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**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:48 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Pistons (23-19) at Pelicans (14-27)

Date: January 21, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the midst of one of their best stretches but will have to figure out how to keep winning without one of their starting guards.

Eric Gordon is expected to miss at least a month, and the Pelicans will try to ease into his lengthy absence by continuing their recent mastery over the Detroit Pistons.

New Orleans (14-27) earned its third win in four games and shot 50.6 percent in a 114-99 victory against Minnesota on Tuesday. The Pelicans shined from 3-point range again, going 10 for 23, and are connecting at 43.1 percent in the last four.

Anthony Davis scored 35 points in his fourth game since returning from a bruised back, but New Orleans lost Gordon to a fractured right ring finger. The shooting guard, averaging 14.9 points, is expected to miss up to six weeks after undergoing surgery, ending his streak of 90 consecutive games played.

Injuries have been a way of life for the Pelicans this season, and only Alonzo Gee has a chance to appear in all 42 games Thursday.

"It's an opportunity for somebody else to step up," guard Jrue Holiday told the team's official website. "Obviously it stinks, because it seems like every year somebody is getting hurt (on the Pelicans' roster), with a pretty big injury. We're going to have to fight through adversity again."

Holiday, averaging 13.7 points and 5.0 assists, is expected to start in Gordon's place. He has totaled 42 points in his last two games while shooting 59.3 percent and has a combined 38 assists in his past four.

Holiday will try to help the Pelicans to a seventh consecutive win over Detroit (23-19) and seventh in a row at home. New Orleans hasn't lost to the Pistons on its own floor since Dec. 5, 2007.

Detroit is coming off its highest-scoring regulation game of the season, Wednesday's 123-114 victory in Houston. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris had 22 points apiece while helping the Pistons overcome Andre Drummond's woes from the free-throw line.

Drummond set an NBA record by missing 23 shots from the stripe on a franchise-record 36 attempts. He was fouled 21 times as the Rockets tried to take advantage of his 35.5 free-throw percentage, the league's worst among qualifying players, but Drummond made six of 12 tries in the fourth quarter.

"I'm not going to miss them all," he said. "I've worked on it enough where I'm going to build a rhythm and over time I ended up getting one."

Drummond went a combined 1 for 2 from the line in last season's two games against the Pelicans, including an 88-85 loss in New Orleans on March 4.

Davis totaled 66 points, 23 rebounds and 12 blocked shots in those matchups. He had 39 - four shy of tying his career high - in the home victory.

Brandon Jennings is averaging 23.8 points in his last five games against the Pelicans but is still working his way back from a ruptured left Achilles, averaging 6.3 points in 11 contests since missing the season's first two months.

Detroit hasn't defeated the Pelicans since Feb. 4, 2012.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:48 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Clippers (27-14) at Cavaliers (29-11)

Date: January 21, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Cleveland Cavaliers are headed back home for a challenging pair of games after boosting their confidence by polishing off one of the league's worst teams.

The Los Angeles Clippers won't have Blake Griffin on the court but will feature the league's best 3-point shooter in J.J. Redick.

LeBron James will play in Cleveland for the first time since suffering the worst home loss of his career as the Cavaliers look to end Redick and the Clippers' six-game road win streak.

This difficult week for Cleveland (29-11) began with an embarrassing 132-98 loss to Golden State on Monday in a NBA Finals rematch. Two more difficult home games are on tap against Los Angeles (27-14) and then Chicago on Saturday.

In between, the Cavaliers got a much-needed breather Wednesday with a 91-78 victory at Brooklyn. James and Kevin Love each scored 17 points and sat out the fourth quarter, with Love also grabbing 18 rebounds and logging a team-high 31 minutes.

"For us, we haven't earned anything," James said. "We just got to go out and prove ourselves to each other, it's not about what everybody else thinks, it's about what we need for each other to get better every night. I think tonight it was very easy to look each other in the face and know that we got better tonight."

That effort should have Cleveland rested enough to face a Clippers team once again without Griffin (23.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg) as he recovers from a partially torn left quadriceps tendon. The five-time All-Star, though, is traveling with the club on this five-game trip.

Los Angeles is 10-1 in this stretch without Griffin, with Redick averaging 20.2 points and shooting 58.6 percent on 3-pointers.

Redick is shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc after he connected at a career-best 43.7 percent a season ago. His 0.473 points per touch leads all NBA starters.

"I'm learning to be more patient as the game goes on and balance that with aggressiveness," Redick said.

Redick turned in the first 40-point game of his career Monday in a 140-132 overtime victory over Houston. He made 9 of 12 3-pointers as the Clippers set a franchise record by sinking 22.

"You could show up sometimes in a gym without defense and not make that many," coach Doc Rivers said. "It's just we have guys who can make 3s."

Center DeAndre Jordan returned after missing two games with pneumonia and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double. Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists.

Paul will face Kyrie Irving for the sixth time, with the Cavaliers winning four of five. Irving has averaged 18.6 points and 5.4 assists while Paul is averaging 14.2 points and 12.4 assists in those matchups.

The Clippers are on a challenging road trip that features the three Eastern Conference division leaders, New York and Indiana.

"This is a good road trip 'cause it's hard," Rivers said. "It's not a lot of easy games on this trip. You have to go out and play and play well to win. The teams that we're going out to play don't lose a lot at home."

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:48 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Grizzlies (24-19) at Nuggets (16-26)

Date: January 21, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies just hit a season high-water mark with the return of their point guard, and they have a clear opportunity to keep climbing over the next month and a half.

With Mike Conley back, the Grizzlies open an extended softer stretch of schedule when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night - though that first game comes at an arena where they haven't won often since the turn of the century.

Memphis' struggles in Denver date to its days as the Vancouver Grizzlies in the late 1990s to early 2000s. The Grizzlies are 5-32 there all-time, including 3-26 at the Pepsi Center.

Memphis (24-19), though, has won three straight and five of six meetings in the series, the latest a 91-84 win Jan. 8.

That opened a 5-1 homestand for the Grizzlies, who improved to five games over .500 for the first time this season with Monday's 101-99 victory over New Orleans.

Marc Gasol, Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes and Jeff Green each scored 16 points, while Conley had 15 and 10 assists in his return from a sore left Achilles that kept him out six games.

The Grizzlies, who won the last three on their longest home stretch of the season, play only two of their next 19 games against teams that entered Wednesday with winning records.

"Guys don't care if you're beating good teams or teams that don't have a great record," coach Dave Joerger told the team's official website. "I think wins are wins. I think guys' confidence is going up."

The Grizzlies - losers of seven of nine away from home - have been one of the top defensive teams in the league since Dec. 14, allowing 95.2 points per game in 18 contests.

Along with the excellent play at that end, Memphis has been buoyed by better 3-point shooting. After making 31.9 percent from beyond the arc through 40 games, the Grizzlies have hit 48.9 percent in the past three.

They made eight or more 3-pointers in two of those contests, something that happened twice in the previous 23.

Conley, who didn't play Jan. 8, hit three 3s against the Pelicans while Barnes and Lee each made two. Barnes is 8 for his last 13 from behind the arc.

Denver (16-26) is among worst teams in the league at defending the 3-point shot at 38.1 percent. The Nuggets have lost two of three and are 3-2 on their eight-game homestand.

They held one of the best offensive teams in the NBA in Oklahoma City to 42.3 percent shooting Tuesday, but the Thunder won 110-104. Denver allowed 16 offensive rebounds and 17 second-chance points while turning the ball over 18 times.

The Nuggets lost the battle of the boards 52-48, falling to 0-13 when they are outrebounded.

"The key to becoming a good defensive team is not only defending but finishing your possession with a gang rebound," coach Mike Malone said. "Think about it. They got 97 shots up, we only got 83 up. That's because of their offensive rebounding, second-chance opportunities and all of our turnovers."

Danilo Gallinari scored 27 points, but only seven came after halftime. Gallinari scored 29 against the Grizzlies earlier this month but has averaged 12.5 in 11 career matchups.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:48 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Hawks (26-17) at Kings (18-23)

Date: January 21, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings will both attempt to extend win streaks in their next matchup, but history is squarely on the side of one of them.

The Hawks go for a 16th consecutive victory against the Kings on Thursday night in Sacramento.

Atlanta (26-17) earned a third straight win in the opener to a four-game road trip Wednesday, topping Portland 104-98. Kent Bazemore and Paul Millsap each provided 23 points as the Hawks avoided a third consecutive road loss.

The Kings (18-23) matched their longest win streak this season by also earning a third consecutive victory, 112-93 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. With 36 points, DeMarcus Cousins scored 29 or more for the eighth time in nine games since Jan. 1, and his 16 rebounds gave him 10 or more in eight consecutive contests.

"DeMarcus has shown at a high, high level that he's an All-Star," coach George Karl said. "Is there a better center playing basketball right now in the NBA? I don't think there is. ... I don't know anybody that's playing at this level right now, and I hope the NBA recognizes it and gives him an opportunity to play in Toronto (at the All-Star Game)."

Cousins had 24 points and 12 rebounds in Atlanta on Nov. 18 as the Kings failed to end the league's longest active losing streak versus one opponent, falling 103-97.

Atlanta has won seven straight in Sacramento since a 119-107 loss Feb. 20, 2008, which was also the Hawks' last overall defeat in the series. The Kings have dropped four of six at home since winning seven of nine, and they have allowed an average of 116.2 points in the past five contests on their own court.

Atlanta, meanwhile, has yielded an average of 88.3 points in its last three overall games after giving up 107.3 per game in its previous seven contests.

"When our defense is where it needs to be on any given night, we will be tough to beat," Bazemore said. "Our offense gets a lot of the glory but it was our defense that kept us in the game (Wednesday)."

The Hawks played just enough defense to keep from blowing a late 11-point lead over Sacramento in November. Millsap made a key shot with 15.7 seconds left while finishing with 23 points and a season high-tying 16 rebounds.

Dennis Schroder contributed 22 points - two shy of matching his career high - but hasn't been at his best entering this matchup. He totaled 14 points while missing 15 of 21 shots in his past two games.

Millsap has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games and has shot 58.9 percent in his past seven contests. Bazemore's performance Wednesday followed a five-game stretch in which he averaged 8.4 while shooting 39.0 percent.

Jeff Teague is averaging 19.4 points and 11.2 assists in his last five games against Sacramento, but was forced to miss the latest matchup because of an ankle injury.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Spurs (36-6) at Suns (13-30)

Date: January 21, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The matchup everyone is looking forward to awaits San Antonio at the end of its three-game road swing. The Spurs, however, insist they're only focused on the opponent directly in front of them.

San Antonio will be missing its star point guard Thursday night, though it has been the team's defensive effort that has made life miserable for the Phoenix Suns.

With Tony Parker out, the Spurs look to keep pace with league-best Golden State - as well as the best start in franchise history - by extending their winning streak to 12.

After winning their 33rd straight home game - 112-83 over Dallas on Sunday - San Antonio will take on the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers before Monday's highly anticipated matchup with the Warriors.

The Spurs (36-6) have moved within a couple of games of Golden State while winning their last 11 by an average of 17.5 points. However, they aren't ready to think about their looming showdown as they look to match the 2010-11 team for the best 43-game start in franchise history.

"We're taking it one game at a time. Golden State is not our next game, so we don't worry about what other teams are doing," guard Danny Green said. "Right now, we have to worry about Phoenix."

San Antonio has won 17 of the past 21 meetings with the Suns, but will be short-handed after Parker left Sunday's game due to hip soreness. It's the same injury that forced him to miss two games earlier this month.

Parker had given a spark by totaling 55 points in his previous two games

The Spurs, who allow an NBA-low 89.6 points per game, hope to keep locking down defensively against Phoenix after limiting Dallas to a season-low 35.8 percent shooting.

Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, 13 rebounds and helped San Antonio hold the Suns to a then-season-low point total in a 112-79 win Dec. 30. The Spurs had limited Phoenix to its previous low in a 98-84 victory Nov. 23.

"There are always things we can do better offensively and defensively," Green said. "We can be more consistent and try to do it every play."

The Suns needed a 33-point fourth-quarter outburst Feb. 28 to avoid setting the franchise record for fewest points in a 101-74 loss to San Antonio in the most recent meeting in Phoenix. However, they did set the team mark with 24 first-half points.

San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 23 points Sunday, did not play in the first meeting but finished with 21 and 12 rebounds in December.

That matchup was part of a tailspin in which Phoenix (13-30) has averaged 96.6 points on 42.5 percent shooting while dropping 14 of 15. The banged-up Suns shot a season-low 34.6 percent in their fifth straight loss Tuesday, 97-94 to visiting Indiana.

Markieff Morris is questionable after suffering a strained shoulder, while Mirza Teletovic is uncertain due to a sprained ankle. T.J. Warren (knee) and Jon Leuer (back) might also be sidelined.

'There's no excuse," forward P.J. Tucker said. "We've got five guys that can play, we've got to out and play together and play hard.'

Rookie Devin Booker shined with a season-high 32 points, becoming the third-youngest player (19 years, 81 days) in NBA history to record a 30-point game. He's averaged 16.9 points over his last eight.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Thursday's NBA Essentials
By Tony Mejia

Clippers at Cavaliers – 8:05 ET

While it was nice for the Cavs to break through with a win in Brooklyn to rid themselves of the stench from Monday’s 132-98 home loss to Golden State, they return to the scene of the crime. They’ll face an elite team again, giving them an opportunity to truly move forward.

LeBron James preached the need to ensure one loss not derail the bigger picture, but there’s no question the rout lingered. Cleveland altered its routine for the Nets game, hanging around the facility to watch film and air out grievances with one another. There were immediate results in Brooklyn, as Kevin Love rebounded from his worst game of the season against the Warriors (3 points, 6 boards) with one of his most productive (17 points, 18 boards).

Kyrie Irving played just 21 minutes against the Nets and hit four of seven shots, but he and Love will really be tested by Chris Paul and his pick-and-roll brilliance. Although Blake Griffin will remain out for L.A.’s next two games as he aims to return from a partially torn tendon in his left quad, the Clippers have won 11 of 12 games without him. They’re 9-3 ATS in those games, but were an underdog in only two contests, winning both outright. The Cavs are 15-2 at home, but just 8-9 against the number.

Cleveland swept this series last year and has lost to the Clippers only once at the Q since 2002-03. James has never lost to the Clips in the building.

Pistons at Pelicans (-1.5, 203.5) – 8:05 ET

New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry has shown he won’t hesitate to utilize the Hack-a-Shaq strategy if it suits him, so we might get another dose of Andre Drummond missed free throws here.

The Pistons center went 13-for-36 from the line in Wednesday’s 123-114 win over the Rockets, playing just 23 minutes as head coach Stan Van Gundy felt he couldn’t have him out there anymore. Drummond, who leads the NBA averaging 15.0 rebounds per game, is an elite rim protector and a lock to make his first All-Star appearance, but he’s down to 35.5 percent from the charity stripe and needs to improve to keep from becoming a liability in helping teams hang around in games.

Detroit had lost three of four prior to last night’s victory in Houston, but has seen shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope really begin to break through. He’s scored 20 or more points six times in his last 10 games, the first time he’s done that in his entire pro career. He’ll likely be a problem for Tyreke Evans, who has returned after missing games due to knee pain, an issue he’s trying to play through. Fellow wing Eric Gordon has been lost four-to-six weeks after fracturing the ring finger on his shooting hand.

The Pelicans have won three of four games but have only beaten one team with a winning record all month. Anthony Davis comes off a 35-point game, his highest output since Nov. 28. New Orleans has won its last six against the Pistons, who they’ll see again in Auburn Hills on Feb. 21.

Grizzlies (-1.5, 194.5) at Nuggets – 9:05 ET, ESPN

Memphis PG Mike Conley returned from a six-game absence due to an Achilles injury, dishing out 10 assists and scoring 16 in a 101-99 home win over the Pelicans. The Grizzlies will be playing on the road for the first time since Jan. 6 and have only won once in their last five away from Memphis. They’ve lost seven of nine to fall to 8-12 on the road this season, which includes a 9-10-1 mark ATS.

Despite just getting Conley back, the Griz have won five of six and will be favored on the road on Saturday at Minnesota in addition to being favored slightly here.

The Grizzlies are hoping to finally get into a groove in what’s been a rocky season by their standards. Between improved health and better on-floor chemistry, Memphis looks primed to make a run if it can take care of business on this short trip since it will return to face three teams with losing records at home to close out January.

Denver lost at Fed Ex Forum 91-84 on Jan. 8 in the first meeting between these teams. The Nuggets have won three of the last five outright and covered in four of the games, coming off a 110-104 home loss to OKC. Their last four games have all gone over the posted total. They’ve dropped five of the last six against the Grizzlies.

Hawks at Kings (-1, 218.5) – 10:05 ET

DeMarcus Cousins scored 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to record his eighth consecutive double-double. He’s notched nine in his last 10 games, averaging 30.6 points and 13.4 boards over a span that has produced six Kings’ victories. NBA assist leader Rajon Rondo dropped another 17 dimes and has a streak of at least 10 in nine consecutive games he’s played in. Rudy Gay has scored in double-figures in every game this month, shooting over 53 percent from the field and averaging 19.3 points. By every definition of the term, Sacramento has itself a Big Three.

The Thunder and Clippers are among the Kings’ victims this month, with those wins coming on the road. George Karl’s team will start a three-game home stretch against the Hawks and will be looking to even their record at 11-11 at Sleep Train Arena. Sacramento is 8-13 ATS at home.

Atlanta pulled out a 104-98 nationally-televised win at Portland on Wednesday night, increasing its Southeast Division lead to three games over slumping Miami. Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore, the Hawks starting forwards, each scored 23 points on 15-for-25 shooting (60 pct). Every member of the team’s starting lineup connected on a 3-pointer as they ended up shooting 10-for-24 from beyond the arc.

The Hawks have won and covered in five of their last seven games. Neither PG Jeff Teague or Bazemore participated in Atlanta’s 103-97 home victory over the Kings on Nov. 18, covering a 2.5-point spread. It was the Hawks’ 15th consecutive victory over Sacramento, which will be trying to end a streak that dates back to 2008.

Spurs (-14, 200.5) at Suns – 10:35 ET

San Antonio puts its NBA-high 11-game winning streak on the line against Phoenix, a team it has already defeated twice, albeit at home. The Spurs won and covered in both wins, prevailing by a combined margin of 47 points. This will be the first leg of a back-to-back that continues at Staples Center against the lowly Lakers on Friday, so it remains to be seen how Gregg Popovich handles his rotation.

PG Tony Parker, who is nursing a sore right hip, has already been ruled out. Patty Mills will get the start, backed by third-year guard and D-League standout Ray McCallum.

As a road favorite of 9.5 or more, the Spurs are a perfect 4-0 straight up and against the spread, beating the Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves and 76ers by a combined margin of 128 points, which includes a 129-68 demolition of Philly but also features wins of 25 or more in the three other games. They take care of business against teams they’re expected to dominate. Though they failed to cover at home against the Cavs, San Antonio is 8-3 against the number during its current winning streak and 21-8-1 ATS over the last 30 since Nov. 21. While it’s not quite the run Atlanta went on last year, the Spurs have truly been impressive considering they’ve been favored in every single one of those games.

In fact, San Antonio has laid points in every single game this season except for a season-opening loss at Oklahoma City, which is remarkable in its own right. The Suns have only been favored once in their last 11 games and have lost 14 of 15. They’re 4-11 ATS in those contests

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

NBA Odds: Thursday, January 21 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I actually feel sorry for the New Orleans Pelicans. There's a lot of talent on that team, to the point where I believe it could be maybe the fifth-best in the West behind Golden State, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and the L.A. Clippers if the Pelicans could just get healthy all at once. But that never seems to happen and injury has struck again. Guard Eric Gordon can't stay on the court, and now he has been lost for 4-6 weeks after fracturing his right ring finger. Despite being devastated by injuries this season, the Pelicans are still only four games out of the final playoff spot. But why bother straining to get the No. 8 and get swept by Golden State? Start shutting guys down soon, get a lottery pick and then come back in full force next season.

Clippers at Cavaliers (TBA)

This is your TNT opener and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Cleveland is in the second of a back-to-back after playing at Brooklyn on Wednesday. While the Nets shouldn't be much of a challenge for the Cavs, I am very interested to see how they play here back at home in wake of Monday's home destruction by Golden State. The Clippers beat Houston 140-132 in OT on Monday for their 11th win in 12 games. J.J. Redick, who has really been on fire lately, had a career-high 40 points. The Clips made a franchise-record 22 3-pointers. Redick tied a team records with nine. Clips center DeAndre Jordan returned after missing two games with an illness and had 16 points and 15 rebounds. First meeting of season between Clippers and Cavaliers.

Key trends: The Clippers are 5-0 against the spread in their past five road games. The Cavs are 7-1 ATS in their past eight vs. teams with a winning record. The "over/under" has gone under in four of the past five meetings.

Early lean: I suppose the TBA is for the chance Blake Griffin returns from injury. That's not likely, however. I expect a Cavs win here but wait until after their Nets result in case of injury.

Pistons at Pelicans (-1, 202.5)

Detroit was in Houston on Wednesday. New Orleans beat the visiting Timberwolves 114-99 on Tuesday but obviously lost Gordon, who is averaging 14.9 points per game. Anthony Davis had 35 points as the Pelicans rallied from a 17-point deficit. Expect Jrue Holiday to move back into the starting lineup for Gordon. Holiday had 19 points vs. Minnesota. New Orleans swept Detroit last year and Davis averaged 33.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.0 blocks. The Pistons have lost six straight in the series overall.

Key trends: Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its past seven in the second of a back-to-back. New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in its past five at home. The over is 11-5 in New Orleans' past 16 at home.

Early lean: Pelicans and over.

Grizzlies at Nuggets (+2, 194.5)

Memphis won a third in a row Monday with a 101-99 win over New Orleans. Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee missed a free throw with 3.5 seconds left, but Memphis center Marc Gasol was able to get a hand on the rebound and tipped it away where no Pelicans were to corral and potentially get possession and a tying or winning shot off. Mike Conley had 15 points and 10 assists for the Grizz. He had missed the previous six games due to injury. Denver lost 110-104 at home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Center Jusuf Nurkic dressed but did not play. He had missed the previous two games with a left knee injury. Grizzlies won first meeting of the season with Nuggets, 91-84 in Memphis on Jan. 8. Conley missed that one.

Key trends: The home team is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 meetings. The under is 6-0 in the past six.

Early lean: Grizzlies and under.

Hawks at Kings (pick'em, 218.5)

Atlanta was in Portland on Wednesday and Sacramento at the L.A. Lakers. So I'd say advantage Kings there. The Hawks beat visiting Sacramento 103-97 on Nov. 18. Paul Millsap had 23 points and 16 rebounds and the clinching shot with 15.7 seconds left. Atlanta was without starters Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore. DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 12 rebounds, but the Kings turned it over 20 times. Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Atlanta has won 15 straight games over the Kings.

Key trends: The Kings are 1-5 ATS in their past six at home. The Hawks are 6-0 ATS in the past six in Sacramento. The over is 13-3 in the past 16 meetings.

Early lean: Kings and over.

Spurs at Suns (TBA)

This is the TNT nightcap and it could be a slaughter, although be aware the Spurs do play again Friday night at the Lakers so Coach Gregg Popovich could be up to his tricks here. San Antonio won an 11th straight on Sunday, 112-83 over Dallas. However, point guard Tony Parker left in the third quarter with right hip soreness. He recently missed two games with that problem, and I could see him getting this weekend off since the Spurs don't need him to beat the Suns or Lakers. Phoenix lost a fifth consecutive Tuesday, 97-94 at home to Indiana. Devin Booker had a career-high 32 points for the Suns, who lost for the 14th time in 15 games. Booker is the third-youngest player in NBA history with a 30-point game. You may have heard of the other two guys: LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Phoenix lost starting forward Markieff Morris to a shoulder injury and he sat out the second half. So monitor his status. San Antonio is 2-0 vs. Phoenix this season, winning both easily.

Key trends: The Spurs are 5-2 ATS in the past seven in Phoenix. The under is 6-0 in the past six meetings.

Early lean: I'd take double-digit points here actually, especially if no Parker.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Pelicans won three of their last four games (4-7HF).
-- Clippers won 11 of last 12 games (3-2AU). Cavaliers won nine of their last 11 games (7-5 last 12HF).
-- Memphis won five of its last six games (5-3AF).
-- Hawks won five of their last seven games (5-4AU). Kings won their last three games (1-4 last five HF).
-- Spurs won their last eleven games (12-5AF).

Cold teams
-- Detroit lost three of last five games (7-6AU).
-- Denver lost last three games, by 3-7-6 points (5-2-1 last 8HU).
-- Suns are 1-14 in last 15 games, covering twice in last 8 games.

Series records
-- Pistons lost their last six games with New Orleans.
-- Clippers lost five of last seven games with Cleveland.
-- Grizzlies won five of last six games with Denver.
-- Hawks won last 10 games with Kings, covered last eight.
-- Spurs won their last five games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Four of last five Detroit games went over total.
-- Three of last four Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Last five Memphis games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta-Sacramento games went over.
-- Last six San Antonio-Phoenix games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Detroit is 0-4 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Cleveland is 2-5-1 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Hawks are 1-3 vs spread on road if they played nite before. Kings are 6-3 vs spread if they played night before.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

'Spurs the choice'

Going back to the well is something that those in basketball betting have no problem doing, especially when it continues to offer up winning plays. In this case, the play involves streaking San Antonio Spurs against struggling Phoenix Suns.

San Antonio clicking on all cylinders have reeled off eleven straight victories (8-3 ATS) behind a stingy defense holding opponents to 92.2 per/contest with the offense dropping a whopping 109.7 points/game. On the other side, struggling Suns hit the court on a 1-14 (4-11 ATS) skid netting just 96.6 points/game while allowing opponents 109.3 per/contest.

The Spurs off a 112-83 hammering of Mavericks have shown a penchant for keeping pedal-to-metal as they're 11-4 ATS off a win with the margin of victory a solid 16.0 points/game. Spurs have also been great bets lately as double digit chalk cashing 12-of-15 tickets (12-3 ATS). Another positive for San Antonio backers, the Spurs have cashed 6-of-7 against the betting line as road favorites vs a team with a losing record including 3-0 ATS laying double digits.

As always, laying double digits is cause to ratchet up the tension for a sports handicapper. However, in this case, the numbers add up well enough to conclude that San Antonio is the right choice.

**TheGame** · 01-21-2016, 08:56 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

NBA

Thursday, January 21

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
DETROIT vs. NEW ORLEANS
Detroit is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 11 of New Orleans's last 16 games at home

8:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. CLEVELAND
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home
Cleveland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games

9:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. DENVER
Memphis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games at home
Denver is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Memphis

10:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. SACRAMENTO
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Atlanta's last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

10:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Phoenix is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio

**Satch** · 01-21-2016, 09:30 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

NBA Betting Roadmap, Week 13
by Al McMordie
It’s been 44 years since the NBA has had two teams in the same season, like Golden State and San Antonio, that have smashed their opponents. One has to go back to 1972, when the Bucks (+11.16 ppg) and Lakers (+12.28) were at a level similar to that of the Spurs (+14.21) and Warriors (+11.15). And, like this season, those two teams were both in the Western Conference, so the “de facto” NBA Championship was in the semi-finals, and won by the Lakers, four games to two. We’re still a week away from the first regular season meeting between these two juggernauts, so let’s take a look at what is on the horizon this week.
Spread Watch
The San Antonio Spurs are, by most metrics, not only the best team in the league this season, but also the best team “in Vegas.” The Spurs have, by a wide margin, the best point differential (+14.21), the best pointspread differential (+4.72), and the best ATS win percentage (.682). To illustrate just how dominant the Spurs have been, consider that the second-best point differential belongs to Golden State, which trails San Antonio by 3.06 ppg. The second-best pointspread differential is owned by Detroit, which has covered the spread by 2.07 ppg, a whopping 2.65 ppg less than San Antonio’s margin. And the second-best ATS win percentage is Orlando’s .605, significantly less than the Spurs’ .682 mark. To further illustrate how special a season San Antonio is having, consider that the Spurs have only lost back-to-back games against the spread once, and that was back on November 18-20, against the Nuggets and Pelicans. This week, San Antonio will play the Suns and Lakers. And an argument can easily be made that the Suns — and not the 76ers or Lakers — are currently the NBA’s worst team. Phoenix has won just one of its last 14 games, and has been outscored by 13.42 ppg in this stretch. For the season, the Suns have covered just 38% of the time, and have failed to cover the spread by an average of -3.63 ppg. Both of those stats rank dead last in the league! And, lest one think the Spurs might be “overvalued” vs. Phoenix, consider that, since 1991, in the 2nd half of the season, teams have covered 76.1% of the time if they had a total pointspread differential of +6.79 or better (i.e., by how many points a team has covered the spread, relative to its opponent). Also, teams have cashed 65.3% since 1991 in the second-half of the season, if they’ve covered the spread in 26.8% more of their games than their opponent. Look for the Spurs to rout the Suns on Thursday.
Total Watch
For years, the Memphis Grizzlies have been marketed as “Grit-N-Grind,” to reflect their defensive-oriented principles and blue-collar attitude. Indeed, over the previous four seasons, Memphis had allowed 92.9, 89.2, 94.5 and 95.0 ppg. And they went ‘under’ the total in 55.6% of their games (195-156 ‘under’). But this season, there’s been very little “grit” on Beale Street, and the Grizzlies have seen their defensive average balloon to 98.7 ppg. Memphis also ranks in the bottom half in defensive efficiency. Last week, Memphis played all four of its games ‘over’ the total, as it gave up 100.2 ppg. This week, the Grizz will play New Orleans, Denver and Minnesota. Each of those three teams ranks in the bottom 10 in defensive efficiency. The game against the Nuggets, especially, looks like a prime game to go ‘over’ the number as the Nuggets also played all of their games last week ‘over’ the total.
Injury Watch
On Saturday, the Chicago Bulls announced center Joakim Noah will need surgery to repair his dislocated left shoulder. He’s expected to miss the rest of the season. Noah initially injured himself on December 21 against Brooklyn. He returned three weeks later, on January 11, only to get re-injured four days after that vs. Dallas. This is a significant blow for the Bulls. But not just because Noah was averaging 8.8 rebounds a game. It was also widely speculated he would be used as trade bait next month to fetch Chicago additional scoring help. So, with this injury, the Bulls’ hopes on that front are dashed. Additionally, Kirk Hinrich was also injured in that Dallas game, and he’ll miss Monday’s game against the Pistons, at the least. The Bulls are currently on an 0-5 ATS run, and own (along with the Pelicans) the NBA’s second-worst ATS win percentage (.384). With games against Detroit (.578 ATS %), Golden State (.600 ATS %), and Boston (.550 ATS %) on deck this week, it could get much worse before it gets better.
Schedule Watch
The Los Angeles Clippers open their week with a big game against Houston, the team which knocked them out of last year’s Playoffs. The Clips have already lost the first two games of this regular season vs. Houston, and have dropped five straight to the Rockets dating back to last season’s Playoffs. Certainly, Los Angeles will desperately want to win this game, on Monday night. Following that, the Clippers will travel to Cleveland on Thursday, and then play without rest the next night, in New York. That Friday game, at the Knicks, looks to be a potential landmine for the Clippers, and especially if LA comes into that game off back to back wins. Over the past 2+ years, the Clippers are 18-24 ATS when playing without rest, including 5-13 ATS off back-to-back wins. Good luck, as always…Al McMordie.

**Satch** · 01-21-2016, 09:31 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: L.A. Clippers At Cleveland
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 21, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
The last time the Cleveland Cavaliers were on their home floor, they were embarrassed in an NBA Finals rematch. After letting out some frustration on the road, the Cavaliers return to Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday to begin a four-game homestand against the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers.
Kevin Love had 17 points and 18 rebounds in a 91-78 win at Brooklyn as Cleveland recovered from its stunning 34-point loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, which snapped a six-game home winning streak. The win over the hapless Nets comes amid a challenging stretch of opponents for the Cavaliers, including the Clippers, who have won 10 of 11 after a wild 140-132 overtime win against Houston on Monday. J.J. Redick hit nine 3-pointers – tied for the franchise record – en route to a career-high 40 points as Los Angeles rebounded from its first loss since Dec. 21. Cleveland claimed both meetings last season and has won 19 of the last 25, as well as 12 of 13 at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (27-14): Doc Rivers’ squad recently went 5-0 on a road trip that ignited its current 11-1 run, but the opponents left something to be desired; all five entered Wednesday’s action with losing records. This trek features four of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference and the quintet has a combined home mark of 69-29. “I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Rivers told the media. “This is a good road trip, because it’s hard. … The teams we’re going out to play don’t lose a lot at home, so it’s going to be a hard trip for us.”
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (29-11): Love and LeBron James (17 points, five assists) both got to sit out the entire fourth quarter in Brooklyn, which allowed them a little extra rest in advance of what will be the team’s fifth game in eight days. James’ minutes have been reduced in each of the last four games and he has fallen short of 20 points in three straight contests for the first time since his rookie season. The superstar has shot 44.5 percent from the floor in 23 games against the Clippers, his lowest mark against any NBA team.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers PF Blake Griffin (quad) is not expected to return from an 11-game absence, but could come back later in the road trip.
2. Cavaliers SG J.R. Smith is 2-of-14 from 3-point range and 3-of-8 from the foul line over a three-game span.
3. Los Angeles reserve SG Jamal Crawford is averaging 18.4 points over his last five games and has zero turnovers in 93 minutes in his last three.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 107, Clippers 103

**Satch** · 01-21-2016, 09:31 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Detroit At New Orleans
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 21, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
The New Orleans Pelicans keep getting hit with injuries and will be without starting shooting guard Eric Gordon when they host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. Gordon underwent surgery to repair a fractured right ring finger Wednesday and will be sidelined four-to-six weeks.
Gordon, who averages 14.9 points per game, was injured during Tuesday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. His loss continues a season-long trend in which the Pelicans have found themselves without key players such as guard Tyreke Evans for a sustained period, star power forward Anthony Davis for a few short stints and small forward Quincy Pondexter for the entire season. Detroit opened a four-game road trip with an impressive 123-114 road victory over the Houston Rockets. Not so impressive was the free-throw shooting of center Andre Drummond, who set an NBA record by missing 23 free throws on a franchise-record 36 attempts.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE PISTONS (23-19): Drummond had 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Rockets for his sixth consecutive double-double but only attempted four shots from the field as Houston employed the strategy to foul the 35.4 percent free-throw shooter. The Rockets intentionally fouled Drummond 21 times and his 23 misses eclipsed the record shared by Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (22 on Dec. 1, 1967) and Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (22 earlier this season). “I’m not going to miss them all,” Drummond said afterward. “I’ve worked on it enough where I’m going to build a rhythm and over time I ended up getting one.”
ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-27): Gordon and backup forward Alonzo Gee were the only players to participate in each game of the first half of the season, and Gordon’s streak will end against the Pistons. Gordon’s absence could lead to Evans sliding over to shooting guard as point guard Jrue Holiday is ready to move into the starting lineup after having his minutes managed most of the season in his return from a broken leg. “We have these two weeks left to really get back into it, and we want it,” Holiday told reporters in regards to New Orleans making a run for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis averaged 33 points, 11.5 rebounds and six blocks as the Pelicans won both of last season’s meetings.
2. Detroit SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 22 points against Houston for his sixth 20-point outing in 10 games.
3. Holiday is averaging 21 points on 16-of-27 shooting and nine assists in the past two games.
PREDICTION: Pistons 108, Pelicans 101

**Satch** · 01-21-2016, 09:32 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/21

Preview: Memphis At Denver
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 21, 2016
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
The Memphis Grizzlies just finished up a 5-1 homestand and hit the road for back-to-back games against sub-.500 teams. The Grizzlies will try to continue their march up the Western Conference standings when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Memphis began its last homestand with a 91-84 win over the Nuggets and secured all five wins by eight or fewer points, capped by Monday’s 101-99 triumph over New Orleans. “I think guys feel good,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told reporters. “Guys don’t care if you’re beating good teams or teams that don’t have a great record. I think wins are wins. I think guys’ confidence is going up.” Denver is five games through an eight-game homestand and can already call it a success with wins over Charlotte, Golden State and Indiana. The Nuggets still needs two more wins to clinch a winning stand and came up short in a 110-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (24-19): Memphis lost to the lone Western Conference playoff contender it faced during the homestand and sees room for improvement. “We still have a lot of room to cover and a lot of things to do better even though we’re winning,” center Marc Gasol told reporters after Monday’s win. “…I don’t think that we felt good about how we played. We obviously feel good about the win, but how we played, some stretches were slow. Stagnant offensively. It’s just not what we’re trying to do. Hopefully we’ll get it.” Gasol is picking up his own level of play and is averaging 23 points in the last four games.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (16-26): Denver coach Mike Malone put Tuesday’s loss on the team’s rebounding effort. “We are 0-14 on the season when we are outrebounded,” Malone told reporters. “So that was the story of the night. Fourth quarter alone, (the Thunder) have 10 offensive rebounds for nine points. That had a large part to do with it.” The Nuggets ended up surrendering 16 offensive boards while being outrebounded 52-48 on Monday, and they were outrebounded 42-37 in a loss to the Miami Heat on Friday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Grizzlies PG Mike Conley (Achilles) returned from a six-game absence on Monday and delivered 15 points and 10 assists in 27 minutes.
2. Nuggets F Danilo Gallinari has scored 20 or more points in eight of the last nine games.
3. Memphis has taken three straight and five of the last six in the series.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 92, Nuggets 90

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NBA Betting Info. 1/21

NBA Betting Info. 1/21

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