Monday 12-18-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs - Race 2

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4)


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 300 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 77 • Purse: $4,700 • Post: 3:40P
QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * JLA LIVE ACTION: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. RL SPIT TEE: Horse ranks in t he top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. SALADOS MAN: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. THIS BABE ZOOMS: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
5
JLA LIVE ACTION
10/1

5/1
10
RL SPIT TEE
4/1

6/1
4
SALADOS MAN
5/1

7/1
1
THIS BABE ZOOMS
6/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
THIS BABE ZOOMS
1

6/1
Average
67

65

5.8

0.0

0.0
2
PUERTO CABELLO
2

10/1
Slow/Trouble-prone
0

0

8.9

0.0

0.0
4
SALADOS MAN
4

5/1
Average
70

58

4.5

0.0

0.0
5
JLA LIVE ACTION
5

10/1
Average
82

69

5.0

0.0

0.0
6
ONE GUTSY EAGLE
6

12/1
Fast
64

58

3.1

0.0

0.0
8
AINT EYE SOMETHING
8

12/1
Slow
56

50

8.4

0.0

0.0
9
CORONAS ADOREME
9

20/1
Average
0

0

5.3

0.0

0.0
10
RL SPIT TEE
10

4/1
Fast/Trouble-prone
70

69

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Laurel - Race #7 - Post: 3:30pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,000 Class Rating: 83

Rating: 4

#6 NICARADALIC ROCKS (ML=3/1)


NICARADALIC ROCKS - I look for this horse to sit chilly off the pace and make a strong move on the turn, cruising straight on to the finish line. Ran last time out against much better horses at Penn National. The move down in class should suit him well. I think this gelding is ready to run a good one. He's had enough efforts since the layoff and should be fit. Ranks at the top in earnings per race. A powerful effort in this event will boost that total.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 EXPECTATIONS (ML=5/2), #4 MR. SPACEMAN (ML=4/1), #8 TOMO CHACHI (ML=6/1),

EXPECTATIONS - Much too far back in the early part of the last route race will probably make it tough to make an impact today in this sprint contest. MR. SPACEMAN - This gelding is always in the money, but just doesn't finish first. Difficult to bet on him on the front end. TOMO CHACHI - No success for this questionable contender in a sprint affair over the last two months tells me that this gelding is in a formidable circumstance Hard to play a runner that cannot even prove victorious one time in his last ten races. Don't believe this runner will make a winning move in today's race. That last fig was substandard when compared with today's class figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #6 NICARADALIC ROCKS on top if we're getting at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
6 with [4,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
6 with [4,8] with [2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
6 with [2,4,5,8] with [2,4,5,8] with [2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $24

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
6 with [4,8] with [2,4,5,8] with [1,2,4,5,8] with [1,2,4,5,8] Total Cost: $36

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Mahoning Valley Race Course

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race 6

Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / 50 cent Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8)


Claiming $4,000 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $9,800 • Post: 3:04P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON THREE RACES SINCE DECEMBER 18. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 18 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000 (MULTIPLE WINNERS SINCE DECEMBER 18, 2016 PREFERRED)(OHIO REGISTERED FOALS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * CARAMELO: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. MY WAY TAPPER: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. CEMENT JOB: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. ARAB SPRING: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. COTTONWOOD CANYON: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
5
CARAMELO
5/2

5/1
6
MY WAY TAPPER
8/1

6/1
8
CEMENT JOB
10/1

7/1
2
ARAB SPRING
3/1

8/1
3
COTTONWOOD CANYON
5/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
CARAMELO
5

5/2
Front-runner
88

83

92.2

78.8

72.8
6
MY WAY TAPPER
6

8/1
Alternator/Front-runner
85

80

84.6

79.6

73.6
4
DEPUTY COPYCAT
4

15/1
Stalker
81

79

72.0

69.2

55.2
1
WON FAST BULLET
1

4/1
Stalker
78

70

64.0

62.6

50.6
8
CEMENT JOB
8

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
85

81

71.6

80.8

76.3
3
COTTONWOOD CANYON
3

5/1
Trailer
83

83

68.3

77.8

66.3
2
ARAB SPRING
2

3/1
Trailer
85

82

64.5

79.4

75.9
7
NEUK
7

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
83

85

83.0

70.2

58.2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Portland Meadows

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

Race 3 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $5600 Class Rating: 79

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE OCTOBER 18 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,200.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 JACKSON TELLER 6/1

# 4 POSSIBLE SPIDER 9/2

# 1 UNCLE KIMO 7/2

I like JACKSON TELLER here. He has been running solidly and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the most favorable in this group. Has been running soundly in races of this distance, going 2 out of 10 under similar conditions. Has very good early pace and ought to fare admirably against this group. POSSIBLE SPIDER - Horses who have been prepared to race at this distance and surface by Nance have shown sharp results lately. Must be given a chance in this event if only for the decent speed fig put up in the last contest. UNCLE KIMO - Has to be given consideration based on the quite good Equibase Speed Figure earned in the last contest. This gelding with Zunino in the irons makes him a key contender.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Parx Racing

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

Race 7 - Allowance - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $46000 Class Rating: 89

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 18 ALLOWED 3 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 SKYLINE DRIVE 4/1

# 7 STAY FOND 5/2

# 1A CHECKBOUNCIN BILLY 2/1

SKYLINE DRIVE is my choice. Solid average Equibase Speed Figures in dirt route races make this animal a key contender. Hard to pass on this filly with Vargas in the irons. Shows formidable Equibase Speed Figs on average overall when measured up against the rest of this field. STAY FOND - Has very strong Equibase Class Figures relative to this field - worth a look. Could provide positive gains based on strong recent Equibase Speed Figures with an average of 78. CHECKBOUNCIN BILLY - Has run well when racing a dirt route race. Is a solid contender - given the 83 speed fig from her most recent race.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turf Paradise - Race #3 - Post: 1:43pm - Allowance - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,000 Class Rating: 79

Rating: 4

#4 MY EXPRESSION (ML=5/1)


MY EXPRESSION - Have to give this filly a fair chance. Ran a nice effort in the last race within the last 30 days. I usually like playing sprint horses who are 3-4 races into a comeback. Last ran at Turf Paradise and finished fourth. Reviewing her PP lines, I see she was close at the finish, within five of the winner.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 TIZ THE STORM (ML=8/5), #3 ASTARTOBE (ML=9/5), #6 KINGSLEY (ML=9/2),

TIZ THE STORM - In any event of 6 furlongs, I like to back a contender that has been looking good in sprint races of late. Tough to bet on any horse to turn things around if there is no wager value to taking the shot. This vulnerable equine ran a most unsatisfactory speed rating last out. She shouldn't improve and will probably suffer defeat today running that rating. ASTARTOBE - Difficult to put any dough on this filly on the win end. Likes to finish in the money though. KINGSLEY - The Brain cautions me to keep my distance from ponies in short distance contests that haven't hit the board in sprint events lately. Could be tough for this thoroughbred to beat this field off of that last rating. Not probable to improve enough to run a figure close to today's class rating, so put her on the questionable challengers list.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 MY EXPRESSION to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Monday, December 18, 2017

NBA (703) BOSTON CELTICS VS (704) INDIANA PACERS

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your free play for Monday, December 18, 2017 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. The Boston Celtics (25-7 S/U, 21-9 ATS) take on the Indiana Pacers (16-13 S/U, 10-6 ATS). The Celtics have alternated wins and losses the last six games, coming off win at Memphis, 102,93. The Pacers have lost their last two home games after a four game win streak. Boston has one of the best defenses in the league, allowing 98.1 ppg overall and 97.1 ppg on the road. The Pacers are 1-5 O/U in their last six games and 1-4 O/U in their five home games. The teams have gone UNDER in seven of the last 10 meetings and are 3-8-1 O/U in the last 12 meetings in Indiana. Your free play is on the UNDER.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JOEY JUICE

Let's back the Philadelphia 76ers on the road as they travel to take on the Chicago Bulls tonight.

Philadelphia has tremendous line value as they have now lost for the fifth time in six games 119-117 in triple overtime to the Thunder at home Friday night. Even more line value as Chicago won their fifth straight game,115-109 on the road over the Bucks Saturday night.

The inside numbers tell the story on why we're going to bet the Sixers here.
Philadelphia is 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record, the 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400, and the 76ers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.

Play the well-rested Sixers here.

4* PHILADELPHIA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Monday, Dec 18 is:

SMU -7.5 over Boise St.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Falcons vs. Buccaneers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/15/2017

The Atlanta Falcons are in control of their playoff destiny and their chances to repeat as NFC South champions, but they also have a pack of teams nipping at their heels for the final postseason spot in the conference. A winner of four of its last five, Atlanta visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night in a rematch from three weeks ago.

The Falcons are one game behind NFC South co-leaders New Orleans and Carolina but still have to play the Saints and Panthers, giving them a chance to claim the division title by winning their final three games. "Focusing on the next team could be a little bit distracting," Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell said. "We have to focus on (Tampa Bay) because every game at this point is a must-win." Atlanta, which currently holds the tiebreaker over Seattle for the No. 6 seed in the NFC, beat visiting Tampa Bay 34-20 on Nov. 26, but the Buccaneers were without quarterback Jameis Winston, who will be making his third start since returning from injury. Winston rallied Tampa Bay from a 14-point deficit last week before Tampa Bay lost to Detroit 24-21 in the final minute -- its third straight defeat and eighth in 10 games.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Falcons -6. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE FALCONS (8-5): Despite surpassing 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive year, Julio Jones was having a relatively quiet season by his lofty standards until torching Tampa Bay for 12 catches for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns -- his second and third scores of the campaign. Jones also had eight catches for 101 yards and a score at Tampa Bay in November 2016 as quarterback Matt Ryan riddled the Buccaneers for 344 yards and four touchdowns passes. Devonta Freeman has rushed for 165 yards in two games since returning from a concussion and could be in line for a heavy workload with backup Tevin Coleman in the concussion protocol. Adrian Clayborn (hamstring), who leads the team in sacks, did not practice Thursday, but coach Dan Quinn is moving Vic Beasley back into a pure pass-rushing role.

ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (4-9): Winston, who threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns last week to erase a 14-point deficit, enjoyed plenty of success last season against Atlanta, throwing for 542 yards with seven scores against one interception. Wideout Mike Evans has been practically invisible the past two games with a combined four catches, but he had eight receptions in last month's loss to the Falcons and lit them up for 16 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns in both meetings last season. With Doug Martin continuing to struggle, Peyton Barber has provided a jolt to the ground game with 160 yards rushing over the past two contests. Tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David missed practice, putting more pressure on a defense that surrenders a league-worst 276.1 yards passing.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ryan has 17 scoring passes and five interceptions in his last eight Monday night appearances.

2. Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson has 690 yards and three TDs in his past six Monday night games.

3. Atlanta is 8-0 when scoring at least 20 points this season.

PREDICTION: Falcons 27, Buccaneers 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Knicks vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

The New York Knicks seek their first five-game winning streak in nearly four years when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Behind 30 points from Michael Beasley - playing in place of the injured Kristaps Porzingis - the Knicks rolled to a 111-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday to notch their longest run of the season at four games.

Porzingis is day-to-day with a lingering knee issue and New York won for the first time in five tries without him in the lineup. "I think the guys just, they were ready for tonight's game," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "And we caught them after a triple-overtime game so that probably helped us too, but our guys played hard all night which probably wore them down." The Hornets have often appeared worn down of late, losing three straight and 10 of their last 12. Point guard Kemba Walker's shooting slump continued with a 7-for-26 showing in Saturday' 93-91 home loss to Portland.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-13): Beasley wasn't the only player to step up in Porzingis' absence as three of New York's reserves - center Kyle O'Quinn, forward Doug McDermott and guard Ron Baker - combined for 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting to help the Knicks coast in Carmel Anthony's return to Madison Square Garden. "The game was kind of about him," McDermott told reporters. "I think we did a great job of not letting that distract us." Courtney Lee added 20 points and the veteran shooting guard has 47 while making 6-of-10 3-pointers over the last two games.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-19): Charlotte opened 7-2 at home but dropped six of its last seven at the Spectrum Center, including five straight. Walker is shooting 31.7 percent from the field during the three-game slide and he missed all nine of his 3-point tries in Saturday's loss while dealing with a wrist injury. "Kemba obviously had a rough night, but he gutted it out," associate head coach Stephen Silas - who continues to fill in for the ailing Steve Clifford - said of Walker. "The plays that he had down the stretch, I wouldn't want the ball in anybody else's hands."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Beasley is averaging 14.5 points on 52.7 percent shooting in 20.5 minutes in December.

2. Charlotte SG Nicolas Batum made 5-of-9 3-pointers against Portland after starting the season 12-for-54 from beyond the arc.

3. The Hornets have won the last six meetings with the Knicks at home.

PREDICTION: Knicks 106, Hornets 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Celtics vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/18/2017

The Boston Celtics turned it on late in a win at Memphis over the weekend and look to carry the momentum into a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Losers of three of five after a 22-4 start and trailing by two points to the Grizzlies entering the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Celtics scored 16 straight points to begin the period and rolled to a 102-93 victory.

"We just stayed composed and went out and executed," Boston forward Al Horford told reporters of the strong finish. "We got some stops on defense. On the offensive end, we moved the ball pretty well. I think that was the difference. We opened up the game after that." Kyrie Irving led Boston with 20 points and scored 25 in a 108-98 win at Indiana last month, the Celtics' fourth straight victory in the all-time series. That result ended a five-game winning streak for the Pacers, who are 11-5 in their last 16 games overall after a 109-97 triumph in Brooklyn on Sunday. Victor Oladipo's breakout campaign continued with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds as Indiana improved to 12-7 against the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN Boston, FSN Indiana

ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-7): Boston's fortunes of late largely have rested on the play of rookie forward Jayson Tatum, who recorded 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals at Memphis. The 19-year-old, who leads the NBA with a 51 percent mark from 3-point range, is averaging 15 points while shooting 58.6 percent overall in the team's last three wins and 5.5 on 2-of-13 shooting in the two losses. Tatum's team-high nine boards helped the Celtics gain a 42-38 advantage on the glass one game after they were outrebounded 55-31 in a loss to Utah.

ABOUT THE PACERS (17-13): Myles Turner scored 16 points against the Nets and is averaging 20 on 15-of-25 shooting over his last two games while continuing to lead the league in blocks (2.4). His backup, rookie Domantas Sabonis, registered 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks at Brooklyn as Indiana won the battle of the boards by 14. The young big men combined for 36 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Boston last month in a game Oladipo missed due to a bruised knee.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Oladipo is averaging 30.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists over his last five games.

2. Irving averages 25.6 points while shooting 44.7 percent from 3-point range on the road, compared to 22.8 and 34.1 percent at home.

3. Indiana is 2-4 in the second game of back-to-back sets.

PREDICTION: Celtics 104, Pacers 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Heat vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

The Miami Heat head into Monday night's matchup at the Atlanta Hawks with four wins in their past five games, including a historic night for coach Erik Spoelstra in Saturday's 90-85 home triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers. Spoelstra became the franchise's all-time leader in wins, passing Pat Riley in a game that he joked afterward the coaching legend had to enjoy as Miami shot 37.8 percent from the field in a sluggish performance.

"Those are the old-school, tough, grind-it-out, find any way as a competitor to win the game," Spoelstra told reporters after forward Josh Richardson carried Miami with a career-high 28 points, helping Spoelstra earn career victory No. 455. Atlanta has lost four in row after winning three times in seven games, and at 6-23 owns the worst record in the NBA. The Hawks endured another close call in the fourth quarter Friday at Memphis, missing three shots to tie or win the game in the final 3.5 seconds of a 96-94 defeat. "I think we took a step forward as a team," Atlanta guard Kent Bazemore told the media afterward. "We didn't get the win, but there was a lot of good stuff."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE HEAT (15-14): Richardson has emerged as a go-to option for Miami's offense, shooting 58.3 percent from 3-point range in the past eight games while averaging 16.3 points per contest in that span. The Heat are shooting 37 percent from 3-point range, scoring 35.7 percent of their points this season from beyond the arc. Guard Goran Dragic leads Miami in scoring at 16.6 points per game, but his production has dipped to 11.6 per contest in his past 10 games.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-23): Forward Taurean Prince hit a career-high five 3-pointers en route to 17 points Friday, and is shooting 42.5 percent from long range this season. Atlanta ranks sixth in the NBA in assists per game (23.6) and has recorded 25 or more in five of its past six contests. Guard Dennis Schroder leads the Hawks in scoring (19.7) and assists (6.7), finishing Friday with 18 points and 11 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hawks are 24th in the league in points allowed per game (108.7), and have surrendered 110 or more points seven times in the past 10 games.

2. Heat F James Johnson, who averages 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, will miss at least a week with right ankle bursitis.

3. Miami is 9-7 on the road this season after going 18-23 away from home in 2016-17.

PREDICTION: Miami 107, Atlanta 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jazz vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 12/17/2017

Two teams streaking in opposite directions meet when the Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz on Monday. The Rockets own the best record in the NBA and are riding a 13-game winning streak while the Jazz dropped five of their last six to fall out of the top eight in the Western Conference.

Houston's winning streak coincided with the return of point guard Chris Paul from a knee injury, and the future Hall of Famer intends to keep the streak alive as long as possible. "We want to keep it going. I mean, who likes to lose?" Paul asked reporters. "I said it before: I hate losing more than I like to win. We want to keep this thing going and keep building. You know, people always say, 'We'll learn from that,' that you learn from a loss. Well, let's win and learn from it, too." Utah looked like it was turning a corner when it earned a 107-95 win at Eastern Conference-leading Boston on Friday but fell back with a 109-100 setback in Cleveland the next night to drop to 1-3 on the six-game road trip. "There's always things you want to do better, but the game kind of went the way a lot of Cavaliers games have gone," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "...I thought, overall, we did a good job of trying to hang in there."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (14-16): Injuries to the frontcourt are beginning to pile up, and center Rudy Gobert is set for another absence after an MRI on Saturday revealed a strained PCL and a bone bruise in his left knee. Gobert, who missed 11 games bridging November and December with a knee injury and struggled after returning before going down again on Friday, is expected to be out at least two weeks. Power forward Derrick Favors, who averaged 16.5 points during Gobert's first absence, is in the league's concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the face against the Celtics.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (24-4): Houston's only health issue right now involves All-Star guard James Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring (31.5) and is second in assists (9.1) but is battling a knee bruise. Harden nearly missed Saturday's 115-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks but decided to suit up and managed 31 points in 39 minutes. "I wasn't feeling well at all, but the doc came in and just told me that there's going to be pain for a bit, but you can play through it," Harden told reporters. "It can't get worse, but it's going to be pretty painful until obviously you give it some time. Once he said that, I was like, 'Let's go.'"

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz rookie SG Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.8 points in eight games this month.

2. Rockets PF Ryan Anderson went scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting Saturday and is averaging 4.8 points while shooting 32.3 percent over the last five contests.

3. Houston already beat Utah twice this season, including a 137-110 home win on Nov. 5 in which Harden collected 56 points and 13 assists.

PREDICTION: Rockets 121, Jazz 108