Wednesday 11/2/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

European Cup TODAY 19:45

FC Copenhagen

v

Leicester

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT3		13/10	23/10	5/2	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FC COPENHAGEN	RECENT FORM
A DH WA LA WA WA W​ Most recent​	Unknown	H WH DA LH WH WA D​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Copenhagen are unbeaten at home this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Claudio Ranieri is clearly prioritising the Champions League this season but his Leicester side could come unstuck in Copenhagen. The Danes were unlucky to meet with defeat at the King Power Stadium and can reverse the result in front of their own supporters as they chase a spot in the knockout stages.

RECOMMENDATION: Denmark
2


REFEREE: Felix Brych STADIUM:

European Cup TODAY 19:45

Tottenham

v

B Leverkusen

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		11/10	5/2	14/5	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT TOTTENHAM	RECENT FORM
H WA DA DA DA LH D​ Most recent​	Unknown	H WA LH DH LA D*A W​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Tottenham have scored only five goals in their last six league and European games

EXPERT VERDICT: Tottenham were left clinging on for a point in the first meeting of these sides, but their weak finish to that match shouldn’t distract from the fact that Tottenham dominated early on and should have earned a half-time lead. With the defences of both Spurs and Bayer impressing this could be very close again.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
2


REFEREE: Jonas Eriksson STADIUM:

Europa League Th 3Nov 18:00

Fenerbahce

v

Man Utd

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT3		12/5	12/5	13/10	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FENERBAHCE	RECENT FORM
H WA DH DA LA WH W​ Most recent​	3 - 0 0 - 2	H DA DH WA LH WH D​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Fenerbahce have scored in each of their last nine games

EXPERT VERDICT: A 4-1 victory against Fenerbahce saw United at their best but the Turks are a different proposition at home and have had back-to-back wins since that calamity at Old Trafford. Misfiring United have lost their one away Europa League tie so far while Fener have won their one previous home tie.

RECOMMENDATION: Fenerbahce
1


REFEREE: Manual Grafe STADIUM:

Europa League Th 3Nov 20:05

Southampton

v

Inter

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		8/11	14/5	9/2	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SOUTHAMPTON	RECENT FORM
A DH WA LA DH WH L​ Most recent​	Unknown	A LH LH WA LH WA L​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Southampton had more corners, shots and possession in Milan

EXPERT VERDICT: Southampton dominated the reverse fixture but were both wasteful and hugely unlucky to lose 1-0 given Antonio Candreva’s stunning strike was Inter’s only shot on target. Both sides really need the points in a tightly contested group, but Saints surely will not be as profligate in front of their own fans.

RECOMMENDATION: Southampton
2


REFEREE: Pawel Gil STADIUM:

Premier League Sa 5Nov 15:00

Burnley

v

C Palace

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		19/10	23/10	11/8	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BURNLEY	RECENT FORM
A LH WH LA LH WA D​ Most recent​	2 - 3 1 - 0 1 - 1 1 - 0	A LA WA DH LA LH L​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Both teams have scored in eight of Crystal Palace’s last nine league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Burnley should be buzzing after their draw at Manchester United and they have won three of their last five at Turf Moor. Crystal Palace are not as bad as their run of three defeats in four games suggests and they missed a penalty in the one match in which they drew a blank.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
3

Premier League Sa 5Nov 15:00

West Ham

v

Stoke

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		21/20	12/5	5/2	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WEST HAM	RECENT FORM
H LH DA WH WH WA L​ Most recent​	0 - 0 1 - 1 0 - 1 1 - 1	H LH DA DH WA WH W​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: West Ham haven’t beaten Stoke in any of their last six league meetings

EXPERT VERDICT: West Ham beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup, but they will need to step up after a poor performance in defeat to Everton on Sunday. However, the Hammers have been too inconsistent this season and make little appeal at the odds with the draw the best bet against Stoke.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL roundup: High-powered Rangers dominate Blues
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers showed their high-powered offense once again Tuesday as they throttled the St. Louis Blues 5-0 at Madison Square Garden.
Five players scored for the Rangers, who have won five of six are averaging a league-best four goals per game.
Rookie left winger Jimmy Vesey scored his sixth goal and added two assists; left winger Rick Nash and right winger Mats Zuccarello scored their fifth goals; center Kevin Hayes scored his third and defenseman Dan Girardi added his second.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist posted the shutout by making 35 saves.
Blues goaltender Jake Allen was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 20 shots. Backup goaltender Carter Hutton stopped eight of nine in relief.

Ducks 4, Kings 0
LOS ANGELES -- Rickard Rakell scored a goal and recorded two assists in his season debut as Anaheim handed Los Angeles its third straight shutout.
Joseph Cramarossa scored his first career NHL goal and Antoine Vermette and Ryan Kesler also tallied for the Ducks, who have beaten the Kings in 12 of their last 16 regular-season meetings.
Goaltender John Gibson made 30 saves for his first shutout of the season.

Capitals 3, Jets 2
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Washington overcame a pair of late-game goals by Winnipeg in a win.
Jay Beagle took the air out of the MTS Centre with the winning marker with 30 seconds left.
Washington goalie Braden Holtby made 43 saves for the win, while Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves.
Karl Alzner and Evgeny Kuznetsov also scored for the Capitals, while Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets

Blackhawks 5, Flames 1
CHICAGO -- Patrick Kane scored a goal and dished out a pair of assists, and Chicago pulled away from Calgary.
Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin each finished with a goal and an assist and Tyler Motte and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored goals for the Blackhawks.
Michael Frolik scored the Flames' lone goal.

Sabres 2, Wild 1
SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Johan Larsson scored the game-winner in the latter half of third period as Buffalo won its third game in a row, beating Minnesota.
Ryan O'Reilly also scored for the Sabres and Robin Lehner had 27 saves as Buffalo became the first visiting team to win in Minnesota this season.
The Wild, who had shut out the Sabres in Buffalo last week, got a power-play goal from Mikael Granlund and 22 saves from goalie Devan Dubnyk.

Senators 2, Hurricanes 1
OTTAWA -- Kyle Turris scored with 1:51 left in overtime to give Ottawa a victory over Carolina at Canadian Tire Centre.
Turris took a pass from Erik Karlsson and rifled a shot past Carolina goalie Cam Ward from the left wing faceoff circle.
In regulation time, Jaccob Slavin scored for the Hurricanes while replying for the Senators was defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Maple Leafs 3, Oilers 2 (OT)
TORONTO -- Toronto defeated Edmonton in overtime at the Air Canada Centre in front of a crowd of 19,687 to end a two-game losing skid.
Nazem Kadri, who had two goals in the game, scored the winner 12 seconds into overtime. Ben Smith scored the other goal for the Leafs, who improved to 3-4-3 on the season.
The Oilers, who received goals from Anton Lander and Darnell Nurse, dropped to 7-3.

Lightning 6, Islanders 1
NEW YORK -- Tampa Bay bolted out to a three-goal first-period lead and scored three more times in the second period of a rout of New York at Barclays Center.
Nikita Kucherov scored the first two goals for the Lightning before Steven Stamkos, Brian Boyle, J.T. Brown and Valtteri Filppula all added a goal apiece. Goalie Ben Bishop, who gave up all six goals to the Rangers, recorded 26 saves while Kucherov added a pair of assists.
Dennis Seidenberg scored in the final minute of the second period for the Islanders, who surrendered their most goals in a home game since moving to Barclays Center last season.

Bruins 2, Panthers 1
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Tuukka Rask remained undefeated as Boston held off Florida at the BB&T Center.
Rask, who made 32 saves, is 5-0-0 this season. The Bruins' goals came on a penalty shot by Brad Marchand in the first period and a short-handed marker by Dominic Moore in the second.
The Panthers finally got on the scoreboard with 4:35 left in the third period on the first NHL goal for Denis Malgin, a 19-year-old rookie right winger.

Predators 5, Avalanche 1
DENVER -- Craig Smith scored twice, Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist, and Nashville beat Colorado to snap a three-game skid.
Roman Josi and Matt Irwin also scored and Filip Forsberg had two assists for the Predators, who won for just the second time in eight games. Pekka Rinne finished with 28 saves.
Jarome Iginla scored for the Avalanche, who have lost two straight at home.

Blue Jackets 3, Stars 2 (OT)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Seth Jones scored 46 seconds into overtime as Columbus extended Dallas' losing streak to three games with an overtime victory in front of 10,141 at Nationwide Arena.
Sam Gagner sent the game into overtime for Columbus, tying the score on a power-play goal with 15.1 seconds left in regulation. Nick Foligno also scored for the Blue Jackets
Jason Spezza and Tyler Seguin scored for the Stars.

Coyotes 3, Sharks 2
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Brad Richardson, Lawson Crouse and Jamie McGinn scored in a second-period barrage and Arizona defeated San Jose at Gila River Arena to improve to 3-6 this season and 2-1 at home.
Louis Domingue made 39 saves for the Coyotes and Martin Jones made 27 saves for the Sharks in his sixth straight start.
Patrick Marleau and Mikkel Boedker scored for the Sharks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CL Best Bets - Wednesday
By Toby Maxtone-Smith

UEFA Champions League - Matchday 4

Groups E, F, G and H move play their fourth games on Wednesday, and there is still lots to play for in every section.

This is particularly true of Group A, the tightest in the competition. Monaco are on five points, Tottenham Hotspur are on four, Bayer Leverkusen on three and CSKA Moscow on two. Anyone could still finish anywhere.

Group F looks like being a straight fight between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid for who wins Group B. Both are on seven points. Sporting Lisbon look likely to get the Europa League spot ahead of Legia Warsaw.

Leicester have surely sewn up Group G with FC Porto and FC Copenhagen fighting it out for second. And Group H is an identical scenario to Group B: Juventus and Sevilla are locked on seven points with Lyon set to finish above Dinamo Zagreb in third.

The Banker: Sevilla -1.5 against Dinamo Zagreb at 13/20

Dinamo Zagreb have been Croatian champions every year since 2005, but their Champions League record, bar a home win against Arsenal last year, is woeful. They lost five of their six group games in 2015/16 and have already lost all three this year, scoring none and conceding eight. So they go to Seville with little hope of getting a result. They are 14/1 to win, 6/1 to draw and 2/9 to lose.

Sevilla’s new manager this season is Jorge Sampaoli, the man who led Chile to back-to-back Copa America wins. His side are excellent going forward and have a huge number of people who can score goals. While this has not yet been reflected in their Champions League form - the only won 1-0 in Zagreb - this match looks like a good opportunity for them to score a few goals.

At 13/20 to win by more than one goal they are a good bet.

The Solid Bet: FC Copenhagen to draw with Leicester City at 23/10

Leicester have won all three of their Champions League games this season without conceding, putting them in a commanding position at the top of their group. But the FC Copenhagen side they meet on Wednesday are excellent at home, and it may take some of the old title-winning spirit from last season for Leicester to get a good result here.

With both Copenhagen and Porto five points behind them, a draw would be a good result here for Leicester. They looked much more solid defensively away to Spurs in a 1-1 draw at the weekend - their first away points of the domestic season.

Copenhagen have won six and drawn one of their home league games this season, and this combined with Leicester’s dodgy start to the season means they go in as favourites, but Leicester are still a much better side and should be able to come out with a draw.

The Outsider: Bayer Leverkusen to win at Tottenham Hotspur at 3/1

Spurs were indebted to a wondersave by Hugo Lloris from Javier Hernandez for their point away to Bayer Leverkusen two weeks ago, and in a tight group there is still no guarantee that Mauricio Pochettino’s men will come through.

Bayer won 2-1 away to Wolfsburg at the weekend, and they look good value to gain an even more important win on the road in London. The game is taking place at Wembley in preparation for next season when Spurs will temporarily move into the national stadium while their new ground is built. The last game they played there was a very disappointing defeat to Monaco in matchday one. It was clear that night that Spurs’s ‘home advantage’ had been severely diminished.

They have run into some difficult form in the league, and the last thing they need is a tough, crucial Champions League game. At 3/1 Bayer Leverkusen are good value.

The First Goalscorer: Andre Silva for FC Porto against Club Brugge at 7/2

FC Porto are locked in a fight with FC Copenhagen to qualify from Group G, and the men from Portugal will look at their home game against Club Brugge as a must-win. They are 3/10 to do so, with a draw 19/4 and a Brugge win 11/1.

It took a last minute penalty for Porto to win 2-1 in Belgium, and the man who took that penalty, Andre Silva, is one of European football’s best young talents. The 20 year-old is on a stunning run of form, having scored 15 goals in his last 15 games. At 7/2 he still looks a very big price to open the scoring against Brugge.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - November

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.

October

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
11/1 12 66.5 57 UNDER
11/2 3 - - -
11/3 12 - - -
11/4 3 - - -
11/5 13 - - -
11/6 6 - - -
11/7 3 - - -
11/8 10 - - -
11/9 3 - - -
11/10 10 - - -
11/11 6 - - -
11/12 11 - - -
11/13 6 - - -
11/14 1 - - -
11/15 13 - - -
11/16 2 - - -
11/17 10 - - -
11/18 5 - - -
11/19 11 - - -
11/20 5 - - -
11/21 7 - - -
11/22 5 - - -
11/23 12 - - -
11/24 2 - - -
11/25 11 - - -
11/26 9 - - -
11/27 6 - - -
11/28 2 - - -
11/29 12 - - -
11/30 3 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Wednesday’s games

Home side won last five Vancouver-Montreal games; Canucks lost last three visits here by a combined 12-6. Over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Vancouver lost its last five games by a combined 18-7; both their road games (0-2) went over total. Montreal won its last seven games, allowing nine goals; under is 3-0-1 in their last four games. Canadiens are 5-0 at home.

Flyers won six of last eight games with Detroit; Red Wings lost last five visits here, outscored 23-9. Over is 6-3 in last nine series games. Detroit lost last two games 5-2/1-0; under is 2-1-1 in their road games. Philly lost six of its last nine games with last four going over total. Flyers are 2-3 in their last five home games.

Anaheim lost six of last seven games with Pittsburgh; over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Penguins split last four visits here. Ducks are 4-2 in last six games overall; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Pittsburgh won its last three games, scoring 12 goals (over 2-0-1); they’ve lost two of their three road games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Wednesday’s games

Home side won last five Vancouver-Montreal games; Canucks lost last three visits here by a combined 12-6. Over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Vancouver lost its last five games by a combined 18-7; both their road games (0-2) went over total. Montreal won its last seven games, allowing nine goals; under is 3-0-1 in their last four games. Canadiens are 5-0 at home.

Flyers won six of last eight games with Detroit; Red Wings lost last five visits here, outscored 23-9. Over is 6-3 in last nine series games. Detroit lost last two games 5-2/1-0; under is 2-1-1 in their road games. Philly lost six of its last nine games with last four going over total. Flyers are 2-3 in their last five home games.

Anaheim lost six of last seven games with Pittsburgh; over is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Penguins split last four visits here. Ducks are 4-2 in last six games overall; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Pittsburgh won its last three games, scoring 12 goals (over 2-0-1); they’ve lost two of their three road games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: Cavaliers feel Love in victory
By The Sports Xchange

CLEVELAND -- Kevin Love scored 24 points while playing a strong defensive game and Kyrie Irving scored 32 to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 128-120 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
LeBron James added 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists on a night the Cavaliers made 13 of 15 from the field in the fourth quarter. Cleveland is 4-0 for the first time since 2000-01.
James Harden had a season-high 41 points and added 15 assists and seven rebounds for the Rockets. Houston made 17 3-pointers.
Love has six steals through four games by playing the passing lanes. His total ranks second on the team behind Shumpert's eight.

Jazz 106, Spurs 91
SAN ANTONIO -- George Hill scored 22 points, including eight straight in a pivotal one-minute span of the fourth quarter, and Utah surprised San Antonio.
Rodney Hood added 19 points for the Jazz, while Trey Lyles had 15 and Shelvin Mack scored 14.
The Spurs were led in scoring for the fifth straight game by Kawhi Leonard, who had 30 points. LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and was the only other San Antonio player in double figures. The Spurs missed six of their final seven shots and had a pair of turnovers in the final two minutes.

Heat 108, Kings 96 (OT)
MIAMI -- Goran Dragic scored 25 points to lead Miami to an overtime victory over Sacramento.
Dragic hit three 3-pointers and Tyler Johnson scored five points in overtime for the Heat, who secured the win 11 consecutive points.
The victory also was Miami's 15th straight over the Kings at AmericanAirlines Arena. Johnson finished with 22 points and Dion Waiters scored 20 for the Heat.

Pistons 102, Knicks 89
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Tobias Harris had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Detroit won its third straight after holding New York scoreless over the final 5:40.
Marcus Morris supplied 22 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 19 as the Pistons handed coach Stan Van Gundy his 450th career victory.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks 24 points. Derrick Rose had 19 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 18.

Pacers 115, Lakers 108
INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George scored Indiana's final 12 points, including the go-ahead field goal with 1:39 remaining, and the Pacers rallied to defeat Los Angeles.
George, who was 12 of 12 from the free throw line, scored eight in the final 1:39 to finish with a game-high 30 points.
Monta Ellis added 17 for Indiana, and Lou Williams had 19 for the Lakers.

Timberwolves 116, Grizzlies 80
MINNEAPOLIS -- Zach LaVine scored a game-high 31 points as Minnesota led by as many as 40 points en route to an easy victory over Memphis in its home opener.
Gorgui Dieng, who one day earlier signed a four-year contract extension, added 17 points for the Wolves, while Andrew Wiggins also scored 17.
Deyonta Davis had 17 points off the bench for short-handed the Grizzlies, who beat Minnesota in their first game of the season last week.

Bucks 117, Pelicans 113
NEW ORLEANS -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, including an open 3-pointer with 1:33 left, and Jabari Parker added 21 points to lift Milwaukee over winless New Orleans.
The Bucks overcame another valiant effort by Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who led all scorers with 35 points, including 17 of 18 from the foul line, and grabbed 15 rebounds.
New Orleans trailed 112-110 with 2:42 left, but Antetokounmpo hit a layup and the open 3-pointer in a 25-span to give Milwaukee a 117-112 lead.

Magic 103, 76ers 101
PHILADELPHIA -- Serge Ibaka dropped in two free throws with 1.4 seconds left as Orlando defeated Philadelphia to earn its first victory of the season.
Ex-Sixer Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando. Ibaka had 21 points, and Elfrid Payton contributed 18 points and 10 assists.
Hollis Thompson led winless Philadelphia with 22 points, and Dario Saric added 21. Joel Embiid contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Gerald Henderson chipped in 18 points.

Warriors 127, Blazers 104
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Stephen Curry put up a 23-point barrage in the third quarter as Golden State broke open a tight game and swept to a victory over Portland at the Moda Center.
Curry scored 28 points in just 30 minutes and Ian Clark added 22 points as the Warriors won their third straight game. Clark came off the bench to go 8 for 8 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range.
Damian Lillard scored 31 points and rookie Jake Layman added 17 in his NBA debut for the Blazers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canucks (4-4) at Canadiens (8-0)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

MONTREAL -- A good start has turned into a distant memory for the Vancouver Canucks. The Montreal Canadiens are looking to avoid falling into a similar trap.

After surprising many with a 4-0 start -- allowing just- five goals in that stretch -- the Canucks (4-4-1) have dropped their last five games while being outscored 18-7. Now, the team embarks on a season-high six-game road trip that will take them through the Eastern Conference over the next 11 days.

And it will begin against the Canadiens, winners of seven straight and, at 8-0-1, the only NHL team without a regulation loss.

"It's a huge game for us against Montreal. They're playing well and it's going to take a full team effort to get past them," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said.

The team headed out on the trip with nine defensemen in tow, including Chris Tanev, who is inching closer to a return after missing the past three games with injury. Tanev took part in Tuesday's practice in Montreal, rotating with rookie Troy Stecher, who has filled in on the top pairing with Alex Edler. But his presence in Wednesday night's line-up was uncertain, according to coach Willie Desjardins.

Grinding wingers Alexandre Burrows and Derek Dorsett appear to be on the verge of drawing back in after missing the past four games. But while the Canucks will gladly welcome the energetic forwards, the team is hoping for more offense from its top six to get out of its current funk.

Left winger Loui Eriksson, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, has yet to score through nine games and has just four assists to his credit. On Tuesday, he moved from the top line with Henrik and Daniel Sedin to the second line with Brandon Sutter and Markus Granlund.

"All players go through slumps and all you can do is dig in and know that you're a good player and know with what you did before that you can score," Eriksson told the Vancouver Province. "It's a matter of getting the mindset to be hungry and shoot the puck more."

They'll be looking to do so against a healthy Carey Price, who has won all five of his starts so far, becoming the fourth goaltender in NHL history to win his first five games in consecutive seasons.

As expected, his return has been key to Montreal's early season success. But the team knows all too well how quickly it can change.

Last year, the Canadiens stormed through the first nine games with a 9-0-0 record before ultimately seeing their streak snapped against the Canucks (in Vancouver). A couple of games later, Price was injured for the first time in what eventually turned into a season that spiraled out of control.

Montreal is coming off a 2-1 against the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, marking the first time this season that they haven't scored at least three goals in a game.

Everything appears to be running smoothly for the Habs, including its once-maligned power play. With another strike on the man advantage on Saturday, the Canadiens have now scored power-play goals in four straight games, and in seven of their nine games so far this season.

"We work on it quite a bit in practice and with video," defenseman Jeff Petry said. "I think the main thing that sticks out in my mind is that we're moving the puck quickly and taking the shots when they're there. The more you shoot the puck, the better the results are going to be."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (2-2) at Knicks (1-2)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

So much for James Harden's creaky ankle.

Harden became the first Houston Rockets player to score at least 40 points, dish out 15 assists, and grab at least five rebounds in a game when he posted 41-15-7 line in a 128-120 loss at Cleveland on Tuesday.

The veteran point guard has been playing through the ankle injury, but it hasn't slowed him down. He comes into Madison Square Garden averaging 32.2 points when the Rockets (2-2) face the New York Knicks on Wednesday in the second game of a five-game road swing.

Harden pulled the Rockets within three points with 1:08 left Tuesday, but Trevor Aziza and Eric Gordon both missed deep jumpers for Houston.

"You're playing against a team, especially on the road, and they make tough shots," Harden said. "They didn't miss the last five or six minutes of the game. Some shots we wanted to live with and some shots they just made. Good test for us."

Harden has been playing point guard in place of Patrick Beverley, who remains out after undergoing arthroscopic left knee surgery on Oct. 25.

Ariza left the Cleveland game in the third quarter after bumping heads with Tristan Thompson. Ariza needed five stitches before returning to the court with a bandage under his right eye.

The forward told the Houston Chronicle, "I think it was a head-butt, but it's all good. It's part of the game."

The game marks the return to the Garden for Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, who guided the Knicks for 3 1/2 years before resigning 42 games into the 2011-12 season. Houston has won six straight at the Garden.

The Knicks (1-2) also will be playing their second game in as many nights after dropping a 102-89 decision to the Pistons in Detroit. Forward Carmelo Anthony paced the Knicks with 24 points, and Derek Rose added 19 points, his top total since coming over via a trade with the Chicago Bulls.

New York shot 40.7 percent from the floor in the loss.

"It just didn't go down tonight, but when the shots aren't falling, that's when we have to depend on our defense even more," Rose said. "We're playing against tough teams, and we have to come out and compete on the defensive end, especially when we're not making shots."

In a bad sign for the Knicks heading into the send half of a back-to-back set, coach Jeff Hornacek felt his team was fatigued late in the Tuesday contest.

"At the beginning of the game, a lot of the focus was on the offense," Hornacek said. "I thought (the Pistons) played well the second half, and maybe that took a certain amount of conditioning on offense and defense. ... We just looked like we ran out of gas at the end."

Rose added, "We have to build an identity and we will. All of this is a learning process. Figuring things out."

The Knicks lead the all-time series with the Rockets 70-67. Last season, the teams split their matchups, with the Knicks winning 107-102 at Houston and the Rockets earning a 116-111 overtime victory at New York.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (2-1) at Wizards (0-2)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- If the Washington Wizards are going to win their first game of the season, avoiding another late collapse would be a good step.

Also on the to-do list? Trying to slow down Toronto Raptors scoring star DeMar DeRozan when the Eastern Conference foes meet in Washington on Wednesday night.

The Wizards opened the season with back-to-back losses, including Sunday's 112-103 overtime setback at the Memphis Grizzlies after leading 96-88 with under four minutes remaining. Grizzlies center Marc Gasol's 3-pointer with 15.7 seconds remaining tied the game at 100 and Washington faded as Memphis opened the extra session with 12-0 run.

"We let it slip out of our hands. We didn't play a great game," guard Bradley Beal said after Washington fell to 0-2 in Memphis. "I think we've just got to figure out a way to close out games. We had a chance to win. In overtime the first couple minutes are crucial and once you've got that momentum, it's pretty much a gut check. They got a big lead on us and we couldn't score and they won."

Washington fell at Atlanta on Thursday 114-99 after the Hawks outscored the Wizards 33-19 in the fourth quarter.

DeRozan hasn't trouble scoring in Toronto's first three games, including depositing 33 points in Monday's 105-102 home win over the Denver Nuggets. Signed to a five-year, $139 million contract this summer, DeRozan became the first player in Raptors' history to open the season with at least 30 points in each of the first three games.

Point guard Kyle Lowry added 29 points and put Toronto (2-1) in the lead for good with his first of two field goals over the final 96 seconds.

"DeMar's been great. His offensive (game) right now is unreal," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told the Toronto Star. "Kyle stepped up (Monday) and gave him a little boost.

DeRozan is averaging 36.0 points while shooting 52.7 percent from the field.

"We've got to maintain that and not wear that out, but he's been doing a great job," Casey said of DeRozan.

That's not something many are saying about the Wizards' perimeter defense. Washington is allowing opponents to shoot a league-high 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. Memphis sank 15 of 31 3-pointers.

"We have to guard the 3-point line," first-year Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "That's what the league is about. You have to be able to do two things. You have to guard the 3-point line and protect the paint. The good teams do that every night.

"We are building to be a good team and we have to be able to do that. I have a lot of confidence in our guys to do that but it's just going to take some time but nobody waits for you. We have to expedite that as soon as we can, but we have to be able to guard the line and the paint. "

DeRozan averaged 26.5 points against the Wizards as the Raptors swept the 2015-16 season series 4-0. Washington knocked Toronto out of the 2015 playoffs in four games.

Three-time All-Star John Wall, who had two knee surgeries this offseason, leads the Wizards in scoring (17.0) and assists (11.5), but is averaging 5.0 turnovers per game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Wings (6-4) at Flyers (4-5)

Date: November 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- The Detroit Red Wings don't like being reminded they have not won a regular season game in Philadelphia in nearly 20 years.

"When you guys keep reminding us it's hard not to think about it," Red Wings left winger Henrik Zetterberg said about his team's 0-11-0 record in Philadelphia since Jan. 25, 1997.

"But obviously, we know what it is. We haven't won there in a while and we have another chance (Wednesday) and another chance next week (when the Red Wings return to Philly).

"We can't really focus on that. We haven't been at our best the last two games and we want to get back to that. We need to get a little more urgency. We've been a little sloppy and we can execute a little better."

To get an idea how long it's been since the Red Wings skated out of Philadelphia with a win, goaltender Mike Vernon beat Ron Hextall and Garth Snow, who are now the general managers of the Flyers and Islanders.

After winning six in a row, the Red Wings (6-4-0) are coming off back-to-back losses to Boston and Florida and have managed just two goals in the defeats. They have been outshot by an average of 32-28 this season and have placed an emphasis on puck possession.

"That's one thing we have to get a little better at," said Zetterberg, who has no goals and four assists in 10 games. "I think when you take care of the puck better and win battles and complete passes you keep the puck and we haven't done that lately."

The Flyers (4-5-1) are coming off Sunday night's 4-3 win in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes but have been playing fire wagon hockey to start the season. They rank third in the NHL in goals scored, but second in goals allowed. The Flyers and their opponents have combined to average 7.3 goals per game, well above the average of six goals.

The Flyers' goaltending has been inconsistent all season. Steve Mason (2-4-1, 3.46 goals-against average, .878 save percentage) and Michael Neuvirth (2-1-0, 3.84 GAA, .861 SP) have struggled in the first 10 games of the season.

"Neuvy and I have our own things to clean up before we worry about what's going on (in front of us)," Mason told the South Jersey Courier-Post. "I think as a whole, we need to get cleaner getting out of our own zone. We've created our own problems a lot of times where it kind of bites us in the butt and causes a goal to happen. First and foremost, gotta worry about stopping the puck, and if Neuvy and I stop the puck at a better rate, our in-zone play will be better as well."

The Red Wings claimed forward Martin Frk off waivers Tuesday and assigned him to AHL Grand Rapids. Flyers forward Michael Raffl is eligible to come off injured reserve on Wednesday. If he does, look for center Boyd Gordon to go on injured reserve with an upper body injury expected to keep him sidelined one week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 76ers (0-3) at Hornets (2-1)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Cody Zeller is so excited to be part of the Charlotte Hornets' continuity that he said he would play for free.

"You know, $56 million is crazy -- I would play this game for free," the center told reporters Tuesday. "This is way more money than I would spend in three lifetimes."

Zeller's extension begins next season, but he will play his first game since getting the new deal when the Hornets host the winless Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Zeller was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft, which has been regarded as one of the weaker drafts in recent history, and he was one of just eight picks from that draft to receive extensions.

"We felt it was important to get him locked up to an extension rather than have him be a restricted free agent next summer," Hornets GM Rich Cho said. "With the cap next summer along with Cody's value around the league as a young, versatile athletic big, we felt he would have been a target for a number of teams."

Zeller's new contract marked the third straight year Charlotte has signed one of its players before his rookie contract was completed. Two years ago, the Hornets signed Kemba Walker, and last year it was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeremy Lamb.

Last year, Zeller started 60 games and averaged career bests of 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting a career-best 52.9 percent.

In the early going this season, he is averaging 10.7 points while shooting 61.1 percent (11 of 18) and splitting time in the middle with Roy Hibbert.

Zeller might see more time at center Wednesday in place of Hibbert, who did not play Saturday during a 104-98 loss to Boston and has not practiced since due to a knee injury.

Other than Hibbert's injury and Lamb's strained left hamstring, things have gone decently for the Hornets -- despite Saturday's loss when Walker had 29 points but the defense gave up 15 3-pointers.

"They kind of got going there in the second half," Zeller said. "When they are rolling, when they are getting easy buckets, easy jumpers, it's going to be tough for us to win."

In the previous two seasons, it was difficult for Philadelphia to get its first win. Two years ago, the 76ers lost their first 17 games; last year they dropped their first 18 contests.

Philadelphia appeared to be on its way to its first win Tuesday against the Orlando Magic. Instead, Philadelphia blew an 18-point, first-half lead and was handed a 103-101 loss to fall to 0-3.

"I'm sorry for them," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "We felt like we've been putting in the work to earn a win."

Hollis Thompson scored 22 points and Dario Saric added 21. Joel Embiid contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds but also made two costly turnovers in the final minute, getting called for traveling with 38.9 seconds left and losing his dribble with 5.7 seconds to go.

"He's got the ball and you could see that it's just raw to him at the moment," Brown said. "But I would do it again, try to put him in position where he could help us get a win."

Embiid will not have the opportunity to deliver clutch plays Wednesday if Philadelphia is in a close game. He will be rested on the second night of a back-to-back since the 22-year-old is still coming back after two years of rehabilitating a broken right foot.

Jahlil Okafor also is being treated cautiously after he had left knee surgery. He did not play Tuesday and is expected to suit up Wednesday.

Ersan Ilyasova could make his debut Wednesday after being obtained from Oklahoma City along with a protected first-round pick for Jerami Grant. Ilysova will be joining his fourth team in the last two years after spending his first seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.

He is a career 36.9 percent shooter from 3-point range and joins a team that has shot 25.6 percent from behind the arc so far.

Charlotte has won the last five meetings and six straight over the Sixers at home. On April 1, Walker had his first career double-double in points (27) and rebounds (11) in a 100-91 home win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Penguins (6-2) at Ducks (4-4)

Date: November 02, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After missing the first six games because of a concussion, Sidney Crosby has a chance to continue one of his most productive starts ever when his Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night at the Honda Center.

Crosby enters the contest with four goals and an assist in three games since returning to the lineup Oct. 25. Three years ago, Crosby collected four goals and three assists in his first three games -- including two goals and an assist in the season opener against the visiting Ducks.

Last season, the two-time winner of the Hart Memorial and Art Ross trophies waited until Nov. 25 to score his fourth goal.

"I know what this means to him," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review regarding Crosby's quick start. "He's a focused guy. He's a tremendous competitor and I think he's hungry for more."

With Crosby on the ice, Pittsburgh won three consecutive games to take over first place in the Metropolitan Division while amassing 12 goals. Before their captain's return, the Penguins scored 12 goals in six games while going 3-2-1. Four of Pittsburgh's 12 goals since Crosby's arrival came from the power-play unit that includes him.

"We've had a lot of movement and that shot mentality, and Sid's part of that group," Sullivan told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He's got great offensive instincts so whether he's beside the net or he's on the half-wall or he's in the slot, he's a dangerous guy, whether he's passing or shooting."

Goaltender Matt Murray, who started all but three games in last season's Stanley Cup playoffs as a rookie, makes his season debut Wednesday night after recovering from a broken hand. Murray suffered the injury while playing for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey. Defenseman Kris Letang also returns to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 18, when he sustained an upper-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens.

Wednesday night's game begins the Penguins' first West Coast trip. Pittsburgh faces the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

The Ducks are coming off Tuesday night's 4-0 rout of the Los Angeles Kings for their fourth victory in its past six games. Rickard Rakell, a restricted free agent before the season began, had a goal and two assists in his season debut nearly three weeks after signing a six-year contract worth $22.8 million Oct. 14. Rakell's earned one assist on the Ducks' power play, which converted twice in three opportunities.

"Ricky's going to be a big part of our power play," right wing Jakob Silfverberg told the Orange County Register before the game. "Anytime you can get your power play going, it helps the team get momentum and get all sorts of stuff going."

Despite their recent success, the Ducks seek improvement. Entering Tuesday night's game against the Kings, Anaheim ranked 17th in the NHL with a 19.4 percent conversion rate on the power play and 25th with just 2.33 goals per game.

"I still think we have quite a bit of work to do," defenseman Cam Fowler told the Register. "There's little bits and pieces of our game that can certainly improve. I know what this team can do and I don't think we've even scratched the surface yet."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pistons (3-1) at Nets (1-3)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- Nearly two years ago, Stan Van Gundy stood in a crowded hallway at Barclays Center and lamented how the Detroit Pistons did not have chances to win the way they defended and vowed changes to the roster he was coaching.

At the time of Van Gundy's impassioned plea for improved defense, the Pistons had dropped 23 of their first 28 games.

Detroit split the final 54 games of 2014-15, won 44 games last season and is projected to be a middle seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Pistons wound up 14th in points allowed two seasons ago, improved to 12th last season and have allowed the second-fewest points per game so far.

Detroit's defense will look to remain effective Wednesday night when it visits the Brooklyn Nets.

The Pistons began Van Gundy's third season by allowing 109 points in an 18-point loss at Toronto last Wednesday. The Pistons followed it up by holding Orlando and Milwaukee to 82 and 83 points, respectively, in double-digit victories.

On Tuesday, Detroit continued its positive defensive trends in a 102-89 win over the New York Knicks. After allowing 55 points in the first half, the Pistons allowed 10 in the fourth quarter and held the Knicks scoreless in the final 5:40.

"We just kept saying in the timeout that to win, we're going to need to make a defensive stand," Van Gundy said. "We were skating on thin ice for a long, long time. They'd get it down to three and we'd get a couple of hoops. Then the last (5:30), we were able to get it done."

Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Marcus Morris added 22 points for Detroit, which is 3-1 for the second straight season.

"It's real satisfying," Harris said. "It's something that when we came into the timeout, that was our emphasis. Let's go out there and get stops, let's get rebounds and let's see how many we can string together to come out with this victory."

While the Pistons have been playing strong defense, the Nets have struggled defensively through most of their first four games. Although Brooklyn held Indiana to 15 points in the fourth quarter Friday, it is allowing 111 points per game, has given up seven 30-point quarters and allowed opponents to shoot 47 percent.

The Nets lost their first two games at Boston and Milwaukee by a combined seven points and were never in Monday's 118-88 loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Nets gave up 38 first-quarter points, trailed for the final 45-plus minutes, shot 34 percent and made 5 of 31 3-pointers.

"I just think we didn't have that normal pop or that explosiveness or the normal hunger that we normally have on the defensive end, actually just in general," Brooklyn guard Jeremy Lin said. "We didn't have that normal spirit or that normal energy that we play with. Tonight everybody came out flat and you know, it's time to get our bodies right and we'll be good and we'll be ready on Wednesday."

An area where the Nets will have to be ready is rebounding and blocking out Detroit center Andre Drummond, who leads the league with 15.5 rebounds per game. Brooklyn has allowed 49.8 rebounds per game by opponents, which is the third-highest in the league.

"We're addressing it," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We understand it's a weakness and an area we've got to get better."

Another area where the Nets will have to be improved is backup point guard play. While Lin has averaged 16.3 points, his primary backups, Randy Foye (mild right hamstring strain) and Greivis Vasquez (sore right ankle), will not play Wednesday.

Those injuries mean Isaiah Whitehead will likely see a decent amount of time again. The rookie had a difficult home debut by shooting 3 of 11 and committing five turnovers in 21 minutes.

"I think whoever we put in there, we expect them to do their job and play the way we want them to play," Atkinson said. "So it could be a rookie, a second-year guy, a veteran and when a guy is out the next guy has to step up and play."

The Pistons have won four of the last five meetings with the Nets since allowing 110 points and 52 percent shooting on Dec. 21, 2014. The only players remaining on their roster since then are Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lakers (1-3) at Hawks (3-0)

Date: November 02, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks won their first three games by an average of 19.3 points and outscored their opponents 90-47 in the fourth quarter.

None of the victims made the playoffs a year ago, though, and that will be the case again Wednesday night as the Hawks host the Los Angeles Lakers.

In fact, the Hawks don't face a team that had a winning record last season until they play the defending NBA champion Cavaliers at Cleveland on Nov. 8 in their seventh game and only six times in the first 19 games do they play a 2016 playoff team.

The Hawks, who won their first three games by double digits for the first time since moving to Atlanta in 1968, are taking advantage of their soft early schedule so far and done it with defense, especially in the fourth quarter.

The Sacramento Kings were the most recent victim, being outscored 27-14 in the final period of Monday's 106-95 loss after taking the lead with a 37-point third quarter.

The Hawks, who haven't allowed 100 points in any game this season, had five of their 11 steals in the decisive quarter and center Dwight Howard swatted away two of his four blocked shots.

Atlanta has been tenacious defensively under coach Mike Budenholzer and now the Hawks have a rim protector after signing Atlanta-native Howard as a free agent.

"We have a lot of great individual defenders on this team and we have a great team concept," veteran guard Kyle Korver said. "As long as we stay in that, we have the potential to be a great defensive team."

Howard has blocked 10 shots in the Hawks' three victories and is averaging 12.3 rebounds despite playing limited minutes while battling foul issues in the blowout win at Philadelphia on Saturday.

The Hawks are also getting stellar defense off the bench from veteran Thabo Sefolosha, who had four steals against the Kings and chased down Rudy Gay from behind to knock the ball away in the fourth quarter.

"We made some big plays down the stretch," Budenholzer said. "I thought the Thabo chase down and knock away, that's a winning play that we need. Those plays become critical to you."

The game against the Lakers will be first of two for Howard against one of his former teams in four days. The Hawks host the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

The Lakers (1-3) are finishing a four-game trip after falling 115-108 to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night for their 16 straight road loss dating to last season.

The Lakers have used the early season trip for some bonding, with the team's veterans and many young players spending time with each other.

"They hang out together and are interacting together," coach Luke Walton told the Los Angeles Daily News. "It's not a separated group. The vets are doing a good job of helping bring along some of the young guys."

The Lakers came from 16 points down in the second quarter to take a fourth-period lead at Indiana, but Paul George scored the Pacers' final 12 points in a 30-point outing.

"When you're at home, you have the crowd behind you. You play with a lot more confidence," Walton said. "When you're on the road, it's just our group in the building. It's up to us to produce our own energy and it's up to us to be so mentally locked in that we can withstand their run and the energy they're getting from their crowd."

The Hawks won the last three games with the Lakers, whose last victory was 114-109 in Atlanta on Nov. 18, 2014.

The game against the Lakers will be the first for the Hawks since the team and the City of Atlanta announced Tuesday an agreement in principle for a $192.5 million renovation of Philips Arena, which opened in 1999. The deal would bind the Hawks to downtown Atlanta through 2046.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mavericks (0-3) at Jazz (2-2)

Date: November 02, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

SALT LAKE CITY -- Getting Dirk Nowitzki back on the court couldn't come at a better time for Dallas. Without him in the lineup, the Mavericks have struggled to get enough done on offense to offset their defensive shortcomings.

Nowitzki has been sidelined since the team's season-opening 130-121 loss to the Indiana Pacers. He has been nursing a sore Achilles tendon and dealing with a stomach ailment. Without the veteran forward, Dallas (0-3) is one of six NBA teams that still hasn't won this season.

The latest loss for the Mavericks was perhaps the most painful. Dallas fell 93-92 to Houston on a free throw from James Harden with 0.1 second left after shooting just 38.1 percent (32-of-84). Solving these sudden offensive woes has become top priority.

"We have to keep finding ways," guard Wesley Matthews said. "Our margin for error is slim, like most NBA teams."

Nowitzki plans to return to the starting lineup when the Mavericks face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Having him back on the floor for a tough road game could give Dallas a major boost.

"I feel better," Nowitzki told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Tuesday. "It's been obviously a rough few days."

Nowitzki has a knack for unleashing offensive fireworks against Utah. In the three games last season, Nowitzki averaged 19.3 points on 55.3 percent shooting.

Utah (2-2) should be better prepared for what Dallas can do this season. The Jazz handed San Antonio its first loss of the season on Tuesday night, downing the Spurs 106-91 behind 22 points and seven assists from veteran point guard George Hill. They got it done on both ends of the court. San Antonio shot just 43.4 percent (33 of 76) while the Jazz made 48.4 percent (15-of-31) of their 3-pointers.

Defense has been Utah's bread and butter early in the season. The Jazz have allowed just 89.3 points per game over their last three contests. Utah has held opponents under 90 points in 59 games dating to the start of the 2014-15 season -- the most of any NBA team.

Offensively, the Jazz seemed to have figured things out. They hit a bump with a terrible shooting performance against the Clippers on Sunday, but bounced back in style against the Spurs two days later. Hill is a big reason behind it.

In his first four games with the Jazz, Hill is averaging 20.5 points and 4.8 assists. He is also playing mistake-free basketball. Hill had zero turnovers against San Antonio and made several big baskets in the fourth quarter when Utah needed them to pull away.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder said he has encouraged Hill to go full throttle on offense.

"He's got a lot of pride in his defense," Snyder said after the team's home opener last Friday. "We have talked about George being aggressive offensively. So I think the pride defensively and aggressiveness is what helps make him."

Dallas eliminated Utah from the playoffs in its most recent trip to Salt Lake City in April. The Mavericks downed the Jazz 102-91 behind 22 points and 11 rebounds from Nowitzki, 23 points from Deron Williams and 20 points from Matthews.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (2-2) at Suns (0-4)

Date: November 02, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Phoenix Suns are one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the NBA. Three of their first four opponents are among the top five teams in the Western Conference. Those are facts. But to at least one member of the Suns, there still is no excuse for losing.

"We can't keep saying 'schedule' or 'age,'" guard Brandon Knight said of the Suns' 0-4 start. "At some point, we just have to do what we're supposed to do and the wins will come. You have to be consistent and continue to be positive, and it will fall in place."

Phoenix will be gunning for its first victory of the season Wednesday night when it plays host to the Portland Trail Blazers (2-2) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns are 0-4 for the first time since 1996, when they lost their first 13 games on the way to a 40-42 season. They are averaging a league-high 29.3 fouls per game.

"A lot of our games have been dictated by foul calls," Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe said. "We have to stop fouling so much."

On Monday, the Suns got drilled 116-98 by the Los Angeles Clippers in a game in which they had 20 turnovers, 11 of them in the second quarter.

"That's a lack of focus," Suns coach Earl Watson said. "We can't let foul calls disrupt our rhythm mentally. We have to weather the storm and be mentally tough and play through that."

The Suns hope to regain the services of guard Devin Booker, who missed the Monday game with a sprained toe.

They will have the advantage of facing Portland with the Blazers on the second of back-to-back nights after a 127-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Oregon. Blazers guard Damian Lillard said the lopsided defeat should serve as incentive to play well.

"We should be excited about the opportunity to get back out there (Wednesday night) after the type of game we had tonight," said Lillard, who scored a game-high 31 points against Golden State.

The Warriors broke open a tight game by outscoring the Blazers 41-20 in the third quarter. Portland made only 7 of 30 shots from 3-point range until Jake Layman and Noah Vonleh combined to sink 7 of 9 in the closing minutes of garbage time.

"You have nights like that," Lillard said after the game. "The third quarter, we slipped up. We didn't communicate as well as we did the first half. We allowed (the Warriors) to get clean looks, and they got it going.

"When we aren't making shots and they are, we have to be able to do the small things. Limit them to one possession, help each other out on off-ball screens, protect the paint, have a tighter shell on the weak side. We have to make it harder for them to make shots as well. Tonight, we didn't do that."

Layman, a rookie out of Maryland, finished with 17 points in eight minutes Tuesday in his NBA debut.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bulls (3-0) at Celtics (2-1)

Date: November 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Dwyane Wade and the new-look Chicago Bulls put their perfect start on the line when they visit the Boston Celtics in an early season rematch Wednesday night.

Last week in Chicago, the Bulls (3-0) scored a 105-99 victory over the Celtics (2-1) as Jimmy Butler scored 24 points and Wade, playing his first game after signing with his hometown team during the offseason, added 22. Taj Gibson posted 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bulls, who have seven new players on the roster, defeated the Indiana Pacers at home Saturday and easily downed the Nets in Brooklyn on Monday night.

"We only played a little bit together in the preseason, so we're still learning each other right now," Wade said Monday. "We're only three games in but we see it looking good.

"At times, we're just out there and we're feeling very comfortable and everybody, defensively, on the floor trusts each other. And that's rare early in the season for a team that hasn't played together, but we're vocal. Everyone is vocal, everyone is talking to each other and communicating, so that goes a long way."

The loss in Chicago was the only one for Boston in three games as it hung on to defeat the Nets in its home opener and won at Charlotte on Saturday night. The Celtics played the first two games without the injured Marcus Smart (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (shoulder). Smart is returning for this game.

The Celtics were beaten on the boards and on the perimeter in Chicago, and Smart -- a key asset in both -- will help.

"Marcus is a good rebounder, generally, and he's good at blocking out,' Boston coach Brad Stevens said. "We were a little bit better (rebounding) against Charlotte, but we still have a long way to do. We've got to get better and we'll be tested in that regard again on Wednesday."

While Smart returns, Avery Bradley, who scored a career-high 31 (career-best eight 3-pointers and 11 rebounds) at Charlotte, was doubtful because of right shoulder soreness he's been battling since training camp. He is second on the team with 21.3 points per game and first in rebounding at 8.7.

"He's been getting extra treatment on it and everything else," Stevens said Tuesday. "For whatever reason, it was a little bit more sore today."

One new Bull the Celtics will have to deal with Wednesday is former Celtic Rajon Rondo, who is on his fourth team in the last three seasons. The point guard is averaging 6.7 points, 8.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 turnovers this season.

"It's a trickle-down effect. It's contagious," Rondo says. "It starts with the point guard. I'm passing the ball, Michael (Carter-Williams) is doing the same. D-Wade is an unselfish player. Jimmy wants to make plays for the next guy."

Rondo was 1-for-9 from the floor against Boston last week, but contributed nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. He is averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in four games versus the Celtics.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA betting road map: Coaching making a big difference early on for Kings
By BIG AL MCMORDIE

The NBA season got off to an unpredictable start when the San Antonio Spurs stunned the basketball world by annihilating Golden State, 129-100, in the opener for both teams. Many thought the Spurs would take a step backward this season, following the retirement of Tim Duncan, but San Antonio has the league's best record (4-0) and 2nd-best scoring margin (+15.8). Meanwhile, out East, Cleveland is also undefeated (3-0), and ranks 3rd in scoring margin (+12.7).

Al McMordie is back with the second edition of his weekly betting roadmap series, to take a look at the betting landscape in the upcoming week in the NBA.

Spread Watch

This is not your grandfather's version of the Sacramento Kings this season and it's not just because they have a brand new spanking arena. Dave Joerger has arrived from Memphis, and his players are actually allowing him to coach them. So, perhaps the dysfunction which permeated this franchise during the George Karl era has been stamped out. Indeed, none other than the NBA's best coach, Gregg Popovich, has noticed a big difference between last year's and this year's Kings. After the Spurs came back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Sacramento, 102-94, Popovich commented that the Kings are "playing defense... the way they played defense in Memphis," and was impressed that the Kings players bought in so quickly to Joerger's philosophy.

Sacramento is 2-1 on the season, including a big 19-point win at Phoenix and a 3-point home victory over the Timberwolves. The Kings are 2-0-1 ATS this year (and 6-0-1 ATS their last seven games, dating back to the preseason). This week, they will be tested by a road trip, in which they will play five games in seven days. The game on Saturday at Milwaukee might be the best time to step in and play on the Kings, as they'll have had the previous night off. Also, Milwaukee's off to a 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS start to the season.

Total Watch

The Detroit Pistons suffered a major loss when their point guard, Reggie Jackson, developed knee tendinitis. Jackson will be out until December and his absence severely hampers the Pistons' offense. Detroit has been starting Ish Smith at the point, and signed journeyman Beno Udrih to come off the bench. The obvious problem is that neither Smith nor Udrih has Jackson's ability to break down the defense off the dribble to create offense.

Not surprisingly, Detroit has yet to play a game Over the total and I'm not just talking about Detroit's three regular season games, as all six of Detroit's preseason games also went Under as well.

This week, Detroit will host games against New York and Denver, sandwiched around a road trip to Brooklyn. The Saturday night game vs. Denver looks to be a perfect time to play the Under, as all four meetings between these two clubs have gone 'under,' while Denver is currently ranked fifth in defensive efficiency.

Injury Watch

The Bucks' Khris Middleton might not be a household name, but he's one of the league's best young players and certainly deserving of the five-year, $70 million contract he signed 16 months ago. Unfortunately, Middleton tore his hamstring in September, and will be lost for much of the season. Even worse for Milwaukee is that its roster is bereft of wing players who can step in and replace him. So, even though Milwaukee has two other talented young players in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, it has been unable to adjust to the loss of Middleton.

On offense, not only is Middelton one of the few Bucks who can stretch the floor and shoot, but he's also a solid ball-handler and is able to create good shots for his teammates. Then, on defense, he had the best Real Plus-Minus defensive rating last season of any Milwaukee starter.

So, the fact that Milwaukee is off to a 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS start isn't much of a shock. This week, Milwaukee will play games against the Pelicans, Pacers, Kings and Mavericks. I touched upon the Bucks/Kings game, above. But another solid opportunity to play against Milwaukee will be on Tuesday, when it visits New Orleans. The Pelicans have lost their first three games, notwithstanding Anthony Davis' brilliant start (37.7 ppg). If there is a silver lining, it's the fact that two of their losses were to (arguably) the two best teams in the league - San Antonio and Golden State. Certainly, Milwaukee will be a step down in class. And, since 2006, New Orleans is 17-3 straight-up and 12-7-1 ATS vs. the Bucks (including a perfect 7-0 ATS if the pointspread is less than 5 points).

Schedule Watch

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 3-0 this season, and have outscored their opposition by 8.7 ppg, but have played a bunch of creampuffs. Specifically, the Thunder's wins have come against three of the league's four-worst teams (76ers, Suns and Lakers). Their schedule will take a severe U-turn this week, as Oklahoma City will play road games against the Clippers and Warriors, before returning home to take on the up-and-coming Timberwolves.

Even though it will be stepping up in class, Oklahoma City will be worth a look in its revenge match against Kevin Durant and the Warriors. Last year, the Warriors ousted the Thunder from the Playoffs in a seven-game series and then, to make matters worse, they pried Durant away in July. Golden State will be favored by double-digits in this game, but I love playing on revenge-minded underdogs of 8+ points that lost a playoff series to their opponent in the previous season. Since 1991, such teams have covered 61.8% of the time.