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**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:35 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

NBA notebook: Heat's Johnson out indefinitely after surgery
By The Sports Xchange

Heat guard Tyler Johnson underwent left shoulder surgery on Wednesday in Miami.
The team said in a statement that Johnson will begin rehab immediately, but there is not yet a timeframe for his return. The one-hour procedure was performed by team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital.
In 36 games this season, including five starts, Johnson averaged 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He shot 48.8 percent from the field.

---The Memphis Grizzlies reassigned forwards James Ennis and Jarell Martin to Iowa of the NBA Development League after recalling the players earlier in the day.
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound Ennis, 25, has averaged 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 34.2 minutes in 12 games (all starts) in seven assignments with the Energy this season. He has averaged 1.3 points and 3.6 minutes in 10 appearances with the Grizzlies and Miami Heat this season, his second in the NBA.
The 6-10, 239-pound Martin, 21, has averaged 12.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 28.2 minutes in six games (five starts) in four assignments to Iowa. He has two points in nine minutes through two appearances during his rookie season with the Grizzlies.

---The Chicago Bulls recalled forward Mike Dunleavy from Santa Cruz of the NBA Development League.
Dunleavy has not played in a game for the Bulls this season after a low back microdiscectomy procedure on Sept. 25. Coach Fred Hoiberg hopes Dunleavy can return to the court for the Bulls during their seven-game road trip that is underway.
The 35-year-old veteran is in his 14th season with the Bulls. Dunleavy played in 63 games last season and averaged 9.4 points.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:35 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Knicks (23-28) at Pistons (26-24)

Date: February 04, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The New York Knicks swarmed Andre Drummond to key a December win over the Detroit Pistons, but haven't shown signs of being able to replicate that effort recently.

The slumping Knicks will try to tighten things up as they try to avoid their fifth straight road loss Thursday night against a Detroit team that will likely be without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who owns the second-longest active games played streak.

Drummond leads the league with 15.0 rebounds per game and is a big reason why the Pistons (26-24) pace all teams with an average of 15.8 second-chance points and rank among the leaders with 44.7 paint points and a plus-4.0 rebounding margin.

New York's game plan was obvious the first time it faced Drummond this season after he had averaged 17.2 rebounds over the previous six meetings. The club threw multiple bodies at the All-Star, holding him to just nine boards while outscoring Detroit 46-36 in the paint en route to a 108-96 victory Dec. 29 at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks are struggling heading into this meeting, losing eight of their last 11 games. They've also allowed 107.7 points per game in their past 12 after they were outscored 58-28 in the paint despite owning a 50-45 edge on the boards in Tuesday's 97-89 home loss to Boston.

"Defensively, we've slipped as a team," said guard Arron Afflalo, who had 18 points and four of the team's 17 turnovers. "It's not even worth taking about - we just have to improve. We have to improve defensively because offensively we have the talent. The frustrating part is that we're not getting the stops when we need them in the fourth quarter."

Making matters worse, New York is also scuffling offensively with 96.1 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting over a 1-6 stretch. The Knicks have averaged 94.2 while dropping 14 of 18 on the road.

Leading scorers Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis totaled just 26 points on 8-of-27 shooting Tuesday. Robin Lopez, who had six blocks in the first meeting with Detroit, was a bright spot with 17 points and a season high-tying 13 rebounds against the Celtics.

The Knicks (23-28) had a 54.4 field-goal percentage in December and could get more open looks against a Detroit team that has given up 106.8 points during a 1-3 stretch.

The Pistons shot 37.6 percent and couldn't dig out of a 24-point hole in Wednesday's 102-95 loss at Boston. Reggie Jackson had 17 points and Drummond added 16 with 13 boards.

"It doesn't matter who's scoring," guard Brandon Jennings told the team's official website. "We just need to get the win. That's the most important thing - and play hard every night."

Caldwell-Pope's run of 208 consecutive games played is in jeopardy after he suffered a groin injury. Stanley Johnson, who had 11 points and nine rebounds, will likely move into the lineup after coach Stan Van Gundy said Caldwell-Pope will 'almost certainly be out."

New York could get point guard Jose Calderon back from a four-game absence due to a groin injury.

Anthony had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists in the last meeting, but he hasn't played at Detroit since scoring 13 on 5-of-21 shooting in a 98-95 loss on Nov. 5, 2014.

The Knicks had lost five of the past seven meetings before winning in December.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:35 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Rockets (26-25) at Suns (14-36)

Date: February 04, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The only two Western Conference teams to make coaching changes during the season meet Thursday night when the Houston Rockets visit the Phoenix Suns. While that designation signifies both have been disappointments - and potential sellers at the trade deadline - each enters with some positive vibes.

James Harden will surely feel some back in the area where he starred collegiately. He'll try to prevent fellow former Pac-12 standout Earl Watson from feeling even better than he did following a losing debut as Suns coach.

A day after being promoted to replace the fired Jeff Hornacek, Watson was pleased with his team's effort in Tuesday's 104-97 home loss to Atlantic Division leader Toronto. Phoenix (14-36) got 30 points and 13 rebounds from former malcontent Markieff Morris, promising rookie Devin Booker scored 27 and Archie Goodwin had a career-high 12 assists.

'The energy was positive. I think we have another step to go,' said Watson, a former UCLA star whose NBA playing career ended in 2014. His team has lost five straight and 20 of 22.

'It's not really physical with our team, it's more mental."

The other West coach to be let go this season was Houston's Kevin McHale. J.B. Bickerstaff has gone 22-18 since taking over the Rockets (26-25), who reached last year's conference finals but are currently seventh in the West.

It's hard to blame Harden. He's second in the league with 27.9 points per game and up to eighth with 7.1 assists after totaling at least 10 in half of the last eight games.

'It means the defense has pressure on them,' Harden said of getting others involved offensively. 'Guys are making shots, guys are getting into a rhythm, getting comfortable and it's easier for me.'

Harden tied a career high with 14 assists in Tuesday's 115-102 win over Miami.

"People see the scoring, scoring, scoring, but they don't see that he makes plays for his teammates," Bickerstaff said. "They don't see the passes he makes time and time again.'

The former All-American at Arizona State has flourished when returning to the desert. His 26.6 career scoring average in Phoenix is his highest in any city, including 73 points along with 19 assists and 18 rebounds in the last two visits.

Houston has won three straight in Phoenix but had a five-game series winning streak snapped in the last meeting, a 117-102 defeat March 21.

Dwight Howard didn't play that game and might not have many left in a Rockets uniform. The 30-year-old can become a free agent after the season, and a report surfaced Wednesday that Boston is interested in acquiring him before the Feb. 18 trade deadline.

Howard's 14.4 scoring average is his lowest since his 2004-05 rookie season, and his 12 technical fouls lead the NBA. He had two ejections over the weekend, and the last one got him a one-game suspension for contact with an official.

As he served that ban Tuesday, the Rockets improved to 4-0 this month when he sits out. They've lost the last five games the three-time Defensive Player of the Year has played as opponents averaged 126.4 points.

Morris is among the most-mentioned names involving the deadline after previously saying he wanted to be traded. His best game of the season came Tuesday as he returned to the starting lineup after often seeing limited minutes or none at all under Hornacek.

'I had a feeling if I gave him positive encouragement and let him know that no matter what, we love him no matter what happened beyond basketball,' Watson said, 'and give him an opportunity to play and let him know he is going to play, he is going to get big minutes.'

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Lakers (10-41) at Pelicans (18-30)

Date: February 04, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

For more than half of the season, it was looking like there would be very few bad days for opponents to have the Kobe Bryant farewell tour come to town.

The 37-year-old might be finally throwing that into question with the Los Angeles Lakers embarking on a four-game road trip beginning Thursday night in New Orleans.

With the Lakers (10-41) facing the longest losing streak in a storied franchise history, Bryant scored a season-high 38 points, including 14 of the team's final 18 to help Los Angeles hold on for Tuesday's 119-115 home win over Minnesota. Bryant was 10 of 21 from the floor and hit 7 of 11 from 3-point range and is averaging 30.5 points while hitting 11 of 19 from beyond the arc in two games back after missing two of three with shoulder soreness.

"I appreciate the fact that he's out there competing like he has for 20 years," said coach Byron Scott, whose team had lost 10 straight. "His body can't do it like he used to, but his mind is still as sharp as a tack. He still has that will, and I marvel at that."

The Lakers have dropped five straight on the road, though they ended a five-game skid versus the Pelicans with a 95-91 home win on Jan. 12. That was their last victory before Tuesday, and while the offensive performances leading up to the win over Minnesota weren't inspiring, difficulties at the other end might be more to blame.

Dating to the 116-98 loss in Golden State that started the losing streak, the Lakers have allowed opponents an average of 109.5 points on 48.5 percent shooting while their offensive numbers haven't been much of a departure from their season.

Bryant's even had some efficient support from parts of the backcourt lately. Jordan Clarkson scored 16 against the Timberwolves and has shot 56.5 percent in the last two games, while D'Angelo Russell had 18 and is at 52.9 percent in his past two.

The defensive issues could be problematic against a New Orleans team that had been clicking offensively prior to consecutive losses. Over the preceding 7-2 span, the Pelicans (18-30) had averaged 110.2 points while shooting 47.1 percent and 44.1 from long range with an average of 11.1 makes per game.

After Wednesday's 110-97 loss in San Antonio, they've dipped to 96.0 and 43.3 percent while hitting 28.9 from outside in the two defeats. Their 19 turnovers were quite a departure from the 10.9 they'd averaged over the previous 10 games.

"I thought we did a lot of things right, but there were some things we needed to cut back on. One of them was turnovers," Jrue Holiday said. "We had 19, which you can't have. That's not really us - for the last month or so, we've cut that down to seven or eight (in many games)."

The Lakers' win in last month's meeting came with three-time All-Star Anthony Davis sidelined, and the power forward averaged 25.0 points on 66.3 percent with 9.6 rebounds on New Orleans' preceding five-game winning streak over Los Angeles.

This time around, the Pelicans could be without Tyreke Evans, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury in addition to the absence of Eric Gordon (broken finger). Bryce Dejean-Jones has started the last four along with Norris Cole, but much of Evans' offense has been deferred to Holiday. The guard has averaged 21.4 points in the last five games despite a 1-for-14 effort in Monday's loss to Memphis.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Raptors (33-16) at Trail Blazers (24-26)

Date: February 04, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors made some history over the weekend, completing the franchise's first perfect seven-game homestand.

The Portland Trail Blazers have a chance to finish their seven-game homestand with six wins when they face the Raptors on Thursday night in a matchup between two of the league's hottest teams.

A victory over Detroit on Saturday capped the homestand for the Toronto (33-16), extending its franchise-best winning streak to 11 games. A subsequent six-game trip began with Monday's 112-93 loss to Denver, but the Raptors bounced back the next night with a 104-97 victory over Phoenix.

"It's good to get back to winning," said Kyle Lowry, who had 26 points and hit five 3-pointers. "It feels good to win."

The good vibes are also blossoming for the Blazers (24-26), who have won nine of 11.

In what was generally considered a rebuilding season after needing to replace four-fifths of its starters at the season's onset, Portland has nearly clawed back to .500 and is in the mix for one of the Western Conference's final playoff spots.

'It was just a matter of time before we started to click,' CJ McCollum said after Tuesday's 107-95 victory over Milwaukee. 'Forty games, 50 games in, that's when you start to see a better brand of basketball all around.'

McCollum had 30 points and Damian Lillard had 12 assists as the Blazers won their season-high fifth straight since losing to Atlanta in the opener to their homestand Jan. 20. They haven't won six in a row since a nine-game run in November 2014 and are trying to win six times on a homestand of at least seven games for only the third time.

History is on their side against the Raptors, as the Blazers have won the last seven matchups in Portland and 12 of 13 meetings overall.

'Guys are settling into roles. That helps,' McCollum said. 'We're starting to see that better product. There's still sloppy moments - that happens in basketball - but overall we're doing a better job of taking care of the ball and finishing games down the stretch.'

A commitment to defense has also keyed the turnaround.

In the last four games, the Blazers are limiting opponents to an average 94.0 points - 8.1 below their season mark. Their 47.5 opponent effective field-goal percentage during their win streak is one of the best marks in the league.

'We've been playing solid defense," coach Terry Stotts said.

Portland's defense will be tested by a Toronto team that has been on a tear besides the loss to the Nuggets, averaging 107.8 points in its last 10 wins.

While All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Lowry have been producing slightly above their normal clip, Terrence Ross (8.8 points per game) has scored at least 15 in half of the last six games. The reserve guard is shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc in the last nine games and the Raptors are 16-3 when he makes at least two 3-pointers.

"We're just trying to find ways to win games," Lowry said. "Whether it's offense, defense, we're just trying to find ways to win games and close them out."

Portland may be without forward Noah Vonleh after he sprained his left ankle Tuesday. Despite starting, Vonleh only averages 3.6 points and 4.1 rebounds whereas Meyers Leonard averages 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while fellow backup Ed Davis is at 6.8 and 7.1.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

NBA Odds: Thursday, February 4 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Can you even imagine Kevin Durant on the Warriors with Golden State still able to keep Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green? Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, who is about as plugged in as any NBA reporter, reported on Tuesday that the Warriors would be the front-runners to sign Durant as a free agent this summer if he decides to leave Oklahoma City. Just think about that. These Warriors might break the NBA single-season record for wins and then add perhaps the league's second-best player? True, it would likely cost the Warriors Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut, but it's still a no-brainer move. Remember, the salary cap is going to skyrocket this summer. I still say Durant stays in OKC at least on a one-year deal (to link his free agency with Russell Westbrook's) and then could leave, but it's a tantalizing prospect to have him lined up next to Curry. The rest of the NBA might as well surrender if that happens.

Knicks at Pistons (-6, 204)

This is the first game of the TNT doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Detroit was in Boston on Wednesday. New York lost a second in a row Tuesday, 97-89 at home to those Celtics. Carmelo Anthony had 16 points and 14 rebounds but shot just 4-for-16. Starting Knicks point guard Jose Calderon missed a fourth straight game but is very close to returning. New York won the first meeting 108-96 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 29. Anthony led the Knicks with 24 points. They shot 54.4 percent from the field. Andre Drummond was largely held in check for Detroit with 13 points and nine rebounds. It was the season debut of Pistons guard Brandon Jennings off his Achilles' injury that cut short last season. Detroit has won three of its past four at home in the series.

Key trends: The Knicks are 5-2 against the spread in their past seven in Detroit. The "over/under" is 4-1 in the past five meetings overall.

Early lean: Pistons and under.

Rockets at Suns (+8, 213.5)

Houston ended a three-game losing streak with a 115-102 win over the visiting Heat on Tuesday. The Rockets were without Dwight Howard, who was surprisingly suspended because he brushed the arm of a ref in the previous game. Howard will be back here. James Harden had 26 points and a career-high 14 assists vs. the Heat. Phoenix lost a fifth in a row Tuesday, 104-97 at home to Toronto. That was the Suns head coaching debut of Earl Watson, who is the interim guy replacing Jeff Hornacek. The terrible Suns got more bad news when it was learned that young forward T.J. Morris was done for the season with a broken foot. He was averaging 11.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. It's the first meeting of the season between these teams. Houston had won five straight in the series before the Suns won the last in 2014-15, 117-102 in Houston. Eric Bledsoe, now out for the season, had a career-high 34 points. Phoenix has won 11 of the last 17 home meetings against the Rockets.

Key trends: The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 5-0 in the past five in Phoenix.

Early lean: Rockets and over.

Lakers at Pelicans (-10.5, 209)

The second game on TNT. New Orleans was in San Antonio on Wednesday. Los Angeles avoided a franchise-record 11th straight loss on Tuesday with a 119-115 win over visiting Minnesota. Kobe Bryant had a season-high 38 points, and I have trouble seeing him score more than that in his final year. Kobe scored 14 of L.A's final 18 points. The team has shut down rookie forward Larry Nance Jr. until after the All-Star break due to a sore right knee. New Orleans swept the Lakers last year for the first time in franchise history but lost the first meeting this year, 95-91 in L.A. in Jan. 12. Anthony Davis missed that one and Kobe played just under 16 minutes. The starting Lakers backcourt of Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson combined for 37 points.

Key trends: The Lakers are 3-10 ATS in their past 13 road games vs. teams with a winning home record. The over is 9-0 in the Pelicans' past nine entering Wednesday.

Early lean: Lakers cover and over.

Raptors at Trail Blazers (+1.5, 203)

Toronto's 11-game winning streak ended Monday in Denver, but the Raptors rebounded on Tuesday with a seven-point win in Phoenix. Kyle Lowry had 26 points and DeMar DeRozan 22. Those two were named Eastern Conference Co-Players of the Month for January. Portland won a fifth in a row on Tuesday, 107-95 over Milwaukee. CJ McCollum had 30 points and Damian Lillard 14 points and 12 assists. The Blazers actually hold down the final playoff spot in the West. I don't see them there at the end of the season. The Blazers' Noah Vonleh injured his ankle in the game, but X-rays were negative. Portland has won 12 of the past 13 meetings in this series. Lillard averaged a team-high 24.5 points in the two wins last year. Portland has won seven straight at home vs. the Raptors.

Key trends: The favorite is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The over is 10-1 in Portland's past 11 at home vs. teams with a winning road record.

Early lean: Raptors and over.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Portland won its last five games (7-1 last 8HF). Toronto won 12 of its last 13 games (1-3 last 4AU).

Cold teams
-- Detroit lost three of last four games (11-2 last 13HF). Knicks lost six of their last seven games (4-1 last 5AU).
-- Lakers lost 11 of last 12 games (7-14 last 21AU). Pelicans lost last two games, by 13-15 points (3-6 last 9HF).
-- Suns lost 20 of last 22 games (6-3HU). Houston lost three of its last four games (4-5AF).

Series records
-- Pistons won four of last six games with New York.
-- Lakers lost five of last six games with New Orleans.
-- Raptors lost their last four games with Portland.
-- Rockets won five of last six games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Five of last six Detroit games went over, if they played nite before.
-- Under is 7-2 in Pelican games if they played night before.
-- Seven of last eight Portland games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six Houston-Phoenix games went over total.

Back/backs
-- Detroit lost seven of last nine if it played night before.
-- New Orleans covered four in row if it played night before.

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 07:37 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

'Raptors have rough road ahead'

Every team has that one team where it's always a struggle. That's the case for the Toronto Raptors when it comes to the Portland Trail Blazers. In thirteen meetings the result has been one win vs twelve losses for the Toronto Raptors with a money-burning 3-10 record against the betting line. Here in Portland, the Raptors are a lowly 1-11 straight-up the past twelve visits with a 5-7 record at the betting window.

The Raptors have certainly been dominant recently winning twelve of thirteen on the hardwood (8-5 ATS) with a 9.0 points/game winning margin. However, the jinks, hex, curse or whatever you want to call it, won't be easy to overcome. The Blazers have been on a solid run themselves the past three weeks reeling off a 9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS record including a sparkling 7-1 (6-2 ATS) on home court behind 107.1 points/game while allowing visitors 97.3 per/contest. Additionally, Raptors have had problems cashing tickets during the month of February. They're already 0-2 ATS this season which drops the mark to 3-10 ATS including 1-6 ATS in enemy territory.

**Satch** · 02-04-2016, 09:14 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: New York At Detroit
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 4, 2016
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
The New York Knicks are spiraling downward in the Eastern Conference standings and attempt to break out of a slump when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. New York has dropped six of its last seven games and is 3 1/2 games behind the Pistons for the final playoff spot in the East.
The Knicks have suffered four double-digit defeats during their swoon and also played poorly in Tuesday’s 97-89 loss to the Boston Celtics. “The morale and the confidence of this team is not going anywhere,” All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony told reporters. “I won’t allow that to happen. We just got to turn this thing around quickly.” Detroit likely will be without starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who departed Wednesday’s 102-95 loss to the Celtics with a groin injury. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said Caldwell-Pope — who has played in 208 consecutive games — will undergo an MRI exam Thursday to determine the severity but will “almost certainly be out” against the Knicks.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE KNICKS (23-28): Anthony has strung together three straight double-doubles since returning from a knee injury but was just 4-of-16 shooting in the loss to Boston. Anthony had 16 points and 14 rebounds against the Celtics and his scoring has been below his typical standards as he has just two 20-point games during his last eight outings. Center Robin Lopez had a big game against the Celtics with 17 points while matching his season best with 13 rebounds — including 11 offensive boards — to record his first double-double since Jan. 20.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (26-24): Detroit has been hopeful that shooting guard Jodie Meeks could be a factor during the final third of the season but that is appearing unlikely after doctors determined his broken foot isn’t healing properly. The prognosis calls for at least another four weeks of rest and Van Gundy doesn’t see Meeks being able to help the team this season. “It’s really hard to see him being able to get back and make much of a contribution this year,” Van Gundy told reporters. “The first day he would be able to start ramping it up would be early March. He’d need a couple weeks to ramp it up and then you’re down to the last month of the season by the time he’s ready to go.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Anthony had 24 points and six assists as the Knicks posted a 108-96 victory against the visiting Pistons on Dec. 29.
2. Detroit G Brandon Jennings is averaging four points on 3-of-12 shooting during the past two games.
3. New York PG Jose Calderon (groin) could return after a four-game absence.
PREDICTION: Pistons 111, Knicks 107

**Satch** · 02-04-2016, 09:14 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Houston At Phoenix
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 4, 2016
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
The first game of the Earl Watson regime got the same result as much of the last two months of the Jeff Hornacek era, but the Phoenix Suns seemed to feel differently about themselves. The Suns will try to get their interim coach his first victory when they host the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Watson was promoted to replace the fired Hornacek on Monday and watched as Phoenix fell for the 20th time in 22 games, 104-97 to the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Watson has the misfortune of taking over the team during one of the roughest stretches of its schedule, with the Rockets (twice), the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs set to visit during the seven-game homestand that began against the Raptors. Houston snapped a three-game slide with a 115-102 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday while discovering a small-ball formula that worked on both ends. Forward Josh Smith got the start at center with Dwight Howard (suspension) and Clint Capela (hip) out, and the increased ball movement and activity on the defensive end was noticeable.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), FSN Arizona Plus (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (26-25): All-Star guard James Harden tied his career high with 14 of Houston’s 30 assists on Tuesday while Smith scored a season-high 19 points. “We lost three in a row and we definitely didn’t want to lose four,” guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. “Two of our centers were out (Tuesday) and we had to respond well. Everybody got a chance to play and everyone contributed and it was fun out there.” Howard, who was suspended one game for making contact with the referee on Saturday and has received two technical fouls in each of the last two games, is expected to be back on Thursday.
ABOUT THE SUNS (14-36): Watson talked about letting the players know their roles up front and then moved disgruntled forward Markieff Morris back into the starting lineup on Tuesday, from where he promptly put up a season-high 30 points. “The energy was positive,” Watson told reporters. “I think we have another step to go. It’s not really physical with our team, it’s more mental and mental toughness is a fragile, unique path that you have to take. I think for our team we have to build it slowly, build it with love and nurturing because we have been through a lot this year.” Watson is tasked with getting several youngsters up to speed in the NBA and ran much of the offense through rookie guard Devin Booker on Tuesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns SF T.J. Warren (foot surgery) was ruled out for the rest of the season.
2. Beverley is 6-of-8 from 3-point range in the last two games.
3. Houston averaged 122 points in winning both its trips to Phoenix last season.
PREDICTION: Rockets 116, Suns 100

**Satch** · 02-04-2016, 09:15 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: L.A. Lakers At New Orleans
When: 9:30 PM ET, Thursday, February 4, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant just enjoyed his top outing of the season but his shoulder is once again aching and he’s questionable for Thursday’s road contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. Bryant scored 38 points and made seven 3-pointers in Tuesday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves but the troublesome shoulder has flared up and his availability will be decided at some point Thursday.
Bryant’s huge game helped the Lakers snap a 10-game losing skid and coach Byron Scott was amazed at what he witnessed as Bryant scored 14 points during the final 5:02. “I appreciate the fact that he’s out there competing like he has for 20 years,” Scott told reporters. “His body can’t do it like he used to but his mind is still as sharp as a tack. He still has that will and I marvel at that.” New Orleans has lost consecutive games to Memphis and San Antonio by an average of 14 points and has dropped five games behind Portland and Utah in the battle for the final Western Conference playoff berth. The Pelicans follow the Lakers’ contest with a stretch in which five of seven games are on the road, beginning with Saturday’s visit to Cleveland.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (10-41): Power forward Julius Randle had 15 points and 12 rebounds against Minnesota for his third consecutive double-double and fifth in seven games. Randle has taken advantage of a knee injury to rookie Larry Nance Jr. to move back into the starting lineup and he is averaging 14.4 points and 11.3 rebounds during the stretch. “You just have to have your niche, whatever it may be,” Randle told reporters. “Just play hard regardless and that’s what I try to do. I know there are certain things the team needs me to do on a nightly basis for us to have a chance, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
ABOUT THE PELICANS (18-30): Power forward Anthony Davis stood out with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals and four blocked shots Wednesday night against the Spurs but didn’t get much help from his teammates. Guard Norris Cole was the only other starter who scored in double digits as he had 14 points and nine assists while once again filling in for point guard Tyreke Evans, who missed his fourth straight game because of a knee injury. Cole has scored in double digits in seven consecutive games and is averaging 14.1 points and 6.3 assists during the stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Lakers recorded a 95-91 win over the Pelicans on Jan. 12 — their last victory before Tuesday — to end a four-game skid in the series.
2. New Orleans backup SF Ryan Anderson averaged 9.5 points in the two defeats after averaging 26.3 points during the previous four contests.
3. Los Angeles rookie PG D’Angelo Russell is averaging 14 points in the past two games after experience a three-game 8-of-29 shooting funk.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 114, Lakers 105

**Satch** · 02-04-2016, 09:15 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

Preview: Toronto At Portland
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 4, 2016
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
The Portland Trail Blazers are winners of five straight games as they creep back toward .500 and cement themselves in the top eight in the Western Conference. One of the few hotter teams in the league at the moment is the Toronto Raptors, who have won 12 of their last 13 games and will visit the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Portland is doing a good job of beating the teams it is supposed to beat during a stretch of nine wins in 11 games, with only one of those victories – a 115-110 home triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 10 – coming against a team with a current winning record. Thursday’s tilt against the Raptors marks the end of a seven-game homestand for the Trail Blazers, who have taken advantage of the opportunity since dropping the opener to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 20. Toronto had a franchise-record 11-game winning streak come to an end at Denver in the opener of a six-game road trip on Monday but quickly bounced back with a 104-97 triumph at Phoenix the next night. All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry struggled to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting against the Nuggets but recovered to lead the way with 26 against the Suns.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), KGW (Portland)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (33-16): Lowry and fellow All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan were named Eastern Conference co-Players of the Month for January on Tuesday and the two showed why with a combined 48 points against Phoenix. The Raptors are using several smaller lineups with guard Norman Powell joining DeRozan and Lowry in the starting lineup and point guard Cory Joseph getting plenty of minutes off the bench alongside or in place of the two stars. Joseph logged 20 or more minutes in each of the last 15 games and scored in double figures in five of the last six contests.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (24-26): Portland leans heavily on its own backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum but is also seeing increased production from backup guard Gerald Henderson. The Duke product delivered 14 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s 107-95 win over Milwaukee. “I’ve felt good the last couple weeks,” Henderson told the team’s official website. “It was really just me going out there thinking about defense. We’ve made an emphasis the last couple weeks to really lock in on our defense and we’ve done a really good job so I think it’s helping everyone play better.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Trail Blazers PF Noah Vonleh suffered a sprained left ankle on Tuesday and is day-to-day.
2. Raptors PF James Johnson (ankle) sat out Tuesday and is also day-to-day.
3. Portland took both meetings last season and four straight in the series.
PREDICTION: Raptors 102, Trail Blazers 100

**TheGame** · 02-04-2016, 09:46 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/4

NEW YORK vs. DETROIT
New York is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 8 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 5-15 ATS in its last 20 games when playing New York
Detroit is 17-7-1 ATS in its last 25 games at home

HOUSTON vs. PHOENIX
Houston is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

LA LAKERS vs. NEW ORLEANS
LA Lakers are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
New Orleans is 8-17 SU in their last 25 games when playing LA Lakers

TORONTO vs. PORTLAND
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Toronto is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 8 games
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 2/4

NBA Betting Info. 2/4

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