Saturday 3-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Members post your personal plays in the various sports forums @ IWS and our betting trackers!

NFL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...3-NFL-Football (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?53-NFL-Football)

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http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...-NCAA-Football (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?54-NCAA-Football)

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College Basketball
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NBA
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...NBA-Basketball (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?56-NBA-Basketball)

NHL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...?58-NHL-Hockey (http://www.investwithsports.com/newforum/forumdisplay.php?58-NHL-Hockey)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #4 - AQUEDUCT - 2:52 PM EASTERN POST
The Maddie May Stakes
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#2 SPLIT TIME
#4 BREEZY GAL
#1 UNDER SUSPICION
#5 OUT SUPER NOVA

Well folks, this race is named after New York bred and multiple graded stakes winner, Maddie May. Here in just the 3rd running of The Maddie, #2 SPLIT TIME has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of her 3 career starts to date, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her last two starts. Jockey Junior Alvarado was in her irons for those two wins, and is back today here at "The Big-A" for his 3rd ride, gunning for a "Hat Trick Win!" #4 BREEZY GAL is the overall speed and pace profile leader, and comes off a maiden-breaking, 13-length, "POWER RUN WIN" in her last start, which was just the 2nd ride of her young career to date.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Aqueduct

Aqueduct - Race 6

Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (6-8) Grand Slam Races (6-9), Double Wagers


Maiden Claiming $30,000 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 79 • Purse: $35,000 • Post: 3:54P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE AND APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $30,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * IMAGINAR: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest Track Master Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. THIS CAT CAN FLY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the dist ance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
6
IMAGINAR
4/1

3/1
5
THIS CAT CAN FLY
5/2

3/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
UCANTCATCHMYBREATH
4

6/1
Front-runner
66

50

65.4

47.4

39.4
9
ALEX'S LEMON TWIST
9

5/1
Front-runner
0

0

53.1

53.1

45.1
6
IMAGINAR
6

4/1
Alternator/Front-runner
75

81

77.8

65.3

59.3
5
THIS CAT CAN FLY
5

5/2
Trailer
78

73

68.3

69.2

66.2
1
BANKER'S ISLAND
1

15/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

102.4

34.1

27.1
3
SCOTTISH DEVIL
3

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

60.7

31.3

20.3
7
HOLYCOWITS PATRICK
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

21.8

19.9

10.9








Unknown Running Style: MASTA ACE (7/2) [Jockey: Mccarthy Trevor - Trainer: Rice Linda], THE VOW IS LIT (8/1) [Jockey: Alvarado Junior - Trainer: Baker Charlton].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds - Race 14

Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta $0.50 Super High 5


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 63 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 6:47P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * MR. OLD HAT: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. SCALPEL PLEASE: Horse ranks in th e top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. FATHER GEORGE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. LEFTFIELDJUNCTION: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
9
MR. OLD HAT
9/2

5/1
11
SCALPEL PLEASE
8/1

6/1
16
CUSTOM BLING
3/1

8/1
14
FATHER GEORGE
7/2

8/1
6
LEFTFIELDJUNCTION
7/2

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
16
CUSTOM BLING
16

3/1
Front-runner
64

61

76.4

49.4

40.4
10
A HIGHER WAGER
10

6/1
Front-runner
59

50

72.4

47.2

34.7
7
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
7

20/1
Front-runner
50

42

65.4

26.8

2.3
1
DICKIE DO WRONG
1

8/1
Front-runner
0

0

39.3

33.1

10.6
6
LEFTFIELDJUNCTION
6

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
81

59

53.6

41.6

35.1
2
FROM NOW ON
2

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
58

64

53.1

41.0

26.5
14
FATHER GEORGE
14

7/2
Trailer
55

60

40.8

53.0

40.5
9
MR. OLD HAT
9

9/2
Trailer
60

63

9.5

59.7

46.2
13
MIKEY'S MOUSE
13

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
70

59

31.6

47.2

34.2
11
SCALPEL PLEASE
11

8/1
Alternator/Trailer
71

60

15.8

55.8

52.3
8
HALF BLINK
8

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

1.9

14.2

3.2
4
LIL BLINKEY
4

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

60.1

26.4

5.4
12
ASH TAX
12

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

53.3

20.7

0.0
5
GRAND ASSEMBLY
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

47.4

32.2

5.2
15
DOUG'S BUG
15

9/2
Alternator/Non-contender
61

47

43.2

29.6

6.6
3
WAR DUDE
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

17.2

35.4

17.4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mahoning Valley Race Course

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

Race 3 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $20000 Class Rating: 105

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 24 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 DETERMINATOR 3/1

# 7 AESOP 5/2

# 8 PROUD MAXX 15/1

DETERMINATOR has a very strong shot to take this race. Will probably compete strongly in the early pace battle which bodes well with this field. Could beat this group given the 105 speed figure posted in his last outing. Has to be given a chance against this field displaying quite good figures lately and an average speed figure of 94 under similar conditions. AESOP - Looks like a formidable player for the exotics. Ought to be given consideration - I like the figs from the last race. PROUD MAXX - Trainer has solid win rate (17 percent) at this distance and surface.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #1 - Post: 6:00pm - Allowance - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $31,600 Class Rating: 89

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS (ML=6/1)


HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS - This gelding is number one in (EPS) earnings per start. Take a good look at this horse in the saddling enclosure.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 THEY SHOT SONNY (ML=2/1), #1 GURT BOYS (ML=5/2), #5 HAPPY INDEED (ML=7/2),

THEY SHOT SONNY - A bit of a lackluster performance when this gelding finished fifth. GURT BOYS - Tough to take this horse at the odds after the finish position (seventh) in the last event. HAPPY INDEED - Recorded a somewhat easily forgotten speed fig in the last race in an Allowance race on Feb 24th. Not probable to see an improved performance off of that number.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS - This gelding has, in my highly educated opinion, dominant pace. Look for this one to be in front when the field turns for home, straight through to the wire.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #1 - Post: 12:55pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $21,500 Class Rating: 81

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 PAX IN TERRA (ML=3/1)
#1 VOCAB (ML=9/5)
#1A TIPIT (ML=9/5)
#2X UNBRIDLED ROCKET (ML=5/1)


PAX IN TERRA - Looking at today's class rating, this thoroughbred is meeting an easier field than last time around the track at Parx Racing. Rosado is up for another event today after sitting atop this equine for the 1st attempt on February 17th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. Earnings per race is something that I believe can be a very key factor. This mount is ranked at the very top in this bunch. This horse didn't run well on an off track in his last race around the track at Parx Racing. You probably want to throw out that showing. VOCAB - This gelding recorded a nice speed rating of 89 in his last affair. That speed fig should be high enough to prove victorious this time. TIPIT - This gelding is in first-rate condition right now. Finished third last race out and comes back promptly. Lake gets a break on this mount carrying 9 lbs less than last out. Could make the difference in this race. UNBRIDLED ROCKET - While the finish was disappointing, this race horse made a good stretch move last time around the track at Parx Racing. Should do much better in this field. This animal didn't run well on a muddy track in his last start at Parx Racing. You may want to disregard that showing. Gelding made a nice late run going 7 furlongs on February 5th. I have to like his chances stretching out today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 KENDRICKS (ML=5/1), #5 MONTAUK MAN (ML=6/1), #6 GILES FAIR (ML=8/1),

MONTAUK MAN - Doesn't seem inspiring to me after the lack of any type of closing ability on March 12th. Earned a most unsatisfactory rating last race out in a $12,500 Claiming race on March 12th. Improbable to see an improved performance off of that number.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #3 PAX IN TERRA on top if we're getting at least 7/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,3] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[1,2,3] with [1,2,3] with [1,2,3,7,8] with [1,2,3,7,8] Total Cost: $36

** Some or all wagers above involve entries and assume all parts of entry start the race **

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turfway Park

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

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 73

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $10,000 1 LB.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 SPIRIT FLY 1/1

# 7 MISS DEVINE 7/2

# 5 URAWESOMEBLOSSOM 4/1

SPIRIT FLY figures to be the bet in here. Could best this group here, showing quite good figs of late. Will probably come out sharp - I have liked the way this filly has moved speedily to the front end recently. Put up a strong speed rating in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. MISS DEVINE - Put up a quite good speed figure last time out. Has been racing in the most competitive company of the group lately. URAWESOMEBLOSSOM - Earnings per start at the distance/surface is a strong angle. This one ranks at the top in this lot. Should best this group here, showing decent numbers of late.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Kansas State Wildcats Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
An unlikely trip to the Final Four wouldn't mark uncharted territory for Loyola Chicago or Kansas State, but neither team has advanced that far in more than five decades. The teams that busted up the NCAA Tournament's South Regional bracket - the ninth-seeded Wildcats and the 11th-seeded Ramblers - square off Saturday in Atlanta with a long-awaited return to the Final Four on the line.


Kansas State is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2010, but the Wildcats lost the last six times they had a chance to advance to the Final Four. Their last trip came in 1964 - one year after Loyola claimed the national title in their only Final Four trip. The Ramblers were a power in the 1960s but hadn't been in the NCAA Tournament since 1985 before this year's Cinderella run in which the Ramblers have won three games by a total of four points, including a 69-68 win over No. 7 seed Nevada on Thursday. Kansas State, which overcame foul trouble to escape with a 61-58 win over No. 5 seed Kentucky on Thursday, will be the lowest-seeded team Loyola has faced thus far after beating the Nos. 6, 3, and 7 seeds.

TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS


ABOUT LOYOLA CHICAGO (31-5): The Ramblers have won 13 straight - the longest streak in the nation - and 20 of their last 21. They closed out the win over Nevada by shooting 75 percent in the second half, as Marques Townes (11.2 points) and Aundre Jackson (11.2 points) made key 3-pointers down the stretch. Five players averaged double-digit scoring with Clayton Custer (13.4) - the hero of the Tennessee win - leading the way.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (25-11): Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Wildcats' run through the tournament - which was aided by No. 16 seed Maryland-Baltimore County knocking off overall No. 1 seed Virginia - is the fact they've done it with very little contribution from leading scorer and rebounder Dean Wade (16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds). The 6-10 center missed the first two games with a foot injury and was limited to eight minutes against Kentucky. Point guard Barry Brown (16 points, 3.3 assists) and swingman Xavier Sneed (11 points, 5.1 rebounds) have stepped up to carry the load in his absence.


TIP-INS

1. Kansas State is 10-2 when making at least nine 3-pointers, including two wins in the NCAA Tournament.

2. The Ramblers are 22-0 when leading at halftime and 29-1 when scoring at least 60 points.

3. The Wildcats are 20-2 when leading at halftime and 24-2 when shooting for a higher percentage from the field than the opposition.


PREDICTION: Kansas State 67, Loyola Chicago 65

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
Third-seeded Michigan looks to stay on course for its second Final Four appearance in six years when it faces No. 9 seed Florida State in the West Regional Final on Saturday in Los Angeles. The Wolverines set a new NCAA Tournament single-game record as eight players made at least one 3-pointer in the impressive 99-72 win against seventh-seeded Texas A&M on Thursday to advance to the Elite 8 for the third time in their last five tournament appearances.

Michigan, which is coming off its most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game since 1992, has won 12 straight games, including nine in a row away from home, and can set a single-season program record with their 32nd victory at the Staples Center. Florida State overpowered No. 4 seed Gonzaga 75-60 to reach the Elite 8 for the first time since 1993. The Seminoles, who had one player finish in double figures against the Bulldogs, blocked nine shots while holding Gonzaga to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor en route to the upset and hope to put the defensive clamps on the hot-shooting Wolverines to reach their first Final Four in 46 years. "We're a team that operates with the philosophy that we have to win games by committee," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "They're all able to contribute offensively and defensively because of that philosophy."

TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (23-11): Terance Mann led the way with 18 points to go along with five rebounds despite being hampered by a groin injury while Braian Angola and C.J. Walker each added nine points in the win against Gonzaga. Trent Forrest provided a big spark off the bench with seven points, six rebounds and six assists while fellow reserve Mfiondu Kabengele was an intimidating force in the paint as he registered a game-high four blocks against the Bulldogs. "It feels great," Forrest told reporters. "We're a team that from the beginning of the season knew that we could make it as far as we wanted to."

ABOUT MICHIGAN (31-7): Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 16 of his team-leading 24 points in the second half and dished out seven assists against Texas A&M after shooting a combined 7-of-26 from the floor in his previous two NCAA Tournament games. Moritz Wagner bounced back from two pedestrian performances as he tallied 14 of his 21 points in the first half to set the offensive tone as the Wolverines finished 14-of-24 from 3-point range against the Aggies. Charles Matthews continued his stellar play in the tournament by adding 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting while Zavier Simpson contributed 11 points, six steals and five assists.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan has won eight of its last 12 games by double digits.

2. Florida State has held three straight opponents to 70 points or fewer.

3. The winner plays ninth-seeded Kansas State or No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago in the Final Four.

PREDICTION: Michigan 77, Florida State 69

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia 76ers aim for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. A win would carry extra importance as it would clinch the franchise's first winning season since 2004-05, when Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson was its star player.

The 76ers, who rolled to a 118-98 victory over Orlando on Thursday, are also closing in on their first postseason berth since 2012 as they are 9 1/2 games in front of ninth-place Detroit with just 11 remaining. "After this game, I kind of have a new goal," All-Star center Joel Embiid told reporters on Thursday. "I want to get to 50 wins. If we can do that, that'd be great, so we got to keep pushing for that." Minnesota can relate to Philadelphia's .500 milestone as it registered a 108-104 victory over New York on Friday to clinch its first winning campaign since 2004-05. "We're trying to change things here," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "We have to do it game by game, day by day and not skip over anything."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (42-31): Minnesota is battling to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04 as it stands seventh in the Western Conference - two games ahead of ninth-place Denver with nine remaining. "We have a lot more work to do and we have a lot more games in front of us that are just as important," All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds on Friday for his NBA-leading 60th double-double of the season, told reporters. Taj Gibson is averaging 16.5 points on 11-of-16 shooting over his last two games after playing poorly in the previous two, when he averaged six points on 5-of-13 shooting.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (41-30): Philadelphia led by as many as 35 points while crushing Orlando and finished with a 32-10 advantage in fast-break points. "I feel like our defense set the stage where we could have (had) a launching pad to get out and go," coach Brett Brown told reporters. "It's hard to run after made baskets. It's easier to run after missed baskets." The huge margin allowed Brown to use Embiid for just 20 minutes - in which he recorded 17 points and nine rebounds - in the second end of a back-to-back set.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Embiid contributed 28 points, 12 rebounds and a career-best eight assists as the visiting 76ers notched a 118-112 overtime win over the Timberwolves on Dec. 12.

2. Philadelphia F Ersan Ilyasova scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the Magic after five straight single-digit performances.

3. Minnesota PG Derrick Rose (ankle) did not play on Friday and will miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: 76ers 114, Timberwolves 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Phoenix Suns vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Orlando Magic have dropped 15 of their last 18 games during another dismal season as they enter Saturday's matchup against the host Phoenix Suns. The campaign has been so dreadful for the Magic that speculation is running rampant that second-year coach Frank Vogel will be dismissed.

Orlando has been in a long funk since opening the season with an 8-4 record as it has won just 13 of its last 60 contests. The Magic were outplayed and outworked in Thursday's 118-98 loss to Philadelphia, and Vogel maintains that he isn't going to back off of his expectations no matter how tenuous his situation becomes. "Part of changing a losing culture is not giving in and not relenting in situations where the other team's kicking your butt," Vogel told reporters after his team trailed by as many as 35 points on Thursday. "So, to me, it was a good opportunity to challenge these guys and call something out that's been an issue for us." The Suns are sinking in even worse fashion with 10 straight losses and 25 in their last 27 games after Friday's 120-95 setback against Cleveland.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus, FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-54): Devin Booker tested his injured right hand prior to Friday's contest before sitting out his third straight game. "Can't catch the ball. Can't throw a pass," interim coach Jay Triano said during his postgame press conference. "Hopefully, he'll be able to play (Saturday) night. We've got a lot of guys who are tired." TJ Warren (knee) also is questionable for Saturday's contest after sitting out each of the last two contests.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (21-51): Orlando recently re-signed Rodney Purvis to a second 10-day contract, and he was one of the few bright spots in the loss to the 76ers. Purvis scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting - going 3-for-5 from 3-point range - as he attempts to show the Magic he can be a contributor next season. "I was just trying to bring a lot of energy on the defensive end and create something on the offensive end," Purvis told reporters. "My teammates found me in good spots and I was able to make some shots."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. PF Aaron Gordon scored 22 points as the Magic posted a 128-112 road victory over the Suns on Nov. 10.

2. Phoenix PG Elfrid Payton will play against his former club for the first time since being dealt in early February after spending 3 1/2 seasons in Orlando.

3. Orlando rookie F Jonathan Isaac (left foot) hopes to return after sitting out Thursday, while SF Jonathon Simmons (wrist) likely will miss his third straight contest.

PREDICTION: Magic 112, Suns 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Detroit Pistons' playoff hopes are evaporating, but they will try to continue their pursuit of the final Eastern Conference postseason spot when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Detroit sits six games behind eighth-place Milwaukee, which defeated the Bulls on Friday, with just 10 contests remaining.

The Pistons fancied making a playoff charge after acquiring Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers, but they instead are fading with 14 losses in their last 19 games. "Whatever problems we have have not been because of him at all," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters of Griffin. "His attitude has been great, his play has been great, and when we get healthy and get the right people around him, this is going to be a good team." Chicago is well out of playoff contention and dropped a 118-105 decision to the Bucks on Friday for its fourth straight setback. The Bulls are just 9-26 on the road as they begin a four-game trek that includes stops in Houston, Miami and Orlando.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Detroit Plus

ABOUT THE BULLS (24-48): Chicago could fail to reach the 30-win mark for the first time since going 23-59 in 2003-04, but Fred Hoiberg is continuing to coach as if a playoff spot is within reach. "With the way that our season is, the big picture, these guys are getting a great opportunity to play," Hoiberg told reporters. "You have to keep playing all the way to the final horn. I don't care what the score is. We have to try to play the right way." Rookie power forward Lauri Markkanen (back) is one of the building blocks, and he returned from a five-game absence to contribute nine points and six rebounds on Friday but won't make the trip to Detroit so he can rest his back.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (32-40): Rumblings suggesting Van Gundy could be let go after his fourth season with the franchise have started, but the 58-year-old remains bullish that the team is close to turning the corner. "I thought we made really good progress our first two years," Van Gundy told reporters. "We went .500 after Christmas our first year after a miserable start, and then 44 wins and a playoff team. And, quite honestly, we just haven't been able to build on that. There's a lot of reasons. Some of them within our control, some of them not within our control, and we just haven't been able to build on that these last two years." Two more defeats will give Van Gundy three losing seasons during his tenure in Detroit.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split their first two meetings this season, and the fourth and final matchup is slated for April 11 in Chicago.

2. Detroit was just 6-for-38 from 3-point range in Thursday's 100-96 overtime loss to Houston.

3. Chicago PG Cameron Payne (ankle) was injured while recording 17 points and six assists on Friday, and he underwent X-rays but said "everything was fine" after the contest.

PREDICTION: Pistons 105, Bulls 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The Memphis Grizzlies suffered through several embarrassing losses this season, but none was as bad as the thumping they were issued at Charlotte on Thursday. The Grizzlies will try to put that terrible performance behind them and find a better effort when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Memphis, which is fighting to avoid the worst record in the NBA, suffered the largest margin of defeat in franchise history and the sixth largest in NBA history with a 140-79 setback against the Hornets. "It's got to be from everybody, not just one or two guys," Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans told reporters. "They were out there just laughing. It was embarrassing, the whole thing. We've got to just wash this one away and just come back next game and be ready to play." The Lakers are enduring their own losing streak but are at least putting up more of a fight. "We're not losing because we're not making shots," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton told reporters after a 128-125 loss at New Orleans on Thursday. "The ball is moving, we're playing at a good pace. The reason we lost was we didn't play any defense for the majority of the game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (31-40): Los Angeles allowed 80 points in the paint in Thursday's loss, but the focus after the game was still on rookie Lonzo Ball's poor shooting. The 20-year-old went 2-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-12 from beyond the arc in the loss and is 7-of-48 from 3-point range over the last seven contests. "The shots I'm getting, I like them, been hitting them my whole life," Ball, who went unguarded on several of his 3-point attempts on Thursday, told reporters. "A little frustrated they're not going in, though."

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-53): Memphis did not play center Marc Gasol (rest) on Thursday and is without point guard Mike Conley (heel), leaving plenty of minutes for younger players. "Every game for these guys and for all of us is an audition," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "It's a matter of being able to prove that you belong. To me, the end results and the scores, that stuff is going to be what it is. But every team in the NBA is going to go back and they're going to watch these films. They're going to key in on each individual and see in tough situation, what did they do? There's two options, you fight or you run. And tonight we ran from the fight." Second-year shooting guard Wayne Selden led the team with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PF Julius Randle scored at least 20 points in each of the last six games and recorded five double-doubles in that span.

2. Grizzlies PG Andrew Harrison (wrist) sat out Thursday and is day-to-day.

3. Memphis took two of the first three meetings this season, including a 123-114 home win on Jan. 15.

PREDICTION: Lakers 120, Grizzlies 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The New Orleans Pelicans aren't making it look easy, but they continue to find the win column. The Pelicans are in for a challenge when they try to push their winning streak to five straight on Saturday against the host Houston Rockets, who are winners of seven straight and own the best record in the NBA.

Anthony Davis' late MVP push is keeping New Orleans in the top eight of the Western Conference, and it outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers 128-125 on Thursday to head into play on Friday in the No. 4 spot, 3 1/2 games in front of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets. "It feels good, but we can celebrate tonight," Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday told reporters after the win. "We got a still tough schedule to go. Pretty sure we moved up (in the standings), but we got, what, nine games left. We've got to keep on winning games and get to where we want to get so that we can have some advantage in the playoffs." The Rockets are inching toward locking up the No. 1 spot in the West and are winners of 24 of their last 25 after MVP frontrunner James Harden scored 10 of his 21 points in overtime of a 100-96 win over Detroit on Thursday. Houston will play seven of its final 10 games at home, where it owns a 28-6 record.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS New Orleans, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-30): New Orleans is thriving through a rough stretch of schedule that had it play five games in six days and had enough energy left on Thursday to outscore the Lakers 31-17 in the fourth quarter. "Mentally tough. Mentally tough," Davis told reporters. "Just had to grind it out. It was one of those games where you got a grind out a team who was making a lot of shots, playing very well. Five (games) in six (nights), so it was just one of them games we just tried to fight through the fatigue -- physically and mentally -- and just try to pull this one out." The Pelicans, who began that stretch with a 107-101 home loss to Houston last Saturday, don't get any breaks with games against Portland, Cleveland and Oklahoma City next week.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (58-14): Harden struggled to 2-of-16 from the floor in regulation on Thursday before finding his stroke in overtime. "It's always tough getting home from a long road trip, but we found a way to win," Harden told reporters. "Defensively we were pretty active. They only had 96 points, which is good in overtime. Offensively, we couldn't get it going. It's going to be like that sometimes, so, find ways to win games." Harden went 0-of-8 from 3-point range in the win, marking the first time this season that he failed to make at least one 3-point attempt.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets will reportedly release PF Brandan Wright, who played in only one game for the team after being bought out by Memphis.

2. New Orleans SF E'Twaun Moore is 16-of-25 from the floor over the last two games.

3. Houston took three of the last four in the series, including a 130-123 home win on Dec. 11.

PREDICTION: Rockets 122, Pelicans 119

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The Charlotte Hornets might be out of the playoff race, but that doesn't mean they've quit. The Hornets will try to put together a third consecutive historic performance when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Center Dwight Howard became the eighth player in NBA history to record a 30-30 game when he posted 32 points and 30 rebounds in a 111-105 win at Brooklyn on Wednesday, and Charlotte went out on Thursday in the second night of a back-to-back and posted the largest margin of victory in franchise history with a 140-79 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies behind a record performance by Kemba Walker. "Two nights in a row," Hornets coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "It was fun to me to watch what Dwight did last night and then what Kemba did tonight. Just fun to watch and deserving for both guys. So, it's a good night for the Hornets and we'll go to Dallas and see if we can continue to play well." The Mavericks are losers of four in a row and dropped the opener of a two-game homestand 119-112 to the Utah Jazz on Thursday. "Shot-making was our deodorant tonight, because defensive we weren't getting much done," Dallas Rick Carlisle told reporters after the latest setback. "It's a dangerous game to play and we're just going to have to do better defensively."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (32-41): Walker needed just 28 minutes to score 46 points on Thursday and made a franchise-record 10 3-pointers while going 13-of-18 from the field, 10-of-14 from beyond the arc and 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. "I think he's grown in every area, just because of how he is," Clifford told reporters of Walker. "It's not just his skills -- where he's made obviously great strides -- but he's a student of the NBA. ... He's always been extremely team-oriented, he's a great presence in the locker room, you know because of his work, because of his commitment to the game, to the team. And it's been I think just the way you want it to be, it's been every year it gets better and better. Obviously, we're just fortunate to have him here." Howard didn't get a chance to follow up his historic performance while serving a one-game suspension on Thursday for reaching 16 technical fouls.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-50): Dallas is trying to stay out of the Western Conference basement while getting a good look at some younger players as the season winds down, but the most promising of those youngsters, rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr., missed the last two games with a sprained left ankle. Smith plans on returning to the lineup on Saturday, where he will be joined with newcomer Aaron Harrison. The Mavericks signed the former Kentucky standout guard to a 10-day contract on Thursday and he scored six points in 20 minutes off the bench in his team debut.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks PG J.J. Barea went 5-of-7 from 3-point range while starting in place of Smith on Thursday.

2. Hornets SG Nicolas Batum (Achilles) is expected to miss his fourth straight game.

3. The road team took four of the last five in the series, with Dallas grabbing a 115-111 victory at Charlotte on Jan. 10.

PREDICTION: Hornets 112, Mavericks 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The star representing the greatest season in NHL expansion team history has faded a bit as the Vegas Golden Knights begin a home-and-home series with the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday afternoon. Vegas is 6-5-1 in its last 12 games after Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to San Jose but still boasts a seven-point lead over the second-place Sharks in the Pacific Division.

"It's impressive. It's a great season for our guys,'' the Golden Knights' James Neal told reporters Thursday after Vegas became the first expansion club in league history to accumulate 100 points. "Guys came together real quick. A great job so far, but we're not done yet." Vegas, which won the only previous meeting 7-0 in Nevada on Oct. 27, is likely to encounter an angry Colorado club that was blown out by fellow Western Conference playoff contender Los Angeles 7-1 on Thursday. The Avalanche, though, own one of the two wild-card spots in the West and are on pace to at least double the 48 points they totaled last season in a remarkable turnaround spearheaded by center Nathan MacKinnon, who owns a 14-game point streak. "We have eight games to go, and we know it's just going to get harder from here,'' Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog told reporters. "Nobody's going to hand you any points."

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific; AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (47-21-6): William Karlsson (66 points) has only five of his team-high 39 goals in 11 March games, including three in a 4-0 victory over Calgary on March 18. David Perron (66 points) has been kept off the scoresheet for the last two contests after recording eight of his club-most 50 assists in the previous eight games. Marc-Andre Fleury, who missed 25 games earlier this season with a concussion, sat out Thursday's game after taking a shot off the mask in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Vancouver, but will rejoin the team in Colorado.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (40-26-8): MacKinnon (38 goals, 92 points) trails Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov by three points for the league lead after recording 13 goals and 14 assists during his point streak. Fellow linemate Mikko Rantanen (27 goals, 80 points) continued his breakout season with a goal Thursday, giving him five scores and 11 assists during an eight-game point streak. Semyon Varlamov is expected to appear in his 20th straight game and start for the 17th time in the last 18 contests after allowing five goals on 20 shots versus Los Angeles and getting relieved by Jonathan Bernier.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas LW James Neal (24 goals, 41 points) has recorded one assist in four games since missing eight with a hand injury.

2. Colorado C Carl Soderberg (15 goals, 34 points) has missed the last two games because of illness.

3. The Golden Knights, who host the Avalanche on Monday, are 12-for-12 on the penalty kill over their last four games while Colorado has allowed a power-play goal in each of the past two contests after killing 16-of-16 penalties in its previous five.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Golden Knights 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
Two Pacific Division rivals veering off in opposite directions will collide when the surging San Jose Sharks host the skidding Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. San Jose is riding a six-game winning streak and will try to complete a season sweep of the fading Flames, who have dropped four in a row to tumble out of playoff contention.

The Sharks solidified their hold on second place in the Pacific by knocking off division-leading Vegas 2-1 in overtime on Thursday night. "We're just trying to get our game to where it needs to be," said Logan Couture, who scored the decisive goal. "When you have this many games left in the season, you're trying to play your best hockey going into the playoffs." San Jose has won four in a row in the series, including a 7-4 victory in Calgary on March 16 that kicked off the Flames' current four-game slide. Injury-riddled Calgary was blanked for the second time during the skid in Wednesday's 4-0 home loss to Anaheim and is eight points out of the second wild-card slot with seven games remaining.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), NBCS California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (35-30-10): Calgary absorbed a huge blow when the Calgary Sun reported Friday that No. 1 center Sean Monahan is done for the season and will have to undergo surgery. Monahan leads the team with 31 goals, matching his career high. "I don't know how much longer Sean Monahan can play," coach Glen Gulutzan said after Friday's practice. "He's been playing through two significant injuries here. He's been gutting it out. He's been injected in two places for the last three weeks, just to get him through the games."

ABOUT THE SHARKS (42-23-9): Couture has scored in three consecutive games to push his season total to 31 -- one shy of his career high established in 2010-11. Defenseman Brent Burns finally put an end to a 15-game goal drought by netting his 11th while pouring 10 shots on goal and blocking three shots against Vegas. "We concentrate on the (defensive) side most of the time, play a structured game," Burns said. "That is our game. I don't think high scoring is really what we're aiming to do. It just happens off of good structure."

OVERTIME

1. The Sharks have not allowed a power-play goal in 10 straight home games.

2. F Kris Versteeg is also done for the season for Calgary, which is 1-for-35 with the man advantage in the past dozen games.

3. San Jose is 20-4-3 against the Pacific Division this season.

PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Flames 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
With a trip to the postseason all but out of the question, the New York Rangers are hoping to just end the season on a positive note. New York begins that quest Saturday as it attempts to halt a three-game slide when it hosts the league-worst Buffalo Sabres.

The Rangers are 12 points behind New Jersey for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with only eight games remaining and two other teams in their path, making it likely they will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. The club has dropped six of its last eight (2-4-2) and each of its last three, including a 4-3 decision in Philadelphia on Thursday. Buffalo concluded a 1-4-1 homestand Friday with a 3-0 setback against Montreal - its second shutout loss in three contests. The Sabres are last in the NHL with 58 points but have recorded more victories on the road (12) than at home (11) this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo, New York)

ABOUT THE SABRES (23-39-12): Former All-Star Zemgus Girgensons returned to the lineup Friday after missing two games with an undisclosed injury and posted a minus-1 rating in 17 minutes, 36 seconds of ice time. The 24-year-old Latvian center is two points shy of 100 for his career but is in the midst of a six-game drought. Chad Johnson, who exited Wednesday's loss to Arizona after being hit in the mask with a shot, did not dress for the game against the Canadiens and is day-to-day, although coach Phil Housley stated the goaltender has not been diagnosed with a concussion.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (32-34-8): Jesper Fast is riding a career-high seven-game point streak after recording two goals and an assist against the Flyers. The 26-year-old Swede has collected three tallies and six assists during his run, putting him within five points of 100 for his career. Mika Zibanejad also has been red-hot as he enters Saturday with a four-game goal-scoring streak during which he has registered six tallies - including his team-leading 26th on Thursday - and a six-game run on which he has collected 10 points.

OVERTIME

1. Rangers C Kevin Hayes needs two assists to reach 100 in the NHL.

2. Buffalo F Seth Griffith was assigned to Rochester of the American Hockey League upon Girgensons' return to health.

3. New York agreed to terms with 20-year-old D Ryan Lindgren, who was acquired from Boston in the trade involving Rick Nash, on an entry-level contract.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Sabres 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the second-best overall run in franchise history and look to match their longest home winning streak when they host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Columbus has ridden a string of 10 consecutive victories to third place in the Metropolitan Division and can move past Pittsburgh for second with a ninth straight win at home, which would tie the club mark set from Nov. 29, 2016-Jan. 3, 2017.

The Blue Jackets, who are coming off a 4-0 home triumph over Florida on Thursday, have not lost since March 2 at Anaheim and haven't fallen at Nationwide Arena since suffering a 5-2 setback against the Penguins on Feb. 18. St. Louis also is surging as it posted a 4-1 victory over Vancouver on Friday to extend its winning streak to four games and pull within one point of Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Patrik Berglund scored a pair of goals and Vladimir Tarasenko also tallied in his return from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury to help the Blues record their first regulation win after three straight overtime triumphs. Tarasenko leads the team in tallies and is two away from reaching the 30-goal plateau for the fourth consecutive season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE BLUES (41-28-5): Jaden Schwartz set up a tally against the Canucks, giving him two goals and three assists during his four-game point streak. St. Louis could be without Carl Gunnarsson on Saturday as the defenseman exited the win over Vancouver with a lower-body injury, which he suffered when falling awkwardly into the boards following a collision with Bo Horvat. The 31-year-old Swede, who is three assists shy of 100 for his career, has registered five goals and nine points in 63 contests this season.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (42-28-5): Seth Jones returned to the lineup against the Panthers and scored a goal after missing three games with an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old defenseman has landed on the scoresheet in each of his last five contests, registering five goals and four assists to reach the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career. Brandon Dubinsky was a healthy scratch for each of the last two games but is expected to be in the lineup Saturday due to an upper-body injury to Lukas Sedlak, who was struck on the helmet by a puck during the win over Florida.

OVERTIME

1. Berglund has scored three goals in as many games after recording one over his previous 13 contests.

2. Columbus LW Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 69 points, has registered six in his last three contests while notching 10 goals and 13 assists in his last 17 games.

3. St. Louis D Alex Pietrangelo has collected 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in his last seven games, registering four multi-point performances in that span.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Blues 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Capitals look to continue their surge and solidify their position at the top of the Metropolitan Division when they visit the struggling Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. The Capitals have won six of their last seven after Thursday's 1-0 victory at Detroit and lead rival Pittsburgh by three points with eight games remaining as they attempt to win a third straight division title.

"This was a huge win at this point in the season," Washington coach Barry Trotz told reporters after Thursday's triumph as Philipp Grubauer made 39 saves. "As close as things are in our division, we can't let any points get away." The Capitals hope to get second-leading scorer Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has missed three games with an arm injury, back as soon as Saturday when they take on a Canadiens team that officially has been eliminated from playoff contention. Montreal showed a little life Friday with a 3-0 victory over Buffalo as Antti Niemi turned aside 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price, who made 34 saves Wednesday in his first start in nearly a month due to a concussion, could be back in net but is 6-12-4 lifetime against Washington.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, NBCS Washington, Sportsnet, TVA (Montreal)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (43-24-7): With former Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby struggling and now considered day-to-day with a knee injury, Grubauer has lifted his play - posting a .944 save percentage over his last 13 games. "He was a No. 1 goalie in the minors and he's been a backup to a guy who has been a Vezina Trophy finalist the last couple years," Trotz told reporters regarding Grubauer. "He's been learning and getting better, and now he has stepped up to become someone who can win games for us." Captain Alex Ovechkin has collected four goals and five assists over his last six games and leads the team with 81 points - 10 more than Kuznetsov.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (27-36-12): Brendan Gallagher, who scored his career-high and team-leading 27th goal into an empty net on Friday, is slated to make his 400th appearance in the NHL on Saturday. Alex Galchenyuk notched his club-best 29th assist against Buffalo to remain one point behind Gallagher with 45. Jonathan Drouin has recorded six of his 39 points in the last seven games while Paul Byron scored his 18th goal on Friday, putting him four away from the career high he set last season and moving him past captain Max Pacioretty for second on the team in 2017-18.

OVERTIME

1. The teams have split a pair of meetings in Washington this season, with the Canadiens winning the most recent one 3-2 on Jan. 19.

2. Washington signed LW Shane Gersich on Friday, and the 2014 fifth-round draft pick has joined the team in Montreal.

3. Montreal is 0-for-11 on the power play over its last four games after going 4-for-6 in the previous two contests.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Canadiens 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to set franchise records as they struggle to find consistency on the defensive end of the ice and face another challenge Saturday against the host New Jersey Devils. The Lightning have won a team-record 51 games and are two points shy of matching the 2014-15 team with a franchise-most 108, but they are allowing 3.9 goals per game this month after posting a 7-6 road win over the New York Islanders on Thursday.

"When you're in a game like (Thursday) going into the third, just close them out," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos told reporters after his team nearly coughed up a four-goal lead. "Don't give them a chance. The penalty kill is struggling. Then stay out of the box. That's a start. There's areas to improve on. It's all self-inflicted, which is the frustrating part." The Lightning lead Boston by four points in the race for the Atlantic Division crown and will face a focused New Jersey team that is three points ahead of Florida for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Devils earned a huge victory on Friday as Taylor Hall's overtime tally gave them a 4-3 triumph at Pittsburgh that concluded a 4-2-0 road trip, but they have played two more games than the Panthers. Hall leads the way with career highs of 33 goals and 81 points for New Jersey, which is beginning a four-game homestand but has lost four of its last six at Prudential Center.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), MSG Plus 2 (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (51-19-4): Tampa Bay gave up three more power-play goals in the win over the Islanders and entered Friday ranked 27th in the league on the penalty kill (75.9 percent) after yielding at least one man-advantage tally in 13 of its last 15 games. Nikita Kucherov notched an assist against New York and leads the league with 95 points - 13 in his last eight contests - while Brayden Point recorded three points to reach 100 in his career (101). Norris Trophy candidate Victor Hedman has scored in three consecutive games and is two goals away from matching his career high of 16 in 2016-17.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (38-28-8): Hall also registered two assists on Friday and has posted 33 more points than New Jersey's second-leading scorer Nico Hischier (17 goals, 31 assists), who was the first pick in last June's draft. Rookie defenseman Will Butcher scored his first goal since Nov. 20 on Friday and is tied with Kyle Palmieri for third on the team at 36 points. Keith Kinkaid (20-10-2) made 40 saves for the victory on Friday, but coach John Hynes stated after the game that he had not decided whether the netminder will make back-to-back starts or if Cory Schneider (17-15-6) would get the call.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey C Pavel Zacha (upper body) returned to the lineup Friday after missing six games and recorded an assist.

2. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper needs one victory to overtake John Tortorella (239) for most in franchise history.

3. The Devils have won both meetings in 2017-18, posting a 5-4 shootout win at home on Oct. 17 and a 4-3 victory at Tampa Bay on Feb. 17.

PREDICTION: Devils 3, Lightning 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Coyotes vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The Florida Panthers look to rebound from a disappointing result last time out and continue their quest for an Eastern Conference playoff spot Saturday night when they host the improving Arizona Coyotes. The Panthers, who had gone 11-2-1 to climb within one point of the second wild-card spot, suffered a 4-0 loss at Columbus on Thursday to end a 2-1-0 trip and have four straight road games after facing Arizona.

"We've been a good team all year facing adversity and bouncing back after a game like this," Florida coach Bob Boughner told reporters of the Panthers, who trail New Jersey by three points for a postseason position with two games in hand. Florida had averaged 3.7 goals in 10 games before being shut out Thursday when it allowed three tallies in the first six minutes of the second period and won't have it easy against the Coyotes, who have climbed out of the NHL cellar with a 13-6-2 stretch. Arizona has scored 14 times in the last three games, but settled for a 6-5 loss at Carolina on Thursday after battling from two goals down to take a lead into the third period. "We were (leading) again and a couple guys cheated, and you can't," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet told reporters after the loss. "That's not winning hockey. I don't care if it's eight games left or 80 games left. It's something that we will get right. You cannot cheat this game."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Florida

ABOUT THE COYOTES (25-38-11): Clayton Keller is trying to stay alive in the Calder Trophy race with a seven-game point streak in which he has three goals and six assists. Keller, who is one away from Peter Mueller's franchise rookie record of 22 goals (2007-08), leads the team with 57 points while center Derek Stepan has 51 after posting three consecutive two-point games and leads the team with 38 assists. Oliver Ekman-Larsson owns four goals in his last seven games and fellow defenseman Alex Goligoski scored twice Thursday.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (37-28-7): Florida was shut out for the third time this season Thursday and will need more from two of its three top scorers - Vincent Trocheck (no points, three games) along with Jonathan Huberdeau (one, last five). All-Star center Aleksander Barkov (99 career goals) tops the team with 73 points after notching three (goal, two assists) in the past three contests, but has a minus-4 rating in the last four. Veteran goalie Roberto Luongo has also cooled off after a hot stretch with one win in his last four starts, allowing 11 goals in the three defeats.

OVERTIME

1. Arizona D Niklas Hjalmarsson (nine points, 48 games) left Thursday's contest with a lower-body injury and is questionable.

2. Florida D Aaron Ekblad (15 goals, 32 points in 2017-18) is slated to play his 300th NHL game Saturday.

3. The Panthers are 4-1-2 in the last seven meetings, including a 3-2 triumph Dec. 19 in Arizona.

PREDICTION: Panthers 5, Coyotes 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
After turning in a wretched performance against one last-place team, the Chicago Blackhawks hope to turn in a better effort against another one when they visit the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Chicago takes a five-game losing streak into the matchup against the Islanders, who are bringing up the rear in the Metropolitan Division.

Two nights after they were eliminated from playoff contention, the Blackhawks absorbed a 5-2 beating at home from a Vancouver club that had scored only seven goals in losing its previous seven games. Chicago is the only team in the Central Division with a losing record and one of only three clubs in the Western Conference that has yet to reach 70 points after amassing 109 a year ago. New York has won only twice in its last 14 games (2-8-4) but showed some moxie with a belated comeback in Thursday's 7-6 loss to Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay. "It's not good enough but it was great to see the way some of the guys stepped up," coach Doug Weight said after the Islanders stormed back by scoring three unanswered goals in the third period.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), MSG Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (30-36-9): Chicago's backup plan at goaltender since the late-December injury to Corey Crawford continues to be a nightmare, with Thursday's loss marking the 10th time this season that the team has yanked its starter. Jean-Francois Berube gave up four goals on 18 shots against the Canucks as the Blackhawks allowed at least five goals for the fifth game in a row. "You've all got to assume some responsibilities," coach Joel Quenneville said. "You can't point the fingers at just the goalies."

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (31-33-10): New York also is struggling to slow the opposition, allowing at least six goals for the third time in five games and becoming the first team since Toronto (2008-09) to permit at least six goals in 12 games. Three players scored twice for the Islanders, including Ryan Pulock, who became the first rookie defenseman in franchise history to notch two power-play goals in a game. "Pulie was the best player on the ice tonight," Weight said after Pulock extended his point streak to a career-best five games.

OVERTIME

1. The Islanders are 9-for-18 on the power play over the past four games.

2. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (upper body) will miss his second straight game. He will be re-evaluated next week.

3. New York ended a five-game losing streak in the series with a 7-3 win at Chicago on Jan. 20.

PREDICTION: Islanders 5, Blackhawks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
With their best player back in the lineup after missing a month due to injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs can go about the business of formally wrapping up a playoff spot as the regular season winds down. The Maple Leafs look to continue their late-season roll when they open a three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

Matthews scored a goal in his return as Toronto won for the fifth time in sixth games, snapping Nashville's 15-game point streak with an impressive 5-2 victory on Thursday night. "Nothing new. Back to his usual self," said Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly on the play of Matthews, who had been sidelined for 10 games because of a shoulder injury. Toronto can match a franchise single-season record of 45 wins by beating the woeful Red Wings, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention after Thursday's 1-0 loss to Washington. Detroit has lost 11 of its last 12 games overall (1-10-1) and six of the past seven meetings against the Maple Leafs.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, CBC (Toronto)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (27-36-11): The season-long offensive rut shows no signs of letting up for Detroit, which has been limited to two goals or fewer eight times during the 12-game tailspin. "It's been like this too many times we haven't been able to score when we've had pretty good efforts. We obviously had a pretty good effort," coach Jeff Blashill said after watching his team outshoot the Capitals 39-26. Defenseman Mike Green will miss the remainder of the season and undergo surgery next month to repair damage to his cervical spine.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (44-23-7): Matthews has collected 51 points in 54 games and moved within one goal of reaching 30 for the second time in as many seasons as Toronto handed league-best Nashville its first regulation defeat since Feb. 17. "It can't be easy, but he's so smooth out there and so smart so it doesn't take him long to get back in the rhythm of things and he did a lot of things he usually does," teammate James van Riemsdyk said. Van Riemsdyk is doing a lot of good things in his own right with eight goals in the past five games.

OVERTIME

1. Maple Leafs F Mitch Marner collected two assists Thursday to extend his point streak to seven games.

2. Detroit is 0-for-13 on the power play in the last four games

3. Toronto has scored at least one goal with the man advantage in seven consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are keeping the Carolina Hurricanes' rail-thin postseason aspirations afloat on the strength of their simultaneous career-high seven-game point streaks. The two Finns aim to continue their individual success and bolster the visiting Hurricanes' standing on Saturday in the opener of a home-and-home series against the Ottawa Senators.

"They were dangerous. I thought Seabass (Aho) made some plays. He made a real good play with patience on the first one. ... Turbo's got a great release," Carolina coach Bill Peters said after Teravainen scored and set up a goal and Aho notched two assists in Thursday's wild 6-5 win over Arizona. Teravainen and Aho have combined for 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in their past 20 games for the Hurricanes, who have answered a 1-5-0 mark with wins in two of their last three to reside nine points behind New Jersey for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Senators, who fell one goal short of a Stanley Cup appearance last season, officially were eliminated from postseason contention following Thursday's 6-2 setback to Edmonton. Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said on Friday that the team would attempt to work out a contract with forward Matt Duchene, who scored versus the Oilers to push his point total to seven (four goals, three assists) in the past six games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolinas, Sportsnet1, CITY (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (32-31-11): Rookie Valentin Zykov registered a two-goal performance in his second game since being recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League. "He's a big, heavy, thick guy and he's got some courage and he goes to the net," Peters told the Raleigh News & Observer of the 22-year-Russian, who benefited from playing on the same line as Aho and Teravainen. Jeff Skinner matched Zykov with a two-goal effort, a strong performance considering he had just four points - all assists - in his previous 13 games.

ABOUT THE SENATORS (26-36-11): Dorion also told season ticket holders on Friday during a conference call that captain Erik Karlsson will be extended a contract offer from the team on July 1, the first day the club is allowed to do so. "Erik is a fantastic player," Dorion said, according to the Ottawa Citizen. "The relationship between he, Eugene (Melnyk, owner) and myself is strong, and I want all of you to know that. When we can offer Erik a contract on July 1, we will do so." A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson has one season remaining on a seven-year pact he signed in 2012.

OVERTIME

1. Carolina G Cam Ward improved to 16-8-3 in his career versus Ottawa with a .922 save percentage after turning aside 29 shots in the first meeting with Ottawa.

2. Senators C Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who scored in a 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Jan. 30, is mired in a five-game goal drought after scoring four times in the previous six.

3. Carolina D Jaccob Slavin set up three goals on Thursday to increase his point total to seven (two goals, five assists) in the past four contests

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 5, Senators 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Nashville Predators vs. Minnesota Wild Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Wild healed some bumps and bruises during their pronounced break in their schedule, but business is about to pick up for coach Bruce Boudreau's club. With a four-day respite between games now concluded, the Wild will play the first of three contests in a four-day stretch on Saturday when they host the Western Conference-leading Nashville Predators.

"I think you could tell they're tired of practicing," Boudreau said on Friday. "They're tired of sitting on the sidelines and we want to be involved in this thing. ... I hope we got some rest, I hope we got some enthusiasm and I hope we got some good practice time in. Those are the three things we wanted to do." The Wild are 10-4-1 in their last 15 outings overall and have won two of three meetings this season versus the Predators, who saw their franchise-best 14-0-1 run come to a halt with Thursday's 5-2 setback to Toronto. "I think you look at this stretch we've had with 15 games with points, and we've been squeaking out wins and finding ways to win, but that's not playoff hockey," Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "We've gotten away with that for some time, but it finally caught up with us playing a really good team."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS North-Plus (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (48-15-10): Viktor Arvidsson scored versus the Maple Leafs to extend his point streak to three games and boost his point total to 19 (nine goals, 10 assists) in his last 16 contests. The 24-year-old Swede has collected three points (two goals, one assist) versus the Wild, trailing only Ryan Johansen (one goal, three assists) and defenseman P.K. Subban (two goals, two assists) in the season series. Pekka Rinne doesn't have as fond of memories, as he owns an 0-2-0 mark with a 4.09 goals-against average versus Minnesota this season.

ABOUT THE WILD (41-24-8): Zach Parise scored his second goal in three games and sixth this month during Monday's 4-3 overtime setback to Los Angeles, and that offense hasn't been in short supply against Nashville. Parise has recorded 12 goals and 19 points in 25 career encounters with the Predators while fellow 33-year-old Eric Staal has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 21 matches. Staal netted his team-leading 39th goal versus the Kings, moving him within one of his first 40-goal season since 2008-09 and within three of Marian Gaborik's franchise record.

OVERTIME

1. Minnesota RW Mikael Granlund netted his second career hat trick in a 4-2 win over Nashville on Dec. 29, upping his career total to 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 21 encounters.

2. Predators C Calle Jarnkrok has been held off the scoresheet in four straight contests on the heels of a five-game point streak.

3. The Central Division rivals will reconvene in Nashville on Tuesday night to conclude their season series.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Predators 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
Anze Kopitar wasn't shy about taking his show on the road in his last outing, and the Los Angeles Kings have made themselves at home in the opposition's arena for quite some time. Kopitar looks to ride the momentum of his first four-goal performance as the Kings bid to conclude a four-game road trip with a flourish on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.

"I'm just trying to help us win, I'm not doing anything else. ... Our goal is to make the playoffs. That's all it comes down to," said Kopitar, whose sterling performance in Thursday's 7-1 rout of Colorado improved the Kings 2-0-1 on their road trip and 6-0-2 in their last eight away from Staples Center. The 30-year-old Slovene's 33 goals are one shy of his career high set in 2009-10, while his assist (53) and point (86) totals are personal bests after collecting 14 and 22, respectively, over his last 14 contests. While the Kings are tied with Anaheim for third place in the Pacific, the Oilers have been eliminated from postseason contention despite a strong 6-2-1 stretch in their last nine outings. Reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid collected two goals and set up two others in Thursday's 6-2 romp at Ottawa, boosting his point total to 41 (21 goals, 20 assists) in his past 26 games and 94 overall to reside one shy of Nikita Kucherov for the scoring lead.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet1 (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE KINGS (41-27-7): Dustin Brown has been on a scoring binge with seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past five games overall, and his performance this season against Edmonton is impressive in its own right. The 33-year-old has three goals and an assist versus the Oilers, highlighted by a two-goal effort in a 5-0 rout on Jan. 2 in which Jonathan Quick turned aside all 32 shots he faced to add yet another shutout to his resume. Quick has posted a .932 save percentage in his last 15 starts after brushing aside 29 shots against the Avalanche.

ABOUT THE OILERS (33-36-5): Ty Rattie admitted he has a hard time accepting what he's seeing as he plays on a line with former top overall picks McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. "I pinch myself. ... I'm lucky enough to play with two good players and lucky enough to contribute (Thursday)," the 25-year-old Rattie said after the trio recorded nine points and a collective plus-12 rating against the Senators. Rattie has notched five points (three goals, two assists) in the past four contests while Nugent-Hopkins has 11 (five goals, six assists) in 10 games since returning from injury.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton LW Drake Caggiula scored twice on Thursday to double his goal total in the past five games.

2. Los Angeles' top-ranked penalty kill has thwarted 23 of its last 24 short-handed opportunities.

3. Oilers LW Pontus Aberg has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past three games while D Darnell Nurse has five assists in his past four.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Kings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Saturday, March 24


Loyola-Chicago @ Kansas State

Game 513-514
March 24, 2018 @ 6:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Loyola-Chicago
67.229
Kansas State
70.428
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas State
by 3
120
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas State
by 1 1/2
127
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas State
(-1 1/2); Under

Florida State @ Michigan

Game 515-516
March 24, 2018 @ 8:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida State
71.055
Michigan
79.675
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Michigan
by 8 1/2
136
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Michigan
by 4
143 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Michigan
(-4); Under

Central Michigan @ Liberty

Game 517-518
March 24, 2018 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Central Michigan
56.274
Liberty
52.246
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Central Michigan
by 4
132
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Liberty
by 2 1/2
141 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Central Michigan
(+2 1/2); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Saturday, March 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOYOLA-IL (31 - 5) vs. KANSAS ST (25 - 11) - 3/24/2018, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-IL is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing with one or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-IL is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA ST (23 - 11) vs. MICHIGAN (31 - 7) - 3/24/2018, 8:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA ST is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games this season.
MICHIGAN is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all lined games this season.
MICHIGAN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games when playing with one or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
MICHIGAN is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
FLORIDA ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
FLORIDA ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C MICHIGAN (21 - 14) at LIBERTY (21 - 14) - 3/24/2018, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
C MICHIGAN is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
C MICHIGAN is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Saturday, March 24

Loyola, Chi won its first three tourney games by total of 4 points; they’ve won their last 13 games- since Jan 4th, they’re 20-1. Ramblers are #142 experience team that plays pace #319- they make 39.9% of their 3’s (#15). Loyola is 3-1 vs top 100 teams, with loss at Boise State. Kansas State allowed only 53.3 ppg in winning its first three tourney games; Wildcats are #242 experience team that plays pace #307. K-State is 13-2 outside Big X (NC sked #324); their opponents shoot 32.6% on arc (#40). #11 or lower seeds are 4-3 vs spread in this round, 2-5 SU.

Michigan won its last 12 games; they made 14-24 on arc in rout of Texas A&M Thursday. Wolverines lost by 15 at North Carolina in their only ACC game this year; Michigan is 14-2 outside Big 14, albeit vs #300 NC sked. Florida State played 12 guys in first half Thursday; they’re very deep and very athletic. Seminoles are 14-1 outside ACC, with only loss by point to Oklahoma State (#330 NC sked). FSU won by 5 at Rutgers in their only Big 14 game this year. Over last 20 years, underdogs are 16-4 vs spread in West Region final.

Other tournaments
Liberty hasn’t played in 12 days; they’re #306 experience team that is 6-4 outside Big South- they also had four non-D-I wins. Flames are #306 experience team that plays pace #343- they lost Big South title game at buzzer at Radford, are 6-8 vs top 200 teams, with win at Wake Forest. Central Michigan scored 94-98 points in winning first two games of this tournament; they haven’t played in eight days. Chippewas are 10-2 outside MAC with three non-D-I wins, vs NC schedule #340. CMU won four of its last seven true road games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Saturday, March 24

Trend Report

CENTRAL MICHIGAN @ LIBERTY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Central Michigan's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Central Michigan's last 5 games on the road

LOYOLA-CHICAGO @ KANSAS STATE
Loyola-Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Loyola-Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas State's last 5 games

FLORIDA STATE @ MICHIGAN
Florida State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Florida State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Michigan is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAA Tournament Elite Eight betting preview and odds: Florida State vs. Michigan

The West Region wraps up Saturday night with Michigan taking on Florida State with a trip to the Final Four on the line. The Wolverines haven't lost a game in more than a month, winning 12 straight and covering in 10 of those wins.

(9) Florida State Seminoles vs (3) Michigan Wolverines (-4.5, 143.5)

Third-seeded Michigan looks to stay on course for its second Final Four appearance in six years when it faces No. 9 seed Florida State in the West Regional Final on Saturday in Los Angeles. The Wolverines set a new NCAA Tournament single-game record as eight players made at least one 3-pointer in the impressive 99-72 win against seventh-seeded Texas A&M on Thursday to advance to the Elite 8 for the third time in their last five tournament appearances.

Michigan, which is coming off its most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game since 1992, has won 12 straight games, including nine in a row away from home, and can set a single-season program record with their 32nd victory at the Staples Center. Florida State overpowered No. 4 seed Gonzaga 75-60 to reach the Elite 8 for the first time since 1993. The Seminoles, who had one player finish in double figures against the Bulldogs, blocked nine shots while holding Gonzaga to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor en route to the upset and hope to put the defensive clamps on the hot-shooting Wolverines to reach their first Final Four in 46 years. "We're a team that operates with the philosophy that we have to win games by committee," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "They're all able to contribute offensively and defensively because of that philosophy."

TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Michigan opened as 4.5-point favorites and heading into game day the line remains at the opening number. The total hit betting boards at 143 and has been bet up slightly to 143.5.

BETTING STATS:

http://i68.tinypic.com/2egbkoo.jpg

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE: Terance Mann led the way with 18 points to go along with five rebounds despite being hampered by a groin injury while Braian Angola and C.J. Walker each added nine points in the win against Gonzaga. Trent Forrest provided a big spark off the bench with seven points, six rebounds and six assists while fellow reserve Mfiondu Kabengele was an intimidating force in the paint as he registered a game-high four blocks against the Bulldogs. "It feels great," Forrest told reporters. "We're a team that from the beginning of the season knew that we could make it as far as we wanted to."

ABOUT MICHIGAN: Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 16 of his team-leading 24 points in the second half and dished out seven assists against Texas A&M after shooting a combined 7-of-26 from the floor in his previous two NCAA Tournament games. Moritz Wagner bounced back from two pedestrian performances as he tallied 14 of his 21 points in the first half to set the offensive tone as the Wolverines finished 14-of-24 from 3-point range against the Aggies. Charles Matthews continued his stellar play in the tournament by adding 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting while Zavier Simpson contributed 11 points, six steals and five assists.

MATCHUP CHART:

http://i64.tinypic.com/jaudk3.jpg

TRENDS:

* Florida State is 4-0 ATS in its last four non-conference games.
* Michigan is 5-1 ATS in its last six games following a SU win.
* Under is 7-1 in Florid State's last eight non-conference games.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Michigan's last five games after scoring more than 90 points in its previous game.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 68 percent of bettors taking the chalk from Michigan, while 70 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAA Tournament Elite Eight betting preview and odds: Loyola-Chicago vs. Kansas State

The bracket busting South Region wraps up Saturday with Loyola-Chicago taking on Kansas State with a ticket to the Final Four on the line. Neither team was projected to make it out of the first weekend and the Ramblers have won three NCAA tournament games by a combined four points.

(11) Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs (9) Kansas State Wildcats (-1.5, 126.5)

An unlikely trip to the Final Four wouldn’t mark uncharted territory for Loyola Chicago or Kansas State, but neither team has advanced that far in more than five decades. The teams that busted up the NCAA Tournament’s South Regional bracket - the ninth-seeded Wildcats and the 11th-seeded Ramblers - square off Saturday in Atlanta with a long-awaited return to the Final Four on the line.

Kansas State is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2010, but the Wildcats lost the last six times they had a chance to advance to the Final Four. Their last trip came in 1964 - one year after Loyola claimed the national title in their only Final Four trip. The Ramblers were a power in the 1960s but hadn’t been in the NCAA Tournament since 1985 before this year’s Cinderella run in which the Ramblers have won three games by a total of four points, including a 69-68 win over No. 7 seed Nevada on Thursday. Kansas State, which overcame foul trouble to escape with a 61-58 win over No. 5 seed Kentucky on Thursday, will be the lowest-seeded team Loyola has faced thus far after beating the Nos. 6, 3, and 7 seeds.

TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened Kansas State as 1-point chalk and heading into game day they have been bet up to -1.5 at most books. The total hit betting boards at 127 and has dropped slightly to 126.5.

BETTING STATS:

http://i65.tinypic.com/2lsi041.jpg

ABOUT LOYOLA CHICAGO: The Ramblers have won 13 straight - the longest streak in the nation - and 20 of their last 21. They closed out the win over Nevada by shooting 75 percent in the second half, as Marques Townes (11.2 points) and Aundre Jackson (11.2 points) made key 3-pointers down the stretch. Five players averaged double-digit scoring with Clayton Custer (13.4) - the hero of the Tennessee win - leading the way.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE: Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Wildcats’ run through the tournament - which was aided by No. 16 seed Maryland-Baltimore County knocking off overall No. 1 seed Virginia - is the fact they’ve done it with very little contribution from leading scorer and rebounder Dean Wade (16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds). The 6-10 center missed the first two games with a foot injury and was limited to eight minutes against Kentucky. Point guard Barry Brown (16 points, 3.3 assists) and swingman Xavier Sneed (11 points, 5.1 rebounds) have stepped up to carry the load in his absence.

MATCHUP CHART:

http://i65.tinypic.com/2ajyghx.jpg

TRENDS:

* Loyola-Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last five neutral site games.
* Under is 8-0 in Loyola-Chicago's last eight games following a straight up win.
* Under is 7-0 in Loyola-Chicago's last seven neutral site games.
* Under is 6-1 in Kansas State's last seven neutral site games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 54 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Kansas State, while 53 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, March 24


Minnesota @ Philadelphia

Game 501-502
March 24, 2018 @ 6:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
120.322
Philadelphia
121.970
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1 1/2
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 7 1/2
222
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+7 1/2); Under

Chicago @ Detroit

Game 503-504
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
106.623
Detroit
116.135
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 9 1/2
201
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 12
210
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+12); Under

Phoenix @ Orlando

Game 505-506
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
00.000
Orlando
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix

Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
( );

LA Lakers @ Memphis

Game 507-508
March 24, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
118.824
Memphis
102.126
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Lakers
by 17
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Lakers
by 4 1/2
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(-4 1/2); Under

New Orleans @ Houston

Game 509-510
March 24, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
119.247
Houston
130.179
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 11
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 8
226 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-8); Over

Charlotte @ Dallas

Game 511-512
March 24, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
117.142
Dallas
113.298
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Charlotte
by 4
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Charlotte
by 1
214 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
(-1); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Saturday, March 24

76ers won five of last seven games with Minnesota; under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Wolves are 1-3 vs spread in last four visits to Philly. Minnesota won four of last six games; they’re 3-9 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 2-6 on road if they played night before. Over is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Philly won its last five games; they’re 13-3 in last 16 games as home favorites. Four of their last five games went over.

Home side won last six Chicago-Detroit games; Bulls are 1-4 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Five of last seven series games stayed under. Chicago lost five of its last six games; they’re 2-9 in last 11 games as road underdogs, 1-3 on road if they played night before. Three of last four Bulls games went over. Pistons lost seven of their last ten games; they’re 4-3 in last seven games as home favorites. Under is 8-2 in their last ten games.

Road team won six of last seven Phoenix-Orlando games; Suns covered their last four visits to Orlando. Three of last four series games stayed under. Phoenix lost its last ten games (2-8 vs spread); they’re 1-4 in last five games as road underdogs. Under is 4-2 in their last six games. Magic lost eight of their last nine games; they’re 1-8 as home favorites this year. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Home side won six of last seven Memphis-Laker games; LA is 0-4 vs spread in last four visits to Memphis. Over is 8-1-1 in last ten series games. Lakers lost their last four games; they’re 1-1 as road favorites this year. Four of their last five games stayed under. Memphis lost 22 of its last 23 games; they’re 3-7 vs spread in last ten games as home underdogs. Five of their last six games went over the total.

Rockets won seven of last nine games with New Orleans; under is 6-2 in last eight series games. Pelicans are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Houston. New Orleans won its last four games; they’re 7-3 in last ten games as road underdogs. Four of their last six games stayed under total. Rockets won their last seven games; they’re 4-7 in last 11 games as home favorites. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Dallas/Charlotte split their last ten games; under is 6-4 in last ten series games. Hornets covered three of their last four visits to Dallas. Charlotte won its last two games after a 2-6 skid; over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Hornets are 6-3 as road favorites this season. Mavericks lost their last four games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as home underdogs. Last four Dallas games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Saturday, March 24

Trend Report

MINNESOTA @ PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home

CHICAGO @ DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games

PHOENIX @ ORLANDO
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Orlando's last 22 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 10 games

LA LAKERS @ MEMPHIS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Lakers's last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Lakers's last 7 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers

NEW ORLEANS @ HOUSTON
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans

CHARLOTTE @ DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Charlotte's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Charlotte
Dallas is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing Charlotte

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, March 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (42 - 31) at PHILADELPHIA (41 - 30) - 3/24/2018, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 367-432 ATS (-108.2 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 40-31 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 40-21 ATS (+16.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-6 ATS (+16.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 3-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (24 - 48) at DETROIT (32 - 40) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 6-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX (19 - 54) at ORLANDO (21 - 51) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 3-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 3-2 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA LAKERS (31 - 40) at MEMPHIS (19 - 53) - 3/24/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 29-40 ATS (-15.0 Units) in all games this season.
MEMPHIS is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
MEMPHIS is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
MEMPHIS is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 6-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 6-4 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW ORLEANS (43 - 30) at HOUSTON (58 - 14) - 3/24/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
HOUSTON is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 40-32 ATS (+4.8 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 33-47 ATS (-18.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-5 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-3 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLOTTE (32 - 41) at DALLAS (22 - 50) - 3/24/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 30-39 ATS (-12.9 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 50-80 ATS (-38.0 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 176-220 ATS (-66.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DALLAS is 408-333 ATS (+41.7 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 3-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 3-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, March 24


Phoenix @ Orlando

Game 505-506
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
101.420
Orlando
111.856
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 10 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 6
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-6); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, March 24


Vegas @ Colorado

Game 51-52
March 24, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vegas
00.000
Colorado
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vegas

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vegas

Dunkel Pick:
Vegas
( );

Calgary @ San Jose

Game 53-54
March 24, 2018 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
8.793
San Jose
13.359
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Jose
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Jose
-165
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Jose
(-165); Over

Arizona @ Florida

Game 55-56
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
11.828
Florida
10.452
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-200
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+170); Under

Washington @ Montreal

Game 57-58
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
10.299
Montreal
11.235
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-180
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(+160); Over

Tampa Bay @ New Jersey

Game 59-60
March 24, 2018 @ 7:06 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
10.314
New Jersey
11.879
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Jersey
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-165
6
Dunkel Pick:
New Jersey
(+145); Under

Chicago @ NY Islanders

Game 61-62
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
11.288
NY Islanders
9.875
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Islanders
-125
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+105); Under

St. Louis @ Columbus

Game 63-64
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.012
Columbus
14.658
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Columbus
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Columbus
-145
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Columbus
(-145); Over

Detroit @ Toronto

Game 65-66
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
9.898
Toronto
14.069
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 4
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-250
6
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-250); Under

Carolina @ Ottawa

Game 67-68
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
10.101
Ottawa
9.228
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Carolina
-130
6
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(-130); Under

Buffalo @ NY Rangers

Game 69-70
March 24, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
8.531
NY Rangers
11.884
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Rangers
by 3 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Rangers
-170
6
Dunkel Pick:
NY Rangers
(-170); Over

Nashville @ Minnesota

Game 71-72
March 24, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
00.000
Minnesota
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville

Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
( );

Los Angeles @ Edmonton

Game 73-74
March 24, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
11.461
Edmonton
12.885
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Edmonton
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-125
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Edmonton
(+105); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Long Sheet

Saturday, March 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VEGAS (47-21-0-6, 100 pts.) at COLORADO (40-26-0-8, 88 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 3:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 1-0-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALGARY (35-30-0-10, 80 pts.) at SAN JOSE (42-23-0-9, 93 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 35-40 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games this season.
CALGARY is 23-34 ATS (-13.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 4-13 ATS (+17.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
SAN JOSE is 20-7 ATS (+10.0 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CALGARY is 15-10 ATS (+26.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
CALGARY is 15-6 ATS (+21.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 17-11 ATS (+31.3 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 117-115 ATS (+261.5 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
CALGARY is 110-111 ATS (+246.0 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
CALGARY is 48-45 ATS (+106.3 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 177-149 ATS (-79.5 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 215-157 ATS (-80.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 8-5 (+1.3 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 8-5-0 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.9 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA (25-38-0-11, 61 pts.) at FLORIDA (37-28-0-7, 81 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 25-50 ATS (+93.4 Units) in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 7-22 ATS (+39.4 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
ARIZONA is 20-53 ATS (+105.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 178-202 ATS (+401.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
FLORIDA is 164-243 ATS (+424.8 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
FLORIDA is 189-178 ATS (-29.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 181-208 ATS (-68.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 3-2 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 3-2-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (43-24-0-7, 93 pts.) at MONTREAL (27-36-0-12, 66 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 44-31 ATS (+5.3 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 12-4 ATS (+7.2 Units) on Saturday games this season.
WASHINGTON is 19-8 ATS (+8.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.3 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
MONTREAL is 27-49 ATS (-50.5 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 11-26 ATS (-22.4 Units) second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 7-18 ATS (+31.8 Units) after a division game this season.
MONTREAL is 9-29 ATS (-21.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTREAL is 3-17 ATS (+25.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-3-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (51-19-0-4, 106 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (38-28-0-8, 84 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 39-36 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 12-7 ATS (+20.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 6-1 ATS (+7.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs this season.
TAMPA BAY is 52-23 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in road games in March games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 9-1 ATS (+7.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
TAMPA BAY is 12-1 ATS (+10.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
TAMPA BAY is 29-11 ATS (+10.0 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
TAMPA BAY is 223-229 ATS (+485.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 13-28 ATS (-16.2 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 3-16 ATS (+21.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-3 (+0.4 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 5-3-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (30-36-0-9, 69 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (31-33-0-10, 72 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 30-46 ATS (-21.2 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 12-26 ATS (+38.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 13-26 ATS (+39.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
CHICAGO is 16-26 ATS (-17.5 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 7-15 ATS (-12.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 356-358 ATS (-146.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 2-11 ATS (-11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 12-3 ATS (+16.1 Units) on Saturday games this season.
CHICAGO is 8-2 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 31-43 ATS (-20.6 Units) in all games this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 9-16 ATS (+25.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
NY ISLANDERS are 11-24 ATS (-19.1 Units) second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-1-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (41-28-0-5, 87 pts.) at COLUMBUS (42-28-0-5, 89 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 10-2 ATS (+7.6 Units) in March games this season.
COLUMBUS is 168-153 ATS (+369.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
COLUMBUS is 42-28 ATS (+13.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 15-3 ATS (+8.9 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 18-4 ATS (+12.5 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 11-2 ATS (+8.4 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
ST LOUIS is 29-20 ATS (+50.2 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 28-9 ATS (+15.7 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 41-23 ATS (+12.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 19-6 ATS (+12.3 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 39-23 ATS (+9.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 18-8 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 10-1 ATS (+9.0 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
ST LOUIS is 27-18 ATS (+50.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-2 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 3-2-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (27-36-0-11, 65 pts.) at TORONTO (44-23-0-7, 95 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 27-47 ATS (+85.2 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 6-17 ATS (+26.3 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 45-30 ATS (+90.5 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 10-1 ATS (+8.3 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
TORONTO is 14-2 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 379-396 ATS (-76.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-4 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-4-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.8 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAROLINA (32-31-0-11, 75 pts.) at OTTAWA (26-36-0-11, 63 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 32-42 ATS (-17.9 Units) in all games this season.
CAROLINA is 14-22 ATS (-12.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 33-52 ATS (-22.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 15-21 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 49-52 ATS (-9.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 26-47 ATS (-43.6 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 97-79 ATS (-6.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996.
OTTAWA is 9-22 ATS (+38.7 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
OTTAWA is 5-17 ATS (+26.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
OTTAWA is 7-17 ATS (+31.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 4-3 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 4-3-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.8 Units)

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BUFFALO (23-39-0-12, 58 pts.) at NY RANGERS (32-34-0-8, 72 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 23-52 ATS (+98.2 Units) in all games this season.
BUFFALO is 14-36 ATS (+67.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BUFFALO is 111-124 ATS (+278.0 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
BUFFALO is 48-44 ATS (+105.1 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 81-99 ATS (-36.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 17-24 ATS (-18.4 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 157-151 ATS (-85.3 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 41-55 ATS (-42.7 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 109-142 ATS (-115.1 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 5-3-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.5 Units)

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NASHVILLE (48-15-0-10, 106 pts.) at MINNESOTA (41-24-0-8, 90 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-6-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (41-27-0-7, 89 pts.) at EDMONTON (33-36-0-5, 71 pts.) - 3/24/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 39-43 ATS (-22.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 23-31 ATS (-22.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-14 ATS (+34.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
EDMONTON is 34-41 ATS (-25.9 Units) in all games this season.
EDMONTON is 4-13 ATS (-10.2 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
EDMONTON is 7-17 ATS (-13.6 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 9-4 (+4.6 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 9-4-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.5 Units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Saturday, March 24

Trend Report

VEGAS @ COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Vegas's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games at home
Colorado is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games

CALGARY @ SAN JOSE
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Calgary's last 11 games on the road
Calgary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose's last 6 games

ST. LOUIS @ COLUMBUS
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing Columbus
Columbus is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Columbus is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

ARIZONA @ FLORIDA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
Arizona is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
Florida is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home

WASHINGTON @ MONTREAL
Washington is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Montreal is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Montreal is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington

TAMPA BAY @ NEW JERSEY
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games

BUFFALO @ NY RANGERS
Buffalo is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
Buffalo is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Rangers's last 5 games
NY Rangers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

CHICAGO @ NY ISLANDERS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Islanders's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Islanders's last 6 games at home

CAROLINA @ OTTAWA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ottawa's last 8 games at home

DETROIT @ TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Detroit's last 16 games when playing Toronto
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games

NASHVILLE @ MINNESOTA
Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nashville is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville

LOS ANGELES @ EDMONTON
Los Angeles is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Dunkel

Saturday, March 24


Vegas @ Colorado

Game 51-52
March 24, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vegas
10.012
Colorado
10.963
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-115
6
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
( -115); Under