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Friday 12-15-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #7 - AQUEDUCT - 3:50 PM EASTERN POST
6½ FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $40,000.00 OPTIONAL CLAIMING $59,000.00 PURSE
#4 COURT DANCER
#3 PALLADIAN BRIDGE
#2 ALABAMA BOUND
#5 ZEALOUS SCHOLAR
#4 COURT DANCER drops in class (-7), is the overall speed leader, and also has nice early speed abilities to compliment for this sprint. She's coming off a "POWER RUN PLACE" finish facing better company in her last start, missing a "Circle Trip" in that race by just a "photographed neck" at the wire. Jockey Irad Ortiz and Trainer Rudy Rodriguez send her to the post this afternoon ... they've "whacked the tote board" with 56% of more than 360 entries saddled as a team to date. #3 PALLADIAN BRIDGE, a 4-1 shot, has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of her last three outings, including back-to-back, "POWER RUN WINS" in her 2nd and 3rd races back.
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Charles Town - Race #1 - Post: 7:00pm - Claiming - 4.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 69
Rating: 4
#5 ONEMORESWEETKISS (ML=5/2)
ONEMORESWEETKISS - Rodriguez was aboard this mare in the last race and was impressed enough to take the horse right back. Coram drops her down to this class. You don't need too much more data to figure that this thoroughbred will be one to beat at this level. That 75 fig this mare garnered in her last race tells me she's a chief player this time. Recent Equibase speed figs show powerful pattern of improvement.
Vulnerable Contenders: #1 IDENTITY THEFT (ML=2/1), #6 FLASH TIPS (ML=4/1), #3 CRIME BUZZ (ML=5/1),
IDENTITY THEFT - If you keep betting these sort of 'hanger' types, you're going to be frustrated most every time. FLASH TIPS - The fig last out doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the class figure of today's race. Mark this thoroughbred as a possibly overvalued contestant. CRIME BUZZ - This less than sharp equine showed very little last time finishing seventh. Don't see any hint of improvement in today's event.
Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - ONEMORESWEETKISS - My analysis says it usually takes a pony one or two races after a layoff to get back into proper racing shape. That's just what we have here, so I expect a lot for this horse.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 ONEMORESWEETKISS is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds - Race 9
Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta $0.50 Super Hi-5
Claiming $5,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 73 • Purse: $15,000 • Post: 5:05P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 15 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * OUTBACK JACK: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Hor se has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. PHIL UP DA BANK: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. IL EST VITE: Today is a sprint and this is the hor se's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. TOOTH: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Cla ss Rating at the distance/surface.
3
OUTBACK JACK
7/2
5/1
2
PHIL UP DA BANK
8/1
6/1
12
IL EST VITE
9/2
7/1
5
TOOTH
12/1
7/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
3
OUTBACK JACK
3
7/2
Front-runner
84
74
89.8
68.6
62.6
6
SO NILSSON
6
20/1
Front-runner
73
64
79.6
47.6
26.6
12
IL EST VITE
12
9/2
Alternator/Front-runner
75
75
67.2
70.6
65.1
1
GOOD ENOUGH SAID
1
6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
76
69
64.6
59.4
45.9
8
FINAL DEED
8
6/1
Stalker
65
66
66.4
55.4
41.4
9
VICKS FIRST PICK
9
12/1
Stalker
64
63
52.0
62.2
43.2
5
TOOTH
5
12/1
Alternator/Stalker
73
71
51.0
67.4
61.9
13
BET ON BLACK
13
10/1
Alternator/Stalker
77
74
45.6
61.8
49.8
2
PHIL UP DA BANK
2
8/1
Trailer
75
76
50.0
66.2
56.7
4
UNK'S RED MAN
4
20/1
Trailer
72
67
28.4
55.0
37.5
11
CALEB HAWK
11
8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
67
68
59.4
55.8
35.8
15
CANADIAN MAXIMUS
15
20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
67
66
56.4
56.6
30.1
7
ROBERT E. LEE
7
20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68
61
54.2
39.6
19.1
10
IDOL MCARTNEYVALUE
10
12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
64
63
44.5
59.0
41.0
14
SUPER CHASE
14
30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
63
56
38.6
50.8
25.3
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Gulfstream Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 7 - Maiden Claiming - 8.0f on the Turf. Purse: $22000 Class Rating: 72
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 5 HERESURLAMAMAMA 8/5
# 3 SONG OF MELODY 6/1
# 9 COSITA RICA 7/2
My selection in this competition is HERESURLAMAMAMA. Make a note that this one runs with second time Lasix today. Her 62 average has this filly with among the top speed figures here. Recently Gaffalione has been sizzling which may give the edge to this filly. SONG OF MELODY - Can't overlook the connections here, a 24 winning percentage, one of the best at getting into the winner's circle. Well above average win clip at this distance/surface. COSITA RICA - Has very strong Equibase Class Figures relative to this field - worth a look. Has to be considered based on the very strong speed figure put up in the last race.
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Los Alamitos (Thoroughbred)
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 2 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $15000 Class Rating: 98
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $8,000, IF FOR $7,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 4 UCANTHANKMELATER 7/2
# 6 FREDDIES DREAM 5/2
# 1 SOUTH TEXAS LINGO 3/1
UCANTHANKMELATER looks to be the bet in here. I like the rider on this gelding - very strong chance to win the race. Could best this field based on the Equibase Speed Figure - 97 - of his last effort. He has been running soundly and the speed figures are among the top in this group. FREDDIES DREAM - He has been running solidly recently while recording sharp Equibase Speed Figures. With a strong 82 Equibase Speed Figure last time out, will clearly be a factor in this contest. SOUTH TEXAS LINGO - He has a good opportunity in this race as handler, Cerin, has solid win clip with horses going this distance. Has been running soundly lately and ought to be on or close to the front end early on.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunland Park
Sunland Park - Race 2
2nd Half Daily Double $1 Grand Slam(Races 2-3-4-5)/.50 Pick 3(Races 2-3-4) $1 Exacta/Trifecta/.10 Superfecta
Claiming $7,500 • 300 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 72 • Purse: $12,200 • Post: 12:55
QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR REGISTERED NEW MEXICO BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * NEMOS TREASURE: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. HEZA WINNING VERSION: Horse ranks in the top three i n average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. DAMSELS CHARMER: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. MAGICAL MUSHROOM: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it g ets out of the gate fast. FIRST LLUVIA RUNAWAY: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating.
5
NEMOS TREASURE
10/1
6/1
9
HEZA WINNING VERSION
15/1
6/1
11
DAMSELS CHARMER
8/1
7/1
3
MAGICAL MUSHROOM
4/1
8/1
1
FIRST LLUVIA RUNAWAY
5/1
8/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
1
FIRST LLUVIA RUNAWAY
1
5/1
Slow
75
71
6.6
0.0
0.0
2
BLUE MOON FLASH
2
7/2
Average
76
72
4.8
0.0
0.0
3
MAGICAL MUSHROOM
3
4/1
Fast
76
70
3.0
0.0
0.0
4
MAS RONPOPE
4
8/1
Average
77
68
3.9
0.0
0.0
5
NEMOS TREASURE
5
10/1
Fast
75
72
0.0
0.0
0.0
6
LIL BOOM BOOM
6
12/1
Average
67
61
5.9
0.0
0.0
7
EYE FOUND IT
7
20/1
Average
78
65
5.8
0.0
0.0
8
GO RO SHAM BO
8
6/1
Average
73
68
5.0
0.0
0.0
9
HEZA WINNING VERSION
9
15/1
Average
79
77
5.7
0.0
0.0
10
DD MIRACLE MOUNTAIN
10
8/1
Average
69
61
5.3
0.0
0.0
11
DAMSELS CHARMER
11
8/1
Average
73
78
4.7
0.0
0.0
12
WHATSNOTTALUV
12
15/1
Slow
83
67
6.7
0.0
0.0
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Turfway Park - Race #5 - Post: 8:15pm - Maiden Special - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,500 Class Rating: 76
Rating: 4
#13 CAT WALK (ML=8/1)
#4 BUTTER UP KATIE (ML=5/1)
#14 BRILLIANT MISSY (ML=5/1)
CAT WALK - This jock and handler have a profitable return on investment when they join forces. BUTTER UP KATIE - Is ranked totally uppermost in EPS (earnings per start). A dominant outing in this event will boost the lifetime total. This steed broke from the outside at Churchill Downs last time out, racing 1 mile, but is getting a low post position in this race, which should help her chances today. BRILLIANT MISSY - Was in a Maiden Special race at Turfway Park last out. That contest had a class rating of 84 and she is moving down in this event. A certain win candidate. Burchell brings her right back. I propose you stay with this strong filly.
Vulnerable Contenders: #11 KAY TWO (ML=3/1), #8 SPICE DROP (ML=9/2), #1 MISS SPOT ON (ML=5/1),
KAY TWO - Hasn't been doing anything at all recently. SPICE DROP - Doesn't appear to have enough good qualities to support the value. MISS SPOT ON - This animal just hasn't looked sharp recently. This animal doesn't have a conquering mental state. Regularly finishes in the place or show hole.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #13 CAT WALK to win if we can get at least 7/2 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,13,14]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [4,13,14] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[4,13,14] with [4,13,14] with [3,4,5,13,14] with [3,4,5,13,14] Total Cost: $36
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Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Friday, December 15, 2017
NBA (801) DETROIT PISTONS VS (802) INDIANA PACERS
Take: (802) INDIANA PACERS
Reason: Your home game for Friday, December 15, 2017 is in the NBA contest between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. Both these clubs saw streaks come to an end their last game. Detroit saw it's seven game losing streak come to an end on Thursday with a win over the Atlanta Hawks, 105-91. The Pistons play in the second of a back-to-back spot here tonight in Indiana. The Pistons are just 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 in this spot. The Pacers saw their four game win streak come to an end on Wednesday at home vs the Thunder, 95-100. The Pacers still a very good home tea, going 9-6 ATS at home. The Pacers are also 10-4 ATS overall their last 14 games. The Pacers are 7-1 ATS their last eight vs the Pistons and 6-0 ATS their last six at Indiana. I'm taking Indiana tonight against the Pistons.
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Arthur Ralph Sports
FRI Stanford CBB -11
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TOMMY BRUNSON
Friday NBA comp play is Boston at home over Utah.
The Celtics have been a money-burner to their backers, as they enter this Friday contest at just 1-3-1 against the spread their last 5 games, but they have also seen Irving, Brown and Horford miss time due to their various injuries, etc.
Tonight Boston will get their "A-Game" in gear, as they have been money at home this season winning 13 of 15 on the parquet floor straight up, and they have covered in 10 of those 15 home dates.
Utah enters play tonight riding a 4-game losing skid, and they have failed to cover in their last 3 losses. The Jazz is also on a 3-game series slide to the C's both straight up and against the spread.
Go ahead and lay the lumber with the Boston Celtics tonight at home.
4* BOSTON
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Friday, Dec 15 is:
Milwaukee -8 over Chicago.
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DUSTIN HAWKINS
Free Play on Celtics -5½ -108
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RAY MONOHAN
Los Angeles vs. New York Over 5.5
The Kings and Rangers are worth a flyer on the Over here.
Los Angeles has put in 3.13 goals per game on the road this year, while the Rangers 3.30 at home is one of the best marks in the NHL.
These two offenses just have so many weapons from top to bottom.
The pace of play is another huge thing to note here. These two teams really like to get up and down the ice and push the issue. On top of that, they like to let it fly and put shots on net, really looking for opportunities off the rebound.
Some trends to note. Over is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 vs. Pacific.Over is 5-1 in Rangers last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Expect a ton of back and forth action here, giving this Over some value.
Back Over.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
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Heat vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Miami Heat coughed up a big lead against a struggling team at home in their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. They will try to make amends for the defeat as they continue to pile up the road games with a visit to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Miami is nearing the end of a stretch in which it plays 17 of 24 games on the road, but the 102-95 home loss to the Blazers - who had lost five in a row and trailed by 16 points in the second half - will sting for a bit. "These are tough to swallow," guard Wayne Ellington told reporters after the loss. "We played about 43 minutes of Miami Heat basketball. We've got to get better at finishing." The Heat were able to finish just fine in overcoming an early deficit and defeating the Hornets 105-100 earlier this month at home. That result is part of Charlotte's current 2-8 swoon, which includes a 108-96 loss at NBA-best Houston on Wednesday that dropped the squad to 2-11 on the road.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE HEAT (13-14): Hassan Whiteside (knee) has missed seven straight games and coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday his star center was not ready to return to practice. Guard Tyler Johnson also missed the game against Portland with a migraine, halting a hot stretch in which he averaged 19.7 points over a three-game span. Ellington led seven players in double figures with a season-high 24 points and he has hit 11-of-16 3-pointers in the last two contests.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-17): Charlotte had little chance after falling behind by 15 in the first quarter against the mighty Rockets and there was no great comeback with a 4-for-21 showing from 3-point range. Dwight Howard recorded 26 points and 18 rebounds and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 18 and 11, while the Hornets' bench - at times a liability this season - had seven players combine for 26 points on 9-of-24 shooting. "All the things we were doing in the first part of the first quarter, [the second unit] didn't do [when we broke the lineup]," associate head coach Stephen Silas told reporters. "We were doing a good job of moving the ball, not getting turnovers, closing out to their 3-point shooters, getting back in transition, getting our defense set and they blitzed us."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Heat SF Josh Richardson led all scorers with a career-high 27 points in the earlier win over the Hornets.
2. Charlotte PG Kemba Walker missed the first meeting with a shoulder injury but averaged 24.3 points in four games against Miami last season.
3. Hornets C Cody Zeller is out for about six weeks following surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
PREDICTION: Hornets 103, Heat 101
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Thunder vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Philadelphia 76ers snapped a four-game slide with a win at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday while pushing their young stars harder than ever. The 76ers will try to avoid heavy minutes for the likes of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
Embiid logged a career-high 39 minutes in the 118-112 overtime win at Minnesota after missing the previous two games with a back injury and collected 28 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high eight assists in the victory. "We needed this," Embiid told reporters after the win. "We lost four games, so we need this pretty bad. I was excited to come back. My goal is always to bring a lot of energy, obviously use my skill, but at the end of the day, just playing hard." Few players play harder than Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, who struggled through a terrible shooting night on Wednesday but still managed to record a triple-double and lead his team to a 100-95 win at Indiana. The reigning MVP went for 10 points on 3-of-17 shooting, 17 rebounds and 12 assists to record his 35th triple-double of 2017, the most ever in a calendar year.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE THUNDER (13-14): Westbrook wasn't the only Oklahoma City star struggling from the field on Wednesday as Paul George and Carmelo Anthony combined to go 7-of-28 from the floor. "I think we're just not used to (open shots), maybe," Anthony told ESPN.com. "The way we get the shots, the way we get the ball, none of us are used to having it in that position, having it in certain spots on the court. Maybe being that wide open sometimes. But I don't know, we've still gotta make shots." The Thunder continue to get solid efforts from center Steven Adams, who scored a team-high 23 points on 11-of-16 shooting and is averaging 19 points on 71.3 percent shooting in seven games this month.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (14-13): Embiid isn't the only Philadelphia youngster carrying a heavy load for the team, and Simmons paces the team in minutes (36.2) while offering 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists. "He's handled this season with an incredible amount of poise, given that he's never really played the position, or never played in the NBA," coach Brett Brown told reporters of Simmons, according to the team's website. "There are times when I'm coaching him, he really doesn't give the impression he's fatiguing." Simmons logged at least 36 minutes in each of the last eight games and went for 40 or more four times during that span.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. 76ers SF Robert Covington (back contusion) sat out each of the last two games and is day-to-day.
2. Thunder SG Alex Abrines is 12-of-21 from 3-point range in the last three games.
3. Westbrook averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists in two wins over Philadelphia last season.
PREDICTION: 76ers 105, Thunder 103
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Clippers vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
Just when the Washington Wizards were starting to slip a little, All-Star point guard John Wall returned to help them back into the win column. The Wizards will try to put together back-to-back wins with Wall in the lineup when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Wall watched Washington go 4-5 in nine games while he sat nursing a knee injury, including a 113-112 loss at the Clippers on Sunday, but he played 28 minutes and scored 13 points in a 93-87 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. "If I'm going to be out here thinking about it, then I don't need to be out there playing," Wall told reporters. "Because I'm limiting what I can do, and thinking about that too much is hurting my teammates. So, I just go out there and play basketball and try not to think about it at all." The Clippers know what it's like to deal with injuries and were just hit with another when guard Austin Rivers was diagnosed with a concussion. Los Angeles is already without starters Patrick Beverley (knee), Blake Griffin (knee) and Danilo Gallinari (hip).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (11-15): Los Angeles dropped four in a row after watching Griffin go down but has since won three straight, including a 106-95 triumph at Orlando on Wednesday that kicked off a four-game road trip. The Clippers are searching for production wherever they can find it and got it off the bench on Wednesday from veteran guard Lou Williams, who poured in 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting while adding eight assists in 33 minutes. Williams is a candidate to slide into the latest open spot in the starting lineup while Rivers makes his way through a concussion protocol.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (15-13): Washington shooting guard Bradley Beal averaged 23.8 points - right at his season mark - with Wall sidelined but was beginning to struggle with his shot as defenses swarmed him and went 19-of-54 from the floor in back-to-back losses prior to Wednesday. The pressure came off a bit with Wall back in the lineup and Beal knocked down 3-of-5 from 3-point range en route to 18 points in the win over Memphis. The Wizards are still not at 100 percent as starting power forward Markieff Morris was forced to sit out Wednesday and is day-to-day with a right hip injury.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers PG Milos Teodosic is 6-of-21 from the floor in two games since returning from a plantar fasciitis injury that cost him 22 games.
2. Wizards C Marcin Gortat scored 12 points on Wednesday, snapping a string of five straight games in single digits.
3. Williams totaled 35 points and buried the game-winning 3-pointer in Los Angeles' 113-112 victory over Washington on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Wizards 110, Clippers 102
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Trail Blazers vs. Magic Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Portland Trail Blazers earned a much-needed victory last time out and look to build on that performance when they visit the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic on Friday night. Portland had dropped five in a row before rallying for a 102-95 victory at Miami on Wednesday as it placed five players in double figures, led by guard CJ McCollum's 28 points.
"CJ can go out there and have a huge game, I can go out there and have a huge game and (we can) go steal one from somebody," Trail Blazers leading scorer Damian Lillard told reporters. "And then you can have it done by committee with everybody pitching in and guys doing things that you need them to do to be successful. That's the way that you prefer to have it and I think that's how we got it (Wednesday)." The Magic would like to have their entire roster available to do the same, but their top two scorers Evan Fournier (ankle, out) and Aaron Gordon (concussion, questionable) have missed the last three and two games, respectively. Orlando has dropped three straight, including Wednesday's 106-95 setback against the Los Angeles Clippers as the Magic coughed up an early double-digit lead. "It's not easy, but it's part of the job we do," Orlando center Nikola Vucevic told reporters. ". ... Things happen like that. Unfortunately, we have a big amount of guys (hurt) that have huge roles on our team."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN Northwest (Portland), FSN Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT TRAIL BLAZERS (14-13): Portland entered Thursday fifth in the league in points allowed per game (101.3) and sixth in field goal percentage against (44.8) and outscored Miami 32-16 in the fourth quarter Wednesday. "We turned it up in the fourth quarter," Portland forward Ed Davis told reporters after scoring double figures for the third time this season (11). "We got it done on the defensive end. ... We took care of business." Lillard (26.3 points, 6.1 assists) scored 18 against Miami after recording at least 29 in the first four contests this month and McCollum (21.3) is averaging 25.7 over the last three.
ABOUT MAGIC (11-18): Gordon (18.5 points) and Fournier (18.3) take a big chunk of the offense away and small forward Jonathon Simmons has tried to make up for some of that by averaging 23.3 the last three games. Vucevic (17.2 points, 9.3 rebounds overall) boasts three double-doubles and a triple-double in the past four games and former first-round pick Mario Hezonja scored a season-high 17 against the Clippers. Rookie forward Jonathan Isaac (ankle) has missed 16 straight games while veteran guard Arron Afflalo sat out Wednesday's contest with a sore back, and both are questionable.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Orlando rookie SF Wesley Iwundu made his first career start Wednesday and played a season-high 33 minutes with six points.
2. Portland C Jusuf Nurkic, who is averaging 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds, is questionable after missing three games with an ankle injury.
3. The Trail Blazers have won three of the last four meetings, including a 99-94 triumph on Nov. 15 in which Lillard and McCollum combined for 50 points.
PREDICTION: Magic 105, Trail Blazers 101
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Pistons vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/15/2017
The Detroit Pistons halted a season-worst seven-game losing streak and now look to defeat a nemesis when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Detroit has dropped nine of its last 10 overall meetings with the Pacers, including five straight in Indianapolis.
The Pistons recorded their first victory in eight contests this month when they posted a 105-91 triumph in Atlanta on Thursday. "I think it's really important for us," Detroit guard Avery Bradley told reporters after the victory. "It's a step closer to what we're trying to achieve, and that's getting consistent wins and playing the right way. I'm happy with the way we played. We just have to keep it up." Indiana is 4-1 on its six-game homestand, with the loss occurring on Wednesday as Oklahoma City came to town and left with a 100-95 victory. There was plenty of hoopla surrounding the contest with former Pacers star Paul George returning to town, and it remains to be seen how Indiana will bounce back.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit Plus, FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE PISTONS (15-13): Detroit's slide sabotaged its strong 14-6 start, but the victory over the Hawks was good for the team's confidence level, as well as its victory total. "When you're coming off of seven losses, it's tough," guard Langston Galloway told reporters. "You're trying to find your rhythm, find anything you can salvage. When we finally got our rhythm and made stops, we just continued to make that a bulldozer effect." Center Andre Drummond, who is averaging 15.5 rebounds over his last eight games, contributed 12 points, 19 boards and a career-best eight assists against Atlanta.
ABOUT THE PACERS (16-12): Shooting guard Victor Oladipo, who was acquired in the deal for George, struggled against his former squad as he hit just 9-of-26 shots while scoring 19 points. The shaky effort followed a five-game stretch during which the emerging star recorded totals of 47, 36 and 33 points. Oladipo, who is averaging a career-best 24.3 points, scored 21 in each of this season's two previous meetings with the Pistons but was just 14-for-40 from the field.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split the two previous meetings this season, with the home team winning on each occasion.
2. Indiana C Myles Turner scored nine points on 3-of-11 shooting against Oklahoma City after reaching double figures in each of his previous eight games.
3. Detroit F Anthony Tolliver (broken nose) played with a mask on Thursday and scored six points in 15 minutes off the bench.
PREDICTION: Pacers 107, Pistons 103
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Jazz vs. Celtics Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
Kyrie Irving appears no worse for wear from a quadriceps injury that caused him to miss a game earlier in the week and he will try to lead the Boston Celtics to their sixth straight home win when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on Friday. Irving sat out Monday's 108-85 loss at Chicago, watching his team put forth its worst offensive effort of the season, but he hit the ground running with 33 points in Wednesday's 124-118 win over Denver.
"We had to be resilient practically the whole night, and kind of weather their storms," Irving told reporters after Boston followed up its season low in points at the Bulls with a season high. "They kept coming and kept coming. We had to outscore them at some point." Points have been tough to come by for the Jazz, who are averaging 98.8 during a four-game losing streak and also fell at Chicago on Wednesday, despite a big game from rookie Donovan Mitchell and the return of leading scorer Rodney Hood. Mitchell provided 32 points on 15-of-26 shooting after going 4-of-17 from the floor Saturday at Milwaukee, while Hood added 15 off the bench after missing the previous seven games with an ankle injury. "We can't do it in spurts," Hood told the media. "If we can't sustain it over 48 minutes, we're not going to win."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), NBCSN Boston
ABOUT THE JAZZ (13-15): Although the Bulls have suddenly won four straight, they offered one of the few games this month in which Utah would be the favored squad, as it finishes its six-game road trip with visits to Boston, Cleveland, Houston and Oklahoma City, and also plays San Antonio and Golden State before December ends. "This was a game we had to have," Hood said in Chicago. "It's frustrating when you play well enough to win, and then you don't get it." Center Rudy Gobert had six points and has been held to single digits in four of five games since returning from a leg injury.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (24-6): Boston should have Al Horford back for this one after he was given some rest against Denver, but fellow forward Marcus Morris is expected to miss extended time with a knee issue. Center Aron Baynes received his eighth straight start Wednesday and responded with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting in a season-high 28 minutes. Guard Jaylen Brown, who shed the protective goggles he wore the previous three games, scored 26 points and is shooting 44.8 percent from the arc at home.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics SF Gordon Hayward, who starred for the Jazz for seven seasons and likely had this date circled on his calendar before the season, is no longer in a walking boot from his ankle surgery in October.
2. Mitchell is averaging 27.2 points in December.
3. The Celtics have won eight straight meetings at home.
PREDICTION: Celtics 107, Jazz 98
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