Thursday 1/28/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[bowlda]

Any1 want to do business with swami plays email me asap

 

[superbeets]

Dutch Eredivisie TODAY 19:45

Feyenoord

v

Heerenveen

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		2/5	7/2	7	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FEYENOORD	RECENT FORM
AWHWADALHLAL​ Most recent​	2 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 0 1 - 1	HWALHWHLALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Heerenveen have not drawn any of their last nine league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Feyenoord have gone off the boil recently and they are worth taking on at home to Heerenveen. The home side have lost their last three league games, while the Super Frisians won at Willem II last time out.

RECOMMENDATION: Heerenveen
1

 

[superbeets]

German Bundesliga Fr 29Jan 19:30

Mainz

v

Mgladbach

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		9/5	12/5	6/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAINZ	RECENT FORM
ADHWAWHDALAL​ Most recent​	2 - 2 0 - 0 2 - 4 0 - 3	HWALALHLHWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Gladbach have lost one of their last seven domestic away games

EXPERT VERDICT: Borussia Monchengladbach resumed after the winter break with a 3-1 loss at home to title-chasing Borussia Dortmund but they remain in fourth place and can cement their position this weekend. They travel to mid-table Mainz, who have lost their last two matches and have failed to score in their last three.

RECOMMENDATION: Gladbach
1

 

[superbeets]

German Bundesliga Sa 30Jan 17:30

Stuttgart

v

Hamburg

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		19/20	13/5	14/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT STUTTGART	RECENT FORM
ALHDADHD*HWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 1 2 - 1	HWAWHLADHLHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Stuttgart have won seven of their last ten home games against Hamburg

EXPERT VERDICT: Lowly Stuttgart have put together back-to-back league wins and can continue to enhance their survival prospects by beating Hamburg at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. They were impressive 3-1 winners at Cologne last Saturday and have no reason to fear 11th-placed Hamburg, who have taken one point from their last four games.

RECOMMENDATION: Stuttgart
2

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga Sa 30Jan 19:30

Villarreal

v

Granada

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		4/9	10/3	6	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT VILLARREAL	RECENT FORM
AWALHWHLHDAD​ Most recent​	2 - 0 3 - 0 3 - 1	HWALALHLALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Villarreal have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven home games

EXPERT VERDICT: Villarreal’s superb home form has propelled them into La Liga’s top four and they look good things to beat struggling Granada at El Madrigal. They have an excellent defensive record on their own patch and the visitors could struggle to find the net.

RECOMMENDATION: Villarreal to win 2-0
1

 

[superbeets]

German Bundesliga Su 31Jan 16:30

B Munich

v

Hoffenheim

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		1/12	12	20	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT B MUNICH	RECENT FORM
ALAWHWHWAWAW​ Most recent​	4 - 0 3 - 3 2 - 0 7 - 1	ALHDADHWALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Bayern have won 25 of their last 28 home league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Free-scoring Bayern Munich are averaging a shade under three goals per game in the league this season and should brush aside second-bottom Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena. The champions were not at the best in a 2-1 win at Hamburg last Friday but should be more like their old selves in their second match since the winter break.

RECOMMENDATION: Bayern to win 3-0
1

 

[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga Su 31Jan 19:30

Real Madrid

v

Espanyol

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		1/12	10	20	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT REAL MADRID	RECENT FORM
HWHWADHWHWAD​ Most recent​	3 - 0 3 - 1 1 - 0 2 - 2	HDALALHLALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Karim Benzema has scored 12 goals in his last six home matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Real Madrid are understandably a very short price to record a home victory and they will be expected to do so by a wide margin. Los Blancos have scored goals by the bucketload at the Bernabeu and Karim Benzema has been in fine form. The Frenchman can open the scoring.

RECOMMENDATION: K Benzema to score first
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL notebook: Oilers grab D Clendening off waivers
By The Sports Xchange

The Edmonton Oilers claimed defenseman Adam Clendening off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
Clendening, 23, appeared in nine games with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, registering one assist before being traded to the Ducks on Jan. 16. The Niagara Falls, N.Y., native also appeared in six games with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, posting three assists.
Clendening has appeared in 30 career NHL games, recording five points (one goal, four assists) and 20 penalty minutes.

---The New Jersey recalled forward Sergey Kalinin from Albany and assigned forwards Joseph Blandisi and Reid Boucher and defensemen Marc-Andre Gragnani and Seth Helgeson to the American Hockey League team.
Kalinin was relegated to Albany on Friday in order for the Devils to make an emergency recall of Gragnani.
Boucher has played in eight games for the Devils and totaled two goals and one assist. Blandisi has seen action in 11 NHL games and produced one goal and five assists. Helgeson was scoreless in two games with the Devils. Gragnani did not have a point in four games with New Jersey.

---The Anaheim Ducks reassigned defenseman Shea Theodore to San Diego of the American Hockey League.
The 20-year-old Theodore has six points (two goals, four assists) in 13 games with the Ducks this season after making his NHL debut on Dec. 29 at Calgary after Anaheim's Cam Fowler suffered a knee injury. The rookie's first goal was a game-winner on a power play on Jan. 13 against Ottawa.
Before Theodore was called up to the Ducks in December, he played in 27 games for San Diego and had four goals, 12 assists and 14 penalty minutes. He scored his second career goal on Tuesday night in the Ducks' 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

---The Arizona Coyotes assigned forward Christian Thomas to the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.
Thomas, 23, skated in 10:35 with three shots on goal in one appearance with the team. He has registered three goals and four assists in 15 games with Springfield and seven goals and seven assists in 18 games with St. John's of the AHL.

---The Buffalo Sabres assigned forwards Cal O'Reilly, Tim Schaller and Philip Varone to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
O'Reilly, 29, has one assists in five games with the Sabres this season. In 35 games with the Americans, he has 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) and four penalty minutes.
Schaller, 25, has appeared in 17 games with the Sabres, registering one goal and two assists. He has 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 20 penalty minutes in 18 games for Rochester. Varone, 25, has one goal in four games with the Sabres and 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 33 games for Rochester.

---The Chicago Blackhawks reassigned forward Mark McNeill to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.
McNeill, 22, made his NHL debut on Jan. 26 at Carolina, registering three hits and one takeaway in 12:44 of ice time. He ranks fifth on the IceHogs with 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 29 games. McNeill was selected by Chicago in the first round (18th overall) of the 2011 NHL draft.

---The Winnipeg Jets reassigned center Patrice Cormier to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Cormier, 25, has been recalled by the Jets twice this season and has played in two games with no points. This season with their AHL affiliate, Cormier has 12 points (six goals, six assists) and 30 penalty minutes in 34 games.
In his NHL career, Cormier has one goal and four assists in 52 games.

---The Boston Bruins sent forward David Pastrnak to Providence of the American Hockey League.
Pastrnak heads to the minor leagues during the NHL All-Star Game break after playing in 18 games for the Bruins so far this season. The team's 2014 first-round NHL Draft pick has five goals, four assists and 10 penalty minutes in the NHL.
Earlier this season, Pastrnak played in two games for Providence and had one point. In December, he was loaned to his native Czech Republic to play in the world juniors championship and totaled one goal and three assists in four games, incluidng the winner on Dec. 28 against Slovakia.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - January

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
1/1 2 10.5 9 UNDER
1/2 12 61.5 63 OVER
1/3 4 21 22 OVER
1/4 5 27 17 UNDER
1/5 8 43.5 46 OVER
1/6 5 26.5 23 UNDER
1/7 7 38.5 29 UNDER
1/8 6 31.5 34 OVER
1/9 10 53 47 UNDER
1/10 6 30 32 OVER
1/11 4 20.5 22 OVER
1/12 8 42.5 45 OVER
1/13 4 21.5 20 UNDER
1/14 8 42.5 37 UNDER
1/15 6 31 31 PUSH
1/16 10 52 48 UNDER
1/17 7 35 34 UNDER
1/18 5 26.5 26 UNDER
1/19 8 42.5 50 OVER
1/20 3 15.5 10 UNDER
1/21 10 53.5 49 UNDER
1/22 6 *PPD *PPD *PPD
1/23 11 *PPD *PPD *PPD
1/24 5 *PPD *PPD *PPD
1/25 6 31 33 OVER
1/26 9 48.5 50 OVER
1/27 4 - - -
1/28 No games scheduled - - -
1/29 No games scheduled - - -
1/30 No games scheduled - - -
1/31 No games scheduled - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- NHL is on its All-Star break.

Cold teams
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Series records
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Totals
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Back-to-backs
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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: LeBron scoffs at 'coach killer' rap
By The Sports Xchange

LeBron James scowled and scoffed at the notion that he has earned a reputation as a coach killer.
"I've never, in my time since I picked up a basketball, ever undermined a coach, ever disrespected a coach," James said after the Cleveland Cavaliers' shootaround Wednesday. "You ask any of my little league coaches, my high school coaches, coaches I've played for in tournaments, camps, my NBA coaches. I've always respected what they wanted to do. And I'm not the owner of a team, I'm not the GM of a team. I'm the player of a team."
James said coaches always have the final call, and he's being wrongly accused because he was outspoken with past NBA coaches Paul Silas, Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra and recently fired David Blatt.
"People get it so misconstrued because I'm a smart basketball player and I've voiced my opinion about certain things, which I did when I was here my first stint with Paul Silas and Mike Brown," he said. "And at the end of the day, they'll still have their final call."

---New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue added Mike Longabardi to his staff as an assistant.
Longabardi joins the Cavaliers after head coach David Blatt was surprisingly fired last week and Lue elevated to replace him. He is expected to take over Lue's role as the defensive specialist.
Longabardi spent two-plus seasons as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns before he was let go last month in a coaching staff shake-up. For six seasons, Longabardi was as an assistant with the Boston Celtics under Doc Rivers, including four years when Lue was also on the staff. Before Longabardi arrived in Boston, he worked under Jeff Van Gundy as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

---San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will coach the West team in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced.
Head coaches whose teams have the best records in each conference after the games played two weeks prior to the All-Star Game serve as the coaches. However, no head coach is allowed to participate in two consecutive All-Star games.
Interim head coach Luke Walton led the Golden State Warriors to a 39-4 record in the season's first 43 games prior to the Jan. 22 return of head coach Steve Kerr. Despite Golden State holding the conference's best record (41-4), Kerr is ineligible for the coaching honor because he led last year's West All-Stars.
The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be televised by TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14 from Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

---Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins, last season's Rookie of the Year, and teammate center Karl-Anthony Towns highlight the players selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge before the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.
The league announced the 20 players for the game to be held on Friday, Feb. 12 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The 65th All-Star Game will be on Sunday, Feb. 14.
New York Knicks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis joins Wiggins on the World Team. Minnesota guard Zach LaVine, the dunk champion at NBA All-Star 2015, will play alongside Towns on the U.S. Team, giving the Timberwolves three players in the game, all 20 years old.
For the second consecutive year, the league's annual showcase of premier young talent will pit 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.

---Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic underwent surgery after being diagnosed with an acute appendicitis.
The appendectomy was performed at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is expected to be sidelined until after the NBA All-Star Game break in mid-February, the team said in a statement.
Mirotic is averaging 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his second season with the Bulls. He was one of the players named to the World Team for the Rising Stars Challenge game for rookies and second-year pros during All-Star weekend.

---Sacramento forward Rudy Gay will miss his second straight game on Thursday when the Kings play at New Orleans while an eye injury continues to heal.
Gay suffered a left corneal abrasion during the second overtime of Monday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets and sat out Tuesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kings said in a statement that he was re-examined at Kaiser Permanente and his condition is "improving daily." His status is day to day.
In 40 games this season, Gay is averaging 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (17-29) at Wizards (20-23)

Date: January 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

As the city of Washington continues to thaw out from a horrendous winter storm, the hometown Wizards' offense has remained ice cold.

They'll look to rectify their shooting woes against a team that has been struggling defensively when the Denver Nuggets pay a visit Thursday night.

Coming off a four-day layoff created when the recent blizzard postponed Saturday's home game against Utah, the Wizards were out of sync in defeats to Boston and Toronto on consecutive nights. After committing 20 turnovers in Monday's 116-91 loss to the Celtics, they went 4 of 15 from 3-point range and shot 41.0 percent overall in a 106-89 road defeat to the Raptors.

Washington (20-23) has dropped four of five following a season high-tying four-game win streak to fall to 11th in the Eastern Conference and put its bid for a third consecutive playoff appearance in question.

'We have to figure it out,' coach Randy Wittman said. 'We have to get back in the gym and work at it.'

Having Bradley Beal unavailable for all but nine minutes of those two losses has compounded matters. The Wizards' second-leading scorer and top outside threat missed the Toronto game after sustaining a concussion and broken nose from an inadvertent forearm from the Celtics' Marcus Smart.

Beal is still in the NBA's concussion protocol and appears unlikely to be cleared for Thursday, a potential problem for a Washington team that's 1-16 when shooting below 45.0 percent and 1-11 when scoring 95 points or less.

On the positive side, Boston and Toronto rate among the league's top defensive teams and have won a combined 13 straight. Denver (17-29) doesn't fall into either category, having lost four of five and allowing 111.5 points per game over its last six.

An 18-1 Boston run overlapping the third and fourth quarters led to the Nuggets' latest defeat, Wednesday's 111-103 loss that opened a three-game trip. Denver also was hurt by 20 turnovers that the Celtics converted into 20 points.

'This is such a mental thing where we have to figure out a way to do it together,' forward Danilo Gallinari said. 'We can't keep playing like this for good stretches, bad stretches, especially when we're on the road.'

The Nuggets have had an easier time recording points, having eclipsed 100 in a season-high six straight. Gallinari is averaging 23.3 in 13 January games since returning from a sprained ankle and Will Barton followed a 21-point effort in Monday's 119-105 loss to Atlanta with 23 on 8-of-12 shooting against Boston.

Washington ranks last in the NBA in 3-point percentage defense (38.2), with opponents hitting at 45.4 percent over the last four games.

'Our defense is terrible right now, probably the worst in the league,' John Wall said after Monday's loss. 'Until we start playing defense, we're not going to win games.'

Denver may be coming in thin in the interior, however, as Joffrey Lauvergne missed Tuesday's game with a toe injury and fellow center Nikola Jokic left in the fourth quarter with a bruised right tibia.

The Wizards will be without Kris Humphries (knee) for a 12th straight game. The forward totaled 41 points in two wins over Denver last season, including a 119-89 home rout on Dec. 5, 2014.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawks (27-20) at Pacers (23-22)

Date: January 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Much has been made of Kyle Korver's pedestrian 3-point shooting after the Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter was deadly from deep last season.

He's starting to regain his touch but faces a tough matchup Thursday night when the Hawks visit an Indiana Pacers team trying avoid dropping to .500 for the first time in 2 1/2 months.

Korver put Atlanta ahead of the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers by one with a 3-pointer with 24.6 seconds to go Wednesday but the Hawks (27-20) couldn't close it out, falling 85-83 for their third loss in four games.

Korver made all four of his 3-point attempts - only the fourth time this season he's hit at least four 3s after having 27 such games last season - and is 10 of 15 from beyond the arc in the last three contests.

"When he's flying down the court, rising up and making them and hits the big shot contested late, it's great," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a big part of us, and when he starts making those shots I think other things will start happening for us offensively."

Despite heating up, Korver is still shooting 38.2 percent from deep - a far cry from leading the league at 49.2 percent last season. He has been brutal in the second game of Atlanta's last three back-to-backs, going 3 of 24 from beyond the arc while averaging 4.7 points.

With one day of rest prior to Atlanta's only meeting of the season with Indiana on Dec. 28, he missed all eight 3-point attempts and finished with two points in a 93-87 loss.

The Hawks turned the ball over a then-season high 22 times in that one - exceeded only by their 23 giveaways Wednesday.

The Pacers (23-22) have generally been tough to score on from 3-point range but allowed the Clippers go 15 of 37 from long distance in Monday's 91-89 loss.

Although Indiana has dropped six of seven and is a loss away from falling to .500 for the first time since it was 4-4 on Nov. 9, coach Frank Vogel believes his team is on the verge of a turnaround. The Pacers showed improvement defensively Tuesday after allowing their previous six opponents to average 112.3 points and Paul George has returned to form.

"We know we're close, we know we've done some good things. We're not getting blown out every night," Vogel said. "We haven't won nearly enough for our liking but we feel like we're doing the right things to start put us in position to start winning games again."

George has combined for 65 points in the last two games and perhaps the best aspect of his recent play is he's averaging 1.8 turnovers in his last four contests after averaging 4.3 in his previous seven.

However, the three-time All-Star had one his worst performances of the season against the Hawks, scoring nine on 3-of-14 shooting. Monta Ellis, who was 3 of 13 for six points Tuesday, picked up the slack with a game-high 26 points.

While George's scoring prowess is to be expected, the Pacers are also getting offense from an unlikely source.

Myles Turner is averaging 19.6 points on 64.6 percent shooting along with 2.8 blocks in the last five games. He scored 16 points in 18 minutes Tuesday and Vogel said he plans to increase the 6-foot-11 rookie's workload.

"We don't want to overreact to a couple of games but obviously we've like what we've seen," Vogel said. "And we'll find the right time to get him in the starting lineup if he continues to play at the level he's been playing at."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (20-27) at Grizzlies (26-20)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Milwaukee Bucks felt right at home in Jason Kidd's return to the bench, though a greater challenge on the road awaits.

The resurgent Memphis Grizzlies aim for an 11th win in their last 12 games at FedExForum, where the Bucks seek their first victory in over six years Thursday night.

Kidd had plenty to feel good about in his first game since undergoing hip surgery on Dec. 21, as the Bucks overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to rally for a 107-100 win over Orlando on Tuesday. The head coach missed 17 games while recovering, with assistant Joe Prunty going 8-9 to keep Milwaukee (20-27) in striking distance for a playoff spot.

"I liked the composure of the guys in that first half. We were down and didn't stop playing," Kidd said. "I thought in the third quarter we took control of the game."

The Bucks used a familiar formula to end a two-game skid, outscoring the Magic 62-26 in the paint and receiving big nights from top three scorers Khris Middleton, Greg Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo, all of whom had at least 21 points.

Milwaukee's 49.3 points per game in the paint is tied with Sacramento for tops in the NBA, though hitting that mark figures to be difficult against a Grizzlies team that's yielding a league-low 37.9 per game.

Memphis (26-20) also can score in the post, as it showed with 70 paint points in Monday's 108-102 win over Orlando, its fourth straight at home. The Grizzlies have relied heavily on Marc Gasol during a 5-1 overall stretch, with the standout center averaging 22.8 points over the past five.

Jeff Green was the one carrying the offense against the Magic, however, particularly during crunch time. The forward scored a season-high 30 points and had two crucial baskets in the final 14 seconds to force overtime, where the Grizzlies held Orlando to two points on 1-of-10 shooting.

"Basically, all five guys locked in defensively and held our heads on the defensive end and stuck to our coverage," guard Tony Allen said. "We did everything just a little bit harder, and down the stretch we were aggressive on the defensive end."

The Grizzlies also locked down Milwaukee in a 96-83 win at FedExForum on March 14, their eighth in the series' last nine meetings. The Bucks, 3-13 on the road under Kidd this season, have lost four straight in Memphis since a 103-98 victory on Nov. 21, 2009.

Milwaukee's chances of ending that drought likely depend on its success from the perimeter, as the Grizzlies rank near the bottom of the league in 3-pointers allowed. The Bucks have two players shooting over 42 percent in Middleton and Jerryd Bayless, who hit two key 3s in the final 2:20 to help seal Tuesday's win.

"Bayless made big plays down the stretch for us. He's done it all season," Kidd said. "But if it wasn't for our defense getting stops and rebounding and going the other way, we wouldn't be in that position."

The Bucks also have had trouble defending the outside shot, as they've permitted 45 3-pointers over their last three games. Orlando finished 13 of 24 after New Orleans made 17 of 31 attempts to hand Milwaukee a 116-99 loss on Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Knicks (22-25) at Raptors (30-15)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors might have to chase history without their top playmaker, while the New York Knicks may have to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season without their biggest star.

The status of both Kyle Lowry and Carmelo Anthony is uncertain as the Raptors go after a franchise-record 10th consecutive victory Thursday night against the visiting Knicks, who have dropped three in a row.

Lowry starred with 29 points and five 3-pointers Tuesday when Toronto matched its longest winning streak with a 106-89 victory over Washington.

After equaling that milestone, the Raptors turned their focus to the health of their All-Star point guard, who had been rushed to the locker room with 3:42 left with what he believed was a serious wrist injury.

Postgame X-rays were negative, but Lowry is questionable after sitting out Wednesday's practice because of soreness. He hasn't missed a game this season and the team was 6-6 without him in 2014-15.

"I really thought it was worse than it was, but I'm fine," Lowry said.

The Raptors were a plus-15 with Cory Joseph on the floor against the Wizards. Joseph, who had 10 points, will likely start if Lowry is sidelined.

DeMar DeRozan, who averages a team-high 23.0 points, had 17 and Terrence Ross stayed hot off the bench with 15. Ross has scored 14.4 per game while making 16 of 27 from 3-point range in his last five.

Toronto (30-15) is playing well on both ends as it tries to eclipse a franchise-record streak set March 22-April 3, 2002. The Raptors have averaged 108.6 points and shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range in their last seven games while limiting opponents to 88.0 and 27.6 marks in the past three.

"Right now we're too focused on our next opponent, which is the New York Knicks," Lowry told the team's official website. "It's time to get focused for them. We're just taking it game by game, day by day."

The Raptors struggled to contain Anthony and the Knicks (22-25) on Nov. 10 in the first meeting at Air Canada Centre. Anthony had 25 points and New York went 11 for 23 from 3-point range in a 111-109 victory.

The All-Star forward has averaged 30.6 points in his last seven matchups with Toronto. Although he's expected to make the trip north of the boarder, Anthony will likely be a game-time decision due to a sore left knee.

The Knicks fell to 0-5 without him with Tuesday's 128-122 overtime home loss to Oklahoma City. Langston Galloway had 21 points and Derrick Williams added 19. Arron Afflalo scored 17 but shot 6 for 21, with the potential winner going in and out before the regulation buzzer.

"From this point forward, it's about at least giving that energy so that if we do lose a game, we know that we gave it everything," Afflalo said.

New York looks to tighten things up as it tries to avoid its fourth four-game losing streak. It has given up 111.5 points per game and a 42.2 3-point percentage in its last eight, though that does include four overtime games.

Lowry and DeRozan scored a combined 52 points in the November meeting. Lowry has averaged 24.2 points while sinking 16 of 35 (45.7 percent) from beyond the arc in his last six games in this series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (20-25) at Pelicans (16-28)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Not much was expected of the Sacramento Kings this season, but DeMarcus Cousins has led them into playoff contention.

Anthony Davis was expected to push the New Orleans Pelicans to the next level. However, that hasn't happened and now he might miss some time.

Cousins will try to resume an otherwise outstanding January by bouncing back from one of the worst shooting performances of his career Thursday night when the Kings continue their road swing against the short-handed Pelicans.

The All-Star big man led the league with 34.4 points per game this month - nearly five better than Golden State's Stephen Curry - after scoring 48 against Indiana on Saturday and a franchise-record 56 versus Charlotte on Monday.

Cousins, though, cooled off Tuesday when he was held to 17 points and missed 17 of 21 shots in a 112-95 loss at Portland. It was his worst game from the field since going 3 for 16 in a loss at Washington in February 2014.

George Karl was hesitant to blame the effort on fatigue after Cousins played 46 minutes in a 129-128 double-overtime loss to the Hornets.

'He's been so good I'm not going to complain," the coach said. "He's been our horse and we've ridden him to a lot of good things.'

Cousins has led Sacramento (20-25) within percentage points of the Trail Blazers for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. The Kings haven't reached the postseason since 2005-06.

Rajon Rondo has done a nice job getting Cousins the ball, recording at least 10 assists in 13 straight games. He leads the NBA by a wide margin with 11.8 per game, which would be a career high.

Rondo's only game of more than 15 points in the past month came against New Orleans (16-28), getting 17 along with 10 assists, but the Kings lost at home 109-97 on Jan. 13. Cousins had 32 points and 12 rebounds, giving him averages of 31.7 points and 17.3 boards during Sacramento's three-game losing streak in this series.

Davis and Eric Gordon finished with 24 points apiece for the Pelicans, but both could miss this contest. While Gordon remains sidelined with a broken finger, Davis sustained a concussion in Monday's 112-111 home loss to Houston that snapped a season high-tying three-game winning streak.

Davis has yet to pass the league's concussion protocol but is listed as questionable along with Tyreke Evans, who is dealing with right knee tendinitis.

New Orleans has dropped all five of its games this season without Davis, who is averaging team highs of 22.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Ryan Anderson, who has 45 points over the last two games, will likely start in his place. Fellow reserve Jrue Holiday stepped up with a season-high 32 points, nine assists and three steals Monday.

"We just have to continue to plug away and play hard," said Toney Douglas, who had a season-high 18 points.

After reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years, the Pelicans have been a major disappointment this season. They're 3 1/2 games behind Sacramento as they sit at the bottom of the Southwest Division.

New Orleans has scored 114.0 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range in its last four and should get some open looks against Sacramento, which ranks last in the NBA with 107.8 points allowed per game.

The Kings could have Rudy Gay after he sat out Tuesday due to an eye injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (25-19) at Lakers (9-38)

Date: January 28, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls' longest road trip of the season is starting at a bad time considering their recent struggles, but they're at least kicking it off with a favorable matchup.

The Los Angeles Lakers could establish a season-worst losing streak Thursday night with the Bulls beginning a seven-game trip seeking a seventh win in the last nine meetings.

Since a season-best six-game winning streak, Chicago (25-19) has gone 3-7 with some awful offensive efforts creeping in. Among them was Monday's 89-84 home loss to Miami with the Bulls shooting 39.8 percent. Dating to an 83-77 home loss to Dallas on Jan. 15, they have been limited to 25.0 percent from 3-point range.

Pau Gasol led the Bulls with 19 points and 17 rebounds Monday and shot 9 for 18, but the rest of the starting five was 11 of 35 as inconsistency becomes the norm. Gasol has averaged 20.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in three straight double-doubles, but that followed an 0-for-8 performance in last Wednesday's loss to Golden State.

"It's repetitive," Gasol told the team's official website. "It's definitely a pattern. It's happened all season long and continues to happen. Right now that's just who we are, capable of great games and capable of not being able to sustain those.

"We do have a lot of injuries, key players, veteran players who could help us out, who know how to navigate and deal with the situations. But it is what it is. We have a tough road trip coming up. Let's see if we can actually get some continuity and some good games together."

Derrick Rose missed the second half against the Heat because of lower back and right hamstring injuries, and the Bulls were already playing without backup guards Kirk Hinrich (bruised quadriceps) and E'Twaun Moore (hamstring strain). They're also dealing with long-term injuries to Mike Dunleavy and Joakim Noah, and forward Nikola Mirotic will be sidelined until after the All-Star break after having his appendix removed Wednesday.

Rose is questionable against the Lakers (9-38), and the Bulls could elect to rest him with the Clippers looming Sunday.

The Lakers won the last meeting, 123-118 in overtime at home last Jan. 29 despite 35 points from Jimmy Butler, but that seems like the kind of individual effort Los Angeles can't keep up with at the moment.

During their second seven-game losing streak of the season, the Lakers have been outscored by an average of 16.3 points with opponents scoring 110.0 per game and shooting 48.8 percent. However, Tuesday's 92-90 defeat to Dallas was a comparative success, particularly on the defensive end after giving up at least 108 points in six straight games.

"I'm never happy about a loss, but I was extremely happy about our effort and how hard we played," said coach Byron Scott, whose team is also trying to avoid extending a season-worst home skid to five. "I thought for the first time in a while, we really paid attention to the little details that we've been talking about. We really focused in on that end of the floor."

Julius Randle had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and the second-year forward is averaging 13.0 and 11.3 in his last three games while shooting 45.7 percent. The 21-year-old, limited to one game last season because of a broken leg, entered that span averaging 6.8 points and shooting 31.8 percent in his previous 10 games.

"I put a lot of hours into it," Randle told the team's official website. "Day and night - it's a lot of hours. It's coming around slowly."

Kobe Bryant sat out the Dallas game with a sore a sore right shoulder and hasn't faced the Bulls since 2012-13.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Thursday, January 28 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

The Los Angeles Clippers don't play on Thursday, but I want to address the Blake Griffin issue. He apparently will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, although Coach Doc Rivers says that timetable is unrealistic. Griffin was hurt after punching the team's assistant equipment manager a few times outside a Toronto restaurant over the weekend. Apparently the two are good friends and had vacationed together but were arguing about something. I'm sure TMZ will have video eventually. Griffin was one of the most disliked players around the NBA, so I'm sure many locker rooms are filled with laughter right now. And if I'm the Clippers, I don't pay him during the time he's out as that's just a stupid thing to do. Griffin has a history of this, too, as in November 2014 he was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery after allegedly getting into an altercation with a man in Las Vegas. That case was dropped. This latest injury is a shame because Griffin would have returned by now from his quad injury but now is out until March. Griffin was having his best season, but the Clippers have been playing better without him, albeit against an easier schedule.


Hawks at Pacers (-2, 206.5)

Atlanta hosted the Clippers on Wednesday. Indiana lost a third in a row Tuesday to those Clippers, 91-89. Paul George had 31 points and 11 rebounds, but the Pacers couldn't get off a tying shot in the final seconds. Indiana center Ian Mahinmi returned after missing two games with a sprained ankle and had 12 points and 10 boards. Atlanta had won four straight in this series before the Pacers took a 93-87 home victory on Dec. 28. Monta Ellis had 26 points. Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 24 points. The Hawks turned it over 22 times, leading to 26 Indiana points.

Key trends: The Hawks are 2-5 against the spread in their past seven in the second of a back-to-back. Indiana is 1-6 ATS in its past seven games. The "over/under" is 11-3 in the past 14 meetings at Indiana.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Nuggets at Wizards (TBA)

Denver was in Boston on Wednesday to start a three-game trip. Washington lost a second straight in blowout fashion on Tuesday, 106-89 in Toronto. John Wall had 18 points and 14 assists, but the Wiz played without the oft-injured Bradley Beal. He's day-to-day with a broken nose and concussion. Beal is averaging 18.5 points per game. Washington won both meetings last year, with the one in D.C. a 119-89 rout.

Key trends: The home team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 3-1-1 in the past five in Washington.

Early lean: TBA clearly for Beal, but the Wizards will win this without him.

Knicks at Raptors (TBA)

This is the first of the TNT doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. New York lost a third in a row Tuesday, 128-122 in overtime against the Thunder. New York blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead. The team played without Carmelo Anthony due to knee soreness. Consider him questionable here; I doubt he plays. Toronto won a ninth in a row on Tuesday, 106-89 over Washington. The team got a scare when late in the game All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who had 29 points, injured his wrist. X-rays were negative but Lowry could obviously miss this game. The Knicks won the first meeting north of the border, 111-109 on Nov. 10. Anthony had 25 points. New York took the lead for good with 8:43 remaining on a 3-pointer from Langston Galloway. DeMar DeRozan had 29 and Lowry 23 for the Raptors.

Key trends: The Knicks are 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 7-0 in the past seven in Toronto.

Early lean: Have to wait on Melo and Lowry. Only way I give Knicks a shot here is if Melo plays and Lowry doesn't. Otherwise, Raptors will set franchise record with 10th straight win.

Bucks at Grizzlies (-5.5, 196)

Coach Jason Kidd returned from hip surgery for Milwaukee on Tuesday and the Bucks ended a two-game losing streak with a 107-100 victory over the visiting Magic. The Bucks were down 16 at one point. Khris Middleton had 25 points, hit seventh straight with at least 20. Memphis also is off a win over the Magic, 108-102 in OT on Monday. Jeff Green had a season-high 30 points. The Grizzlies' 64 first-half points matched their most for a half this season. Tony Allen was iffy to play with a few injuries but did. First meeting of the season between these teams. Grizzlies have won four straight at home vs. Bucks. Both last year were very low-scoring.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five. The under is 8-1 in the past nine.

Early lean: Grizzlies and under.

Kings at Pelicans (TBA)

Sacramento lost a second straight Tuesday, 112-97 in Portland, but you could see that coming as the Kings were off a double-OT draining defeat the night before. DeMarcus Cousins had a franchise-record 56 points on Monday but was only 4-for-21 from the field vs. Portland for 17 points. Rudy Gay missed another game with an eye injury. New Orleans had a three-game winning streak end in a 112-111 home loss vs. Houston on Monday. Anthony Davis left late in the second quarter after taking an elbow to the head. He has been diagnosed with a concussion, so there's little chance he plays here. New Orleans has won three in a row in the series, including the first one this year, 109-97 in Sacramento on Jan. 13. Davis and Eric Gordon each had a team-high 24 points and the Pelicans matched a franchise record with 16 3-pointers. Gordon is out now several more weeks injured now.

Key trends: The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Kings in a big way if Davis sits as seems likely. Doesn't matter if Gay also does.

Bulls at Lakers (TBA)

The TNT nightcap. Chicago lost 89-84 at home to Miami on Monday and saw Derrick Rose get injured again. He tweaked his hamstring and lower back, and knowing Rose he will miss four months. OK, I'm kidding but it would be a surprise if Rose plays here. With Kirk Hinrich out again, the Bulls might be down to just one point guard: Aaron Brooks. The Lakers lost a seventh straight on Tuesday, 92-90 to Dallas. Kobe Bryant sat out with a right shoulder issue, thus preventing one last meeting between him and Dirk Nowitzki. They are the two active leading scorers in the NBA. Lakers rookie Larry Nance Jr. returned from a four-game injury absence but didn't score in 23 minutes. First meeting this season between Bulls and Lakers. They split last year, with the Lakers taking a 123-118 double-OT win at home. Kobe was out for the season by then. Jimmy Butler had 35 points and Pau Gasol 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back at the Lakers since leaving the team as a free agent.

Key trends: Chicago is 0-4 ATS in its past four vs. teams with a losing record. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 4-1 in the past five in L.A.

Early lean: Bulls whether Rose and/or Kobe plays or not.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Memphis won five of its last six games (6-2-1 last 9HF). Bucks won four of their last six games (8-5 last 13AU).
-- Toronto won its last nine games (8-1 vs spread).
-- Kings won five of last seven games, but lost last two (6-3 last nine AU). New Orleans won five of last seven (3-1 last 4HF).

Cold teams
-- Washington lost four of its last five games (5-10HF). Nuggets lost four of their last five games (8-4 last 12AU).
-- Hawks lost three of their last four games (5-5AU). Indiana lost six of its last seven games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Knicks lost five of their last seven games (12-8AU).
-- Chicago lost three of last four games (3-3AF). Lakers lost their last seven games (2-5 vs spread).

Series records
-- Wizards won four of last six games with Denver.
-- Hawks won three of last four games with Indiana.
-- Grizzlies won eight of last nine games with Milwaukee.
-- Knicks lost three of last four visits to Toronto.
-- Pelicans won four of last five games with Sacramento.
-- Lakers lost six of last eight games with Chicago.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Denver games went over total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Last eight Memphis games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight New York-Toronto games went over.
-- Five of last six Sacramento games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Chicago road games went over.

Back/backs
-- Denver is 5-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Hawks are 1-4 vs spread on road if they played night before.