Announcement

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Injuries and motivation are keys to NBA betting in the final weeks of the regular season
By BIG AL MCMORDIE

When the NBA schedule resumes Tuesday, there will be just nine game days left in the season. I don't think anyone thought, when the season started, that the Warriors would win 73 games. But they've been brilliant the entire season, and I can't see them losing another. Minnesota and Memphis don't have the talent to defeat a motivated Warriors team. The Spurs do, but it's doubtful coach Gregg Popovich will give many minutes to his best players in either of their two remaining games vs. Golden State. Of course, there's still lots of jockeying left in the race for the Playoffs, so let's take a look at the upcoming games.

Spread Watch

The Utah Jazz are in a dogfight with Dallas and Houston for the last two Playoff spots in the Western Conference. Just one game separates the three teams and, barring a complete collapse by the 41-36 Memphis Grizzlies, only two of the Jazz, Mavericks and Rockets will reach the post-season. The Jazz have won and covered 10 of their last 13 games. Their 3 losses: in overtime to Golden State; at Oklahoma City (without rest); and at Chicago. After Sunday's blowout of Phoenix, the Jazz are now 8-0 ATS their last eight games as a favorite. Utah will be favored to win at least four of its last five games (and possibly all five, should Popovich decide to rest the Spurs' best players on Tuesday). I really like the Jazz on Friday against the Clippers. Utah will be playing with revenge from a 5-point home loss to Los Angeles back in December. And the Clips are a dreadful 3-15 ATS their last 18 games against revenge-minded foes.

Total Watch

The New York Knicks have played their last six games 'Under' the total, and are 18-6 'Under' the total since Kurt Rambis succeeded Derek Fisher as head coach. A big reason for this is New York's pace of play. For the season, the Knicks rank in the bottom five in pace (93.4). As their season winds toward a close, the Knicks' offensive production might take a hit. Last week, Carmelo Anthony (21.9 ppg), Robin Lopez (10.2 ppg) and Jose Calderon (7.5 ppg) suggested to Rambis that he decrease their minutes in favor of giving more time to the team's younger players. Rambis played Anthony just 25 minutes in Friday's game vs. Brooklyn, and then gave him the entire night off Sunday vs. Indiana. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis (14.3 ppg) also missed the last two games, and could be held out of the Knicks' final four games. New York's game at Philadelphia, on Friday, looks to be a great candidate to sail 'Under' the total, as the Sixers have gone 'Under' in six of their last seven games.

Injury Watch

Kyrie Irving sprained his ankle in Friday night's overtime win at Atlanta. Irving missed Sunday's game vs. Charlotte (a 112-103 Cleveland victory), and it's unclear how long he will be sidelined. Irving is averaging 19.5 ppg and 4.6 apg, so his production is critical for the Cavaliers as they make their push for the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This season, the Cavaliers are 20-8 straight-up, but 12-15-1 ATS with Irving off the court. Their game Wednesday, at Indiana, looks especially problematic if Irving is out. Cleveland will be playing that game without rest, as it will be in Milwaukee on Tuesday, while Indiana will have had the previous two days off. Moreover, the Pacers will be playing with revenge from three losses suffered to the Cavs earlier this season. All of this spells trouble for Cleveland, as revengers have gone 58-37 ATS in the final five games of a season since 1991, if they played with at least two more days' of rest than their foe.

Schedule Watch

When the NBA regular season enters its final days, most players have their eyes either on the playoffs or the golf course. So, one of the things I try to do at the end of a season is find games where the players might not be fully focused. A good place to start is the schedule. For example, unrested teams that are playing their fourth game in five nights are especially bad, at Game 77 forward, against rested opponents. Since 1991, they've covered just 28 of 85 games! This upcoming Saturday, the New Orleans Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns and it will be New Orleans' fourth game in five nights, while Phoenix will be rested following its game, at Houston, on Thursday. It's true that the Suns are currently mired in a six-game losing streak (and likely eight games, by the time they reach New Orleans), but my money will still be on the underdog Suns in this contest.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Pelicans (29-47) at 76ers (9-68)

Date: April 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

There may be a paucity of NBA-caliber players on the court Tuesday night in Philadelphia, but the 76ers won't complain if they avoid league infamy.

They stand to have a decent shot at finally notching their 10th victory if they can end their 12-game slide while facing the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans.

It's more notable who isn't available for these teams than who is. The Pelicans' lengthy injury list includes Anthony Davis (left knee), Ryan Anderson (sports hernia), Tyreke Evans (right knee), Eric Gordon (fractured right ring finger), Jrue Holiday (right inferior orbital wall fracture) and Norris Cole (lower back).

Philadelphia (9-68) is without rookie Jahlil Okafor because of a knee injury while Nerlens Noel has missed six straight games with a right knee contusion and Richaun Holmes four in a row with a right Achilles tendon strain. In addition, Hollis Thompson was a late scratch for Saturday's 115-102 defeat to Indiana with an upper-respiratory infection.

There's plenty on the line for the 76ers, who need one victory in their last five games to avoid matching the 1972-73 Philadelphia club for the worst full-season record in NBA history.

They showed plenty of fight against the playoff-contending Pacers, leading by two with 4:38 left before being outscored 19-4. Philadelphia had 17 turnovers after averaging 11 in its previous five games; it averages 16.6 for the Eastern Conference's worst mark.

"The turnovers got the better of us," coach Brett Brown said. "I think we've been doing a good job lately caring for the ball."

Isaiah Canaan scored 24 and Jerami Grant added 20 for Philadelphia in the opener of a four-game homestand that could be promising. The 76ers host two more non-playoff teams in New York and Milwaukee in their quest to avoid ignominy.

'Perhaps it gets a little deflating, but our guys are still there," Brown said. 'We will see everybody soon, and we will play hard like we did tonight, when we see New Orleans."

One player who may have extra incentive is guard Ish Smith, who was traded by the Pelicans (29-47) to the Sixers on Dec. 24. He scored 12 in Philadelphia's 121-114 loss at New Orleans on Feb. 19.

The Pelicans also have plenty of fringe NBA players trying to make a name for themselves down the stretch. Point guard Tim Frazier had career highs of 19 points and 13 assists in Sunday's 106-87 win at Brooklyn.

Frazier, who spent part of last season as a rookie with the Sixers, is averaging 13.6 points in 10 games with New Orleans.

'I think Tim Frazier has done a really good job,' coach Alvin Gentry said. 'That's a tough position to play, but I think he's been really good at what he's done.'

The Pelicans seek their first three-game win streak since Jan. 19-23. Luke Babbitt has totaled 43 points in the last two games.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Hornets (44-32) at Raptors (51-25)

Date: April 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

A loss by the Charlotte Hornets guaranteed the Toronto Raptors a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference.

That same defeat dropped the Hornets to sixth place, and there is still plenty to be ironed out on their end in the season's final week and a half.

While the Raptors continue to prepare for a first-round playoff series that will start north of the border, the banged-up Hornets are hoping to jump back into position to secure their own home start when two of the East's hottest teams since the All-Star break meet in Toronto on Tuesday night.

With six games left and Cleveland holding a 3 1/2-game lead atop the East, Toronto (51-25) has started looking ahead to the postseason.

Coach Dwane Casey opted to rest DeMar DeRozan, and Kyle Lowry sat with an elbow injury in Saturday's 102-95 loss at San Antonio, relaying a message that healthy and rested players is more important than home-court advantage should the Raptors meet the Cavaliers in the conference finals.

Even with two All-Stars and a combined 45.2 points, 10.5 assists and 9.2 rebounds on the bench, the Atlantic Division winners put up a fight against the Spurs, who haven't lost at home in nearly a calendar year.

Rookie Norman Powell finished one point shy of his career high with 17, and Jonas Valanciunas and Cory Joseph added 16 apiece.

"I loved the fight. l loved the spirit," Casey told the team's official website. "The young guys came in and competed. You're talking about a potential championship team right there (in the Spurs) from top to bottom. We didn't back down."

Make no mistake, Toronto's championship chances hinge on DeRozan and Lowry, who are expected back in the lineup Tuesday when the Raptors try to improve on their 29-9 record at Air Canada Centre.

DeRozan totaled 54 points as Toronto split the first two games against Charlotte, and Lowry had 38, 18 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets (44-32) pulled out a 109-99 overtime home victory Dec. 17 behind Jeremy Lin's season-high 35 points and Kemba Walker's 27, but the Raptors won 104-94 in Toronto on Jan. 1 for their third victory in the last four games of this series.

Al Jefferson did not play in either matchup and Nicolas Batum missed the first. Jefferson sat out Sunday's 112-103 loss at Cleveland with a bruised thigh, and Batum did not return after spraining his knee in the first half.

Batum ranks second on the team behind Walker with 15.2 points per game, and coach Steve Clifford said he will be cautious with him down the stretch.

"It's not the time of year to be messing with it," Clifford said. "I don't think it will be anything long term, but we need him healthy. The priority will be him getting back to 100 percent before he plays again."

Charlotte is in a tight race in the Southeast, tied with Miami a half-game back of Atlanta. After Clifford congratulated his team for clinching a playoff berth during a shootaround early Sunday, the Hornets' loss later in the day dropped them from the No. 3 seed all the way back to sixth.

Walker scored 21 of his 29 in the second half and Marvin Williams added 22, though Charlotte's three-game win streak ended with just its sixth loss in the last 26 games.

Four of the Hornets' final six are away from home, where they've already played five of the last six. They're 4-2 during that stretch but just 16-21 on the road all season.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Pistons (41-36) at Heat (44-32)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Stan Van Gundy isn't usually a coach who shies away from telling it exactly like it is, but it's hard not to look at his take on the Detroit Pistons' playoff hopes as slightly pessimistic.

Barring a collapse, his team is headed for its first postseason appearance in seven years.

That could become a reality by the time the Pistons finish a back-to-back in South Florida, though the Miami Heat will surely have something to say about Tuesday night's first stop as they continue to fight for home-court advantage.

Detroit (41-36) didn't wrap up its first playoff trip since 2008-09 on Saturday in Chicago, but it made things a whole lot easier on itself heading into the final five games. The starters, who provide a league-high 74.9 percent of the Pistons' points, had all but 11 at the United Center in a 94-90 victory over the ninth-place Bulls.

Van Gundy's team is tied with Indiana for the seventh and eighth spots, and while Detroit would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Pacers, Saturday's win gave it the edge on Chicago along with a magic number of three.

"You like being ahead, but until we're in, I'm not the least bit comfortable," the coach told the team's official website. "The way this season has gone? It's up and down. And look who we have to play now."

A visit to Orlando on Wednesday will conclude the Pistons' 19th back-to-back of the season - no team will play more times on consecutive days than their 20 - and with the Bulls traveling to Memphis that night, Detroit could return home as a playoff team should these three results go its way.

"There's nothing easy and we've still got to get more wins," Van Gundy said after Saturday's victory. "I'm happy tonight with the win. It would've been a lot harder with a loss. In fact, it would've been a real uphill battle with a loss. So am I happy tonight? Yeah. But by (Sunday), no. I won't be the least bit comfortable. (Sunday), I'll be grumpy again."

The Heat (44-32) have the Pistons to thank for clinching a spot in the playoffs Saturday - the win in Chicago punched Miami's ticket - but they went out and played like a team with little motivation to wrap up a 1-2 road trip with a 110-93 loss to Portland.

'With this organization, we always have big expectations, that doesn't change from year to year,' coach Erik Spoelstra said. 'So, getting over that hurdle does mean something to us, but we still have more that we're working on for right now and that's really what we're focused on."

Dwyane Wade missed the final two games on the trip with back and neck injuries suffered in Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, though he said he was feeling better prior to the game in Portland.

Miami still has plenty to play for as part of a four-team cluster separated by a half-game that's battling for the third and fourth spots in the Eastern Conference.

Assuming Wade plays, the Heat could certainly use more than he gave them in the first two games this season against Detroit. Wade was held to two points in a 104-81 loss Nov. 25 - his lowest total ever in at least 20 minutes - and then shot 8 of 21 in a 93-92 home defeat Dec. 22.

A chunk of the credit for those wins goes to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope despite an ugly 7-for-28 shooting line. He hit the winning 3-pointer in the final minute of the December victory, and held Heat players to 6-of-24 shooting between the two games when he was the primary defender - which he often was on Wade.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Suns (20-57) at Hawks (45-32)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

After their momentum was halted by back-to-back losses to the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to regroup in what appears to be a less-challenging matchup.

However, nothing came easy when they last faced the lowly Phoenix Suns.

Kent Bazemore says he'll play Tuesday night when the host Hawks try resume their push for the third seed and avoid their longest skid in six weeks.

X-rays were negative after Bazemore suffered a left wrist injury in Friday's 110-108 overtime home loss to Cleveland. The starting forward, who finished with seven points and 12 rebounds, said he's sore but won't miss any playing time.

Atlanta soared into the third spot with a 14-3 surge but slid back into a tie with Boston for that seed with Wednesday's 105-97 loss at second-place Toronto and Friday's defeat, in which the club's rally from a 21-point deficit fell short.

'Obviously, those games kind of gauge where you're at and we lost them both,' said guard Kyle Korver, who had 14 points and four 3-pointers against the Cavaliers.

Among four teams separated by a half-game between third and sixth place, Atlanta (45-32) has an opportunity to regain sole possession of third Tuesday before taking on the Raptors, Celtics and Cavaliers in its next three.

Finishing third could be crucial since the Hawks wouldn't have to face a Cleveland team that has beaten them six straight times - including last postseason - until a potential conference finals rematch.

Atlanta, which hasn't lost three in a row since Feb. 19-22, also has a half-game lead over Miami and Charlotte in the Southeast as it tries to win back-to-back division titles for the first time since a four-year run from 1957-61, when the team played in St. Louis.

After totaling 18 points in his previous two games, Paul Millsap bounced back to score a season-high 29 on Friday. He did not play Jan. 23, when Archie Goodwin finished with 24 and made a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left to give Phoenix a 98-95 victory.

Atlanta will have to keep the Suns (20-57) off the glass in this contest after they held a 52-43 rebounding advantage in the first meeting. Tyson Chandler pulled down a franchise record-tying 27 boards, while Alex Len had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Chandler had 21 points and 18 boards in Phoenix's sixth consecutive defeat Sunday, 101-86 to visiting Utah. He's averaged 15 points and 15.3 rebounds in posting three consecutive double-doubles and has averaged 23 boards in his last three against Atlanta.

"It's about going out there and getting better," Chandler said.

Mirza Teletovic has provided a spark for the banged-up Suns by averaging 18.8 points in his last six games. Brandon Knight has been ruled out for the season due to a sports hernia, while Jon Leuer is likely to miss his third straight due to a right ankle sprain.

'I can't live with myself putting our players at risk for further injury just to secure a job,' interim coach Earl Watson said.

Atlanta's Jeff Teague has heated up by averaging 24 points in his last three games, but he's averaged 11 and 35.9 percent shooting in his past three against Phoenix.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Bulls (39-38) at Grizzlies (41-36)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It's been eight years since the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls both missed the postseason, but that's the direction both former defensive-minded clubs could be headed.

Injuries have taken their toll on sinking Memphis, while similar setbacks have left Chicago's playoff hopes on life support.

The Grizzlies try for a home win over the Bulls on Tuesday night that they feel will help reverse their bad fortune while Chicago looks to continue its push to get back into playoff position.

Memphis, seeking a sixth straight playoff appearance, had a nine-game lead for a spot March 4. The loss of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Brandan Wright and P.J. Hairston have since caught up with the club, fifth in the West, during a six-game losing streak and 4-12 stretch.

"We can sit here and rah-rah and motivate and say what we need to do, but until we get it done on the court all the motivational speeches don't matter," veteran swingman Vince Carter said. "We just have to get over the hump. (Injuries are) not an excuse now."

The Grizzlies (41-36) allowed an average of 99.3 points in their first 61 games but have surrendered 107.6 over the last 16. They allowed host Orlando to shoot 47.8 percent and post a 28-8 advantage on fast-break points in their sixth straight loss, 119-107 on Sunday.

In the midst of its worst losing streak since a seven-game skid in November 2009, Memphis' once-comfortable lead has dwindled to three games over ninth-place Houston with five left. The club's advantage over sixth-place Portland is down to a half-game.

"We are playing for a playoff spot and to stay in the playoffs so we just have to figure it out," Carter said. "It (stinks) and there is a dark cloud over us right now but we can still see the light of day.

"It is still possible. We just have to win a couple of games and everything should feel a little better. We just have to stay the course."

The Bulls' situation is considerably more dire as they try to avoid missing the postseason for the first time since 2007-08. Chicago (39-38) is two games out of the final spot in the East.

Since a four-game losing streak put a serious dent in its postseason chances, Chicago has won three of four.

Jimmy Butler is certainly doing all he can, following up a 28-point, 17-rebound, 12-assist effort in a 94-90 home loss to eighth-place Detroit on Saturday with 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting in Sunday's 102-98 win at Milwaukee.

'They don't go by points for who's in the eighth seed. It's all about winning and losing,' Butler said. 'If we continue to win, hopefully we'll find ourselves in the postseason."

Derrick Rose is questionable for this contest after missing the past two with an elbow injury, while Taj Gibson is doubtful after sitting out the last three with a broken rib.

Since surrendering an average of 107.4 points while losing 18 of 28, the Bulls have tightened up defensively by allowing 97 per game over their last four. They limited Memphis to 42.1 percent shooting in a 98-85 win in the first meeting Dec. 16.

Butler led the way with 24 points in that contest and has averaged 28.5 in his last two at FedExForum.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Cavaliers (55-22) at Bucks (32-45)

Date: April 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Through all the uncertainty surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving continue to insist they're ready for the postseason.

It may be tough for some to believe, especially given Irving's recent injury, though the Cavaliers can inch closer to securing the Eastern Conference's top seed with their third straight win over the host Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

A couple days after Irving said the Cavaliers (55-22) were the "team to beat" - not really clarifying if he meant in the East or the entire league - James issued his own concise postseason statement following Sunday's 112-103 win over Charlotte.

"If it started tomorrow, we'd be ready to go," James said after Cleveland's third straight victory.

The Cavaliers lead Toronto in the East by 3 1/2 games with five left, though the Raptors have a game in hand and hold the tiebreaker, keeping Cleveland from a clinching scenario Tuesday.

James' assuredness comes without knowing if Irving will be available against the last-place Bucks (32-45). The three-time All-Star sprained his right ankle late in the first half of Friday's 110-108 overtime win at Atlanta, and soreness and swelling kept him out against the Hornets.

Irving played in the second half and extra period against the Hawks, though it seemed the Cavaliers were playing it safe two days later. Coach Tyronn Lue said he doesn't know if Irving will require more rest.

Lue has rested his star players down the stretch, including James twice in the last three weeks. The four-time MVP has responded well, averaging 28.6 points, 9.6 assists and 8.9 rebounds while playing in seven games during a 6-2 stretch. He has two triple-doubles in that span and just missed two more over the weekend.

After going for 29 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and nine assists in Atlanta, James logged 31 points, 12 assists and eight boards against Charlotte.

"I think he's been leading by example knowing that the playoffs are coming up and we have to get ready for this stretch," Lue told the team's official website. "I think he's done a great job of setting the tone for us."

The Cavaliers, who are 23-15 on the road, have games remaining against three possible first-round opponents - Indiana, Chicago and Detroit - with another against an Atlanta team that could line up in the second round.

First, they'll try to win the four-game season series against Milwaukee.

James has averaged 30 points, 9 rebounds and 6.3 assists and Kevin Love 23.3 points and 13 rebounds in this series, helping Cleveland to back-to-back wins. The Cavs, who were without Irving in the first two, have won four of the last five meetings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 24.3 points against Cleveland this season, and he logged his second straight big game in Sunday's 102-98 loss to Chicago. He had a career-high 34 points, nine assists and five rebounds two days after posting his fifth triple-double in a 113-110 win over Orlando.

Jabari Parker chipped in 24 points against the Bulls, but Milwaukee's two-game winning streak was snapped as leading scorer Khris Middleton sat with a strained left thigh while the Bucks fell to 23-16 at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

"We missed Khris," Antetokounmpo said. "I told (Parker) before the game we have to be aggressive, we have to push the team. We have to make the other guys play hard and just try to compete."

Milwaukee made only 2 of 7 from 3-point range, the third-lowest total attempted in a game by any team this season. It is unclear if Middleton will be available Tuesday.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Spurs (64-12) at Jazz (39-38)

Date: April 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

In their bid to secure their first playoff berth in four years, the Utah Jazz may benefit from the San Antonio Spurs likely caring about only one thing.

That would be the first unbeaten home season in NBA history, so Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is likely to rest the meat of his lineup when his team visits the Jazz on Tuesday night with little to play for in the opener of a three-game trip.

With this contest and a visit to Denver sandwiching Thursday's matchup at Golden State, there's no reason for Popovich to give heavy minutes to Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili against the Jazz or Nuggets.

Sure, the Spurs (64-12) have a mathematical chance to catch the Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference, but it's highly unlikely.

Utah (39-38), on the other hand, is battling Dallas and Houston for the West's final two postseason berths. The Jazz are tied with the Mavericks and a game ahead of Houston, and the Texas rivals are set for a crucial matchup in Dallas on Wednesday night.

If Utah can finish above both and claim seventh place, a matchup awaits against the Spurs, who swept the Jazz out of the postseason in the first round in 2011-12.

All three teams have five games remaining and each took care of business Sunday, when Utah put its stout defense on full display in Phoenix with a 101-86 victory over the Suns that was its fourth in five games.

Gordon Hayward led five players in double figures with 22 points and the Jazz forced Phoenix into 8-of-27 shooting from long range and 21 turnovers that led to 26 points.

"It's our defense. We know that's our calling card," said Rodney Hood, who had 18 points and seven assists. "We're really helping each other out and making people take tough shots and we're just living with the results."

Utah is second to San Antonio (92.6) at 95.9 points allowed per game, but it's been even better at 88.9 during its 10-3 surge into contention. The only teams to top 100 in those 13 games are Oklahoma City (113) and Golden State, which needed overtime for 103.

The Jazz may be playing outstanding defense, but that hasn't been the case while losing the first three matchups against the Spurs this season. San Antonio has averaged 112.3 points while holding Utah to 85.7, a differential of 26.6 that is the Spurs' largest against a West opponent this season.

Hayward was held in check with 11 points per game on 32.4 percent shooting in those contests, while Hood averaged just 8.3 and shot 33.3 percent.

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, Utah has lost 16 of 20 against San Antonio with all the victories coming in Salt Lake City.

Losing to the Spurs on their home floor is a league-wide epidemic, one the Raptors got a taste of in Sunday's 102-95 loss as San Antonio improved to 39-0 at AT&T Center. Leonard had a career-high 33 points and Aldridge had 31 points and 15 rebounds to help the Spurs set a franchise record for wins in a season.

San Antonio is trying to top the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, who went 40-1 at home, and they'll certainly have to earn it with their final two home games coming against the Warriors and Thunder.

"We don't pay attention, nor are allowed to care," guard Danny Green said. "It's fun to be a part of something big, or be a part of history or make history, but we're looking at the bigger pictures."

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Thunder (53-24) at Nuggets (32-46)

Date: April 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder have blown more fourth-quarter leads than any team in the league, but Russell Westbrook doesn't seem too concerned after the latest such slip-up, even with the playoffs looming.

The Thunder usually haven't had that problem in recent matchups with the Denver Nuggets and will try to extend their dominance in the series Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City (53-24) failed to hold on to a lead in the final period for the 13th time in Sunday's 118-110 defeat at Houston.

The Rockets outscored the Thunder 21-8 in the final 5:40. They also finished with 21 second-chance points and scored 25 off Oklahoma City's 21 turnovers, its most in 12 games.

"I don't agree with us 'losing the lead' if we're up two points going into the fourth quarter because, to me, that's not losing the lead," said Westbrook, who finished one assist shy of his 17th triple-double this season. "To me, that doesn't make any sense. I think we've been doing a good job of playing well and closing out games, so I'm not worried about that."

Oklahoma City will seek to bounce back with a sixth consecutive win over the Nuggets (32-46) and the franchise's first season sweep of Denver since 1997-98 when it was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Thunder won the last matchup 110-104 at Denver on Jan. 19, overcoming a 6-for-28 performance from 3-point range.

The Nuggets enter having lost four of five, and they've dropped back-to-back games against short-handed teams that are below them in the Western Conference standings. They lost 101-95 in New Orleans on Thursday and two nights later fell 115-106 to visiting Sacramento, which used eight players, resting DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo.

"You look at the last two games, we played against a depleted Pelicans team, got our butts kicked," said guard Will Barton, who has eight points on 0-of-17 shooting in the past two contests. "Tonight we played a depleted Sacramento team and got our butts kicked. It's a terrible effort. Just a bad effort."

The Nuggets were abysmal in the fourth quarter in those two, totaling 35 points on 26.7 percent shooting, including 2 of 16 from 3-point range.

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant has scored at least 20 points in 61 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak since the NBA-ABA merger. He is closing in on Kobe Bryant's 63-game run for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005-06.

Durant has scored 20-plus points in 25 straight matchups with Denver, including the playoffs. The last time he failed to reach that mark against the Nuggets was a 19-point effort March 3, 2010.

Durant has averaged 32.5 points in his last four games in Denver, while Westbrook is averaging 28.5 points on 52.5 percent shooting in his last two in the series.

Oklahoma City can wrap up the Western Conference's No. 3 seed with a win or a Los Angeles Clippers defeat against the Lakers on Tuesday night.

The Nuggets have lost their past two home games after winning five in a row, their longest streak in two seasons.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:53 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Trail Blazers (41-37) at Kings (31-46)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After Stephen Curry and mighty Golden State ended their run, the Portland Trail Blazers hope to find the going easier against Seth Curry and the Sacramento Kings.

The Blazers will try to bounce back while inching closer to a playoff berth Tuesday night when they visit Sacramento, which has played well lately despite little incentive to do so.

Stephen Curry finished with 38 points on Sunday when the Warriors snapped Portland's four-game winning streak with a 136-111 home victory. The Blazers (41-37), however, remained just a half game behind free-falling fifth-place Memphis.

Now they have an opportunity to move three games ahead of ninth-place Houston, which will still have five games left after Tuesday. That seems to be incentive enough for coach Terry Stotts to play his starters down the stretch.

"The goal is to win every game," Stotts told the team's official website.

Portland's position is somewhat surprising after losing four starters from a team that won 51 games and ended up with the West's fifth-best record last season. Damian Lillard, the lone returning starter, believes there's motivation to finish fifth again.

"I think it would say a lot about how hard our team worked if we can finish in the same spot that we finished in last season," he said. "If we finish the right way and have our minds right then that's definitely a possibility."

There doesn't appear to be much of a difference in the potential matchups. The Blazers were blown out twice in three meetings with Oklahoma City and dropped the last three of their four-game season series with the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Every matchup is going to be tough in the playoffs," CJ McCollum said. "We're going to have our hands full. We just want to give ourselves the best chance."

Portland should be able to take a step forward eight days after building a 28-point lead in cruising to a 105-93 home win over the Kings. Allen Crabbe led the way with 21 points off the bench as the Blazers were able to rest starters in the fourth quarter.

Lillard has averaged 30.7 points while hitting 14 of 26 from 3-point range in his last three trips to Sacramento (31-46). He got back on track Sunday with 38 points and four 3s after averaging 15.8 points on 29.3 percent shooting over his previous five games.

Seth Curry, Stephen's younger brother, had a team-high 21 points last week when the Kings played without Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo. All three could be available after Cousins and Rondo were rested in Saturday's 115-106 win at Denver.

Sacramento, currently with the eighth-worst record in the league, loses its first-round pick to Chicago if it falls outside the top 10.

Cousins has averaged 30.3 points over his past four at home against the Blazers.

Gay led the way with 25 points and Curry added 17 on Saturday for Sacramento, which has averaged 113.8 per game while winning four of the past six. Gay has totaled 45 points and 22 rebounds and Curry has scored a combined 38 over the past two.

'You have to play with the guys available,' Gay said. 'It was a back-to-back (on Saturday) and guys came in and kept our play at the same level.'

With Lillard sidelined on Dec. 27, McCollum stepped up with 35 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a 98-94 win in the most recent meeting at Sacramento.

Portland has won five in a row and nine of the past 11 in this series.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:53 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Timberwolves (25-52) at Warriors (69-8)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Seventy is a number long sought by NBA teams, but accomplished by only one.

The Golden State Warriors have the chance to make it two Tuesday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves and continue their chase of the standard set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.

With the prospect of losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Warriors (69-8) put forth one of their best offensive efforts of the season in a campaign full of them, overwhelming Portland 136-111 on Sunday. The Warriors became the first team to reach 1,000 3-pointers in a season when Curry connected in the second quarter, and they finished 18 of 30 from beyond the arc.

Golden State needs to go 4-1 to surpass Chicago's revered 72-10 mark, yet Curry and coach Steve Kerr weren't talking about joining the Bulls as the only team to reach 70 wins at practice Monday. Instead, both spoke with pride about having the chance to be the first team to go an entire season without losing two games in a row.

"With five games left we still have a piece of the regular season to finish off, but not losing two in a row is special," said Curry, who needs 22 3-pointers to finish with a once-unfathomable 400. "Last year it was not lose three in a row and we were able to accomplish that. Every time we had a loss we've been able to bounce back and have a top-notch performance. ... When we take a punch, we learn from it and be aggressive the next opportunity like last night."

"It's incredible, it's never been done before," added Kerr, a guard on that 1995-96 Bulls team. "It just shows the consistency and the will, the competitiveness. ... it's an amazing feat if we can pull it off through 82 games."

Curry and Klay Thompson alone have combined for 640 3-pointers - far above the 544 Kerr's Bulls sank in their title-winning season. A good portion of those makes are due to Draymond Green's all-around game. To go with his 13 triple-doubles, Green is the only player in NBA history with 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a season, and the Warriors are shooting 55.4 percent on his passes that could be assists.

"He breaks defenses down like Steph does," Kerr explained. "Often times Steph breaks it down to start with and gives it to Draymond in a position to drive. Obviously a lot of what we do goes through those two players, and Draymond is frequently attacking, gets the defense on his heels and finds the open shooter."

Andrew Wiggins likely will get the first crack at trying to contain Green for the Timberwolves (25-52), who aim to avoid a fourth straight loss. He had 30 points while rookie Karl-Anthony Towns added 11 and 21 rebounds, but an inability to guard on the perimeter weighed heavily in an 88-78 loss to Dallas on Sunday night.

Minnesota allowed 14 3-pointers as guards Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris combined to make 12 of 26. The Wolves are 10-24 when opponents reach double figures in 3-pointers, with the Warriors posting a 129-116 win Nov. 12 after making 18 of 38 from beyond the arc.

"They had a lot of tap-outs, offensive rebounds and I think we got 20-something points off of it and six threes off of it," Wiggins told the team's official website. "I think that right there is a game changer."

Golden State held off Minnesota 109-104 in the most recent meeting March 21 when Thompson went 5 of 5 from long distance while Green had 24 points and six assists. The Wolves got all but 16 of their points from Wiggins, Towns, Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine.

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:53 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: Lakers (16-60) at Clippers (48-28)

Date: April 05, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

There's no doubt Kobe Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers continue a winning tradition that has resulted in 16 NBA titles for the franchise.

There's also no question the best team in town is currently the Los Angeles Clippers, who just welcomed Blake Griffin back to their lineup.

Bryant will play as a visitor for the final time in this rivalry Tuesday night in the opener of a home-and-home set, with the Clippers having won nine straight over the Lakers.

The Lakers (16-60) were the toast of town and the Clippers (48-28) a league laughingstock when Bryant began his career in 1996-97. He won his first 11 starts against the Clippers, who finished last in the seven-team Pacific Division between 1997-2000.

Now the tables have turned, with the Lakers on the verge of matching the franchise record for losses set last year. The Clippers' nine-game win streak in this series has seen Bryant, oft-injured in the final stages of his career, play three times.

"They're the better team, there's no doubt about that right now," Lakers coach Byron Scott said. "We know that we have to come in tomorrow and we gotta play a great game against a great team, we've gotta get Chris Paul in check somehow, we've got to keep (DeAndre Jordan) off the boards, we gotta keep them out of their running game."

It'll be a game-time decision as usual whether Bryant plays, though the Clippers are eager to see him in this set that concludes Wednesday. Coach Doc Rivers guided Boston when the Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals and lost in seven games in 2010.

"Just the 2008 series. Something happened in 2010, I don't remember what happened there," said Rivers when asked about those years. "I just remember how hard he was every night. I mean, he was just tough, physically. I thought both of those series, the mental part of Kobe is what stood out."

Rivers was thrilled to see Griffin back on the floor Sunday for his first action since a 94-84 road win over the Lakers on Dec. 25. The forward had six points and five boards in 24 minutes in a 114-109 victory over Washington.

'It was a blast being back out there,' Griffin said. 'My rhythm was pretty bad, conditioning was a little bit better than I thought it would be, but not great."

Bryant turned back the clock a bit with his second-highest point total of the season with 34 in Sunday's 107-100 home defeat to the Celtics. He was far from efficient, making 11 of 28 shots and ranks second-worst among qualifying players at 35.6 percent from the field and last on 3-pointers at 28.4.

The Clippers feature the leaders in both categories, with Jordan shooting 70.2 percent and J.J. Redick at 47.1 on 3s.

Scott plans to rest veterans Brandon Bass and Lou Williams for the remainder of the season to give younger players more minutes. Nick Young, who has missed the last 11 games, is also unlikely to see action in the wake of the D'Angelo Russell video scandal.

"Right now, I know what he's going through, and I know it's hard on him," Scott said about Young. "But right now he's not here with us, mentally, and there's no need for me to put him out there on the floor."

**TheGame** · 04-05-2016, 07:54 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

NBA Odds: Tuesday, April 5 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to avoid tying the NBA single-season record of 73 losses, set by their 1972-73 forefathers in Philly, it's probably going to be this week or never. The Sixers host the Pelicans on Tuesday, and New Orleans actually has fewer good players at this point than Philly does due to injury. You could probably score a ticket to that game for $1 on StubHub. Then Philly hosts the Knicks on Friday and Bucks on Sunday. Also losing teams, although both certainly better than the Pelicans. The 76ers close with road games in Toronto and Chicago, and I see no chance for wins there unless the Raptors and Bulls punt on those. It's an unusually busy Tuesday schedule because the NBA went dark on Monday in deference to the NCAA Championship Game.

Pelicans at 76ers (-2.5, 204)

Injury-ravaged New Orleans won a second straight Sunday, 106-87 in Brooklyn. Someone named Tim Frazier -- I actually do remember him at Penn State; he went undrafted out of there in 2014 -- had 19 points and 13 assists for the Pelicans. Philly dropped a 12th straight Saturday, 115-102 at home to Indiana. The Sixers actually had a six-point lead in the fourth quarter. Nerlens Noel missed a sixth straight game with a right knee contusion and Hollis Thompson was a late scratch with an illness. Noel is listed as questionable here. The Pelicans won the first meeting 121-114. Former 76er Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson combined for 50 points but are both now done for the season.

Key trends: The Pelicans are 1-5 against the spread in their past six Tuesday games. The 76ers are 5-2 ATS in their past seven after an ATS loss. The "over/under" has gone under in four straight New Orleans games. The under is 4-0 in the Sixers' past four vs. the West.

Early lean: Wow, Philly is favored! Can't do it. Go Pelicans and under.

Hornets at Raptors (-5.5, 202)

Charlotte had a three-game winning streak snapped in a 112-93 loss at Cleveland on Sunday. Kemba Walker had 29 points in a losing effort. Al Jefferson sat with a bruised thigh and Nic Batum hurt his knee in the first half and didn't return. I doubt you see him here. Toronto lost 102-95 in San Antonio on Saturday. As I predicted, the Raptors essentially waived the white flag in the second of a back-to-back and rested All-Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The Raptors got good news Monday with DeMarre Carroll practicing in full, but he's not likely to play here. He hasn't played since Jan. 3 and had knee surgery shortly after that. These teams have split two meetings this season. The Raptors have won two straight at home vs. Charlotte.

Key trends: The Hornets are 11-3 ATS in their past 14 in Toronto. The over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings.

Early lean: Raptors and over if DeRozan and Lowry play.

Pistons at Heat (TBA)

Detroit got a very big win in Chicago on Saturday that is going to make it hard for the Bulls to beat out the Pistons for a playoff spot. The Pistons would now win any tiebreaker against Chicago. The Andre Drummond free-throw experiment just gets worse. He was 1-for-10 from the stripe vs. the Bulls and is now being pulled late in games. How is it possible he's hitting only 35.4 percent from there this season? Miami played a second straight game without Dwyane Wade on Saturday and lost 110-93 in Portland. He'll be a game-time call here. Detroit leads the series 2-0.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in Detroit's past four. It's 4-1 in Miami's past five.

Early lean: Wait on Wade.

Suns at Hawks (-15, 206)

Phoenix has said goodbye to guard Brandon Knight for the rest of the season due to a sports hernia. Might as well shut him down with nothing to play for. Knight missed seven weeks for the sports hernia from Jan. 21 to March 9. He aggravated the problem last Wednesday. Phoenix has lost six straight games. Atlanta lost a second straight Friday, 110-108 in OT at home against Cleveland. Al Horford was 0-for-6 from 3-point range and missed one at the end of OT. Kent Bazemore took a scary fall but X-rays on his wrist were negative. He says he's playing here. Phoenix won the first meeting 98-95 on an Archie Goodwin game-winner.

Key trends: The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Suns and under.

Bulls at Grizzlies (TBA)

Chicago pretty much has to win out for any shot at the playoffs, and even that might not be enough. The Bulls are off a 102-98 win in Milwaukee on Sunday. Derrick Rose was out with an elbow injury as was Taj Gibson with a broken rib. You won't see Gibson here and Rose is questionable to play in the city where he starred for one year in college. Memphis lost a sixth straight Sunday, 119-107 in Orlando. It's the franchise's longest skid since November 2009. Chicago won the first meeting 98-85 on Dec. 16. The Bulls have won two straight in Memphis as well.

Key trends: The road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 17-4 in Memphis' past 21 at home vs. teams with a losing road record.

Early lean: Wait on Rose.

Cavaliers at Bucks (TBA)

Cleveland won a third in a row Sunday, 112-103 over Charlotte. LeBron James has really raised his game of late and had 31 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving got the game off with a sprained ankle. No reason to rush him back now that Cleveland is all but a lock for the top seed in the East. Milwaukee's two-game winning streak ended in a 102-98 home loss to Chicago on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 34 points. The Bucks played without leading scorer Khris Middleton due to a thigh injury. He's iffy here. Cleveland leads the season series 2-1. It lost the one game in Milwaukee in double overtime.

Key trends: The Cavs are 2-6 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 10-1 in the previous 11 in Milwaukee.

Early lean: Seems like a game the Cavs might rest some guys, so wait for that.

Thunder at Nuggets (+8.5, 219)

Oklahoma City lost at Houston 118-110 on Sunday. It was the Thunder's league-leading 13th loss this season in a game it led in the fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook was one assist shy of his 17th triple-double of the season. Denver lost 115-106 at home to Sacramento on Saturday even though the Kings were without DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo. Darrell Arthur missed the game for Denver with sore knees. Jusuf Nurkic returned from a three-game illness absence. The Thunder are 3-0 vs. Denver this season and have won five straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The home team is 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine meetings. The over is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Thunder if they play everyone and over.

Spurs at Jazz (+3, 185.5)

San Antonio won a third in a row Saturday, 102-95 over Toronto to stay unbeaten at home. Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 33 points as the Spurs set a franchise record with their 64th win of the season. I would be totally stunned if San Antonio plays all its key guys here and with a trip to Golden State coming Thursday. If Tim Duncan plays, he's one win from 1,000 career victories. His 999 wins are the most ever by a player with a single team. Utah won a second straight, 101-86 in Phoenix on Sunday. Gordon Hayward led five Utah players in double figures with 22 points. Derrick Favors returned after missing one game due to knee soreness. The Spurs are 3-0 vs. the Jazz this season.

Key trends: The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their past seven in Utah. The under is 8-1 in the previous nine meetings there.

Early lean: Jazz and under.

Trail Blazers at Kings (+2.5, 222)

Portland's four-game winning streak ended in a 136-111 loss at Golden State on Sunday. Damian Lillard scored 38 points to lead the Blazers. Sacramento won in Denver 115-106 on Saturday despite leaving Cousins and Rondo home for the one-game trip. Rudy Gay had 25 points. I presume both Cousins and Rondo will play here. Portland is 3-0 vs. the Kings this season and looking for its first sweep since 2009-10.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 8-1 in Portland's past nine road games.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

Timberwolves at Warriors (-17, 225.5)

Minnesota lost a third in a row Sunday, 88-78 to Dallas. Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 11 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists for the Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio left late after getting hit in the face. It's not likely to keep him out here. Golden State bounced back from its first home loss of the season Friday against Boston with a 25-point home win over Portland on Sunday. Steph Curry had 39 points. Draymond Green added 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his 13th triple-double. That was win No. 69 for the Warriors, tying for the second-most all-time. Festus Ezeli returned from a 31-game absence and played nine minutes. Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala both missed the game but practiced Monday and thus could play here. Golden State has won seven straight vs. Minnesota.

Key trends: The Wolves are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 7-2 in the previous nine in Golden State.

Early lean: Wolves and over.

Lakers at Clippers (-13.5, 207)

The Lakers lost 107-100 at home to Boston on Sunday despite 34 points from Kobe Bryant, his second-highest total of the season. Lou Williams got a DNP-CD and Coach Bryon Scott says he doesn't expect Williams to play the rest of the way. Scott also said he's resting Larry Nance here in the first of a back-to-back as these teams play again Wednesday. The Clippers beat Washington 114-109 on Sunday in Blake Griffin's return. He had six points and five rebounds in 24 minutes. Griffin hadn't played since Christmas. Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin will sit out at least one of the team's final six regular-season games.

Key trends: The Lakers are 3-11 ATS in the past 14 when they are a visitor in this series. The under is 5-0 in the past five.

Early lean: Clippers and under.

**Satch** · 04-05-2016, 09:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Preview: New Orleans At Philadelphia
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The New Orleans Pelicans possess their first winning streak in well over a month and have a great chance to extend it to three when they visit the reeling Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. A 106-87 win in Brooklyn on Sunday gave the Pelicans their first set of consecutive victories since a two-game spurt Feb. 19-21, which involved a win over the 76ers.
Tim Frazier, one of several Pelicans afforded increased playing time with a host of regulars on the sidelines in street clothes, had 19 points and 13 assists against the Nets. “I’ve got the opportunity with New Orleans for the rest of the year,” Frazier told reporters after his 10th game since joining New Orleans. “I think we’ve got six or seven games left and you want to finish on the highest note that you can.” That seems like an impossibility for the 76ers, who have dropped 12 in a row and still need one win in the final five games to avoid matching their own NBA record for the worst mark in a season (9-73 in 1972-73). “Perhaps it gets a little deflating, but our guys are still there,” 76ers coach Brett Brown told the media in the wake of a 115-102 loss to Indiana on Saturday. “We will see everybody soon, and we will play hard like we did tonight, when we see New Orleans.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE PELICANS (29-47): Frazier has scored in double figures in nine of his 10 games with New Orleans after doing so a total of four times in previous career stops with Philadelphia and Portland. Luke Babbitt accompanied Frazier’s surge with one of his own as he is averaging 13.1 points as a starter and has consecutive 20-point efforts for the first time in his six-year career. Alexis Ajinca has been stealing minutes from starting center Omer Asik and is averaging 14.2 points over a six-game span.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (9-68): Nerlens Noel has missed six straight games with a knee contusion and fellow forward Richaun Holmes has sat out four in a row with an Achilles issue. Veteran Carl Landry has picked up much of the slack along the front line with an average of 15.4 points over the course of an eight-game stretch. Isaiah Canaan led the way against the Pacers with 24 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor following a 13-of-50 slump in the previous five contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Frazier has 21 assists against two turnovers in the Pelicans’ two-game winning streak.
2. 76ers SF Robert Covington has taken 31 3-pointers in the last three games and just three shots inside the arc.
3. In their 121-114 win over Philadelphia earlier this season, the Pelicans received 101 points from players who are currently injured.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 104, 76ers 98

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 4/5

NBA Betting Info. 4/5

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment