Wednesday 3/30/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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

Premier League Sa 2Apr 12:45

Aston Villa

v

Chelsea

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1		5	3	8/15	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ASTON VILLA	RECENT FORM
HLALHLALHLAL​ Most recent​	1 - 2 1 - 0 1 - 2 2 - 4	AWAWHDHLALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Chelsea have won seven of their last ten league matches against Aston Villa

EXPERT VERDICT: Aston Villa are surely going down – the Villans have lost six league games in a row, conceding ten goals combined against Liverpool and Manchester City. But Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last six outings so this game could be closer than expected.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 2Apr 15:00

Norwich

v

Newcastle

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		6/5	23/10	9/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NORWICH	RECENT FORM
HDALHLALHDAW​ Most recent​	0 - 0 0 - 0 4 - 2 2 - 1	HWALALHLALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Newcastle have scored just seven goals in 15 away fixtures this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Both these sides are in big trouble, but Norwich have avoided defeat against Manchester City and West Brom in recent weeks. Newcastle have yet to win or keep a clean sheet under new manager Rafa Benitez, and have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.

RECOMMENDATION: Norwich
3

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 2Apr 15:00

West Ham

v

C Palace

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		19/20	5/2	14/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WEST HAM	RECENT FORM
AWHWHWAWADAD​ Most recent​	1 - 3 0 - 1 0 - 0 3 - 0	AWALADHLAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Two London sides with very different ambitions go head-to-head at Upton Park and it looks wise to side with in-form West Ham. Crystal Palace’s fine early season form is a thing of the past and a sequence of 13 league games without a win has seen them plummet into the relegation picture.

RECOMMENDATION: West Ham
2

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 2Apr 15:00

Stoke

v

Swansea

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		11/10	21/10	14/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT STOKE	RECENT FORM
AWHWHWADHLAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 1 - 1 2 - 0 2 - 0	HLALAWHWALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Stoke are unbeaten at home in three matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Three wins from four matches have helped Swansea pull clear of relegation but they would probably settle for a point on this trip to the Potteries. Stoke are on a fine run, but the loss of goalkeeper Jack Butland is a blow and captain Ryan Shawcross may be short of full fitness following his injury.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 2Apr 15:00

Sunderland

v

West Brom

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

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SUNDERLAND	RECENT FORM
ADHWALHDADAD​ Most recent​	0 - 0 2 - 0 2 - 4 2 - 2	AWALHWADHWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: West Brom have scored just 11 goals in 14 away games this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Sunderland are becoming increasingly resilient and have lost only three of 11 Premier League fixtures since the turn of the year, drawing each of their last three outings. The Baggies look safe and have not scored on their last two league visits to the Stadium of Light.

RECOMMENDATION: Sunderland
3

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 2Apr 15:00

Bournemouth

v

Man City

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		13/5	5/2	Evs	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BOURNEMOUTH	RECENT FORM
HLADHWAWHWAL​ Most recent​	0 - 0 0 - 1 0 - 2	ND*ALHWADHDHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Bournemouth have lost just two of their last 12 at home

EXPERT VERDICT: Manchester City remain far from certain of making the Champions League next season and they could be set for further misery on the south coast. The Cherries have an excellent record at Dean Court and City, who are beset by injuries to key men, may struggle to break down their opponents.

RECOMMENDATION: Bournemouth
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Senators (34-33) at Jets (31-38)

Date: March 30, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

When the Winnipeg Jets visited the Ottawa Senators less than a month into the season, both teams were off to respectable starts and hoping for their second straight trips to the postseason.

Neither will make good on that, and nearly five months later Wednesday night's meeting in Winnipeg is little more than a chance for the Senators to continue their recent success against the Jets.

Ottawa (34-33-9) was 6-4-2 and Winnipeg (31-38-7) was 8-4-1 prior to that 3-2 shootout win for the Senators on Nov. 5. That gave Ottawa a 5-0-1 mark in its last six against the Jets, and it's averaged 3.17 goals in that span.

Extending that streak will require a decent start to a three-game stretch on the road, which is the environment that's been a key undoing of the Senators' season. After starting 5-1-0 away, they've gone 9-19-3 with 3.77 goals allowed per game and are in danger of their fifth straight road loss.

Things haven't come any easier at home lately, with Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Anaheim marking their third straight defeat overall. There might not be any shame in losing to a team that's been the best in hockey since Christmas, but there certainly is in blowing a three-goal lead entering the third period.

"I think we wanted it more than they did for the first two periods," said defenseman Erik Karlsson, who scored and is two points shy of his career-high 78 from 2011-12. "Even in the beginning of the third, but once they get the first goal it feels like we don't really want it that much anymore and we don't want to play the same way as we did earlier in the game to keep it going. Good teams are going to make you pay."

The Jets don't fit that description and are beginning a three-game homestand before concluding the season with three on the road, hoping to salvage a few points on the home ice that for the bulk of the season has failed them. They've won their last two at the MTS Centre but are 6-13-2 there since the calendar flipped to 2016.

Monday's 3-2 overtime loss in Philadelphia has Winnipeg in danger of its fifth losing streak of at least three games dating to Feb. 16. But conversely to Ottawa, it was the Jets coming back from a multigoal deficit.

They trailed 2-0 early in the second before goals by Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler got it to OT.

"It's nice to see the resiliency in this room," center Adam Lowry told the team's official website. "Down 2-0 on the road, we found a way."

Scheifele has two goals and three assists in a four-game point streak, while Wheeler has a five-game streak and got to 20 goals for a third straight season. He's a point away from matching his 2013-14 career-high of 69, and the duo has teamed with Nikolaj Ehlers to form a line that's got coach Paul Maurice's attention.

"These guys are just starting to find out what they can do," said Maurice, whose banged-up team was without seven regulars. "They enjoy playing with each other. It's the old Steve Jobs line: 'A' players like playing with 'A' players."

They'll be up against Andrew Hammond, who was in goal for the last meeting in Winnipeg on March 4, 2015, making 35 saves in a 3-1 win.

Ondrej Pavelec subbed in in that game and has gone 1-6-0 with a 3.90 goals-against average in his last eight in the series. Overall, he's posted a 1.30 GAA over a 2-0-1 span.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (54-16) at Flyers (37-25)

Date: March 30, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Washington celebrated no more than it did in its previous 53 victories after clinching the second Presidents' Trophy in franchise history - and for good reason. The first time it happened six years ago, the Capitals were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

The subdued reaction made clear they don't want to be defined by regular-season accomplishments.

The Philadelphia Flyers hope to be Washington's first postseason obstacle, and they can take a step in that direction with a home victory Wednesday night.

The Capitals (54-16-5) secured home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with Monday's 4-1 victory over Columbus. They tied a pair of single-season franchise records, equaling the 2009-10 team for overall victories and the 1985-86 club with 50 wins in regulation or overtime.

Their 92 third-period goals rank among the NHL leaders after Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom scored in the final 20 minutes.

Washington took the victory in stride, though, considering its recent playoff failures. It hasn't advanced to the Eastern Conference finals since losing to Detroit in the 1998 Stanley Cup Final and blew a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers in the second round last year.

'It doesn't mean anything, to be honest with you,' Backstrom said. 'It's good to have home-ice advantage through the playoffs, but at the same time it doesn't matter. It doesn't even mean anything because we lost the last time in the first round when we won the Presidents' Trophy.'

The Capitals remained the league's only team without back-to-back regulation defeats after bouncing back from Saturday's loss to St. Louis. They're beginning a three-game road trip and will play six of their final seven against teams either in the playoffs or fighting to get in.

'We've known for a while that we were going to get (the Presidents' Trophy), so it's not a surprise," said goaltender Braden Holtby, whose 46 wins are two shy of tying Martin Brodeur's NHL record set in 2006-07. "It's just one of those things that it shows we've been doing good things all year and working hard.'

The Flyers are one of only five visiting teams to win in Washington over the past four months - 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 27 - and wouldn't mind being there to open the first round of the playoffs.

Philadelphia (37-25-13) is in a tight battle with Detroit for the East's final playoff spot and earned a crucial two points when Claude Giroux scored with 13.6 seconds left in overtime of Monday's 3-2 win over Winnipeg. The Flyers have seven games remaining, including a showdown at Detroit on April 6.

"We've got to be ready for (Washington) first," forward Wayne Simmonds said after scoring his team-leading 26th goal. "We've just got to worry about ourselves. As long as we play our game, we should be good here."

Giroux also assisted on Simmonds' goal after sitting out the morning skate. His teammates were worried something was wrong, but he ended up playing more than 19 minutes and scored for the fourth time in five games.

"He's an extremely competitive guy," said Steve Mason, who made 26 saves. "He's someone everybody in this room looks to in big moments."

Mason has a 1.76 goals-against average over his last five and should get the majority of work the rest of the way with Michal Neuvirth out for the regular season with a lower-body injury. He's lost both of his starts against Washington this season, allowing eight goals.

Holtby has a 3.30 GAA in nine career starts in Philadelphia, but he helped the Capitals end a four-game losing streak there in a 5-2 win Nov. 12. His 33 saves keyed a 3-2 home victory Feb. 7 in the teams' last meeting.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flames (32-38) at Ducks (42-23)

Date: March 30, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The NHL community was beginning to hear rumblings of a potential work stoppage the last time Calgary won a regular-season game in Anaheim, and it wasn't the 2012-13 lockout.

The Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were more than a year and a half away from their joint NHL debut, the Flames' Sam Bennett was seven years old, and the league was months away from a 2004-05 season that never started.

More than 13,000 NHL games later, when even every Eastern Conference team has won at least once in every Western Conference city and vice versa, the Ducks will try to match a league record Wednesday night with a 23rd straight regular-season home win over one opponent. And it couldn't come at a better time with the Pacific Division lead back within reach.

Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh in 23 straight home games from 1980-87, and matching that would push Anaheim (42-23-10) one point past Los Angeles and into first place for the second time this month in the opener of a four-game homestand.

The Ducks won 2-1 over Edmonton on Monday to conclude a 3-1-1 road trip against very beatable opposition. That continues at home against the Flames (32-38-6), Vancouver, Dallas and Winnipeg, so Anaheim plays the bottom four teams in the West in a five-game span.

"We want to play the right way and build momentum so we're ready for the playoffs," goaltender John Gibson told the team's official website. "This road trip was a good stepping stone. Hopefully, we can keep it going."

They've done that since Christmas with a league-best 64 points after starting 12-15-6, though they've beaten the Flames regardless of the state of their season.

The home streak over the Flames is 24 including postseason, but the 22 straight regular-season wins mean Getzlaf and Perry, who made their NHL debuts Oct. 5, 2005, have never lost a regular-season home game to one of their division rivals.

Calgary's last win in Anaheim was 5-1 on Jan. 19, 2004 - more than 10 years before the now-19-year-old Bennett was drafted - and the Ducks have averaged 3.73 goals in the victories since. Getzlaf has played in 20 and has 32 points, including six in two matchups this season.

The Ducks have also won the two meetings in Calgary this season and are seeking their first sweep in the series since going 4-0-0 in 2010-11.

The Flames started a four-game trip within the division with Monday's 5-2 win over Arizona. Bennett scored twice to end an 18-game goal drought, giving him 17 goals and 18 assists in 71 games.

"When you finally do get a bounce, it's a great feeling and I think it just builds my confidence even more," Bennett said. "No one likes going through funks like that. I don't think I changed anything myself. I think it's just the way it goes sometimes."

Calgary hasn't won a game in which it's scored fewer than three goals since Dec. 15, and Anaheim hasn't given up more than two at home in a 10-1-1 span while allowing 1.33 goals per game.

Gibson faced the Oilers and is 3-0-0 with a 1.06 goals-against average in three games against Calgary this season, though the Ducks have also been happy with Frederik Andersen lately. Andersen has posted a 1.99 GAA in a 7-1-1 span and has won his last eight home starts with a 1.12 mark.

"Either one that's in has won us games," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "With (Saturday's 4-3 overtime win) in Ottawa, Freddie stopped a penalty shot, and then a breakaway in overtime. (Gibson has) made some 10-bell saves, especially when we needed them to be made."

Joni Ortio is 1-2-0 with a 3.92 GAA against the Ducks. He, Kari Ramo and former Duck Jonas Hiller are the latest of 12 Calgary goalies to lose in Anaheim since Roman Turek won 12 years ago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - March

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

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

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

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
3/1 8 48.5 49 OVER
3/2 3 16.5 17 OVER
3/3 12 65.5 69 OVER
3/4 3 15.5 20 OVER
3/5 11 58 62 OVER
3/6 6 30.5 34 OVER
3/7 7 36 38 OVER
3/8 8 44.5 41 UNDER
3/9 6 32.5 32 UNDER
3/10 6 32.5 29 UNDER
3/11 5 26.5 28 OVER
3/12 12 63.5 66 OVER
3/13 3 16 13 UNDER
3/14 6 30 41 OVER
3/15 8 43.5 40 UNDER
3/16 6 32.5 32 UNDER
3/17 8 43.5 51 OVER
3/18 6 32 26 UNDER
3/19 11 56.5 53 UNDER
3/20 7 37 34 UNDER
3/21 4 20.5 25 OVER
3/22 10 54.5 51 UNDER
3/23 2 10.5 11 OVER
3/24 11 59.5 68 OVER
3/25 3 15 16 OVER
3/26 14 72.5 84 OVER
3/27 3 15 15 PUSH
3/28 8 40.5 42 OVER
3/29 9 48.5 50 OVER
3/30 3 - - -
3/31 10 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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

For the most part, we know which teams are in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the West, it will be Dallas, St. Louis and Chicago from the Central Division. Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose will make it from the Pacific Division. And Nashville and Minnesota from the Central should claim the final two wild-card spots. The Wild got a huge win in that regard on Saturday against Colorado; the Avs are now five points behind the Wild for that final wild-card spot and Minnesota holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

In the East, Washington (will clinch the Presidents' Trophy this week and remains +400 Cup favorite), the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh are locks from the Metropolitan Division, as are Florida, Tampa Bay and Boston from the Atlantic. The NY Islanders, Philly and Detroit are battling for the two wild-card spots. I expect the Flyers to be the odd team out.

But perhaps the most interesting race to monitor the rest of the way is at the bottom of the standings and the best chance to win the NHL Draft lottery and select touted prospect Auston Matthews with the No. 1 overall pick this June. Matthews was the first player to be named by USA Hockey to the U.S. roster for the upcoming world hockey championship in Russia (starts May 6). Matthews finished second in the top Swiss league this season in voting for league MVP after scoring 24 goals and 46 points in 36 games. He's just 18.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the fewest points entering the week with 65, and they badly need a franchise-changing talent like Mathews could be. Some other teams are making a late push to try and "catch" Toronto or at least get as low as possible. Vancouver appears to be in full tank mode, having lost eight straight games and scoring a total of seven goals in them. The Canucks have 67 points. So does Edmonton, which could be frightening if it lands Matthews to pair with Connor McDavid.

Ottawa is fading and has decided to shut down defenseman Dion Phaneuf and forward Clarke MacArthur the rest of the way. Phaneuf was acquired at the trade deadline from the Maple Leafs, but the Sens are playing only about .500 hockey since and they aren't making the playoffs. MacArthur played four games this season because of a concussion.

My point being: bet big against those teams near the bottom with nothing to play for. Might not be a bad idea to also wager against the Caps for a bit as they might start resting guys with nothing left to prove in the regular season.

This Week's Games To Watch

Calgary at Anaheim, Wednesday: The Flames are in the mix for the worst record in the NHL as they have 68 points and have dropped three straight. The Flames already are looking ahead as they have essentially moved 24-year-old goalie Joni Ortio into the No. 1 role as he's expected to be the team's future there. This game starts a big four-game homestand for the Ducks, who are three points behind the Kings for the Pacific lead. Anaheim has one game in hand. Those two play once more during the regular season, next Thursday at Staples Center. Anaheim is 4-0 vs. Calgary this season and has won an amazing 22 straight at home in the series. Calgary hasn't won a regular-season game at Honda Center since Jan. 19, 2004.

Nashville at Pittsburgh, Thursday: Nashville has been playing as well as anyone for several weeks. The Predators are 19-5-5 since Jan. 21 and 12-2-2 since Feb. 22. Pekka Rinne is 12-1-2 with a 1.85 goals-against average and .936 save percentage since Feb. 18. Only Tampa's Ben Bishop has had a better GAA and save percentage during that span. The Preds are right on the heels of Chicago for third in the Central. Pittsburgh is third in the Metropolitan and could be looking at a great first-round matchup against the second-place Rangers. Phil Kessel is starting to get hot for the Pens. He was the league's No. 3 star for last week when he led the NHL in assists (five) and points (seven). He has 54 points, his eighth straight season with at least 50. Sidney Crosby has at least one point in 14 of his past 15 games. Pittsburgh won in Nashville 2-1 in overtime on Oct. 24. Kessel scored the winner.

Dallas at Los Angeles, Saturday: Matchup of division leaders, although it may not be by Saturday. The Stars remain No. 1 in the NHL in scoring and haven't missed the injured Tyler Seguin too badly yet. Dallas got back center Mattias Janmark from a six-game injury absence on Saturday and he had two goals in a 4-2 win over San Jose. Coach Lindy Ruff still hasn't said whether Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi will be his playoff goalie. Lehtonen had taken over as the primary guy but Niemi was in there against the Sharks. Led by Jonathan Quick, the Kings are No. 1 in the NHL in goals against. The Kings are 2-0 vs. the Stars this season, winning 3-2 at home and 5-2 on the road. These teams won't play again unless it's the Western Conference Finals. The Kings are +350 to win the West and Stars +550.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Washington won five of its last seven games. Philly won five of its last eight.
-- Anaheim won five of its last eight games.

Cold teams
-- Ottawa lost four of its last five games. Winnipeg lost five of its last seven.
-- Flames lost four of their last six games.

Series records
-- Jets lost five of last six games with Ottawa.
-- Flyers won seven of last ten games with Washington.
-- Ducks won their last six games with Calgary.

Totals
-- Five of last seven Ottawa games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Washington road games went over.
-- Seven of last ten Calgary-Anaheim games went over.

Back-to-backs
-- None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Playoff-Hungry Flyers Host Capitals'

The Philadelphia Flyers are on the verge of rescuing what looked like a lost season. At press time, they're holding down the last Wild Card berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs at 37-25-13. Philadelphia's next game is this Wednesday (8 PM ET, NBCSN) against the best team in the NHL, the 54-16-5 Washington Capitals.

The Flyers have won eight of their 13 games this month despite having to go with Steve Mason (.918 save percentage) in goal while Michal Neuvirth (.925 SV%) was ill with a stomach virus – and after Neuvirth tore his meniscus the day he returned. Mason has played reasonably well, though, and aside from Neuvirth and defenseman Michal Del Zotto (torn wrist ligaments), Philadelphia is relatively healthy for a change.

Washington is projected to start No. 1 netminder Braden Holtby (.923 SV%) on Wednesday. Holtby has enjoyed yet another strong season for the Caps after finishing fourth in last year's Vezina Trophy race. He'll be joined by winger TJ Oshie (24 goals, 22 assists), who returned to action with a power-play goal in Monday's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets (+200 away) after missing two games with an undisclosed illness.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA notebook: Paul withdraws from Olympic consideration
By The Sports Xchange

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul is withdrawing his name from consideration for the 2016 USA Olympics squad, Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday.
Paul, who played in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, cited the physical demands of playing in the Olympics between two NBA seasons.
"I feel my body telling me that I could use the time," Paul told SI.
Paul, 30, also cited spending more time with his son as a factor.
Point guard is a deep position for Team USA so Paul's withdrawal won't cause a hardship. Among the point guards in the mix for a roster spot are Golden State's Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, Washington's John Wall and Memphis' Mike Conley.

---Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles Clippers dodged a bullet on Monday when the veteran forward suffered a sprained ankle and a bruised knee.
Pierce landed awkwardly after making a second-quarter layup. He crumpled to the floor, right leg pinned beneath him, writhing in pain.
The Clippers said Pierce suffered a sprained right ankle as well as a bruised right knee. He is expected to miss about a week.

---The New Orleans Pelicans announced that guard Jrue Holiday and forward Alonzo Gee will miss the remainder of the season, forward Ryan Anderson has a sports hernia that will require additional evaluation and guard Norris Cole is day to day while dealing with a lower back injury.
Holiday fractured the right interior orbital wall of his right eye with 56.1 seconds left in Monday night's game against the New York Knicks. He finishes the season with averages of 16.8 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 65 games, including 23 starts.
Gee ruptured his right quadriceps during the second quarter in the same game against the Knicks. Anderson is going to Philadelphia to see a specialist later this week for a second opinion on his injury.

---What appeared to be a cute incident during the New York-New Orleans game on Monday night left Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony "shocked."
A boy, who appeared to be about 10, ran onto the court during a timeout in the final minute of the fourth quarter and hugged Anthony, who patted the boy on the head.
"It was a little kid," Anthony told the New York Daily News. "I was shocked. I didn't really know who was it until I actually looked over and saw it was a kid."
The boy ran back off the court and left the arena with a woman who was believed to be his mother. It is unclear if the boy and the woman were asked to leave.

---The Atlanta Hawks assigned guard/forward Lamar Patterson to the Austin Spurs of the Development League.
He has played 16 games in the D-League in five stints with Austin and Canton. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 27.8 minutes.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawks (45-30) at Raptors (49-24)

Date: March 30, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The greatest obstacle to Atlanta securing a second straight Southeast Division title is going to be the Eastern Conference's other two division leaders.

Tracking down the second seed might be unrealistic at this point, but Wednesday night's visit to Toronto is the first of four remaining games against the Raptors and Cavaliers for the streaking Hawks.

Atlanta (45-30) is completing a three-game road trip after it stayed a game up on Miami in the division race with Monday's 102-100 win in Chicago. Jeff Teague scored 26 points after a six-game stretch during which he'd been limited to an average of 13.8 points and 35.4 percent shooting.

It was Atlanta's 12th win in 14 games and fourth straight, as well as the kind of tune-up coach Mike Budenholzer is seeking heading into the playoffs.

"You want to have some close games and execute and do some things defensively and offensively, feel the pressure a little bit and make some free throws," said Budenholzer, whose team plays the Raptors and Cavaliers twice each down the stretch. "So it was good to find a way to win on the road in a close game."

It hasn't happened all that often lately with their last 12 wins coming by an average of 14.3 points. It was essentially already a playoff game for Chicago, furthering the kind of environment Atlanta is after.

"We knew they were going to come out tonight and throw a big punch early, their season's kind of on the line right now," Kyle Korver said. "We heard that they had a big meeting. They came out and really got on us early.... We were able to hold on and those are the things you got to do to make the playoffs."

Toronto isn't in anywhere near the same kind of situation, but the Hawks can now switch focus to beating top teams. One of the losses during Atlanta's hot streak was a 104-96 defeat in Toronto on March 10, its third straight loss in the series. The Raptors have held the Hawks to 87.3 points per game on 37.3 percent shooting in those contests, while DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points in the latest meeting and has averaged 25.2 on 51.8 percent in his last 11 games in the series.

The Raptors (49-24) have matched last season's team-record win total, though they've lost three of four after falling 119-100 to visiting Oklahoma City on Monday.

If 19-point losses come with positives, this one's might have been a career-high 18 points from Norman Powell. The rookie has started the last eight games and averaged 15.3 points in the past three while hitting 9 of 19 from 3-point range.

"It means a lot that the coaches are trusting me, putting me out there, trusting me to guard their best players," he told the team's official website. "... There's more work to be done for me."

Kyle Lowry had his right elbow drained after the game stemming from inflammation he first experienced in January. The All-Star wasn't going to use that as a reason for his 4-of-14 shooting performance, but he might want to considering he's been limited to an average of 14.5 points on 26.2 percent in his last four games.

"I'm not going to make excuses," Lowry said. "It's definitely something I don't want to play with and I don't like playing with, but it is what it is. This time of year you just play through it."

Whether that continues remains to be seen. Coach Dwane Casey said last week he's not going to risk anyone's health during the regular-season stretch run, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Lowry sidelined for the second time in five games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (31-44) at Grizzlies (41-33)

Date: March 30, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The question surrounding the Memphis Grizzlies is no longer how healthy they'll be for the playoffs, it's whether they'll even get there.

Though still in a relatively good position, the Grizzlies enter Wednesday night's game with the Denver Nuggets again hoping their short-handed group can create some sorely needed momentum.

Memphis (41-33) enters its final eight regular-season games fifth in the West but only 2 1-2 games above Portland, allowing the Trail Blazers to draw closer by losing seven of nine with a roster depleted by a slew of injuries.

"We have to come out with a better focus and come out with a better sense of urgency," guard Tony Allen said. "We need to understand that these next eight games, they just need to mean more to us to either stay at the fifth seed or possibly move up. We just need to approach each 48 minutes as they come."

With Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph among the missing, the Grizzlies did play San Antonio tough in a 110-104 road loss on Saturday. They were no match for the powerhouse Spurs in Monday's rematch, however, trailing nearly throughout a 101-87 defeat for their third consecutive loss.

"It is very challenging," guard Lance Stephenson said of the injuries. "We got a lot of guys out but we just got to keep playing hard. No excuses. We got the talent. We just got to come in focused."

Stephenson has helped ease the burden by averaging 17.7 points over his last nine games, though he was held to four on 2-of-8 shooting in Monday's loss. JaMychal Green has scored 32 in two straight starts in place of Randolph, whose return from a sprained right ankle remains uncertain.

Randolph has played a big part in the Grizzlies' three victories over Denver, averaging 19.7 points for the season series. The veteran forward had 24 in a 91-84 home win on Jan. 8, Memphis' fifth straight over the Nuggets.

Denver (31-44) also has dealt with the absences of key contributors, with leading scorer Danilo Gallinari sidelined the last month with an ankle injury and Kenneth Faried (back) missing six straight before returning for Monday's 97-88 loss to Dallas.

The Nuggets come in attempting to bounce back from a sloppy performance against the slumping Mavericks, committing 21 turnovers that led to 29 points in their second straight loss.

"We beat ourselves," coach Mike Malone said. "We made mistake after mistake.'

Denver, which has averaged 15.8 turnovers over its last five, will need to improve in that area to avoid a seventh consecutive loss in Memphis. The Grizzlies rank among the NBA leaders with 7.0 steals and 16.3 takeaways per game.

Memphis recorded 30 points off 20 Denver giveaways en route to a 103-96 win when the teams last met on Feb. 29.

The Grizzlies haven't been up to their usual defensive standards of late, with each of their three opponents shooting over 50 percent.

Denver is shooting a subpar 42.9 percent while averaging 97.8 points over its last five, with rookie Emmanuel Mudiay hitting just 30.3 percent over that stretch.

Faried, who finished with nine points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes on Monday, is averaging 16.5 points on 66.7 percent shooting and 11.5 rebounds in two 2015-16 matchups with Memphis.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Clippers (46-27) at Timberwolves (25-49)

Date: March 30, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Chris Paul is pouncing on every possible opportunity for some extra rest, no matter how boldly presumptuous the reasons.

The bench has been comforting at the end of blowouts, and taking himself out of consideration for the Olympics aligns with his plan for the Los Angeles Clippers to make a deep postseason run.

The exuberant Minnesota Timberwolves hope to put a wrinkle in that process at home Wednesday night, just as they did in a surprising victory at Staples Center last month.

Paul's 33.1 minutes per game would be a career low in his 11th season, and coach Doc Rivers hopes to play him even less as the regular season winds down. He played about 26 minutes in each game of a back-to-back set against Denver and Boston and finished with 13 points and 14 assists in Monday's 114-90 rout of the Celtics.

The Clippers (44-24) have won three in a row while opening a 5 1/2-game lead on Memphis for the Western Conference's fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round. Even though Paul isn't playing as many minutes as in previous years, he said Tuesday that he "could use the time" this summer to recover rather than play for Team USA in Rio.

'It's great. It's amazing,' Paul said. 'Not only do we get a chance to rest, it's all about everybody getting into a rhythm and a flow. We have to make sure everybody has that as we get ready to play in the playoffs.'

Los Angeles will get another body back when Blake Griffin is eligible to return from suspension Sunday against Washington. Rivers, though, said Paul Pierce will "be out for a little bit" after leaving in the second quarter against Boston with ankle and knee injuries.

Rivers is hoping to solidify playoff rotations, but he's more excited with how well the Clippers have defended lately. They've allowed averages of 91.3 points and 38.0 percent shooting in the past three games after opponents shot 49.0 percent and scored 110.7 per game over the previous six.

"Our defense had taken a vacation, but the last three games it's been off the charts - active hands, deflections, creating turnovers," Rivers said. "When we defend like that, we're pretty good."

Minnesota (25-49) didn't have much trouble solving the Clippers on Feb. 3. Andrew Wiggins scored 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 as the Timberwolves shot 50.6 percent in a 108-102 victory that snapped a 14-game losing streak in the series.

They hit that same percentage in Monday's 121-116 victory over Phoenix and have shot at least that well in each of their three victories over the last four games. Wiggins had 32 points while hitting 17 of 21 free throws, and Towns finished with 27 and 10 rebounds.

'It's a process, and this can lead into next year,' Wiggins said. 'We don't want to stop. We play hard for a reason. We're building something here.'

Interim coach Sam Mitchell wasn't happy following the latest victory, though. The Wolves let a 20-point lead slip away and fell behind with less than three minutes left.

"I just think when we got up, there's a natural tendency to relax. We keep harping on these things," Mitchell said. "I don't like yelling at our guys, but it's the same things every night that you just have to keep drilling home until the light bulb comes on."

The Clippers have won seven straight meetings in Minnesota, but four of the last five have been decided by six points or fewer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (20-54) at Bucks (30-44)

Date: March 30, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Six straight seasons missing the playoffs is a team record for the Phoenix Suns. At least Devin Booker's emergence has them feeling good heading into next season.

Booker looks to cap the highest scoring month by a Suns rookie in 38 years as they try to halt a three-game skid Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The only win Phoenix (20-54) can hope for in May involves the draft lottery, and the Suns could end up with their best chance to win the first overall selection for the first time.

Booker, the 13th pick out of Kentucky in last summer's draft, is turning into Phoenix's best offensive threat. He's averaging 13.3 points on the season to rank fifth all-time among Suns rookies, closing in on Amar'e Stoudemire's 13.5 from 2002-03.

The guard, though, is averaging 22.7 points this month for the best production in a month by a Phoenix rookie since Walter Davis had 25.1 in March 1978.

Booker is trying to win Western Conference Rookie of the Month, an award won by former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota in each month this season.

"I told him, 'Let me get one Rookie of the Month (award), at least,'" Booker told the team's official website. "He's taking all of them!"

Stoudemire is the last Suns rookie to win the award in April 2003, but Booker is making his case with 26.3 points per game over the last four. However, his 30 points weren't enough against the Timberwolves on Monday since Towns countered with 27 while adding 10 rebounds and five assists to drop the Suns 121-116.

Brandon Knight matched Booker's 30 points while hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers. He's averaging 24.7 over his last three games. The guard is returning to Milwaukee (30-44) for the first time since averaging 17.9 points over 124 games from 2013-15 before being dealt to Phoenix at last year's trade deadline.

Knight had nine points and Booker added seven off the bench in a 101-95 loss to the Bucks on Dec. 20. The Suns, though, have won seven of their last nine in Milwaukee.

The Bucks, who are also missing the playoffs, have dropped five games in a row after opening this five-game homestand with a 115-91 loss to Charlotte.

Like Booker for Phoenix, Giannis Antetokounmpo is giving Milwaukee hope for improvement in the future. The 21-year-old forward is averaging 16.6 points, ranking behind Kris Middleton's team-high 18.1.

Antetokounmpo, though, has only made 8 of 23 from the floor while totaling 19 points over the last two games after averaging 20.6 on 52.5 percent shooting over the previous 12.

He missed the last meeting with the Suns with knee soreness, but Middleton had 27 points and seven assists. Middleton, who is averaging 10.7 points in his last three games, was averaging 14.7 over the three prior meetings with Phoenix.

Middleton joined Milwaukee from Detroit as part of the trade that landed Knight before the 2013-14 season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (27-46) at Spurs (62-12)

Date: March 30, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Gregg Popovich has the luxury of resting his stars and more often than not still having enough talent for San Antonio to succeed. It's something Alvin Gentry certainly envies.

New Orleans sits 34 1/2 games behind the Spurs in large part because numerous contributors from last year's playoff team have succumbed to injuries throughout the season, and Gentry is open to anything that will end the so-called curse.

Whatever lineup Popovich trots out Wednesday night in an attempt to win a 47th straight home game likely will look better than the Pelicans', which won't include Jrue Holiday after he was lost for the season.

The Spurs (62-12) have continued the tradition of sitting Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in certain situations toward the end of the regular season so they can better handle the playoff demands in their advanced ages. Popovich also sat stars Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge in Saturday's loss at Oklahoma City.

Aldridge was the only one of the five who played in Monday's 101-87 win at Memphis, and he finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds. David West dressed but got the night off as all 10 Spurs who entered the game scored.

'LaMarcus was great,' Popovich said. 'After a few days' rest, he looked spry and ready to go.'

Popovich hasn't tipped his hand about who will be available against the Pelicans (27-46). The Spurs don't play again until Saturday against Toronto, which would give Duncan, Parker and Ginobili more than a week away from game action if they don't dress for this contest.

'It's all based on the schedule and how many minutes they've played,' Popovich said. 'Three in four nights. Back-to-backs. It doesn't matter who we are playing. That's not what we do with it. We don't pick games out.'

Gentry isn't nearly as relaxed about his situation a year after serving as an assistant on the title-winning Warriors.

Anthony Davis has been shut down for the season to have surgery on his left knee after sporadically missing time earlier. Tyreke Evans has played only 25 games because of knee issues and isn't expected to play again, and the Pelicans lost Eric Gordon for good to a fractured right ring finger earlier this month.

Norris Cole is day to day with lower back soreness and Ryan Anderson is still nursing a sports hernia, but Holiday returned after a two-game absence from a toe injury and finished with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals in Monday's 99-91 win over New York.

Holiday, though, suffered a fractured right orbital bone during a collision with 56.1 seconds remaining and will miss the final nine games, adding to Gentry's frustration.

'I'm going to send out an all-points bulletin to anybody in the French Quarter or anywhere else - we need a voodoo doctor or something here,' said Gentry, who has penciled in 36 different starting lineups. 'We've got to find the bones under this place or do something.'

The Spurs are off to the best home start in NBA history (37-0) and haven't lost a regular-season home game since March 12 of last year. They beat New Orleans 110-97 at AT&T Center on Feb. 3 behind a season-high 36 points from Aldridge.

Leonard had 30 points and 11 rebounds while Aldridge added 26 in a 94-86 win on March 3.