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**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

NBA notebook: Irving denies being unhappy in Cleveland
By The Sports Xchange

Kyrie Irving responded to a report that he was unhappy with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The All-Star point guard said he is focusing on winning a championship in Cleveland.
"Obviously there's going to be some misunderstandings; it's part of being on a team," Irving said. "For me, as a maturing young player in this league, I know what we have and the opportunity we have in order to be something special. My communication is open with all of my teammates, just knowing what's going on and how I feel about things.
"For me, all that other stuff, what everyone is going to say, they're going to pick one player, it's going to change every single week. When they think that we're down and out, they're going to choose one player, so, for me, it has no effect on my life or what's going on. It's all about winning and winning a championship for Cleveland."
Irving, 23, had two direct dust-ups with LeBron James in 2014-15, their first season together. This season, Irving was idle until December recovering from knee surgery. The report from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith came one day after Irving had one assist in a loss to the Washington Wizards on a night the Cavaliers played without James.

---Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari has two torn ligaments in his injured right ankle.
The Nuggets disclosed Gallinari has torn anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments and a sprain of the deltoid ligament, the result of a third quarter injury Friday against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
"It's worse than the one I had just two months ago," Gallinari said of the injury relative to the strain that caused him to miss six games in December.
With 22 games left in the regular season and the Nuggets outside the playoff picture in the West, it's possible Gallinari will be shut down for the season. The team officially listed him as out indefinitely.
Gallinari is averaging a career-high 19.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 53 games this season.

---Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks with an ankle injury, coach Steve Kerr said at morning shootaround.
Curry said he would play as long as he can help the team without risking further injury.
Kerr said Curry came out of Saturday's overtime win at Oklahoma City with a sore ankle. He made 12 3-pointers in the 121-118 win, including the game-winner from 30 feet to finish with 46 points.

---The Toronto Raptors officially added veteran power forward Jason Thompson to the roster, the club announced.
The 6-foot-11 Thompson was recently released by the Golden State Warriors after averaging 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 28 games. The eight-year veteran has career averages of 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 569 NBA games.

---The Phoenix Suns signed point guard Phil Pressey to a second 10-day contract.
Pressey has played in four games for the Suns and is averaging 5.0 points and 6.0 assists. The third-year veteran played for the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season and averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14 games.

---Guard Jorge Gutierrez signed a second 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets.
Gutierrez signed his first 10-day contract with Charlotte on Feb. 20 and appeared in one game, scoring four points with two assists and one steal versus. Cleveland on Feb. 24.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Bulls (30-29) at Magic (26-33)

Date: March 02, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

While the postseason chances of the Orlando Magic have drifted into the danger zone, there continues to be a growing concern for those of the Chicago Bulls - and the defensive slumps that have led to this rival each other.

The Bulls hope to end a historically bad stretch guarding the basketball when they visit the struggling Magic on Wednesday night.

Chicago (30-29) entered the season as a consensus title contender but slipped out of the Eastern Conference's top eight spots with Tuesday's 129-111 loss at Miami, its third in a row.

That defeat dropped the Bulls to 8-17 since a season-high six-game win streak. It also extended a miserable defensive stretch the franchise hasn't seen in 30 years.

Chicago has surrendered at least 100 points to 14 straight opponents, the longest such streak since it allowed 25 consecutive teams to reach that number from Dec. 21, 1985-Feb. 17, 1986 - in Michael Jordan's second season.

Chicago's current slump of 14 is just two more than it allowed in the entire 2013-14 season.

The latest setback came against one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league. The Heat set a franchise record by shooting 67.5 percent and scored a season-high 129 points on Tuesday, handing the Bulls their sixth straight road loss.

Miami, which averages only 97.5 points, made 52 of 77 shots for the NBA's best single-game percentage since Utah matched it on Feb. 27, 2010, against Houston. No team has shot better since the Los Angeles Clippers' 69.3 percent on March 13, 1998, against Toronto.

It was a single-game high for a Bulls' opponent since field-goal percentage was first tracked in the 1983-84 season. Miami, which didn't even have leading scorer Chris Bosh, outscored Chicago 74-48 in the paint.

'A terrible defensive effort on our part,' Pau Gasol said. 'We knew that this team was a high-scoring team in the paint, we didn't force them to take 3s, we didn't force them to take long shots. They pretty much got everything that they wanted.'

Though Derrick Rose returned after sitting out two games with tendinitis in his right hamstring and Jimmy Butler is nearing a return from a strained left knee, Taj Gibson left Tuesday's game with a right hamstring injury. His status for Wednesday is uncertain.

While falling into the league's lower half defensively, the Bulls are on the outside looking in on the playoffs for the first time since Jan. 1, 2014. They are one-half game back of Detroit and Indiana for the eighth seed in the East.

The Bulls have won 14 of 18 against the Magic, including a 92-87 home win on Nov. 1.

Orlando (26-33) dropped to 4 1/2 games back of the East's final spot with Tuesday's 121-108 loss at Dallas. The Magic are 7-20 since Jan. 1, including 4-9 at Amway Center.

Opponents are shooting 53.4 percent through Orlando's 2-4 stretch and four of the last five have scored at least 115 points.

"It's less about my message now and more about a response," coach Scott Skiles told the team's official website. "Somebody has got to respond and pick us up on the defensive end and get us going on the offensive end."

The defensive flips this season for both the Bulls and Magic are disconcerting. The Bulls allowed 99.7 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting while opening 22-12. Since, opponents have averaged 107 points on 46.3 percent.

Orlando started 19-13 while holding opponents to 98.4 per game on 43.7 percent, but those numbers have dropped to 107.1 and 47.4 since.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Hornets (31-28) at 76ers (8-52)

Date: March 02, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A home-heavy stretch has the Charlotte Hornets feeling positive about their playoff prospects, but they will first need to avoid a letdown against the NBA-worst Philadelphia 76ers.

Before opening a seven-game homestand, Kemba Walker and the Hornets look to continue showing improvement on the road Wednesday night.

Charlotte (31-28) is sixth in the Eastern Conference, but just one game ahead of ninth-place Chicago.

The Hornets are confident they can create some separation with nine of their next 11 games at home, where they are 20-9. They coasted to a 126-92 rout of visiting Phoenix on Tuesday behind Walker's 26 points and nine assists.

"We've been doing real well at home, and we've got a lot of road games coming up," said Al Jefferson, who had 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench. "What we can't do is go out and get too comfortable.

"We said this game would mean nothing if we go to Philly and lay an egg. Every game is very important, especially going down the stretch this late in the season."

Walker has been the biggest contributor during a 7-2 stretch, averaging 23.1 points. However, his worst effort over that span came in Sunday's 87-76 loss at Atlanta, scoring nine points while missing 12 of 15 shots.

That came after Charlotte won five of its previous six road games, and that improvement is encouraging to coach Steve Clifford.

"We've done a lot better job on the road the last month, so we've given ourselves a chance here (at the playoffs). But this is a big stretch for us. When you have nine of the next (11) at home, you've got to take advantage of that. They understand that, and we're playing better.

"We're much more balanced in the way we're playing."

The Hornets have won seven of the last nine meetings with the 76ers (8-52), including a 113-88 thumping at home Nov. 20. They fell 89-81 in the latest visit to Philadelphia on Feb. 7, 2015, but Walker was out recovering from knee surgery.

He's averaging 24.7 points on 55.4 percent shooting over his last three matchups.

The 76ers are limping toward the end of another dreadful season, allowing 116.2 points during a nine-game skid. They've already endured losing streaks of 18 and 12 games this season, and another defeat would make them the first team to have three slides of at least 10 since the New Jersey Nets in 2009-10.

Philadelphia was officially eliminated from playoff contention with Monday's 116-108 loss at Washington. Coach Brett Brown, though, saw reason for optimism and cited the Sixers' 34-19 scoring edge in the third quarter.

"I was proud of a lot in that game. The third period, the camaraderie on the bench, the spirit on the floor," Brown said. "We just have to play longer."

It's unknown if Jahlil Okafor will be available after he sat out Monday with a bruised right shin. The center leads the team and all rookies with 17.5 points per game.

He scored 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting at Charlotte in November.

Ish Smith did his part to make up for Okafor's absence Monday, scoring 25 points with seven assists. The guard is averaging 15.9 points in 14 home games since being acquired in a trade with New Orleans.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Trail Blazers (33-28) at Celtics (36-25)

Date: March 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Portland and Boston have shot up the standings of their respective conferences since mid-January, with the Trail Blazers doing much of their damage on the road while the Celtics seemingly can't lose at home.

One of those streaks will finally end Wednesday night.

The Trail Blazers carry their six-game road winning streak to TD Garden, where the Celtics haven't lost in nearly two months.

Portland (33-28) matched a low-water mark at nine games under .500 after its third straight loss on Jan. 8. Since, the Trail Blazers have a worse record than only Golden State and San Antonio at 18-4, helping them vault all the way to a tie for sixth in the Western Conference.

They are 14-2 since Jan. 23 and haven't lost on the road since Jan. 18, starting this season-high six-game trip with wins at Chicago, Indiana and New York.

One of the league's best backcourts was in prime form in Tuesday's 104-85 win over the Knicks. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 55 points, with Lillard scoring 24 in the first half and McCollum sealing the win with 21 of his 25 after the intermission.

Lillard's 30 points gave him at least that many in eight of his last nine games. He has averaged 32.9 points during the span, which included a career-high 51 against the league-leading Warriors on Feb. 19.

"It feels great," he said. "You feel like you get any sniff at the rim or any look at the rim, they got a great chance of going in."

That was the feeling all of February as he averaged 29.8 points to help Portland to a 9-2 record, its third-best mark in that month in franchise history. Lillard matched Stephen Curry with seven 30-point games in February, helping coach Terry Stotts win coach of the month.

However, Lillard has struggled in six career games against the Celtics, averaging 14.2 points on 33 percent shooting while making only 8 of 31 3-pointers.

Boston (36-25) beat the Blazers 90-89 last January in Portland to snap a four-game slide in this series.

The Celtics haven't had a skid of any kind since the middle of this January, and by that point they were already in the midst of their current run at TD Garden. They have piled up 11 straight home victories, the last nine as part of a 14-4 stretch that has them with the East's third-best record and within 4 1/2 games of Atlantic Division-leading Toronto.

Boston opened its season-high five-game homestand with wins over Milwaukee, Miami and Utah. The Celtics trailed the Jazz for most of Monday's game but rallied in the fourth quarter for a 100-95 win.

'We're really locking in, and being resilient and believing in one another. And we're believing in what coach Brad (Stevens) draws up for us,' said Jae Crowder, who scored 22 points and hit a key 3-pointer in the final minute. 'We've been doing a great job when it's crunch time of finding the right shot. That takes a lot of togetherness, and I think we've shown that. We gotta continue to show that to win games.'

While Boston has averaged 111.4 points since Jan. 22, third most in the league, Portland has posted 112.8 since Feb. 8.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Jazz (28-31) at Raptors (39-19)

Date: March 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Kyle Lowry may be eager to get back on the court after sitting out following a career-best, 43-point performance.

The Utah Jazz are probably looking forward to facing Lowry's Toronto Raptors after being forced into a faster tempo that isn't quite their forte their last time out.

Lowry is expected to return Wednesday night as the Raptors seek to establish a franchise record with their 11th straight overall home victory.

The All-Star guard helped Toronto (39-19) post a 10th straight home win to set a single-season mark with the highest scoring effort of his career in Friday's 99-97 win over Cleveland. Coach Dwane Casey opted to rest Lowry two days later since he had played every game and logged the most minutes on the team.

The result was a 114-101 defeat at Detroit that ended a four-game win streak. The Raptors trailed by as many as 26 points in a game that was tied at halftime.

'To be a good team in this league, you have to be able to handle success, and we just embarrassed ourselves trying to do that,' Casey said. 'We didn't come out with any defensive disposition. That has nothing to do with Kyle. He doesn't change anyone's defensive focus.'

Lowry said the move was for the "long term," although not to keep him fresh for the postseason in his mind.

"I'm not really worried about long term, long term, the championship, I'm just worried about the next week coming up," Lowry said. "The next game is Utah so be ready and be sharp for that game."

Toronto's previous 10-game overall home win streak comprised of an eight-game run to close 2001-02 and the first two of the following season.

With Lowry running the offense, the Raptors play at one of the league's slowest tempos with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes.

No one plays slower than the Jazz (28-31) at 93.4. Utah fell 100-95 on Monday at Boston, which is the Eastern Conference's fastest team at 101.5 possessions per 48 minutes.

The action may have played out a little faster than Utah liked since its 101 field-goal attempts was its most in a regulation game. The club averages 80.7 shots.

The Jazz, losers of three straight, had captured 11 of their last 16 against East foes before falling Saturday to lowly Brooklyn 98-96 at home. They opened a four-game trip by shooting 37.6 percent.

'I think these last two (losses) have been pretty deflating for us,' forward Gordon Hayward said. 'We got to find a way to pick ourselves up. We got three more tough games on this trip."

Utah is 1-3 since Shelvin Mack, Hayward's college teammate at Butler, joined the starting lineup after being acquired from Atlanta on Feb. 18.

Reserve forward Trevor Booker is expected to rejoin the Jazz on Wednesday after he left the team so he could attend his grandmother's funeral in South Carolina.

The Raptors signed former Sacramento and Golden State forward Jason Thompson on Tuesday. Thompson was waived by the Warriors on Feb. 22 after he was primarily a starter for the Kings in his first seven seasons.

"We are pleased to add a player like Jason who has logged quality minutes in more than 500 career games," team president Masai Ujiri said.

Toronto had taken four straight over Utah before a 93-89 loss Nov. 18. The Jazz overcame 17 turnovers behind Derrick Favors' 18 points and 11 boards.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Kings (24-34) at Grizzlies (35-24)

Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

While the Memphis Grizzlies are holding things together amid an injury-filled stretch, the ailing Sacramento Kings are quickly falling apart.

The series history in Memphis suggests the Kings will continue crumbling Wednesday night.

The Grizzlies seek a season sweep and their 12th straight home win over the Kings, who have lost three straight and are fading fast from the Western Conference postseason race.

Losing Marc Gasol for the season in early February was a huge blow to Memphis (35-24), which has played its last five games without defensive specialist Tony Allen due to a sore left knee.

But others have stepped up - mainly Zach Randolph inside - and the Grizzlies have won five of their last seven games to solidify their place as a top-five team in the West.

Randolph has helped fill the void of Gasol's team-leading 16.6 points per game, averaging 17.1 in seven without him, while Lance Stephenson, Vince Carter, P.J. Hairston and Matt Barnes have expanded their offensive roles.

The Grizzlies fell 111-106 at lowly Phoenix on Saturday, but Randolph finished with 22 points and six assists in Monday's 103-96 win at Denver to help Memphis close its three-game trip with two wins.

'It's a happy locker room,' coach Dave Joerger said. 'We played with the focus that was lacking in Phoenix."

Memphis has three winnable games ahead on its homestand, closing it with Friday's game against Utah and Sunday's rematch with the Suns. The Grizzlies are 14-3 at FedExForum since Dec. 14.

Sacramento (24-34) hasn't fared so well while banged up and sits four games back of Houston for the West's No. 8 seed - the spot it held after a season-high five-game win streak in mid January. Since, the Kings are 4-11.

Making matters worse is a growing injury report.

Second-leading scorer Rudy Gay (strained right shoulder) and Seth Curry (sprained right foot) sat out Monday's 131-116 loss to Oklahoma City. Gay suffered his injury in Friday's 117-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game in which Curry scored a career-high 19 points.

Gay and Rajon Rondo had MRIs on Monday morning, though Rondo returned from a one-game absence due to a sore thumb by registering a franchise record with his 39th double-digit assist game.

Even DeMarcus Cousins sprained his ankle against Oklahoma City, though he had it re-taped and returned to post 35 points and 12 rebounds.

While Rondo and Cousins should play Wednesday, Gay and Curry are considered day to day.

Sacramento went winless on its homestand while playing the Nos. 2-4 offenses in the league when it comes to effective field-goal percentage: San Antonio, the Thunder and the Clippers. The Kings' four-game trip goes through Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans, followed by a homestand opener against East-leading Cleveland.

"I think we're all frustrated," coach George Karl said. "No one's going to feel sorry for us, no one's going to give us a game. We're going to just have to figure out how to go get one."

It's been more than six years since Sacramento won in Memphis. The Kings have lost 11 straight at FedExForum as part of a 3-19 stretch against the Grizzlies that dates to November 2009.

Memphis won this season's first two meetings, 103-89 on Nov. 3 and 121-117 on Jan. 30.

Cousins finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists in the second meeting in Memphis, but he made only 3 of 17 shots and committed six turnovers. He missed the first game in Sacramento due to a strained right Achilles.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Pelicans (23-35) at Rockets (29-31)

Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Although James Harden and Dwight Howard lead a prolific offense, the Houston Rockets' inability to contain opponents is halting a potential playoff push.

Those struggles may worsen if Anthony Davis returns for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Coach Alvin Gentry believes his All-Star forward will play Wednesday night when the visiting Pelicans try to move closer to a playoff spot by dealing the eighth-place Rockets their 10th loss in 14 games.

Harden has scored 34.0 per game and Howard is averaging 18.6 points and 13.0 rebounds over the past eight for a Houston team that has been fine offensively. The Rockets (29-31) have put up 110.4 points over their last 19 but have given up even more, allowing an NBA-high 113.4 since Jan. 18.

Houston, barely holding on to the final postseason spot with a half-game lead on slumping Utah, dropped its second in a row and sixth in eight games Monday, 128-121 at Milwaukee.

Howard finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Harden added 26 and nine assists and Trevor Ariza had 20 and 11. Houston, however, let the Bucks shoot 59.3 percent.

'The offense, for us, will come easy. We can score the ball. We all know that,' interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. 'The defensive end of the floor is where the problem is.'

Bickerstaff's club doesn't look like it'll catch a break as it tries to take three of four in the season series with New Orleans (23-35). Davis is listed as day to day after hurting his toe prior to Saturday's 112-110 loss to Minnesota, though his coach sounded more than optimistic Tuesday.

"No pain, no anything, so he'll be ready to go," Gentry said after practice.

Davis has averaged 33.0 points and 13.3 rebounds in his last four games, including a franchise-record 59-point effort in a win at Detroit on Feb. 21. He had scored 26.0 per game in his prior four against Houston before suffering a concussion in the first half of a 112-111 home defeat Jan. 25.

The Pelicans fell to 1-6 without Davis on Saturday, even though Ryan Anderson filled in with 31 points and 14 rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 31 after missing 16 games with a broken finger. Anderson has averaged 18.9 points over his last eight against the Rockets.

New Orleans had won five of seven before losing to the Timberwolves. Now it will try to bounce back and close to within four games of its Southwest Division rivals.

"These games do mean an awful lot, especially when you're (at) the bottom looking up," Gentry said. "For us, every game is going to be like that though. We've just got to have wins if we're going to be any factor in the playoff race."

The Pelicans are averaging 108.1 points over their past eight, but they're also scuffling on the defensive end by allowing 113.5 in the last six. That was the case in the last meeting when Harden had 35 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Ariza added 31 with eight 3-pointers.

Howard did not play in that contest after totaling 15 points in the first two matchups. Gordon led New Orleans with 26 and six 3-pointers and Davis scored 24 in a 110-108 home win Dec. 26.

The Pelicans have lost eight of nine in Houston.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Wizards (29-30) at Timberwolves (19-41)

Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Thanks to some solid play at home, the Washington Wizards have fared well since the All-Star break. They'll need to carry that success over to the road, where a good amount of their time will be spent going forward.

The Wizards can end their road struggles to the Minnesota Timberwolves by matching a season high with a fourth straight victory Wednesday night.

Trying to reach .500 for the first time since Jan. 15, Washington (29-30) is 10th in the Eastern Conference but 6-2 since the break and within striking distance of the final three playoff spots. Five of those victories are part of a season-high six-game home winning streak, but the Wizards play 14 of the final 23 on the road, including five of the next six.

"We're taking the right strides and winning," star guard John Wall said. "We've just got to keep playing the right way. ... Keep adding a W in the win column."

The Wizards went 2-5 on the road in February, beating two of the league's worst teams in New York and Philadelphia. Minnesota (19-41) also falls into that category, but Washington has averaged 88.6 points in losing five straight there. The Timberwolves are also averaging 112 points and shooting 49.8 percent while winning five of eight at home.

"It's a good young team," said Wall, who was held to five points on 2-of-10 shooting in last February's 97-77 loss at Minnesota in their last meeting. "I love (Andrew) Wiggins and (Zach) LaVine. Definitely (Karl-Anthony Towns). To me, he's the rookie of the year."

If the Wizards are to turn things around in Minnesota, they must offer a more complete effort than was shown in Monday's 116-108 win over Philadelphia.

Wall and Marcin Gortat combined for 29 points in the fourth quarter as Washington used a 16-0 run in the final period to prevail. One night after holding a Cleveland team minus LeBron James to 40 percent shooting in a 113-99 victory, the Wizards allowed lowly Philadelphia to shot 48.3 percent and open the second half on a 26-6 run

The Wizards also shot 48.3 percent but their 17 turnovers were the most in as many games.

'You always appreciate a win but it's not the way we wanted to win,' said Wall, who finished with 37 points on 13-of-26 shooting. 'I feel like we took a step back.'

Gortat scored 18 and has a career-high 20 rebounds.

"We just show up and we play hard," he said.

The Timberwolves showed up in Dallas on Sunday, but didn't seem to play all that hard during a 128-101 defeat. After shooting 50.6 percent in the previous three games, Minnesota shot 37.8 and gave up their second-most points of the season while the Mavericks made good on 52.8 percent of their attempts.

"We just look like a tired basketball team,' said interim Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell, whose club allowed an average of 112.7 points and 48.3 percent shooting during a 5-6 February.

After posting 30 points and 15 rebounds in Saturday's two-point win at New Orleans, Towns recorded his rookie-leading 34th double-double with a modest 12 and 11 boards Sunday.

The Timberwolves are 3-14 when Towns scores 12 or less.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Pacers (31-29) at Bucks (25-35)

Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers were better on the first game of this road trip than they were in back-to-back home losses but it still resulted in a dispiriting defeat.

Facing a last-place team next doesn't automatically mean that Indiana will avoid its longest losing streak of the season.

The Milwaukee Bucks just posted their highest-scoring total of the season and have already put up 120 points in a win over the Pacers heading into Wednesday night's matchup.

Indiana (31-29) is in a tight race for an Eastern Conference playoff spot and those hopes have been hampered by a three-game slide - the club's sixth losing streak of that length.

The Pacers fell 96-95 to Charlotte on Friday and 111-102 to Portland on Sunday before leaving on a four-game journey that began with Monday's 100-96 loss to Cleveland. The game featured 25 lead changes and 17 ties.

"We showed more spirit than we did the last two home games but we gotta figure out a way to close these games out," coach Frank Vogel said.

Monta Ellis scored 28 points to break out of a four-game slump in which he averaged 11.8 on 28.3 percent shooting.

Paul George added 23 for the Pacers, who have dropped five straight Central Division road games.

"This is going to be a tough road trip for us," guard Rodney Stuckey said. "It doesn't get any easier. We've got to go to Milwaukee, Charlotte, who has beaten us twice already, and Washington, so it's going to be a tough one."

Indiana and Milwaukee (25-35) have split two meetings, with the Pacers posting a 123-86 rout Nov. 21 and the Bucks - the Central's worst team - responding with a 120-116 victory Dec. 31.

Milwaukee surpassed that point total by shooting 59.3 percent in Monday's 128-121 victory over Houston. Jabari Parker scored a career-high 36 points and Khris Middleton had 30.

Parker is averaging 22.8 points on 53.8 percent shooting over his last six games and made his first 3-pointer of the season against the Rockets with a season-high five assists.

"He didn't force anything, he just let the game come to him," coach Jason Kidd said. "The touches that he had, he was even finding guys. He's a guy that wants to win and you saw that tonight."

The Bucks are 5-3 since O.J. Mayo and Miles Plumlee replaced Greg Monroe and Michael Carter-Williams in the starting lineup. Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken over the bulk of the ballhandling duties, recording 18 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and 11 assists Monday after posting his first career triple-double three games earlier.

"It's really good because he's able to draw a lot of attention and everybody gets open because he gets one step ahead of his man," Parker said.

Carter-Williams was a late scratch Monday because of patella tendinitis while Jerryd Bayless returned after a five-game absence with a left knee injury.

The Pacers' C.J. Miles has missed five straight games with a strained left calf although Vogel said he may be ready to return Wednesday.

The Bucks lead the NBA with 50.1 points in the paint per game with the Pacers languishing near the bottom at 40.4. Indiana averages 21.4 drives for the East's second-worst mark with an average of 13.5 points off drives for one of the league's worst figures.

Milwaukee attempts 15.7 3-pointers per game for the NBA's second-worst mark and ranks last with 18.8 points per game off catch-and-shoot situations.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Pistons (31-29) at Spurs (50-9)

Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It's been a foregone conclusion that the San Antonio Spurs are going to the playoffs for the 19th consecutive season. They can make it official Wednesday night.

After an outstanding road trip, the Spurs return home looking to clinch another postseason berth with a win over the surging Detroit Pistons.

San Antonio (50-9) is only behind Golden State for the league's best record, and the Warriors have already clinched a playoff spot. Now, the Spurs can join them. They're 22 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Utah, and both teams have 23 games remaining.

A 19th straight playoff appearance would tie San Antonio with Boston (1951-69) for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history. The Spurs have the second-longest active streak in American professional sports behind the NHL's Detroit Red Wings (24).

San Antonio has won 25 of its last 28 games, including five in a row while averaging 109.0 points.

The Spurs concluded their yearly "Rodeo Road Trip" with a seventh win in eight games Saturday, leading the entire way in a 104-94 victory over Houston.

"Our guys played well and stayed locked in the whole trip," said LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 26 points and 16 rebounds. "I think everybody was motivated to finish the trip off right."

Now they'll try to keep their perfect home record intact. The Spurs are 28-0 at home this season and have won 37 in a row on their own court, but lost their most recent matchup there against Detroit, 105-104 on Jan. 6, 2015.

A victory Wednesday would equal the third-longest such streak in NBA history, tying Boston's 38-game run over two seasons from 1985-86.

In an effort to boost its chances at another championship run, San Antonio signed veteran point guard Andre Miller on Monday after he was waived by Minnesota four days earlier.

Miller, who turns 40 later this month, is the oldest player in the NBA, so it's only fitting that he joins the league's oldest roster with an average age of 32 - a full two years older than the next team (Dallas).

He's expected to add depth to a team known for resting players ahead of the playoffs.

"He's gonna be terrible. That's why we brought him in. He's got no chance to fit in whatsoever. I can't believe we did that," coach Gregg Popovich deadpanned before turning serious.

"His basketball IQ is off the charts," he added. "What a pro, tough minded, disciplined and he'll pick up things very quickly. He's picked up already a lot. He'll be fine."

Kawhi Leonard has totaled 56 points on 18-of-28 shooting and 6 of 9 from 3-point range over the last two games, putting his recent calf injury behind him. The All-Star forward, however, has missed 16 of 19 shots while totaling 15 points in the last two matchups with the Pistons (31-29).

Tony Parker picked up the slack with a season-high 31 points and Aldridge added 22 with 13 boards in a 109-99 win at Detroit on Jan. 12.

While the Spurs are a regular in the playoffs, the Pistons are trying to get back there for the first time since 2009. They're tied with Indiana for seventh in the East after following a five-game slide with a season high-tying fourth straight win, 114-101 over Atlantic Division-leading Toronto on Sunday.

"Young, dumb and we don't know any better," said guard Reggie Jackson, who had 19 points and eight assists. "That's who we are. We just continue to fight and continue to battle. We come out and try to be the best versions of ourselves."

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Lakers (12-49) at Nuggets (23-37)

Date: March 02, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Kobe Bryant turned back the clock in his last appearance at the Pepsi Center, saying "I can still play a little bit" but stopping short of having second thoughts about retirement.

Now the future Hall of Famer is hoping to put on one final show there Wednesday night.

Returning to an area that likely conjures up some mixed emotions, Bryant is expected to return from a sore right shoulder against the Denver Nuggets as he tries to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to back-to-back victories.

Although the 37-year-old guard has missed the past two games for the Lakers (12-49), Bryant has made a concerted effort to play when visiting an arena for the last time.

He's averaged 29.8 points in eight playoff road games spanning three series against the Nuggets (23-37), including a six-gamer in the 2009 Western Conference finals.

Bryant scored 51 there Feb. 12, 2003, but was accused in a publicized sexual assault case in Colorado that same year. The charges were dropped, and a civil suit was settled out of court.

The 18-time All-Star looked like he did in his glory years as his 31 points led the Lakers to a 111-107 road win over the Nuggets on Dec. 22. He also held guard Will Barton to two second-half points after he had poured in 23 over the first two quarters.

"We didn't have anybody that could guard (Kobe),' Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

This time, Bryant is expected to receive a tribute and more love from the crowd in his final visit. He's also hoping to help West-worst Los Angeles snap a six-game road losing streak and win two in a row overall for only the second time since a three-game run from Dec. 30-Jan. 3.

D'Angelo Russell had season highs of 39 points and eight 3-pointers - including two in the final minute - in Tuesday's 107-101 home win over Brooklyn that snapped an eight-game losing streak.

The point guard finished with the most points by a rookie this season and the most by a Lakers rookie in a regular-season game since Elgin Baylor had 55 on March 11, 1959.

'He just had one of those games where everything seemed to be falling in place for him,' coach Byron Scott said.

The Nuggets are 0-3 at home and 1-5 overall since the All-Star break. They shot 53.3 percent Monday but had 20 turnovers in a 103-96 loss to Memphis to open a seven-game homestand.

Denver is averaging 17.8 turnovers and allowing 109.5 points per game during this stretch.

'It's hard to beat a team when they shoot 36 free throws and we give up 30 points on turnovers,' said Gary Harris, who had 15 points. "We've just got to clean up those areas.'

Kenneth Faried has averaged 19 points and 11.3 rebounds over three straight double-doubles, but he's questionable with a sore back. The power forward led the way with a season-high 28 points and 15 rebounds in Denver's 120-109 road win over the Lakers on Nov. 3.

Harris finished with a career-high 21 points in the December matchup when the Nuggets lost for only the second time in the past 12 meetings. They'll be without leading scorer Danilo Gallinari for at least one month because of torn ligaments in his ankle.

Lakers guard Lou Williams is out after suffering a strained hamstring against the Nets.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Preview: Thunder (42-18) at Clippers (39-20)

Date: March 02, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, partly because they've been a whole lot healthier.

Doc Rivers wishes that still wasn't the case with his Clippers about to see a lot more of the Thunder.

Blake Griffin could be joined in street clothes by fellow starting forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute on Wednesday night at Staples Center for Los Angeles' first matchup with Oklahoma City in 2016 and the first of three this month.

These teams are in a bit of a bubble for the 3-4 spots in the Western Conference. The Thunder have a 2 1/2-game lead on the Clippers for the No. 3 seed - and potentially avoiding Golden State in the West semifinals. Oklahoma City (42-18) is 8 1/2 behind second-place San Antonio, and Los Angeles (39-20) is four ahead of fifth-place Memphis.

On the surface, the potential absence of Mbah a Moute might not seem like a big deal considering he's not among the Clippers' top eight scorers or rebounders.

Don't tell that to Chris Paul.

"People look at the boxscore and don't really see how valuable he is to our team," Paul said. "We really need him."

Rivers said he didn't think they would have him for this game after Mbah a Moute suffered a left eye laceration in Monday's 105-95 win over Brooklyn. That absence could be problematic considering he's helped limit Kevin Durant to 34 points on 13-of-35 shooting the last two times they faced each other.

The most recent contest came Dec. 21, though Durant got the best of the Clippers by hitting a jumper with 5.8 seconds left and blocking Paul's potential game-winner as time expired in a 100-99 victory.

Rivers was asked Monday if he liked facing a team of the Thunder's caliber three times late in the season, including next Wednesday and March 31 in Oklahoma City.

"I'm not even sure," he said. "If you're at full strength, yeah for sure. But we're really not, so I'd rather play those teams when we're ready."

Rivers' son, Austin, could return after missing 10 games with a fractured hand, but the Clippers remain short-handed and the Thunder continue at full strength. Oklahoma City's top six scorers have a combined nine player games missed due to injury, compared to 53 for Los Angeles.

The depth of the healthy Thunder was on display Monday in a 131-116 win in Sacramento. Their 64 bench points were a season high, with Enes Kanter scoring 23 and Dion Waiters 22.

Oklahoma City is 38-3 when its reserves score at least 30.

'A lot of times our bench doesn't get this kind of scoring opportunity,' coach Billy Donovan said. 'The second unit with Kevin in there was really moving the ball."

Durant got to watch the final six minutes after scoring 27 for the Thunder, who had lost four of five.

'It's been an up-and-down roller coaster the last couple of weeks, so it was nice to chill and coast to a victory,' Durant said.

He was in part referencing Saturday's 121-118 loss to the Warriors, decided on Stephen Curry's 32-footer with 0.6 seconds left in overtime. Oklahoma City visits Golden State on Thursday but won't overlook Los Angeles, which is 23-7 since Christmas despite losing Griffin that day.

"I love where we're at," Rivers said. "I love the way we've played overall. We've played through a lot of adversity this year."

Paul has stepped up with averages of 26.1 points and 11.4 assists in the last seven games. He scored 32 against Oklahoma City in December while Russell Westbrook had 33.

Westbrook had his ninth triple-double Monday with 20 points despite only eight field-goal attempts. The Thunder are 22-3 when he attempts 17 or fewer.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

Game of the Day: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers (-1, 220)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have halted a mini-slump while the Los Angeles Clippers have a winning streak for the first time since Feb. 5-8. The two squads square off in Los Angeles on Wednesday when All-Star point guards Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul figure to wage another fierce battle.

Westbrook had 33 points to Paul's 32 and that one point was the difference as the Thunder posted a 100-99 victory over the Clippers on Dec. 21. Westbrook tuned up for the outing on Monday by posting his ninth triple-double of the campaign - 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists - as Oklahoma City opened a four-game road trip with a 131-116 win over the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder had dropped four of five games before that victory while Los Angeles recorded a 105-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday for its second straight victory. Paul had 23 points and 12 assists against the Nets for his fourth straight double-double.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Oklahoma, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

LINE: The early overnight odds out of Nevada have this game pegged as a pick'em with the total set at 222 points. Books opened with the Clippers as 1-point home favorites with the total at 220.

POWER RANKINGS: Oklahoma City (-10.7) - Los Angeles (-9) + home court (-3.0) = Los Angeles = -1.3

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Oklahoma City has played a much tougher schedule than the Los Angeles Clippers since the All-Star break. The Thunder haven’t fared well in those step-up games, but I expect they’ll be ready for this game against the Clippers. Los Angeles is just 2-2 SU in its last four home games, and Oklahoma City won on this court back in mid-December." - Steve Merril.

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The Thunder roll into the Staples center on the first game of a back to back (in Golden State Thursday). The Clippers have been on a bit of a roll as of late, winning 7 out of their past 10. The Thunder are +1 dogs on the road but are getting the bulk of the early action so far." - Michael Stewart.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (42-18): All-Star forward Kevin Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the victory over the Kings and he wasn't shy about expressing why the win was important. "It was huge for us," Durant told reporters. "We'd lost four of five, so if we lose, you guys are going to act like the world is going to end, and nobody in here is laughing or feeling good. It's been an emotional roller coaster for us the past couple of weeks. It was nice to come in here and chill after coasting to a win." Oklahoma City's offense was clicking as it shot 57.3 percent from the field and made 14 3-pointers, while backup center Enes Kanter scored 23 points on 11-of-11 shooting.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (39-20): Los Angeles has won consecutive games for the first time since a three-game winning streak in early February and trail the Thunder by 2 1/2 games in the battle for third place in the Western Conference. Backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford poured in 26 points against the Nets and he has been superb with 10 20-point outings in the past 14 games. "I got in a pretty good rhythm," Crawford said after the Brooklyn game. "We just see what's working for us on a particular night. I have the easy part of just shooting. Those guys are drawing up plays and getting open, so credit to them as well."

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Los Angeles.
* Thunder are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Los Angeles.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Road team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
* Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

**TheGame** · 03-02-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/2

NBA Odds: Wednesday, March 2 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Suddenly not everything is kosher in Cleveland. J.R. Smith pushed the panic button after a recent loss, and on Monday you heard a report from Stephen A. Smith that point guard Kyrie Irving wants out of Cleveland. Does Stephen A. Smith irritate me beyond words? He does. But Smith is right more often than not when he says these things; he was the guy who first reported LeBron James would go to Miami back in 2010. Irving has denied any problems and winning will cure all there. Even with a loss to Toronto over the weekend, the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs are still clear favorites to get back to the NBA Finals. Now, could I see Kevin Love in a different uniform next season? No question. But not Irving. Perhaps firing David Blatt wasn't the answer, though.

Bulls at Magic (TBA)

Chicago was in Miami on Tuesday night with Derrick Rose likely to return from a hamstring injury. Hard to see him playing both ends of a back-to-back with that injury. Orlando was in Dallas on Tuesday. The Bulls won the first meeting this season, 92-87 in Chicago on Nov. 1. The Bulls led by as many as 15, but after Orlando cut the lead to one with 3:36 left in the game Chicago scored five unanswered points. The Magic had lost eight straight matchups in Orlando against the Bulls before winning on April 8, 2015.

Key trends: The Bulls are 0-5 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in 11 of the past 15 meetings in Orlando.

Early lean: Orlando wins this.

Hornets at 76ers (TBA)

Charlotte hosted Phoenix on Tuesday. Philadelphia lost a ninth straight game Monday, 116-108 in Washington. The Sixers actually led entering the fourth quarter, which counts as success lately. Rookie center Jahlil Okafor missed the game with a bruised right shin and is day-to-day. The Sixers have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. And the sky is blue. The Hornets beat the visiting 76ers 113-88 on Nov. 20, leading wire-to-wire. Al Jefferson led all scorers with 26 points, while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Kemba Walker added 20 points. Charlotte has won two in a row overall in the series but did lost their most recent trip to Philly last year.

Key trends: Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its past five playing the second of a back-to-back. The under is 6-2 in the past eight meetings in Philly.

Early lean: Might give the Sixers a shot at a win here if Okafor plays.

Trail Blazers at Celtics (-5.5, 218.5)

Portland was at the Knicks on Tuesday. Boston won its third straight game overall and 11th in a row at home on Monday, 100-95 over Utah. Jae Crowder led the C's with 22 points and put the team ahead for good on a 3-pointer with less than a minute left. Boston is the only team Portland hasn't played this season. The Blazers have won four of the past five in the series and two straight in Boston.

Key trends: The road game is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 11-2 in Boston's past 13 vs. the West.

Early lean: Celtics and over.

Jazz at Raptors (-5.5, 197)

Utah lost a third straight Monday, 100-95 in Boston. The Jazz have been held under 100 points in each game of the skid. Trey Burke didn't play a minute vs. Boston despite being healthy. Reserve forward Trevor Booker was out for personal reasons but should play here. Toronto opted to rest All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry on Sunday in Detroit and lost 114-101 to end a four-game winning streak. I don't get that because the Raptors had closed within two games of Cleveland's East lead and then had two days off before this game. Lowry will be back in there Wednesday as the Raptors start a seven-game homestand. Utah beat Toronto 93-89 on Nov. 18. Alec Burks made the go-ahead jumper with 1:12 left and scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. Derrick Favors had 18 points, 11 rebounds and a clinching three-point play for the Jazz. Utah lost by 18 in Toronto last season.

Key trends: Utah has covered seven of its past nine in Toronto. The over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings overall.

Early lean: Raptors and under.

Pelicans at Rockets (TBA)

New Orleans lost 112-110 at home to Minnesota on Saturday -- the Pelicans can't lose those types of games and still hope to make the playoffs. They did play without star Anthony Davis after he sprained his right big toe in pregame warm-ups. He should be back here but why the TBA. Houston lost a second straight Monday, 128-121 in Milwaukee. James Harden had 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The Rockets reportedly are working on a buyout with point guard Ty Lawson, who has been a mega-bust. Houston has won two of three high-scoring meetings this season. The Rockets have won eight of the past nine at home vs. New Orleans.

Key trends: The Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 13-3 in Houston's past 16 after a loss.

Early lean: Rockets win another high-scoring game, Davis or not.

Kings at Grizzlies (TBA)

Sacramento lost a third straight Monday, 131-116 at home to Oklahoma City. DeMarcus Cousins tweaked his ankle but played through it, finishing with 35 points and 12 rebounds. But he's why the TBA here. Rajon Rondo was one rebound shy of a triple-double. He reached double-digits assists for a 39th time this season, tying the franchise record. Memphis won in Denver 103-96 on Monday behind 22 points from Zach Randolph. This is the final meeting of the season with Memphis leading 2-0. The Grizzlies have won the last 11 meetings against the Kings in Memphis.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 8-2 in the previous 10.

Early lean: Wait on Cousins.

Pacers at Bucks (+2, 206)

Indiana dropped its third straight Monday, 100-96 in Cleveland. Monta Ellis scored 28 points and Paul George had 23 for the Pacers. Swingman C.J. Miles missed a fifth straight game with a strained left calf but is getting close. Milwaukee beat Houston 128-121 on Monday behind a career-high 36 points from Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo's second career triple-double (18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists). It was the first time in NBA history that one player 21 or younger scored 35 points and another of that age recorded a triple-double in the same game. These teams have split two meetings in Indianapolis. Indiana's 37-point win on Nov. 21 was the largest margin of victory ever over the Bucks for the Pacers.

Key trends: The road team is 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Bucks and over.

Wizards at Timberwolves (+2, 218.5)

Washington won a third straight Monday, 116-108 over Philadelphia. John Wall had 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter. Markieff Morris had 16 points and 13 rebounds in his first double-double with Washington in what was also his first start with the team. Wizards center Nene and forward Alan Anderson sat out after playing Sunday. They should be back in there. Minnesota was routed 128-101 in Dallas on Sunday to fall to 1-10 on the second night of a back-to-back. First meeting of season between these two. The home team has won 10 of the past 11 in the series.

Key trends: Washington is 0-5 ATS in its past five in Minnesota. The under is 4-1 in those five.

Early lean: Wizards and under.

Pistons at Spurs (-10, 201)

First of an ESPN doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Detroit won a fourth straight Sunday, 114-101 against Toronto. Andre Drummond had 15 points and 18 rebounds. The Pistons had lost five in a row before this streak. San Antonio completed its eight-game Rodeo Road Trip at 7-1 with a 104-94 win in Houston on Saturday. It was win No. 50 on the season, extending the Spurs' NBA record of 17 straight 50-win seasons. The Spurs haven't played at home since Feb. 6. San Antonio won in Detroit 109-99 on Jan. 12. Tony Parker had 31 points and LaMarcus Aldridge 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Spurs did lose at home to Detroit last season.

Key trends: The road team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The over has hit in four of the past five in San Antonio.

Early lean: Pistons and under.

Lakers at Nuggets (TBA)

Los Angeles hosted Brooklyn on Tuesday with Kobe Bryant questionable. Denver, which has lost leading scorer Danilo Gallinari for at least a month if not the season, lost a second in a row Monday, 103-96 at home to Memphis. Gallinari has two torn ligaments in his ankle. JaKarr Simpson started for him vs. the Grizzlies. These teams have split two meetings, each winning on the road. This will be Kobe's final trip to Denver -- if he plays.

Key trends: The Lakers are 3-9 ATS in the past 12 meetings. The over is 7-1 in the past eight in Denver.

Early lean: Nuggets whether Kobe plays or not.

Thunder at Clippers (+1.5, 221.5)

Second ESPN game. Oklahoma City bounced back from that crushing home loss to Golden State on Saturday with a 15-point win in Sacramento on Monday. Russell Westbrook had 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season. Enes Kanter was 11-for-11 from the field for 23 points. He's only the second player in the past six seasons to be perfect from the field and make at least 11 shots. Oklahoma City won the first meeting 100-99 on Dec. 21. Kevin Durant hit a 19-foot jumper with 5.8 seconds left before blocking a potential game-winning 18-footer by Chris Paul as time expired.

Key trends: The Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their past six in L.A. The under is 5-2 in the past seven meetings.

Early lean: Clippers -- might OKC be looking ahead to Thursday's rematch with Golden State?

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