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**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

NBA notebook: Former No. 1 pick Bennett waived
By The Sports Xchange

Forward Anthony Bennett has not done much since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, and now apparently he will be waived by the Toronto Raptors so they can sign another player who was recently waived.
The Raptors are in the process of waiving Bennett, according to Yahoo Sports, so they can sign forward Jason Thompson, who was waived by the Golden State Warriors when the Warriors signed Anderson Varejao.
The Raptors are the third team Bennett has played for in his three NBA seasons. He averaged 4.2 points as a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected him in the draft. He averaged 5.2 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves in his second season, and was averaging 1.5 points and 0.9 rebounds in 19 games for the Raptors this season.
The 6-foot-8 Bennett turns 23 on March 14.

--Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandan Wright will be sidelined indefinitely due to a right knee injury he suffered on Saturday.
Wright underwent an MRI exam and it revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament. The Grizzlies said his injury will not require surgery.

-- The Miami Heat waived guard Beno Udrih, the team announced.
Udrih averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 assists and 16.3 minutes while playing in 36 games, including five starts, for the Heat this season. He underwent season-ending foot surgery last week.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Suns (15-44) at Hornets (30-28)

Date: March 01, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

After three weeks of travel, the Charlotte Hornets want to use a home-heavy stretch to recharge their playoff push.

That starts Tuesday night for the Hornets against a Phoenix team that's lost 15 in a row on the road, but one they're trying to gain a season split against.

The Hornets finished 4-2 on a six-game road swing in which they had a season-high five-game winning streak at one point, but they dropped two of the last three.

Charlotte shot a season-worst 33.3 percent in an 87-76 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. Kemba Walker was held to nine points on 3-of-15 shooting after averaging an Eastern Conference-best 24.1 points in his first eight games in February.

"It was a good trip for us, especially to start with five games after the (All-Star break), but this is a game we felt we could have had," forward Marvin Williams said. "It's disappointing but we did some good things on this road trip."

Locked in a competitive postseason race, the Hornets (30-28) play eight of their next nine at home and are still in strong contention for the Southeast Division lead.

Charlotte, 2 1/2 games behind Miami and two back of Atlanta, first face a team mired in its second-longest road slide in franchise history. The Suns (15-44) have lost those 15 games by an average of 20.1 points, the worst in that span a 124-84 drubbing by the Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent road contest Feb. 22.

The Suns, who lost 18 straight on the road in 1973-74, snapped a 13-game overall skid with a 111-106 victory over Memphis on Saturday. Alex Len shined again with 22 points - one shy of matching a career high - and 16 rebounds.

Len is averaging 18.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in his last four games. He was producing 6.9 points and 6.2 boards per contest in his first 51 this season.

"It's just one win," said interim coach Earl Watson, who earned his first NBA victory in 10 games. "It's not a celebration, it's not a championship, it's not a major leap in the right direction. It's one step forward."

The Suns haven't won back-to-back games since Dec. 7-9 and have lost 28 of 31. One of those three victories, however, came against Charlotte on Jan. 6.

Phoenix connected on a season-high 19 3-pointers in a 111-102 win, and Mirza Teletovic made five en route to finishing with 19 points. Teletovic, averaging 10.9 points, has combined for 48 in his past two games and scored a season-high 30 in a 116-106 loss to Brooklyn on Thursday.

The Suns have won three straight in Charlotte and seven of the last eight between the teams. Their top five scorers from last season's 111-106 win there, however, are either no longer with the team or injured.

Walker has a combined 52 points and 13 assists in his last two games against the Suns. He had 25 points and six assists in the loss in January.

Al Jefferson, who missed that game while recovering from knee surgery, had 28 points on 13-of-22 shooting in his most recent game versus Phoenix.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Trail Blazers (32-28) at Knicks (25-36)

Date: March 01, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has gone for at least 30 points in seven of his last eight games with an average of 33.3 in that span.

He's never had a 30-point game against the New York Knicks and had never lost to them until earlier this season.

The Knicks have allowed only four guards to score at least that many in a game, although they could be hard-pressed to slow down Lillard and end the Trail Blazers' season-high five-game road win streak Tuesday night.

Lillard is the league's fifth-best scorer with 25.4 points per game. Portland (32-28) is 7-1 in his red-hot stretch in which the guard is shooting 41.6 percent on 3-pointers.

He could be at least halfway to the 30-point plateau if he turns in a first quarter like he has in the last two games. Lillard scored 15 in that period and finished with 31 in Saturday's 103-95 win at Chicago before he scored 20 of his 33 points through 12 minutes the next night in a 111-102 victory over Indiana.

'I've been just trying to come out and be in attack mode and set the tone from the start of games," he said.

The Trail Blazers have won 17 of their last 21 overall with consecutive victories to start this six-game trip. They have taken eight of 10 on the road after starting 5-14 there.

"It's a challenge for a good team to go on the road and get a win, let alone a young team like us," Lillard said. "But I think we've been able to do it because we haven't looked at out opponent."

The only guards to score at least 30 against New York (25-36) are Boston's Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Golden State's Klay Thompson and Charlotte's Kemba Walker. Westbrook has done it twice.

Lillard is averaging 20.3 points in seven games against the Knicks, with his highest effort of 29 coming in a 112-110 defeat Dec. 12. The Blazers blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, as Carmelo Anthony led New York with 37 points.

The Knicks actually had a better record than the Blazers after that victory and these teams are headed in opposite directions now. Portland is tied with Dallas for the Western Conference's sixth-best record while New York looks certain to miss the playoffs for a third straight season.

Starting Knicks center Robin Lopez, who played his previous two seasons with Portland, believes his club can learn from the Blazers.

"I think they've got a group of guys, they're playing together, they've got each other's backs," Lopez said. "It's something we can do, we should do more consistently, I think."

New York has lost 14 of 17 after falling 98-81 at home to Miami on Sunday. Only nine players took part since starting guard Arron Afflalo was out with swelling on his knee with his status in doubt Tuesday.

Interim coach Kurt Rambis let the players do individual work at Monday's practice since Anthony and rookie Kristaps Porzingis are also banged up. Porzingis will try to make amends for his first performance against Portland - the only game in which he failed to score by missing all six shots.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Bulls (30-28) at Heat (33-26)

Date: March 01, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Joe Johnson made a seamless transition in going from one of the league's worst teams to a division leader.

The Chicago Bulls have spent the past 7 1/2 weeks undergoing an opposite transformation, changing from a team that was competing for Eastern Conference supremacy to one that could miss the playoffs.

Johnson will make his home debut for the Southeast Division-leading Miami Heat on Tuesday night against a banged-up Bulls team that is in danger of falling out of playoff position for the first time in two years.

Two days after being waived by Brooklyn following a contract buyout, Johnson was signed Saturday by the Heat (33-26). One night later he was in the starting lineup against New York and helped Miami to a 98-81 win.

Johnson knocked down a 3-pointer on his first shot as part of the Heat's 13-2 start and finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting.

'You get a guy a caliber of, a player like him, you normally get that in the offseason,' said Dwyane Wade, who had 26 points. 'So to be able to get it right now, as you're going into a playoff run, is very important for this team, especially with everything that we've been dealing with.'

Johnson's 86 3-pointers are five more than the total of top Miami 3-point shooter Chris Bosh, who is sidelined with a blood clot that formed in his leg.

With Bosh's status for the remainder of the season unclear, the Heat are in the precarious position of trying to hold off Atlanta, which is a half-game back. Johnson hasn't been part of a division-winning team since he was with Phoenix in 2005.

'This is kind of new, but I'm up for it, man,' Johnson said. 'It's a challenge. I'm looking forward to it, and every game from here on out is going to be a playoff-type game for us. We've got to have that mentality.'

The Bulls (30-28) are also in unfamiliar territory.

Since closing within 2 1/2 games of conference-leading Cleveland on Jan. 7, Chicago has gone 8-16 to fall into an eighth-place tie with Charlotte and Detroit. The Bulls haven't been outside the top eight in the East since Jan. 1, 2014.

The Heat have won nine of 10 against East teams, a stretch that began with an 89-84 victory at Chicago on Jan. 25 in this season's only previous matchup. Wade had 28 points while the Bulls were held to 39.8 percent shooting.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 17 rebounds, but Derrick Rose scored four points in 13 first-half minutes before leaving with lower back and right hamstring injuries.

Rose has missed the last three games due to his hamstring and is day to day. He joins Jimmy Butler (strained left knee), Nikola Mirotic (appendicitis) and Joakim Noah (shoulder) on Chicago's injury list.

"We know what we've got," forward Taj Gibson told the Bulls' official website after Saturday's 103-95 home loss to Portland. "We just know that we have to play harder and can't mess up. We have a small window for mistakes now and that's the biggest thing."

Gasol stepped up again with his first triple-double of the season, recording 22 points, 16 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists.

Doug McDermott scored 18 and is seeing an increased role in the offense, averaging 19.6 points while hitting 10 of 20 3-point attempts in the last five games.

The Bulls have dropped seven of eight road games, scoring 95 or fewer in each of the last three.

The Heat are 24-3 when holding opponents under 96.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Magic (26-32) at Mavericks (32-28)

Date: March 01, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Though it hasn't always gone smoothly, the Dallas Mavericks have been handling their business during a soft stretch of home games.

Maintaining focus shouldn't be an issue Tuesday night against an Orlando Magic team that dealt the Mavericks a stinging defeat earlier this month.

A 1-5 stretch concluding with a 110-104 overtime loss in Orlando on Feb. 19, increased the urgency for Dallas (32-28), and it's so far responded during a critical season-high six-game homestand. The Mavericks have won three of four to begin the residency and remain tied with surging Portland for sixth in the Western Conference.

Dallas appeared to play with a purpose in Sunday's 128-101 rout of Minnesota, a game it led 39-24 after one quarter. The Mavericks fell behind by 23 in the first half against Denver two nights earlier before rallying for a 122-116 overtime win.

Slow starts were a recurring theme throughout February, with Dallas trailing after one quarter in eight of its previous 10 outings.

"(Sunday) the starters were a lot better," forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "But once is not going to cure it all. We've got to keep it going and give our bench a little lead."

The Mavericks overcame an early 21-point deficit to force overtime in its previous meeting with the Magic, using a franchise-record 19 3-pointers to come back. They've been the NBA's most prolific team from the perimeter since Feb. 6, averaging league highs of 13.0 made 3s and 33.6 attempted over their last seven.

Chandler Parsons is 22 of 44 from beyond the arc while averaging 21.6 points over that span. He finished 6 of 7 from 3 and 9 of 11 overall in a 24-point effort against Orlando last month.

Veteran forward David Lee has provided a needed presence in the post since signing last week, compiling 31 points and 27 rebounds in three games.

"We're in a really good offensive groove," said Parsons. "When we move the ball and space the floor, like we did (Sunday), we're tough to guard."

Orlando (26-32) has had trouble guarding teams lately, having allowed 113.0 points and a 50.9 field goal percentage in six games since the All-Star break. Scoring has been far less an issue, with the Magic averaging 115.8 points on 48.0 percent shooting in splitting their last four.

They're coming off a stellar offensive performance Sunday, shooting a season-high 57.0 percent and finishing 10 of 16 from 3-point range in a 130-116 victory over lowly Philadelphia. The Magic had 77 first-half points - their most since Nov. 3, 2010 - en route to their highest output in a non-overtime game this season.

Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo each had 28 and Aaron Gordon added a career-high 22. Vucevic is averaging 23.3 over his last eight and compiled 21 with 13 rebounds in last month's win over Dallas, helping Orlando record a 63-45 advantage on the glass.

Orlando scored at will Sunday despite Evan Fournier sitting out with a sore right wrist, though it wasn't pleased with its defensive effort after allowing Philadelphia to cut a 29-point deficit down to eight with 3:46 remaining.

"Moving forward, we know that we're not going to get many wins playing defense like that," guard Elfrid Payton said. "It's good that our offense played like that, but we've got to clean up those (defensive) things."

Orlando, which snapped a seven-game series skid last month, has lost three straight in Dallas.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Nets (17-43) at Lakers (11-49)

Date: March 01, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Byron Scott thinks the key to ending the Los Angeles Lakers' eight-game slide is better defense. He also feels that will be vital come next season without Kobe Bryant.

With Bryant potentially out for a second straight game, the Lakers look to sweep the season series from the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles (11-49) owns the worst record in the Western Conference and is on pace to finish the season with the fewest wins in franchise history - a record (19) set in 1957-58 in Minneapolis.

The Lakers haven't looked capable of even approaching that mark, surrendering an average of 118.8 points and 53.2 percent from the floor over the last six games.

Los Angeles has lost a league-high 33 games by double digits with Philadelphia's 28 the closest in that category.

"Let's get that straight right now. It's not the offense," Scott told the team's official website. "It's the defensive end of the floor that we're having the biggest problem (with)."

Scott is taking steps to change the Lakers' defensive scheme, which he planned to do for next season.

"It's something I think can help us in the long run," he said. "I was gonna wait until next year to do it, and then I said, 'Why wait now? Let's do it now. Let's implement it now. It's something we're gonna continue to do in the summer.' The more we can do it right now, the more comfortable our guys can get."

Comfort was certainly an issue Friday for Bryant, who woke up with a sore shoulder that forced him to sit out a 112-95 home loss to Memphis.

"It was one of those days where Kobe just slept wrong and woke up a little sore," Scott said.

With Los Angeles visiting Denver on Wednesday, Bryant could be rested against the Nets (17-43). He's trying to play in every city on his retirement tour.

Bryant led the Lakers with 18 points in a 104-98 win at Brooklyn on Nov. 6. D'Angelo Russell had 16 points in that meeting, and he's scored 22 in each of the last two games.

The Nets have split the first four of this season-high nine-game road trip after falling 105-95 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

Brook Lopez is averaging 23.0 points on 55.2 percent shooting during the trip after finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds against the Clippers.

'They trust one another and know exactly where they're going to be on the floor at all times offensively and defensively, and that's something we want to work toward,' Lopez said. 'It's our job to continue building that trust and belief.'

The center might be in for another impressive performance since he's averaged 26.9 points over his last seven meetings with the Lakers.

Bojan Bogdanovic has started three straight games after the Nets waived Joe Johnson. He's averaged 17.0 points over that stretch while starting at forward for the first time this season.

Bogdanovic scored 19 points with six rebounds against the Clippers, but he's only totaled seven points in his last two meetings with the Lakers.

Nets guard Wayne Ellington may not play after being evaluated for a concussion stemming from a run-in with DeAndre Jordan on Monday.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Hawks (33-27) at Warriors (53-5)

Date: March 01, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

What can Stephen Curry do for an encore?

The Atlanta Hawks have to hope they're not the ones who find out.

After three straight 40-point performances - the latest of which may have been his most awe-inspiring yet - Curry might skip Tuesday night's game against the Hawks due to an ankle injury as his Golden State Warriors try to get within one victory of the longest home streak in NBA history.

Curry began Golden State's four-games-in-six-days stretch last week with 36 points in a 102-92 win at Atlanta (33-27) - and that was his least impressive effort of the four. He had 42 in a comeback win over Miami on Wednesday, dropped 51 with 10 3-pointers on Orlando one night later and then matched an NBA record with 12 3s while scoring 46 points in a 121-118 overtime victory at Oklahoma City on Saturday.

'Everybody in this locker room, we've seen him practice from that range every day,' Klay Thompson said. 'He's got the greatest range I've ever seen. He makes it look so effortless.'

Curry suffered a sprained ankle in the second quarter against the Thunder before returning in the third, and although it didn't keep him from knocking down the game-winning 3 from some 35 feet, it kept him out of Monday's practice and has him officially listed as questionable.

"We're not going to do anything crazy, obviously," coach Steve Kerr said of Curry, who's coming off the most productive four-game stretch (175 points) since Michael Jordan had 178 in November 1992. "We'll err on the side of caution. But if he's healthy enough to go, we'll play him."

A look at the Warriors' other game this week could give Kerr some incentive to rest Curry. Oklahoma City visits Thursday for a rematch of Saturday's classic, and that's the game when Golden State (53-5) could tie the mid-90s Bulls for the longest regular-season home winning streak in NBA history at 44.

First the Warriors will have to beat Atlanta for the second time in nine days, and Curry's potential absence would at least give the Hawks a little bit of help guarding the 3-point line. Golden State attempted a season-high 45 3s last week at Philips Arena, with Curry and Thompson each connecting on five of the 14 that went in.

The Warriors led by as many as 23 but Atlanta didn't feel empty after the loss, putting together a 33-6 second-half run that briefly gave it the lead.

Mike Budenholzer called that spurt something the Hawks could build on, and they did just that to close the week - especially on the defensive end. The Hawks held Chicago to 36.4 percent shooting Friday in a 103-88 win, then played their stingiest game of the season by limiting Charlotte to 33.3 percent in Sunday's 87-76 victory.

Al Horford was quickly looking ahead to the opener of a five-game road trip that ends in Toronto.

'It's going to be a big challenge,' he said of a rematch with Golden State, 'but we have a good opportunity to do well.'

Horford did his part last week, finishing with 23 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and three steals, but the Splash Brothers outscored Atlanta's starting backcourt of Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver 63-18.

Golden State has won five straight and 16 of 17, though it's doing much of this damage with little offense from its third-leading scorer. Draymond Green is averaging just 9.8 points and shooting 18.8 percent from 3 over his last nine games, and he spent Monday apologizing for an emotional halftime outburst at Oklahoma City.

'We know he'll never quit, he'll never do anything to put our production on the floor in jeopardy,' Curry said. 'He's invested in what we're doing. Obviously he's an emotional guy, a fiery guy. That's what we love about him, what he brings to the court."

The Hawks have by far the NBA's best defensive rating (95.8 points per 100 possessions) over the last 20 games, but they're just 10-10.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:52 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Red-hot Blazers burning up the book for lucky NBA bettors
By BIG AL MCMORDIE

In the NBA's previous 60 seasons, no player has been unanimously voted the MVP. Shaquille O'Neal in 2000, and LeBron James in 2013 each fell one vote short. But with his 3-point, game-winning shot on Saturday night vs. the Thunder, Steph Curry likely sewed up the first unanimous MVP season.

Curry has single-handedly dominated games against the other four best players in the West this season (Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul), and his Warriors have gone 6-0 in those games. And what's most scary for the rest of the NBA: Golden State's three best players have yet to enter their prime.

Spread watch

Pop quiz: name the NBA's three hottest teams. Even a casual fan would likely correctly guess the two hottest teams (Golden State, San Antonio, each 9-1 its last 10 games). But most fans would fail to identify the third, which is the Portland Trail Blazers.

Portland is 8-2 its last 10, and 17-4 its last 21. Even better for basketball bettors, Portland is 15-6 ATS over its last 21 games. In comparison, the Spurs (18-3 SU; 11-10 ATS) and Warriors (18-3 SU; 10-10-1 ATS) have not returned a profit over the same span.

This week, the Blazers will play four road games against the Knicks, Celtics, Raptors and Pistons. The game against Boston isn't particularly ideal, as Portland will be playing without rest and it's 5-8 ATS this season in that situation (compared to 29-18 ATS when rested).

However, Portland will not only be rested for its other three games, but it will also be playing with revenge from home losses earlier this season to those opponents (Knicks, Raptors, Pistons). And Portland is 6-0 ATS its last six games, and 10-2 ATS its last 12 when rested and playing with revenge.

Totals watch

Kawhi Leonard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, missed San Antonio's first three games after the All-Star Break due to a calf injury. And the Spurs struggled on defense in those three games. San Antonio gave up 105 to the Clippers (50.0 FG%), 113 to the Lakers (49.4 FG%) and 111 to the Suns (46.2 FG%).

Since Leonard's return, the Spurs have gone 3-0 SU/ATS, and held the Kings (92), Jazz (78) and Rockets (94), on average, to 15.7 ppg less than their scoring average. Not surprisingly, all three games stayed Under the total.

This week, the Spurs will play their first home game (Wednesday, vs. Detroit) following their eight-game rodeo road trip. And the Spurs have gone 11-2 SU, 9-4 ATS and 5-8 Over/Under in their first game back at home following their “Rodeo Trip”.

After that, the Spurs will hit the road Thursday for a game at New Orleans, before coming back home for another game vs. Sacramento. And the last three meetings (and six of the last eight) between the Kings and Spurs have gone Under the total

Injury watch

Nuggets small forward Danilo Gallinari injured his ankle in Friday's loss to Dallas, and is expected to miss upwards of four weeks. This is really bad news for a Denver team which still has hopes for making a run at the eighth playoff spot out West.

Gallinari has been Denver's best player this season, as he has a 19.29 PER, and is averaging 19.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Unfortunately, Denver got a glimpse in December at what life without Gallo would be like. In the six games he missed earlier this season, Denver went 1-5 SU and 2-3-1 ATS, with its only victory against the dreadful Phoenix Suns.

If there is a silver lining, it's that Denver's first four games without Gallinari will all be at home, and all against beatable opponents (Grizzlies, Lakers, Nets, Mavericks). Its game versus Memphis Monday looks to be the best of the bunch to play on the Nuggets.

Not only is Denver 5-1 ATS its last six home games vs. Memphis, but it will be Memphis' third game in four nights. And the Nuggets are 128-84 ATS at home when rested and matched up against non-division foes playing their third game in four nights.

Schedule watch

This season, Commissioner Adam Silver's intent was to make the schedule much less taxing for NBA players. Back-to-backs were reduced 7.8 percent, while four-games-in-five-nights were reduced 60.8 percent. The result has been fascinating, to say the least.

NBA teams have actually been terrific this season when playing without rest in either their fourth game in five nights or fifth game in seven nights (against opponents not in such a situation). They're 43-20-1 ATS, including 16-4 ATS at home. And it makes perfect sense. With a less grueling schedule, the players are more rested, generally. So, when they’ve faced a difficult schedule this season, they've been able to overcome it and outperform expectations.

This week, three teams will play their fifth game in seven nights without rest: Orlando (Wednesday), Portland (Wednesday) and Miami (Friday). Of the three, Orlando (vs. Chicago) would rate as my favorite, as it will be playing at home.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:55 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

NBA Odds: Tuesday, March 1 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Have you ever seen a more entertaining regular-season NBA game than Saturday night's epic in Oklahoma City? I truly have not. How ridiculous is Steph Curry? I'm out of adjectives for the guy. He casually lofted a 32-footer with 0.6 seconds left in overtime for the win. I mean, how can you guard someone like that? Curry tied an NBA record with 12 3-pointers and broke his own season record for 3-pointers made -- and he has 24 more games to play! I now have little doubt that, barring injury, the Warriors will break the Bulls' record of 72 regular-season wins as 17 of their final 24 are at home, where they simply don't lose. Just winning out there would get them to 70. And please, please, let the Thunder and Warriors face off in the postseason. Golden State already has clinched a playoff spot, the first team since the 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers to clinch a playoff spot in February.

Suns at Hornets (-12.5, 206.5)

Charlotte finished a six-game road trip with an 87-76 loss in Atlanta on Sunday. The Hornets were trying to be the first Charlotte team since 1996-97 to win eight games in February, but it never once led against the Hawks. The 76 points were a season low. Phoenix ended a 13-game losing streak with a 111-106 home win over Memphis on Saturday. Alex Len had 22 points and 16 rebounds as the Suns got interim head coach Earl Watson his first victory. Charlotte lost in Phoenix 111-102 on Jan. 6. The Suns hit a season-high 19 3-pointers to end a nine-game losing streak at the time. They still had Brandon Knight then, however. He remains out with a groin injury. The Hornets didn't have Al Jefferson or Nic Batum.

Key trends: The Suns are 0-9 against the spread in their past nine after a win. Charlotte is 9-2 ATS in its past 11 following a double-digit loss. The "over/under" is 4-1 in the past five meetings in Charlotte.

Early lean: Hornets and over.

Bulls at Heat (TBA)

First game of an NBA TV doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Chicago played a third straight game without Derrick Rose on Saturday and lost a second in a row, 103-95 at home to Portland. Pau Gasol had 22 points, 16 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists for his first triple-double as a Bull. I was surprised that former Net Joe Johnson chose to sign with Miami over Cleveland, but he did and debuted Sunday in a 98-81 win at the Knicks. He started and had 12 points. Johnson's first shot gave him 19,000 career points. He is six behind Reggie Theus for 50th place on the career list. The Heat won first meeting 89-84 in Chicago on Jan. 25, rallying from eight down in the fourth. Dwyane Wade had 28 points in his hometown. Rose didn't play.

Key trends: The road team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 6-0 in the past six.

Early lean: TBA for Rose, who will be a game-time call. Bulls will lose by double digits regardless.

Trail Blazers at Knicks (+4, 207)

Portland won for the 13th time in 15 games on Sunday, 111-102 in Indiana. Damian Lillard continued his red-hot play with 33 points. He was probably the best player in the NBA not named Steph Curry in February. New York lost by 17 at home to Miami on Sunday. Starting guard Arron Afflalo sat out but a precautionary MRI on his knee came back negative. He might play here against one of his former teams. New York won in Portland 112-110 on Dec. 12, rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. Carmelo Anthony had 37 points. Lillard had 29 but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Key trends: The Blazers are 5-0 ATS in their past five road games. New York is 1-7 ATS in its past eight at home. The over is 8-0 in the Blazers' past eight after a win.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

Magic at Mavericks (-6, 210)

Orlando ended a two-game losing streak with a 130-116 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. Nik Vucevic and Victor Oladipo scored 28 points each, and Aaron Gordon added a career-high 22 for the Magic. Forward Evan Fournier was out with a wrist injury and is day-to-day. Dallas won a second in a row Sunday, 128-101 over Minnesota. Chandler Parsons had 29 points in the Mavs' largest margin of victory this season. Orlando beat visiting Dallas 110-104 in overtime on Feb. 19. Dallas was able to turn a 21-point deficit to a 14-point lead and hit a team-record 19 3-pointers but still lost. The defeat was the Mavericks' first in Orlando since 2006.

Key trends: Orlando is 2-6 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 8-0 in Dallas' past eight overall.

Early lean: Mavs and over.

Hawks at Warriors (-11.5, 225)

Second of the NBA TV doubleheader. Atlanta beat visiting Charlotte 87-76 on Sunday for its second win in a row. Al Horford had 13 points and tied a season high with 16 rebounds for his 200th career double-double. Golden State finished off a supposedly tough seven-game road trip with that OT win at the Thunder on Saturday to improve to 53-5. Curry missed about six minutes of the third quarter with a left ankle injury. The Warriors really had no right winning that game, down four with 14 seconds left in regulation. Golden State won in Atlanta 102-92 on Feb. 22, blowing a 23-point lead but then pulling away again after the Hawks briefly were ahead. Curry had 36 points and Klay Thompson 27.

Key trends: The Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their past six in Oakland. The over is 8-3 in Golden State's past 11 on two days of rest.

Early lean: Hawks (cover not win) and over.

Nets at Lakers (TBA)

The only thing interesting about this terrible game is neither team might own its very high draft pick this summer. The Nets' pick is gone to Boston no matter what. The Lakers' goes to Philly if it's outside the Top 3. Brooklyn was at the Clippers on Monday night. The Lakers lost an eighth in a row Friday, 112-95 at home to Memphis. Kobe Bryant sat out with a sore shoulder. Coach Byron Scott thinks he will play here. L.A. got its first win of the season on Nov. 6 in Brooklyn, 104-98. Kobe had 18 points. The only thing interesting about that one was it featured the NBA's two highest-paid players this season in Kobe and Joe Johnson, but Johnson is now with Miami.

Key trends: The underdog has covered seven of the past 10 meetings. The under is 9-3-1 in the past 13.

Early lean: Lakers end losing streak, Kobe or not.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 07:55 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

NBA

Tuesday's hot teams
-- Charlotte won eight of last 11 games (4-6 last 10HF).
-- Portland won its last eight games (4-3AF).
-- Miami won 10 of its last 15 games (4-7 last 11HF).
-- Dallas won three of last four games (8-4 last 12HF).
-- Nets are 4-4 in last eight games (6-2 against the spread).
-- Warriors won last five games (3-6 last 9HF). Atlanta won its last two games, by 5-11 points (1-3 last 4AU).

Cold teams
-- Suns lost 13 of last 14 games (0-9 last 9AU).
-- Knicks lost 10 of their last 12 games (1-5 last 6HU).
-- Bulls lost nine of their last 13 games (2-6 last 8AU).
-- Orlando lost eight of last ten road games (3-1 last 4AU).
-- Lakers lost their last eight games (5-3 last 8HU).

Series records
-- Suns won seven of last eight games with Charlotte.
-- Knicks lost six of last seven games with Portland.
-- Visiting team won last four Chicago-Miami games.
-- Mavericks won seven of last eight games with Orlando.
-- Lakers lost three of last four games with Brooklyn.
-- Warriors won seven of last eight games with Atlanta.

Totals
-- Four of last five Phoenix road games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Portland games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Orlando road games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3 in Brooklyn's last ten road games.
-- Five of last seven Golden State home games went over.

Back/backs
-- Nets are 6-4 vs spread if they played the night before.

**TheGame** · 03-01-2016, 08:54 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

PHOENIX vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Phoenix's last 12 games when playing Charlotte
Phoenix is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games
Charlotte is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix

PORTLAND vs. NEW YORK
Portland is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against New York
Portland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games at home
New York is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home

CHICAGO vs. MIAMI
Chicago is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Chicago is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

ORLANDO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 10 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 10 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games
Dallas is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home

BROOKLYN vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Brooklyn's last 17 games
Brooklyn is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
LA Lakers are 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games when playing Brooklyn
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games

ATLANTA vs. GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

**Satch** · 03-01-2016, 08:58 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

NBA ATS

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI against the spread in Home games on Tuesday nights
The record is 1 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.2 units)

NBA > (507) ORLANDO@ (508) DALLAS | 2016-03-01 20:35:00 - 2016-03-01 20:35:00
Play ON ORLANDO against the spread in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 19 Wins and 5 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.5 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX against the spread in All games in road games
The record is 7 Wins and 20 Losses for the this season (-15 units)

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO against the spread in All games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10 units)

----------------------

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI using money line in Home games on Tuesday nights
The record is 2 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-16.85 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in All games in non-conference games
The record is 5 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (-18 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 1 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (-15.3 units)

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 44 Wins and 17 Losses for the last two seasons (+29.95 units)

NBA > (503) PORTLAND@ (504) NEW YORK | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 11 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+11.5 units)

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-03-01 22:35:00 - 2016-03-01 22:35:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using money line in Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 23 Losses for the last three seasons (-24.15 units)

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-03-01 22:35:00 - 2016-03-01 22:35:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+18.8 units)

NBA > (507) ORLANDO@ (508) DALLAS | 2016-03-01 20:35:00 - 2016-03-01 20:35:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 47 Wins and 13 Losses for the last two seasons (+26.9 units)

NBA > (503) PORTLAND@ (504) NEW YORK | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in All games off an upset win as an underdog
The record is 24 Wins and 10 Losses for the last three seasons (+19.2 units)

--------------------

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (503) PORTLAND@ (504) NEW YORK | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+10.9 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX ?>in the first halfin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 3 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (-13.5 units)

NBA > (503) PORTLAND@ (504) NEW YORK | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 20 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+13.4 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX ?>in the first halfin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 20 Wins and 38 Losses for the this season (-21.8 units)

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI ?>in the first halfin Home games after a win by 10 points or more
The record is 8 Wins and 25 Losses for the last three seasons (-19.5 units)

-----------------------

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-03-01 22:35:00 - 2016-03-01 22:35:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 8 Overs and 29 Unders for the this season (+20.2 units)

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-03-01 22:35:00 - 2016-03-01 22:35:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 1 Overs and 13 Unders for the this season (+11.9 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play UNDER PHOENIX on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 7 Overs and 24 Unders for the this season (+16.3 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play UNDER PHOENIX on the totalin Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 1 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+10.9 units)

NBA > (505) CHICAGO@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 28 Overs and 58 Unders for the last two seasons (+27.2 units)

NBA > (503) PORTLAND@ (504) NEW YORK | 2016-03-01 19:35:00 - 2016-03-01 19:35:00
Play UNDER NEW YORK on the totalin All games after scoring 85 points or less
The record is 8 Overs and 25 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.2 units)

NBA > (501) PHOENIX@ (502) CHARLOTTE | 2016-03-01 19:05:00 - 2016-03-01 19:05:00
Play OVER CHARLOTTE on the totalin Home games against Pacific division opponents
The record is 9 Overs and 0 Unders for the last two seasons (+9 units)

**Satch** · 03-01-2016, 09:03 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Phoenix At Charlotte
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Charlotte Hornets are losers of two of their last three and hang in precarious position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Hornets will get a little help from the schedule when they host the fading Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
Charlotte had a chance to jump into fifth place in the East on Sunday but instead dropped into a three-way tie for the seven thru nine spots with a lethargic performance against the Atlanta Hawks in an 87-76 loss at Atlanta on Sunday. “(Day games) come down to readiness,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford told reporters of the afternoon start in Atlanta. “The game was won in the first quarter. They had more readiness than we did to start.” The Suns snapped a 13-game losing streak with a 111-106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday by dominating on the interior with centers Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. The victory was just the third for Phoenix since Dec. 18, a stretch that includes a 111-102 home win over Charlotte on Jan. 6.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE SUNS (15-44): Phoenix buried a season-high 19 3-pointers in that Jan. 6 win over the Hornets that snapped a nine-game slide, but they went a different way to break the latest losing streak on Saturday. Len and Chandler started alongside each other with P.J. Tucker at the small forward spot, which allowed the Suns to build up a 65-42 advantage on the glass. Len is averaging 18 points in the last four games – up from a season average of 7.7 – as Phoenix takes a longer look at some of the young talent on its roster in an otherwise lost season.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (30-28): Charlotte was making its way up the standings with a five-game winning streak before falling at East-leading Cleveland last week and had a chance at a 4-1 road trip before starting the game 1-of-19 and never pulling out of the hole against the Hawks. “If we leave here being happy because we had a 3-2 road trip, we’ll never be that good of a team,” Clifford told reporters after the loss. “If we leave here disappointed because we laid an egg with a chance to go 4-1, then we have a chance to move forward.” The Hornets will play eight of their next nine games and 10 of 12 at home to begin March.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Hornets C Spencer Hawes (back) sat out the last five games and remains questionable.
2. The Suns agreed to a buyout with veteran F Kris Humphries, who was acquired at the trade deadline.
3. Phoenix earned a 111-106 win in Charlotte last season and has taken seven of the last eight in the series.
PREDICTION: Hornets 112, Suns 98

**Satch** · 03-01-2016, 09:04 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/1

Preview: Chicago At Miami
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
The depleted Chicago Bulls are trying to hang around in the top eight of the Eastern Conference but will get no sympathy from the Miami Heat, who are dealing with some injury issues of their own. The teams will try to throw enough healthy bodies on the floor to make it competitive when the Bulls visit the Heat on Tuesday.
Chicago pulled together behind some of the reserves and managed three straight wins before the attrition got to the team in back-to-back losses. “You can’t really dwell on it or be frustrated and think about it every day,” Bulls center Pau Gasol told reporters. “We wish certain guys would be back and we wish that things were a little different, but they’re not. So you just got to go out there and do your best.” Miami is still missing All-Star forward Chris Bosh (calf) but had more luck than Chicago on the buyout market when Joe Johnson chose the Heat among a host of suitors. Johnson made his team debut on Sunday and contributed 12 points in 30 minutes to a 98-81 victory over the Knicks.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, CSN Chicago, FSN Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE BULLS (30-28): All-Star guard Jimmy Butler (knee) is out indefinitely, joining center Joakim Noah (shoulder) and forward Nikola Mirotic (abdominal) with long-term injuries, and fellow guard Derrick Rose (hamstring) missed the last three games. Chicago’s depleted lineup averaged 91.5 points in losses at Atlanta and to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday and Saturday and will play five of the next eight on the road, where they own an 11-17 record. “Play together, play within the game, help each other out, play hard (against) your opponent,” Gasol continued. “And that’s how you give yourself a chance regardless of the level of talent in this league. And then hopefully we’ll get some guys back. Guys that are important to our team that would help us quite a bit.”
ABOUT THE HEAT (33-26): Bosh’s health situation remains unclear, and Johnson should help fill the gap as a veteran scorer that can knock down a corner 3-pointer. Johnson went 1-of 3 from beyond the arc in his debut after buying into Dwyane Wade’s recruiting pitch. “Whenever I’ve felt the opportunity to reach out to someone and help our organization be better, I’ve always tried to do that,” Wade told reporters. “I just want to win. If you can have guys that help you do that, why not? It was our job to show him that he’s welcome. I know what I mean to the franchise, so I know a call from me means a lot.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Heat C Hassan Whiteside is averaging 18.8 points and 16 rebounds in the last five games.
2. Gasol recorded his seventh career triple-double with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists on Saturday.
3. The road team has taken each of the last four in the series.
PREDICTION: Heat 98, Bulls 92

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 3/1

NBA Betting Info. 3/1

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