Friday 12-22-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Matchup Edge
ATL Edge in: OKC
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Hawks at Thunder
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The Oklahoma City Thunder have won eight of their past 11 games, and come into Friday’s home contest against the Atlanta Hawks following an impressive offensive performance in a victory over Utah. The Thunder are above .500 for the first time since early November after Russell Westbrook finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 107-79 home rout of the Jazz, and Paul George and Carmelo Anthony each scored 10 points in the decisive third quarter.

“You’ve got to have fun and embrace the game,” Westbrook told reporters after the Thunder scored 107 points for just the second time in their past 10 games. “Go out and compete and have fun at the same time.” Atlanta is enduring a season that is anything but fun as the Hawks have won a league-low seven games after Wednesday’s 105-95 home loss to Indiana. The Hawks have yet to win consecutive games this season and their starters were outscored 77-49 by the Pacers’ starting five. “In the second half we kind of (slowed) down a little bit, kind of let off the gas,” Atlanta rookie big man John Collins told the media after scoring a team-best 18 points off the bench.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Oklahoma

ABOUT THE HAWKS (7-24): Atlanta’s top two scorers - Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince - average a combined 32.4 points but together finished with just 16 Wednesday. Collins has been impressive, ranking fourth in the league in field-goal shooting (60.6 percent) after hitting 6-of-7 shots and all six free throws to go with nine rebounds against Indiana. The Hawks dropped from third in the NBA in 3-point shooting to eighth after making only 8-of-29 attempts Wednesday.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (16-15): Westbrook leads the NBA in assists per game (9.7) and George paces the league in steals per contest (2.45). Center Steven Adams returned from concussion protocol to score 11 points with nine rebounds against Utah, and is third in the NBA in field-goal percentage (63.3 percent). The trio of Westbrook (23.3 points per game), George (19.8) and Anthony (17.3) are averaging a combined 60.4 points per contest, despite all three shooting less than 41 percent from the field.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta G Marco Belinelli leads the NBA in free-throw shooting at 95.4 percent and has made his last 26 attempts.

2. The Thunder have outscored opponents in the third quarter eight times in 31 games - including Wednesday - and are 8-0 with seven victories by double digits in those contests.

3. Hawks F/C Mike Muscala, sidelined for 22 games with a sprained left ankle, will play a couple of games with Erie of the G-League.

PREDICTION: Thunder 112, Hawks 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Atlanta at Oklahoma City

ATS Trends
Atlanta

Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Hawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Hawks are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Hawks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Hawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Hawks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Hawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Oklahoma City

Thunder are 21-9 ATS in their last 30 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Thunder are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Thunder are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Thunder are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games playing on 1 days rest.
Thunder are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win.
Thunder are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Thunder are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
Thunder are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
Thunder are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Thunder are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

OU Trends
Atlanta

Under is 4-0 in Hawks last 4 vs. NBA Northwest.
Over is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 6-2 in Hawks last 8 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 7-3 in Hawks last 10 games following a straight up loss.

Oklahoma City

Over is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 9-3-1 in Thunder last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 23-9 in Thunder last 32 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 10-4 in Thunder last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 14-6 in Thunder last 20 games following a straight up win.
Under is 20-9 in Thunder last 29 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Head to Head

Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Oklahoma City.
Hawks are 7-19 ATS in the last 26 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Matchup Edge
DEN Edge in: POR
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Nuggets at Trail Blazers
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

If the Portland Trail Blazers are going to entertain any thoughts about competing in the Western Conference, they will need to figure out a way to defend home court. The Trail Blazers aim for their first home win in over a month when they host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

A 93-91 setback against San Antonio on Wednesday was the fifth straight loss at the Moda Center for Portland, which is the only NBA team currently positioned in a playoff spot with a losing record at home (7-9). "It's unfortunate," guard CJ McCollum told the media. "We're playing as hard as we can, coaches are giving us the game plan, we're executing to the best of our abilities. Ball's just not going in the basket." The Nuggets lost two in a row and also suffered a home defeat their last time out by dropping a 112-104 decision against Minnesota. Leading scorer Gary Harris (elbow) and backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (ankle) both missed the game and are considered day-to-day.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), NBCSN Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (16-15): Star center Nikola Jokic had 22 points and six rebounds against Minnesota but hurt his team with a career-high 10 turnovers. "The turnovers have been a recurring nightmare all season," coach Michael Malone told reporters of his team, which entered Thursday with the seventh-highest average in the league in that category with 15.3 per game. Jamal Murray helped make up for the lean backcourt with 30 points and he is averaging 22.2 while making 52.9 percent of his 3-point tries over his last five games.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (16-15): Portland may have survived an injury scare when star guard Damian Lillard was able to return from a quad contusion in the third quarter against the Spurs, although he was impacted by the pain down the stretch. "If I could move, I'm sure you guys know I would have been a lot more aggressive and I would have been a lot more hands-on with the end of that game, but I did what I could," he told reporters. Lillard finished with 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting and McCollum missed his first 11 shots en route to a 5-for-22 effort.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Denver lost 10 of its last 13 on the road.

2. Nuggets C Mason Plumlee is averaging 9.3 rebounds over a six-game span, nearly four more than his average for the season.

3. McCollum scored at least 20 points in six of his last eight games against Denver.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 108, Nuggets 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Denver at Portland

ATS Trends
Denver

Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.
Nuggets are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
Nuggets are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Nuggets are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Nuggets are 24-11 ATS in their last 35 games following a straight up loss.
Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Northwest.
Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Nuggets are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Portland

Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Trail Blazers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Northwest.
Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Trail Blazers are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up loss.
Trail Blazers are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS loss.
Trail Blazers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
Trail Blazers are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Trail Blazers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Trail Blazers are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

OU Trends
Denver

Under is 7-1 in Nuggets last 8 vs. NBA Northwest.
Over is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 9-3 in Nuggets last 12 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 18-7-1 in Nuggets last 26 Friday games.
Over is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.

Portland

Under is 5-0 in Trail Blazers last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 9-2 in Trail Blazers last 11 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-1-1 in Trail Blazers last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-3 in Trail Blazers last 11 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 18-7-1 in Trail Blazers last 26 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 20-8 in Trail Blazers last 28 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last 7 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 15-7 in Trail Blazers last 22 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

Head to Head

Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Portland.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Matchup Edge
LAL Edge in: GS
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Lakers at Warriors
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The Los Angeles Lakers' tour of NBA title contenders continues on Friday, when they visit the defending champion Golden State Warriors. The Lakers lost at the Cleveland Cavaliers and home against the Warriors before finally knocking off a contender with a 122-116 win at the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Los Angeles' young squad is hanging around with good teams and finally broke through while snapping Houston's 14-game winning streak. "Our guys haven't lost faith or work ethic in what we're doing," Lakers coach Luke Walton, who won a championship as an assistant with Golden State, told reporters, "even though we've been losing games." Los Angeles has a chance to end another long winning streak after the Warriors extended their current streak to a 10 straight with a 97-84 triumph over Memphis on Wednesday - becoming the fourth team in NBA history to record a winning streak of at least 10 games in five consecutive seasons. "It just says we've had lots of talent and it's a good time to be a Warriors fan obviously, or a Warriors coach," coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "This team has been growing and growing over the last six, seven years and these last five have been really special seasons."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet Los Angeles, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-18): Rookie forward Kyle Kuzma was the star of Wednesday's win while scoring a season-high 38 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 7-of-10 from 3-point range. "I've got the same mentality every time I step on the court," Kuzma told reporters. "Play my hardest and just be locked in." The Utah product is averaging 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds and scored at least 20 points in each of the last three games, including 25 on 10-of-16 shooting in Monday's loss to Golden State.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (25-6): Golden State spent the better part of the last two weeks playing shorthanded and was without three starters and five rotation players against Memphis on Wednesday. As usual, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant combined to pick up the slack with a total of 51 points in the win after putting up a combined 53 in the 116-114 overtime triumph at Los Angeles on Monday, but Kerr was still seeing room for improvement. “We have to get better for sure," Kerr told reporters. "This was not a good performance, but I’m happy with the win, and I’m happy with the way guys are competing."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors F Draymond Green (shoulder) is expected to return on Friday or Saturday.

2. Lakers C Brook Lopez (ankle) was hurt in Monday's meeting and will miss the next three weeks.

3. Both of the previous meetings this season went to overtime, with Golden State winning each to extend its winning streak in the series to five.

PREDICTION: Warriors 109, Lakers 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - L.A. Lakers at Golden State

ATS Trends
L.A. Lakers

Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.

Golden State

Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Warriors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Warriors are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games following a ATS win.
Warriors are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Warriors are 10-24 ATS in their last 34 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

OU Trends
L.A. Lakers

Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 overall.
Over is 5-0 in Lakers last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 7-2 in Lakers last 9 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-2 in Lakers last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 8-3 in Lakers last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 7-3 in Lakers last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 7-3 in Lakers last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Golden State

Under is 4-0 in Warriors last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-0 in Warriors last 4 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 Friday games.
Under is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 home games.
Under is 16-6 in Warriors last 22 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 5-2 in Warriors last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 5-2 in Warriors last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 7-3 in Warriors last 10 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Head to Head

Home team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Over is 23-9 in the last 32 meetings in Golden State.
Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Golden State.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Matchup Edge
PHI Edge in: BUF
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Flyers at Sabres
Gracenote
Dec 22, 2017

The Philadelphia Flyers have turned the tables following a 10-game skid, with a 2-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 14 serving as part of their current 7-1-0 stretch. The Flyers look to continue their good fortune on Friday at the expense of the reeling Sabres, who have dropped three in a row and 16 of 19 (3-11-5).

"When we went through that streak we were finding ways to lose games," said Dale Weise, who scored in Philadelphia's 4-3 win over Detroit on Wednesday. "Now we're sitting here 7-1 in our last eight and we're finding ways to win games when we don't play complete games. That's what I think good teams do." Brian Elliott turned aside 25 shots while making his ninth straight start and stopped 19 shots in the first encounter versus Buffalo. The Sabres were limited to a fluke goal in that meeting with Philadelphia and were blanked 3-0 by Boston on Tuesday, two strong examples why the team sports the 31st-ranked offense (2.1 goals per game). Buffalo also carries around another troublesome number of four, which represents its total home wins this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN Philadelphia, Sportsnet, MSG-B (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE FLYERS (15-12-7): Captain Claude Giroux set up three goals against the Red Wings to increase his point total to 11 (two goals, nine assists) in his last seven games. The 29-year-old Ontario native has 26 even-strength points in 34 games this season to match his total set over 82 games of his much-maligned campaign in 2016-17. "It got a little personal, yeah," Giroux said of the criticism he endured. "I try not to read too many things, but there wasn't a lot of positive articles in the summer, and I took that as motivation. I wanted to push myself to be the best player I can be."

ABOUT THE SABRES (8-19-7): Robin Lehner turned heads during Thursday's practice by donning former NHL goaltender Paul Harrison's old mask from the late 1970s and six games during the 1981-82 season. "It was an old Buffalo mask. I tried it on and I have a lot of respect for them," the 26-year-old Swede told the Buffalo News. "I took one off the dome and it felt pretty good. We'll see if we can beef it up." Evander Kane, who leads the team in goals (14), assists (17) and points (31), has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia RW Wayne Simmonds has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the past eight games.

2. The Sabres assigned F Alexander Nylander to the Swedish men's national junior hockey team for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held in Buffalo from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

3. Elliott owns a 7-2-0 mark with a 2.11 goals-against average and .926 save percentage over his last nine starts.

PREDICTION: Sabres 3, Flyers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Philadelphia at Buffalo

W/L Trends
Philadelphia

Flyers are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Flyers are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
Flyers are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win.
Flyers are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Flyers are 8-17 in their last 25 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Flyers are 13-29 in their last 42 road games.
Flyers are 0-4 in their last 4 Friday games.

Buffalo

Sabres are 30-65 in their last 95 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Sabres are 69-153 in their last 222 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Sabres are 21-49 in their last 70 vs. Eastern Conference.
Sabres are 14-38 in their last 52 vs. Metropolitan.
Sabres are 15-42 in their last 57 overall.
Sabres are 2-8 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Sabres are 2-8 in their last 10 home games.
Sabres are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Sabres are 1-6 in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Sabres are 1-6 in their last 7 Friday games.
Sabres are 0-5 in their last 5 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.

OU Trends
Philadelphia

Under is 4-0-1 in Flyers last 5 games following a win.
Over is 9-2-2 in Flyers last 13 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1-1 in Flyers last 6 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Flyers last 5 road games.
Over is 17-5 in Flyers last 22 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 13-5-3 in Flyers last 21 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Flyers last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Under is 23-11-1 in Flyers last 35 games playing on 1 days rest.

Buffalo

Under is 7-1 in Sabres last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 11-2 in Sabres last 13 home games.
Under is 5-1 in Sabres last 6 Friday games.
Under is 5-1-1 in Sabres last 7 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Under is 13-3-1 in Sabres last 17 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Sabres last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 4-1-1 in Sabres last 6 vs. Metropolitan.
Under is 15-4-2 in Sabres last 21 overall.
Under is 46-22-12 in Sabres last 80 games playing on 2 days rest.

Head to Head

Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Flyers are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 34-16-2 in the last 52 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Matchup Edge
MIN Edge in: FLA
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Wild at Panthers
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

After breaking out of a scoring slump in a big way, the Minnesota Wild hope the offensive momentum will carry over when they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday in the third stop of a four-game road trip. The Wild had scored seven goals in four games before erupting for five unanswered tallies in a 6-4 victory at Ottawa on Tuesday.

“I was happy that some guys that haven’t been having much luck scored some goals and got points,” coach Bruce Boudreau said after his team ended a two-game slide. “It’s always nice when they can gain some confidence by doing that.” Minnesota has fattened its stats against Florida, scoring 15 goals while winning the past three matchups, including a 7-4 win in its last visit to the Panthers. The Wild face another struggling offense in Florida, which halted a three-game skid with a 3-2 win at Arizona on Tuesday. The win capped a 2-2-1 road trip for the Panthers and marked the first time they scored more than two goals on the five-game trek.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Florida

ABOUT THE WILD (18-13-3): No player had been mired in a deeper scoring drought than captain Mikko Koivu, who had gone 24 games without a goal and 11 without a point before netting the tying tally in the comeback win at Ottawa. “Mikko’s goal, you could see the air coming out of a balloon,” Boudreau said. “We’ve talked about it, but it gets tough. You start to put pressure on yourself because you expect more, so I’m hoping this is a jump-start for him.” Eric Staal has four goals and four assists in the last six games.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (13-16-5): Making his seventh consecutive start due to an injury to No. 1 netminder Roberto Luongo, James Reimer earned praise from his coach following a 39-save performance against the Coyotes -- his fifth straight start yielding three goals or fewer. "Reimer is playing so good right now," coach Bob Boughner said. "If you make the odd mistake, he is coming up with the save." Defenseman Mike Matheson scored his first three goals of the season on the road trip, two of them game-winners.

OVERTIME

1. Wild G Devan Dubnyk practiced briefly Thursday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 12.

2. Florida has killed off 20 straight penalties over the past six games.

3. Staal has 20 goals and 50 points in 68 games versus the Panthers.

PREDICTION: Wild 4, Panthers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Minnesota at Florida

W/L Trends
Minnesota

Wild are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Wild are 18-6 in their last 24 vs. Atlantic.
Wild are 6-2 in their last 8 Friday games.
Wild are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Wild are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.

Florida

Panthers are 17-35 in their last 52 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Panthers are 4-9 in their last 13 games playing on 2 days rest.
Panthers are 3-7 in their last 10 overall.
Panthers are 2-5 in their last 7 Friday games.
Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Central.
Panthers are 1-4 in their last 5 home games.
Panthers are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Panthers are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a win.

OU Trends
Minnesota

Under is 4-0 in Wild last 4 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Wild last 5 overall.
Under is 7-2 in Wild last 9 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Wild last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 6-2 in Wild last 8 road games.
Under is 12-4 in Wild last 16 games following a win.
Over is 6-2-1 in Wild last 9 vs. Atlantic.
Under is 11-4-1 in Wild last 16 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Florida

Over is 6-0 in Panthers last 6 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-1 in Panthers last 9 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Under is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-2 in Panthers last 9 games following a win.
Over is 11-4 in Panthers last 15 home games.
Under is 8-3 in Panthers last 11 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 5-2-1 in Panthers last 8 Friday games.
Over is 7-3 in Panthers last 10 vs. Central.
Over is 16-7-2 in Panthers last 25 games playing on 2 days rest.

Head to Head

Wild are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 3-1-2 in the last 6 meetings in Florida.
Under is 6-2-4 in the last 12 meetings.
Wild are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Florida.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Matchup Edge
MON Edge in: CAL
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Canadiens at Flames
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The Calgary Flames got off to a rough start in the month of December with six losses in their first eight games, a stretch made worse by a 1-4-0 record at home. Calgary has responded to that slide with a pair of impressive victories and can reach the .500 mark at Scotiabank Saddledome when it hosts the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

The Flames rebounded from a three-game skid with a 6-1 drubbing of the Canucks in Vancouver before squeezing out a 2-1 home win over St. Louis on Wednesday. "Believe in what we're doing and if we're playing well, the wins are going to come," said defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who scored the decisive tally against the Blues. "We just have to stick with it and we've done that and got rewarded the last two games." Montreal opened its seven-game road trip with a 3-0 loss at Ottawa in the NHL100 Classic, but bounced back with a rare offensive eruption in a 7-5 victory at Vancouver on Tuesday. The Canadiens dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Flames in Montreal two weeks ago and have lost eight of their 10 visits to Calgary.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN2 (Montreal), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (15-15-4): The impetus for Montreal's offensive outburst against Vancouver was, surprisingly, fueled by the fourth line of Nicolas Deslauriers, Daniel Carr and Byron Froese, who combined for five points in the victory. "I'm not here for my points," said Deslauriers, who had 13 goals in his previous 225 career games. "But if I can contribute like this and take some pressure off our top line, it means a lot." The line could be shuffled, though, with the imminent return of Artturi Lehkonen.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (18-14-3): Calgary has gone 11 straight games without being outshot by an opponent and continues to ratchet up the defensive intensity, surrendering 13 regulation goals over the past eight contests. "We're trying to accomplish something that's going to help us win not only now, but in the playoffs when things do get tight," coach Glen Gulutzan said. Sean Monahan scored a pair of goals at Montreal on Dec. 7, including the game-winner in OT, but has just one assist in the six games since.

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens G Carey Price is 4-5-1 with a 2.78 goals-against average versus Calgary.

2. Flames D Travis Hamonic was not at practice Thursday after exiting Wednesday's game with an injury.

3. Montreal captain Max Pacioretty had two assists versus Vancouver but is mired in a 16-game goal drought.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Flames 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Montreal at Calgary

W/L Trends
Montreal

Canadiens are 5-11 in their last 16 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 5-11 in their last 16 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Canadiens are 5-12 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record.
Canadiens are 2-5 in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Canadiens are 2-7 in their last 9 vs. Pacific.
Canadiens are 2-7 in their last 9 Friday games.
Canadiens are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.

Calgary

Flames are 38-14 in their last 52 vs. a team with a losing record.
Flames are 23-9 in their last 32 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Flames are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Atlantic.
Flames are 2-7 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Flames are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Flames are 1-5 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

OU Trends
Montreal

Under is 8-1-1 in Canadiens last 10 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Canadiens last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 6-1-1 in Canadiens last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 15-6-6 in Canadiens last 27 Friday games.
Under is 19-8-4 in Canadiens last 31 games following a win.
Over is 7-3-2 in Canadiens last 12 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-5-2 in Canadiens last 18 vs. Pacific.
Under is 13-6-1 in Canadiens last 20 overall.

Calgary

Under is 3-0-1 in Flames last 4 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Flames last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 5-1 in Flames last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Flames last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Flames last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1 in Flames last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2-1 in Flames last 8 Friday games.
Under is 5-2 in Flames last 7 games following a win.
Over is 33-16-3 in Flames last 52 vs. Atlantic.

Head to Head

Canadiens are 5-11 in the last 16 meetings.
Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Canadiens are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Calgary.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Matchup Edge
WAS Edge in: ARI
Offense
Defense
Power Play
Penalty Kill
Face Offs
Discipline
Goaltending

Preview: Capitals at Coyotes
Gracenote
Dec 22, 2017

The Washington Capitals and Arizona Coyotes are streaking in distinctly different directions, so much so that one would wonder if the clubs could stay still long enough to meet for a game at Gila River Arena. The Capitals have looked every bit like the two-time reigning Presidents' Trophy winners with victories in 11 of their last 13 contests, while the Coyotes have dropped seven in a row and 10 of their last 11 (1-8-2).

Andre Burakovsky capped a career high-tying three-point performance with his second goal of the night in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over Dallas to open a four-game road trip. "It was nice to see (Burakovsky) get back on the goal-scoring chart. It was good to get him a couple," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said of the 22-year-old Austrian, who had just one goal in his first 14 games this season. The Coyotes can relate to the scoring drought, as they have mustered just nine during their seven-game skid (0-6-1) and yielded three tallies in six minutes of a 3-2 setback to Florida on Tuesday. "It's probably the most disappointed I have been with the team all year," Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. "... We will get it right. We are going to weed some people out of here eventually and get this thing right."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCSN Washington-Plus, FSN Arizona

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (22-12-1): Captain Alex Ovechkin has erupted for 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in his previous 12 games before being held off the scoresheet against the Stars. The three-time Hart Trophy winner scored a power-play goal in Washington's 3-2 overtime win over Arizona on Nov. 6, continuing a trend of tormenting the Coyotes that dates back to his scintillating goal as he slid along the ice in 2006. Ovechkin has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 15 career meetings with the Arizona-based club.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (7-24-5): Derek Stepan quietly has made noise in his first season in the desert, scoring against the Panthers to give him 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his past 18 games. Fellow forward Christian Fischer also tallied against Florida for his first goal this month and fourth since he found the back of the net in the first encounter with Washington. Rookie Clayton Keller also scored against the Capitals as Arizona claimed a quick 2-0 lead before seeing the bottom fall out - like it did against Florida.

OVERTIME

1. Washington C Nicklas Backstrom is riding a three-game point streak and has four goals and as many assists in his last seven contests.

2. Arizona has a league-worst three wins at home, a full three fewer than the next Western Conference team.

3. Capitals D John Carlson, who scored in overtime against the Coyotes last month, is riding a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists).

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Coyotes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Washington at Arizona

W/L Trends
Washington

Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Capitals are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win.
Capitals are 23-8 in their last 31 games playing on 2 days rest.
Capitals are 40-16 in their last 56 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 37-15 in their last 52 Friday games.
Capitals are 80-36 in their last 116 vs. a team with a losing record.
Capitals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

Arizona

Coyotes are 4-1 in their last 5 Friday games.
Coyotes are 32-67 in their last 99 vs. Eastern Conference.
Coyotes are 15-37 in their last 52 vs. Metropolitan.
Coyotes are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Coyotes are 8-21 in their last 29 games playing on 2 days rest.
Coyotes are 13-38 in their last 51 overall.
Coyotes are 13-40 in their last 53 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Coyotes are 5-16 in their last 21 home games.

OU Trends
Washington

Under is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 vs. Pacific.
Over is 8-3 in Capitals last 11 overall.
Over is 22-10-1 in Capitals last 33 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 11-5-2 in Capitals last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Over is 31-15-6 in Capitals last 52 road games.

Arizona

Under is 5-1 in Coyotes last 6 vs. Metropolitan.
Under is 18-4 in Coyotes last 22 overall.
Under is 13-3 in Coyotes last 16 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Coyotes last 5 Friday games.
Under is 7-2 in Coyotes last 9 home games.
Under is 9-3 in Coyotes last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.

Head to Head

Home team is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Capitals are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Arizona.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lee

Dec 22 '17, 9:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-B | Colorado vs Iowa
Play on: Iowa -4½ -110 at BMaker

10* FREE NCAAB PICK (Iowa -4.5)
The Hawkeyes got off to a slow start this year and a big reason for that is they had to play several games without one of their best all-around players in Nicholas Baer. He's not going to light up the scoreboard, but does a great job of doing all the little things. When he got back up to game-speed this team has really taken off. Iowa comes in having won 3 straight in blowout fashion, which includes a 90-64 win as a 7-point favorite against Drake on a neutral site and a 92-64 win over Southern Utah as a 15.5-point favorite. As you can see they have destroyed their spread in their last two games, which I think speaks volumes to how undervalued this team is.
Colorado is a quality team, but I don't think they are quite on Iowa's level. The Buffaloes have are just 2-3 in their last 5 and have not faired well away from home. They lost and failed to cover both of their true road games at Colorado St (63-72) and Xavier (69-96) and while they were far from impressive in their 3 neutral site wins, beating Quinnipiac by just 1-point as a 17-point favorite, Drake by 5 as a 7 point favorite and Mercer by 9. Colorado is allowing 77.6 ppg on the road and will be facing an Iowa team that is averaging 81 ppg and shooting 48% from the field on the season. Give me the Hawkeyes -4.5!