Wednesday 11/18/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

English FA Cup TODAY 19:45

Bradford

v

Aldershot

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		4/9	7/2	8	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BRADFORD	RECENT FORM
HWHDADHWADHW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 1 2 - 1	HDHWADHDHLAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Bradford have kept four straight clean sheets

EXPERT VERDICT: Bradford drew 0-0 with Aldershot in their original FA Cup clash, but the Bantams are in good form overall having gone unbeaten in seven games in all competitions. Aldershot aren’t having a great time of it in the National League, where they are winless in four outings and this should be comfortable.

RECOMMENDATION: Bradford to win 2-0
1

 

[superbeets]

English FA Cup Th 19Nov 19:45

Maidenhead

v

Port Vale

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		19/4	3	4/6	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAIDENHEAD	RECENT FORM
AWHWHWHWADAL​ Most recent​	Unknown	HDALALHWHDAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Maidenhead have never reached the second round of the FA Cup

EXPERT VERDICT: Port Vale manager Rob Page accused his players of arrogance after Maidenhead snatched a last-gasp draw at Vale Park. He will make sure there is no repeat this time and, after dominating the first tie with eight shots on target to Maidenhead's one, Vale can finish the job in this FA Cup replay.

RECOMMENDATION: Port Vale
2

 

[superbeets]

Scottish Championship Fr 20Nov 19:45

St Mirren

v

Morton

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
ALBA		13/8	13/5	13/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ST MIRREN	RECENT FORM
HDHWAWHLALHL​ Most recent​	0 - 0 1 - 1 3 - 2 1 - 5	ALHWHLAWHWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: St Mirren have won one of their last eight league games

EXPERT VERDICT: St Mirren have been sucked into a relegation battle in the Scottish Championship and may struggle to stop the rot in Friday’s Renfrewshire derby. The Saints were abysmal in their 4-1 defeat by Hibs and another loss here could see the end of under fire manager Ian Murray.

RECOMMENDATION: Morton
1


REFEREE: John Beaton STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Championship Fr 20Nov 19:45

Middlesbro

v

QPR

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		8/13	11/4	9/2	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MIDDLESBRO	RECENT FORM
ALAWAD*HWHWAL​ Most recent​	1 - 3 0 - 3 2 - 0 2 - 0	ALHDHWALALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: QPR have failed to beat any of the seven top-half sides they have faced

EXPERT VERDICT: All the key form stats point to a Middlesbrough victory. Boro have lost only one of eight home games, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in the process. QPR have conceded 13 goals and won two of their eight away games and the R’s have failed to score in their last three outings.

RECOMMENDATION: Middlesbrough
2

 

[superbeets]

Championship Sa 21Nov 12:30

Bristol C

v

Hull

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		21/10	11/5	13/10	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BRISTOL C	RECENT FORM
HWALADHLHWAD​ Most recent​	1 - 2 1 - 1 3 - 0 0 - 1	HWHWHD*AWAWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Bristol City concede an average 1.6 goals a game

EXPERT VERDICT: In-form Hull should have too much firepower for struggling Bristol City. Goals have not been an issue for Hull – they have the Championship’s second-best attack – but the key to their ascent to the top of the division has been a rock-solid defence. No side has conceded fewer than Hull’s eight goals.

RECOMMENDATION: Hull
3

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 21Nov 12:45

Watford

v

Man Utd

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1		15/4	12/5	5/6	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WATFORD	RECENT FORM
HLADHLAWHWAL​ Most recent​	1 - 4 1 - 2 0 - 3 2 - 3	ADHDHD*ADHWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Watford have scored just three goals at home this term

EXPERT VERDICT: Although Watford have acquitted themselves well in the Premier League, they have struggled for goals at home and everything points to another low-scoring affair when Manchester United visit Vicarage Road. United have scored only once in their last three away trips and no goalscorer is decent value.

RECOMMENDATION: No goalscorer
1


REFEREE: Robert Madley STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canucks (6-6) at Jets (8-9)

Date: November 18, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The swoons continue for the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets, both of whom have struggled badly on defense amidst ugly extended stretches that followed encouraging starts.

The Jets look to end a six-game skid Wednesday night when they host the Vancouver Canucks, losers of six of seven, in the teams' first matchup of 2015-16.

Winnipeg (8-9-2) went 8-4-1 in its first 13 games and allowed two or fewer goals seven times, but there were some bad signs as well with four or more given up six times - along with four games in which it allowed at least 40 shots on goal. The warning signals have proved prescient over the past six contests, during which the Jets have been strafed for 26 non-shootout goals.

Coach Paul Maurice was able to draw at least a few positives from Monday's 3-2 loss at St. Louis, which followed a 7-0 rout at Nashville on Saturday.

'We made plays, moved the puck, had some quickness, had some chances and played a darn good road game in here,' Maurice said. 'That was a long way to come from that (Predators) game and it wasn't easy for them to do, so you got to give those players credit to be able to come out and get moving again and make plays and try and have some confidence in their game and they found it and looked good doing it."

Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little scored while Michael Hutchinson made 25 saves.

"I thought we played pretty well," Hutchinson told the team's official website. "We had some great energy and jump all night. It's unfortunate we weren't able to score a couple more goals, but if we come out with that effort on a consistent basis, we're going to win a lot of hockey games."

Winnipeg completed its four-game trip with its fifth consecutive road loss. The Jets haven't been much better at home lately, though, scoring four goals in going 1-2-0 in their last three at the MTS Centre.

The club is 3 for 22 on the power play at home and 9 for 59 overall.

Vancouver (7-6-6) has been only slightly better defensively than the Jets, giving up three or more goals in nine of its last 10. The Canucks' third consecutive loss Monday was a study in poor play in their own end, as they blew a 3-0 second-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime at Montreal.

Lars Eller began the comeback with a short-handed goal midway through the second and the Canadiens dominated from that point, capping the comeback on David Desharnais' goal late in the extra period.

Vancouver was outshot 27-15 after the opening 20 minutes.

'I thought we played really well," captain Henrik Sedin said. "We gave up that short-handed goal and that kind of turned things around but we're a young team. We have to learn from our mistakes. In moments like that, we're still up 3-1 and we've got to keep going.'

The Canucks' six OT defeats are the most in the NHL. They're 1-4-2 in the last seven games and have also struggled offensively during that stretch, scoring two or fewer goals four times.

Vancouver has dominated the series with the Winnipeg franchise, going 12-4-1 with one tie. It had won three straight and seven of eight meetings before falling 5-4 in Manitoba on April 4.

Ryan Miller has won two straight starts against the Jets, allowing three goals.

Winnipeg's Ondrej Pavelec has given up four in each of his last three outings, posting an .831 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (10-4) at Red Wings (9-8)

Date: November 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

When the Washington Capitals visited the Detroit Red Wings last week, Alex Ovechkin was trying to put a quick end to his pursuit of an NHL mark with the record holder in the building.

Ovechkin is still seeking to become the league's top Russian-born goal scorer and will try again when the Capitals return to Detroit on Wednesday night.

Ovechkin's 483 goals are tied with former teammate Sergei Fedorov, who spent the majority of his career with the Red Wings. A day after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Fedorov dropped the ceremonial puck for the Capitals' visit to Joe Louis Arena last Tuesday, and Ovechkin took a career high-tying 15 shots in a 1-0 loss.

"He was my idol when I was growing up," Ovechkin said. "You have a dream just to meet those kind of guys. To have a chance to play with him on the same line on same team, he was the best teammate I had and the best player I played with."

Ovechkin also has failed to record a point in two games since that one. Washington (11-4-1) won 5-2 in Philadelphia on Thursday but lost at home the following night, 3-2 in overtime to Calgary, before getting four days off.

The three-time Hart Trophy winner recorded a point in 11 of his first 12 games but now looks to avoid going four straight without one for the first time since Nov. 29-Dec. 6 of last year. Coach Barry Trotz said he felt Ovechkin is pressing to get the record.

"I think he wants to get it. There's no question," he said. "He's scored a gazillion goals in the league, and to our team, (I tell them) don't look for Ovi to score that goal. Don't overpass. He's scored a lot of goals. Play the way we play, and I guarantee you, he will score that goal, and he'll score many after that."

Ovechkin has no goals and one assist as Washington has split its last four games against Detroit (9-8-1).

The Red Wings lost their two subsequent games after beating the Capitals before defeating Ottawa 4-3 in overtime on Monday. They blew a two-goal lead in the third period, giving up the equalizer with 2:48 remaining, but Tomas Tatar scored the winner.

"We were looking pretty good in the first and second periods, and it should be easier than this," Tatar said. "We can't let that happen, letting teams come back and almost losing the two points."

The Red Wings hope it was a breakout performance offensively after having scored two goals or fewer in six consecutive games and 11 of 13.

Henrik Zetterberg, though, enters Wednesday trying to avoid going six straight games without a point for the first time since March 2-12, 2011. Pavel Datsyuk doesn't have a point in three games since returning from ankle surgery.

Detroit has scored one goal in three consecutive games against Washington. Braden Holtby was in net for the Capitals in all of those matchups.

Holtby's lone loss in his past four starts came in Detroit as he's posted a 1.49 goals-against average.

Petr Mrazek recorded his only shutout of the season that day with 38 saves and has a 1.38 GAA in three career appearances against the Capitals. Mrazek is among the league leaders with a .935 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blackhawks (10-7) at Oilers (6-12)

Date: November 18, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

Following two consecutive strong performances, the Chicago Blackhawks have built some momentum heading into their longest trip of the season.

They'll kick off the six-game western trek looking for a third consecutive victory Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers.

With Patrick Kane still on an offensive tear and veteran defensemen Duncan Keith and Michael Rozsival back on the ice, Chicago (10-7-1) won 4-2 at St. Louis on Saturday, then 4-1 over Calgary a night later.

"That was probably our best two games back-to-back, and the consistency that we always look for was right there,' coach Joel Quenneville said. "We've got to play well on this road trip and prove we can play the same way."

The Blackhawks are 2-5-0 on the road and allow an average of 3.3 goals there - 1.4 more than at home - but head into their annual circus trip feeling confident. After snapping that five-game road skid Saturday, Chicago outshot the Flames 41-26.

"I think we're excited about that and hopefully carry it on to the road," said Keith, who has played almost 52 minutes in two games since missing 10 with a knee injury.

Kane has 10 goals and 12 assists during a 13-game point streak - one shy of matching his career-high run from 2013-14. He can also become the first Blackhawk to score a goal in eight consecutive contests since Joe Murphy's nine-game run in 1994-95.

'I think if you start worrying about that stuff, it's only going to go to your disadvantage,' Kane said.

'We want to show up every game for our team and make sure we're doing our job, whether it's offensively or defensively.'

Chicago looked solid on both ends Nov. 8 when Kane had a goal with three assists, linemate Artemi Panarin scored twice and Corey Crawford made 34 saves in a 4-2 win over the Oilers (6-12-0). All of Kane's seven goals and 14 assists at Edmonton came during an 11-game point streak that ended with a 5-2 loss there Jan. 9.

That also snapped a three-game winning streak at Edmonton for Chicago, which outscored the Oilers 16-3 during the run.

Since losing 2015 top-overall pick Connor McDavid for "months" with a broken clavicle in a 4-2 win over Philadelphia on Nov. 3, the Oilers have dropped four of five. Despite overcoming an early 2-0 hole Saturday, Edmonton concluded a 1-3-0 trip with a 4-3 loss at Los Angeles.

The Oilers allowed four goals three times and three another on the trip. Cam Talbot has dropped three straight and has a 3.89 goals-against average while losing five of his last six. He made 24 saves at Chicago.

Making matters worse, a host of Oilers - highlighted by forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - are dealing with illness in addition to those already banged up.

"Hopefully we'll have, not a full complement but, a larger complement of players to pick from," coach Todd McLellan told the Oilers' official website.

Jordan Eberle is one of those players who received a day off from practice Monday but should be ready. Eberle, who missed the first 13 games with a shoulder injury, registered his only point of the season with a goal at Chicago.

Taylor Hall was shut out against the Blackhawks but has two goals and two assists in three games since.

Crawford has won five straight starts against Edmonton, and has a 1.23 GAA in the last four.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Hockey Odds and Picks: Scouting the Week Ahead
by Alan Matthews

I can honestly say I didn't expect to type this sentence at all for the 2015-16 NHL season: the Dallas Stars are your Stanley Cup betting favorites.

With the Stars at +700, just ahead of the New York Rangers and Montreal (both +800). Dallas enters Tuesday's game at Buffalo with 28 points (14-4-0, best 18-game start in franchise history), which gives the Stars the lead in the Central Division. Behind Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, who are No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the NHL in points, the Stars are No. 2 in the NHL with 65 goals. The offense will be there all season, but I still don't trust that team's goaltending. Kari Lehtonen is 8-1-0 despite a 2.38 goals-against average that's just 21st in the NHL. He splits time with Antti Niemi, who is 6-3-0 with a 2.80 GAA.

The Stars will get some reinforcements on Tuesday. Forwards Patrick Eaves and Travis Moen are ready to return from injury. Eaves missed 15 games with a lower-body injury. Moen missed 14 games with an upper-body issue. The game I'm looking forward to this week involving the Stars is at Washington on Thursday. Here are some other games to watch this week:

Chicago at Edmonton, Wednesday: Your Hart Trophy favorite for NHL MVP has to be Chicago's Patrick Kane. Kane, who no longer has to worry about those sexual assault charges in Buffalo, leads the league with 28 points, with 13 goals and with a plus/minus of plus-14. Think he's playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after those accusations? Kane has scored at least one point in 13 straight games, one shy of his career-best mark, and has a goal in seven in a row -- that's the longest streak by a Chicago player since Joe Murphy found the net in nine straight in 1995. Kane has been held off the score sheet only twice this season and has eight multipoint games. Predictably, the Oilers have gone into a funk since losing former Calder Trophy favorite Connor McDavid to a broken collarbone. Chicago beat visiting Edmonton 4-2 on Nov. 8. Kane had a goal and three assists and rookie Artemi Panarin had two goals.The Hawks opened as -147 favorites for this one.

Colorado at Pittsburgh, Thursday: What is going on with the Penguins? No team has the forward depth they do, but Pittsburgh ranks just 27th in the NHL with 2.06 goals per game and dead last in power-play percentage at 12.3. Evgeni Malkin was asked what was wrong with the offense and he simply said: "Everything. ... We don't play right, we don't work hard." Malkin has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 17 games while Sidney Crosby has been limited to two goals and seven assists, easily the worst start of his career. The only reason this team is above .500 has been the goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury. The Avalanche are going to be without goalie Semyon Varlamov for a while as he was placed on injured reserve Sunday retroactive to Nov. 10. That might actually be a good thing considering he is just 3-6-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .890 save percentage. The Avs are playing much better with Reto Berra in net.
He struggled for most of last season as the Avs' backup.

New York Rangers at Tampa Bay, Thursday : A rematch of last season's Eastern Conference Finals and the Rangers bring an NHL-best nine-game winning streak into it. It's the longest for the team in 43 years and one shy of the franchise record. During that run, the Rangers have trailed in only three games. Right now, they have both the league's best shooting percentage (10.7) and save percentage (95.9) at even strength. Henrik Lundqvist is 10-2-2, including a 1.69 goals-against average,.947 save percentage and one shutout. Make sure to always bet on the Blueshirts in the second of a back-to-back as well. They are 5-0-0 in those situations this season and 15-1-1 in the past 17 such occasions. Of course the Lightning won a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden last spring to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Los Angeles at Detroit, Friday: It's the only trip to Motown this season for the Kings, who have taken their rightful spot atop the Pacific Division and have played better on the road than at home, where they used to be nearly unbeatable. The Red Wings are largely treading water and need to get more out of Darren Helm. He has only one goal and no assists after 15 goals and 33 points last season. In Monday's win over Ottawa, the Wings used Helm on a checking line with Luke Glendening and Riley Sheehan. An injury at the start of camp sidelined Helm until the fifth game, and he hasn't seen the power-play time he saw last season. Monday was the first time in seven games the Wings scored more than two goals in a game and only the second time all season they had 30 or more shots on goal.

Anaheim at Tampa Bay, Saturday: Many national publications had this as the Stanley Cup Finals matchup this season. Right now, neither the Ducks nor Lightning would even make the playoffs. The Bolts have been outscored by three goals this season as guys like Tyler Johnson (who currently out with an upper-body injury), Ondrej Palat (out 2-4 weeks with an ankle problem) and Valtteri Filppula have struggled, among others. Anaheim has been fine defensively, leading the NHL in penalty-kill percentage and allowing the fewest power-play goals. The Ducks aren't scoring themselves with only 33 goals, tied with Philadelphia for the fewest in the league. Star Ryan Getzlaf scored an empty-net goal Monday; it was his first goal of the season in his 14th game.

Injury Report

Montreal goaltender Carey Price hasn't played since Oct. 29 due to a lower-body injury and it's not likely he will this week, either. He did take some shots at practice on Monday for the first time since the injury. Backup Mike Condon started off really well in Price's spot but has been shaky in his past three outings.

Islanders winger Mikhail Grabovski left Monday's victory over the Arizona Coyotes after suffering an upper-body injury and did not return. He has registered three goals, five assists and is a plus-5 through 19 games.

Minnesota star Zach Parise hasn't played since Nov. 5 because of an MCL injury but has resumed skating. There still remains no timetable for his return and it won't be until the weekend at the earliest. In 12 games this season, Parise has seven goals and two assists.

Philadelphia's top defenseman, Mark Streit, was to have surgery on Tuesday to repair a pubic plate detachment -- it hurts me just typing that -- and will miss six weeks. Streit has three goals and six assists while playing more than 22 minutes per night.

Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky will miss 2-3 weeks with an elbow injury. In 16 games this season, Dubinsky is second on the team in scoring with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). He leads the team's forwards in average ice time (18:46). Very little has gone right for the disappointing Blue Jackets this season. Nick Foligno will center the second line between Matt Calvert and Cam Atkinson in Dubinsky's spot.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Washington won five of its last eight games.
-- Blackhawks won three of their last four games.

Cold teams
-- Winnipeg lost last six games, scoring ten goals. Canucks lost six of their last seven games.
-- Red Wings lost four of their last six home games.
-- Edmonton lost four of its last five games.

Series records
-- Canucks won seven of last nine games with Winnipeg.
-- Washington won six of last nine games with Detroit.
-- Blackhawks won seven of last eight games with Edmonton.

Totals
-- Four of last five Vancouver games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Washington games.
-- Six of last seven Chicago-Edmonton games went over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pacers (6-5) at 76ers (0-11)

Date: November 18, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers have a decent chance to finally win since their next opponent will be without its second-leading scorer.

The problem is that Paul George is back for the Indiana Pacers, and he doesn't look like he has missed a beat.

George and the Pacers will have to overcome the absence of George Hill when they go on the road to face the league's worst team Wednesday night.

Once again, Philadelphia is the last remaining winless team with its 0-11 start six defeats shy of its franchise-worst start from last season. The 76ers, who have dropped 21 straight dating to last season, had a chance to prevail Monday before being outscored 11-4 over the final 3:23 of a 92-86 home loss to Dallas.

"We've got to do a better job executing down the stretch to close out a game," coach Brett Brown said. "That's part of growing up."

Philadelphia is averaging a league-worst 90.6 points while committing the most turnovers with an average of 18.0. The 76ers had a season-high 27 turnovers Monday.

Indiana (6-5) has been thrilled with the return of George, who played only six games last season after recovering from his broken right leg suffered Aug. 1, 2014. He has scored at least 26 in seven straight games, averaging 28.9 points and hitting 51.1 percent from 3-point range.

"I have confidence in myself that this is the level I should be playing at regardless against which team or who is guarding me," George said.

The Pacers played without Hill for the first time in Monday's 96-95 loss at Chicago. Hill, averaging 14.0 points, did not travel on this two-game trip due to an upper respiratory infection.

C.J. Miles shifted to shooting guard with forward Chase Budinger making his first start. Miles had 19 points, but Budinger went scoreless. Indiana was also without guard Rodney Stuckey for a third straight game with a sprained right ankle.

Coach Frank Vogel also gave extended action to rookie Joe Young, who had five points in 12 minutes after making just two scoreless appearances prior to the contest.

George scored 26 points, though his potential winning shot attempt as time expired fell short as he was defended well by Jimmy Butler.

"It is my job to help lead this team to a win," George said. "I failed to do so tonight."

The 76ers have received back-to-back double-doubles from Jahlil Okafor, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Mavericks. He leads all rookies with 19.2 points per game and averages 7.6 boards.

Philadelphia's T.J. McConnell enters on the heels of a 13-point, six-assist performance. He leads all rookie point guards with 6.9 assists per game.

With limited firepower, the Sixers are hoping to steal a win behind a defense that has limited opponents to 39.5 percent shooting in the last three games - down from 46.0 percent in the first eight.

"I'm thrilled with our defense," Brown said. "I think there's a toughness we're showing. There is an attitude where we're not going away."

Indiana took three of four from Philadelphia last season without George.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (5-6) at Magic (5-6)

Date: November 18, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

With a home-heavy stretch on the horizon, the Minnesota Timberwolves may prefer to remain on the road considering their somewhat bizarre start to the season.

The Timberwolves look to continue their strong play away from home Wednesday night by beating the Magic in Orlando for the first time in over seven years.

Minnesota (5-6) has lost 13 straight at home, including all five this season, but has been terrific outside Minneapolis with a 5-1 record after going 7-34 there last season.

An us-versus-them mentality seems to be part of their turnaround on the road.

"I think the road is a blessing to us," guard Andrew Wiggins said after scoring 24 points in Tuesday's 103-91 win at Miami. "That's one of the joys of playing on the road - everyone's against you, except the guys on your team."

Stingy defense has keyed the success. The Timberwolves are yielding an average of 97.8 points on 41.0 percent shooting away from home compared to 109.8 and 50.6 marks at home.

"We're not a great shooting basketball team," coach Sam Mitchell said, "so we have to rely on our defense and rebounding."

After visiting Orlando (5-6), the Wolves' next nine games include seven at home.

Wiggins has also been better on the road, averaging 23.5 points while hitting 45.5 percent from the field. He's scoring 17.0 points per game at home and making just 37.9 percent of his field-goal attempts.

He had 22 points in a 97-84 home loss to the Magic on April 3 that was Minnesota's 11th loss in the last 13 meetings. The Wolves have dropped seven straight in Orlando since winning on April 11, 2008.

Karl-Anthony Towns is facing the Magic for the first time, and the rookie center is averaging 15.4 points and 10.5 rebounds after getting 14 of each Tuesday.

Orlando is seeking its first four-game home winning streak since taking five straight from Jan. 24-Feb. 9, 2014.

The Magic followed a pair of home wins with Saturday's 108-99 loss at Washington, hitting 14 of 18 from 3-point range after going 23 of 55 in the previous two games.

"When we're playing good, solid defense and we're doing the detail-oriented things on offense like running the floor hard, setting screens, concentrating on our spacing and not dribbling too much, we look like a good club," coach Scott Skiles told the team's official website. "Then there are parts of the game where we stop doing both and then we look like a terrible club."

Orlando could look better if Victor Oladipo returns to the lineup. The guard has missed two games with a concussion after averaging 14.7 points through the first seven.

He managed only eight points on 4-of-19 shooting, including 0 for 6 from long range, to go with seven assists against Minnesota on April 3.

Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris did the bulk of the scoring in that meeting with a combined 62 points. Vucevic added 17 rebounds, but now he'll have to contend with Towns.

Harris is averaging 20.0 points and 10.5 rebounds over the last four home games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nets (2-9) at Hornets (5-6)

Date: November 18, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Brooklyn made the most of a quick stop home by beating a first-place team and now has a shot at notching consecutive wins for the first time this season against an opponent tied for last.

The Nets visit Charlotte Wednesday night, where they beat the Hornets twice last season and can now start trying to turn around what's been an awful start to 2015-16.

A 90-88 win over Atlanta Tuesday followed a four-game road trip on which the Nets (2-9) earned their first victory in Houston after an 0-7 start. Thaddeus Young hit two free throws with 1.4 seconds left and finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brook Lopez had 24 and 10.

There were no style points after a combined 14 turnovers led to a 19-17 Hawks' advantage after the first quarter.

"The game wasn't the prettiest," said Jarrett Jack, who has been impressive the last three games with 21.0 points and 9.7 assists per game. "I have a saying that it may not look pretty, but it all looks the same in the 'W' column."

Regardless of how it happened, coach Lionel Hollins was relieved after his club blew a late lead in Saturday's 107-99 overtime loss in Golden State. That was preceded by a two-point loss in Sacramento and the win over the Rockets. Dating back to a six-point home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 6, Brooklyn hasn't had any games over a 2-4 span decided by double figures, so results might be closer than its record indicates.

"This was a big win," Hollins told the team's official website. "The big difference between two games. One game we have three opportunities to execute and we don't. Tonight we have three opportunities to execute and we do and we come out a winner."

It's now back out on the road for two more and, if it begins well, a third straight win in Charlotte. The Nets won two of three last season with Lopez scoring 34 points with 10 rebounds in a 91-88 road win on March 25 to clinch the season series.

The Nets have dropped their last five without a day of rest dating to last season, while the Hornets won their only game on no rest this season and will also be completing a back-to-back set.

The Hornets (5-6), though, are seeking a split after falling 102-94 in New York on Tuesday. Kemba Walker scored a season-best 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting, but the rest of the starting five managed 22 points on 10 of 30. Walker's backcourt mate, Nicolas Batum, was 1 for 9 after scoring 25.5 points and making 15 of 26 from 3-point range in his previous four games.

"We missed shots, but we got some good-looking shots," Walker said. "We got it down to four, but unfortunately they just didn't drop."

Walker had been in a bit of a funk, averaging 11.5 points on 30.2 percent in his previous four games, and he's been held to 13.0 on 32.9 percent in his last five against Brooklyn.

Coach Steve Clifford's team has won three straight at home, though it figures to again be without starting forward P.J. Hairston, who missed the game against the Knicks with a bruised right thigh. Clifford said he thought there was 'no chance' Hairston would return Wednesday, adding that the second-year player "tried to do some stuff (Tuesday) and he's not even close."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mavericks (7-4) at Celtics (6-4)

Date: November 18, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics are simply dismantling opponents when they win while the Dallas Mavericks are doing it with defense.

The Celtics have won three straight in dominant fashion and the Mavericks have won four in a row heading into Wednesday night's matchup.

Boston (6-4) looks like one of the league's most improved teams thanks to this streak that includes victories by 106-93 over Atlanta last Friday, 100-85 at Oklahoma City on Sunday and 111-95 at Houston on Monday. All of the Celtics' wins have been by at least 13 points.

"It doesn't matter now, it's one game at a time, we've played 10 games," said coach Brad Stevens, whose team won 40 games a season ago. "So if we're in a good position after 65 or 70 then you'd look at it differently but everybody's trying to find themselves now and we've got to get a lot better too."

Dallas (7-4) is enjoying its longest win streak since January, surviving 39.5 percent shooting to beat Philadelphia 92-86 on Monday to improve to 2-0 on this three-game trip. Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and Chandler Parsons added 20.

The Mavericks, who forced 27 turnovers Monday for their most since last November, are limiting opponents to 39.5 percent shooting in this win streak. That's helped them overcome the struggles of offseason acquisition Wesley Matthews, averaging 10.1 points on 34.1 percent shooting and going 4 for 21 in his last two games.

"We've been waiting for a game when we all kind of put it together, that's going to be a fun game when that happens," Parsons said. "But it's promising that we're still winning games, getting stops when we need to. We look forward to that game where everyone's got the hot hand with the potent offense that we all expect it to be."

Dallas continues to limit the minutes of Parsons as he recovers from knee surgery. He sat out Saturday's 110-98 victory over the Rockets before returning to play a season-high 20 minutes Monday.

"I know I'm coming out when I get to that 20-minute mark," said Parsons, who scored at least 10 points for the first time. "Hopefully extend it out in Boston and see how it feels."

The Mavericks have won five straight over the Celtics and have taken the last nine matchups with Nowitzki on the court. Nowitzki is averaging 22.3 points in those games.

Avery Bradley averaged 27.0 points in last season's two defeats to Dallas. He is averaging 17.5 points in two games since returning after missing one with a leg injury.

Isaiah Thomas has keyed Boston's win streak by averaging 22.0 points and 8.0 assists while shooting 53.2 percent. The point guard shot 31.3 percent in the three games prior to this stretch.

"Coach put me in position to be successful and the shots happened to fall," Thomas said. "I'm gonna keep shooting, I'm going to continue to have confidence in myself and my teammates have confidence in me so I'm going to keep doing my job."

The Celtics have also received a boost from Jae Crowder, who scored a season-high 16 points Monday and is averaging 10.8. Crowder will face Dallas for the second time since he was traded to Boston on Dec. 28 as part of the deal that brought Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (1-10) at Thunder (6-5)

Date: November 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Russell Westbrook went off on New Orleans twice in three days the last times they met, but Oklahoma City wound up with little to show for it in the season series, and the Pelicans were the team that went on to the postseason.

Westbrook will again be the focus Wednesday night at home with Kevin Durant still out and Anthony Davis succumbing to injury in the Pelicans' first game of a back-to-back set.

Westbrook scored 45 points in a 102-91 road win Feb. 4 and 48 in a 116-113 home loss two days later while New Orleans took three of four season meetings.

The Pelicans have won four of five against the Thunder, but Davis has been a big part of that with an average of 31.8 points on 59.3 percent shooting with 10.2 rebounds last season - including 41 points Feb. 6.

He was lost to a left shoulder injury in Tuesday's 115-98 home loss to Denver, adding to the team's already daunting list of health problems. Davis had just returned one game earlier from a two-game absence caused by a hip injury.

"I didn't see the injury so I can't tell you his status," coach Alvin Gentry told the team's official website. "I'm not sure how he injured his shoulder, we'll have to take a look at the tape and see what happened. We will have to see how he's feeling and if he can even play tomorrow against Oklahoma City."

Omer Asik was a late scratch because of a stomach illness, so 6-foot-8 Dante Cunningham started at center. The Pelicans also were without Tyreke Evans (right knee), Quincy Pondexter (left knee), Norris Cole (left ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (pectoral injury), all of which have been out long term.

Jrue Holiday had 10 points in 22 minutes, so he's not expected to play because of playing-time restrictions while working his way back from a right shin injury that has caused him to miss much of the past two seasons.

The Pelicans (1-10) have lost four straight, and if rebounding wasn't already a concern - they've been outrebounded by a 44.0-36.3 average on the skid - it is now.

New Orleans got 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting from Ryan Anderson, who figures to again step in if Davis misses time.

On the road, though, he might need to do a whole lot more to make it matter. The Pelicans are 0-6 away from New Orleans for easily their worst road start, and the losses have come by an average of 13.0 points.

The Thunder (6-5) fell 122-114 in Memphis on Monday despite Westbrook's 40 points on 13-of-19 shooting with 14 assists. He also matched a season high with eight turnovers.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out for the best, but we'll get back to work and get ready for Wednesday," Westbrook told the team's official website.

They've dropped two straight after Durant sat out his third in a row with a hamstring strain, and Westbrook has averaged 6.0 turnovers along with 29.3 points, 10.0 assists and 8.3 rebounds.

Coach Billy Donovan was happier with the offensive effort after Boston held Oklahoma City to 85 points the night before. The Pelicans shot 38.5 percent and 28.0 from 3-point range in the first two without Durant before a 50.6 overall mark and 10-of-24 effort from beyond the arc versus the Grizzlies.

"We did a much better job," Donovan said. "We had better ball movement. We got it from one side to the other. We had some shots and we did not make that was the right look and the right pass. We were improved in that area."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (4-8) at Rockets (4-7)

Date: November 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Things aren't looking up for the Houston Rockets. Now they just want to make sure their heads are - literally.

A defeatist attitude has been prevalent during their four-game skid which includes three losses at home, where the boo birds could emerge again if their team gives another listless effort Wednesday night against the last-place Portland Trail Blazers.

"We can't hang our heads, we gotta keep fighting," center Dwight Howard said after scoring a season-low five points in Monday's 110-98 home loss to Boston.

"We gotta keep believing in each other. We can't quit on each other. It's not gonna be easy getting out of this funk, but we gotta do it together. We gotta trust each other, that's the only way we're gonna get out of it. We gotta stay positive."

Getting down on themselves has been as much a problem as anything they're doing physically wrong according to most of the Rockets (4-7) amid their longest losing streak since a seven-game skid in January 2013. They already have a pair of losing streaks longer than two games this season after not having one in 2014-15 en route to a 56-win campaign, the Southwest Division title and a trip to the Western Conference finals.

"When you start putting your head down, things like that, one problem becomes another problem and it's a snowball effect," said point guard Ty Lawson, who has had trouble fitting in following his offseason acquisition from Denver. He's averaged 5.6 points on 26.2 percent shooting over the past five games.

Coach Kevin McHale has become as frustrated as anyone.

"At times, I wouldn't say full effort all the time, no," said McHale, who also referenced the team's knack for looking down when adversity arises. "Things aren't going our way and we hang our head. We haven't put together really good basketball all year long."

On Monday, being outscored 32-13 in the third quarter sent Houston's heads down and brought out the boos from the Toyota Center crowd. Two nights earlier, fans were upset much earlier because the Rockets never recovered after being outscored 50-25 in the game's first 18 minutes.

"We just gotta figure it out," said James Harden, who shot 9 for 31 in those two games. "It's not gonna take one guy, it's gonna take the entire team. Just keep pushing."

Whereas Houston being toward the bottom of the West is a shock, Portland's position in the Northwest Division basement is no surprise after losing LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez and Nicolas Batum in the offseason.

The Trail Blazers (4-8) have dropped six straight - their worst losing streak since closing 2012-13 on a 13-game skid - after falling 93-80 in San Antonio on Monday despite holding Aldridge to five points.

It was the third loss during the skid that was a one-possession game with under three minutes to play.

"I think it's a matter of us learning how to win games," said point guard Damian Lillard, who had 27 points.

Portland went 2-1 against Houston last season, but Aldridge averaged 25.0 points in those wins and missed the loss. Harden surpassed 40 points in three straight matchups with the Blazers before being held to 18 in the last meeting as Houston lost 105-100 on March 11.

While Portland could be missing Meyers Leonard (shoulder) for a fourth consecutive game, Houston is likely to be without Patrick Beverley (ankle) for a third straight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (4-7) at Hawks (8-5)

Date: November 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Sacramento coach George Karl believed last week's much-publicized turmoil would be a good thing. So far, the developments are looking like a season-changer.

DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings hope to keep playing with an edge on the road Wednesday night when they try to win for the first time in 15 meetings with the Atlanta Hawks.

Mired in a 1-7 start that was its worst since 1990-91, Sacramento held a meeting Nov. 10 that was also attended by upper management, including general manager Vlade Divac.

Cousins issued an apology after a report surfaced that Karl wanted to suspend the All-Star for two games because he yelled profanity at the veteran coach following a loss to San Antonio the previous night.

"(Meetings) are very helpful. (But) wins heal everything," Divac told the team's official website.

The Kings (4-7) are surely getting along much better after improving to 3-0 since the meeting with Sunday's 107-101 win over Toronto to close out a six-game homestand.

After allowing an average of 110.6 points in its first eight games, Sacramento has given up 100.7 over the past three.

At the same time, Cousins has taken his game to another level. The center has averaged 36.3 points on 51.4 percent shooting - including 9 of 15 from 3-point range - during the winning streak. He had been scoring 21.8 per game with a 37.1 field-goal percentage over his first four.

"He has been playing great lately," teammate Marco Belinelli said. "I'm really happy for him.'

Cousins finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks Sunday and Rudy Gay scored a season-high 27. Gay has totaled 52 points on 20-of-30 shooting in his last two games after scoring 16.3 per game while shooting 39.7 percent over his first eight.

He's also totaled 45 points on 18-of-28 shooting in his last two games at Atlanta. Rajon Rondo, who has averaged 14.0 assists in his last five overall, has dished out 13.4 per game in his past eight versus the Hawks.

Now they'll try to help the Kings, 0-2 on the road, snap the league's longest active losing streak for one team over an opponent in the opener of a season-high five-game trip.

Atlanta's 14-game winning streak versus Sacramento is the second-longest in its history behind a 16-game run over the Nets from Feb. 22, 1986-Feb. 15, 1989. The Hawks, however, are struggling as they enter this meeting with four losses in five games.

Al Horford had 18 points and Paul Millsap scored 17 on Tuesday but Atlanta (8-5) put up a season-low point total and committed a season-high 20 turnovers in its third straight defeat, 90-88 at Brooklyn.

"We didn't take care of the ball," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "So we're going to have to clean that up.'

Since averaging 112.0 points and hitting 40.0 percent from 3-point range over a four-game stretch, the Hawks have scored 94.5 per game while shooting 33.3 percent from 3 in their last three.

They're likely to be without a pair of starters again because of sprained ankles. Jeff Teague has been out the past two games, while Kent Bazemore sat for the first time against the Nets.

Kings backup guard Darren Collison (hamstring) is expected to return from a five-game absence, which should ease the workload on their starter. Rondo played 48 minutes in two of the games Collison missed and at least 43 in the other three.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (6-5) at Spurs (8-2)

Date: November 18, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Stifling defense has the San Antonio Spurs atop the Southwest Division and ranking among the best teams in the NBA. Their offense, however, is what's been the driving force behind their dominance of the Denver Nuggets.

The Spurs go for an eighth straight win over the visiting Nuggets on Wednesday night.

San Antonio (8-2) is the league's best defensive team, yielding an average of 90.6 points after tying for third at 97.0 last season.

The Spurs allowed a season low in points Monday, beating Portland 93-80 after winning 92-83 over Philadelphia two days earlier. They limited those opponents to 40.8 percent shooting.

There is still room for improvement on the opposite end of the floor, however, with San Antonio shooting 40.8 percent in those two wins.

"We thought we were going to be a little better offensively," said Manu Ginobili, who scored 14 of his season-high 17 points in the fourth quarter Monday. "We are still not moving the ball that well and we've got to find a better equilibrium."

A matchup with Denver (6-5) could help San Antonio do just that. The Spurs are averaging 113.4 points and shooting 50.5 percent during a seven-game winning streak against the Nuggets.

They hit 55.3 percent of their field goals - 14 of 34 from 3-point range - en route to a 123-93 victory April 3, their fifth straight home win in the series.

Kawhi Leonard has totaled 45 points on 19-of-30 shooting in the past two meetings. The forward leads San Antonio with 21.6 points per game, while LaMarcus Aldridge is next at 15.2.

Aldridge will be eager to atone for his worst performance of the season after he scored six points on 2 of 8 from the field against the Trail Blazers.

He stands a good chance to improve those numbers dramatically since he's averaged 27.6 points on 49.8 percent shooting over his last nine meetings with the Nuggets.

Aldridge has totaled 71 points on 29 of 50 in the past two.

Denver is trying to conclude a three-game road trip with back-to-back wins after Tuesday's 115-98 victory over New Orleans.

It was the fourth win in five games for the Nuggets, who last won two straight on the road January 5 and 9.

They'll lean heavily on Danilo Gallinari again after he scored a season-best 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting - including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc - while adding eight rebounds and eight assists against the Pelicans.

Gallinari has scored 25 or more in three of his last four games, averaging 23.0 points and connecting on 49.1 percent from the floor.

"I was just trying to play aggressive," Gallinari said. "I was able to hit from outside and go inside in the post, but first thing, the credit goes to my teammates, because they were always finding me at the right time at the right place."

He led the Nuggets with 20 points in the most recent visit to San Antonio, while Kenneth Faried had 10 after totaling 46 over the two previous matchups.

Gallinari has received ample help lately from reserve guard Will Barton, who has averaged 20.7 points off the bench the last three contests. He's shot 54.8 percent overall and is 10 of 15 from 3-point range during that span.