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**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:48 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

NBA notebook: Lakers' Russell apologizes for recording teammate
By The Sports Xchange

Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell apologized Wednesday for secretly recording teammate Nick Young talking about women other than fiancee Iggy Azalea.
After the recording became public, it reportedly caused a rift between Russell and other players on the team.
Russell told Yahoo Sports, "I am sick. I am sorry about recording the video. I can't repeat myself enough on that: I am sorry I recorded that video. I feel horrible. I wish this never happened."
He added that he did not know how the video became public.

---Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will be joining the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, multiple media outlets reported.
The announcement will come this weekend in Houston during the Final Four when the 2016 class is unveiled.
The 7-foot-6 Yao played nine seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets after starting his career in Shanghai in the Chinese Basketball Association. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Foot and ankle injuries forced Yao to cut short his career in 2011, but he averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game and was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times

---The Sacramento Kings signed vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac to a multiyear contract.
Divac moved into his current role last August after serving as vice president of basketball and franchise operations since March 2015. His NBA playing career included six seasons with the Kings.
Reports indicate that the Kings plan to hire David Morway, a former assistant general manager with the Milwaukee Bucks, to help Divac with his GM duties. Morway also worked in the front office with the Indiana Pacers for 13 seasons.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Bulls (37-37) at Rockets (37-38)

Date: March 31, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

As desperate as the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls are, any and all wins are welcome no matter how they're earned.

With two weeks left in the regular season and limited opportunities remaining, the Bulls visit the Rockets on Thursday night for a matchup of two teams clawing to remain in the postseason hunt.

Each slowed subpar stretches with tight victories Tuesday night. Houston (37-38) rallied from a 20-point deficit for a 106-100 win at Cleveland, and Chicago (37-37) earned a 98-96 victory at Indiana on Jimmy Butler's winner in the final seconds.

The Rockets won for the second time in three games as they battle Utah and Dallas in a packed race for the Western Conference's final two playoff spots. Houston trailed the LeBron James-less Cavaliers by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, but James Harden poured in 18 of his 27 during a 35-16 advantage in the final 12 minutes.

The Rockets followed a 14-point second quarter by shooting 57.1 percent for 66 points in the second half.

Maybe more impressive was a defensive effort that kept them in the game. Cleveland shot 32.5 percent after halftime and 36.0 for the game, the third lowest all season for a Houston opponent.

'The thing about us is to not get in our own way,' Patrick Beverley said. 'When we do that, we're fine.'

The Rockets open a tough seven-day stretch that continues with Sunday's home game versus Oklahoma City and closes Wednesday at Dallas. However, they finish the season against four of the West's bottom five teams and play five of the last seven at home.

Meanwhile, the Bulls continued a road-heavy stretch by surviving Tuesday's game against the Pacers. They avoided their fifth straight loss and pulled within two games of Indiana for the East's eighth playoff spot while claiming the tiebreaker.

Five of the Bulls' final eight games are on the road, where they are 13-23 and have lost 11 of 13.

Nikola Mirotic made seven 3-pointers for 28 points in the latest. He scored 11 more than his previous three games combined and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first double-double since Jan. 9.

Butler, Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose - Chicago's top three scorers - combined to shoot 36.8 percent for 32 points, but Butler dribbled down the clock and sank a 10-foot jumper with 3.7 seconds left.

'We needed this win,' Butler said. 'It was big for us to get a win here on the road against a playoff team. Hopefully this starts a trend for these last eight or nine games.'

It still wasn't pretty. The Pacers outscored the Bulls 52-36 in the paint and 15-5 in fast-break points. Chicago committed 17 turnovers and shot 26.1 percent in the fourth quarter, finishing at 42.5 overall - its fourth straight game below 43.0.

A drought without a 50-percent effort has reached a dozen games. One before that, the Bulls snapped a four-game skid with a 108-100 home win over the Rockets on March 5.

Gasol, Butler and Rose combined to shoot 51.2 percent for 69 points, 31 rebounds and 21 assists to help Chicago to its third win in the last four games of this series. The Rockets, who have won the last three in Houston, were led by Harden's 36 points and eight assists.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Magic (31-43) at Pacers (39-35)

Date: March 31, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Though they hoped a home-heavy stretch would provide a springboard for a playoff push, the Indiana Pacers are instead trying to avoid finishing it with a losing record.

After guard George Hill declared the rest of their games must-win, the Pacers look to get on track by extending their dominance over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

Indiana had a hold on seventh place in the Eastern Conference on March 13 before heading into a span with eight of nine at home. The club, however, lost to lowly Brooklyn in its lone road game Saturday and fell to 4-4 during the stretch with Tuesday's 98-96 loss to reeling Chicago.

The Pacers continued to scuffle in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points on 5-of-22 shooting. They've shot just 28.8 percent in the final 12 minutes over their past three.

"It's real frustrating," All-Star forward Paul George told the team's official website.

George and Ian Mahinmi totaled 38 points on 16-of-28 shooting against the Bulls, but the rest of the Pacers shot just 37 percent. Mahinmi has been a surprising bright spot, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 74.2 percent over the previous three games.

Indiana, which fell into eighth place, needs to take advantage of matchups with Orlando, Philadelphia and New York. The Pacers are a half-game behind Detroit and two ahead of the Bulls as they try to nail down a fifth straight playoff berth.

Finishing higher than eighth could be huge since they've dropped all three meetings with East-best Cleveland and have been ousted by LeBron James-led teams the past three postseasons.

"It's a must-win," Hill said of Thursday's contest. "Any game right now is a must-win."

The Pacers (39-35) haven't had much trouble doing that against the Magic (31-43), winning 15 of the past 17 matchups and eight in a row at home by an average of 18 points, including a 2012 first-round playoff series Indiana won in five games.

They've limited Orlando to 86.7 points per game over the past 18 meetings, though the Magic are feeling good offensively as they continue to get healthier.

Orlando has averaged 125 points while shooting 57.8 percent, including 21 of 46 from 3-point range, in winning back-to-back games for only the second time since Dec. 28-30.

Andrew Nicholson led eight players in double figures with a career-high 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting as the Magic put up their best field-goal percentage (61.5) in eight years and their most points since 2009 in Tuesday's 139-105 home win over Brooklyn.

"It definitely would have meant more if we were chasing a playoff spot but we are still improving and still learning and becoming more familiar with each other," Aaron Gordon said.

After second-leading scorer Victor Oladipo returned from a wrist injury, top scorer and rebounder Nikola Vucevic hopes to play after missing 13 games with a groin injury.

Even without him, the Magic have held a 114-94 scoring advantage in the paint over their last two games. They would appear to have an edge in that area as they go up against an Indiana team that has been outscored 210-156 inside over its last four.

Dewayne Dedmon has stepped up the past two games, totaling 33 points and 17 boards.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Nets (21-53) at Cavaliers (52-22)

Date: March 31, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The best example of the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent issues surrounding LeBron James might have been last week's loss in Brooklyn.

That is until Tuesday night's miserable fourth quarter without him.

With James returning from a night off, the Cavaliers hope to rebound from yet another disappointing loss when the lowly Nets visit on Thursday night.

With what he's done off the court aside, James remains dominant on it. He averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 assists and 8.5 rebounds with two triple-doubles in four games last week, earning his record 52nd Eastern Conference player of the week honor.

James has 26,665 career points and needs only four more to pass Dominique Wilkins for 12th place on the NBA's all-time list.

Though questionable posts on social media and untimely trips to Miami have some doubting his decision making, what James brings to the Cavaliers (52-22) in basketball terms is undisputed.

That was clear when what seemed like a blowout win Tuesday turned into a 106-100 home loss to Houston, blowing a 20-point lead en route to their third defeat in six games. Coach Tyronn Lue rested James against the desperate Rockets, even with the miserable Nets next on the schedule and his team trying to hold off Toronto for the East lead.

The Cavs wasted a 13-point advantage in the final 12 minutes and shot 36 percent overall, their worst mark since Christmas. They surrendered 66 points in the second half, matching their second worst defensive half of the season, and were outrebounded 55-38 to fall to 5-15 when losing on the boards.

"We've just got to play better," said Tristan Thompson, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds in his franchise-record 362nd straight game. "We've got to take more responsibility."

The Cavaliers, who are 30-7 at Quicken Loans Arena, fell to 1-3 without James this season and 4-13 over the last two.

Kyrie Irving scored 31 points but it took him 23 field-goal attempts, and Kevin Love posted his fourth straight double-double but shot 5 of 14 for 13 points. J.R. Smith made only 1 of 6 shots for four points.

Those are Cleveland's top three scorers after James, and they struggled mightily in a 104-95 loss at Brooklyn (21-53) last Thursday. While James made 13 of 16 shots for 30 points, Irving, Love and Smith combined for 32 and shot 30.4 percent in the Nets' second win in the last eight games of this series.

The Nets, though, have lost five straight in Cleveland and seven in a row on the road.

Brook Lopez led Brooklyn with 22 points in the surprise win over the Cavs and should be rested for the rematch after being benched for the second half of Tuesday's embarrassing 139-105 loss at Orlando. It was the second-most points allowed in a non-overtime game this season by the Nets, who let the Magic shoot 61.5 percent one night after allowing Miami to hit 57.1 percent.

'I think guys are worried that there's not much time left, we're not fighting for anything,' forward Thomas Robinson said after Brooklyn's ninth loss in 12 games. 'No knock on our team, but mentally it's tough to keep fighting in games and showing up every night the way things are going for us, and the end of the season being so close.'

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Clippers (46-27) at Thunder (52-23)

Date: March 31, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

On their best run since the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Clippers can afford to take some well-deserved time off.

And that's precisely what Doc Rivers plans to do with several starters in Thursday night's matchup with an Oklahoma City Thunder team expected to be back at full strength.

Rivers said following Wednesday's 99-79 rout at Minnesota - the Clippers' fourth straight win - that Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick will be rested when the team plays its fourth game in five days on Thursday. The trio received some additional down time by each sitting out the fourth quarter against the Timberwolves with Los Angeles up 79-53 after three.

'It's been a tough season for all of us not knowing who is going to play on a nightly basis,' said Paul, who nearly notched a triple-double with 20 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds in 31 minutes. 'Finding our rhythm now and sitting these fourth quarters has been great.'

Trailing the Thunder by 4 1-2 games for third in the West with eight remaining and comfortably ahead of fifth-place Memphis, Los Angeles (47-27) is turning its attention to the playoffs and Blake Griffin's impending return. The star forward, sidelined since Christmas, will be eligible for Sunday's game against Washington after completing a four-game suspension for punching the team's assistant equipment manager in January.

Oklahoma City (52-33) took a similar approach in its last outing, sitting Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka Tuesday in Detroit. Their absences were felt as the Thunder recorded their lowest point total of the season in an 88-82 loss that halted a season-high eight-game winning streak.

The short-handed Thunder shot 37.8 percent and committed 19 turnovers in a sharp dropoff from their recent offensive displays. Oklahoma City shot 51.1 percent and averaged 117.3 points during the streak.

"We had terrible shot selection, and we kept turning over the ball," guard Randy Foye said. "You can't shoot yourself in the foot all night and expect to beat an NBA team.'

The Clippers figure to face a decline on defense without Paul and Jordan. They've been sensational on that end during their unbeaten run, limiting opponents to 88.3 points per game and 37.1 percent shooting. They held Minnesota to a season-low 34.5 percent.

"We're hitting our stride at the right time," guard Jamal Crawford said. "We hit a bump in the road a week and a half or so ago, it was an adjustment period, and now we're figuring things out again."

The Clippers couldn't slow down the high-powered Thunder in their last visit to Chesapeake Energy Arena, with Oklahoma City shooting 52.7 percent in a 120-108 win on March 9. Durant had 30 points and 12 rebounds and Russell Westbrook registered one of his league-high 16 triple-doubles with 25 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 19 assists.

Oklahoma City also owned a 52-29 rebounding advantage and will likely have a decided edge again. The Thunder's plus-11.3 rebounding margin since March 2 is the NBA's best, while Los Angeles ranks 29th over that span at minus-9.5.

Durant, averaging 31.4 points over his last 11 matchups with the Clippers, also scored 30 points in a 103-98 win in Los Angeles on March 2. Paul had 32 in a 100-99 home victory in the teams' first meeting this season on Dec. 21.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Celtics (43-31) at Trail Blazers (39-36)

Date: March 31, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

In the midst of a difficult road swing, Brad Stevens insists he isn't thinking about the playoff race even though his Boston Celtics are fighting for home-court advantage.

The third-year coach certainly doesn't want his club thinking ahead to the intriguing final two games of this trip before visiting what has been one of the NBA's toughest venues recently.

The Celtics could get a boost from the return of starting forward Jae Crowder on Thursday night when they try to deal the Portland Trail Blazers their fourth loss in 20 home games.

Crowder became a key piece to Boston's playoff push before injuring his ankle early in the third quarter against Houston on March 11. Including that game and the eight he's missed, the Celtics have gone 4-5 while averaging 100.7 points. They had scored 111.5 per game in the previous 28, with Crowder averaging 17.4 points in his last 12 full games.

Crowder also leads the team with 1.8 steals per game and is hopeful of returning for this one.

One of four teams in a tight fight between third and sixth in the Eastern Conference, Boston (43-31) should be motivated to finish in the top four after winning 16 of its last 18 at home.

Stevens believes his club will get there if it can remain focused on the present. It has split the first two on this five-game trip following Monday's 114-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I don't even pay attention to (the standings). We've got so many games left. It's not like we're down to one or two," Stevens told the team's official website. "We'll end up where we end up. That's the way I've always looked at it. Results take care of themselves."

Stevens hopes that's the approach prior to Friday's date with a Golden State team that's riding the NBA's longest home winning streak and Sunday's final showdown with the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers. The Celtics took the Warriors to double overtime in December before falling 124-119.

Portland's 16-3 home record since Jan. 10 is third-best in the West behind Golden State and San Antonio, which both remain unbeaten at home. The Blazers extended their current home winning streak to five after leading by as many as 28 points in Monday's 105-93 win over Sacramento.

Now they're hoping to keep closing the gap on struggling fifth-place Memphis while inching closer to clinching a postseason berth.

"We haven't really talked as a team about where we want to finish, but I feel like our main thing is making the playoffs," said Allen Crabbe, who led the way Monday with 21 points.

The Blazers have been particularly strong offensively at home, averaging 114.4 points in its last 10 games. Leading scorers Damian Lillard (25.4 points per game) and C.J. McCollum (20.7) should be well rested after two days off and sitting out the fourth quarter Monday.

Portland's prolific backcourt, however, was outplayed by Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley in a 116-93 loss at Boston on March 2. Thomas and Bradley teamed for 47 points, while Lillard and McCollum had a combined 37 and shot 13 for 30.

Thomas has averaged an East-leading 26.2 points in 13 games this month, but he's scored just 8.8 per game on 29.3 percent shooting in six career visits to Portland (39-36).

Boston has won two the last two meetings in this series after losing the prior four.

Lillard has shot 35.2 percent in seven career matchups with the Celtics and enters this one looking to avoid being held under 20 points in a season-high fourth consecutive game.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

NBA Odds: Thursday, March 31 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Somewhere, Tom Thibodeau must secretly be enjoying the struggles of his Chicago Bulls. That team never had a winning percentage blow .549 under Thibodeau in his five seasons -- despite rarely having Derrick Rose -- but Thibs was fired this past offseason in part because he rode his players too hard during the season and they were worn down by the playoffs. So the Bulls hired the polar opposite type of guy in Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg, but this season has been a disaster under the laid-back Hoiberg. Chicago will need a minor miracle to even reach the playoffs despite having All-Star players in Rose (who actually is playing pretty well these days), Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol. The Bulls' front office isn't going to fire Hoiberg after just one season because that would really make them look bad. But clearly something has to be done with this roster in the offseason, including potentially trading Butler. And Thibs is a lock to get a job this summer as his stock has only gone up. He could be hired in Houston, where the Bulls visit Thursday.

Nets at Cavaliers (-13.5, 210.5)

Brooklyn lost 139-105 in Orlando on Tuesday for its second straight defeat. It was the second of a back-to-back for the Nets, and they clearly didn't care. They also rested Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Thaddeus Young. Both should be back here. LeBron James got Tuesday's home game vs. Houston off and the Cavs blew a 20-point third-quarter lead in losing 106-100 to the Rockets. Kyrie Irving had 31 points to lead the Cavs, who are now 1-3 this season when James doesn't play. He'll surely be back here. James is four points away from passing Dominique Wilkins for 12th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Final meeting of season with Cleveland leading 2-1. The teams played last Thursday in Brooklyn and the Nets pulled a 104-95 surprise even though the Cavs weren't resting any of their stars.

Key trends: The Nets are 3-0-1 against the spread in the past four meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in those previous four.

Early lean: If LeBron and all the Cavs play, give the points. Go under.

Magic at Pacers (TBA)

Orlando destroyed visiting Brooklyn 139-105 on Tuesday for its second straight win. Reserve Andrew Nicholson had 24 points to lead eight Magic players in double figures. It was Orlando's highest point total in seven years. The Magic shot 61.5 percent from the field, their best in eight seasons. Victor Oladipo returned from injury and played 26 minutes. Nik Vucevic remained out, but he has been practicing and could play here. Ersan Ilyasova is day-to-day with a shoulder sprain that kept him out Tuesday. Indiana lost 98-96 at home to Chicago on Monday. CJ Miles missed a 3-pointer that would have won it as time expired. Orlando is 0-3 vs. Indiana this season and has dropped seven straight and 11 of the past 12 in the series.

Key trends: The Magic are 0-7 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 7-3-1 in the previous 11.

Early lean: Pacers won't blow another home game.

Bulls at Rockets (TBA)

First of a TNT doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Chicago ended a four-game losing streak with a 98-96 win in Indiana on Tuesday but is still two games outside of the playoff field. Butler made a tiebreaking jumper with 3.7 seconds left. Nikola Mirotic had 28 points, but Rose of course got hurt again, this time an elbow. X-rays were negative, but knowing Rose he won't play here. Bulls power forward Taj Gibson also is iffy as he missed the second half of Tuesday's game because of a rib contusion..Chicago beat Houston 108-100 on March 5. Pau Gasol had 28 points and 17 rebounds. The Rockets have won three straight at home vs. the Bulls, however.

Key trends: The home team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in Houston's past five at home.

Early lean: Rockets in a big way, Rose or not.

Nuggets at Pelicans (+7, 207)

Denver was in Memphis on Wednesday. New Orleans was in San Antonio. The Pelicans on Tuesday added two more players to the season-ending injury list: Jrue Holiday and Alonzo Gee. These teams have split two early-season meetings, each winning on the road back in 2015. The Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari averaged 25.0 points in the two, but he's now out for the season. Ryan Anderson averaged 20.0 points for New Orleans but also probably is done due to a sports hernia.

Key trends: The road team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 6-2 in the previous eight.

Early lean: Pelicans, even with their D-League roster, and under.

Clippers at Thunder (-8.5, 216)

Second TNT game with live betting. Los Angeles was in Minnesota on Wednesday looking for a fourth straight win. Oklahoma City saw its eight-game winning streak end Tuesday in Detroit, 88-82. After a big win Monday in Toronto that didn't surprise me -- it helped that Billy Donovan gave Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka the night off. It was OKC's lowest-scoring game of the season. Russell Westbrook looked tired himself, shooting 8-for-28. These teams won't meet again this season unless each pulls a playoff upset and they square off in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder lead 2-1 and won the most recent matchup 120-108 at home on March 9.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 9-3 in the past 12 in OKC.

Early lean: This really seems like a game that Westbrook and/or the Clippers' Chris Paul could get off. But, without knowing that I like OKC at home and over.

Celtics at Trail Blazers (-2, 217)

Boston had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 114-90 loss at the Clippers on Monday. Isaiah Thomas scored 24 points for Boston, which is now 21-22 this season against teams with a .500 record or better. Portland won a second straight Monday, 105-93 over short-handed Sacramento. Reserve Allen Crabbe led the way with 21 points. The Blazers have won 14 of their last 16 games at home, including five straight. Boston beat Portland 116-93 on March 2 behind 30 points from Thomas. The Blazers are also 4-6 in their past 10 at home in the series.

Key trends: The Celtics are 1-6 ATS in their past seven road games. The favorite is 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings. The under is 4-0 in Portland's past four at home.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

'Clippers Hope to Contain Red-Hot Thunder'

In just a few days, the Los Angeles Clippers (46-27 SU, 34-36-3 ATS) will have Blake Griffin back in the lineup. But they'll be without him this Thursday when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (52-23 SU, 33-41-1 ATS), winners of eight of their last nine games at 6-3 ATS. Tip-off is at 9:30 PM ET on TNT.

This will be the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between these two Western foes. Oklahoma City has the 2-1 advantage straight up, although Los Angeles is 2-1 ATS in this series. They split a pair of games home and away earlier this month with Griffin (23.2 PER) on the sidelines. He'll be joined Thursday by Paul Pierce (8.0 PER), who's out for an undetermined length of time with a right knee contusion.

The Thunder have one of the weaker benches among the NBA's second-tier title contenders, but they also have two of the league's best players in Russell Westbrook (27.8 PER) and Kevin Durant (28.2 PER). Westbrook has seven triple-doubles in March alone, and he hasn't had to jack up as many questionable shots this year to get the job done, now that Durant is healthy and by his side.

**TheGame** · 03-31-2016, 08:51 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Cavaliers won three of last four home games (1-4 last 5HF).
-- Clippers won their last four games (7-7AU). Oklahoma City won eight of its last nine games (5-3 last 8HF).
-- Celtics won four of their last five games (2-9 last 11AU). Portland is 3-1 in its last four games (0-3 last 3HF).

Cold teams
-- Magic lost their last six road games (2-5 last 7AU). Indiana is 3-4 in its last seven games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Nets lost five of their last seven games (2-6 last 8AU).
-- Chicago lost four of its last five games (2-4 last 6AU). Houston lost four of its last six games (1-7 last 8HF).
-- Nuggets lost six of their last nine games (4-1AF). Pelicans lost seven of last ten games (2-3 last 5HU).

Series records
-- Pacers won/covered last seven games with Orlando.
-- Nets lost six of their last eight games with Cleveland.
-- Bulls won three of last four games with Houston.
-- Nuggets won five of last seven games with New Orleans.
-- Clippers lost three of last four visits to Oklahoma.
-- Celtics won last two games with Portland, after losing previous four.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Indiana games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Brooklyn-Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Denver-New Orleans games went over.
-- Six of last nine Clipper-Thunder games stayed under.
-- Last four Portland games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Denver is 6-3 vs spread last nine times they played night before.
-- Clippers are 7-9 vs spread if they played the night before.

**Satch** · 03-31-2016, 09:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Brooklyn At Cleveland
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
LeBron James took Tuesday night off to rest and should be refreshed when the Cleveland Cavaliers try to get some revenge for one of their most embarrassing losses against the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The Cavaliers dropped a 104-95 decision at Brooklyn a week ago, after which James told reporters, “I just need to do more.”
James, who responded with a triple-double in a win at New York on Saturday, was desperately needed on Tuesday as Cleveland let a 20-point lead slip away and fell 106-100 to the Houston Rockets. “They were getting to the free-throw line, got us in the bonus early and they never really looked back,” Cavaliers forward Kevin Love told reporters. “We didn’t get the stops that we needed and didn’t play aggressive like we did in the first half, which is ultimately what did it.” The Nets are struggling on their current road trip and lost 110-99 at Miami on Monday to begin the trip before getting trounced 139-105 at Orlando on Tuesday. Brooklyn looked nothing like the team that battled to the end and held the Cavaliers to 12 fourth-quarter points five days’ prior as the Magic shot 61.5 percent from the field and scored at least 30 points in all four periods on Tuesday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE NETS (21-53): Brooklyn gave Thaddeus Young the night off and used Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic for just 15 minutes apiece on Tuesday in order to get a look at the rest of the roster. That roster depth was not very impressive on the defensive end, but at least Thomas Robinson delivered 18 points and 12 rebounds while starting in place of Young. Guard Sean Kilpatrick continued his solid play with 11 points off the bench and has scored in double figures in 10 straight contests.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (52-22): James is not the only player who figures to get extra rest down the stretch, and Cleveland has made health its No. 1 priority heading into the postseason. “I have to listen to the training staff, and if they say guys are banged up a little, or tired, you know, we have to go with that,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. “When a guy’s limit is in the red and it gets kind of dangerous, and in the ‘danger zone,’ then we have to tend to have to listen to that.” Cleveland will play two more sets of back-to-backs among the final eight games of the regular season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Kilpatrick is 0-of-12 from 3-point range in the last four games.
2. Cavaliers F Channing Frye is 1-of-17 from 3-point range in the last four contests.
3. Cleveland G Mo Williams is 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the last two games after missing the previous 16 contests with a knee injury.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 121, Nets 95

**Satch** · 03-31-2016, 09:36 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Orlando At Indiana
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indiana Pacers have slipped into eight place in the Eastern Conference, two games ahead of the ninth-place Chicago Bulls. The Pacers will try to improve their standing when they host the suddenly surging Orlando Magic on Thursday.
Indiana managed just 12 fourth-quarter points in Tuesday’s 98-96 loss and missed a defensive assignment on the final play when Chicago’s Jimmy Butler hit the go-ahead jumper. “Too many lost possessions on the offensive end,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel explained to reporters of the fourth quarter. “Seven turnovers. We settled for perimeter shots. Zero free throws and we missed some open looks.” The Magic played their way out of the playoff chase a long time ago but did the Pacers a favor with a 111-89 win over the Bulls on Saturday before blowing the Brooklyn Nets away 139-105 on Tuesday. “We’re just trying to stay present,” Orlando forward Aaron Gordon told reporters. “This definitely would have meant more if we were chasing a playoff spot, but we’re still improving. We’re still learning and we’re still becoming more familiar with each other.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE MAGIC (31-43): Orlando handed out 32 assists in the win over the Bulls and bumped that number up to 40 while shooting 61.5 percent from the field on Tuesday. “It’s just a great feeling to be out there getting everybody involved and see everybody playing well,” Magic guard Victor Oladipo told reporters. “Everybody on this team works so hard, so it’s fulfilling to see everybody enjoy a night like this.” Reserve forward Andre Nicholson was the best of the bunch against the Nets and went 9-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, en route to 24 points.
ABOUT THE PACERS (39-35): Indiana has dropped two of three to fall into eighth but is getting strong play from center Ian Mahinmi in that span. The 29-year-old Frenchman is 23-of-31 from the field in those three games while averaging 18.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. “I felt good,” Mahinmi told the team’s official website after going 9-of-12 from the floor on Tuesday. “I feel like my teammates find me every time I’m open. … I’m in a good rhythm right now.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1.Pacers PG Ty Lawson scored eight points on Tuesday – his highest total in six games since joining the team.
2. Orlando C Nikola Vucevic (groin) has missed the last 13 games but returned to practice and is close to playing in games.
3. Indiana has taken seven straight in the series by an average of 13.4 points.
PREDICTION: Pacers 108, Magic 101

**Satch** · 03-31-2016, 09:37 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Chicago At Houston
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
The Chicago Bulls kept their diminishing Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive with a tight victory on Tuesday but are still on the outside looking in. The Houston Rockets, who host the Bulls on Thursday, can relate to that plight as they struggle to hang with the pack in the battle for eighth place in the West.
All-Star guard Jimmy Butler buried a jumper with 3.7 seconds left on Tuesday to lift the Bulls to a 98-96 win at the Indiana Pacers, snapping a four-game slide that had dropped the team under .500 and out of the top eight in the East. Chicago sits two games behind the eighth-place Pacers with eight games left and 2 1/2 south of the No. 7 Detroit Pistons, who visit the Bulls on Saturday. The Rockets overcame a 19-point halftime deficit and dominated the fourth quarter en route to a 106-100 win at Cleveland on Tuesday and will head into play on Wednesday a half-game in front of the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 8 spot in the West. Houston will play five of its final seven games at home, where it owns a 20-16 record.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE BULLS (37-37): Butler played the hero but it was Nikola Mirotic doing the heavy lifting to keep Chicago in Tuesday’s game. The 25-year-old forward saw his minutes increase when starter Taj Gibson left with a rib contusion and responded by going 7-of-13 from 3-point range en route to a team-high 28 points and 10 rebounds after totaling 17 points in the previous three contests. “I felt great,” Mirotic told reporters. “Coach (Fred Hoiberg) found me some open shots and I was able to hit them, but it’s about the defense. Now we have to carry this effort over to Houston.”
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (37-38): Houston trailed by as many as 20 points in Tuesday’s win and would like to avoid falling into similar holes moving forward. “Desperation, that’s got to be the feeling,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. “It’s not panic but it’s desperate. I don’t know how many times that we’ve been down double figures and got down to come back in games. That’s who we’ve been. Again, the desperation needs to start at the tip.” The Rockets end the season with four straight against teams out of the playoff race but first have to get through Chicago, Oklahoma City and Dallas.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bulls PG Derrick Rose (elbow) is 16-of-54 from the field in the last three games.
2. Rockets C Dwight Howard only recorded three field goal attempts on Tuesday and has taken eight or fewer shots in nine straight games.
3. Mirotic was held to seven points but C Pau Gasol delivered 28 points and 17 rebounds in a 108-100 home win over Houston on Mar. 5.
PREDICTION: Rockets 99, Bulls 94

**Satch** · 03-31-2016, 09:37 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: Denver At New Orleans
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Denver Nuggets have long been out of the playoff race but can finish March off on a high note when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Denver recorded a 109-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday and a victory over the Pelicans would give the Nuggets a 10-7 record in March.
Injury-riddled New Orleans had just nine available players for Wednesday’s 100-92 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Point guard Jrue Holiday (eye) and forward Alonzo Gee (quadriceps) were the most recent players ruled out for the season and small forward Ryan Anderson (sports hernia) is in jeopardy of sitting out the rest of the slate. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic matched his career high of 14 rebounds against Memphis but has scored in single digits in each of the past four games. Denver is planning on the 21-year-old Jokic to develop into a bona fide starting center.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-47): Forward James Ennis was signed out of the D-League on Wednesday and had 13 points in 24 minutes in his club debut after arriving at the arena shortly before game time. Another recent signee, guard Jordan Hamilton, scored 14 points in his third game and first start and center Alexis Ajinca stood out with 18 points and nine rebounds and then proclaimed afterward that there is plenty to play for. “We are trying to win no matter what — we are looking for a different motivation to push us to win each game,” Ajinca told reporters. “It doesn’t matter if we have five guys, six guys or seven guys; we are still going to play as hard as we can.”
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (32-44): Backup small forward Will Barton scored 25 points against the Grizzlies and is averaging 24 points while making nine 3-point baskets during the past two games. Barton has carved himself out a role with Denver and has stepped up even further lately with leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (ankle) likely done for the season. Barton, who has started just one game, also has proven to be a capable rebounder and is third on the squad with six boards per game.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans are 3-0 against the Nuggets this season and have won the past five meetings.
2. New Orleans G Norris Cole (back) has missed 12 straight games and is doubtful for Thursday’s game.
3. Denver C Jusuf Nurkic (illness) has missed the past two games and might return Thursday.
PREDICTION: Nuggets 107, Pelicans 99

**Satch** · 03-31-2016, 09:37 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 3/31

Preview: L.A. Clippers At Oklahoma City
When: 9:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 31, 2016
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Los Angeles Clippers aim to pick up their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Los Angeles has been especially good the past three games, winning by an average of 19.7 points after cruising to a 99-79 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City also has been rolling up the victories but had an eight-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday when it suffered an 88-82 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Thunder averaged 117.3 points during the stretch of wins before recording a season-low point total against the Pistons on a night in which All-Star small forward Kevin Durant was rested. Los Angeles is thriving and led by as many as 33 points while routing the Timberwolves. The Clippers plan to rest point guard Chris Paul, shooting guard J.J. Redick and center DeAndre Jordan on Thursday.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (47-27): Los Angeles is 4 1/2 games behind the third-place Thunder in the Western Conference standings and resting three starters seems to indicate the Clippers feel that rising above fourth place isn’t feasible with just eight games remaining. Los Angeles will get power forward Blake Griffin (hand, suspension) back on Sunday and will have to get Griffin plenty of playing time during the final six games. Backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford has scored in double digits in five straight games and backup point guard Austin Rivers is averaging 13 points over the past two games.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (52-23): Oklahoma City badly missed Durant during the loss to the Pistons but coach Billy Donovan said he can’t factor in the opponent when it comes to resting a player. “We have to make decisions of what’s best for our team,” Donovan told reporters. “It’s not necessarily who we’re playing against, but where we’re at right now — physically, mentally, emotionally. Games, minutes, all those things, I think you have to evaluate that after games and do what’s best for your team.” All-Star point Russell Westbrook had 24 points for his third consecutive 20-point scoring effort but was just 8-of-28 shooting against the Pistons.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder are 2-1 against the Clippers this season, including a 120-108 win in Oklahoma City on March 9.
2. Los Angeles SF Paul Pierce (ankle, knee) isn’t on the road trip and will miss his second straight game.
3. Oklahoma City backup C Enes Kanter had 14 points and 14 rebounds Tuesday for his 22nd double-double of the season.
PREDICTION: Thunder 123, Clippers 119

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NBA Betting Info. 3/31

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