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**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

NBA notebook: Spurs' Ginobili out 4-6 weeks
By The Sports Xchange

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will be sidelined four to six weeks after undergoing surgery for a testicular injury on Thursday.
Ginobili was injured during Wednesday's victory over New Orleans when he took a knee in the groin area from Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson.
Ginobili, 38, is averaging 10 points off the bench.
Spurs center Tim Duncan (knee) is also ailing and has missed six of the past seven games.

--Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams was charged with drunk driving related to an incident on the night of Jan. 26 near Delaware, N.Y.
Williams, who served more than a year in prison for the 2002 accidental shooting death of a limo driver, crashed his vehicle in the upstate town located about 95 miles northwest of New York City.
Reports state that Williams hit a utility pole along a rural road. Williams, 47, told police he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
Williams played nine NBA seasons, the last seven with the New Jersey Nets. He retired in 1999.

--Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones will miss Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns after being involved in a car accident.
Jones was hospitalized overnight on Wednesday after the accident. It occurred as he was on the way to the airport to catch the team's flight to Phoenix.
The team hasn't yet divulged what injuries Jones suffered.

--The Sacramento Kings assigned rookie forward Duje Dukan to the Reno Bighorns of the D-League, the team announced.
Dukan has recently been sidelined with a bruised bone in his lower leg.
Dukan is averaging 13.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in nine games for the Bighorns.

---The Miami Heat re-assigned forward/center Jarnell Stokes to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat announced.
Stokes has played in six NBA games this season for Miami and Memphis, averaging a combined 1.0 points and 2.5 minutes in those six games.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Heat (28-22) at Hornets (24-25)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A recent surge has helped the Miami Heat survive the NBA's most miserable road stretch this season, though they will likely still welcome the final game with open arms.

The Heat finish a grueling month-long stint with Friday night's visit to the Charlotte Hornets, who may again be without their leading scorer.

Miami's current stretch that dates back to Jan. 8 would be considered one monster road trip if not for home contests on Jan. 19 and 31. The rest of the 29-day period is filled with 14 road games.

The Heat (28-22) opened 2-7 but have won five of their last six games, including victories in four of five away from home. They close a three-game road trip at Southeast Division foe Charlotte before playing five of six at home.

The latest trip started with Tuesday's 115-102 loss at Houston that snapped Miami's season-high four-game winning streak. The Heat surrendered a season-high point total as the Rockets shot 52.4 percent, but they returned to their winning formula in Wednesday's 93-90 victory at Dallas.

Miami held the Mavericks to 39.1 percent shooting.

"It was a much better response to who we want to be on the road," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Coaches love these kind of games. Our confidence was in our feeling that we could get stops on the other end. That has to be who we become every single night."

The Heat are 14-1 when allowing 90 points or fewer, and 18-1 when opponents shoot 41 percent or worse.

Hassan Whiteside's presence in the middle helps. With Whiteside sidelined for six games due to a left hip injury, opponents averaged 98 points - up from the league's second best mark of 95.8 - but he immediately made an impact in his return against Dallas with 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in 17 minutes. Whiteside leads the league with 163 blocks.

Charlotte (24-25) has not had much luck scoring against Miami during a 3-19 stretch in this series. The Hornets have averaged 90.5 points during that time, though they have split the last six games while winning three in a row at home.

They failed to reach 100 points in this season's first two meetings, but won the second 99-81 in Charlotte on Dec. 9 - fueled by Nicolas Batum's triple-double of 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Batum has missed four games over the last two weeks with a toe injury, but the Hornets have won all four during a 5-2 stretch.

He was back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's 106-97 win over Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland to open a four-game homestand, though it was the absence of Kemba Walker that was of higher interest to the Hornets.

Walker missed his first game of the season with a sore left knee, and he is listed as questionable for Friday. He leads the Hornets with 20.2 points per game.

Jeremy Lin helped pick up the slack against the Cavaliers, finishing with 24 points, eight assists and five rebounds, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 11 points and 13 boards in his third game back from offseason shoulder surgery.

'Kemba, honestly, is irreplaceable. We all know that,' Lin said. '(But) we feel like if everyone can chip in a little bit, we can try to make up for his absence.'

Walker cut off a reporter's question at Friday's practice when asked if he will sit out the final four games before the All-Star break.

"No," he said. "No. I mean, no. No."

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Pacers (26-23) at Hawks (29-22)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Paul George might be in a shooting slump, but even his recent form has been better than his games this season against the Atlanta Hawks. Yet those uninspiring performances have garnered the Indiana Pacers a pair of home wins.

Even with strong showings from George or others, the Pacers have struggled in Atlanta for more than a decade heading into Friday night's meeting.

The Indiana wins this season have come despite its top scorer being limited to 20 points on 20.0 percent shooting, including a 111-92 victory Jan. 28 in which George was 2 of 11 and 1 of 7 from 3-point range. It was the first game on the Pacers' current run of winning three of four, which coincides with George's latest round of offensive struggles.

The forward scored 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting in Wednesday's 114-100 win in Brooklyn, and while a stretch of averaging 14.5 points and shooting 30.5 percent isn't personally encouraging, the Pacers (26-23) enjoying success regardless could be a positive.

Against the Nets, it was C.J. Miles stepping up with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 22 minutes off the bench after being limited to 4.4 points per game on 24.0 percent in his previous seven, seeing his minutes dwindle to a mere 11 in Monday's 111-106 overtime home loss to Cleveland.

"It's great," coach Frank Vogel told the team's official website. "That's who he is, he goes in and out. He slumps at times, but it usually comes back around and when he gets going, he's pretty unstoppable. He had a great performance."

Monta Ellis has averaged 20.5 points in the last four games, and emerging rookie center Myles Turner has scored 16.6 in his past nine while starting the last four. The Pacers' top draft choice didn't play more than 23 minutes in his first 18 games while averaging 5.9 points.

"If C.J. gets hot like he was in November, I get hot like I was in November, Monta continues to play well, Myles steps up and continues to play at a high level like he's doing, we get Ian (Mahinmi) back from injury, we get (Rodney) Stuckey back from injury, this team can be pretty scary," George said.

The Hawks (29-22) have won 16 of the last 18 regular-season meetings in Atlanta with two wins last season by an average of 14.5 points. George missed both as he rehabbed from his severely fractured leg.

Atlanta is looking for a third straight win after Wednesday's 124-86 victory in Philadelphia, and combined with a 112-97 home win over Dallas two days prior, the Hawks have shot 52.3 percent and hit 24 of 55 (43.6 percent) from 3-point range.

The bench scored 80 points against the 76ers - the team's highest total since 1987-88 - and Atlanta improved to 10-2 when its reserves top 40. In the consecutive wins, those players have shot 57.1 percent. In the preceding three losses, 33.3 and 18.5 from beyond the arc.

"The bench, more often than not, has been really good for us," said coach Mike Budenholzer, whose reserves rank fifth in field-goal percentage (45.2) but 20th in points (34.2). "They tend to do it with their defense. They have a real disruptive way about them and it leads to good offense, and our whole team feeds off of that."

The Hawks are seeking a return to consistency from leading scorer Paul Millsap, who's been held to 9.8 points on 33.3 percent shooting in his last four games dating to an ankle injury suffered against Indiana. He was limited to four points in 13 minutes and has averaged 10.6 points and shot 39.8 percent in the last nine meetings.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: 76ers (7-42) at Wizards (21-26)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

With their margin for error lessening with each mounting loss, the Washington Wizards need to take advantage of every remaining opportunity to extend their postseason streak.

They should have one when the NBA-worst Philadelphia 76ers visit Friday night.

Losses in seven of nine has Washington (21-26) near the bottom of a logjam of teams with a reasonable chance of earning the Eastern Conference's five playoff spots for non-division winners. The Wizards fell five games below .500 for the first time this season following Wednesday's matchup with league-leading Golden State, which received 51 points from Stephen Curry and went 20 of 42 from beyond the arc against the NBA's worst 3-point defense en route to a 134-121 win.

Washington can still take some positives from its eighth defeat in 10 home games, as it trailed the Warriors by just two when John Wall picked up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter, sparking a 22-13 Golden State run over the remainder of the period. Wall finished with a season-high 41 points and 10 assists and the Wizards scored 24 points off 18 takeaways while shooting 50.5 percent.

"I think we've just got to take the way we competed (Wednesday) and do that the rest of the season, whoever we play, (and) we'll give ourselves a lot of chances to win games," Wall said.

The Wizards have allowed 118.2 points per game over a 1-5 stretch, though their season-long defensive problems should be less of an issue against Philadelphia (7-42), the league's lowest-scoring team at 94.8 points per game. Washington is 17-5 when permitting 104 points or less, a mark the 76ers haven't reached in regulation in their last five road outings.

Philadelphia averaged 87.0 points and shot 35.7 percent in losing three of four to the Wizards last season. It owns the league's worst road record at 3-23 and is riding a three-game skid following Wednesday's 124-86 home loss to Atlanta.

After taking Golden State to the wire in a 108-105 defeat Saturday, the 76ers were never competitive in a game the Hawks led by as many as 43. Philadelphia committed 24 turnovers that led to 29 points and permitted 62 points in the paint as Atlanta scored at will.

'I just feel like we didn't come out with much energy on both sides of the ball ... I don't think anyone played that well," coach Brett Brown said. "As a group, we did not have much."

The 76ers' weakness in guarding the interior could provide a favorable matchup for Marcin Gortat, who's shooting 65.6 percent from the field over his last four. The center averaged a team-leading 17.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in the 2014-15 season series, highlighted by shooting 10 of 11 for 23 points to go with 14 boards in a 106-93 home win April 1.

Philadelphia has lost three straight in Washington and six of seven overall meetings.

Wizards coach Randy Wittman is expected to return to the bench after missing two games due to the death of his brother.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Clippers (32-17) at Magic (21-27)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers attributed a puzzling loss to the NBA's "silly season," and Chris Paul felt losing a winnable game could be damaging.

They have another such contest to start a four-game trip Friday night when they face a struggling Orlando Magic team that continues to endure tough luck.

Los Angeles (32-17) had a four-game win streak snapped with Wednesday's 108-102 home loss to Minnesota, which had lost 12 straight on the road and 14 in a row in the series. The Timberwolves shot 50.6 percent, becoming the first team in seven games to make at least half of their shots against the Clippers.

"Yeah, they happen, they happen and this is the silly season, the four or five games before the All-Star break so we have to be careful with that," Rivers said.

The Clippers were assessed three technical fouls, with one on Paul and two that forced the ejection of Austin Rivers.

It was just their second loss since the beginning of December to a team which currently has a losing record.

"This was a must-win for us, like every night is, and this can't happen so as a captain that's on me," said Paul, who had a team-high 22 points.

"We're already without 32, without Blake (Griffin), so games like this, winnable games, we gotta win 'em."

Los Angeles fell to 15-4 since it last played with Griffin. Reserve Jamal Crawford scored 21 and DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 18 boards.

The Clippers next face an Orlando team that is 2-14 since the start of January, with no NBA team posting a worse record. That doesn't mean that the Magic (21-27) are pushovers.

They fell 117-114 at Oklahoma City on Wednesday after failing to score over the final 2:31 and losing on Kevin Durant's 3-pointer with a half-second left. That wasted Victor Oladipo's 37 points, one shy of his career best.

"It's just heart-breaking really, honestly," Oladipo said.

Orlando has lost 10 of 11 with three of those defeats in overtime and three others by seven points or fewer.

"Just because you go through the experience doesn't mean you learn," coach Scott Skiles said. "You hope you learn from it."

The Magic are allowing an average of 112.3 points in their last seven games, including 12 quarters in which they have given up at least 30. Their opponents in the last three games are averaging 33.0 first-quarter points.

"We've just gotta do a better job defensively, especially coming out in the first half, they were scoring at will at one point," Oladipo said.

One bright spot has been the recent production from rookie Mario Hezonja, who has posted efforts of 16 and 17 points within the last three games for his highest-scoring performances.

Hezonja did not see action the last time these teams met Dec. 5. Orlando blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter in a 103-101 road loss.

Crawford scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter that night while Paul sat out with a rib injury. Oladipo scored a team-high 24 in the Magic's fourth straight loss to L.A.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Celtics (29-22) at Cavaliers (35-13)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Gaining confidence and in search of a test, the Boston Celtics are getting one of their biggest of the season Friday night.

The surging Celtics visit the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time since being swept in last year's playoffs.

Boston (29-22) has won 10 of 13, averaging 110.5 points after putting up 100.5 during a 6-9 stretch.

Defense was vital to the Celtics' seventh win in eight tries Wednesday, yielding 37.6 percent shooting on their way to beating Detroit 102-95.

Their attention, however, quickly turned to Cleveland (35-13), which beat them 89-77 in Boston on Dec. 15.

"They're No. 1 in the East right now, they're playing very well, so I'm interested to see how we go out and play against them," center Tyler Zeller told the team's official website. "We've got our work cut out for us, (but) we're playing well, and hopefully we can keep doing it."

The Celtics had season lows in points and field-goal percentage (32.2) in the first meeting while going 9 of 32 from 3-point range.

"I haven't seen them a lot since our game, but they handled us here," coach Brad Stevens said. "Obviously they have a few of the better players in the NBA, so it's going to be a heck of a challenge."

LeBron James is fifth in the NBA with 24.9 points per game, while Kevin Love is among the reboundings leaders with 10.6. They combined for 44 points and 15 boards in December.

James averaged 27.0 points in the playoff series, which saw Love (shoulder) get hurt in Game 4 and miss the rest of the Cavs' run to the NBA Finals.

Kyrie Irving missed this season's meeting with the Celtics recovering from knee surgery stemming from his injury in the finals. The guard has shown no lingering effects while averaging 25.0 points over the last four games.

Irving is averaging 22.9 points in 15 games against Boston, including a combined 56 in two home postseason contests.

Cleveland is trying to bounce back from Wednesday's 106-97 loss at Charlotte that ended a five-game winning streak. James, Love and Irving accounted for 61 points, but the Cavaliers were outscored 33-17 in the third quarter, two days after overcoming a 30-15 third to beat Indiana 111-106 in overtime.

They're shooting 12 of 42 during the third quarter in the last two games.

"We're (terrible) in the third quarter right now," James said. "We need to figure it out. I don't know what it is. I know coach (Tyronn Lue) and the coaching staff are trying to pinpoint what the case may be.

"We're doing a good job of playing great basketball in the first half, but our third quarters are pretty awful right now. We've got to figure that out."

The Celtics' Isaiah Thomas is averaging 12.4 points on 30.9 percent shooting over his last five regular-season meetings with the Cavs, making 3 of 15 shots in December.

Thomas' career-high 21.4 points per game is a big reason why he'll make his All-Star Game debut Feb. 14.

He's not putting too much importance on this matchup.

"It's the biggest game just because it's the next game," Thomas said. "No matter if we play Cleveland or somebody else, the next game is always the most important.

"We gotta go in there and handle business. We know it's gonna be probably a hostile environment. They're a great team, but we're not going to back down from anybody."

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:46 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Grizzlies (29-20) at Knicks (23-29)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Not long ago Marc Gasol was slumping, Jeff Green was an afterthought off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies were the worst offensive team in the Western Conference.

Now Gasol and Green are thriving with Memphis in the midst of a historic scoring run.

The reeling New York Knicks had no answer for Gasol last month and will face him Friday night after a difficult loss in the first of back-to-back games. They're looking to avoid a sixth straight loss in this series and deny the visiting Grizzlies their longest winning streak in a year.

Memphis was averaging a West-low 95.9 points per game before averaging 105.8 while scoring at least 100 in regulation over nine straight games for the first time in its history.

Green was scoring 10.4 per game heading into that stretch after totaling seven points on 2-of-13 shooting over a two-game span. He's since averaged 19.3 while hitting 15 of 34 from 3-point range in the last nine and 26.0 on 62.9 percent shooting over his past four.

Green led the way with 24 points, former Knick Zach Randolph had 22 and 12 rebounds and Mike Conley scored 17 with 10 assists in Monday's 110-95 win at New Orleans.

Memphis shot a season-high 60.6 percent en route to its 10th win in 12 games. It's looking to win five in a row for the first time since an eight-game run from Jan. 21-Feb. 4, 2015.

'We have a lot of guys really contributing to what we're doing,' guard Vince Carter said. 'Guys are just playing hard and letting it all hang out for the good of the team.'

Gasol, who had 14 points, averaged just 9.5 with a 26.3 field-goal percentage over a four-game stretch before scoring 20.4 on 50.6 percent in his past 10.

The two-time All-Star center was nearly unstoppable against the Knicks on Jan. 16, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in a 103-95 home win.

Memphis (29-20) has won five in a row during its longest winning streak in this series, which includes two victories at Madison Square Garden by a combined 29 points. Green has averaged 21.3 points in his last four meetings dating to his time with Boston.

Conley, who did not play in the January win due to a sore left Achilles, has totaled 16 points on 7-of-28 shooting in his last two games at MSG.

The Grizzlies have a chance to extend their surge against a New York team that has allowed 107.9 points over its last 13 games. The Knicks (23-29) rallied from 27 points down and took the lead with 2:14 left Thursday before running out of gas in a 111-105 loss at Detroit.

'We dug ourselves the kind of hole where everything has to go right for you to have a chance," coach Derek Fisher said.

Robin Lopez set season highs with 26 points and 16 boards in New York's third straight defeat and seventh in eight games. Arron Afflalo had 24 points and Carmelo Anthony, who missed the first meeting with Memphis, added 19, 11 rebounds and eight assists but missed 14 of 18 shots.

Matt Barnes is questionable for the Grizzlies after sitting Monday due to a pulled hamstring. He stayed away from Fisher last month after the NBA had suspended Barnes for two games for his role in a physical altercation and threatening the coach in October.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:46 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Kings (21-28) at Nets (12-38)

Date: February 05, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

DeMarcus Cousins' return wasn't enough to stop the Sacramento Kings' recent struggles or their season-long defensive issues.

The Brooklyn Nets could provide a remedy for both when the slumping Kings begin an important eastern trip Friday night.

A season-high five-game winning streak vaulted Sacramento (21-28) into eighth place in the Western Conference on Jan. 24, but it's since dropped to 10th due to a 1-5 stretch and surges from Portland and Utah. Three of those losses occurred on the road, increasing the significance of a four-game trek where the Kings will face the East's two worst teams in Brooklyn (12-38) and Philadelphia.

Neither Cousins nor the NBA's third-highest scoring offense can be blamed for the struggles, which can be pointed to a defense that's surrendering 114.5 points per game over those six contests. That's been an ongoing problem for a team that's allowed 108.1 points per game and 510 3-pointers, both last in the league.

Sacramento's defensive woes proved costly again Wednesday, when Chicago went 11 of 21 from 3-point range to record a 107-102 win without All-Star Jimmy Butler. Cousins returned from a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle to amass 30 points and 11 rebounds, but the Kings couldn't overcome an early 13-point deficit.

'I've never had this many games on the home court come out flat,' coach George Karl said. 'You run out of energy. It's not a good formula for success.'

Cousins, averaging a league-high 31.4 points and 12.8 rebounds in 16 games since Jan. 2, could be primed for another big night against the Nets, among his favorite opponents. The All-Star center is averaging 30.0 points and 15.0 rebounds over the last four meetings and had 40 and 13 in a 111-109 home win Nov. 13, supporting Rajon Rondo's 23-point, 14-assist, 10-rebound triple-double.

Brooklyn has gone farther backward since that matchup, having lost five straight and 10 of 11 following Wednesday's 114-100 defeat to Indiana for its 16th loss in its last 18 at Barclays Center.

The Nets' glaring lack of depth was even more evident against the Pacers, who finished with a 58-16 advantage in bench points.

"It's the same old story. We've got to find some other guys to join the fray," said interim coach Tony Brown, who fell to 2-11 since replacing the fired Lionel Hollins on Jan. 10. "Our starters played relatively big minutes but we just didn't have any rhythm coming off our bench."

The Kings have received considerably better production from their reserves, as Darren Collison is averaging 17.7 points while shooting 55.6 percent over a three-game stretch and Omri Casspi ranks among the league leaders with a 44.0 percentage on 3s.

Sacramento also figures to have an advantage inside, as it's second in the NBA in points in the paint (48.9 per game) and Brooklyn is allowing an average of 49.2 during Brown's tenure.

The Nets have had the greater recent success in the series, however, having won six of eight meetings. The Kings are 0-3 at Barclays Center and have lost six straight on the road to the Nets since a 106-101 victory in New Jersey on Dec. 18, 2007.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:46 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Bucks (20-31) at Jazz (23-25)

Date: February 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Utah Jazz are enjoying their longest win streak of the season with a fairly straightforward obstacle left on what has been a successful six-game homestand.

The Jazz have won 13 straight at home over the Milwaukee Bucks entering Friday night's matchup of teams headed in opposite directions.

Utah (23-25) fell 95-92 to Detroit to open this homestand Jan. 25 before winning the next four for its longest run since a six-game streak in March. The Jazz are battling Houston and Portland for the Western Conference's final two postseason berths.

"We're fighting for a playoff spot," forward Derrick Favors said. "We've got another good team coming in Friday so we've just got to be ready to play."

Favors may not have known who was on the schedule next since Milwaukee (20-31) has lost a season-high four straight and five in a row on the road after dropping to 0-2 on this three-game trip following Tuesday's 107-95 defeat to Portland.

The Bucks have not won at Utah since a 119-112 overtime victory in the 2001-02 opener for both clubs. They haven't scored more than 95 points in the losing streak at Salt Lake City and have shot 37.1 percent in the last five visits while failing to crack the 90-point mark.

That could be difficult to achieve Friday since the Jazz are 16-0 when holding opponents under 90 points and play at the league's slowest tempo with just over 93 possessions per 48 minutes.

Utah has held three teams to 90 or fewer in this win streak, capped by Wednesday's 85-81 victory in which it limited Denver to 37.1 percent shooting.

"That was one of the things we talked about, making sure teams go up against our half-court defense," forward Gordon Hayward said. "We wanted to get three (players) back and I thought for the most part we did that."

Milwaukee is one of the top shooting teams in the league at 46.1 percent. The issue is that high percentage is a result of shots from inside the 3-point line, and the Bucks' average of 15.7 3-point attempts is the second-lowest in the league - a major problem in this era with 3-point shooting being so critical.

Further proving that point is that the Bucks average 18.5 points off turnovers for one of the league's best marks and an NBA-best 49.3 points in the paint. Khris Middleton is the only Bucks player who ranks in the top 50 among qualifying players in 3-point attempts per game, and he's slumping lately by shooting 29.6 percent overall during the losing streak.

Utah limits foes to 21.4 3-point attempts per game for one of the NBA's best marks.

Middleton scored 21 and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 on Tuesday for the Bucks, who trailed most of the night and were outscored 46-38 in the paint.

"We got it to five or we got it to six and we just couldn't get a stop, we gave up a wide-open 3 or we gave up an offensive rebound where it was a dunk or a backdoor layup," coach Jason Kidd said. "We're close, we just have to make some plays defensively."

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:46 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Bulls (27-21) at Nuggets (19-31)

Date: February 05, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Coach Fred Hoiberg is hopeful his inconsistent Chicago Bulls have finally found something to build on, though that will be difficult if two of his biggest stars are held out.

With Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol questionable Friday night, the Bulls seek their first back-to-back wins in a month and their second road victory over the Denver Nuggets in 16 years.

Butler, an All-Star for the second straight season, missed his first game Wednesday due to left knee soreness. The shooting guard, averaging a team-high 22.4 points, said he was feeling better Thursday and will test his knee during the morning shootaround.

"I have to think big picture," Butler told the team's official website. "Got to do what's right for your body. I have to be smart; just being cautious. I think I'll be fine."

Otherwise, the Bulls may need another big game from E'Twaun Moore after he stepped up with a career-high 24 points in Wednesday's 107-102 win at Sacramento. The journeyman has averaged 12.5 points since moving into the starting lineup for the first four on this seven-game trip.

Derrick Rose contributed 21 points and nine assists but also committed seven turnovers as Chicago (27-21) snapped a two-game losing streak to move past a 4-9 stretch.

After posting a 98.7 offensive rating over their previous nine games, the Bulls played more at the pace Hoiberg has been longing for with 104 possessions and a 102.6 rating Wednesday. They also made 11 for 21 from 3-point range and finished with 26 assists.

"The ball was swinging side to side, we were getting it in the right guys' hands, shifted the defense and good things happened and hopefully we'll carry this over," Hoiberg said.

Gasol, though, suffered a left hand sprain Wednesday but was able to finish the contest with 16 points and 13 rebounds. It would be a particularly big loss since he's averaged 23.7 points in his last six meetings with Denver dating to his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chicago, already missing Mike Dunleavy, Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah, has won the past two games against the Nuggets but has dropped the last eight road matchups. The club has lost 14 of its past 15 trips to Denver, with its only victory coming in February 2006.

The Nuggets (19-31) have allowed an average of 89 points in their last two games after giving up 111.4 in their previous eight. However, they shot just 37.1 percent in an 85-81 loss at Utah on Wednesday after averaging 108.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting over their prior nine.

"We have a hard time when we're forced to play (slow)," coach Mike Malone said. "That's just the reality."

Danilo Gallinari had 24 points and is averaging 22.9 over his past 17 games. Nikola Jokic hopes to recover after finishing with eight on 3-of-9 shooting while dealing with a strained shoulder. He averaged 19.3 and 11.7 rebounds in his prior three games.

The Nuggets were held to 38.7 percent shooting and outrebounded 62-49 in a 99-90 loss at Chicago on Dec. 2. Gasol led the Bulls with a season-high 26 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks, though Butler and Rose totaled 31 points on 8-of-33 shooting.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:47 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Preview: Spurs (41-8) at Mavericks (28-24)

Date: February 05, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

The only teams to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in 2016 are the conference leaders.

Almost all the good teams are beating the Dallas Mavericks this year.

The Spurs are among them, and they'll look to blow out their Southwest Division rival for the second time in three weeks behind a surging LaMarcus Aldridge on Friday night in Dallas.

San Antonio (41-8) can match the best 50-game start in franchise history, set in 2010-2011, after notching the best home start in Western Conference history at 27-0 with Wednesday's 110-97 win over New Orleans.

The Spurs' only losses in 18 games since Christmas came Jan. 25 to league-best Golden State and five days later to East-leading Cleveland.

Dallas (28-24) did take the Cavaliers to overtime in a loss Jan. 12 and is one of four teams to knock off the Warriors. However, since beating Golden State without Stephen Curry on Dec. 30, the Mavericks are 9-11, which includes a 2-9 record against teams above .500.

One of those losses came in San Antonio and was their most lopsided of the season, 112-83 on Jan. 17.

'They're a great team. They play hard every single possession," Mavs guard Wesley Matthews said that night. "Everybody that checks into the game plays hard.'

Manu Ginobili won't be checking in for at least the next month. He underwent surgery for a testicle injury suffered Wednesday when he took a knee to an unintentional knee to the groin from Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson.

Tim Duncan could miss a sixth straight game due to a sore knee, but the Spurs haven't missed him this week because of Aldridge's play at both ends.

The All-Star forward set a season high with 28 points against Orlando on Monday, then broke it Wednesday with 36. Aldridge also blocked eight shots in those games and helped limit Pelicans star Anthony Davis to three points in the fourth quarter.

'LaMarcus is feeling more and more comfortable all the time as the season progresses,' coach Gregg Popovich said.

As the prized offseason acquisition has gotten more used to his new teammates, Aldridge has averaged 19.2 points on 55.7 percent shooting in his last 14 games. His averages were at 15.4 points and 47.1 percent through his first 31.

'The ball has been going in,' said Aldridge, shooting 64.9 percent in the last four games. 'I'm taking the shots and making them. Playing more confident and more like myself and I think that the team has fed off that energy.'

Aldridge had a game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the Mavs last month while outplaying Dirk Nowitzki, who shot 2 of 10 for four points. It matched the lowest-scoring game of Nowitzki's career when playing at least 20 minutes.

The NBA's sixth all-time leading scorer has averaged 10.4 points on 35.1 percent shooting in the last five meetings. The Mavericks have lost the last three, but those were all in San Antonio. The Spurs have lost the last two in Dallas, their only defeats in the past 15 regular-season matchups.

The Mavs are coming off back-to-back losses to the Southeast Division's top teams, 112-97 in Atlanta on Monday and 93-90 to Miami on Wednesday despite Nowitzki's 28 points.

Matthews continues to struggle, averaging 7.8 points in the past six games while going 7 for 34 on 3-point tries.

Dallas' other starting guard, Deron Williams, could miss a second consecutive game with a hip injury. Backup Devin Harris is likely to sit out a seventh straight with a sprained toe.

Those injuries and struggles of the backcourt have played a role in the Mavs averaging 93.8 points in regulation over their past 13 games, though Spurs veteran Tony Parker still considers them to be dangerous offensively.

"They create a lot of different matchup problems with Dirk and stuff like that. They go small," he said. "... We just have to make sure we play good defense and control the basketball."

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:47 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

Friday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers

Pacers at Hawks – 7:05 PM EST

Two teams coming off blowout road wins on Wednesday meet up at Philips Arena as Atlanta looks to break through for the first time in three meetings against Indiana. The Pacers (26-23 SU, 25-23-1 ATS) have knocked off the Hawks twice at home this season, including a 111-92 rout as three-point favorites last week. Atlanta (29-22 SU, 25-25-1 ATS) captured both home matchups last season, but the Hawks were listed as 10 ½-point chalk each time.

The Hawks dominated the 76ers for the third time this season in Wednesday’s 124-86 whipping to easily cash as 7 ½-point road favorites. Atlanta has won two straight since a putrid 1-6 run to close out January, as Mike Budenholzer’s club holds a one-half game advantage over Miami heading into Friday’s action. The Pacers have won three of four, including Wednesday’s 14-point triumph at Brooklyn, but own a dreadful 2-6 ATS mark in the last eight opportunities as a road underdog.

Celtics at Cavaliers – 7:35 PM EST

Cleveland swept Boston in the opening round of last year’s playoffs, while continuing that domination in the first matchup this season at TD Garden with an 89-77 victory in December. The Cavaliers (35-13 SU, 21-24-3 ATS) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end in Wednesday’s 106-97 setback at Charlotte as eight-point favorites. Tyronn Lue’s team cashed the ‘over’ for the fourth straight contest, while the Cavs have topped the 114-point mark in four of the past five home games.

Boston (29-22 SU, 28-22-1 ATS) has compiled an impressive 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS the last eight contests, while limiting five of their opponents to 95 points or less in this span. The Celtics led the Pistons from wire-to-wire in Wednesday’s 102-95 victory to cash as four-point favorites, while picking up its third straight win and cover against a Central division foe. Boston is listed as an underdog of 6 ½ points or higher for just the third time this season, losing in both tries at San Antonio and Chicago, but managed a cover against the Spurs in a three-point defeat as 8 ½-point ‘dogs in December.

Grizzlies at Knicks – 7:35 PM EST

January was a successful month for Memphis (29-20 SU, 24-24-1 ATS), who won 10 of 14 games, while starting February with a 110-95 rout of New Orleans. The Grizzlies have covered four straight games, the longest ATS hot streak for Dave Joerger’s team this season. Memphis is playing at a higher-tempo than in the past by eclipsing the 100-point mark in nine straight games, while cashing the ‘over’ in 10 of the past 11 contests. The Grizzlies go for the season sweep of the Knicks after beating New York at FedEx Forum last month, 103-95 as 5 ½-point favorites.

The Knicks (23-29 SU, 29-23 ATS) erased a 27-point deficit on Thursday at Detroit to take the lead in the final minutes, but the Pistons grabbed the home victory, 111-105. New York hasn’t fared well with no rest by posting a 4-7 SU mark, although Derek Fisher’s club has cashed in six of 11 opportunities on the second of a back-to-back. The Knicks have gone backwards of late by dropping six of their last seven games, which includes a 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS mark at home in the past five contests at Madison Square Garden.

Bulls at Nuggets – 9:05 PM EST

Chicago (27-21 SU, 19-29 ATS) is making the fifth stop on its seven-game road swing on Friday at Denver, trying to capitalize off of Wednesday’s 107-102 win at Sacramento as four-point underdogs. Leading scorer Jimmy Butler sat out with an injured left knee and hopes to return on Friday as the Bulls have yet to win consecutive road games this season. In fact, Fred Hoiberg’s squad owns a dismal 2-8 SU/ATS record coming off an away victory, while not scoring 100 points in consecutive games since mid-January.

Don’t look now, but Denver (19-31 SU, 27-21-2 ATS) continues to cash tickets at a rapid pace by compiling an 11-2 ATS mark the last 13 games. The Nuggets covered as eight-point underdogs in Wednesday’s 85-81 setback at Utah, the fifth straight ATS win in the ‘dog role. Mike Malone’s team owns an impressive 7-2 ATS mark in the last nine games at the Pepsi Center, while picking up victories over Eastern Conference foes Toronto, Detroit, and Indiana in this stretch.

Spurs at Mavericks – 9:35 PM EST

The Southwest division race is a runaway as San Antonio (41-8 SU, 32-17 ATS) attempts to win its 42nd game in 50 tries at Dallas. The Spurs picked up their 27th home victory on Wednesday in a 13-point triumph over New Orleans, but San Antonio is down two of its veterans with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sidelined with injuries. San Antonio has picked up a pair of wins against its Lone Star State rival at home this season, while limiting Dallas to 83 points in each victory.

The Mavericks (28-24 SU, 29-22-1 ATS) start a tough back-to-back set against San Antonio and Memphis the next two days, while trying to rebound from Wednesday’s home defeat to Miami. Point guard Deron Williams sat out the loss to the Heat with a hip contusion, but is expected back in the lineup on Friday. Dallas has seen success in the home underdog role by compiling a 5-2 ATS mark, although the Mavericks have lost close games in the last month to the Thunder and Cavaliers at home.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:47 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

NBA Odds: Friday, February 5, 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I'm not sure if you still care about the Dunk Contest on All-Star Weekend considering no superstars compete any longer, but the field for the Feb. 12 event in Toronto has been released. And unfortunately it doesn't include Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins, who is one of the best dunkers in the NBA and from Toronto. He decided to pass, saying that he "retired" from dunk contests after losing the one in the McDonald's All-American game in high school. That contest was won by former University of Florida player Chris Walker, a former top recruit who never lived up to the billing and is now in the D-League. Competing this year are Minnesota's Zach LaVine, who was terrific in winning last year's event, Detroit's Andre Drummond, Orlando's Aaron Gordon and the least-known among the group, Denver's Will Barton. LaVine certainly will be favored.

Pacers at Hawks (-4, 204.5)

This is the first of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Indiana won in Brooklyn 114-100 on Wednesday behind 27 points from C.J. Miles. Indiana's bench outscored Brooklyn's by 42 points. The Pacers were again without center Ian Mahinmi but he's very close and it could be here. Atlanta won a second straight Wednesday, trashing the 76ers 124-86 for the third time this season. All 13 players scored and eight finished in double figures for Atlanta. Indiana has lost 14 of its past 15 regular-season games in Atlanta and both last season were by double digits.

Key trends: Indiana is 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings. The "over/under" is 4-1 in the past five.

Early lean: Hawks and over.

Heat at Hornets (TBA)

Miami won in Dallas in the second of a back-to-back on Wednesday, 93-90. Dwyane Wade was just 1-for-11 for two points in the first half but had 16 after the break. Hassan Whiteside had 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks after missing six games with a left hip injury. Charlotte won a second in a row Wednesday, upsetting visiting Cleveland 106-97. The Hornets did so without starting point guard Kemba Walker, who had a sore knee. But Nic Batum, Cody Zeller and Jeremy Lamb were all back in the lineup. These teams have split two meetings, each winning by double digits at home. Charlotte has won three straight at home vs. Miami.

Key trends: The Heat are 7-2 ATS in the past nine in Charlotte. The over is 9-4 in the past 13 meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Kemba.

Clippers at Magic (+4, 205.5)

Los Angeles was stunned at home by Minnesota 108-102 on Wednesday to end a four-game winning streak. The Clips had won 14 straight in the series. DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 15 rebounds but did tweak his back at the end of the game. He probably will be fine but certainly monitor that, especially after a long flight. Orlando lost 117-114 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday on a Thunder 3-pointer with a half-second left. Victor Oladipo scored 37 points -- one off his career high -- to lead Orlando, which has lost 14 of its last 16 games. Orlando lost 103-101 in Los Angeles on Dec. 5. Jamal Crawford scored 16 of his game-high 32 points during the fourth quarter as the Clippers overcame a 12-point hole in that quarter. Blake Griffin had 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists but is of course out now.

Key trends: The Clippers are 3-0-1 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Clippers (unless Jordan sits) and under.

76ers at Wizards (-11, 211.5)

Somehow the first meeting of the season between these teams. Philadelphia lost its third straight on Wednesday, 124-86 at home to Atlanta. It was the Sixers' second-worst loss of the year, and they have now dropped 12 games by at least 20. Washington was beaten at home by Golden State on Wednesday, 134-121. John Wall had a season-high 41 points in the loss. Coach Randy Wittman sat out a second straight game following his brother's death but should return here.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 5-2 in the past seven in Washington.

Early lean: Philly (Wizards will be flat from track meet with Warriors) and under.

Kings at Nets (+4, 210.5)

Sacramento lost 107-102 at home to Chicago on Wednesday. DeMarcus Cousins was questionable but played and had 30 points and 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo also was questionable and played. Brooklyn dropped a fifth straight on Wednesday, 114-100 at home to Indiana. Thaddeus Young posted his 22nd double-double for the Nets, which is a new single-season career-high for him. He likely will be traded. Sacramento beat visiting Brooklyn 111-109 on Nov. 13. Cousins had 40 points and 13 rebounds and Rondo a triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. The Kings have lost six straight at the Nets, however.

Key trends: The Kings are 0-6 ATS in the past six in Brooklyn. The over is 6-1 in Brooklyn's past seven overall.

Early lean: Nets and over.

Celtics at Cavaliers (-7, 211)

Boston won a second in a row on Wednesday, 102-95 vs. Detroit. Isaiah Thomas had 17 points and seven assists. Jae Crowder sprained his ankle and it looked bad on the court but Crowder said it wasn't serious. Consider him questionable here, however. Cleveland's five-game winning streak ended with a nine-point loss in Charlotte on Wednesday. LeBron James personally had won 21 straight vs. the Hornets. He had 23 points. Backup guard Matthew Dellavedova was inactive with a sore left hamstring. Cleveland won the first meeting 89-77 in Boston on Dec. 15. The Celtics led by six at halftime but had only 31 second-half points.

Key trends: The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: Cavs and under.

Grizzlies at Knicks (+3, 195.5)

Memphis won a fourth consecutive Monday, 110-95 in New Orleans. Zach Randolph had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jeff Green had 24 points for Memphis, which closed the game on a 26-9 run. Grizz forward Matt Barnes was out with a minor hamstring injury. New York was in Detroit on Thursday. Memphis won at home vs. the Knicks 103-95 on Jan. 16. Marc Gasol scored 37 points while setting career highs for field goal makes (15) and attempts (29). It was Memphis' fifth straight win in the series. Carmelo Anthony was out.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in the past five in New York.

Early lean: Grizzlies and over.

Bulls at Nuggets (TBA)

Chicago ended a two-game skid with a five-point victory in Sacramento on Wednesday despite playing without leading scorer Jimmy Butler. He had a sore knee, but it's not serious. Seldom-used E'Twaun Moore scored a career-high 24 points while starting in place of Butler. Derrick Rose had 21 points and nine assists. Denver lost 85-81 at Utah on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic played through a shoulder strain but had only eight points and six rebounds. Chicago won at home vs. Denver 99-90 on Dec. 2. But the Nuggets have won eight straight at home in the series.

Key trends: The Bulls are 1-7 ATS in the past eight in Denver. The over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings overall.

Early lean: Wait on Butler.

Bucks at Jazz (-7, 194)

Milwaukee dropped a fourth straight Tuesday, 107-95 in Portland. Khris Middleton had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks. This concludes a three-game trip out West for them. Utah won a fourth in a row on Wednesday, 85-81 over Denver. The Jazz are 10-0 when holding opponents under 90 points. This concludes a six-game homestand. First meeting of season. Utah has won 13 in a row at home vs. the Bucks.

Key trends: The home team is 13-3 ATS in the past 16 meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four in Utah.

Early lean: Under, under, under!

Spurs at Mavericks (+7, 199.5)

Second ESPN game. San Antonio won its second straight on Wednesday, 110-97 over New Orleans to stay unbeaten at home. LaMarcus Aldridge had a season-high 36 points. Tim Duncan missed his fifth straight game with a sore right knee and isn't expected here. Neither likely is Manu Ginobili, who left Wednesday's game with a groin injury. Dallas lost a second straight Wednesday, 93-90 at home to Miami. The Mavs played without point guard Deron Williams, and he's not going to play here. San Antonio is 2-0 vs. Dallas this season, but those were both at home. The Spurs have dropped their past two in Dallas.

Key trends: The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings in Dallas. The under is 6-0 in the past six meetings overall.

Early lean: Mavericks and under.

**TheGame** · 02-05-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/5

NBA

Friday, February 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Philadelphia's last 23 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. ORLANDO
LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Orlando
LA Clippers are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games on the road
Orlando is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Orlando is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
Indiana is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Indiana is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. CHARLOTTE
Miami is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Charlotte is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Miami
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 9 games on the road
Sacramento is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Brooklyn is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Brooklyn's last 9 games when playing at home against Sacramento

7:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games on the road
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games at home

9:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. UTAH
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games on the road
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. DENVER
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chicago's last 13 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games when playing Chicago

9:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. DALLAS
San Antonio is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games when playing Dallas
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Dallas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 2/5

NBA Betting Info. 2/5

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