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Wednesday 12-13-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #7 - AQUEDUCT - 3:50 PM EASTERN POST
6.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD ALLOWANCE $67,000.00 PURSE
#2 PORTFOLIO MANAGER
#5 GORGEOUS CHARLI
#1 CURTIS
#4 CINDERELA EL CROME
#2 PORTFOLIO MANAGER, the pace profile leader in this allowance field sprinting at 6.0 furlongs on the dirt , and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in five straight, hitting the board in three of those efforts, including "POWER RUN WINS" in both his last start, as well as in his 3rd race back. #5 GORGEOUS CHARLI takes a class drop (-7), and has hit the board in five straight, with four of those board hit efforts, including a win in his 3rd race back, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS."
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 2
Daily Double (Races 2-3) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) Superfecta (.10 min.)
Claiming $10,000 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 66 • Purse: $17,000 • Post: 6:07P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. HONEST TINA is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * HONEST TINA: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surf ace. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
6
HONEST TINA
5/2
5/2
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
6
HONEST TINA
6
5/2
Front-runner
69
72
70.1
61.7
57.7
7
RWANDA
7
3/1
Front-runner
64
54
64.0
39.5
32.0
1
LINE RUNNING LASS
1
15/1
Front-runner
49
45
50.0
28.4
14.9
5
WATCH MY STEAM
5
6/1
Alternator/Stalker
68
71
68.1
57.2
50.2
4
SHAKEITIFULUVME
4
12/1
Alternator/Stalker
57
56
50.4
47.2
35.7
9
TOGA'S MARGROCK
9
9/2
Alternator/Trailer
69
68
57.2
61.0
56.5
8
TAMY'S SHOT
8
15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
50
46
53.2
31.0
16.5
2
SWEET SILVER
2
4/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0
0
42.4
43.2
31.2
3
FATHER OF STORMS
3
30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
58
60
28.4
42.2
28.2
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Evangeline Downs
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 8 - Maiden Claiming - 400y on the Dirt. Purse: $4200 Class Rating: 59
QUARTER HORSE 400Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 1 FAST PRIZE ELLA 3/1
# 4 YAWLS DANNY 5/1
# 9 SAINTLY PRIZE 6/1
FAST PRIZE ELLA is my choice. Has been running solidly and has among the best speed in the race for today's distance. With Ortiz getting the mount, watch out for this horse. YAWLS DANNY - He has been racing soundly recently while recording solid speed figures. Trainer has sharp win rate (26 percent) at this distance and surface. SAINTLY PRIZE - Can't overlook the connections here, a 23 winning percentage, one of the most respectable at getting into the winner's circle.
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Gulfstream Park - Race #4 - Post: 2:05pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $22,000 Class Rating: 80
Rating: 4
#4 OSCURA (ML=7/2)
#9 BABY ISABELLA (ML=10/1)
OSCURA - This mare should give a strong account of herself in today's race. BABY ISABELLA - I seem to always make money betting Breen horses on the grass. That barn has a powerful win pct for this distance/surface.
Vulnerable Contenders: #7 BARBADOS KITTEN (ML=8/5), #10 STARSHIP ROCKETTE (ML=4/1), #5 REINA LA KELSY (ML=6/1),
BARBADOS KITTEN - Today's event is 7 1/2 furlongs. Hasn't finished in the money in a short distance contest in the last couple months. Not the greatest of signs. This chalk horse may be out of shape without any recent drills. STARSHIP ROCKETTE - Should have at least hit the board in the last couple months in a sprint race to be worth the risk at small odds in a sprint. This filly showed very liitle last time out. Quite unimpressive speed figure last time around the track at Belmont Park at 6 furlongs. Don't feel this vulnerable equine will improve too much in today's event. REINA LA KELSY - No accomplishments for this entrant in a sprint race over the last two months tells me that this filly is in a thorny situation Hasn't been coming close at all recently.
Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - BABY ISABELLA - Finished a disappointing fourth at Gulfstream Park West on Nov 24th. But that was on the soft turf. Expect much better in today's event.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 OSCURA is the play if we get odds of 7/5 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,9]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
Pass
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Penn National - Race #6 - Post: 8:16pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $19,000 Class Rating: 71
Rating: 3
#7 CHEROKEE SKY (ML=7/2)
#3 CHRISTMAS EVE (ML=10/1)
#9 EXCHANGING EMBER (ML=15/1)
CHEROKEE SKY - Not much pace in this race other than this pony. This horse is not the morning line choice, yet she finished ahead of today's chalk in their last race together. CHRISTMAS EVE - Jockey jumped on this filly's back for the first try on November 8th. Should be in touch with the horse even better in today's contest. Looking at today's class rating, this thoroughbred is encountering an easier field than in the last race at Penn National. When this jock and conditioner work together you have to take a look. Hernandez and Houghton have been terrific together. EXCHANGING EMBER - This rider and handler have a favorable ROI when they are put together. Filly is a first timer whose last three morning drills were on this track. The addition of Lasix might make this equine wake up and run well in this race.
Vulnerable Contenders: #12 NOISY RIPPLES (ML=3/1), #5 DEPUTIZED (ML=8/1),
NOISY RIPPLES - This filly finished out of the top three on October 19th and wasn't close to victory last race out either. No picnic to play this entrant in today's event. Make her show you something in a sprint event before you invest in her in a race of 5 1/2 furlongs. DEPUTIZED - Should have at least finished in the money in the last 60 days in a sprint affair to be any kind of value at short odds in a sprint. 8/1 is too short of a value to take on most any horse that has run poorly in back to back efforts. Improbable that the speed fig she earned on November 8th will hold up in this event.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 CHEROKEE SKY is the play if we get odds of 3/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:
7 with [3,9]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,7,9] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[3,7,9] with [3,7,9] with [3,6,7,8,9] with [3,6,7,8,9] Total Cost: $36
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Turfway Park
Turfway Park - Race 7
Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Daily Double
Maiden Special • 6 Furlongs • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 81 • Purse: $18,500 • Post: 9:15P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. (PREFERENCE TO HORSES THAT HAVE NOT STARTED FOR LESS THAN $30,000).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Dominant Class. RIVER'S EDGE is the Dominant Class of the race. * KEY ANGLES * RIVER'S EDGE: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distan ce/surface. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. INSURGENT: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. Today is a sprint and t he horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
3
RIVER'S EDGE
2/1
5/2
4
INSURGENT
10/1
4/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
4
INSURGENT
4
10/1
Front-runner
81
83
99.0
68.4
65.4
7
J DUB
7
6/1
Front-runner
80
78
78.0
54.2
45.7
2
BUNZLAUER
2
8/1
Alternator/Front-runner
75
74
62.2
60.0
48.0
6
LAST SPRING
6
9/2
Alternator/Front-runner
81
75
38.9
48.3
40.3
9
STEFAN O'EISHEN
9
12/1
Stalker
73
74
77.4
71.1
63.6
5
WITNESSADREAM
5
5/2
Alternator/Stalker
0
0
83.1
63.9
53.9
3
RIVER'S EDGE
3
2/1
Trailer
96
94
45.6
90.3
84.3
Unknown Running Style: STEVE AND AARON (20/1) [Jockey: Figueroa Sergio - Trainer: Baca Roberto A], CHIFFRE (20/1) [Jockey: Sullivan Carson - Trainer: Cross Jr Kenny R].
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turf Paradise
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 5 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Turf. Purse: $12500 Class Rating: 99
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE OCTOBER 13, 2017 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $11,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. ARIZONA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $16,000.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 4 PARCHED 8/5
# 1 PERCY FAWCETT 9/2
# 6 JAM N ADDY 9/5
My selection in this race is PARCHED. Has run soundly when running a turf route race. With a strong rider who has won at a respectable 22 percent clip over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top picks. He looks solid in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the midpoint. PERCY FAWCETT - Overall the Speed Figures of this horse look strong in this contest. Will most likely compete soundly in the early pace contest which bodes well with this field. JAM N ADDY - Has garnered strong speed figures in turf route races in the past. This racer has a terrific win percent in turf routes.
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Arthur Ralph Sports
WED: Under the total 152 Illinois/Longwoord
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Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
NBA (705) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS (706) INDIANA PACERS
Take: over
Reason: Your free play for Wednesday, December 13, 2017 is in the NBA contest between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder (12-14 S/U, 8-18 ATS) take on the Pacers (16-11 S/U, 17-10 ATS) tonight. The Thunder have struggled on the road, going 0-9 ATS in their last nine road games. The Pacers average 109 points on the season while allowing 106.4 ppg. OKC averages 101.8 ppg and just 99.3 ppg on the road. The Pacers have been a very good OVER club, going 21-8 O/U in their last 29 vs the NBA Northwest. Most important, these teams have gone over in 12 of their last 14 meetings in Indiana and 21 of the last 28 overall. Pacers should get their average or above here tonight. Play the OVER here tonight.
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Wednesday, Dec 13 is:
Western Kentucky +7.5 over Wisconsin.
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RED DOG SPORTS
Soccer | Dec 13, 2017
Leicester vs. Southampton
Leicester +280
This match takes place Wednesday in the Engalnd Premier League. Nice value on Leicester at +280 on the road at Southampton. Leicester has won 3 in a row and sit at 6-5-5 while Southampton is 4-6-6 (-3 goal difference) and only scored 16 goals in 16 matches.
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SCOTT SPREITZER
NCAA-B | Dec 13, 2017
Portland State vs. Oregon
Oregon-13
I'm laying the points with the Oregon Ducks on Wednesday night. Portland State may be hot, covering spreads night in, night out, but they're making the leap to another level tonight without the element of surprise and the line tells us how much it really means. PSU faced Duke this season and played extremely well for a while before the Blue Devils won 99-81 as a 24.5 point favorite. The Vikings caught Duke by surprise...but there will be no surprise here. In fact, Dana Altman can use that game as an example not to take PSU lightly. Also, to go along with line value thanks to Portland State's current run, we have an underdog that will be willing to play at the better program's pace. PSU averages 91 ppg. Oregon averages 88 ppg at home and will push the tempo. And while PSU allows teams to make 48% of their FGA overall, Oregon holds their visitors to 36% shooting and should also dominate a weak rebounding opponent. Pointspread value, along with desired tempo, and better talent should add up to a win and cover by the Pac-12 entry. I'm laying the points with Oregon on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
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Clippers vs. Magic Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017
The Los Angeles Clippers are beginning to figure out how to play without star power forward Blake Griffin, just in time for a four-game road trip. The Clippers will begin their trek on the east coast by visiting the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Los Angeles dropped four straight after losing Griffin to a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for two months, but recovered to win the final two of a three-game homestand and hit the road with some momentum. "(Coach) Doc (Rivers) said before the game, 'We've been dealt a (crummy) hand with injuries,'" small forward Sam Dekker told the Los Angeles Times after a 96-91 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday. "Every night, we feel like we have a new starting lineup, a new injury, a new this or that. But he said to stay resilient and keep working hard good things will happen." The Magic are missing their own power forward with Aaron Gordon (concussion) day-to-day and are losers of 13 of their last 16 games following a promising start. Orlando dropped a 117-110 decision at Atlanta on Saturday despite a combined 60 points from Nikola Vucevic and Jonathan Simmons.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (10-15): Los Angeles, which is also without starting point guard Patrick Beverley (knee) for the rest of the season, got a boost recently from the return of small forward Danilo Gallinari (glute) and another on Sunday when guard Milos Teodosic (plantar fasciitis) played for the first time since Oct. 21. Teodosic was limited to 21 minutes in the win but scored 12 points and buried a key 3-pointer in the closing minute. Gallinari scored 25 points in a 113-112 win over Washington on Saturday but reaggravated the injury in that game and is day-to-day after sitting out Monday.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (11-17): Vucevic recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists while going 13-of-18 from the floor on Saturday. "We had some guys down and I wanted to try to carry this team any way I can," Vucevic told reporters. "For me personally, if I try to force things, if I try to take a lot of shots and (freeze) other guys out, it will go the other way for me. I like to play within the flow of the offense. I feel like the way we play, I will get a lot of looks as the game goes on. Just trying to make the right play." Vucevic is averaging 23.6 points and 13.2 rebounds over the last five games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers C DeAndre Jordan grabbed at least 17 rebounds in four of the last five games.
2. Magic SG Evan Fournier (ankle) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.
3. Los Angeles took the last seven in the series, including three in a row at Orlando.
PREDICTION: Magic 110, Clippers 107
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Thunder vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017
Paul George is set to make his return when the Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. George orchestrated a trade away from Indiana in the summer to join what he thought would be a winning situation, but it's the Pacers who enter Wednesday's clash with a better record.
George and the Thunder fell for the second time in three games to drop two games below .500 with a 116-103 loss at home to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, and the team is still struggling to jell consistently. "For all the talent we have, obviously this is not where we want to be," George told reporters. "But we're going to remain optimistic about the future and what we can do. Once we find a way to really do it night in and night out, it's no panic mode, but we have to start playing better." George is averaging 20.6 points on 41.8 percent shooting for Oklahoma City while the main piece coming back to the Pacers in the trade that sent him away, shooting guard Victor Oladipo, is enjoying a breakout campaign and averaging 24.5 points on 48.5 percent shooting. Oladipo put up a career-high 47 points in a 126-116 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday that gave Indiana its fourth straight win.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Oklahoma, FS Indiana
ABOUT THE THUNDER (12-14): Russell Westbrook is trying to will Oklahoma City to victories and put up 30 points and seven assists on Monday, but the team could not overcome a terrible third quarter. The Thunder were outscored 40-22 in the period after holding the Hornets to 18 points in the second, and the inconsistency is becoming commonplace. "Twenty-six games. It's an 82-game season," Westbrook told reporters. "It's up to us, honestly. We just have to figure it out and play the same way every night."
ABOUT THE PACERS (16-11): Oladipo was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday and is averaging 31.8 points on 53.8 percent shooting in five games this month. "Y'all might be surprised, but I put in the work," Oladipo told reporters. "I work every day. I have no limit to how hard I work. I'm trying to be great. There's no in between and I can't settle for anything less." That desire for greatness led Indiana to wins in 10 of its last 13 games and a spot among the top five in the East.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Another player that came over in the George trade, C Domantas Sabonis, is leading the Pacers in rebounding (8.5).
2. Thunder SG Andre Roberson (ankle) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.
3. Oladipo scored 35 points while George was held to 10 but Indiana fell 114-96 at Oklahoma City on Oct. 25.
PREDICTION: Pacers 116, Thunder 112
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Grizzlies vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017
The Washington Wizards expect to have John Wall back in the lineup on Wednesday, when they host the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. Wall has missed the last nine games with a knee injury, and it will be decided after the mid-day shootaround whether or not he is healthy enough to play in the opener of Washington's four-game homestand.
The Wizards have gone 4-5 during Wall's absence after Tuesday's 103-98 setback against Brooklyn. The four-time All-Star point guard last played on Nov. 22, and that has meant shooting guard Bradley Beal has had to carry the team - and he has put up an astounding 113 shots over his last four games. Memphis is experiencing deep issues as Monday's 107-82 loss to Miami was the squad's fourth straight defeat and 15th in 16 contests. "There are going to be times like this, and again, it's the decisions that we make as individuals in moments like this that define who we are," Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the loss. "I have no doubt in the character in that group in the locker room. None whatsoever. So we will bounce back, we will figure it out and we will be the team that we set out to be."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), NBCSN Washington
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (8-19): Center Marc Gasol has been part of seven consecutive playoff teams with the franchise and is highly frustrated with the losing. But Gasol, who scored 19 points in the loss to the Heat, said he isn't sure that all of his teammates are as disgusted about the porous record as he is. "I couldn't tell you that," he told reporters. "Everybody has to look in the mirror, and as a man, you have to take it personally because wearing this jersey means a lot."
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (14-13): Beal is averaging 34.5 points over his last four games - he scored a career-high 51 against Portland on Dec. 5 - but his 28-point effort against the Nets came with lackluster 11-of-33 shooting, including misses on all seven 3-point attempts. The loss to Brooklyn was highly disappointing and left the squad with a 2-3 record on a road trip that included a horrific 47-point setback against Utah. "We got to figure it out as a team," forward Markieff Morris told reporters. "Obviously, we don't have our best player, but we just got to figure it out. We can't tip off like this as we did (Tuesday) and the last couple of games, because we're better than that."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Grizzlies have dropped each of their last three visits to Washington.
2. Memphis is 0-9 against Eastern Conference foes, its worst start versus the East since losing its first 11 such games in 1996-97.
3. Washington backup SG Jodie Meeks is just 6-for-25 from the field over his last five contests.
PREDICTION: Wizards 110, Grizzlies 102
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Nuggets vs. Celtics Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:30 PM
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017
Kyrie Irving is expected to return to the lineup, but Al Horford will be sitting out when the Boston Celtics host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Boston suffered its worst loss of the season when Irving was sidelined with a quadriceps injury on Monday, while Horford is being rested against the Nuggets.
Horford's knee has been ailing since he banged it during Sunday's victory over Detroit, but the Celtics' real pain occurred the next night as they were routed 108-85 by lowly Chicago without the services of Irving. "Sometimes you get your butts kicked. It's as simple as that," Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "Chicago dictated the whole game. They played harder than we did, they played with more presence than we did, they played more competitive than we did, they played with more authority than we did. We're not going to win many games if we play like that." Denver is looking for a split of its six-game road trip after posting an impressive 103-84 win over Detroit on Tuesday. The Nuggets also expect center Nikola Jokic (ankle) to return after a six-game absence.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), NBCSN Boston
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (15-12): Denver has been surprisingly good over the first third of the season, particularly with the expected three-month loss of four-time All-Star power forward Paul Millsap (wrist). Getting Jokic back is key for a team that doesn't have a go-to scorer but has evolved into a well-balanced squad as any of six or seven different players might emerge on a given night. In fact, backup forward Trey Lyles is averaging 22.5 points on 16-of-22 shooting over his last two games, tallying 20 on 7-of-7 shooting against the Pistons after scoring a career-high 25 versus Indiana on Sunday.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (23-6): Boston has lost two of three games following a 22-4 start, and the beating suffered at the hands of the Bulls was baffling - even with Irving sidelined. "We usually find the time to find some energy, but (on Monday), we didn't," second-year forward Jaylen Brown told reporters. "It didn't feel any different. We're not making any excuses. We've just got to come out and play better, and play harder, regardless of the circumstance. And, I think we will." Rookie small forward Jayson Tatum recorded just four points against Chicago on 1-of-7 shooting after scoring in double digits in each of his previous 16 games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Nuggets are just 8-33 all-time in Boston but did post a 123-107 victory in last season's visit.
2. Denver SG Jamal Murray scored 28 points against Detroit for his eighth 20-point performance of the campaign.
3. Boston F Marcus Morris (knee) will miss his third straight game.
PREDICTION: Celtics 117, Nuggets 102
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Jazz vs. Bulls Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017
The Chicago Bulls lost by 30 points at Utah less than a month ago as part of a dismal 10-game losing streak. The Bulls enter the rematch at home Wednesday night under very different circumstances as they aim for a fourth consecutive victory while trying to send the Jazz to a fourth straight loss.
Wins over Charlotte in overtime and by two points at home over the New York Knicks got Chicago going, but a 23-point rout of the NBA-best Boston Celtics on Monday turned some heads, even though the Celtics were shorthanded. "I don't know what tanking is," forward Bobby Portis told reporters when pressed on whether the team's sudden success will hinder its efforts to rebuild. "We want to win. We don't want to be looked at as if, 'Aw, they're just going out there, tanking,' whatever. We want to be guys who go out there and compete and earn our keep too." Utah's win over the Bulls last month began a six-game winning streak, but the Jazz have dipped back below .500 with their three consecutive losses. All five starters scored in double figures and reserve Alec Burks had 20 points but Utah was unable to slow down Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 117-100 loss on Saturday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), WGN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (13-14): Rudy Gobert also had 20 points and a team-leading nine rebounds in Saturday's loss, which dropped Utah to 6-10 with its star center in the lineup. "It's little details that I have to work out," Gobert told reporters while referencing a leg injury that caused him to miss 11 games. "It's moving quicker, it's boxing out. Physically, I'm feeling better and better. It's definitely more mental. I have to get better at my usual habits. But it's coming back." The Jazz hope guard Rodney Hood comes back soon as the team's leading scorer has missed seven straight with an ankle injury.
ABOUT THE BULLS (6-20): Monday's victory was notable in that it saw Portis and Nikola Mirotic - a pair that fought in the preseason, forcing Mirotic to miss 23 games with facial fractures and Portis to earn an eight-game suspension - team up to vanquish the Celtics. "Those guys were playing off each other," coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "When we got switches, they were hitting each other in the high-low, finding each other. I just love the chemistry that those two are playing with right now." Mirotic had 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting in his third game since returning while Portis added 23 on 10-of-15 while making all three of his 3-pointers.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Derrick Favors scored 23 points and Utah made 14 3-pointers in the first meeting.
2. Bulls PG Jerian Grant has 18 assists and one turnover in 41 minutes over the last two games.
3. Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell was held to 12 points on 4-of-17 at Milwaukee after averaging 28.6 points over the previous five games.
PREDICTION: Jazz 106, Bulls 104
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Bucks vs. Pelicans Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017
The Milwaukee Bucks are streaking in the right direction again with wins in each of their last three games and six of the last seven as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe get more comfortable playing together. The Bucks will try to improve to 12-4 since Bledsoe joined the lineup when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Milwaukee's only loss in the last seven games came at Eastern Conference-best Boston on Dec. 4, and coach Jason Kidd is excited about his team's improvement. "Us, as a team, (we're) growing up and understanding what it takes to win in this league," Kidd told reporters after a 117-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday. "It's not easy. The week didn't start off well for us, but we ended it on a positive note. Now we turn the page to another week with three (games) in four (nights)." That stretch begins with the Pelicans, who are lighting up the scoreboard of late but only hit the win column in three of their last nine games. New Orleans averaged 120.7 points in the last six games but won only three of those contests, including a 130-123 setback at Western Conference-best Houston on Monday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS New Orleans
ABOUT THE BUCKS (15-10): Antetokounmpo recorded a double-double in each of Milwaukee's last three games and punctuated a 37-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist performance against Utah on Saturday by dunking over center Rudy Gobert in the final minute. The "Greek Freak" just turned 23 on Dec. 6 and is averaging 29.8 points on 54.6 percent shooting and 10.4 rebounds. Bledsoe reached the 20-point plateau in each of the Bucks' last three games and is averaging 18 points and 4.2 assists in 15 games with the team since coming over in a trade from the Phoenix Suns.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-14): New Orleans draws a lot of attention for its frontcourt tandem of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, but it's been the improved play of the backcourt that really has the offense operating in high gear. Rajon Rondo recorded a triple-double on Monday while Jrue Holiday (37) and E'Twaun Moore combined for 73 points, but they understand where the team needs to improve. "We've got a lot of guys who can do a lot of things, a lot of talent," Moore told reporters. "Once we get it together a little bit on the defensive end, we'll be hard to beat."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis (left adductor) missed four of the last six games and is day-to-day.
2. Bucks SG Tony Snell (knee) sat out the last two games and is questionable.
3. The teams split the two-game series last season, with Milwaukee earning a 117-113 win at New Orleans.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 120, Bucks 113
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Raptors vs. Suns Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017
The Toronto Raptors were thriving offensively until one subpar performance sidetracked their season-best, six-game winning streak. The Raptors look to start a new stretch of victories when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday in the finale of a four-game road trip.
Toronto averaged 117 points during its winning streak before establishing a season low for points in Monday's 96-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. "It happens," standout shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "We're going to have nights like that where we miss shots. We made a lot of mistakes in the last couple of minutes of the game." The Raptors recorded a 126-113 home victory over the Suns on Dec. 5, and that contest was doubly painful for Phoenix as it lost shooting guard Devin Booker to a groin injury. That setback was the beginning of a four-game skid for Phoenix, which suffered a 99-92 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (17-8): DeRozan was limited to 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting against the Clippers after averaging 25.4 points over the previous five games, a stretch that included Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry each scored 20 points in last week's win over the Suns but Lowry has struggled with his shooting since that game, hitting 13-of-44 overall shots and missing all eight 3-point attempts against the Clippers. Center Jonas Valanciunas registered his first double-double since Nov. 7 when he matched season highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds versus Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-20): Phoenix badly missed Booker in Tuesday's loss as teams are crowding the other shooters since they don't have to focus on traps or double teams of the 21-year-old star. Small forward TJ Warren has been trying to pick up the slack but was 9-of-24 shooting while scoring 18 points against the Kings during a contest in which the Suns were 7-of-32 from 3-point range, including 15 misses (of 17) in the second half. "We've just got to get better at shooting the 3-ball," Phoenix coach Jay Triano said afterward. "The game is trending that way and we got to be able to make more than 2-of-17 in a half."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Suns have won 10 of their past 13 home games versus the Raptors.
2. Rookie Josh Jackson, who is starting in place of Booker, was only 3-of-14 shooting for seven points against the Kings.
3. Toronto SF Norman Powell scored only two points in each of the past two games and has been in single digits in four straight contests after a run of five consecutive double-digit outings.
PREDICTION: Raptors 116, Suns 111
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