Friday 11-3-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Matchup Edge

MIL	Edge in:	DET
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Bucks at Pistons

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The Detroit Pistons were on the verge of sweeping a three-game west coast swing before suffering a letdown in the finale, but a five-game homestand should get them back on track. The Pistons will open that stretch on Friday by hosting the Central Division-rival Milwaukee Bucks, who are losers of three of their last four games.

Detroit knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers to begin the trip and fought for a 115-107 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors the next night, only to fall to the Lakers 113-93. “We didn’t have the energy to run cuts. We had a lot of guys stopping the ball, dribbling the ball, pounding the ball. And we did not make plays,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. “We can go right down the list. Anything you bring up. We didn’t defend. We didn’t get back defensively. We didn’t protect the basket. We didn’t close on shooters. We didn’t handle the ball well. We didn’t move the ball. I mean, whatever you want to bring up." The Bucks struggled to get back on defense as well in a 126-121 loss at Charlotte on Wednesday after suffering through a 110-91 loss to Oklahoma City at home the night before. "If you score over 120 points you can say it (the offense) did great, so I guess it did great," Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd told reporters. "But our defense was horrible. It’s not just one side of the ball, we’ve got to play both."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE BUCKS (4-4): Milwaukee star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered through his worst game of the young season on Wednesday, scoring a season-low 14 points and shooting a season-worst 5-of-16 from the floor. "I just missed shots, I think that was what happened tonight," Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. "I don't see any defense that affects me. I can shoot over guys easily but there were no legs tonight. It was back-to-back games and I just missed shots, that’s it." Antetokounmpo missed both of his 3-point attempts on Wednesday but the rest of the team knocked down 19-of-34 from beyond the arc to keep the Bucks in the game.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (5-3): Detroit intends to return to the playoffs and do some damage this spring, and the first west coast trip taught the team some lessons. "What we can take away is definitely a learning experience,” small forward Tobias Harris told reporters. "Two games that we really dictated how we were going to play and one game where we let the other team dictate how they wanted to play. It’s something we have to be able to understand and to be a really good and successful team we have to be the team that’s dominant from the start and dictating the pace of the game and the intensity of the game." Harris, who leads the Pistons in scoring (20.5 points), is averaging 24 points at home and 18.4 on the road in the early going.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons C Andre Drummond recorded a double-double in five of the last six games.

2. Bucks SG Khris Middleton scored 43 points on 15-of-28 shooting Wednesday after slumping to nine points on 3-of-14 the previous night.

3. Milwaukee took the final three of the four meetings last season, including a 119-94 win at Detroit on Dec. 28.

PREDICTION: Bucks 113, Pistons 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Milwaukee at Detroit

ATS TRENDS

Milwaukee

Bucks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bucks are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Bucks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Bucks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Bucks are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Bucks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Bucks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bucks are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Bucks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Bucks are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Friday games. Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Central.

Detroit

Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Pistons are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Pistons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Pistons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Pistons are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Pistons are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Pistons are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 vs. Eastern Conference. Pistons are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Central. Pistons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

OU TRENDS

Milwaukee

Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. Over is 5-0 in Bucks last 5 road games. Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 games following a ATS loss. Under is 8-2-1 in Bucks last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games following a straight up loss. Over is 3-1-1 in Bucks last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 3-1-1 in Bucks last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Under is 6-2-1 in Bucks last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 6-2 in Bucks last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Detroit

Under is 11-2 in Pistons last 13 home games. Under is 4-1 in Pistons last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 4-1 in Pistons last 5 vs. NBA Central. Under is 20-5-1 in Pistons last 26 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 16-5 in Pistons last 21 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Under is 6-2 in Pistons last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Over is 5-2 in Pistons last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 14-6 in Pistons last 20 games playing on 2 days rest. Under is 11-5-1 in Pistons last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bucks are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Detroit. Bucks are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings. Underdog is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Matchup Edge

CHI	Edge in:	ORL
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Bulls at Magic

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

Aaron Gordon raised his level of play right along with the red-hot Orlando Magic and the former fourth-overall pick looks to continue his resurgence when the struggling Chicago Bulls pay a visit on Friday night. Gordon, who scored a career-high 12.7 points per game last season, is averaging 20.7 early on in 2017-18 and drained a decisive 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining in Wednesday’s 101-99 victory at Memphis.

“There’s more to come,” Gordon, who is shooting 60.9 percent from the field over the last five games, told the Orlando Sentinel. “Obviously, I’m happy but I’m not satisfied. I’m definitely at peace with where my shot is now, but there’s just more to come.” Orlando rebounded from a loss at Charlotte in the opener of its latest road trip by knocking off New Orleans and Memphis on the way to winning six of eight to start the season, following a disappointing 29-53 campaign in 2016-17. The Bulls are in rebuilding mode and their record shows it with one victory in the first six games and 100 or fewer points scored in five of the contests. Rookie Lauri Markkanen, the seventh pick in last June’s draft, has been impressive so far and delivered a season-best 25 points in Chicago’s 97-91 loss at Miami on Wednesday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE BULLS (1-5): Markkanen, a 7-0 power forward, is averaging 17.2 points to go along with 9.3 rebounds after draining 9-of-18 from the field against Heat and made 17-of-43 from 3-point range in his first six NBA contests. Guard Kris Dunn, one of the key players acquired in the Jimmy Butler deal, posted 19 total points on 9-of-24 shooting with 11 rebounds and eight assists in his first two games with Chicago after missing four with a finger injury. Center Robin Lopez poured in a season-high 22 points against Miami after managing just 10 in the 101-69 setback against Oklahoma City last Saturday.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (6-2): Gordon has given Orlando another strong offensive option, but guard Evan Fournier led the way in the first eight games while scoring at least 20 in seven of them and averaging 22 with 24 made 3-pointers. Fournier is shooting 55.8 percent from behind the arc and Gordon 57.7 to lead the Magic, who top the league in 3-point shooting percentage at 42.2 after draining 13-of-29 on Wednesday. Elfrid Payton (hamstring) is questionable and fellow point guard D.J. Augustin (hamstring) is not expected to play Friday, which should give more playing time to guard Shelvin Mack (5.6 points, 4.6 assists).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando C Nikola Vucevic, who is shooting 55.5 percent from the field, hopes to rebound from a season-low seven points against Memphis.

2. Chicago G Justin Holiday is averaging 14.7 points overall, but made just 7-of-31 from the field the last two games.

3. The Bulls, who finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last season, won three of the four meetings in 2016-17.

PREDICTION: Magic 112, Bulls 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Chicago at Orlando

ATS TRENDS

Chicago

Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss. Bulls are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast. Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. Bulls are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games. Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 8-21 ATS in their last 29 Friday games. Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Bulls are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Orlando

Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games. Magic are 15-35-1 ATS in their last 51 games following a ATS win. Magic are 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Magic are 6-17-1 ATS in their last 24 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Magic are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Magic are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.

OU TRENDS

Chicago

Over is 8-0 in Bulls last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 road games. Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 overall. Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 7-3 in Bulls last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 39-18 in Bulls last 57 games following a straight up loss. Under is 35-17 in Bulls last 52 games playing on 1 days rest.

Orlando

Under is 5-0 in Magic last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 3-0-1 in Magic last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 3-0-1 in Magic last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Over is 7-1 in Magic last 8 games following a ATS win. Over is 4-1-1 in Magic last 6 home games. Over is 7-2 in Magic last 9 games following a straight up win. Over is 3-1-1 in Magic last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 6-2 in Magic last 8 Friday games. Over is 15-5-1 in Magic last 21 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-2-1 in Magic last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 14-6 in Magic last 20 vs. NBA Central.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Orlando. Under is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings. Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. Bulls are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings. Bulls are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Orlando.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Matchup Edge

IND	Edge in:	PHI
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Pacers at 76ers

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The Philadelphia 76ers are cruising right along behind the dynamic duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but one of their many former top picks isn't having quite as much fun of late. The 76ers will likely leave center Jahlil Okafor on the bench again when they go for a fourth straight win while hosting the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Philadelphia did not pick up the fourth-year contract option on Okafor, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft but played in only one of the team's first eight games this season while sitting behind Embiid on the depth chart. The 76ers are reportedly working to trade the disgruntled center after declining to enter into contract buyout discussions. The Indiana Pacers have their own talented young center in Myles Turner who has only played in one game this season due to a concussion suffered in the opener, leaving the door open for Domantas Sabonis to make his mark in the starting lineup. The second-year center, who came over in the deal that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City, is averaging 13.1 points and 11.1 rebounds and recorded a double-double in each of the last three games - all wins.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE PACERS (5-3): Indiana began its three-game winning streak by beating the San Antonio Spurs and made another early statement on Wednesday by rolling to a 124-107 win at Cleveland. "Our guys executed offensively," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "We moved the ball and got it to the open man. We played the game the right way. We talk about that all the time, you play the game the right way and normally good things happen." Indiana shot 54.4 percent from the field and 16-of-26 from 3-point range against the Cavaliers and enters play Thursday fourth in the NBA in team field-goal percentage at .483.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (4-4): The big difference so far this season is the emergence of rookie point guard Ben Simmons, who is averaging 18.5 points on 53 percent shooting, 9.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists. "I’m finding where I can score, where I can be effective," Simmons told reporters. "I’m still learning that part of the game It’s coming to me a lot more." Simmons nearly pulled off his second triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes on Wednesday to lead Philadelphia to its first home win, 119-109 over Atlanta.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers PG Darren Collison scored 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting on Wednesday after totaling 11 points on 4-of-14 in the previous two contests.

2. Philadelphia PF Richaun Holmes (wrist) could make his season debut on Friday.

3. Indiana took three of the four meetings last season and eight of the last nine in the series.

PREDICTION: 76ers 113, Pacers 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Indiana at Philadelphia

ATS TRENDS

Indiana

Pacers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. Pacers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Pacers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Pacers are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 vs. Eastern Conference. Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic. Pacers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win. Pacers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win. Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Pacers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Pacers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Pacers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.

Philadelphia

76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win. 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. 76ers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 Friday games. 76ers are 25-8 ATS in their last 33 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games following a straight up win. 76ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. 76ers are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. 76ers are 37-16 ATS in their last 53 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. 76ers are 40-19 ATS in their last 59 games overall. 76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games. 76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Central.

OU TRENDS

Indiana

Over is 12-1 in Pacers last 13 road games. Over is 6-1 in Pacers last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 4-1 in Pacers last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Under is 7-2 in Pacers last 9 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Over is 5-2 in Pacers last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.

Philadelphia

Over is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 6-2 in 76ers last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 games following a ATS win. Over is 7-3 in 76ers last 10 overall.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Pacers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia. Pacers are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings. Favorite is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia

Matchup Edge

CLE	Edge in:	WAS
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Cavaliers at Wizards

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

All the practices and team meetings don't seem to be helping much on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are losers of four in a row. The Cavaliers, who dropped those four games by an average of 15.8 points, will try to bounce back and keep this close when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Cleveland reportedly held a team meeting on Tuesday after a Halloween party thrown by LeBron James the night before, but it still went out and dropped a 124-107 decision at home to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. "We have an opportunity to be very good and then you see some of the lulls that we have and it's just difficult on our team right now," James told reporters. "We're just trying to figure it out on the fly." The Wizards thought they would have a chance to play the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals last spring before falling to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the semifinals, and they are going through some bumps in the road early in 2017-18 as well. Washington suffered a letdown in the first game home after a four-game west coast swing with a 122-116 loss to Phoenix but has a chance to right itself with five of the next six in its own arena.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (3-5): Cleveland allowed at least 112 points in each of its last six games and served up a season-high 124 to the Pacers, who shot 54.4 percent from the floor, but coach Tyronn Lue is looking for positives. "I thought we did some good things," Lue told reporters. "We just couldn't sustain it. But the other games we just flat got our butts kicked, so, seeing improvement. Just have to keep plugging, keep working." The Cavaliers are struggling to defend the 3-point line and allowed Indiana to go 16-of-26 from beyond the arc, dropping them to last in the NBA in 3-point field-goal defense (.418).

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (4-3): Washington isn't coming off its best defensive performance of the season either after surrendering 70 second-half points in the loss to the Suns, marking its third defeat in the last four games. The positive to come out of the setback was that shooting guard Bradley Beal managed to find his stroke from long range, knocking down 6-of-12 3-pointers en route to a season-high 40 points. Beal, who is averaging 22.4 points, was just 6-of-24 from beyond the arc in the first six games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers C Tristan Thompson suffered a left calf strain on Wednesday and will reportedly miss a month of action.

2. Wizards PF Markieff Morris (abdomen) is expected to make his season debut on Friday.

3. Cleveland took two of the three meetings last season, including a pair of wins at Washington.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 125, Wizards 119

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Cleveland at Washington

ATS TRENDS

Cleveland

Cavaliers are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 Friday games. Cavaliers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Cavaliers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Cavaliers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Cavaliers are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 road games. Cavaliers are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a double-digit loss at home. Cavaliers are 15-41-2 ATS in their last 58 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss. Cavaliers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Cavaliers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Washington

Wizards are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Wizards are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 Friday games. Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Wizards are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Wizards are 9-23-1 ATS in their last 33 games playing on 1 days rest. Wizards are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Wizards are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Wizards are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Wizards are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

Cleveland

Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 games following a double-digit loss at home. Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 12-2 in Cavaliers last 14 vs. NBA Southeast. Over is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Over is 9-2 in Cavaliers last 11 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 road games. Over is 27-9 in Cavaliers last 36 games following a straight up loss. Over is 21-8 in Cavaliers last 29 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 10-4 in Cavaliers last 14 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 7-3 in Cavaliers last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 35-16 in Cavaliers last 51 games following a ATS loss. Over is 23-11 in Cavaliers last 34 overall.

Washington

Over is 10-1 in Wizards last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 9-2 in Wizards last 11 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 9-2 in Wizards last 11 Friday games. Over is 8-2 in Wizards last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 home games. Over is 12-4 in Wizards last 16 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Over is 6-2 in Wizards last 8 vs. NBA Central. Over is 22-10 in Wizards last 32 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 25-12-1 in Wizards last 38 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington. Cavaliers are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Washington.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

Matchup Edge

HOU	Edge in:	ATL
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Rockets at Hawks

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The road has provided plenty of comfort for the Houston Rockets in the early days of the NBA season, as they look for their sixth victory in seven away games on Friday night in Atlanta against the struggling Hawks. Houston found its shooting stroke from outside Wednesday, knocking down 19 3-pointers in pulling away for a 119-97 triumph over the New York Knicks as James Harden continued his hot start to the season with 31 points and nine assists.

“It’s a lot easier to make a 3 when you’re up seven instead of down seven,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters after the Rockets snapped a two-game losing streak, boosted by six 3-pointers from Harden and a 16-0 second-quarter run. The Hawks have not won since opening night, losing their seventh consecutive game in Wednesday’s 119-109 defeat at Philadelphia. “We’ve got to find a way to eliminate the slow start,” Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told the media after the Hawks fell behind 25-8 in the first quarter. The Hawks have allowed 109 points or more in five of their eight games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (6-3): Harden is off to a fantastic start, averaging 26.6 points and 9.2 assists while reaching at least 20 points and seven assists in all nine games so far. Guard Eric Gordon has scored 17 points or more in each of his eight games, averaging 23.9 points in 33 minutes. The Rockets have made 68 3-pointers and 74 2-pointers in their past four games, and on the season 54.1 percent of Houston shots have come from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (1-7): Guard Dennis Schroder again shouldered most of the offensive burden in Wednesday’s loss, scoring 25 points for his third consecutive 20-plus point output since returning from an ankle injury. Opponents are shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range in the past three games. Forward Ersan Ilyasova will be sidelined for at least a week with a left knee bone bruise, and guard Malcolm Delaney sprained his right ankle against the 76ers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Through Wednesday the Hawks ranked second in the NBA in free-throw percentage (83.2 percent).

2. Houston, which finished 37-5 a season ago when making 15 or more 3-pointers, is 3-0 in such games this season.

3. The Rockets have lost seven in a row to the Hawks, their last victory coming on Nov. 27, 2013 in Houston.

PREDICTION: Rockets 114, Hawks 98

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Houston at Atlanta

ATS TRENDS

Houston

Rockets are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Rockets are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games playing on 1 days rest. Rockets are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 vs. Eastern Conference. Rockets are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS win. Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Rockets are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Rockets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.

Atlanta

Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Hawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games. Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference. Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Hawks are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up loss. Hawks are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Hawks are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Hawks are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Hawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Hawks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Houston

Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 games following a straight up win. Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games following a ATS win. Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 Friday games. Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games. Under is 6-2 in Rockets last 8 overall. Under is 6-2 in Rockets last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 36-15 in Rockets last 51 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 16-7 in Rockets last 23 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Under is 11-5 in Rockets last 16 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Atlanta

Over is 8-1 in Hawks last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 13-3-2 in Hawks last 18 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 10-3 in Hawks last 13 vs. NBA Southwest. Under is 9-3-2 in Hawks last 14 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 3-1-1 in Hawks last 5 home games. Under is 19-8-2 in Hawks last 29 games following a straight up loss. Under is 22-10-2 in Hawks last 34 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 36-17-1 in Hawks last 54 vs. Western Conference.

HEAD TO HEAD

Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Rockets are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Matchup Edge

PHO	Edge in:	NY
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Suns at Knicks

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns both turned things around after slow starts by featuring some of the best young players in the game. Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks continue a five-game homestand on Friday by hosting Devin Booker, T.J. Warren and the Suns.

Porzingis, 22, led New York to three straight wins after an 0-3 start but could not muster a fourth consecutive 30-plus scoring outing on Wednesday as the Knicks fell off with a 119-97 loss to the Houston Rockets. "We didn't have the same energy we had in some of the other games," New York coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "Maybe it was one of those nights. We'll come in Thursday, have a good little practice and be ready for the next game." Phoenix lost its first three games before parting ways with coach Earl Watson and has since taken four of five, including a 122-116 triumph at Washington on Wednesday. Booker, 21, is averaging 25.4 points during that five-game span while Warren, 24, went off for a career-high 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting on Wednesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-4): Warren scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 122-114 win at Brooklyn and stayed hot the next night, scoring 28 of his 40 in the second half as Phoenix overcame a 22-point deficit. “It’s just me being aggressive, taking the shots I know I can take,” Warren told reporters. "(Wednesday) happened to be one of those nights where everything was just falling. My teammates did a nice job of finding me in the right spots, and me just cutting for layups was me being myself, being T.J." Warren is averaging 24.8 points over the last four games and posted a double-double in each of the last two.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (3-4): Porzingis is starting to get some help from shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who got off to a slow start after signing a four-year deal worth $71 million in the offseason. The 25-year-old averaged 9.8 points on 13-of-49 shooting in the first four games before breaking out for 34 points in a win at Cleveland on Sunday. Hardaway followed that up with 13 points against Denver on Monday and led the team with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range, in Wednesday's setback.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Booker is 14-of-26 from 3-point range in the last four games.

2. New York G Ron Baker (ankle) sat out the last four games and is day-to-day.

3. Phoenix took both meetings last season and five of the last seven in the series.

PREDICTION: Suns 121, Knicks 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Phoenix at New York

ATS TRENDS

Phoenix

Suns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Suns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win. Suns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Suns are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Atlantic. Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win. Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Suns are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 Friday games. Suns are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

New York

Knicks are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 Friday games. Knicks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a double-digit loss at home. Knicks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Knicks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. Knicks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss. Knicks are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Phoenix

Under is 6-1 in Suns last 7 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 5-1 in Suns last 6 road games. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 overall. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games following a straight up win. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 9-3 in Suns last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-2 in Suns last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic. Over is 35-16 in Suns last 51 games following a ATS win.

New York

Under is 4-0 in Knicks last 4 Friday games. Over is 5-1 in Knicks last 6 home games. Under is 15-5-1 in Knicks last 21 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 8-3-1 in Knicks last 12 games following a straight up loss. Under is 16-6 in Knicks last 22 vs. NBA Pacific. Under is 12-5-1 in Knicks last 18 overall. Under is 11-5-2 in Knicks last 18 games following a ATS loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in New York. Suns are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in New York. Suns are 9-2-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings. Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings. Underdog is 16-7-1 ATS in the last 24 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

Matchup Edge

NO	Edge in:	DAL
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Pelicans at Mavericks

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The New Orleans Pelicans' recent homestand had such promise, but it ended with a whimper. The Pelicans will look to right the ship on the road when they begin four straight away from home against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

After knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers by 22 points to begin the three-game homestand, the Pelicans suffered back-to-back defeats to Orlando and Minnesota, with a late rally falling short in Wednesday's 104-98 loss to the Timberwolves. "We're still a team figuring each other out and figuring out what's best for us and what's the best spots to put guys in," forward DeMarcus Cousins told reporters. "But I'm extremely confident in this team." New Orleans will have an opportunity to get back in the win column against a Mavericks squad that owns an NBA-worst 1-8 mark and dropped four in a row after a 119-98 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Six players hit double figures in the loss, led by rookie Dennis Smith Jr.'s 18.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (3-5): Turnovers continue to plague New Orleans, which entered Thursday with the sixth-highest average (16.8) in the NBA and with Cousins giving it away a league-leading 5.5 times per game. He had six of his eight turnovers against Minnesota in the first half, which helped the Timberwolves build an 11-point lead at the break. Cousins hit 5-of-10 3-pointers in the loss while his teammates combined to go 3-for-21 from beyond the arc, with guard Jrue Holiday missing all five of his attempts to fall to 28.1 percent on the season.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (1-8): Coach Rick Carlisle inserted veteran guard Devin Harris into the starting lineup Wednesday in the hopes that a shakeup might spur something, but the second unit was blitzed in the second quarter and Dallas never recovered. "Everything is an attempt to try and get out of this rut," Harris told reporters. "We have to get back to playing simple basketball." J.J. Barea missed all nine of his shot attempts and fellow reserve Yogi Ferrell was 4-for-12 as the Mavericks' bench combined to shoot 26.3 percent.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. New Orleans entered Thursday fourth in the Western Conference in shooting (46.4 percent), while Dallas was last (41.8).

2. Pelicans F Anthony Davis has three straight double-doubles while averaging 31 points and 11.3 rebounds.

3. The teams split four meetings each of the last two seasons.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 108, Mavericks 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Orleans at Dallas

ATS TRENDS

New Orleans

Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Friday games. Pelicans are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Dallas

Mavericks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Southwest. Mavericks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Mavericks are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 vs. Western Conference. Mavericks are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall. Mavericks are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Mavericks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. Mavericks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games. Mavericks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Mavericks are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss. Mavericks are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. Mavericks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Friday games. Mavericks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Mavericks are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

OU TRENDS

New Orleans

Under is 7-2 in Pelicans last 9 vs. NBA Southwest. Under is 6-2 in Pelicans last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 18-8 in Pelicans last 26 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Under is 11-5 in Pelicans last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

Dallas

Over is 4-0-1 in Mavericks last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-0-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a straight up loss. Over is 3-0-1 in Mavericks last 4 games following a ATS loss. Over is 3-0-1 in Mavericks last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-0-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Over is 4-1-1 in Mavericks last 6 overall. Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 Friday games. Over is 3-1-1 in Mavericks last 5 home games. Over is 3-1-1 in Mavericks last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 7-3 in Mavericks last 10 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 43-20-1 in Mavericks last 64 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Dallas. Home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings. Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Dallas. Underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas

Matchup Edge

CHA	Edge in:	SA
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Hornets at Spurs

Gracenote
Nov 3, 2017

The San Antonio Spurs aren't playing like an elite team and attempt to halt a four-game losing streak when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. San Antonio was outclassed 112-92 by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday and looks to rebound against the Hornets, who have dropped 10 straight in San Antonio since posting a 92-85 victory on Nov. 15, 2006.

The Spurs badly miss small forward Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps) and coach Gregg Popovich said the two-time All-Star is still about three weeks away from making his season debut. "You want a percentage? You want a percentage for each day closer?" Popovich told reporters. "Basically, we're in the dark on this one, but at least he hasn't had a setback." Charlotte is off to a solid start and is looking for its fourth consecutive victory and fifth in six games. Star point guard Kemba Walker scored 26 points in Wednesday's 126-121 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks for his fourth straight 20-point outing and the 193rd of his career, snapping a tie with Larry Johnson for the franchise mark.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (5-3): Rookie guard Malik Monk had the best outing of his eight-game career by establishing season bests of 25 points and five 3-pointers in the victory over the Bucks. The 19-year-old Monk was the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Kentucky and is displaying signs that he will be making an immediate impact as opposed to being brought along slowly. "He's a shot-maker, but I think people need to be fair with him," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "When he goes in the game, they're game-planning for him. No disrespect to college (basketball), but he never last year played against guys like this - they're bigger, faster, stronger."

ABOUT THE SPURS (4-4): The San Antonio losing streak matches its longest since February of 2015 and Popovich isn't liking what he's seeing. "Whether you win or lose, it's a game of mistakes," Popovich told reporters after the defeat against Golden State. "We lost against the best team in the world and there's a lot of things we need to improve on." Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 and had 10 rebounds against the Warriors for his seventh 20-point outing and fourth double-double, improving his averages to 23.6 points and 8.6 boards.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hornets are 7-20 all-time when visiting San Antonio, including a 102-85 setback last season.

2. Spurs backup SF Rudy Gay is just 12-of-36 shooting over the past four games.

3. Charlotte SG Jeremy Lamb has scored 15 or more points in all eight games while starting in place of injured Nicolas Batum (elbow).

PREDICTION: Spurs 110, Hornets 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Charlotte at San Antonio

ATS TRENDS

Charlotte

Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game. Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference. Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Hornets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.

San Antonio

Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southeast. Spurs are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 Friday games. Spurs are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 0 days rest. Spurs are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss. Spurs are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Charlotte

Over is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Under is 6-1 in Hornets last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 road games. Over is 11-3 in Hornets last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 11-4 in Hornets last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 8-3 in Hornets last 11 Friday games. Over is 8-3 in Hornets last 11 games following a straight up win. Over is 8-3 in Hornets last 11 games following a ATS win. Over is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 vs. Western Conference. Under is 7-3 in Hornets last 10 overall. Over is 9-4 in Hornets last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.

San Antonio

Under is 4-0 in Spurs last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 Friday games. Over is 13-3 in Spurs last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 7-2 in Spurs last 9 home games. Over is 3-1-1 in Spurs last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 6-2 in Spurs last 8 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Over is 20-7 in Spurs last 27 games following a straight up loss. Under is 5-2 in Spurs last 7 overall. Over is 20-8 in Spurs last 28 games following a double-digit loss at home. Under is 5-2-1 in Spurs last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 10-4 in Spurs last 14 games following a ATS loss. Over is 10-4 in Spurs last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in San Antonio. Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. Hornets are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in San Antonio.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Matchup Edge

MIA	Edge in:	DEN
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Heat at Nuggets

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

After some bumps in the road early on, the Denver Nuggets are beginning to put things together on the offensive side of the floor. The talented Nuggets scored a big rout in the opener of their six-game homestand and will try to duplicate their effort when the Miami Heat come to town Friday night.

Jamal Murray scored 24 points and Nikola Jokic produced a double-double with 16 rebounds and 10 assists in Denver's 129-111 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, its third victory in the last four games. The Nuggets - who ranked third in the NBA in scoring last season at 111.7 - are averaging 117 points during the 3-1 surge, and Murray produced three straight games of at least 20 points while shooting 60 percent. "There's no defense we can't score on, especially with the guys we have," Murray told reporters. "We have a deep team, and everybody contributes in different ways." The Heat snapped a three-game losing streak and finished their homestand at 3-3 with Wednesday's 97-91 win over Chicago.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE HEAT (3-4): Center Hassan Whiteside (knee) returned from a five-game absence to record 13 points and 14 rebounds against the Bulls, and guard Goran Dragic led the way with 20 points as Miami picked up a much-needed win before beginning a challenging six-game trip. "It was good to finally get a result ... get a little bit closer to our identity," coach Erik Spoelstra told the media. "I liked all the emotions we had to go through. These guys want to win so badly." James Johnson was a late scratch due to a knee issue but Spoelstra said the veteran forward will travel with the team to Denver.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (4-4): While the bevy of offensive options is nice, head coach Michael Malone knows that Denver cannot take the next step without improvements on the other end of the floor, and he was not pleased with the end of Wednesday's game. "We gave up 40 points in the fourth quarter, which is unacceptable," Malone told reporters. "I don't give a crap what that score is, how much you're up. Our defense in the last six minutes was embarrassing." Malone did credit Paul Millsap for some solid play, as the 32-year-old scored a season-high 20 points two nights after a 2-for-13 shooting effort in a loss to the New York Knicks.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Whiteside averaged 20.5 points on 58.6 percent shooting, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots against Denver last season.

2. Jokic has four double-doubles in his last five games.

3. The road team won both meetings last season and Miami claimed four of its last five in Denver.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 113, Heat 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Miami at Denver

ATS TRENDS

Miami

Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. Heat are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Heat are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Northwest. Heat are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Heat are 1-8-2 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Heat are 0-4-2 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. Heat are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win. Heat are 0-4-2 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Heat are 0-7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall. Heat are 0-5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Denver

Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Friday games. Nuggets are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game. Nuggets are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Nuggets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Southeast.

OU TRENDS

Miami

Over is 5-0 in Heat last 5 vs. NBA Northwest. Under is 6-1 in Heat last 7 Friday games. Over is 6-1 in Heat last 7 vs. Western Conference. Over is 5-1 in Heat last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Heat last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Under is 7-2 in Heat last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 9-3 in Heat last 12 road games. Over is 6-2 in Heat last 8 games following a ATS loss. Over is 5-2 in Heat last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Denver

Under is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 home games. Under is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 games following a ATS win. Under is 10-3 in Nuggets last 13 overall. Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 11-4 in Nuggets last 15 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game. Over is 22-8-1 in Nuggets last 31 Friday games. Over is 18-7-1 in Nuggets last 26 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Under is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Under is 7-3 in Nuggets last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Denver. Heat are 6-16 ATS in the last 22 meetings. Heat are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Denver. Underdog is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings. Road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 3, 2017
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Matchup Edge

TOR	Edge in:	UTA
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Raptors at Jazz

Gracenote
Nov 2, 2017

The Utah Jazz will try to stay perfect at home when they wrap up a four-game homestand against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The Jazz outlasted Portland in overtime 112-103 on Wednesday to improve to 5-0 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, the best home record in the NBA and the franchise's best start at home since 2012.

Ricky Rubio has settled in well in Utah and the veteran point guard provided a season-high 30 points against the Trail Blazers to raise his average to a team-high 17.5. The Raptors are 2-3 on their six-game road trip after falling 129-111 at Denver on Wednesday, which came on the heels of back-to-back wins in which they held opponents to an average of 88.5 points. "That was an embarrassing performance by all of us, from coaches to players," coach Dwane Casey told reporters in Denver. "One thing we said: You've got to come in here and compete and play hard, play a physical game, and we didn't do either one on either end of the floor." Toronto will try to get back into the groove defensively against a team that it held to an average of 95.5 points in sweeping two meetings a season ago.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (4-3): Norman Powell was Toronto's leading scorer against Denver with just 14 points, as the backcourt due of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 19. "The starting unit did not play well," Lowry told the media. "We didn’t start the game out the way we should have started the game out. I put a lot of blame on myself as a leader and we got to come out better than that." Lowry is averaging 12.9 points on 37.2 percent shooting after producing 22.4 on 46.4 percent a season ago.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (5-3): Rookie guard Donovan Mitchell posted a personal-best 28 points against Portland and topped the 20-point mark in two of his last three contests. "I didn't think it would happen this fast," Mitchell told reporters. "It was definitely surreal. Plays ran for me, just a matter of hitting the shots." Mitchell's surge placed him among six Jazz players averaging in double figures, although fellow guard Rodney Hood (14.3) was benched down the stretch in Wednesday's win amid an 0-for-11 shooting night.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors are shooting 30.7 percent from beyond the arc, worst in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday.

2. Rubio is averaging 23.7 points while making 11-of-21 3-pointers over the last three games.

3. Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas (ankle) returned from a four-game absence Wednesday and made all four of his shot attempts in 14 minutes.

PREDICTION: Jazz 107, Raptors 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at Utah

ATS TRENDS

Toronto

Raptors are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Raptors are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Raptors are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. Raptors are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss. Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference. Raptors are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Raptors are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Raptors are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Utah

Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games. Jazz are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win. Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. Jazz are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games playing on 1 days rest. Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Jazz are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Jazz are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Jazz are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Jazz are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.

OU TRENDS

Toronto

Under is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 vs. Western Conference. Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 overall. Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 11-3 in Raptors last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 9-3 in Raptors last 12 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 23-8 in Raptors last 31 road games. Over is 22-8-1 in Raptors last 31 vs. NBA Northwest. Under is 17-7 in Raptors last 24 games following a ATS loss. Under is 13-6 in Raptors last 19 games following a straight up loss. Over is 17-8 in Raptors last 25 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 35-17 in Raptors last 52 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Utah

Over is 3-0-1 in Jazz last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 5-1-1 in Jazz last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic. Under is 4-1-1 in Jazz last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 7-2-1 in Jazz last 10 games following a straight up win. Under is 5-2-1 in Jazz last 8 overall. Over is 5-2-1 in Jazz last 8 Friday games. Under is 7-3-1 in Jazz last 11 games following a ATS win. Under is 7-3 in Jazz last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 9-4 in Jazz last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Raptors are 8-0 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Raptors are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Utah. Favorite is 22-8 ATS in the last 30 meetings. Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings. Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Utah.