NBA Betting Info. 1/23

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Preview: New York At Charlotte

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
Kemba Walker is attempting to will the Charlotte Hornets back into the Eastern Conference playoff race after two dazzling performances in victories during a five-day span. Walker looks to add another big game to a memorable week when the Hornets go after their third win in four contests Saturday night against the visiting New York Knicks.
Walker stepped up with 40 points as Charlotte rallied from 19 down in the second half to win Friday at Orlando 120-116 in overtime after posting a franchise-record 52 in a victory over Utah on Monday. Friday’s game was Walker’s fifth with 29 points or more since Christmas and he registered 31 in a win over New York in mid-November. The Knicks were routed by the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday 116-88 after winning a pair of overtime games to climb back to .500. New York’s top two scorers Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis will look to rebound from rough shooting nights after combining to make just 8-of-29 from the field.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (22-23): Porzingis had drained 18-of-32 shots from the field in the previous three games before missing 13 of his 17 attempts Friday while still being hampered by a sore foot. Anthony managed 16 points against the Clippers after going for 30 in the win over Utah and has averaged 7.3 assists over the past three contests. Guard Arron Afflalo was limited to five points Friday — his lowest output since New Year’s Day — and center Robin Lopez was ejected after going 3-of-11 from the field.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (20-23): Center Al Jefferson and swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have been out long term, but Charlotte was also without Nicolas Batum (toe) and Cody Zeller (shoulder) Friday while Jeremy Lamb (toe) was limited to four minutes. Walker got big-time support from guard Troy Daniels, who poured in a season-high 17 points in 32 minutes off the bench against Orlando. Center Spencer Hawes also responded with a season-high 16, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Charlotte has won seven times this season after trailing by at least 10 points and are 4-0 in overtime.
2. New York F Lance Thomas (sore knee) missed his second straight game Friday and is questionable for the Charlotte contest.
3. The teams split a pair of games in November, each winning on their home court, and the Hornets have won four of the past five.
PREDICTION: Hornets 98, Knicks 94

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Preview: Milwaukee At New Orleans
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
The New Orleans Pelicans attempt to defeat Milwaukee for the sixth straight meeting and ninth time in the last 10 when they host the Bucks on Saturday. Milwaukee has struggled badly when it visits New Orleans, notching one just victory in 14 contests.
The Bucks last won in New Orleans on Jan. 27, 2003 and they are just 7-19 on the road this season after suffering a 102-98 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday. “We kept fighting and hung with them on their runs and kept trying to grind it out,” Milwaukee guard Khris Middleton told reporters in regards to a bid to overcome a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit. “We did give ourselves a chance to win the game. We were just a little too late.” The Pelicans are playing the third contest of a seven-game homestand and won the first two by an average of 15.5 points as they try to get back into the Western Conference playoff race. “We’re desperate – we want to get to the playoffs,” New Orleans guard Tyreke Evans told reporters. “That feeling last year (of making the playoffs) was a good feeling. We don’t want to lose that taste. We’re definitely being aggressive and now these games matter.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE BUCKS (19-26): Milwaukee center Greg Monroe fell one rebound short of his seventh consecutive double-double in the contest against Houston when he had 21 points and nine rebounds. Monroe has reached double digits on the boards in nine of 11 January games and Friday’s output marked his third 20-point outing of the month. The hot streak might prompt some contenders to try to pry Monroe away from the Bucks, who are sinking out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (15-27): New Orleans power forward Anthony Davis averaged 33.5 points in the first two games of the homestand and has scored 20 or more points in five consecutive games as the team went 4-1 during that span. Davis, who is averaging 23.4 points and 10.4 rebounds overall, is averaging 26.8 points during the torrid stretch. “I’m just coming being aggressive,” Davis told reporters. “Trying to get the team to fight back and just play hard. They’re doing a great job of finding me. I’m not hesitating anymore. I’m just playing basketball and having fun with it.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis averaged 31.5 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in last season’s two meetings.
2. Milwaukee backup PG Jerryd Bayless is 6-of-18 shooting in three games since returning from an ankle injury.
3. New Orleans made all 18 free-throw attempts in Thursday’s win over Detroit and is 70-of-77 over the past four games.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 106, Bucks 98

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Preview: Memphis At Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Memphis Grizzlies are winners of four straight, and all they have to do to make it five in a row is keep the game within 20 points heading into the fourth quarter on Friday. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who host the Grizzlies on Saturday, are becoming accustomed to surrendering double-digit leads in the fourth quarter and have dropped 11 of their last 12 games.
Minnesota was outscored 32-10 in the final seven minutes of regulation and overtime on Wednesday to suffer a 106-94 loss at Dallas, one night after letting a 17-point lead slip away in a 114-99 loss at New Orleans. “My young guys, they’re going to learn how to win these games,” Timberwolves interim coach Sam Mitchell told reporters. “The ball is in their hands at the end of the game. They’re going to learn to make plays.” The Grizzlies have far more veterans on the roster and are executing at the end of games like a veteran team should of late. Memphis squeezed out a 102-101 victory at Denver on Thursday and three of its last four victories have come by two points or fewer.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (25-19): Memphis’ recent run of strong play has coincided with an offensive resurgence from center Marc Gasol, whose three-point play with 12.2 seconds left on Thursday provided the go-ahead score. The Spanish veteran is averaging 24.8 points in the last four games and totaled 27 points, six rebounds and three blocks against the Nuggets. Gasol is trying to be more aggressive on offense and attempted at least eight free throws in each of the last three games.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (13-31): Mitchell is dealing with the growing pains involved with such a young roster and feels like his team is getting closer to being able to close out leads. “I’m encouraged. We keep giving ourselves a chance,” Mitchell told reporters. “That’s what you want. You’ve got to knock on the door before it opens. You’ve got to keep kicking at that wall until it collapses. Last year we didn’t even know how to knock on the door.” Last year the team also didn’t have rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns, who collected 27 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks against the Mavericks on Wednesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Grizzlies PG Mike Conley is averaging 17.5 points in two games since returning from an Achilles injury.
2. Timberwolves F Shabazz Muhammad is averaging 13.3 points in the last four games.
3. Memphis has taken five of the last seven in the series, including a 114-106 win at Minnesota on Nov. 15.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 106, Timberwolves 92

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Preview: Chicago At Cleveland
When: 8:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
A day after the sudden firing of head coach David Blatt, the Cleveland Cavaliers press on with a four-game homestand when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Despite guiding the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals last season – his first at the helm – and to the top of the Eastern Conference this season, Blatt was let go and replaced by assistant Tyronn Lue.
“We are a team that struggles more than any good team I’ve been with – and this is my 24th year in the NBA – with prosperity,” general manager David Griffin said at a news conference Friday. “I’ve never seen a locker room not be as connected after wins as they need to be.” Perhaps Griffin was irked by his team’s 34-point loss to Golden State on Monday in a rematch of the finals, but the Cavaliers did rebound to win at Brooklyn and then knocked off the streaking Los Angeles Clippers by a 115-102 margin in Blatt’s final two games. LeBron James had 22 points and 12 assists as all five Cleveland starters scored in double figures versus the Clippers. The Bulls have lost six of their last eight after dropping a 110-101 decision in Boston on Friday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE BULLS (24-18): Chicago has allowed at least 106 points six times in its 2-6 stretch and dug itself a big hole Friday by giving up 64 first-half points to the Celtics. Jimmy Butler (28 points), Derrick Rose (27) and Pau Gasol (18) did their part on the other end but the rest of the Bulls combined for 28 points on 11-of-35 shooting. Chicago visits Cleveland twice in a stretch that sees the struggling squad play 10 of 12 games on the road.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (30-11): Blatt was 83-40 in Cleveland and leaves behind a unit that has excelled at home this season, with the exception of the loss to the Warriors. Cleveland is an Eastern Conference-best 16-2 at home and has won 39 straight games at Quicken Loans Arena when scoring at least 100 points. While the Bulls are forced to work through their issues during a road-heavy portion of the schedule, the Cavaliers are only one game into a span in which they play 16 of 22 at home.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Chicago defeated Cleveland by a 97-95 margin on Oct. 27 in the season opener for both teams.
2. Cavaliers SG J.R. Smith hit 6-of-7 from 3-point range against the Clippers and is shooting 42 percent from long distance at home.
3. The contest is the first of eight Saturday night games added to ABC’s broadcast schedule.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 105, Bulls 97

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Preview: Atlanta At Phoenix
When: 9:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
The Atlanta Hawks had a three-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday but have a good chance to start another one on Saturday. The Phoenix Suns, who host the Hawks on Saturday, have been helping a lot of teams get off to winning streaks of late.
The Suns have dropped six straight and 15 of their last 16 games, capped by a 117-89 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Phoenix’s season started to tail off before guard Eric Bledsoe was lost for the season, and the string of injuries is continuing with Brandon Knight (hip), Mirza Teletovic (ankle), Jon Leuer (back) and Markieff Morris (shoulder) going down of late. Atlanta fell into a 17-point hole at Sacramento on Thursday and climbed back to tie it before falling 91-88. “I think (Thursday) at times we were playing really well and then at other times we were a little careless with the ball and that turned into opportunities for them on the other end,” center Al Horford told reporters. “They fed off that momentum.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (26-18): Atlanta feels like it’s on the right track defensively with an average of 89 points allowed in the last four games despite Thursday’s loss. “Disappointing but hopeful,” forward Paul Millsap told reporters. “We know what we can do if we play a full game. That’s all we’ve got to do, play the whole 48 minutes.” The Hawks are using a 10-man rotation and left starting point guard Jeff Teague on the bench for the final 18 minutes on Thursday as Dennis Schroder led the comeback.
ABOUT THE SUNS (13-31): Phoenix is getting crushed of late and lost the last six games by an average of 17 points. Small forward T.J. Warren, who was benched due to a lack of hustle in a loss to Indiana on Tuesday, was forced into duty on Thursday and went for 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting in 33 minutes. Warren could continue to see an uptick in playing time if starter P.J. Tucker, who left Thursday’s game after taking a knee to the sternum and did not return, is unable to go on Saturday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns rookie G Devin Booker is averaging 28 points in the last two games.
2. Hawks G Kyle Korver is averaging 5.8 points over the last four contests.
3. Atlanta held Phoenix to an average of 78 points in winning both meetings last season.
PREDICTION: Hawks 115, Suns 101

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Preview: Detroit At Denver
When: 9:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
The Detroit Pistons are capable of beating the best team in the NBA on one night and looking like a lottery team the next. The Pistons will try to find some consistency when they continue a four-game road trip by visiting the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Detroit knocked off the Golden State Warriors 113-95 on Jan. 16 but followed that up with losses in two of the next three games, including a 115-99 loss at New Orleans on the second night of a back-to-back on Thursday. “So now we had a great effort against Golden State, we came back and gave nothing against Chicago,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. “And then we got a good win (Wednesday) night and came back and gave nothing (Thursday). We look like a team that is firmly committed to being mediocre.” The Nuggets are somewhere below mediocre at the moment but keep putting themselves in position to win. Denver handed Golden State one of its losses as well but lost three of four after that, with the three losses coming by a total of 10 points.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (23-20): Detroit is allowing 113.3 points in the last three games and gave up 72 points in the first half to the Pelicans on Thursday. “We’re not really trying,” forward Marcus Morris told reporters. “We are coming out with no energy. Everybody has to hold each other accountable. We come out and aren’t playing hard on both sides of the ball. After a while it gets real old.” The Pistons have dropped four of their last six games and held only one of those six opponents – the Warriors – under 100 points.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (16-27): Denver found itself in an 18-point hole before the end of the first quarter on Thursday, and coach Mike Malone is looking for a greater sense of urgency at the start. “We’re paid to win games,” Malone told reporters. “For me to have to call a timeout in the first quarter and beg and plead and demand our guys to play hard and to play with a sense of urgency, to play with a sense of physicality, when I have to do that we’re in trouble.” Thursday’s loss dropped the Nuggets to 3-3 on their eight-game homestand, with Detroit and Atlanta coming up to finish the extended stay.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nuggets F Kenneth Faried has recorded back-to-back double-doubles for the first time this season.
2. Pistons C Andre Drummond’s latest double-double streak is at seven straight games.
3. The home team has taken the last four in the series.
PREDICTION: Pistons 113, Nuggets 105

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Preview: L.A. Lakers At Portland
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
The Portland Trail Blazers seek to complete a three-game season series sweep and defeat Los Angeles for the seventh consecutive time when they host the Lakers on Saturday. The success against Los Angeles is the best Portland has enjoyed since beating the Lakers a franchise-record eight straight times from 1993-95.
The Trail Blazers are playing the second contest of a seven-game homestand but it didn’t start well as they dropped a 104-98 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Standout Portland guard Damian Lillard averages 24.3 points per game but that figure has dipped to just 16 during the past three games on 19-of-56 shooting. The Lakers continue to lose with regularity and Friday’s 108-95 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs was the team’s fifth straight and ninth in their last 10 games. Kobe Bryant had just five points on 2-of-9 shooting versus the Spurs and is averaging 7.2 points and shooting 28.8 percent from the field during the past six games while being hindered with Achilles and shoulder injuries.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles), CSN Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (9-36): After a bumpy start to the season, rookie guard D’Angelo Russell has settled in and scored in double digits in six consecutive games. Russell scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting against San Antonio and is averaging 14 points during the six-game stretch. “Every month we take a pretty good assessment on where our guys are, and every month he’s improved on both ends of the floor,” Los Angeles coach Byron Scott told reporters. “It’s not a big giant jump, but it’s just small gradual improvement. That’s what I want.”
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (19-26): Lillard will be aiming to end his minislump and bolster his odds of being selected as an All-Star reserve against the Lakers, a team he has enjoyed success against. Lillard is averaging 29.5 points and 10 assists in this season’s two meetings and has scored 20 or more points in 10 of 13 career games against Los Angeles, including five 30-point outings. He was just 1-of-6 from 3-point range against the Hawks but had plenty of company in terms of the poor shooting as Portland was just 9-of-31 overall from long distance.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers won the first two meetings by an average of 13 points and have won each of the past five games by double digits.
2. Los Angeles rookie PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) is expected to sit out his fourth straight contest.
3. Portland SG C.J. McCollum is averaging 26.5 points in the last two games after shooting 33.3 percent from the field during a six-game span.
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 111, Lakers 98

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Preview: Indiana At Sacramento
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 23, 2016
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
DeMarcus Cousins is in the midst of a torrid stretch and the Sacramento Kings aim to increase their season-best winning streak to five games when they host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Cousins has posted double-doubles in nine consecutive games and is averaging 30.9 points and 13.8 rebounds in January.
Cousins, who has seven 30-point outings this month, contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds Thursday as the Kings halted a 15-game losing streak against the Atlanta Hawks with a 91-88 victory. Point guard Rajon Rondo posted a triple-double against the Hawks with 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds and has recorded double digits in assists in each of his past 10 games. Indiana has dropped four of its last five games and was outclassed 122-110 by the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Pacers rookie forward Myles Turner scored a season-best 31 points and is averaging 23.7 points on 30-of-41 shooting during the past three games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, CSN California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE PACERS (23-20): All-Star small forward Paul George is mired in a three-game funk and had just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting against the Warriors. George is averaging 16.7 points in the past three games — nearly seven points below his season average — after scoring 20 or more points in eight of the previous nine contests. Backup point guard Rodney Stuckey (foot) is expected to miss his sixth straight game, and his absence has provided an opportunity for rookie guard Joseph Young, who is averaging 14 points during the last three games and recorded season highs of 16 points and eight assists against Golden State.
ABOUT THE KINGS (19-23): Starting small forward Rudy Gay missed the Atlanta contest with a left heel injury and is questionable to play against the Pacers. Gay ranks second on Sacramento in scoring (17.9) but has also proven to be more than capable when guarding the opposition this season. “Rudy’s actually, I think, been playing at a really good level defensively,” Kings coach George Karl told reporters. “The last 10, 15 games, he’s done a really good job of focusing and improving his defense.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings have won the past three meetings, including a 108-106 road victory Dec. 23.
2. Indiana PG George Hill is expected back after a three-game absence related to the premature birth of his son.
3. Sacramento rookie C Willie Cauley-Stein has back-to-back double-doubles — the first two of his career.
PREDICTION: Kings 101, Pacers 95

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Utah at Washington
Postponed


Boston at Philadelphia
Postponed