlies to keep this one close.

Take Memphis. Projected score: Los Angeles 113, Memphis 112.

My selection is on Cleveland minus the points over Phoenix at 10 pm ET on Friday.

We'll lay the points with the Cavaliers as they aim to snap a rare three-game SU and ATS losing skid. This road trip hasn’t gone as planned for Cleveland, but with three games left, there’s still time to turn things around. The Cavs remain one of the league’s top teams, and after back-to-back disappointing defensive efforts, I expect a strong response against a Suns squad they dominated by 26 points earlier this season.

Phoenix enters this matchup fresh off consecutive home wins over Toronto and Chicago, but the Suns haven’t put together a three-game winning streak since January. Facing a motivated Cleveland team looking to bounce back, expect Phoenix to struggle to match the Cavs' intensity.

Take Cleveland. Projected score: Cleveland 124, Phoenix 111.

Western Conference Game of the Year. My selection is on Minnesota minus the points over New Orleans at 8 pm ET on Friday.

We'll lay the points with the Timberwolves in a prime revenge spot after New Orleans pulled off a surprising upset in Minnesota as a double-digit underdog two nights ago. The Pelicans had an outlier shooting performance in that game, while the Wolves struggled offensively, attempting just 77 field goals in a sluggish effort. It's worth noting that Minnesota was coming off an overtime loss to Indiana prior to that game, potentially leading to a letdown. With a chance to close out their homestand on a high note before a short break, expect a much sharper performance from the Wolves.

New Orleans has struggled against the spread recently, covering just three of its last 11 games. Just one game removed from a disastrous 46-point home loss to Detroit, the Pelicans may already be looking ahead to a rematch with the Pistons on Sunday. Look for Minnesota to take advantage and roll to a convincing win.

Take Minnesota. Projected score: Minnesota 123, New Orleans 102.

My selection is on Oregon minus the points over Liberty at 10:10 pm et on Friday.

Oregon is poised to bounce back strong after seeing its impressive eight-game SU winning streak snapped in the Big Ten Tournament against a tough Michigan State squad. Prior to that loss, the Ducks had been rolling, going 5-0-2 ATS in their previous seven contests. This is a well-balanced team that has consistently played its best basketball against quality competition.

Liberty, on the other hand, enters this matchup riding a five-game SU winning streak, including a dominant victory over Jacksonville State in the conference title game. However, this is a significant step up in class, and the Flames may struggle to keep pace against a deeper, more athletic Oregon squad. The travel factor also comes into play, with Liberty making the long trip to Seattle to face a team that is far more comfortable in this setting.

Expect Oregon to control the tempo and pull away in the second half, taking advantage of Liberty’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Take Oregon. Projected score: Oregon 77, Liberty 61.

Friday CBB Free play. My selection is on Connecticut minus the points over Oklahoma at 9:25 pm et on Friday.

Connecticut enters the NCAA Tournament with championship aspirations, and I expect the Huskies to make a statement in their opening-round matchup against Oklahoma. UConn is coming off a disappointing 71-62 loss to Creighton in the Big East Tournament, a result that snapped both a five-game SU and four-game ATS winning streak. That loss should only serve as motivation for a team that has been dominant for most of the season.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma has been riding high, covering the spread in seven consecutive games. However, the Sooners could be in for a letdown here after cashing as an underdog against Georgia and Kentucky in the SEC Tournament. The Huskies bring a level of physicality and depth that will prove too much for Oklahoma to handle. Look for UConn to assert itself early and pull away for a comfortable victory.

Take Connecticut. Projected score: Connecticut 78, Oklahoma 62.

NCAA Tournament First Round Game of the Year. My selection is on Kentucky minus the points over Troy at 7:10 pm et on Friday.

Troy put together a strong three-game run to capture the Sun Belt Tournament title last week, but the step up in competition here will be significant. The Trojans pulled off upset wins over James Madison and Arkansas State to secure the conference crown, but they'll now have to contend with an angry Kentucky squad eager to bounce back from an embarrassing 29-point loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament.

While the Wildcats have failed to cover in back-to-back games, they had won three straight SU prior to that ugly setback. Kentucky's schedule strength far surpasses that of Troy, and the Wildcats' talent edge should shine through as they impose their will early and often in this one. Expect a decisive victory.

Take Kentucky. Projected score: Kentucky 85, Troy 63.

My selection is on Alabama minus the points over Robert Morris at 12:40 pm et on Friday.

We'll back Alabama as it looks to bounce back from an ugly blowout loss to eventual SEC Tournament champion Florida last weekend. While both teams enter with similar overall records, there's no comparison in terms of schedule strength. Alabama has battled through one of the toughest slates in the country, while Robert Morris has dominated far weaker Horizon League competition.

The Colonials ride a 10-game winning streak into this matchup, including a 4-0-1 ATS run over their last five contests. However, stepping up in class against a battle-tested Alabama squad is a completely different challenge. Look for the Tide to set the tone early and pull away for a convincing win.

Take Alabama. Projected score: Alabama 87, Robert Morris 58.

My selection is on New York over Vancouver at 1 pm ET on Saturday.

Two teams fighting to stay in the playoff hunt meet in New York this afternoon. The Rangers are in desperation mode, having lost three straight and trailing both the Senators and Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. Compounding matters, both of those teams have played two fewer games.

Vancouver, meanwhile, is coming off a tough 4-3 overtime loss in St. Louis two nights ago, while the Rangers suffered a 4-3 defeat at home against the Maple Leafs. This will be New York’s fourth straight home game, and after an unproductive homestand thus far, the urgency to come away with a win is high—especially with a three-game West Coast road trip on deck.

Look for the Rangers to rise to the occasion and pick up the victory.

Take New York. Projected score: New York 4, Vancouver 2.