Wednesday 10-25-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Wednesday, October 25

Houston @ Los Angeles
Astros are in World Series for 2nd time; last time was in 2005 when they were NL champs and lost to the White Sox. Dodgers are in their first World Series since 1988. Expected to be very hot again for the 5:00 local time first pitch in LA.

Verlander is 8-0, 1.13 in eight starts for Houston; he also won a game in relief. Four of his last five starts went over total. Astros won all three of his road starts. Verlander allowed 2 hits in 8 IP in a 6-1 win over LA for the Tigers on August 20. He is 11-5, 3.00 in 20 playoff games (19 starts).

Hill is 7-5, 2.77 in 14 home starts this year (5-3, 4.06 on road); he is 3-0, 1.67 in his last five starts. Over is 5-3 in his last eight starts. Dodgers are 10-6 in his home starts this season. Hill didn’t pitch against the Astros this year- he is 1-2, 3.96 in six career playoff starts.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Wednesday, October 25

Trend Report

HOUSTON @ LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Houston is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Houston
LA Dodgers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Rickenbach

Free Pick Wednesday NBA Early

Houston vs. Philadelphia, 10/25/2017 19:00 EDT

Point Spread: -3/-105 Houston

Sportsbook:
PinnacleSports

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach Free Pick NBA Wednesday EARLY: Houston Rockets (-) @ Philadelphia 76'ers @ 7:05 ET - Houston off of a frustrating home loss where they gave up a huge game-ending run to Memphis. The Rockets will be in a foul mood here and they also catch the 76'ers off of their first win of the season so the set-up here is ideal. Houston off first loss of season and Philadelphia off first win of season. Rockets a strong team and Philly, though improved, is still a rebuilding team that is trying to "Trust the Process" as has been their mantra in recent seasons. The Sixers have had 41 turnovers the last two games (opponents only totaled 27) and this is not a good sign for Philly. The 76'ers are 8-71 SU in their last 79 games against teams with a winning record. With the Rockets laying a very small number here I like my chances as they are 38-7 in their last 45 games against teams that allow 106 points or more per game. EARLY Free Pick on HOUSTON

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Brown

Tony's *5 mlb free pick

Houston vs. LA Dodgers, 10/25/2017 20:09 EDT

Total: -115/+7½ Under

Sportsbook:
Bodog

Fp: not much drop off with Verlander and hill from Kershaw and kuchiel and I expect another tight game .. making the under my mlb free play.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Rickenbach

Free Pick Wednesday NBA Late

Utah vs. Phoenix, 10/25/2017 22:00 EDT

Point Spread: -6/-113 Utah

Sportsbook:
PinnacleSports

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach Free Pick NBA Wednesday LATE: Utah Jazz (-) @ Phoenix Suns @ 10:05 ET - Very fortunate Suns backers rejoiced as Phoenix held on for the win in their first game with a new head coach despite the Suns turning the ball over 21 times (compared to just 9 for their opponent). Also, Phoenix took only 77 shots from the field while the Kings (not a good team) had 99 shots from the field. Those stats above show you how damn lucky the Suns were to win that game and now we get a chance to fade them with an angry Jazz team coming off of an ugly loss last night. I'll take it! Utah lost 102 to 84 last night but they had covered their first 3 games this season. Also, even though this is a back to back spot for the Jazz, they did have 2 days off prior to the loss to the Clippers last night and Utah has 2 days off after this game. In other words, expect a full and complete effort from the Jazz here and they feast on poor defensive teams like the Suns. Utah is 33-11 SU in their last 44 against teams that allow 106 points or more per game. Also, Phoenix is 5-20 SU against good defensive teams that allow 98 points or less per game. Yes we've got a spread to cover here but it's a very manageable one and I'll lay the small number on the road with an angry Jazz team that got man-handled last night. LATE Free Pick on UTAH

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Matchup Edge

HOU	Edge in:	PHI
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Rockets at 76ers

Gracenote
Oct 24, 2017

The Philadelphia 76ers secured their first win on Monday after three loses to start the season as Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid stepped up and showed off the wide range of their talents. The 76ers are still waiting for another prodigious talent, Markelle Fultz, to do the same and hope to have him on the court when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Fultz was the No. 1 overall pick in last summer's draft but is off to a rocky start in his NBA career, shooting 33 percent from the field without a 3-point attempt as he deals with a right shoulder injury that reportedly required fluid to be drained. "He literally cannot raise up his arms to shoot the basketball," Fultz's agent, Raymond Brothers, told ESPN. "He decided to try and fight through the pain to help the team. He has a great attitude. We are committed to finding a solution to get Markelle back to 100 percent." The Rockets are dealing with an injury to one of their point guards as well in Chris Paul, who went down in the season opener with a knee bruise originally suffered in training camp and is expected to miss at least another week. Paul watched as his teammates failed to reach 100 points for the first time on the young season and suffered their first loss, 98-90 at home to the Memphis Grizzlies, on Monday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (3-1): Houston is struggling from the outside and is shooting just 27.5 percent from 3-point range - 29th in the league entering play Tuesday - while attempting 42.8 3-pointers per game. Star guard James Harden slid back into the point guard role when Paul went down while Eric Gordon was bumped up to the starting lineup, and Gordon is shooting just 25 percent from beyond the arc after improving that number with a 5-of-15 effort in Monday's setback. Starting small forward Trevor Ariza is 3-of-19 from beyond the arc, shooting 22.2 percent overall, and will sit out Wednesday with a foot injury.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (1-3): Simmons missed all of last season with a foot fracture and is making up for lost time by becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double within his first four career games since 1967 when he collected 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in Monday's 97-86 triumph at Detroit. “I’m just glad we won, honestly,” Simmons told reporters. “That means so much more than stats for me. It’s awesome to have a triple-double, but at the same time, it’s even better to have a win, especially with these guys, and a young team like this.” Embiid was on the receiving end of five of those assists and finished with 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting after sitting out Saturday's loss at Toronto.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. 76ers SG JJ Redick is 0-of-5 from 3-point range in the last two games after going 8-of-15 in the first two contests.

2. The Rockets signed veteran PG Isaiah Canaan to a non-guaranteed contract on Tuesday.

3. Houston took the last seven in the series.

PREDICTION: Rockets 116, 76ers 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Houston at Philadelphia

ATS TRENDS

Houston

Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. Rockets are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games. Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss. Rockets are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games playing on 1 days rest. Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic. Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games. Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Rockets are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Philadelphia

76ers are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest. 76ers are 23-8 ATS in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. 76ers are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win. 76ers are 41-16-1 ATS in their last 58 vs. Western Conference. 76ers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. 76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. 76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. 76ers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games.

OU TRENDS

Houston

Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic. Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 overall. Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games. Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Over is 16-6 in Rockets last 22 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 Wednesday games. Over is 14-6 in Rockets last 20 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 38-17 in Rockets last 55 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Philadelphia

Over is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 8-2 in 76ers last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 vs. Western Conference. Over is 20-8-1 in 76ers last 29 Wednesday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia. Home team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings. Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. Rockets are 6-13 ATS in the last 19 meetings. Rockets are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Philadelphia.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina

Matchup Edge

DEN	Edge in:	CHA
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Nuggets at Hornets

Gracenote
Oct 24, 2017

Nikola Jokic finally broke through on the offensive end for the Denver Nuggets and he'll try to stay hot when they open a four-game road trip at the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Jokic is being relied upon to carry much of the scoring load this season but opened the campaign with a total of seven points on 3-of-13 shooting through two games.

The 22-year-old then erupted for 29 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists in a tough 109-104 loss to Washington on Monday, although his technical foul for bumping Wizards head coach Scott Brooks helped to seal Denver's fate. "I scored, and we lost. Maybe it's better for me to not score," Jokic told reporters after assessing the intent of the bump with Brooks. Jokic averaged 28.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and seven assists while shooting 77.4 percent in two matchups with the Hornets last season. Charlotte fell to 0-2 on the road with a 103-94 loss at Milwaukee on Monday, as center Dwight Howard missed all nine of his free throws.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (1-2): Jokic had seven of Denver's 23 turnovers in the loss to Washington, which left the team with an NBA-high 20 giveaways per game entering Tuesday's action. "Give them credit; good defensive team," coach Michael Malone said. "But I think a lot of those were self-inflicted. ... But I just told them, we're getting ready to go on a four-game East Coast trip and we cannot bring those turnovers with us." Newcomer Paul Millsap scored at least 17 points in each of his first three games with the Nuggets.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (1-2): Howard offset some of his free-throw woes with 22 rebounds and four blocked shots and he ranked in the top three in both categories entering Tuesday. Backup center Cody Zeller (knee) missed the last two games and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (personal) has yet to play this season. Reserve big man Frank Kaminsky stepped up with an average of 19.5 points while making 13-of-22 shots over the past two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets PG Jamal Murray is 5-for-21 from the floor and 0-for-9 from 3-point range over the last two contests.

2. Hornets F Marvin Williams is averaging 5.3 points on 23.8 percent shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 23.3 minutes.

3. Charlotte averaged 117 points in winning both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 110, Hornets 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Denver at Charlotte

ATS TRENDS

Denver

Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. Nuggets are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up loss. Nuggets are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games following a ATS loss. Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Nuggets are 19-9 ATS in their last 28 games playing on 1 days rest. Nuggets are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Wednesday games. Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.

Charlotte

Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Northwest. Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Hornets are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Hornets are 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Hornets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Hornets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Hornets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

OU TRENDS

Denver

Under is 4-0 in Nuggets last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 8-0 in Nuggets last 8 overall. Under is 4-0 in Nuggets last 4 road games. Under is 4-0 in Nuggets last 4 games following a straight up loss. Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 Wednesday games. Over is 15-5-1 in Nuggets last 21 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 16-6 in Nuggets last 22 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 7-3 in Nuggets last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Charlotte

Under is 5-0 in Hornets last 5 overall. Over is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Under is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 vs. Western Conference. Under is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 7-1 in Hornets last 8 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 6-1 in Hornets last 7 home games. Over is 9-2 in Hornets last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 7-2 in Hornets last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 8-3 in Hornets last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 20-8 in Hornets last 28 Wednesday games. Under is 12-5 in Hornets last 17 games following a ATS loss. Over is 7-3 in Hornets last 10 vs. NBA Northwest. Under is 13-6 in Hornets last 19 games following a straight up loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Charlotte. Nuggets are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Matchup Edge

MIN	Edge in:	DET
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Timberwolves at Pistons

Gracenote
Oct 25, 2017

The Minnesota Timberwolves will try to rebound from an ugly home loss when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Two days after an impressive win at Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves returned home to sustain a 130-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, allowing the Pacers to shoot a franchise-record 66.7 percent from the floor and getting outscored 69-46 after halftime.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 points in the loss for Minnesota, which played without swingman Jimmy Butler (illness). The Pistons have exchanged wins and losses through their first four games and suffered through their worst offensive showing in Monday's 97-86 loss to Philadelphia. Langston Galloway made 3-of-4 3-pointers off the bench while the rest of Detroit's roster combined to hit 3-of-26 from beyond the arc. "Soon as we started the game, we didn't bring enough energy that we needed to," forward Tobias Harris told reporters. "I think a lot of that had to deal with the ball not going in the basket for us in the first quarter and things of that nature. It's something as a team that we have to build on and be able to be a defense-first team."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Detroit

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (2-2): Andrew Wiggins had at least 21 points in each of the first three games this season before he was held to seven in Tuesday's loss, his lowest total since he had the same result Nov. 19 at Memphis. Shabazz Muhammad started in place of Butler and had 14 points, but he was part of a starting unit that went 0-for-6 from 3-point range and 5-for-12 from the foul line. Towns has increased his field-goal percentage and scoring total in each game after going 12-for-17 from the field.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (2-2): Harris mentioned a lack of energy early in the loss to the 76ers and Detroit has been outscored by nine points in the first quarter in each of its last two games, a scenario that has coach Stan Van Gundy reconsidering his rotation. "It's a little bit mind-boggling, two games in a row where we really weren’t ready," Van Gundy told reporters. "I didn't think we played as hard we were capable of at the start of the game, so we have to figure that out — whether it's those five guys, changing their mindset or whether we have to change the lineup to get some guys in there who can be ready to go at the beginning of the game." Harris averaged 24.3 points over the first three games of the season before being held to 11 against Philadelphia.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons C Andre Drummond needs four rebounds to become the sixth player in franchise history to record 5,000 with the team.

2. Timberwolves SG Jamal Crawford is 8-for-15 from beyond the arc and 4-for-16 inside it over the last three games.

3. Detroit has won four straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Timberwolves 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Minnesota at Detroit

ATS TRENDS

Minnesota

Timberwolves are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home. Timberwolves are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games. Timberwolves are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games playing on 0 days rest. Timberwolves are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss. Timberwolves are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 road games. Timberwolves are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Timberwolves are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. Timberwolves are 5-14-1 ATS in their last 20 games overall. Timberwolves are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central. Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Timberwolves are 3-13-1 ATS in their last 17 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Detroit

Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Pistons are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Northwest. Pistons are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. Western Conference. Pistons are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Pistons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games. Pistons are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games.

OU TRENDS

Minnesota

Over is 6-1 in Timberwolves last 7 vs. NBA Central. Over is 5-1 in Timberwolves last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home. Over is 4-1 in Timberwolves last 5 road games. Over is 20-5-1 in Timberwolves last 26 games following a ATS loss. Over is 26-8 in Timberwolves last 34 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. Over is 15-5-1 in Timberwolves last 21 overall. Over is 23-8-1 in Timberwolves last 32 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 8-3 in Timberwolves last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 19-8-1 in Timberwolves last 28 games playing on 0 days rest. Over is 35-16 in Timberwolves last 51 vs. Eastern Conference.

Detroit

Under is 4-0-1 in Pistons last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 14-3 in Pistons last 17 home games. Under is 8-2-1 in Pistons last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 10-3-1 in Pistons last 14 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 19-7 in Pistons last 26 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Under is 8-3 in Pistons last 11 games following a ATS loss. Under is 5-2 in Pistons last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home. Under is 10-4 in Pistons last 14 games following a straight up loss. Over is 18-8 in Pistons last 26 Wednesday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Detroit. Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Detroit. Timberwolves are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

Matchup Edge

CLE	Edge in:	BK
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Cavaliers at Nets

Gracenote
Oct 25, 2017

LeBron James is expected to make his second consecutive start at point guard when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. James started at the point in place of the injured Derrick Rose (ankle) on Tuesday and contributed 34 points and 13 assists as Cleveland recorded a 119-112 win over Chicago.

James has long been considered one of the top passers in the NBA, but running the offense certainly ranks as a change in responsibilities. "I'm looking for my guys a little bit more starting at the point, especially in transition, I'm being more of a precise, precision passer and I'm not kind of full speed ahead in transition," James told reporters. "I'm kind of looking at what's going on and getting my guys the ball, but for me, I just try to stay in attack mode." Brooklyn is having trouble slowing opponents, and the trend continued with Tuesday's 125-121 setback against Orlando. The Nets are allowing an average of 122.5 points, with the worst effort being when they allowed 140 versus Indiana in the season opener.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (3-1): The revamped lineup included Tristan Thompson starting at center, Kevin Love moving to power forward, J.R. Smith starting at shooting guard and Dwyane Wade on the bench. Wade requested coach Tyronn Lue use him as a reserve after three poor showings in the starting lineup, and he was able to deliver 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes against the Bulls. Rose will miss his third straight game and veteran Jose Calderon's role is unclear after Lue named him the starting point guard on Monday and then didn't play him at all against Chicago.

ABOUT THE NETS (2-2): Point guard D'Angelo Russell is averaging 23 points with his new team, but his 29-point effort on Tuesday came on 9-of-24 shooting and he contributed only one assist. Still, the third-year pro is a building block for the team and growing pains still are part of the process for Brooklyn, which was outscored 38-25 in the fourth quarter in the loss to Orlando. "Man, we were close. We kind of gave it to them," Russell told reporters. "They didn't force us into mistakes, we just kind of gave it to them. Guys made plays down the stretch."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Cavaliers have won four straight meetings and six of the last seven.

2. Smith is averaging four points on 5-of-25 shooting over his last three games.

3. Brooklyn SG Allen Crabbe recorded just six points on 2-of-11 shooting against the Magic after scoring 20 on 7-of-12 shooting two days earlier versus Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 116, Nets 97

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Cleveland at Brooklyn

ATS TRENDS

Cleveland

Cavaliers are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 road games. Cavaliers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Cavaliers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Cavaliers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up win. Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Brooklyn

Nets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games. Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 15-4 ATS in their last 19 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss. Nets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 vs. Eastern Conference. Nets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win. Nets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall. Nets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Nets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

OU TRENDS

Cleveland

Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 road games. Over is 6-2 in Cavaliers last 8 overall. Over is 20-7 in Cavaliers last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in Cavaliers last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 5-2 in Cavaliers last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in Cavaliers last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 36-16 in Cavaliers last 52 games following a ATS loss. Over is 39-18-1 in Cavaliers last 58 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 15-7 in Cavaliers last 22 games following a straight up win. Over is 34-16-1 in Cavaliers last 51 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 34-16-1 in Cavaliers last 51 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Brooklyn

Over is 3-0-1 in Nets last 4 overall. Over is 3-0-1 in Nets last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 3-0-1 in Nets last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 3-0-1 in Nets last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Nets last 5 vs. NBA Central. Over is 3-1-2 in Nets last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 19-7 in Nets last 26 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 5-2-1 in Nets last 8 home games. Under is 7-3 in Nets last 10 Wednesday games. Under is 13-6 in Nets last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Cavaliers are 2-5-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Underdog is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Cavaliers are 0-3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Brooklyn.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

Matchup Edge

SA	Edge in:	MIA
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Preview: Spurs at Heat

Gracenote
Oct 24, 2017

The San Antonio Spurs have not yet needed MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, who remains out while dealing with right quadriceps tendinopathy. The Spurs will try to stay undefeated when they kick off a four-game road trip by visiting the Miami Heat, who will be missing one of their stars as well, on Wednesday.

San Antonio is relying more on LaMarcus Aldridge with Leonard out, and the veteran power forward is responding by averaging 24.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. Aldridge is also helping out on the defensive end and provided the highlight of Monday's 101-97 win over the Raptors with a chase-down block of Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry as the Spurs held their third consecutive opponent under 100 points to start the season. Aldridge could have some extra room to work with down low on Wednesday with Heat center Hassan Whiteside expected to miss his third straight game with a bone bruise on his left knee. "It’s tough when you don’t have Hassan on the floor," Miami point guard Goran Dragic told reporters. "He usually changes a lot of shots. We’re just going to keep on practicing and get better."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE SPURS (3-0): Dejounte Murray beat out Patty Mills in training camp for the right to replace Tony Parker (left quadriceps tendon surgery) in the starting point guard slot and is showing off his wide range of skills in the early going. The 21-year-old hauled in double-digit rebounds in each of the last two games and enjoyed his best all-around effort of the young season with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes on Monday. The Spurs are also getting a solid defensive effort on the perimeter from shooting guard Danny Green, who blocked five shots to go along with 17 points and eight boards.

ABOUT THE HEAT (2-1): Dragic (quad bruise) and Dion Waiters (ankle) are also hurting for Miami, though Dragic plans to be available for Wednesday's game. If Waiters is unable to go, the Heat have plenty of other options at the shooting guard spot and watched a couple of them go off for big games in Monday's 104-93 win over Atlanta. Josh Richardson led the way with a team-high 21 points and is averaging 14.3 while Wayne Ellington came off the bench and buried 6-of-8 from 3-point range after going 2-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Spurs PF Joffrey Lauvergne (ankle) will not play Wednesday.

2. Heat PF Jordan Mickey started the last two games in place of Whiteside and averaged five points and six rebounds in 14.5 minutes.

3. San Antonio took the last nine in the series, going back to Game 3 of the 2014 NBA Finals.

PREDICTION: Spurs 105, Heat 95

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - San Antonio at Miami

ATS TRENDS

San Antonio

Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win. Spurs are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Wednesday games. Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Miami

Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southwest. Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Heat are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 Wednesday games. Heat are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Heat are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Heat are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 vs. Western Conference. Heat are 19-7-2 ATS in their last 28 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Heat are 23-9-2 ATS in their last 34 games following a straight up win. Heat are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Heat are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Heat are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games. Heat are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Heat are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

San Antonio

Under is 3-0-1 in Spurs last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 Wednesday games. Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 9-2 in Spurs last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 13-3 in Spurs last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 games following a ATS win. Over is 16-5 in Spurs last 21 overall. Over is 9-3 in Spurs last 12 road games. Over is 6-2 in Spurs last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 10-4 in Spurs last 14 games playing on 1 days rest.

Miami

Under is 9-1 in Heat last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Over is 7-1 in Heat last 8 Wednesday games. Over is 4-1 in Heat last 5 overall. Over is 4-1 in Heat last 5 home games. Over is 4-1 in Heat last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 4-1 in Heat last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Under is 7-2 in Heat last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 5-2 in Heat last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 5-2 in Heat last 7 games following a straight up win. Over is 12-5 in Heat last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spurs are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Miami. Spurs are 8-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings. Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.