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**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Nets (21-56) at Wizards (37-40)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Brooklyn Nets have been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks, but their final five games could have a say in how the Eastern Conference's top eight shakes out.

The Washington Wizards have to hope they're still alive by the time they meet again next week.

With their postseason hopes almost as dim as can be, the Wizards try to avoid being eliminated by the end of Wednesday night's action as they host a Nets club that might need a media guide to identify its own teammates.

Washington (37-40) won twice and played Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers tough on a five-game road trip, but it returns to the nation's capital with little hope of cracking the East's playoff picture.

Catching Detroit is likely the Wizards' only chance - they've already won the tiebreaker with the Pistons and play at The Palace on Friday - but Randy Wittman's team might not even make it off the floor with a mathematical shot Wednesday night.

'The fat lady hasn't started singing yet,' Bradley Beal said after Sunday's 114-109 loss to the Clippers. 'Some crazy things have happened at the end of the season, so anything can happen. It's just all a matter of time.'

Washington should feel pretty good about its chances of at least handling its own business. The Nets (21-56) have lost their last five games by an average of 19.6 points, and prior to Sunday's 106-87 loss to New Orleans, they announced that Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young would be shut down for the rest of the season.

Brooklyn's starting lineup Sunday included rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and four players who have played for a total of 18 teams in their 18 cumulative seasons.

'It's going to be hard, but that's when guys, especially on the bench, just have to step it up,' said Sean Kilpatrick, who has averaged 13.6 points in the past 17 games after totaling 27 in nine before that. 'Now that everyone is getting more so an opportunity to play with those two being out, it gives, especially the fours and fives, an opportunity to show what they got.'

There's no incentive for the Nets to tank with their lottery pick headed to Boston, so they might as well relish the opportunity to play spoiler against some likely East playoff teams. They'll host the Wizards on Monday and also play Charlotte, Indiana and Toronto to close what will almost certainly be the 11th season with 25 wins or fewer in the franchise's 40-year history.

Brooklyn has allowed an NBA-worst 112.8 points per 100 possessions over its last 10 games, something John Wall should be hungry to exploit. Wall had 22 points and 13 assists while Marcin Gortat scored 25 in the first meeting with the Nets, a 111-96 Wizards win at Barclays Center on Dec. 26.

That was against a far healthier and at least somewhat more competitive Brooklyn team, while Washington played without Beal and Nene.

A strong finish from Beal would at the very least give the Wizards a little more confidence regardless of whether their next game is in mid-April or early November. The oft-injured guard is struggling to find any consistency, three times being held to single digits in at least 29 minutes over his last seven games while averaging 22 points in the other four.

His presence has been more damaging defensively. Washington has given up 112.6 points per 100 possessions when Beal's been on the floor over the last seven and just 91.8 when he's been on the bench.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Cavaliers (56-22) at Pacers (41-36)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Cleveland Cavaliers can move to the brink of wrapping up the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed by completing a season sweep of Indiana.

If the Pacers can prevent that Wednesday night, they'll get one step closer to reaching the postseason.

Cleveland (56-22) remained 3 1/2 games ahead of Toronto by routing Milwaukee 109-80 on Tuesday. J.R. Smith now owns the franchise single-season mark with 197 3-pointers after going 7 of 11 from beyond the arc and scoring 21 points, giving him a combined 48 in his past two games.

"We understand who we are and what type of team we have to be. It's all coming together at the right time fortunately," Smith said. "We're always looking to get better, so I can't say that we're there. We're close. We're just trying to get better every day.

"We've got another one against Indiana so we'll see what we can do."

If the Cavaliers claim a fifth consecutive victory and fourth in a row on the road Wednesday, it would mean the Raptors could at best only tie the Cavaliers atop the conference. Toronto currently owns the tiebreaker by virtue of winning two of this season's three matchups.

Cleveland appears to have a promising chance to earn that win considering its four straight victories over the Pacers (41-36), but the Cavaliers needed overtime to end their 10-game skid in Indianapolis on Feb. 1.

That 111-106 victory also marked their largest margin in the three wins this season, including a 100-96 triumph at home in the latest Feb. 29. Cleveland hasn't swept the season series since 2007-08.

"I think we played some decent games against them but haven't been able to close them out," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "Hopefully, we can do better (Wednesday)."

Indiana took advantage of matchups against eliminated teams to earn two road victories this weekend. A 92-87 win over New York on Sunday coupled with Chicago's 108-92 loss in Memphis on Tuesday has the Pacers 2 1/2 games ahead of the Bulls for one of the East's final two playoff spots.

Paul George helped boost his team into that spot by shaking off a sore left ankle and converting the tiebreaking basket with 23.6 seconds left against the Knicks.

"I've been pretty banged up the past couple of days," George said. "I still feel fine enough to guard. There are going to be some things I can and can't do, some limitations. I feel fine otherwise."

The Pacers moved one-half game ahead of Detroit for seventh place - and potentially the chance to avoid facing the Cavaliers in the first round - with the Pistons' 107-89 defeat in Miami on Tuesday.

Monta Ellis totaled 53 points in his two games in Cleveland this season but was held to a more pedestrian 14 on 5-of-18 shooting in the home defeat in February. George had 11 points on 3-of-15 shooting while George Hill matched a season high with 23.

Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, who returned from a sprained ankle Tuesday, has totaled 47 points in his last two games against the Pacers and 54 in his past two in Indiana.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Pistons (41-37) at Magic (33-44)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Losing three of the past five games only seems to have delayed the Detroit Pistons' inevitable return to the playoffs.

A matchup with the Orlando Magic should get them closer to ending that postseason drought.

The Pistons can at least clinch their first winning record in eight seasons by beating the Magic for a sixth straight time Wednesday night.

Detroit (41-37) has failed to reach the playoffs for six straight seasons, matching the franchise record set from 1977-1983. The Pistons are close to ending that drought, currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with a two-game advantage over idle ninth-place Chicago with four to play.

They can't clinch that spot until Thursday at the earliest due to tiebreakers. Detroit, though, would need to beat Orlando on Wednesday with Chicago losing at Miami the next day.

For now, Detroit can settle on securing a winning record for the first time since 2007-08. However, the Pistons came up short there Tuesday, going 5 of 21 from 3-point range while losing 107-89 at Miami.

"They just dominated us at both ends of the floor all night," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "From the start to the finish, they dominated us, particularly on the perimeter.

"Very disappointing effort."

That hasn't been the case against Orlando. The Pistons have averaged 116.2 points and shot 43.4 percent from beyond the arc during their five-game winning streak versus the Magic.

They made 53.8 percent from the floor and 11 of 24 from 3-point range while cruising to a 118-102 home victory over Orlando on March 23.

Andre Drummond had 30 points and 14 rebounds, giving him averages of 21.2 and 14.8 over the last five meetings. The center leads the league with 14.8 rebounds per game, the highest average for the Pistons since Ben Wallace's league-leading 15.4 in 2002-03.

The Magic are out of postseason contention, but they've won four of five while averaging 118.6 points after beating Memphis 119-107 on Sunday.

"I think we're getting a lot of simple buckets, as in transition and finding the open man and getting good looks or getting open shots," said guard Victor Oladipo, who had 22 points Sunday. "We're just hitting shots at a high level right now. We just gotta continue to keep moving the ball, keep defending and let the defense create for the offense."

Having Nikola Vucevic back has certainly helped. The center is averaging 23.7 points over the last three games after missing 13 with a right groin strain. That stretch included sitting out last month's loss to Detroit.

Vucevic has 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game over his last three versus the Pistons, including 20 and 14 in a 111-97 home loss March 27, 2015.

Elfrid Payton had 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds at Detroit last month, notching his third career triple-double. The guard has 21 assists over the past two games but only 13 points while shooting 5 of 17.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Pelicans (29-48) at Celtics (45-32)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

With their place in the postseason assured, the Boston Celtics are now focusing on making sure they have home-court advantage for the opening round.

The Celtics are locked in an highly competitive race for that reward and will try to take advantage of back-to-back home games against eliminated teams, beginning Wednesday night against the severely short-handed New Orleans Pelicans.

Boston (45-32) didn't have a letdown after ending Golden State's NBA-record 54-game home win streak Friday, topping the Los Angeles Lakers 107-100 two days later. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points and Jae Crowder added 22 as the Celtics clinched a playoff berth in the finale to a five-game Western trip.

"That's what you want, to give yourselves a chance, and the only way you get a chance is to make the playoffs," coach Brad Stevens said. "It's been a very focused group."

Boston is in a virtual tie with Miami for fourth place in the Eastern Conference and home court for the first round. The Celtics currently hold the edge because they have won each of their two matchups with the Heat.

Both teams are just one game ahead of sixth-place Charlotte and one-half game behind Southeast Division-leading Atlanta.

The Celtics will face each of those teams in their last three games, with the matchups against Charlotte and Miami at home. First, they'll try to pad their lead on a top-four spot while prevailing in visits from New Orleans and Milwaukee.

Boston won't have Evan Turner in the lineup against the Pelicans (29-48) because of a left eye abrasion. The swingman, averaging 10.5 points, had a combined 38 in his past two games.

Avery Bradley is expected to return after missing Sunday's game for personal reasons.

"This is part of our journey, continuing to play our best basketball as we hit the home stretch. Obviously, we're going to do it without Evan, which is a challenge for our team because Evan brings a lot to the table," Stevens said. "We'll have to have other guys step up."

New Orleans is well-acquainted with injuries and used eight players in their rotation at league-worst Philadelphia. Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday are among their notable players missing.

The Pelicans' only starter averaging more than 7.6 points Tuesday was Tim Frazier (13.5), who was signed March 16. The 76ers earned a 107-93 victory against their depleted opponent and reached 10 wins, ending the possibility of matching their NBA-worst 9-73 record from 1972-73.

"We don't have any excuses," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "You have to make do with what you have. There's no sympathy in this league."

New Orleans had won three of its previous four despite its bevy of absences, with the only loss coming at San Antonio last Wednesday. Frazier had a combined 36 points in the two games before Tuesday's loss and had 12 on 4-of-12 shooting in his fifth career NBA start, also his first since Dec. 21 while with Portland.

Boston has won three in a row over the Pelicans and came away with a 111-93 victory at New Orleans on Dec. 7.

Thomas has shot a combined 17 of 26 in his past two matchups, including 8 for 10 from beyond the arc, while totaling 49 points

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Hornets (44-33) at Knicks (31-47)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Kemba Walker is taking the blame for the Charlotte Hornets staring at their longest losing streak in three months.

Slow starts and another possible absence from Nicolas Batum are bigger concerns.

With Batum's status unknown, Walker and the Hornets attempt to continue their success against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

Charlotte (44-33) is making just its third playoff appearance in 12 seasons. The Hornets are sixth in the Eastern Conference, one game back of Boston and Miami, who are tied for fourth.

They're also three games ahead of seventh-place Indiana with five to play.

Charlotte, though, would like to avoid its first three-game skid since losing seven in a row from Dec. 30-Jan. 10. That could put the Hornets in danger of falling further in the conference standings, a prospect that's not very appealing after losing back-to-back games to the teams holding the top two seeds. The Hornets lost 96-90 at Toronto on Tuesday after falling 112-103 at East-leading Cleveland two days earlier.

Charlotte trailed by 10 points after the first quarter of both games, combining to shoot 32.5 percent from the floor and 3 for 15 from 3-point range.

"The other night against Cleveland and (Tuesday) we just started out really flat," Walker said. "We're not the type of team that can do that. We have to play well from the start.

"I really put it on myself. When we're really good, I'm the one that's setting the tempo. I haven't been doing that for my team lately."

Walker is having a career year with 21.0 points per game, but he only had 11 against the Raptors after scoring 29 versus the Cavaliers.

He's totaled 59 points on 58.8 percent from the floor - 6 of 12 from long range - over the last two visits to MSG. A Bronx native, Walker scored 26 in a 97-84 home win over the Knicks (31-47) on Jan. 23.

Batum missed that matchup with a toe sprain, and he could be sidelined again after a left knee injury forced him to miss one game. The guard is second on the team with 15.2 points per game, but he only had four in a 102-94 loss at New York on Nov. 17.

If Batum is out again, Jeremy Lin would get the nod for a second straight game after totaling 21 points and seven assists Tuesday. He's averaging 16.0 points in nine games against the Knicks after briefly starring for them in 2011-12, where the "Linsanity" craze began.

The Knicks have dropped four of their last five, averaging just 90.0 points in those defeats. They shot 34.4 percent from the floor and 7 for 25 from 3-point range in losing 92-87 to Indiana on Sunday. However, that performance came while resting Carmelo Anthony and without Kristaps Porzingis, who is sidelined with a sore right shoulder.

New York will have Anthony back.

"I'm good to go. I'll play the rest of this week," said Anthony, the team leader with 22.0 points per game.

Anthony was held to nine points on 4-for-11 shooting at Charlotte on Jan. 23 after averaging 33.8 over his previous five meetings. That stretch started with an MSG-record 62 points in a win Jan. 24, 2014.

With Porzingis out, the Knicks will likely have Derrick Williams starting at forward for the fourth straight game. He's averaging 14.3 points on 51.7 percent shooting over the last three games.

Williams led the Knicks with 19 points and 14 rebounds off the bench against the Hornets in January.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Rockets (38-39) at Mavericks (39-38)

Date: April 06, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

Maybe the most pivotal game down the stretch for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks is a rematch of their first-round playoff series last season.

It could decide which one sneaks into the postseason and which is left out this time around.

With just a handful of games left and an ever-important tiebreaker on the line, the Rockets visit Dallas on Wednesday night seeking their 11th win in the last 14 games of this in-state rivalry.

The two teams join Utah in a tight three-team race for the Western Conference's final two postseason spots while Memphis and Portland sit not too far ahead in the Nos. 5-6 seeds.

Houston (38-39) can simplify its path into the playoffs with a third straight win in this four-game season series, pulling even with and earning the tiebreaker over the Mavericks (39-38). The Rockets have won three of the last four games in Dallas, including one victory in the first-round series which Houston won in five games on the way to the West finals.

If the Mavericks win, they would have a two-game edge on the Rockets with four games left. Plus, the season series would be split and the tiebreaker would remain up in the air based on Southwest Division and conference records.

While Dallas has challenging games left against the Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Jazz and San Antonio, Houston closes with four of the bottom five teams in the West - Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota and Sacramento.

'It's a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour thing,' Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. 'You're in the fight and every possession going whistle to whistle could be the one that turns it one way or another."

The Mavericks dropped 10 of 12 from March 3-27 but have rebounded with four straight wins behind stifling defensive pressure. They've held opponents to 86 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting while forcing 17.5 turnovers per game during the win streak.

Dallas held the Timberwolves to 40.8 percent shooting and 4 of 21 on 3-pointers while forcing 18 turnovers in Sunday's 88-78 road win.

However, the Mavs have averaged only 93.5 points on 41.6 percent shooting during their streak without the injured Chandler Parsons (knee surgery) and Deron Williams (sports hernia). Dirk Nowitzki made only 4 of 18 shots for 13 points in Minnesota, but J.J. Barea continued to be a spark plug with 21 points and six assists.

The point guard, key to Dallas' 2011 championship run, has averaged 21.5 points and six assists in the last six games to help fill the void left by Williams, who is not close to returning.

The Mavericks will draw one of the toughest containment tests in the NBA against Houston's James Harden.

Harden, second in the league behind Stephen Curry with 28.7 points per game, went off for 15 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 118-110 win over his former team, Oklahoma City. He added nine assists during his 11th 40-point game.

'We were just all in attack mode, making play after play, putting pressure on every single player,' Harden said. 'It was very important for us.'

Harden hasn't shot well against Dallas this season, averaging 24.3 points while shooting 35.5 percent and 22.7 on 3s, but he's added 10 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. The four-time All-Star logged one of his three triple-doubles of the season with 23 points, 15 boards and 10 assists in a 115-104 win Jan. 24 in the teams' last meeting.

The Rockets have alternated wins and losses in their last six games and haven't posted back-to-back victories in nearly a month.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Thunder (54-24) at Trail Blazers (42-37)

Date: April 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

With their sights set on the West's fifth seed, the Portland Trail Blazers may have the path to get there.

Winners of seven straight at Moda Center, the Blazers begin a season-ending three-game homestand seeking to secure a playoff spot in Wednesday night's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though home-court advantage for the opening round is unattainable, the Trail Blazers have a chance to enter the postseason with plenty of momentum. They'll host non-contenders Minnesota and Denver after facing a Thunder team that's already locked into the No. 3 seed.

Portland (42-37) has a magic number of one to clinch a berth and trails fifth-place Memphis by one-half game, an impressive feat for a team that underwent a massive offseason makeover and was nine games under .500 on Jan. 9.

By surpassing the Grizzlies, the Blazers can avoid a first-round draw with the Thunder, who easily won both meetings in Oklahoma City this season but lost 115-110 in Portland on Jan. 10. Whether that scenario is beneficial is debatable, as Portland lost three of four to its other potential quarterfinal opponent, the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Blazers return home having won five of six following Tuesday's 115-107 victory at Sacramento, receiving 30 points from C.J. McCollum and season highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds from Maurice Harkless to earn just their second win in their last 11 road games.

"Most of our (road) losses were to playoff-caliber teams,' coach Terry Stotts said. 'It's been tough for us lately on the road.'

Portland has had a far easier time at home, especially of late. It's won 16 of 18 at Moda Center and has outscored opponents by an average of 13.7 points over its last six there, allowing 97.8 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting during that stretch.

Oklahoma City (54-24) has lost four straight when scoring under 111 points and is a pedestrian 19-21 when failing to hit that number. The Thunder had no problem reaching that mark on Tuesday, amassing 75 points over the second and third quarters while pulling away to beat Denver 124-102.

Kevin Durant had 26 points and Russell Westbrook compiled 13 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his 17th triple-double this season, the most of any player since Magic Johnson's 17 in 1988-89.

Westbrook has notched six during the Thunder's 10-2 stretch, including a 17-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound effort in a 128-94 rout of Portland on March 14.

'He's one of those rare guys that can dominate a game without taking a shot,' coach Billy Donovan said. 'He distributed, he rebounded, he pushed the tempo. He created a lot of scoring opportunities for our team.'

With the Thunder's playoff position set, there's a chance Donovan could rest players on the second of a back-to-back, though he said he's hesitant to do so with the team playing so well.

'Sometimes when you rest players you take away that rhythm and flow but you eliminate the risk of injury,' he said. 'What we are going to do is after every game we will evaluate where each individual player is at.'

The Thunder, who opened this four-game trip with Sunday's 118-100 defeat at Houston, have lost three straight at Portland.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Clippers (49-28) at Lakers (16-61)

Date: April 06, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

With little to compete for in the playoff race, the Los Angeles Clippers can focus on spoiling Kobe Bryant's final game against them.

The Clippers will also seek their 11th consecutive win in the series Wednesday night and a sweep of back-to-back matchups.

The Clippers (49-28) are now locked into the Western Conference's No. 4 seed after Oklahoma City claimed its 54th victory in Denver on Tuesday. They finished off a 103-81 blowout of the Lakers not long after that game ended with Chris Paul scoring 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Jeff Green chipping in 21 off the bench.

"Our main goal in these (upcoming) games is to work on us, stay sharp and not take these games for granted," forward Blake Griffin said. "These games can be a great learning experience for us. It's not hard. It's different."

Bryant was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting in his final game as a visiting player at Staples Center. The next matchup against the Clippers is his penultimate home contest, and his career will come to a close during a visit from Utah next Wednesday.

"As much as I can play, I will play. I mean I've got two home games left. It's been crazy," he said. "I'm going to lace them up and go."

Bryant's current total of 68 regular-season games against the Clippers will stand as his most versus any opponent, edging out 67 against Golden State and the Memphis/Vancouver Grizzlies.

"He's meant a lot to the game of basketball. You can see it not just from Lakers fans but fans all over the world," Griffin said. "He's been great, motivating, inspiring. He's done a lot of things for basketball. To be on the court with him these last couple of times is special."

The Clippers' 10 consecutive wins over the Lakers (16-61) matches their longest active win streak versus any opponent and is tied for their fourth-longest overall. They have also won 10 straight over Detroit.

It's unclear if the Clippers will rest Griffin during their attempt to extend their intracity win streak. He's totaled 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting in his two games since returning from injuries and a team suspension.

"Talking to him after (Tuesday's win), he said he felt great. We plan on playing him (Wednesday), but I'm going to wait until he wakes up in the morning," coach Doc Rivers said. "Sometimes your body feels different in the morning. So we'll see."

Rivers might get veteran forward Paul Pierce back after a four-game absence due to a sprained right ankle and bruised right knee. The Clippers coach and Pierce competed in a pair of NBA finals against Bryant, splitting the two, and numerous other clashes.

Paul has totaled 52 points on 20-of-33 shooting in his two games since he was allowed to rest during a 119-117 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday. He's averaging 25.0 points on 62.7 percent shooting - his best versus any opponent - in his three games against the Lakers this season.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

NBA Odds: Wednesday, April 6 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/5/2016

I don't really know which team qualifies as the worst playoff club in NBA history, but I'd like to nominate the Memphis Grizzlies now that it has been determined that star point guard Mike Conley won't be able to return for the postseason, joining All-Star center Marc Gasol, solid big man Brandon Wright and guard Mario Chalmers on the sidelines. Conley probably has played his final game with the franchise as a pending free agent. Memphis as currently constituted is definitely not playoff-caliber and is almost surely going to get swept in the first round by the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder or Clippers. I assure you each of those teams is praying to face Memphis in Round 1. As of right now the Grizzlies are the No. 5 seed but could easily lose out and drop all the way to No. 8. Doubt there's enough time left in the regular season for the Grizz to miss the playoffs entirely.

Cavaliers at Pacers (TBA)

First of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Could also be a first-round Eastern Conference playoff preview if Indiana finishes eighth instead of seventh. I'm thinking the Cavs might rest a starter or two here as they were in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Kyrie Irving was questionable for that one as it was with a sprained ankle that kept him out Sunday. Indiana doesn't have the option of resting guys. It won a second straight road game Sunday, 92-87 at the Knicks. Paul George had a sore ankle but hit the tiebreaking jumper with 23.6 seconds left. He probably wouldn't play here if the game wasn't so important. Cleveland is 3-0 in the series this season but winning by an average of just 4.3 points.

Key trends: The Cavs are 0-5-1 against the spread in the past six meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in five straight Indiana home games overall.

Early lean: I think Pacers will beat a depleted Cleveland team.

Pistons at Magic (pick'em, 210)

Second of a back-to-back for Detroit as it was in Miami on Tuesday, but it also can't afford to give anyone the night off. Orlando beat Memphis 119-107 on Sunday for its fourth win in five games. Nikola Vucevic had 25 points off the bench. The Magic are 0-2 against the Pistons this season, both blowouts. But they were both in Detroit.

Key trends: The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: Magic and over.

Nets at Wizards (-13.5, 206)

Brooklyn lost a fifth straight Sunday, 106-87 to New Orleans and probably won't win again this season with both Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young shut down for the remainder of it. Thomas Robinson had his fourth straight double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds in the loss. Washington lost 114-109 at the LA Clippers on Sunday. Bradley Beal was just 2-for-16 from the field for eight points. John Wall extended his streak to 13 straight games with 10 or more assists, second longest in the NBA this season. Washington is the only opponent the Nets have faced just once this season. They Wizards won that game 111-96 back on Dec. 26.

Key trends: The Nets are 2-6 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Normally I'd give these points vs. that sorry Nets roster, but Wizards essentially have no reason to care as well. So take the Nets. Go under.

Pelicans at Celtics (-14, 207.5)

New Orleans was in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Boston won a second straight Sunday, 107-100 at the Lakers. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points, and the Celtics clinched a playoff berth. Jae Crowder added 22 points for Boston, which avoided a trap game after shocking the Warriors on Friday in Oakland. The C's were without Avery Bradley due to "good personal reasons." He should play here. But Evan Turner won't due to injury. Boston won the first meeting 111-93 in New Orleans and has taken three straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The Pelicans are 0-5 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 6-1 in Boston's past seven games.

Early lean: Celtics and under.

Hornets at Knicks (+4.5, 197)

Charlotte was in Toronto on Tuesday with both Al Jefferson and Nic Batum questionable after each sat Sunday. New York lost 92-87 at home to Indiana on Sunday. Carmelo Anthony got the game off for rest, and Kristaps Porzingis and Jose Calderon were both out with injuries. Don't expect to the latter two here but Anthony is expected to play. The Hornets lead the season series 2-1, winning both at home.

Key trends: The Hornets are 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 3-0-1 in the previous four.

Early lean: Wait on Batum and Jefferson.

Rockets at Mavericks (pick'em, 211)

Second ESPN game with live betting. This one is huge with Dallas at No. 7 in the West but just a game ahead of No. 9 Houston. The Rockets got a huge win Sunday, 118-110 over Oklahoma City. James Harden had 41 points, his 11th game with at least 40 this season. That's one behind leader Steph Curry. Dallas won a fourth straight Sunday, 88-78 in Minnesota. J.J. Barea and Wesley Matthews combined for 40 points. Dallas has held each opponent under 90 points in the winning streak. Houston has won two straight in this series and six of the past eight.

Key trends: The Rockets are 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings. The under is 4-0 in Houston's past four on the road and in Dallas' past four overall.

Early lean: Rockets and under.

Thunder at Trail Blazers (TBA)

Oklahoma City was in Denver on Tuesday and I'm not sure why the Thunder would play Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook here in the back-to-back and locked into the No. 3 seed. Portland was in Sacramento on Tuesday and still trying to get the No. 5 seed and thus might play everyone. The Thunder lead the season series 2-1 but lost in Portland on Jan. 10. The Blazers have won four of the past five meetings at the Moda Center.

Key trends: The home team is 4-0 ATS in the past four. The over is 11-3 in Portland's past 14 vs. the West.

Early lean: Wait on the OKC lineup.

Clippers at Lakers (+11.5, 208)

It's the final game for Kobe Bryant against good buddy Chris Paul and the Clippers. Bryant this week talked about how he regretted that he never got to play with Paul when the NBA voided his potential trade to the Lakers from New Orleans. That's assuming both Paul and Kobe play here as these teams also played Tuesday with the Clippers as the home team. Kobe has said he wants to play the rest of the games.

Key trends: The under is 11-3 in the Lakers' past 14 at home. They are 2-5 ATS in their past seven in the second of a back-to-back.

Early lean: Wait and see what happens Tuesday. If Clippers blow Lakers out, I would take the points here. Tough to do that on back-to-back nights.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

NBA

Wednesday's hot teams
-- Cleveland won seven of its last nine games (2-4 last 6AF). Indiana is 5-3 in its last eight games (3-4HU).
-- Pistons won seven of their last ten games (1-6 last 7AU). Orlando won four of its last five games (4-1 last 5HF).
-- Pelicans won three of their last five games (5-2 last 7AU). Boston is 6-2 in its last eight games (11-5 last 16HF).
-- Dallas won its last four games (0-3 last 3HU).
-- Portland won five of its last six games (7-6HU). Thunder won eight of last ten games (7-4 last 11AF).
-- Clippers won six of their last seven games (3-1 last 4HF).

Cold teams
-- Brooklyn lost its last five games (0-6 last 6AU). Washington lost five of its last seven games (5-3 last 8HF).
-- Hornets lost three of last five road games (6-1 last 7AF). Knicks lost four of their last five games (3-1 last 4HU).
-- Rockets lost five of their last eight games (6-8AF).
-- Lakers lost six of their last seven games (3-6 last 9HU).

Series records
-- Nets lost six of their last eight games with Washington.
-- Cavaliers won their last four games with Indiana.
-- Pistons won their last five games with Orlando.
-- Celtics won their last three games with New Orleans.
-- Knicks lost five of last six games with Charlotte.
-- Houston won seven of last nine games with Dallas.
-- Thunder won three of last four games with Portland.
-- Clippers won ten in row vs Lakers, covering one of last four.

Totals
-- Five of last six Brooklyn-Washington games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Detroit-Orlando games went over total.
-- Last five New Orleans games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten New York games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Thunder games went over the total.
-- Last five Laker-Clipper games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Cavaliers covered two of last seven if they played night before.
-- Detroit covered seven of last eight if it played the night before.
-- Pelicans covered six of last nine if they played the night before.
-- Hornets won seven in row (5-2 vs spread) if they played night before.
-- Thunder is 1-4-1 vs spread last six games if they played nite before Portland covered four of last five if they played night before.
-- Clippers are 7-4 in last 11 games if they played night before. Lakers are 2-5 in last seven games if they played night before.

**TheGame** · 04-06-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers April 6, 7:00 EST

Cavaliers haven't been a profitable to play as road chalk this year (12-18-2 ATS) and have been a terrible play for bettors facing the Pacers of late going 0-6 against the betting line. Cleveland 1-7 ATS last eight trips into Indiana you bet bet King-James and his Cavaliers at some risk.

**Satch** · 04-06-2016, 09:49 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Cleveland At Indiana
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Cleveland Cavaliers can clinch at least a tie for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Cleveland has won four straight games and holds a 3 1/2-game lead over the second-place Toronto Raptors with four games remaining.
The Cavaliers rolled to a 109-80 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday for their second win by 20 or more points in the past four games. “We’re playing good ball at the right time,” forward LeBron James told reporters. “That’s all. We know what’s good for us, what works for us. We’re doing it and it’s good for our team.” Indiana, which has won its past two games, resides in seventh place in the East and is 2 1/2 games clear of the ninth-place Chicago Bulls. The Pacers are a half-game ahead of the eighth-place Detroit Pistons and would like to avoid facing the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (56-22): Shooting guard J.R. Smith is averaging 24 points over the past two games and is on a 3-point shooting tear by making 13-of-20 – including 7-of-11 against the Milwaukee. Overall, Cleveland knocked down 18-of-36 3-point shots against the Bucks to extend its franchise record to 16 straight games of making 10 or more. “We’re moving the basketball,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. “We’re making some shots. If we make shots like we’re capable of making shots, we’re tough to beat.”
ABOUT THE PACERS (41-36): Indiana’s modest winning streak began after coach Frank Vogel changed the lineup following a demoralizing 20-point loss to the Orlando Magic. Vogel pulled rookie power forward Myles Turner from the starting lineup in favor of the stabilizing effect provided by Lavoy Allen, who is more apt to avoid miscues. “Of course I want to be out there starting for the Indiana Pacers, but I’m still playing with the Indiana Pacers, so I can’t complain about anything,” Turner told reporters Tuesday. “I’m able to come in with the second unit and play pretty much the same minutes.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Cavaliers are 3-0 against the Pacers this season with an average winning margin of 4.3 points.
2. Indiana All-Star SF Paul George will play despite a sore ankle and has scored 20 or more points in each of his past six games.
3. Cleveland PG Kyrie Irving (ankle) returned from a one-game absence and had 15 points in 27 minutes against the Bucks.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 96, Pacers 91

**Satch** · 04-06-2016, 09:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Detroit At Orlando
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
The Orlando Magic are relishing the role of spoiler over the last two weeks and get another chance to make an impact when they host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The Magic have won four times – three against teams fighting for playoff spots – over the past five games and are averaging 118.6 points during that span.
“It’s got to happen when you’re still in it, not when you’re out of it,” Orlando coach Scott Skiles told reporters of his team, which went 13-30 in the three months before April. “But recently we’ve had games where teams have made runs. Earlier, we weren’t able to stop them. We have been able to stop them now. So hopefully it is progress.” Detroit lost for the third time in five outings Tuesday with a 107-89 decision at Miami, but maintained a two-game lead over Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with four contests left. The Pistons allowed 52.4 percent shooting last time out and missed 16 of their 21 shots from 3-point range as coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters, “There wasn’t one thing that we were competitive with.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (41-37): Forward Marcus Morris struggled to 0-for-7 shooting and just one point Tuesday after averaging 23.7 points over the previous three contests. Tobias Harris, who has proved to be a solid acquisition before the trade deadline, remained hot with 21 points and leading scorer Reggie Jackson matched him against Miami. Center Andre Drummond has notched eight straight double-doubles and leads the league with 65, but is 5-for-26 from the free-throw line the last three games.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (33-44): Orlando has moved the ball better of late and that has led to more offensive production with center Nikola Vucevic leading the way, averaging 23.7 points on 32-of-47 shooting over the last three games. Evan Fournier scored 20.3 per game and Victor Oladipo contributed 19.3 during the same span, which included a 119-107 triumph against Memphis on Sunday. Point guard Elfrid Payton is running the show, posting double figures in assists five times in the last seven contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pistons have won the last five meetings, including a pair this season by an average of 21 points.
2. Orlando F Aaron Gordon is averaging 12.6 points in the last five outings – 3.5 above his seasonal mark.
3. Detroit needs one victory in the final four games to finish over .500 for the first time since 2007-08.
PREDICTION: Pistons 104, Magic 98

**Satch** · 04-06-2016, 09:50 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/6

Preview: Brooklyn At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
It’s just about over for the Washington Wizards, though nothing is final until the “e” gets put next to the team name in the conference standings. The Wizards will try to stave off elimination from the postseason when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Washington has dropped five of its last seven games to fall from a battle for a playoff spot to the brink of elimination with five games left in the regular season and would need to win out and get the help of a historic collapse from one of the teams above it in the standings to still have a chance. The Wizards just completed a 2-3 road trip – with the wins coming over the lowly Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns – and are not happy about the way they have played of late. “We got a lot of things to improve on,” Washington guard Bradley Beal told reporters. “Hopefully we get all five of these (remaining games). It’s definitely disappointing. We wanted to get more than what we got coming out here. We got to put this behind us and move on.” The Nets have seemingly been out of the playoff race all season and have dropped five straight games by an average of 19.6 points.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington)
ABOUT THE NETS (21-56): Brooklyn decided over the weekend to shut down the veteran frontcourt pair of Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez in order to avoid injuries in meaningless games and get a look at some of the other players on the roster. “I wish we were more successful as a team, obviously,” Lopez told ESPN.com. “I think we could’ve been better. It takes time obviously to figure things out, but I think we could’ve figured things out quicker. And I think our young guys learned a lot this season, and we found a lot of tools we could use going forward, definitely.” The absence of Young and Lopez is a good thing for power forward Thomas Robinson, who has logged four straight double-doubles.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (37-40): Washington fell to the Sacramento Kings earlier in the trip and came out flat on Sunday before falling at the Los Angeles Clippers 114-109. “I’m on to Brooklyn on Wednesday,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman told reporters. “This road trip’s over. We got five games in eight days and we got to worry about the first one. That’s all I want (the players) thinking.” Beal, who had been critical of the team’s effort earlier in the trip, went 2-of-16 from the field on Sunday and shot 34.7 percent during the five games, including 7-of-28 from 3-point range.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards All-Star PG John Wall is 22-of-64 from the field in the last four games.
2. Nets PG Donald Sloan (illness) sat out Sunday’s loss to New Orleans and is day-to-day.
3. Washington earned a 111-96 win at Brooklyn on Dec. 26 and will face the Nets twice in the last five games.
PREDICTION: Wizards 112, Nets 92

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NBA Betting Info. 4/6

NBA Betting Info. 4/6

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