Wednesday 1/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Post your request, Comments or concerns here.
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[superbeets]

Capital One Cup TODAY 20:00

Everton

v

Man City

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		11/4	14/5	Evs	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT EVERTON	RECENT FORM
HDADHLAWHLHD​ Most recent​	0 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 3 2 - 0	HWHWALHWADAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Man City have scored the most Premier League goals this season with 39

EXPERT VERDICT: Everton and Manchester City have a lot in common this season – both are exciting to watch and score plenty of goals but are vulnerable at the back – and there is likely to be plenty of action at both ends when they meet in the League Cup semi-final first leg. Backing both teams to score looks the obvious punt in what should be a thriller.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

Italian Serie A TODAY 11:30

Udinese

v

Atalanta

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		5/4	11/5	12/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT UDINESE	RECENT FORM
AWHWALHLALAW​ Most recent​	3 - 1 2 - 0 1 - 1 2 - 1	HLAWALHWALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Atalanta have had six players sent off in their last five matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Udinese have already beaten Atalanta at home once this season, winning 3-1 in the cup last month, but this could be tighter as long as the visitors keep their discipline. Atalanta played a weaker team in the knockout competition which helps to explain the defeat, while only Verona have scored fewer goals than Udinese.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Italian Serie A TODAY 14:00

Juventus

v

Verona

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		2/11	6	16	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT JUVENTUS	RECENT FORM
AWAWALHWHWAW​ Most recent​	4 - 0 6 - 1 2 - 1 1 - 0	ALHWHLADALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Verona have scored just 12 Serie A goals this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Bottom club Verona are likely to improve their goalscoring now Luca Toni has returned but there are several injury problems elsewhere, while the club are still searching for a first Serie A victory of the campaign. Juve have won their last seven Serie A contests and should make their class count early on.

RECOMMENDATION: Juventus-Juventus double result
1

 

[superbeets]

Italian Serie A TODAY 17:00

Empoli

v

Inter

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		5/2	11/5	6/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT EMPOLI	RECENT FORM
HLADHWAWHWAW​ Most recent​	0 - 0 0 - 2 0 - 2 0 - 3	HWALHWAWHWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Empoli have failed to score in only two of their 17 league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Inter's excellent campaign has stuttered with a couple of defeats in their last four outings and a trip to in-form Empoli looks a tough assignment. The hosts have won four on the bounce and, having drawn 2-2 with high-flying Fiorentina and Napoli, should be backed to get on the scoresheet against another of Serie A's big guns.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
1

 

[superbeets]

Italian Serie A TODAY 19:45

Napoli

v

Torino

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		2/5	15/4	7	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NAPOLI	RECENT FORM
HWALHWHDHWAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 2 - 0 1 - 1 1 - 2	AWHWHWHDALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Torino have conceded the first goal in 12 of their 16 league matches this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Napoli were held to a goalless draw by Roma in their last home match but they should get back to winning ways against a Torino side who tend to start their games sluggishly. They have scored only five first-half goals this season and Napoli, who have been leading at half-time in five of their eight home games, should take charge early on.

RECOMMENDATION: Napoli-Napoli double result
2

 

[superbeets]

Portuguese Division 1 TODAY 20:15

Vitoria Setubal

v

Sporting Lisbon

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		15/2	10/3	2/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT VITORIA SETUBAL	RECENT FORM
ALHDAWHLAWHD​ Most recent​	1 - 2 2 - 2 2 - 1 1 - 0	HWAWHWHWALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Four of Sporting’s last five league away games have featured just one goal

EXPERT VERDICT: Sporting returned to the top of the Primeira Liga table with a 2-0 victory over Porto on Saturday and bookmakers expect them to beat Vitoria. But away games featuring the league leaders have featured few goals recently and backing likewise in this fixture looks a sensible play.

RECOMMENDATION: Sporting to win 1-0
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (18-15) at Canadiens (20-16)

Date: January 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Entering the midway point of their season, the New Jersey Devils are among the biggest surprises in the NHL under rookie coach John Hynes.

The Montreal Canadiens continue to be underwhelming.

The Devils seek a bounce-back effort as they try to send the foundering Canadiens to a 13th loss in 16 games Wednesday night.

New Jersey (20-15-4) was expected to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season as it rebuilt under Hynes, the youngest coach in the league at 40.

Instead, the Devils hold the first of two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference and are three points back of the New York Rangers for third in the Metropolitan Division.

"When we came in, one of the things we wanted to try to build was a culture that (general manager) Ray Shero, myself and the other coaches wanted to have in there," Hynes told the team's official website. "It was about what will our environment around the rink be like and what type of players and people do we want working here every day. That's gone really well."

Bobby Farnham is comfortable playing for Hynes after spending three seasons with him at Wilkes-Barre of the AHL. The pair were reunited after Farnham was waived by Pittsburgh in October.

"The way he approaches every day is why he's successful, because he's very detailed in how we play with our structure," Farnham said. "He's very good expressing to us the identity we have to play with, and then tweaking certain things to each team that we play.

"He's always prepared. And he knows how to get the most out of the guys on his team."

That's certainly true for Farnham, who has a career-high five goals but is known more for dropping his gloves.

Kyle Palmieri is also responding to Hynes' approach, leading the Devils with a career-high 17 goals, and his 30 points are one shy of his personal record set with Anaheim two seasons ago.

He has four goals and one assist in the past six games but came up empty on five shots in Monday's 1-0 loss to Detroit.

Palmieri scored with 22 seconds left in regulation before defenseman John Moore found the net in overtime of a 3-2 win at Montreal on Nov. 28. The Devils fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Canadiens a day earlier in the opener of the home-and-home set.

The Habs (22-15-3) have lost 12 of their last 15 games, tumbling from first to third in the Atlantic Division.

They concluded a 2-6-0 road trip with a 4-3 defeat to Philadelphia on Tuesday, ruining any momentum created by their 5-1 win over Boston in the Winter Classic four days prior.

"Emotionally we were not there," coach Michel Therrien said. "We just have to be better."

Showing improvement defensively is vital as Montreal is giving up an average of 3.07 goals over the last 15 games, surrendering three or more in all but two. That's not helped by Carey Price's continued absence due to a leg injury.

Mike Condon is 4-7-1 with a 2.73 goals-against average in 12 starts since replacing Price as the starter. That began with Condon making 25 saves and turning aside four shootout attempts at New Jersey on Nov. 27 before stopping 28 shots the next day.

The Canadiens are hoping playing their first home game since Dec. 17 while opening a three-game homestand will help.

"It's going to feel good to be back home, in front of our fans, following a couple of tough games on the road," defenseman Mark Barberio said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Penguins (18-15) at Blackhawks (23-13)

Date: January 06, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

After delivering one of the most exciting finishes under the NHL's new overtime format, the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins have a hard act to follow.

The surging Blackhawks hope for an encore Wednesday night when the home-and-home series between two of the league's marquee teams shifts to Chicago.

It will be tough to top the action and excitement of Tuesday's matchup, where the host Penguins scored twice in the third period to force overtime. The clubs then combined for 10 shots in the 3-on-3 extra session before Artemi Panarin's goal 3:47 in lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory.

Panarin's second goal of the night supported 34 saves from a locked-in Corey Crawford as Chicago (24-13-4) matched a season high with its fourth straight win.

Pittsburgh (19-15-5) still has something to build on after Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang both scored late to earn the team a point in a fourth consecutive game (2-0-2). After losing their first four after Mike Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston as head coach Dec. 13, the Penguins have gone 4-1-2 to move back into the Eastern Conference playoff mix.

'What I loved about our group was the resilience,' Sullivan said. 'We just keep playing. We raised our intensity level when we had to. That's a great sign for this team.'

The Penguins' improvement has coincided with Crosby's re-emergence following a slow start. The superstar center has a goal in four straight and six with six assists over an eight-game stretch.

Letang has been on a tear as well, having amassed eight points in his last three.

Sustaining that momentum will be a challenge considering Chicago's prowess at United Center, where it's 15-5-1 this season and won seven of nine. The Penguins have lost three straight there, though they picked up a point in two.

The task likely becomes more difficult if Crawford starts again. The accomplished goaltender owns a 1.00 goals-against average and four shutouts over his past seven home assignments and is 10-3-0 with a 1.68 GAA in his last 13 overall starts.

Crawford, who had 26 saves in blanking Ottawa 3-0 on Sunday, has long been a Penguins' nemesis. In six career starts, he's 5-1-0 with a 1.75 GAA.

Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 27 saves for Pittsburgh in his second start back from a concussion that sidelined him nearly three weeks. He was sharp in Saturday's return as well, notching 38 saves in a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

It's unclear whether Sullivan will turn back to his No. 1 goaltender or go with Jeff Zatkoff, who's stopped 60 of 63 shots in his two starts that preceded Fleury's return.

Either will be backed by a defense that's killed off 19 straight penalties, including two Chicago chances Tuesday.

They'll also have to deal with the formidable line of Panarin, Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov that has combined for eight goals during the Hawks' win streak.

Panarin's 13 goals overall rank among the NHL's rookie leaders.

"He's been great for our team, with what he brings with his energy, as well as skill," coach Joel Quenneville told the NHL's official website. "That line has been so effective for us, and him and Kane are together and share the puck at the appropriate moments."

Kane has nine points over the four games after contributing two assists Tuesday. The league's points leader remains without a goal in eight career games against Pittsburgh.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Maple Leafs (11-15) at Ducks (15-15)

Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

After an awful start to the season, the Anaheim Ducks have climbed back into the thick of a crowded division race, so maybe there's still hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs to do the same.

Mike Babcock's team doesn't have the benefit of a division with the bottom six teams all within five points of each other, but Wednesday night's trip to Anaheim is its next shot at continuing some strong play that's now lasted a month.

The Maple Leafs (15-15-7) have two fewer points than the Ducks (16-15-7) in one less game but have a double-digit deficit between themselves and third place in the Atlantic Division, while Anaheim could be in second in the Pacific with a strong week. But circumstance isn't discouraging Toronto, which is enjoying a 7-2-2 span after Saturday's 4-1 home win over St. Louis.

Toronto is averaging 3.64 goals in those 11 contests and gone 4-1-1 against the Western Conference heading into a three-game trip against the Pacific. For the season, it's 10-5-1 against the West and 5-10-6 versus the East.

"We seem to have had some success against Western Conference opponents and we definitely want to keep that rolling now that we head out to their neck of the woods," said center Peter Holland after breaking a 1-all tie at the start of the third period.

"We feel like we're playing a really good brand of hockey right now and we know we're going to be competitive every night if we play the way we're supposed to play."

James van Riemsdyk scored to extend his point streak to six games and has seven goals with five assists in his last 10.

Toronto has also been able to rely on Jonathan Bernier quite a bit more often. He's won consecutive starts with a 1.44 goals-against average and .963 save percentage and has gone 5-2-0 since opening 0-8-3 with a 3.46 GAA. He'll start again with James Reimer missing time with a groin injury, and Bernier is 5-2-1 with a 2.15 GAA against the Ducks.

Anaheim figures to counter with John Gibson, who's put Bernier's numbers to shame. The rookie made 19 saves in Sunday's 4-1 home win over Winnipeg and has posted a 0.75 GAA and .963 save percentage with two shutouts over a personal four-game winning streak. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in 15 games this season and was named December's Rookie of the Month.

In large part because of him, the Ducks have enjoyed a 4-0-1 span on which they've been limited to one goal three times.

"If we're not scoring a lot of goals, we better play pretty well defensively," coach Bruce Boudreau told the team's official website. "The guys have really taken to it. You can hear them talking on the bench about doing the right things. (Ryan) Kesler said it a couple of weeks ago. He said he was tired of losing."

Kesler scored for the second straight game after managing four goals in his first 36. This one came on the power play, and while the Ducks still aren't generating tons of chances with the advantage, they've gone 6 for 11 in the last five games following an 0-for-9 span over the previous five.

This all follows a hideous start that included four points from 10 October games.

"You never want to put yourself in that position, but with the start we had, the one fortunate thing is that our whole conference, almost, had that start," captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "We were able to stay in the picture. Hopefully we take advantage of it."

These teams split two meetings last season, but the Maple Leafs have won six of the last seven with 4.14 goals per game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hurricanes (16-17) at Canucks (12-16)

Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the league's stingiest teams over the last few weeks, thanks in large part to solid play in net from Cam Ward and Eddie Lack.

The issue is that they're scoring at the exact same rate during that time.

Carolina looks to avoid a third straight defeat by beating the Canucks in Vancouver for the first time in more than 16 years Wednesday night.

The Hurricanes (16-17-7) have given up just 15 goals over their last nine games, with Ward posting a .939 save percentage in six starts and Lack having a .944 mark in the other three.

They've scored the same amount of goals in that span, though, and have left points on the table during a 4-3-2 stretch. Carolina scored first in a 2-1 overtime loss to Nashville on Saturday before losing again in overtime Monday, 1-0 at Edmonton.

The Hurricanes have failed on all 12 power-play chances over the last seven games, including their only one against the Oilers that came late in the third period.

'I don't think they got our best game, but we got a point and we've got to take that and come out with a better effort against Vancouver,' said forward Eric Staal, who has had a hand in six of Carolina's 13 goals over the last seven. 'It's a big stretch for our team, a good chunk of hockey games that we want to get points and get wins.'

Lack was in net against the Predators before Ward made 26 saves Monday. Lack said earlier in the week he was looking forward to facing the Canucks, for whom he posted a 2.43 goals-against average in 72 starts and 10 relief appearances over the last two seasons.

Dealt to the Hurricanes for third- and sixth-round picks in June, Lack celebrated his 28th birthday Tuesday in Vancouver and will face his former teammates for the first time.

"I'll get in the crease and see what he has to say. Some goalies like to talk more than others," Canucks forward Jannik Hansen said. "Guys get traded so much in this league, but it's about the two points."

Carolina has been outscored 12-3 while dropping the last four meetings with the Canucks and has lost all seven matchups in Vancouver since last winning there Oct. 15, 1999. The Hurricanes lost 4-1 in Vancouver last season as Ryan Miller made 29 saves, then he had 28 in a 3-0 home win over Carolina.

Miller, though, is dealing with a groin injury. He skated Monday but didn't practice Tuesday, making it likely that Jacob Markstrom, who won his only career start against Carolina in 2013, will make a sixth straight start.

The Canucks (15-16-9) have split the first four of a seven-game homestand after falling 3-2 to Arizona on Monday despite Markstrom's 26 saves. Bo Horvat scored and Daniel Sedin added a goal in the third period after a few of his teeth were knocked out from a puck to the face in the first.

Horvat's power-play goal was a positive sign after Vancouver went 0 for 20 with the man advantage over its previous nine.

"That was a step in the right direction," coach Willie Desjardins said. "It was good we battled back and got one in the third and we had a couple chances that didn't go."

Defenseman Alexander Edler didn't practice Tuesday because of the flu, but winger Sven Baertschi is expected to return after a two-game absence because of an upper-body injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blues (21-14) at Avalanche (19-18)

Date: January 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Now that Jarome Iginla has his 600th goal, the Colorado Avalanche can solely focus on stringing together some victories.

After Iginla's historic goal helped the Avs snap their latest home slide, they'll try to hand the visiting St. Louis Blues a season-high fourth consecutive defeat Wednesday night.

Iginla became the 19th NHL player to reach 600 on Monday, when his third-period power-play goal - Colorado's third of the game - was the final tally of a 4-1 victory that snapped Los Angeles' five-game winning streak.

"It is a little bit (of a relief)," the 38-year-old Iginla, who went without a goal in the previous three games, told the NHL's official website. "Now it's done and time to move forward."

The Avalanche (19-18-13) ended an 0-2-2 home skid by winning for the second time in six games since taking a season-high five in a row.

"When it comes down to it, it's about winning games and everything like that," said Iginla, who is third on the team with 11 goals but hasn't scored in consecutive contests since Nov. 1-3.

"We need to start climbing back and catching some teams."

Colorado bounced back from Saturday's 4-0 home loss to Calgary thanks to a power play that's 11 for 24 in the last seven games. It was 1 for 26 in the previous 10 contests.

Defenseman Tyson Barrie, who assisted on Iginla's goal, had another assist and two goals to record the first four-point game of his career. Barrie ranks among the NHL's top defensemen with 27 points.

'That's the Tyson we like to see,' coach Patrick Roy said.

Neither Iginla nor Barrie had a point in a 3-1 victory at St. Louis (23-14-5) on Dec. 13, but teammate Semyon Varlamov made a season-high 42 saves. Varlamov stopped 30 shots Monday after posting a 4.37 goals-against average while in net for the previous four home contests.

The Blues have been held to two or fewer goals in their four defeats over the last five games. They've yielded at least three in all five contests after blowing a third-period lead in Monday's 3-2 overtime home loss to Ottawa.

"It's about points, it's about wins, it's about doing anything and everything you have to do to get it done," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But it's also about not having to expound a ton more energy like we had to (Monday)."

Also looking to avoid a third straight road loss, the Blues play the next three away from home.

"It takes a lot to win in the league right now," said Hitchcock, whose club has been outscored 10-1 in the third period of the last five games. "If the sense of urgency inside the locker room grows than we can grow from this."

St. Louis recorded a power-play goal in three straight games but has allowed its last two opponents to go 3 for 8 with the man advantage.

Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored one Monday for his third goal in four games. He assisted on Vladimir Tarasenko's power-play goal against the Avs last month.

Tarasenko has a team-high 23 goals but none in six games at Colorado.

It's uncertain if Avs defenseman and ex-Blue Erik Johnson will play after suffering a lower-body injury Monday. The club claimed defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk on waivers from Columbus on Tuesday.

 

[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 - - -
1/7 7 - - -
1/8 6 - - -
1/9 10 - - -
1/10 6 - - -
1/11 4 - - -
1/12 8 - - -
1/13 4 - - -
1/14 8 - - -
1/15 6 - - -
1/16 10 - - -
1/17 7 - - -
1/18 5 - - -
1/19 8 - - -
1/20 3 - - -
1/21 10 - - -
1/22 6 - - -
1/23 11 - - -
1/24 5 - - -
1/25 6 - - -
1/26 9 - - -
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 Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
by Alan Matthews

Unless you have lived in south Florida for a couple of decades, you probably only considered the Florida Panthers franchise relevant once in its history: the 1995-96 season when the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals. That team, led by goalie John Vanbiesbrouck and forwards Scott Mellanby and Rob Niedermayer, was swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Finals, but hockey was a big deal in Miami then (not any longer).

You may remember fans there throwing rubber rats on the ice every time Florida scored. How did a rat become synonymous with that 1995-96 team? On the night of the home opener, a rat scurried across the team's locker room. Mellanby reacted by one-timing the rat against the wall, killing it. That night, he scored two goals, which Vanbiesbrouck called "a rat trick." It caught on immediately and then really took off in the postseason.

The Panthers have made the playoffs just three times since then and not won a series, last losing the conference quarterfinals in 2012. But entering Tuesday, the Panthers are atop the Atlantic Division with 50 points and are the story of the early NHL season. They were 11-3-0 in December and took a franchise-record nine-game winning streak into Tuesday's game at Buffalo, which starts a six-game road trip ( Panthers are -130 favorites). Center Dave Bolland, Florida's highest-paid forward at $5.5 million per season, will not travel with the team. He likely won't return until after the All-Star break.

Florida is the fourth team to win nine straight this season; the Capitals, Canadiens and Rangers all failed to reach 10. Florida is on pace for 105 points after ending with 91 last season.

Ageless Jaromir Jagr, 43, leads the team in goals (13) and points (28). He is just six goals away from tying Brett Hull's 741, which ranks third on the NHL's all-time list. Jagr was voted a captain by the fans for the Atlantic Division All-Star team, although Jagr has admitted he would rather spend the time off in the Bahamas. Hey, who wouldn't rather be there than Nashville in January? Before voting was finalized, Jagr joked that he'd die if he had to play the new 3-on-3 format with some of the game's biggest stars. Goalie Roberto Luongo also is having a fine season with a 17-11-3 record and 2.09 GAA. Backup Al Montoya has been even better with a 6-6-1 mark and 1.69 GAA. The team's 5-on-5 save percentage is .941, tied for the highest in the league.

Over the weekend, the Panthers gave coach Gerard Gallant a contract extension. The team's GM is Dale Tallon, who deserves a lot of credit for building the Chicago Blackhawks into the powerhouse they are now, also just got an extension.

Oddsmakers haven't totally jumped on the Panthers bandwagon yet. They are +1400 to win the Stanley Cup, tied for the sixth-shortest odds. Florida is a +600 co-second favorite with Montreal to win the East.

Here are some other games to watch this week.

Pittsburgh at Chicago, Wednesday: It's a very rare home-and-home between teams not in the same conference or division. The Penguins visited Chicago on Tuesday night. This game, featuring maybe the two best all-around players in hockey in Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby, is nationally televised by the NBC Sports Network. Crosby appears to finally be on track. Entering Tuesday, Crosby has five goals and five assists in his past seven games. In his past 19 games, he has nine goals and 11 assists. By comparison, Crosby had just two goals and seven assists in his first 18 games of the season. The Hawks made a minor trade over the weekend in sending forward Jeremy Morin to Toronto for forward Richard Panik. Why mention this? It's the fourth time in five years the Hawks have either dealt or acquired Morin, who is only 24. He once was one of the team's top prospects. Chicago is now the third-favorite to win the West at +525. Pittsburgh is +1400 in the East.

Toronto at Anaheim, Wednesday: Coach Mike Babcock is starting to work wonders with this Toronto roster, which isn't very talented. The Maple Leafs are still seventh in the eight-team Atlantic Division with 37 points, but they are playing much better of late in going 7-2-2 over their past 11. With 27 points in 37 games -- including a team-high 15 goals -- Leo Komarov already has one more point than his previous best for a full NHL season. Babcock, incidentally, started his NHL coaching career with the Ducks. Anaheim has won four of five and allowed just two regulation goals over that stretch, a team record. Goalie John Gibson was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month in December. He went 5-3-1 with a 1.62 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 10 appearances. First meeting between these two.

Washington at NY Islanders, Thursday: The Capitals continue to lead the East by a mile in points and the NHL in goal differential at plus-38. But they also have lost two straight entering Tuesday's game in Boston. Perhaps a natural lull following a nine-game winning streak. Goalie Braden Holtby was named the NHL's Second Star for December. He posted a 9-0-1 record with a 1.69 goals-against average, a .947 save percentage and one shutout in 11 appearances. But he gave up four goals Saturday in Columbus. The Caps remain without top defenseman John Carlson due to a lower-body injury. He might return for this game. Center Jeff Beagle will miss six weeks following hand surgery on Sunday. The 30-year-old leads all Capitals forwards in shorthanded ice-time per game and has won 58.4 percent of his faceoffs this season. Beagle has six goals and six assists. The Isles will have had a nice break as they will have been off since an impressive 6-5 home win over Western Conference-leading Dallas on Sunday. But the Isles have lost top defenseman Johnny Boychuk for 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury. Boychuk has three goals and 11 assists with a plus-nine rating this season. This is the first meeting between the Caps and Isles. Washington beat New York in seven games in last year's conference quarterfinals. Holtby had to make only 10 saves in Game 7. New York has lost seven consecutive first-round playoff series.

St. Louis at Los Angeles, Saturday: The Kings are pulling away in the Pacific Division but had a five-game winning streak end Saturday at Colorado, 4-1. No. 1 goalie Jonathan Quick got the night off, however. Quick was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday after going 4-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average last week. Kings center Jeff Carter missed a fifth straight game with an upper-body injury Saturday. He has 11 goals and 17 assists this season. Carter did travel, so he's probably back by this game if not earlier. The Blues entered the week on a three-game losing streak, totaling just four goals. They did get back forward Patrik Berglund on Saturday in Toronto after he had missed the first 40 games due to offseason shoulder surgery. Berglund, who had 12 goals and 15 assists last year, skated on a line with David Backes and Magnus Paajarvi. This will be the Blues' third game in four nights and second of a back-to-back as St. Louis is at Anaheim on Saturday. The Kings won 3-0 in St. Louis on Nov. 3. Quick sat that one out as well. Jhonas Enroth had the shutout.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Devils won three of their last four games.
-- Chicago won seven of its last nine games.
-- Maple Leafs won five of their last seven games. Anaheim won four of its last five.

Cold teams
-- Montreal lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Penguins lost three of their last five games.
-- Hurricanes lost three of their last four games. Vancouver lost four of last six at home.
-- St Louis lost four of its last five games. Colorado lost four of its last six.

Series records
-- Canadiens are 5-3 in last eight games with New Jersey.
-- Blackhawks won four of last five games with Pittsburgh.
-- Ducks lost six of last seven games with Toronto.
-- Canucks won last four games with Carolina.
-- Blues won seven of last ten games with Colorado

Totals
-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight New Jersey games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Pittsburgh-Chicago games.
-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Anaheim games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Carolina games.
-- Under is 8-0-1 in last nine St Louis-Colorado games.

Back-to-backs
-- Montreal is 4-4 if it played the night before.
-- Chicago is 4-0 at home if it played night before; Penguins are 2-6 if they played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Three-pointer: Mavs must own week
By Tony Mejia

This is an important week for the Dallas Mavericks, who have steadily hung around fifth place in the West behind the four heavyweights widely considered favorites to make up the conference semifinal field. Considering some expected they would miss the playoffs altogether after memorably missing out on top free agency target DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs have been a pleasant surprise.

Plan B, consisting of point guard Deron Williams and center Zaza Pachulia after Wesley Matthews honored his commitment, has worked out better than anyone could’ve dreamed. Williams has been productive and has occasionally looked like his former All-Star self. Pachulia has been remarkably consistent, both with effort and production. Matthews has played in 32 of 34 games after tearing his Achilles last March and has seen his numbers improve every month. He’s already got a 10 3-pointer game this season and has retained his motor and remained a plus defender.

Chandler Parsons, also on the mend after offseason knee surgery, has played over 30 minutes in seven of the last eight games after not doing so for the first 26 as he was eased back into action. He should be able to get into a great rhythm this month as he keeps progressing.

Despite Jordan’s reneging on a promise to join them, the Mavericks could be a viable threat now that Dirk Nowitzki has a supporting cast. Rick Carlisle’s coaching, both his strategy and lineups, are elite. Guys seem to get along and the roster that has been assembled is filled with true pros.

Still, there’s always going to be a sense they’re overachieving and a fear that the older players they’re leaning on are going to wear down. That brings us back to why this week matters.

After ending December with four consecutive wins, including a 114-91 waxing of the Stephen Curry-less Warriors, Dallas has dropped games to the Heat and Pelicans in 2016. They’re potentially going to be without Williams against Sacramento on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury and have been without key guard Devin Harris during the losses due to a back problem.

That puts J.J. Barea in a major role that he's been successful playing until January hit. In games where Barea played 25 or more minutes, Dallas had been 5-2 before this recent losing streak. The 'over' opened 5-0 in games where Barea got borderline starter's minutes, but the 'under' has now prevailed four straight times. He's 6-for-19fromt the field in the last two losses.

Barea's matchup against Kings, led by former teammate Rajon Rondo at the point, will be against one of only two opponents that have to come through Dallas between now and Jan. 18, a span of eight games. This week’s slate, filled with sub-.500 teams in Sacramento, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Minnesota, must be capitalized upon given what lies ahead.

Starting next Monday, the Mavericks will play perhaps the most daunting four-game stretch anyone in the entire NBA will face this season, hosting the Cavs before road games against the Thunder, Bulls and Spurs.

In order to stay ahead of the pace as the fifth-best team in the Western Conference, the Mavericks must continue to handle the favorite role – they’ll likely be one in at least two of this week’s three road games – effectively. Dallas is 12-4 (10-6 ATS) as a favorite this season, including 4-0 (2-2 ATS) in that role on the road.

Ish effect hits lull in L.A.

The Christmas acquisition of Ish Smith delivered Philadelphia outright victories in two of his first three games in addition to covers each time out. The new year hasn’t treated Smith or the 76ers as kindly in a pair of losses at Staples Center against the Lakers (93-84) and Clippers (130-99). Smith shot 5-for-28 in the defeats, so teams are playing off him and challenging him to shoot. He’ll need to get into a rhythm and grow more familiar with his new teammates, but I don’t see another 12-game streak of losses and non-covers in Philly’s future. Smith has helped get Nerlens Noel off, which was the primary purpose for his acquisition. Over the five games Noel has played with Smith, he’s averaged 16 points and 9.2 rebounds on over 70 percent shooting.

With the 76ers opening a six-game homestand against Minnesota on Jan. 4, they have an opportunity to settle in for a spoiler run against East heavyweights Atlanta, Cleveland and Chicago. Portland comes into town to close the stretch on Jan. 16. By the time the Blazers arrive, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Philly on a run of ‘overs’ as new associate head coach Mike D’Antoni gets his philosophies across.

Lakers run worth watching

D’Antoni got very little reaction in his return to Staples, where the Lakers have managed to record their first three-game winning streak of the season, running a cover run to four. L.A. hadn’t covered more than two games in a row at any point over the first two months. They’ve won the last two games with Kobe Bryant sitting due to a shoulder injury and Lou Williams emerging as a primary catalyst, shooting 24-for-41 from the field and 9-for-16 from 3-point range.

Top picks D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle are looking more comfortable and point guard Jordan Clarkson is playing better. I wouldn’t call the Lakers a live dog with Golden State and OKC coming to town, but they’re certainly capable of covering a double-digit spread. Thursday’s visit to Sacramento could be winnable. Steph Curry’s shin issue might keep him out early in the week, aiding L.A.’s cause.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: Rose expected back for Bulls
By The Sports Xchange

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was expected to be back on the court Tuesday night after sitting out the past three games with a sore hamstring and some pain in his right knee.
Rose had an MRI on Monday as a precaution. He joined the team for its shootaround on Tuesday morning before its game against the Milwaukee Bucks and was officially listed as questionable.
Rose was playing well before his recent absence, averaging 21.3 points in the previous three games. Without Rose in the lineup the past three games, the Bulls went 3-0.

---Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant could miss several games with a sprained big toe.
Durant injured his right big toe Saturday against the Hornets and missed Monday's game. The injury is to the same foot that caused Durant to miss most of the 2014-15 season. The Jones fracture of his right foot didn't heal properly and when Durant attempted to resume playing, he reinjured the foot and missed the remainder of the season. Durant is averaging 26.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Anthony Morrow started in Durant's spot Monday in a home loss to the Sacramento Kings.

---The Miami Heat reassigned guard Josh Richardson and forward/center Jarnell Stokes to Sioux Falls of the NBA Development League.
Richardson started two games for the Skyforce earlier this season and averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. In 14 games with the Heat, he is averaging 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Stokes averages 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds. 1.18 steals and 1.09 blocks in 11 starts for Sioux Falls this season. In two games earlier this season for the Memphis Grizzlies, he had two rebounds in four minutes.

---The Utah Jazz waived defensive specialist Elijah Millsap.
In two seasons with the Jazz, Millsap averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists but shot just 8.3 percent from 3-point range in 67 games. His playing time had diminished recently despite injuries that sidelined several players.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Wednesday, January 6 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Things are going from bad to worse in Phoenix, which right now is the worst team in the NBA. The season was probably lost regardless when Eric Bledsoe was ruled out for the year, but the Suns also alienated one of their better players, forward Markieff Morris, this past offseason when they traded his twin brother to Detroit. Markieff has been sulking all year and wanting out. Other teams know this and are low-balling the Suns in trade offers. And now owner Robert Sarver is teeing off on Morris. "I'm not sure it's just the NBA," Sarver told the Arizona Republic regarding personalities clashing and dysfunction within locker rooms. "My whole view of the millennial culture is that they have a tough time dealing with setbacks, and Markieff Morris is the perfect example. He had a setback with his brother in the offseason, and he can't seem to recover from it." To be fair, Sarver did also take some of the blame for this mess. Since opening 7-5, the Suns have lost 20 of 25 games.

Knicks at Heat (TBA)

First game of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. New York was in Atlanta on Tuesday. Miami won a third straight Monday, 103-100 in OT against Indiana. The Heat were down 18 points in the third. Chris Bosh had 31 points and 11 rebounds and Dwyane Wade 27, including a layup at the buzzer that forced overtime. Miami shot a season-low 38 percent and was without center Hassan Whiteside due to a knee injury. The Heat have yet to win four in a row this season. Miami is 2-0 this season vs. New York, winning two blowouts and holding the Knicks to 78 points in each. Overall the Heat have with eight straight in the series.

Key trends: The Knicks are 0-8 against the spread in the past eight meetings. The "over/under" is 6-2 in the past eight meetings in Miami.

Early lean: TBA due to Whiteside. Heat will beat Knicks without him, especially with New York playing the second of a back-to-back.

Pacers at Magic (-1, 199.5)

Indiana started a three-game trip with that three-point OT loss in Miami on Monday. Paul George had 32 points but missed a 3-pointer at the OT buzzer. Indiana led the entire game until there was about three minutes left in regulation. Starting point guard George Hill missed it with food poisoning. Orlando lost a third in a row Monday, 115-89 at Detroit. Victor Oladipo, starting in place of injured guard Elfrid Payton, led Orlando with 18 points. Evan Fournier, averaging 14.3 ppg, had zero. Payton is day-to-day with a bruised left ankle. Orlando lost in Indiana 97-84 on Nov. 9. George had 27 points. Indiana used a 19-3 fourth-quarter run to take the lead and pull away. The Pacers have won five straight in the series.

Key trends: Indiana is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The under has hit in six of the past nine.

Early lean: Magic and under.

Cavaliers at Wizards (+4.5, 200)

Cleveland won its fourth in a row Monday, 122-100 over Toronto. Kyrie Irving had a season-high 25 points and his minutes restriction is about gone. He added eight assists and six rebounds. The Cavs were 17-for-33 from long range. LeBron James was able to sit out the fourth quarter with a big lead. Washington lost by 22 at home to Miami on Sunday. The Wizards had seven second-quarter points and the game was over. They were 2-for-22 from the field in that quarter. Bradley Beal and Nene sat out with injuries yet again. The Cavs were stunned at home by Washington, 97-85 on Dec. 1. John Wall had 35 points for the Wizards, who never trailed. Washington did have Beal then.

Key trends: Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in the past seven in Washington. The under is 7-1 in Cleveland's past eight.

Early lean: Cavaliers and under.

Pistons at Celtics (-4.5, 203.5)

Detroit beat the Magic by 26 on Monday. Brandon Jennings had 17 points and six assists, his best game back of the four he has played since returning from an Achilles' tear. Andre Drummond had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons in their biggest margin of victory this year. Boston split a home-and-home with the Nets by winning 103-94 in Brooklyn on Monday. Jae Crowder had a career-high 25 points. The Celtics played without Avery Bradley, who has a sore left hip. He's day-to-day. The Celtics and Pistons have split two meetings in Detroit this season, one high scoring and one low.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 7-1 in the past eight.

Early lean: Pistons and over.

Raptors at Nets (+5.5, 198.5)

Toronto lost a second straight high-scoring game Monday, 122-100 at home to Cleveland. DeMar DeRozan scored 19 for Toronto, which played without forward DeMarre Carroll (sore right knee). He's questionable for this game. The Nets got some bad news over the weekend when starting point guard Jarrett Jack was lost for the season to a torn ACL. It's a shame as Jack might have been good trade bait. He was averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Shane Larkin takes over as the starter. He had four points in 27 minutes in Monday's home loss to Boston. First meeting of the season between these teams.

Key trends: Toronto is 1-6 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 7-2 in the past nine meetings in Brooklyn.

Early lean: Raptors and under -- so opposite the trends.

Nuggets at Timberwolves (-4, 204.5)

Denver lost a sixth in a row Sunday, 112-106 against Portland. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 29 points in his second game back from a sprained left ankle. The Nuggets were again without rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay, but he's close to returning. He has missed 12 games. Minnesota lost 109-99 in Philly on Monday for its third straight loss. The Timberwolves missed 16 of 20 3-pointers and had 16 turnovers. This is the final meeting of the season between these lottery-bound teams. Denver leads 2-1 and won the game in Minneapolis.

Key trends: The Nuggets are 11-5 ATS in the past 16 meetings. The over is 7-2 in the past nine in Minnesota.

Early lean: Wolves and over.

Mavericks at Pelicans (-3.5, 206)

Dallas hosted Sacramento on Tuesday night. New Orleans has been off since winning 105-98 in Dallas on Saturday. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 14 rebounds, his 21st double-double of the season. Norris Cole added 16 points and a career-best 12 rebounds to end a six-game losing streak for the Pelicans in Dallas. That, like this one, was the second of a back-to-back for the Mavericks.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 6-2 in the past eight in New Orleans.

Early lean: Pelicans and over.

Jazz at Spurs (TBA)

Utah lost 93-91 vs. Houston on Monday, blowing a 15-point third-quarter lead. Rodney Hood had a chance to tie it for the Jazz with six seconds remaining but missed the third of three free throws. Hood led the Jazz with 23 points. Derrick Favors missed his sixth consecutive game with back spasms. San Antonio won a sixth in a row Monday, 123-98 in Milwaukee. Someone named Jonathon Simmons had a career-high 18 points for the Spurs. The rookie spent last year in the D-League. Tony Parker sat out with right hip soreness. The Spurs trashed the visiting Jazz 118-81 on Dec. 14 in the only meeting thus far. The lead was as high as 46. All the Spurs scored and played at least 10 minutes.

Key trends: The Spurs are 7-2 ATS in their past nine after a double-digit win. The under is 14-3 in Utah's past 17 playing on one day of rest.

Early lean: Shouldn't be close whether Parker plays or not.

Hornets at Suns (+1, 205)

Charlotte lost a fourth consecutive game Monday, 111-101 at Golden State. The Hornets' best player, Nic Batum, sat out a second straight with a sprained right toe and he's doubtful for this one. Jeremy Lamb hurt his wrist and had in-game X-rays that were negative, and he returned. Phoenix lost its ninth straight on Sunday, 97-77 at the Lakers. The Suns were down by as many as 38 and L.A. didn't even have Kobe Bryant. Markieff Morris got another DNP-CD. The Suns and Hornets split last year. Phoenix has won six of the past seven overall in the series.

Key trends: The road team is 6-2 ATS in the past eight. The under is 6-1 in Phoenix's past seven at home.

Early lean: If Batum does sit, Suns end skid.

Grizzlies at Thunder (TBA)

Second game of the ESPN doubleheader. Memphis won in Portland 91-78 on Monday. Zach Randolph had 26 points and a season-high 18 rebounds as he continues to come off the bench. Matt Barnes returned after missing two games due to suspension. Oklahoma City was without Kevin Durant on Monday with a sprained right big toe and the Thunder were surprised at home 116-104 by Sacramento. Russell Westbrook had 17 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds, but was just 2-for-15 in the second half. The Thunder and Grizzlies have split two meetings in Memphis thus far. This is their final regular-season matchup.

Key trends: The home team is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 4-0 in OKC's past four at home.

Early lean: Obviously wait on Durant.

Clippers at Trail Blazers (+3, 206)

Thought the Clippers might have a bit of a letdown game Saturday against Philadelphia with L.A. off a 5-0 road trip, but the Clippers rolled 130-99. DeAndre Jordan led six players in double figures with 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Clips improved to 5-0 without the injured Blake Griffin. Portland lost 91-78 at home to Memphis on Monday in the return of Damian Lillard from injury. He had missed the previous seven with a foot issue. He finished with 17 points. The 78 points were a season low for Portland. The Clippers and Blazers have split two meetings, each winning by double digits at home.

Key trends: The Clippers are 1-7 ATS in their past eight after a double-digit win. The over is 4-1 in Portland's past five following a loss.

Early lean: Clippers and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Knicks won three of last four games (4-6 last ten AU). Miami won its last three games (6-9 last 15 HF).
-- Cavaliers won their last four games. (3-8-1AF).
-- Boston won five of its last seven games (7-7HF).
-- Mavericks won five of their last seven games (7-6AU).
-- San Antonio won nine of its last ten games (8-2 vs spread). Jazz won three of last five games (1-4 last five AU).
-- Oklahoma City won seven of last nine games (0-6 last six HF). Grizzlies won three of last four games (0-3 last three AU).
-- Clippers won their last six games (5-3-1 last nine AF). Portland won four of its last six games (4-3HU).

Cold teams
-- Indiana lost three of its last four games (3-4AF). Orlando lost its last three games (6-2HU).
-- Washington lost three of last four games (5-2HU).
-- Toronto lost three of its last five games (4-5AF). Nets lost seven of last ten games (1-5 last six HU).
-- Pistons lost four of their last six games (2-6 last 8AU).
-- New Orleans lost three of its last five games (3-5HF).
-- Nuggets lost their last six games (6-3 last nine AU). Minnesota lost seven of last eight games (1-6HF).
-- Charlotte lost seven of its last nine games (1-3AF). Phoenix lost its last nine games (2-1HU).

Series records
-- Pacers won nine of last ten games with Orlando.
-- Heat won/covered last eight games with New York.
-- Cavaliers won three of last four games with Washington.
-- Nets won four of last six games with Toronto.
-- Road team won three of last four Boston-Detroit games.
-- Pelicans won last two games with Dallas, after losing seven of previous eight series games.
-- Nuggets won five of last seven games with Minnesota.
-- Spurs won seven of last nine games with Utah.
-- Hornets lost six of last seven games with Phoenix.
-- Grizzlies won four of last six games with Oklahoma City.
-- Clippers won four of last six games with Portland.

Totals
-- Four of last five Orlando games stayed under total.
-- Over is 7-3 in Knicks' last ten games.
-- Seven of last eight Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Toronto games went over total.
-- Seven of last eight Detroit-Boston games went over.
-- Four of last five Dallas games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Denver games went over total.
-- Four of last five Utah games stayed under total.
-- Three of last four Charlotte-Phoenix games stayed under.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Memphis games.
-- Four of last five Clipper-Portland games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- New York is 4-2 vs spread if ir played night before.
-- Mavericks are 5-2 vs spread if they played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Caves visit Wizards'

Going back to the well is something that those in basketball betting have no problem doing, especially when it continues to offer up winning plays. In this case, the play involves 'Under' when Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards get it on at Verizon Center. Cavaliers tightning defensive screws of late holding opponents to an adjusted 95.6 points per 100 opponent possessions have gone 'Under' posted totals in seven of eight games. Wizards finding success at keeping the ball out of their own basket recently with an adjusted 98.0 points per 100 opponent possessions down from a season average of 103.4 have played 'Under' in six of its last eight games.

Factoring those numbers together, the arrow points towards an 'Under' play. Another positive for 'Under' gamblers has been when Cavaliers take to the floor on the road. In their last eight away from Quicken Loans Arena the 'Under' has hit 7 times with 1 'Over'. Additionally, 'Under has been the right choice in five of six Wizard home games (1-5 O/U) and in twelve of the past fifteen in an underddog roll (3-12 O/U).