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Wednesday 12-20-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
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Handicapped by Valuline at Delta Downs
Today's Most Likely Winner Is at:
Delta Downs, Race 7 (Wednesday December 20, 2017)
BETITALLWITHPAUL
(For ten of today's most likely winners, see Exotic Key Plays.)
DED-7 1mile DIRT Nine Horses
"A" CLM 5,000 F/M 3YUP $15,000
P# ex p3 p4 t s ML WP TVL
1 BETITALLWITHPAUL 7/5 38% 8/5 Strong Favorite icon
2 FAVORITE PROMISE 12/1 17% 5/1
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Fair Grounds - Race #9 - Post: 5:05pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,000 Class Rating: 67
Rating: 3
#10 GLITTER O'PRADO (ML=12/1)
#5 SHY RUSTON (ML=5/1)
#8 CUSTOM FOR CORALES (ML=4/1)
GLITTER O'PRADO - I like to play horses that faced open company in their last race and drop into state bred races. This filly fits the bill. SHY RUSTON - Have to give this filly a shot. Ran a solid outing in the last race within the last month or so. Ranked number one in earnings per race. Another sign that this animal is the class of the race. CUSTOM FOR CORALES - Aboard this animal on November 26th and Sutherland is right back in the irons today. Could be an overlay in this race at morning odds of 4/1. Finished fourth in last race at Fair Grounds but was close at the finish.
Vulnerable Contenders: #7 ELLE LES YU (ML=7/2), #4 ROSE'S ASSET (ML=9/2), #1 VADOMA (ML=6/1),
ELLE LES YU - Hasn't been on the Fair Grounds oval in the last few weeks. Cause for some concern. There's early speed, early speed, and more speed in this event. Doesn't look promising for this horse. ROSE'S ASSET - This horse just hasn't looked fit lately. No picnic to play any pony in a sprint event if she hasn't hit the board in a sprint in the last sixty days. The speed figure in the last race doesn't fit very well in this affair when I look at the class rating of today's race. Mark this horse as a possibly overvalued equine. VADOMA - No good results for this runner in a sprint event over the last two months tells me that this mare is in a tough circumstance It appears like too much early zip is on board in this event. This early speedball will in all probability get baked up front.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #10 GLITTER O'PRADO to win if you can get at least 7/2 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,8,10]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [5,8,10] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPER HI-5 WAGERS:
Pass
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Gulfstream Park - Race #6 - Post: 3:05pm - Optional Claiming - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $50,000 Class Rating: 99
Rating: 4
#7 LITTLE NO WAY (ML=8/1)
#9 ROYAL BLESSING (ML=3/1)
#4 SMALL FORTUNE (ML=12/1)
LITTLE NO WAY - My expertise says this is the lone stalker in the race. Forgive the off the board finish on the off track last out. On a non-sloppy track, has a good chance in today's race. ROYAL BLESSING - I seem to always make money betting Walsh horses on the turf. That barn has a solid win pct for this distance/surface. This horse has the top turf number in his last race. It doesn't take a college grad like The Brain to figure this here animal has a good chance. You have to really like that latest race speed rating, 101, which is the highest recent race speed rating of this bunch. I'm focusing on the class of this race horse, and this one is the 'classiest' of the bunch. SMALL FORTUNE - In this race here, this thoroughbred has clearly shown signs that he likes the turf. His Equibase speed figs are the highest in the field for this distance & surface. This jock/conditioner duo has been producing a very profitable ROI, right at +200.
Vulnerable Contenders: #3 LEMONIST (ML=7/2), #2 BENEFACTOR (ML=4/1), #1 THE BULL (AUS) (ML=6/1),
LEMONIST - I'd like to see more hospitable recent outings with M/L odds of 7/2. Hard to play this colt today since the race isn't limited to 3 year olds. Registered a common speed rating in the last race in the Showing Up on Nov 4th. Doubtful to see an improved performance off of that figure. BENEFACTOR - The Brain tells me to keep away from horses in short distance contests that haven't hit the board in sprint contests recently. Can't really be sure that the most recent speed figure of 100 is valid since it was attained on the soft turf. THE BULL (AUS) - Awfully hard to play this horse when he hasn't been showing any fighting spirit recently. Earned a mediocre speed fig last time out in an Allowance race on October 14th. Not likely to see an improved performance off of that figure.
Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Turf Man - SMALL FORTUNE - Your best wagering opportunity is with this gelding. He holds the best average class rating. Always a plus on turf.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #7 LITTLE NO WAY to win if you can get odds of 3/1 or more
EXACTA WAGERS:
7 with [4,9]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7,9] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[4,7,9] with [4,7,9] with [2,4,6,7,9] with [2,4,6,7,9] Total Cost: $36
SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
[4,7,9] with [4,7,9] with [2,4,7,9] with [2,3,4,6,7,9] with [2,3,4,6,7,9] Total Cost: $72
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 1 - Maiden Special Weight - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $28500 Class Rating: 33
FOR ACCREDITED OHIO BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 1 SHARI'S QUEEN B 2/1
# 5 KINDA SHY 15/1
# 4 MISS REDWOOD ROSE 4/1
I think SHARI'S QUEEN B is a competitive choice. Look for a formidable performance with the class drop. Has been running in the most competitive company of the group recently. Difficult to pass on this filly with Paucar in the saddle. KINDA SHY - Looks to have a competitive class edge based on the most recent company kept. This bunch is much less demanding than the last one she faced. MISS REDWOOD ROSE - Lately Dacosta has provided wagerers with a very strong winning percentage with horses racing in dirt sprint races. Will most likely be one of the leaders of the pack going into the midpoint of the race.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Penn National
Penn National - Race 4
W-P-S / Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta / Daily Double $0.50 Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6)
Claiming $4,000 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 74 • Purse: $11,400 • Post: 7:22P
(PLUS UP TO 40% PABF) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE JUNE 20. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 20 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. TWO CUTIES is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * TWO CUTIES: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. WOLFIE: Horse has th e highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). MISS KALEM: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was w ithin the last ten days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
3
TWO CUTIES
4/1
5/2
7
WOLFIE
6/1
6/1
5
MISS KALEM
5/2
7/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
3
TWO CUTIES
3
4/1
Front-runner
89
88
93.4
68.0
64.5
7
WOLFIE
7
6/1
Front-runner
86
91
93.0
51.4
41.9
5
MISS KALEM
5
5/2
Front-runner
78
67
89.4
59.2
50.7
6
ATHENA IN FLIGHT
6
10/1
Front-runner
68
69
65.4
56.8
43.8
9
PLUS PERFECT
9
8/1
Front-runner
68
60
61.0
56.2
43.7
4
BARN DUTY
4
8/1
Alternator/Stalker
71
70
61.5
61.6
55.6
8
BRAVUCONA
8
7/2
Alternator/Stalker
74
56
52.0
59.4
47.9
2
STREAK OF HOPE
2
15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
75
61
42.0
57.6
49.6
1
FARREST RIM
1
20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
72
59
40.6
49.8
33.8
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Tampa Bay Downs
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 10 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Turf. Purse: $14700 Class Rating: 86
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 20 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000 (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE BY MANAGEMENT TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 4 IRISH MAJOR 2/1
# 8 RED CAT (CHI) 6/1
# 11 BOMBONERO 5/2
IRISH MAJOR is my choice. Demonstrates the look of a profitable play, averaging a solid 83 Equibase Speed Figure which is one of the top in this group. With a very good 86 Equibase Speed Figure last time out, will unquestionably be a factor in this contest. Is a solid contender based on numbers put up recently under today's conditions. RED CAT (CHI) - Overall the speed figures of this racer look competitive in this contest.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Turf Paradise
Turf Paradise - Race 1
$1 Exacta / $1 Quinella / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta $1 Double (Races 1-2) / $.50 Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 1-2-3-4)
Allowance • 300 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 74 • Purse: $6,000 • Post: 12:40
QUARTER HORSE 300Y, (PLUS UP TO 10% PLUS 10%) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS.
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * BRINGIN IT ON: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Spee d Rating. STOCKTON SIX: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
1
BRINGIN IT ON
3/5
5/2
5
CARACORTADA
5/1
5/1
8
STOCKTON SIX
6/1
9/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
1
BRINGIN IT ON
1
3/5
Fast
90
94
2.0
0.0
0.0
2
FURRIDDLE
2
8/1
Average
77
76
4.0
0.0
0.0
3
TRES N CANDY
3
10/1
Average
86
79
4.2
0.0
0.0
4
CNOTES MOVING CASH
4
20/1
Slow/Trouble-prone
66
65
6.4
0.0
0.0
6
CANT BUY LOVE
6
15/1
Average
81
69
5.1
0.0
0.0
7
WYREIT
7
15/1
Fast
83
73
2.7
0.0
0.0
8
STOCKTON SIX
8
6/1
Fast
86
84
1.2
0.0
0.0
9
REBS A RIPPIN
9
30/1
Slow
0
0
7.4
0.0
0.0
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DXL Frisco Bowl preview: Louisiana Tech vs SMU Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/06/2017
DXL FRISCO BOWL STORYLINES
1. SMU will face Louisiana Tech in the inaugural Frisco Bowl on Dec. 20 with a new coach. Sonny Dykes, whose first head coaching job was at Louisiana Tech in 2010, will coach the Mustangs at the bowl game formerly known as the Miami Beach Bowl before being moved to Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, in the offseason. Chad Morris, who led SMU to its first bowl game since 2012, was hired at Arkansas on Dec. 6 after building a 14-22 record in three seasons with the Mustangs.
2. The Bulldogs won their final two games to become bowl eligible and earn their fourth straight postseason bid under coach Skip Holtz. Louisiana Tech is one of nine programs in the country that enters the postseason with three straight bowl wins. The Bulldogs are playing their third bowl in the past four years in North Texas after winning the Heat of Dallas Bowl in 2014 and the Armed Forces Bowl in Forth Worth last year.
3. SMU and Oklahoma State are the only FBS teams with a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers, so it should come as no surprise that the Mustangs averaged 40.2 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Ben Hicks threw for 3,442 yards and 32 touchdowns while Trey Quinn and Courtland Sutton each caught 12 touchdowns. It will be a big test for a Bulldogs defense that ranked near the middle of Conference USA in opponents' points (26.7) and passing yards (215.1).
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: SMU -5
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA): Sophomore quarterback J'Mar Smith threw for 2,758 yards and 13 touchdowns, including five scores to Conference USA co-newcomer of the year Teddy Veal (69 catches, 832 yards). Junior defensive end Jaylon Ferguson (26.5 career sacks) had a team-high six sacks while senior safety Secdrick Cooper had 63 stops and two interceptions. Freshman cornerback Amik Robertson led the team with four interceptions to go with 58 tackles and two sacks.
ABOUT SMU (7-5, 4-4 American Athletic): Quinn (106 catches, 1,191 yards) leads the country with 8.8 receptions per game, needs six catches to tie the single-season school record and is tied with Sutton (62 catches, 1,017 yards) for second place in single-season touchdown catches. Senior defensive end Justin Lawler joined Quinn and Sutton as first-team All-AAC picks after blocking three kicks and leading the Mustangs with 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. The Mustangs' defense allowed at least 31 points in its final five games, which included three straight losses before a last-second goal-line stand in the finale snapped the skid.
PREDICTION: SMU 38, Louisiana Tech 30
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Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, December 20, 2017
NBA (711) LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS (712) HOUSTON ROCKETS
Take: over
Reason: Your free play for Wednesday, December 20, 2017 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the LA Lakers and the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets are the hottest team in the NBA, winning 14 games in a row and 20 of their last 21 games. The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in scoring, averaging 115.3 ppg. Houston had yesterday off and when they get that days rest they are 9-4-1 ATS their last 14 games. The Lakers are 10-18 on the season and have lost their last three games and eight of their last 10 games. I'm looking at the OVER here tonight. The Lakers give up points and that means we can expect Houston to get at least their season average if not more. With a total of just 225 that means we need about 105-110 out of the Lakers. The Lakers are 19-8-1 O/U their last 28 vs the Southwest division. The last four meetings between these clubs in Houston have gone OVER and five of the last six overall have gone OVER. Play the OVER here tonight.
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Arthur Ralph Sports
FREE play: LOUISVILLE -14
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Wednesday, Dec 20 is:
Oakland -3.5 over Towson.
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CAPPERS ACCESS
(CFB) SMU
(CBB)St Johns
(NBA) Magic
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RYAN WORDEN
NCAA-B | Dec 20, 2017
Manhattan vs. Hofstra
Hofstra-5½
Hofstra has been playing really well of late especially on the offensive end where they've been averaging 90 points a game in December. Justin Wright-Foreman and Eli Pemberton are averaging a combined 40 points a game and are a tough tandem to hold down especially since both are dangerous from 3. Manhattan is a young team that lacks the firepower to keep up in this one. Give The Points and Take Hofstra Wednesday Night.
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RED DOG SPORTS
Soccer | Dec 20, 2017
Olympique Lyonnais vs. Toulouse Olympique
Lyon -120
Lyon is #3 in the France League One table and +23 goals differential. Toulouse is 4th from the bottom and -11 goals. I think we see a 2-1 away win.
Lyon 2
Toulouse 1
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SCOTT SPREITZER
NBA | Dec 20, 2017
Kings vs. Nets
Nets-5½
I'm laying the points with the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Sacramento parlayed a big fourth quarter into a SU win as an 8-point underdog in Philadelphia last night. There was a bit of negative news though. De'Aaron Fox left the game after playing just 11+ minutes after aggravating a quad injury. Fox is listed as doubtful tonight. Sacto has covered just one of their last six when playing without rest. The Nets had been a covering machine, beating the number in 10 of 12 games before a current 3-game SU & ATS losing streak. They may have reached bottom and players and coaches alike were highly disappointed in their effort in the loss to the Pacers. Spencer Dinwiddie was one of a couple players who mentioned they weren't happy with their level of play over the last few games. I expect a focused effort tonight and let's not fail to mention, the Nets have covered seven of the last eight meetings in Brooklyn. The Nets have refocused quickly off their last few big margin losses, heading into this one on a 4-1 ATS run following a loss by more than 10 points. I'm backing the Nets on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
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Raptors vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/19/2017
The Toronto Raptors will try to follow up another dominant homestand when they begin a two-game road trip at the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Winners of nine of their last 10 overall, the Raptors swept a two-game stay in Canada with victories over Brooklyn and Sacramento by an average of 24 points.
Toronto improved to 11-1 at home and held an opponent under 100 points four times in the last five games, although the defense took some time to take over in the 108-93 triumph over the Kings, who scored 63 points before halftime and 30 in the second half. "Any team in this league, you let them shoot 61 percent, it's way too high," coach Dwane Casey told reporters of Sacramento's first-half shooting. "We held them to 31 percent in the second half, which is admirable, but we can't play with fire." The Hornets also had a fine defensive effort in a 109-91 win over the New York Knicks on Monday, snapping a three-game slide. Frank Kaminsky scored 24 points to tie a season high and both Dwight Howard and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had double-doubles.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (20-8): DeMar DeRozan led the way against Sacramento with 21 points, although he shot just 6-for-17 and also recognized the team's need for a reset at halftime. "We picked it up aggressively -- very aggressively," DeRozan told reporters of the second half. "Especially the bench. I think I was in there with a couple of guys off the bench and they came in with high energy, got their hands on the basketball, got out in transition." Among the reserves providing a boost was forward Norman Powell, who made all five of his shots and is 10-for-13 from the floor over the last two games after going 2-for-15 over his previous three.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (11-19): Kaminsky needed just 27 minutes for his team-leading total against the Knicks and he was 10-for-13 from the floor to help end a shooting slump. "There's 82 games and you can control your effort for every single game," Kaminsky told reporters. "When I come out and just play, I think I'm a completely different player." While Kaminsky heated up, star guard Kemba Walker continued a slump of his own and is shooting 11-for-39 - including misses on all 13 of his 3-point tries - over the last two games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. DeRozan and backcourt mate Kyle Lowry combined for 66 points in Toronto's 126-113 win over Charlotte at home last month.
2. Howard shoots 53.8 percent for the season but is 3-for-10 in each of his last two games.
3. Raptors F Serge Ibaka (knee) missed Sunday's win and is day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Raptors 113, Hornets 106
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Heat vs. Celtics Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/19/2017
The Boston Celtics have added an improbable road win to their phenomenal first half of the season and will attempt to carry some momentum home when they host the Miami Heat on Wednesday. After blowing a 19-point lead at Indiana on Monday, the Celtics got a steal and a slam from Terry Rozier in the closing seconds to grab a 112-111 win, their second in a row following a 2-3 stretch.
The dunk capped a 10-4 run in the final 31 seconds as Boston became the first NBA team in 380 tries this season to erase at least a five-point deficit and win in the final 30 seconds of a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. "Glad to join history for this season," guard Kyrie Irving told reporters. "It comes down to that final buzzer and you don't stop playing until it goes off." The Celtics also finished strong in their last meeting with Miami, but a slow start by Boston helped the Heat survive 104-98, evening the season series at a game apiece. That victory kicked off an 8-5 run for Miami but it was slowed down in Monday's 110-104 loss at Atlanta.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), NBCSN Boston
ABOUT THE HEAT (15-15): Center Hassan Whiteside (knee) is not on Miami's two-game road trip, which will extend his absence to 11 games, and guard Goran Dragic missed Monday's loss due to an elbow injury. With forwards James Johnson (ankle) and Justise Winslow (knee) also out, Miami dressed just nine players, committed 19 turnovers and missed all 11 of its 3-point attempts in the second half. "We need to be better with the fundamentals, reading schemes and defenses better," coach Erik Spoelstra told the media. "We're working at it quite a bit and we just have to get more ownership, more responsibility with the ball."
ABOUT THE CELTICS (26-7): Rozier's clutch play overshadowed a big basket moments before by backup point guard Marcus Smart, who made all four of his 3-pointers and was 5-of-6 from the floor en route to 15 points. Irving added 30 points and is averaging 29 while making 15-of-34 3-pointers in four games since sitting out one contest with a quad injury. Forward Al Horford fell an assist shy of a triple-double and is averaging 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists in a three-game stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Heat C Kelly Olynyk will be making his return to Boston, where he played his first four seasons before signing with Miami this offseason.
2. Miami SG Dion Waiters had a team-high 23 points in the loss to Atlanta and scored 26 in the win over Boston on Nov. 22.
3. Celtics F Jayson Tatum is 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the last two games and continues to lead the NBA from long range (51.5 percent).
PREDICTION: Celtics 108, Heat 98
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Pacers vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/20/2017
There will be a lot of attention on the Indiana Pacers when they take the court Wednesday in Atlanta against the Hawks, considering the epic late-game meltdown sustained in Monday's wild loss to Boston. After trailing by 18 in the first quarter, the Pacers battled back to take a five-point lead with 31.3 seconds remaining, only to be outscored 10-4 in a 112-111 loss against the top team in the Eastern Conference.
"It's a tough loss," Indiana guard Victor Oladipo told reporters after his team fell for the third time in four games. "We dug ourselves the deepest hole you can imagine and again, fought our way back like clockwork, but we come up short again." Atlanta - owners of the worst record in the NBA - won for just the seventh time this season by beating Miami 110-104 on Monday. Hawks forward Taurean Prince led the way with 24 points and is shooting 49.5 percent from the field in December. "We're wanting him to shoot a lot," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told the media afterward. "Catch and shoot, shoot whenever he's got daylight, driving and finishing."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE PACERS (17-14): Oladipo scored 12 of his 38 points Monday in the final two minutes, and is 10th in the NBA in scoring at 24.9 per game. The Pacers are seventh in the NBA in scoring at 108.3 points per game. Point guard Darren Collison continues to recover from a knee ailment that sidelined him for a game Dec. 10, averaging 13.3 points in his past four games.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (7-23): Prince is averaging 14.7 points in nine games this month, raising his season mark to 13.2 per contest. Point guard Dennis Schroder snapped a 14-for-40 shooting slump by hitting 10-of-19 attempts Monday in scoring 23 points. Atlanta ranks fifth in the league in steals (8.7 per game) and sixth in assists (23.6 per game) entering Tuesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Oladipo has scored 20 or more points in 22 of his 30 games played this season.
2. Pacers C Myles Turner did not block a shot Monday for the first time since Nov. 1, but still leads the NBA at 2.3 per game.
3. Atlanta signed F Tyler Cavanaugh, who is averaging 5.5 points and 3.2 rebounds, to a multi-year contract before Monday's game.
PREDICTION: Pacers 113, Hawks 102
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Kings vs. Nets Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/20/2017
Zach Randolph figures to become the 39th player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career rebounds on Wednesday, when the Sacramento Kings visit the Brooklyn Nets. Randolph is one board away from the milestone after leading the Kings to a 101-95 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Randolph scored 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting and also corralled five rebounds against Philadelphia, and is proving he has plenty of energy left in the tank at age 36. "I feel good. Like I had said in the beginning of the season, I feel like I'm in my prime," Randolph told reporters. "My mindset and what I believe in my heart - so I'm going to go out and play like it every game and give it the best I can give." The Nets have dropped three consecutive games, and nobody was happy with the team's performance in Sunday's 109-97 loss to Indiana. "I just think they had a higher level of physicality and execution, and any time a good team has that, it's going to be hard to overcome," Brooklyn point guard Spencer Dinwiddie told reporters. "I just think that our (competition) level isn't as high as it should be."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Sacramento), YES (Brooklyn)
ABOUT THE KINGS (10-20): Sacramento's bench produced 48 points on Tuesday as backup guards Buddy Hield (24 points) and Frank Mason III (16 on 7-of-9 shooting) both produced strong performances. Hield's effort was his best since scoring a season-high 27 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 25, while the outing represented a season best for Mason - a rookie from Kansas. "Another guy that's unheralded, Frank has been playing great," veteran guard Garrett Temple told reporters after the victory. "He had a (heck) of a game for us. He finished the game out with a big 16 points."
ABOUT THE NETS (11-18): Newcomer Jahlil Okafor is trying to work himself into true game shape after being an outcast in Philadelphia prior to the recent trade. The 22-year-old center ripped the 76ers, telling reporters, "I'm happy I'm here with the actual NBA coaching staff that's taking care of me every day. When I was in Philly, I was figuring it out on my own," but Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson also is aware that work needs to be done. "We need to help him get in better condition, that is first off," Atkinson told reporters. "We need to integrate him more into the system. I think it is going to take some time."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings recorded a 122-105 victory last season to halt a seven-game road losing streak against the Nets.
2. Sacramento PG George Hill (strep throat) sat out versus the 76ers but expects to play on Wednesday.
3. Brooklyn swingman Allen Crabbe was 4-for-6 from 3-point range in the loss to Indiana after going 4-for-21 over his previous two contests.
PREDICTION: Nets 109, Kings 104
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