Friday 11-24-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Magic at Celtics

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The Boston Celtics hope to begin another winning streak when they return home to take on the struggling Orlando Magic on Friday night. The Celtics saw their 16-game run - tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history - come to an end Wednesday when they shot only 41.7 percent from the floor and 70.4 from the free-throw line in a 104-98 loss at Miami.

Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters the 16-game streak was “a bit of a mirage” and the Celtics will try to build momentum again with six of the next seven games on their home court. Kyrie Irving continued his scoring surge with 23 points against Miami and has 100 in the last three games, but managed a season-low 11 (in games he played more than two minutes) against the Magic in a 104-88 triumph Nov. 5 - the fifth straight win for Boston in the series. Orlando, which started the season with six wins in eight games, has dropped the last six after Wednesday’s 124-118 setback at Minnesota in which it was outscored 41-18 in the third quarter. “They were able to get to their spots. They were able to get to line. We just made it too easy for them coming out of the half,’ Magic forward Aaron Gordon told reporters Wednesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), NBCSN Boston

ABOUT THE MAGIC (8-10): Gordon recorded 26 points and added nine rebounds Wednesday and sits second on the team in scoring (18.0) behind guard Evan Fournier (19.0), who matched his average against Minnesota. Center Nikola Vucevic (16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds) registered his third double-double in four games and team-high seventh on the season last time out. First-round pick Jonathan Isaac (sprained ankle) missed the last five games while guard Mario Hezonja (head) has been out the last two contests, and both are questionable for Friday.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (16-3): Boston is in the bottom third of the league in points scored per game (102.6), but leads the NBA in scoring defense (95.3) despite allowing an average of 101.7 the last three contests. Irving tops five players scoring in double figures at 22.5 per contest while second-year pro Jaylen Brown (16.1 points, 6.5 rebounds) and rookie Jayson Tatum (14.2 points) continue to impress on both ends. Forward Marcus Morris did not start Wednesday’s game because of a sore knee, but came off the bench to contribute 14 points in 21 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando G Terrence Ross, who is shooting only 40.5 percent from the field, had a season-high 22 points Wednesday.

2. Boston PF Al Horford (13.8 points, 8.8 rebounds per game this season) recorded a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in the victory over Orlando earlier this month.

3. The Magic allowed fewer than 100 points four times during the first eight games of the season and twice in the last 10.

PREDICTION: Celtics 108, Magic 98

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Orlando at Boston

ATS TRENDS

Orlando

Magic are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Magic are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games. Magic are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Magic are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Magic are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Magic are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss. Magic are 16-37-2 ATS in their last 55 games following a ATS win. Magic are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Atlantic. Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.

Boston

Celtics are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 home games. Celtics are 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Celtics are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Celtics are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Celtics are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Celtics are 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 1 days rest. Celtics are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Celtics are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Southeast. Celtics are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Celtics are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

Orlando

Under is 5-0 in Magic last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 4-0 in Magic last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 8-2 in Magic last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 7-2 in Magic last 9 games following a straight up loss. Over is 7-2-1 in Magic last 10 vs. NBA Atlantic. Under is 6-2 in Magic last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 9-3 in Magic last 12 games following a ATS win. Over is 11-4 in Magic last 15 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Under is 15-6 in Magic last 21 Friday games. Over is 5-2 in Magic last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 5-2 in Magic last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Boston

Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 home games. Over is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 13-3 in Celtics last 16 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 overall. Over is 10-3 in Celtics last 13 games following a straight up loss. Over is 8-3-1 in Celtics last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Over is 12-5 in Celtics last 17 vs. NBA Southeast. Under is 9-4 in Celtics last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 11-5 in Celtics last 16 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Home team is 12-3 ATS in the last 15 meetings. Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. Magic are 10-26-1 ATS in the last 37 meetings in Boston. Magic are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Hornets at Cavaliers

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

LeBron James isn't willing to give up his spot as the best player in the NBA, no matter how many minutes he has to play and games he has to drag his team through. James will try to follow up his latest transcendent performance and guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to a seventh straight win when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

James wasn't having his best game on Wednesday until he was accidentally hit in the face by Tyler Zeller and needed stitches to close a wound. The superstar responded with 23 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, including 18 in a row over the final 4:25 to put the game away. "My team looks at me to be that scorer now," James told reporters. "The last couple of years, Kyrie (Irving) obviously being as great as he was in the fourth quarter, we kind of picked our games. ... But right now, my teammates look at me and they're like, 'OK, like this is your quarter. You've done this your whole career. Let's try to make some things happen.' And it's very important that I try to come through for them." Kemba Walker tries to fill a similar role for the Hornets and scored four points in the final 17 seconds of regulation on Wednesday against Washington to force overtime and eventually lead Charlotte to its third straight victory.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (8-9): Walker could be forced to shoulder even more of the load for Charlotte if Nicolas Batum, who left Wednesday's game with an injury to the same elbow that kept him out of the first 12 games, is out for an extended period. Stepping up to fill the void in Wednesday's win was Jeremy Lamb, who started in Batum's spot after the break and finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. "Jeremy (Lamb) was terrific," Hornets coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "He made the biggest play of the game at plus-three with a blocked shot and then the coast-to-coast drive. ... He's worked hard. He's paid his dues. He's watched good players. He feels like this is his time to play well. He's in a good place. He's delivering, that's what he's doing."
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (11-7): James is still capable of inspiring awe despite ranking among the leaders in minutes (37.7) a month shy of his 33rd birthday. He is averaging 28.6 points while shooting a career-best 58.5 percent from the floor and 42.7 percent from 3-point range, and he went 6-of-6 from the floor during his closing burst on Wednesday. "You can't force it," James told reporters. "You've got to let it come to you. It's times when you wish you can do it and sometimes when the ball just doesn't go in. But I put a lot of work into my craft and I believe that every shot I take is going to go in."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets C Dwight Howard is averaging 22.3 points on 25-of-33 shooting and 16.3 rebounds over the last three games.

2. Cavaliers SG Iman Shumpert (knee) sat out the last two games and is not expected to return until Monday.

3. Cleveland took the last seven in the series, including a 115-107 win at Charlotte on Nov. 15.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 112, Hornets 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Charlotte at Cleveland

ATS TRENDS

Charlotte

Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win. Hornets are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. Hornets are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game. Hornets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Hornets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Hornets are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 vs. NBA Central. Hornets are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 road games. Hornets are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 Friday games. Hornets are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Cleveland

Cavaliers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss. Cavaliers are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 Friday games. Cavaliers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Cavaliers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference. Cavaliers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Cavaliers are 6-20-2 ATS in their last 28 home games. Cavaliers are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Cavaliers are 3-15 ATS in their last 18 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Cavaliers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

OU TRENDS

Charlotte

Over is 4-0 in Hornets last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-0 in Hornets last 5 games following a straight up win. Over is 5-0 in Hornets last 5 games following a ATS win. Over is 6-1 in Hornets last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 6-1 in Hornets last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 5-1 in Hornets last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 overall. Over is 15-6 in Hornets last 21 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 9-4 in Hornets last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 15-7 in Hornets last 22 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 19-9 in Hornets last 28 vs. NBA Central.

Cleveland

Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 Friday games. Over is 8-2-1 in Cavaliers last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 15-4-2 in Cavaliers last 21 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Over is 18-6-2 in Cavaliers last 26 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Under is 3-1-1 in Cavaliers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 36-13-2 in Cavaliers last 51 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 37-14 in Cavaliers last 51 games following a ATS loss. Over is 26-10 in Cavaliers last 36 vs. NBA Southeast. Over is 18-7-1 in Cavaliers last 26 home games. Over is 5-2-1 in Cavaliers last 8 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 7-3-1 in Cavaliers last 11 overall. Over is 7-3 in Cavaliers last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings. Favorite is 9-1-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland. Road team is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Hornets are 1-9-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings. Hornets are 0-4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Raptors at Pacers

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The Indiana Pacers are suddenly one of the hotter teams in the NBA and can look forward to a stretch of the schedule filled with home games, beginning with a visit from the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The matchup begins a three-game homestand for the Pacers, who also play six in a row in Indianapolis early next month and 17 out of 24 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse through the middle of January.

They enter the stretch on a four-game winning streak after a 105-97 victory at Orlando on Monday, with Victor Oladipo continuing his solid campaign with 29 points, nine rebounds and seven steals. "He's taking that leader role," Indiana guard Lance Stephenson told reporters of Oladipo. "He's bringing it every night and being that guy that we need him to be." The Raptors had a four-game winning streak of their own snapped with a 108-100 loss at the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Knicks put forth an improbable 28-0 run during a dominant third quarter, and a fourth-quarter rally by Toronto fell well short.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), FSN Indiana

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (11-6): DeMar DeRozan's streak of nine straight games with at least 20 points came to an end with 18 at Madison Square Garden, and he was one of many who was off target in the team's 0-for-13 swoon during the decisive third-quarter run. "They came out aggressive in the third quarter. We came out in a funk," DeRozan told the media. "We couldn't make a basket and couldn't get a stop, and they took advantage of it. It happens. It's the NBA. Some teams, some nights, have to go through it." Kyle Lowry continued his turnaround after a slow start to the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the veteran point guard is averaging 19.6 points, eight assists and 7.8 boards in his last five games.
ABOUT THE PACERS (10-8): After a 118-95 loss to Houston at home on Nov. 12, Indiana was 6-8, had lost five of six and was searching for some answers, but they've come in a hurry behind Oladlipo and Bojan Bogdanovic, who has back-to-back 26-point games. "I've never seen a team (come together) this quick," point guard Darren Collison told reporters. "Even the best teams with the best talent, like OKC, and the old days when LeBron was in Miami, it took a long time for them to jell. I'm not saying we're as talented as they are, but when you're building a new team it does take a while. The way we're jelling right now is definitely amazing." Bogdanovic has drained 18-of-29 3-pointers during the winning streak and entered Thanksgiving fourth in the NBA from beyond the arc (48.4 percent).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Collison is averaging 16 points and eight assists over a four-game span and is shooting 53.3 percent at home this season.

2. Raptors F Pascal Siakam missed all 11 of his 3-point tries over a five-game stretch.

3. Toronto won nine of the last 11 meetings after taking two of three last season.

PREDICTION: Pacers 111, Raptors 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Toronto at Indiana

ATS TRENDS

Toronto

Raptors are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Raptors are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Central.

Indiana

Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Pacers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Pacers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games following a ATS win. Pacers are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Pacers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up win. Pacers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Pacers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 vs. NBA Central. Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games following a ATS loss. Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 6-2 in Raptors last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 13-5 in Raptors last 18 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 25-11 in Raptors last 36 road games.

Indiana

Under is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 home games. Under is 4-1 in Pacers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 7-3 in Pacers last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 15-7 in Pacers last 22 games playing on 3 or more days rest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Indiana. Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. Raptors are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Indiana. Raptors are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Heat at Timberwolves

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The Miami Heat just ended the NBA's longest winning streak, and their reward is a four-game road trip. The Heat, who knocked off the NBA-best Boston Celtics at home on Friday, will begin their trek by visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra put his team through a pair of tough practices leading into the matchup with the Celtics after getting blown out 120-95 at home by Indiana on Sunday, and the strategy seemed to pay off. "I don't even care about the result," Spoelstra told reporters after Wednesday's 104-98 triumph. "Right now, it's all behavior and habits. So, the test will be what we do for the next 48 hours. Guys really brought a purity to the work, a focus, a discipline the last two days, and we got after it. It was training-camp level practices, but you're not always able to do that during the course of the season, and snap into attention. So, all those little things, that's what I want to see." The Timberwolves snapped out of their own funk with a 124-118 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday after back-to-back losses but nearly squandered a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter. "We have to work at it," Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters of fourth-quarter woes. "You have to be tough-minded."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE HEAT (8-9): Miami point guard Goran Dragic totaled 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting in two games before breaking out for 27 points in the win over the Celtics. The 31-year-old did not attempt a free throw in the previous three games but got back to attacking the basket against Boston and went 9-of-10 from the line. "Goran's a winner. What we're trying to learn is winning habits. That's all we've been talking about, is we want to be more consistent on the court. You have to learn how to win, learn how to develop winning habits. ... I can go on and on and on, and you can just put a picture of Goran Dragic and that's why he is one of the most consistent guys not around this team but in the league."

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (11-7): Minnesota enjoyed a string of six of eight games holding opponents under 100 points -- winning all six -- but let up a bit on the defensive end over the last three contests and dropped two before pulling out Wednesday's 124-118 win. "My concern is what we're doing defensively," Thibodeau told reporters. "If we're going to go anywhere, we have to correct that." The Timberwolves make up for some of those defensive issues on the other end of the floor and watched Jimmy Butler match a season high on Wednesday with 26 points while Taj Gibson (24), Jeff Teague (22) and Andrew Wiggins (20) all reached the 20-point plateau as well.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Heat SG Dion Waiters scored 26 points on Wednesday after going scoreless on 0-of-10 shooting in Sunday's loss.

2. Butler is averaging 21.8 points over the last four games.

3. Minnesota earned a 125-122 overtime win at Miami on Oct. 30 behind 23 points and 11 assists from Teague.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 113, Heat 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Miami at Minnesota

ATS TRENDS

Miami

Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games. Heat are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Heat are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Heat are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference. Heat are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 road games. Heat are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Heat are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win. Heat are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Heat are 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Minnesota

Timberwolves are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win. Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Timberwolves are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games following a ATS loss. Timberwolves are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 7-18-2 ATS in their last 27 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Timberwolves are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Timberwolves are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Southeast. Timberwolves are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU TRENDS

Miami

Under is 5-0 in Heat last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Heat last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 4-1 in Heat last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 16-5 in Heat last 21 Friday games. Under is 14-5 in Heat last 19 road games. Under is 8-3 in Heat last 11 games following a ATS win. Over is 5-2 in Heat last 7 vs. NBA Northwest. Under is 35-17-1 in Heat last 53 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Minnesota

Over is 5-0 in Timberwolves last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 7-0 in Timberwolves last 7 games following a straight up win. Over is 8-1 in Timberwolves last 9 vs. NBA Southeast. Under is 8-1 in Timberwolves last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Timberwolves last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 9-2 in Timberwolves last 11 overall. Over is 4-1-1 in Timberwolves last 6 Friday games. Under is 4-1 in Timberwolves last 5 home games. Under is 4-1 in Timberwolves last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 28-11-1 in Timberwolves last 40 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 37-15 in Timberwolves last 52 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 37-17-1 in Timberwolves last 55 games following a ATS loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heat are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Minnesota. Heat are 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Minnesota. Road team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Pistons at Thunder

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

Russell Westbrook put forth an MVP-caliber performance and the up-and-down Oklahoma City Thunder finally had the look of a dominant unit. They will try to build off a victory over the defending NBA champs when they wrap up a two-game homestand against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

Westbrook had 34 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and four steals as the Thunder ran away from the Golden State Warriors 108-91 on Wednesday, snapping a two-game slide while extending the squad's home winning streak to four. "It's just great to get a win," Westbrook told reporters, downplaying a sometimes-testy rematch with former Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant, and the fact that his team ended a seven-game slide against the mighty Warriors. "That's it. Just one game at a time." The Pistons have dropped three of four since a five-game winning streak and Monday's 116-88 loss to Cleveland at home was their most lopsided setback of the season. "I'm not upset at our guys. I didn't see our guys quitting or anything like that," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "We got a little bit shell shocked."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Oklahoma

ABOUT THE PISTONS (11-6): Center Andre Drummond has shown vast improvement at the foul line (career-best 61.5 percent) and in the assist department (career-high 3.4), but as the big man looks to pass more often the turnovers are also piling up. "Andre was really trying to be really, really unselfish to a fault," Van Gundy told the media Wednesday after Drummond had six turnovers for the second straight game versus Cleveland. "He was making the pass his first option and then he was hesitant instead of going to score and draw help." Drummond, who entered the season averaging 1.5 turnovers per game, is averaging five giveaways during his last six outings and 3.4 on the season.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (8-9): Westbrook had plenty of help from the other members of Oklahoma City's power trio, as Carmelo Anthony registered 22 points and Paul George had 20 in the win over the Warriors. "They're amazing talents," Golden State guard Stephen Curry said of the threesome. "They've been playing at a high level in their careers all throughout. It's a little different. Obviously what Russ does is pretty much the same, but you've got to understand how they try to work off of each other and play solid one-on-one defense." Steven Adams had 12 rebounds, George added 11 and Westbrook had his 10 as Oklahoma City dominated Golden State on the glass 50-39, its second-largest advantage in that category this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder's eight wins have come by an average of 17.8 points.

2. Pistons F Tobias Harris is shooting 37.7 percent over his last four games after making more than 50 percent of his shots in eight of his first 13 contests.

3. The teams split two meetings last season and Oklahoma City is 8-1 at home against Detroit.

PREDICTION: Thunder 109, Pistons 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Detroit at Oklahoma City

ATS TRENDS

Detroit

Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss. Pistons are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Pistons are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Pistons are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. Western Conference. Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. Pistons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Northwest. Pistons are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Pistons are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 road games. Pistons are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Pistons are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall.

Oklahoma City

Thunder are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games. Thunder are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Central. Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Thunder are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 vs. Eastern Conference. Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Thunder are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Thunder are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Thunder are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.

OU TRENDS

Detroit

Under is 4-0 in Pistons last 4 overall. Under is 4-0 in Pistons last 4 road games. Under is 4-0 in Pistons last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 6-1 in Pistons last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Under is 4-1 in Pistons last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 23-6-1 in Pistons last 30 after allowing 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 13-5 in Pistons last 18 games following a straight up loss. Under is 7-3-1 in Pistons last 11 vs. Western Conference.

Oklahoma City

Under is 6-0 in Thunder last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 7-0 in Thunder last 7 vs. Eastern Conference. Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 Friday games. Under is 16-5 in Thunder last 21 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 16-5 in Thunder last 21 vs. NBA Central. Under is 9-3 in Thunder last 12 games following a straight up win. Under is 20-7-1 in Thunder last 28 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 18-7-1 in Thunder last 26 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 12-5 in Thunder last 17 home games. Under is 14-6 in Thunder last 20 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Under is 25-11 in Thunder last 36 overall.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings. Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Pistons are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Oklahoma City. Pistons are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Oklahoma City.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Grizzlies at Nuggets

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The Denver Nuggets lost one of their best players for an extended period and then suffered an embarrassing loss to finish out a three-game road trip. The Nuggets will try not to let a key injury push them into a slide like it did for the Memphis Grizzlies, who will be trying to avoid a seventh consecutive setback when they visit Denver on Friday.

The Nuggets found out that power forward Paul Millsap would need to undergo wrist surgery and miss three months early this week and did not have the firepower to keep up with the Western Conference-leading Houston Rockets while getting blown out 125-95 on Wednesday. "It's been an emotional trip," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "You lose one of your best players for an extended period of time, and you're going home after a real tough loss. But we're going home together. We're going home united. And we're going home with a belief that we're heading in the right direction." The Grizzlies nearly ended their losing streak on Wednesday against the West-worst Dallas Mavericks but watched Harrison Barnes knock down a 30-footer at the buzzer for a 95-94 loss. "This is a tough one," Memphis coach David Fizdale told reporters. "We really needed this win to feel better about ourselves and rebuild some confidence, and that third quarter just destroyed us. But at the end of the game, you're up two with 0.5 (seconds left), and you lose on a Hail Mary. We'll keep scrapping."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (7-10): Memphis lost point guard Mike Conley indefinitely to an Achilles injury earlier this month and is trying to find ways to win without him leading the attack. Center Marc Gasol is taking on a larger role and is trying to keep his teammates positive, even after squandering an 18-point lead against the Mavericks. "The harder things get, the closer you can lean on your teammates and talk to them, walk them through the process and allow them to see the game before it happens," Gasol told reporters. "Try to give them confidence in areas like trust and how to be patient with the game because we may get a little unadjusted and be in places we aren't supposed to be because we're a little uncomfortable. It's just not good for the game."
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (10-8): Denver started Kenneth Faried in Millsap's spot at power forward in a win at Sacramento on Monday and tried a smaller lineup with Wilson Chandler sliding down from the small forward spot and Will Barton entering the starting lineup on Friday. "That injury is not going to define us or our season," Malone told the Denver Post. "We're going to continue to prepare, to work, to fight and to compete. One man goes down, you have to have guys step up. The great thing about having a deep roster and a very deep frontcourt is other guys are ready to take advantage of those minutes." Power forward Juan Hernangomez logged a season-high with 23 minutes off the bench on Monday while Trey Lyles played a season-high 24 on Wednesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets SG Gary Harris is 29-of-46 from the floor in four games since returning from a shoulder injury.

2. Grizzlies PF Brandan Wright (groin) sat out the last two games and remains questionable.

3. Memphis took all three meetings last season and eight of the last nine in the series.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 106, Grizzlies 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Memphis at Denver

ATS TRENDS

Memphis

Grizzlies are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. Grizzlies are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games. Grizzlies are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss. Grizzlies are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Grizzlies are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Grizzlies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Western Conference. Grizzlies are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Grizzlies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Denver

Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southwest. Nuggets are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games following a straight up loss. Nuggets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. Nuggets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

OU TRENDS

Memphis

Under is 5-0 in Grizzlies last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Under is 9-3 in Grizzlies last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 6-2 in Grizzlies last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Under is 5-2 in Grizzlies last 7 overall. Under is 7-3 in Grizzlies last 10 games following a ATS loss.

Denver

Under is 6-0 in Nuggets last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 vs. NBA Southwest. Over is 19-7-1 in Nuggets last 27 Friday games. Over is 13-5-1 in Nuggets last 19 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. Under is 10-4 in Nuggets last 14 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 10-4 in Nuggets last 14 vs. Western Conference. Over is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 games following a ATS loss. Under is 14-6 in Nuggets last 20 vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Under is 7-3 in Nuggets last 10 games following a straight up loss. Under is 11-5 in Nuggets last 16 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Denver. Under is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings. Road team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Pelicans at Suns

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The New Orleans Pelicans look to match their longest winning streak of the season and avoid looking too far ahead when they begin a tough road back-to-back at the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Pelicans will leave Arizona to take on defending champion Golden State the following night, providing a significant road test for a team coming off an impressive two-game homestand.

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 53 points and 26 rebounds in Wednesday's 107-90 win over San Antonio as New Orleans matched its best defensive effort this season. "The defense is what's going to make our offense go and tonight we did a great job," Davis told the media. "When we do that, we're a tough team to beat. We really don't like to run plays every time down. If we can get a stop and push it up the floor and get an easy basket in transition, then we'd much rather do that." The Suns can hang in transition but give up an NBA-high 115.8 points per game and were right around that mark - albeit in overtime - in a 113-107 loss to Milwaukee at home Wednesday night. Devin Booker's OT-forcing 3-pointer was part of a 23-point effort but Phoenix's young star was 8-for-24 from the floor and is 13-for-39 over the last two games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Arizona Plus (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (10-8): Point guard Rajon Rondo had a pedestrian line of six points, five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes against the Spurs in his fifth game back from a hernia, but his presence has transformed New Orleans on both ends of the floor. "We'll be scary. This is basically a brand new team, a brand new identity," Cousins told the media. "With Rajon coming back ... now we've got to find a whole new way of playing -- not saying we're switching up our style but just getting him accustomed to playing with us and us playing with him." Forward Darius Miller continues to carry the reserves and has made an eye-popping 28-of-46 3-pointers over a 10-game span.

ABOUT THE SUNS (7-12): Greg Monroe is averaging 14.5 points on 61.9 percent and 8.3 rebounds in 24 minutes in four games with Phoenix, producing 22 points and 15 boards against the Bucks. However, he was part of a group of five reserves that combined for 16 turnovers and the Suns finished with a season-high 29 overall, their highest total since Nov. 9, 1999. "From the first half on they were just really physical," Booker told reporters. "We had 29 turnovers, it's hard to win a game like that ... but we didn't execute down the stretch."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis is 25-for-29 from the line over the last two outings.

2. Suns C Tyson Chandler (illness) returned from a three-game absence to grab 12 rebounds versus Milwaukee, and he is shooting 61.3 percent at home.

3. New Orleans won three of four meetings last season. Two games were decided in overtime and all four by five points or fewer.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 116, Suns 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Orleans at Phoenix

ATS TRENDS

New Orleans

Pelicans are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Pacific. Pelicans are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Pelicans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Pelicans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. Pelicans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

Phoenix

Suns are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Suns are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 vs. NBA Southwest. Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss. Suns are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss. Suns are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Suns are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games. Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU TRENDS

New Orleans

Under is 9-2 in Pelicans last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Under is 13-5 in Pelicans last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Under is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 games following a ATS win. Under is 20-8 in Pelicans last 28 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Under is 9-4 in Pelicans last 13 vs. NBA Pacific. Over is 25-12 in Pelicans last 37 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

Phoenix

Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 overall. Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 Friday games. Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games following a straight up loss. Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games following a ATS loss. Over is 16-5 in Suns last 21 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 8-3 in Suns last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-2 in Suns last 7 home games. Under is 5-2 in Suns last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Over is 19-8 in Suns last 27 vs. NBA Southwest. Over is 7-3 in Suns last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 43-19 in Suns last 62 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Road team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

Matchup Edge

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

Preview: Bulls at Warriors

Gracenote
Nov 23, 2017

The defending champion Golden State Warriors endured some frustrating performances on their just-completed road trip and will try to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season when they return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Warriors dropped two of four on the trip and struggled at times in the two victories.

Golden State was whipped 108-91 by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and trailed by enough that coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters early in the fourth quarter. “It was just that kind of night,” Kerr told reporters. “We didn’t have any focus or concentration. Millennials couldn’t lock in tonight, and their coach couldn’t do much, either, so it was a long night for us.” The Bulls own the fewest wins in the NBA and saw their latest slide reach three straight with a 110-80 loss at Utah on Wednesday. Chicago is 29th in the league in scoring at an average of 94.4 points and is about to finish its four-game road trip against a Golden State squad that leads the league in scoring (116.4).
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCSN (Chicago), NBCSN Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE BULLS (3-13): Chicago doesn't plan on competing for a playoff berth this season and is just looking for signs that some of the young players on the roster can be building blocks for the future. Point guard Kris Dunn, who was acquired over the summer in the deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota, moved into the starting lineup this week and is showing off a wide range of skills that allowed him to average 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and five assists over the last four contests. Dunn is joined in the starting lineup by promising rookie power forward Lauri Markkanen, who posted back-to-back double-doubles on Sunday and Tuesday before slumping to three points on 1-of-9 shooting Wednesday.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (13-5): Wednesday's game at Oklahoma City was hyped as another return for star forward Kevin Durant, who left the Thunder to join Golden State prior to last season, and turned out to be a joy for the home crowd as Durant and the Warriors stumbled. “The story's about the game,” Durant said. “We lost. They kicked our (butt). They played a great game. You should give them credit for how they played, and we should be better." Golden State could use more consistency on the offensive end from shooting guard Klay Thompson, who scored 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting on Sunday at Brooklyn but slumped to nine points on 3-of-12 on Wednesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls C Robin Lopez is averaging 15 points on 19-of-31 shooting over the last three games.

2. Golden State PF Draymond Green went 2-of-13 from 3-point range on the road trip.

3. Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with a 94-87 home win on March 2.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Bulls 92