NBA Betting Info. 3/23

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

NBA Odds: Wednesday, March 23 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews


Be very wary of betting the Cleveland Cavaliers the rest of the regular season, especially when playing back-to-back nights as will be the case Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Tyronn Lue has publicly changed his tune on his plans for resting guys. Coming out of the All-Star break, Lue had said that home-court advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs was the "most important thing." Now he says this: "We definitely want the No. 1 seed if we can get it, but I think we have to rest our guys also. I think health going into the playoffs is more important than the seeding. If we're fortunate enough to get the No. 1 seed, it will be great for us. But if not, then we just got to play through it." If Toronto and Cleveland finish tied with the best record, the Raptors have the tiebreaker. The Cavs can certainly win the East without having home court, as they did last season (Atlanta had it), but I don't think the Raptors can.


Hawks at Wizards (+3, 210.5)


Second of a home-and home between these two. On Monday, Atlanta's five-game winning streak ended in a 117-102 home defeat to Washington, which won its season-high fifth in a row. John Wall had 27 points and 14 assists and Bradley Beal 25 points. Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 23 points. Backup guard Dennis Schroder left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, but it's not thought to be serious. The teams finish the regular season against one another on April 13.


Key trends: The road team is 4-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" is 4-1 in the past five in Washington.


Early lean: Hawks and over. Tough to sweep these home-and-home series.


Bucks at Cavaliers (-12.5, 208)


Milwaukee lost a second straight Monday, 92-91 in Detroit on a last-second tip-in. The Bucks led by as many as 17 in the game. Jerryd Bayless missed two huge free throws with 10 seconds left. Cleveland routed Denver 124-91 on Monday. LeBron James had 33 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in his 50th career triple-double. The Cavs, who clinched the Central Division, played without Kevin Love due to illness, but he's expected back. These teams have split two high-scoring early-season meetings, each winning at home.


Key trends: The Bucks are 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 7-3 in the Cavs' past 10 overall.


Early lean: Cavaliers and under.


Raptors at Celtics (TBA)


Toronto won a fourth in a row Sunday, 105-100 against Orlando. The Raptors played without Cory Joseph (rest), Jonas Valanciunas (hand) and Patrick Patterson (ankle). At a minimum Joseph will be back here. Boston won a second in a row Monday, 107-96 over Orlando. Isaiah Thomas had 28 points and seven assists. Toronto is 3-0 against Boston this season


Key trends: The Raptors are 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 6-1 in Boston's past seven after a win.


Early lean: Wait on those latter two Raptors, who are both officially questionable.


Magic at Pistons (-7, 210)


First of an ESPN doubleheader and will feature live betting at sportsbooks. Orlando lost a fourth consecutive Monday, 107-96 in Boston. Victor Oladipo led the Magic with 25 points and eight rebounds. Center Nik Vucevic missed his ninth straight game. Orlando is now 2-7 since his injury. Detroit won a third straight Monday, 92-91 over Milwaukee on an Andre Drummond tip-in with two seconds left. Detroit won the lone meeting thus far 115-89 on Jan. 4 in Detroit. The Magic are just 5-16 in their past 21 trips to Motown.


Key trends: The Magic are 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 5-1 in the previous six.


Early lean: Pistons and over.


Jazz at Rockets (-4, 200)


Houston was in Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Dwight Howard avoided a suspension for using Stickum in a game Saturday. Utah won in Milwaukee 94-85 on Sunday. Shelvin Mack had 13 points and 12 assists, and Rudy Gobert had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Houston leads the season series 2-1 and has won six in a row at home vs. the Jazz. Obviously a Rockets win here clinches the series and could be a huge tiebreaker for a Western Conference playoff spot with both teams fighting for one.


Key trends: The home team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 4-1 in the past five.


Early lean: Rockets and under.


Kings at Timberwolves (pick'em, 224.5)


Sacramento lost 109-102 in Chicago on Monday. That loss all but assures the Kings won't have to give their 2016 first-round pick to the Bulls -- it's Top-10 protected. Rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein returned after missing the previous two games with flu-like symptoms but barely played. At this point, why wouldn't he be playing more? Ben McLemore missed an eighth game in a row. Minnesota nearly shocked Golden State on Monday but lost 109-104. Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 11 rebounds but Minnesota's bench was outscored 36-8. Minnesota is 2-0 vs. Sacramento this season.


Key trends: The Kings are 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 12-2 in Minnesota's past 14 playing on one day of rest.


Early lean: Wolves and over.


Heat at Spurs (-11, 197.5)


Miami was in New Orleans on Tuesday. San Antonio had an expected letdown game Monday following Saturday's big home win over Golden State as the Spurs lost 91-88 in Charlotte, blowing a 23-point lead. That was the largest lead the Spurs have surrendered in a loss in the Tim Duncan era. Patty Mills and Danny Green both missed 3-pointers at the end of regulation. The Spurs won in south Florida 119-101 on Feb. 9. The Spurs have won four straight in the series.


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


Early lean: Spurs and under.


76ers at Nuggets (-10.5, 212.5)


Philadelphia lost 91-75 in Indiana on Monday, its sixth straight defeat. It was the first time since Dec. 13 that Philadelphia scored fewer than 80 points. This team could still tie the NBA record for fewest wins in an 82-game season. Denver lost by 33 in Cleveland on Monday to conclude a five-game road trip at 1-4. Kenneth Faried missed his third straight game with a sore lower back. Denver won in Philly 108-105 on Dec. 5 but has dropped to straight at home vs. the Sixers.


Key trends: The Sixers are 6-0 ATS in the past six in Denver. The over is 5-1 in Denver's past six overall.


Early lean: Nuggets and under.


Lakers at Suns (TBA)


Los Angeles hosted Memphis on Tuesday night, a game the Lakers could actually win considering how injury-ravaged the Grizzlies are. Kobe Bryant was 50/50 for that one. I could see him trying to play here because it's his final game in Phoenix. The Suns lost 103-97 at home to those Grizzlies on Monday. Phoenix center Tyson Chandler didn't play in the second half with back spasms. Phoenix leads series 2-1 and has won nine straight at home vs. the Lakers.


Key trends: The Lakers have covered just one of their past 10 in Phoenix. The over has hit in the past four there.


Early lean: Suns, whether Kobe goes or not.


Mavericks at Trail Blazers (TBA)


Dallas won at home vs. Portland 132-120 in overtime on Sunday. Dirk Nowitzki had 40 points and Deron Williams 31 points and 16 assists. What year is this!? However, Chandler Parsons missed the game and his season is over. He will have right knee surgery. That's a big loss for the Mavs' playoff hopes. Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 26 points, but shot only 8-for-26. The Mavericks have won both meetings this season and three straight overall against Portland. Three of the past six games between Portland and Dallas have gone to overtime (both this season).


Key trends: The home team is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 4-1 in the previous five.


Early lean: Not really sure why the TBA since Parsons has been confirmed out, although he will seek a second opinion on needing surgery. Blazers end losing streak in series.


Clippers at Warriors (-10.5, 226.5)


Second ESPN game with live betting. Los Angeles lost 109-105 in New Orleans on Sunday. The Clips looked tired in their second game in 24 hours. Chris Paul had 24 points and 13 assists. Jeff Green got the night off for rest. Golden State stayed on pace to break the Bulls' 72-win record with that 109-104 escape in Minnesota on Monday. Steph Curry was just 6-for-17 but had 19 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. The last time the Warriors lost two in a row in the regular season was April 5 and 7 of last year. Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala sat out again. They are questionable here. The Warriors have won all three meetings this season, but all three were very competitive and you could argue the Clippers should have won two of them. Golden State has won eight straight at home in the series.


Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five. The over is 4-1 in the Clips' past five on the road and Warriors' past five at home.


Early lean: Clippers and under.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

NBA


Wednesday's hot teams
-- Washington won its last five games (8-5 HU). Hawks won five of their last six games (4-1 last 5AF).
-- Celtics won four of last six home games (1-3-1HU). Toronto won seven of its last eight games (2-4 last 6AF).
-- Detroit won its last three games (14-3-1 last 18HF).
-- Chicago won four of its last five games (3-1 last 4HF).
-- Cleveland won six of its last eight games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Jazz won five of their last six games (4-11 last 15AU).
-- Spurs won six of their last seven games (3-4-1 last 8HF). Miami won three of its last four games (4-7 last 11AU).
-- Warriors won eight of their last nine games (4-1 last 5HF).


Cold teams
-- Magic lost eight of their last ten games (3-1 last 4AU).
-- Knicks lost four of their last five games (0-4 last 4AU).
-- Milwaukee lost three of its last four games (4-1 last 5AU).
-- Kings lost eight of their last ten games (3-1-1 last 5AU). Minnesota lost five of its last seven games (4-9HF).
-- Rockets lost four of their last six games (1-6 last 7HF).
-- Nuggets lost four of last five games (5-1 last 6HF). 76ers lost their last six games (3-5 last 8AU).
-- Lakers lost four of their last five games (4-1 last 5AU). Phoenix lost five of its last seven games (3-7 last 10HF).
-- Clippers lost four of their last five games (1-3 last 4AU).
-- Dallas lost seven of its last nine games (2-4 last 6AU). Portland is 3-7 in its last ten games (11-2 last 13HF).


Series records
-- Hawks won four of last five games with Washington.
-- Raptors won seven of last nine games with Boston.
-- Pistons won last four games with Orlando.
-- Knicks lost four of last five games with Chicago.
-- Cavaliers won three of last four games with Milwaukee.
-- Kings won four of last six games with Minnesota.
-- Rockets won six of last eight games with Utah.
-- Heat lost their last six games with San Antonio.
-- 76ers won three of last four games with Denver.
-- Lakers lost six of their last seven games with Phoenix.
-- Clippers lost their last five games with Golden State.
-- Mavericks won four of last five games with Portland.


Totals
-- Seven of last ten Atlanta-Washington games went over.
-- Last four Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Orlando games stayed under total.
-- Nine of last ten New York games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Cleveland-Milwaukee games went over.
-- Five of last seven Sacramento games stayed under total.
-- Last five Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Miami games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Denver games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Laker games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Clipper games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine Portland games went over the total.


Back/backs
-- Houston is 2-7 vs spread last nine times they played night before.
-- Miami covered five of last six if they played night before.
-- Lakers are 8-6 vs spread if they played night before.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

'Dinos the choice'


Toronto Raptors inching closer to a franchise best 50 win campaign carry a 48-21 (38-31 ATS) record into Boston (41-30, 38-32-1 ATS) looking to sweep the season series. The Toronto offense clicking on all cylinders the past month scoring a league second best 111.2 points per 100 possessions have put up an impressive 13-3 run (9-7 ATS) over the span topped only by Warriors (14-2, 8-7-1 ATS), Spurs (13-2, 7-8 ATS).


Division matchups are always tough. However, in this case, the numbers add up well enough to conclude Raptors are the right choice.


Raptors have won all three meetings this season, have won/covered three of last four on C's hardwood. Additionally, Raptors have been money in the bank of late facing a division opponent. In the last fifteen vs an Atlantic rival the Raptors have compiled a profitable 11-4 record against the betting line including a sparkling 6-0 ATS on enemy hardwood.

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Game of the Day’Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors (-10, 225.5)
The Golden State Warriors are back home after a tough three-game road trip and still have the NBA’s single-season wins record in sight. The Warriors will try to draw a step closer and stay undefeated at home when they host the rival Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Golden State suffered just its seventh loss of the season in San Antonio on Saturday and had more trouble than it would have liked in a 109-104 win at Minnesota to close out the 2-1 trip on Monday. Presumptive MVP Stephen Curry has looked almost human in the last two games, going a combined 3-of-21 from 3-point range, but made up for the shooting slump with 11 assists on Monday as Draymond Green shouldered more of the scoring load. The Clippers are going through a slump at the wrong time with losses in four of their last five games but still sit comfortably in the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is playing the finale of a five-game road trip at Golden State after falling 109-105 at the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (Golden State)
LINE HISTORY:
The Warriors opened as ten-point faves at home against the Clippers. The total hit the board at a lofty 225.5.
INJURY REPORT:
Clippers – SF J. Green (Probable Wednesday, head)
PF B. Griffin (Late March, quadricep)
Warriors – C A. Bogut (Questionable Wednesday, toe)
SF A. Iguodala (Early April, ankle)
POWER RANKINGS:
Clippers (-7.9) – Warriors (-15.1) + home court (-3) = Thunder -10.2
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (43-26, 32-34-3 ATS, 30-39 O/U):
Los Angeles has dropped six of its last nine games and the first five of those losses came against playoff teams until the letdown at New Orleans. “I just think our spirit isn’t great right now,” Redick said. “We’ve just got to be more together and fight more. You can talk about Xs and Os all you want, but as a player, you can feel it when your spirit isn’t right.” The Clippers have allowed an average of 110 points in their last five games and are still awaiting the return of star forward Blake Griffin (quad/hand/suspension).
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (63-7, 39-29-2 ATS, 40-29-1 O/U):
Curry went 6-of-17 from the floor at Minnesota but Green was an efficient 10-of-13 as Golden State played its second straight game without center Andrew Bogut (toe). “He missed a lot of shots he normally makes and over the course of an 82-game season, that’s going to happen,” Green told reporters of Curry. “And it hasn’t happened much for him, so it’s unbelievable for everybody, but it happens. It’s our job to pick him up.” The Warriors need to go 10-2 over the final 12 games to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins and could use Bogut, fellow center Festus Ezeli (knee) and forward Andre Iguodala (ankle) back.
TRENDS:
* Clippers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Warriors are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Under is 6-1 in Clippers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
CONSENSUS:
The early consensus numbers are split right down the middle on the point spread and the public is pounding the over at a rigorous 80 percent pace.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Warriors Fs Brandon Rush and James Michael McAdoo have each taken a turn starting in place of Bogut.
2. Los Angeles F Jeff Green (concussion) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.
3. Golden State has taken five straight in the series, all by single digits.
PREDICTION: Warriors 116, Clippers 108

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Milwaukee At Cleveland
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to look like a title contender one game and an also-ran the next and are coming off one of their impressive performances. The Cavaliers will try to make it two in a row and show some consistency when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
Cleveland lost by 21 points in Miami on Saturday but bounced back with a 124-91 drubbing of the Denver Nuggets at home on Monday, hours after LeBron James caused another social media mini-controversy by unfollowing the Cavaliers’ Twitter and Instagram accounts. James wouldn’t answer questions about his social media activities and did all his talking on the court with 33 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the win over the Nuggets. The triple-double helped Cleveland clinch the Central Division and kept the team 1 1/2 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have dropped three of their last four games and opened their three-game road trip with a tough 92-91 loss at Detroit on Monday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (30-41): Milwaukee had a chance to impact the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race on Monday but allowed Detroit center Andre Drummond to slip through for the go-ahead tip-in with two seconds left. “The ball bounced to their best rebounder and he made a heck of a play and a heck of a tip-in,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd told reporters. “They took a tough shot and we did everything right leading up to that, we just couldn’t get the stop.” Milwaukee can still throw a wrench into the race in the East with games against the Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets in the next week.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (50-20): James’ 11 assists were part of a team total of 38 – double the team’s total in Saturday’s loss – and Kyrie Irving noticed how much more open the offense seemed. “Guys were spacing the floor,” Irving told reporters. “Channing (Frye) stepped in for Kevin (Love) tonight and did an incredible job of just rolling and spacing out the floor for us and doing a great job of running into screen and rolls, so when you have that type of effort going in it gives us a great chance to win.” Frye scored 14 points while stepping into the starting lineup for Love, who is day-to-day with an illness.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers G Mo Williams (knee) returned to practice and could play later this week after missing the last month.
2. Milwaukee F Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 18.8 points on 60.9 percent shooting, 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds in the last five games.
3. Cleveland has taken three of the last four in the series, including a 115-100 home win in the latest meeting on Nov. 19.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 112, Bucks 103

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Atlanta At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
John Wall and the Washington Wizards know they have precious little room for error if they are going to make the NBA playoffs, but a five-game winning streak has them thinking postseason going into the second half of a back-to-back with the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Wall scored 27 points in the Wizards’ 117-102 victory Monday in Atlanta, moving Washington back to .500 and within 1 ½ games of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
“We got to take care of what we can first: winning our games,” Wall, who teamed with Bradley Beal to shred Atlanta’s heralded defense Monday, told reporters. “And if other teams lose, that’s big for us, but we just got to keep grinding and competing.” Victories also are critical for Atlanta at this point, given the Hawks are in a four-way battle for third place in the East — just one-half game behind Miami and tied with Charlotte and Boston. The Hawks have won 10 of 13 and rank sixth in the NBA in 99.1 points per game allowed, but could not slow down a Washington offense averaging 111.2 points during its winning streak. “They were very aggressive,” Atlanta center Al Horford told reporters of the Wizards. “They were all over us.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), CSN DC (Washington)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (41-30): Atlanta ran out of gas offensively in the fourth quarter Monday, hitting just 7-of-16 attempts from the field and misfiring on all five of its 3-point attempts. Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. continues validating his recent increase in playing time, scoring 16 points and hitting four 3-pointers against the Wizards, and is averaging 19 points on 63.3 percent shooting from the field in his past three games. Jeff Teague scored a team-high 23 points Monday for Atlanta, which has won its past 10 games when holding opponents to less than 100 points.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (35-35): Beal scored 25 points Monday and combined with Wall to hit 8-of-11 3-point attempts, and Washington placed all five starters in double figures for the fifth straight game. Wall added 14 assists – he ranks third in the league with 10 per game and is 21st in scoring at 20.2 points, averaging 20.9 points, 11.3 assists and 5.9 rebounds in March. Beal played 34 minutes (his highest total in a month), making a season-high five 3-pointers, and is shooting 55.6 percent from the field in two games against Atlanta this season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Horford is averaging 17 points across his past eight games, shooting 58.4 percent from the field in that span.
2. Washington F Otto Porter Jr. recorded his first double-double since Jan. 1 Monday, scoring 16 points with 10 rebounds.
3. The Wizards are 9-1 in their past 10 home games, limiting opponents to 93.1 points per game in those contests.
PREDICTION: Wizards 104, Hawks 101

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Toronto At Boston
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Celtics saw their grip on the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference slip away during a four-game slide but have bounced back with two straight wins to keep themselves in the race. One of those four losses came in Toronto, and the Celtics will try to get some revenge when they host the Raptors on Wednesday.
Boston enters play on Tuesday night in a virtual tie for the No. 3 spot in the East with the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks, with the Charlotte Hornets just a half-game back in the No. 6 spot. All four of those teams have all but given up on chasing the No. 2 Raptors, who sit eight games ahead of the Celtics and just 1 1/2 behind the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Toronto can tie its franchise record – set last season – with its 49th win on Wednesday and has won four straight and seven of eight as it sprints to the finish. The Raptors had little trouble swatting away the Celtics last week, sprinting out to a 30-14 lead after the first quarter and finishing strong in a 105-91 triumph.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN2 (Toronto), CSN New England (Boston)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (48-21): All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 27.2 points and 6.8 assists in five games last week, including 32 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the win over Boston. Center Bismack Biyombo was a candidate for the award as well after stepping into the starting lineup in place of Jonas Valanciunas (hand) and averaging 11 points and 15 rebounds in the last four games. The Raptors, who are 20-13 on the road, are opening a three-game trip in Boston and will play eight of their final 13 games away from home.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (41-30): Boston has its own All-Star point guard leading the way in Isaiah Thomas, who turned in another highlight play on Monday when he threw a pass between his legs on a fast break to Evan Turner for an easy score. “It’s unbelievable,” power forward Amir Johnson told ESPN.com of Thomas. “All-Star. His game play just speaks for itself. He’s one of our leaders on the team, and what he does on the court definitely surprises us all. But we know what he can do.” Thomas is averaging 26.5 points in March and has gone for 20 or more points in each of the 10 games this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics C Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) scored 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting on Monday after totaling 17 points on 5-of-22 in the previous three games.
2. Raptors Fs James Johnson (foot) and Patrick Patterson (ankle) are both questionable for Wednesday.
3. Toronto has taken the previous three meetings this season by an average of 10 points.
PREDICTION: Celtics 103, Raptors 101

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Orlando At Detroit
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
The Detroit Pistons are battling the Chicago Bulls for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference and have won three straight to stay locked in a virtual tie for the final playoff spot. The Pistons will try to make it four straight on Wednesday when they host the Orlando Magic, who have been giving teams fighting for playoff position in the East an easy time during a four-game slide.
Detroit managed to keep pace with the Bulls on Monday thanks to a pair of missed free throws from Milwaukee guard Jerryd Bayless and Andre Drummond’s go-ahead tip-in in the final seconds of a 92-91 victory. “We always fight a little harder down the stretch, everybody does,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. “We need to bring it more consistently. Hopefully, we will.” The Magic fell to the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics in their last four games – all teams likely headed to the playoffs out of the East – by an average of seven points. “It’s real tough to keep losing like this,” Orlando guard Victor Oladipo told reporters. “We have to help ourselves out there and we can’t have mental mistakes. We have little room for error and we’ve got to be crisper at the end of games.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE MAGIC (29-41): Orlando is on the verge of clinching its fourth straight losing season but is still trying to win and continues to put itself in position at the end of games. “We played hard and we were in there scrapping for it at the end again, but they made the plays and we didn’t,” Magic coach Scott Skiles told reporters after Monday’s 107-96 loss in Boston. “It’s frustrating, but you know going into a game like this if it’s going to be close at the end that (Celtics guard) Isaiah (Thomas) is going to try and take over and score, and you have to then either go right down and score yourself or somehow, someway get a stop.” Orlando will have more chances to impact the race with games against Miami, Chicago and Indiana coming up through the end of the month.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (37-34): Detroit is getting a big lift from forward Tobias Harris, who arrived in a trade from the Magic before the deadline. The 23-year-old is averaging 16.6 points on 48.4 percent shooting – up from 13.7 points on 46.4 percent shooting in 49 games for Orlando – and is fully on board with his new team’s drive toward the playoffs. “It’s a big game for us,” Harris told reporters after Monday’s tight win. “Every game from here on out are big games for us. We need every single one, win or lose it’s going to affect us and it’s going to affect the seeding, so we need every game.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pistons G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is 3-of-15 from 3-point range in the last two games.
2. Orlando F Aaron Gordon is 10-of-31 from the field in the last four games.
3. Detroit has taken four straight in the series by an average of 18.3 points.
PREDICTION: Pistons 110, Magic 99

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: New York At Chicago
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
With their playoffs lives in the balance, the Chicago Bulls are taking full advantage of a homestand against some of the league’s lesser teams. That four-game stretch at the United Center comes to an end Wednesday when the Bulls host the New York Knicks.
Pau Gasol returned from a four-game layoff to produce 14 points and 14 rebounds as Chicago rallied past the Sacramento Kings on Monday 109-102, improving to 3-0 on the homestand and holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. “Earlier in the year, it probably would have slipped,” guard Derrick Rose – who had 18 points – told reporters. “We’re just finding ways to win, just winning games somehow.” The Bulls have won nine straight at home against the Knicks, including a 108-81 win in the previous meeting on New Year’s Day. Playing without All-Star Carmelo Anthony (migraine), New York fell 88-80 against the Kings on Sunday, its third straight defeat – each while scoring fewer than 90 points.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, MSG (New York), WPWR (Chicago)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (28-43): As New York searches for positives amid another losing season filled with off-the-court drama, it sees rookie Jerian Grant provide occasional glimpses of potential. After barely playing in a loss to Washington on Saturday, Grant emerged to score 14 points and grab a pair of steals off the bench versus Sacramento. The Notre Dame product is shooting a respectable 47 percent since the All-Star break – after posting a 34.9 percent mark before it – while also experiencing sharp improvements from beyond the arc (from 14.8 percent to 29.4) and from the foul line (78.3 to 92.9).
ABOUT THE BULLS (36-33): Gasol’s return allowed Chicago to showcase its projected preseason starting lineup – Gasol, Rose, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy – for just the second time this season (2-0), but coach Fred Hoiberg said some are still dealing with minutes restrictions and he doesn’t want to push the issue. “We want to make sure we have these guys, protect them for the long haul,” Hoiberg told reporters. “If we are fortunate to get in, we want to have these guys ready to play. As of right now, we’ll keep it the way it is and hopefully gradually take the limits off.” Butler had 23 points, six assists and zero turnovers in the win over New York on Jan. 1.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Gasol needs one more double-double to record 40 for the fifth time in seven seasons.
2. Knicks PF Kristaps Porzingis is shooting 31.3 percent from the floor over a six-game stretch.
3. Following the homestand, Chicago plays eight of its final 12 games on the road.
PREDICTION: Bulls 99, Knicks 88

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Utah At Houston
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
The race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference heats up when the Utah Jazz continue a five-game road trip at the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. The Rockets dropped a 111-107 decision in Oklahoma City on Tuesday to sink into eighth place, a half-game behind Dallas and a half-game ahead of Utah, which is seeking its first playoff berth since 2012.
Seven Jazz players reached double figures in a 94-85 victory at Milwaukee the last time out. Gordon Hayward scored 13 of his 18 points in the decisive third quarter in his biggest contribution in a week, having missed two games with a foot injury and struggling in his return one night earlier in Chicago. “I finally got a couple to fall there in the third, that was about the only quarter I did,” Hayward told reporters. “Just happy that we won.” The Rockets have claimed six straight at home over the Jazz, a streak that extends to April 11, 2012.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah, Houston)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (34-36): Utah has won five of six and has held each of its last six opponents to fewer than 100 points, a quality stretch for the league’s second-ranked scoring defense. The offensive attack remains a balanced one, and the Jazz have been getting some nice contributions of late from reserves Joe Ingles and Trey Lyles. Ingles hit all four of his 3-pointers en route to 12 points against the Bucks and is 10-of-19 from 3-point distance over his last four games, while Lyles is averaging 11.8 points – nearly seven more than his season average – in the same stretch.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (35-36): James Harden had 24 points in the loss to the Thunder while handing a career-high 16 assists, which is two more than he has amassed through three games against the Jazz this season. Houston continues to get some solid play from newcomer Michael Beasley, who followed up a 30-point effort in a loss to Atlanta with 11 points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Since they routed Memphis 130-81 earlier this month, the Rockets have allowed an average of 113.3 points in a 1-3 swoon.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Jazz PG Shelvin Mack has at least 10 assists in three of his last four games.
2. Houston is 14-3 when holding opponents under 100 points.
3. Harden is averaging 35 points through the first three games against Utah.
PREDICTION: Rockets 102, Jazz 99

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Sacramento At Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Two teams that have clinched losing records square off on Wednesday when the Sacramento Kings visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Kings have fallen apart with 12 losses in the last 15 games while the Timberwolves have dropped eight of their past 11 contests.
Sacramento will miss the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season while Minnesota won’t be part of the postseason for the 12th straight campaign. The Timberwolves put up a good fight in Monday’s contest against the league-best Golden State Warriors before falling 109-104. “We had a chance to win the game. That’s all I’m thinking about right now,” Minnesota interim coach Sam Mitchell told reporters. “There are no moral victories in professional sports. We had some opportunities and I just think we had some lapses in focus at times.” The Kings also had a chance to post an impressive victory on Monday but collapsed over the final six minutes and lost 109-102 to the Chicago Bulls.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN California (Sacramento), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE KINGS (27-43): All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins continued his stellar season with 19 points and 18 rebounds against Chicago for his fourth consecutive double-double. Cousins is averaging 19 rebounds over the past two games and his streak of consecutive 20-point performances ended at nine. Point guard Rajon Rondo’s passing game has been on hiatus the past two games as he’s averaging 5.5 assists during the span after being in double digits in 13 of the previous 17 games.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (22-48): Point guard Ricky Rubio had a solid all-around game against the Warriors with 20 points, 11 assists and four steals. Rubio has picked up his offensive performance with five straight double-digit scoring efforts along with four double-doubles. Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth consecutive double-double as he soars toward winning Rookie of the Year honors.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Timberwolves SG Andrew Wiggins is averaging 27 points in two victories over the Kings this season.
2. Minnesota backup SF Shabazz Muhammad is averaging 15.5 points against Sacramento this season.
3. Sacramento reserve G Darren Collison is averaging 17.4 points and made 12-of-18 3-point shots over the past five games.
PREDICTION: Kings 103, Timberwolves 102

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Miami At San Antonio
When: 8:30 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
The San Antonio Spurs look to rebound from a rough road loss and extend their home-court winning streak to 45 games when they host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The Spurs have won all 35 games at the AT&T Center in 2015-16 and would pass the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the second-longest regular-season win streak over multiple campaigns with a victory.
San Antonio is off its best start in franchise history through 70 games (59-11), but comes in off blowing a 23-point lead in a 91-88 loss at Charlotte on Monday. The Spurs will go after their seventh straight win over the Heat – including the 2014 finals — after shooting 52.8 percent from the field while recording a 119-101 triumph on Feb. 9. Miami moved into third place in the Eastern Conference with a 113-99 win at New Orleans on Tuesday as veteran guard Dwyane Wade produced his second straight big scoring night with 25 points. “What’s great about it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters, “is the last couple of games the ball has been finding energy, and (Wade) has been the energy.”
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE HEAT (41-29): Miami plays four straight teams with sub-.500 records after taking on the Spurs and has scored at least 100 points in 11 consecutive games this month — going 9-3 in the last 12 contests overall. Center Hassan Whiteside has played a big part in the resurgence, with All-Star forward Chris Bosh still sitting out while dealing with blood clots, posting eight double-doubles in the past nine encounters. Guard Goran Dragic has also raised his game over the last month, recording at least 20 points in seven of 16 contests.
ABOUT THE SPURS (59-11): LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points in the earlier meeting with Miami and is averaging 22 over the last three games overall to push his season mark to 17.9. Kawhi Leonard (20.8) tops the team in scoring – averaging 22.7 this month – and has grabbed 20 rebounds in the last two games combined. Point guard Tony Parker contributed a team-high 19 points and seven assists on Monday, but backcourt partner Danny Green was 0-for-7 from the field and is shooting 32.4 percent from the field in March.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. San Antonio C Tim Duncan moved into 10th on the NBA’s all-time list in minutes played (47,147) after notching a double-double in 31 minutes Monday.
2. Miami PF Amar’e Stoudemire registered a season-high 16 points in Tuesday’s victory, scoring in double figures for the first time since March 4.
3. The Spurs lead the league in scoring defense (92.3) and opponents’ field-goal percentage against (43.1).
PREDICTION: Spurs 110, Heat 98

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Philadelphia At Denver
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
The Philadelphia 76ers are still trying to get to double digits in victories and take another swing at it when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Philadelphia has failed on its first six attempts to get to 10 wins and has lost 19 of its last 20 games.
The 76ers are just 3-32 on the road and the stop in Denver is the second contest of a four-game excursion that ends with road games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors. Philadelphia started the road trip by scoring 20 or fewer points in each quarter while suffering a 91-75 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Denver has dropped four of its last five games and was thoroughly thrashed 124-91 by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. “It was embarrassing, an embarrassing effort,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. “A very good team, obviously, a team that went to the (NBA) Finals, but I thought in the second half we quit. I haven’t seen that from our team most of the year. I’m very disappointed with that.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (9-62): Philadelphia has lost more than 60 games for the third straight season and coach Brett Brown made a stunning revelation prior to Monday’s loss. “I feel like the rebuild as people know it, the severe rebuild as we have known it, those days are over,” Brown declared to reporters. “We feel like we have a chance to go into a different place now. What that means in terms of wins, we don’t know yet.” Rookie center Jahlil Okafor is one of the building blocks and he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday to repair meniscus damage.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (29-42): Denver clinched its third consecutive losing campaign with the loss to Cleveland, a streak that follows a stretch of 10 straight winning seasons. The Nuggets need two victories to pass last season’s win total and could achieve that by Friday with the lowly 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers next up on the slate. Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (ankle) has missed the past 12 games and he may not play again this season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Nuggets posted a 108-105 victory over the 76ers on Dec. 5 in a game where the teams combined to make 26 3-pointers – 15 by the 76ers.
2. Philadelphia G Isaiah Canaan has made 158 3-point baskets this season, fifth most in franchise history.
3. Denver PF Kenneth Faried (back) has missed three straight games and is questionable for Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Nuggets 108, 76ers 89

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: L.A. Lakers At Phoenix
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix Suns will attempt to defeat Los Angeles at home for the 10th consecutive time when the Lakers visit Wednesday. Phoenix began the streak with a victory Feb. 19, 2012, and also has won 10 of the past 12 overall meetings with the Lakers.
The Lakers ended a four-game slide Tuesday with a solid 107-100 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Kobe Bryant (shoulder) returned from a two-game absence to score 20 points in 30 minutes and is expected to play against the Suns in his final appearance in Phoenix before retiring. The Suns are 5-7 during their last 12 games and dropped a 103-97 decision to the Grizzlies on Monday. Lowly Phoenix lost 28 of 30 games during one stretch this season and saw coach Jeff Hornacek get fired after entering the season with playoff aspirations.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (15-55): Rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell is questionable to play against Phoenix after suffering a bruised left shin against the Grizzlies. Coach Byron Scott said a decision will be made Wednesday afternoon after the training staff can assess the level of soreness. Russell, who scored 11 points in 22 minutes, missed the final 1 1/2 quarters after colliding with Memphis forward JaMychal Green.
ABOUT THE SUNS (19-51): Veteran center Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 17 rebounds in a victory at Los Angeles on Friday but might not be available after leaving Monday’s game against Memphis with back spasms. Chandler also made it clear he would prefer this be his one and only season with the Suns despite having three years left on a four-year, $52 million deal. “I want to win now,” Chandler told reporters. “I’m not in any kind of rebuilding stage. So if that’s the case, it ain’t where I’m supposed to be.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns PG Brandon Knight had 22 points in Friday’s 95-90 road win over the Lakers.
2. Los Angeles F Brandon Bass matched his season high of 18 points against Memphis and has scored in double figures in seven of his past eight contests.
3. Phoenix rookie SG Devin Booker is just 13-of-45 shooting during the past three games.
PREDICTION: Suns 116, Lakers 111

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/23

Preview: Dallas At Portland
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
Veteran forward Dirk Nowitzki put on a show on the front end of a back-to-back with Portland and looks to follow up with another strong game when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Nowitzki scored 40 points in Dallas’ 132-120 home overtime victory on Sunday as the Mavericks moved within a half-game of Portland in the tightly packed Western Conference playoff race.
Nowitzki has scored 20 or more points in eight consecutive games and he is averaging 26.8 points during the stretch. “Never underestimate greatness at any age,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. “That’s what I always say about guys like him. It’s not like he’s just an older guy who happened to have a good game. He’s been doing this on a somewhat consistent basis all year, coming up with a monster game.” The victory over Portland was just the second in nine games for the Mavericks, while the Trail Blazers are also struggling with seven losses in 10 games. The Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz are also part of the four-team battle for the final three playoff spots in the West.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), KGW (Portland)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (35-35): Point guard Deron Williams had 31 points and 16 assists on Sunday to mark the third time in Dallas history that a player had 30 or more points and 15 or more assists in the same game – Jason Kidd did it the other two occasions. “You know, any time that you can do something that J-Kidd did, that says a lot,” Williams told reporters. “I grew up watching him, and I grew up emulating him. I got a chance to play with him and to play under him, and so that definitely means a lot.” Williams has scored 30 or more points just twice this season and both times came against the Trail Blazers.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (36-35): Reserve swingman Allen Crabbe had 24 points and made a career-best six 3-pointers on Sunday to break out of a three-game funk. Crabbe averaged 2.3 points on 3-of-13 shooting during his slump but got off to a good start against Dallas and built on it to record his fourth 20-point outing of the season. “I saw my first two go in so that kind of gave me confidence, I just kept shooting,” Crabbe told reporters. “I got a lot of confidence from my teammates and the coaching staff. Regardless if I kept missing shots, whenever I came back to the bench they told me to keep shooting the ball. Don’t stop and don’t hesitate, just shoot it.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Mavericks are 2-0 against the Trail Blazers this season and have won four of the past five meetings.
2. Portland C Mason Plumlee had 14 points and a season-best 19 rebounds in the loss to Dallas.
3. Dallas SF Chandler Parsons (right knee) will miss his second straight game and will probably undergo season-ending surgery.
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 123, Mavericks 118