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**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:32 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Bulls (26-19) at Clippers (31-16)

Date: January 31, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

While the Los Angeles Clippers keep insisting that Blake Griffin's absence will benefit them in the long run, the Chicago Bulls think a tweak to their lineup might help them now.

The Clippers look to keep rolling without Griffin on Sunday as the Bulls continue their longest road trip of the season seeking their first winning streak since early January.

Griffin has been out since late December, first with a quadriceps injury and now with a broken right shooting hand after punching a team staff member last weekend - an injury that may keep him out until mid-March. Los Angeles (31-16) has fared just fine, though, winning 14 of 17 games since he was injured Christmas Day.

Chris Paul finished with 27 points in Friday's 105-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was a 56-25 bench advantage that lifted the Clippers.

Los Angeles' 43.1 bench points per game in Griffin's absence rank toward the top of the league, up from the 31.3 that previously ranked 23rd. Reserves Austin Rivers, Lance Stephenson and Jamal Crawford combined for 48 points Friday.

'There are a lot of guys that are playing more than they were with Blake, so when he comes back we're going to have that much deeper of a team,' Rivers said.

Los Angeles, though, did struggle to an average of 90 points in its previous three games. It's the defense that has impressed, holding opponents below 95 points in nine of the last 18 games. That previously happened only eight times in 29 games.

The Clippers, who have won 11 of 14 at home, have forced an average of 19.3 turnovers during their three-game winning streak while allowing 88.3 points per game.

The Bulls (26-19) haven't won two straight in more than three weeks, losing seven of 11, but seem to think they've found a short-term answer as they await the return of some key contributors.

E'Twaun Moore started in place of Tony Snell at small forward Thursday and helped speed up Chicago's pace in a 114-91 rout of the Lakers to open a seven-game trip. The Bulls averaged 93.8 points in their previous three games.

Moore made his first start since he was with Orlando in 2013, and though he scored just eight points, his quickness on defense led to fast-break opportunities. He had two steals and several pass deflections, and the Bulls finished with 21 fast-break points - their most since having 27 on Nov. 9.

"E'Twaun is huge at spacing the floor," guard Jimmy Butler told the team's official website. "He's guarding and plays incredibly hard. ... I like him in the spot he is in."

Butler, named an All-Star earlier in the day, made 11 of 17 shots for 26 points and matched a career high with 10 assists.

Chicago finished three off a season best with 29 assists on 47 made baskets. Pau Gasol had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Derrick Rose logged 16 points with assists on a behind-the-back pass to Moore and an alley-oop lob to Jimmy Butler on the break.

Rose feels Moore "should be out there" not just because of how he's playing but how the team plays.

"It's all about running," Rose said. "There's no way we should have three guards on the floor and not be running."

Moore played a season-high 36 minutes and may continue to see an expanded role with Nikola Mirotic (appendicitis) and Mike Dunleavy (back) sidelined. Mirotic will be out until after the All-Star break, and Dunleavy might see his first action later on this trip.

Moore didn't even play when the Bulls beat the Clippers 83-80 in Chicago on Dec. 10. While Gasol had a game-high 24 points, Paul and J.J. Redick combined to shoot 7 of 27. Butler has helped hold Redick to 9 of 35 in the last three meetings.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:32 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Celtics (27-21) at Magic (20-25)

Date: January 31, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics got plenty of assistance from their reserves to extend their win streak to a season high and a remarkable string of scoring performances.

A chance to sweep the scuffling Orlando Magic in a home-and-home series Sunday night would only seem to aid their hopes of continuing both runs.

Boston (27-21) had seven players score in double figures in a 113-94 victory against Orlando on Friday, including four from its bench. Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart led the way with 16 points apiece as the Celtics' bench totaled 62, its second-highest output this season.

Their reserves also scored 60 in a 116-91 victory in Washington on Monday.

"I think we're coming together well. This last little bit we've played pretty well together, I think, the first and second unit," Olynyk said. "We've had that continuity and just getting used to each other and playing together, and really carving out roles."

In addition to collecting its fifth consecutive win, Boston scored at least 100 points for an 11th straight game. That's the franchise's longest streak since a 12-game run in 1995-96.

"They're playing at a level like we were five to six weeks ago," Orlando coach Scott Skiles said. "They get up, they get into you, they try to make it difficult, and you try to run something (and) they just blow right through it."

The Celtics get another matchup with the Magic (20-25), who have allowed an average of 112.0 points in their last four games. Boston shot 50.0 percent and went 10 for 24 from 3-point range in sending Orlando to its eighth consecutive loss and 12th in 13 games.

"We've got to figure something out. We've got to do it fast or it's just going to keep going south," guard Victor Oladipo said. "We've said it all. We've been saying it all the past couple of weeks, and we've just got to do it. There's nothing more we can say."

Orlando has struggled at the other end of the floor for much of that miserable stretch, scoring 93.1 points per game. The Magic have averaged 101.5 in their four consecutive home wins over Boston while giving up 93.8 per contest.

Oladipo has totaled 41 points and 15 rebounds in the last two visits from the Celtics. He had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a 110-91 victory Nov. 29.

Tobias Harris is averaging 19.0 points in his last five home matchups versus Boston. Harris was held to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting in Friday's loss and has missed 17 of his last 24 attempts. Oladipo had 11 points and has totaled 34 in his last three games after scoring 29 in his return from a sprained knee Jan. 22.

The Celtics' Isaiah Thomas has averaged 21.3 points and 8.3 assists in his last three games in Orlando. He had 14 points Friday, his fewest in 12 contest, and was averaging 24.5 in his previous 11.

Avery Bradley was held to six points on 3-of-9 shooting against the Magic after averaging 19.3 while shooting 52.3 percent in his previous six contests.

Orlando's longest skid last season was 10 games from Jan. 16-Feb. 4. The Celtics won their final six in 2014-15 for their longest win streak.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:32 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Hawks (27-21) at Heat (26-21)

Date: January 31, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

An offense revived by a healthy backcourt has the Miami Heat back on track and close to the top of the Southeast Division.

They'll head home with a chance to overtake the slumping Atlanta Hawks for first place as the teams meet Sunday night.

In the midst of a grueling stretch in which it's playing 14 of 16 on the road, Miami (26-21) lost seven of eight from Jan. 9-22 as it dealt with several injuries to relinquish the division lead to the Hawks. The Heat have since regrouped to win the final three of a five-game trip, all by four points or less, and move within one-half game of Atlanta (27-21).

"Probably the biggest area we've shown some improvement is (our) grit and some toughness to be able to win some tough games on the road," coach Erik Spoelstra said after Friday's 107-103 victory at Milwaukee. "It's never easy, and it's certainly not easy in the Eastern Conference. These are tough places to play ... you have to earn these games."

Miami enters just its second game at AmericanAirlines Arena since Jan. 6 in better shape physically as well. Goran Dragic and Josh McRoberts returned from extended absences on Friday, and Dwyane Wade has averaged 25.3 points in four games after missing one with a shoulder injury.

Wade scored 24 points and had the game's final six against the Bucks, breaking a 101-all tie with a jumper with 44.5 seconds remaining. Dragic added 12 with eight assists after missing eight games with a strained calf.

"Look, we're a no excuses team, but we look a lot different with (Dragic and McRoberts)," Spoelstra said.

Miami's still isn't quite at full strength, as center Hassan Whiteside could miss a fifth consecutive game with a hip strain and reserve guard Tyler Johnson is out with a shoulder injury.

The Heat are certainly making strides offensively, however, having shot 52.2 percent while topping 100 points in their last two wins. They averaged 80.3 over a season-high four-game skid that preceded Monday's 89-84 victory at Chicago.

Atlanta has struggled to score during a 1-4 stretch, failing to top 95 points in each of those defeats. It's shot 40.9 percent and averaged 18 turnovers in the losses.

Those problems were most evident during the late stages of Thursday's game at Indiana, where the Hawks were outscored 23-2 over the final 5:34 of a 111-92 setback.

"We didn't do anything right that last few minutes of the game," guard Kyle Korver said. "We missed some defensive assignments. They hit some shots. We had turnovers on the other end. Missed some shots. The thing just snowballed on us. We have to be better at the end of the game."

Atlanta, 2-18 when held under 97 points, was further hindered with leading scorer Paul Millsap sidelined the entire second half by a sprained left ankle. The All-Star forward is probable for Sunday's game.

Though Wade has carried the Heat of late, Chris Bosh's performance may have a greater impact on Sunday's outcome. The veteran forward had 24 points and went 4 of 6 from 3-point range as Miami halted a seven-game series losing streak with a 100-88 victory at Atlanta on Dec. 14, a game Wade finished 3 of 16 for seven points.

Bosh was held to nine of 4-of-14 shooting in the Hawks' 98-92 win in Miami on Nov. 3, with Atlanta's Jeff Teague recording a season-high 26 points and nine assists. Teague had just seven on a 2-of-12 effort in last month's loss.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:32 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Suns (14-34) at Mavericks (27-22)

Date: January 31, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

If the Dallas Mavericks are to improve their position in the Western Conference, they know they'll need to take advantage of an upcoming glut of home games.

They draw another favorable matchup in Sunday night's meeting with a decimated Phoenix Suns team that's yet to win on the road in 2016.

Currently 1 1/2 games behind fifth-place Memphis and five back of the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth, Dallas (27-22) has a chance to gain some ground during an 18-game stretch in which it plays 14 times at American Airlines Center, where it's won nine of 12.

"It's an important stand for us," guard Deron Williams said. "We've only got a couple one-game trips in the next month or so. We've got to make the most of this opportunity."

The Mavericks got the stretch off to a good start with Friday's 91-79 win over lowly Brooklyn, continuing their recent trend of beating the weaker opponents on the schedule. In having split its last six games, Dallas owns victories over the Nets, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers - teams that are a combined 35-110 - while losing to contenders Oklahoma City, Houston and Golden State.

Phoenix (14-34) qualifies as a soft spot - it's a league-worst 2-18 since Dec. 20 and 4-21 on the road. The Suns have lost 13 straight outside Arizona, 12 by double-digits.

While defending teams has been a season-long problem, injuries to Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight have led to issues on the offensive end as well. The Suns are averaging 92.6 points over their last seven games and 18.3 turnovers over the past six.

After committing 23 giveaways in Wednesday's 113-95 loss at Cleveland, Phoenix had 16 in Friday's 102-84 defeat to New York to fall to 0-3 on its four-game trip.

'You've got no chance when you turn the ball over,' coach Jeff Hornacek said. 'I don't know, when I look at the turnovers they seem like basic plays we don't even complete. If you can't complete the basic plays, you're in for some long nights.'

Bledsoe underwent season-ending knee surgery Dec. 29 and Knight will miss a sixth straight with a groin strain, leaving the backcourt in the hands of youngsters Devin Booker and Archie Goodwin, who have provided mixed results.

Booker is averaging 20.0 points over his last six games after recording 21 against the Knicks. Goodwin averaged 23.3 over a three-game stretch capped by an 11-of-15, 26-point effort Tuesday in Philadelphia, but he's gone 6 of 25 from the field while totaling 18 points in the past two.

With Williams, shooting 27.9 percent over his last four, and Wesley Matthews - averaging 6.7 points in his last three - both slumping, Chandler Parsons has carried Dallas' offense of late. The forward is averaging 24.3 points over a six-game span and gone 26 of 44 from 3-point range in his last eight.

Parsons posted his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds against Brooklyn, while Zaza Pachulia had 16 points and 12 rebounds after missing the previous three games with a sore Achilles.

'He's a walking double-double,' Parsons said. 'It's definitely good to have him back and get our normal starting lineup again.'

Raymond Felton has totaled 35 points in Dallas' two wins over Phoenix this season, the last a 104-94 victory Dec. 14 that began the Suns' road skid. The Mavericks recorded a 111-95 win in Phoenix in the Oct. 28 opener.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:33 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Warriors (43-4) at Knicks (23-26)

Date: January 31, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Golden State Warriors are well aware that even the lowliest opponents are salivating at the chance to knock them off, and they got another reminder in the opener to a three-game trip.

After Harrison Barnes bailed them out, the Warriors will try for a better performance Sunday night against the New York Knicks.

Golden State (43-4) blew a 24-point lead in the second half Saturday against league-worst Philadelphia and looked like it might head to overtime until Barnes hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 0.2 seconds left in a 108-105 victory.

"We know every night we play is going to be the other team's best game most likely," guard Stephen Curry said. "We're disappointed in how we played but we got a win. There are going to be a lot of different situations to go through to keep winning."

The Warriors committed 23 turnovers - their most since Nov. 27 and tied for their second-most this season - but had 37 assists. They've had at least 30 assists in six consecutive games, the first team to pull off that feat since Golden State had a run of seven straight in April 1994.

"We kept our composure. We've got to learn a lesson to keep playing for 48 minutes. We only played 24 tonight," Curry said.

With Barnes' shot, the Warriors matched the 1966-67 76ers' league-best start after 47 games. That Philadelphia team won 46 of its first 50.

Golden State also remains ahead of pace on the Chicago Bulls' 72-win team in 1995-96. They were 43-5 after 48 games.

To stay ahead, the Warriors will try to improve to 11-1 in the second half of back-to-back contests. Their only loss was their first defeat this season Dec. 12 in Milwaukee, and only San Antonio's 8-0 mark is better.

The last time it visited New York, Golden State was facing a team that finished 10-31 at home. The Knicks (23-26) have already surpassed last season's win total by going 14-10 and snapped a four-game overall slide by beating Phoenix 102-84 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

Carmelo Anthony had team highs of 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his return from a two-game absence due to a sore knee.

Anthony sat out each of the two matchups with the Warriors last season. He was rested for a 106-92 defeat at the Garden on Feb. 7 and had suffered a season-ending knee injury before a 125-94 road loss March 14.

Golden State has won in four of its last five visits to New York, and Curry scored a career-best 54 points in the 2013 defeat. He had a more pedestrian 22 in the latest visit and 25 points and 11 assists in nearly 27 minutes in the most recent matchup.

Klay Thompson had a team-leading 27 points in 25-plus minutes in that home victory, and has a combined 77 points in his last two games. He had a season-high 45 in a 127-107 win over Dallas on Wednesday.

"They're a championship team, they really are," said Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis, who had seven points and seven rebounds in his return Friday after missing his first game of the season Thursday with an upper respiratory illness. "They're playing at an amazing level right now so it definitely won't be an easy game for us, but it's an opportunity."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Festus Ezeli might return Sunday following a two-game absence due to an injured left knee. Andre Iguodala was rested for the first time this season Saturday.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:33 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Timberwolves (14-34) at Trail Blazers (22-26)

Date: January 31, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves' headache is intensifying, and Portland likely isn't the place to bring the swelling down - especially the way the Trail Blazers are playing lately.

The Blazers seek their first four-game winning streak since March and look to continue their home dominance over the sinking Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Portland (22-26) is enjoying its best stretch of the season with seven wins in nine games, and things figure to continue trending upward with eight of the next 10 coming at the Moda Center. The Blazers have won five of six there, including a 3-1 start to a season-high seven-game homestand.

They have won seven consecutive home games against the last-place Timberwolves (14-34) and hold an 18-1 record in Portland versus their Northwest Division foe over the past decade.

After opening its homestand with a 104-98 loss to Southeast-leading Atlanta, Portland has logged three wins of at least 15 points over the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento and Charlotte. The Blazers have averaged 114.0 points in those games.

'Our team is growing closer,' Damian Lillard said after scoring a game-high 22 in Friday's 109-91 victory over the Hornets. 'We're trusting each other more.'

Lillard averaged 27.5 points as the Blazers won the first two meetings with the Timberwolves this season in Minnesota, giving them three straight victories in this series and a 28-5 record since the start of 2007-08. The two wins this season were tight ones, 106-101 on Nov. 2 and 109-103 on Dec. 5.

Minnesota rookie Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 12 rebounds in the last matchup and enters this one on a roll, averaging 23.0 points and 12.5 boards in the past six games while shooting 63.3 percent. However, the Timberwolves are 1-5 in that span and have lost three straight despite Towns having double-doubles in each game.

Minnesota has lost 14 of 16 overall and 10 in a row on the road, equaling its longest skid away from home since dropping 11 straight to close the 2010-11 season.

Towns, 20, finished with a season-high 32 points and 12 rebounds in Friday's 103-90 loss at Utah, becoming the youngest player since Kevin Durant in 2008 to have a 30-point, 10-rebound game.

Even after making 13 of 17 shots, Towns was hard on himself - particularly for his defensive work. The Jazz are one of the lower-scoring teams in the NBA but shot 52.6 percent. Opponents are averaging 110.7 points on 49.3 percent shooting in Minnesota's last six games.

"I played terrible, so they were scoring," the 6-foot-11 Towns said. "I couldn't do nothing. I was like a brick out there for my team (Friday night)... I played like crap. I didn't play well at all defensively. My teammates were the ones that got me points, I didn't get myself points."

Zach LaVine combined for just 22 points while making 7 of 21 shots in the first two matchups against the Trail Blazers, but the second-year point guard has averaged 25.0 points in the last three games while shooting 70.5 percent.

Andrew Wiggins had a season-low five points on 2-of-11 shooting Friday. He's shot a combined 11 of 32 from the field in this season series.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:33 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Hornets (22-25) at Lakers (9-40)

Date: January 31, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

In a matchup with a young team on the rise, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's return wasn't enough to get the banged-up Charlotte Hornets back in the win column.

A meeting with the Western Conference's worst team that is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak appears more favorable.

The Hornets try to send the Los Angeles Lakers into a tie for their longest losing streak in franchise history Sunday night at Staples Center.

Kidd-Gilchrist played for the first time since his shoulder surgery in October on Friday against Portland. He registered 13 points and seven rebounds in 33-plus minutes in a 109-91 loss as the Trail Blazers won their third straight and seventh in nine games.

"Being on the floor for the first time was really fun, but it's not about me, it's about the team and finding some wins," he said. "I'm happy to be back to say the least."

While they got Kidd-Gilchrist back, the Hornets might have some missing players for the finale of their four-game Western trip. Nicolas Batum is expected to sit out because of more trouble with a sprained right toe.

Batum has missed seven games because of that injury in 2016 and sat out three straight until a 102-73 drubbing to Utah on Wednesday. He had three points on 1-of-11 shooting and eight assists in nearly 40 minutes Friday against his former team.

Cody Zeller (shoulder) and Al Jefferson (knee) are also expected to sit out. Jeremy Lin (ankle) and Jeremy Lamb (toe), who has missed the last four games, are considered questionable.

"We're just trying to come in here and do what we can to win," forward Tyler Hansbrough said. "That's our only focus. I know we have a lot of guys out and our team is hurting in ways. We're just trying to step up and do what we can to win."

Even being short-handed, the Hornets (22-25) might have enough to get past the Lakers (9-40), who have been outscored by an average of 16.6 points during their nine-game slide.

Los Angeles has experienced only one skid that's gone longer, when it dropped its final 10 games in 1993-94. The Lakers couldn't take advantage of a Los Angeles Clippers team that was missing star Blake Griffin in a 105-93 loss Friday.

"We put a lot of work in and losing isn't fun," guard Jordan Clarkson said.

While Kobe Bryant sat out with an ailing right shoulder and Achilles, Julius Randle had a career-high 23 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant is considered questionable and second-leading scorer Lou Williams (illness) is listed as probable.

Bryant scored a team-best 20 points despite missing 15 of 20 shots in a 108-98 loss in Charlotte on Dec. 28. The 18-time All-Star, who is averaging 8.1 points in his last eight games, hasn't been held below 20 in his last nine matchups with the Hornets, the franchise that drafted him 13th overall in 1996.

Kemba Walker had 38 points for Charlotte, which is 2-12 on the road since Dec. 16, with both victories coming in overtime.

Charlotte has suffered back-to-back defeats since opening its trip Monday with a double-overtime win against Sacramento.

Walker has a combined 29 points in the past two games after averaging 32.6 in his previous five. He had a career-best 52 in a double-overtime victory over Utah on Jan. 18.

The Hornets have won back-to-back games against the Lakers after losing six of seven but have dropped five of six road contests in the series.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:33 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Sunday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers

Celtics at Magic – 6:05 PM EST

These two teams wrap up a home-and-home set in Orlando after the Celtics crushed the Magic at TD Garden on Friday, 113-94 to cash as eight-point favorites. The home team has won nine consecutive matchups since 2013, including Orlando’s 110-91 rout of Boston in late November, the fourth straight home win by the Magic in the series.

Brad Stevens’ team has won five straight games, including two road blowouts of over 20 points at Philadelphia and Washington. The Celtics’ (27-21 SU, 26-21-1 ATS) offense is rolling of late, eclipsing the 100-point mark in 11 straight games, resulting in seven ‘overs.’ Since losing at Orlando in November, Boston owns a solid 6-3 SU/ATS record as a road favorite, but the Celtics are 1-4 SU/ATS the last five away games when playing with rest.

It’s been a rough month for Orlando (20-25 SU, 23-21-1 ATS), losing 12 of 13 games including eight straight defeats. During this current cold skid, the Magic has dropped three games in overtime, while posting a dreadful 1-7 ATS record the past eight contests. Orlando last won at Amway Arena on December 30 against Brooklyn, while going 1-3 SU/ATS as a home underdog in the last four opportunities since December.

Hawks at Heat – 6:05 PM EST

Miami (26-21 SU, 23-23-1 ATS) has racked up the frequent flyer miles this month, playing 11 of the last 12 games away from South Florida. Following Sunday’s contest against Atlanta, the Heat hit the highway again for three more games starting Tuesday at Houston. Miami has rebounded from a four-game losing streak to win their last three contests, capped off by Friday’s 107-103 victory at Milwaukee as one-point favorites.

Erik Spoelstra’s squad has lost each of their last two home games against the Knicks and Bucks, averaging a mere 84.5 points per game. The road team has won each of the first two matchups between the Heat and Hawks this season, as Miami knocked off Atlanta at Philips Arena in their most recent meeting in mid-December as six-point underdogs. Atlanta has captured each of the past three matchups at American Airlines Arena, including a 98-92 triumph in November.

The Hawks (27-21 SU, 23-24-1 ATS) are seeing their lead atop the Southeast division slip by the day after losing four of their last five games. The most recent defeat came at Indiana on Thursday, their fourth loss in five tries this season with no rest on the road. Rest won’t be a problem for the Hawks, but Atlanta has posted a 2-5 SU/ATS the last seven games away from Philips Arena, while scoring 95 points or less in four of those losses.

Suns at Mavericks – 7:05 PM EST

Things fell apart fast for Phoenix (14-34 SU, 18-30 ATS) when its starting backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight were sidelined due to injuries. The Suns have lost 21 of 25 games away from the Valley this season, including 13 straight since upsetting Chicago in early December. Each of the last eight road losses for Jeff Hornacek’s club have come by double-digits, including Friday’s 102-84 rout at the hands of New York.

Phoenix has lost each of its two matchups with Dallas this season, as the Mavericks ran out the Suns on opening night, 111-95 as six-point underdogs. The Mavs took care of business the second time around at the American Airlines Center for Dallas, holding off Phoenix, 104-94 as four-point favorites, while taking a 19-point advantage into the fourth quarter. Prior to that ATS loss in December, the Suns had covered in its previous four visits to Dallas since 2013.

Dallas (27-22 SU, 28-20-1 ATS) has struggled on the front-end of back-to-back sets, as Rick Carlisle’s team heads to Atlanta on Monday. The Mavericks are 5-7 SU/ATS in this situation, as Dallas is fresh off a 91-79 victory over Brooklyn on Friday as eight-point favorites. This pointspread area is brand-new for the Mavs, who haven’t been listed as a favorite of nine points or more this season, while the Suns own a 2-6 ATS record as double-digit ‘dogs.

Warriors at Knicks – 7:35 PM EST

The runaway train known as Golden State (43-4 SU, 28-18-1 ATS) pulls into Grand Central Station on Sunday as the Warriors play with no rest. Steve Kerr’s team heads to Madison Square Garden following Saturday’s three-point victory at Philadelphia, going for their 22nd road win in 26 tries this season. This Golden State offense continues to scorch the scoreboard on the road, topping the 109-point mark in seven of the past nine away contests, while going 6-3 to the ‘over.’

The Knicks (23-26 SU, 29-20 ATS) were running out of healthy bodies on Thursday at Toronto, as Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jose Calderon all sat out due to various injuries. New York managed a cover as 12-point underdogs, 103-93 to suffer its fourth straight loss. Derek Fisher’s team snapped that skid in Friday’s 102-84 home blowout of the Suns as Anthony and Porzingis combined to score only 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting.

New York continues to play well at Madison Square Garden, winning seven of its last nine home games with the two losses coming to a pair of Western powers, the Thunder and Clippers. The Knicks lost both meetings with the Warriors last season, including a 106-92 home defeat to Golden State in February as Anthony didn’t suit up due to a knee injury.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:34 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

NBA

Sunday's hot teams
-- Clippers won four of last five games (7-5 last 12HF).
-- Celtics won their last five games (5-1 last 6AF).
-- Miami won its last three games, all on road (10-11HF).
-- Dallas won three of last four home games (6-2 last 8HF).
-- Warriors won their last six games (4-5 last 9AF).
-- Portland won seven of its last nine games (6-0 last 6HF).

Cold teams
-- Bulls are 4-6 in their last ten games (6-8AU).
-- Orlando lost its last eight games (1-7 vs spread).
-- Hawks lost four of their last five games (1-3 last 4AU).
-- Suns lost nine of last ten games (1-12 last 13AU).
-- Knicks lost four of last five games (3-1 last 4HU).
-- Minnesota lost five of its last six games (3-8 last 11AU).
-- Charlotte lost last two games, by 29-18 points (1-5AF).
-- Lakers lost their last nine games (8-10HU).

Series records
-- Clippers won five of last seven games with Chicago.
-- Home side won last nine Boston-Orlando games.
-- Hawks won seven of last eight games with Miami.
-- Mavericks won their last three games with Phoenix.
-- Warriors won four of last five games with New York.
-- Portland won its last three games with Minnesota.
-- Lakers lost three of last four games with Charlotte.

Totals
-- Seven of last ten Chicago games went over the total.
-- Last four Orlando games went over the total.
-- Last four Atlanta-Miami games stayed under.
-- Over is 6-3 in last nine Dallas-Phoenix games.
-- Four of last five New York games stayed under.
-- Over is 5-0-1 in last six Minnesota games.
-- Four of last six Charlotte games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Golden State is 9-2 vs spread if it played night before.

**TheGame** · 01-31-2016, 07:39 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

NBA

Sunday, January 31

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Trend Report
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3:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. LA CLIPPERS
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games when playing LA Clippers
Chicago is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 7 games when playing Chicago

6:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. MIAMI
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games
Miami is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Atlanta

6:00 PM
BOSTON vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games

7:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. DALLAS
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games at home

7:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. NEW YORK
Golden State20-4-1 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Golden State5-0-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New York's last 13 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State

9:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games on the road
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Portland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

9:30 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games
Charlotte is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 9 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Lakers last 14 games at home

**Satch** · 01-31-2016, 09:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Chicago At L.A. Clippers
When: 3:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 31, 2016
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
The Los Angeles Clippers’ internal issues are not spilling over to the product on the court, and the latest winning streak is at three in a row. The Clippers will try to make it four straight and 15 of 18 without Blake Griffin when they host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Griffin is expected be out at least a month longer after breaking a bone in his hand during an altercation with a member of the team’s staff, but Los Angeles is filling the gap any way it can. Lance Stephenson got a rare chance to step up and delivered with 16 points in a 105-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Bulls took advantage of the Lakers the previous night with a 114-91 triumph in the opener of a seven-game road trip. “I think we played extremely well, played together, rebounded the ball well,” Chicago guard Jimmy Butler told reporters. “We just gave the ball to the open guy and were making shots. Guys were spacing the floor well. The right play was to make the pass and they made the shot.”
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE BULLS (26-19): Butler was named as Chicago’s lone All-Star Game representative before Thursday’s game against the Lakers and showed why with 26 points, 10 assists and four steals. “We are putting the ball in his hands a lot, not just in isolation situations, but also we’re putting him in a lot of ball screens,” Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. “And he’s just making the right play and the right read, he’s continuing to get better in that role.” Butler was limited to 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting at home against the Clippers on Dec. 10, but the Bulls pulled out an 83-80 triumph.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (31-16): Stephenson has been an afterthought on the bench for most of the season but got a chance on Friday with Griffin out and Paul Pierce taking the day off to get some rest. The former Indiana Pacers star went 6-of-7 from the field in 22 minutes off the bench – his longest stint and highest point total since posting 19 points in 28 minutes against the Pacers on Dec. 2. Stephenson’s big game was part of a 56-point effort from the reserves.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers G J.J. Redick, who shoots 47.7 percent from 3-point range on the season, is 3-of-12 from behind the arc the last two games.
2. Bulls C and All-Star snub Pau Gasol has recorded four straight double-doubles.
3. Chicago earned a 105-89 win in its trip to Los Angeles last season.
PREDICTION: Clippers 106, Bulls 102

**Satch** · 01-31-2016, 09:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Atlanta At Miami
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 31, 2016
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
The Atlanta Hawks went undefeated in January last year en route to a 60-win season, but the opening month of 2016 has been difficult for the defending Central Division champions. The Hawks limp into Sunday’s contest at the Miami Heat sitting at 6-8 for the month, and All-Star forward Paul Millsap was lost to a left ankle sprain in Thursday’s 111-92 loss at Indiana.
Thursday’s loss was especially tasking for Atlanta, which erased an 11-point deficit to take a lead with just under six minutes left before, as coach Mike Budenholzer described to reporters afterward, “we hit a wall.” Despite their recent struggles, the Hawks still hold a 1/2-game lead over the Heat in the Central after Miami extended its winning streak to three with Friday’s 107-103 victory at Milwaukee. “We’ve shown some grit and some toughness to win some tough games on the road,” Miami coach Eric Spoelstra told the media. Dwyane Wade has been outstanding for the Heat in the past four games, averaging 25.3 points while hitting 51.3 percent of his shots from the field.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (27-21): Millsap status is uncertain for Sunday, which is concerning since he leads Atlanta with averages of 18 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Hawks have struggled mightily at the outset of games and that has proven costly down the stretch, with Atlanta going 1-8 this month when scoring 101 points or fewer. Point guard Jeff Teague scored a team-high 20 points Thursday and is averaging 16 points on 19-of-33 shooting from the field and 5.7 assists in his past three contests.
ABOUT THE HEAT (26-21): Miami point guard Goran Dragic scored 12 points in 31 minutes Friday in his return after missing nine games with a calf injury, and forward Josh McDaniels (knee) played for the first time in 26 games. Wade scored 10 points in the fourth quarter on Friday and has reached double digits in the final period in each game of Miami’s winning streak. Forward Chris Bosh is averaging 20.6 points in January, including 22 per game in his past six contests while earning his 11th consecutive All-Star berth.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Miami C Hassan Whiteside missed his fourth consecutive game on Friday with a strained oblique.
2. The Hawks shot 39.8 percent from the field Thursday, just the seventh time in 48 games Atlanta has hit less than 40 percent of its field-goal attempts.
3. Atlanta and Miami have split the first two games of the season series while the Hawks have won the past three meetings in Miami.
PREDICTION: Heat 103, Hawks 97

**Satch** · 01-31-2016, 09:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Boston At Orlando
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 31, 2016
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
A pair of teams headed in opposite directions meet for the second time in three days when the surging Boston Celtics visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Celtics pulled away for a 113-94 win over the Magic at home on Friday night, running their winning streak to a season-high five and handing Orlando its eight consecutive loss.
“They’re playing at a level like we were five to six weeks ago,” Magic coach Scott Skiles told reporters. “They get up, they get into you, they try to make it difficult, and you try to run something (and) they just blow right through it.” Boston has scored at least 110 points in each game during the winning streak and it has scored 100 or more in 11 consecutive contests, the franchise’s longest run since 1995-96. Orlando, meanwhile, has been held to 100 points or fewer in regulation in 13 of its last 14 outings and there is a growing sense of urgency in the locker room. “We’ve got to do something about it because we’re playing soft right now,” guard Victor Oladipo told the media. “We’re not playing together and it’s not working and if we don’t figure it out it’s going to be too late.”
TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Florida (Orlando), CSN New England (Boston)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (27-21): In his first game after earning his first All-Star Game nod, guard Isaiah Thomas scored 14 points and handed out eight assists in the win over the Magic, and he was given a chance to rest a sore ankle down the stretch. It was an easy call given the lopsided score and the play of Boston’s bench, which accounted for 62 points (compared to 35 for Orlando) on 56.4 percent shooting. “I think we’re coming together well. This last little bit we’ve played pretty well together I think – the first and second unit,” Kelly Olynyk – who scored 16 points off the bench – told reporters. “We’ve had that continuity and just getting used to each other and playing together, and really carving out roles.”
ABOUT THE MAGIC (20-25): The schedule will not do Orlando any favors as it tries to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference. After the second straight game against the streaking Celtics, the Magic will endure an eight-game span that includes two games against San Antonio (39-7 entering Saturday), two games against Atlanta (27-21) and meetings with Oklahoma City (36-13), the Los Angeles Clippers (31-16), Dallas (27-22) and Indiana (24-22). They finally meet a losing team in Philadelphia on Feb. 23, but Orlando lost by nine points at home to the 76ers earlier in its eight-game slide.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Oladipo is 6-of-23 from the floor in a three-game span since scoring 29 points in an overtime loss to Charlotte on Jan. 22.
2. Celtics G Marcus Smart is averaging 11.4 points on 41.7 percent shooting on the road, compared to 7.8 points with a 29.6 percent clip at home.
3. Orlando entered Saturday ranked last in the NBA with 14.3 made foul shots per game.
PREDICTION: Celtics 103, Magic 98

**Satch** · 01-31-2016, 09:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/31

Preview: Phoenix At Dallas
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 31, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
The Phoenix Suns have dropped 13 straight road games and are in danger of being swept on their current four-game excursion. The Suns will try to avoid another losing trip when they wrap things up by visiting the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Phoenix lost to Philadelphia, Cleveland and the New York Knicks by a total of 50 points in the first three games of the road trip and posted its second-lowest point total of the month in a 102-84 setback to the Knicks on Friday. The Suns’ road slide began with a 104-94 loss at the Mavericks on Dec. 14, when Eric Bledsoe was still around and healthy enough to go for 23 points and seven assists in the losing effort. Dallas began a stretch of four of five at home by stifling the Brooklyn Nets in a 91-79 victory on Friday. The Mavericks were without Zaza Pachulia and Dirk Nowitzki in a 127-107 loss at Golden State on Wednesday but had their frontcourt intact against the Nets and held Brooklyn to 35.9 percent from the field.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE SUNS (14-34): Phoenix has been without point guard Brandon Knight due to a groin injury the last five games and does not expect him to return during the road trip, leaving Archie Goodwin to fill the hole left by Knight and Bledsoe. Goodwin, a 21-year-old Kentucky product, scored at least 20 points in his first three games with Knight out of the lineup but tailed off in the last two, totaling 18 points on 6-of-25 shooting. Rookie shooting guard Devin Booker was the only starter to score in double figures with 21 points against the Knicks on Friday.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (27-22): Pachulia was a last-minute addition to the team over the summer after it missed out on DeAndre Jordan in free agency, but he has become a key member of the frontcourt. The veteran center put up 16 points and 12 rebounds on Friday after missing the previous three games with a leg injury and impresses his teammates with his all-around game. “He’s such a clever passer, screener and ball-mover,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters of Pachulia. “He’s just very unique. He’s got the mentality of a perimeter player in many ways. And in many ways, he has the mentality of a point guard because he has the ability to see things as they develop and even before they develop at times.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Mavericks SG Wesley Matthews failed to score in double digits in any of the last three games and is 8-of-24 from the field in that span.
2. Phoenix SG Jordan McRae made his NBA debut on Friday and scored 12 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
3. Dallas has taken each of the last three meetings.
PREDICTION: Mavericks 109, Suns 93

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NBA Betting Info. 1/31

NBA Betting Info. 1/31

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