NBA Betting Info. 4/8

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StatFox Super Situations


NBA | LA LAKERS at NEW ORLEANS
Play Against - All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (NEW ORLEANS) revenging a loss vs opponent against opponent off a loss against a division rival
82-41 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.7% | 36.9 units )
9-8 this year. ( 52.9% | 0.2 units )


NBA | MEMPHIS at DALLAS
Play Against - Any team vs the money line (DALLAS) after going under the total by more than 24 points in their previous game against opponent after going over the total by 42 or more points total in their last seven games
94-63 over the last 5 seasons. ( 59.9% | 43.5 units )
15-13 this year. ( 53.6% | 5.5 units )


NBA | BROOKLYN at CHARLOTTE
Play Under - All teams where the first half total is 100.5 to 105 in a game involving two good free throw shooting teams (76-79%)
244-150 over the last 5 seasons. ( 61.9% | 79.0 units )
74-58 this year. ( 56.1% | 10.2 units )

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/8

NBA: Dinero Talks Pop's GSW plight
Antony Dinero


Spurs coach faces Warriors dilemma


Gregg Popovich has the NBA by the throat this week.


He can either let his Spurs breathe and stretch their legs out in games against the Warriors, or he can choke out all the fun of what remains of the regular season by sitting out his main guys. The decision is entirely his.


Selfishly, we all want to see the Western Conference’s top heavyweights battle late Thursday and on Sunday evening, but there’s no way Popovich will allow that to happen. He’s already showed his hand against Golden State, pulling off an 87-79 win on March 19 in a dominant defensive performance where he threw caution to the wind and put his theories on how to contain Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on full display. The victory allowed San Antonio to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can defeat the Warriors if the teams were to meet in a series, something they haven’t done since the 2013 West semifinals, a series won 4-2 by the Spurs.
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Perfect run at home worth fighting for


What we can hope for is one more clash where both teams put it all out there. From San Antonio’s standpoint, they do have something to play for on April 10 since that will be their 40th home game of the season. The Spurs have opened 39-0 at the AT&T Center, setting a single-season record, which means that wins over the Warriors and on April 12 over Oklahoma City would complete the first perfect season at home in NBA history. Of course, Popovich has already been asked about this and intimated that it means as much to him as a “cup of coffee.”


Seriously? There’s no question that the Spurs way is basically beyond reproach given the volume of success that the franchise has attained. Team goals have always been placed over individual ones, and the pursuit of a championship trumps all. While that makes sense, a perfect record at home is a team honor. In fact, it can be viewed as a reward for perhaps the best fan base in the NBA, a loyal group that has supported the Spurs religiously with a devotion few other teams enjoy. If you’ve ever been to San Antonio, that’s crystal clear. Billboards and signs remind you whose town it is at all times. Since the NFL never did make it down to the Alamodome, it’s a one-team city. The fact the team has been so remarkably effective is gravy. They would support it even if the product was mediocre.


Of course, the product is far from that, which is why Popovich shouldn’t overlook the historical aspect of what his team is on the verge of accomplishing. Because of the start the Warriors surged out to, San Antonio’s success has been largely overshadowed. The Spurs have already set a franchise-record for victories after opening 64-12. Considering all the resting Pop has done of starters, not to mention getting new franchise pillar LaMarcus Aldridge up to speed, that’s remarkable. Because the Warriors are still on the chase of the all-time wins record, San Antonio’s success has basically been ignored. Now the Spurs stand in theiway -- twice -- as Golden State needs a perfect 4-0 run to finish an NBA-record 73-9.


It’s a strange dynamic that Popovich and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr are such good friends, with the latter having played in San Antonio, winning titles in 1999 and 2003. Although Popovich has divulged that no team has kept him up trying to find ways to stop them the way Golden State has, you can take the veteran coach at his word that he wishes them no ill will. In that sense, 73 victories mean nothing to him. There’s no motivation to prevent Kerr’s Warriors from reaching that milestone. It means nothing to him.


Golden State’s own pursuit of a perfect record at home ended at the hands of Boston on Saturday night and was compounded by a second loss on Tuesday against Minnesota, so it no longer matters that the Spurs are likely to rest everyone of consequence in Oakland. Why give the Warriors any motivation, especially at home, where they already crushed the Spurs 120-90 on Jan. 25? Popovich is notorious for spoiling nationally televised games with his maintenance plans, having just done it against Oklahoma City on March 26. The Spurs lost that game 111-92 and haven’t faltered since, which means they’ve lost just three times since the All-Star break when at full strength, winning 19 times. This week’s contests should feature more rest for regulars since the Spurs will play at Utah, Golden State and Denver, places that each have unique pitfalls. The Warriors and Nuggets game come on a back-to-back, so there’s no chance San Antonio doesn’t field a depleted roster.


That brings us to April 10. The Warriors will come to town, still chasing history. The Spurs will play their 40th home game, still chasing history. Hopefully, Popovich doesn’t put on his Grinch cap, preventing one last legitimate preview of a likely Western Conference finals that is sure to be epic.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

NBA notebook: Grizzlies waive C Hollins, sign G Munford
By The Sports Xchange


The Memphis Grizzlies waived center Ryan Hollins on Thursday and signed guard Xavier Munford to a multiyear contract.
Hollins, 31, appeared in 32 games (nine starts) for the Grizzlies this season. He averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Munford has appeared in 10 games with the Grizzlies this season and has averaged 5.6 points and 1.9 rebounds a game. Munford played his final two years in college at Rhode Island.


---The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward Christian Wood for the regular of the season, the team announced.
Wood has played in 16 games with the 76ers this season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Wood averaged 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds in 32 games with the Delaware 87ers of the D-League.


---The Sacramento Kings reassigned rookie forward Duje Dukan to the Reno Bighorns of the D-League, the team announced.
Dukan is averaging 14.6 points and 4.3 rebounds for Reno. He hasn't played in a game for the Kings.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Nets (21-57) at Hornets (45-33)


Date: April 08, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


While earning home-court advantage remains an important goal, the Charlotte Hornets must weigh that objective against keeping their key players healthy for the playoffs.


They could see Nicolas Batum return Friday night after winning for the first time since he went down, but they certainly won't rush him back against the visiting Brooklyn Nets.


Batum had been hitting his stride, averaging 20 points, 7.1 assists and six rebounds over a 10-game stretch before suffering a left knee injury in Sunday's 112-103 loss at Cleveland.


Coach Steve Clifford says the versatile forward is feeling better and could be a game-time decision when the Hornets go after their first season sweep of the Nets since 2000-01. However, they're going to need Batum more in the playoffs than against a Brooklyn team that has lost six in a row by an average of 19.3 points.


"We start so much of our offense with him and he's so good at getting the ball moving," Clifford said. "He makes the game so much easier for us. He's such a big part of everything, our offense, our defense."


The Hornets struggled without Batum in Tuesday's 96-90 loss at Toronto before avoiding their first three-game skid in three months with Wednesday's 111-97 win at New York. Kemba Walker led the way with 34 points while hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers in 10 attempts.


'It was a must-win game,' center Al Jefferson said. 'We lost two games in a row because of, in my opinion, us, because of things we didn't do well. We just had to get back to the basics, get back to things we do so well, the reason why we've been winning games.'


The Hornets are also being cautious with Jefferson as he tries to finish an injury-plagued season on a positive note. He had 24 points and eight boards in 29 minutes Wednesday.


Charlotte, which has clinched only its third playoff appearance in 12 years, is among four teams separated by less than two games between third and sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The club sits one back of Boston for home-court advantage in the first round.


That could be crucial as the Hornets (45-33) own one of the league's best home records since Jan. 18 at 14-3. That stretch includes victories over Cleveland and San Antonio.


"From what coach says, it's pretty important. It's home-court advantage," Walker said after a 105-100 win at Brooklyn in the most recent meeting March 22. "Of course, everyone wants to be at home, especially for the first two games."


The Hornets shouldn't have much trouble getting things going offensively against the Nets (21-57), who have given up 114.6 points per game during a 10-game road losing streak.


Brook Lopez has averaged 25.5 points in his last four meetings with Charlotte, but he and fellow frontcourt starter Thaddeus Young have been shut down for the season. As a result, Brooklyn was outrebounded 53-38 in Wednesday's 121-103 loss at Washington.


'We knew there was going to be a discrepancy on the boards,' interim coach Tony Brown said. 'I'll give them that, but there are still a lot more things we could've done.'


Thomas Robinson made the most of his opportunity with a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. The fourth-year pro has averaged 15.2 points and 12.2 boards in his last five games.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Knicks (31-48) at 76ers (10-68)


Date: April 08, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


Sam Hinkie couldn't even stick around to see if the sorry Philadelphia 76ers team he built could win consecutive games.


The opportunity for that to happen for the first time this season comes Friday night against the visiting New York Knicks, two days after the general manager packed up his office and bid a 10-68 team adieu.


Former NBA executive of the year Bryan Colangelo - Philadelphia chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo's son - is set to take Hinkie's place after the third-year GM announced his resignation Wednesday.


It comes with just four games remaining and a substantial offseason approaching that could include four first-round draft picks to complement the likes of injured Jahlil Okafor, oft-injured Nerlens Noel and always-injured Joel Embiid. There's also Dario Saric, who is overseas.


As for those on the court for Philadelphia, they'll try to follow up Tuesday's 107-93 home victory over New Orleans by stringing together wins for the first time since March 16 and 18, 2015, the latter of which was a home win over the Knicks (31-48).


The victory over the Pelicans featured about as many relevant NBA names as the back end of a 10-player deadline deal. New Orleans didn't start a player averaging over 7.8 points, and the 76ers leaned on Carl Landry for a game-high 22 points while Isaiah Canaan had 16.


It wasn't without historical relevance as it ensured the 76ers won't tie their own league record for fewest victories in an 82-game season from 1972-73.


"We didn't want to be a part of that," said Landry, who shot 9 for 10. "We tried to do whatever it took to lock in, in practice, in film sessions and just have a carryover to each and every game."


The crowd showed its appreciation with an MVP chant - ironic or otherwise - for the big man, who has averaged 19 points on 72.7 percent shooting in the last three games. The trinity of Okafor, Noel and Embiid has combined for four points in 17 minutes in that time.


"It was funny. It definitely put a smile on my face, and makes me feel good," Landry told the team's official website. "... It definitely made me feel good that the fans of Philly, blue-collar people, a majority of them, appreciate the effort I put in each and every day."


The people's MVP could be the key to denying the Knicks their first sweep of this season series since 1994-95. Landry has been limited to four minutes of playing time in the three meetings.


New York has won four straight and eight of nine over the Sixers but enters this matchup having dropped five of six overall, including Wednesday's 111-97 home loss to Charlotte.


The Knicks have three games left to avoid a second straight 50-loss season a year after dropping a franchise-worst 65, and this is easily their most winnable with a home game against Toronto followed by a trip to Indiana.


"These next couple days are very challenging as athletes, to kind of stay strong and close the season out," Carmelo Anthony said.


Anthony returned from a game off to rest and scored 15 points, but New York remained without injured starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jose Calderon.


Anthony has been limited to 15.7 points on 27.6 percent shooting in three games against Philadelphia this season. Arron Afflalo has averaged 20 points on 57.5 percent and hit 6 of 13 from 3-point range.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Heat (45-32) at Magic (33-45)


Date: April 08, 2016 7:00 PM EDT


The Miami Heat appear to have found their form as they seek home-court advantage in the playoffs. There's little margin for error, however, with a number of teams also in the middle of the pack surging toward the postseason.


Miami seeks its 15th win in 21 games Friday night at Orlando in the first of a home-and-home set.


Dwyane Wade's 21 points led the Heat (46-32) in a 106-98 victory against Chicago on Thursday, pulling them into a tie with Boston for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is one game back of those teams, while Atlanta holds a one-half game edge for the third spot as the clubs jockey for playoff positioning.


The Heat outscored the Bulls 66-52 in the second half.


"At this time of year, you have to use certain situations to try to prepare us because we've never been there together as a team," Wade said. "This was one of those situations."


Miami isn't the only team in the scrum playing well. Charlotte's 21-7 record since Feb. 6 leads the East, while Atlanta has won 16 of 21 and Boston seven of nine.


Orlando (33-45) is out of the playoff picture, though its 108-104 loss to Detroit on Wednesday was only its second in six games. The Magic surrendered 35 fourth-quarter points, their third-most this season.


"Yes, it's frustrating, but we didn't play bad at all tonight," Evan Fournier said. "Detroit is a team that is fighting for a playoff spot. They are playing good ball."


Fournier has averaged 20.0 points in the last four games, helping Orlando average 116.2 on 53.0 percent shooting during a 4-2 stretch. The Magic averaged 100.8 points on 44.8 percent shooting previously.


Miami is enjoying a longer run of offensive success, averaging 109.0 points while shooting 50.1 percent in its last 19 contests. The Heat are also clamping down defensively, holding their last four opponents to 43.0 percent shooting.


Keeping Orlando's Nikola Vucevic in check figures to be crucial. The fifth-year center is averaging 21.5 points on 63.9 percent shooting off the bench in four games since missing 13 with a strained groin.


Miami, which hosts Orlando on Sunday, will be aiming for its third sweep of the Magic in four years and fifth all-time after winning 108-101 on Dec. 26 and 108-97 on March 25. Goran Dragic, who grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds Thursday, scored 22 in each of the first two meetings, shooting 18 for 29 from the field.


Free-throw shooting was costly for the Magic in both matchups as they were 25 for 41 from the charity stripe.


Hassan Whiteside will hope to draw on his previous success against Orlando after struggling of late. He's 20 for 42 from the floor in his last four games, but 28 for 43 (65.1 percent) in his career versus the Magic.


Wade, conversely, is 23 for 61 (37.7) percent in his last four meetings with Orlando.


Miami has dropped four of six on the road, while Orlando, 21-18 at home, has clinched its first winning record at Amway Center in four years.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Wizards (38-40) at Pistons (42-37)


Date: April 08, 2016 7:30 PM EDT


Stan Van Gundy refuses to project any optimism despite the Detroit Pistons' magic number to clinch their first playoff berth in seven years being down to one. And it's no wonder considering Friday night's opponent has had its way with the Pistons.


Visiting Washington has won the season's first three meetings and ran Detroit out of the gym last month with a dominating effort. Another victory would keep the Wizards' slim postseason hopes alive for another day, and they're hoping John Wall will be around to help.


The scenario isn't complicated. If the Pistons (42-37) beat Washington (38-40), they'll head to the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09. They're coming off a 108-104 win at Orlando on Wednesday behind 24 points from Reggie Jackson, but they've gone 3-3 following a five-game winning streak and are still fending off playoff suitors.


Detroit lost by 18 at Miami the night before, a performance Van Gundy had trouble stomaching. The Pistons have a rematch with the Heat and visit Cleveland in their season finale in a potential first-round preview. There's a chance they'll be forced to win at least one of those if they can't get past the Wizards.


'You know what, after (beating Chicago on Saturday), I heaped a lot of praise on our guys, and then we exhaled and didn't even show up to play," Van Gundy said Wednesday. 'I'm not going to go through a lot of praising people today.'


It's not as if his players are any more relaxed, though, and remain hungry to secure that playoff spot.


"We just continue to fight. We have a never-say-die attitude," Jackson said. "We never want to lose. We just find a way to look in within ourselves."


Van Gundy certainly questioned those statements when reviewing film of the last matchup with Washington on March 14. The Wizards shot a season-high 56.7 percent and scored 28 points off 21 Detroit turnovers in a resounding 124-81 victory that marked the Pistons' worst defeat of the season.


Washington's margin of victory was its highest since a 45-point win over Boston in 2002-03 and helped begin a winning streak that reach five. It has gone 3-5 since, though, and needs to win out, hope Detroit loses its last three while moving past ninth-place Chicago to return to the postseason.


And all of that needs to happen with Wall hurting. The star point guard has a swollen right knee and sat out Wednesday against Brooklyn, missing his first game since last year's playoffs.


Ramon Sessions stepped up, finishing with 18 points and a season-high 13 assists in a 121-103 victory. Bradley Beal scored 25 points as the Wizards had 36 assists on 48 buckets.


It's unclear if Sessions will have to step in again. Wall, averaging career highs of 19.9 points and 10.2 assists, is scheduled to undergo tests to determine his status.


'He had some swelling in (the knee) unlike it had this year,' coach Randy Wittman said. 'I didn't think he wasn't going to play, because he's played 77 games.


'Ramon played great. I thought he kept a good pace to the game. It doesn't get much better than that.'


Wall had 12 assists in the last meeting with Detroit, but Washington's defense was the story. Jackson finished with eight points on only seven field-goal attempts while committing five turnovers.


Jackson hopes the Pistons have learned from that dud as they try to snap a four-game skid in the series.


"All 15 (players) just buy in and continue to play harder and harder, and we figure if we continue to do that we give ourselves a chance at the end of the game," Jackson said. "Hopefully we can do it from the jump."

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Pacers (42-36) at Raptors (52-25)

Date: April 08, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers took a step closer to the playoffs by putting together one of their best offensive performances of the season against a title contender which was resting its star.

They'll attempt to clinch a berth against another Eastern Conference power which may also decide to give its stars a breather Friday night when they visit the Toronto Raptors.

Indiana's magic number for securing a spot in the postseason is down to one with four games to play after Chicago lost to Miami on Thursday. The Pacers (42-36) are one-half game ahead of Detroit for seventh place in the East and reaching the playoffs seems a near-certainty with their final three contests against also-rans Brooklyn, New York and Milwaukee.

Even a date in Toronto in a possible playoff preview may not be as daunting if the Raptors (52-26) opt to rest or limit the minutes of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Thursday's 95-87 loss in Atlanta locked Toronto into second place in the East heading into the second half of this back-to-back.

The Raptors rested Lowry and DeRozan the last time they played the second of two games in as many days, falling 102-95 at San Antonio on Saturday. Toronto had averaged 110.2 points in winning its previous six in the second half of a back-to-back.

The Pacers took full advantage of facing a Cleveland team resting LeBron James on Wednesday, scoring season highs of 36 first-quarter points and 70 first-half points in a 123-109 win. Paul George scored 29 for Indiana, which made 16 of 31 3-pointers.

'Even without LeBron, they still have two All-Stars out there,' Solomon Hill said after scoring a season-high 15 points. ' ... It's a team we could see in the playoffs. (Every win) is a building block.'

The Pacers have averaged 110 points in reeling off three straight wins after potentially damaging home losses to Orlando and the Bulls.

"I think we're playing well at the right time," said George, who is 8 of 19 from 3-point range in his last three games. "It just has to continue. We all feel great about this win and the streak we're on, winning in our past three games. It's about capitalizing on this moment now."

They'll now try to capitalize on playing a Toronto team which is in a bit of an offensive funk.

Losers of two of three, the Raptors are averaging 94.3 points in four games this month after averaging 107.3 in their previous four. Lowry and DeRozan combined for 29 points on 13-of-39 shooting Thursday, with each playing 34 minutes.

"You got to play with force in this league," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "(The Hawks) are in playoff mode and we weren't in the first quarter."

DeMarre Carroll returned from right knee surgery after missing 41 games and finished with five points in 14 minutes. He started 22 of 23 games before his injury, averaging 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds.

"It was great to get him back out there to get him in rhythm," DeRozan said.

DeRozan and Lowry each scored 28 and Bismack Biyombo set a franchise record with 25 rebounds in helping the Raptors to a 101-94 win in overtime at Indiana on March 17. DeRozan, who totaled 14 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, had 25 in a 106-99 win over the Pacers in their season opener Oct. 28, their fourth consecutive home victory in the series.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Bucks (32-46) at Celtics (46-32)


Date: April 08, 2016 7:30 PM EDT


One of the league's shortest point guards has the playoff-bound Boston Celtics playing well down the stretch, while one of the tallest in NBA history has given the Milwaukee Bucks reason to be optimistic about the future.


Isaiah Thomas will try to help the host Celtics keep the pressure on in the race for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference with their fourth straight win Friday night against 6-foot-11 Giannis Antetokounmpo and the banged-up Bucks.


Boston has won seven of nine but is having its own injury issues as starting forward Jae Crowder tries to work his way back from an ankle sprain that left him sidelined three weeks in March. He's shot 35.7 percent in three games since returning.


"I gotta take these next few games and just try to push it, push it, push it, and just try to get in the best shape I can going into the playoffs," Crowder told the team's official website.


Top reserve Evan Turner hopes to return after missing Wednesday's 104-97 home win over New Orleans because of an eye abrasion. Marcus Smart says he's fine despite getting a gash on his face that knocked him out of the game and required four stitches.


Thomas has picked up the slack offensively for the Celtics (46-32), who are among four teams separated by less than two games between the third and sixth seeds in the East. The 5-foot-9 playmaker led the way with 32 points and eight assists against the Pelicans.


Since March 1, Thomas ranks among the conference leaders with 26 points per game while shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range. He paced Boston with 27 points and seven assists in a 112-107 home win over Milwaukee in the most recent meeting Feb. 25.


'I'm just going to keep going, keep grinding and being in attack mode,' Thomas said. 'That's what my team needs from me and I'm gonna continue to do that."


Antetokounmpo has been aggressive since coach Jason Kidd made him the team's primary ballhandler. Two nights after scoring a career-high 34 against Chicago, he just missed his sixth triple-double of the season Tuesday with 22 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in a 109-80 home loss to Cleveland.


"The stat sheet says (Antetokounmpo) almost had another triple-double, but the big thing is we have to play harder," Kidd said.


"The Greek Freak" has averaged 19 points, 8.4 boards and 7.8 assists in his last 22 games.


The last matchup with a 14-plus inch height difference between starting point guards was Feb. 15, 2005, when Boris Diaw of Atlanta (6-8) faced off against Earl Boykins of Denver (5-5). Of course, Thomas and Antetokounmpo aren't likely to defend one another.


"You're not going to match your point guard with him just because he brings the ball up the floor," Boston coach Brad Stevens said. "Whether he plays the 1 or the 3 for them in their offense doesn't really impact us a whole lot as far as how we have to prepare."


Stevens also has to be concerned with 6-11 center Greg Monroe, who has averaged 22 points and 11.3 rebounds while Milwaukee has lost two of three in the season series.


The Bucks (32-46) have dropped seven of nine heading into this meeting. It certainly hasn't helped that they've been without injured leading scorer Khris Middleton (18.2 points per game) and reserve Jerryd Bayless, whose statuses are uncertain.

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Lakers (16-62) at Pelicans (29-49)

Date: April 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Kobe Bryant's farewell tour hits its last four stops in the next week, and fans are relishing their final chances to watch his graceful game even with the Los Angeles Lakers finishing up the worst season in franchise history.

The Lakers open a three-game road trip Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans before Bryant's grand finale at home Wednesday against Utah.

After claiming he didn't want a farewell tour when he retired, Bryant changed his mind in late November, turning the Lakers' season into a moveable tribute to a polarizing, globally respected athlete.

'It's something that he deserves, that he's earned, and that we all want to do,' said Lakers coach Byron Scott, Bryant's teammate in his rookie season. 'I don't think anybody can question K.B.'s place in the game, and it's only natural that people want to honor him. We all do, too.'

Bryant, the third-leading scorer in NBA history, has been cheered in cities that had greeted him with seething hatred for the better part of two decades.

'I can feel it, and it feels pretty damn awesome,' Bryant said. 'It makes going through the years of losing, and not leaving, makes it all worthwhile. Staying here and taking the good with the bad, and the fans embracing and understanding that, that we ride together, that's a love that you can't break, man.'

Meanwhile, the Lakers are wrapping up a historically miserable three-year stretch. They've set the 16-time champion franchise's record for single-season losses in three consecutive years, culminating in Wednesday's 62nd defeat - 91-81 to the Clippers.

'It doesn't matter,' Bryant said. 'It's hard for people to understand this, but losing is losing, and there aren't different degrees of losing. You either win a championship, or you're in the same boat we're in. It's very black and white to me. So whether you set a franchise record for losses or you get to the playoffs and lose in the Western Conference finals, those are the same damn thing to me.'

That's the view of an 18-time All-Star with five NBA championship rings. The youngsters and modestly accomplished veterans don't have Bryant's perspective, and it's too soon to tell how their supporting role on Bryant's tour has affected rookie D'Angelo Russell or second-year pros Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.

Russell succinctly summed up the Lakers' strategy lately: 'Get Kobe the ball.'

'Especially now that we're winding down, there is even more of a focus on K.B.'s last game,' Scott said. 'I think all that attention and all that focus is probably affecting (the younger Lakers) a little bit, because they see it just like everybody else. They want him to do well. They want to try to give him the ball as much as possible when he's on the floor. It's a lot to digest. I know the focus is sometimes not there, because there's so much stuff going on.'

Bryant is last in the NBA among qualifying players with a 35.3 field-goal percentage. But the Lakers know what the public wants, and what they owe to Bryant after two decades of service.

Bryant has been reflective and vocally grateful in recent weeks - and unlike his fans, the NBA's career leader in missed shots insists he doesn't care if he gets the ball every time.

'I will defer, and I'll just come out and play the game,' Bryant said. 'This is what I'm here for, one more time, is to just play the game.'

Bryant had 27 points in his last visit to New Orleans, a 99-96 win Feb. 4 that improved the Lakers to 2-0 in the season series.

The injury-plagued Pelicans (29-49) enter this matchup trying to avoid a third straight loss after falling 104-97 at Boston on Wednesday. They played without their five top scorers and had nine active players.

'We played hard and we competed like crazy,' coach Alvin Gentry said. 'Just couldn't seem to make a couple plays at the end that would get us over the hump.'

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Grizzlies (42-36) at Mavericks (40-38)


Date: April 08, 2016 8:30 PM EDT


Oddly enough, losing their starting point guard has been a boon to the Dallas Mavericks.


It hasn't worked out so nicely for the Memphis Grizzlies.


The Grizzlies, however, are coming off a badly needed victory and will visit Dallas on Friday night having already wrapped up a spot in the playoffs, where the Mavericks also appear to be headed thanks to their hot streak.


Dallas (40-38) is inching closer to clinching a postseason berth while employing a slower pace and a new defensive intensity in the absence of Deron Williams. The Mavericks lost their first two after Williams went down late last month with a left abdominal strain, part of a 7-16 stretch in which they allowed 111.5 points per game.


The ensuing five-game win streak has seen Dallas hold every opponent below 90 points while forcing an average of 17.2 turnovers. Coach Rick Carlisle's new strategy paid off again Wednesday when his team held high-scoring Houston to its lowest point total since the All-Star break in an 88-86 victory.


"I am proud of our guys for being willing to be team guys and play this way," Carlisle said. "We lived to fight another day."


The win moved the Mavericks within two games of Memphis for fifth in the Western Conference.


J.J. Barea doesn't love the new tempo but has flourished in it while replacing Williams as the floor leader. The 10-year veteran has averaged 22.3 points - double his season average - in the seven games Williams has missed. He's hit 21 of 42 from 3-point range in that span while adding 6.3 assists per game.


"I like to play fast, too, but slowing it down is working for us," Barea said after scoring 27 points Wednesday. "We've got to stay that way."


The Grizzlies haven't found anyone to step up the way Barea has.


Point man Mike Conley was lost to an Achilles injury March 6, and backup Mario Chalmers was waived a few days later after rupturing an Achilles tendon.


Briante Weber and Ray McCallum unsuccessfully tried to fill the starting job before Jordan Farmar was given a shot. He's averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 assists in eight games since being signed, far off Conley's averages.


The Grizzlies (42-36) won two of their first three after losing Conley but have since gone 3-10, including losses in seven of eight road games. However, they halted a six-game losing streak overall with a 108-92 home win over Chicago on Tuesday.


"We're just starving to get a win," coach Dave Joerger said. "Every night we just go out and compete. We're just like okay well what's the next one?"


Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds, still trying to make up for the season-ending loss of Marc Gasol (foot). Randolph is among a bevy of veterans who have helped get Memphis into the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. That officially happened Thursday when ninth-place Houston lost to Phoenix.


"We're trying to push, we're trying to fight â?? one, to get it in, and two, for seeding," Farmar said. "We still believe. It's good to see nobody held their head down and kept competing."


Memphis lost the last two meetings with Dallas despite having Gasol and Conley. Dallas saw Chandler Parsons total 42 points in those games, most recently scoring 26 in a 114-110 overtime win Feb. 6, but he's undergone season-ending knee surgery.


Dirk Nowitzki accounted for 38 points in those two victories but has struggled in Carlisle's new scheme, shooting 27.4 percent and going 4 of 24 from 3-point range in the last five games.


"One of the reasons Dirk is having a hard time getting open looks is because we are playing a different style right now," Carlisle said.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/7

Preview: Clippers (50-28) at Jazz (39-39)


Date: April 08, 2016 9:00 PM EDT


With the Western Conference's No. 4 seed secure, the Los Angeles Clippers have two goals before the playoffs: getting Blake Griffin in top form and resting the starters.


The Utah Jazz don't have the luxury of resting anyone as they continue their quest to gain a postseason berth Friday night against the Clippers.


Los Angeles (50-28) is locked into home-court advantage in the first round against the undetermined No. 5 seed, while Utah (39-39) holds the eighth spot and is one game behind Dallas and just ahead of Houston with four remaining.


The Clippers again showed they're top dog in the City of Angels on Wednesday, handing the rival Lakers a franchise-worst 62nd loss with a 91-81 victory that marked their third four-game sweep in four seasons and fourth consecutive 50-win campaign.


DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick scored 15 points apiece, and Chris Paul and Griffin each added 13 before the starters sat out the fourth quarter. Doc Rivers is giving the quartet and Wesley Johnson the night off for this contest as he continues a balancing act of preventing his starters from logging heavy minutes and helping Griffin shake off the rust accrued from missing over three months with injuries.


Griffin, who had 40 points and 12 rebounds in a 102-91 loss to Utah on Nov. 25, had his best game since returning from a tear in his quad and a broken hand, shooting 5 for 10 with eight rebounds and three assists in roughly 25 minutes.


"I felt good, my legs felt good," he told the team's official website. "That's what's allowed me to play more. Those are all good things - just keep going.


"I've been encouraged after every game with how I felt."


The first of the 45 games Griffin missed was a 109-104 win in Salt Lake City on Dec. 26 in which Redick scored 25, Paul had 19 points and 11 assists, and Jordan added 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Clippers went 13 of 26 from 3-point range.


The game marked another strong performance against the Clippers for Gordon Hayward, who scored 28 points after putting up 33 in the November win. He's shot 51.4 percent against Los Angeles this season, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range.


Hayward had a quiet 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting in a defensive battle against San Antonio on Tuesday that ended in an 88-86 home loss. The Spurs and Jazz are the top two teams in the NBA in points allowed per game.


"We feel like we can play with any team, especially on this home court," said Rodney Hood, who had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists.


"We've just got to continue to grind."


Utah has been playing well on its home court, winning five of seven with the other loss coming against Golden State in overtime, but the Jazz have dropped seven in a row against the Clippers in Salt Lake City.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/8

NBA Odds: Friday, April 8, 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews


I generally don't root for anyone to fail -- OK, unless it benefits my team or my betting position -- so I was happy to see the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night for their 10th win of the season, assuring that wretched team won't tie for the NBA record of single-season losses at 73. Maybe the 76ers drew inspiration from the night before when Villanova beat North Carolina for the school's first national title since 1985. One thing the 76ers haven't done yet this season: win consecutive games. Friday against the Knicks is probably their last chance to do so. And this will be Philly's first game since GM Sam Hinkie resigned on Wednesday. Hey, he did what ownership wanted: get really bad to eventually get really good. It just didn't work -- the Sixers never were able to win the lottery, although there are some good assets there potentially. The Sixers are 47-195 since Hinkie took over prior to the 2013-14 season, including a 10-68 mark this season. If they lose their final four games this season, they will have posted the worst three-year span in NBA history. Bryan Colangelo will take over as GM. He is the son of Jerry Colangelo, who moved into a front office role with the 76ers in December. Bryan is also a two-time NBA Executive of the Year.




Nets at Hornets (-16, 205.5)


Brooklyn lost a sixth straight Wednesday, 121-103 in Washington. Thomas Robinson scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Nets, who have those six by an average of 19.3 points. Charlotte ended a two-game skid with a 111-97 win at the Knicks on Wednesday. Kemba Walker had 34 points and Al Jefferson, who was questionable, added 24. Nic Batum missed a second straight with a strained knee. He has a decent chance of playing here. Charlotte has won all three meetings this season but only by a combined 18 points.


Key trends: The road team is 5-1 against the spread in the past six meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in five straight Charlotte home games.


Early lean: Nets and under.


Heat at Magic (TBA)


Miami hosted Chicago on Thursday and as beaten up as Dwyane Wade is, I'd be moderately surprised if he plays here. Plus Hassan Whiteside was a game-time call Thursday. Orlando lost 108-104 at home to Detroit on Wednesday. Nikola Vucevic had 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists off the bench. He did start the second half and Coach Scott Skiles said Vucevic is still a starter even though he has been a reserve since returning from injury. Sounds like he might start here. Miami leads the season series 2-0 and has won seven straight in Orlando.


Key trends: The Heat are 5-1 ATS in the past six in Orlando. The over has hit in eight of the past 11 meetings there.


Early lean: Wait on the Heat duo.


Knicks at 76ers (+3.5, 200)


New York lost a second straight Wednesday, 111-97 at home to Charlotte. Carmelo Anthony returned from a one-game absence but was held to 15 points. New York remains without injured starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jose Calderon, and they are probably done. As noted above, Philly beat New Orleans 107-93 on Tuesday to end a 12-game losing streak. By the way, Sixers coach Brett Brown apparently will keep his job going forward despite the front office change. He deserves one season with an actual NBA roster. New York leads the season series 3-0 and has won four straight overall vs. Philly.


Key trends: The Knicks are 10-3 ATS in the past 13 in Philly. The under has also hit in 10 of those.


Early lean: Knicks (as long as Melo plays) and under.


Bucks at Celtics (TBA)


Milwaukee lost 109-80 at home to Cleveland on Tuesday, its second straight defeat. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. The 18 3s allowed were a season-worst for Milwaukee. The Bucks played again without injured leading scorer Khris Middleton and guard Jerryd Bayless. They are questionable here. Boston won a third straight Wednesday, 104-97 over New Orleans. Isaiah Thomas had 32 points. He has scored at least 20 in 17 straight games. Boston leads this season series 2-1 and won the game in Beantown 112-107 on Feb. 25.


Key trends: The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in the past six in Boston. The over is 4-1 in the past five meetings.


Early lean: Celtics by double digits.


Wizards at Pistons (TBA)


Washington beat Brooklyn 121-103 on Wednesday. John Wall sat out with a minor knee injury and Ramon Sessions stepped up with 18 points and 13 assists in his first start of the season. Washington still has faint playoff hopes but has to win out and get plenty of help, including having these Pistons lose out. The team thinks Wall will play here. Detroit won in Orlando 108-104 on Wednesday and is one victory from clinching a playoff spot. Washington leads the season series 3-0, winning the last two by at least 12 points each.


Key trends: Washington is 4-9 ATS in the past 13 in Detroit. The under is 4-0-1 in the past five meetings.


Early lean: Pistons eliminate Wizards, Wall or not.


Pacers at Raptors (TBA)


Toronto was in Atlanta on Thursday. About the only motivation the Raptors have left during the regular season is to break the franchise record of home wins. They have tied it with 30. But you could see some guys sit here. Indiana won a third straight Wednesday, 123-109 over Cleveland, which rested LeBron James. Paul George had 29 points as the Pacers shot 56.3 percent from the field and hit 16-for-31 from long range. Toronto leads the season series 2-1 and has won four straight at home vs. Indiana.


Key trends: Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its past five in the second of a back-to-back. The over is 5-2 in the past seven meetings.


Early lean: Wait to see which Raptors players potentially sit.


Lakers at Pelicans (-3, 204.5)


Here's hoping Kobe Bryant does play in his final visit to the Big Easy because there's no reason for those Pelicans fans to show up otherwise with that decimated, D-League-type roster. The Lakers dropped a third in a row Wednesday, 91-81 at home to the Clippers. Thus Kobe's next home game will be his last as this game begins a three-game road trip. Kobe had 17 vs. the Clippers. New Orleans dropped a second straight Wednesday, 104-97 in Boston. I can't even tell you who plays for the Pelicans these days. Los Angeles is 2-0 against New Orleans this season, both low scoring.


Key trends: The Lakers are 9-4 ATS in the past 13 in New Orleans. The under is 4-1 in the past five meetings.


Early lean: Lakers and under.


Grizzlies at Mavericks (-6.5, 198)


Your lone national TV game on NBA TV and thus should have live betting at sportsbooks. Memphis ended a six-game losing streak with a 108-92 home win over Chicago on Tuesday. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 12 rebounds. He's about all the Grizzlies have left. Memphis avoided its first seven-game losing streak since November 2009. Dallas got a huge 88-86 home win over Houston on Wednesday for its fifth straight victory. The Mavs have completely changed their style since Deron Williams went out injured as they play slow and much better defense. The Mavs haven't scored more than 98 points in the winning streak or given up more than 89. Dallas lost the first meeting with Memphis this season but has won the past two.


Key trends: The Mavericks are 6-1 ATS in their past seven vs. the West. The over is 9-2-1 in the past 12 meetings.


Early lean: Huge on the under. Go Dallas.


Spurs at Nuggets (TBA)


San Antonio was at Golden State on Thursday, so I expect Coach Gregg Popovich to go very deep into his bench for the starting five in this one. The Spurs were, thankfully, expected to play every healthy guy against the Warriors. So there's no way anyone of note plays here. Denver dropped a third in a row Tuesday, 124-102 vs. Oklahoma City. Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 17 points and rookie Emmanuel Mudiay had 15. Mudiay apparently will play summer ball. Denver has lost nine straight in the series and five in a row at home.


Key trends: The Spurs are 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 6-0 in Denver's past six on Friday.


Early lean: I say Denver wins this game outright.


Clippers at Jazz (-5, 187.5)


Los Angeles won a third straight Wednesday, 91-81 over the Lakers. Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Wesley Johnson all got the night off. And the Clips might rest nearly every starter here with nothing to play for. Blake Griffin for sure is out. Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and JJ Redick are all likely to sit as well. The Jazz will take that as they fight for a playoff spot. Utah lost 88-86 at home to the Spurs on Tuesday. Rodney Hood missed the potential winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Good news here for Utah: guard Alec Burks will return from a leg injury that has cost him 50 games. Obviously he will be limited. These teams have split two meetings back in 2015, each winning on the road. That 102-91 Utah win on Nov. 25 in L.A. snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Clippers.


Key trends: The road team has covered five of the past seven meetings. The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their past four following a loss.


Early lean: Jazz and under.

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/8

Preview: Brooklyn At Charlotte
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, April 8, 2016
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Charlotte Hornets suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in more than two months this week but bounced back nicely on Wednesday and remain in the race for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Brooklyn Nets, who visit the Hornets on Friday, appear to have already given up on chasing wins as they evaluate some of the players at the bottom of the roster with an eye to the future.
Charlotte lost at Cleveland and Toronto before finishing off the three-game road trip with an easy 111-97 win at the New York Knicks to improve to 17-22 away from home. That less-than-inspiring road record is the main reason the Hornets are pushing so hard to lock up the third or fourth seed in the East and have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Nets shut down veteran frontcourt players Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young already and did not put up much of a fight on the defensive end in a 121-103 loss at Washington on Wednesday. The setback was the sixth straight for Brooklyn, which is losing by an average of 19.3 points in that span.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE NETS (21-57): The early offseason for Young and Lopez means more playing time for former first-round pick Thomas Robinson, and he is showing that he can be a part of the team’s future. The Kansas product is with his fifth organization since being drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2012 and is finally getting a chance in the starting lineup. Robinson has responded with five straight double-doubles and collected 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go along with 10 boards in Wednesday’s setback.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (45-33): Charlotte guard Kemba Walker led the team’s post All-Star break surge up the standings but cooled off a bit of late and slumped to 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting in Tuesday’s 96-90 loss at Toronto. Walker found his form again at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday and went 11-of-18 from the floor, including 7-of-10 from 3-point range, en route to 34 points in the key win. Walker’s explosion helped cover the loss of fellow guard Nicolas Batum, who missed his second straight game with a knee injury and is day-to-day.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nets G Bojan Bogdanovic (rest) looked rusty after two games off and went 2-of-12 from the floor on Wednesday.
2. Hornets C Frank Kaminsky started in place of Batum on Wednesday and delivered 16 points.
3. Charlotte took each of the first three meetings this season, including a 116-111 triumph at home on Nov. 18.
PREDICTION: Hornets 118, Nets 99

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/8

Preview: Miami At Orlando
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, April 8, 2016
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
The Miami Heat look to continue dominating the Sunshine State series when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday in the first of a home-and-home. The Heat, who are in a four-way battle for third place in the Eastern Conference, have won four straight against Orlando – two this season by an average of nine points – and 14 of the last 15 encounters.
The Magic have knocked off three teams who are in the fight for a playoff spot in the last few weeks, but coughed up a lead in the second half to drop a 108-104 decision against Detroit on Wednesday. Orlando, which needs one victory to finish over .500 at home, is averaging 116.2 points during a 4-2 stretch overall. Miami has won seven of its last 10 after a 106-98 triumph at home against Chicago on Thursday and is in a virtual tie with Boston for fourth place in the East – one game behind third-place Atlanta. Veteran Dwyane Wade has averaged 18.5 points in two games since returning from a back injury and scored 24 at Orlando earlier this season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE HEAT (46-32): Miami had solid balance in the comeback victory over Chicago as four players scored at least 16 points, led by 21 from Wade. Center Hassan Whiteside, who has been hampered by a thigh injury, had 16 points and 12 rebounds Thursday to record his third straight and 14th double-double in the last 17 contests. Guard Goran Dragic also registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards last time out and rookie Josh Richardson has scored 13 per game over the past three – almost double his season average.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (33-45): Several players have upgraded their offensive production at the end of a disappointing campaign in which Orlando is 14-32 since Jan. 1. Center Nikola Vucevic leads the team in scoring (18.0) and rebounding (9.0) and is averaging 21.5 points over the last four contests while swingman Evan Fournier (15.1 points) is scoring 20 per game over the same span. Victor Oladipo (16.1 points) has poured in 18.5 per game over the last four and fellow backcourt mate Elfrid Payton scored 17 on Wednesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Miami G Joe Johnson moved into 47th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 19,254 points, passing Bob Lanier (19,248), after recording 17 on Thursday.
2. Orlando F Andrew Nicholson has scored in double figures seven straight games and 10 of the last 11 he has played.
3. Miami F Chris Bosh, who is still recovering from a blood clot, had 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 108-101 win at Orlando on Dec. 26.
PREDICTION: Magic 102, Heat 96