Friday 10-27-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Rockets at Hornets

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

With Houston in the grip of World Series fever, it might be easy to miss the city's basketball team getting off to another strong start. The Houston Rockets will try to continue their under-the-radar success when they visit the Charlotte Hornets in the second of a three-game road trip on Friday.

While Major League Baseball's Houston Astros were busy winning Game 2 of the World Series in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, the Rockets were doing some dramatic things of their own with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Eric Gordon providing the difference in a 105-104 win at Philadelphia. "We needed a spark," Gordon told reporters. "We needed this game. For us to be a good team we have to win games like this because we're never going to be out of the game." The Hornets won their first two home games by an average of 17.5 points and are showing off a solid defense in the early going, anchored by former Rockets center Dwight Howard. Charlotte held the Denver Nuggets to 38.4 percent from the field in a 110-93 win on Wednesday and enter play on Thursday second in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage, limiting opponents to 41.3 percent.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (4-1): Houston is still not where it wants to be on offense and is shooting 28.1 percent from 3-point range, but the defense is getting stronger. The Rockets held the 76ers scoreless over the final three minutes on Wednesday and enjoyed a dominant performance from center Clint Capela, who collected 16 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes. The 23-year-old scored in double figures in each of the first five games and is shooting 72.9 percent from the floor while recording three double-doubles.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (2-2): Capela should be in for a challenge on Friday from Howard, who played in Houston for three seasons and is in his first year with the Hornets after a disappointing one-year stint in Atlanta. Howard is averaging 17.8 rebounds after grabbing 19 in Wednesday's win and even enjoyed a decent night at the free-throw line against the Nuggets, knocking down 7-of-11 attempts. Howard is averaging 13.3 points as well, but Charlotte is also getting some offense out of the center spot from reserve Frank Kaminsky, who is averaging 19.7 points in the last three contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets SF Trevor Ariza (foot) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day.

2. Charlotte C Cody Zeller (knee) will miss his fourth straight game.

3. Houston took both meetings last season and 12 of the last 13 in the series.

PREDICTION: Rockets 109, Hornets 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Houston at Charlotte

ATS TRENDS

Houston

Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss. Rockets are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games overall. Rockets are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Rockets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Friday games. Rockets are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 games playing on 1 days rest. Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.

Charlotte

Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Western Conference. Hornets are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win. Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Hornets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall. Hornets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Hornets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Hornets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Houston

Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 overall. Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Charlotte

Under is 6-0 in Hornets last 6 overall. Under is 5-0 in Hornets last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Under is 5-0 in Hornets last 5 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 winning straight up record. Over is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 6-2 in Hornets last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 6-2 in Hornets last 8 games following a straight up win. Over is 6-2 in Hornets last 8 home games. Over is 6-2 in Hornets last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Over is 6-2 in Hornets last 8 games following a ATS win. Over is 9-3 in Hornets last 12 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 7-3 in Hornets last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 7-3 in Hornets last 10 Friday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Charlotte. Favorite is 17-5-2 ATS in the last 24 meetings. Under is 20-7 in the last 27 meetings. Home team is 11-4-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Spurs at Magic

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

LaMarcus Aldridge's level of comfort with the San Antonio Spurs was a hot topic of conversation last season and through the summer while his name was surfacing in trade rumors, but a contract extension signed on the eve of training camp quieted the speculation. Aldridge is certainly looking comfortable early in 2017-18 and will try to lead the Spurs to a fifth straight win to begin the campaign when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Aldridge is averaging 26 points and 8.8 rebounds and enjoyed his best game of the young campaign at Miami on Wednesday, when he collected 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting in a 117-100 triumph. "Big-time post scorer," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters of Aldridge. "A big-time matchup problem in today’s NBA because you don’t have that many back-to-the-basket guys who can actually put the ball in the basket, and do it against different coverages. He’s a guy who can shoot the ball, but can keep you honest. All the veteran savviness of shot fakes, he’s seen every coverage that there possibly is." The Magic have their own big-time post scorer in Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 23.8 points on 59.7 percent shooting and 10.3 rebounds. Vucevic and frontcourt mate Aaron Gordon will try to make Aldridge work hard on the defensive end and lead Orlando to a fourth win in its first five games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE SPURS (4-0): Aldridge could be getting some help sooner than expected from point guard Tony Parker, who is already beginning a rehab assignment less than six months after suffering a torn quadriceps tendon during the Western Conference semifinals last spring. Parker was assigned to the team's G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, on Wednesday and immediately began working out with the team. San Antonio is also getting solid work from 40-year-old shooting guard Manu Ginobili, who is averaging 9.3 points in 21.5 minutes off the bench and scored a season-high 14 on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (3-1): Vucevic carried most of the load in the first three games but it was Gordon breaking out in Tuesday's 125-121 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old, who missed the previous two games with a sprained ankle, collected 41 points on 14-of-18 shooting and hit all five of his 3-point attempts to set career highs in points, made field-goals and 3-pointers. "I just shot confidently, it was a quick shot and it felt good coming off my hands," Gordon, who also hauled in 14 rebounds, told reporters. "I just feel really good with my shot. I’ve put in a lot of work, so it feels good to have a game like this. So, I’m going to continue to shoot the ball."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Spurs SF Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps) will miss his fifth straight game and PF Joffery Lauvergne (ankle) sat out Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Magic PG Elfrid Payton (hamstring) missed the last two games and is questionable for Friday.

3. San Antonio took 11 of the last 12 in the series, including a 107-79 drubbing in its trip to Orlando last season.

PREDICTION: Spurs 116, Magic 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - San Antonio at Orlando

ATS TRENDS

San Antonio

Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southeast. Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win. Spurs are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Orlando

Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Magic are 17-35 ATS in their last 52 games following a straight up win. Magic are 13-27-1 ATS in their last 41 home games. Magic are 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Magic are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Magic are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Magic are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Magic are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference. Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest. Magic are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.

OU TRENDS

San Antonio

Over is 10-1 in Spurs last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 10-2 in Spurs last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 Friday games. Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 games following a ATS win. Over is 14-3 in Spurs last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 17-5 in Spurs last 22 overall. Over is 10-3 in Spurs last 13 road games. Under is 3-1-1 in Spurs last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 11-4 in Spurs last 15 games playing on 1 days rest.

Orlando

Over is 6-0 in Magic last 6 games following a straight up win. Over is 4-0-1 in Magic last 5 home games. Under is 5-0 in Magic last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Magic last 7 vs. Western Conference. Under is 5-1 in Magic last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 8-2-1 in Magic last 11 overall. Over is 4-1 in Magic last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 8-2-1 in Magic last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Magic last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Over is 7-2-1 in Magic last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 7-2-1 in Magic last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 13-5 in Magic last 18 Friday games. Over is 45-19 in Magic last 64 games playing on 2 days rest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings. Spurs are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Orlando. Spurs are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Road team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Nuggets at Hawks

Gracenote
Oct 27, 2017

Paul Millsap made the All-Star team in all four seasons he spent with the Atlanta Hawks. Millsap looks to remind the Hawks of his prowess on Friday, when he returns to Atlanta as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

Millsap averaged a career-best 18.1 points last season and parlayed his latest stellar campaign into a three-year, $90 million contract with the Nuggets. The 32-year-old is averaging 15.5 points in four games with his new club and would like to have a breakout game against his former team. "It's always an emotional time when you first come back to your old team and you see a lot of old guys, but then you're competing against them on another team," Millsap told reporters. "It's going to be different, but I'll try to embrace it as much as possible." The Hawks are struggling without their former star and went 1-4 on a season-opening road trip that ended with Thursday's 91-86 loss at Chicago.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Altitude2 (Denver), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (1-3): Denver has dropped its last two games and trailed by 23 points at halftime in Wednesday's 110-93 road setback against Charlotte. Millsap scored a season-low eight points and the Nuggets shot just 38.4 percent in the loss as coach Michael Malone was peeved with his squad's lack of effort. "My message is simple, I'm going to start our group and if I see guys that don't want to play or compete, I'm going to put guys out there that are going to play hard and compete and at least give us a chance," Malone told reporters. "If you're going to go down, at least go down fighting. That's my nature, and I want that to be my team's nature."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (1-4): Point guard Dennis Schroder (ankle) hopes to return after a two-game absence following a strong start during which he averaged 23.3 points and 6.7 assists over three games. Backup shooting guard Marco Belinelli scored 23 points and made five 3-pointers in the loss to Chicago to improve to 14-of-28 from beyond the arc. Starting small forward Kent Bazemore scored 16 points versus Chicago and had this to say about the club: "It's going to be a tough year, but if we can continue to plug away and keep the effort consistent, once the offense starts rolling, things will start to look up."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hawks have won eight of their last nine home games against the Nuggets.

2. Atlanta PF Ersan Ilyasova (knee) is expected back after a two-game absence.

3. Denver starting SG Jamal Murray (8.5 points) is shooting just 29.8 percent while starting SF Wilson Chandler (seven) is shooting 33.3 percent.

PREDICTION: Hawks 103, Nuggets 97

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Denver at Atlanta

ATS TRENDS

Denver

Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Nuggets are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Nuggets are 17-6 ATS in their last 23 games following a straight up loss. Nuggets are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games. Nuggets are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games following a ATS loss. Nuggets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast.

Atlanta

Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. Hawks are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 games playing on 0 days rest. Hawks are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Hawks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Hawks are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Hawks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Hawks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Hawks are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days. Hawks are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Hawks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Hawks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Denver

Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 9-0 in Nuggets last 9 overall. Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 road games. Under is 4-0 in Nuggets last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 5-0 in Nuggets last 5 games following a straight up loss. Under is 4-0 in Nuggets last 4 games following a ATS loss. Under is 6-0 in Nuggets last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Over is 19-6-1 in Nuggets last 26 Friday games. Over is 15-6-1 in Nuggets last 22 vs. Eastern Conference.

Atlanta

Under is 3-0-1 in Hawks last 4 overall. Under is 8-0 in Hawks last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Under is 5-1 in Hawks last 6 games playing on 0 days rest. Under is 10-2-1 in Hawks last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Under is 5-1-1 in Hawks last 7 vs. NBA Northwest. Over is 4-1-1 in Hawks last 6 home games. Under is 21-6 in Hawks last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 3-1-1 in Hawks last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Over is 6-2 in Hawks last 8 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days. Under is 18-7-2 in Hawks last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 35-16-3 in Hawks last 54 games following a straight up loss. Under is 15-7-2 in Hawks last 24 games following a ATS loss. Under is 35-17-1 in Hawks last 53 vs. Western Conference.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings. Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Atlanta. Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Nets at Knicks

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the early surprises in the NBA and they will try to stay hot when they travel cross-town to Madison Square Garden to meet the New York Knicks on Friday. Winners of a total of 41 games over the last two seasons, the Nets opened what many thought would be another difficult campaign with a loss, but they've rebounded with three wins in four games.

The latest was the most impressive, a 112-107 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. "Obviously they're Eastern Conference champions just about every year -- or actually every year -- and then either win the Finals or don't obviously," guard Spencer Dinwiddie told reporters after making a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing minute. "And for us to pull out a win and be able to close them out obviously after they made their run and to be able to respond, I think it just of kind of brings a young group a little bit closer together and kind of shows us that we can do it and hopefully propels us going forward." The Knicks dropped their first three games and two of them were lopsided defeats. Star forward Kristaps Porzingis was 3-for-14 from the floor and New York produced just 33 first-half points in a 110-89 loss at Boston on Tuesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE NETS (3-2): Dinwiddie finished with 22 points and six assists while providing a big boost to a backcourt that has already lost Jeremy Lin (knee) for the season and was without D'Angelo Russell (knee) on Wednesday. Russell, who is averaging a team-high 23 points, is considered day-to-day. Forward DeMarre Carroll scored at least 17 points in four straight games and is shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (0-3): Center Enes Kanter has been a bright spot in the early going and notched his second straight double-double (16 points, 19 rebounds) in the loss to the Celtics. Tim Hardaway Jr. shot 2-for-11 and rookie Frank Ntilikina missed his second straight game with an ankle injury that has him questionable for Friday night. "We're trying to develop him," coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters of Ntilikina. "When he doesn't have the injuries, he's a smart kid that really comes up and you tell him once and he's got the plays. He's got to battle through these little nagging injuries he has right now, but we want him to get back as soon as possible so he can play."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nets lead the league in scoring (121.2 points per game) and the Knicks are last (93.3).

2. New York C Willy Hernangomez has made 7-of-9 shots this season.

3. The teams split four meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Nets 111, Knicks 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Brooklyn at New York

ATS TRENDS

Brooklyn

Nets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win. Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic. Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games playing on 1 days rest. Nets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Nets are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Nets are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Nets are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games overall. Nets are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference. Nets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games. Nets are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

New York

Knicks are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 Friday games. Knicks are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Knicks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. Knicks are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 vs. NBA Atlantic. Knicks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. Knicks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Knicks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Knicks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Knicks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Knicks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Knicks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Knicks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.

OU TRENDS

Brooklyn

Over is 3-1-1 in Nets last 5 overall. Over is 3-1-1 in Nets last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 3-1-2 in Nets last 6 games following a ATS win. Under is 9-3-2 in Nets last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 3-1-1 in Nets last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

New York

Under is 10-3-1 in Knicks last 14 overall. Under is 6-2 in Knicks last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 10-4 in Knicks last 14 home games. Over is 5-2-1 in Knicks last 8 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Under is 5-2 in Knicks last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 7-3-1 in Knicks last 11 games following a straight up loss. Under is 14-6-1 in Knicks last 21 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 7-3-1 in Knicks last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Home team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings. Under is 15-5 in the last 20 meetings in New York. Nets are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in New York.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Thunder at Timberwolves

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

Minnesota and Oklahoma City already played one instant classic in the last week and will try for another when the Thunder visit the Timberwolves on Friday. Minnesota guard Andrew Wiggins banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer on Sunday to give the Timberwolves a 115-113 road win, seconds after Thunder star Carmelo Anthony had given his team the lead with a 3-pointer.

Wiggins and the Timberwolves haven't had things go their way since that win and are coming off a pair of blowout losses. “That game at OKC, you get a couple of pats on your back and then you come home thinking everything will be easygoing,” Minnesota power forward Taj Gibson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune after Wednesday's 122-101 loss at Detroit. "We got humbled by the Pacers (Tuesday). (Wednesday), we come out with a little bit of energy and set the tone the right way and then we just laid an egg in the second quarter and didn’t play well the rest of the night." The Thunder bounced back from that loss to Minnesota by refocusing on the defensive end and holding Indiana to 33.7 percent shooting in a 114-96 win on Wednesday. "We played well. Our principles, we stuck to them," Paul George, who was playing his first game against his former team, told reporters. “Our defense got a whole lot better from the game before."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Oklahoma, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (2-2): The biggest question for Oklahoma City coming into the season was how reigning MVP Russell Westbrook would mesh with George and Anthony, and so far, Westbrook is getting glowing reviews. “Russ has gotten great encouragement from his teammates and he’s at his best when he’s playing aggressively,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan told reporters after watching Westbrook collect 28 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds on Wednesday. "Overall, I felt like he surveyed and managed the game and the floor and moved guys around. He did an exceptional job." Westbrook is leading the NBA in assists (12.8) to go with 21.5 points and 9.5 rebounds - just off his triple-double pace from last season.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (2-3): Minnesota was without star swingman Jimmy Butler the last two games due to an upper respiratory infection and clearly missed his defense on the perimeter while Pistons small forward Tobias Harris was going off for 34 points on Wednesday. “Of course, we’re going to need Jimmy to win games," Gibson told reporters. "But we have more than enough to get the job done. I’ve been in this league a long time. I’ve won games with less than the talent we have in here. It’s all about believing and coming together." Butler was reportedly feeling better on Wednesday but did not travel with the team and could return for Friday's contest.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double in four of the first five games and is averaging 23.2 points and 10.4 rebounds.

2. George is 4-of-20 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague enjoyed his best game of the season at Oklahoma City on Sunday with 19 points and nine assists.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 106, Thunder 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Oklahoma City at Minnesota

ATS TRENDS

Oklahoma City

Thunder are 23-11 ATS in their last 34 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Thunder are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win. Thunder are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Thunder are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.

Minnesota

Timberwolves are 19-41-1 ATS in their last 61 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Timberwolves are 17-38-1 ATS in their last 56 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Timberwolves are 10-25-1 ATS in their last 36 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS loss. Timberwolves are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Northwest. Timberwolves are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 vs. Western Conference. Timberwolves are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall. Timberwolves are 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. Timberwolves are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Timberwolves are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Timberwolves are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games. Timberwolves are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Oklahoma City

Under is 6-0 in Thunder last 6 games following a straight up win. Under is 12-2 in Thunder last 14 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 road games. Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 overall. Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 games following a ATS win. Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 vs. NBA Northwest. Under is 16-5-1 in Thunder last 22 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 15-5-1 in Thunder last 21 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 11-4 in Thunder last 15 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Under is 8-3-1 in Thunder last 12 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 8-3 in Thunder last 11 vs. Western Conference.

Minnesota

Over is 3-0-1 in Timberwolves last 4 Friday games. Over is 3-0-1 in Timberwolves last 4 games following a straight up loss. Over is 3-0-1 in Timberwolves last 4 vs. Western Conference. Over is 4-0 in Timberwolves last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 7-1 in Timberwolves last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 9-2 in Timberwolves last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Over is 4-1-1 in Timberwolves last 6 home games. Over is 16-5-1 in Timberwolves last 22 overall. Under is 21-7-1 in Timberwolves last 29 vs. NBA Northwest. Over is 24-8-1 in Timberwolves last 33 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 20-7-1 in Timberwolves last 28 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 18-7-1 in Timberwolves last 26 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 34-16-1 in Timberwolves last 51 games following a ATS loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Minnesota. Thunder are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Minnesota. Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Wizards at Warriors

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

The Golden State Warriors still aren't quite where they want to be, but at least they're starting to win some games. The Warriors will try to tighten some things up and pull off their third consecutive win when they host the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Golden State needed key 3-pointers in the final minutes from Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry to pull off a 117-112 win at home over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, and coach Steve Kerr sees room for improvement. "I think our conditioning is both mental and physical," Kerr told reporters. "I think our mental conditioning is not there and it just shows in a lot of different ways. Our execution just isn't quite sharp enough. We call a few plays and all of a sudden one guy is out of position, so we don't really get the full execution." The Wizards are coming off their first loss of the season -- a 102-99 overtime setback at the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday -- and were questioning their own effort after the game. "We just didn't want it," Washington guard Bradley Beal told reporters. "We gave the game away. Just plain and simple. We were up double digits numerous times and we got to keep attacking, stay aggressive and we didn't do that. We got lackadaisical. I don't know who we were (Wednesday), but it wasn't the Washington Wizards, that's for sure."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (3-1): Several of the questions after the loss on Wednesday centered around the decision making of point guard John Wall, who forced up a 3-pointer for the last shot instead of finding an open teammate. "We have to find a better shot. He's better than that," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters of Wall. "Something that we're going to have get better with. I thought (Beal) was open at the end but I trust John's decision. I didn't like the shot, but I trust his decisions." Wall is just 10-of-35 from the floor over the last two games and 2-of-14 from beyond the arc on the season.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (3-2): Golden State led the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage (43.5) last season but slipped to 45.2 percent through five games in 2017-18, prompting reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green to call out his team. "Our defense has been horrible," Green said, according to ESPN.com. "Nobody is communicating, which is the main problem. At first, we were fouling a lot. The first four games, the fouls were horrific. Then (Wednesday), we fouled a bit early and then we cut back on that and turned the ball over and it's hard to defend that. ... We just got to put everything together." Covering over some of those mistakes on the other end are Curry (29.2 points), Durant (25) and Klay Thompson (21.2).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors PG Shaun Livingston (personal) will not play on Friday.

2. Beal scored at least 20 points in each of the first four games and is averaging 24.5 points on 45.3 percent shooting.

3. Golden State took five of the last six in the series, including a 139-115 drubbing at home on April 2.

PREDICTION: Warriors 118, Wizards 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Washington at Golden State

ATS TRENDS

Washington

Wizards are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games following a ATS loss. Wizards are 7-23-1 ATS in their last 31 games playing on 1 days rest. Wizards are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Wizards are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Pacific. Wizards are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Wizards are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games. Wizards are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Wizards are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

Golden State

Warriors are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast. Warriors are 14-4-1 ATS in their last 19 games playing on 1 days rest. Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games. Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Warriors are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win. Warriors are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Warriors are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

OU TRENDS

Washington

Over is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 vs. NBA Pacific. Over is 8-2 in Wizards last 10 Friday games. Under is 3-1-1 in Wizards last 5 games following a straight up loss. Over is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 vs. Western Conference. Over is 20-9 in Wizards last 29 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 23-11-1 in Wizards last 35 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 35-17-1 in Wizards last 53 road games.

Golden State

Over is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 games following a ATS loss. Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 18-5 in Warriors last 23 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 10-3 in Warriors last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 9-3 in Warriors last 12 games following a straight up win. Over is 6-2 in Warriors last 8 home games. Over is 9-3 in Warriors last 12 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 20-7 in Warriors last 27 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 8-3 in Warriors last 11 vs. NBA Southeast. Over is 20-8 in Warriors last 28 overall. Under is 40-19 in Warriors last 59 games playing on 1 days rest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Golden State.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, October 27, 2017
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Raptors at Lakers

Gracenote
Oct 26, 2017

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a big win against one of the Eastern Conference's top teams and they hope for a repeat performance when they host the Toronto Raptors on Friday. A key 3-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - one of five Lakers in double figures - helped the Lakers pick up a 102-99 overtime win against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

"You have a chance to win if you can play defense," coach Luke Walton told reporters after his team held the Wizards to 13 points in the fourth quarter and seven in overtime. "That's kind of the message that we have been trying to deliver, so it was good to have them actually experience that for themselves in a game." The Raptors present another challenge on the defensive end for Los Angeles, as they entered Thursday's action ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring (113.5) and kept pace with the high-powered Golden State Warriors in a 117-112 loss on Wednesday. DeMar DeRozan led six players in double figures with 24 points for Toronto, which is 0-2 on its six-game road trip. Centers Jonas Valanciunas and Lucas Nogueira both sat with ankle injuries and are considered day-to-day.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (2-2): The injuries to Valanciunas and Nogueira gave an opportunity for Pascal Siakam to slide into the starting lineup and Jakob Poeltl to contribute more off the bench. Siakam responded with a career-high 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting and Poeltl chipped in 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. DeRozan is averaging 27.3 points while shooting 54 percent over the last three games and he has nine steals in the last two.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (2-2): Forwards Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr. combined for 37 points and 20 boards in the win over the Wizards, while rookie Lonzo Ball overcame a tough shooting night with 10 assists and eight rebounds. Ball is averaging 10.7 assists and nine rebounds over a three-game stretch but he's shot 23.1 percent from the floor or worse in three of four contests this season. Fellow first-year pro Kyle Kuzma has provided a big boost off the bench for Los Angeles, averaging 16.7 points over his last three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Toronto won five straight meetings.

2. Raptors PG Kyle Lowry needs 18 points to surpass Morris Peterson (6,498) and move into fifth on the franchise's all-time list.

3. Lakers C Brook Lopez is averaging eight points and 3.5 rebounds over the last two games after posting 19.5 and 8.5 in his first two.

PREDICTION: Raptors 110, Lakers 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at L.A. Lakers

ATS TRENDS

Toronto

Raptors are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Raptors are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Western Conference.

L.A. Lakers

Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games. Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games. Lakers are 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Under is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 vs. Western Conference. Under is 21-7 in Raptors last 28 road games. Under is 5-2 in Raptors last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Under is 7-3 in Raptors last 10 Friday games. Under is 7-3 in Raptors last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

L.A. Lakers

Under is 7-1 in Lakers last 8 games following a straight up win. Under is 6-1 in Lakers last 7 games following a ATS win. Under is 6-1 in Lakers last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 home games. Under is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Under is 7-2 in Lakers last 9 overall. Under is 6-2 in Lakers last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 14-6 in Lakers last 20 vs. NBA Atlantic.

HEAD TO HEAD

Raptors are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles. Raptors are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 28, 2017
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Matchup Edge

CLE	Edge in:	NO
	Points Per Game
	Field Goal %
	Free Throw %
	Defense
	Rebounding
	Turn Overs
	Bench

Preview: Cavaliers at Pelicans

Gracenote
Oct 27, 2017

The Cleveland Cavaliers added several new faces in the offseason and are having a little trouble getting on the same page early in 2017-18. The Cavaliers will try to bounce back from a loss to the Brooklyn Nets when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Cleveland returned J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson to the starting lineup on Wednesday to spark the defense, but the Nets still ended up knocking down 17 3-pointers while beating the Cavaliers 112-107. "These guys are NBA players," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "If we don't contest shots and get out to the 3-point line, they're going to continue to make them. We come into the game, we told them they're second in the league in attempts and they're getting them up. We're running around here worrying about getting the Brooklyn (draft) pick (in 2018); they might want our pick." The Cavaliers can count on a defensive test from Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins, who dominated his former team on Thursday with 41 points and 23 rebounds in a 114-106 win at Sacramento. Cousins buried 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and New Orleans knocked down 13 3-pointers despite missing star forward Anthony Davis (knee, quad).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (3-2): LeBron James served as the point guard on Wednesday with Derrick Rose (ankle) and Dwyane Wade (knee) out of the lineup and ended up with 29 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. The superstar forward handled the point in each of the last two games - handing out 13 assists in each - but the team doesn't plan to have him there permanently. "It's a lot of pressure to put on LeBron to have to handle the ball for 40 minutes," Lue told reporters. "That's why I talk about playing the point guard position, it can wear you down. Unfortunately, that's all we have right now until D-Rose gets back."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (2-3): Davis remains day-to-day, but Cousins is showing he is ready to pick up the slack after dealing with the boos from Sacramento fans and thriving while shooting 14-of-25 from the field in 44 minutes. “It was a special night," Cousins told reporters. "The fans were beautiful. They were into the game. They let it be well-known that they hated every shot I made. Now I know how other players feel (when they visit Sacramento). I used to be on the other side of the fence. I can remember games where the crowd was the reason we won. It’s well-known that the Kings have incredible fans." Cousins recorded a double-double in each of the first five games and is averaging 33 points and 14.2 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers PF Kevin Love recorded a double-double in four of the first five games and is averaging 11.2 rebounds.

2. Pelicans PG Jameer Nelson is averaging 11 points and 4.3 assists in three games off the bench since signing with the team.

3. The teams split two meetings last season, with New Orleans pulling out a 124-122 victory at home on Jan. 23.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 111, Pelicans 102