Friday 11/6/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

German Bundesliga TODAY 19:30

Hannover

v

Hertha Berlin

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		13/8	23/10	8/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT HANNOVER	RECENT FORM
ADHWAWHLALAW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 0 - 3	ADHWALAWAD*HL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Hertha’s four defeats this season have come against teams in the top five

EXPERT VERDICT: Hannover are a poor side despite losing only one of their last five matches and a fifth home defeat of the season could be on the cards against Hertha. The sixth-placed Berlin boys have not lost a match to a team currently below them in the Bundesliga and are worthy of support against the 14th-placed hosts.

RECOMMENDATION: Hertha Berlin
2

 

[superbeets]

French Ligue 1 TODAY 19:30

Angers

v

Rennes

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		9/5	2	17/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ANGERS	RECENT FORM
AWHWAWHDALAL​ Most recent​	0 - 0	HDADHLADAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Rennes have drawn their last three away league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Angers' results have dipped in recent weeks but they remain very solid at the back and can dig out a point at home to Rennes. Only Paris St-Germain have conceded fewer Ligue 1 goals than Angers and the promoted side can hold their own against a Rennes outfit who have won just one of their last eight matches.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Championship TODAY 19:30

Nottm Forest

v

Derby

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		11/4	12/5	23/20	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NOTTM FOREST	RECENT FORM
HLALHDHDALAL​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 2	HWHWADAWHWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Derby have lost only once in the Championship

EXPERT VERDICT: Derby are playing well with six wins in their last seven matches and the Rams should be up to the task of beating arch-rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Forest, without a win in eight, are lacking goalscoring prowess with only 11 goals scored this season.

RECOMMENDATION: Derby
3


REFEREE: Simon Hooper STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 19:30

Las Palmas

v

Sociedad

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS2		17/10	11/5	7/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LAS PALMAS	RECENT FORM
HWALHLALHDAL​ Most recent​	1 - 1 0 - 0 2 - 1	AWHDALHLAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Las Palmas have lost four of their last five matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Real Sociedad twice let a lead slip against Celta Vigo last time out in a 3-2 defeat but they may gain compensation against Las Palmas. David Moyes’s team have won two of their last three away from Anoeta, while Las Palmas have picked up just one point in their last five games.

RECOMMENDATION: Sociedad
1

 

[superbeets]

English FA Cup TODAY 19:55

Salford City

v

Notts Co

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BBC2		4	13/5	7/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SALFORD CITY	RECENT FORM
AD*AWAWHWHDAL​ Most recent​	Unknown	ALHLHWADADHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Notts County have conceded 14 goals in eight league away games

EXPERT VERDICT: Northern Premier outfit Salford – part-owned by Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and Nicky Butt – beat National League side Southport en route to the first round. And Notts County have a poor W1, D3, L4 away record in League Two so they may not find this easy.

RECOMMENDATION: 1-1 draw
1


REFEREE: Andy Madley STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Championship Sa 7Nov 12:30

Huddersfield

v

Leeds

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		5/4	11/5	23/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT HUDDERSFIELD	RECENT FORM
ALADHWHLALAD​ Most recent​	1 - 2 3 - 2 2 - 4 2 - 2	HLHLADADHLHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Both teams have scored in seven of the last eight matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Steve Evans got a win as Leeds boss at the fourth attempt thanks to a 1-0 win over Cardiff last time out but the derby against Huddersfield looks a tricky clash for the Whites. There are usually plenty of goals in this fixture and that looks the bet again in a difficult game to call.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
1


REFEREE: Graham Scott STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

SMU
Rice
BYU
Heat

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blackhawks (7-5) at Devils (4-5)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

After at first functioning admirably without their top defenseman, the absence of Duncan Keith seems to be catching up with the Chicago Blackhawks.

They're still weeks away from getting him back from a torn meniscus, so they'll need to seek out a different solution beginning Friday night in New Jersey as they prepare to face the Devils twice in the next seven days with another top player having been cleared from an off-ice investigation.

Five first-period goals weren't enough for Chicago (7-5-1) in Wednesday's 6-5 home overtime loss to St. Louis, and the Blackhawks have given up 16 goals over a 1-2-1 span after winning their first three without Keith with two goals allowed.

"We had a good first period," coach Joel Quenneville told the team's official website. "Everything went in the net both ways for 40 minutes. I still think we look at the chances at the end of the game, it was probably a normal chance game. But the pucks were definitely going in tonight."

Patrick Kane, who won't face charges after prosecutors dropped a three-month rape investigation Thursday due to a lack of credible evidence, continued to produce with a goal and an assist for a second straight game on an eight-game point streak. His 18 points are among the league leaders, but he's been limited to a goal in 10 career matchups against New Jersey (6-5-1).

Brent Seabrook, Andrew Shaw and Teuvo Teravainen also had a goal and an assist, giving Seabrook 10 points on a seven-game streak - he has nine points in his last six against the Devils. The 21-year-old Teravainen has goals in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

They also got one from Marko Dano in his second game with the club after being acquired in a June 30 trade that sent Brandon Saad to Columbus.

"We got off to the start we wanted, and it's a good lesson to learn, I think, early in the season," goaltender Corey Crawford said. "Can't let that happen, especially against a good team. We gave them too many goals and let them back in the game. There were still some chances to win that game, but we'll learn from this one."

Crawford had been on a personal high prior to allowing six goals on 29 shots, posting a 1.34 goals-against average and .952 save percentage over a preceding 5-1-0 span.

Chicago has won four straight in this series, sweeping the last two seasons and averaging 3.11 goals over a 7-1-1 span. Crawford has had limited action against New Jersey but is 1-0-1 with a 0.96 GAA and .958 save percentage.

The Blackhawks also have a four-game road losing streak to contend with, on which they've been outscored 15-6.

The Devils, who have gone 6-2-0 in their last eight, are opening a three-game homestand after falling 2-1 to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Travis Zajac tied it early in the third period with his third goal in as many games, giving him all eight of his points in the last seven.

"We played pretty well, we created some chances but ... have to find a way to get another one," Zajac said.

Cory Schneider hasn't required much support lately, posting a 1.63 GAA and .943 save percentage over a 2-1-0 span. He's 1-2-0 with a 2.68 GAA against the Blackhawks.

Chicago's Marian Hossa has missed two games with a lower-body injury, while New Jersey's Jiri Tlusty has sat out the last two with an upper-body injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Wings (6-5) at Maple Leafs (2-8)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Mike Babcock's first meeting against Detroit since leaving the Red Wings to coach Toronto didn't go so well.

He gets another shot Friday night when his Maple Leafs try to keep the visiting Red Wings from a third consecutive victory.

In his second game with Toronto on Oct. 9, Babcock felt taken back a bit when he was honored on the Joe Louis Arena video board for his accomplishments during the decade he spent in Detroit.

'It was nice of them to do,' said Babcock, who signed an eight-year deal in May worth approximately $50 million to help turn around a flailing Toronto franchise. 'I wish they wouldn't have to do that. I don't coach their team anymore. I'm glad this is all over with.'

Babcock and the Maple Leafs (2-8-2) were even more eager to move on from a 4-0 loss that night. Justin Abdelkader recorded a hat trick, rookie Dylan Larkin had a goal with an assist and Jimmy Howard made 22 saves as the Red Wings (6-5-1) snapped a three-game series skid.

"A little extra special for us to get a win against Babs,' Abdelkader said.

Almost a month removed from the reunion, the Maple Leafs are still struggling while Detroit has won two straight following a 1-5-1 stretch. The Red Wings' focus Friday is less on their former coach and more about maintaining their modest stretch of success.

"Let's be honest, this is the NHL, it doesn't matter who you're playing, if you don't come out and play your 'A' game, the other team's going to beat you," Howard told the Red Wings' official website.

Babcock gets another good look at Larkin, the talented center he and the Red Wings selected with the 15th overall pick in 2014. The 19-year-old is a team-leading plus-10, tied for second with nine points and has recorded the winning goal in each of the last two games.

'He's done a very good job,' Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. 'That's undeniable. His impact on games has been very good.

"I think he'll continue to improve because he wants to improve. He'll get better because he wants to get better."

Despite a lack of victories, Babcock believes his team has made progress in terms of effort and competitiveness. After snapping a six-game slide with Monday's 4-1 win over Dallas, the Maple Leafs were tied with Winnipeg deep into the third period Wednesday before allowing a late tiebreaker and empty netter in a 4-2 loss.

'Lots of good things happened for our hockey club,' Babcock said. 'I liked our group (Wednesday). We were competitive, we looked organized.'

James Reimer made 30 saves but it's uncertain if he'll make a third straight start in place of Jonathan Bernier, who has been banged up of late. Bernier, 0-6-1 with a 3.02 goals-against average, was pulled after yielding three goals on nine shots against Detroit last month.

Howard has a 1.54 GAA during a 4-1-2 stretch against Toronto, but could give way to Petr Mrazek as Blashill continues to split time between his two goaltenders. In his only appearance against the Maple Leafs, Mrazek made 37 saves in a 4-1 road defeat Dec. 13.

"It doesn't matter who's in net, I think the team's very comfortable with both of us," Howard said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Stars (10-3) at Hurricanes (5-7)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

While some competition between Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin exists on a friendly level, the only thing the NHL's top two scorers care about is helping the Dallas Stars pile up more victories.

The duo can build on another stellar combined performance when the Stars visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.

Seguin recorded his seventh career hat trick and Benn assisted on two of those goals as Dallas (10-3-0) continued its early success with Tuesday's 5-3 win at Boston. Entering play Thursday, Seguin and Benn shared the league lead with 20 points. Benn has 10 goals with Seguin close behind with eight.

"We know where we stand (individually), but I like our 10-3 record a lot better," Benn told the Stars' official website.

Benn couldn't have been happier with Tuesday's performance by Seguin, who has four goals and six assists during a six-game point streak.

"I'm probably just as happy as he is," Benn said. "But the bigger thing is that we got two points in a tough building, we responded well as a team, and now we can move on."

Thanks to both, Dallas leads the Western Conference in both goals per game (3.54) and power-play percentage (29.5). The Stars have yet to lose consecutive games and won five of the last six on the road.

"Even the games that we've lost, we've had a chance to win them or just made some mental mistakes that definitely could have not happened," Benn said. "But I like where we're sitting right now."

Seguin recorded five goals while scoring in four straight games against the Hurricanes (5-7-0) before being blanked in a 5-3 loss at Carolina on March 12. Benn had a goal with two assists while the Stars split last season's two meetings.

Carolina returns to action after its three-game winning streak ended with Sunday's 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay. The Hurricanes were glad for the opportunity to fine-tune some things during a break amid their four-game home stretch.

"We'll be able to set ourselves up for the month of November," said forward Kris Versteeg, who has recorded half of his team-leading 10 points in the last two contests.

Though the Hurricanes missed an opportunity to reach .500, general manager Ron Francis feels optimistic about the club's early effort while playing only four games at home.

"We're still in a good position here," he told the Hurricanes' official website. "The guys believe in the guys in the locker room. I sense that they all get along and believe that they can win. We have a chance here to rest up, regroup and get ready for the next stretch. Hopefully we take advantage of the games we have at home."

Francis should have plenty of belief in second-year center Victor Rask, who had three assists against the Lightning and has recorded all but one of his eight points in the last seven games.

Rask had two goals and two assists against the Stars last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Penguins (8-4) at Oilers (5-8)

Date: November 06, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The consensus that Connor McDavid represented the NHL's best prospect since Sidney Crosby came long before the Edmonton Oilers chose him with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft.

Unfortunately, the 18-year-old will have to wait to build upon his fantastic first month as a pro.

McDavid's long-term injury will prevent him from sharing an NHL ice surface with Crosby for the first time when the Oilers host the streaking Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

The comparisons to Crosby could've gotten the best of McDavid - even Wayne Gretzky went so far as to say he was the best player to enter the league since Penguins legend Mario Lemieux 30 years ago - but he scored five goals and added seven assists in his first 12 games to win NHL rookie of the month honors for October.

In the second period of his 13th, though, McDavid crashed hard into the boards and suffered a broken left collarbone before Edmonton (5-8-0) fell 4-2 to Philadelphia on Tuesday.

McDavid had surgery Wednesday and will be out for at least a couple months.

It's another devastating injury for the young Oilers, who already have been playing without forward Jordan Eberle (shoulder) and defenseman Justin Schultz (back). Eberle has been practicing this week and could make his season debut against the Penguins (8-4-0).

'The silver lining is that he's young, he's a strong kid mentally and physically, he's still developing so he'll come back probably even stronger,' general manager Peter Chiarelli said. 'In my experience with these significant injuries with younger players, they come back stronger.'

Crosby knows a bit about having to live up to expectations. He had 102 points as an 18-year-old and won his first Art Ross and Hart Trophy before he turned 20.

McDavid is expected to have a successful career ahead of him much like Crosby, who took note of McDavid's strong start.

"You could tell he was really starting to get comfortable and feeling good out there, so it's definitely unfortunate, just kind of a fluky thing," Crosby told the NHL's official website. "Hopefully he can recover soon and get back out there."

His main focus, though, is helping Pittsburgh pick up a sixth straight victory while developing some of his own consistency. Crosby had been held without a point in nine of his first 11 before scoring just his second goal in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Vancouver.

Crosby's six points are the fewest of his career through his first 12 games.

"You've got to find a way to ultimately figure it out and produce," Crosby said. 'I think my own expectations are the ones I try to meet and those are probably higher than anyone else's. I expect a lot of myself and I work hard to try and make sure I'm doing my job and creating things and producing.'

The Penguins haven't needed much offense with Marc-Andre Fleury playing so well in net. He has a 1.74 goals-against average on the season and has stopped 110 of 114 shots while winning his last four starts.

Fleury has won seven straight against the Oilers with a 2.15 GAA, including a 6-4 victory in the last meeting March 12 as Crosby finished with a goal and two assists.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two assists in that contest for Edmonton. He enters this matchup with three goals and six assists during a six-game point streak after scoring twice Tuesday.

Cam Talbot got the night off against the Flyers and could be back in net. He's 1-3-0 with a 3.79 GAA in his last four starts and has never faced the Penguins.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (8-2) at Avalanche (4-8)

Date: November 06, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The New York Rangers are riding a seven-game point streak and have won three in a row for the second time this season.

They also feel they can play even better, and that's probably an unsettling thought for the inconsistent Colorado Avalanche, who welcome the Rangers into the Pepsi Center on Friday night.

New York (8-2-2) improved to 5-0-2 in its last seven with a 5-2 win over Washington on Tuesday. The Rangers yielded a first-period goal to Capitals star Alex Ovechkin but allowed just one in the final 44 minutes despite getting outshot 14-3 in the second period.

"We're not jumping in the air right now. We're pretty aware that we beat a good team. At the same time, we didn't play our best hockey," forward Derick Brassard said. "When you win a game, you take the points but we have to come out with better execution in Colorado."

New York has outscored its past seven opponents 23-9 and allowed two goals or fewer in each game. Henrik Lundqvist has a 1.56 goals-against average while starting in five of those contests and is expected to start this game.

"He certainly has been a big reason why we're winning games right now," coach Alain Vigneault said.

Lundqvist has suffered shootout losses in each of his last two games against the Avalanche (4-8-1) and took a 4-3 defeat in his lone meeting last season Nov. 13 at Madison Square Garden.

He might not have Rick Nash available to help because the forward hurt his back in practice Thursday. Nash has one goal in the first 12 games following a career-high 42 in 2014-15.

"We'll see how I feel (Friday) morning," he told the team's official website. "We need to go back and do more treatment, hopefully get it moving and loosened up."

Brassard, one of Nash's linemates, has three goals and four assists in his past four contests. He has just one assist in his last three meetings with Colorado, which returns home having gone 2-6-1 in its last nine games.

The Avalanche endured a 4-2 loss to Arizona on Thursday, two days after ending a four-game home losing streak with a 6-3 win against Calgary.

Matt Duchene cut his team's deficit versus the Coyotes to one with 3:46 left but that proved too late.

"It was a hard-fought game but we expect more out of ourselves. There's no doubt about it," coach Patrick Roy said. "We dominated the start of the game. We had some good chances, and their goalie made some good saves. Then we gave up that first goal. That gave them the momentum they needed."

After goaltender Semyon Varlamov started Thursday, Reto Berra is slated to make his first appearance against the Rangers.

Duchene has four of his six points in the past three games, totaling three goals and an assist. He has two goals and five assists in his last five contests against the Rangers.

New York's Kevin Hayes had two goals and two assists in the two meetings with Colorado last season. He had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's victory over Washington.

The Avalanche will start a seven-game road trip after facing the Rangers. That matches the franchise's longest since relocating to Denver after the 1994-95 season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jackets (4-10) at Ducks (2-7)

Date: November 06, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets had higher aspirations than the eight points each club has produced so far.

The Ducks are still languishing with the league's worst offense, though they have won three straight at home entering Friday's matchup with the improving Blue Jackets.

Anaheim (3-7-2) rallied in a victory for the first time, beating Florida 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday. Corey Perry's power-play goal with six seconds left in regulation tied the game before the Ducks converted twice after overtime.

'It certainly was an important win for us, especially coming from behind, which we hadn't done all year,' coach Bruce Boudreau said. 'I think they're starting to believe a little bit, but until you get (a streak) to three, four, five in a row, it's still a work in progress.'

Perry finally scored his first goal in clutch fashion with Anaheim, considered a Stanley Cup contender in the preseason, nearing another defeat.

'It's been a long time coming,' said Perry, who has seven career 25-goal seasons. 'You stick with it and you keep pushing, and you try not to get too frustrated. Finally found a bounce and had to make the right shot. It's been a struggle, but if you keep getting chances ... and you stick with it, it's bound to go in at one point.'

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has missed the last four games after an appendectomy. He took part in Thursday's practice and is listed as doubtful. Anaheim could sorely use him since it's averaging a league-worst 1.3 goals.

Center Rickard Rakell's status is in doubt after he left Wednesday with an upper-body injury and did not practice the next day.

Columbus (4-10-0) was the league's hottest team to close 2014-15, going 12-0-1, and a second playoff berth in three seasons seemed attainable heading into the season. The Blue Jackets, though, dropped their first eight games, with John Tortorella replacing Todd Richards as coach before the final one of that slide.

Tortorella has helped Columbus win four of its last six, including Thursday's 3-2 victory at Los Angeles. Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and an assist and Gregory Campbell notched the first goal of his Blue Jackets career.

"It's a good win for us. I feel good for the guys," Tortorella told the club's Twitter account. "But you know what? It means squat tomorrow."

One player receiving more ice time under Tortorella is center William Karlsson, a second-round Ducks pick who was traded to the Blue Jackets on March 2. Karlsson returns to Anaheim after playing 18 games with the club last season as a rookie.

The Blue Jackets will start either Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 31 saves Thursday, or backup Curtis McElhinney.

The Ducks will likely start Frederik Andersen, who has a 2.03 goals-against average, and has won two straight after starting 0-5-2.

"He's kept us close and kept (us) in and as long as you get goaltending like that, you're going to be in the game," Boudreau said.

Anaheim has the league's best penalty kill at 90.5 percent while Columbus is second-worst at 73.9. The Ducks are third-worst on the power play at 10.8 percent while the Blue Jackets are 15th-best at 18.9.

These teams have split four meetings since Columbus joined the Eastern Conference two seasons ago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Red Wings won last two games 2-1/5-3, after a 1-6 skid.
-- Devils won five of their last seven games.
-- Dallas Stars won eight of their last ten games. Carolina won three of its last four.
-- Rangers won five of their last six games.
-- Pittsburgh won last five games, allowing seven goals.
-- Columbus is 4-2 in last six games, after an 0-8 start. Ducks won last two games 3-2/4-2, after losing seven of previous eight games.

Cold teams
-- Maple Leafs lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Blackhawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Avalanche lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Edmonton lost four of its last six games.

Series records
-- Devils lost their last four games with Chicago.
-- Maple Leafs won three of last four games with Detroit.
-- Dallas Stars won five of last seven games with Carolina.
-- Rangers lost five of last seven games with Colorado.
-- Penguins won seven of last nine games with Edmonton.
-- Blue Jackets won four of last six games with Anaheim.

Totals
-- Last three Chicago games went over total.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Detroit games.
-- Five of last six Dallas games went over total.
-- Last three Colorado games went over the total.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Pittsburgh games; Oilers' last four games went over.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Columbus games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (5-0) at Magic (1-4)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors are off to the best start in franchise history, but coach Dwane Casey isn't letting them get complacent following two early playoff exits.

The Raptors will try to keep the big picture in mind Friday night when they open the Florida portion of their four-game road swing seeking a 12th straight win over the Orlando Magic.

Despite moving to 5-0 for the first time with Wednesday's 103-98 win at Oklahoma City, Casey is trying to keep Toronto even keel after back-to-back Atlantic Division titles led to first-round playoff defeats.

'It's a marathon; it's not a sprint," he said. "We've got to maintain this. I told the guys, get off their feet. No running around shopping in Orlando or enjoying the sun.'

The Raptors will try to continue their success at both ends, averaging an Eastern Conference-best 106.0 points while allowing 95.6. They've also held their last three opponents to a combined 25.9 percent shooting in the fourth quarter.

DeMar DeRozan finished with a season-high 28 points - hitting 14 of 15 from the free-throw line - Wednesday when Toronto overcame an eight-point deficit in the final six minutes. Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas contributed 17 apiece.

DeRozan (22.2 points per game) and Lowry (19.2) are leading the way for Toronto, which will conclude its trip against Miami on Sunday. Stopper DeMarre Carroll was brought in from Atlanta after the Raptors ranked 19th with 100.9 points allowed per game in 2014-15.

'I don't know how many games we're going to win, but I do know that we're going to scrap,' Casey said. 'We're going to compete, play hard, get after people."

The Raptors have done that in recent years against the Magic, allowing 91.0 points per game during their longest active winning streak versus an opponent. They won 16 straight over Chicago from 1999-2002 and 12 in a row over Minnesota from 2004-10.

Former Raptor Lou Williams drilled a 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left for a 101-99 win April 10 in the most recent meeting at Orlando (1-4). DeRozan scored 29 in that contest and has averaged 24.8 over his last four in this series.

Toronto will certainly have to keep an eye on Evan Fournier in this meeting. A night after putting up a career-high 30 points in a 103-94 win at New Orleans, he had 29 and helped limit James Harden to 6-of-22 shooting in Wednesday's 119-114 overtime loss at Houston.

'Evan had a great game," said coach Scott Skiles, whose club's losses have all come by five points or less, including a pair in overtime. "He carried us offensively and guarded Harden most of the game and that is really tough double duty.'

Fournier, who averaged a career-high 12.0 points last season, is scoring a team-high 20.6. He's made 55.4 percent from the field and 9 of 21 from 3-point range in his last three. Fournier has played well in his past five games against the Raptors, averaging 17.8 points.

The Magic, however, won't have Nikola Vucevic as they try to avoid losing their first three home games for the first time since 2005-06. The center, averaging 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds, is out with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Second-year forward Aaron Gordon hopes to build on his career-high 19-point effort against the Rockets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lakers (0-4) at Nets (0-5)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

While Kobe Bryant believes they might play better on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers aren't likely to notch their first victory unless things improve defensively.

That could happen against a winless Brooklyn Nets team that's struggling to score.

As they open a five-game trip, the Lakers will try to avoid their second consecutive 0-5 start Friday night when the Nets look to put an end to their worst start in six years.

Los Angeles is hoping history doesn't repeat itself after their poor start last season led to the worst finish in franchise history. The Lakers ranked 29th in scoring defense (105.3) in 2014-15 but they've been even worse this season.

They've given up an NBA-high 116.8 points and forced a league-low 12.0 turnovers per game after allowing Denver to shoot 50.6 percent in Tuesday's 120-109 home defeat. The frustration boiled over in the fourth quarter when some players jawed at each other.

"We had a little bit of an altercation, which was good," coach Byron Scott told the team's official website. "That tells me that they care. I want to see more fight in our guys. We want to try to stop the bleeding as soon as possible."

Facing Brooklyn might give them the perfect opportunity. The Nets have averaged just 87.3 points in the past four of a five-game losing streak to begin the season and are among the league's worst from 3-point range at 24.4 percent.

"We'll probably play better on the road," Bryant said, perhaps conveniently forgetting a 132-114 loss to Sacramento in the Lakers' lone game away from home. "Because the energy of playing on the road and getting into the environment where it's just us against the world."

Brook Lopez finished with a season-high 27 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday, but Brooklyn committed a season-high 19 turnovers in a 101-87 loss at Atlanta. Lopez has been a bright spot with 20 points per game but no other player is averaging more than 12.

The Nets are off to their worst start since opening 0-18 during the 2009-10 season.

'I don't think anybody's happy to be in this position,' guard Jarrett Jack said. 'We've got to come out with a mentality of a desperate team trying to get a win on Friday.'

Following a 11-game slide in the series, Brooklyn has won the past three meetings. The club averaged 110.5 points in sweeping last season's series for the first time since 2005-06. Lopez totaled 52 points and 25 rebounds, while Joe Johnson scored a combined 41.

The Nets enter this matchup having allowed 104.4 points per game and a 41.5 mark from 3-point range. The Lakers are averaging 106.8 points but shoot just 27.9 percent from 3.

Bryant and rookie D'Angelo Russell hope to end their shooting slumps. Bryant went 7 for 26 (26.9 percent) and Russell was 7 for 24 (29.2) in the past two games.

"Kobe's the last person I worry about," Scott said. "I know how he is."

Jordan Clarkson, averaging a team-high 18.3 points, will try to build on his career high-tying 30-point effort against the Nuggets. He finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a 107-99 loss March 29 in the most recent meeting at Barclays Center.

Julius Randle, who missed most of last season with a broken leg, has totaled 38 points, 20 rebounds, five steals and two blocks over the past two games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Wizards (3-1) at Celtics (1-3)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

A lucrative contract all but assuredly awaits Bradley Beal this offseason, and he is doing his best early this season to show he's worth every penny.

The Washington Wizards guard will try to add to his promising start with a better performance against the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

The Wizards chose not to offer a contract extension to Beal by Monday's deadline but are expected to try to sign him this summer to a five-year deal - possibly for the maximum - while attempting to lure Kevin Durant back to his hometown.

If Washington should fail to get Durant, locking up Beal long-term could prove a gratifying consolation especially if the first four games this season are an indication of what's to come. He is averaging 25.3 points - 10 more than last season - and his shooting percentages of 47.5 from the field and 46.4 from 3-point range are well above his career marks.

He's also one of the league's top scorers in the fourth quarter, averaging 10.3 points while shooting 53.3 percent.

Beal had 14 points of his 26 points in the final period in a 118-113 comeback win in Milwaukee last Friday and delivered his biggest shot of the season Wednesday, a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left in a 102-99 victory over San Antonio.

He finished with 25 points despite being guarded for much of the night by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.

"I'm not going to let anybody just keep me from being me, no matter who it is," Beal said. "I'm not taking anything away from him or anybody else. It's just me being confident in myself."

Beal, though, now faces a team that was adept at containing him last season. He averaged 11.0 points while shooting 31.7 percent in three meetings with Boston, but Washington went 2-1.

The Celtics (1-3) are entering this season's first matchup having lost three in a row.

They have shot 38.3 percent in that skid but a 10-of-27 performance from 3-point range on Wednesday nearly lifted them past Indiana. Boston, however, missed its only two shot attempts in the final minute and lost 100-98.

Slow starts have played a role in the Celtics' struggles as their 19.0-point average in the first quarter is the league's worst. They're averaging at least 25.0 in all other periods and are among the NBA's best in fourth with 30.0 points per game.

"We've got to get tighter in our first halves," coach Brad Stevens said. "Our first halves have been poor."

Boston was held to 12 first-quarter points in these teams' last meeting and lost 101-88 in Washington on Dec. 27.

Kris Humphries had a combined 35 points in the Wizards' two wins in last season's series but is averaging 6.3 so far. Celtics leading scorer Isaiah Thomas (23.5 ppg) is averaging 20.8 points in his last five games against Washington despite being held below 38.0 percent shooting in each of the past three.

The statuses of Boston's Marcus Smart (toe) and Amir Johnson (ankle) are unclear.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 76ers (0-4) at Cavaliers (4-1)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Cleveland Cavaliers are enjoying a much smoother start than last season behind a more balanced offense and a vastly improved defense.

They'll try to continue their success with a fifth straight victory Friday night against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.

Cleveland (4-1) won its fourth in a row with a 96-86 home victory against New York on Wednesday, leaning on LeBron James' 23 points and 22 by Mo Williams. James scored 11 in the fourth quarter to help the Cavaliers outscore the Knicks 26-17 over the final 12 minutes, though he was 1 of 5 from 3-point range on the night to fall to 2 for 18 on the season.

"I'm just out of rhythm," he said. "I've got to work on it. It's not like I'm Steph Curry or J.J. Redick anyway. But I did hit a big one tonight so I just got to get some reps."

His outside shooting slump has not been as detrimental as it has been for past James-led teams, however. Cleveland is sharing the ball well, ranking near the top of the league with assists on 66.8 percent of its made field goals after finishing 13th last season (58.7). The Cavaliers are running isolation plays on 8.7 percent of possessions after doing so a league-high 11.4 percent in 2014-15.

Those numbers soared in last year's Finals when they were without starters Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving due to injuries. James averaged 35.8 points per game, but needed 32.7 shots per game and made only 39.8 percent.

Irving is still recovering from knee surgery, but James is averaging a much more sustainable 19.2 field goal attempts. Williams is also averaging 15.4 points with a 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

All of these factors have led to a better start than last season, when Cleveland opened 5-7.

"That's how we're going to win," James said. "We're going to win how we've been playing and defending at a high level."

The Cavaliers limit teams to 92.4 points per 100 possessions after allowing 104.1 in 2014-15 to rank 20th. That doesn't bode well for Philadelphia (0-4), which is averaging only 88.3 points on 39.9 percent shooting.

The 76ers are one of four winless teams along with Brooklyn, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers. Though they're less than a quarter of the way to their dreadful 0-17 start from a year ago, it's reminiscent.

Philadelphia lost by an average of 14.4 points in that miserable beginning, one shy of matching the Nets' NBA record for the longest season-opening skid. The 76ers' four losses have been by 14.0 points per game.

Nonetheless, Brett Brown feels like progress is being made, particularly after Philadelphia came close to breaking through for its first win in a 91-87 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Rookie T.J. McConnell impressed in his first start at point guard with seven points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor continues to shine with 20.3 points on 54.8 percent shooting, while Nerlens Noel is averaging 13.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.

"Tonight, we were in a position, at the end, to get a road win. We didn't but it's something you just leave feeling good about the group," Brown said. "They are moving forward."

The Cavaliers have averaged 10.3 3-pointers while winning six of the last seven meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (2-3) at Knicks (2-3)

Date: November 06, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Although Carmelo Anthony is in his 13th season and Jabari Parker is in his second, they are both going through uncharted territory in terms of returning from a serious injury.

These forwards are seeking improvement Friday night when Anthony and the New York Knicks try to post their first home win as they face Parker's Milwaukee Bucks.

Anthony is shooting 36.5 percent after his previous career low was 42.6 as a rookie. He missed the final 30 games last season with a knee injury that required surgery.

"Honestly I didn't know what to expect," said Anthony, who has made 10 of 35 shots in consecutive losses. "I'm just kind of experiencing it, a first-time experience, just going through it and dealing with it day by day."

Parker is also going through a comeback after being limited to 25 games as a rookie due to a torn ACL. He made his season debut Wednesday and made 1 of 6 shots for his only two points in 16 minutes in a 91-87 win over Philadelphia.

"They did a good job of taking me out, putting me back in at certain times of the game so I feel I can build off this," said Parker, last year's No. 2 overall pick.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd said he plans to increase Parker's minutes this weekend in a back-to-back set.

"Now we'll see how he feels and hopefully we can continue to add minutes," Kidd said.

Milwaukee (2-3) will be out to avenge a 122-97 home defeat to New York (2-3) in the season opener last Thursday. Derrick Williams scored 24 to lead seven Knicks in double digits in points, with Langston Galloway and rookie Kristaps Porzingis each chipping in 16.

This matchup will look different and not just because Parker will be on the court. The Bucks played without the suspended Giannis Antetokounmpo while Tyler Ennis was out after shoulder surgery.

Antetokounmpo is averaging a team-high 21.3 points in four games since returning and Ennis made his season debut Wednesday.

The Bucks are hoping Michael Carter-Williams can return from a one-game absence due to a sore left ankle. Their rotation has been in flux due to absences, with Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton shouldering a major load.

"Khris and Giannis have logged heavy minutes early on so hopefully we get healthy over the weekend so that we can get guys out on the floor and kind of get into a routine," Kidd said.

Milwaukee's John Henson has been out since injuring his Achilles in the opener.

Arron Afflalo may make his Knicks debut. The guard, a former Denver teammate with Anthony who signed as a free agent from Portland, has been out with a strained hamstring.

The Knicks are 0-2 at home for their worst such start since beginning 0-3 in 2006-07. They fell 96-86 at Cleveland on Wednesday, with Anthony recording 17 points and 12 boards.

"Right now, it feels like we're kind of playing kind of three-fourths of the game and then we just have lapses here and there that give the opposing teams some confidence," Anthony said.

Milwaukee has captured two straight since an 0-3 start. The Bucks, who have the NBA's best assist-to-field goal ratio at 0.68, took both meetings at Madison Square Garden last season after losing five straight there.