Monday 11/9/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

English FA Cup TODAY 19:45

FC Utd

v

Chesterfield

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		11/2	7/2	4/9	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FC UTD	RECENT FORM
HDAWALAWALHL​ Most recent​	Unknown	ALHLAWHWHLAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Chesterfield have won four of their last six games in League One

EXPERT VERDICT: FC United aren’t having an easy time of it in the National League North, winning just twice in six home games and coming into this tie on the back of a five-match losing streak. Chesterfield are going well in League One, where they’ve won five of their eight away games and can progress comfortably into round two.

RECOMMENDATION: Chesterfield-Chesterfield
2


REFEREE: Oliver Langford STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Chicago at San Diego

When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, November 9, 2015
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

The struggling Chicago Bears will be without their best and most versatile offensive player when they visit the sliding San Diego Chargers on Monday night in a matchup of a pair of two-win teams. Dual-threat running back Matt Forte is expected to miss the contest with a knee injury sustained in last Sunday's last-second loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"Nobody comes and rescues you," Chicago coach John Fox said when it comes to replacing key injured players. "You have to make do with what you have," San Diego knows what that feels like after leading receiver Keenan Allen was placed on season-ending injured reserve this week with a kidney injury suffered in Sunday's narrow loss at Baltimore. Allen ranked second in the league with 67 receptions for San Diego, which is attempting to halt a four-game losing streak. "I think you've got to just keep believing and keep plugging along," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "As quickly as we've lost four in a row, we could win four in a row."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Chargers -4. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE BEARS (2-5): Rookie Jeremy Langford, a fourth-round draft pick out of Michigan State, rushed for 46 yards on 12 carries after Forte was hurt last week and will likely receive a heavy workload as Chicago tries to keep the ball out of the hands of Rivers. Quarterback Jay Cutler will also be without slot receiver Eddie Royal, but Alshon Jeffrey is healthy after missing four games and has 18 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the past two contests. The Bears allow only 214.3 passing yards per game but rank near the bottom of the league in interceptions (four) and sacks (12).

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-6): Rivers has thrown for more than 300 yards in five consecutive games and is on pace for a 5,500-yard season but San Diego keeps coming up short, losing its past games by a total of 18 points. Rivers has thrown for 13 touchdowns against only three interceptions over the last five contests and the Chargers are averaging a league-high 423.3 total yards, but they are 28th in the league in points allowed (28.4) - one slot above the Bears (28.9). Rookie first-round pick Melvin Gordon has been a disappointment in the ground game, surpassing 54 yards only once.

OVERTIME:

1. Rivers needs three TD passes to tie Hall of Famer Joe Montana (273) for 12th place on the all-time list.

2. Cutler is 11-4 in his last 15 games against AFC opponents.

3. Chargers TE Antonio Gates is tied with Steve Largent for 19th place with 101 career touchdown passes.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27, Bears 26

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PURE LOCK

FREE NBA play Monday 11-9-15

Atlanta -9

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JIM FEIST

(705) Minnesota Timberwolves /(706) Atlanta Hawks

Take:Over

Your Bonus Play for Monday, November 9, 2015 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks. The Wolves are a perfect 3-0 S/U and ATS on the road this season, while they have yet to win a home game either straight up or ATS (0-2). Minnesota is coming off a nice win at Chicago, 102-93, as a nine-point dog. Meanwhile, Atlanta looks like the Atlanta that started so hot last season. The Hawks lost their opening game to Detroit, but since have rattled off seven straight wins and have gone 5-1-1 ATS. The offense has also been clicking, scoring 114 and 121 in their last two games. The last six times these clubs have met they have gone over five times. Moreover, four of the last five in Atlanta have gone OVER. Still early in the season, but the Hawks are putting a lot of points on the scoreboard. I'm going with the OVER here tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL notebook: Red Wings place Quincey on IR
By The Sports Xchange

The Detroit Red Wings placed defenseman Kyle Quincey on seven-day injured reserve Sunday and recalled center Andreas Athanasiou from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.
Quincey hasn't played since Oct. 23 due to ankle issues. He has one goal and two assists in seven games this season.
"It's very, very frustrating," Quincey said Thursday. "I felt I got off to a pretty good start dealing with it. We had a couple pictures done and they didn't like what they saw."
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Athanasiou, 21, has skated in 65 games with Grand Rapids since 2013-14, recording 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists) and 29 penalty minutes.

---The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled defenseman Nikita Nesterov from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
The 5-11, 191-pound Nesterov was assigned to Syracuse on Friday and skated in two games with the Crunch, registering a goal and five shots on goal with a plus-1 rating. He has played in six games with the Lightning this season, averaging 15:21 in ice time per game.
Nesterov has played in 33 career NHL games, all with the Lightning, notching two goals and seven points with a plus-5 rating. He made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut last season, recording a goal and six points in 17 games.

---The San Jose Sharks reassigned forwards Bryan Lerg and Nikolay Goldobin and defenseman Mark Cundari to the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL.
Lerg, 29, has posted three goals, one assist and 11 shots on goal in four games as the captain of the Barracuda. He has appeared in six games with the Sharks this season.
The 20-year-old Goldobin has posted one goal, one assist and 11 shots on goal in five games with the Barracuda. In five games with the Sharks this season, he has registered one goal and one assist.
Cundari, 25, has appeared in six games with the Barracuda this season. He has appeared in eight career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, posting one goal and two assists

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (6-6) at Ducks (4-7)

Date: November 09, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

When Mike Smith posted a 37-save shutout on the road against the Anaheim Ducks last month, he and the Arizona Coyotes improved to 3-0-0 and looked like one of the NHL's surprises.

The Coyotes are returning to Anaheim as a struggling team, with Smith going through some woes as the Ducks seek a fifth straight win Monday night.

Smith posted a 0.67 goals-against average in winning his first three starts, highlighted by his 28th career shutout in a 4-0 victory at Anaheim (5-7-2) on Oct. 14.

However, he's been pulled twice in three games and three times overall after coach Dave Tippett took him out of Saturday's 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers when a second-period shot by Chris Kreider got through Smith's legs. Anders Lindback came in for Smith, who stopped 14 of 17 shots and exited after yielding two second-period goals in a 3:29 span.

'We've seen too many like that," Tippett said. '... We needed to change up. You give up two goals, you're deflated. You've got to try to change something, so that's what we did.'

Tippett called the second Rangers goal a "fluky one" and Smith doesn't feel he played that badly.

"I felt good about my game tonight, other than the last goal," Smith told the Coyotes' official website. "Obviously, I made a mistake there ... It went in. My fault."

Smith has gone 2-4-1 with a 4.33 GAA since his outing at Anaheim. That victory improved him to 2-5-1 with a 2.44 GAA in his last eight starts against the Ducks.

"We'll continue to work with him," Tippett said. "He's shown us the standard he can play at, that's the standard we need him to play."

Arizona (6-6-1) has dropped three of four while Anaheim has turned its season around after a 1-7-2 start, thanks to this win streak in which it has posted two one-goal wins and two by two goals.

The Ducks got 31 saves from backup Anton Khudobin in Saturday's 1-0 victory at San Jose. They managed 17 shots and are the league's lowest-scoring team with an average of 1.5 goals.

'We fought like crazy to get that win,' defenseman Cam Fowler said. 'I'd still like to see us be on the attack a little bit more in third periods. I just feel like we're defending all the time.'

Corey Perry scored for the second time in three games after going 11 games without a goal. He has five points in his last three.

Ryan Getzlaf has four points in two contests after missing four due to an appendectomy.

Anaheim is expected to turn back to Frederik Andersen, who has posted a 1.96 GAA in winning his last three starts. Andersen is 3-0-2 with a 1.16 GAA in five career starts against Arizona.

Coyotes defenseman Nicklas Grossmann, who scored twice Thursday, left Saturday's game in the second period with a lower-body injury.

Arizona's Anthony Duclair had a hat trick the last time these teams met but has no points in his last seven games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Ducks won their last four games, allowing six goals.

Cold teams
-- Coyotes lost three of their last four games.

Series records
-- Ducks won seven of last ten games with Arizona.

Totals
-- Last six Arizona-Anaheim games stayed under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (4-3) at 76ers (0-6)

Date: November 09, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

While the Chicago Bulls can't quite find their footing, the Philadelphia 76ers are slipping in what might turn into another dismal season.

The winless 76ers will try to catch themselves Monday night against a visiting Bulls team they haven't beaten in two years.

Chicago has won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including six in a row since Nov. 2, 2013, and come out on top in five of its last six trips to Wells Fargo Center.

Success for Chicago through the opening seven games this season has come and gone. The Bulls (4-3) seemed to regroup from an ugly 130-105 loss at Charlotte last week by showing some hustle and energy in a 104-98 home win over Oklahoma City on Thursday.

However, the club again looked lethargic during a 102-93 overtime home loss to Minnesota on Saturday in which it went scoreless during the extra five-minute period.

"I don't know how we play with as much energy as we did (against Oklahoma City) and then just show up the next (game) just expecting to win," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "It's tough to fathom how that can happen."

Derrick Rose scored a season-high 29 points on 12-of-25 shooting against the Thunder but made just 3 of 13 shots against the Timberwolves to finish with 11 points and five turnovers. His postgame take was rather simple.

"It's all about effort," Rose said.

Effort is something Chicago prided itself on during the Tom Thibodeau era, but it's been hit or miss so far under Hoiberg - most notably on defense. The Bulls ranked ninth last season with 97.8 points allowed per game but are giving up 101.4 this season.

The Bulls were outrebounded 58-50 by Minnesota, marking the fifth time they've lost the battle on the boards - another rarity in past seasons. An offense that was expected to be dynamic under Hoiberg missed 19 of its final 20 shots against the Timberwolves.

"We get 82 opportunities to put on a jersey and go out to play for your team; we need to do everything we can to win," Hoiberg told the team's official website. "We have to fix it. Our team needs to play extremely hard no matter who we are playing against."

Even the lowly 76ers (0-6), who have picked up right where they left off last season. Philadelphia's winless start has come on the heels of losing its final 10 games of 2014-15, and another would match the 17 consecutive defeats it opened with last season.

Some frustration set in during a 105-97 home loss to Orlando on Saturday when Nerlens Noel was ejected following a tussle with Jason Smith. After Smith drew an offensive foul by elbowing Noel in the ribs, Noel took a swipe at Smith's head and earned a flagrant-2.

Noel also could have injured himself when he punched something on his way to the locker room, which would have been of little help to a 76ers team that ranks toward the bottom of the NBA with 92.0 points and 18.2 turnovers per game.

"It's the small things that are going to win you those close games," Nik Stauskas said. "And so far we just haven't been doing that. But it will come. It will come."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Magic (3-4) at Pacers (3-4)

Date: November 09, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

After Paul George seemingly found his groove, the Indiana Pacers hope Monta Ellis is on the same path.

The Pacers aim for a third straight home win Monday night against the Orlando Magic, who are seeking their fourth win in five games.

Both teams dropped their first three contests, but Indiana (3-4) lost for the first time in four games Sunday, falling 101-97 at Cleveland. George again performed well with 32 points on 11-of-21 shooting and is averaging 31.3 points and shooting 50.0 percent in his last three games after putting up 16.8 and hitting 33.3 percent in the previous four.

He wasn't necessarily deterred by Sunday's close lose to the prohibitive Eastern Conference favorite, either.

"They've been together for some time now," George told the team's official website. "We're still just forming and still learning each other despite going on a three-game winning streak. This was a tough matchup for us with a team that's well in-sync, so I think this is definitely a positive for us going forward."

Ellis went 10 of 17 and scored 25, a positive sign after his Pacers tenure had a rough start with 10.3 points per game on 32.9 percent shooting in the first six contests. His 21.6 career scoring average against Orlando is his fourth-highest against one opponent.

The Magic (3-4) won for the third time in four games with Saturday's 105-97 victory at Philadelphia. Elfrid Payton shot 8 of 10 and led seven Orlando players in double figures with 20 points. He was scoreless over 15 minutes in Friday's victory against Toronto and entered Saturday's contest shooting 31.6 percent.

"It was nice to see something finally go in and get a little rhythm out there," Payton said. "It just carried on throughout the game."

The Magic are the only team with four players averaging at least 15.7 points, and more consistency from Payton could give them even more balance. Three of those players are shooting 46.7 percent or better, helping Orlando average 103.4 points compared to 95.7 last season, which ranked 25th in the league.

"We're playing good basketball right now and we're playing with confidence," Evan Fournier, who scored 17 on 7-of-12 shooting, told the team's official website. "We're trusting each other more and we're used to the new system. It's paying off and that gives us confidence.

Fournier is averaging 21.8 points over the last four games.

Nikola Vucevic sat out his second straight contest because of a bone bruise in his right knee, but is traveling with the team.

"It's getting better and it's not as painful and as sore today," Vucevic said. "It's getting better. (Treatment) is one of the things that I can do to get it better. It's day by day."

For Indiana, coach Frank Vogel is optimistic C.J. Miles will return after missing the last three with a sore right ankle. Rodney Stuckey's status is uncertain after he sat against the Cavs due to a sprained right ankle suffered in Friday's win against Miami.

The Pacers have won eight of the last nine meetings while holding Orlando to 85.8 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting. George has averaged 21.7 points and shot 51.5 percent from 3-point range in his last seven against the Magic.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (3-2) at Hawks (7-1)

Date: November 09, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks have started fast with a balanced offense, while the rebuilding Minnesota Timberwolves seem ahead of schedule because of a vastly improved defense.

Atlanta aims for an eighth consecutive victory Monday night against a Minnesota team looking to remain perfect on the road.

The Hawks (7-1) have averaged 105.3 points since a 106-94 loss to Detroit on opening night after beating Washington 114-99 at home Saturday. Kent Bazemore continued to impress as Atlanta's lone new starter, scoring 16 of his career-high 25 points in the second half to help his team rally after it was limited to 41 points in the first 24 minutes.

Bazemore has averaged 15.3 points over his last six while going 14 for 24 from 3-point range. He scored just five points on 2-of-9 shooting in his first two contests.

Six different players have led the Hawks in scoring at least once, though Bazemore has done it a team-best three times. Ten players recorded at least 14 minutes Saturday with only Paul Millsap playing more than 29.

Atlanta also had a season-high 37 assists.

"I think we kind of wore them out," said Bazemore, who was 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. "Our depth is something we love, and lean on. Keep guys coming in and out. Guys are playing harder, cutting harder as the game goes on. A lot of (opponents) get fatigued."

Minnesota (3-2) bounced back from home losses to Portland and Miami with a 102-93 overtime victory at Chicago on Saturday, giving the franchise its first 3-0 road start since 2001-02. The Timberwolves held the Bulls to 35.5 percent shooting, including an 0-for-9 mark in the extra period.

They ranked last in the NBA in 2014-15 by allowing teams to shoot 48.7 percent - the league's highest mark since Toronto gave up 49.1 percent in 2005-06 - but are limiting opponents to just 39.2 percent this season.

Minnesota hasn't reached the postseason since 2003-04, and its young roster figured to be another year or two away from having a chance to end the league's longest playoff drought. Of the 10 players averaging at least 15 minutes, six are age 25 or younger, but so far they're defying expectations.

"This is a great win on the road with a young team," 35-year-old forward Tayshaun Prince said after Saturday's victory. "Hopefully, it's a confidence booster as we continue to move forward."

Twenty-year-old Andrew Wiggins had been struggling with his shot but looked better Saturday with a season-high 31 points. He's still shooting 32.4 percent from the floor but was 4 of 5 from 3-point range after going 1 for 9 to begin the season.

"Sometimes it's a struggle when you have so many expectations put on you," interim coach Sam Mitchell said of last year's No. 1 overall draft pick. "We just kept telling him stay aggressive, keep shooting the ball ... eventually it's going to happen."

The Timberwolves should regain leading scorer Kevin Martin (18.8 ppg), who was inactive Saturday due to a family issue but rejoined the team for practice Sunday.

The Hawks are among the league's leaders with 10.8 steals per game, and they had 13 against the Wizards, helping lead to 33 points off turnovers. Minnesota's last two opponents combined for 41 points off turnovers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (4-3) at Nuggets (2-4)

Date: November 09, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Coach Terry Stotts is hoping the Portland Trail Blazers learned a lesson after their three-game winning streak ended with a fourth-quarter collapse.

A matchup with the struggling Denver Nuggets might be just what they need to bounce back Monday night.

Portland (4-3) blew a 13-point lead and was outscored 41-11 in the fourth quarter of a 120-103 loss to Detroit on Sunday. The Trail Blazers missed 15 of 19 field goals in the final period, but they were so good through the first three they finished with a season-high 53.9 percent from the floor.

"We've got to learn from it," Stotts said. "We can't back down when teams turn up the pressure. We've got to be aggressive, we've got to do things a little bit better."

Showing improvement with the ball would help. The Blazers' 16.9 turnovers per game is among the highest in the league, and they matched their season high with 23 Sunday - 11 in the fourth quarter.

They've averaged just 12.3 turnovers to go along with 112.0 points during an eight-game win streak against the Nuggets (2-4), including four at Denver.

Damian Lillard is averaging 24.6 points and 7.4 assists over the past five visits to Denver.

The guard enters this one with team highs of 27.1 points and 7.3 assists after he had 26 and 11 against the Pistons. He's the first Blazer to score at least 20 points in each of the first seven games of a season since Clyde Drexler did it in the first 12 of 1988-89.

The Nuggets are 0-2 at home and have dropped four of their past five overall after falling 119-104 at Golden State on Friday. Denver did outscore the reigning NBA champions 60-45 in the second half and shot 51.1 percent, an increase of 17.0 from the opening 24 minutes.

"My message to them after the game is, 'I can coach that team that played in the second half, and be very proud regardless of the results,'" first-year coach Michael Malone said.

Malone may not have Joffrey Lauvergne available for a fourth straight game due to a lower back strain. The 6-foot-11 center is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds and Denver certainly missed him Friday, getting outrebounded 53-43.

The Nuggets could have a tough night on the boards again if Lauvergne can't go since Portland's frontcourt includes forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis and center Mason Plumlee, who have combined for 25.2 of the team's 46.5 rebounds per game.

Will Barton got his career start at forward Friday and had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Nuggets opted for a smaller lineup.

The guard spent his first two-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers before being sent to Denver in a five-player deal before last season's trade deadline.

He had 12 points and seven boards in a 120-114 loss at Portland on March 28.

Danilo Gallinari, who was rested in that meeting, has struggled lately against the Blazers, averaging 7.7 points on 5-of-19 shooting in his last three matchups.

However, he had a season-high 25 points and hit 7 of 13 from the field in Friday's loss.

Denver hasn't opened 0-3 at home since 2002-03.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Spurs (4-2) at Kings (1-6)

Date: November 09, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

With their current homestand consistently producing tough opposition, the Sacramento Kings badly need DeMarcus Cousins back on the floor.

The Kings have lost five straight and 24 of 26 meetings with San Antonio, though they hope to have Cousins back Monday night against the Spurs.

Sacramento (1-6) has dropped all four games without Cousins, who averages 22.0 points and 11.0 rebounds and has been out with a strained right Achilles. He is targeting a return for this contest, which marks the third on a six-game stay at Sleep Train Arena.

Rudy Gay, who averages 17.1 points, is shooting 37.1 percent in the games Cousins has missed compared to 45.1 when the star big man has been on the court.

"I would love to have DeMarcus back. That's my running mate," Gay said. "We need him back. That's reason why I've been playing terribly."

The Kings were blown out in their first two games without Cousins before starting this homestand by losing 116-110 to Houston and 103-94 the next night to Golden State.

"I don't think anybody's happy about where we are," coach George Karl said. "We also know the last two games we've moved in a good direction and it's time to stay positive, it's time to grow, come together. I think it's very easy to see that and now we've got another great competition coming up with San Antonio."

The Spurs (4-2) come to town after shooting a season-high 55.6 percent in Saturday's 114-94 rout of Charlotte. Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points, Patty Mills added 15 off the bench and San Antonio finished with a season-high 35 assists.

"It was good, we came out of the game with 35 assists, you know it seemed like our offense was clicking today," Leonard said.

The Spurs are among the best in the NBA with a 48.1 shooting percentage even though they are mixing in newcomers LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.

"We're all learning each other and it's good to know that when we have glimpses like that," Mills said. "It makes for an exciting sort of time, to know that if we can pull it all together and be more consistent with it, we'll be all right."

Tony Parker has logged more than 30 minutes just once and will match up at point guard with Rajon Rondo, who had 14 points along with season highs of 15 assists and 12 rebounds for his first triple-double Saturday in 44 minutes.

Rondo was forced to shoulder a heavy load since Darren Collison will be sidelined indefinitely by a strained left hamstring. Collison gave the Kings a big lift off the bench, averaging 15.8 points and 5.2 assists through the first six games.

The Kings will look for offense from Marco Belinelli, who scored a season-high 22 on Saturday. Belinelli will face the Spurs for the first time after playing for them the last two seasons.

"He's a guy that can get hot, he's a guy that can take over a quarter coming off the bench," Karl said.

Sacramento is also hoping that backup guard Seth Curry can return from a one-game absence due to an injured ankle.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (3-4) at Clippers (4-2)

Date: November 09, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping they'll have enough without point guard Chris Paul to knock off the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.

The injured Paul is doubtful to play Monday night when the Clippers face visiting Memphis to close a stretch in which they've played five of six at Staples Center.

Paul sat out Saturday's 109-105 home loss to Houston after the eight-time All-Star strained his right groin late in a 112-108 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. Austin Rivers made his first start of the season in Paul's place and scored 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting with one assist and turnover in 31 minutes.

"I didn't think we were very organized. I didn't think we executed very well," coach Doc Rivers told the team's official website. "A lot of that was not the point guard, it was just the way we played."

Rivers is certainly a downgrade at the point with a career 2.02 assist-to-turnover ratio compared to Paul's 4.12. Rivers is also shooting just 38.1 percent, while Paul is averaging 17.0 points and 8.2 assists and shooting 46.2 percent for the Clippers (4-2).

However, six players had at least three assists against the Rockets to help Los Angeles post a season best with 29.

The Clippers have surrendered 47 fast-break points in the last two games compared to 39 in their first four, and gave up 46 points to James Harden.

"Defensively we gave up easy buckets, especially late in the third and beginning of the third," said Blake Griffin, who had 35 points, 11 rebounds and team-high five assists.

Griffin is off to an impressive start, averaging 29.3 points while shooting 59.8 percent, though he's at 35.1 percent in his last four meetings with Memphis.

The Grizzlies (3-4) have dropped three of four on a season-high five-game trip while continuing to struggle on both ends of the court. They lost 89-79 at Utah on Saturday to mark the third time this season they've been held below 80 points.

Memphis shot a paltry 33.0 percent against a Jazz team that has been limiting opponents to 39.4. Mike Conley scored 20 points but was 8 of 25 from the floor, and backcourt mate Courtney Lee went 2 for 10 to fall to 37.1 percent for the season.

The 25 shot attempts were a career high for Conley, who is 12 of 37 in his last four games against the Clippers.

The Grizzlies haven't been able to compensate with good defense, either. Their 101.7 points and 47.0 percent shooting allowed are their worst marks since 2009-10.

"We can be better," coach Dave Joerger said. "They're sticking together. We knew coming in it was a rough patch to our schedule. ... We want to put out better performances on a consistent basis. Now you need every single win, don't get me wrong, in the West. But to go out and play better and be more who we are on a nightly basis would be good."

These have been two of the league's worst 3-point shooting teams with Memphis hitting 27.0 percent and making only 5.3 per game. The Clippers are averaging 107.3 points but are shooting 27.5 percent from long range after finishing third in the NBA last season (37.6).

Since acquiring Paul in 2011, Los Angeles has won the only time it's faced Memphis without him, earning a 99-73 road victory on Jan. 14, 2013.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pistons (5-1) at Warriors (7-0)

Date: November 09, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

It's not surprising that the Golden State Warriors are the last remaining unbeaten team in the NBA and closing in on their best start in franchise history.

The Detroit Pistons' strong start is far more unexpected.

The Warriors could be in for a stiff test Monday night when they try to extend the longest home winning streak in franchise history against the Pistons.

Golden State (7-0) is off to its best start since relocating to the West Coast before the 1962-63 season. The Warriors are two wins shy of matching the team record from 1960-61 when they were located in Philadelphia.

Detroit (5-1), however, has as many wins now as it did at Christmas last year as it went on to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight time.

The Pistons' turnaround includes winning all three road games while averaging 108.7 points. It's their best start away from home since opening 5-0 in 2005-06.

They won their latest away contest in stunning fashion Sunday, obliterating a 13-point deficit with a 41-11 fourth quarter to beat Portland 120-103. Reggie Jackson scored 26 of his career-high 40 points in the final period while Andre Drummond added 29 with 27 rebounds.

"I told him (Jackson) it was time for him to take over," Drummond said. "I told him he needed to step it up and take over in this fourth quarter."

Jackson, acquired from Oklahoma City at last season's trade deadline, leads the team with 23.2 points per game after scoring a career-high 14.5 last season.

The guard has averaged 9.5 points in his last four visits to Oakland.

Drummond continues to emerge as more than just a threat on the glass, averaging 20.3 points while adding a league-leading 20.3 rebounds. He's had at least 20 points and 20 boards in three of his last four games.

'Andre's numbers are phenomenal," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. "If he didn't get a rebound the rest of this trip he'd be in the top three or four in rebounding. What he's doing on the boards is just phenomenal. He was just swallowing the ball up down the stretch.'

Drummond has 22 points and 25 rebounds in a 105-98 loss at Golden State on March 11.

That was the Warriors' eighth consecutive win in the series and fifth straight at home.

The matchup is part of a team-record 22-game home winning streak, the league's longest since Denver won 23 in a row from Jan. 2-April 17, 2013.

Golden State has won 41 of its last 42 at home during the regular season, with the only blemish an overtime loss to Chicago on Jan. 27.

The Warriors overcame a season-worst 41.3 percent shooting in a 103-94 victory at Sacramento on Saturday.

"We couldn't get our shots to go in - it happens," interim coach Luke Walton said. "But we found a way to grind it out. We had some wide open looks that wouldn't go down. It was one of those random nights."

That was certainly the case for Stephen Curry, who scored 21 of his season-low 24 points in the second half. He's averaging a league-best 33.9 points per game while connecting on 47.5 percent from 3-point range.

The reigning NBA MVP has been kept mostly in check when facing the Pistons, averaging 17.3 points in the past four meetings. He was limited to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting in the March win.

The Warriors will reportedly have center Andrew Bogut available after he missed six games with a concussion. They may still opt to start Festus Ezeli, who is averaging 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Magic, Pacers both won three of their last four games.
-- Hawks won last seven games, covered last four. Minnesota won all three of its road games.
-- Trailblazers won three of their last four games.
-- Spurs won/covered four of their last five games.
-- Detroit won five of its first six games. Golden State is 7-0 SU, but 0-3 vs spread in last three games.

Cold teams
-- 76ers are 0-6 but covered three of last four games. Bulls lost three of last five games (1-4 vs spread).
-- Nuggets lost four of their last five games.
-- Kings lost their last five games (1-3 vs spread last four).
-- Grizzlies are 1-3 on this west coast road trip. Clippers lost last two games, are 0-3 vs spread in last three home games.

Totals
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Indiana-Orlando games.
-- Four of last five Chicago-Philly games went over.
-- Seven of last nine Atlanta-Minnesota games went over.
-- Last four Portland games went over the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five San Antonio games.
-- Four of last five Detroit games stayed under.
-- Five of seven Memphis games stayed under total.

Series records
-- Pacers won eight of last nine games with Orlando.
-- Bulls won last six games with Philly but covered only one of last five series games.
-- Hawks won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Portland won its last eight games with Denver.
-- Spurs won nine of last ten games with Sacramento.
-- Warriors won their last eight games with Detroit.
-- Clippers won last two games with Memphis, after losing seven of previous eight series games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers November 9, 7:00 EST

Historically, Orlando hasn't had many Magic tricks up its sleeve when visiting Pacers. Orlando has lost seven straight on Pacers hardwood with a money-burning 1-6 mark against the betting line. Additionally, Orlando has been a terrible play for bettors in Monday road games posting a 6-12 ATS record.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 9 Essentials
By Tony Mejia

Monday, Oct. 9

Chicago at San Diego: There’s no getting around the fact these teams are both two-win teams. Jay Cutler has done his part in helping make the Bears look respectable over the last month and has a considerably healthier Alshon Jeffery to ease his burden. Chicago has played four straight games decided by three points or less, covering three of those and winning two outright. The Chargers have played five consecutive one-possession games, dropping four in a row in frustrating fashion. Philip Rivers has been prolific, but won’t be as effective if he can’t get top target Keenan Allen back from a shoulder injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Total Talk - Week 9
By Chris David

Under the Lights

Chicago at San Diego: Seems like a high total (49 ½) but both the Chargers (28.4 PPG) and Bears (28.9 PPG) have been diced up on defense and as much as you might dislike their quarterbacks, they’re both capable of moving the chains. San Diego has been better offensively and worse defensively at home, which has helped the ‘over’ go 3-1. Even though Chicago is on the road, this venue isn’t as close to hostile as previous road trips this season to Seattle or Kansas City, where the Bears put up 18 in two games. The Chargers have seen their last five home games against NFC opponents all go ‘over’ the number. Make a note that both Chicago (Matt Forte) and San Diego (Keenan Allen) will be missing key players on offense.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bears, Chargers clash on MNF

CHICAGO BEARS (2-5) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2-6)

Line: San Diego -4, Total: 49.5

Both of teams will be looking for a spark to ignite their seasons Monday night as the Bears lumber into Southern California to take on the Chargers.

The Chicago Bears (2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS) have struggled through the first eight weeks of the season, dropping three games to start the season, and losing their past two games by a field goal apiece.

San Diego (2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS) hasn’t fared much better, losing six of their past seven games, including last week’s heartbreaker at Baltimore, despite the offensive prowess of QB Philip Rivers.

The trends are a mixed bag for the Bears in this week’s game. Underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points with a poor first half defense (14+ PPG) are 70-31 ATS since 1983 coming off a loss by 6 or fewer points, and the team is 18-6 ATS against AFC West division opponents since 1992. On the other hand, Chicago is 14-39 ATS versus excellent offensive teams (averaging 6+ yards/play) since 1992.

In the Chargers’ favor, favorites with a terrible passing defense (allowing 7.5+ yards/attempt) are 40-21 over the last five seasons coming off of two straight games of allowing 7+ yards/attempt.

Both teams are reeling from injuries to key players, with Chicago RB Matt Forte (knee) and San Diego WR Keenan Allen (kidney) expected not to play Monday night. The Bears will also be watching WR Eddie Royal (knee), LB Shea McClellin (knee), T Jermon Bushrod (concussion), and C Hroniss Grasu (neck) who are all listed as questionable.

The Chargers can practically field a full team with injured players, as TE Ladarius Green (angle), DE Corey Liuget (foot), S Eric Weddle (groin), G Orlando Franklin (leg), LB Denzel Perryman (bicep), LB Tourek Williams (foot), CB Craig Mager (hamstring), LB Manti Te’o (ankle), CB Brandon Flowers (knee), and T King Dunlap (ankle) are all questionable to play Monday.

Chicago’s offense has experienced a significant downgrade this season relative to the last few years, thanks to injuries that have kept WR Alshon Jeffrey sidelined for all but three games, and the off-season departure of WR Brandon Marshall. The team generates 20.0 PPG and 333 YPG (both 27th in NFL), and QB Jay Cutler has only found the end zone through the air on eight occasions (25th in league). On the plus side, the offense has only turned the ball over eight times (7th in NFL), and has seen an uptick in their last three games scoring 24.0 PPG and gaining 359.0 YPG. Cutler is 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS in his career playing the Chargers, averaging 254.5 YPG and tallying nine TDs in six games.

Opponents have been able to plow through the Bears’ defense this season, hanging an average of 28.9 PPG (29th in league). The squad has produced just eight turnovers (24th in NFL), and ranks towards the bottom of the league in passing TDs allowed (16) and rushing yards allowed (128 YPG). On a bright note, the otherwise porous Chicago run defense has only allowed two TDs on the ground, second-best in the NFL.

San Diego has leaned hard on its offense over the first half of the season, relying almost entirely on QB Philip Rivers to move the ball down the field. The team has scored 23.9 PPG (14th in league), and leads the league in total YPG (423.3) and passing YPG (336.9). Rivers is the league leader in passes completed (243) and attempted (348), and is behind only Patriots’ QB Tom Brady and Cardinals’ QB Carson Palmer with 18 passing TDs – though his productivity may take a hit in the absence of his number one receiver Keenan Allen. Rivers is 1-1 SU and ATS against the Bears in his career, averaging a scant 235 YPG while throwing just 2 TDs and 3 interceptions.

The Chargers’ defense has been as impotent as their opponent’s, allowing 28.4 PPG (27th in NFL) and forcing just seven turnovers (30th in league). They have proven particularly susceptible to the running game, spotting opposing rushers 124.6 YPG (27th in league), 8 TDs (25th in NFL), and a league-worst 5.0 rushing yards per attempt.