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**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:40 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Pistons (27-29) at Cavaliers (40-14)

Date: February 22, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Another offensive outburst lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a statement victory, even largely without Kyrie Irving. Meanwhile, the short-handed Detroit Pistons continued their freefall with another defensive lapse.

The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers seek their sixth straight win Monday night while extending a losing streak of the same length for the visiting Pistons, whose season-high skid has them on the outside looking in on the postseason race.

If Sunday's game at Oklahoma City was a benchmark for Cleveland (40-14), it passed with flying colors by logging its second five-game winning streak since Tyronn Lue stepped in as coach for the fired David Blatt on Jan. 22.

The Cavaliers shot 51.3 percent and scored 95 points through three quarters on the way to a 115-92 rout of the Thunder, a consensus championship contender in the West.

Kevin Love finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds, and LeBron James had 25 points, 11 assists and seven boards for Cleveland, which scored at least 115 for the third time in four games and made at least half its shots for the sixth time in Lue's 13 in charge.

The Cavs were once thought of as a team that struggled against the NBA's best, going 1-3 against Golden State, San Antonio and Oklahoma City through the season's opening three months, but wins over the Spurs on Jan. 30 and the Thunder give Lue hope his team is shedding that label.

"I would like to say that," he said. "I hope so. When we play teams that are great teams, we always seem to rise for the challenge."

They did it Sunday mostly without Irving, who started and played nine minutes in the first quarter but sat the rest of the game because of flu-like symptoms. The Cavs, who are 23-4 at Quicken Loans Arena, also played without Iman Shumpert (sprained left shoulder) and Mo Williams (sore left knee).

Cleveland is still trying to complete Channing Frye's physical process after acquiring him in a trade with Orlando last week, and Shumpert and Williams are questionable for Monday.

Detroit (27-29) dressed only 11 players for Sunday's 111-106 loss to New Orleans as Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton were unavailable due to complications from last week's trade with Houston. Motiejunas still hasn't been cleared after testing his back injury, but the deal has been given an extension until 6 p.m. on Monday.

The Pistons will be without another piece Monday after Anthony Tolliver sprained his knee in a collision against the Pelicans. Tolliver will have an MRI on Monday.

Sunday's loss made it five in a row for the Pistons, who would miss the playoffs if they started today.

The latest defeat came while surrendering the NBA's top individual performance this season to Anthony Davis. Detroit had no answer for the Pelicans' All-Star, who made 24 of 34 shots while finishing with 59 points and 20 rebounds.

Davis surpassed James' scoring record of 48 points at the Palace of Auburn Hills, set in an Eastern Conference finals game on June 1, 2007.

"That one is on me. That was terrible coaching - terrible," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "You've got to come up with something. You can't let a guy get 59. That's on me."

Detroit was tied with Indiana for ninth in the league after surrendering 100 points per game over 46 contests through Jan. 27, but opponents have exceeded that number in nine of 10 since while averaging 105.9.

Opponents are shooting 49.9 percent during the Pistons' losing streak.

These two teams split the first two games in the season series, but both were at Detroit, which is 11-18 on the road.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Pacers (30-25) at Heat (31-24)

Date: February 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

When they last met last month at American Airlines Arena, the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers engaged in a physical contest that reminded those involved of their recent playoff meetings.

This matchup could have a much difficult look if Miami has to play without its two stars.

With Dwyane Wade questionable and Chris Both out indefinitely, the Heat will try to continue their home dominance in this series Monday night by denying the Pacers a sweep of their road swing.

It appeared Indiana would take the first three games of this season series Jan. 4 when it opened up an 18-point third-quarter advantage. Wade, however, hit a left-handed layup at the buzzer to force overtime and teamed with Bosh for 58 points in the game as the Heat pulled out a 103-100 victory.

"It felt like a playoff game," said Wade, who has missed the past two games due to a sore left knee. If he's out again, Gerald Green will likely get another start.

Bosh has already been ruled out because of a blood clot in his left leg. The 11-time All-Star has led Miami in scoring in all three meetings with Indiana, while Wade has totaled 47 points in the last two.

The Heat have won 23 of the past 28 home matchups - including playoff series victories in 2012, '13 and '14 - against the Pacers dating to the '05-06 season. The Southeast Division leaders will likely have to keep getting contributions from others if they hope to win for the ninth time in 12 games.

Luol Deng has totaled 57 points and Goran Dragic has added a combined 41 in the last two games. Hassan Whiteside finished with 25 points and 23 rebounds in Saturday's 114-94 home win over Washington, recording the 11th 20-20 game off the bench in NBA history.

Whiteside had served a one-game suspension during Friday's 115-111 victory at Atlanta for throwing an elbow against San Antonio on Feb. 9. The center has totaled 22 boards in his last two meetings with Indiana but did not play in January due to a sore right knee.

'The next challenge for him is the consistency,' coach Erik Spoelstra said. 'Does he have to do a 20-20 again on Monday? No, that is not what we're asking for. It's the not the statistics. It's his approach."

The Pacers (30-25), seeking their eighth victory in the past 11 games, have an opportunity to tie the Heat (31-24) for fourth place in the conference. They've also opened the second half strong, topping Oklahoma City 101-98 on Friday and Orlando 105-102 on Sunday to begin this three-game trip.

Indiana has limited opponents to a 42.8 field-goal percentage - including 23.5 from 3-point range - in those two games. It'll need to continue that trend against a Miami team looking to score 110 points or more in three straight for the first time since November 2013.

The Pacers have held the Heat to 41.7 percent overall and 25.8 from long range in the season series.

'What I love about this team and the way we're playing now is I really trust our defense,' coach Frank Vogel said. 'We were getting stops and giving ourselves a chance to win."

Monta Ellis has scored a combined 41 points in his last two games against the Heat, while Paul George has come up big by averaging 30.3 points in the season series.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Raptors (36-18) at Knicks (24-33)

Date: February 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Two lackluster efforts around Toronto's hosting of All-Star festivities were enough to convince the Raptors to get back to business and buckle down defensively.

After accomplishing that goal while avoiding their longest losing streak in three months, they're hoping to build on it in their first visit to Madison Square Garden.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan look to continue their success in this series Monday night when the Atlantic Division leaders try to avoid a season high-tying third straight road loss and deny the Knicks their first back-to-back wins in more than a month.

Toronto ranks in the NBA's top five with 97.7 points allowed per game, but that solid defense didn't show up in a 117-112 loss at Minnesota on Feb. 10 prior to the break or a 116-106 road defeat to a previously struggling Chicago team on Friday.

That changed Sunday, however, when the Raptors (36-18) held Memphis to 36.8 percent shooting, including 3 for 20 from 3-point range, in a 98-85 home victory.

"For sure, it felt like that," said Lowry, who played with DeRozan in his second All-Star Game on Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre. "...But now we're back to winning ways."

Toronto avoided its first three-game losing streak since Nov. 15-18 with its 15th victory in 18 games. DeRozan scored 21 in the team's first home game since Jan. 30 and Jonas Valanciunas had his second straight double-double with 10 points and 12 boards.

"Everyone's knees were bent, down in the stance, ready to play and out of the vacation mode I think," coach Dwane Casey said. "I think the whole league has to get used to that long week of time off and get back into game shape, get the sea legs back, get the mentality back."

Casey's club will try to stay focused on defense against New York, which has shot 50 percent or better in two of its past three but has a 42.8 mark while dropping 11 of 13.

The Knicks (24-33) hit at a 50.6 percent clip Saturday to snap a season-high seven-game losing streak with a 103-95 win at Minnesota. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 30 points and Robin Lopez matched season highs with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

New York outrebounded Minnesota 51-31 and led by 24 in the fourth quarter en route to giving interim coach Kurt Rambis his first win in three games since taking over for the fired Derek Fisher.

Anthony's sore knee seems to be improving as the All-Star forward is averaging 28.3 points and 10.3 rebounds while playing at least 37 minutes in the last three games. He's played well when he's been able to go against Toronto, scoring 30.6 per game over his last seven meetings.

"Whatever I got to do to get these wins up I'm going to do it," Anthony said.

Anthony finished with 25 points to key a 111-109 win at Toronto on Nov. 10 before having to sit out last month's meeting when Arron Afflalo scored 20 in a 103-93 loss north of the border.

Lowry has totaled 49 points in the season series, while DeRozan has scored 55.

DeRozan can pass Chris Bosh and Morris Peterson with a franchise-record 233rd win in a Toronto uniform.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Celtics (33-24) at Timberwolves (17-39)

Date: February 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics brushed off their All-Star break rust with the type of efficient offensive play that made them the Eastern Conference's best team over the previous three weeks.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves' scoring struggles have returned following a brief and uncharacteristic surge.

The Celtics look to continue solidifying their spot toward the top of the East standings when they close a three-game road trip against the Timberwolves on Monday night.

Boston (33-24) experienced two opposite performances out of the break, shooting 37 percent in Friday's 111-93 loss at Utah and 48.5 in Sunday's 121-101 win at Denver.

They followed their worst shooting percentage since Jan. 7 with one that is more telling of their play since late last month, including an East-leading 10-2 record from Jan. 22-Feb. 10. Boston averaged 113.1 points during that stretch, fewer than only Golden State (119.8) and Oklahoma City (116.2).

The catalyst has been All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, both scoring the basketball and distributing it. Thomas has averaged 21.2 points and 6.7 assists in Boston's 14-game surge, including marks of 27.7 and 9.7 the last three games.

Thomas finished one off a career high with 12 assists to go with 22 points against the Nuggets, helping Boston return to its well-rounded attack. Only four players finished in double figures against the Jazz, leading to one of the Celtics' two games scoring fewer than 100 points since Jan. 12, but six scored at least 10 against Denver - with another scoring nine.

Boston is 13-4 when at least six players score in double figures.

'We played our butts off,' said Jared Sullinger, who finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. 'Five guys connected. We got the rust off and are looking to move forward.'

Boston held the East's No. 8 seed on Jan. 20 but has moved all the way up to the third slot with an eye on catching Toronto in the Atlantic Division.

Things were looking up for Minnesota (17-39) when it entered the break with wins in three of four games, but two straight losses have stopped any momentum.

They logged a 42.1 shooting percentage on 3-pointers in the consecutive defeats but still finished at that number overall - looking more like the team that averaged only 96.4 points in 24 games from Dec. 18-Jan. 31 before a surge of 110.8 in five games before the break.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins each scored 24 points and Ricky Rubio had 16 assists in Saturday's 103-95 loss to New York, but only five Minnesota players scored more than three points.

Towns has averaged 21.8 points and 12.4 rebounds the last 14 games, but he's 14 of 38 from the field the last two and his 10-game streak of double-digit rebounding efforts ended Saturday as he finished with eight.

'It's not even missing a shot, it's more that shots were going in and out,' Towns said. 'That's the most upsetting part. You can fix misses. You can't fix in-and-out.'

Towns finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds and Wiggins scored 26 in the first matchup in this series, but six Boston players scored in double figures in the Celtics' 113-99 home win on Dec. 21.

The teams have split the last six games in this series, but the Timberwolves have won all three at home - where they are 9-20 this season.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Lakers (11-46) at Bucks (23-33)

Date: February 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Last season's success against the bottom half of the league allowed Milwaukee to finish .500 and reach the postseason.

That advantage is gone, and the Bucks find themselves in last place with Monday night's visit from the similarly positioned Los Angeles Lakers providing little comfort.

As the Bucks' team website points out, their 12-21 mark against teams .500 and above is an improvement over their 9-27 mark in 2014-15, but they went 32-14 against teams under .500. This season, Milwaukee (23-33) is 11-12, though three wins in its last four overall could have a calming effect - particularly with Jabari Parker playing well.

That includes a 117-109 double-overtime win at Atlanta on Saturday in which Parker recorded career highs of 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Milwaukee limited the Hawks to 41.5 percent shooting, including 22.0 from 3-point range. In their last three games, the Bucks have held teams to 41.1 percent overall and 23.1 from long range.

"I think that we kept our endurance, especially in the first few minutes of the second overtime, seeing our energy go up to another level," Parker said.

The individual effort came a night after the 20-year-old forward had 23 and 11 in a 98-95 home loss to Charlotte. Parker has averaged 22.7 points on 54.9 percent shooting with 11.0 rebounds in his last three games, and his coach has taken notice.

"I think he's really finding his rhythm," Jason Kidd said. "He's getting on the glass, he's getting to the rim and he's knocking down some shots."

It helped the Bucks overcome a rough night from Khris Middleton, who was limited to 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting. The guard had averaged 21.2 points in his previous five games, though that came while shooting 38.6 percent.

The Lakers (11-46) contributed to Milwaukee's struggles against the bottom dwellers with a 113-95 home win Dec. 15 behind 22 points from Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have taken the last two meetings, but the Bucks have won the previous four in Milwaukee.

Bryant is making his final stop in Milwaukee, and the Bucks are the NBA team he's visited least in his career along with the Nets, Bulls, Hornets and Heat. It's confirmed he'll play the tail end of a back-to-back set.

Los Angeles is looking to end a five-game losing streak after opening a three-game trip with Sunday's 126-115 defeat in Chicago.

Defensively, the Lakers have been a disaster on the skid while allowing an average of 112.0 points on 49.2 percent shooting without a single game going to overtime. The Bulls were 13 of 19 from 3-point range, and Los Angeles' last three opponents have made 51.6 percent from beyond the arc.

"(Trying to defend the 3) opened up driving lanes," coach Byron Scott said. "You've got to take away one of the two, and tonight we weren't able to take away the 3-point line."

Bryant and Julius Randle each had 22 points. The 21-year-old Randle, who had 14 points and 14 rebounds in December versus the Bucks, has been a far better shooter over the last month, averaging 14.2 points and connecting on 49.3 percent in 12 games after managing 10.5 on 40.0 in his first 44 of the season. He also had 12 rebounds and has averaged 14.0 in the last five games.

Rookie D'Angelo Russell moved back into the starting lineup against the Bulls for the first time since Dec. 12, and Scott said after the game that Russell will start the rest of the season.

"Offensively, I thought he did a really good job of getting our guys involved," Scott said.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Warriors (49-5) at Hawks (31-26)

Date: February 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It was over a year ago that the Golden State Warriors lost on the road to the Atlanta Hawks in a highly anticipated matchup of conference leaders.

Things have changed for the only teams to win at least 60 games a season ago.

The Hawks are in danger of their first four-game home losing streak in nine seasons and are unsure of the status of Jeff Teague as they face what figures to be a highly motivated Warriors team seeking to become the fastest NBA team to reach 50 wins Monday night.

These teams earned top seeds in their respective conferences last season, and the Hawks said they issued about 170 credentials for the Warriors' visit Feb. 6, 2015. Golden State entered with a 39-8 mark while Atlanta had a slightly lower winning percentage at 41-9.

The Hawks made a statement that night by taking over the league's best record with a 124-116 victory, as Teague led seven Atlanta players in double digits with 23 points. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 55 points and Draymond Green had 12 points, 20 boards and six assists for the Warriors.

Golden State (49-5) earned a split of the season series with a 114-95 win March 18. The loss in Atlanta was one of four on the road for the Warriors to Eastern Conference foes in 2014-15, and they have already prevailed this season in the other three places they lost - Cleveland, Indiana and Brooklyn.

The Hawks (31-26) should be easier to beat this time at home, where they seek to avoid their first four-game slide since 2006-07. They stumbled out of the All-Star break with two defeats there, 115-111 on Friday to a Miami team playing without Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside and 117-109 in double overtime the next night to a lowly Milwaukee club that ended a six-game road losing streak.

'This is not the way we pictured it going,' center Al Horford said. 'We are really in a hole right now.'

Making matters worse is that Teague injured his right wrist and was limited to five points and five assists in 17 minutes Saturday. His status is unclear Monday, and Dennis Schroder would likely make his seventh start in his place.

While the Hawks aren't as formidable, the Warriors continue to show their fortitude after Saturday's 115-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in which Thompson scored 32 and Curry had 23 with nine assists. It came one night after they began a six-game trip with a 137-105 defeat to Portland that snapped an 11-game win streak.

"We've been a resilient team all year," Curry said. "Obviously with our record we haven't lost two in row all year and there's a reason for that because of our mentality."

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls that won a record 72 games notched victory No. 50 in their 56th contest. The Warriors can better that Monday.

Draymond Green recorded his NBA-leading 11th triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as he started at center Saturday for an injured Andrew Bogut, who sat out with a strained right Achilles and is questionable in Atlanta.

Teague's potential absence would affect this matchup of teams averaging the most assists, with Golden State at 29.1 and Atlanta at 25.5. One reason for that difference is that the Warriors average a league-best 9.3 secondary assists, defined as passes made by a player to a player who earned an assist, compared to the Hawks' 7.4 mark.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Suns (14-42) at Clippers (36-19)

Date: February 22, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

After splitting the first two games of a homestand against the NBA's two best teams, the Los Angeles Clippers will try to avoid their first losing streak in two months against a team that has won only twice in that same stretch.

The Phoenix Suns struck out on a lengthy homestand and look to put an end to their longest skid in almost two decades when they visit the Clippers on Monday night.

Los Angeles (36-19) followed the high of Thursday's 105-86 win over San Antonio, the league's second-best team, with a 115-112 loss to NBA-leading Golden State two days later - a contest that was not nearly as close as the final score would indicate.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 18 and allowed the Warriors to shoot 51.2 percent, the highest for a Los Angeles opponent since Golden State's 52.1 on Nov. 19. One week earlier, the Suns shot 53 percent in a 118-104 win in Phoenix.

Los Angeles made 44.7 percent of its shots against the Warriors on the heels of consecutive games at 50 or better. The Clippers finished 13 of 36 from 3-point range while dropping to 18-9 at Staples Center.

"It was a horrible offensive night that created a horrible defensive night," coach Doc Rivers said. "We were impatient. We wanted to win the game so badly we were in our own way."

The Clippers haven't dropped consecutive games since losing three straight Dec. 18-21. Their 20-6 record since then is the league's third best, trailing only Golden State and San Antonio's matching 23-4 marks. Maybe most impressively, 25 of those games have come without leading scorer Blake Griffin.

Chris Paul has averaged 21.5 points and 9.8 assists while shooting 45.9 percent overall and 39.5 from 3-point range in Griffin's absence. The forward was on his way back from a torn quadriceps when he broke his hand punching an assistant equipment manager, earning a four-game suspension from the team he'll serve when he does return.

Paul has averaged 29 points and 10.3 assists in the last three games, and he's put up 20 points and 9.5 assists per contest in 34 meetings with the Suns.

The 11-year veteran sat out the previous matchup with a sore right groin Nov. 12 as Phoenix (14-42) began its longest streak of the season at three games. The Suns, who lost the first meeting 102-96 at Staples Center 10 days earlier, are 8-38 since.

That home victory snapped an eight-game winning streak in this series for Los Angeles, which includes four straight at Staples Center. Brandon Knight scored 37 points and Eric Bledsoe added 26 with 10 rebounds and nine assists, though both have missed extended time with injuries and aren't anywhere near a return.

Phoenix is the league's worst team since Dec. 20 with a 2-26 record. The Suns wrapped up a 0-7 homestand with Sunday's 118-111 loss to San Antonio, giving them 11 straight losses - their longest skid since opening the 1996-97 season 0-13.

"We're not content with losing close games," Ronnie Price said. "Not at all."

Phoenix has lost 14 straight road games as well, tied for the second-longest drought in franchise history. The Suns have lost by an average of 18.7 during that skid.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

NBA

Monday's hot teams
-- Cleveland won its last five games (3-5HF with Lue).
-- Indiana won four of its last five games (3-7 last 10AU). Miami won seven of last ten games (4-7 last 11HF).
-- Toronto won seven of its last ten games (1-4 last 5AF).
-- Celtics won six of their last eight games (7-3 last 10AF).
-- Milwaukee won three of its last four games (5-1 last 6HF).
-- Warriors won nine of last ten games (0-4 vs spread in last four)
-- Clippers won seven of their last ten games (6-4 last 10HF).

Cold teams
-- Detroit lost its last five games (4-7 last 11AU).
-- Knicks lost seven of their last eight games (5-9HU).
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last ten games (5-1 last 6HU).
-- Lakers lost last five games, but covered six of last seven.
-- Atlanta lost four of its last five games (1-1HU).
-- Phoenix lost its last eleven games (1-13 last 14AU).

Series records
-- Cavaliers won seven of last nine games with Detroit.
-- Home side won nine of last ten Indiana-Miami games.
-- Knicks lost four of last six games with Toronto.
-- Celtics won three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Home side won seven of last eight Laker-Milwaukee games.
-- Warriors won six of last seven games with Atlanta.
-- Clippers won eight of last nine games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Six of last nine Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Eight of last ten Indiana games went over the total.
-- Under is 9-4 in last thirteen New York games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Minnesota games.
-- Four of last five Laker games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Clipper games.

Back/backs
-- Detroit is 1-5 vs spread on road if it played night before. Cleveland won its last five games if it played night before (4-0-1 vs spread).
-- Pacers lost six of last seven games if they played night before.
-- Toronto is 5-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Lakers are 1-11 (7-5 vs spread) if they played night before.
-- Celtics covered nine of last 12 if they played night before.
-- Suns are 3-6 vs spread if they played the night before.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

'On the hardwood'

Cavaliers off a dominant performance thrashing Thunder 115-92 as +3.0 point road dogs return to Quicken Loans Arena to host mis-firing Pistons in the midst of a five game slide. According to opening odds the Cavaliers are -9.5 point home favorites.

Cleveland would seem like easy pickins'. However, 'Buyer-Beware'.

In the previous eight meetings in Cleveland the Cavaliers are a money-burning 2-6 against the betting line. Cavaliers also enter the contest a cash-draining 8-16-1 as home chalk running the hardwood vs a division opponent, 4-11 ATS overall vs a division rival off a loss. Those digging deeper to get a better take will also note, Cavaliers have a vig-losing 4-4 ATS record following a twenty or more point victory the previous effort. Additionally, Cavaliers do not respond against the betting line following a 115 or more point performance. In the past eleven after dropping 115 or more points through the iron Cavaliers are a cash draining 3-7-1 ATS.

**TheGame** · 02-22-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks February 22, 7:30 EST

The Knicks are a mess, having lost eleven of their last thirteen games (4-9 ATS). Hosting Toronto Raptors might be the an opportunity to recoup some lost cash. Raptors have struggle against the betting line recently facing a team with a losing record (1-4 ATS) and have not been a good choice last seven playing without rest (2-5 ATS). The Knicks have respond last four at home taking points vs a division opponent (3-1 ATS) and have shown a habit of grabbing the loot running the hardwood against Purple Dinos (7-1 ATS). Knicks are being handed +4.0 points.

**Satch** · 02-22-2016, 09:09 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Detroit At Cleveland
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, February 22, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Cavaliers have come out of the All-Star break on a mission and earned their 40th win by crushing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Cavaliers will try to keep that pace in the second half of a back-to-back when they return home to host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
Cleveland easily dispatched the Chicago Bulls in the first game after the All-Star break and had little trouble while visiting one of the best in the West on Sunday as Kevin Love collected 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way in a 115-92 drubbing of the Thunder. “We won,” coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. “Coming into it, with a great team and a situation like this, being undermanned and guys stepping up and playing well it’s a great feeling and a great team win.” Love could be in for another big night against the Pistons, who allowed opposing power forward Anthony Davis to go off for an NBA season-high 59 points and 20 rebounds in a 111-106 home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. “That one’s on me,” Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. “You’ve got to come up with something. The guy can’t get 59. That’s on me. That’s terrible coaching. Terrible.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (27-29): Detroit has dropped five straight bridging the All-Star break to drop into ninth place in the Eastern Conference. “I think everybody is frustrated,” Van Gundy told reporters. “Nobody likes to lose. Of course everybody is frustrated. We just have to keep playing through stuff.” The Pistons are getting positive results from newcomer Tobias Harris, who was acquired from the Orlando Magic prior to the trade deadline and has totaled 37 points and nine rebounds in his first two games with his new club.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (40-14): Love’s role on the team is a frequent topic of discussion, but he believes his effort will help the team. “Being aggressive, I think overall,” Love told reporters. “I think that kind of in some way adds to the physicality of the nature in our approach. It’s just a small sample size of two games after the break, but if we can continue to do that (Monday’s) going to be another physical game and we’re going to be better off and that’s going to help us.” Forward Channing Frye, who was acquired at the deadline in part to pick up some of Love’s duties as a stretch power forward, has yet to play for his new team and was not cleared by the medical staff in time for Sunday’s contest.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers PG Kyrie Irving (illness) left Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.
2. Pistons F Anthony Tolliver left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and is doubtful for Monday.
3. The Central Division rivals have split two meetings this season, with Cleveland earning a 114-106 win in Detroit on Jan. 29 in the most recent matchup.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 109, Pistons 98

**Satch** · 02-22-2016, 09:09 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Indiana At Miami
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, February 22, 2016
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
All-Star guard Dwyane Wade is listed as questionable due to his aching left knee when the Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Wade has missed the past two games due to the soreness from an injury he suffered during practice last Wednesday.
Being without Wade and All-Star forward Chris Bosh – the latter is out indefinitely with a blood clot in his left calf – has led to Miami speeding up the pace and it is averaging 114.5 points in back-to-back wins with forward Luol Deng emerging to average 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. “You have to play to the strengths of your personnel,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporter after Saturday’s 114-94 rout of the Washington Wizards. “I know fans love to see this and our players love to play it.” Indiana recorded a 105-102 road victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday for its fourth win in five games, a stretch that includes an impressive road win in Oklahoma City. “Our whole mindset has shifted,” Pacers forward Paul George told reporters after the win over Orlando. “We’re playing with more confidence down the stretch in games, with a confidence that we’re supposed to win. It’s going to change the way we finish the season.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, FSN Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE PACERS (30-25): Indiana stands fifth in the Eastern Conference – one game behind Miami – and figures it can make a run at finishing third in the conference and possibly even second. “We’re past the growing pains, and we went through a reboot during the All-Star break,” guard Monta Ellis told reporters. “Everyone came back with a goal we’re trying to meet, and that’s finishing the second half strong and catch fire leading into the playoffs.” Ellis is averaging 24 points and made 8-of-12 from 3-point range in the first two games after the break while George had 20 points against Orlando for his sixth straight 20-point outing and he is averaging 24.3 points during the stretch.
ABOUT THE HEAT (31-24): The faster pace has allowed point guard Goran Dragic to roam the floor similar to the way he once did while starring for the Phoenix Suns and he scored a season-high 24 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds in the win over the Wizards. “It’s really fun,” Dragic told reporters. “Everybody’s loose and playing free-minded, just reacting and trying to push that ball. Everybody’s running and everybody’s dangerous. We’re moving the ball, too.” Dragic is averaging 20.5 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the two games and has scored in double digits in five straight consecutive contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pacers have lost eight of their last nine regular-season games in Miami, including a 103-100 overtime defeat on Jan. 4.
2. Heat C Hassan Whiteside had 25 points and 23 rebounds against the Wizards for the second 20-20 game of his career.
3. Indiana rookie PF Myles Turner has scored in double digits in six straight games and 14 of the last 16.
PREDICTION: Pacers 105, Heat 103

**Satch** · 02-22-2016, 09:10 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Toronto At New York
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, February 22, 2016
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
The New York Knicks have at least tentatively ended their slide and look to post consecutive victories for the first time in more than a month when they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday. New York ended a seven-game losing skid by defeating Minnesota on Saturday for only its second win in 13 games since winning back-to-back games Jan. 18-20.
Toronto stepped it up on defense in Sunday’s 98-85 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies after allowing an average of 116.5 points in back-to-back defeats to Minnesota and Chicago following the All-Star break. “I thought the defense was in the game,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “Everyone’s knees were bent, down in the stance, ready to play and out of vacation mode.” Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 11 rebounds against the Timberwolves to become the 30th player in NBA history to reach 22,000 career points. Anthony, who has 22,002 points, has topped 20 points in four straight games and is averaging 26.5 points during the stretch.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (36-18): All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan had 21 points against Memphis and the win was his 232rd with the Raptors, equaling the franchise record held by Chris Bosh and Morris Peterson. “I kept seeing it on Twitter the past couple of days and that’s how I really knew,” DeRozan said afterward. “It’s a cool thing honestly, just to be in the same record books and I have an opportunity to keep growing with that.” DeRozan has exceeded 20 points in eight of the past nine games and is averaging 24.8 points during the stretch.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (24-33): Center Robin Lopez is averaging 15.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in seven games this month, and he matched his previous best game of the season when he exploded offensively and on the boards against Minnesota. Lopez had 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting and collected 16 rebounds —the exact same season-best stat line he had against Detroit on Feb. 4. “For me, it’s more my teammates are confident throwing me the ball, confident in watching me go to work,” Lopez told reporters. “Staff, coaches, it’s a lot easier to perform when you’re in a situation like that.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split two games this season and the Raptors have won four of the past six meetings.
2. Toronto All-Star PG Kyle Lowry has scored in double digits in all 54 games and he has topped 20 points on 31 occasions.
3. New York rookie C Kristaps Porzingis had just six points and two rebounds against Minnesota after averaging 19 points and nine rebounds in the previous four contests.
PREDICTION: Raptors 107, Knicks 98

**Satch** · 02-22-2016, 09:10 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/22

Preview: Golden State At Atlanta
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, February 22, 2016
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
The Golden State Warriors stumbled out of the All-Star break at Portland but picked themselves back up in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. The Warriors will continue their chase of history when they switch coasts and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Golden State suffered its worst loss of the season at the Trail Blazers but started out hot in Los Angeles and managed to hold off the Clippers in the end to pull out a 115-112 victory despite playing without centers Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli. “We haven’t lost two in a row all year, which we’re proud of,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. The Hawks lost two in a row over the weekend after going down 117-109 in double overtime at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Atlanta, which fell to Miami on Friday coming out of the All-Star break, has dropped four of five bridging the break, with two of those setbacks coming in overtime and all four by single digits.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (49-5): Golden State’s pursuit of 73 wins drew much of the focus during the All-Star break, but the team insists gaining the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference is the bigger objective over the final 28 games. “We can’t win 24 games at one time,” Stephen Curry told reporters. “It’s very cliché, but there’s only one way I can say it; if we get wrapped up in the moment and how we play every single night, and continue to play one game at a time (the wins record) may happen. … We have to lock up the No. 1 seed, that’s what we’re mainly focused about.” Forward Draymond Green recorded a triple-double while playing center on Saturday with Bogut (Achilles) and Ezeli (knee) sidelined.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (31-26): Atlanta was reportedly fielding offers for most of its roster in front of Thursday’s trade deadline but avoided making any major deals, and the flaws that existed prior to the All-Star break remained over the weekend. The Hawks went 9-of-41 from 3-point range in Saturday’s 117-109 setback and were outrebounded 65-49 by the Bucks. Atlanta is close to the bottom of the league in rebounding differential despite having Paul Millsap and Al Horford patrolling the middle, and it got even weaker on the glass over the break when it was announced that center Tiago Splitter would need season-ending hip surgery.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors are rumored to be in the market for free agent C Anderson Varejao, who was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the deadline and then waived by Portland.
2. Hawks G Jeff Teague (wrist) played only 18 minutes on Saturday and is day-to-day.
3. The teams split two meetings last season, with Atlanta earning a 124-116 home win behind 23 points and seven assists from Teague.
PREDICTION: Warriors 125, Hawks 101

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