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**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Wizards (32-35) at 76ers (9-58)

Date: March 17, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Consecutive blowout wins over their main competitors have the Washington Wizards right back in the thick of the playoff chase.

They'll aim for another against an opponent far out of the postseason picture in Thursday night's road test with the Philadelphia 76ers.

After losing a season-high five straight from March 4-12 to fall back in the Eastern Conference race, Washington (32-35) has responded by defeating fellow contenders Detroit and Chicago by a combined 64 points. The Wizards closed within 1 1/2 games of the eighth-place Bulls with Wednesday's pivotal 117-96 victory.

'We knew that the teams that we're chasing were right here in front of us,' forward Jared Dudley said. 'We knew it was now or never.'

An offensive resurgence has keyed the turnaround. After averaging 96.8 points and shooting 43.0 percent during its losing streak, Washington went a season-high 56.7 percent from the field in Monday's 124-81 rout of the Pistons and hit 13 of 21 3-point attempts against Chicago.

The Wizards have been thriving on the defensive end as well, holding those two to a combined 40.4 percent and forcing 39 turnovers. They limited Detroit to a 3-of-23 performance from beyond the arc.

"If we just keep playing defense this way, we give ourselves a great chance to beat anybody. Simple as that,' guard John Wall said. 'We simplified our defense the last two games, it showed up and it's been a lot better.'

Washington's upward trends could very well continue against lowly Philadelphia (9-58). The 76ers average a league-high 17.4 giveaways and have been deplorable defensively since the All-Star break, allowing 116.5 points per game and 39.8 percent 3-point shooting.

The Sixers were on the receiving end of Bojan Bogdanovic's career-high 44-point night in Tuesday's 131-114 loss at Brooklyn, their 15th defeat in 16 games. The Nets led 32-15 after one quarter and by as many as 23 during a 71-point first half.

"We dug ourselves a hole at the start," coach Brett Brown said. "We ended up winning the second half. We just got jumped at the start. We knew they were going to come out and try to fix some of the things that they felt they needed to in the games we won previously."

Philadelphia, 3-39 against the East, also hasn't offered much resistance in losing all three 2015-16 meetings with the Wizards, including a 103-94 defeat at Wells Fargo Center on Feb. 26. It's particularly struggled to contain Wall, who's averaged 26.0 points in the season series and amassed 37 in a 116-108 victory on Feb. 29.

Marcin Gortat also has given the 76ers' suspect interior defense problems. The center had 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in the most recent matchup and is averaging 18.4 points and 13.0 rebounds in five consecutive Washington wins over Philadelphia.

Gortat hasn't played more than 25 minutes in the Wizards' last three games, however, due to a lower back injury.

Wall had 29 points and 12 assists against Chicago and is averaging 22.2 points and 10.6 assists over an 11-game stretch.

The Sixers remain without leading scorer Jahlil Okafor (knee surgery) but have been getting production from their current starting backcourt. Isaiah Canaan is 9 of 15 from 3-point range while totaling 42 points over his last two games and Ish Smith is averaging 18.7 points over the past six.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Raptors (45-21) at Pacers (36-31)

Date: March 17, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

While the Toronto Raptors are considering taking a foot off the gas with a top-two seed all but locked up, the Indiana Pacers are still talking about their potential.

The Raptors continue their push for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 spot Thursday night when they visit the Pacers, who are trying to bury a once-real possibility of missing the postseason.

Toronto (45-21) has won four of five games and 10 of 13 since Feb. 21 to cement itself well ahead of Boston in the Atlantic Division with 16 left to play. The Raptors narrowly trail East-leading Cleveland, but prior to Tuesday's game in Milwaukee coach Dwane Casey said he would start resting players in anticipation of the playoffs.

He held true to his word, resting leading scorer DeMar DeRozan in a 107-89 win, Toronto's third game in four days. The two-time All-Star had started each of the previous 65 games but watched from the bench alongside Jonas Valanciunas, who was held out as a precaution after bruising his left hand in Monday's 109-107 loss to Chicago.

Without their combined 36.5 points per game, Kyle Lowry picked up the slack. The All-Star had 25 points and 11 assists one night after finishing with 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists against the Bulls.

Rookie Norman Powell chipped in a season-high 17 points, and Lowry rested in the fourth quarter with the Raptors comfortably ahead.

'It just shows how much depth we have on the bench, when your star player can have a rest game and we still have a dominating game like that,' said Powell, who played 34 minutes after averaging just 7 coming in.

Bismack Biyombo started for Valanciunas and posted 12 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, both coming in a third quarter in which the Bucks missed 16 of 22 shots. Toronto failed to contain Chicago a night earlier as the Bulls shot 49.4 percent but held Milwaukee to 44.2, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range.

The Raptors rank toward the top of the NBA by holding opponents to 98.4 points per game, and they held Indiana (36-31) to 37.2 percent shooting in a 106-99 home win Oct. 28. However, the Pacers snapped a five-game skid in this series by shooting 47.7 percent and making 10 of 22 3s in a 106-90 victory in Indianapolis on Dec. 14.

Paul George shot just 30 percent while averaging 16.5 points between the two games, but he has hit a second wind in Indiana's recent surge - with one exception.

George rebounded from a 3-for-15, seven-point effort in Sunday's 104-75 loss at Atlanta with 25 points in Tuesday's 103-98 win over Boston - Indiana's fourth victory in five games. Even with the poor outing against the Hawks, George has averaged 24.7 points the last six games.

The Pacers hold the East's seventh seed and close the regular season with 10 of 15 games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where they are 20-11.

'(I see) potential, a lot of potential for this team to go forward (with momentum),' George said. 'We got a chance to move up. With 15 games left, nothing is really set in stone, we're still right there.'

Indiana plays its next four games and seven of eight at home. Another victory there clinches a winning home record for the 27th straight season.

The Raptors are 19-13 on the road but have lost three of their last five.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Hornets (38-29) at Heat (39-28)

Date: March 17, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

With less than a month remaining in the season, the Miami Heat have little margin for error atop the Southeast Division.

The red-hot Charlotte Hornets are one of the reasons why.

The Hornets look to continue their surge and pull into a tie with the Heat on Thursday night in the conclusion of their season series.

Miami (39-28) leads the Southeast by one-half game over second-place Atlanta and one on Charlotte (38-29) in third. The Heat and Hornets have 15 games left, one more than the Hawks.

While all three will likely make the playoffs, Miami is determined to win the division and remain third in the Eastern Conference.

"You know it's really 'go time,'" Dwyane Wade said. "You really understand every team is trying to play their best basketball right now. This is the time of the year where it gets harder. You have to take care of games.

"You want to get the best seed as possible. Where we're at, the third seed is the best seed. We're looking at that."

The Hornets are similarly examining the seeds as they are also one-half game back of Boston to sit in sixth place in the East.

"If you look at the last 10 years, 75 percent of the home teams win in the first round," coach Steve Clifford said. "The only seeding that's not where the home team didn't win the most was the 4-5. ... We have to concentrate. That to me is the carrot."

Charlotte has won 14 of 17 games, concluding a 6-1 homestand with Wednesday's 107-99 win over Orlando.

"The homestand was huge," said forward Marvin Williams, who had 26 points and nine rebounds. "Guys were really looking forward to it. We've got to take this show back on the road and hopefully we can play with the same intensity."

The Hornets, though, only managed to make up one game on Miami, which went 4-2 since Charlotte's homestand began and has won seven of nine overall.

The Heat, winners of a season-high four straight at home, have also outscored the Hornets by an average of 12.2 points in winning the last 14 meetings in Miami, including the playoffs. They haven't met there since the season opener on Oct. 28, with the Heat prevailing 104-94 as Williams had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Nicolas Batum shot 3 for 12 for nine points.

Williams is averaging 23.0 points over the last four games while Batum has totaled 46 and 16 assists over the last two. Williams had a season-high 27 points while Batum chipped in 21 in the last matchup with Miami, a 98-95 home loss Feb. 5.

Kemba Walker was 6-of-16 shooting for 16 points against the Magic but is still averaging 26.8 points in nine games this month. The Hornets have won 16 of the last 17 games when he scores at least 22.

"They got guys playing on a high level," Wade said. "Kemba Walker is playing just as good as anybody in the league right now. Nick Batum has been very consistent for them all year, being that point forward. They got a complete team. For us, it's always been a tough matchup."

Wade connected on 11 of 20 from the floor while finishing with 22 points in the February meeting. He's averaging 23.8 over the last five home games, scoring 19 as seven Miami players reached double digits in Monday's 124-119 win over Denver.

Hassan Whiteside had a triple-double against the Hornets last month, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds and 10 blocks.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Nuggets (28-40) at Hawks (39-29)

Date: March 17, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks' recent surge has them on the verge of climbing atop the competitive Southeast Division.

All the Hawks need to do is secure their longest home win streak of the season Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets while getting some help.

Atlanta (39-29) registered its third straight win and sixth in seven games Wednesday against Detroit while moving within one-half game of Miami in the division.

The Hawks had a nine-point lead with 1:03 remaining cut to two with 19 seconds left. Jeff Teague then converted two key free throws with 17.9 remaining to go in a 118-114 victory and led the way with 22 points after tallying just six in a 104-75 rout of visiting Indiana on Sunday.

"We just found a way. In the fourth quarter defensively, we just locked (the Pistons) down," center Al Horford said. "It feels great to get the win. They were cutting it close there, and I wouldn't have been happy. I'm just happy we won."

Miami will face third-place Charlotte, which is 8-1 this month, at home Thursday. A Hornets victory over the Heat and Atlanta's fifth consecutive home win would give the Hawks a one-half game lead over both teams.

Atlanta will face a Denver team that's started 0-2 on a five-game trip after winning four straight to wrap up a seven-game homestand. The Nuggets (28-40) have given up an average of 120.7 points on 54.8 percent shooting in three consecutive losses away from home.

"We've shown we can be a good defensive team but consistency has been a huge issue with us," coach Michael Malone said. "I think that speaks to our age and youth. We're playing with a bunch of rookies. There are nights where we're going to be good and nights where we don't looks so good."

Denver let Orlando shoot 61.4 percent in the opening half and 54.3 percent overall in a 116-110 victory defeat Tuesday.

"The whole night was very disappointing," Malone said. "We allowed them to score 116 points and shoot 54 percent, which is just crazy. I'm very disappointed with our defensive effort tonight."

Atlanta shot 50.0 percent in a 119-105 victory in Denver on Jan. 25. Paul Millsap scored a team-best 22 points, which is also his average in his last five games against the Nuggets. It's also his highest average against any team since the beginning of the 2013-14 season.

Horford contributed 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He's averaging 19.5 points on 62.3 percent shooting in his last four games and scored 21 on 9-of-15 shooting Wednesday.

The Hawks are 32-8 all-time at home against Denver, winning six of the last seven. Millsap has a combined 47 points in the past two.

Kris Humphries, signed March 1, has averaged 19.7 points on 68.6 percent shooting in his last three games against the Nuggets but is averaging 7.7 in his first seven with Atlanta.

Denver's Gary Harris is averaging 16.6 points on 50.4 percent shooting in his last 11 games, 5.6 more than in his first 51. He had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the loss in January.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Grizzlies (39-29) at Bucks (29-39)

Date: March 17, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

For the Memphis Grizzlies, at least the latest loss was more competitive.

Ravaged by injuries during a three-game losing streak, the Grizzlies remain seeking a silver lining as they limp into Thursday night's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Down to 10 healthy players - five of whom were signed either off the street or from the D-League in the past month - the Grizzlies are mired in their longest winless stretch since a four-game skid in November. They were outmanned once more in Wednesday's 114-108 home loss to Minnesota, though the result still bettered Monday's 130-81 thrashing by Houston that matched the second-worst defeat in franchise history.

The Grizzlies' patchwork lineup did improve on a 29.7 percent performance from the field against the Rockets but remained porous defensively, as the Timberwolves shot 66.7 percent during a 42-point opening quarter and 56.3 percent overall.

Memphis (39-29) still remains four games ahead of sixth-place Portland in the Western Conference as it awaits the returns of Mike Conley (Achilles), Zach Randolph (knee), Brandan Wright (knee), Vince Carter (calf) and Chris Andersen (shoulder). P.J. Hairston was added to that extensive list after straining his groin in Monday's blowout.

There still were some positives that came out of Wednesday's loss. Lance Stephenson did return after missing the Houston game with a wrist injury and totaled 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while JaMychal Green had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help Memphis record a 70-40 advantage in the paint.

"Really, really proud of our guys," coach Dave Joerger said. "We got 70 points in the paint. I thought we fought, I thought we gave ourselves a chance. We just came out too slow and spotted them too many points."

Stephenson is averaging 25.0 points and 8.7 rebounds over his last three games and Green has posted four double-doubles while starting the past six.

Memphis has averaged just 86.7 points and shot 33.9 percent in losing three straight on the road, where it plays four of its next five starting with a Bucks team that won three straight prior to Tuesday's 107-89 loss to Atlantic Division-leading Toronto.

Milwaukee (29-39) continues to receive big production from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who just missed a second consecutive triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists against the Raptors. The 21-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists over a 12-game stretch in which he's notched a club-record four triple-doubles.

Two of Antetokounmpo's teammate have been contributing of late as well. Khris Middleton is averaging 21.9 points and shooting 44.4 percent on 3s over a 10-game run and Jabari Parker is averaging 21.4 over his last nine.

The offense did struggle against Toronto, which held the Bucks to 2-of-13 from beyond the arc and outscored Milwaukee 29-17 in the third quarter to pull away.

'The ball didn't move,' coach Jason Kidd said of the third-quarter problems. 'I think we got a little frustrated. We have to do a better job shooting outside the paint."

Milwaukee missed 15 of 16 3-point tries in a 103-83 loss at Memphis on Jan. 28, the Grizzlies' ninth win in 10 meetings. The Bucks did stop a four-game home skid in the series with a 93-92 victory in Memphis' last visit on Nov. 8, 2014.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Nets (19-48) at Bulls (33-33)

Date: March 17, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The return of Derrick Rose and the start of an advantageous stretch of schedule wasn't enough to keep the injury-plagued Chicago Bulls in a playoff spot.

They'll try to get back into position during a four-game homestand that begins Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets.

Rose was back on the court Wednesday after missing back-to-back games because of a strained left groin but went 7 of 19 while scoring 16 points in a 117-96 drubbing by Washington. Jimmy Butler missed eight of 12 shots in a 17-point performance and has shot a combined 9 of 30 in his two games since coming back from a swollen knee.

"We just couldn't really get a stop tonight, so they got us,' said forward Doug McDermott, who scored a team-best 20 points and has a combined 49 in his past two games. "We've got to come out with urgency. We didn't do that tonight. That's on us."

The Bulls (33-33) played without Pau Gasol (knee) again as they kicked off a seven-game stretch of opponents with sub-.500 records. Taj Gibson was forced to leave after aggravating his right hamstring.

"The challenge is pretty tough right now, but that's why we're pros." Rose said.

With Gasol expected to sit out again Thursday, Chicago will next try to avoid joining that list of sub-.500 teams.

The Bulls haven't had a losing record since Feb. 6, 2014, and have avoided that twice this month with much-needed victories. A 109-107 victory in Toronto on Monday put the Bulls one percentage point ahead of Detroit for eighth place in the Eastern Conference, but both teams are now at .500, and Chicago has two games in hand.

The Pistons hold the tiebreaker because of their 2-1 lead in the season series. With Detroit idle, Chicago will try to jump back into the lead with its sixth win in eight home games.

The Bulls have won eight of the last 11 regular-season meetings against the Nets (19-48) but have dropped the past two at home, including a 105-102 defeat Dec. 21.

Brooklyn has lost its past three road games, but it snapped a four-game overall skid with a 131-114 victory against the 76ers on Tuesday.

Bojan Bogdanovic registered a career-high 44 points - 16 more than in any other game - in the Nets' highest-scoring performance in five seasons. It was also their highest-scoring non-overtime game since a 131-113 win over Boston on Feb. 8, 2000.

"We just came out aggressive and held it for the majority of the game," center Brook Lopez said. "They made a few runs, but we always answered back. For the most part we were unselfish with the ball."

Lopez has averaged 23.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the two games against Chicago this season, his third-best scoring performance versus any Eastern Conference team.

Butler has shot 64.5 percent (20 of 31) and scored a combined 48 points in the two meetings. Rose, meanwhile, is shooting 30.0 percent and averaging 10.0 points in his past four matchups.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Trail Blazers (35-33) at Spurs (57-10)

Date: March 17, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Although it took him a while to settle in with the San Antonio Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge is showing signs of playing like the force he was in the past for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now the All-Star forward will try to help the Spurs capture the NBA's second-longest home winning streak to open a season Thursday night against his former team.

After leading the Trail Blazers in scoring in each of the past five seasons, Aldridge made a somewhat surprising move by signing a four-year contract with San Antonio in July.

With a highly successful system already in place, the 10th-year pro seemed to ease into his role with the club before coming on strong in recent weeks. He averaged 15.9 points in November and December, 16.7 in January, 20.5 in February and 24 so far in March.

Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and Aldridge contributed 17 in Tuesday's 108-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers that pushed San Antonio's home record to 33-0. The Spurs (57-10) can now move past Orlando's start in 1995-96 and also get within four of breaking Chicago's league-record 37-game run that same season on the way its historic 72-10 finish overall.

San Antonio also has 42 straight home games dating to March 2015. Golden State, the only club with a better record than the Spurs, had a record 49-game run entering Wednesday.

The Warriors visit AT&T Center for a prime-time showdown Saturday.

"We want to win at home but it's not make-or-break," Aldridge said. "I think guys are locked in for this weekend (versus Portland and the Warriors on Saturday). It's been good so far."

Aldridge, who insists the Spurs won't look ahead to Golden State, has averaged 25.7 points on 58.6 percent shooting in his last seven home games. He scored 23 in a 113-101 win Nov. 11 in his return to Portland but the Blazers held him to six in San Antonio's 93-80 home victory five days later.

Aldridge will get another shot at the team he helped go 17-8 - including a 6-5 mark on the road - against the Spurs over the previous seven seasons. The Blazers (35-33) own the highest opponent winning percentage overall and at San Antonio over that span.

"It doesn't (feel weird anymore)," Aldridge said of facing his former teammates. "It's been a whole season almost. I'm in (this) system. I'm with (this) group and I'm fine with it."

With Damian Lillard taking over the reigns, Portland has played its way into a tight race with Houston and Dallas for the Western Conference's final playoff spots. The club hopes to avoid its first six-game road skid since dropping seven straight from Jan. 16-Feb. 7, 2015.

The Blazers shot a season-low 34.1 percent from the field while allowing a season-high 59.0 mark in Monday's 128-94 loss at Oklahoma City - their fifth in seven games.

"Our last eight losses have all been to playoff teams (at the time), our last five losses have all been to playoff teams on the road," coach Terry Stotts explained.

Over the past three games, Lillard has slumped by averaging 19.1 points on 39.1 percent shooting and C.J. McCollum has scored 17 per game while shooting 38.8 percent.

San Antonio ranks near the top of the NBA with a 43.2 opponent field-goal percentage and has shot 50.6 percent from the field over its last 23 games at the AT&T Center.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

Preview: Suns (18-49) at Jazz (32-35)

Date: March 17, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Just as they were moving past an awful stretch that put a dent in their playoff hopes, the Utah Jazz have been hit with the news that Gordon Hayward needs to rest his ailing foot.

Fortunately for them, Rodney Hood seems more than willing to come to the rescue.

Hood will try to build on one of his best performances as Utah looks to inch closer to a playoff spot with its fourth consecutive victory Thursday night against the visiting Phoenix Suns.

Seventh in the Western Conference, the Jazz were closing in on their first playoff berth since 2011-12 before a 3-10 stretch from Feb. 10-March 9 dropped them three games out of a spot.

They averaged just 96.8 points on 43.9 percent shooting during that slump before scoring 111 per game with a 51.7 field-goal percentage in back-to-back victories. That momentum didn't seem likely to last without the injured Hayward, averaging a team-high 20.1 points.

Instead, Hood stepped up with 28 points, Derrick Favors scored 19 and Shelvin Mack added 17, 10 assists and seven rebounds in Monday's 94-85 home win over East-best Cleveland. The Jazz shot 49.3 percent and made 12 of 27 3s.

They're shooting 46.5 percent from beyond the arc in their last four games after shooting 28.3 in the previous seven.

'Rodney did what Rodney does,' coach Quin Snyder said. 'I'm sure he was aware of (missing Hayward's offense), but I don't think he hunted shots. I just thought he was really aggressive."

Hood certainly looked better after averaging 10.7 points on 38 percent shooting while dealing with a sore lower back in his previous seven games. Mack, acquired from Atlanta on Feb. 18, has averaged 19.3 points while hitting 10 of 16 from beyond the arc over his past three.

The Jazz (32-35), who are back within a couple games of the final playoff spot, hope Hood can keep leading the way if Hayward remains sidelined because of plantar fasciitis. Hayward's loss would be big in this contest since he's averaging 23 points in his last five versus Phoenix.

Hood finished with 25 in a 98-89 road win over the Suns (18-49) on Feb. 6. Favors scored 18 and Hood added 14 in a 110-89 victory in Salt Lake City on Dec. 21.

After allowing opponents to put up 114.2 points per game and shoot 42.9 percent from 3-point range in their previous 14 games, the Suns showed some improvement Monday by holding Minnesota to 4 of 16 from beyond the arc in a 107-104 home victory.

'Once you start shutting teams down, it leads to easy offense," guard Devin Booker said.

P.J. Tucker had a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds, Mirza Teletovic had 21 and hit the winning 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left as Phoenix won for the sixth time in its last 39 games. The club now has an opportunity to claim only its second set of back-to-back victories since Dec. 9.

Booker has been a bright spot, averaging 25.1 points over his last seven games. The rookie guard led the Suns with 18 in the most recent meeting with the Jazz.

Brandon Knight hopes to recover after scoring eight points on 3-of-18 shooting Monday.

The Suns have dropped three in a row and six of the past seven matchups in Salt Lake City.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

NBA Odds: Thursday, March 17 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Looking for a breakout-type superstar in the NBA next season like Golden State's Steph Curry was last year? I give you Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, a true Greek Freak who can basically play every position on the court at 6-foot-11 and with the wingspan with a pterodactyl. I've seen this guy go coast-to-coast in just four dribbles because his steps are so big. Antetokounmpo is still just 21 and he has exploded since Coach Jason Kidd moved him to point guard. Antetokounmpo is averaging nearly 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the 16 games since shifting there. He has four triple-doubles in that stretch. The Bucks have disappointed this season, but they have a bright future behind the Freak, Jabari Parker and a few other pieces. And should Milwaukee somehow win the draft lottery, look out! No TNT doubleheader this Thursday as that network is part of the NCAA Tournament coverage.

Raptors at Pacers (TBA)

Toronto won in Milwaukee on Tuesday, 107-89. It was the second of a back-to-back, so DeMar DeRozan got the night off for rest -- his first game missed this season. Center Jonas Valanciunas also sat, but with a hand injury. That's not thought to be serious. Indiana beat visiting Boston 103-98 on Tuesday. A 15-4 run midway through the fourth quarter was the difference. Paul George had 25 points. The Pacers are one home win away from clinching a winning record on their home court for the 27th consecutive season. These teams have split two meetings. Indiana snapped a five-game losing streak to Toronto with a 106-90 win on Dec. 14.

Key trends: Toronto is 8-1 against the spread in the past nine meetings. The "over/under" is 5-1 in the previous six.

Early lean: Wait on Valanciunas, although I expect him to go.

Wizards at 76ers (TBA)

Washington hosted Chicago on Wednesday with Bradley Beal in question after just returning from injury. Philly lost a second in a row Tuesday, 131-114 in Brooklyn. The Sixers led once: 3-0. Isaiah Canaan led the 76ers with 20 points. They have lost 15 of 16. The Wizards are 3-0 vs. the 76ers this season, taking all by at least eight points.

Key trends: Washington is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 7-2 in Philly's past nine.

Early lean: Wizards can't play around in games like this as they battle for a playoff spot. They win, Beal or not.

Hornets at Heat (-4, 204.5)

Charlotte hosted Orlando on Wednesday. Miami beat Denver 124-119 on Monday. Rookie Justise Winslow led with 20 points, and Hassan Whiteside had 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat reached 100 points for the eighth consecutive game. Dwyane Wade now needs 24 points to reach 20,000 career. Final regular-season matchup with Miami leading 2-1. It has won 12 straight at home vs. the Hornets.

Key trends: The Heat have covered 14 of the past 21 meetings. The over is 7-0 in the past seven in Miami.

Early lean: Heat and over.

Nuggets at Hawks (-7, 208.5)

Atlanta was in Detroit on Wednesday. Denver lost a second straight Tuesday, 116-110 in Orlando. Coach Mike Malone benched starters Kenneth Faried and JaKarr Sampson for the final 18 minutes. Faried had gone 11-for-11 from the field the night before in Miami but got only 15 minutes vs. the Magic. Denver lost the first meeting by 14 at home and has dropped three in a row in Atlanta.

Key trends: Denver is 7-2 ATS in its past nine road games vs. teams with a winning home record. The over is 5-1 in Atlanta's past six in the second of a back-to-back.

Early lean: Nuggets and over.

Nets at Bulls (TBA)

Chicago was in D.C. on Wednesday potentially again without Derrick Rose and definitely sans Pau Gasol. Brooklyn avoided the embarrassment of losing the season series with the 76ers thanks to a 131-114 win on Tuesday to snap a four-game losing streak. Bojan Bogdanovic had a career-high 44 points. That's the most points by any Nets player since the franchise moved to Brooklyn. Chicago won in Brooklyn on the second night of the season but then lost at home to the Nets in December. Chicago has dropped two straight at home in the series.

Key trends: The Nets are 3-7 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The over is 12-3 in Brooklyn's past 15 on one day of rest.

Early lean: I could see a Nets upset here if Bulls are down Rose and Gasol. You might not see Jimmy Butler play the second of a back-to-back, either.

Grizzlies at Bucks (TBA)

Memphis hosted Minnesota on Wednesday with half the Grizzlies team out injured or questionable. Milwaukee's three-game winning streak ended in a 107-89 home loss to Toronto on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo had 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, just missing another triple-double. Forward John Henson returned after missing 20 games with a sore lower back but played only six minutes. Memphis won in Milwaukee 103-83 on Jan. 28, but the Grizzlies were pretty much whole then.

Key trends: The home team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 9-1 in the past 10.

Early lean: Bucks by double digits.

Trail Blazers at Spurs (-10.5, 207)

Your lone national TV game on NBA TV. Portland lost 128-94 in Oklahoma City on Monday. Damian Lillard had 21 points, but the Blazers shot a season-low 34.1 percent. San Antonio stayed unbeaten at home with a 108-87 win over the Clippers on Tuesday. The Spurs are actually ahead of the Warriors for one home record: longest streak to open a season. It was San Antonio's 33rd straight, and the NBA record is 37 by the Chicago Bulls in their 72-win season. Golden State is currently 31-0 at home. San Antonio has trailed for fewer than 10 minutes this season at home. Crazy. The Spurs are 2-0 this season against the Blazers and going for the first season sweep since the 2007-08 campaign. Portland is a solid 3-3 in its past six in San Antonio but lost there by 13 on Nov. 16. Both games between these clubs were very early in the season.

Key trends: The home team is 9-3 ATS in the past 12 meetings. The over is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: I'm taking Portland -- no way the Spurs aren't looking ahead to Saturday's mega-showdown at home with Golden State. Go over.

Suns at Jazz (TBA)

Phoenix ended a three-game winning streak with a 107-104 home win over Minnesota on Monday. Mirza Teletovic hit the winning 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left. P.J. Tucker led Phoenix with a career-high 23 points. Utah won a third straight Monday, 94-85 vs. Cleveland despite playing without leading scorer Gordon Hayward, who has plantar fasciitis in his right foot. That can take a while to recover from. Rodney Hood led Utah with 28 points. Reserve Joe Ingles started in Hayward's place. Utah leads the season series 2-0, holding Phoenix to exactly 89 points in each.

Key trends: The Suns are 1-6 ATS in the past seven in Utah. The under is 15-6 in the past 21 meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Hayward but go under regardless of number.

**TheGame** · 03-17-2016, 07:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/17

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Wizards won last two games, by 43-23 points (4-2AF).
-- Toronto won four of its last five games (2-4 last 6AF). Indiana also is 4-1 in its last five games (3-3HU).
-- Charlotte won eight of its last nine games (11-10AU). Miami is 7-2 in its last nine games (2-4 last 6HF).
-- Denver won four of its last six games (1-3 last 4AU). Atlanta is 8-2 in its last ten games (2-5 last 7HF).
-- Milwaukee won three of its last four games (6-1 last 7HF).
-- Spurs won 12 of their last 13 games (13-8-1 last 22HF).
-- Utah won/covered its last three games (2-4 last 6HF).

Cold teams
-- 76ers lost 15 of their last 16 games (1-5 last 6HU).
-- Memphis lost four of its last five games (3-2 last 5AU).
-- Brooklyn lost four of its last five games (4-2 last 6AU). Chicago lost three of its last four games (5-6 last 11HF).
-- Portland lost five of its last seven games (0-3 last 3AU).
-- Phoenix lost three of its last four games (3-1 last 4AU).

Series records
-- 76ers lost last five games with Washington (1-4 vs spread).
-- Pacers lost five of their last six games with Toronto.
-- Hornets lost three of last four games with Miami.
-- Hawks won three of last four games with Denver.
-- Grizzlies won nine of last ten games with Milwaukee.
-- Bulls won seven of last ten games with Brooklyn.
-- Spurs won three of last four games with Portland.
-- Jazz won five of last seven games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Philly games went over the total.
-- Nine of last 12 Toronto games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Miami games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Denver games.
-- Six of last seven Memphis games went over total.
-- Five of last seven Brooklyn road games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Portland games went over the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Phoenix games.

Back/backs
-- Wizards are 2-7 vs spread last nine times they played nite before.
-- Charlotte covered three of last four if it played night before.
-- Hawks are 5-8 vs spread last 13 times they played night before.
-- Memphis is 10-4 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Bulls are 2-9 vs spread last 11 times they played night before.

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 3/17

NBA Betting Info. 3/17

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