Cnotes National Basketball League february Picks/Trends/News !!

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bucks (20-30) at Trail Blazers (23-26)
Date: February 02, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Portland's success is usually attributed to strong scoring from Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but it's the Trail Blazers' defense that's turning heads of late.


The Blazers go for their longest home winning streak in nearly a year Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.


Lillard and McCollum are the team's top two scorers with career highs of 24.2 and 20.7 points per game, respectively. Although they're both averaging below those marks over the last three games - Lillard at 19.3 and McCollum at 18.7 - Portland (23-26) has yielded 93.7 per game, which is 8.6 below its season mark.


They scored 21 apiece in a 96-93 win over Minnesota on Sunday that was the Blazers' season-best fourth straight and eighth in the last 10 games.


"It's a great sign for us," reserve forward Ed Davis said. "There's going to be games where Damian and C.J. are not shooting great from the field. We have to rely on the defense then.


"We can beat pretty much anybody without playing any defense just because they're going to hit tough shots, hit a lot of 3s, get a lot of easy buckets, they're going to get fouled. It's those games where they don't have it going that we have to lock in on defense."


That didn't happen in a 90-88 loss at Milwaukee (20-30) on Dec. 7. Lillard had 23 points and McCollum scored 17, but the Blazers squandered a four-point lead in the final 17 seconds.


"It's just a matter of us taking care of business," Lillard said. "Over the last couple of games we've defended better, we've shared the ball better. We've played more complete games.


"We're showing signs of growth."


The Blazers are trying to win five in a row at home for the first time since Feb. 25-March 13. They've won seven of their last nine there against Milwaukee, including a 104-97 victory on Dec. 17, 2014, in which Lillard scored 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting and went 4 of 7 from long range.


The Bucks have dropped five of their last six games, including four straight on the road after falling 111-104 at Sacramento on Monday. They've surrendered an average of 108.0 points and 39.5 percent shooting from behind the arc during the slump.


"We gotta get better at switching and understand who is shooting the ball," coach Jason Kidd said. "We put ourselves in position to win a game on the road, and we just didn't make a couple plays coming down late on both ends."


Greg Monroe can't be blamed for Milwaukee's recent struggles. The center is averaging 22.2 points over the last six games and has totaled 48 while hitting 18 of 30 from the field in the previous two.


Monroe was quieter with 16 points and 12 rebounds at home against the Blazers in December, but he made a decisive layup with 6 seconds left to put the Bucks up for good.


Khris Middleton finished with 14 points while missing 9 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range. The guard enters this matchup with 23 total points in two games, going 8 for 31 from the floor and 2 for 10 from beyond the arc.

 

[CNOTES]

Tuesday's Top Action
February 2, 2016




MIAMI HEAT (27-21) at HOUSTON ROCKETS (25-25)


Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -5.0


Dwyane Wade and the Heat will be going for their fifth straight factory when the team faces the Rockets in Houston on Tuesday.


Miami has been playing extremely well and most recently defeated Atlanta 105-87 as a three-point home favorite. The Heat have won-and-covered in four straight contests and the team has been good on both ends of the floor, shooting 45% or better from the field in four straight games and holding opponents to less than 40% shooting in two of those games. The Heat will, however, need to show that they can get the job done consistently. They have been far too streaky this year and if they can’t right the ship then they likely won’t be playing with home court advantage in the postseason.


The Rockets, meanwhile, have been playing poorly over the past week. This team is coming off of a 123-122 home loss against the Wizards as a four-point favorite and has now lost three straight games. Houston will be hungry to come out and get a win in this one, but the team did lose 109-89 as a four-point road underdog versus Miami on Nov. 1. It hasn’t all been bad for the Rockets in this series, though. Houston is 3-2 both SU and ATS versus Miami over the past three seasons and that includes two win-and-covers at the Toyota Center. Both of those games in Houston went Under the total and four of the five games played between these teams in the past three seasons went Under as well.


One trend that is worth noting in this one is the fact that the Rockets are a miserable 1-8 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite this season. C Hassan Whiteside (Oblique) is listed as doubtful for Miami in this one.


Miami had been struggling in the month of January and SG Dwyane Wade (18.7 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG) took it upon himself to get his team back on track. The Heat have rattled off four straight victories and Wade is averaging 24.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 2.0 SPG and 1.8 BPG over the course of the winning streak. He is being aggressive going to the basket and that is allowing him to finish at the rim or kick the ball out to open shooters. It also helps that he has been locked in defensively, as he’ll need to do a good job of containing James Harden on Tuesday.


PF Chris Bosh (19.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG) will likely see some time at the center position with Whiteside out for Miami. Bosh has also been playing well for the Heat recently, averaging 21.8 PPG and 6.4 RPG over the past five contests. Bosh will need to knock down some outside shots for floor spacing purposes offensively, but he’ll also need to do his best to keep Dwight Howard off the glass on the defensive end.


PG Goran Dragic (12.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) could provide a major spark for Miami in this game. Dragic used to play for the Rockets, so he should be more than comfortable playing in this building. He will need to push the pace and get some easy buckets in transition for the Heat.


The Rockets have lost three straight games and will be playing like a desperate team when they host the Heat on Tuesday. One guy that they can count on to play well is SG James Harden (27.9 PPG, 7.0 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG). The superstar was on fire in a loss to Washington on Saturday, finishing with 40 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in 37 minutes. Harden went 12-for-20 from the field and 6-for-9 from the outside in that game and is shooting 44.1% from three over the past five contests. If he can stay hot then it will be a huge boost for his team against a sizzling Heat squad.


C Dwight Howard (14.4 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.6 BPG0 will also need to play well for Houston in this game. Howard had 20 points and seven boards in 29 minutes against the Wizards on Saturday, but he was ejected from that game for getting into it with Nene. Howard must keep his cool in this one, as the Rockets desperately need him. He is a force in the paint and opens up the floor for his teammates. He is also one of the best rim protectors in basketball.

 

[CNOTES]

Inside the Paint - Tuesday
February 2, 2016


Those following the Association last night saw the scoreboard operator put in overtime as 12 of the 18 teams in action scored 100-plus points and the remaining six had at least 92 points posted. Those offensive fireworks helped the ‘over’ go 7-2.


Favorites went 7-2 straight up and 4-5 against the spread last night and two of the games went to overtime. Utah (-5 ½) captured the overtime win and cover with a 105-96 victory over Chicago at home while Indiana (+5 ½) fell to Cleveland 111-106 but barely covered at most betting shops.


The largest underdog to cash was Denver (+4 ½, ML +175), who knocked off Toronto 112-93 at home. The Raptors had won 11 straight entering last night’s game, but eight of those wins came in Canada.


Tuesday’s card offers up five games and below is my quick handicap.


Boston (27-22 SU, 26-22-1 ATS) at New York (23-27 SU, 29-21 ATS)


Boston (-3) opened as a short road favorite over New York and it should be noted that after Cleveland and Toronto, the Celtics are the only other team in the Eastern Conference (13-12 SU, 14-11 ATS) to own a winning road mark. Both clubs enter this game off a loss on Sunday and neither put up a great defensive effort. Boston lost at Orlando 119-114 while New York was embarrassed at home to Golden State, 116-95.


Despite the loss to the Magic, the Celtics had won five straight (4-1 ATS) games. The offensive firepower for Boston has been on display over the last 12 games. During this span, Boston has averaged 112.6 points per game and that’s helped the ‘over’ produce an 8-4 record.


Unfortunately for New York, it isn’t the best defensive team (101.2 PPG) in the league but 18 of its 23 wins this season came when the club scored over 100 points. One of those victories occurred on Jan. 20 at home when it defeated the Celtics 120-114 as one-point underdogs.


The Knicks are a respectable 14-11 both SU and ATS at Madison Square Garden this season but that record is misleading. New York doesn’t have a bunch of quality wins and its 3-8 SU and 5-6 ATS when listed as a home ‘dog. Boston is 6-7 SU and 5-7-1 ATS as a road favorite this season.


The total on this game is hovering around 207 points and bettors should note that the Knicks enter this game on a 5-1 ‘under’ run.


Miami (27-21 SU, 24-23-1 ATS) at Houston (25-25 SU, 21-29 ATS)


NBATV will televise this game nationally at 8:05 p.m. ET and it’s not an easy game to handicap. The Heat have won a season-high four straight and more importantly, they’ve covered all four games too. I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or not but Miami center Hassan Whiteside (hip) hasn’t played in any of the wins and he’s ‘doubtful’ for Tuesday.


While Miami has been rolling, the Rockets are mired in yet another slump. Houston has dropped three straight and they just can’t stop anybody plus it doesn’t help the cause when center Dwight Howard gets ejected in the each of the last two setbacks.


Washington ran past the Rockets on Saturday for a 123-122 win as four-point road underdog, which dropped Houston’s home mark to 15-12 SU and 11-16 ATS. To put things in perspective during last year’s run to the Western Conference Finals, Houston went 30-11 at home.


Miami has gone 12-6 SU and 10-7-1 ATS versus the West this season but that mark is boosted with a 9-1 home mark. Meanwhile, Houston has struggled to a 7-11 SU and 5-13 ATS mark against the East.


These teams met in South Florida on Nov. 1 and Miami earned a 20-point win (109-89) over Houston. In the lone meeting last season at the Toyota Center, the Rockets blasted the Heat 115-79 in wire-to-wire fashion. The ‘under’ has cashed in three straight during this series.


The Heat have been the best ‘under’ bet (32-16) in the NBA this season while Houston is one of the better ‘over’ (28-20-2) teams in the Association. The total is listed at 204 and Miami has seen the ‘under’ go 6-2 with numbers listed in the 200s this season.


Toronto (32-16 SU, 26-21-1 ATS) at Phoenix (14-35 SU, 18-31 ATS)


The Raptors saw their 11-game winning streak snapped last night in a 112-93 loss at Denver and the oddsmakers expect the club to rebound against a struggling Suns squad tonight. Most shops have Toronto listed as a nine-point road favorite against a Phoenix team that just fired its head coach Jeff Hornacek on Monday.


The Suns are 2-20 in their last 22 games and Sunday’s 91-78 loss to Dallas wasn’t surprising but the way they blew the cover (+9 ½) makes you feel for anybody that had a ticket on Phoenix. Earl Watson was named the interim coach and he’s probably the best point guard on a team that has lost Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight to injuries.


With nine of their next 10 games at home, I think you’ll be able to find some value on Phoenix in the upcoming weeks but I’d stay away tonight. I wouldn’t lean to the Raptors either because they’re 4-5 SU and 4-4-1 ATS this season when facing back-to-back situations while the ‘over’ is 6-3.


Also, while recent meetings between these teams can be tossed out the window due to the short-handed roster of the Suns but make a note that Toronto is 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in its last five games against Phoenix.


Milwaukee (20-30 SU, 25-25 ATS) at Portland (23-26 SU, 26-23 ATS)


The schedule is one of the biggest factors in the NBA and taking advantage of long home stands are key. Portland is in the middle of a stretch that has them playing 12 of 14 in the Great Northwest and it’s started off with a 4-1 (3-2 ATS) record. Traveling to this venue isn’t easy for opponents and home/away numbers for Portland are better offensively (105-99) and defensively (101-103).


To be fair, the Trail Blazers (-7) haven’t played the best competition during this stretch but wins are wins and tonight’s game is also winnable against Milwaukee but I do think the number is a tad inflated. Portland has been favored by more than seven twice this season and it has gone 2-0 SU/ATS, both wins were against the hapless Lakers and Milwaukee is much better than Los Angeles.


The Bucks dropped a 111-104 decision last night at Sacramento and the defense fell apart in the fourth quarter, allowing 37 points. Milwaukee has struggled on zero days rest this season recently, dropping six of their last seven back-to-back spots. Overall, they are 5-7 SU and 8-4 ATS with four of the wins coming at home.


These clubs met in early December from Milwaukee and the Bucks nipped the Trail Blazers 90-88 as one-point underdogs. The ‘under’ (198) cashed easily and is on a 5-1 run in this head-to-head series.


The Bucks have gone 6-12 SU and 8-10-1 ATS versus the West this season while the Blazers are 5-11 SU and 7-9 ATS against the East.


Minnesota (14-35 SU, 21-27-1 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (9-41 SU, 21-28-1 ATS)


In 2016, Minnesota (2-14) and Los Angeles (3-14) are a combined 5-28 and those numbers alone would make me look in a different direction on Tuesday. The Timberwolves and Lakers will be meeting for third and final time this season and if this game is close to the first two outcomes, you’re looking a tightly contested shootout.


Minnesota beat Los Angeles 112-111 on opening night (Oct. 28) at the Staples Center before earning a 123-122 victory on Dec. 9 from the Target Center. Will we see another back-and-forth game? The total (202 ½) certainly doesn’t scream shootout but both Minnesota (103.4 PPG) and Los Angeles (106.2 PPG) are very weak suspect defensively.


Minnesota is listed as a short road favorite (-4) and its gone 1-1 both SU and ATS in that role this season. As a home underdog, Los Angeles is 4-16 SU and 9-11 ATS and the ‘under’ has gone 14-6 in those games.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack


Six of the best minor league prospects for the Atlanta Braves........


1Az) Dansby Swanson, SS--Acquired in Shelby Miller trade.


2Az) Aaron Blair, P-- Went 7-2, 3.16 in 12 AAA starts.


1) Kyle Newcomb, P-- Acquired from Angels in Andrelton Simmons deal.


2) Hector Olivera 3B/OF-- Cuban defector will be 31 on April 5.


8) Mallex Smith, OF-- Hit .340 in AA, .281 in AAA last season.


12) Manny Banuelos, P-- Was 1-4, 5.13 in six starts in majors LY.


**********


Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........


13) Louisville 71, North Carolina 65-- First half of this game was a brickfest; UNC was 3-17 on arc for the game-- they're shooting 30.2% for the year. No bueno.


12) Two of Louisville's best players this year are Damion Lee and Trey Lewis, a pair of graduate transfers, Lee from Drexel, Lewis from Cleveland State. As an Oakland A's fan, I'm sensitive to big-money teams poaching players from schools with less cash, so this "free agency" that has popped up in college basketball bothers me.


ESPN's announcers didn't seem too anxious to talk about the graduate transfer rule, but I'm wondering what the coaches of Drexel (3-18) and Cleveland State (7-16) think?


11) One of the great lines I've ever heard was back when I was an assistant high hoop coach-- this is November of 1993, I'm pretty sure, after we lost our second game of what would be a very long season. The head coach looked at the players and said, "......when things start going bad, the rats start jumping off the ship."


I'm not doing it justice; but he delivered the line with great timing and disdain, but it underlines one of the unfortunate facts of our culture-- people are frontrunners, and as I start to learn more about politics from watching too much TV, it appears that this may be more true in politics than it is in sports. Someone loses and people are fast to hop off the bandwagon. It is too bad.


10) Donald Trump got beat last night, the headline the front page of the NY Daily News today is: "Dead Clown Walking". When you're cocky and arrogant and then you lose, people take pleasure in piling on. We'll see how this plays out.


Mike Tyson once said: "Everyone's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Now we'll see how Trump reacts to figuratively getting punched in the mouth.


9) Weekly update on Showtime's Billions: You watch a show like this and you hear about politics, the less you like or trust people. Just a bunch of weasels.


This week, the main character buys stock in a snack food company that made his favorite snack as a kid, because they changed the recipe to increase profits and now the snack doesn't taste as good. So he buys stock in the ompany, gets two board members fired, one of whom is sleeping with his main rival's father (its a soap opera, dammit).


8) No one told the Phoenix Suns players the team fired coach Jeff Hornacek; how do you run a business that way? There are only 15 players; how difficult would it be for a group text to go out?


7) NHL teams playing on second night of a back/back are 83-114 this year against teams that didn't play the night before. Under is 12-9 (with several pushes) in games involving two teams who were both on back end of a back/back.


6) Brandt Snedeker won the Farmers Open golf tournament Monday; he was the only guy in the field to break par (he played his 4th round Sunday) in the last round, which had an average stroke count of 77.9, the highest 4th-round scoring average on Tour in the last 33 years. Brutal winds made the course really difficult.


5) Golfer Jim Furyk is out for three more months after wrist surgery


4) Duke is out of the top 25 for the first time since April, 2007.


3) Terrible news for UNLV's Ben Carter, who blew out his ACL Saturday night in the loss to San Diego State. Tough guy, a glue guy, hard to replace.


2) Texas 67, Baylor 59-- I think Shaka Smart is little bit overrated; he got the Texas job because of his pressing style at VCU, but because of the roster he inherited, this Texas team is playing at pace #319 in country, very slow. Anyway, Texas is 6-3 in Big X- this was a good win for them. I'm just curious as to how Smart will recruit the next couple years, if he'll try to re-create Havoc and press like West Virginia does.


1) This is 2016, technology is running amok and yet in Iowa, they have an outdated way to choose who wins their state's delegates. It makes no sense, but it is how things are done. maybe at some point, they can join the 21st century. One thing for sure, it'll be four years before any of these politicians step foot in Iowa again.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, February 2

Hot teams
-- Celtics won five of their last six games (5-2 last 7AF).
-- Miami won its last four games (1-4 last 5AU).
-- Raptors had their 11-game win streak snapped last nite (4-2 last 6AF).
-- Portland won eight of its last ten games (6-1 last 7HF).

Cold teams
-- Knicks lost five of their last six games (5-7HU).
-- Houston lost its last three games (4-5 last 9HF).
-- Suns lost their last four games (5-3HU).
-- Bucks lost five of their last six games (0-4 last 4AU).
-- Minnesota lost six of its last seven games (1-2AF). Lakers lost their last ten games (3-2 last 5HU).

Series records
-- Knicks lost four of last five games with Boston.
-- Rockets lost eight of last ten games with Miami.
-- Suns won four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Bucks won six of last nine games with Portland.
-- Minnesota is 5-3 in its last eight games with the Lakers.

Totals
-- Five of last six New York games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight Miami games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight Phoenix games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Portland games stayed under.
-- Over is 5-2 in last seven Laker-Minnesota games.

Back/backs
-- Toronto is 5-2 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Milwaukee is 5-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.




NBA

Tuesday, February 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. NEW YORK
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 10 games
New York is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games

8:00 PM
MIAMI vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Miami's last 23 games on the road
Miami is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 10 games at home
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
TORONTO vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Toronto is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Phoenix is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto

10:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. PORTLAND
Milwaukee is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Portland
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Portland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games
LA Lakers are 15-3 SU in their last 18 games when playing at home against Minnesota

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, February 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (27 - 22) at NEW YORK (23 - 27) - 2/2/2016, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 75-58 ATS (+11.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 42-26 ATS (+13.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 46-32 ATS (+10.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 46-31 ATS (+11.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-5 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-4 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (27 - 21) at HOUSTON (25 - 25) - 2/2/2016, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 53-77 ATS (-31.7 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 145-109 ATS (+25.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game since 1996.
HOUSTON is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in non-conference games this season.
HOUSTON is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite this season.
HOUSTON is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (32 - 16) at PHOENIX (14 - 35) - 2/2/2016, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.
PHOENIX is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-0 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-1 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE (20 - 30) at PORTLAND (23 - 26) - 2/2/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 329-398 ATS (-108.8 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in road games against Northwest division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 232-291 ATS (-88.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 69-46 ATS (+18.4 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 142-102 ATS (+29.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-1 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (14 - 35) at LA LAKERS (9 - 41) - 2/2/2016, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 55-73 ATS (-25.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 326-387 ATS (-99.7 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 158-201 ATS (-63.1 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 142-184 ATS (-60.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 55-80 ATS (-33.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 32-45 ATS (-17.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 55-86 ATS (-39.6 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 70-99 ATS (-38.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 6-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-4 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, February 2


Miami @ Houston

Game 703-704
February 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
117.312
Houston
119.447
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 5
204
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+5); Under

Toronto @ Phoenix

Game 705-706
February 2, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
121.626
Phoenix
109.600
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9
200 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9); Over

Milwaukee @ Portland

Game 707-708
February 2, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
113.561
Portland
124.999
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 11 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 6
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-6); Over

Minnesota @ LA Lakers

Game 709-710
February 2, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
109.974
LA Lakers
113.176
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Lakers
by 3
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 4
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+4); Under

Boston @ New York

Game 701-702
February 2, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
118.906
New York
121.451
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 2 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
207
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+2 1/2); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play ON HOUSTON against the spread in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 29 Wins and 9 Losses for the last three seasons (+19.1 units)


NBA > (701) BOSTON@ (702) NEW YORK | 2016-02-02 19:30:00 - 2016-02-02 19:30:00
Play ON BOSTON against the spread in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 42 Wins and 17 Losses for the last three seasons (+23.3 units)


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play ON HOUSTON against the spread in Home games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 18 Wins and 4 Losses for the last three seasons (+13.6 units)


----------------------


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (705) TORONTO@ (706) PHOENIX | 2016-02-02 21:00:00 - 2016-02-02 21:00:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in All games in all games
The record is 14 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (-30.55 units)

NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play ON HOUSTON using money line in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 21 Wins and 4 Losses for the last two seasons (+17.05 units)


NBA > (709) MINNESOTA@ (710) LA LAKERS | 2016-02-02 22:30:00 - 2016-02-02 22:30:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 15 Wins and 58 Losses for the last two seasons (-43.45 units)


NBA > (709) MINNESOTA@ (710) LA LAKERS | 2016-02-02 22:30:00 - 2016-02-02 22:30:00
Play AGAINST LA LAKERS using money line in Home games against Northwest division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (-13.8 units)

NBA > (705) TORONTO@ (706) PHOENIX | 2016-02-02 21:00:00 - 2016-02-02 21:00:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in Home games in non-conference games
The record is 10 Wins and 14 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.55 units)


NBA > (707) MILWAUKEE@ (708) PORTLAND | 2016-02-02 22:00:00 - 2016-02-02 22:00:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using money line in All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 43 Losses for the last three seasons (-30.8 units)


NBA > (707) MILWAUKEE@ (708) PORTLAND | 2016-02-02 22:00:00 - 2016-02-02 22:00:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in Home games against Central division opponents
The record is 12 Wins and 2 Losses for the last three seasons (+11.65 units)

NBA > (701) BOSTON@ (702) NEW YORK | 2016-02-02 19:30:00 - 2016-02-02 19:30:00
Play ON BOSTON using money line in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+18.9 units)


------------------------


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play AGAINST HOUSTON ?>in the first halfin Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 2 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (-12.3 units)


NBA > (707) MILWAUKEE@ (708) PORTLAND | 2016-02-02 22:00:00 - 2016-02-02 22:00:00
Play ON PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 15 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+10.6 units)


-----------------------


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 7 Overs and 27 Unders for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)


NBA > (701) BOSTON@ (702) NEW YORK | 2016-02-02 19:30:00 - 2016-02-02 19:30:00
Play UNDER NEW YORK on the totalin Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.8 units)


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 23 Overs and 52 Unders for the last two seasons (+26.7 units)


NBA > (705) TORONTO@ (706) PHOENIX | 2016-02-02 21:00:00 - 2016-02-02 21:00:00
Play UNDER PHOENIX on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 20 Overs and 46 Unders for the last two seasons (+24 units)


NBA > (703) MIAMI@ (704) HOUSTON | 2016-02-02 20:00:00 - 2016-02-02 20:00:00
Play UNDER HOUSTON on the totalin Home games after 3 or more consecutive overs
The record is 29 Overs and 64 Unders for the since 1992 (+32.1 units)


NBA > (707) MILWAUKEE@ (708) PORTLAND | 2016-02-02 22:00:00 - 2016-02-02 22:00:00
Play OVER MILWAUKEE on the totalin Road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 11 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.9 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Last nights NBA 2 - 1
NCAA 3 - 0


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




BOS at NY 07:30 PM


NY +4.0


O 210.0 BEST BET




MIA at HOU 08:00 PM


HOU -4.0 BEST BET




TOR at PHO 09:00 PM


TOR -9.0




MIL at POR 10:00 PM


MIL +7.0




MIN at LAL 10:30 PM


LAL +4.5

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cavaliers (35-12) at Hornets (23-25)
Date: February 03, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

It's not easy getting a trio of elite players to jell on offense, but the Cleveland Cavaliers and their three stars are clicking under Tyronn Lue.


Since losing Lue's first game as coach, the Cavaliers have been playing well and can extend their win streak to six Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets.


Elevated to head coach when David Blatt was fired Jan. 22, Lue had less than 36 hours to prepare for an eventual 96-83 home loss to Chicago that closed a 3-3 stretch in which Cleveland averaged 95.5 points.


The win streak has provided a different look from the Cavaliers (35-12), who have quickened the pace and spread the floor while averaging 114.2 on 51.5 percent shooting.


The previous three games in particular have shown what an offense led by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can do. Prior to Friday's win at Detroit, those three hadn't scored 20 apiece this season, but they did it again Saturday against San Antonio and just missed a third when Love had 19 in Monday's 111-106 overtime win at Indiana.


"We're out there playing basketball," said Love, who has averaged 22.5 points in his last four after scoring 15.5 per game prior to that. "We're helping one another, we're having each other's backs, and I think that's going a long way right now."


With their top players taking quality shots, the Cavs haven't forced much with 23 or fewer 3-point attempts in three straight games. They averaged 28.2 before this stretch.


"We're just learning how to win, that's all," James said after Cleveland recovered from blowing an 11-point lead to force the extra period against the Pacers. "We're learning how to win in tough situations and tonight was one of those."


James had 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, but he scored only seven after taking what he called a stinger to his shoulder in the third quarter. The injury doesn't appear to be a concern, however, and he's likely to play.


Irving scored six of his 25 in overtime, J.R. Smith had 19 points and Tristan Thompson 14 to put all five Cavs starters in double digits for just the seventh time.


The drawback to the new pace has been an average of 103.0 points allowed on the streak, and the Cavs may need to rely more on defense against the Hornets (23-25).


Charlotte's numbers point toward an ability to slow the Cavs in transition and stuff them in the lane. The Hornets are second in the NBA with 38.5 points allowed in the paint per game and are among the top 10 with 11.8 allowed on the fast break.


Those stats held in Cleveland's 95-90 win at Charlotte on Nov. 27, when both teams had just six points on the break and the Cavs owned a slight 40-36 advantage in the lane - but the biggest factor there was that Irving didn't play.


The point guard's presence should open things up considering the last time he faced Charlotte on Jan. 23, 2015, the Cavs scored 27 on the break in a 129-90 rout.


The Hornets will also be at a disadvantage in that regard if point guard Kemba Walker sits in the opener of this four-game homestand because of a sore left knee.


Walker had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 19 points and 12 rebounds apiece in a 101-82 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday that closed a 2-2 trip.


"We just wanted to end the road trip the right way," Walker said. "The energy and intensity was all there. We did everything we wanted to do."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pacers (25-23) at Nets (12-37)
Date: February 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Paul George admits his diminished role in the Indiana Pacers' offense sometimes disrupts his game and causes him to go against his instincts.


Coach Frank Vogel would be inclined to give George the ball more often if he'd simply make more of the shots he's getting now.


George looks to bounce back from another off night and help the Pacers deal the host Brooklyn Nets a fifth consecutive defeat Wednesday night.


Over his first 20 games, George averaged 27.9 points and shot 44.8 percent while attempting at least 20 shots 10 times. He's had that many attempts on only six occasions over his last 28, averaging 19.9 points and shooting 37.5 percent.


George went 3 of 15 from the field and finished with 11 points for the second time in three games Monday as the Pacers (25-23) lost to visiting Cleveland 111-106 in overtime. He also has nine turnovers over the last two games after committing that many over his previous five.


"It's been a little tough trying to get shots within the offense without taking away from getting other guys going," George said. "It's just something in the back of my mind always, whether I'm doing too much or shooting too much.


"I'm a guy who is all about rhythm, and sometimes late in the games I haven't had the ball in a long stretch. It's for us to figure out how to catch a rhythm and how to maintain a rhythm."


Monta Ellis also struggled against the Cavaliers, going 5 of 18 from the field - 1 of 8 from 3-point range - and finishing with 14 points. George Hill matched his season high with 23, though, and rookie Myles Turner had his first double-double with 14 and 10 rebounds.


Vogel has inserted Turner into the starting lineup for the last three and said doing so will benefit him for when the playoffs come around. He's also not concerned about the amount of touches George has been getting and believes his current role best suits the Pacers.


"We'll keep calling his number and keep getting him involved," Vogel said. "Obviously if he's 3 for 15 we're going to call (plays for George) a little bit less, and if he's 13 for 15 we're going to call a little bit more. We're going to go with the hot hand, but I feel like we're getting him involved at the right level."


George shot 7 of 15 and finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 104-97 home win over Brooklyn on Dec. 18. He'll try for another solid effort against the Nets (12-37), who believe they've been playing better lately despite dropping 14 of 16.


Three of the defeats during their four-game skid have come by five points or fewer, including Monday's 105-100 loss to Detroit that marked their 15th loss in their last 17 at home. Brook Lopez scored 27 points and is averaging 26.4 over his last five, but he had trouble containing Andre Drummond as the Pistons held a 27-8 advantage in second-chance points.


Interim coach Tony Brown was pleased with the spark off the bench, as Andrea Bargnani scored 18 points and Shane Larkin had a career-high 14 assists.


"We need to look to be more aggressive and more confident, each individually and as a whole," Lopez said. "We're on a bit of an upswing. We need to keep improving each and every game."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Warriors (44-4) at Wizards (21-25)
Date: February 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The good news for the Washington Wizards is that the Golden State Warriors experienced issues against lesser competition on the first two stops of their road trip.


The bad news: they won anyway.


The Warriors brushed aside some uncharacteristic stretches by extending some more telling trends over the weekend, and they will go for their eighth straight victory when they visit the nation's capital Wednesday night.


It's easy to focus on the concerns from the opening two games of Golden State's trip as it nearly blew a 24-point lead in Saturday's 108-105 win over lowly Philadelphia before scoring a season-low 18 points in the opening quarter of Sunday's 116-95 victory against New York.


Still, the Warriors improved to 44-4 to match the best mark in NBA history through 48 games.


Golden State finished with 68 assists on 89 made baskets and converted on 29 of 59 3-pointers between the two contests - extending streaks of at least 30 assists to seven games and at least 10 3-pointers to 10.


The last NBA team to record 30-plus assists seven games in a row was the 1993-94 Warriors.


"That's what we do," coach Steve Kerr said.


And they win. The Warriors are one game better than the pace set by Kerr's 1995-96 Chicago Bulls on the way to their all-time best 72-10 record.


"We're not really paying much attention to the record," Kerr said. "But we don't take winning for granted, that's for sure."


Kerr almost experienced his first loss on the sideline. The Warriors, 5-0 since his Jan. 22 return from a leave of absence due to complications from back surgery, needed a Harrison Barnes 3 with 0.2 seconds left to beat the league-worst 76ers. Things didn't completely return to normal until the second quarter at Madison Square Garden.


Golden State, which has won eight of nine in this series and five in a row at Washington, bounced back from a 20-18 first-quarter deficit by scoring 64 points over the next 24 minutes. Stephen Curry scored only 13 points, but Klay Thompson made 14 of 18 shots for 34 and Draymond Green had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to tie a franchise record with his ninth triple-double - matching Hall of Famer Tom Gola's total from the 1959-60 season.


Golden State has also held a rebounding advantage in each game of its winning streak, an area that led to the latest loss for Washington (21-25).


The Wizards suffered their sixth defeat in eight games Monday after getting outrebounded 53-27 in a 114-98 loss at Oklahoma City. The Thunder grabbed 14 offensive boards to Washington's two.


"When you're playing from behind and you're getting a team that's making shots and getting offensive rebounds when they're missing, it's tough to win," point guard John Wall said.


The Warriors make plenty of shots as they're tied with San Antonio for the best field-goal percentage in the league at 49.1 while shooting 42.8 percent from 3-point range, far ahead of the second-place Spurs (38.7). The Wizards, who have lost seven of nine at home, allow opponents to shoot a league-high 38.6 percent on 3s and 47.0 percent overall.


Washington will play without coach Randy Wittman for the second straight game after his brother's death last week, and assistant Don Newman will assume the head coaching duties. Wittman is expected to return for Friday's home contest against Philadelphia.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Magic (21-26) at Thunder (37-13)
Date: February 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Nearing a showdown against the NBA's top team, the Oklahoma City Thunder could easily look past their next opponent. After all, they're on a roll while the Orlando Magic are in a prolonged slump and visiting a city where they haven't won in seven years.


Still, the Magic have been anything but a pushover against the Western Conference, and the Thunder needed a near miracle to beat them.


The rematch Wednesday night in Oklahoma City will feature Russell Westbrook going after a third consecutive triple-double. His well-rounded play has keyed the Thunder (37-13) winning 11 of 12, including four straight while averaging 121.0 points.


"We're very comfortable," Westbrook told the team's official website. "Everybody is doing a great job of spacing and moving without the basketball. My job is to find those guys in scoring positions and get them easy baskets."


Assuming Orlando doesn't end a six-game skid in Oklahoma City which dates to November 2008, the Thunder would carry plenty of momentum into Saturday's matchup with Golden State. Those title contenders have yet to meet but play three times in the next four weeks.


The Magic (21-26) have dropped five straight on the road and 13 of 15 overall to fall into the Southeast Division basement. Now they visit the Northwest Division leader, but playing West powers hasn't intimidated Scott Skiles' young team.


Orlando is 10-7 against the conference with six losses decided by six points or less, including three in overtime. The only result that wasn't close was Monday's 107-92 defeat in San Antonio, but the Magic rallied from a 14-0 deficit to take the lead in the third quarter before falling to a Spurs team which is 26-0 at home.


That came 24 hours after Orlando halted Boston's five-game winning streak with a 119-114 victory.


"I still believe in our team and I still believe in our guys," said Victor Oladipo, who had 19 points Monday. "I still feel like a turn and a change is coming for us and we're going to get things rolling again. We just all have to believe it, too."


The Magic must believe they can take down the Thunder considering they should have done so Oct. 30, but Westbrook banked in a 40-footer at the end of regulation and Oklahoma City won 139-136 in double overtime. Westbrook's 48 points from that night are a season high, and so were Kevin Durant's 43 until he had 44 last week in New York.


Durant is averaging 32.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the last five games, but Westbrook taking fewer shots and finding teammates more often have been as important to the Thunder's surge. He's averaged 11.6 assists in the last 10 games with four triple-doubles, and Oklahoma City is 22-4 when he gets one (7-0 this season).


'It means that my teammates do a great job of getting open, creating lanes where I'm able to be effective, and I'm trying to find ways to get those guys the basketball and trying to play my game,' he said.


During the Thunder's seven-game home winning streak, Westbrook has averaged 13.4 field-goal attempts and 14.9 points. They are 19-1 overall when he attempts fewer than 18 shots.


"He's really been efficient," coach Billy Donovan said.


Enes Kanter has added 19.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in the last three heading into a matchup with fellow Swiss big man Nikola Vucevic, who has posted double-doubles in nine of 11.


Vucevic scored 25 in the first meeting, Oladipo posted his only triple-double of the season and Tobias Harris led Orlando with 30 points.


The Magic have lost eight of nine to the Thunder.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pelicans (18-29) at Spurs (40-8)
Date: February 03, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The San Antonio Spurs have been so good at home that New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry chose to provide them with some material for the "bulletin board."


Gentry's team has enjoyed some recent success against the Spurs and may not have to face Tim Duncan as it seeks to ruin San Antonio's perfect record at home Wednesday night.


San Antonio (40-8) has won 35 straight regular-season home games for the sixth-longest streak in league history. The Spurs can improve to 27-0 at home to match the 1947-48 Washington Capitols for the NBA's third-best start.


That kind of dominance caused Gentry to joke about the daunting task ahead for his last-place club against Gregg Popovich's team.


"They've won every game at home, they're due to lose one," said Gentry, a former Popovich assistant. "Play that for Pop, have Pop put that on the bulletin board, OK?"


The Spurs have gone 2-2 in a four-game stretch without Duncan, who is out with a sore right knee with no indication when he will return.


Popovich has said that Duncan is the key to the Spurs' defense. The coach has used three different lineups in Duncan's absence, and forward LaMarcus Aldridge says it has changed his role.


"With him out right now, I'm guarding more 5s, more guys down low so I'm fine with that," Aldridge said.


Aldridge and the Spurs face a major challenge against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, who completed a 5-2 homestand with Monday's 110-95 defeat to Memphis. Davis had 23 points and Norris Cole matched a career high with 23.


"We came in and took care of our home floor, walked away with a winning record but we've got to do the same thing on the road, a big road game in a hostile environment," Davis said. "So we've got to go into San Antonio and kind of get back on our winning ways."


The Pelicans (18-29) are 4-1 against the Spurs since the start of last season with the lone defeat in overtime. New Orleans is one of only four teams to win at San Antonio in regulation during that span. Ryan Anderson scored 30 and Davis had 20 points and 18 rebounds in a 104-90 home victory Nov. 20 in the only meeting this season.


San Antonio played without Manu Ginobili that night while New Orleans was without two injured perimeter players in Cole and Tyreke Evans.


Evans, the club's third-leading scorer at 15.2 points per game, is questionable after missing three games with right knee tendinitis.


Davis is averaging 22.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks while posting seven straight double-doubles against the Spurs.


"He's talented, can shoot 3s now or is shooting more 3s now, very versatile on the block, very athletic getting to the rim, (his) mid-range has gotten a whole lot better so he's going to be tough," Aldridge said.


Aldridge is averaging 22.7 points on 67.6 percent shooting in his last three games. He scored a season-high 28 and had five blocks in Monday's 107-92 home win over Orlando.


Patty Mills matched his season best with 22 points and Ginobili added 13 as the Spurs got 56 points from their bench. Their reserves average 42.2 points, with the Pelicans at 42.5 for two of the NBA's best marks.


Anderson is the league's top scoring reserve with 17.0 points per game. He scored at least 22 in four straight before being held to nine points Monday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nuggets (19-30) at Jazz (22-25)
Date: February 03, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Gordon Hayward realizes he won't receive the attention bestowed upon many of the NBA's other stars until the young Utah Jazz start winning regularly.


Riding their longest winning streak of the season, Hayward is the main reason why.


Utah can win its fourth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets for the fourth consecutive time as it continues its homestand Wednesday night.


Hayward is averaging team highs of 19.9 points and 3.7 assists in his sixth season, tying him for the most experienced player on a roster that doesn't have one older than 28. He and Trey Burke also are the only two who have played in every game for the Jazz (22-25) this season.


Coach Quin Snyder credited Hayward for "putting the team on his back" when Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors missed time with injuries and Alec Burks was lost for the season. He did so again Monday, finishing with 27 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and seven assists in a 105-96 overtime win over Chicago.


Hayward tied it with 4.8 seconds left in regulation with a driving layup before Utah dominated the extra period. He finished 9 of 20 from the field and is averaging 23.9 points over his last seven.


Utah, which is playing its fifth on a six-game homestand, hasn't made the playoffs since the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, but the club is in the thick of the Western Conference race past the season's midway point.


"I think I'm an elite player in this league and I think I have to find ways to help my team win more," Hayward said. "We're learning how to do that. It feels good to win three in a row. We've got two more at home and hopefully we can take advantage of that stretch."


Snyder fielded questions about Hayward's emergence, but he maintained nothing surprises him anymore.


"He's been doing this for years," Snyder said. "He's been willing to take hard shots. He's been willing to put himself out there, and over time when you're as good as he is, you're going to succeed. You're seeing a great competitor right now."


Hayward scored 20 in a 96-84 win at Denver on Nov. 5 and followed with 26 in a 97-88 home victory Dec. 18. The Nuggets (19-30) will look to end their skid in the series after snapping Toronto's 11-game overall win streak with Monday's 112-93 victory.


Denver had dropped five of its previous seven, but 20-year-old rookie Nikola Jokic came through, finishing with season highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds for his third straight double-double while going 12 of 18 from the field.


Jokic, who is averaging 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds on the season, has averaged 19.3 points and 11.7 boards in that stretch.


"What a performance. Every time I think he's kind of maxed out for his rookie season, he finds a way to keep on impressing me," coach Michael Malone said.


"You can talk about some of these other young bigs who are all talented, and I wouldn't trade him for anybody in the world. He's a special young man and a special young talent. He's only going to get better as he gets stronger."


The 6-foot-10 center played sparingly in the first two meetings with Utah, combining for 12 points and 13 rebounds while going 2 of 9 from the field.


Jameer Nelson was inactive against Toronto because of a sore left wrist and his status for this contest is unclear.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bulls (26-21) at Kings (21-27)
Date: February 03, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Although the losses continue to mount, the Chicago Bulls are trying to stay positive.


The Sacramento Kings are feeling confident after ending a four-game losing streak without their All-Star.


The slumping Bulls try to win in a venue in which they haven't played well lately when they visit a Kings team uncertain to have DeMarcus Cousins on Wednesday night.


After being three games out of first place in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 8, Chicago (26-21) is now just 3 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Charlotte. The Bulls' 4-9 record since then is better than only Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Orlando in the East.


Their last two games were a study in contrasts, as they were blown out in Sunday's 120-93 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers and let one slip away in a 105-96 overtime loss at Utah the next night. Jimmy Butler had his second 26-point effort in three games but the Bulls were disastrous in the extra period, with three points and three turnovers while going 3 of 6 from the foul line and 0 for 3 from the field.


Center Pau Gasol tried to put a positive spin on the result.


"At least we gave ourselves a chance, which was something more than we did last night," he told the team's official website. "I don't worry about the tough, close losses. I worry about the losses we should have won and played at a different level and kind of gave away and allowed opponents to win. Whenever you bring the competitiveness, the effort, the energy, the sense of urgency I am OK with that."


The Kings (21-27) brought the intensity Monday against Milwaukee, as Rudy Gay stepped up for the injured Cousins and Ben McLemore. Cousins exited Saturday's loss to Memphis with a sprained left ankle, but Sacramento received some good news as X-rays came back negative.


Gay filled the scoring void with 32 points while adding nine rebounds and six assists in a 111-104 win. The Kings improved to 2-7 without Cousins, with both victories coming against the Bucks.


'DeMarcus being out had a lot to do with it. Obviously, he's been carrying us for the most part of the season,' Gay said. 'When guys go down - not just him, Ben is out - guys have to step up.'


Even without Cousins, their leading rebounder at 11.3 per game, the Kings outrebounded Milwaukee 53-37.


The Bucks, however, are one of the league's worst teams on the glass while the Bulls average an NBA-best 48.6 boards.


Chicago averages 101.3 points per game but has averaged 91.0 in three defeats in its last four contests. It has been significantly worse offensively while losing three straight at Sacramento, averaging 79.0 points while being outscored by 28.7.


The Bulls have lost five of six to West teams while the Kings are 7-3 against the East at home.


Though it's managed to shut down Chicago, Sacramento is known for its offense, averaging 111.6 points over the last five games with Gay at 24.3 in three games played in that span. Sacramento, which split two with the Bulls last season, is 6-3 when Gay scores at least 23.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hawks (28-22) at 76ers (7-41)
Date: February 03, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

It's not unfair to say the Philadelphia 76ers are living up to expectations with the worst record in the league. Jerry Colangelo, however, sees progress and credits the acquisition of Ish Smith.


After putting a scare into the reigning NBA champions, Smith and the 76ers seek a rare win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.


With a roster that includes 10 of 15 players with two or fewer years of experience, Philadelphia (7-41) was expected to be among the NBA's worst teams for a third straight season.


It's dead last.


Colangelo was hired as Chairman of Basketball Operations in December, tasked with the challenge of improving the moribund franchise.


So far, he likes what he sees from a 6-11 stretch that followed an abysmal start to the season.


"There's a lot of things that we want to continue to discuss regarding the future," Colangelo told the team's official website. "We just keep looking at options, and I think the good news is, just after a few weeks, there's been a real improvement, and I think that's a plus.


"I see it in practice, just the attitude of the players is much more positive. I think that's important, especially with a young group, that there's something to cling to."


Colangelo cited Smith as the key to that improvement. The guard was re-acquired from New Orleans for two second-round picks this summer, and he's averaging 15.9 points and 8.1 assists in 17 games. He had 12.0 points and 6.1 assists in 25 games for the Sixers last season before moving to the Pelicans as a free agent, bringing his total to nine teams in six seasons.


"I think he has shown he has the capacity to do a lot more than maybe where he was picked," Colangelo said of Smith, who went undrafted in 2010. "He's bounced around quite a bit, and it's a great story that finally maybe he's landed somewhere where he could do a lot more than fit that description or that role."


Smith had 16 points, nine assists and four steals before Philadelphia gave up Harrison Barnes' 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left in a 108-105 loss to Golden State on Saturday.


"It shows we have no letdown, no backdown," coach Brett Brown said.


Jahlil Okafor should see an increased role after scoring 13 points in 20 minutes against the Warriors following a two-game absence due to illness. The rookie center has totaled 40 points and 14 rebounds in two meetings with Atlanta - both losses. That includes 21 in a 126-98 home loss Jan. 7.


The Hawks' Jeff Teague only had seven points in that matchup. He hit 12 of 15 from the floor on his way to a season-high 32 points while dishing out eight assists in Monday's 112-97 win over Dallas, ending Atlanta's three-game skid.


"Just be aggressive, play with a lot of energy and play with a lot of speed," Teague said. "When we do that, we feel like we're a pretty good team."


That hasn't happened on the road, where the Hawks (28-22) are 12-14 after compiling a 25-16 record last season. They've lost six of the last eight away from Atlanta, mustering just 91.2 points per game in those defeats.


Teague is averaging 10.8 points on 35.4 percent shooting over the last 10 road games.


Paul Millsap had 18 points and six rebounds at Philadelphia last month, but he's scoring just 9.7 per game over the last three.


Atlanta has won nine of 10 against the 76ers, averaging 109.3 points in those games.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pistons (26-23) at Celtics (28-22)
Date: February 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics have done in the last three weeks what Stan Van Gundy hoped his Detroit Pistons would: make a move as most of the Eastern Conference treads water.


While the ailing Pistons are stuck in the current, the Celtics are looking to continue swimming downstream when they host Detroit on Wednesday night.


Boston (28-22) has dropped two of three in this series already this season, the latest a 99-94 home loss Jan. 6 that began a season-worst four-game skid. The Celtics, however, have followed with nine wins in 12 games to climb up the East standings and tie Southeast Division-leading Atlanta for the third-best record in the conference.


Tuesday's 97-89 victory at New York gave Boston six wins in seven games, and the Celtics (7-3) join Cleveland (8-2) and Toronto (9-1) as the only Eastern teams with winning records in their last 10.


The latest victory wasn't pretty as Boston's six-game streak of scoring at least 110 points ended with the help of a 3-for-19 effort from 3-point range, including misses on all 13 attempts in the first half. It was the Celtics' defense that delivered the difference - as has often been the case over the last two weeks.


Boston, which has won five straight at TD Garden, has held six of its last seven opponents below 43 percent shooting, and the Knicks finished at 37.8 while committing 17 turnovers that led to 16 points for the Celtics.


"Eventually we started wearing them down playing great defense, and we got stops and turned them into buckets," said Evan Turner, who came off the bench for 14 points, 10 rebounds and three of Boston's nine steals.


Fellow reserve Tyler Zeller added 16 points and 10 boards, while Isaiah Thomas finished with 20 points and eight assists. Thomas matched a career high with 38 points in a 119-116 loss at Detroit on Dec. 16, and he's averaged 27.8 and 8 assists in his last four games against the Pistons.


While Boston's defensive effort has keyed its latest run, Detroit's inconsistencies on that end of the floor have given Van Gundy headaches.


The Pistons (26-23) were ranked in the league's top 10 by allowing 99 points per game through Jan. 9, but are 5-7 since while surrendering an average of 105.4.


While an offense that spent the first month of the season regularly scoring fewer than 100 points and often under 90 has taken a step forward, it's a midseason defensive lull that has kept the Pistons from gaining any ground in the East - though they did snap a two-game skid with Monday's 105-100 win at Brooklyn.


"You don't feel a sense of urgency to put out maximum effort," Van Gundy told the team's official website. "That's where we've been, content to just stay in games and then if we get behind we'll go really hard. We're looking for chances to rest instead of playing a 48-minute game and we're just going to have to fight through that."


A plethora of injuries isn't helping the cause for Detroit, which is 11-15 away from home. Reggie Jackson jammed his thumb Monday and then aggravated it in Tuesday's practice. Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes are tending to knee issues, Ersan Ilyasova has a groin injury and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is dealing with a strained oblique muscle.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Heat (27-22) at Mavericks (28-23)
Date: February 03, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The schedule hasn't been kind to the Dallas Mavericks. Mounting injuries aren't making things any easier.


The Mavericks might be without Deron Williams on Wednesday night when they try to avenge one of their worst performances of the season against the Miami Heat.


Dallas (28-23) has played a league-high 19 games in the new year, going 9-10 while averaging 97.8 points. The schedule hasn't provided much relief lately with the Mavericks splitting the first two of this stretch of five games in seven days. That span concludes with back-to-back meetings against San Antonio and Memphis this weekend.


Dallas fell 112-97 at Atlanta on Monday, shooting 36.5 percent from the floor and 7 for 26 from 3-point range.


"I mean, we're still in the middle of a tough stretch with five games in seven nights. We've got another one Wednesday, and it's a tough one," Dirk Nowitzki told the team's official website. "But we just have to grind it out, especially with a few guys out."


Devin Harris could be out for a sixth straight game with a left toe sprain, but - more importantly - the Mavs might be missing Williams after he bruised his hip Monday.


"I don't know anything about a timetable or anything like that," coach Rick Carlisle said. "But I'm concerned."


Williams leads the team with 5.3 assists per game and is second with 13.9 points. The guard is averaging 18.6 points over the last seven home games, scoring 27 in Sunday's 91-78 win over Phoenix.


Williams had nine points in a 106-82 loss at Miami on Jan. 1. That stands as the Mavericks' second lowest point total of the season, and they shot 36.4 percent, including 7 for 31 from beyond the arc.


Nowitzki was a major culprit, missing 10 of 14 from the floor and finishing with 11 points, while Chandler Parsons was held to four on 2-of-8 shooting. Parsons, however, is averaging 22.5 points on 54.2 percent from the field over the past eight games.


Dallas has lost eight of the last nine meetings with the Heat (27-22), including four straight at home while surrendering an average of 109.3 points.


Miami is looking for a bounce-back performance after Tuesday's 115-102 loss at Houston, halting its four-game winning streak.


"I think early on we just weren't mentally sharp," Dwyane Wade said of the Heat's 17 turnovers. "We came out and were losing the ball ... and with a team like this who feeds off that you have to be very sharp and tight with the ball."


Wade is scoring 23.4 points per game over the past five on the road. He had 20 in a 105-96 win at Dallas on Nov. 9, 2014, but flu-like symptoms limited him to 10 points and seven assists in 18 minutes on New Year's Day.


Hassan Whiteside dominated that matchup with 25 points and a season-high 19 boards. The center could return for this meeting after missing the past six games with a strained oblique.


Chris Bosh went 3 for 11 from the field Tuesday and finished with 13 points. He was averaging 21.8 on 51.3 percent shooting over the previous five games.


The Dallas native has totaled 42 points on 15-of-22 shooting and 15 rebounds in his last two games there.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Timberwolves (14-36) at Clippers (32-16)
Date: February 03, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Doc Rivers wishes everyone would focus on how well the Los Angeles Clippers are playing rather than the saga involving Blake Griffin, and he might get his wish now that the league is on the verge of announcing a potential punishment.


It's tough to ignore the Clippers' stingy defense during their winning streak no matter the situation.


Los Angeles can extend its run to five by beating Minnesota for the 15th consecutive time in the Timberwolves second straight game at Staples Center on Wednesday night.


The Clippers (32-16) have won 15 of 18 since Griffin tore his left quad Christmas Day while also dealing with the distractions stemming from his incident with an equipment manager Jan. 23 in Toronto.


Griffin broke his right hand in the fight and will be out at least a few more weeks because of the injury, but his return could be delayed further with a suspension from the league office. The Clippers have kept Griffin away from the team and the media during the process, and Rivers wants everything resolved so he can stop fielding questions on the topic.


"I swear, we have a basketball game coming up," Rivers said after Tuesday's practice. 'It's over with as far as we're concerned. The only thing is we have to get the punishment from the league and see where we're going. Other than that, we're good.'


In fact, the Clippers have been better than good. They're allowing an average of 89.5 points during a four-game winning streak with their bench outscoring opponents' 184-78 in that span.


Jamal Crawford went 11 for 15 from the field and scored a game-high 26 points in Sunday's 120-93 rout of Chicago, and fellow reserves Austin Rivers (16) and Wesley Johnson (11) also reached double figures.


J.J. Redick paced the starters with 21, while Chris Paul added 19 and DeAndre Jordan finished with 17 and 20 rebounds.


The Clippers embark on a four-game trip to the East Coast following this contest and welcomed having a couple days off between games.


"We're a little bit past the midway point of the season and this is where the legs start getting heavy," 38-year-old Paul Pierce said. "(The break) couldn't have come a better time to hit the reset button and get ready for the stretch run."


The Clippers have won both meetings with Minnesota (14-36) this season and 14 in a row since the Timberwolves last beat them March 5, 2012. Minnesota's road losing streak reached 12 with Tuesday's 119-115 loss to the Lakers and looks to snap that skid in the same building.


The Wolves, who have lost five straight overall, shot a season high-tying 57.5 percent from the floor, but they dropped to 3-5 when shooting at least 50 percent. Andrew Wiggins connected on 13 of 20 shots and finished with 30 points after combining for 20 while going 5 of 29 over his previous two combined.


Ricky Rubio had 15 assists and he's averaging 10.7 over his last seven.


'I don't know. It's painful," Rubio said. "It's painful to see us losing so many games.'


Wiggins had only eight points while shooting 3 of 15 in a 110-106 loss to the Clippers in the most recent matchup Dec. 7. Zach LaVine, who is averaging 12.7 points on the season, had 21 in that contest and is averaging 20.6 on 61.4 percent from the field over his last five