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**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Celtics (46-32) at Hawks (47-32)

Date: April 09, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

It's a tight race for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference, and the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics can take a big step towards gaining it Saturday night.

These clubs enter with identical 47-32 records, and both are playing well with the Hawks winning 11 of their last 14 games and the visiting Celtics winners of four straight.

Atlanta and Boston are tied for the Eastern Conference's third-best record, with both currently in position for home-court advantage of the first round of the playoffs. Those positions are precarious, because Miami and Charlotte lurk one game behind them.

It means Saturday's winner will move very close to gaining that home advantage. This contest could also be a preview of a first-round series.

'You never know which team we can play in the playoffs, so as a team we're going to take it serious,' Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas said. 'We want to win every game and we've just got to be ready.'

Thomas is very close to his season average in averaging 22.0 points in three meetings against Atlanta, although Boston has lost twice. Jae Crowder is the only other Celtic averaging in double figures at 15.0.

The Hawks have enjoyed better balance in the season series with five players averaging at least 12 points, led by Paul Millsap's 19.7. What has been surprising is that Jeff Teague is not in that group, scoring only 9.3 per contest on 31.8 percent shooting.

Thomas is averaging 25.0 points in Boston's win streak, with 20 on 7-of-9 shooting in Friday's 124-109 victory over Milwaukee. He logged just under 25 minutes as the Celtics got plenty of rest as they try to improve the East's second-best mark in the second half of back-to-back games to 13-6.

The Hawks should be confident after beating one of the teams ahead of them in the standings with Thursday's 95-87 victory over Toronto. They limited the Raptors' high-scoring duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to a total of 32 points on 13-of-39 shooting.

'It was a total team effort,' guard Kyle Korver said. 'We're working on a few things on defense and some of that helped tonight. It really doesn't matter what your coverage is. I think guys were just really locked in and focused.'

Teague led the way with 23 points to match his average over the last five games, a span in which he's shooting 48.2 percent. Millsap had 13 points and 14 boards for his third straight double-double, matching a career best with his 30th.

Atlanta tries to cap this homestand with a 3-1 mark in its last regular-season game at Philips Arena. It has held every opponent on it to below 40.0 percent from the field, limiting Toronto to 38.1.

"Our defense kind of gave us a chance to win a tough game against a very good team," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a good win at home."

These teams lead the East in assist-to-turnover ratio, with Boston at 1.75 and Atlanta at 1.73.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Warriors (70-9) at Grizzlies (42-36)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Coach Steve Kerr may be apprehensive, believing his Golden State Warriors may need a mental and physical break before the playoffs start more than chasing the record for most wins in a season.

His young stars have no such doubts. With a once-in-a-lifetime chance to set a record with 73 wins by sweeping the final three games, they want to seize the opportunity beginning Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

'Everything is gravy at this point with coach Kerr,' forward Draymond Green said. 'All he wanted was the number one seed. For a lot of guys in the locker room, it's not gravy. We put ourselves in a position all year. ... To get this far and kind of just tank it and say never mind? Face it, we'll probably never get to this point again. That's why it's only been done one time. I think most guys in the locker room are all in.'

The Warriors (70-9) joined the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls as the only teams in NBA history to win 70 games in a season by beating San Antonio 112-101 on Thursday night to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

To break the mark of 72 that Michael Jordan and the Bulls set 20 years ago, the Warriors must sweep a weekend road trip to Memphis and San Antonio and then beat the Grizzlies again in the season finale next Wednesday night at home.

'With three games left and 73 still there, it's obviously a lot to play for,' star Stephen Curry said.

Kerr asked his players a few weeks ago if 73 wins was important to them. When most said yes, he made a pact with young stars like Curry, Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes that he would not force them to sit as long as they were honest about their health.

'I want to finish out these last three games,' said Thompson, averaging 18.7 points in six games since back-to-back 40-point efforts. 'I pride myself on playing every game. I'm still young in my career. I'm only 26. When I'm 36 I'll be looking to rest more.'

Kerr said he would discuss the choice again with his coaches and players Friday on the plane ride to Memphis. He has given time off recently to veterans like center Andrew Bogut and guard Shaun Livingston. Other players like sixth man Andre Iguodala and backup center Festus Ezeli have gotten time off because of injuries.

But no one on the young core has gotten a game off since Curry missed a game with a sprained ankle on March 1.

'I'm not sure they actually need a rest physically. But maybe a break mentally will do them some good,' Kerr said. 'On the other hand, I'm pretty sure we're not going to be in this position again next year. You can't keep winning at this level. It's a very unique situation.'

Kerr knows well what the Warriors have accomplished, having played all 82 games as a key reserve on the Bulls team that set the mark. He has noted the parallels of the toll the 82-game grind takes late in a season and knows that what his Warriors team is aiming to do is even harder than what Chicago did in breaking the mark of 69 wins set by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72.

'In `96 we had to get to 70,' Kerr said. 'We have to get to 73. When you're talking about an 82-game season, three games is huge. This is a monumental task if that's what we're calling it. Yes, I'm kind of confused with how we should approach it.'

Green and Curry have been the most vocal players about wanting the record, while some others like Iguodala and Bogut have downplayed its importance. Green made a point this week of telling his teammates that they should feel free to sit out a game if they feel like they need a rest and not feel as if they are letting teammates down.

'The goal is to win a championship, and nobody should sacrifice that for anything in this regular season,' Curry said. 'If you're able to play, and feel like you can go out there and give what you got, and continue to build momentum into the playoffs, then we'll do it. I think that's kind of the majority.'

Curry and the other starters might not have to play much to take care of Memphis. Golden State dominated both meetings in November back when the Grizzlies still had Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, winning 100-84 in Memphis following a 119-69 result in Oakland - the worst loss in Grizzlies' history.

With Gasol out for the season and likely the same for Conley, Memphis (42-37) has lost 11 of 14. The Grizzlies fell 103-93 in Dallas on Friday, one night after clinching a playoff spot when ninth-place Houston lost to Phoenix.

The slump has dropped Memphis into sixth in the West, one-half game behind Portland and a game ahead of the Mavericks.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Cavaliers (56-23) at Bulls (39-40)

Date: April 09, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

It's real simple for the Cleveland Cavaliers - win one of their final three games and clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference. For the Chicago Bulls, though, even winning their remaining three contests likely will not be enough to get them into the postseason.

These Central Division teams on the opposite ends of the playoff spectrum meet Saturday night at the United Center.

The Cavaliers (56-23) are three games ahead of Toronto with four to play, so beating Chicago, Atlanta or Detroit will give them home-court advantage until the NBA Finals.

"All of our guys are in the lineup (Saturday), so we obviously want to play well," James said after practice Friday. "Chicago is a team that has had a lot of ups and downs since the All-Star break but they always tend to play well against us."

James will be well-rested for this contest since he sat out Wednesday's 123-109 loss at Indiana, Cleveland's highest point total allowed since coach Tyronn Lue took over. With his superstar returning, Lue has already put the loss out of mind and is more concerned with keeping his team on point for the final week of the season.

"(We want to stay in) the rhythm we've been in the last five games, outside the Indiana game," Lue explained. "Staying in an offensive flow and our defense has been really good, just staying in that flow and rhythm from he last five or six games."

While there isn't much difference in record from predecessor David Blatt to Lue, who is 26-12 since taking over in mid-January, the defense may be a cause for concern. Cleveland has given up 100.7 points per game since he's taken over, slightly above its season mark of 98.1, but the Cavaliers are only 8-6 against the expected Eastern Conference playoff field since he's taken over. Additionally, every Eastern potential postseason opponent but Toronto has scored 100 points against them at least once since Lue replaced Blatt.

Backup point guard Mo Williams will miss this game after flying back to Cleveland to undergo an MRI for a sore knee that has limited him to 28 minutes the past three contests.

The Bulls (39-40) remained mathematically alive only because the Raptors defeated Indiana on Friday, but Chicago needs to defeat Cleveland, New Orleans and Philadelphia while hoping the Pacers lose to Brooklyn, New York and Milwaukee between now and Wednesday.

Coach Fred Hoiberg's team trudged back to the Windy City after back-to-back losses to close a three-game road swing, losing at Memphis on Tuesday and 106-98 at Miami on Thursday. The Bulls are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

'Obviously it's not the way that we wanted,' guard Jimmy Butler said. 'I think everybody thinks about it each and every day. It probably keeps everybody up late, I know it does for me. But we can't change it now. It is what it is.'

Chicago has dropped seven of its last 10, with the defensive identity it had under previous coach Tom Thibodeau a distant memory. Opponents have shot 46.4 percent and averaged 103.6 points in that span, and the Bulls have also given up six more points per game when combining fast-break points and second-chance points (27-21).

Cleveland didn't solve Chicago until the third and most recent meeting between the teams, a 106-95 win Feb. 18 in which James had 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. The Bulls limited the Cavaliers to 38.8 percent shooting in winning the first two games this season.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Timberwolves (27-52) at Trail Blazers (43-37)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The only number on the mind of the Portland Trail Blazers in the middle of April is their seed in the Western Conference, not their number on a ping-pong ball as many expected.

Seeking their first nine-game home winning streak in three years, the surging Blazers try to finish a sweep of a Minnesota club they've dominated in Portland over the last decade on Saturday night.

Portland won 120-115 against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, its sixth in seven games to clinch its sixth postseason berth in eight seasons. The franchise is seemingly well ahead of schedule considering it appeared to be entering a rebuilding phase after losing three of its top four scorers from 2014-15.

The Trail Blazers (43-37) looked destined for the draft lottery earlier on, starting 11-20.

"We came back from whatever our record was in December to put together a run and stayed with the process," coach Terry Stotts said. "It's been very rewarding."

They're the league's first team to reach the playoffs despite returning two or fewer players with 1,000-plus minutes from the previous season.

"Because there was so much doubt," point guard Damian Lillard said. "It wasn't just people saying they're not going to be a playoff team. People said we wouldn't win 20 games."

Lillard, the league's sixth-leading scorer at 25.0 points per game, was 2 for 13 in his worst shooting performance of the season Wednesday and has shot 32.1 percent over his last eight contests.

Portland has a half-game lead over Memphis for fifth-place in the West after trailing the Grizzlies by five games through March 4. The Blazers close out Wednesday against visiting Denver while the Grizzlies face a more difficult road, sandwiching two contests versus Golden State around a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Portland and Memphis split their season series, but the Trail Blazers' 28-22 conference record gives them the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies, who are 25-24 against the West.

Portland has also won 19 of 22 at home and is going for its first nine-game home win streak since Dec. 10, 2012-Jan. 10, 2013. It has averaged 13.3 made 3s in its last four at home while shooting 47.7 percent from beyond the arc.

The Trail Blazers haven't lost to the Timberwolves at home since 2012, winning 19 of the last 20 in Portland versus Minnesota, which is 14-26 on the road but has won five of eight as the visitor.

Portland won the first three matchups by a combined 14 points. A 96-93 home victory Jan. 31 came in spite of a 6-for-27 3-point performance.

The Timberwolves (27-52) are seeking their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 23-27. They followed Tuesday's overtime victory over NBA-leading Golden State with a 105-97 win at Sacramento on Thursday.

Five players scored 15 or more against the Kings and the team recorded 25 assists on 36 field goals.

"The win was nice. But the main thing for us is building for next season," said Zach LaVine, who scored 18. "We want to be in the playoffs next season, so right now we are playing hard and training ourselves for that."

Andrew Wiggins is shooting 53.4 percent over his last four games and has scored 30 or more three times in his last six, though he's struggled with his shot more against Portland than any other foe this season. Wiggins is 14 for 50 (28.0 percent) from the floor against the Trail Blazers, shooting a career-worst 3 of 18 at Portland in January.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Thunder (54-25) at Kings (31-48)

Date: April 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Though they already have a division title and the No. 3 seed locked up, the Oklahoma City Thunder can chase some impressive individual marks if they so desire.

In the final game at Sacramento's Sleep Train Arena, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are expected to return to action Saturday night when the Thunder seek their 25th win in 29 meetings with a Kings team that doesn't seem interested in playing its regulars.

Oklahoma City (54-25) has secured third place in the Western Conference because it owns the tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Clippers as the Northwest Division champs.

As a result, coach Billy Donovan opted to rest starters Durant, Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Andre Roberson in Wednesday's 120-115 road loss to Portland. Enes Kanter took advantage of his extended chance by putting up the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in Thunder history with 33 and 20 as Oklahoma City nearly came back from a 23-point hole.

'My thinking on holding everyone out is just to rest our guys,' Donovan explained. 'It was a great opportunity to get those guys some extra rest and have two days before going to Sacramento.'

Now Donovan is expected to have everyone available as the club attempts to split this four-game road swing. While the Thunder don't have anything to gain from a playoff perspective, Durant and Westbrook have something to play for from a personal standpoint.

Durant is on track to become the first player to average 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists since Michael Jordan in 1988-89. He's gone 62 straight games with at least 20 points, the longest such streak since Kobe Bryant's run of 63 from 2005-07.

Westbrook is one triple-double away from breaking Magic Johnson's mark of 17 for the most in a season since '85-86.

'Whenever you're mentioned in the same sentence as Magic, it's always great. That's something you never take for granted," said the All-Star point guard, who has eight triple-doubles in his last 16 games.

Westbrook has recorded one in two of the three meetings with the Kings, averaging 18.7 points, 13.3 assists and 10.7 rebounds in the season series.

Sacramento (31-48) will try to close out a 28-year run at Sleep Train Arena with a rare victory over the Thunder. The Kings have dropped nine of the past 11 home matchups after Durant scored 27 and Westbrook triple-doubled in Oklahoma City's 131-116 win Feb. 29.

The club will move into a downtown arena called the Golden 1 Center next season. Approximately 50 former players and coaches are expected to attend the final game at the venue which was long known as Arco Arena.

'This is more of a college atmosphere, college loyalty, and college love than most NBA cities," coach George Karl said. "Saturday will be a moment that the basketball fan will feel good about. Even me, though I've only been here for 15 months. It's historically a part of my career.'

After announcing previously that DeMarcus Cousins would only be rested in the remaining road games, Karl chose to sit the All-Star center and Rajon Rondo in Thursday's 105-97 home loss to Minnesota. Rudy Gay had 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting after sitting out two of the prior five contests.

The Thunder certainly hope Cousins and Rondo remain on the bench. Cousins has totaled 68 points and 31 boards in the last two meetings, while Rondo had a career high-tying sixth triple-double in Tuesday's loss to Portland with a season-high 27 points.

Sacramento loses its first-round pick to Chicago if it falls outside the top 10.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

NBA Odds: Saturday, April 9 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I can't say I've ever been to a Sacramento Kings game at what is now called Sleep Train Arena, but I remember loving watching games on TV from there back in the early 2000s when the Kings were one of the NBA's best and most entertaining teams. You could hear the cowbells through your screen and it was a rabid fan base. Alas, the Kings could never reach the NBA Finals, usually running into the Los Angeles Lakers. Saturday will be the Kings' final game in that arena as they move to a new building, the Golden 1 Center, next season thanks largely to the efforts of former NBA All-Star and current city mayor Kevin Johnson -- it sure looked a couple of times like the Kings were going to move to Seattle or Kansas City, but Johnson got the financing in place. Kings players will wear retro baby blue jerseys and a retro court will be in use for the finale. Approximately 50 former players and coaches are expected to attend the game.

Suns at Pelicans (-3, 207)

Likely plenty of good seats available for this ugly game. Think I'd rather be in the French Quarter on a Saturday night than be forced to watch this in person. Phoenix pulled a surprise Thursday in winning 124-115 in Houston to end a seven-game losing streak and severely damaging Houston's playoff chances. The Suns were down 13 in the third quarter. They got 36 second-chance points to just eight by Houston. New Orleans hosted the Lakers on Friday night so it will be quite a drop in fans in the building on Saturday as I'm sure Friday's game was sold out to see Kobe Bryant one last time. New Orleans leads the season series with Phoenix 2-1 but all three were played before Christmas so those mean little now with how different both clubs are due to injury.

Key trends: The home team is 8-1 against the spread in the past nine meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in New Orleans' past six overall.

Early lean: Can I pass? Suns and under.

Celtics at Hawks (-5.5, 204)

This game is potentially huge for the No. 3 seed in the East. Boston hosted Milwaukee on Friday. Atlanta beat Toronto 95-87 on Thursday to win for the 16th time in 21 games and avoid a four-game season sweep. Kent Bazemore sat out with an injured right knee and is day-to-day. Thabo Sefolosha started in his place and had 10 points. Boston won the first meeting vs. the Hawks at home very early in the season but lost the past two, also back in 2015. Thus a Hawks win gives them the tiebreaker. Boston has dropped three in a row in Atlanta.

Key trends: Boston is 2-8 ATS in the past 10 road games. The under is 7-1 in its past eight overall. The under is 5-2 in Atlanta's past seven overall.

Early lean: Hawks and under.

Warriors at Grizzlies (+11, 211.5)

ESPN game and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Memphis was at Dallas on Friday. Golden State became the second team in NBA history with 70 wins thanks to a dominant 112-101 win over visiting San Antonio on Thursday to clinch the West's top seed officially. The Warriors avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time all season and have outscored the opposition by 14.6 points in the games following each of their nine losses. I will be very interested to see what Warriors coach Steve Kerr does here with some key players as Golden State has a another huge one in San Antonio on Sunday. Of course the Spurs are unbeaten at home. If the Spurs win that one, they could break the Warriors' all-time home regular-season winning streak early next season. Kerr has said he would talk to his guys early Friday about possibly resting but most said they want to go for 73 wins. Golden State has blown out Memphis twice this season, both in November. The Warriors have won four straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The Warriors are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 7-1 in the past eight.

Early lean: Wait and see what Kerr does here. I like the Grizzlies as of now, though, because even if all the Warriors play, they will be looking toward Sunday.

Cavaliers at Bulls (TBA)

ABC game and should have live betting at sportsbooks. This looked like a great matchup on paper when the season started, but the Bulls are out of the playoffs (well, they will be on Friday night). Cleveland sat LeBron James on Wednesday and lost 123-109 in Indiana. Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 26 points and six assists, while Kevin Love had 23 points and five rebounds. But the Cleveland defense was terrible. The Cavs' magic number to clinch the top seed in the East is one and they could clinch Friday if Toronto loses at home to Indiana. This is Cleveland's final regular-season road game. Chicago lost 106-98 in Miami on Thursday. The Bulls haven't missed the playoffs since 2007-08 but then won the 2008 lottery and the right to take Derrick Rose. Chicago won the first two meetings this season but lost the most recent on Feb. 18 in Cleveland.

Key trends: The road team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: See who Cavs rest or not.

Timberwolves at Trail Blazers (-8.5, 218)

Minnesota won a second straight Thursday, 105-97 in Sacramento. I thought the Wolves might have a huge letdown after Tuesday's win in Golden State, but only if the Kings played all their regulars. They didn't. Gorgui Dieng had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns had his 50th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Portland won a second straight Wednesday, 120-115 over Oklahoma City, which rested its key guys. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 27 points and C.J. McCollum 26 as Portland became the first team in NBA history to earn a playoff berth while returning a roster that had two or fewer players with 1,000 or more minutes from the previous season. Those players are Damian Lillard and Chris Kaman, who barely plays now. I certainly expected the Blazers to be a lottery team. Portland has won four straight in this series overall and eight in a row at home. Lillard is averaging 24.7 points vs. Minnesota in the three games this season.

Key trends: The Wolves have covered just one of their past eight in Portland. The over is 12-4 in the Blazers' past 16 vs. the West.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

Thunder at Kings (TBA)

I would hope George Karl plays all his regulars here since it's the home finale. I have to think management would make him. I'm assuming it's also Karl's final home game. Karl rested DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo on Thursday and the Kings predictably lost to Minnesota 105-97. Darren Collison had 19 points and six assists in the Kings' third straight loss. Oklahoma City sat Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka on Wednesday in Portland and of course lost. Enes Kanter had a career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds for the Thunder. Hard to know what Coach Billy Donovan does here. I tend to think he plays his guys here and then Monday in the regular-season home finale but rests them next Tuesday at San Antonio. Oklahoma City leads the season series 2-1 and won the most recent 131-116 in Sacramento.

Key trends: The Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their past seven in Sacramento. The under is 10-3 in the past 13 meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Donovan's call and Karl's. Actually think the Kings will play pretty hard here and have a decent shot at winning outright if all their guys go.

**TheGame** · 04-09-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

StatFox Super Situations

NBA | OKLAHOMA CITY at SACRAMENTO
Play On - Favorites (OKLAHOMA CITY) after 4 or more consecutive overs against opponent after 2 or more consecutive unders
54-23 over the last 5 seasons. ( 70.1% | 28.7 units )
6-6 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.6 units )

NBA | MINNESOTA at PORTLAND
Play On - Any team vs the money line (PORTLAND) in a game involving two horrible defensive teams (>=102 PPG), after allowing 55 points or more in the first half in 2 straight games
86-65 over the last 5 seasons. ( 57.0% | 43.4 units )
48-42 this year. ( 53.3% | 11.4 units )

NBA | CLEVELAND at CHICAGO
Play Against - Road favorites of 2 to 5.5 points vs. the first half line (CLEVELAND) a good team (60% to 75%) playing a marginal losing team (40% to 49%), on Saturday games
42-16 since 1997. ( 72.4% | 24.4 units )
1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.1 units )

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:28 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Phoenix At New Orleans
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Phoenix Suns are trying to avoid a 60-loss season and they aim to record their second straight win when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Phoenix ended a seven-game losing streak with a stunning road victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday and needs to win two of its last three games to prevent the 60-loss campaign.
The Suns scored fewer than 100 points six times during the seven-game skid before flowing well on offense and establishing a season best for points in the 124-115 victory over the Rockets. Forward Mirza Teletovic scored 26 points and has scored 24 or more points in three of the past four games while averaging 21.5 points during the stretch. New Orleans improved to 4-3 in its last seven games after producing a 110-102 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Journeyman guard Toney Douglas has been taking advantage of the backcourt injuries and scored 20 points against Lakers and has 19 or more points in three of the past five games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE SUNS (21-58): A dismal campaign that is the second worst in franchise history is nearing an end and then Phoenix can fully turn its attention to the coaching situation. Recent speculation pinpointed Villanova coach Jay Wright as a target but that doesn’t appear to be a realistic option as Wright quickly expressed he intends to remain with the college national champions. Interim coach Earl Watson is just 7-23 since taking over for fired Jeff Hornacek but will be looked at because of his popularity with the players, and another scenario is making a run at Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (30-49): Center Alexis Ajinca is another player seeing increased action thanks to the plethora of injuries and he set career highs of 28 points and 15 rebounds in Friday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 7-foot-2 Ajinca has two double-doubles in the last four games — he has 12 in his career — and is averaging 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds during the stretch. Backup forward Luke Babbitt also has taken advantage of the opportunity with five straight outings of 15 or more points and is averaging 18 during the stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans are 2-1 against the Suns this season and have won four of the past six meetings.
2. Phoenix PG Brandon Knight (sports hernia) underwent surgery Friday and played in only 52 games this season.
3. New Orleans SF Ryan Anderson (sports hernia) isn’t expected to play again this season, which would mean he missed the final 14 contests.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 109, Suns 103

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:29 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Boston At Atlanta
When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
The race for the third spot in the Eastern Conference intensifies when the Boston Celtics travel to meet the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The teams enter tied for third place in the East, a game ahead of both the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets.
The Celtics host both the Heat and Hornets to end the season and enter the stretch with four straight wins after Friday’s 124-109 rout of Milwaukee at home. Tyler Zeller tied a career high with 26 points in the victory after producing a total of 19 points in his previous eight games. The Hawks will be playing their home finale before visiting Cleveland and Washington to close out the regular season. They have won 14 of their last 18 games overall and nine of 11 at home, where they outlasted Toronto 95-87 on Thursday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN New England (Boston), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (47-32): Zeller’s effort ended a remarkable run by All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas, who had led Boston in scoring in a franchise-record 17 straight games, scoring at least 20 points each time. Thomas still had 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting as the Celtics shot 56.4 percent and produced their best scoring output since Feb. 10. Evan Turner returned from a one-game absence due to an eye abrasion to produce nine assists, matching fellow reserve Marcus Smart for the team lead.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (47-32): Jeff Teague scored 23 points against Toronto and is averaging the same amount over a five-game span. He was one of seven Atlanta players to score in double figures and had two of his team’s 12 3-pointers. Paul Millsap recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds and five steals and is averaging 19.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in three games against the Celtics.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics C Kelly Olynyk hit all five of his shots – including his only 3-pointer – in a 16-point effort versus Milwaukee.
2. Thomas needs seven assists to join Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics with 1,600 points and 500 assists in a single season.
3. Hawks SF Kent Bazemore (knee) missed the win over Toronto and is considered day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Hawks 107, Celtics 104

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:29 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Golden State At Memphis
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
The Golden State Warriors are the second team in NBA history to record 70 wins in a season and need to post three more to set the all-time victories mark. Golden State attempts to move closer to the 72-win record held by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls when it visits the slumping Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
The Warriors play two of their final three games against the Grizzlies with a trip to San Antonio in between the two contests. Golden State picked up win No. 70 by registering a 112-101 home win over the Spurs on Thursday. “Two teams in the history of this game have reached where we are right now,” point guard Stephen Curry told reporters. “It’s a proud moment and something that should be recognized.” Memphis suffered a 103-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday for its seventh defeat in eight games to drop it into sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), FSN Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (70-9): Golden State wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the West with the win over the Spurs and coach Steve Kerr would like to rest some of his key players during the final three games but knows he is going to face resistance. “Now that we have that, I’m inclined to give some guys some rest if they need it,” Kerr told reporters, “but I’ve sort of made a pact with the guys that if they are not banged up and they are not tired and if they want to go for this record or whatever.” Forward Draymond Green said most of the players are more interested in the victory mark than rest because this is likely the only opportunity to break the Bulls’ mark.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (42-37): Memphis is a shell of the team it was earlier this campaign before losing center Marc Gasol (foot) for the season and playing the last 17 games without standout point guard Mike Conley (Achilles). The deep slide has allowed the Portland Trail Blazers to pass the Grizzlies, and guard Tony Allen said the seeding isn’t the most important thing. “We ain’t ducking nothing,” Allen told reporters after scoring 25 points against Dallas. “We knew we’re in the playoffs. I think it’s going into the playoffs healthy. We shot ourselves in the foot in that aspect, staying in the fifth seed, so we can’t cry.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors have routed the Grizzlies twice this season, including a 119-69 decision that rates as the worst loss in Memphis history.
2. The defensive-minded Allen has scored 20 or more points in four of the past 17 games after failing to do in any of his previous 275 games.
3. Golden State SF Harrison Barnes is averaging 20.5 points on 16-of-24 shooting during the last two games.
PREDICTION: Warriors 103, Grizzlies 81

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:29 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Cleveland At Chicago
When: 8:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Bulls began the season on the short list of the greatest challengers to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dominance of the Eastern Conference but look to be headed back to the lottery as the season winds to a close. The Cavaliers, who visit the Bulls on Saturday, are exactly where they expected to be atop the East as they tune up for a deep postseason run.
Chicago gave up 66 points in the second half of a 106-98 loss at Miami on Thursday that pushed the team to the brink of elimination. “We haven’t been able to put enough games where we play together with intensity and effort required on the defensive end,” Bulls center Pau Gasol told reporters. “In this league you’re going to have better or worse nights offensively, but defense is what’s going to give you a chance every single night. And we’ve relied too much on our offense, we just haven’t had the defensive mindset, nor emphasis on it.” The Cavaliers rested superstar LeBron James on Wednesday and had a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 123-109 loss at Indiana. Cleveland is playing its final road game at the Bulls before finishing out the regular season at home against Atlanta and Detroit.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (56-23): Cleveland’s path to an NBA title relies on a healthy contribution from Kevin Love, who managed 23 points in 19 minutes on Wednesday while playing through back pain. Love finished out March with five straight double-doubles and is averaging 20 points while going 14-of-28 from 3-point range in four games this month. “He is being a great basketball player,” Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters of Love. “He’s making quick decisions and doing what he is supposed to do, knocking down shots and setting great screens.”
ABOUT THE BULLS (39-40): Chicago needed a strong showing on a three-game road trip to stay in the race and won the opener at Milwaukee before getting trounced 108-92 by a depleted Memphis squad and falling off the pace in the fourth quarter against Miami. “No matter how talented you are, you don’t win based on talent,” Gasol told reporters. “You win based on desire, togetherness, effort, determination – things that are important.” The Bulls have dropped seven of 10 games since beating the Sacramento Kings on March 21 to move into the No. 8 spot.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers G Matthew Dellavedova is 8-of-31 from the floor in the last six games.
2. Bulls F Taj Gibson (ribs) missed his fifth straight game on Thursday and remains day-to-day.
3. Chicago took the first two meetings but Cleveland won the third 106-95 at home on Feb. 18 behind 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists from James.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 110, Bulls 99

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:29 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Minnesota At Portland
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
The Portland Trail Blazers are fighting for the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference and can’t afford to overlook a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that is playing its best basketball at the end of the season. The Timberwolves will try to earn a third straight win and put a dent in the Trail Blazers’ postseason plans when they visit Portland on Saturday.
Minnesota looked as though it had checked out for the rest of the season during a three-game slide but woke up on the road trip with the biggest upset of the season in a 124-117 overtime victory at NBA-best Golden State on Tuesday. The Timberwolves avoided a letdown by burying 11-of-21 3-point attempts and forcing 20 turnovers in a 105-97 win at Sacramento on Thursday. The Trail Blazers clinched their spot in the playoffs and appear set to finish no lower than sixth in the conference, but they want the No. 5 seed and the right to avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. “We want the five,” center Mason Plumlee told the team’s official website. “Also, we want to go into playoffs playing really well, hitting all your notes. … Just tightening everything up.”
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (27-52): Minnesota came from 17 points down to force overtime and knock off the defending champs and was seeking to prove the win was no fluke. “You want to follow up a good win,” interim coach Sam Mitchell told reporters. “There’s a natural tendency when you’re a young team – all people – to let your guard down and become complacent when you have a little success.” Minnesota got double-doubles from the frontcourt duo of Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns on Thursday while Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine combined for 33 points out of the backcourt.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (43-37): Portland replaced four of its five starters after finishing 51-31 last season and was not expected to even challenge for a playoff spot in 2015-16. Instead, the Trail Blazers overcame a slow start and coalesced behind the high-scoring backcourt combo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. “It’s a young roster, a lot of players in position to do things that they hadn’t been in position to do before in their career,” Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. “Expectations, that was a long time ago. I think it’s the fact that we came back from whatever our record was in December and put together a run and stayed with the process and grew as a team. Players got better and it’s very rewarding.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Timberwolves rookie F Nemanja Bjelica went 6-of-7 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range en route to a season-high 18 points on Thursday.
2. Trail Blazers SF Al-Farouq Aminu scored 20 or more points in three of the last seven games.
3. Portland has taken four straight in the series but each of the three meetings this season were decided by six or fewer points.
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 109, Timberwolves 107

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:30 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Preview: Oklahoma City At Sacramento
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
The Oklahoma City Thunder are locked into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference and are preparing for the playoffs by making sure their players get plenty of rest. The Sacramento Kings, who host the Thunder on Saturday, were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago but are resting their best players as well while preparing for a long offseason.
Sacramento All-Star DeMarcus Cousins was not planning on playing road games the rest of the way but sat out Thursday at home as well along with point guard Rajon Rondo. The Kings are sacrificing wins at the end of the season in the hope of finishing with one of the 10 worst records in the league and hanging onto their draft pick, which would go to the Chicago Bulls if it falls outside of the top 10. Maneuvering for draft position is not something Oklahoma City is concerning itself with of late, and sitting four starters in a loss at Portland on Wednesday was more about the near future. The Thunder return home to host Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday before finishing off the regular season at San Antonio on Tuesday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma, CSN California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (54-25): Oklahoma City is just waiting to see who it will face in the first round and is experimenting with some different rotations as preparation for the playoffs. Reserve center Enes Kanter got more responsibility in the offense with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook out on Wednesday and responded with 33 points and 20 rebounds in the 120-115 loss. “Enes gave us a scoring punch where we could throw the ball inside,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan told reporters. “We felt like with (Portland) being small if we could play with both bigs, we could get some post feeds for him. He scored in a variety of ways. He was really aggressive and Enes gave great effort on both ends of the floor.”
ABOUT THE KINGS (31-48): Resting Cousins and Rondo seems to be a decision made by the front office, and head coach George Karl does not seem 100 percent on board with the idea. “Yes, we know we ask the fans to be more understanding of our philosophies or plans or paths,” Karl told reporters. “Everybody’s doing it. I’ll say, ‘Well, I’m old school. I like playing every game like it means something and everything has equal meaning,’ but everybody’s doing it. Philosophically, I can see the good in why you do it, and I can see, philosophically, with the fans, why they’re upset.” The benefit is to a player like Seth Curry, who is getting extended minutes in the backcourt and averaging 14.7 points over the last eight games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Kings G Darren Collison is averaging 19.7 points on 50 percent shooting in three games this month.
2. Thunder G Dion Waiters is averaging 21.5 points in the last two games.
3. Oklahoma City has taken three of the last four in the series and earned a 131-116 victory in its last trip to Sacramento on Feb. 29.
PREDICTION: Thunder 120, Kings 100

**Satch** · 04-09-2016, 10:30 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/9

Hot teams
— New Orleans won its last three home games (3-0 last 3HF).
— Celtics won eight of their last ten games (1-6 last 7AU). Hawks won six of their last eight games (5-3 last 8HF).
— Warriors won eight of their last ten games (4-2 last 6AF).
— Cavaliers won four of their last five games (2-5 last 7AF).
— Minnesota won three of last four road games (5-2 last 7AU). Portland won six of its last seven games (2-4 last 6HF).Cold teams
— Suns lost seven of last eight games, but covered five of last seven.
— Memphis lost seven of its last eight games (8-2 last 10HU).
— Chicago lost three of its last four games (2-4 last 6HU).
— Thunder lost three of last four road games (6-3 last 9AF). Sacramento lost three of last four games overall (3-6 last 9HU).
Series records
— Pelicans won three of last four games with Phoenix.
— Hawks won five of last seven games with Boston.
— Warriors won/covered last five games with Memphis.
— Cavaliers won four of last six games with Chicago.
— Trailblazers won their last four games with Minnesota.
— Thunder won eight of last ten games with Sacramento.
Totals
— Six of last eight Phoenix games stayed under the total
— Seven of last nine Boston games stayed under the total.
— Seven of last eight Memphis-Golden State games stayed under.
— Five of last six Cleveland-Chicago games stayed under.
— Four of last five Minnesota games stayed under the total.
— Seven of last ten thunder-Sacramento games stayed under.
Back/backs
— Pelicans are 8-5 in last 13 games if they played night before.
— Boston is 11-7 if it played the night before

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 4/9

NBA Betting Info. 4/9

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