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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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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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Nets vs. Raptors Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/15/2017
The Toronto Raptors are a stellar 9-1 at home this season, and that mark figures to improve when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Toronto has recorded eight consecutive wins over the Nets by an average of 11.3 points and hasn't lost in the all-time series since April 3, 2015.
The Raptors have won seven of their last eight overall games and have matched the second-best start in franchise history at 18-8. Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan matched his season high of 37 points in Wednesday's 115-109 victory at Phoenix and is averaging 25.9 over his last seven games. Brooklyn dropped a 111-104 decision to the New York Knicks on Thursday as it made just 12-of-42 3-point attempts, with the 28.6 percentage marking the fourth straight game in which the team shot below 30 percent from beyond the arc. "Just the ball not going in for us right now," Brooklyn swingman Allen Crabbe told reporters. "Just one of those stretches. We will be better, though. That is the good thing about the league, you get another (game) next day."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), TSN (Toronto)
ABOUT THE NETS (11-16): Point guard Spencer Dinwiddie scored a career-best 26 points in the loss to the Knicks and continues to take advantage of the opportunity that arose after starter D'Angelo Russell suffered a knee injury. Dinwiddie, who also had seven rebounds and seven assists in the setback, is averaging 15.4 points since becoming a starter and bounced back from a 4-for-14 showing (1-for-11 from 3-point range) in Tuesday's win over Washington. "I was just fortunate to hit shots," Dinwiddie told reporters. "Last game, I couldn't hit the side of a barn, so today they went in and looked like a better game. That's really it."
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (18-8): Center Jonas Valanciunas contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over Phoenix and is averaging 21.5 (on 15-of-22 shooting) and 13 over his last two games. The splurge increases the 7-footer's season averages to 11 points and 7.7 rebounds, and Valanciunas is hoping to build on the success. "I'm learning. I'm still learning. There's a lot of things to learn ahead of me," he told reporters. "I've been working a lot. I've been shooting a lot. Now I've just got to find the spacing where I can space out on the 3 and shoot it."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. DeRozan has recorded 86 career 30-point performances, second in Raptors history behind Vince Carter (91).
2. Brooklyn F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored a career-best 25 points against the Knicks and is averaging 18.4 over his last five contests.
3. Toronto PF Serge Ibaka matched his season best of 21 points and collected a season-high 13 rebounds on Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Raptors 119, Nets 103
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Bulls vs. Bucks Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
He probably won't garner MVP consideration anytime soon, but it's hard to argue with the impact forward Nikola Mirotic has had on the Chicago Bulls. The suddenly resurgent Bulls aim for their fifth straight win since Mirotic returned to the lineup when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Mirotic has produced six, 19, 24 and 29 points - in that order - in his four games since coming back from facial fractures as Chicago - the last-place team in the Eastern Conference for much of the season - has put together the East's longest current winning streak. "We are enjoying playing the basketball together," Mirotic told reporters after a 103-100 victory over Utah on Wednesday. "You can see good chemistry. The guys on the bench, they are all yelling, they've been happy. So I think after (what) we all get through, this team deserves it." The Bucks were streaking as well until a visit to New Orleans on Wednesday, which resulted in a 115-108 loss. Milwaukee has won four in a row at home and also hosts the Bulls on Dec. 26.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN Chicago, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE BULLS (7-20): Point guard Kris Dunn capped a 13-point effort with a big basket in the waning moments against Utah and he added four steals for a team that is beginning to win the turnover battle more often. They are averaging 11.3 during the winning streak while forcing an average of 14, with Dunn and backup Jerian Grant making big strides in that department. Dunn has 7.3 assists and 2.3 turnovers per game in December after registering 4.3 and 3.2, respectively, in November, while Grant has 28 assists against only three turnovers in 81 minutes over his last five games.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (15-11): The Pelicans made 13-of-25 3-pointers in their win over Milwaukee, continuing a theme for the league's worst perimeter defense, which allows an NBA-high 40.2 percent shooting from the arc. "I think they hit threes -- threes have been our killer for the last two years," guard Malcolm Brogdon told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "They made threes down the stretch and we didn't contest them. That hurts and that wins games." Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to keep pace with a 32-point effort, his fourth 30-point game in six tries this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Mirotic is shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and 52.2 percent from 3-point range.
2. Bucks SG Tony Snell (knee) missed three straight games and is day-to-day.
3. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.3 points, 9.5 rebouunds and 6.5 assists as Milwaukee took three of four meetings last season.
PREDICTION: Bucks 107, Bulls 103
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Hawks vs. Grizzlies Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/15/2017
Two of the worst teams in the NBA try to snap losing streaks when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Atlanta has dropped three straight games and five of its last six, but that pales in comparison to the Grizzlies, who have lost five in a row and 16 of their past 17.
Memphis center Marc Gasol is stunned at this season's collapse and trying not to let his attitude be affected. "In the good times and the tough times, you have to be consistent with who you are and what you stand for," Gasol told the Commercial Appeal. "It's not ideal, it's not what you want, but it's my responsibility to deal with it. I'm not going to quit. I'm not going to hide. I'm going to stand in front of the team and take as many hits as I must in order to get us right." The Hawks are also going through tougher times than expected as they own the worst record in the NBA. Atlanta's streak of 10 consecutive playoff appearances is in serious jeopardy as its struggles continued with Thursday's 105-91 loss to a Detroit squad that had dropped seven in a row.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta, Memphis)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-22): Promising rookie forward John Collins (shoulder) returned from a six-game absence and recorded 15 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes against Detroit. "For his first game back, I'm really pleased how he played," coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "We'll keep ramping him up, but it's great to have him back." Forward Ersan Ilyasova scored 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting against the Pistons for his third 20-point effort in four games.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (8-20): Memphis has dealt with offensive issues since losing point guard Mike Conley to an Achilles' tendon injury but was especially poor during the first half of Wednesday's 93-87 loss to Washington. The Grizzlies set season lows for points in the first quarter (12) and first half (29) during the defeat, marking the fourth time they have scored fewer than 90 points in eight contests this month. Shooting guard Andrew Harrison was a bright spot with a season-best 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting and is averaging 18 on 11-of-15 shooting over his last two games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Hawks have won each of their last three visits to Memphis.
2. Grizzlies G Tyreke Evans (hip) is questionable after being scratched from the lineup prior to Thursday's game.
3. Atlanta C Dewayne Dedmon (leg) is expected to miss his ninth straight contest.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 88, Hawks 87
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Pelicans vs. Nuggets Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats09:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Denver Nuggets struggled at times through a challenging six-game road trip without star center Nikola Jokic. They return home Friday night to host the New Orleans Pelicans with Jokic - who has missed seven straight games with an ankle injury - nearing a return.
Jokic was medically cleared to play but did not see any action in Wednesday's 124-118 loss at Boston, which gave Denver a 2-4 mark on the trip and a 5-11 road record overall. "I didn't think he was ready," coach Michael Malone told reporters of Jokic. "(The medical staff) might say he's ready. But for myself and talking with him, it's not just, 'Is the ankle ready?' It's, 'Is his head ready?' I didn't think he was ready to play tonight. I wanted to protect him, so I made that decision." One of the Nuggets' four losses on the trip came Dec. 6 at New Orleans, which exchanged wins and losses in a string of high-scoring games this month. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis combined for 51 points, 23 rebounds, nine assists and five blocks in a 115-108 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (15-14): Cousins and Davis both shot 10-for-16 against the Bucks while E'Twaun Moore continued his sizzling pace with an 8-for-11 effort, including 4-of-6 3-pointers. "His confidence is very high," Davis - who returned from a one-game absence due to an adductor strain - told reporters. "He's playing at an elite level. He's shooting the ball from 3, mid-range, getting to the line, layups. He's playing well defensively." Including his career-high 36-point performance at Houston on Monday, Moore is shooting 63.3 percent in December while making 29-of-43 3-pointers.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (15-13): While Jokic's absence - as well as that of forward Paul Millsap (wrist) - leaves a hole along the front line, Denver's backcourt continues to shine. Gary Harris scored a career-high 36 points at Boston and fellow starting guard Jamal Murray had his second straight 28-point effort. Will Barton, another guard who had been heating up of late, was held out of Wednesday's loss due to a back issue but he was probable heading into the game.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Murray scored 31 points and Harris added 22 in a 146-114 rout of the Pelicans on Nov. 17.
2. Cousins entered Thursday ranked sixth in scoring (26.1), third in rebounding (12.5), tied for first in double-doubles (22) and first in turnovers per game (5.1).
3. Denver C Mason Plumlee is making 66.7 percent of his shots in six starts, compared to 54.1 in 22 games as a reserve.
PREDICTION: Nuggets 115, Pelicans 113
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Spurs vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
Kawhi Leonard's return did not get the San Antonio Spurs into the win column, but both he and the organization are looking at the bigger picture. The Houston Rockets, who host Leonard and the Spurs on Friday, can't seem to find their way out of the win column and will be trying to push their latest streak to 12 straight.
Leonard sat out the first 27 games while recovering from quad tendinopathy and scored 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting over 16 minutes in his debut on Tuesday. "I thought he was wonderful," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters of Leonard. "He's trying to get some of the rust off and that kind of thing. Obviously, he's confident. He's a heck of a player, and it was really frustrating for him to just start getting loose and have to come off the court." The Rockets have yet to lose since Chris Paul returned from a knee injury and watched the future Hall of Famer take charge while posting 31 points and 11 assists in a 108-96 win over Charlotte on Wednesday. "It's all about building," Paul told reporters. "You can win however many games you want in a row. It means nothing if you're not playing the right way, but we're playing the right way and still trying to get better."
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, KENS (San Antonio), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE SPURS (19-9): Leonard came off the court before the end of the third quarter on Tuesday and never reentered the game as San Antonio was outscored 28-20 in the fourth and suffered a 95-89 loss at Dallas. "I'm just happy to be able to be out there, just to play the game and enjoy the things I missed -- missing shots, losing game, making mistakes -- just everything," Leonard told reporters. "I understand the situation that I'm in, and we're thinking about down the road." Leonard was an MVP candidate and first-team all-defensive performer while averaging a career-high 25.5 points and shooting 48.5 percent from the floor last season.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (22-4): Houston is not only scoring at will with Paul in the lineup but continues to improve on the defensive end and held the Hornets to 41.4 percent from the floor on Wednesday, including 4-of-21 from 3-point range. Paul, who has been an All-Defensive first-teamer in each of the last six years and seven times in his career, is averaging 2.1 steals in his 12 games with the team -- all wins. "I don't ever go into a game expecting to lose," Paul told reporters. "I think we're just playing with the right pace, the right tempo, the right energy. It's fun."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Spurs C Pau Gasol went scoreless on 0-of-2 shooting in 22 minutes on Tuesday.
2. Rockets PF Ryan Anderson is 2-of-11 from 3-point range over the last three games.
3. The teams are meeting for the first time since the San Antonio knocked off Houston in six games in the Western Conference semifinals last spring.
PREDICTION: Rockets 113, Spurs 102
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Hurricanes vs. Sabres Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Carolina Hurricanes assured themselves at least one victory on a disappointing road trip last time out and look to end it with a pair when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. The Hurricanes lost the first four contests of their six-game trek - two in overtime - before grinding out a 3-2 shootout victory at Vegas on Tuesday as Cam Ward registered his 300th career win.
Carolina hopes the victory releases some tension, but it still plays three of its next four on the road, including testing matchups with Toronto and Nashville, as it tries to climb out of the cellar in the Metropolitan Division. Carolina attempts to extend its winning streak over the Sabres to five games after posting a 3-1 victory on Nov. 18 behind a 24-save performance by Scott Darling, who likely will be back in net on Friday. Buffalo saw its four-game point streak (2-0-2) come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday in which it registered only 20 shots and is just 2-4-1 in the second contest of back-to-back sets this season. Ryan O'Reilly scored the lone goal for the Sabres in the loss and has recorded five points in his last five games for lowest-scoring team in the league (2.13).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Carolinas, MSG (Buffalo)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (12-11-7): Marcus Kruger, who notched two assists in the previous meeting with Buffalo, scored one of the two goals against Vegas and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk had the other to give him four points in his last three games. Teuvo Teravainen leads the team with 24 points while Jeff Skinner (club-best 11 goals) and Sebastian Aho have recorded 21 apiece. Jordan Staal got off to a strong start with 16 points and a plus-7 rating in his first 21 games but has managed just one point with a minus-7 mark in his last nine contests.
ABOUT THE SABRES (8-18-6): Evander Kane saw his five-game point streak end on Thursday but leads the team with 14 goals and 28 points, while Jack Eichel has recorded 24 after failing to register a shot against Philadelphia. Veteran Jason Pominville scored six goals in October but has managed just two since, with both coming in his last six contests. Buffalo's defensemen have recorded just one goal in the first 32 games (Jake McCabe) after finishing with 17 last season and Rasmus Ristolainen leads the blue-liners with nine points.
OVERTIME
1. The Hurricanes are 28th on the power play (15.3 percent) and the Sabres rank 30th (13.1) after leading the league last season (24.5).
2. Carolina C Victor Rask saw his three-game goal-scoring streak come to an end against Vegas.
3. Kane has recorded 134 shots - 37 more than anyone else on the team.
PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Sabres 2
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Stars vs. Devils Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/14/2017
The Dallas Stars attempt to remain perfect on their four-game East Coast road trip when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Friday. Dallas halted a three-game losing streak by opening the trek with back-to-back wins in New York, edging the Rangers 2-1 in a shootout on Monday and topping the Islanders 5-2 two nights later.
Tyler Pitlick scored twice and captain Jamie Benn recorded a goal and two assists to overtake Tyler Seguin for the team lead in points with 29 as the Stars posted their fifth victory in six road games. The Devils return to the Garden State to begin a six-game homestand after dropping a 2-1 overtime decision in Montreal on Thursday. Stefan Noesen scored the lone goal for New Jersey, giving him two tallies and four assists during his five-game point streak. The Devils could be without Taylor Hall for a second straight game as the team's leading scorer sat out the loss to the Canadiens with a right knee contusion.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), MSG Plus (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE STARS (18-13-1): Backup Kari Lehtonen had a memorable night on Wednesday, recording his 300th career victory while playing in his 624th NHL game to move ahead of Miikka Kiprusoff for most by a Finnish goaltender. "That was fun. It was nice to get (the 300th win) with the first try," the 34-year-old told reporters. "It was a nice feeling." Dallas could be without Alexander Radulov, who left Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury and did not return.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (17-9-5): Nick Lappin was recalled from Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Wednesday and made his season debut against Montreal, registering two shots in 10 minutes of ice time. The 25-year-old right wing recorded four goals and three assists in 43 games last campaign - his first in the NHL. Kyle Palmieri, who hasn't played since Nov. 20 due to a broken right foot, could be close to returning as he participated in the pregame skate on Thursday.
OVERTIME
1. Benn has landed on the scoresheet in six of his last seven games, recording two goals and six assists in that span.
2. New Jersey C Brian Boyle's next goal will be the 100th of his career.
3. Dallas C Martin Hanzal returned from a seven-game absence due to a hamstring injury and saw 13 minutes, 47 seconds of ice time on Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Stars 4, Devils 2
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Kings vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/15/2017
Marian Gaborik will celebrate a significant milestone in a familiar arena - the "World's Most Famous Arena," in fact. Gaborik will skate in his 1,000th career NHL game against one of his former teams on Friday when he leads the Los Angeles Kings into Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers.
Gaborik signed with the Rangers as a free agent prior to the 2009-10 season and promptly matched a career high with 42 goals in that campaign while setting personal bests in assists (44) and points (86). "To play 1,000 games is a great accomplishment, and to do it and get 800 points I think is a great accomplishment, and to his credit, he's a big part of a championship team," Kings coach John Stevens said of Gaborik, who has 400 goals and as many assists. While Los Angeles saw its eight-game winning streak come to a halt with a 5-1 setback in New Jersey on Tuesday, New York fell for the third time in four contests with a 3-2 loss at Ottawa the following day. The Rangers look to get back on track versus the Kings, against whom they swept the season series in 2016-17 and own a 7-3-3 mark in the last 13 games overall.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, TVAS, FSN West (Los Angeles), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE KINGS (20-9-3): Jonathan Quick's six-game winning streak ended with a thud as the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient allowed five goals, marking just the fourth time all season that he permitted more than three in a contest. Quick aims to bounce back in what is nearly a home game for the Connecticut native, who expects to have friends and family in attendance. Captain Anze Kopitar has made himself at home this season with team-leading totals in goals (16), assists (22) and points (38), although he was held off the scoresheet versus the Devils after posting four straight multi-point performances.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (16-12-3): Mats Zuccarello increased his team-leading totals in assists (18) and points (25) by setting up Michael Grabner's club-best 15th goal early in the second period on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Norwegian has caught his stride with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists, plus-12 rating) in his last 19 games and enters Friday's tilt with optimism after scoring a goal and set up two others versus the Kings last season. Speaking of Grabner, the 30-year-old Austrian set a single-game career high with four points (two goals, two assists) against Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 2015.
OVERTIME
1. New York LW Chris Kreider has registered nine points (five goals, four assists) in the last 11 games and is one goal shy of 100 for his career.
2. Los Angeles' top-ranked penalty kill has been pierced for a power-play goal in each of its last three contests.
3. Rangers LW Pavel Buchnevich has collected 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in the last 22 contests.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Kings 2
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