Sunday 1/29/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 11:00

Real Betis

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Barcelona

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT REAL BETIS	RECENT FORM
HWALALHWALHD​ Most recent​	0 - 2 1 - 4 1 - 2 2 - 2	ADHWHWAWAWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Barcelona have kept clean sheets in three of their last four fixtures

EXPERT VERDICT: Barcelona's hopes of defending the Copa del Rey increased when Real Madrid crashed out of the competition this week and the Catalans can ratchet up the pressure in the title race by defeating Real Betis in Andalusia. The Catalans have the best away record in the top flight and should outclass Betis, who have failed to score in three of their last four league matches.

RECOMMENDATION: Barcelona to win 2-0
1

Italian Serie A TODAY 11:30

Torino

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Atalanta

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT TORINO	RECENT FORM
ALHWADALHDAL​ Most recent​	2 - 1 0 - 0 1 - 0 2 - 1	ADHWAWALALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Only Napoli have picked up more away points than Atalanta this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Torino welcome back leading hitman Andrea Belotti – scorer of eight in his last nine in the league – from suspension, but this still won't be easy against an impressive Atalanta. Torino are struggling at the moment – no wins in four while Atalanta are up to sixth and confidently fielded a pair of 17-year-olds in their 1-0 win against Sampdoria.

RECOMMENDATION: Atalanta
2

English FA Cup TODAY 12:00

Millwall

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Watford

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MILLWALL	RECENT FORM
HWHWADHWADAD​ Most recent​	0 - 2 2 - 2 1 - 0 0 - 2	HDHLALHWHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Watford are winless in seven away outings

EXPERT VERDICT: Millwall have already dumped out Premier League opposition in this competition and the Lions can continue their run with victory over Watford. Neil Harris’s men cruised past Bournemouth in the last round and with Watford winless in seven away outings this could be the perfect time to face the Premier League side.

RECOMMENDATION: Millwall
2


REFEREE: Martin Atkinson STADIUM:

Dutch Eredivisie TODAY 13:30

Ajax

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Den Haag

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT AJAX	RECENT FORM
ADALALHDAWAW​ Most recent​	4 - 0 1 - 0 3 - 2 1 - 1	HLALALHWALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: ADO Den Haag have lost 13 of their last 16 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: It would be a massive surprise if Ajax did not win this game convincingly as ADO have been poor this season, but finding a bet is not easy as Ajax are huge favourites. However, free-kick specialist Lasse Schone has scored in both games since the winter break, takes Ajax's penalties and is a nice price to open the scoring.

RECOMMENDATION: L Schone first goalscorer
1

French Ligue 1 TODAY 14:00

Nice

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Guingamp

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NICE	RECENT FORM
ALHWADAL*HDAD​ Most recent​	0 - 1 1 - 2 1 - 0 2 - 0	HWADHW*ALALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Nice have drawn four of their last five league matches

EXPERT VERDICT: It's just one win in seven for Nice, for whom Mario Balotelli looked off the pace in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Bastia. Draws are becoming a speciality for Lucien Favre's side and they may have to settle for a point against Guingamp. The Bretons, missing classy full-back Jordan Ikoko, struggle for clean sheets but are still going well.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

English FA Cup TODAY 14:00

Sutton Utd

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Leeds

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SUTTON UTD	RECENT FORM
HDALADAWHDHD*​ Most recent​	0 - 6	ADHWAWHWALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Sutton have lost just three times at Gander Green Lane this term

EXPERT VERDICT: Sutton have held both Cheltenham and Wimbledon on their artificial surface in this year’s FA Cup but Leeds could prove a step too far for the lowest-ranked side left in the competition. The National League outfit have thrived at home but Leeds produced a disciplined performance to defeat Cambridge in the last round and should take Sutton seriously.

RECOMMENDATION: Leeds
2


REFEREE: Stuart Attwell STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: Heat winning streak reaches 7
By The Sports Xchange

MIAMI -- Goran Dragic scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the Miami Heat extended their win streak to seven games, defeating the Detroit Pistons 116-103 on Saturday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami also got 19 points from Wayne Ellington, 18 points from James Johnson and 17 points from Dion Waiters, including 13 in the first quarter. Miami shot 53.2 percent from the floor.
The Heat (18-30) have the longest active win streak in the NBA. It's also Miami's longest win streak since February 2014.
Detroit (21-26) was led by center Andre Drummond's 17 points and game-high 20 rebounds. He got off to a great start with nine points and eight rebounds in the first quarter. His game-long effort helped Detroit build a 62-40 edge in points in the paint.

Warriors 144, Clippers 98
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Stephen Curry bombed in five 3-pointers in a personal 25-point, third-quarter explosion, helping Golden State run away from Los Angeles in a victory in the NBA's featured matchup on Chinese New Year.
The All-Star starter, playing at home for the first time since the formal announcement last week, poured in a game-high 43 points, delivering the Warriors their eighth consecutive regular-season victory against their Western Conference rival.
The 46-point margin of victory was the Warriors' biggest of the season. The Clippers, meanwhile, hadn't previously lost by more than 26 this year.

Kings 109, Hornets 106
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- DeMarcus Cousins had 35 points and 18 rebounds, and road-weary Sacramento pulled out a victory over Charlotte at the Spectrum Center.
Cousins gave the Kings the lead for good at 108-106 following a drive with 14.3 seconds remaining. After Charlotte's Frank Kaminsky air-balled a 3-point attempt, Cousins came back with a free throw with 0.9 seconds remaining for the final margin.
The Kings were playing the sixth contest of a 12-day, eight-game road trip. They led by as many as 15 late in the third quarter and then made enough big plays to win at the end.

Celtics 112, Bucks 108 (OT)
MILWAUKEE -- Isaiah Thomas scored 37 points and Jae Crowder added 20 as Boston hand Milwaukee an overtime loss at the Bradley Center.
Thomas knocked down six 3-pointers and went 11 for 21 from the floor. Boston made 14 of 40 attempts from distance and shot only 41.6 percent from the field.
Milwaukee got 21 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and 17 from reserve Michael Beasley. But Jabari Parker started 0-for-8 from the floor and went 2 for 13 from the game to finish with four points while the Bucks shot 42.5 percent.

Timberwolves 129, Nets 109
MINNEAPOLIS -- Karl-Anthony Towns had 37 points and 13 rebounds as Minnesota cruised to a win over Brooklyn.
Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Zach LaVine added 20 points and Gorgui Dieng had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which is finding its way under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Timberwolves have won seven of their past 10 games and five of the past six at home.

Grizzlies 102, Jazz 95
SALT LAKE CITY -- Zach Randolph scored 28 points and collected nine rebounds while Mike Conley added 23 points to lead Memphis to a victory over Utah.
Marc Gasol added 18 points for the Grizzlies. Randolph, Conley and Gasol combined to shoot 61 percent from the field. Memphis won the season series 3-1 over Utah.
Rodney Hood scored 20 points and George Hill added 16 to lead the Jazz. Alec Burks and Rudy Gobert chipped in 15 points apiece. Utah lost for the third time in four games.

Nuggets 123, Suns 112
PHOENIX -- Danilo Gallinari had a season-high 32 points and Denver erupted for a 36-13 run in the third quarter to beat Phoenix.
Kenneth Faried had 12 of his 21 points in the third quarter and added 13 rebounds for the Nuggets, who hit 18 of 19 free throws in the quarter to beat the Suns for the second time in three days and complete the first four-game sweep in a season series since 2003-04.
Jamal Murray has 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Jameer Nelson added 17 points and Gary Harris 15 for Denver, which finished 37 of 42 from the free-throw line.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA teams are cashing at an alarming rate to close out road trips
By JOE FORTENBAUGH

Your brow is drenched in tiny beads of sweat yet, no matter the amount of effort put forth, you can’t seem to shake the chills that are sprinting up and down your spine. You press the call button and ask the flight attendant for a blanket, and perhaps some ginger ale, in an effort to settle an unruly stomach. Dehydration has set in. Your pockets are light, your mental state is one of utter fragility, your emotions range from a state of disarray to discombobulated and back again. You mutter to yourself, “All I need to do is survive this flight and then I’m off to bed for 48 hours.”

You ease back into your seat ever so delicately and hope, pray even, for the best.

It doesn’t take a world traveler to comprehend that what I’m talking about is that infamous flight home from the great city of Las Vegas, because we’ve all been there before. Sin City is the ultimate road trip, one that is specifically designed to break you at the tables and slots and sportsbooks. And should you somehow manage to survive from a financial perspective, the city will no doubt emerge victorious when it comes to exacting a toll on your mental and physical health.

That’s preciously why I made the pledge more than five years ago to never spend more than three consecutive days on the Las Vegas Strip. Not because I don’t enjoy it. Oh, God, do I enjoy it! It’s because I simply lack the discipline necessary to survive anything greater than a 72-hour run through the Entertainment Capital of the World. I forget to sleep, forget to hydrate, forget to eat. And during that 72-hour stretch, I really don’t even care about rest or water or food.

It’s that damn flight home where I suffer the consequences and commence discussions with a Higher Power.

This, of course, is the most dramatic example of what can happen on a road trip. But we’ve all experienced the natural wear and tear that comes from a four, five or even week-long trek to another part of the country or world for business. By the end, we just want to sleep in our own beds and watch the latest binge craze courtesy of Netflix - no matter how much fun we had. That’s because no matter what new and exciting pleasures the road has to offer, there’s just no substitute for the tranquility and peace that comes from the home.

Professional athletes are not immune to the distractions inherent on any road trip. Look no further than Staples Center during a Sunday matinee for proof. In most instances, the Lakers’ opponent enjoys itself a tad too much the night before in the City of Angles while rubbing elbows with some combination of actors, musicians and models and shows up flat for an early start time the next afternoon.

These are preciously the situations that we are looking to exploit.

There is a long-standing belief in the National Basketball Association that clubs generally fall flat on their respective faces during the last game of a lengthy road trip. Fatigue, long travel, late nights, uncomfortable hotel beds - you name it. Any combination of the aforementioned, and beyond, play a role in wearing down even the best in the business. Hell, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got smoked by 35 points at Golden State on January 16 in what was the final contest of a six-game road trip.

But I’m here to tell you that, at least as far as the 2016-2017 NBA campaign is concerned, something very intriguing has developed in regards to lengthy road trips. Specifically, what takes place from a betting perspective in the final game of said road trips.

Let’s take a look:

2016-2017 NBA SU & ATS Road Records In Final Game Of Road Trip

Final game of 3-game road trip: 19-19 SU, 24-14 ATS
Final game of 4-game road trip: 12-3 SU, 12-3 ATS
Final game of 5-game road trip: 10-10 SU, 12-8 ATS
Final game of 6-game road trip: 4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS
Final game of 7-game road trip: 0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS

All previous theories be damned! What the information above tells us is that NBA road teams are actually thriving in the final game of their road trips this season, not faltering. So much so, in fact, that you would be turning an insane profit (.800 winning percentage) had you only wagered in situations in which a road team was playing its final contest of a four-game road trip. In fact, you’d be turning a profit in every road game situation this season outside of the final game of a six or seven-game roadie.

If nothing else, the above intelligence is more than worthy of consideration for the remainder of the NBA season. And because I love ya, I’ve gone ahead and taken the liberty of listing below all of the final-road-game situations that are coming up in the immediate future.

Best of luck!

*Number in parenthesis indicates length of road trip.

1/27: Spurs at Pelicans (4)
1/29: Rockets at Pacers (5)
1/30: Magic at Timberwolves (3)
1/30: Nets at Heat (3)
1/31: Kings at Rockets (8)
2/1: Knicks at Nets (3)
2/1: Clippers at Suns (5)
2/4: Hornets at Jazz (3)
2/4: Bucks at Suns (3)
2/4: Grizzlies at Timberwolves (6)
2/5: Raptors at Nets (3)
2/6: 76ers at Pistons (4)
2/9: Cavaliers at Thunder (4)
2/9: Jazz at Mavericks (3)
2/10: Lakers at Bucks (5)
2/11: Heat at 76ers (4)
2/11: Nuggets at Cavaliers (3)
2/12: Bulls at Timberwolves (6)
2/13: Celtics at Mavericks (4)
2/13: Warriors at Nuggets (3)
2/13: Clippers at Jazz (5)
2/15: Pelicans at Grizzlies (4)
2/26: Spurs at Lakers (8)
2/28: Trail Blazers at Pistons (4)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Spurs in rebound mode'

Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs January 29, 7:00 EST

The San Antonio Spurs dropping a 119-103 decision Friday to the New Orleans Pelicans as -7.0 point road favorite return to the comfort of AT&T Center where they'll host Dallas Mavericks. The best thing San Antonio supporters can do after the upset loss is "fuhgeddaboudit". That's because, Spurs will put that defeat behind them and get back to their winning ways. Spurs have shown a habit of bouncing back and recovering cash for supporters after a loss. In nine losses prior to the defeat in New Orleans the Spurs rebounded the next effort winning eight of those games with a profitable 6-3 record against the betting line.

Another nod towards San Antonio. The Spurs are on a 10-2 ATS stretch at home, 7-1 ATS streak with one days rest.

Additionally, some teams just have another teams number and that is the case with Spurs when it comes to Mavericks. The Spurs have won 17 of 19 regular season meetings (12-7 ATS) including 10 consecutive (5-5 ATS) on AT&T Center hardwood in San Antonio.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Knicks (21-27) at Hawks (27-20)

Date: January 29, 2017 3:00 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- If the New York Knicks are serious about trying to make a playoff push, they may have to start without one of their best players.

Point guard Derrick Rose hurt his left ankle on Friday and may not play Sunday afternoon when the Knicks visit the Atlanta Hawks.

Rose stepped on Kemba Walker's foot in Friday's win over Charlotte and left the game with 4:19 in the third period. He did not return.

"It's nothing major," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said after the game. "He'll be back whenever sprained ankles heal. Could be the next game, could be two, three games."

Rose has missed six games with back spasms this season. Brandon Jennings finished the game for Rose on Friday and had 15 points in the 110-107 win over the Hornets.

New York (21-27) has won two of its last three games. The Knicks are in the fourth game of a six-game stretch that includes five road games. They are two games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"Over the past six or seven games, our effort has been much better," New York's Carmelo Anthony said. "We're playing harder than we have in the past and as a result we've won a couple of games. Our energy is a big reason we've been winning some games."

Atlanta (27-20) showed little energy in its 112-86 home loss to the Washington Wizards on Friday. The Hawks were sluggish on offense and defense and allowed the faster-paced Wizards to take control of the game early.

"We came out lackadaisical," said Atlanta forward Paul Millsap, who scored a season-low four points after learning he'd been named to the NBA All-Star team. "We didn't give them any resistance. We have to focus on ourselves and figure it out."

The Hawks will also need a better effort from point guard Dennis Schroder. He was 3-for-11 shooting with four turnovers and a minus-24 against the Wizards. Against the Knicks this season, Schroder has been either very good (27 and 28 points) or very bad (one point).

"We can't come out like (they did against Washington)," Schroder said. "We just have to be better. It starts with me. I have to set the tone."

It will be the final meeting between the teams this season. Atlanta has two of the three previous games. The Hawks won the last meeting on Jan. 16 when Schroder made a late 3-pointer in a 108-107 victory.

Atlanta fans are more likely to remember the previous game in Atlanta on Dec. 28. Anthony was ejected in the first period after punching Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha. The Knicks were already playing without Courtney Lee, who was out with a sore wrist, and Atlanta prevailed 102-98.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (28-19) at Cavaliers (31-14)

Date: January 29, 2017 3:30 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- Kyle Korver surpassed 10,000 career points during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 124-116 win Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. It has been one of his few moments to celebrate since getting traded to Cleveland earlier this month.

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged Korver's transition into the Cavs' system has been tougher than he anticipated.

As the Cavaliers prepare to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Korver is averaging 8.8 points and shooting 44 percent from 3-point range through his first nine games with his new team.

He is used to doing things that aren't naturally part of the Cavs' system, so Lue has spent the little practice time the Cavs have trying to get him acclimated to them and them to him.

"It's not going to be just overnight," LeBron James said. "That's the problem. Everyone wants instant oatmeal. You got to cook it, got to let it simmer and then figure it out from there. We got time."

Since James returned to Cleveland, the Cavs have been a drive-and-kick offense predicated on James and Kyrie Irving getting into the lane and then making the decision whether to attack the basket or kick out to shooters. That means the shooters are often stationed around the perimeter, either in the corners or on the wings with very little movement.

Korver spent 3 1/2 seasons in a motion-based offense in Atlanta. And that's where the problems come in.

"I thought it would be an adjustment," Korver said. "It depends on what role I guess you want me to play."

The Cavs want Korver to do what he's comfortable doing, but that means an adjustment for everyone and calling more sets that demand more movement.

"It's been tricky," Lue said. "But it's my job to work on it and figure it out, so that's what I've been doing. We'll figure it out."

The Thunder enter riding a three-game winning streak and following two days off. It will be their first game without key reserve Enes Kanter, the backup center who was having his best season. Kanter could miss two months after breaking his forearm when he punched a chair in frustration during Thursday's win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Replacing Kanter won't be easy. Only three players who have come off the bench at least 20 games this season average more than the 14.4 points Kanter was giving the Thunder.

"Enes was great," Thunder guard Cameron Payne told the Oklahoman. "What he does in the post, he opens up the floor for everyone."

More of the responsibility will fall on Russell Westbrook, whose 23 triple-doubles this season are almost halfway to James' career total of 47. Westbrook is one of three players with at least 20 triple-doubles in a season as he continues his quest to averaging a triple-double.

"I know I'm a little biased because he's my guy," said Cavs All-Star Kevin Love, Westbrook's former teammate at UCLA, "But he's been almost unprecedented this year and done a great job."

Added James: "He's phenomenal. What else can you say about the guy? He's a rare talent and a special player."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Wizards (26-20) at Pelicans (19-28)

Date: January 29, 2017 6:00 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS -- The Washington Wizards are the hottest team in basketball. For most of the season, the New Orleans Pelicans oscillated between hot and cold.

The Pelicans (19-28) defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers and the red-hot San Antonio Spurs at home this week, mixed around lopsided losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA-worst Brooklyn Nets.

So when the Pelicans host the Wizards (26-20) -- winners of 10 of their last 12 games -- at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday, it's anyone's guess which New Orleans team will show up.

"The only thing that I keep telling these guys, and I really believe it, is if we play to the level we are capable of playing, then we can beat anybody," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. "I do believe that. Obviously, this week we have kind of proven that with wins over the world champs (Cleveland) and a team that's going to have an opportunity to win a championship (San Antonio).

"That says a lot. But we keep going back to that word consistency. We have to do it night in and night out, and we can't just do it against the great teams."

In routing the Spurs 119-103 on Friday night, the Pelicans stunned the Spurs with a 71-46 second half, including a 34-19 fourth quarter.

Even more impressive was that the victory came without a lot of heroics from Anthony Davis. The All-Star forward scored only seven points in the 71-point second half, but appears recovered from a right thigh bruise that limited him earlier in the week.

"We just can't show up for teams that are top-tier teams," Davis said. "We've got to come out and play well against everybody, no matter their record or no matter what it says on the front of their jerseys. We're a great team, and we've got to realize that and play like this every night. The Wizards have been playing well since late December into January. We've got to make sure we play the same way -- defend and get out and run. If we do that, we can take care of business."

The Wizards won seven of their last eight games and are 10-4 in January, including a 112-86 rout of the Atlanta Hawks on the road Friday night. The 26-point victory was their most lopsided of the season and moved the Wizards within a half-game of the Hawks for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks came into the game having won 12 of 15.

John Wall led Washington with 19 points to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Backcourt mate Bradley Beal added 15 points.

"We're a totally different team," Beal said. "In every way. Our confidence, our swag as a team. Everything is a lot better."

The Wizards won four of their last six road games. Washington has not trailed in a game for 141 minutes, 50 seconds, the longest active streak in the NBA. The Wizards also have won eight of the last nine games against the Pelicans.

The Wizards are an Eastern Conference best 20-9 since Dec. 1 and are 23-11 since starting the season 3-9. They also have had consecutive 10-win months for the first time since 2006-07.

"That means we're doing something good the last two months," Washington coach Scott Brooks said. "Guys are playing well. We're very confident, but we're not overconfident. We understand that we've got to keep plugging along and playing for each other."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Magic (18-30) at Raptors (29-18)

Date: January 29, 2017 6:00 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors found their defense in the win over the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Orlando Magic were still trying to establish theirs after a loss to the Boston Celtics.

The Raptors and Magic, who had contrasting results Friday, will meet for the second time this season Sunday at the Air Canada Centre.

Toronto defeated Orlando 109-79 Dec. 18 at Amway Center when the Magic committed 20 turnovers leading to 28 points

The Raptors have won 14 of the past 15 games against the Magic with Orlando's win in that span coming Nov. 6, 2015.

The Magic (18-30) lost 128-98 to the Celtics in Boston on Friday and defense was clearly lacking.

"It's everybody," Magic center Bismack Biyombo said. "Our efforts are not good enough. We talk about the right thing. Everybody says the right thing, but we've got to hold each other accountable. At some point, it is embarrassing to be out there."

Biyombo was a solid rebounder off the bench for the Raptors last season and was signed by the Magic to bolster the defense.

"You can have individual defenders, some of the best," Magic forward Aaron Gordon said. "But if they're not on the same page and moving in sync, then that's the result."

The Magic had guard D.J. Augustin back in the lineup Friday after he missed the loss to the Chicago Bulls Tuesday with a sprained right ankle. He had six points and four assist in 18 minutes off the bench.

Swingman Evan Fournier, who has missed seven games with a right heel injury, worked out with the team Saturday and could return Sunday.

Fournier led the Magic with 15 points against Toronto in the first meeting this season.

Toronto All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan missed his third straight game with a sprained right ankle Friday, a 102-86 win that ended a season-high five-game losing streak.

DeRozan is listed as questionable for the game Sunday.

Kyle Lowry led the way Friday with 32 points for the Raptors but Bucks coach Jason Kidd mentioned the All-Star point guard's defense as well.

"He causes problems on the offensive end, he's going to put pressure," Kidd said. "But defensively, you have to be aware of him because he comes up with steals, he's always causing havoc."

Raptors coach Dwane Casey praised DeMarre Carroll for his defensive play on Friday. "As far as our attention to detail, I thought DeMarre Carroll did an excellent job of guarding his yard," Casey said. "Making sure he stuck with the game plan and stayed disciplined."

The return of Patrick Patterson also has helped the Raptors' defense. He started Friday and had 10 points and seven rebounds. It was his third game back after missing 10 of the 12 previous games with a strained left knee.

"When Pat plays, it's a lot different," Lowry said. "He spaces the floor and he can give you that matchup and guard a guy like (Milwaukee's) Jabari Parker and Giannis (Antetokounmpo). You have those type of matchups and he spaces the floor. Having Pat is an important part to our team."

The Raptors (29-18) are 7-8 in January and the win Friday should take off some pressure.

"Everybody has their own philosophy and feelings about what's wrong and what's right, what we should be doing, what we're not doing," Casey said. "It's about going out and playing. Guys just don't forget how to play basketball. Going through a little something, -- still have to continue to work to get better this time of year -- and actions are far more important than words."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (35-15) at Pacers (24-22)

Date: January 29, 2017 6:00 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George said he is starting to round into form and starting to get into playoff mode.

George has produced 30 points in a season-high three straight games and he will attempt to deliver another big game for the Indiana Pacers when they host the Houston Rockets on Sunday nights.

George scored 33 points against the Sacramento Kings Friday when the Pacers rallied from 16 points down and came away with a 115-111 overtime victory.

"I'm feeling good," George said. "I'm feeling in rhythm, and starting to form into second half, playoff like basketball."

The Pacers have won two in a row following a three-game losing streak and their rhythm seems to be based upon George's big games. When he gets 24 or more points in a game, the Pacers are 13-3 and when he does not, Indiana is 11-19.

George played the final 16 minutes and a season-high 44:55 Friday to counter a physical opponent.

"We knew how this team plays, and we knew we had to match it," George said. "I was trying to counter their physicality and took what they gave me."

Indiana's impressive 17-6 record at home will be put to the test against the Rockets, a team that is 18-10 on the road. This will be the Pacers fourth game in the last seven nights, which could be a factor as they try to defend Houston's up-tempo offense, which is third in pace.

Houston leads the NBA in 3-point attempts (39.5) and makes (14.5) per game, while the Pacers give up the fourth most attempts (29.4) from behind the arc this season. It could be a long night for Indiana unless they defend the 3-point line like they usually do at 34.9 percent.

"We're at our best when we play physical on the defensive end," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "When we do that, we seem to also have a better flow on the offensive end."

The Rockets are just 2-2 on their current road trip. They avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season with Friday's 123-118 win at Philadelphia.

James Harden is having another MVP-caliber season. Harden had eye-popping numbers of 51 points and 13 rebounds and 13 assists Friday night for his 14th triple-double.

Harden is the only player in the NBA this season with multiple 50-point games.

"I don't know how you guard him," Rockets Coach Mike D'Antoni said.

Harden was 6-of-18 and 2-of-11 from 3-point range Wednesday in Boston but rebounded Friday to go 16-of-28 and 6-of-11 from the arc.

"I just had to get back in the gym and get my confidence back a little," Harden said. "I tried to get aggressive and knock down some shots. Assists and everything else are going to be there."

Former Hoosier and Indiana native Eric Gordon has missed the last two games (lower back), and is listed as questionable for Sunday. For the Pacers, Rodney Stuckey is still out (left hamstring strain), and Kevin Seraphin is questionable (sore left knee).

The Rockets are 3-7 in their last 10 games at Indiana.

Harden totaled 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Houston's 107-103 overtime win at home on Jan. 10. 2016. George collected 25 points and 11 rebounds in Indiana's 104-101 home win on March 27.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mavericks (16-30) at Spurs (36-10)

Date: January 29, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

Round three of the annual four-game Texas Showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks will be contested when the two teams meet on Sunday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The first two games between the Lone Star State rivals were won by the Spurs in a nine-day span in November, when Dallas was a walking MASH unit and without forward Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks still kept San Antonio's margin of victory to an average of six points, and anything less of an effort from Dallas this time around would be a surprise.

Nowitzki is expected to play Sunday, as is guard Wesley Matthews, who missed the most recent game, a 109-98 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday night, with a right hip strain. Dallas will still be without starting point guard Deron Williams (toe strain) and super sub Jose Juan Barea (left calf strain). Neither will travel south with the team.

The Spurs have won seven straight and 21 of the last 25 regular-season meetings with the Mavericks. San Antonio has taken 12 straight and 16 of the last 19 regular-season games against Dallas played in the Alamo City, and the Mavericks have not defeated the Spurs on the road in the regular season since Nov. 26, 2010.

The Mavericks (16-30) had won five of their past seven games before the loss to the Thunder on Thursday. But it's hard to keep a streak like that going when four of the top five scorers are out of the lineup.

"It's just been that kind of a year," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "Through it we have to manage the situation. We have to move the franchise forward."

Dallas was led by Harrison Barnes' 31 points in the loss to Oklahoma City. Justin Anderson added 17 for the Mavericks.

Guard Devin Harris, who missed the first two matchups against the Spurs with an injury, likes how his team responded to the adversity and has played through tough stretches this season.

"We understand how we need to play to be successful and win," Harris said. "Experience helps. Expectations are growing."

The Spurs head home for a four-games-in-seven-days homestand after a 119-103 loss at New Orleans. It was the fourth game of a weeklong road trip in which San Antonio won at Cleveland, Toronto and Brooklyn before wearing down in the Big Easy.

The defeat snapped San Antonio's five-game win streak and run of five consecutive victories over the Pelicans. New Orleans' 119 points were the most allowed by the Spurs this season. San Antonio was just 6 of 20 from the floor in the fourth quarter and was outscored 34-19.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich admitted afterward that his team's tank was on empty.

"We couldn't make shots," Popovich said. "Shoot 38 percent on the road and it's hard to win. We hung in there in the first half, but we just ran out of gas.

"New Orleans was aggressive," Popovich added. "They played great for 48 minutes. They moved the ball, hit the boards hard and got loose balls. They did a great job."

The Spurs (36-10) were paced by Kawhi Leonard with 23 points while forward Davis Bertans hit for 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range. Leonard was back in the lineup after a two-game absence with a sore left hand and saw his six-game streak with 30-plus points come to an end.

San Antonio's Pau Gasol will miss his sixth straight game after he fractured his left fourth metacarpal in pregame warmups prior to the Spurs' win over Denver on Jan. 19. There is no timetable for his return. Guard Jonathon Simmons will also miss Sunday's game because of a sprained right wrist.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 76ers (17-28) at Bulls (23-25)

Date: January 29, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- The Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls appear to be headed in opposite directions within the Eastern Conference going into their game Sunday night at the United Center.

Philadelphia (17-28) is coming off a 123-118 loss at home Friday to the Houston Rockets, and won't have star center Joel Embiid who didn't make the trip to rest a sore knee. The 76ers will have stretch forward Ersan Ilyasova and point guard T.J. McConnell, who've each played significant roles of late.

Ilyasova, 29, is averaging 15.1 points a game and just had a streak of 25 straight games scoring in double figures end against the Rockets.

"He's been so good for us," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told the team's website Saturday. "Really, I think if you point to some single things that have influenced our recent success and our progression, it's him."

Philadelphia's recent success dates back to Dec. 30, when McConnell was promoted to starting point guard. Since then, the 76ers are 10-4 and McConnell nearly had his fourth straight game with double-digit assists against the Rockets.

"T.J. has been excellent," Embiid told the team's website. "I thought the past 10 games, 13 games, I think he's been our MVP just pushing the ball up the court, just sharing the ball. That's what point guards do, and I think he's been excellent."

The Bulls (23-25) were anything but excellent in their past two games and began to criticize each other via postgame interviews and social media accounts.

They're still eighth in the East, the final playoff spot, but have lost their past two games. Even worse is the fallout from critical postgame comments by stars Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler following Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

After watching a 10-point lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter slip away, Wade and Butler went off on their young teammates in postgame interview sessions. Rajon Rondo then fired back Thursday on his Instagram account, writing pointed words likely intended to criticize Wade and Butler.

Following a team meeting Friday that essentially replaced the morning shootaround, the Bulls lost 100-88 at home to the Miami Heat that night and turned in another lackluster effort.

Wade and Butler were benched to start the game, a punishment for their comments, and neither played all that well. Wade had 15 points, but Butler was held to a season-low three points on 1-of-13 shooting.

"I just didn't make shots," Butler told the Bulls' website. "I didn't do what I was supposed to do. That's fine. I'm not down on myself. I still have to be who I am, work and come back Sunday. My job is to go out and hoop. I didn't do a great job of that (against Miami)."

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Wade and Butler will return to the starting lineup Sunday. Hoiberg and Chicago's front office are hopeful the damage can be mended quickly among players.

"We obviously had a very emotional day," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "It's not an excuse for how we played. It's the worst game we played all year, in my opinion. I hope what happened (Friday) morning has long-term benefits for our team."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Warriors (40-7) at Trail Blazers (21-27)

Date: January 29, 2017 9:00 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers aren't claiming momentum as they take a modest three-game winning streak into Sunday's night's Moda Center matchup with the Golden State Warriors.

A victory over the Warriors could change that.

"If we keep it going," center Mason Plumlee said, asked after Friday night's 112-109 win over Memphis if the Trail Blazers were taking momentum into the Golden State game. "If we come in here and win Sunday, it will keep the ball rolling."

Portland (21-27) has won three straight games for the first time since Nov. 30-Dec. 5. The Blazers are in the middle of a five-game homestand as they battle Denver for the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.

"We have to take advantage of home games right now," said guard CJ McCollum, who scored 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting against the Grizzlies.

"We're feeling good about ourselves," said guard Allen Crabbe, who came off the bench for 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting - including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. "We need to polish up some of the things that we were having trouble with, making sure those things don't come back. It seems like we've stepped back every time we've had a couple of wins, but our focus is on moving forward."

Portland got a clutch performance from point guard Damian Lillard, a day after he was left off the list of reserves tabbed for the West team in the All-Star Game next month.

Lillard, who is the only player among the league's top dozen scorers not to make the game, scored 15 of his 33 points in the final 6:25 against the Grizzlies. Lillard featured 13 straight Blazer points in a span of 2:40 -- a pair of free throws, a 21-foot jump shot, then three successive 3-pointers, the last one giving Portland a 106-101 lead with 3:45 to play.

"Dame carried us," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "It was good to see him have a stretch like that. He hasn't had one of those in a while. It was good to see the ball go through and have him carry the team like that. We don't win the game if he doesn't carry us offensively."

The Warriors carry an NBA-best 40-7 record into the Moda Center after a 144-98 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday night at Oracle Arena.

"It's going great," Golden State coach Steve Kerr told the Portland Tribune. "The record is good, but more importantly, we're making really good strides, improving all the time."

Golden State ranks No. 1 in the league in defensive efficiency.

"The first month of the season, we weren't close to that," Kerr said. "Over the last month, we've really gotten better at that end. That's a great sign considering what we lost personnel-wise over the summer.

"Our defense has changed quite a bit. We had a couple of dominant centers in (Andrew) Bogut and (Festus) Ezeli. We don't get the shot-blocking from the center position now, but we get solid play from Zaza (Pachulia) and David West. We play a little faster defensively with (Kevin Durant) and Draymond (Green) and Klay (Thompson) and Andre (Iguodala), wings who do a lot of switching. It's been great to see the guys coming around and clicking together."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Sunday’s games

New York split its last six games; they’re 4-5 vs spread in last nine road games, Three of their last four games stayed under total. Atlanta also split its last six games; they’re 4-10 in last 14 games as a home favorite- over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Knicks are 4-6 in their last ten games against the Hawks; they’re 2-3 in last five visits to Atlanta- New York covered last five series games. Six of last eight series games went over.

Oklahoma City won/covered its last three games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as a road underdog. Under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Cleveland lost six of its last nine games; they are 1-5 vs spread in last six home games- their last five games went over. Thunder lost their last three games with Cleveland by 10-4-23 points; Oklahoma City lost last two visits here by 10-4 points- they’re 0-4 vs spread in last four trips to Ohio. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Washington won seven of its last eight games (7-0-1 vs spread); they’re 2-4 as road favorites. Over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. New Orleans won seven of last ten home games; they’re 6-10 as home favorites- their last five games went over. Pelicans lost eight of last nine games with Washington; they’re 2-8 vs spread in last ten series games. Under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Wizards won four of last five visits to Bourbon Street; they’re 6-0 vs spread in last six visits here.

Orlando lost six of last seven games; they’re 3-7 in last ten games as a road underdog. Three of their last four games stayed under. Toronto lost five of last six games; they’re 5-3 vs spread in last eight home games. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Raptors won nine of last ten games with Orlando, winning last four played here, by 5-13-4-15 points (2-2 vs spread). Five of last six series games stayed under.

Houston is 4-6 in its last ten games, 2-5 vs spread in its last seven road games. Five of their last seven games stayed under total. Pacers won six of their last seven home games; they’re 2-3 as home underdogs. Three of their last four games went over total. Rockets won four of last five games with Indiana (4-1 vs spread) but lost three of last four trips here. Three of last four series games went over total.

Dallas is 5-3 in its last eight games; they’re 10-13 as road underdogs. Under is 7-4 in their last 11 games. San Antonio won five of its last six games; they’re 10-2 vs spread in last dozen home games. Eight of their last nine games went over. Spurs won their last seven games with Dallas (4-3 vs spread); Mavericks lost last five visits to Alamo (3-2 vs spread). Eight of last ten series games stayed under total.

76ers are 8-3 in their last 11 games, 12-2 vs spread in their last 1r4; their last four games went over total. Sixers are 9-4 in last 13 games as a road dog. Chicago lost four of last six games; 2-12 in last 14 games as a home favorite. Under is 4-1 in their last five games. Bulls won their last ten games with Philly, covering four of last five; over is 8-2 in last ten series games. 76ers lost last four visits to Windy City (2-2 vs spread) losing by 10-19-7-10 points.

Warriors beat the Clippers by 46 last night; they’ve won nine of last ten games, are 4-1 vs spread in last five road games, but are 1-7 vs spread if they played night before. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Portland won its last three games; they’re 2-4 as home underdogs. Golden State won nine of its last ten games with Portland (7-3 vs spread); they won last two visits here, by 7-23 points. Eight of last ten series games went over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Top 25 roundup: Syracuse jolts No. 6 Florida State
By The Sports Xchange

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Andrew White scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and John Gillon scored Syracuse's final 13 points as the Orange nearly squandered an 18-point halftime lead before defeating No. 6. Florida State 82-72 on Saturday in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at the Carrier Dome.
The Seminoles, who have lost two consecutive games for the first time this season, couldn't overcome a disastrous first half against an unranked opponent for the second straight game. They fell behind Georgia Tech 41-15 at the half on Wednesday and lost 78-56.
Florida State (18-4, 6-3 ACC) outscored Syracuse 46-38 in the second half but could never grab the lead. Dwayne Bacon and Jonathan Isaac led the Seminoles with 19 points apiece.
Gillon scored 21 points, 16 in the second half, and had 11 assists with two turnovers. Tyler Lydon added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Orange (13-9, 5-4).

No. 2 Kansas 79, No. 4 Kentucky 73
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Senior guard Frank Mason III scored 21 points and No. 2 Kansas rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit to defeat No. 4 Kentucky in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Freshman guard Josh Jackson added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Jayhawks (19-2). Senior center Landen Lucas scored 13 and junior guard Devonte' Graham added 12.
Kentucky (17-4) received 18 points apiece from freshman guard Malik Monk and senior forward Derek Willis. Freshman guard De'Aaron Fox and freshman forward Bam Adebayo each added 10.
Kansas used an 11-0 run over a 2:42 stretch late in the game to blow out to a 69-59 lead. It was the Jayhawks' largest lead as the Jayhawks made 5-of-6 shots during that stretch while Kentucky went 3:40 without scoring a point.

No. 3 Gonzaga 96, Pepperdine 49
MALIBU, Calif. -- Przemek Karnowski scored 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting and No. 3 Gonzaga tied a school record with its 22nd straight victory by posting the easy win over Pepperdine in a West Coast Conference game.
The Bulldogs' winning streak is the longest in the nation. The streak also matches a 22-game stretch for the Bulldogs in the 2014-15 season. Silas Melson added 15 points and Zach Collins had 14 for Gonzaga (22-0, 10-0).
Pepperdine (6-16, 2-8) was led by Jeremy Major's 13 points. The Waves' leading scorer, Lamond Murray Jr., finished almost nine points below his average, with 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field.

No. 5 Baylor 78, Mississippi 75
OXFORD, Miss. -- Fifth-ranked Baylor continued its trend of coming from behind and winning close games as the Bears pulled out the victory over Mississippi in a SEC/Big 12 Challenge contest.
Guard Manu Lecomte hit a deep 3-pointer from several feet beyond the top of the arc to put Baylor ahead 78-72 with 23 seconds left, helping the Bears to the victory. Lecomte scored 17 points to lead Baylor (20-1) and forwards Jo Lual-Acuil and Johnathan Motley scored 16 points apiece and combined for 18 rebounds.
Guard Breein Tyree and forward Sebastian Saiz scored 20 points apiece for Ole Miss (12-9), with most of their production coming in the first half.

Miami 77, No. 9 North Carolina 62
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Freshman guard Bruce Brown scored a career-high 30 points to lead Miami to a stunning victory over ninth-ranked North Carolina in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
The unranked Hurricanes (14-6, 4-4 ACC) held the visiting Tar Heels (19-4, 7-2) to 35 percent shooting and a season-low points total after switching to an aggressive 2-3 zone defense early in the game. North Carolina fell behind 56-34 with just over 12 minutes left and managed to trim that down to 11 points in the closing minutes but could get no closer.
Forward Justin Jackson led the Tar Heels with 21 points. Guard Ja'Quan Newton scored 18 and guard Davon Reed had 14 for the Hurricanes.

Colorado 74, No. 10 Oregon 65
BOULDER, Colo. -- Derrick White scored 23 points as Colorado stunned No. 10 Oregon in Pac-12 play.
Guard George King added 13 points for the Buffaloes (12-10, 2-7). Xavier Johnson contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Ducks (19-3, 8-1) suffered their first Pac-12 Conference loss and saw their school-record 17-game win streak halted. Oregon fell to 0-7 all time at Colorado. Freshman guard Payton Pritchard led Oregon with 19 points.

Georgetown 85, No. 11 Butler 81
INDIANAPOLIS -- L.J. Peak scored 22 points and teammates Rodney Pryor and Jessie Govan each added 20 to power Georgetown to the upset of No. 11 Butler in Big East action.
The loss snapped a 14-game home winning streak by Butler (18-4, 7-3). Kelan Martin scored 22 points for the Bulldogs.
With the game tied at 63, Pryor hit three 3-pointers in a row to give the Hoyas (12-10, 3-6) a 72-65 lead. The Bulldogs followed with a 7-0 run to tie it but Govan later sank a huge 3 at the shot-clock buzzer to put the Hoyas ahead 82-77 with 1:05 to go.

Georgia Tech 62, No. 14 Notre Dame 60
ATLANTA -- Freshman Josh Okogie, who had missed two free throws with less than a minute to play, atoned for the mistake by driving for the winning basket as time expired to give Georgia Tech the upset win over No. 14 Notre Dame at McCamish Pavilion.
Okogie, a 77 percent free-throw shooter, missed a pair with 35.8 seconds left and gave Notre Dame a chance to win. Fighting Irish guard Matt Farrell dribbled out most of the time on the clock before missing a short jumper. The rebound was grabbed by Tadric Jackson, who took a couple of dribbles before firing a bullet pass across the court to Okogie, who streaked to the basket, laid it up and watched it drop through as the horn sounded.
It was the second straight win over a ranked team for Georgia Tech (13-8, 5-4 ACC). Notre Dame (17-5, 6-3) lost its second straight and has dropped three of its last four. The Yellow Jackets have beaten four Top 25 teams this season.

No. 15 Wisconsin 61, Rutgers 54 (OT)
NEW YORK -- Ethan Happ poured in a career-high 32 points as No. 15 Wisconsin survived a scare, knocking off Rutgers in overtime at Madison Square Garden.
Happ scored seven points in the overtime. He shot 12 of 18 as Wisconsin (18-3, 7-1 Big Ten) won despite shooting 33 percent and 3 of 25 from 3-point range. Bronson Koenig, Wisconsin's top scorer (14.6 ppg), was held to just 10 points.
Corey Sanders led Rutgers (12-10, 1-8) with 15 points and Nigel Johnson added 13. The Scarlet Knights are 4-47 in league play since joining the Big Ten in 2014.

No. 16 Creighton 83, DePaul 66
OMAHA, Neb. -- No. 16 Creighton ended its two-game losing skid by running away from DePaul for a Big East Conference victory.
Sophomore guard Khyri Thomas led four players in double figures with 18 points and had a team-high seven rebounds after Creighton (19-3, 6-3 Big East) was held to a season-low 51 points in a 20-point loss at Georgetown on Wednesday.
Marcus Foster (15), Justin Patton (14) and Cole Huff (12) also finished in double figures for the Bluejays. Billy Garrett Jr. scored 18 points for DePaul (8-13, 1-7), which made just 23 of 61 (37.7 percent) before a CenturyLink Center crowd of 17,611.

No. 17 Duke 85, Wake Forest 83
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Luke Kennard's 3-point basket from the wing with 6.6 seconds to play gave No. 17 Duke the comeback victory against host Wake Forest at sold-out Lawrence Joel Coliseum.
Kennard, a sophomore guard, finished with 34 points for the Blue Devils (16-5, 4-4 ACC), who trailed 81-71 with four minutes to play. Grayson Allen added 19 points for Duke, which was in danger of suffering its fourth loss in five games.
Guard Bryan Crawford tallied 26 points, John Collins had 20 points and Keyshawn Woods finished with 15 for Wake Forest (12-9, 3-6). Crawford missed on a baseline runner in the final second with a chance to tie.

No. 18 West Virginia 81, Texas A&M 77
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Guard Jevon Carter had 19 points and nine rebounds as No. 18 West Virginia held off late-charging Texas A&M in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Esa Ahmad sank two free throws with 4.4 seconds left, finishing with 14 points and six assists for the Mountaineers (17-4), who followed up this week's win over No. 2 Kansas by holding off the Aggies (11-9).
Tyler Davis finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds for Texas A&M while Admon Gilder had 24 points and five assists. But each player committed six turnovers, part of the Aggies' season-worst 23. Reserve guard JC Hampton scored 11 of his 21 points in the final 1:32 as Texas A&M pulled within 79-77 and made the departing crowd nervous.

No. 21 Saint Mary's 72, Santa Clara 59
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Jock Landale scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead No. 21 Saint Mary's to a victory over Santa Clara in a West Coast Conference game at the Leavey Center.
Emmett Naar had 15 points and nine assists for the Gaels (18-2, 8-1 WCC) and Calvin Hermanson added 13 points. Saint Mary's shot 57.1 percent from the field.
Nate Kratch led Santa Clara (12-10, 6-3) with 19 points, and Jared Brownridge, who entered the game averaging 18.8 points, scored 13 points although he was just 3 of 14 from the field. K.J. Feagin scored 11 points for the Broncos.

No. 22 Maryland 85, Minnesota 78
MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Jackson scored a career-high 28 points as No. 22 Maryland survived another close game and beat Minnesota.
Jackson made all five of his 3-point attempts in his first double-double. Kevin Huerter added 19 points as the Terrapins (19-2, 7-1 Big Ten) matched the best 21-game start in school history. The 1998-99 team led by Steve Francis also began 19-2.
Akeem Springs had a season-best 23 points in his first year after transferring to Minnesota. Nate Mason added 14 points and Reggie Lynch had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks for the Gophers (15-7, 3-6), who lost their fifth straight game.

No. 23 South Carolina 63, Missouri 53
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Sindarius Thornwell had 16 points and 11 rebounds, helping No. 23 South Carolina fight off struggling Missouri in SEC play.
Rakym Felder scored 13 points off the bench for the Gamecocks (17-4, 7-1). South Carolina hit nine 3-pointers while Missouri went 1 of 16 on 3-pointers against the Gamecocks' defense, which leads the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage defense.
Russell Woods scored a career-high 17 points to lead Missouri (5-15, 0-8). The defeat was the Tigers' 12th straight loss.

No. 25 Florida 84, Oklahoma 52
NORMAN, Okla. -- Kevarrius Hayes scored a career-high 20 points as No. 25 Florida beat Oklahoma at Lloyd Noble Center as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Florida (16-5) got 15 points from Canyon Barry, the graduate transfer and son of legendary player Rick Barry. The Gators hit eight 3-pointers one game after hitting a program-record 19 in that win over LSU. The Gators also outrebounded the Sooners 50-43.
Rashard Odomes led the Sooners (8-12) with 13 points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: North Carolina State Wolfpack (14-7) at Louisville Cardinals (17-4)

Date: January 29, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

Short-handed No. 13 Louisville will be without two guards when it plays red-hot North Carolina State on Sunday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

The Wolfpack (14-7, 3-5 ACC) beat No. 17 Duke 84-82 on Monday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

"This game gives us great confidence now," NC State coach Mark Gottfried said. "We have the belief we can do something good."

The win over Duke snapped a string of four losses in the Wolfpack's last five games.

"We're better than what a lot of people think," NC State freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. said. "A lot of people got down on us with a couple of losses. We never got down on each other, though. We always believed in each other. We believe we can do great things this year."

The Cardinals (17-4, 5-3) will face the Wolfpack without starting point guard Quentin Snider (strained hip flexor) and reserve guard Tony Hicks (broken hand).

"We're going against a team that I don't like going into banged up like we are because they have an explosive one-on-one basketball team, not only in the backcourt but the frontcourt," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. "But the guys have responded well in practice.

"With Tony, we thought it was a jammed finger at the time, not a broken hand. He was just coming around the last two weeks and now we've already been short-handed in the backcourt and now frontcourt players are going to have to play in the backcourt, so we'll see what happens."

Hicks finished Louisville's win over Pittsburgh before x-rays revealed a broken hand after the game. He'll miss at least four weeks, Pitino said. That leaves the Cardinals with a lineup that includes shooting guard Donovan Mitchell shifting to point guard, freshman wing VJ King playing the two spot and junior Deng Adel at small forward.

"We're going through a tough stretch right now, injury-wise," Pitino said. "It's catching us off-guard and we're a key player out and a key player steps up and then he's out. We're down now four scholarships. We'll be happy when we get some players back"

Last season, Louisville accepted a two-scholarship hit in addition to a postseason ban as self-imposed punishment for a the stripper/prostitution scandal uncovered by a book from former escort Katina Powell. Without those two scholarships and now without Snider and Hicks, the Cardinals are thin. Former walk-on David Levitch and freshman guard Ryan McMahon are expected to have to guard NC State's high-powered guards at some point Sunday.

"Well, David and Ryan are both confident in their abilities, which is a good thing," Pitino deadpanned. "David has always been a confident player; in fact, he told a friend that he's surprised he came back for his senior year and he didn't go to the NBA."

For NC State, coming off the biggest win of the season is a good thing, but Gottfried wants to make sure they don't dwell too much on Monday.

"I thought it was important for our guys to enjoy that for a minute, but then I think quickly you have to get your team and your mindset onto the next game," Gottfried said.

NC State has had trouble winning after beating one of its in-state rivals, Duke or North Carolina. The Wolfpack have only won two of the last 21 games immediately after beating Duke or North Carolina.

"We've got to be able to win two in a row," Gottfried said. "We can't just win one, you've got to go find a way to get another one."

In a quirk of ACC scheduling, Louisville will have played four games in 10 days after Sunday. Pitino said he is counting on Louisville fans, who are planning to wear white, to carry his team.

"Our fans have gotten us over the hump defensively," Pitino said. "They've really been awesome for ACC games. A little lax non-conference, but they've been great with the Kentucky game as well as the ACC and we're gonna need them because we're really short-handed for this game because of a dynamic one-on-one basketball team."

NOTES: Louisville beat NC State 77-72 last January in Raleigh. N.V. ... The Cardinals hold a 10-9 series edge. ... Louisville eliminated NC State from the NCAA Tournament in 2015. The Cardinals won the Sweet 16 game 75-65 in Syracuse, N.Y., before falling to Michigan State in overtime with a trip to the Final Four on the line. ... Louisville and NC State didn't play from 1988 until 2015.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Virginia Cavaliers (16-3) at Villanova Wildcats (19-2)

Date: January 29, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Top-ranked Villanova suffered a surprising meltdown Monday night in a 74-72 loss at Marquette.

The Wildcats let a 13-point lead with six minutes remaining get away as the Golden Eagles closed the game on a 19-4 run for a stunning two-point victory.

Since Monday, Villanova (19-2, 7-2 Big East) has had time to regroup in preparation for a highly-anticipated matchup against nonconference foe and 12th-ranked Virginia (16-3, 6-2 ACC) Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center. The game has been announced as a sellout.

Mikal Bridges led the Wildcats with 20 points while Jalen Brunson scored 19 points and preseason Player of the Year candidate Josh Hart had 16 in the loss. Kris Jenkins scored just two points and missed all seven of his shots, including going 0 for 6 from beyond the arc.

Villanova shot 6 of 34 from 3-point territory.

"It was a great college basketball game that we came out on the wrong end of," Villanova coach Jay Wright told reporters. "Marquette deserves the credit. We've got to get back to learn from our mistakes and get back to work."

Hart was in foul trouble much of the first half before coming on late. For the Wildcats to be successful, they need to be aggressive getting to the basket.

"That just shows how much we settled and how we didn't get into the lane and make our teammates better," Hart told the Philadelphia Inquirer, referring to the 34 attempts from beyond the arc. "We've got to keep playing, no matter how much we're up. We had to have a killer mindset, we have to have heart for the full 40 minutes."

Virginia won its 16th game Tuesday night with an impressive 71-54 showing at No. 14 Notre Dame. The Cavaliers have won five in a row, which also includes road wins at Boston College and Clemson. They're 8-1 on the road this season.

Virginia defeated Villanova, 86-75, at home last season on its way to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight for the first time since 1995.

The Wildcats lost to Seton Hall in the Big East tournament title game and responded to win six straight games in the NCAA Tournament for their second national championship in program history.

"It was obviously difficult to watch them play in the championship, but that's how it works," Virginia guard London Perrantes told the Virginia athletic sports website.

Perrantes had flu-like symptoms before the game against Notre Dame but wound up with 22 points. As a result, he moved into 44th place on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,027 career points.

Guard Marial Shayok scored at least 10 points in seven of the last eight games while guard Devon Hall achieved double figures in scoring for the seventh time in eight games.

Virginia's next test will be even more challenging against Villanova. It's the third of four home games at the home of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's Flyers. Villanova previously defeated Marquette and Providence in this arena.

"Every game is a big one for us, Virginia coach Tony Bennett told the Virginia athletic sports website. "Now we get a chance to go against a terrific team in a hostile environment. We'll have to show up and play."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Washington Huskies (9-11) at Arizona Wildcats (19-2)

Date: January 29, 2017 3:30 PM EDT

Arizona coach Sean Miller, in no uncertain terms, believes freshman Lauri Markkanen isn't getting the attention he deserves.

"For him not to be considered one of the best freshmen in college basketball is a complete joke," Miller said. "I mean, I will put him up against anybody -- not just a freshman -- with the quality of player he is. Period. I don't care if you're from Finland, Russia, China, Japan, North Dakota, Florida, California, New York City.

"If you have eyes and you're watching Arizona play, there aren't many players who play the way he plays."

Markkanen, a 7-foot forward from Finland, is averaging a team-high 17.0 points for seventh-ranked Arizona, which will play Washington on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX) at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.

The Wildcats (19-2, 8-0 Pac-12) will be trying to win their 14th consecutive game.

It will be quite a freshmen showcase, with the struggling Huskies (9-11, 2-6) featuring point guard Markelle Fultz, a potential No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Markkanen's calling card is his uncommon shooting touch, as he leads the conference by hitting 50.5 percent of his 3-point attempts (52 of 103). That is nearly unheard of at any level for a 7-footer. He has drained 20 of 29 3-pointers in the past five games.

Markkanen has a full offensive package, though, able to score in the low post and put the ball on the floor to create his own shot.

"He pretty much takes what the defense gives," Miller said. "I think that also reflects his percentage; he's a smart player, an unselfish player."

Markkanen might be catching some by surprise because he didn't play high school ball in the United States, but everybody saw Fultz coming as a top recruit. Fultz is averaging 23.7 points -- five more than anybody else in the Pac-12 -- and is second in assists with 6.2 per game.

Fultz is also grabbing 6.0 rebounds per game, making him the only player in the country, through Friday's games, averaging at least 20 points, six assists and six rebounds. He is coming of a game in which he had 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in an 86-75 loss at Arizona State on Thursday.

"If it were a night where we were just making our shots at a normal rate, he probably would have had 15 or 16 assists," said Washington coach Lorenzo Romar. "But we missed a lot of wide-open shots with him delivering the basketball. He played exceptionally well."

Washington hasn't had enough around him, especially defensively, with shot-blocking center Malik Dime out with a finger injury. The Huskies are allowing opponents to hit 47.0 percent from the field in Pac-12 play.

Arizona, with guard Allonzo Trier back, should take advantage. The sophomore is averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists in two games after missing the first 19 due to an NCAA suspension.

"Sometimes, they would have scoring droughts, and I think Allonzo puts an end to all that," Romar said about the difference Trier makes to the Wildcats' lineup. "He's such a gifted scorer. So as good as they are, they're about to get better."

This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. Arizona has won six in a row in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: South Florida Bulls (6-13) at Cincinnati Bearcats (18-2)

Date: January 29, 2017 4:00 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- Coming off an emotional victory over crosstown rival Xavier on Thursday night, No. 19 Cincinnati will be looking to avoid a letdown on Sunday when it hosts undermanned South Florida.

The Bearcats (18-2, 7-0 American Athletic) have won 20 straight games at home and are off to their best start under head coach Mick Cronin. The Bulls (6-13, 0-8), meanwhile, have lost eight straight and are winless in conference play.

Aside from ending a three-game losing streak against its city neighbors on Thursday, the victory over the 24th-ranked Musketeers also was a signature win for Cincinnati, helping to further bolster its NCAA Tournament resume.

The Bearcats can ill-afford to take a step back on Sunday afternoon. That would seem unlikely considering the struggles for South Florida and the overall depth the Bearcats possess.

"We have guys that can make plays," Cronin said. "We different have guys that can hurt you and different guys can carry us at different points in the game."

That was evident on Thursday night when freshman Jarron Cumberland scored 15 points, including several key baskets in the second half to stave off a Xavier comeback.

"(Cumberland) is a great player," said Cronin. "He's a big body. We know that he can score."

Cumberland shoots 36.5 percent from 3-point range while averaging 6.6 points. Jacob Evans leads the Bearcats with 14.5 points per game and Kyle Washington adds 13.3 as part of a balanced attack for Cincinnati, which hasn't lost at Fifth Third Arena since falling to Temple 77-70 on Dec. 29, 2015.

The Bearcats' 11-game winning streak is their longest since the 2013-14 season.

If there's a concern right now for Cincinnati, it's free-throw shooting. The Bearcats shoot just 64.7 percent as a team and went 18 of 37 in the win over Xavier.

While free throws might be the only concern for Cincinnati at this point in the season, South Florida has myriad issues. The Bulls fired head coach Orlando Antigua just 13 games into the season and hired former East Tennessee State coach Murry Bartow as interim coach earlier this month.

South Florida still is looking for its first win under Bartow. The Bulls led in the second half against Connecticut on Wednesday before falling 81-60.

"They are a really resilient group," said Bartow of his team. "They continue to be up and play with energy. They compete, they fight ... we have to just keep plugging away. That's all we can do."

South Florida is led by Geno Thorpe, who averages 13.4 points over 19 games. Jahmal McMurray averages 20.3 points, which would lead the AAC had he not played in only three games.

Facing the Bearcats on the road always is a tall order for the Bulls. Cincinnati leads the series 29-8, including wins in the past six meetings. South Florida hasn't beaten the Bearcats in Cincinnati since 1988.

That said, a letdown for Cincinnati on Sunday seems unlikely.

"This year, our guys have done a great job focusing on our opponent and treating everybody with great respect," Cronin said earlier this season. "I think that is because we have tremendous maturity in the kids on this team."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Purdue Boilermakers (17-4) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-11)

Date: January 29, 2017 4:30 PM EDT

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Keeping Glynn Watson in line is how Purdue hopes to keep its line -- or move up a few -- in the Top 25.

The No. 20 Boilermakers visit Nebraska on Sunday afternoon in a key Big Ten Conference showdown against the Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Limiting the effectiveness of the Huskers' sophomore guard -- a player who was on the Boilermakers recruiting radar -- is something Purdue coach Matt Painter said is required for his 17-4 team to improve to 7-2 in conference play.

"I think it starts with their lead guards and Watson," Painter told the Lafayette Courier-Journal. "Just trying to keep him contained. He's obviously one of the most improved guys in our league. Just not let him get everything.

"If he's getting transition baskets, if he's hitting his 3s, if he's getting his pull-ups, he's getting to the rim, if he's going to the free throw line; if he's getting everything and getting the ball to other people, now you're in big trouble."

Watson and senior Tai Webster made big strides this season even as the Huskers struggled to a 9-11 record (3-5 Big Ten). Webster averages 18.3 points while Watson checks in a 14.6 with a per outing and a 3-point shooting percentage of 41.

Painter said Nebraska's record can be deceptive. It opened the Big Ten season with road wins at Indiana and Maryland, and defeated Iowa in double overtime before losing their next five games. Two of which -- Ohio State and Rutgers -- came in the final second.

"They obviously started off conference with a couple of big-time wins on the road," Painter said. "They've had some bad breaks in three games that were right there, could have gone either way."

It will be up to the Huskers to slow down Purdue's offense, which has been especially prolific the past three games. In those wins over Illinois, Penn State and Michigan State, the Boilermakers shot 55.3 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free throw line.

Some are calling the Purdue offense the best in Painter's 12 seasons leading the program. There are four Boilermakers averaging more than 10 points, led by Caleb Swanigan (18.8). Isaac Haas is at 13.5, Vincent Edwards 11.8 and Carsen Edwards 10.7.

Painter said the Huskers, who lead the Big Ten in steals, are more than capable of pulling the upset.

"They're very athletic," Painter said. "They lead our league in steals. They do a good job of getting in the passing lanes. They do a great job of anticipation and using their speed and quickness on both ends of the court.

"It's going to be important for us to take care of the basketball, but also to contain the dribble. Those guys are good in transition, they're good in ball screen motion."

It all starts with containing Watson.

"Just trying to keep him in front of us, keep him bottled up, and anything he scores make him score over us, be tough," Painter said. "When he gets going he starts to get a little bit of everything."

Down low is where Purdue will have the biggest advantage over the smaller Huskers.

"I like our match-up if we take care of the ball," Painter said. "I think that's going to be an important aspect of the game, for us to be able get the ball inside. Once it does get inside, just make the simple decision."