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Thursday 1-11-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #3 - AQUEDUCT - 1:18 PM EASTERN POST
The Bay Ridge Stakes
9.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE
#4 FROSTIE ANNE
#5 RIOT WORTHY
#1 FROST WISE
#2 FROSTY MARGARITA
Well folks ... we will try again to run this stakes race which was "frozen out" last week here at "The Big A!" For your information, Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is bounded by Sunset Park on the north, Dyker Heights on the east, the Narrows and the Belt Parkway on the west, Fort Hamilton Army Base in the southeast corner, and the Verrazano Bridge on the south. Here in just the 4th running of "The Ridge," #4 FROSTIE ANNE comes off back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her last two outings, and also shows another "POWER RUN WIN" on her recent "resume" in her 4th race back. Jockey Junior Alvarado and Trainer Rudy Rodriguez send her to the post ... they've hit the board with 60% of their entries saddled as a team to date. #5 RIOT WORTHY takes a class drop (-3) is the overall speed and pace profile leader, and has produced a quartet of "POWER RUNS" in her last five outings, hitting the board in three of those races, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in her 5th race back.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 2
Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double (2-3) / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)
Claiming $12,500 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 67 • Purse: $15,500 • Post: 7:29P
FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 11 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 11 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $8,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN WEIGHT ALLOWANCES).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Lone Trailer. CLASSY TIZZY is the Lone Trailer of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * ROCKET BID: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Ratin g at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. DIMITRI'S ROMANCE: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. CATLIKETENDENCIES: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at th e distance/surface. LADY BEARONESS: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
2
ROCKET BID
10/1
6/1
4
DIMITRI'S ROMANCE
4/1
6/1
5
CATLIKETENDENCIES
2/1
7/1
3
LADY BEARONESS
5/2
8/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
4
DIMITRI'S ROMANCE
4
4/1
Front-runner
63
66
82.2
61.8
52.3
5
CATLIKETENDENCIES
5
2/1
Front-runner
64
63
76.2
62.2
57.7
7
SWEET LADY SUE
7
7/2
Stalker
61
59
57.2
50.4
42.9
3
LADY BEARONESS
3
5/2
Stalker
72
64
47.4
55.2
49.7
2
ROCKET BID
2
10/1
Alternator/Stalker
77
63
55.0
60.2
54.7
1
CLASSY TIZZY
1
15/1
Trailer
66
63
41.4
56.4
46.4
6
STAR STELLA
6
12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
58
53
63.0
48.8
37.3
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Handicapped by Valuline at Delta Downs
Today's Most Likely Winner Is at:
Delta Downs, Race 2 (Thursday January 11, 2018)
MOCITO ROJO
(For ten of today's most likely winners, see Exotic Key Plays.)
DED-2 7f DIRT Seven Horses
"A" StALW 4YUP $38,000
P# dd ex p3 t s ML WP TVL
5 MOCITO ROJO 8/5 36% 9/5 Strong Favorite icon
2 NUBIN RIDGE 2/1 33% 2/1
1 e-ZACKAROONEY 4/1 20% 4/1
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fair Grounds
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 1 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $17000 Class Rating: 87
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR FOUR YEAR OLDS. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE DECEMBER 11 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 3 THEORYINTOPRACTICE 3/1
# 2 CASH FIRST 5/2
# 1 SAVED AT SEA 4/1
My pick for this event is THEORYINTOPRACTICE. Sutherland will most likely be able to get this gelding to break out early for this race. Is worth considering and may be a wager - strong speed figures (83 average) at today's distance and surface lately. CASH FIRST - Has to be considered - I like the figs from the last contest. Win percentage one of the best in this field. SAVED AT SEA - He has a quite good distance/surface win record - 2 out of 4. May go off at a solid price and has some positive angles going for him.
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Golden Gate Fields
Golden Gate Fields - Race 6
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (.10 min) / $2 Rolling Double $1 Rolling Super High Five
Claiming $12,500 • 1 Mile • All-Weather • Ages 4 and up • CR: 98 • Purse: $12,000 • Post: 3:23P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. FOUR YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 125 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (MAIDEN, CLAIMING AND STARTER RACES FOR $10,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Lone Front-runner. CRYSTAL DOME (GB) is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * BOUNTIFUL DESERT: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. CALL SAUL: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. BART ON LODGE (IRE): Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. AIR NASHOBA: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. CRYSTAL DOME (GB): Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
1
BOUNTIFUL DESERT
2/1
9/2
8
CALL SAUL
8/1
7/1
7
BARTON LODGE (IRE)
9/2
8/1
5
AIR NASHOBA
10/1
8/1
6
CRYSTAL DOME (GB)
12/1
9/1
P#
Horse (In Running Style Order)
Post
Morn
Line
Running Style
Good
Class
Good
Speed
Early Figure
Finish Figure
Platinum
Figure
6
CRYSTAL DOME (GB)
6
12/1
Front-runner
85
85
97.6
78.7
66.7
2
GABO'S MACONDO
2
5/2
Stalker
87
89
91.8
85.0
79.5
1
BOUNTIFUL DESERT
1
2/1
Stalker
96
100
89.0
93.8
88.8
7
BARTON LODGE (IRE)
7
9/2
Stalker
95
89
82.0
88.0
80.0
5
AIR NASHOBA
5
10/1
Alternator/Stalker
97
90
84.0
88.8
80.3
8
CALL SAUL
8
8/1
Alternator/Stalker
98
94
76.3
86.7
79.7
3
PASS DUE PAYMENT
3
6/1
Trailer
93
91
79.6
90.2
80.7
4
MY LAST SHOT
4
15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
89
82
62.0
67.5
52.5
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Gulfstream Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 7 - Optional Claiming - 7.5f on the Turf. Purse: $52000 Class Rating: 98
FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $50,000. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACESINCE DECEMBER 11, 2017 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $50,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $40,000 OR LESS NOT
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 2 LIBERTY KITTEN 6/1
# 1 VALEDICTORIAN 7/2
# 4 ISLAND REWARD 6/1
LIBERTY KITTEN is my choice. The average class rating alone makes this one a contender. Saez has recent return on investment numbers which make this one a strong bet. Win percentage one of the most respectable in this field. VALEDICTORIAN - Could beat this field given the 95 speed figure posted in her last outing. In this field, this entrant is in the upper half of earnings per start in turf sprint events. ISLAND REWARD - Could provide positive returns based on competitive recent speed figures with an average of 94. The average class figure alone makes this horse a solid contender.
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Penn National - Race #7 - Post: 8:43pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,800 Class Rating: 74
Rating: 4
#4 MAD BUM (ML=3/1)
MAD BUM - Gelding's finish positions keep getting better with each race. Maybe today's the day. A wise man taught me to play the lone speed horse. Take a look at this thoroughbred. Ranked numero uno in earnings per start. Another indication that this horse has class. Trainer, Miranda, has been deliberate with this gelding off the layoff. Look for a solid effort today.
Vulnerable Contenders: #2 TALK TO THE MEDIA (ML=2/1), #5 VALID REDEEMER (ML=4/1), #7 WISE AMIGO (ML=5/1),
TALK TO THE MEDIA - Difficult to keep chasing this kind of 'bridesmaid' horse. VALID REDEEMER - Didn't close any ground at all on November 18th. Hard to bet on in today's event at the expected odds. WISE AMIGO - Once you've got at least ten races at the racing venue and still have no wins, its tough to break through for a victory.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 MAD BUM to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
4 with 5
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip
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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
Bar
Turfway Park - Race #7 - Post: 9:15pm - Maiden Special - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,500 Class Rating: 77
Rating: 4
#8 PORTRAIT OF EMMA (ML=7/2)
PORTRAIT OF EMMA - Franklin rode this animal for the first time last out and comes right back in this race. I like to wager on this handicapping theory, a pony coming back off a nice outing within the last month or so.
Vulnerable Contenders: #5 GIGI JEAN (ML=3/1), #2 FINAL REWARD (ML=5/1), #9 TRILBY (ML=5/1),
GIGI JEAN - Hasn't raced or had any morning drills since December 14th. Not much value on this morning-line choice. No speed in this group to help set-up her late rally. Don't think this questionable contender will do much running in today's event. That last speed figure was disappointing when compared with today's class figure. FINAL REWARD - Doubtful that this equine will finish better than she did last time when ending up eighth. TRILBY - This horse hasn't shown much life in the last pair of contests.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #8 PORTRAIT OF EMMA to win if you can get at least 1/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
8 with [2,7]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Thursday, Jan. 11 is:
Buffalo Sabres +120 over Columbus Blue Jackets.
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JESSE SCHULE
NCAA-B | Jan 11, 2018
Maryland vs. Ohio State
Ohio State-5
Maryland vs Ohio State Free Pick January 11, 2018. The Buckeyes are coming off a blowout home victory over #1 ranked Michigan State, and here is what I had to say prior to the game: "It was exactly a year ago today that the Buckeyes beat the Spartans by a score of 74-66 in Columbus. A lot has changed since then, most notably the Spartans are the top ranked team in the country with a 15-1 overall record. Michigan State was the better team last season as well, and they were a seven point favorite in last year's contest. The Spartans aren't the only team that has improved. This year's Ohio State team is 12-4 overall, and 2-0 in the BIG10. When these teams met last year the Buckeyes had lost four of five conference games, and had an overall record of 11-7. Michigan State doesn't inspire a lot of confidence as a big road favorite considering they have covered the spread in just four of their last 14 road games. The Buckeyes have signature wins against Gonzaga, Michigan and Wisconsin. They have held opponents to just 64.9 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting while winning 9-of-10 at home. They should be able to keep this one competitive, and I'll take the points." While some might expect them to suffer a let down here again the Terps, I think they will only build on the positive momentum. Maryland is 3-2 in the BIG10, but all three of their wins came against conference bottom feeders. They beat Iowa and Penn State at home, and won by a single point at Illinois. The Buckeyes on the other hand have defeated Michigan and Michigan State at home by a combined 25 points, and they are undefeated (4-0) in the BIG10. Maryland is just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 versus the BIG10, and the favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these two teams. Take OSU. GL,
Jesse Schule
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JOEY JUICE
Let's go over the posted total as the the NBA takes its show Global. Live from across the pond in Good Old England, it's the Celtics vs the Sixers in what everyone knows will be simply an NBA showcase of scrimmage proportions. In other words, simply put, no defense!
Look, even when these two teams play stateside, the over is 4-1. Philadelphia will bring plenty of options to the table and the Celtics will respond by going tit-for-tat with them.
Both teams are very well rested and both teams will shoot the ball well.
Boston-Philly Over is the Free Pick.
3* BOSTON-PHILADELPHIA OVER
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Celtics vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Philadelphia 76ers are streaking in the right direction again and won their last four games while scoring an average of 114 points, but they are about to run into a defensive wall. The 76ers will try to find a way around that wall and push the winning streak to five in a row when they play the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics across the Atlantic in London on Thursday.
Philadelphia has been off since turning up its own defense and earning its most impressive victory of the season with a 114-78 pounding of the Detroit Pistons on Friday. "We're getting healthier, and we're starting to find ourselves again," 76ers center Joel Embiid told reporters. "It's good to see, but I think we still got a lot to work on defensively. I think we've been taking care of the ball better. We just got to keep playing together." The Celtics are enjoying their own positive stretch with wins in six straight and showed off their defensive prowess by stopping five shots in the final 7.5 seconds of Saturday's 87-85 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets. Boston leads the NBA in scoring defense at an average of 97.6 points allowed and defensive field-goal percentage (.429).
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Boston, NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE CELTICS (33-10): Rookie forward Jayson Tatum is going through a bit of a shooting slump at 16-of-43 from the floor over the last four games, but he is still coming through when it counts. Tatum scored Boston's final five points on Saturday, including a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and recorded a season-high six blocks to go with 14 points, six rebounds and three steals. "Those two plays he would have made right when he got here because he's not scared of the moment, never has been," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters of Tatum. "He's gotten better in a lot of ways. But ultimately, he has a lot of ability, too."
ABOUT THE 76ERS (19-19): Philadelphia has its own rookie star in point guard Ben Simmons, who heads to London hot after averaging 22 points in the last three contests. Simmons needed just 23 minutes to collect 19 points and nine assists on Friday and did most of his damage during a 15-0 run early in the game that set the tone. "I thought that at the start, he was on a mission," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters. "He physically was as impressive as I've seen him going at bodies and inviting contact. He really came out and set the tempo."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics C Al Horford (calf) sat out Saturday's win but is expected to play Thursday.
2. Philadelphia SG Justin Anderson (shin) returned from a 23-game absence on Friday and went scoreless in eight minutes off the bench.
3. Boston took the first two meetings this season by an average of 10.5 points.
PREDICTION: Celtics 96, 76ers 90
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Cavaliers vs. Raptors Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off one of their worst performances just in time to face one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will try to solve their defensive woes in time to stop DeMar DeRozan and company when they visit the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
Cleveland dropped six of its last nine games and was embarrassed 127-99 at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, and Isaiah Thomas simplified the team's issues. "We've just got to play harder," Thomas told ESPN.com. "We've got to play harder on both ends, we've got to push the pace offensively, we've got to pressure up defensively and take teams out of what they want to do. Teams are doing whatever they want to us at that end of the floor. I think if we do that then that will be half the battle. We'll fix things on offense, but defensively we've just got to play harder, be more physical, take away what teams want to do." The Raptors had a five-game overall winning streak and a 12-game home surge come to an end with a 90-89 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday. "We always focus on the last few possessions, but the stuff was building up, the lack of ball movement, spacing, cutting, playing with force, we didn't do it," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (26-14): Cleveland star LeBron James is playing at his usual MVP form this season but suffered through one of the worst games of his career on Monday, when he scored 10 points -- his lowest total since 2007 -- and registered a plus-minus of minus-39 -- the worst mark of his career. James, who insisted "I don't give a damn about no damn plus-minus," was coming off a performance at Orlando on Saturday in which he collected 33 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and six steals. Power forward Kevin Love, who scored 27 points in that win over the Magic, managed just three points on 1-of-7 shooting at Minnesota.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (28-11): Toronto was playing without point guard Kyle Lowry on Tuesday after he suffered a back injury late in Monday's win over Brooklyn, and the difference in the offense was noticeable. "I mean, the whole game is completely different without Kyle. It's everything. Everything," DeRozan told reporters. "You can kind of tell with our ball movement wasn't all the way there like it normally be when Kyle's out there. Like I said, he's a general on the floor. He sees things when they need to be called." Lowry, who averaged 20.5 points in four regular-season games against the Cavaliers last season, had x-rays come back negative and is considered day-to-day.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors PF Serge Ibaka was suspended one game after an altercation with Miami's James Johnson on Tuesday.
2. Cavaliers SG Kyle Korver is 13-of-22 from 3-point range over the last four games.
3. Cleveland swept Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring.
PREDICTION: Raptors 120, Cavaliers 115
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Clippers vs. Kings Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats10:00 PM
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018
Visits to Sacramento typically result in victories for the Los Angeles Clippers, who look to win in California's capital for the 11th straight time when they visit the Kings on Thursday. Los Angeles kept its streak alive with a 97-95 victory Nov. 25 and last lost in Sacramento on March 19, 2013.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin (concussion) has made progress over the past few days, and is questionable for the contest after missing the past two games. Los Angeles ended a 12-game losing streak to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday when shooting guard Lou Williams scored a career-best 50 points and made eight 3-pointers in a 125-106 road win. Sacramento has lost seven of its past nine games and shot a season-worst 34.5 percent during Tuesday's 99-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. "It's just that time of year where you have to keep grinding away," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "We made too many mental mistakes, made some really bad turnovers that are just head-scratchers. The guys are getting better, and we'll just keep plugging away."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (19-21): Williams scored 27 points in the third quarter against Golden State - the most by any NBA player in any quarter this season - and admitted afterward that the basket resembled the ocean. "Third quarter I had a great stretch," Williams said afterward. "I had a couple of 15-foot jumpers, rhythm shots. Scorers, when we get shots like that, the basket feels extremely big. It was a good night for me and I was able to make shots." Williams has three 40-point outings this season, the most in franchise history since Lloyd Free - who later changed his name to World B. Free - had eight 40-point efforts for the 1979-80 San Diego Clippers.
ABOUT THE KINGS (13-28): Sacramento wants to pick up the pace and play faster now that it has a speedy point guard in rookie De'Aaron Fox but poor shooting performances such as the one against the Lakers sabotages those desires. Fox feels moving the ball faster will create more scoring opportunities but Joerger points out that each player on the floor has to be able to maintain the flow. "It takes all five to run through," Joerger said. "I think there are times where we're not getting everybody up and down the floor, getting guys all the way to the corners. You've got to learn how to play with a speed guy like (Fox) and give him space, because if you give him space you're going to be the beneficiary of it on kickouts and swing arounds."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers are 2-0 against the Kings this season and have won 16 of the past 19 meetings.
2. Sacramento PG George Hill (wife set to give birth) is expected to miss his fourth straight game.
3. Los Angeles SG C.J. Williams (sprained right ankle) departed Wednesday's game in the third quarter and is unlikely to play against the Kings.
PREDICTION: Kings 110, Clippers 108
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Spurs vs. Lakers Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats10:30 PM
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Los Angeles Lakers knew the Ball family drama would follow them when they drafted Lonzo Ball No. 2 overall last summer, and they've become adept at brushing away some of the things Lonzo's father, LaVar, has to say about the state of the team. The Lakers will try to move to 3-0 since LaVar Ball said the team didn't want to play for coach Luke Walton when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
Lonzo Ball and Walton both brushed off LaVar Ball's comments at the time, but other players were quick to stand up for the coach, including rookie forward Kyle Kuzma, who voiced his support before a 99-86 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. "Luke is my guy," Kuzma said, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. "I love playing for him. I'm sure most of us love playing for him, too. ... A lot of times you have losing streaks, you can go home and listen to people and let them be in your ears, but the people who really matter are the people in the Lakers organization. We stand by Luke. I know the front office does." The Spurs don't have anyone calling for the ouster of their coach, Gregg Popovich, who continues to guide the team to wins despite being without star forward Kawhi Leonard. The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to sit out again with a shoulder strain on Thursday and played in just eight of the team's first 42 games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE SPURS (28-14): San Antonio earned a 107-100 win at Sacramento on Monday without Leonard by using the same formula that has carried the team without its star all season -- leaning on LaMarcus Aldridge. The veteran power forward scored 31 points on 13-of-20 shooting and added 12 rebounds in his second straight 30-point double-double. Aldridge got some help on Monday from an unlikely source in small forward Davis Bertans, who is trying to earn some extra playing time in the absence of Leonard and exploded for a career-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting in 31 minutes off the bench.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (13-27): Ball continues to struggle with his shooting stroke and went 2-of-10, including 1-of-7 from 3-point range, in the win over Sacramento on Tuesday, but he also collected 11 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals to draw praise from Walton after the contest. "He impacted (the game) on both ends," Walton told reporters of Ball. "He creates our pace for us, he makes winning plays for us, he gets other people easy shots ... and was a big part of why we won tonight." The Lakers are getting an uptick in production from another young player in power forward Julius Randle, who recorded his fourth double-double in six games with 22 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Spurs PG Tony Parker (ankle) left Monday's game and is questionable for Thursday.
2. Kuzma is 1-of-13 from 3-point range over the last three games.
3. Los Angeles snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series with a 102-95 win at San Antonio on April 5.
PREDICTION: Spurs 109, Lakers 99
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Blue Jackets vs. Sabres Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Columbus Blue Jackets are battling for first place in the Metropolitan Division while the Buffalo Sabres are buried in the basement of the Atlantic, so it's hardly surprising both head coaches have divergent viewpoints of their respective teams. Columbus goes for its third straight victory when it visits the skidding Sabres on Thursday night.
The Blue Jackets responded to a three-game slide by winning three of four, rallying from a two-goal deficit in the final five minutes to post a 3-2 overtime victory at Toronto on Monday. "That's a good win for us as far as going through some of the crap we've been going through," Columbus coach John Tortorella said. "I really respect how they kept their head up and kept on playing." Conversely, Buffalo was pierced for a season-worst seven goals by visiting Winnipeg on Tuesday to suffer its fifth straight defeat (0-4-1) and draw the ire of first-year coach Phil Housley. "There's a lot of cheat in our game," Housley said of his players after the 7-4 loss to the Jets. "They think that points are more important than playing solid defense, and you can see the results that are coming."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, FS Ohio (Columbus), MSG-Buffalo
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (25-16-3): After collecting one goal and one assist in a 14-game span, captain Nick Foligno has scored in back-to-back games to provide a much-needed spark to an injury-depleted lineup. The Blue Jackets will get a boost with the return of center Alexander Wennberg, who was activated off injured reserve after sitting out the past eight games. Sergei Bobrovsky is 10-3-1 versus the Sabres, including winning both starts this season.
ABOUT THE SABRES (10-24-9): Robin Lehner, who was pulled in Tuesday's loss, has allowed at least three goals for the fifth time in six games. "We've got to take strides," Lehner said. "We've got to do things better as a team here. I'll look at myself in the mirror first. ... "It's very frustrating. It must be very frustrating for the fans of Buffalo." Jack Eichel scored twice Tuesday and has 15 points and four multiple-goal games over the past 11 contests.
OVERTIME
1. Eichel, named to the All-Star team Wednesday, has two goals and seven points in eight games versus Columbus.
2. Blue Jackets D Seth Jones was named to the All-Star team.
3. Buffalo has killed off only 11 of 19 penalties over the past six games.
PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 3
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Hurricanes vs. Capitals Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Washington Capitals have ascended to the penthouse in the Metropolitan due in large part to their success at home while the Carolina Hurricanes are venturing toward the division's basement. Washington vies for its 11th straight victory at Capital One Arena on Thursday when it plays the opener of a home-and-home series against Carolina.
John Carlson has played an integral role in Washington's five-game winning streak, collecting two goals and five assists in that stretch after recording one of each in Tuesday's 3-1 victory versus Vancouver. The defenseman was held off the scoresheet in the Capitals' 5-4 overtime win over the Hurricanes on Jan. 2, but captain Alex Ovechkin stepped up by capping a two-goal performance with a tally 1:57 into the extra session. Cam Ward was on the wrong end of the three-time Hart Trophy winner's scoring outburst, as he has answered a sizzling 7-0-1 stretch in December by turning aside just 71 of 83 shots this month en route to a 1-2-1 mark with a 3.89 goals-against average. All told, Carolina has dropped four of five (1-3-1) on the heels of winning seven of its previous eight.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FS Southeast (Carolina), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (19-15-8): Sebastian Aho didn't look the worse for wear after exiting Saturday's contest against Boston with a leg injury, scoring his team-leading 14th goal in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay to increase his point total to 11 (seven goals, four assists) in his last eight games. The 20-year-old has 34 points to reside one shy of the club lead held by fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen, who had two assists against the Lightning to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, four assists). Prior to that stretch, Teravainen had been held off the scoresheet in seven of the previous 10 contests.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (27-13-3): Nicklas Backstrom continued his torrid stretch by setting up Carlson's late first-period goal to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, six assists) while giving him 27 assists, two shy of the defenseman for the team lead. The 30-year-old Backstrom also set up a pair of goals in the first encounter versus Carolina to increase his point total to 55 (14 goals, 41 assists) in 50 career matches with the team. Braden Holtby made 34 saves in the first meeting to continue his run of dominance versus the Hurricanes that sees him sport a 12-4-0 career mark with two shutouts, a 1.85 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.
OVERTIME
1. Ovechkin will be appearing in his seventh NHL All-Star Game, Holtby his third, and Carolina D Noah Hanifin will make his first appearance in the exhibition contest, the league announced Wednesday.
2. Hurricanes C Victor Rask tallied twice in the first encounter with the Capitals before being held off the scoresheet in the first three outings of the team's four-game road trip.
3. Washington has yielded at least one power-play goal in all three games this month after finishing December by thwarting all 12 short-handed situations over the final four contests.
PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Hurricanes 2
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Flames vs. Lightning Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
The Calgary Flames have pushed their way back into serious playoff contention with four straight wins and look to continue that trend when they begin a three-game, four-day stretch at the NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Flames have won four straight one-goal decisions after defenseman Dougie Hamilton's overtime tally gave them a 3-2 victory at Minnesota on Tuesday.
"These last 40-some games are extremely important, and we've put ourselves in a good spot to push to make playoffs here," Calgary right wing Johnny Gaudreau, who was named to the All-Star Game on Wednesday, told reporters. "If we keep playing the way we've been playing the last few games here, we can go (through) the road trip and into the (upcoming) break feeling pretty good about ourselves." The task will be a tough one against the Lightning, who have earned points in 18 of their 21 games at home this season (17-3-1) after edging visiting Carolina 5-4 on Tuesday. Tampa Bay Nikita Kucherov leads the league with 60 points, but fellow forward Tyler Johnson has been a major factor of late while putting up 12 goals and 11 assists with a plus-18 in his last 17 games after scoring a hat trick Tuesday. "We made a switch with lines and I've found chemistry to (Brayden) Point and (Ondrej) Palat," Johnson said. "Things have just kind of taken off and it's really fun playing with those guys."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (22-16-4): Goaltender Mike Smith, who spent parts of four seasons with Tampa Bay, has not allowed more than three goals in the last 12 games and stopped 33 of 35 shots in Tuesday's victory. "I don't think we're in these games if it's not for him," Hamilton told reporters of Smith, who owns a .921 save percentage overall. "He played great again (Tuesday). ... We just have to keep rolling." Gaudreau has put up eight assists during the winning streak and tops the team with 49 points - 10 more than Sean Monahan, who boasts three goals to go along with four assists in the last four games.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (31-9-3): Defenseman Victor Hedman recorded 16 of his 33 points in the last 14 games and boasts a plus-22 rating since Dec. 1 to be named to the All-Star Game along with Kucherov, captain Steven Stamkos and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (NHL-best 27 wins). Kucherov, who shares the NHL lead with Alex Ovechkin at 27 goals, has built a four-game point streak and Stamkos owns three assists in that span to push his season total to a team-high 35. Defenseman Daniel Girardi is day-to-day after sitting out Tuesday with a neck injury he sustained blocking a shot in the win at Detroit on Sunday.
OVERTIME
1. The Lightning have not enjoyed a power play in the last two games and are 4-for-33 with the man advantage over the past 10 contests.
2. Calgary LW Micheal Ferland has posted a goal and an assist in each of his last three contests.
3. The Flames won 3-2 in their last visit to Tampa Bay in 2016-17 with three points from Hamilton (goal, two assists).
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Flames 2
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Tulsa vs. Houston Preview and Predictions
By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/10/2018
Visiting Tulsa and Houston both look to bounce back from tough losses when they meet Thursday night in American Athletic Conference action. A win will also help one of them keep pace with league leaders Cincinnati and Wichita State.
Thursday's meeting features two of the top scorers in the league with Houston's Rob Gray and Tulsa's Junior Etou. The Cougars, who have won seven straight home games at nearby Texas Southern while their home arena gets a $60 million renovation this season, rank second in the league in scoring but will be challenged by Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane have held their last nine opponents to 66.9 points after allowing 96 points to Texas-San Antonio in late November. Tulsa has won seven of 10 against Houston but was swept last year.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
ABOUT TULSA (10-6, 3-1 AAC): Etou, a senior forward, has scored in double figures in 15 straight games and leads the Golden Hurricane with 17.1 points per contest. Guard Sterling Taplin adds 11.9 points and 3.9 assists while forward Martins Igbanu is averaging 12.8 points in league play after averaging 6.6 points in non-conference. Junior wing DaQuan Jeffries (10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds) has nine total points in his two games back from a hand injury.
ABOUT HOUSTON (12-3, 2-1): Gray's 18.6-point average leads the Cougars and is ranked second in the league but he has been held to 10.7 in AAC play. Forward Devin Davis adds 11.5 points and a team-best 6.7 rebounds while guard Corey Davis Jr. chips in 11.1 points and a 43.2-percent clip from behind the 3-point line. Sophomore center Chris Harris Jr. (2.1 points, 3.1 rebounds) made his first career start in place of junior Breaon Brady (5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds), who missed the Wichita State game with an ankle injury.
TIP-INS
1. Tulsa senior G Corey Henderson Jr. (8.9 points) is averaging 4.7 points in Tulsa's six losses and was held scoreless twice.
2. Houston was outscored in the paint 38-18 against LSU and 20-10 against Wichita State, its two more recent losses.
3. Gray (1,315 points) is 22nd on Houston's list of all-time scorers and needs 17 to tie Hakeem Olajuwon for 20th place.
PREDICTION: Houston 78, Tulsa 70
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