Wednesday 12-13-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hornets vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The Houston Rockets have not lost with Chris Paul in the lineup and don't appear to be ready to fall anytime soon. The NBA-best Rockets will try to push their winning streak to 11 in a row when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Houston is averaging 120.8 points during its 10-game winning streak and shot 54.5 percent from the floor in a 130-123 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. All but the last two of those 10 wins came by double figures, and Monday's win marked the start of a seven-game homestand. The Hornets didn't seem capable of mounting much of a challenge to Houston while dropping three in a row at home, but they began their two-game trip by knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-103 and are determined to pull out of the rut completely. "We've been struggling on the road," Charlotte forward Marvin Williams told the team's website. "We've been struggling overall, but we got a lot of fighters in that locker room. Things haven't been going the way we've wanted them to be going, but we're sticking together, we're continuing to fight and we really got a big-time win against a great OKC team."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-16): Charlotte added some much-needed balance to its offense after leaning heavily on point guard Kemba Walker and placed all five starters in double figures while shooting 53.1 percent as a team on Monday. The biggest contributions came from the frontcourt, where Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Dwight Howard combined to go 22-of-30 from the floor, led by Howard's team-high 23 points. Howard, who spent three seasons in Houston from 2013-2016, is averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds over the last three games while totaling 10 blocked shots.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (21-4): Houston is led by James Harden and Paul, but the team is also getting solid work from its role players. Center Clint Capela scored a career-high 28 points on 13-of-14 shooting in Monday's win while Eric Gordon broke out of a slump with 27 points on 9-of-12 off the bench. Gordon was 13-of-67 from 3-point range over his previous nine games before finally catching a spark from beyond the arc and knocking down 5-of-6 against the Pelicans to mark his best scoring effort since a 29-point outing at Philadelphia on Oct. 25.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets SG Nicolas Batum (elbow) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.

2. Rockets PF Ryan Anderson averages 12 points but was held to five or fewer in three of the last four games.

3. Houston took the last three in the series, including a 109-93 win at Charlotte on Oct. 27 that featured a triple-double from Harden.

PREDICTION: Rockets 128, Hornets 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Stars vs. Islanders Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

All the New York Islanders needed to snap a season-high three-game skid was a return to the Barclays Center, where they have lost a league-low one game in regulation. Battling for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division despite playing only 12 of its first 30 games at home, New York will take on the visiting Dallas Stars on Wednesday night.

The Islanders lost the final three on their four-game road trip but regained their mojo with a 3-1 win over the surging Washington Capitals on Monday night. That victory kicked off a stretch in which New York plays seven of eight games at Barclays Center, providing the team with a great opportunity to build on its 9-1-2 record at home. The Stars had also dropped three in a row before opening their four-game road trip through the Metropolitan Division with a 2-1 shootout win at the New York Rangers. Dallas hammered the visiting Islanders 5-0 on Nov. 10, but it has been outscored 23-13 in dropping its last four trips to New York.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE STARS (17-13-1): Captain Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov form a potent top line to open the season, but coach Ken Hitchcock decided to put his top three scorers on separate lines against the Rangers. Dallas responded by pouring 45 shots on goal to end the three-game slide, with Benn, Seguin and Radulov combining for 17 of those shots. "We are starting to really play strong 5-on-5 hockey right now," Hitchcock said. "We are getting a lot of scoring chances and we're not giving up a lot, which is a really good sign."

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (17-10-3): New York allowed the opening goal in five straight games -- losing four -- before scoring first against Washington to improve to 11-0-0 when netting the initial goal. "The great thing is we always have the belief, whether it's 2-0, 3-1, 3-2, we can come back with any amount of time left," coach Doug Weight said. "But the last three weeks it's a little disheartening, it's 1-0 more than not against us. For a team like ours, it's big to get the lead." The Islanders have won 16 in a row dating to last season when scoring first.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders captain John Tavares needs two goals to reach 20 for the ninth time in as many seasons.

2. The Stars are 0-for-14 on the power play over the past five games.

3. New York blanked Dallas 3-0 on Jan. 19 in Weight's first game as the team's head coach.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Stars 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rangers vs. Senators Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The Ottawa Senators will be relieved to be in familiar surroundings on Wednesday as they return home from a disastrous road trip to face the New York Rangers. Ottawa completed its seven-game trek with a 1-5-1 record after dropping a 3-2 decision in Buffalo on Tuesday.

Defenseman Cody Ceci and Derick Brassard scored third-period goals, but the Senators' rally fell short as they lost for the ninth time in 10 road contests (1-8-1). The stretch of futility for Ottawa, which also has lost three straight at home, began on Nov. 19 with a 3-0 setback at the Rangers. New York is coming off its second defeat in three contests, a 2-1 shootout loss to Dallas at home on Monday. Former Maurice Richard Trophy winner Rick Nash scored the lone goal for the Rangers, ending his 10-game drought and giving him three points in his last two contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Sportsnet, TVA (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (16-11-3): Top-line center Mika Zibanejad, who hasn't played since Nov. 26 due to a concussion, continued his recovery Tuesday by participating in practice as a defenseman and on the power play. "He's coming along real well," coach Alain Vigneault told the team's website. "I thought he looked real sharp, so I'm looking forward to trying him in the middle. ... He might get a couple laps in the middle there (during Thursday's practice)." Chris Kreider has gone three games without a point, leaving him one goal shy of 100 for his career and one point away from 200.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (9-13-7): Alex Burrows' nightmare offensive season continued Tuesday as he was kept off the scoresheet for the ninth consecutive game, keeping him one assist shy of 200 for his career. The 36-year-old former 35-goal scorer has recorded six points in 29 contests this campaign and notched just one assist over his last 15 games. The goal on Tuesday by Brassard, a former Ranger, ended his seven-game point drought and gave him 400 in the NHL.

OVERTIME

1. Rangers D Marc Staal will pass Andy Bathgate (719) for 11th place on the franchise list for games played with his next appearance.

2. Ottawa has been shut out three times and scored a total of five goals during its five-game slide (0-4-1).

3. New York D Nick Holden's next point will be his 100th in the NHL.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Senators 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bruins vs. Red Wings Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings are like crossing ships in the night, with the former sailing in the right direction in the Atlantic Division while the latter rapidly is taking on water. Winners of two in a row and eight of 10 overall, the Bruins look to add to the woes of the reeling Red Wings on Wednesday when the Original Six rivals meet at Little Caesars Arena.

Tuukka Rask carries a 4-0-0 mark with a 1.09 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in his last five games into Wednesday's tilt. The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner turned aside 93 of 102 shots in four encounters with Detroit last season, sporting a 3-0-1 mark with one shutout to improve to 9-5-2 in his career against the Red Wings. Detroit hasn't been helping itself in many facets of its game, as it has scored just one goal in four of its last six games and dropped nine of 10 overall (1-5-4). "It's frustrating, but we have to be professionals and continue to grind away, stick with the process and, hopefully, things will start turning our way," veteran goaltender Jimmy Howard said.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN

ABOUT THE BRUINS (14-9-4): Ryan Spooner practiced in full for the second straight day on Tuesday as he recovers from a lower-body injury that has seen him return to the lineup and exit in short order on multiple occasions. "I guess the long and short of that (is) he's still day-to-day," coach Bruce Cassidy said after Tuesday's practice. "We'll decide Wednesday. We don't want to go backwards again. We've had a couple of starts and stops with that one." Kevan Miller's status is questionable, albeit for a different reason, as the defenseman and wife Haley welcomed the birth of the couple's first child on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (11-13-6): Captain Henrik Zetterberg ended a 22-game goal drought by netting his team's lone tally in a 2-1 overtime loss to Florida on Monday. The veteran Swede isn't the only one having his difficulties, as defenseman Danny DeKeyser has been held without a point and is a minus-11 in 10 contests following a return from a 17-game absence with a broken bone in his ankle. "It's been taking me a little bit to get going to where I want to be. (Against Florida) I felt good, I thought my legs were better, I was moving a bit better on the ice, just felt stronger," DeKeyser said.

OVERTIME

1. Boston D Torey Krug, who is a former Michigan State standout, has three goals and six assists in 17 career encounters with Detroit.

2. Detroit D Mike Green has been held off the scoresheet in five straight contests and remains one point shy of 450 for his career.

3. The Bruins have scored a power-play goal in each of their last three games after going 3-for-34 in the previous 12, while the Red Wings are 0-for-13 with the man advantage in December.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Predators vs. Canucks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The Nashville Predators have gone nearly six weeks without suffering back-to-back losses and will try to keep that streak intact when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. It's the opener of a three-game road trip through Western Canada for the surging Predators, who have earned points in 15 of their last 17 games (13-2-2).

Nashville had its three-game winning streak halted with a 4-3 shootout loss to expansion Vegas on Friday night, dropping the team to 11-2-2 at Bridgestone Arena. One of those home losses was the Predators' only regulation defeat in the last 11 games -- a 5-3 setback to Vancouver on Nov. 30. The Canucks scored three unanswered goals in the third period in the last meeting, including a pair by rookie Brock Boeser, who has scored in each of the past three games. Vancouver needs to find offense from someone other than Boeser, however, notching only four goals during its current three-game losing streak.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), Sportsnet (Vancouver)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (18-7-4): Top-line center Ryan Johansen, sidelined the past three games due to an upper-body injury, practiced fully Monday and Tuesday and appears poised to return to the lineup on the Canadian trek. "I hope so," Johansen said Monday. "If the next couple days go well, then it should be good to go." Nashville did receive a scare at Monday's practice when center Kyle Turris, who has collected 13 points in 14 games since he was acquired from Ottawa, took a puck to the face but he was back on the ice Tuesday.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (14-13-4): Vancouver's offense took another major hit when third-leading scorer Sven Baertschi suffered a fractured jaw after he was hit in the face by a puck Saturday night. Baertschi's injury came days after Bo Horvat, who is second on the team to Boeser with 10 goals and 20 points, fractured his ankle and also is looking at a lengthy absence. "Every team has injuries," forward Thomas Vanek said after Monday's 5-1 loss at Winnipeg. "When I have the scoring chances that I had tonight, I've got to put them away."

OVERTIME

1. Predators leading scorer Filip Forsberg has five goals in 11 games versus Vancouver.

2. Boeser has scored 11 of his 16 goals in the past 13 games.

3. Predators F Viktor Arvidsson needs two points to reach 100 for his NHL career.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Canucks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Villanova vs. Temple Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

Villanova became the No. 1 team in the nation earlier this week, but coach Jay Wright hopes his team can somehow rise to an even higher level. The Wildcats continue to roll over their opponents, both within the Philadelphia area and across the country, and those runs will be on the line Wednesday against host Temple.

The Wildcats moved up in the rankings after Duke and Kansas lost last week, but Wright knows that his team can improve, particularly after a subpar performance its last time out. "It's always an honor to be ranked No.1," Wright said. "It's great for the 'Nova Nation and we appreciate the respect of the writers and coaches. We know it's early, though, and we need to get a lot better." Villanova trailed at halftime against La Salle on Sunday before rallying for a 77-68 victory behind Phil Booth and Donte DiVincenzo (18 points apiece). That was the 21st straight Big 5 win for the Wildcats, who wrap up their Philadelphia series round-robin against an Owls team that has won three of its last four.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT VILLANOVA (10-0): The Wildcats rank around 30th in the nation in both scoring and scoring defense, and they do not have a natural low-post scorer, but the team just continues to win. Mikal Bridges (18.2 points) and Jalen Brunson (17.2) are the leading scorers - and both have terrific shooting percentages across the board - plus Brunson has 48 assists and only 13 turnovers as he takes aim at the Big East Player of the Year award. Booth (12.7 points) is averaging 18.3 points over the last three games and is 9-of-18 from 3-point range over that stretch.

ABOUT TEMPLE (6-2): The Owls have two primary scorers in Shizz Alston Jr. and Quinton Rose, both of whom are averaging 17.3 points, although Alston is an elite 3-point shooter (53.5 percent), while Rose is merely a competent shooter from the arc (37.5 percent). Obi Enechionyia chips in 12.6 points and is 19-of-20 from the foul line this season, while Alston is also terrific from the stripe (25-of-26). Temple's last game was a Big 5 affair against Saint Joseph's in which the Owls led by 11 at halftime before holding on to win 81-78.

TIP-INS

1. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 48-43.

2. Villanova F Eric Paschall is 0-for-10 from the field over the last two games and is 1-of-19 from 3-point range this season.

3. Alston had made a school-record 52 straight foul shots before missing one against Saint Joseph's.

PREDICTION: Villanova 88, Temple 73

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sam Houston State vs. Ole Miss Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

Andy Kennedy is in his 13th season as coach of Ole Miss, but he is in the midst of unfamiliar territory as the struggling Rebels prepare to host Sam Houston State on Wednesday. Ole Miss lost at Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, marking the first time in Kennedy's tenure the Rebels have dropped three non-conference games in a row, and while the competition has been a challenge that does not mean Kennedy or his players are satisfied with falling short.

"It's a combination of a number of different things," Kennedy told reporters Monday in addressing the status of his team, which now is at .500 through eight games. "When you play against quality competition, those things bite you." The Rebels led in the final two minutes of regulation in an overtime defeat to South Dakota State, led for 37 minutes in an overtime loss to Virginia Tech, and were ahead by one at halftime before losing to the Blue Raiders by 19 points. One area of concern is defense, where the Rebels are 290th in the nation in allowing 78.4 points per contest. The Bearkats have defeated just one Division I team this season, a victory over Santa Clara in the Great Alaska Shootout, and lost their last game to No. 21 Baylor by 28 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT SAM HOUSTON STATE (5-4): Senior forward Chris Galbreath Jr. is the only Bearkats player averaging in double figures at 14.8 points per game. He recorded his third consecutive double-double in the loss at Baylor, finishing with 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field to go with 10 rebounds. Sam Houston State is averaging just 58.4 points in five games against Division I competition.

ABOUT OLE MISS (4-4): Several Rebels spent Monday telling reporters there is no panic in their locker room, with a four-game homestand opening Wednesday before the SEC opener against South Carolina on New Year's Eve. Junior guard Terence Davis leads Ole Miss in scoring at 16.9 points per game but scored just 10 against Middle Tennessee State. Senior forward Marcanvis Hymon matched a season high with 12 points Saturday, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 from the field.

TIP-INS

1. The Rebels shot a season-worst 5-of-18 from 3-point range Saturday, and are shooting just 27.6 percent from beyond the arc during their losing streak.

2. Ole Miss has committed 96 turnovers in eight games, the 19th lowest number of miscues in the country.

3. Ole Miss senior G Deandre Burnett is 21st in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.5).

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 77, Sam Houston State 59

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Longwood vs. Illinois Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

Illinois looks to bounce back from a disappointing two-week stretch when it hosts Longwood on Wednesday. The Fighting Illini have dropped three of their first four games in the month of December, including an 89-82 loss to UNLV on Saturday when they matched a school record with 36 fouls, and hope to turn their fortunes around in their first-ever meeting with the Lancers.

"I'm thoroughly frustrated with the fouls," Illinois coach Brad Underwood told reporters. "I'll take the fight that our guys had but we have to play a little smarter." Illinois has surrendered an average of more than 90 points in its last two losses and hopes to put the defensive clamps on Longwood, which has been held to 60 or fewer points in three games this season. The Fighting Illini have won 10 consecutive non-conference home games with their lone loss coming to Big South Conference foe Winthrop (84-80) last season. Longwood, which was picked to finish ninth in the Big South preseason poll, saw its three-game winning streak come to an end with an 81-70 loss to Virginia Military Institute and aim to get back into the win column by notching a non-conference road victory for the first time since Nov. 28, 2015.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT LONGWOOD (3-6): B.K. Ashe led the Lancers with 21 points and Isaiah Walton added 19 before fouling out in the loss to VMI. Charles Glover, who leads the team in 3-point shooting (50 percent), went down with a lower-body injury in the second half and is questionable for Wednesday. "We really lost some momentum when Chuck went out and Isaiah got into foul trouble," Longwood coach Jayson Gee told reporters. "We're not good enough at the guard position to lose players of their caliber down the stretch and still come out on top."

ABOUT ILLINOIS (7-4): Mark Smith went 4-of-5 from 3-point range en route to a team-high 17 points before fouling out and Trent Frazier scored 12 of his career-best 16 points in the first half against UNLV. Leron Black, who leads Illinois in scoring with 13.6 points per game, played 12 minutes before suffering an elbow injury and his status for Wednesday's clash is unknown. "We're at the mercy of our doctors in terms of going through the x-rays and MRIs," Underwood told reporters. "He's having both of those procedures done and we'll wait to see what comes of them."

TIP-INS

1. The Fighting Illini are ranked 349th nationally in fouls per game (24).

2. Illinois G Aaron Jordan has made 20 of his last 28 attempts from 3-point range.

3. Longwood has dropped 12 straight non-conference road games.

PREDICTION: Illinois 88, Longwood 65

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans vs. SMU Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

SMU looks to bounce back from a tough road loss to nationally ranked TCU when it hosts New Orleans on Wednesday in a non-conference matchup. The Mustangs fell by 11 to the then-20th-ranked Horned Frogs while the Privateers are coming off a blowout win over NAIA foe Williams Baptist and are looking for their first victory over a Division I opponent.

Coach Mark Slessinger's squad, which had 11 days off for finals prior to this contest, is led by senior forward Travin Thibodeaux's 14.1 points per game, as he is the team's lone double-figure scorer. By contrast, SMU boasts four double-figure scorers -- led by junior guard Shake Milton's 18.6 points per game -- with a fifth starter, sophomore guard Jimmy Whitt, coming up just short at 9.9 points per contest. Whitt and Milton are 1-2 on the team -- and in the American Athletic Conference -- in assists, with Whitt dishing out 4.6 per game compared to Milton's 4.5. Defensively, coach Tim Jankovich has a tenacious group that holds opponents to 41.1 percent shooting from the floor and just 60.1 points per contest.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT NEW ORLEANS (2-5): The Privateers have shown a lot of depth this year, with 12 different players averaging in double figures in minutes, but the team's bench is about to get longer -- and taller -- with the debut of 7-3 freshman Bol Riek. The center from the South Sudan by way of Moosheart (Ill.) High School will bring some obvious height to the New Orleans front line, which doesn't have another player taller than 6-9. While it's easy to get excited about the possible impact of Riek, the Privateers are certainly cognizant that it will be his first-ever college basketball game and want to temper expectations for him from teammates and fans.

ABOUT SMU (7-3): The best thing about the Mustangs this season could be the team's willingness to share the basketball, with SMU averaging 17.6 assists with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks 19th in the nation. Besides Milton, Jarrey Foster (15.1 points), Ethan Chargois (12.7) and Ben Emelogu (10.5) are averaging in double figures in scoring, and the Mustangs have recorded assists on 176 of their 263 field goals this season (67 percent). Jankovich tries to preach to move the ball, and it was shown against TCU that the team doesn't rely just on point guard Whitt to get the offense rolling, as he had to sit because of foul trouble and Milton stepped in and led the Mustangs with nine assists.

TIP-INS

1. Emelogu's current shooting percentage from 3-point range of 54.5 would be the best in school history since the stat was first kept in 1986-87.

2. The Mustangs have won 28 consecutive home games, the second longest active streak in the country.

3. SMU has been outscored in the paint in just one of its first 10 contests.

PREDICTION: SMU 78, New Orleans 62

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Savannah State vs. Texas A&M Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017

No. 10 Texas A&M takes on a second straight overmatched opponent when it hosts Savannah State on Wednesday. It's the second of four straight home games for the Aggies leading into SEC play.


Texas A&M has faced four Power Five foes already, beating West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and USC while losing to Arizona (67-64). The Aggies bounced back from their lone defeat to rout Prairie View A&M 75-53 on Saturday, and they should have an easy time again on Wednesday. The Tigers have recorded only one win against an NCAA Division I opponent thus far - a 101-97 triumph over winless Alabama State. The Aggies won the only previous meeting 67-34 in 2005.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus


ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (3-8): The Tigers aren't afraid to push the pace, as evidenced by the fact they score 83.2 points per game but give up 95.1. Lanky guards Dexter McClanahan (13.6 points) and Alante Fenner (12.2) are the team's only double-digit scorers, but six players average at least 7.8 points. Javaris Jenkins (7.8 points) had the hot hand with 31 points in Saturday's 102-91 loss at Georgia Southern.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (8-1): The Aggies are one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation, holding opponents to 36.2 percent shooting, but they also have plenty of offensive prowess. Four starters average double digits in points, and the fifth is power forward Robert Williams, who averages eight while leading the team in rebounds (10.4) and blocks (2.4). Center Tyler Davis (13.8 points, seven rebounds) and swingman D.J. Hogg (15.4, 7.1) combine with Williams to give the Aggies one of the country's best frontcourts.


TIP-INS

1. Texas A&M has won 109 of its last 129 home games against unranked opponents.

2. The Aggies hold opponents to 23.3 percent from 3-point range - the second-best mark in the nation - while the Tigers average 39.5 attempts from beyond the arc.

3. Savannah State is playing its fourth road game against a team either currently ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes.


PREDICTION: Texas A&M 103, Savannah State 77

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Western Kentucky vs. Wisconsin Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017

Wisconsin has had to deal with a very difficult schedule to open the season, and now it faces injury problems as dangerous Western Kentucky pays a visit on Wednesday night. The Badgers have managed just two victories in their last nine games after winning a pair to start the season and will be without two key players in the rotation for the near future.

Freshman guard Kobe King (knee) is lost for the season and third-leading scorer D'Mitrik Trice (foot) will be out at least a month after surgery as the bench gets thinner for Wisconsin, which is allowing 45.5 percent shooting from the field. "We're not going to lose faith," Badgers freshman guard Brad Davison told reporters after scoring a season-high 20 in the 82-63 loss to Marquette on Saturday. "We're going to stick together. It's a long season. We have had bumps, but we're just going to think, 'Next game, next practice,' and our goal is just to keep improving and getting better every day." Junior forward Ethan Happ leads Wisconsin in scoring (16.3), rebounds (8.6) and assists (3.1), while Davison (10.9) is the only other double-figure scorer and coach Greg Gard said everyone will just have "to row a little harder." Western Kentucky saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with an 89-84 loss at Ohio on Sunday, but owns a big win over Purdue.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY (6-3): Coach Rick Stansbury told reporters the Hilltoppers did not have the edge they needed and were not mentally sharp in the loss to Ohio, which held on after leading by 12 at halftime. Freshman guard Taveion Hollingsworth led five players in double figures with 19 points on Sunday and averages 12.6 - second only to senior backcourt mate Darius Thompson (13.8, team-high 4.3 assists). Junior guard Lamonte Bearden (11.9 points) scored just seven on 2-of-7 shooting in 12 minutes as he fouled out against Ohio.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-7): Happ is averaging 20 points over the last two games on 19-of-34 shooting and Davison has drained 21-of-48 from 3-point range in his first collegiate season. The loss of Trice and King takes 14.6 points per game out of the lineup while the next highest scorers include junior guard Khalil Iverson (7.4, 53.2 percent from the field) and sophomore guard Brevin Pritzl (6.7), who had 10 points against Marquette. Freshman forward Nate Reuvers, who did not play the first five games, is averaging seven points over the past four.

TIP-INS

1. Happ boasts 23 career double-doubles and needs one to tie Rashard Griffith for sixth in school history.

2. Western Kentucky senior F Justin Johnson leads the team in rebounding (9.6) and notched his 28th career double-double Sunday.

3. The Badgers won the only meeting with Western Kentucky, earning a 73-62 victory at the 1989 San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 74, Western Kentucky 70

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kennesaw State vs. Texas Tech Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats09:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

Keenan Evans' recent individual honor is reflective of the overall play of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders look to continue building momentum after an eight-day break for finals when struggling Kennesaw State visits on Wednesday.


Evans on Monday became the first Red Raider to garner Big 12 Player of the Week honors since Jaye Crockett on Dec. 31, 2012. The 6-3 junior amassed 23 of his 32 points during the closing 11 minutes of the second half and overtime as Texas Tech erased a 10-point deficit to hand then-No. 24 Nevada its first loss of the season on Dec. 5. "I was proud of Keenan for a lot of different reasons, but one of them was the mental toughness," Texas Tech second-year coach Chris Beard said. "I thought early in the second half, he looked kind of tired to me. He was standing around on offense. I told him how I felt about that, and he took the coaching. Then, late in the game, we just put the ball in his hands." Combined with an earlier win over then-No. 20 Northwestern, Texas Tech has tucked away a Big 12-leading two non-conference top-25 victories this season - a first for the program since 1996-97 - and its lone loss was to a ranked Seton Hall team.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest Plus


ABOUT KENNESAW STATE (1-7): Kennesaw State has lost five straight games, including Thursday's 66-54 loss at Seattle despite 16 points from sophomore James Scott. The 6-5 Scott, who has scored in double figures in seven of eight games, leads the team in scoring at 16.1 points per game but is shooting just 38 percent from the field and 31 from the arc. Nick Masterson, who led the Atlantic Sun Conference last season in 3-point shooting percentage (54 percent), chips in 11.6 points on 53.6 percent (15-of-28) shooting from the arc and leads the team in assists (3.3 per game) and minutes (35.0) while 6-foot guard Tyler Hooker contributes 10.3 points and tough on-ball defense.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (7-1): Senior guard Niem Stevenson chipped in 11 points on 5-of-8 from the floor while freshman Davide Moretti registered all nine of his points during the second half in the win over the Wolfpack. Evans leads the team in scoring (17.9 points per game), assists (3.8) and steals (2.0) and is shooting 51.6 percent from the floor despite connecting on only 29 percent of his 3-pointers (9-of-31). The Red Raiders are holding opponents to 62.1 points, 37.1 percent shooting from the floor and 29.4 percent from the arc while forcing 18.6 turnovers per contest.


TIP-INS

1. The win over previously unbeaten Nevada pushed Texas Tech's non-conference home winning streak to 34 games, which was tied for fourth-longest in the nation at the time.
2. For Evans, the 32 points against Nevada was a career high and the second-most scored by a Texas Tech player under Beard. Anthony Livingston pumped in 33 points versus Rice last season.

3. Texas Tech freshmen wings Jarrett Culver and Zhaire Smith have combined to tally 20.3 points per game on 56.2 percent shooting and 7.6 rebounds in support of Evans.


PREDICTION: Texas Tech 85, Kennesaw State 59

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston vs. LSU Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/13/2017

Houston aims for its eighth straight victory - and second over an SEC opponent this month - when it visits LSU on Wednesday. Houston is off to its best start since beginning the 2007-08 season with an 11-1 record.


The Cougars have won four games by double digits during their winning streak, including a 91-65 home rout of Arkansas on Dec. 2. They would love to keep the streak going by avenging last season's 84-65 loss at LSU. The Tigers have won two straight following a pair of losses and are coming off a 97-84 victory over UNC Wilmington on Sunday. Freshman Tremont Waters just missed a triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds while Duop Reath scored 30 off the bench against the Seahawks.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, SEC Network


ABOUT HOUSTON (8-1): After leading the American Athletic Conference in scoring last season, guard Rob Gray (21.6 points) sits atop that list again this campaign. Gray and Devin Davis (13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds) both shoot better than 50 percent, and the former is 17-for-35 from 3-point range. Reserve guard Wes VanBeck gives the Cougars a spark off the bench, averaging 11 points.

ABOUT LSU (5-2): The Tigers are playing without one of their top scorers in Brandon Sampson (ankle), but Waters (18.3 points, 6.6 assists) and Reath (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds) have picked up the slack. Skylar Mays (12.1 points) also averages double digits in points, and he and Waters both get to the foul line often - and take advantage. LSU's weakness has been at the defensive end, where opponents shoot a robust 46.8 percent and average 78.6 points.


TIP-INS

1. The Tigers have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in all five of their wins.

2. LSU leads the nation in 2-point field-goal percentage (63.1 percent) and is 45-for-74 inside the arc over its last two games.

3. The Cougars, who have outrebounded their first nine opponents, haven't beat 10 straight foes on the boards since doing it in 19 consecutive contests to close the 1976-77 season.


PREDICTION: Houston 79, LSU 76

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Portland State vs. Oregon Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/12/2017

The early-season schedule has mainly been manageable for 2017 national semifinalist Oregon, but things are ramping up the rest of the week. Up next for the Ducks are a pair of 8-2 teams ranked in the top 66 of the NCAA RPI, beginning with Wednesday night's home game against in-state rival Portland State.


Wednesday's game is the third of four contests in a nine-day span for Oregon, which is coming off a tougher-than-expected 74-68 home victory Monday over winless Texas Southern. The Tigers trailed only 32-31 at the half, and then after the Ducks extended their lead to 48-33, the visitors again closed to within a point (65-64) with 3 ½ minutes left before Oregon finally managed to pull away. The Ducks made only eight of 25 from 3-point range and had 12 turnovers with just 15 assists. "We (almost lost) a 15-point lead, so we have to be better than that - we can't give that up," sophomore point guard Payton Pritchard, Oregon's lone returning starter from last season, said in the post-game news conference. "We just have to move on to our next game now. It's a quick turnaround. ... and we have to focus on Portland State."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network


ABOUT PORTLAND STATE (8-2): Unlike their major-conference opponent, the Big Sky Conference Vikings have spent most of the last five weeks on the road, and Wednesday's game will mark the end of a stretch of six in a row away from home against Division I opponents. Buoyed by its frenetic style and pressure defense, Portland State is riding a four-game win streak - which began with an 87-78 victory over the Pac-12's Stanford on Nov. 26 - and ranks seventh nationally with an average of 91.1 points per outing and second with 22.8 turnovers forced. Guards Deontae North (19.2 points) and Bryce Canda (16.4) are the leading scorers while the 6-4 Canda is the top rebounder (6.9) and freshman guard Holland Woods is averaging a team-best 5.1 assists.

ABOUT OREGON (7-3): Pritchard finished with a team-high 16 points while dishing out four assists against Texas Southern and is averaging a team-best 15.8 points and 4.4 assists on the season. Freshman forward Troy Brown missed the Ducks' Dec. 1 loss to Boise State, which snapped the Ducks' national-leading 46-game home win streak, but has posted double-doubles in the two contests he's played since and is averaging 11.6 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds. Guard Elijah Brown (12.3 points) and forward Paul White (11.7) also have double-digit averages for Oregon, which is shooting 47.3 percent from the field as a team while scoring 85.0 points.


TIP-INS

1. Oregon leads the series 11-2 and has won five straight with the most recent victory an 81-59 decision on Nov. 30, 2014.

2. Ducks F Kenny Wooten, a 6-9 freshman, is tied for 23rd nationally with 2.6 blocked shots per game and has scored 13 points in each of the last two contests.

3. Still expected to be without injured big men C Traylin Farris and F Brendan Rumel, Portland State owns a minus-1.8 average rebound margin which compares less than favorably to Oregon's plus-7.7 average advantage on the glass.


PREDICTION: Oregon 91, Portland State 81

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, December 13

Clippers won their last seven games with Orlando (4-2-1 vs spread); seven of last nine series games stayed under. LA is 3-2 vs spread in their last five visits to Orlando. Clippers are 5-4 in last nine games; they’re 3-6 vs spread as road underdogs. Five of last seven Clipper games went over total. Orlando lost three of its last four games; they’re 1-6 as home favorites. Over is 8-3 in their last 11 games.

Wizards won four of last six games with Memphis; over is 5-5 in last ten series games. Grizzlies are 1-4 vs spread in last five games intros building. Memphis lost 15 of its last 16 games; they’re 5-4 vs spread as road underdogs. Under is 9-4 in their last 13 games. Washington is 5-7 in its last 12 games; they’re 4-6 vs spread as home favorites- four of their last five games stayed under the total.

Paul George returns to Indiana with the Thunder, who are 4-2 in last six games. OKC 2-10 vs spread on the road. Four of their last six road games went over. Pacers won their last four games, are 5-2 vs spread as home favorites. Under is 6-2-1 in their last nine home games. Pacers won four of last six games with Oklahoma City; over is 3-1 in last four series games played here. Thunder is 3-2 vs spread in last five visits here.

Celtics are 5-3 in last eight games with Denver, but Nuggets covered three of last four; Over is 5-3 in last eight series games. Denver is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Nuggets are 5-3 in their last eight games, are 4-5 as road underdogs; three of their last four road games stayed under. Boston won five of its last seven games; they’re 7-4-1 as home favorites. Three of last four series games stayed under total.

Portland won its last three games with Miami; home side won six of last seven series games. Over is 4-1 in last five series games played here. Blazers are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Miami. Portland lost its last five games; they’re 2-2-1 as road underdogs. Four of their last six games stayed under total. Miami is 6-4 in its last ten games; they’re 1-4-1 as home favorites. Under is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Bulls won three of last four games with Utah; nine of last ten series games stayed under total. Jazz is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to the Windy City. Utah lost its last three games, by 6-11-17 points; they’re 1-2 as road favorites. Four of their last six games went over total. Chicago won its last three games; they’re 6-5 vs spread as home underdogs. Under is 9-3 in their home games this season.

Pelicans won seven of last nine games with Milwaukee; six of last eight series games went over total. Bucks are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Bourbon Street. Milwaukee won six of its last seven games; they’re 6-6 vs spread on road, 3-1 as a favorite. Seven of their last nine games went over total. New Orleans lost six of last nine games; they’re 7-7 vs spread at home, 3-1 as an underdog. Pelicans’ last eight games went over the total.

Suns won six of last nine games with Toronto; six of last nine series games went over the total. Raptors are 1-4 vs spread in their last five visits to the desert. Toronto won six of its last seven games; they’re 3-4 as road favorites. Four of their last six games went over total. Phoenix lost eight of last ten games; they’re 4-7 as home underdogs. Three of their last four games stayed under total.

Rockets won nine of last ten games with Charlotte (under 8-2); Hornets are 1-3-1 vs spread in their last five games in this building. Charlotte lost seven of its last nine games; they’re 3-6-1 vs spread as road underdogs. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five road games. Houston won its last ten games; they’re 6-6 vs spread as home favorites. Last three Rocket games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, December 13

Trend Report

OKLAHOMA CITY @ INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Oklahoma City's last 14 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Oklahoma City's last 25 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Indiana's last 14 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

LA CLIPPERS @ ORLANDO
LA Clippers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
LA Clippers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 11 games
Orlando is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games when playing LA Clippers

MEMPHIS @ WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Memphis's last 13 games
Memphis is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis

This source is showing "no trends to report" for all today's remaining NBA matchups

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, December 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA CLIPPERS (10 - 15) at ORLANDO (11 - 17) - 12/13/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 2-1 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 4-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMPHIS (8 - 19) at WASHINGTON (14 - 13) - 12/13/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-2 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 2-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OKLAHOMA CITY (12 - 14) at INDIANA (16 - 11) - 12/13/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in the first half of the season this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in home games after scoring 115 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-2 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DENVER (15 - 12) at BOSTON (23 - 6) - 12/13/2017, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 2-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTLAND (13 - 13) at MIAMI (13 - 13) - 12/13/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 128-175 ATS (-64.5 Units) in home games in the first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UTAH (13 - 14) at CHICAGO (6 - 20) - 12/13/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 269-324 ATS (-87.4 Units) in the first half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
CHICAGO is 62-97 ATS (-44.7 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
CHICAGO is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) in home games after allowing 90 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 3-2 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MILWAUKEE (15 - 10) at NEW ORLEANS (14 - 14) - 12/13/2017, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 2-2 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 2-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (17 - 8) at PHOENIX (9 - 20) - 12/13/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-0 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 3-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLOTTE (10 - 16) at HOUSTON (21 - 4) - 12/13/2017, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 48-78 ATS (-37.8 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points since 1996.
HOUSTON is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points since 1996.
HOUSTON is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 4-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, December 13


NBA's Top ATS Teams:

1. Celtics 20-8-1
2. Nets 17-9
3. Pacers 17-10
4. Pistons 16-9-2
5. Sixers 16-10-1

NBA's Worst ATS Teams:

30. Thunder 8-18
29. Grizzlies 9-17-1
28. Cavs 10-17-1
27. Magic 11-16-1
26. Nuggets 11-16

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, December 13


Charlotte @ Houston

Game 717-718
December 13, 2017 @ 9:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
114.521
Houston
128.552
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 14
226
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 12 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-12 1/2); Over

Toronto @ Phoenix

Game 715-716
December 13, 2017 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
121.988
Phoenix
114.791
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 7
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 11 1/2
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+11 1/2); Over

Milwaukee @ New Orleans

Game 713-714
December 13, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
122.406
New Orleans
120.319
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 2
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+2); Under

Utah @ Chicago

Game 711-712
December 13, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
122.751
Chicago
115.099
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 7 1/2
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 4 1/2
197
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(-4 1/2); Under

Portland @ Miami

Game 709-710
December 13, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
116.339
Miami
122.421
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 6
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 2 1/2
201
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-2 1/2); Over

Denver @ Boston

Game 707-708
December 13, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
120.909
Boston
125.811
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 5
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 8
209
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(+8); Under

Oklahoma City @ Indiana

Game 705-706
December 13, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
121.509
Indiana
120.099
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 1 1/2
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 1 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(+1 1/2); Over

Memphis @ Washington

Game 703-704
December 13, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
112.677
Washington
122.505
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 10
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 6 1/2
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-6 1/2); Under

LA Clippers @ Orlando

Game 701-702
December 13, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Clippers
115.414
Orlando
118.766
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 3 1/2
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 1
213 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-1); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, December 13

NBA Game of the Day: Thunder at Pacers

Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers (-1, 212.5)

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

LINE HISTORY: The Thunder opened as 1-point road favorites but this line jumped the fence to Pacers -2 early Wednesday before dropping slightly to -1 on Wednesday afternoon. The total hit betting boards at 213 and has dropped slightly to 212.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Thunder - SG A. Robinson (Questionable, Ankle).

Pacers - PG C. Joseph (Questionable, Shoulder), PG D. Collison (Questionable, Knee), PG E. Sumner (Out Indefinitely, Knee), SG G. Robinson III (Mid Feb, Ankle).

POWER RANKINGS: Thunder (-5.5) - Pacers (-4.8) + home court (-3) = Pacers -2.3

CHAMPIONSHIP FUTURES:

Thunder +2,000
Pacers +15,000

ABOUT THE THUNDER (12-14 SU, 8-18 ATS, 10-16 O/U): 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 SU, 17-10 ATS, 14-13 O/U): 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.

TRENDS:

* Thunder are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 games overall.
* Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Under is 9-2 in Thunder's last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Over is 7-1 in Pacers' last 8 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
* Over is 12-2 in the last 14 meetings in Indiana.

CONSENSUS: 60 percent of the spread wagers are on the home favorite Pacers while 59 percent of the totals selections are on the Over.