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

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL Betting Cheat Sheet and Odds: Ovie and the Caps try to avoid "Vegas flu"
Monty Andrews

The Habs take a holiday trip to Alberta, an original six matinee on Saturday, and Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals make their first trip to Sin City.

A Western Canada Christmas

The Montreal Canadiens will play two games in two nights prior to their Christmas Break - and both will take place in snowy Alberta, as they take on the Calgary Flames on Friday night and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Canadiens fans and bettors should get used to seeing them away from the Bell Centre, as they continue a seven-game road trip that extends through the end of the year. The Habs have seen much higher-scoring games away from Montreal, going 9-5-1 O/U on the road compared to 7-11-1 at home. The Canadiens split their Alberta doubleheader a season ago, losing 5-0 to Calgary before beating Edmonton 4-1.

Original Six Matinee

The Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins will head into their holiday break a little earlier than the rest of the league as they face off in a Saturday matinee at TD Garden. This Original Six matchup has been somewhat one sided in recent history, with the Bruins having won three consecutive meetings and five of the previous six. That dominant stretch includes a 3-2 overtime decision over Detroit in their previous encounter back on Dec. 14. The Red Wings have been a strong over play on the road, exceeding the total in four of their previous five games away from Detroit. And three of the past four meetings between the teams have gone over.

Ovi's Vegas Vacation

Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals make their first-ever trip to Sin City as they face the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday evening. The Capitals are one of the hottest teams in the NHL at the moment, having won eight of their past nine games while going over the total in eight of their previous 11 contests. But they'll be in tough against a Vegas team that is looking to become the first expansion franchise to reach the Stanley Cup final in Year 1. The Golden Knights are an NHL-best 14-2-1 at home and have one of the top offenses in the league, entering Friday ranked third overall in average goals per game (3.5).

Injury Updates

* Don't expect Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews to be back in the lineup Saturday against the host New York Rangers. Matthews continues to nurse an upper-body injury - and the Maple Leafs are scuffling without him, going 2-4-0 SU in his absence.

* Bruins forward David Krejci missed his third straight game Thursday with an upper-body ailment, and it isn't known when he will return to action. Krejci has five goals and nine assists in 18 games; Boston is 5-3-1 SU and 8-1 O/U when Krejci records a point.

* The Montreal Canadiens have shut down defenseman Shea Weber indefinitely after he suffered a foot injury in a Dec. 16 loss to Ottawa. It's a major blow for a Canadiens team that leads the NHL with 557 blocked shots; Weber is third on the team with 59.

Player News

* The New York Islanders are getting major production from their first line of Anders Lee, John Tavares and Josh Bailey, who have combined for 39 points in 10 December games. The Isles sit at +650 on Bet365 to win the Metropolitan Division.

* It has been a much less productive month for Vancouver Canucks forward Sam Gagner, who has the worst plus-minus rating of any forward this month (minus-10) while recording one goal in nine games. His minus-19 season rating is worst on the Canucks.

* Over bettors have been rejoicing whenever New York Islanders netminder Thomas Greiss is between the pipes. The Isles have gone above the total in 11 straight games in which Greiss has appeared, and in 14 of his last 15 outings.

Stanley Cup Futures

* Is it time to take the Golden Knights seriously? Oddsmakers apparently think so - they've moved the expansion darlings to +1,800 on Bet365 to earn an improbable Stanley Cup victory. Vegas is installed at +250 to win the Pacific, behind only the Kings (+160).

* The Toronto Maple Leafs remain Canada's best hope of ending a 35-year national Stanley Cup drought, even while stumbling in Matthews' absence. The Leafs are +950 to win the championship; Winnipeg is the next closest Canadian team at +1,700.

* The Philadelphia Flyers have seen their Stanley Cup odds improve - at least slightly - following a stretch of seven wins in eight games. But they're still among the longest of longshots at this point, listed at +3,000 to win their first title since 1975.

Totals Trends

* The Vancouver Canucks are the hottest over play in the league right now, boasting a six-game streak heading into Thursday night's encounter with San Jose. Vancouver enters that game having allowed four or more goals in six of its last seven outings.

* The goal lights at KeyBank Center probably won't need new filaments for a while. The Sabres continue to be one of the strongest under plays at home this season, going below the total in 11 of their first 16 games in Buffalo.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Long Sheet

Friday, December 22

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PHILADELPHIA (15-12-0-7, 37 pts.) at BUFFALO (8-19-0-7, 23 pts.) - 12/22/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 41-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-7 ATS (+9.0 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 8-26 ATS (-24.1 Units) in all games this season.
BUFFALO is 8-26 ATS (+45.0 Units) first half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 3-20 ATS (+33.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
BUFFALO is 20-38 ATS (+69.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-3-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.3 Units)

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MINNESOTA (18-13-0-3, 39 pts.) at FLORIDA (13-16-0-5, 31 pts.) - 12/22/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 18-5 ATS (+11.6 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 48-68 ATS (-46.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 9-18 ATS (-10.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 29-43 ATS (-14.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 104-160 ATS (+268.6 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
FLORIDA is 157-236 ATS (+432.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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WASHINGTON (22-12-0-1, 45 pts.) at ARIZONA (7-24-0-5, 19 pts.) - 12/22/2017, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-3 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 3-2-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.9 Units)

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MONTREAL (15-15-0-4, 34 pts.) at CALGARY (18-14-0-3, 39 pts.) - 12/22/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 12-23 ATS (-15.0 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 4-13 ATS (-11.7 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 3-2 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 3-2-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Dunkel

Friday, December 22

Philadelphia @ Buffalo

Game 1-2
December 22, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
12.224
Buffalo
10.109
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-115); Under

Minnesota @ Florida

Game 3-4
December 22, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
10.526
Florida
11.667
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
-110
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(-110); Over

Washington @ Arizona

Game 5-6
December 22, 2017 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
10.446
Arizona
11.512
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-160
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+140); Under

Montreal @ Calgary

Game 7-8
December 22, 2017 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
12.204
Calgary
10.798
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary
-140
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(+120); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Matchup Edge
NY Edge in: DET
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Knicks at Pistons
Gracenote
Dec 22, 2017

Star center Kristaps Porzingis looks for a much-improved performance in his second game back from a knee injury when the New York Knicks visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Porzingis missed all 11 of his field-goal attempts and scored just one point on Thursday, but New York still posted an impressive 102-93 victory over Boston.

With Porzingis struggling, journeyman forward Michael Beasley stepped up to save the Knicks against the Celtics by scoring 18 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter. "Thanks to me, the game was close. I kept it close," Porzingis told reporters. "Otherwise, I thought we should have won by a bigger difference. ... I couldn't find my rhythm. Michael Beasley had my back." Detroit had its three-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday, when it was drubbed 110-93 by lowly Dallas. "You can't get too caught up in that because if you look at our schedule and you had gone back at the beginning of the year and tried to pencil in what you thought were wins and losses, you would've been way off," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "So you play every night, and if you play well enough, we have a chance to beat anybody."

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

ABOUT THE KNICKS (17-14): Beasley, who also grabbed a season-best 12 rebounds, was the No. 2 overall choice in the 2008 draft but didn't live up to the billing as the Knicks are his sixth NBA team. Yet he certainly is playing like a big-time talent over the last three games by averaging 28.3 points and 8.7 rebounds while making 33-of-58 field-goal attempts. "I'm just here for the team," Beasley told reporters. "Whatever they need, whenever they need it. Scoring, rebounding, defense, just trying my best. As humbly as I can say it, I just feel like every shot that I shoot is going in."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (17-14): Detroit's defense was sub-par against the Mavericks and leading scorer Tobias Harris had a poor night with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting. When it was suggested to Van Gundy that the loss to Dallas was a blow, he quickly countered that chatter with a big-picture refrain. "The standings don't mean anything right now," Van Gundy told reporters. "We're 31 games into the year with 51 to go. It's not like we've got two games to go. We just need to play better."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons halted a four-game losing streak against the Knicks on Oct. 21, when Harris scored 31 points in a 111-107 triumph.

2. New York C Enes Kanter recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds against Boston for his sixth double-double in 11 contests.

3. Detroit PF Anthony Tolliver is 9-for-13 from 3-point range while averaging 17.5 points over his last two games.

PREDICTION: Pistons 99, Knicks 95

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New York at Detroit

ATS Trends
New York

Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Knicks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Knicks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Knicks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Knicks are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
Knicks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 0 days rest.
Knicks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Detroit

Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Pistons are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss.
Pistons are 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pistons are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Friday games.
Pistons are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss.
Pistons are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pistons are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Pistons are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Pistons are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Pistons are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

OU Trends
New York

Over is 4-0 in Knicks last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Knicks last 6 road games.
Over is 5-1 in Knicks last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Knicks last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Knicks last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-2-1 in Knicks last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Knicks last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 8-3-1 in Knicks last 12 vs. NBA Central.
Over is 5-2 in Knicks last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Knicks last 7 Friday games.
Under is 25-12-1 in Knicks last 38 vs. Eastern Conference.

Detroit

Under is 5-0 in Pistons last 5 Friday games.
Under is 5-0-1 in Pistons last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Pistons last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 6-1-1 in Pistons last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in Pistons last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 5-1 in Pistons last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 5-1-1 in Pistons last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 8-2-1 in Pistons last 11 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Pistons last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 20-5-1 in Pistons last 26 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 11-4 in Pistons last 15 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 37-17-1 in Pistons last 55 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 37-18 in Pistons last 55 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Head to Head

Home team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Favorite is 21-7 ATS in the last 28 meetings.
Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Detroit.
Knicks are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Detroit.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Matchup Edge
NO Edge in: ORL
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Pelicans at Magic
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

Two teams in dire need of a major boost meet Friday night when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Orlando Magic after losing the first two on their four-game road trip. The Pelicans are under .500 for the first time since Nov. 3 after losing two straight and eight of the last 12 contests while injury-plagued Orlando has dropped six in a row and 17 of 20 after a promising start to the season.

The Magic, who were without their top two scorers Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon due to injuries, were thumped 112-94 at Chicago on Wednesday while missing 22-of-29 shots from 3-point range. “We’ve just got to do more - do more without doing it in a selfish manner,” Orlando point guard Elfrid Payton told reporters. “Doing more doesn’t mean necessarily going out there and shooting 30 shots. It’s doing more on the defensive end, helping your teammate more.” New Orleans has given up 116.5 points per game over the first two contests on its trip and is 29th in the league in scoring defense (111.8). “The other team just came out and they wanted it more,” Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins told reporters after a 116-106 setback at Washington on Tuesday. “I feel like we just kind of went through the motions as a team. They just wanted it more, period. No effort.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (15-16): Anthony Davis survived a scare in the loss against Washington as he had his right wrist examined during the contest, but x-rays were deemed negative and he finished with 37 points to raise his average to 29.8 the last four games. Cousins tops the team in scoring (26.2) and rebounding (10.6) while dishing out 5.1 assists per game and has posted six double-doubles in the last eight contests. Point guard Jrue Holiday is averaging 25 points and shooting 53.4 percent from the field over the last five games.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (11-21): Fournier (ankle) is close to returning after missing the last six games and Gordon has missed four of the past five - the first two with concussion symptoms and the last two with the calf injury. Center Nikola Vucevic has had more responsibility in December and put up some big numbers, averaging 22.2 points and 12.8 rebounds over the last nine contests. Rookie forward Jonathan Isaac tweaked his ankle against Chicago in his second game back since missing 17 with the same injury, and is questionable.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando F Jonathon Simmons went 2-of-9 from the field and scored six points against Chicago after averaging 21.6 the previous five games.

2. The Magic has won five of the last six meetings, including a 115-99 triumph on Oct. 30 in New Orleans.

3. Pelicans PG Rajon Rondo, averaging a team-high 7.6 assists, is questionable after leaving the last game with a knee injury.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 110, Magic 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - New Orleans at Orlando

ATS Trends
New Orleans

Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Pelicans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Pelicans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Pelicans are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southeast.

Orlando

Magic are 16-36-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.
Magic are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Magic are 10-25-1 ATS in their last 36 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Magic are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Magic are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.
Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Magic are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
New Orleans

Over is 5-0 in Pelicans last 5 road games.
Over is 9-0 in Pelicans last 9 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 9-0 in Pelicans last 9 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 13-3 in Pelicans last 16 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 13-3 in Pelicans last 16 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 Friday games.
Over is 16-5 in Pelicans last 21 overall.
Over is 19-7 in Pelicans last 26 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 21-8 in Pelicans last 29 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 9-4 in Pelicans last 13 games playing on 2 days rest.

Orlando

Under is 5-0 in Magic last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 5-1 in Magic last 6 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 4-1 in Magic last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Magic last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Magic last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-3 in Magic last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 17-8 in Magic last 25 Friday games.

Head to Head

Under is 20-7 in the last 27 meetings.
Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Orlando.
Pelicans are 9-4-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Orlando.
Underdog is 20-6-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Matchup Edge
WAS Edge in: BK
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Wizards at Nets
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The Washington Wizards head to Brooklyn for the second time in less than two weeks and will try to avenge an earlier loss to the Nets when the teams meet Friday night. Playing without star point guard John Wall, the Wizards dropped a 103-98 decision at Brooklyn on Dec. 12, which happens to be the last win for the Nets.

Wall returned the next night when Washington began a 3-1 homestand that was capped by Tuesday's 116-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and he seems to be completely past the recent knee issues that caused him to miss nine games. "Basically, them telling me to go out there and be aggressive and don't worry about minutes and go play," Wall told reporters after an 18-point, 10-assist effort versus the Pelicans. "Coach has been telling me since the last game. I went out there without thinking about when I was coming out of the game or when I'm going back in, just trying to play and make the right reads." Brooklyn lost four straight since the win over the Wizards while averaging 96.8 points. Three of the four defeats came at home, including the 104-99 setback against Sacramento on Wednesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN Washington, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (17-14): While Wall is giving indications he's just about at full speed, backup forward Mike Scott is showing no signs of slowing down a phenomenal shooting stretch. "It doesn't matter if we talk about it, it's not gonna jinx him," coach Scott Brooks. "He's been shooting the ball so well." Scott's 24 points against New Orleans was a season high and he was 11-for-15 from the floor to leave the Virginia product at 53-for-72 over an eight-game stretch.

ABOUT THE NETS (11-19): Brooklyn was behind 36-20 after one quarter against Sacramento as it continued a recent trend of poor starts, having trailed by at least 11 points at halftime in every game of the losing streak. "Giving up 36 points in the first quarter — you can't get in a hole like that. It is disappointment in our defense and our defensive mentality to start the game," coach Kenny Atkinson told the media. "We let our guard down in the first quarter. Dug a hole, and too deep of a hole." Six players scored in double figures for the Nets with Spencer Dinwiddie's 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting led the way.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards leading scorer G Bradley Beal missed all seven of his 3-point tries and shot 11-for-33 overall in the loss at Brooklyn earlier this month.

2. Nets C Jahlil Okafor has not seen any action in the last two games as Atkinson gives him more time to get in shape and integrated into the system.

3. Wall is shooting 35.4 percent since returning from the knee injury.

PREDICTION: Wizards 109, Nets 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Washington at Brooklyn

ATS Trends
Washington

Wizards are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Wizards are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 Friday games.
Wizards are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Wizards are 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Wizards are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Brooklyn

Nets are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Southeast.
Nets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss.
Nets are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

OU Trends
Washington

Under is 12-2 in Wizards last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 9-2 in Wizards last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 16-5 in Wizards last 21 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Wizards last 8 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 19-7 in Wizards last 26 overall.
Under is 8-3 in Wizards last 11 games following a ATS win.
Over is 36-17 in Wizards last 53 games playing on 2 days rest.

Brooklyn

Under is 5-0 in Nets last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Nets last 4 vs. NBA Southeast.
Under is 5-0 in Nets last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 6-0 in Nets last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-1 in Nets last 9 overall.
Under is 7-1 in Nets last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Nets last 7 home games.
Under is 6-1-1 in Nets last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 6-1 in Nets last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Nets last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Head to Head

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Brooklyn.
Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Home team is 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
Favorite is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Matchup Edge
DAL Edge in: MIA
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Mavericks at Heat
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The Miami Heat are starting to find their top form with five wins in the last seven games and hope to continue the trend when they open a four-game homestand against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Miami knocked off Boston 90-89 on Wednesday without its top two scorers as former Celtics center Kelly Olynyk drained six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 32 points.

“We’re getting there,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “Each painful step that we take in this 82-game ride, we’re learning tough lessons. We’re feeling pain. We’re improving on things. Sometimes it’s one step back, two steps forward.” Miami hopes to turn its fortunes around at home where it has lost seven of 13 games this season and faces a Dallas team that is coming off one of its best games of the season. Rookie guard Dennis Smith Jr. returned after missing six games with a strained hip to score 15 points and hand out five assists in 21 minutes as the Mavericks rolled over Detroit 110-93 on Wednesday for just their second win in eight contests. “I was just coming out trying to do what I do,” Smith, who is averaging 14.4 points in 24 games, told reporters. “My legs were heavy at first. I had to get my second wind.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), FSN Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (9-23): Forward Harrison Barnes led the way with 25 points in the win over Detroit and leads the team in scoring (18.5) and rebounds (7.1) while playing in all 32 games. Coach Rick Carlisle told reporters it’s never good to have an injury but Smith needed a breather 24 games into his rookie campaign, and the ninth-overall pick in the last draft provided a spark for Dallas. Guard Yogi Ferrell continues to get more minutes and he is making the best of them, averaging 14 points over the last five games and 11.7 this month.

ABOUT THE HEAT (16-15): Guard Goran Dragic (elbow) and forward James Johnson (ankle) each missed the last two games and center Hassan Whiteside (knee) sat out his 11th straight game Wednesday, taking 42.4 points out of the lineup. Forward Josh Richardson has picked up some of the slack, averaging 24.3 points over the last three games to raise his season mark to 11.6 - fourth on the team. Miami needs more consistency out of guard Dion Waiters (14.7 points), who scored 23 in a loss at Atlanta before managing 10 on 3-of-11 shooting versus Boston.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki needs one 3-pointer to snap a tie with Chauncey Billups (1,830) for 12th on the NBA’s all-time list.

2. Olynyk is averaging 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in December after putting up 7.9 and 4.7, respectively, last month.

3. The Heat had won three straight meetings before dropping a 96-89 decision at Dallas last February.

PREDICTION: Heat 102, Mavericks 92

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Dallas at Miami

ATS Trends
Dallas

Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Mavericks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Mavericks are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Mavericks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
Mavericks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Mavericks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Mavericks are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.

Miami

Heat are 27-10 ATS in their last 37 Friday games.
Heat are 4-15-2 ATS in their last 21 home games.
Heat are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Heat are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Heat are 1-6-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

OU Trends
Dallas

Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 Friday games.
Under is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 vs. NBA Southeast.
Under is 36-14-1 in Mavericks last 51 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Mavericks last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 7-3 in Mavericks last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 28-12-2 in Mavericks last 42 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Miami

Under is 4-0 in Heat last 4 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 4-0 in Heat last 4 home games.
Under is 9-1 in Heat last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 7-1 in Heat last 8 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-1 in Heat last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 13-3 in Heat last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Heat last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 7-2 in Heat last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 20-7 in Heat last 27 overall.
Under is 35-16 in Heat last 51 games following a ATS win.
Under is 35-17 in Heat last 52 Friday games.

Head to Head

Under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
Mavericks are 14-5-1 ATS in the last 20 meetings in Miami.
Mavericks are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Road team is 21-7-2 ATS in the last 30 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Matchup Edge
LAC Edge in: HOU
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Clippers at Rockets
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

The winning streak is finally over for the Houston Rockets, and Chris Paul is back on the injury report. The Rockets will try to pick themselves up after a rare loss and win for the 15th time in 16 games when they host Paul's former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Friday.

Houston won 14 straight after Paul returned from a knee injury but watched the streak come to an end with a 122-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday as Paul left in the fourth quarter with a left adductor strain. Paul is considered day-to-day and is in danger of missing the date with Los Angeles, with which he earned First-Team All-NBA honors in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and led to the playoffs in each of his six seasons there. The Clippers won't have one of their biggest acquisitions from that trade around for the game either, as point guard Patrick Beverley is done for the year with a knee injury and is one of three Clippers starters out of the lineup. Guard Austin Rivers is the one benefitting most from Beverley's absence and went for 21 points on Wednesday as the Clippers knocked off the Phoenix Suns 108-95 to snap a three-game slide.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (12-18): Milos Teodosic was brought on to take over Paul's role as the primary distributor and dealt with his own injury while missing 22 games due to foot problems. The 30-year-old rookie is beginning to settle in and handed out a season-best eight assists in 27 minutes on Wednesday. Teodosic is averaging just 8.3 points on 32.8 percent shooting but is beginning to get the hang of throwing lobs up to center DeAndre Jordan, who went 5-of-7 from the floor on Wednesday and finished with 12 points and 20 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (25-5): Even if Paul is out, Houston still has an MVP candidate in James Harden, who kept the team in the game on Wednesday by scoring 51 points and handing out nine assists. "You can't stop Harden," Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball told reporters. "You can try to slow him down, it's the best you can do. Make everything hard for him. Try and get him as tired as possible. But as far as stopping him, you can't stop him." Teams aren't having much luck slowing down Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring (31.9 points) while ranking third in assists (9.03).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers SF Danilo Gallinari was diagnosed with a partial tear in his left glute muscle and will be out indefinitely.

2. Rockets C Clint Capela (heel) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day.

3. Houston took two of three from Los Angeles last season despite Harden being limited to 23.3 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds in the meetings.

PREDICTION: Rockets 123, Clippers 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - L.A. Clippers at Houston

ATS Trends
L.A. Clippers

Clippers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Clippers are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Clippers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.

Houston

Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Rockets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Rockets are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Pacific.
Rockets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Rockets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

OU Trends
L.A. Clippers

Under is 6-1 in Clippers last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 8-3 in Clippers last 11 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 road games.
Over is 10-4 in Clippers last 14 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Clippers last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Houston

Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 overall.
Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 home games.
Over is 6-0 in Rockets last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Head to Head

Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Houston.
Over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Clippers are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 22, 2017
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Matchup Edge
CHA Edge in: MIL
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Hornets at Bucks
Gracenote
Dec 21, 2017

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will try to avoid a letdown after perhaps their biggest win of the season when they host the slumping Charlotte Hornets on Friday in the front end of a home-and-home set. Behind 27 points, 14 rebounds and a season high-tying eight assists from Antetokounmpo, the Bucks got past red-hot Cleveland 119-116 on Tuesday to begin a two-game homestand.

"It was a big step for our team. It shows maturity," Antetokounmpo told reporters after his team staved off a fourth-quarter rally. "Usually, in a situation like that, we give the game away." Antetokounmpo ranks second in the NBA with a scoring average of 29.7 points and the only time he was held under 20 came at Charlotte on Nov. 1, when he finished with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. The Hornets were 5-3 after that result but soon thereafter dipped below .500 and are currently burying themselves amid a 3-11 stretch. They took an early lead against streaking Toronto on Wednesday before falling apart defensively in a 129-111 loss.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (11-20): Jeremy Lamb produced a career-high 32 points against the Raptors, making 11-of-17 shots after nine straight games in which he was under 50 percent from the field. "My teammates put me in great positions to score, and I was able to knock shots down," Lamb told reporters. "But we were down 20 the whole game, so it doesn't really mean much. We've just got to play better." Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who had two double-doubles in his previous four games, left Wednesday's loss with a shoulder injury and he is day-to-day.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (16-13): Milwaukee is now 12-7 with point guard Eric Bledsoe in the lineup and the Kentucky product scored 26 points - his second-highest total since arriving via trade in November - in the win over Cleveland. Fellow guard Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 18 points while making 7-of-12 3-pointers over the last two games and hit double digits in all but one game this month as he gets more accustomed to his bench role. Brogdon had 20 points and four assists in the previous meeting with the Hornets.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Milwaukee made a franchise-record 19 3-pointers and F Khris Middleton scored a career-high 43 points in the loss at Charlotte last month.

2. Hornets PG Kemba Walker is averaging 12.7 points - more than eight below his mark for the season - while shooting 15-for-51 over the last three games.

3. The teams meet again Saturday in Charlotte to wrap up the four-game season series.

PREDICTION: Bucks 112, Hornets 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Charlotte at Milwaukee

ATS Trends
Charlotte

Hornets are 3-7-2 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Hornets are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Hornets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Hornets are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss.
Hornets are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Hornets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hornets are 3-11-2 ATS in their last 16 road games.
Hornets are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hornets are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Hornets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Hornets are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Central.
Hornets are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
Hornets are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Hornets are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Milwaukee

Bucks are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 vs. NBA Southeast.
Bucks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win.
Bucks are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
Bucks are 1-6-2 ATS in their last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bucks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

OU Trends
Charlotte

Over is 6-0 in Hornets last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Under is 8-1 in Hornets last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Hornets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 vs. NBA Central.
Under is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Hornets last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 7-3 in Hornets last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Milwaukee

Over is 5-0 in Bucks last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 5-0 in Bucks last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-0-1 in Bucks last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 5-0-1 in Bucks last 6 home games.
Over is 3-0-1 in Bucks last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 8-0 in Bucks last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-1-1 in Bucks last 13 overall.
Over is 10-1 in Bucks last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 10-1-1 in Bucks last 12 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-1-1 in Bucks last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games following a ATS win.

Head to Head

Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Hornets are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Milwaukee.
Road team is 11-3 ATS in the last 14 meetings.