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Sunday 1-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #8 -3:47 PM
The East View Stakes
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE
#8 MIDNIGHT DISGUISE
#1 ENGLISH SOUL
#2 CRYINTHEMOONLIGHT
#7 AUNT BABE
For your information folks ... East View was the name of the Westchester estate of James Butler, the founder of Empire City racetrack, which was located on the current site of Yonkers Raceway. Here in the 80th renewal of this stakes event, #8 MIDNIGHT DISGUISE, the pace profile leader in this field racing at today's distance of a mile on the dirt, is undefeated in a two race career, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his last start. #1 ENGLISH SOUL is the overall speed leader, and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in each of her four career starts to date, including a pair of "POWER RUN WINS" embedded in this recent streak of racing consistency.
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fair Grounds
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 8 - Maiden Claiming - 7.5f on the Turf. Purse: $20000 Class Rating: 80
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $30,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $25,000 2 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 2 VANQUISH 10/1
# 1A NOBUTZABOUTIT 9/2
# 9 RYMAN 6/1
VANQUISH supports the bet in here and is a very good value-based bet given the 10/1 line. Lately Asmussen has provided bettors with a strong winning percentage with horses moving in turf sprint races. The average Equibase class figure of 56 makes this horse hard to beat. Looks strong for the conditions of this race today, showing solid figs in turf sprint races lately. NOBUTZABOUTIT - Could wake up with Lasix change (with second time Lasix) today. Conditioner has strong win rate (26 percent) at this distance and surface. RYMAN - Change in Lasix (with second time Lasix) may be the recipe to a major improvement. Ought to go to the lead and might never look back.
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Golden Gate Fields - Race #7 - Post: 3:55pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 80
Rating: 4
#3 FANTASTIC ARAGORN (ML=6/1)
FANTASTIC ARAGORN - Entered last at Golden Gate Fields in a race with a class figure of 85. Dropping significantly in class rating this time out puts him in a solid position in this race. This racer broke from the outside at Golden Gate Fields last time out, racing 1 1/16 miles, but is getting a low post in this race, which should help his chances today. Ran a less than stellar race at Golden Gate Fields last race out. Racing on a fast track puts this gelding at the top of my contenders list. Maiden is going over to the dirt, and may not have liked the turf last out. Has a good chance to get into the winner's circle for the first time. Delia is hoping to get a little more out of this gelding by adding blinkers today.
Vulnerable Contenders: #2 STORMIN G A (ML=8/5), #6 GATOR DON'T PLAY (ML=5/2), #1 SECOND BOLD (ML=5/1),
STORMIN G A - If you keep playing these kind of 'bridesmaid' types, you're going to be disappointed often. GATOR DON'T PLAY - Equibase speed figures tell a tale of lessening condition. Finished fifth in his most recent effort with a most unsatisfactory speed figure. When I look at today's class rating, it would take an improved performance to win after that in this field. SECOND BOLD - This horse just hasn't looked ready of late.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#3 FANTASTIC ARAGORN to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip
SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
None
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park - Race 2
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 $.50 Bet 3 (Races 2-3-4) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)
Claiming $6,250 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 77 • Purse: $18,000 • Post: 12:35
FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 14 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $6,250 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Paceless Race. There is no true early speed in this race. * KEY ANGLES * HE WEARS THE CROWN: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. MAMACHITA: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. BUN BUN: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in average E quibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. FLYING QUEEN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
2
HE WEARS THE CROWN
8/1
5/1
4
MAMACHITA
2/1
6/1
1
BUN BUN
7/5
6/1
7
FLYING QUEEN
9/2
7/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
7
FLYING QUEEN
7
9/2
Stalker
67
57
72.8
53.8
48.3
1
BUN BUN
1
7/5
Alternator/Stalker
72
58
69.4
58.6
50.6
2
HE WEARS THE CROWN
2
8/1
Alternator/Stalker
89
75
53.2
55.4
49.4
3
DON'T BELEVE WATCH
3
6/1
Alternator/Trailer
78
63
59.6
41.2
35.2
4
MAMACHITA
4
2/1
Alternator/Trailer
75
60
55.2
65.8
61.8
6
POLKA DOT BIKINI
6
20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
88
80
70.4
43.0
32.0
5
MEMBER
5
30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60
57
49.2
34.4
21.4
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Oaklawn Park - Race #1 - Post: 1:30pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $28,000 Class Rating: 72
Rating: 4
#1 PATTI PATTI PATTI (ML=3/1)
PATTI PATTI PATTI - This horse picks up a lot of dough per start. Uppermost in this affair. Just look at her latest figure, 72. That one looks good in this bunch. This animal has increased her speed ratings from a fig of 60 to 67 to 72 in a row.
Vulnerable Contenders: #7 SOPHIE'S ANGEL (ML=5/1), #3 SINGING ALLI (ML=6/1), #5 RIVA BELLE (ML=8/1),
SOPHIE'S ANGEL - Showed very little in the last event. Really don't see any chance of improvement today. This less than sharp equine ran a disappointing speed fig last time around the track. She shouldn't run better and will likely lose in today's event running that fig. SINGING ALLI - Really had to give me much more in the last race. Never made much of an impact. Pedestrian speed rating last time out at Fair Grounds at 1 mile. Don't think this racer will improve too much today. RIVA BELLE - This filly hasn't been showing me anything in the last couple of efforts.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 PATTI PATTI PATTI is the play if we get odds of 1/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with [8,10]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [8,10] with [3,5,8,10] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [3,5,8,10] with [3,5,8,10] with [3,5,8,10] Total Cost: $24
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Handicapped by Valuline at Sunland Park
Today's Most Likely Winner Is at:
Sunland Park, Race 1 (Sunday January 14, 2018)
PATIENCE LADY
(For ten of today's most likely winners, see Exotic Key Plays.)
SUN-1 6f DIRT Six Horses
"A" MCL 6,500 F/M 4YUP $8,600
P# dd ex p4 t s ML WP TVL
0 PATIENCE LADY 7/5 50% 1/1 Strong Favorite icon
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Sunland Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 3 - Maiden Special Weight - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $20400 Class Rating: 67
FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. FOUR YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 5 DYNAMIC RULER 3/1
# 7 AL RHYTHM 5/1
# 3 OH SO REGAL 2/1
I think DYNAMIC RULER is a respectable choice. Could best this field based on the Equibase speed fig - 71 - of his last affair. With a nice Equibase class rating average of 81, has one of the best class advantages in this group. He has been running soundly and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the best in this group of horses in this race. AL RHYTHM - With one of the top jock in terms of profits at the window, don't count this colt out. Has run solidly when running a dirt sprint race. OH SO REGAL - Ought to be given a shot here on the basis of the figures in the speed section alone. Juarez should be able to get this colt to break out quickly in this competition.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs - Race 3
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 3-4-5) / Pick 4 ($.50 minimum) (Races 3-4-5-6)
Optional Claiming $100,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Turf • Ages 4 and up • CR: 108 • Purse: $26,500 • Post: 1:25P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $100,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF $30,000 TWICE IN 2017-2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. $20,000 IN 2017-2018 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $100,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $50,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED) (CONDITION ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. WESTERN RESERVE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * WESTERN RESERVE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SCHOLAR ATHL ETE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. BERN' JAMES BERN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
4
WESTERN RESERVE
8/5
4/1
5
SCHOLAR ATHLETE
2/1
9/2
6
BERN' JAMES BERN
4/1
6/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
4
WESTERN RESERVE
4
8/5
Front-runner
110
104
97.6
101.8
99.3
5
SCHOLAR ATHLETE
5
2/1
Front-runner
112
108
92.8
100.8
95.8
2
DOCTOR MOUNTY
2
9/2
Front-runner
99
101
88.9
90.6
81.6
6
BERN' JAMES BERN
6
4/1
Front-runner
106
103
88.6
101.4
93.9
3
GONE TOO SOON
3
12/1
Trailer
103
104
84.4
84.4
75.4
1
SECRET PASSAGE
1
8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
102
94
43.7
76.9
67.9
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Jaguars vs. Steelers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018
Ben Roethlisberger gets a chance to atone for one of the worst games of his career when he guides the Pittsburgh Steelers into Sunday's AFC divisonal round matchup against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Roethlisberger has guided No. 2 seed Pittsburgh to 10 wins in 11 games since a wretched performance in a 30-9 home loss to Jacksonville in Week 5.
Roethlisberger questioned whether he still had "it" after throwing a career-worst five interceptions -- two of which were returned for touchdowns -- against Jacksonville in October. "We've evolved since then. They have evolved a lot since then," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "I am sure that they are as different as we are since the last time we've seen them." Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh rebounded to win eight in a row following the loss to the third-seeded Jaguars, who set up the rematch with a 10-3 victory over Buffalo in the wild-card round. While Jalen Ramsey picked off Roethlisberger in the first meeting and clinched last week's win with an interception, fellow cornerback A.J. Bouye had a ready response -- "be careful what you ask for" -- upon hearing that the quarterback wants another crack at the Jaguars.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Steelers -7. O/U: 41
ABOUT THE JAGUARS (11-6): The biggest question mark on offense for Jacksonville is the erratic play of fourth-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who was intercepted five times in the final two regular-season games and threw for only 87 yards in last weekend's win over Buffalo. Bortles did rush for 88 yards last week but the Jaguars likely will try to play keep-away by feeding rookie running back Leonard Fournette, who rumbled for a season-high 181 yards and a 90-yard touchdown in the first meeting against Pittsburgh. Calais Campbell leads a pass rush that amassed 55 sacks -- second in the league to Pittsburgh -- while the Jaguars permitted an NFL-low 169.9 yards per game and ranked No. 2 overall with an average of 16.8 points surrendered. Ramsey and Bouye combined for 10 of the team's 21 interceptions, also No. 2 in the league.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (13-3): Roethlisberger finished the season with multiple touchdown passes in his last seven games, connecting on 18 TDs versus five interceptions in that span. Antonio Brown, sidelined since injuring a calf in Week 15 against the Patriots, practice fully Wednesday -- the same day he was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year after hauling in 101 passes for a league-high 1,533 yards, including 10 for 157 versus the Jaguars. Rookie wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster came on strong over the second half of the season while Le'Veon Bell provides a lethal dual threat out of the backfield, finishing third in the league in rushing (1,291) yards to go with a career-best 85 catches. The Steelers led the league with 56 sacks, but defensive end Stephon Tuitt and cornerback Artie Burns each were hurt in Wednesday's practice.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Brown, the only player with five straight 100-catch seasons, has at least 100 yards in four of five playoff games.
2. Jacksonville led the NFL with seven defensive touchdowns.
3. Pittsburgh has the most playoff victories in history with 36.
PREDICTION: Steelers 27, Jaguars 13
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Saints vs. Vikings Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the visiting New Orleans Saints in their season opener and have won five straight at U.S. Bank Stadium heading into the teams' NFC divisional round contest on Sunday. The Vikings are banking their home success pays dividends as they continue their pursuit of becoming the first team to host a Super Bowl when they face off against Drew Brees and the Saints.
Case Keenum watched as Sam Bradford earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the 29-19 win over the Saints on Sept. 11 before the journeyman quarterback was ushered into action. Keenum became a dark-horse NFL MVP candidate after recording career highs in completions (325), attempts (481), yards (3,547), touchdowns (22) and passer rating (98.3) while posting an 11-3 mark as a starter. "I always root for guys like that, kind of the undersized guy coming out that nobody wants to give any credit and just always plays with a chip on his shoulder," said Brees, who is a sentimental darling in his own right as he approaches his 39th birthday. Brees penned one of his best performance of the season last weekend by throwing for 376 yards and two touchdowns as the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers for the third time this season with a 31-26 win in the wild-card game.
TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -5. O/U: 46.5
ABOUT THE SAINTS (12-5): Like Minnesota, New Orleans also changed quite a bit after the season opener as former Vikings great Adrian Peterson was jettisoned to Arizona in favor of the two-pronged attack of Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara. The potent pair became the first running back duo in league history to gain more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage and helped New Orleans lead the NFL with 4.7 yards per carry and 23 rushing touchdowns. Kamara finished second among running backs in catches with 81 during the regular season, but had just one against the Panthers last weekend. Michael Thomas more than picked up the slack, however, reeling in eight of nine targets for 131 yards in his playoff debut.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (13-3): Swapping quarterbacks isn't Minnesota's only notable change from the season opener as Latavius Murray's workload was nondescript before impressive rookie Dalvin Cook saw his season end due to an ACL injury. Murray recorded eight touchdowns in his last 10 games of the season while fellow running back Jerick McKinnon reeled in 43 of his 51 receptions over the last 12. Wideout Stefon Diggs found the end zone on two occasions in the first meeting with the Saints and scored a touchdown in each of the last three games of the season.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Minnesota DE Everson Griffen had one of his team-leading 13 sacks versus New Orleans in the season opener.
2. Saints DE Cameron Jordan, who also has a team-leading 13 sacks, is the son of former Vikings standout TE Steve Jordan.
3. Minnesota owns a 13-3 all-time mark at home versus New Orleans.
PREDICTION: Saints 27, Vikings 20
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Bucks vs. Heat Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The Miami Heat have quietly become one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and are winners of six consecutive games. The Heat will try to make it seven in a row at the expense of a team trailing them in the East standings when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Miami knocked off fellow East playoff hopefuls Detroit, New York, Toronto and Indiana during its winning streak and is 13-4 since dropping two games under .500 with a loss at San Antonio on Dec. 6. "We're continuing to get better," shooting guard Wayne Ellington told the Miami Herald. "We never looked and felt sorry for ourselves or felt like we weren't capable. We knew we were capable because we've shown it and we've done it before. It was just a matter of acclimating the new guys and everybody coming together and finding that gel again. I feel like we're here." The Bucks had a chance to make a statement on Friday and overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to take a lead against the defending champion Golden State Warriors before falling off the pace late and suffering a 108-94 loss. "We were moving the ball, we moved bodies, set screens, guys were getting wide open looks," Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd told reporters of the third quarter comeback. "I thought we were going to build on that. But in that fourth quarter, we just couldn't make shots. The ball was moving, we just couldn't make shots."
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (22-19): Giannis Antetokounmpo got a chance to play against another star that has been highly complimentary of the young Milwaukee standout in Kevin Durant. Antetokounmpo put up 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting but couldn't quite keep pace with Durant and fell short on the defensive end late. "That's one thing that I've learned," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "I gotta see it the same way. The defense gets tough. They're just trying to make my job a lot harder. So, (Durant) was aggressive all night. Moving forward that's a lesson for me to be aggressive all night, too."
ABOUT THE HEAT (24-17): It looks like Miami will have to get to the playoffs and advance without the help of shooting guard Dion Waiters, who will undergo season-ending surgery on an injured left ankle that kept him out of the nine games. "Dion Waiters will undergo left ankle surgery at a time to be determined in the near future," the Heat said in a statement released Friday. "We are confident this surgery will resolve all of the issues with the ankle. This process will not just repair the ankle, but also kick-start a whole new reboot for Dion. A full recovery is expected." Ellington is stepping up in Waiters' absence and is averaging 15.3 points over the last 10 contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bucks SG Khris Middleton was held to eight points on 2-of-12 shooting Friday, snapping a string of 22 straight games scoring in double figures.
2. Heat SF Justise Winslow (knee) could return from a 14-game absence on Sunday.
3. Miami took three of the four meetings last season while limiting Antetokounmpo to 19.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.
PREDICTION: Bucks 108, Heat 106
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Pelicans vs. Knicks Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The New York Knicks are stumbling of late and fell for the ninth time in the last 11 games with Friday's 118-108 setback at Minnesota. The Knicks are a much stronger team at home and will try to turn things around when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
The matchup with the Pelicans marks only a brief stop for New York, which fell to 4-15 on the road with Friday's loss and opens a seven-game road trip at Brooklyn on Monday. "We've played some good teams out on the road," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, who has guided his team to a 15-8 home record, told reporters. "These last five games we've played pretty decent on the road. We've got to find another level, another level of toughness, going after balls. If we can get that level, heck, we'll start winning these." One of New York's few road wins came at New Orleans 105-103 on Dec. 30, and the Pelicans are hoping some revenge will get them off on the right foot on a three-game trip. "Right before a road trip, to be able to have this confidence and win at home and go to another arena and feel like it's us against the world," New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday told reporters after Friday's 119-113 home win over Portland. "New York, Boston - that's a big game - and then Atlanta. They're all three big games. If we can win on the road, that would be awesome."
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (21-20): New Orleans got forward Anthony Davis (ankle) back from a one-game absence on Friday and watched him score 36 points on 16-of-23 shooting in 41 minutes. "When we're missing any of our key guys, we're not the team we can be," center DeMarcus Cousins told reporters of Davis. "His presence was felt throughout the whole entire game. His play speaks for itself." Cousins' play speaks loudly as well, and he collected 24 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists in Friday's win to record his 31st double-double.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (19-23): New York forward Kristaps Porzingis will have to find a way to deal with Davis and Cousins after getting worked over by Minnesota big man Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday. Porzingis scored 17 points but was just 6-of-19 from the floor and is shooting 36 percent in six games this month. "We can't be too hard on (Porzingis)," Hornacek told reporters. "This is a learning process. Come five, six years down into his career those probably won't be problems. But right now, he's going to learn from it."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Knicks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg) returned from a 20-game absence on Friday and scored 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
2. Pelicans SG E'Twaun Moore is 3-of-16 from 3-point range over the last four games.
3. New Orleans earned a 110-96 win in its trip to New York last season behind 40 points and 18 rebounds from Davis.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 120, Knicks 110
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Pacers vs. Suns Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The Indiana Pacers are winners of three of four since Victor Oladipo returned to the lineup and overcame a 22-point deficit to knock off the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The Pacers will try to avoid a similar hole when they hit the road for a five-game trip against Western Conference teams beginning at the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
"Huge team win," Oladipo told reporters after Friday's triumph. "We've just got to continue to keep building on it. We grinded it out. We (were) down, we stayed with it, fought through adversity. We showed a little resilience and we've just got to keep going." Oladipo has seen his minutes increase in each of the four games since his return and logged 40 on Friday while contributing 19 points, including a 3-pointer down the stretch that gave Indiana the lead for good. The Suns have their own hot shooting guard in Devin Booker, but are losers of three of their last four and are trying to get more consistent performances out of the other young players on the roster. Phoenix managed to limit the Houston Rockets to 41.5 percent shooting on Friday but committed 19 turnovers and could not keep pace in a 112-95 setback.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE PACERS (22-20): Indiana swingman Lance Stephenson collected 16 points and 11 rebounds on Friday, but it was his willingness to guard and irritate Cleveland star LeBron James that may have been the difference in the game. Stephenson baited James into a technical foul and helped force him into five turnovers in the victory. "It's great because you know the coaches are challenging you and it's tough to guard LeBron," Stephenson told reporters. "So, whoever has the guts to go into him and play him hard, I figured this is the game you can do it. It just happened to be on our side and we got the win."
ABOUT THE SUNS (16-27): Phoenix is trying to give Booker a larger role in the offense and take advantage of some of his playmaking abilities, but the 21-year-old budding star paired nine assists with nine turnovers in Friday's loss. Booker is averaging 5.8 turnovers in five games this month and committed at least five in five of eight games since returning from a strained adductor that kept him out three weeks. The Suns are starting to get an uptick in production from 20-year-old power forward Dragan Bender, who followed a career-high 20 points in a win over Oklahoma City last Sunday with 14 points and eight rebounds against the Rockets.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns PG Isaiah Canaan (groin) sat out the last three games but is nearing a return.
2. Pacers C Myles Turner (elbow) missed the last two contests and is day-to-day.
3. Indiana won in each of its last two trips to Phoenix, including a 109-94 triumph last season in which Turner scored 20 points.
PREDICTION: Pacers 113, Suns 106
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Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The Minnesota Timberwolves can finish off a sweep of a five-game homestand and run their home winning streak to eight when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. The Timberwolves' home winning streak is the franchise's longest since 2003-04 and began with a 108-107 win over the Trail Blazers on Dec. 18.
Minnesota had a string of seven straight games holding opponents under 100 points come to an end on Friday but did enough on the other end of the floor to earn a 118-108 win over the New York Knicks. "We're understanding what we need to do to win games," Timberwolves veteran forward Taj Gibson told the Star Tribune. "We're trying to keep this homestand on a positive note, keep pushing the ball, do whatever it takes to win games." Portland is in the midst of a tough stretch of schedule and is playing its fifth straight Western Conference playoff contender after beating San Antonio and Oklahoma City and falling at Houston and New Orleans. The Trail Blazers, who surrendered an average of 120 points in the losses to the Rockets and Pelicans, are finishing out a four-game trip on Sunday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS North Plus (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (22-20): Portland's last two losses came with the return of point guard Damian Lillard, who missed the wins over San Antonio and Oklahoma City with a calf injury. Lillard isn't showing any rust and averaged 26 points along with eight assists in the last two games, though he has yet to find his form from 3-point range (3-of-17). The Trail Blazers got at least 17 points from all five of their starters on Friday but received a total of 12 points off the bench.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (28-16): Minnesota's balanced offensive attack saw eight players score in double figures on Friday and the lone player that did not reach double figures - reserve point guard Tyus Jones - contributed seven points on 3-of-5 shooting along with four assists in 15 minutes. Center Karl-Anthony Towns finished an assist shy of a triple-double in the win and is averaging 20.3 points on 63.3 percent shooting and 13.8 rebounds during the homestand. Towns was held to 16 points and seven rebounds in the 108-107 win over Portland on Dec. 18, one of just eight times this season that he failed to record a double-double.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Trail Blazers SG/SF Evan Turner (illness) sat out Friday and is day-to-day.
2. Gibson is 25-of-38 from the floor on the homestand.
3. Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu recorded his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds on Friday.
PREDICTION: Timberwolves 125, Trail Blazers 103
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Red Wings vs. Blackhawks Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
New faces are making an impact for the Chicago Blackhawks as they try to go into a six-day break with points in seven of their last nine games when they host the Original Six-rival Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon. The Blackhawks, who are 5-2-1 in their last eight contests, received the first NHL goal from David Kampf along with an assist from the newly acquired Anthony Duclair while 32-year-old first-year goaltender Jeff Glass made 31 saves in Friday's 2-1 win over Winnipeg.
"I'm just trying to prove myself every single day," Glass, who has gone 3-1-1 since Corey Crawford went down with an upper-body injury, told reporters. "(But) it's really not about me anymore. It's about the team and getting points. ... I'm trying to help this team win as much as I can." Chicago split the first two contests of its six-game homestand and has won six of its last eight at United Center as it welcomes Detroit, which returned from a six-day break to drop a 4-1 decision at Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Red Wings also lost forwards Justin Abdelkader, who scored the lone goal, and Darren Helm to lower-body injuries during the setback and both will miss Sunday's contest, according to coach Jeff Blashill. Detroit went 1-for-7 on the power play against Pittsburgh and has converted just two of its 27 opportunities over the last eight games.
TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, TVA
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (17-18-7): The good news out of Saturday's loss was the return of Jimmy Howard, who made 32 saves after missing just one game due to a lower-body injury thanks to the break. Dylan Larkin was kept off the scoresheet in his last two games but leads the team with 34 points while captain Henrik Zetterberg is second with 30 after notching an assist against the Penguins. Detroit recalled center Dominic Turgeon after Saturday's game, and he could make his NHL debut after registering 23 points in 40 contests with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (22-16-6): Kampf, a free agent from the Czech Republic who has recorded five points in nine games since being recalled from Rockford of the AHL, scored his first goal on his 23rd birthday. "We wanted a guy in the middle," coach Joel Quenneville told reporters. "It has been an important spot for us. We think he can add speed. There's an upside with him offensively." All-Star Patrick Kane was shut down in his last two games but leads the team with 45 points while Nick Schmaltz has collected 12 of his 32 over the last nine contests.
OVERTIME
1. Detroit D Mike Green, who was named the team's representative for the All-Star Game, has registered seven points in 11 career contests against Chicago.
2. Duclair, who was acquired from Arizona during the week, recorded one shot and a plus-2 rating in 11 minutes, 57 seconds of ice time while playing on a line with Kampf and RW Alex DeBrincat in his debut for the Blackhawks.
3. The Red Wings earned at least one point in both meetings with Chicago last season, including a 4-2 triumph on March 10.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 5, Red Wings 3
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Flames vs. Hurricanes Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The red-hot Calgary Flames, fueled by a six-game winning streak, are shooting up the Pacific Division standings and will try to complete a four-game road trip with a victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon. Calgary finished off an impressive back-to-back sweep through the state of Florida with a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Friday, prompting captain Mark Giordano to tell reporters: "You want to ride these as long as you can."
"I think at the beginning of the year we were finding ways to lose and now we're grinding out wins, so it's definitely an added bonus when you don't play your best game and you still get the win," Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk told reporters after recording two points Friday, giving him a goal in each of the last two games. The Flames sit third in the Pacific while Carolina is tied for sixth in the Metropolitan, only one point behind the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes missed an opportunity to sweep a home-and-home, back-to-back series with first-place Washington by allowing two goals in the final 3:08 - including the loser with 1.3 seconds left - in Friday's 4-3 setback to Washington. "They all feel similar to me," Carolina coach Bill Peters told reporters after the Hurricanes lost for the third time in four games and fell to 2-4-1 in their last seven contests. "It's a loss, no points."
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Carolinas
ABOUT THE FLAMES (24-16-4): Johnny Gaudreau increased his team-leading point total to 52 by scoring in each of the last two games and has two goals and nine assists during a six-game point streak. Sean Monahan (team-high 21 goals) has also registered at least point in the last six contests with four goals and six assists during that span. Mike Smith (19-13-3, 2.50 goals-against average, .922 save percentage), who is 4-0-0, 1.98, .938 in four January starts, is expected back in goal despite a 3-10-4, 2.73, .918 ledger versus Carolina after backup David Rittich made 41 saves Friday.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (20-16-8): Sebastian Aho (club highs of 16 goals and 37 points) has scored in three straight games and boasts nine goals in his last 10 contests. Lee Stempniak made his season debut Friday after missing the first 43 games because of upper-body injuries and recorded an assist. Elias Lindholm (12 goals, 25 points) and Joakim Nordstrom missed Friday's game because of illness, while Derek Ryan (nine goals, 23 points) sat out with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Calgary's 17-game stretch of allowing three or fewer goals is the longest such streak in the NHL this season.
2. Carolina C Jordan Staal (13 goals, 28 points this season) recorded his 200th career tally Friday to give him goals in consecutive games and three in his last four contests.
3. Carolina won the first of two meetings this season 2-1 on Oct. 19 with LW Jeff Skinner recording a goal and an assist, giving the road team three straight victories in a series that has been split for the last three campaigns.
PREDICTION: Flames 3, Hurricanes 2
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Rangers vs. Penguins Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/13/2018
The Pittsburgh Penguins have looked like a different team since the calendar turned to 2018 and hope to continue their strong play when they host the scuffling New York Rangers for a key Metropolitan Division battle on Sunday. The Penguins are 4-1-0 in January, recording a total of 19 goals in the victories after rolling past Detroit 4-1 on Saturday.
"It's always fun when you win and you have more confidence," Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin told reporters after registering two goals and two assists on Saturday. "Your game is better. The mood is better. Now, we're feeling so much better. ... Now, just stay the same and stay on the same level." New York is tied with the Penguins at 49 points with two games in hand after dropping three of its last four, including Saturday's embarrassing 7-2 setback against the cross-town Islanders. The Rangers have managed just 16 goals over their last nine contests (3-4-2), with several players going through scoring droughts, and allowed 14 tallies in their last three losses. "We need everybody buying in," New York captain Ryan McDonagh told reporters. "Right now, we don't want it. Fortunately, we get an opportunity (Sunday). If we do the same thing, it's going to be the same result."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
ABOUT THE RANGERS (22-16-5): New York has not received much help from its power play, which has gone 3-for-30 over the last 10 games despite converting one of its three opportunities on Saturday. Leading scorer Mats Zuccarello (32 points) recorded his 200th career assist against the Islanders but owns a minus-9 rating over his last eight games, while J.T. Miller has been kept off the scoresheet in four straight contests. Henrik Lundqvist's off-day was interrupted as he came on after starter Ondrej Pavelec was pulled and turned aside 16-of-18 shots.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (23-19-3): Phil Kessel pulled within one point of 700 for his career (team-leading 50 this season) with a goal and two assists on Saturday while Malkin has netted five tallies and set up three others over his last three contests. Captain Sidney Crosby remained red-hot Saturday with two points, giving him nine in his last three games and 398 career goals. Matt Murray is away from the team for personal reasons, but backup Tristan Jarry continued to shine, making 29 saves against the Red Wings to earn the team a point for the 10th time in 13 decisions (8-3-2).
OVERTIME
1. New York C Mika Zibanejad registered his third goal in four games Saturday and has 14 overall, placing him second on the team behind RW Michael Grabner (18).
2. The Penguins are 7-for-15 on the power play and 17-for-18 (after going 6-for-6 over the final three games of December) on the penalty kill this month.
3. The Rangers posted a 4-3 victory on their last trip to Pittsburgh on Dec. 5 as Zuccarello notched two points and are 2-0-2 in the last four meetings.
PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Penguins 3
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