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Thread: Monday 12-18-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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    Monday 12-18-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc


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    F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Evangeline Downs

    Evangeline Downs - Race 2

    Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4)


    Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 300 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 77 • Purse: $4,700 • Post: 3:40P
    QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
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    Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * JLA LIVE ACTION: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. RL SPIT TEE: Horse ranks in t he top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. SALADOS MAN: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. THIS BABE ZOOMS: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
    5
    JLA LIVE ACTION
    10/1

    5/1
    10
    RL SPIT TEE
    4/1

    6/1
    4
    SALADOS MAN
    5/1

    7/1
    1
    THIS BABE ZOOMS
    6/1

    8/1




    P#

    Horse (In Running Style Order)

    Post

    Morn
    Line

    Running Style

    Good
    Class

    Good
    Speed

    Early Figure

    Finish Figure

    Platinum
    Figure
    1
    THIS BABE ZOOMS
    1

    6/1
    Average
    67

    65

    5.8

    0.0

    0.0
    2
    PUERTO CABELLO
    2

    10/1
    Slow/Trouble-prone
    0

    0

    8.9

    0.0

    0.0
    4
    SALADOS MAN
    4

    5/1
    Average
    70

    58

    4.5

    0.0

    0.0
    5
    JLA LIVE ACTION
    5

    10/1
    Average
    82

    69

    5.0

    0.0

    0.0
    6
    ONE GUTSY EAGLE
    6

    12/1
    Fast
    64

    58

    3.1

    0.0

    0.0
    8
    AINT EYE SOMETHING
    8

    12/1
    Slow
    56

    50

    8.4

    0.0

    0.0
    9
    CORONAS ADOREME
    9

    20/1
    Average
    0

    0

    5.3

    0.0

    0.0
    10
    RL SPIT TEE
    10

    4/1
    Fast/Trouble-prone
    70

    69

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0

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    Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

    Bar

    Laurel - Race #7 - Post: 3:30pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,000 Class Rating: 83

    Rating: 4

    #6 NICARADALIC ROCKS (ML=3/1)


    NICARADALIC ROCKS - I look for this horse to sit chilly off the pace and make a strong move on the turn, cruising straight on to the finish line. Ran last time out against much better horses at Penn National. The move down in class should suit him well. I think this gelding is ready to run a good one. He's had enough efforts since the layoff and should be fit. Ranks at the top in earnings per race. A powerful effort in this event will boost that total.

    Vulnerable Contenders: #2 EXPECTATIONS (ML=5/2), #4 MR. SPACEMAN (ML=4/1), #8 TOMO CHACHI (ML=6/1),

    EXPECTATIONS - Much too far back in the early part of the last route race will probably make it tough to make an impact today in this sprint contest. MR. SPACEMAN - This gelding is always in the money, but just doesn't finish first. Difficult to bet on him on the front end. TOMO CHACHI - No success for this questionable contender in a sprint affair over the last two months tells me that this gelding is in a formidable circumstance Hard to play a runner that cannot even prove victorious one time in his last ten races. Don't believe this runner will make a winning move in today's race. That last fig was substandard when compared with today's class figure.



    STRAIGHT WAGERS:
    Go with #6 NICARADALIC ROCKS on top if we're getting at least 1/1 odds

    EXACTA WAGERS:
    6 with [4,8]

    TRIFECTA WAGERS:
    6 with [4,8] with [2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $6

    SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
    6 with [2,4,5,8] with [2,4,5,8] with [2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $24

    SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
    6 with [4,8] with [2,4,5,8] with [1,2,4,5,8] with [1,2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $36

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    F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Mahoning Valley Race Course

    Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race 6

    Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / 50 cent Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8)


    Claiming $4,000 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $9,800 • Post: 3:04P
    FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON THREE RACES SINCE DECEMBER 18. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 18 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000 (MULTIPLE WINNERS SINCE DECEMBER 18, 2016 PREFERRED)(OHIO REGISTERED FOALS PREFERRED).
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    Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * CARAMELO: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. MY WAY TAPPER: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. CEMENT JOB: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. ARAB SPRING: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. COTTONWOOD CANYON: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
    5
    CARAMELO
    5/2

    5/1
    6
    MY WAY TAPPER
    8/1

    6/1
    8
    CEMENT JOB
    10/1

    7/1
    2
    ARAB SPRING
    3/1

    8/1
    3
    COTTONWOOD CANYON
    5/1

    10/1




    P#

    Horse (In Running Style Order)

    Post

    Morn
    Line

    Running Style

    Good
    Class

    Good
    Speed

    Early Figure

    Finish Figure

    Platinum
    Figure
    5
    CARAMELO
    5

    5/2
    Front-runner
    88

    83

    92.2

    78.8

    72.8
    6
    MY WAY TAPPER
    6

    8/1
    Alternator/Front-runner
    85

    80

    84.6

    79.6

    73.6
    4
    DEPUTY COPYCAT
    4

    15/1
    Stalker
    81

    79

    72.0

    69.2

    55.2
    1
    WON FAST BULLET
    1

    4/1
    Stalker
    78

    70

    64.0

    62.6

    50.6
    8
    CEMENT JOB
    8

    10/1
    Alternator/Stalker
    85

    81

    71.6

    80.8

    76.3
    3
    COTTONWOOD CANYON
    3

    5/1
    Trailer
    83

    83

    68.3

    77.8

    66.3
    2
    ARAB SPRING
    2

    3/1
    Trailer
    85

    82

    64.5

    79.4

    75.9
    7
    NEUK
    7

    15/1
    Alternator/Non-contender
    83

    85

    83.0

    70.2

    58.2

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    Handicapped by The Walker Group at Portland Meadows

    Always check program numbers.
    Odds shown are morning line odds.

    Race 3 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $5600 Class Rating: 79

    FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE OCTOBER 18 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,200.


    RECOMMENDED CHOICES
    The Walker Group Picks

    # 5 JACKSON TELLER 6/1

    # 4 POSSIBLE SPIDER 9/2

    # 1 UNCLE KIMO 7/2

    I like JACKSON TELLER here. He has been running solidly and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the most favorable in this group. Has been running soundly in races of this distance, going 2 out of 10 under similar conditions. Has very good early pace and ought to fare admirably against this group. POSSIBLE SPIDER - Horses who have been prepared to race at this distance and surface by Nance have shown sharp results lately. Must be given a chance in this event if only for the decent speed fig put up in the last contest. UNCLE KIMO - Has to be given consideration based on the quite good Equibase Speed Figure earned in the last contest. This gelding with Zunino in the irons makes him a key contender.

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    Handicapped by The Walker Group at Parx Racing

    Always check program numbers.
    Odds shown are morning line odds.

    Race 7 - Allowance - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $46000 Class Rating: 89

    FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 18 ALLOWED 3 LBS.


    RECOMMENDED CHOICES
    The Walker Group Picks

    # 5 SKYLINE DRIVE 4/1

    # 7 STAY FOND 5/2

    # 1A CHECKBOUNCIN BILLY 2/1

    SKYLINE DRIVE is my choice. Solid average Equibase Speed Figures in dirt route races make this animal a key contender. Hard to pass on this filly with Vargas in the irons. Shows formidable Equibase Speed Figs on average overall when measured up against the rest of this field. STAY FOND - Has very strong Equibase Class Figures relative to this field - worth a look. Could provide positive gains based on strong recent Equibase Speed Figures with an average of 78. CHECKBOUNCIN BILLY - Has run well when racing a dirt route race. Is a solid contender - given the 83 speed fig from her most recent race.

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    Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

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    Turf Paradise - Race #3 - Post: 1:43pm - Allowance - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,000 Class Rating: 79

    Rating: 4

    #4 MY EXPRESSION (ML=5/1)


    MY EXPRESSION - Have to give this filly a fair chance. Ran a nice effort in the last race within the last 30 days. I usually like playing sprint horses who are 3-4 races into a comeback. Last ran at Turf Paradise and finished fourth. Reviewing her PP lines, I see she was close at the finish, within five of the winner.

    Vulnerable Contenders: #2 TIZ THE STORM (ML=8/5), #3 ASTARTOBE (ML=9/5), #6 KINGSLEY (ML=9/2),

    TIZ THE STORM - In any event of 6 furlongs, I like to back a contender that has been looking good in sprint races of late. Tough to bet on any horse to turn things around if there is no wager value to taking the shot. This vulnerable equine ran a most unsatisfactory speed rating last out. She shouldn't improve and will probably suffer defeat today running that rating. ASTARTOBE - Difficult to put any dough on this filly on the win end. Likes to finish in the money though. KINGSLEY - The Brain cautions me to keep my distance from ponies in short distance contests that haven't hit the board in sprint events lately. Could be tough for this thoroughbred to beat this field off of that last rating. Not probable to improve enough to run a figure close to today's class rating, so put her on the questionable challengers list.



    STRAIGHT WAGERS:
    Bet on #4 MY EXPRESSION to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

    EXACTA WAGERS:
    Pass

    TRIFECTA WAGERS:
    Pass

    SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
    Pass

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    Jim Feist

    Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Monday, December 18, 2017

    NBA (703) BOSTON CELTICS VS (704) INDIANA PACERS

    Take: UNDER

    Reason: Your free play for Monday, December 18, 2017 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. The Boston Celtics (25-7 S/U, 21-9 ATS) take on the Indiana Pacers (16-13 S/U, 10-6 ATS). The Celtics have alternated wins and losses the last six games, coming off win at Memphis, 102,93. The Pacers have lost their last two home games after a four game win streak. Boston has one of the best defenses in the league, allowing 98.1 ppg overall and 97.1 ppg on the road. The Pacers are 1-5 O/U in their last six games and 1-4 O/U in their five home games. The teams have gone UNDER in seven of the last 10 meetings and are 3-8-1 O/U in the last 12 meetings in Indiana. Your free play is on the UNDER.

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    JOEY JUICE

    Let's back the Philadelphia 76ers on the road as they travel to take on the Chicago Bulls tonight.

    Philadelphia has tremendous line value as they have now lost for the fifth time in six games 119-117 in triple overtime to the Thunder at home Friday night. Even more line value as Chicago won their fifth straight game,115-109 on the road over the Bucks Saturday night.

    The inside numbers tell the story on why we're going to bet the Sixers here.
    Philadelphia is 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record, the 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400, and the 76ers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.

    Play the well-rested Sixers here.

    4* PHILADELPHIA

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    BIG AL

    Our complimentary selection for Monday, Dec 18 is:

    SMU -7.5 over Boise St.

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    Falcons vs. Buccaneers Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/15/2017

    The Atlanta Falcons are in control of their playoff destiny and their chances to repeat as NFC South champions, but they also have a pack of teams nipping at their heels for the final postseason spot in the conference. A winner of four of its last five, Atlanta visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night in a rematch from three weeks ago.

    The Falcons are one game behind NFC South co-leaders New Orleans and Carolina but still have to play the Saints and Panthers, giving them a chance to claim the division title by winning their final three games. "Focusing on the next team could be a little bit distracting," Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell said. "We have to focus on (Tampa Bay) because every game at this point is a must-win." Atlanta, which currently holds the tiebreaker over Seattle for the No. 6 seed in the NFC, beat visiting Tampa Bay 34-20 on Nov. 26, but the Buccaneers were without quarterback Jameis Winston, who will be making his third start since returning from injury. Winston rallied Tampa Bay from a 14-point deficit last week before Tampa Bay lost to Detroit 24-21 in the final minute -- its third straight defeat and eighth in 10 games.

    TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Falcons -6. O/U: 49

    ABOUT THE FALCONS (8-5): Despite surpassing 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive year, Julio Jones was having a relatively quiet season by his lofty standards until torching Tampa Bay for 12 catches for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns -- his second and third scores of the campaign. Jones also had eight catches for 101 yards and a score at Tampa Bay in November 2016 as quarterback Matt Ryan riddled the Buccaneers for 344 yards and four touchdowns passes. Devonta Freeman has rushed for 165 yards in two games since returning from a concussion and could be in line for a heavy workload with backup Tevin Coleman in the concussion protocol. Adrian Clayborn (hamstring), who leads the team in sacks, did not practice Thursday, but coach Dan Quinn is moving Vic Beasley back into a pure pass-rushing role.

    ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (4-9): Winston, who threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns last week to erase a 14-point deficit, enjoyed plenty of success last season against Atlanta, throwing for 542 yards with seven scores against one interception. Wideout Mike Evans has been practically invisible the past two games with a combined four catches, but he had eight receptions in last month's loss to the Falcons and lit them up for 16 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns in both meetings last season. With Doug Martin continuing to struggle, Peyton Barber has provided a jolt to the ground game with 160 yards rushing over the past two contests. Tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David missed practice, putting more pressure on a defense that surrenders a league-worst 276.1 yards passing.

    EXTRA POINTS

    1. Ryan has 17 scoring passes and five interceptions in his last eight Monday night appearances.

    2. Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson has 690 yards and three TDs in his past six Monday night games.

    3. Atlanta is 8-0 when scoring at least 20 points this season.

    PREDICTION: Falcons 27, Buccaneers 23

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    Knicks vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The New York Knicks seek their first five-game winning streak in nearly four years when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Behind 30 points from Michael Beasley - playing in place of the injured Kristaps Porzingis - the Knicks rolled to a 111-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday to notch their longest run of the season at four games.

    Porzingis is day-to-day with a lingering knee issue and New York won for the first time in five tries without him in the lineup. "I think the guys just, they were ready for tonight's game," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "And we caught them after a triple-overtime game so that probably helped us too, but our guys played hard all night which probably wore them down." The Hornets have often appeared worn down of late, losing three straight and 10 of their last 12. Point guard Kemba Walker's shooting slump continued with a 7-for-26 showing in Saturday' 93-91 home loss to Portland.

    TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)

    ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-13): Beasley wasn't the only player to step up in Porzingis' absence as three of New York's reserves - center Kyle O'Quinn, forward Doug McDermott and guard Ron Baker - combined for 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting to help the Knicks coast in Carmel Anthony's return to Madison Square Garden. "The game was kind of about him," McDermott told reporters. "I think we did a great job of not letting that distract us." Courtney Lee added 20 points and the veteran shooting guard has 47 while making 6-of-10 3-pointers over the last two games.

    ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-19): Charlotte opened 7-2 at home but dropped six of its last seven at the Spectrum Center, including five straight. Walker is shooting 31.7 percent from the field during the three-game slide and he missed all nine of his 3-point tries in Saturday's loss while dealing with a wrist injury. "Kemba obviously had a rough night, but he gutted it out," associate head coach Stephen Silas - who continues to fill in for the ailing Steve Clifford - said of Walker. "The plays that he had down the stretch, I wouldn't want the ball in anybody else's hands."

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Beasley is averaging 14.5 points on 52.7 percent shooting in 20.5 minutes in December.

    2. Charlotte SG Nicolas Batum made 5-of-9 3-pointers against Portland after starting the season 12-for-54 from beyond the arc.

    3. The Hornets have won the last six meetings with the Knicks at home.

    PREDICTION: Knicks 106, Hornets 104

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    Celtics vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/18/2017

    The Boston Celtics turned it on late in a win at Memphis over the weekend and look to carry the momentum into a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Losers of three of five after a 22-4 start and trailing by two points to the Grizzlies entering the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Celtics scored 16 straight points to begin the period and rolled to a 102-93 victory.

    "We just stayed composed and went out and executed," Boston forward Al Horford told reporters of the strong finish. "We got some stops on defense. On the offensive end, we moved the ball pretty well. I think that was the difference. We opened up the game after that." Kyrie Irving led Boston with 20 points and scored 25 in a 108-98 win at Indiana last month, the Celtics' fourth straight victory in the all-time series. That result ended a five-game winning streak for the Pacers, who are 11-5 in their last 16 games overall after a 109-97 triumph in Brooklyn on Sunday. Victor Oladipo's breakout campaign continued with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds as Indiana improved to 12-7 against the Eastern Conference.

    TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN Boston, FSN Indiana

    ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-7): Boston's fortunes of late largely have rested on the play of rookie forward Jayson Tatum, who recorded 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals at Memphis. The 19-year-old, who leads the NBA with a 51 percent mark from 3-point range, is averaging 15 points while shooting 58.6 percent overall in the team's last three wins and 5.5 on 2-of-13 shooting in the two losses. Tatum's team-high nine boards helped the Celtics gain a 42-38 advantage on the glass one game after they were outrebounded 55-31 in a loss to Utah.

    ABOUT THE PACERS (17-13): Myles Turner scored 16 points against the Nets and is averaging 20 on 15-of-25 shooting over his last two games while continuing to lead the league in blocks (2.4). His backup, rookie Domantas Sabonis, registered 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks at Brooklyn as Indiana won the battle of the boards by 14. The young big men combined for 36 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Boston last month in a game Oladipo missed due to a bruised knee.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Oladipo is averaging 30.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists over his last five games.

    2. Irving averages 25.6 points while shooting 44.7 percent from 3-point range on the road, compared to 22.8 and 34.1 percent at home.

    3. Indiana is 2-4 in the second game of back-to-back sets.

    PREDICTION: Celtics 104, Pacers 100

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    Heat vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The Miami Heat head into Monday night's matchup at the Atlanta Hawks with four wins in their past five games, including a historic night for coach Erik Spoelstra in Saturday's 90-85 home triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers. Spoelstra became the franchise's all-time leader in wins, passing Pat Riley in a game that he joked afterward the coaching legend had to enjoy as Miami shot 37.8 percent from the field in a sluggish performance.

    "Those are the old-school, tough, grind-it-out, find any way as a competitor to win the game," Spoelstra told reporters after forward Josh Richardson carried Miami with a career-high 28 points, helping Spoelstra earn career victory No. 455. Atlanta has lost four in row after winning three times in seven games, and at 6-23 owns the worst record in the NBA. The Hawks endured another close call in the fourth quarter Friday at Memphis, missing three shots to tie or win the game in the final 3.5 seconds of a 96-94 defeat. "I think we took a step forward as a team," Atlanta guard Kent Bazemore told the media afterward. "We didn't get the win, but there was a lot of good stuff."

    TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

    ABOUT THE HEAT (15-14): Richardson has emerged as a go-to option for Miami's offense, shooting 58.3 percent from 3-point range in the past eight games while averaging 16.3 points per contest in that span. The Heat are shooting 37 percent from 3-point range, scoring 35.7 percent of their points this season from beyond the arc. Guard Goran Dragic leads Miami in scoring at 16.6 points per game, but his production has dipped to 11.6 per contest in his past 10 games.

    ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-23): Forward Taurean Prince hit a career-high five 3-pointers en route to 17 points Friday, and is shooting 42.5 percent from long range this season. Atlanta ranks sixth in the NBA in assists per game (23.6) and has recorded 25 or more in five of its past six contests. Guard Dennis Schroder leads the Hawks in scoring (19.7) and assists (6.7), finishing Friday with 18 points and 11 assists.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. The Hawks are 24th in the league in points allowed per game (108.7), and have surrendered 110 or more points seven times in the past 10 games.

    2. Heat F James Johnson, who averages 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, will miss at least a week with right ankle bursitis.

    3. Miami is 9-7 on the road this season after going 18-23 away from home in 2016-17.

    PREDICTION: Miami 107, Atlanta 96

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    Jazz vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    Two teams streaking in opposite directions meet when the Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz on Monday. The Rockets own the best record in the NBA and are riding a 13-game winning streak while the Jazz dropped five of their last six to fall out of the top eight in the Western Conference.

    Houston's winning streak coincided with the return of point guard Chris Paul from a knee injury, and the future Hall of Famer intends to keep the streak alive as long as possible. "We want to keep it going. I mean, who likes to lose?" Paul asked reporters. "I said it before: I hate losing more than I like to win. We want to keep this thing going and keep building. You know, people always say, 'We'll learn from that,' that you learn from a loss. Well, let's win and learn from it, too." Utah looked like it was turning a corner when it earned a 107-95 win at Eastern Conference-leading Boston on Friday but fell back with a 109-100 setback in Cleveland the next night to drop to 1-3 on the six-game road trip. "There's always things you want to do better, but the game kind of went the way a lot of Cavaliers games have gone," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "...I thought, overall, we did a good job of trying to hang in there."

    TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

    ABOUT THE JAZZ (14-16): Injuries to the frontcourt are beginning to pile up, and center Rudy Gobert is set for another absence after an MRI on Saturday revealed a strained PCL and a bone bruise in his left knee. Gobert, who missed 11 games bridging November and December with a knee injury and struggled after returning before going down again on Friday, is expected to be out at least two weeks. Power forward Derrick Favors, who averaged 16.5 points during Gobert's first absence, is in the league's concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the face against the Celtics.

    ABOUT THE ROCKETS (24-4): Houston's only health issue right now involves All-Star guard James Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring (31.5) and is second in assists (9.1) but is battling a knee bruise. Harden nearly missed Saturday's 115-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks but decided to suit up and managed 31 points in 39 minutes. "I wasn't feeling well at all, but the doc came in and just told me that there's going to be pain for a bit, but you can play through it," Harden told reporters. "It can't get worse, but it's going to be pretty painful until obviously you give it some time. Once he said that, I was like, 'Let's go.'"

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Jazz rookie SG Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.8 points in eight games this month.

    2. Rockets PF Ryan Anderson went scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting Saturday and is averaging 4.8 points while shooting 32.3 percent over the last five contests.

    3. Houston already beat Utah twice this season, including a 137-110 home win on Nov. 5 in which Harden collected 56 points and 13 assists.

    PREDICTION: Rockets 121, Jazz 108

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    76ers vs. Bulls Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The Philadelphia 76ers might be the hot up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference, but the Chicago Bulls are starting to show that their rebuilding process is moving in the right direction as well. The Bulls will try to pull off their sixth consecutive victory when they host the 76ers on Monday.

    Chicago's winning streak coincides directly with the return of power forward Nikola Mirotic, who missed the first 23 games recovering from facial fractures after a fight with fellow forward Bobby Portis during training camp. Portis and Mirotic are not speaking off the court, but the two are becoming a dynamic duo between the lines and are averaging a combined 35.6 points over the last five games. Philadelphia has its own dynamic duo in point guard Ben Simmons and center Joel Embiid, but the two managed to lead their team to just one win in the last six games. "We all want it all yesterday; it's the nature of all of us, especially in this city," 76ers coach Brett Brown told the team's website. "The evolution of our guys, where we are right now, what I feel in the locker room, what I feel at the practice facility, I'm proud of our guys, and I'm confident in our team, and the way we're trying to steer the program."

    TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia-plus, NBCS Chicago

    ABOUT THE 76ERS (14-14): Philadelphia will be taking the court for the first time since suffering a heartbreaking 119-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in triple-overtime on Friday. Embiid logged a career-high 48 minutes and scored 34 points in the setback and Simmons came up one rebound shy of a triple-double, but the 76ers still suffered their fourth straight single-digit defeat. "We put ourselves in a great position to really be in the game," small forward Robert Covington told reporters. "It was unfortunate that we took a loss. These are the types of losses that hurt the worst, especially all the fight we put into the game."

    ABOUT THE BULLS (8-20): Portis scored a career-high 27 points and Mirotic added 22 in a 115-109 win at Milwaukee on Friday, and the two are moving beyond their off-the-court issues. "Everything is the team," Portis told reporters. "We're professionals, we're basketball players and this is our job. We have to come in every day and find a way to make it work and I feel like we've done it to this point. It's been fun playing with Niko. He's a hell of a player. He's been playing out of his mind since he's been back. I'm happy for him. I'm happy to have him back." Mirotic scored at least 22 points in each of the last three games and is shooting 56.3 percent from the floor in that span.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Bulls rookie PF Lauri Markkanen (back spasms) missed the last three games and is day-to-day.

    2. 76ers PF Trevor Booker (ankle) left Friday's game and was already ruled out for Monday.

    3. The Bulls took three of the four meetings last season, with Philadelphia's lone win coming at Chicago on March 24.

    PREDICTION: 76ers 115, Bulls 111

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    Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The Portland Trail Blazers have turned around their fortunes on the road and seek their fourth straight win to close out a long road trip when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. After opening the five-game trip with a loss at Golden State, the Blazers turned it up on the defensive end to defeat three straight Eastern Conference opponents.

    "Even though it wasn't in a sexy way on the offensive end, in a sense, I think defensively we stuck in there and did the right things to make some plays," guard Evan Turner told the media after Saturday's 93-91 victory in Charlotte. While Portland is making the most of a five-game road trip, the Timberwolves are just 2-2 on a five-game homestand that has already featured three of the four teams at the bottom of the Western Conference. One of those squads - Phoenix - trailed by as many as 15 points before rallying for a 108-106 triumph Saturday in Minneapolis. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his NBA-leading 24th double-double with 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lost at home against a conference opponent for the first time in nine games.

    TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN Northwest (Portland), FSN North (Minnesota)

    ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (16-13): Guard CJ McCollum scored a game-high 25 points at Charlotte and is averaging 24.4 while shooting 52.3 percent over a five-game stretch. Running mate Damian Lillard was held to 18 points and is averaging 19 - nearly seven below his season average - in the last three games while going 19-for-49 from the floor, although he had 11 assists Saturday. Portland hosts San Antonio on Wednesday as it tries to snap a four-game home losing streak.

    ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-13): Saturday's loss at home to a sub-.500 team without its leading scorer was another example that Minnesota - while talented - has some work to do to learn how to win consistently. "I didn't like it from the jump," forward Taj Gibson told the media. "I felt like we were getting loose from the bench. It just didn't feel right. We always do that. We get a good lead, get up 20, maybe 15 and start feeling good, and we just have a letdown." Gibson also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds but the Timberwolves were dominated on the glass by a 52-31 margin.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Portland entered Sunday ranked fourth in the NBA in opponents' field-goal percentage (44.2), while Minnesota was 29th (48.0).

    2. Timberwolves PG Tyus Jones has made all six of his shot attempts over the last three games and is 4-for-4 from long range over a five-game span.

    3. McCollum averaged 27.5 points on 56.3 percent shooting as Portland took three of four meetings last season.

    PREDICTION: Timberwolves 111, Trail Blazers 107

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    Nuggets vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The Oklahoma City Thunder made some progress this month despite their last game and hope to take advantage of a big stretch at home which begins with a visit from the improving Denver Nuggets on Monday night. The Thunder were routed at New York 111-96 on Saturday but won six of nine in December and play seven of the next eight at home, where they are 9-4 this season.

    Oklahoma City won the first two games on its recent trip against Indiana and Philadelphia before allowing 55.1 percent shooting from the field against the Knicks on Saturday as Carmelo Anthony struggled to 5-of-18 from the field in his return to New York. The Thunder hope to settle back into the form that helped lead to a win over San Antonio earlier in the month when they take on Denver, which is one-half game out of fourth in the Western Conference after missing the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. The Nuggets, who beat Oklahoma City 102-94 on Nov. 9, recovered from a rough 2-4 road trip by outlasting New Orleans 117-111 in overtime Friday as Will Barton went 4-for-4 from the field in the extra period. "We want to be a playoff team," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters after the win. "And these are the kinds of physical games you have to win to get there."

    TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, Altitude 2 (Denver), FS Oklahoma

    ABOUT THE NUGGETS (16-13): Center Nikola Jokic returned from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the victory over New Orleans. Guard Gary Harris accumulated 57 points in the last two games combined to take over the scoring lead for the balanced Nuggets at 16.1 while Barton (15.8) is next, including a 41.4 percent success rate from 3-point range. Guard Torrey Craig made his first career start Friday and finished with six points along with a key block late in regulation.

    ABOUT THE THUNDER (14-15): Reigning MVP Russell Westbrook shot at least 50 percent from the field for the first time in 17 games Saturday (9-for-18), scoring 25 points in the loss to the Knicks, and tops the team at 22.8 overall. Paul George (20.3) and Anthony (17.8) give Oklahoma City thee prime scoring threats, but only one other player averages more than eight. Center Steven Adams (13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds) is the top inside threat, but the former first-round pick is questionable after missing the last game with a concussion.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Denver PF Trey Lyles, who is averaging 7.6 points overall, scored at least 19 in three of the last four games.

    2. Oklahoma City F Patrick Patterson reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season on Saturday with 12.

    3. Nuggets PG Emmanuel Mudiay, who is averaging 9.6 points, left Friday's game with a sprained ankle and is questionable.

    PREDICTION: Thunder 110, Nuggets 100

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    Clippers vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The road trip started out on a positive note for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the last two games saw the offense disappear again. The Clippers will try to find the missing points and come out even on the four-game trip when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

    Los Angeles missed 20 of its 28 3-point attempts and turned the ball over 17 times in a 90-85 loss at Miami on Saturday, but it was a phantom foul call that went against the team in the final minute that took most of the blame for the loss. "I don't know if we would have won the game or not, but I thought we got missed calls down the stretch and I thought that hurt us," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "Having said that, I just love our spirit. There are so many reasons not to hang in there, not to play and our guys just keep doing it." The Spurs found their spirit during a 13-0 run to end the game on Saturday that gave then a 98-96 win over the Dallas Mavericks. San Antonio continues to be cautious with stars Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard while coming off injury, but ageless wonder Manu Ginobili and star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge are keeping the team afloat.

    TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

    ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (11-17): Injuries to Blake Griffin (knee), Austin Rivers (concussion), Danilo Gallinari (hip) and Patrick Beverley (knee) rob Los Angeles of an average of 63.7 points, and the team had trouble making up the difference while averaging 88 points in losses at Washington and Miami. Veteran shooting guard Lou Williams (19.9 points) is second on the team in scoring behind Griffin (23.6) but struggled to a combined 9-of-30 from the floor in the two setbacks. DeAndre Jordan continues to do his part and collected his fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 20 rebounds on Saturday.

    ABOUT THE SPURS (20-10): Ginobili, 40, scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 23 minutes off the bench on Saturday, with his biggest bucket coming with 3.5 seconds left and serving as the game winner. "Man, with Manu, when it's crunch time, I think he's going to make everything," point guard Dejounte Murray told ESPN.com. "That's just Manu. Manu's gonna Manu." Leonard sat out the win as part of the effort to maintain his health as he works his way back from quad tendinopathy, but he is expected to play on a minutes restriction Monday.

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Rivers is expected to return for the Clippers on Monday.

    2. Spurs SG Danny Green (groin) sat out Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

    3. San Antonio earned a 120-107 home win over Los Angeles in the last meeting on Nov. 7.

    PREDICTION: Spurs 103, Clippers 96

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    Suns vs. Mavericks Preview and Predictions

    By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
    by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

    The Phoenix Suns used a dramatic fourth-quarter rally to steal a win on the road Saturday, while the Dallas Mavericks were coughing up a late lead. Both teams will look for a complete 48-minute effort when they meet Monday in Dallas.

    Phoenix trailed by as many as 15 points before surging for a 108-106 win at Minnesota on Saturday, utilizing three free throws from new addition Isaiah Canaan in the closing seconds. "Playoff experience really helps in moments like those just to be able to calm down and just know that it's a regular free throw, regular part of the game" Canaan - who signed with the Suns on Wednesday - told reporters. "When I got fouled, I knew I was going to make them. Stepped up to the line and made them." While Phoenix was finishing strong, the Mavericks choked away an 11-point lead in the final four-plus minutes of a 98-96 loss at San Antonio. The setback concluded a seven-game stretch against winning teams, during which Dallas went 2-5.

    TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN Southwest (Dallas)

    ABOUT THE SUNS (10-21): Canaan had 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds in his debut with Phoenix and led an outstanding effort by the team's bench. While the Suns' starters combined for 39 points on 11-of-37 shooting, six reserves had 69 points on 22-of-35, with Troy Daniels and Dragan Bender going for 17 points apiece. Center Alex Len added 12 points, a career-high 19 rebounds and a season-high six assists behind starter Tyson Chandler, who returned from a one-game layoff for personal reasons.

    ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (8-22): The bright spot in the loss at San Antonio was the play of forward Maximilian Kleber, who made 9-of-10 shots en route to a personal-best 21 points. Fellow rookie Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) missed his fifth straight game and Dallas simply fell apart late in its fifth road game in an 11-day span. "We did everything right to lose," forward Dirk Nowitzki told the media. "We missed shots offensively, bad turnover, gave them some offensive rebounds. Letting (Manu) Ginobili go left down the stretch to lay it in. We literally had to do everything perfect to lose this one and we did."

    BUZZER BEATERS

    1. Daniels is averaging 24.5 points on 16-of-24 shooting - including 11-of-16 - over the last two games.

    2. Nowitzki has played 1,424 career games, tied with Kevin Willis for sixth on the all-time list.

    3. Phoenix took three of four meetings last season with Dallas picking up its only win in a matchup in Mexico City.

    PREDICTION: Mavericks 108, Suns 104

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