Wednesday 1/18/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

English FA Cup TODAY 19:45

Plymouth

v

Liverpool

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		10	5	3/10	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT PLYMOUTH	RECENT FORM
AD*HDHWALADHW​ Most recent​	2 - 3 0 - 4 1 - 1 4 - 0	HWHWADHDALAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Liverpool have lost only three matches in all competitions this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Plymouth stunned Liverpool at Anfield with a resolute defensive performance helping Argyle to a goalless stalemate against the Premier League giants to force this Home Park replay. However, Argyle may have to show more ambition in this replay and that could be a problem with even Liverpool's reserves possessing blistering pace on the counter.

RECOMMENDATION: Liverpool to win 2-0
1


REFEREE: Graham Scott STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL roundup: Leafs win third straight
By The Sports Xchange

TORONTO -- James van Riemsdyk's third-period goal helped the Toronto Maple Leafs edge the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Tuesday night at Air Canada Centre.
Toronto earned its third win in a row while improving to 9-1-1 in the past 11 games. Buffalo lost for the third time in four games.
Leo Komarov, Matt Martin and Auston Matthews scored the other goals for the Leafs, while Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for his 19th win of the season. Kyle Okposo, Evander Kane and William Carrier found the back of the net for the Sabres. Buffalo goalie Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing three goals on 16 shots. Anders Nilsson stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced in relief.

Stars 7, Rangers 6
NEW YORK -- Patrick Sharp scored twice as Dallas survived a wild one to defeat New York at Madison Square Garden.
Patrick Eaves, Jamie Benn, Cody Eakin, Adam Cracknell and Antoine Roussel also scored for the Stars. Antti Niemi made 22 saves to earn the win, although he was replaced by Kari Lehtonen after the Rangers' sixth goal. Lehtonen stopped 11 shots, including three in the final seconds.
Derek Stepan and Mika Zibanejad scored twice each for the Rangers with Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich scoring the other two goals. Henrik Lundqvist allowed seven goals on 27 shots and gave way to Magnus Hellberg, who made four saves, to start the third period.

Blue Jackets 4, Hurricanes 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Brandon Dubinsky scored two goals and Columbus welcomed Sergei Bobrovsky back to the net in a victory over Carolina at Nationwide Arena.
Bobrovsky, who missed the last three games with an illness, finished with 24 saves and posted his NHL-best 27th win of the season.
Boone Jenner and Lukas Sedlak scored the other goals for the Blue Jackets. The Hurricanes got a goal from Sebastian Aho, his 11th of the season.

Senators 6, Blues 4
ST. LOUIS -- Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman each scored two goals to lead Ottawa over St. Louis.
Bobby Ryan and Jean-Gabriel Pageau also scored for the Senators.
Alexander Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk, Patrik Berglund and Paul Stastny scored for the Blues.

Devils 4, Wild 3
SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Beau Bennett, Kyle Palmieri and Adam Henrique scored third-period goals as New Jersey overcame a pair of deficits and cooled off red-hot Minnesota.
The Devils also got a power-play goal from Pavel Zacha and 32 saves from goalie Cory Schneider.
Jared Spurgeon, Jason Zucker and Erik Haula scored for the Wild.

Flames 5, Panthers 2
CALGARY, Alberta -- Mikael Backlund scored goals 13 seconds apart in the second period to lead Calgary over Florida at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Backlund also had an assist for the Flames, while Mark Giordano scored once and set up two others. Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist for Calgary, Kris Versteeg also scored, and Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolik chipped in with two assists each.
Vincent Trocheck scored both goals for the Panthers to extend his point streak to five games.

Blackhawks 6, Avalanche 4
DENVER -- Vinnie Hinostroza scored twice in a span of 3:10 of the third period, and Chicago rallied to beat the Colorado.
Tanner Kero had two goals and an assist and Nick Schmaltz had a goal and an assist. Brent Seabrook also scored and Corey Crawford made 19 saves for the Blackhawks.
Matt Duchene had two goals and Blake Comeau and Matt Nieto also scored for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie had two assists for Colorado, which has lost 13 of 14 home games.

Ducks 2, Lightning 1 (OT)
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Rickard Rakell scored a power-play goal 54 seconds into overtime to give Anaheim a win vs. Tampa Bay at the Honda Center.
Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Ducks, who received 27 saves from John Gibson in earning their seventh win in nine games.
Valtteri Filppula scored for the Lightning, who suffered their sixth loss in eight games. Ben Bishop stopped 19 shots.

Canucks 1, Predators 0
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Henrik Sedin's goal at 12:28 of the third period gave Vancouver a victory over Nashville.
The Canucks ended their losing streak at four games while avenging a loss to the Predators in the dying seconds of overtime in Nashville last week. The Predators suffered their first loss in four games.
Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller posted 30 saves for his second shutout of the season, while Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne stopped 25 of 26 shots.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

In the Crease - Week 15
By Joe Williams

Streaky Teams
Wins and Losses Streak Over/Under Streak
Arizona 2-11 past 13 overall Arizona Under 15-5-1 past 21 overall, 10-2-2 past 14 road
Carolina 14-2 past 16 home Colorado Under 4-0-1 past five overall
Colorado 2-12 past 14 overall Edmonton Under 9-1-1 past 11 home
Philadelphia 2-9 past 11 overall, 0-9 past nine road Nashville Under 7-2-2 past 11 overall, 5-0-2 past seven home
Toronto 8-2 past 10 overall, 8-1 past nine road Winnipeg Over 7-2-1 past 10 overall

Lose-ipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have struggled mightly in recent weeks, as both goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson have struggled in the crease. The Jets have allowed three or more goals in four straight outings, and eight of the past 10. That's a good reason why the 'over' is 7-2-1 in their past 10 overall. The Jets return to action Wednesday night at home against the former Jets, Shane Doan and the Arizona Coyotes. The 'under' is 10-2-2 in Arizona's past 14 road games overall, as they have been struggling to score goals. That might be the cure for Winnipeg's ills. The Jets will be playing their fourth game in six days, and the 'under' is 7-2-1 in their past 10 in the fourth game in a 4-in-6 situation. The 'over' streak will be put to the test.

Hurricane Warning
The Carolina Hurricanes have been unbelievable at home in recent weeks, going 14-1-1 in their past 16 games at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The only setback in regulation came against the New Jersey Devils back on Jan. 3. They also cooled off the Columbus Blue Jackets by a 5-3 score on Jan. 10, and they'll look for another win against the Jackets on Tuesday in Ohio. The Canes will have a big measuring stick game Friday night against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, and the arena is expected to sold out, or near sold out, reminding diehard Hurricanes fans of the halycon days when they routinely made the playoffs and challenged for Lord Stanley's grail.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, Jan. 18
The Penguins and Canadiens do battle at Bell Centre in a possible Eastern Conference Finals preview. If the Penguins are going to achieve those lofty goals, they will need to learn how to win on the road again. They have won just one of their past six away from the Steel City. The Habs, on the other hand, have won 17 of their past 23 games in front of the home fans. While the 'over' has been the predominant trend for both of these teams, the 'under' is 4-0-1 in the past five meetings in Montreal.

The Sharks and Kings renew their Golden State rivalry at Staples Center. The Sharks have managed just two victories in their past seven tries against Western Conference foes, while the Kings are 5-1 in their past six against Western Conference clubs. The Kings are also a perfect 4-0 in their past four against teams with a winning overall record. However, it is San Jose who has dominated this series in recent years, going 6-1 in their past seven trips to L.A., and 7-3 in their past 10 meetings overall with the Kings. The road team is also 10-4 in the past 14 in this series.

Thursday, Jan. 19
The Flames welcome the Predators, looking to stay hot at home. Calgary has won four of their past five on home ice, although they were tripped up 2-1 against New Jersey Jan. 13. The Flames have fared well against the Predators in recent seasons, winning six of the past seven meetings overall, including three of the past four on home ice. However, when these teams skate together it is usually very close, as six of the previous seven outings have resulted in one-goal games.
The Ducks welcome the ice-cold Avalanche to town. In the first meeting on Jan. 12 in Denver the Ducks won 4-1 behind John Gibson. Surprisingly, Anaheim has struggled with Colorado in recent years, losing three of the past five overall. And the Ducks haven't topped the Avalanche at home in regulation since Jan. 22, 2012, winning three overtime games while losing three in regulation since that victory.

Friday, Jan. 20
The Predators will do the Alberta two-step, heading up Route 2 for a Friday night game in the provincial capital. The Oilers haven't been very slick against the Preds lately, losing six consecutive meetings. While Edmonton has displayed a promising young offense this season, they have averaged just 1.0 goals per game in the past six encounters with the Preds, outscored 17-6 during the span. The 'under' is 3-0-3 in the past six in this series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Penguins (27-11) at Canadiens (27-12)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Canadiens finally put together a strong defensive game in their last outing.

On Wednesday, it'll be put to the test when they host the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre.

Montreal is coming off a 1-0 loss to Detroit on Monday afternoon, a defeat in which it limited the Red Wings to just 20 shots on goal -- while mustering a mere 18 of their own. The Canadiens were beaten on a perfect deflection by veteran Thomas Vanek.

It was quite the contrast from the Penguins' tilt against the Washington Capitals on Monday, in which the defending Stanley Cup champions turned a three-goal deficit into 5-3 and 7-5 leads before ultimately clinching an 8-7 win in overtime. The offensive slugfest snapped Pittsburgh's three-game losing streak, the first of its kind for the team this season.

Already one of the top offensive teams in the NHL before the game, the Penguins (27-11-5) now rank among the top two in the league with 151 goals and average 3.51 goals per game.

While they're filling the net, so too are their opponents. Teams are averaging just over three goals per game on goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray, placing the club among the lower third in the NHL.

"I think it's about just playing a responsible game," coach Mike Sullivan told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We've tried to distinguish between playing fast and getting in a track meet. We don't want to be a team that trades chance for chance. We want to make sure that we're playing fast, but we're also playing a responsible game where we limit teams' opportunities to counterattack on us, or we limit teams' opportunities to generate speed against us."

Already down top defenseman Kris Letang -- week-to-week with a lower-body injury -- the Penguins will be without another key element in their defensive game against Montreal. Fourth-line center Matt Cullen -- who leads Pittsburgh forwards in average short-handed ice time -- will miss three to four weeks with a foot injury suffered against the Capitals.

A healthy scratch the last three games, Eric Fehr will draw back in and slot into the center role.

"I would say I probably prefer center," Fehr told the Post-Gazette. "I haven't played it for awhile, but it's still probably the position that I feel like I get skating the best at and I get the most involved at."

Monday's game marked the first time in seven games that the Canadiens (27-12-6) held the opposition to two goals or fewer, allowing 26 during that stretch. Defenseman Andrei Markov has been sidelined since Dec. 18 with a groin injury.

The Canadiens were given a day off on Tuesday. It's been a grueling start to 2017 for Montreal, which is in the middle of a stretch that sees the team play nine games in 15 days.

"We tightened up our defensive game, but I wish we could have scored more," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said after Monday's game. "Carey (Price) was good but we didn't skate like we usually do. I felt my team didn't have much energy, which is understandable because this was our fifth game in eight days."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (13-24) at Jets (20-23)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Desperate times call for desperate measures but the Winnipeg Jets are way past that -- they've called for Ondrej Pavelec.

After neither Connor Hellebuyck nor Michael Hutchinson were able to provide the kind of goaltending needed for a serious playoff run, the Winnipeg Jets have recalled their former long-time starter from the minors.

The move unlikely will be long-term as Pavelec's contract, which pays him $4.75 million per year, expires at the end of this season. There's no question, however, his return will light a fire under the pads of the other two for the next little while.

"Ondrej's game started slow and has really improved, we've struggled in our net and we've got to win hockey games. I want to see (Pavelec on Wednesday night)," Jets coach Paul Maurice told the media said after the goalie's first practice on Tuesday.

It's unusual for a club to carry three goaltenders, but the Jets are prepared to do so for the short term.

"Nothing is written in stone," Maurice said.

Pavelec, a native of the Czech Republic, has been a polarizing figure since he arrived with the rest of the former Atlanta Thrashers in the fall of 2011. He was often criticized for giving up bad goals but was also lauded for putting the team on his back en route to its only playoff appearance in 2015.

The Jets have lost four consecutive games and are in danger of falling out of the playoff picture unless they're able to turn things around.

Pavelec has played 18 games with the Jets' minor league affiliate, the Manitoba Moose -- with whom they share the same home rink -- going 8-7-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. He has played 371 NHL games over nine seasons, compiling a 148-154-47 record, a 2.86 career GAA and a .907 save percentage.

Another familiar face will be on the ice Wednesday night at the MTS Centre but this one will be wearing an Arizona Coyotes' jersey.

Alex Burmistrov, another former Thrasher, was placed on waivers by the Jets a couple of weeks ago and picked up by Arizona. With the arrival of youngsters such as Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, the 25-year-old found himself falling down the Jets' depth chart and was a frequent healthy scratch this season.

Since suiting up for the Coyotes, Burmistrov has recorded one assist in one game -- he had some visa problems which delayed his arrival -- and has even had some shifts on the power play, which only ever happened in Winnipeg in garbage time.

He said he's looking forward to playing his friends and former teammates.

"We came from Atlanta to Winnipeg. I love the boys, I love the crowd. The fans are great, they always supported me good. It's going to be a special night," he said.

"I'm sure it's going to be weird, awkward, seeing your ex-teammates skating on the other side in the warmup."

He scored 13 goals in the Jets' first season, a career high, but had just two assists in 23 games with the Jets this year.

Burmistrov still has an apartment in Winnipeg and said he has "great" memories of his 5 1/2 seasons with the Jets.

"It's cold but it's nice. I have lots of friends outside of hockey (here), guys I play golf with in the summer," he said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bruins (23-19) at Red Wings (19-19)

Date: January 18, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings are looking for their first three-game winning streak since October, while the Boston Bruins are searching for answers.

Detroit (19-19-6) hosts Boston (23-18-5) at Joe Louis Arena for an 8 p.m. game on Wednesday.

The Red Wings are coming off a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens two days later.

Rookie goalie Jared Coreau made 18 saves against Montreal for his second career shutout and Thomas Vanek scored the game's only goal. It was Vanek's team-leading 12th tally of the season.

"There's no question that we know where those teams are in the standings," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told www.mlive.com. "So when you're able to beat those teams -- and I think in a lot of ways outplay them -- you walk out and say, 'When we play the right way, we can be a pretty good hockey team.'

"Now, I think we know that but it certainly helps when you have results."

Captain Henrik Zetterberg said now Detroit has to keep it going against the Bruins.

"Boston comes in next game, so another tough opponent," he said. "We just got to keep doing these things and play well out there and then we have a chance of winning games."

The Bruins canceled practice to "regroup" after a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders at home on Monday.

"We can look at our players and maybe it's not as good as it was," Boston coach Claude Julien told CBS Boston. "But it's still not as big a reason to lose games like you do at home -- it's unacceptable. Our teams are prepared the same way on the road as they are at home, so there's got to be something that's got to be better and we're certainly working on trying to make our team better at home. Because somehow, the preparation is the same but the results aren't the same."

Boston had just come off a 3-1-1 road trip.

"I still believe in this group. I never have not believed in this group," Julien said. "Having said that, I think they also understand there's work to be done and there are challenges ahead."

Boston snapped Detroit's six-game winning on Oct. 29, with a 1-0 win at Joe Louis Arena.

Vanek has a six-game point streak, in which he has five goals and four assists.

"He creates a lot out of nothing," Zetterberg said about Vanek.

Vanek has 30 points, which is second to Zetterberg's 31 for the team lead.

Coreau, who was also in goal in the win over Pittsburgh, is 5-1-1 with a 2.70 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (20-18) at Oilers (24-15)

Date: January 18, 2017 9:30 PM EDT

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers have been downright stingy of late as goalie Cam Talbot has surrendered just four goals during the team's three-game winning streak.

The Florida Panthers will try and break down the Oilers when they meet Wednesday night at Rogers Place. The Panthers' four-game road winning streak was snapped Tuesday night, as they lost 5-2 to the Calgary Flames, just three hours south of Edmonton on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

The Oilers know that an improved defensive effort is what has led to the three-game streak.

"When we had that skid four or five games ago, we were giving up a lot of goals," said Edmonton rookie defenseman Matthew Benning, whose father, Brian, played for the Oilers in 1992-93.

"I think we're better defensively now, and we're kind of focusing on that. I think that's one thing and, obviously, the scoring has been there."

Benning has been a revelation for the Oilers. Coming straight out of Northeastern University, he played all of two games with Edmonton's American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield before taking the role as a regular part of the defensive top six. His emergence has been one of the reasons the Oilers have been able to play so tight defensively. And, according to Benning, each game carries greater importance.

"I think we realize now that the points are so crucial, now," he said. "It's almost playoff hockey, now."

The game against the Panthers will be the fifth of a six-game homestand.

After losing to the San Jose Sharks to open the run of games at home, the Oilers have run off three straight wins, though only one of them -- Monday's 3-1 decision over Arizona -- came in regulation time.

Those three wins boosted the Oilers' home record to 12-8-2. Before the streak, their home record had hovered close to .500. So, finally, brand-new Rogers Place is starting to feel like home

"I think our record at home hasn't been as good as we wanted it to be," Edmonton right winger/center Leon Draisaitl said of the team's fortunes on home ice. "Those three games now have been huge for us, and I've said many times before, every point is huge for us right now."

Draisaitl's 17 goals puts him second on the team behind linemate Patrick Maroon (18). Draisaitl and teammate Connor McDavid both have 99 career points, so they could each hit the century mark Wednesday.

For the Panthers, the contest will be the second of a four-game road swing through the Pacific Division. Vincent Trocheck scored twice for the Panthers in the loss at Calgary, so he's the hottest Florida player coming into Edmonton. He has 16 goals on the season.

"The good thing about this league is whenever you have a bad game, you go back at it the next day," Trocheck said. "We've got to just wipe this one out of our memory, treat tomorrow like the beginning of the rest of the season. It's going to take us a lot of effort to push for a playoff spot."

And he gave his thumbnail analysis of the Oilers.

"Good, skilled team, fast," Trocheck said. "We've just got to make sure we're taking time and space away from their skilled players."

The Panthers only make one road trip per season to Calgary and Edmonton; and for the players who hail from Alberta, it's special.

Center Colton Sceviour comes from Red Deer, located halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. Defenseman Mark Pysyk hails from the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park, and played major junior hockey for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

"When you're playing in junior, you always wish and hope that, someday, you'll be playing here in the NHL," Pysyk said.

Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera left Monday's win over Arizona with a couple of minutes left in the third after blocking a shot with his arm. Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said the veteran defenseman will be able to go against Florida.

"He blocked a shot, but he should be fine for tomorrow," McLellan said. "We're counting on him."

The Panthers called up defenseman Dylan McIlrath from its their affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, on Monday. He had been down in the minors for a conditioning assignment. He didn't play in Tuesday night's loss in Calgary.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sharks (26-16) at Kings (22-18)

Date: January 18, 2017 10:30 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- The Pacific Division rival San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings meet for the fifth and final time this regular season at Staples Center Wednesday.

The Kings trail the Sharks by six points for second place in the division entering the contest, with both teams winning two games against the other this season.

San Jose won the first two contests of the series, a 2-1 decision in the season debut in San Jose and a 4-1 victory on Nov. 30 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles rallied with back-to-back wins, 3-2 on Dec. 31 in Los Angeles and followed with a 2-1 overtime win three nights later.

The Sharks (26-16-2) will have several lineup changes as general manager Doug Wilson announced Tuesday that right wing Jonas Donskoi was placed on injured reserve and recalled forwards Ryan Carpenter and Barclay Goodrow and defenseman Tim Heed from their San Jose Barracuda affiliate in the American Hockey League.

San Jose defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Monday to break a two-game losing streak, receiving a goal and an assist from wingers Joel Ward and Timo Meier. Coach Peter DeBoer knows he will need another performance to win the season series from Los Angeles.

"I thought we had a four-line, six-defensemen game tonight," DeBoer said. "Nice effort after the last game. I don't think anyone in our room was happy with how last game went. It was a good bounce-back game."

Center Logan Couture is the leading scorer against Los Angeles, registering four goals - including a game-winning tally - and two assists. The expected starting goaltender Martin Jones has posted a 1.76 goals against average and a .937 save percentage against his former team.

"The Winnipeg game was a really good effort and we have to make sure we stay that hungry and compete like that every night," Jones said after the win.

The Kings' inconsistent play all season is responsible for them being outside their accustomed top three standing in the Pacific Division that automatically qualifies teams for postseason play. They enter the match in fifth place in the Pacific after dropping a 2-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday.

Due to injury and illness, Los Angeles has not capitalized on gaining ground on a seven-game homestand that ends Wednesday. Winger Tyler Toffoli, the teams' leading goal scorer last season will miss his 13th straight game with a knee injury but it is expected that captain Anze Kopitar will return after missing the Lightning loss with a virus.

Team leading-scorer Jeff Carter (23 goals, 14 assists) and Tanner Pearson have led the way against San Jose, each tallying two goals and an assist. The linemates have accounted for Los Angeles' game winning goals in the season series.

Peter Budaj, playing well as the starter with the season-long absence of No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Quick is likely to start his 37th game in 45 contests. Budaj is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .914 save percentage versus San Jose.

With the Kings about to depart on a stretch of nine road games in the 10 contests, they realize the importance of closing the homestand on a positive note.

"It's going to be big game and we have to win it," defenseman Drew Doughty told NHL Network Tuesday.

Kopitar concurs with the need for Los Angeles to leave town with a win given its lack of success on the road this season (8-11-3).

"It's always important, after the All-Star break the picture gets clearer on playoffs," Kopitar said. "We have five games before the All-star break and want to win them all. You want to put in the work and make sure you get the most points you can."

 

[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 3 16 19 OVER
1/2 3 15.5 13 UNDER
1/3 7 37.5 40 OVER
1/4 6 33.5 29 UNDER
1/5 7 37.5 45 OVER
1/6 6 32.5 26 UNDER
1/7 12 64.5 68 OVER
1/8 6 31.5 36 OVER
1/9 4 21 20 UNDER
1/10 7 37.5 41 OVER
1/11 4 21.5 26 OVER
1/12 9 48.5 54 OVER
1/13 7 37 40 OVER
1/14 12 64 80 OVER
1/15 4 20.5 16 UNDER
1/16 7 - - -
1/17 9 - - -
1/18 5 - - -
1/19 8 - - -
1/20 6 - - -
1/21 11 - - -
1/22 6 - - -
1/23 6 - - -
1/24 10 - - -
1/25 4 - - -
1/26 13 - - -
1/27 No games scheduled - - -
1/28 No games scheduled - - -
1/29 No games scheduled - - -
1/30 No games scheduled - - -
1/31 14 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Wednesday’s games

Penguins won three of last four games with Montreal, in series where visitor won six of last nine meetings. Pittsburgh won three of last four games in Molson Centre (under 4-0). Penguins lost three of last four games; they were outscored 15-6 in losing last three on road. Five of their last six games went over total. Montreal is 5-3 in its last eight games, 3-0 in game following their last three losses. Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

Home side won six of last seven Arizona-Winnipeg games; Coyotes were outscored 15-10 in losing last four visits to Manitoba. Three of last four series games went over total. Arizona lost eight of last ten games, were outscored 13-5 in losing last four on road. Five of their last six games stayed under. Winnipeg lost its last four games, allowing 19 goals; they lost three of last four at home. Over is 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Bruins won eight of last nine games with Detroit, winning four of last five visits to Motor City; over is 4-2-2 in last eight series games. Boston is 3-5 in its last eight games, 2-3 in its last five on road. Over is 3-3 in their last six road games. Red Wings won 6-3/1-0 in last two games, following a 1-5 skid; four of their last five games went over total. Detroit won three of its last four home games.

Road team won six of last seven Edmonton-Florida games; Oilers won seven of last nine series games, but Florida won 4-2/2-1 in last two visits to Edmonton. Under is 7-3 in last 10 series tilts. Panthers won three of last five games after losing in Calgary last nite; their last three games went over total. Edmonton won its last three home games, allowing total of four goals; they’re 5-2 in last seven games overall. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six home games.

Road team won six of last nine San Jose-LA games; Sharks won four of their last five visits to Staples Center. Under is 4-1-3 in last eight series games. San Jose is 3-5 in its last eight games; they split last four on road. Over is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Los Angeles is playing its 7th straight home game; they’re 3-3 in last six. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: Joseph's career night lifts Raptors
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Cory Joseph scored a career-high 33 points in place of a resting Kyle Lowry, leading the Toronto Raptors to a 119-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
The Raptors announced shortly before the opening tip Lowry was resting some bumps and bruises to ensure he can play in his native Philadelphia on Wednesday. Lowry was active and in warmup gear as he watched Joseph turn in the best game of his five-year career.
Joseph's previous career high was 20 points for the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 28, 2014 at New Orleans. He shot 15 of 22 from the floor Tuesday, setting career highs for field goals and attempts.

Heat 109, Rockets 103
MIAMI -- James Harden produced his 13th triple-double of the season, but it wasn't enough as Miami upset Houston at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Harden, who had six turnovers, had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He made 12-of-30 shots from the floor, including 4-of-15 from 3-point range. He also made 12 of 13 free throws.
Heat point guard Goran Dragic had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Miami made a 20-3 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Mavericks 99, Bulls 98
CHICAGO -- Harrison Barnes scored 20 points, Seth Curry had 18 and Wesley Matthews hit a 3-pointer with 11.7 seconds remaining to lift Dallas to a win over Chicago.
J.J. Barea had 12 points for Dallas (14-27), which won its third straight game. Matthews and Deron Williams both finished with 11 points.
Jimmy Butler had 24 points and 12 assists to lead Chicago (21-22), which also got a season-high 21 points from Robin Lopez and 17 from Dwyane Wade. Michael Carter-Williams had 10 points for the Bulls, who saw their two-game winning streak snapped and again fell under .500 for the season.

Spurs 112, Timberwolves 114
SAN ANTONIO -- Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 29 as San Antonio shrugged off a ragged first three quarters and rolled to a 122-114 win over Minnesota at the AT&T Center.
Leonard's rebound and rush down the court for a dunk over two Minnesota defenders with 7:36 to play highlighted a 20-2 run for San Antonio that turned a 90-83 deficit into a 103-92 lead.
Leonard has 12 games of 30 or more points this season and has reached that mark in four consecutive contests. He's the first San Antonio player to score 30-plus points in four straight contests since Tim Duncan in January 2004.

Nuggets 127, Lakers 121
LOS ANGELES -- Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Denver extended the woes of Los Angeles with a victory at Staples Center.
Will Barton contributed 26 points and eight assists, Kenneth Faried added 20 points and seven rebounds and Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay each chipped in 14 points for the Nuggets (17-23), who won on the Lakers' home floor for the seventh consecutive time.
Lou Williams scored 24 points to pace the Lakers (15-31), who dropped their fifth in a row. Nick Young collected 22 points, while Jordan Clarkson scored 19. Brandon Ingram had 15 points and rookie center Ivica Zubac earned his first double-double with 11 points and 13 boards for Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (18-25) at Hornets (20-21)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

A number of things went wrong for the Charlotte Hornets on their winless five-game road trip.

Charlotte's performance on the frustrating trip may also be an indication of how things have evolved within the last month.

The Hornets will attempt to get back on track Wednesday night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.

"We have to get ourselves right," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "We have to get back to what we've been for four years. Defense first, compete on every play (and) play smart. When we do that, we'll give ourselves a chance to win. We have a good enough team to play a lot better, and again the big thing is finishing. We got to finish more plays out there."

Charlotte won 14 of its first 23 games through Dec. 9. Since then the Hornets are 6-12 with the dubious numbers to back it up.

Through their first 23 games, the Hornets averaged 104.7 points, shot 44 percent and made 34.8 percent of their 3-pointers. They also averaged 11.7 turnovers and 27 trips to the foul line.

Defensively in those 23 games, Charlotte allowed 99.9 points, 43.1 percent shooting and 30.5 percent from long range.

Since getting to 14-9 with a 21-point win over the Orlando Magic, the numbers are different, especially defensively. Charlotte's scoring and shooting percentages have inched higher but the defense has dropped off.

In their last 18 games, the Hornets are allowing 107.6 points per game, 46.8 percent shooting and 38.3 percent from 3-point range. The Hornets have allowed at least 100 points in eight consecutive games and in 14 games since Dec. 9.

Charlotte also has allowed teams to make at least 50 percent of their shots in five games during this slide, and it included Monday's 108-98 loss at Boston when the Celtics made 15 3-pointers and shot 50 percent.

During the trip, the Hornets allowed 109.6 points per game, 45.1 percent shooting and 38.8 percent from long range. Offensively Charlotte averaged 100.8 points, shot 41.3 percent and 34.1 from 3-point range.

Kemba Walker scored 24 points Monday and it was his 28th game with 20 points or more. Walker shot 8 of 21 against the Celtics and shot 41.5 percent (42 of 101) on the trip.

"We just have to be ready to play," said Walker. "Tough loss tonight. We just got to learn from our mistakes and prepare for the next one."

The Hornets played two games without Nicolas Batum due to a hyperextended right knee. He returned Friday and scored 19 points in Philadelphia but was held to eight points in 37 minutes against Boston on Monday as he missed nine of 11 shots.

Wednesday starts a stretch of 10 out of 14 games at home before the Hornets embark on a seven-game trip Feb. 15 to March 4. The Hornets are 12-7 at home.

Portland also will be looking to rebound. The Trail Blazers are at the bottom of the league in points allowed (110.7) and defensive rating (112.4) and began a four-game trip with an ugly 120-101 loss in Washington Monday.

The Trail Blazers were 12-10 after a two-point win in Chicago on Dec. 5 but are 6-15 since. In those 21 games, Portland allowed 107.8 points per game, 45.4 percent shooting and a 39.8 percent clip from 3-point range.

On Monday, Portland easily allowed Washington to surpass those totals. The Trail Blazers allowed 48.8 percent shooting and 56.5 percent from 3.

"It was a very poor performance," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "We didn't do a lot of things that good teams need to do to win games on the road. And it was very disappointing."

Portland has allowed at least 50 percent shooting from long range eight times and 120 points 13 times. During last season's 44-win season, the Blazers allowed 50 percent shooting from 3 11 times and 120 points seven times.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 34 points but were 11 of 29 and Portland could not overcome another poor start. The Blazers fell behind 18-1 to Orlando Friday, and on Monday they allowed the game's first 10 points en route to a 75-50 halftime deficit.

"Anytime you come out and have that kind of start to the game and the game gets away from you the way it did (today), I don't think it ever sits well," Lillard said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (25-18) at Wizards (21-19)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- That the Washington Wizards are openly discussing the idea of home-court advantage in the playoffs shows just how far they've come since their early season struggles. Wrapping up their head-to-head series with the Memphis Grizzlies provides a good reminder.

After opening 2-8, including a road loss in overtime at Memphis, the Wizards (21-19) have found their way. Since Dec. 5, Washington is 15-7 and enters Wednesday fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. Winning 12 in a row at home helps the cause. The latest victory in front of their fans was among their easiest.

The Wizards routed the Portland Trail Blazers 120-101 on Monday after starting the game with 10 straight points and then pulling away for good with a 17-0 run before halftime. Bradley Beal scored 25 points and John Wall had 24 as Washington improved to 5-1 over its last six games.

The home streak is the franchise's longest since the Washington Bullets won 15 straight during the 1988-89 season.

"We have that extra urge here, that will to want to win," Beal said. "We want to be a great team here and home, we want to have home court when playoff time comes around."

Slow starts have plagued Washington even in recent wins, but there was no such issue against Portland. The Wizards scored a season-high 75 points in the first half, hitting 9 of 13 3-pointers. The drubbing continued into the third quarter as the lead ballooned to 30.

"When we play defense and get rebounds, get out in transition teams collapse when I'm penetrating and then just finding guys," Wall said of the explosive first half. "We moved the ball very well and guys were knocking down shots, shooting with confidence."

Memphis center Marc Gasol knocked down clutch shots when these teams met on Halloween in Washington's first road game of the season. Trailing by eight points with three minutes remaining, the Grizzlies (25-18) tied the game on Gasol's 3-pointer with 15.7 seconds remaining. The All-Star big man scored eight of his 20 points in overtime as the Grizzlies pulled away for a 112-103 win.

Their current meandering stretch hasn't allowed Memphis to pull closer to those occupying a top-4 seed in the West, a needed destination for home-court playoff advantage. Sunday's 108-104 loss to the Chicago Bulls dropped the Grizzlies to 5-5 over their last 10 games.

Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 28 points and eight assists, but the Bulls shot 65 percent from the field in the fourth quarter.

"We couldn't get to our defensive coverage to save our lives there down the stretch," Grizzlies coach David Fizdale told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "The second and the fourth quarter we didn't defend at the level that we are capable of defending."

The Grizzlies are third in scoring defense (99.1), but only 26th in points per game at 99.6 points. Without its best effort, Memphis will struggle containing Wall, the only East guard averaging a double-double with 22.9 points and 10.1 assists.

"If we don't get stops, it's going to be hard to win," Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said. "That, for me, is what changes from game to game. ... That makes it really tough on your offense, especially because we're not a super firepower team (on offense)."

Memphis is 11-10 on the road this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (28-13) at 76ers (13-26)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Embiid can only hope he has done enough to earn a spot in the NBA All-Star Game.

Certainly the Philadelphia 76ers' first-year center has done enough to make himself the odds-on favorite to earn the Rookie of the Year award, while awakening a slumbering team.

Heading into Wednesday's home game against the Toronto Raptors, he leads all rookies -- as well as his team -- in scoring (19.7), rebounding (7.7) and blocked shots (2.4).

He has done that despite averaging only 25.3 minutes. The team is limiting Embiid, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, to no more than 28 minutes after he missed two seasons while recovering from a pair of foot surgeries.

Embiid collected 22 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks Monday as the 76ers earned a 113-104 victory in Milwaukee. Philadelphia (13-26) won for the fourth time in five games, and the sixth time in eight.

Embiid shrugged off a slow start to score 12 points in the fourth quarter.

"The first half, I didn't have my legs," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "My legs were really heavy. I didn't play against Washington (Saturday), so I kind of get out of shape easily. In the second half, I just got it going. I rely on my defense to get my offense going. I think I played really well defensively."

It was Embiid's last appearance before All-Star voting concluded later in the day. The teams will be announced Thursday and the game is Feb. 19 in New Orleans.

"He's playing at a very high level," Bucks coach Jason Kidd told the Inquirer. "To be away from the game and the minutes that he's playing, he is playing at a very high level. He causes a lot of problems. He can play inside and out, and you can see that he understands how to play the game the right way."

Sixers coach Brett Brown called the game against Milwaukee "our finest team win," according to the Inquirer. They were without point guard T.J. McConnell (sprained right wrist) and backup center Nerlens Noel (sprained left ankle).

Noel is expected to return against the Raptors, but McConnell is not.

Toronto (28-13) beat Brooklyn 119-109 on Tuesday night, behind 36 points from DeMar DeRozan and a career-high 33 from Corey Joseph.

Joseph started alongside DeRozan in the backcourt while the Raptors rested Kyle Lowry, their starting point guard. Lowry, a Philadelphia native and Villanova product, is expected to play Wednesday.

DeRozan also contributed 11 rebounds and six assists Tuesday for the Raptors, who trail only Cleveland in the Eastern Conference standings.

Toronto is 2-0 against the Sixers this season, winning 122-95 on Nov. 28 at home and 123-114 on Dec. 14 in Philadelphia.

Lowry scored 24 points and sixth man Terrence Ross generated 22 in the first meeting as Philadelphia rested Embiid.

DeRozan led the Raptors with 31 points in the second meeting. Robert Covington countered with season highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who outscored Toronto 40-31 in the fourth quarter.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Knicks (18-24) at Celtics (26-15)

Date: January 18, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Already saddled with a losing streak and all kinds of internal problems involving their star players, the New York Knicks now have to deal with Isaiah Thomas and the sizzling Celtics Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Thomas has been on fire all season, but especially since returning from a four-game absence with a groin strain.

The Celtics, winners of seven of their last eight, are 13-3 since Thomas' return. Thomas is averaging 31.6 points per game over that span and increasing his fourth-quarter production to an NBA-record (since they started tracking this in 1996) 10.1 points per games.

He has had eight games of at least 15 points in the fourth quarter and is the only player in the league with three 20-point fourths.

"Yeah, he's a special, special player, obviously," teammate Kelly Olynyk said Monday, after Thomas scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter in a victory over the Charlotte Hornets. "I don't know if there's another person in the world doing what he's doing. It's unfathomable to sit there and watch every night."

Said his coach, Brad Stevens: "It says a lot about him and the level he's playing at. I think it says a lot about the fact that he's got a lot of skilled guys around him that are hard to leave (in coverage).

"... I truly believe that there's going to be a fourth quarter in the very near future where he has five assists and he takes one or two shots because that's the right basketball play to be made."

The addition of Al Horford has helped spread the floor for Thomas, who has added looking at his imaginary watch after baskets, showing the fourth quarter is his time.

Thomas, averaging 28.4 points and 6.1 assists per game for the season, had 29 and 27 points in the Celtics' two wins over the Knicks, the latest win coming on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks have won twice since then, losing one game when Derrick Rose left the team without telling anyone and flew home to Chicago to see his mother, who has since moved to New York. There is the usual Carmelo Anthony stuff, including his battles with team president Phil Jackson -- and talk Jackson might deal Rose, who is in the final year of his contract.

The picture isn't a pretty one for first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, who says he is leaning toward putting Kristaps Porzingis at center when the talented second-year returns from an Achilles injury. Porzingis has missed the last three games and hopes to come back soon.

The move would send major disappointment Joakim Noah to the bench.

Then, a multiple-sourced piece on ESPN Tuesday noted Jackson, in a meeting that was anything but friendly, has asked Carmelo Anthony, who has a no-trade clause, whether he wants to remain with the Knicks.

Sunday, Anthony said, "If that's the case, if that's where it's coming from, that side, I guess it's a conversation we should have. If they feel my time in New York is over, I guess that's a conversation we should have."

While the Knicks are in turmoil, the Celtics' train is rolling merrily along, with Thomas leading the way, Horford getting into All-Star playing shape and contributions coming from the bench -- including two big games in a row by Olynyk.

"Guys have worked tremendously hard on their game, on their shooting abilities," said Thomas. "We're shooting at a high level, and I got to say, you just have to pick your poison who you want to stop, and my job is just to make the right play each and every time down."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Magic (17-26) at Pelicans (16-26)

Date: January 18, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS -- The Orlando Magic are finishing their longest road trip of the season against a New Orleans Pelicans team that just concluded its longest trip of the season.

The Magic (17-26) are 1-4 on their current trip after a 125-112 loss at Denver on Monday. They face the Pelicans (16-26) on Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center and New Orleans finished 2-3 on its trip after a 98-95 loss at Indiana on Monday.

Both the Magic, 12th in the Eastern Conference and 4 1/2 games out of eighth, and the Pelicans, 11th in the Western Conference and 1 1/2 games out of eighth, are trying to remain relevant to the playoff race as the second half of the season gets going.

If Orlando is going to do what New Orleans couldn't do and finish its road trip with a victory, it will have to play better defense than it played against the Nuggets.

"They got going early and everybody pretty much had a rhythm throughout the game," said guard Elfrid Payton, who led seven Orlando players in double figures by scoring 20 points.

Denver took control with a 16-2 run during the third quarter. It finished with a 58.4 field-goal percentage and 76 points in the paint, both season-highs for a Magic opponent.

"Our defense sucked pretty much," Magic forward Jeff Green told the Orlando Sentinel. "We can't allow a team like that who are already known for scoring a lot of points to get in a groove like they were in."

This game starts a six-game homestand, New Orleans' longest of the season.

All-Star forward Anthony Davis left the game against Indiana after taking a hard fall in the third quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative and he's listed as questionable for the game against Orlando because of a right hip contusion and a left thumb sprain. He had 16 points despite missing the final 19 minutes against the Pacers.

Even without Davis, New Orleans had a chance to end the road trip with a winning record.

The Pelicans overcame a 16-point deficit to pull even at 91 with 4:10 left and had three chances to tie or take the lead in the last half minute, but failed on each.

"Davis going down obviously took some momentum away," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said, "but I think our guys regrouped and kept us hanging in there and put us in a position to win."

With Indiana leading 97-95, Jrue Holiday missed a jumper with 19.9 seconds left and E-Twuan Moore missed a runner from the lane. With Indiana up three, Tyreke Evans missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"We played well, well enough to win," Moore said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win. We were down, fought our way back. We had good shots at the end, but just didn't convert."

Orlando has won the last four meetings with the Pelicans, including an 89-82 triumph Nov. 16 in Orlando. Davis missed that game because of a quad contusion and Holiday had not yet made his season debut as he stayed with his wife, who had undergone brain surgery.

Magic guard Evan Fournier (right heel soreness) is expected to miss his third consecutive game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawks (24-17) at Pistons (19-24)

Date: January 18, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

The Detroit Pistons returned from their five-game West Coast trip a little battered and somewhat bruised. At least they didn't bring back a losing streak.

They pulled out victories in the late going on the front and back end of the journey, sandwiching three losses. Tobias Harris' 3-pointer in the final minute helped the Pistons secure a 102-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

Detroit now draws one of the league's hottest teams -- the Atlanta Hawks -- on Wednesday night in its first game at The Palace since Jan. 5.

"It was a huge win for us, just because we've had some tough games that we feel like we underachieved in," Harris said. "On top of that, it's a good win to just get something going and get some steam going (back) home."

A pair of the Pistons' starters missed games because of injuries that occurred during the trip. Power forward Jon Leuer suffered a bone bruise on his right knee in the first half of the team's double-overtime win in Portland at the start of the trip. He missed the last four games but returned to practice on Tuesday.

Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sat out the last two games with a shoulder sprain that he sustained against Golden State on Thursday. He sat out practice on Tuesday along with centers Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes, who are nursing sore knees. Drummond and Baynes are expected to play against the Hawks.

The Pistons (19-24) played better defensively on Sunday after allowing 100 or more points to eight of their previous nine opponents. They limited the Lakers to 40 points after halftime and look to carry that improvement over to their matchup on Wednesday.

"We all fell in line, and even in times when we had breakdowns, we were doing our best to communicate and trying to protect each other," point guard Reggie Jackson said of Detroit's second-half defense. "It helped us find ways to get stops, whether it be turnovers or just missed shots, and I think we did a great job securing rebounds."

The Hawks (24-17) have won nine of their last 10, including a 108-107 triumph over the New York Knicks on Monday afternoon. Paul Millsap had a key block against Knicks guard Derrick Rose in the closing seconds.

Atlanta survived without center Dwight Howard, who was rested on the second game of a back-to-back.

"A one o'clock game on a back-to-back," coach Mike Budenholzer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his decision. "Trying to think big picture about how we can make sure he's feeling great and healthy at the end of the year and into the playoffs."

Another veteran, Kris Humphries, got a chance to play extended minutes to help fill the void. Humphries contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.

"He's a veteran, and he plays hard every game," shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. told the team's website. "He didn't know Dwight wasn't playing until we got to the arena. But he got out there, defended, rebounded, and did all the dirty work for us."

The Hawks split two home games with the Pistons last month. Atlanta avenged a 121-85 pummeling in early December with a 105-98 victory on Dec. 30. Millsap had 26 points in that game after missing the first meeting with a thigh contusion.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (20-20) at Rockets (32-12)

Date: January 18, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- The temptation with the Milwaukee Bucks is to confuse their ascent with their arrival, and every so often their inconsistent play offers a reminder of the difficulties of becoming an established contender.

With their 113-104 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, the Bucks (20-20) dropped their second consecutive game and slipped to .500. Milwaukee had won in San Antonio six days earlier and followed that triumph with a convincing victory over the Miami Heat to move two games above .500 for the fifth time this season. The Bucks have yet to reach three games over .500.

Milwaukee has been buoyed by the All-Star play of point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the continued emergence of his frontcourt mate Jabari Parker, and the surprise development of rookie point guard Malcolm Brogdon. Yet whenever the Bucks take a step forward, they follow with one in reverse.

"Understanding we haven't accomplished anything and we feel comfortable, and when we feel comfortable things tend to go south for us," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "We have to stay hungry. We have to keep fighting."

In facing the Rockets (32-12) on Wednesday at Toyota Center, the Bucks must address one of their glaring defensive weaknesses. Milwaukee ranks 23rd in 3-pointers allowed (10.4) and attempted (29.3) per game, a troublesome stat against Houston, which leads the NBA in both categories by a wide margin.

"At some point we've got to understand what the 3 means to us as a team if we want to win," Kidd said. "We can talk about it but if there's no effort in guarding it and understanding again it starts with effort. If we don't give it, we're going to give up a lot of 3s."

After suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season last week, Houston coach Mike D'Antoni acknowledged that adversity was sure to find his team at some point. The Rockets have enjoyed winning streaks of 10 and nine games, the latter despite the loss of center Clint Capela (leg).

On Tuesday night in Miami, Capela returned following a 15-game absence, yet the Rockets suffered their worst loss of the season, 109-103 to the lowly Heat.

Houston played without forward Ryan Anderson (flu) and Capela logged just nine minutes before watching the entire second half from the bench. Guard Eric Gordon didn't appear quite himself as he continues to work his way back from his two-game injury hiatus. Suddenly, Houston looks vulnerable.

The game in Miami represented the first of four during a five-day stretch for the Rockets. They are banged up when their schedule is most unforgiving, and after spending the first half of the season setting the league on fire, the Rockets are encountering their most challenging stretch of games yet.

After hosting the Bucks, Houston will welcome the Golden State Warriors on Friday before traveling to Memphis to face the Grizzlies, against whom the Rockets are 0-2 this season.

"These are dog days," D'Antoni said. "We're going to have to find some energy and see if we can sneak one out (against the Bucks)."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pacers (21-19) at Kings (16-24)

Date: January 18, 2017 10:30 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings are about to head out on the road again. A two-week run of home games that offered a chance to establish themselves as permanent participants in a playoff race ends Wednesday night when they host the Indiana Pacers.

Six games down, only one victory.

And yet, the Kings actually enter the homestand finale at the Golden 1 Center only a half-game worse off in their quest to finish among the top eight in the Western Conference than when it started.

What does that say exactly?

"We're not a good team right now," Kings forward Matt Barnes said. "Plain and simple."

Barnes spoke to reporters after Sacramento dropped a 122-118 decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, a loss aided by his untimely technical foul late in the contest but ultimately set in motion by another terrible start. The Kings (16-24) have trailed by double digits in the first half of all but one of their five losses during the homestand.

Against Indiana (21-19), they'll face a team with the opposite problem. The Pacers struggle to close games, a personality trait brought back into focus in a 98-95 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

Indiana also struggles on the road, toting a 5-14 mark into the contest. This game marks the start of a three-game Western Conference trip.

The Kings get their own lengthy trip -- eight games over 12 days -- after this one, their latest chance to handle the kind of business at home that aspiring playoff teams usually handle.

"We have what it takes, but we're undisciplined, not consistent and lose focus too much," Barnes said. "We just don't pay attention to the detail, and it always comes back and bites us."

Despite the early deficits, the Kings didn't lose any of their recent home games by more than 12 points, and two of the losses were by five points or fewer. In all but a 117-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 8 -- a game Sacramento led by 14 points in the first half -- the Kings had a chance to win each game of the homestand.

Sacramento's depth will be tested, with forward Omri Casspi expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks after straining a tendon in his right foot during practice Monday, the team said.

The Pacers won six of their past seven and can move three games above .500 for the first time with a victory. But their latest win didn't have a great ending. Indiana missed four free throws and had three turnovers in the final seven minutes.

"You won't win many games like that," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told the Indianapolis Star. "This type of play isn't going to get it done."

Guard Jeff Teague (15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds) fell two rebounds shy of his first career triple-double, his fourth flirtation with one in the past month. He and Paul George (22.2 points per game) are the pacesetters for an Indiana offense that has shot at least 50 percent in five of its past six games, and Teague's improvement on the glass has been a welcome development for a team that's 24th among 30 NBA teams in rebounding.

"We're got to get some consistency," Teague told reporters after the game. "We've got to find a way."

Guard Rodney Stuckey, out a month with a hamstring injury, is healing, but McMillan said he will not play on the road trip.