Friday 12-29-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Matchup Edge
HOU Edge in: WAS
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Rockets at Wizards
Gracenote
Dec 29, 2017

The Houston Rockets dropped just four of their first 29 games but suddenly are losers of four straight contests entering Friday's meeting with the host Washington Wizards. Houston allowed a 26-point, third-quarter lead get away against Boston on Thursday and dropped a 99-98 decision.

Point guard Chris Paul (groin) could miss his fourth straight game, and the Rockets are 15-1 when he has played this season and 10-7 when he sits out. Star guard James Harden recorded 34 points and 10 assists in the loss to Boston but was called for two offensive fouls in the final 7.3 seconds. "It doesn't really matter," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters of the charge calls. "I'm worried more about the 24 points (the 62-38 halftime lead) we gave up, that's what I worry about." Washington repeatedly has played down to the competition this season, and it was never more evident than on Wednesday as NBA-worst Atlanta controlled play and handed the Wizards a 113-99 defeat.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), NBCSN Washington

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (25-8): Harden blistered the officiating after Thursday's loss as only two referees were on the floor after Mark Lindsay suffered a back injury during pregame warmups. "Well, first of all, I'm wondering how do you only have two officials on a national TV game? That's the first question," Harden told reporters. "A lot of grabbing, a lot of holding. I mean, how else am I supposed to get open? Gotta ask with two arms wrapped around my whole body." The 98-point effort ended Houston's streak of 25 straight games with 100 or more points and marked just the third time it failed to reach the century mark this season.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (19-16): Four-time All-Star point guard John Wall was miffed over the loss to the Hawks and inferred some of his teammates are more worried about accumulating stats than posting victories. Bradley Beal also spoke up and stated there is too much selfishness on both ends of the floor. "Sometimes even myself included," Beal told reporters. "Sometimes we do one-pass shots, no-pass shots. Two or three passes on one side of the floor versus moving on both sides of the floor. Teams are going to load up on me and John. That's something that we should know by now. We got to do a better job of creating, putting the ball on the floor and moving it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets have won each of their last four visits to Washington.

2. Wizards PF Markieff Morris is averaging 16 points on 17-of-27 shooting over his last three games.

3. Houston signed veteran swingman Gerald Green on Thursday and he was scoreless in 11 minutes against the Celtics.

PREDICTION: Rockets 116, Wizards 112

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Houston at Washington

ATS Trends
Houston

Rockets are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
Rockets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Rockets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Rockets are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Rockets are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
Rockets are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 0 days rest.
Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

Washington

Wizards are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Wizards are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Wizards are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.

OU Trends
Houston

Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.
Over is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 8-3 in Rockets last 11 overall.
Over is 16-6 in Rockets last 22 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes on the previous day.

Washington

Under is 4-0 in Wizards last 4 Friday games.
Under is 5-1 in Wizards last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 10-3 in Wizards last 13 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 13-4 in Wizards last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 home games.
Under is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 20-7 in Wizards last 27 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Wizards last 7 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 10-4 in Wizards last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-5-1 in Wizards last 17 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Head to Head

Rockets are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Washington.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Road team is 17-5 ATS in the last 22 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Matchup Edge
ATL Edge in: TOR
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Hawks at Raptors
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Toronto Raptors have been rampaging through December by winning 10 games in 11 attempts, but back-to-back defeats have them looking to get back on track in Friday’s home contest against the Atlanta Hawks. Toronto fell 124-107 on Wednesday at Oklahoma City, falling flat offensively one night after a 98-93 defeat at Dallas in losing consecutive games for just the third time this season.

“We didn’t earn either game,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey told the media after Wednesday’s defeat. “We didn’t earn (Tuesday) night the way we played and we didn’t earn the game (Wednesday) in the stretches we played bad.” Even rarer than the Raptors losing back-to-back games is Atlanta winning consecutive contests, which the Hawks accomplished for the first time this season with Wednesday’s 113-99 home triumph over Washington. “Everybody was just locked in for 48 minutes,” Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder told reporters after Wednesday’s victory, just the ninth of the season for Atlanta. The Hawks finished a season sweep of Dallas with Saturday’s 112-107 victory, after losing six of their previous seven.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), TSN2 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (9-25): Schroder leads seven players averaging in double figures scoring at 19.9 points per game, and has combined for 54 points on 20-of-37 shooting from the field in Atlanta’s past two victories. Ersan Ilyasova scored 20 points Wednesday and Marco Belinelli added 19 points, combining to shoot 5-of-10 from 3-point range. The Hawks entered Thursday tied for sixth in the NBA in 3-point shooting (38 percent).

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (23-10): Guard DeMar DeRozan leads the Raptors in scoring at 24.1 points per game (12th in the NBA), but is 7-for-32 from the field in scoring a combined 23 points in the past two games. Forward C.J. Miles scored a team-high 20 points against Oklahoma City, hitting 6-of-12 3-point attempts. The Raptors are 12-1 at home and have won their past 10 games at Air Canada Centre.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta rookie F John Collins is fourth in the NBA in field-goal percentage, shooting 61.7 percent.

2. Toronto C Lucas Nogueira played Wednesday after missing 12 games with a right calf injury.

3. The Raptors blasted the Hawks 112-78 in Atlanta on Nov. 25 in their first meeting of the season.

PREDICTION: Raptors 113, Hawks 97

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Atlanta at Toronto

ATS Trends
Atlanta

Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.
Hawks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games.
Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Hawks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Hawks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Hawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Hawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Hawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hawks are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

Toronto

Raptors are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southeast.
Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Raptors are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

OU Trends
Atlanta

Over is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Hawks last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 19-6-2 in Hawks last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 3-1-1 in Hawks last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

Toronto

Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 10-3 in Raptors last 13 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 13-4 in Raptors last 17 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 9-3 in Raptors last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Raptors last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Raptors last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 36-16 in Raptors last 52 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 13-6 in Raptors last 19 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Head to Head

Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Hawks are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
Hawks are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Toronto.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Matchup Edge
BK Edge in: MIA
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Nets at Heat
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Miami Heat have taken advantage of a favorable stretch in the schedule to crawl back above .500. The Heat will try to stay hot when they host another team well below .500 in the finale of a four-game homestand Friday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Miami is 7-3 during a span in which it has played six teams that entered Thursday at least 10 games below .500, including the Nets in Mexico City on Dec. 9 and the slumping Orlando Magic, whom the Heat toppled 107-89 on Tuesday. "We were getting good looks all night," guard Wayne Ellington told reporters after Miami scored 64 points after halftime in the win. "The first half they didn't really fall for us, but we stayed patient." Brooklyn dropped the first three legs of a five-game road trip and seven of eight overall after a 128-113 setback at New Orleans on Wednesday. Reserve guards Caris LeVert and Nik Stauskas combined for 43 points while the Nets' starters totaled just 33 on 12-of-29 shooting.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FSN Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE NETS (12-22): Quincy Acy scored 18 points off the bench in Wednesday's loss and combined with LeVert and Stauskas to make 14-of-21 3-pointers, with Stauskas matching a franchise record for a bench player with his seven triples. "I just felt like that second group was giving us the best chance," coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters after riding the bench down the stretch. "I didn't feel it from our first group. I felt like the second group was playing with energy and sharing the ball and competing. They still couldn't get the stops we needed, but I said, 'We're going to stick with them.' They earned that right." Atkinson hinted he might adjust the starting lineup but any changes likely won't involve swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is averaging 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds over his last five games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (18-16): Center Hassan Whiteside returned from an 11-game absence due to a knee injury in the win over Orlando, producing seven points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes. "I don't expect somebody to miss that many games and come right back in and everybody have terrific rhythm, including him," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "There's going to be a little bit of a process." Whiteside missed the win over the Nets in Mexico City and was limited to averages of nine points and 6.3 rebounds in three meetings last season, well below his season marks of 17 points and 14.1 boards.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Heat SF Josh Richardson is averaging 21.5 points over his last six games.

2. LeVert is 12-for-19 from 3-point range over a five-game span and Stauskas is 19-for-33 in six contests since joining Brooklyn.

3. Miami has won six straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Heat 109, Nets 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Brooklyn at Miami

ATS Trends
Brooklyn

Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Nets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Southeast.
Nets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games.
Nets are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Nets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Nets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Miami

Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Heat are 28-10 ATS in their last 38 Friday games.
Heat are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Heat are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Heat are 20-9-3 ATS in their last 32 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Heat are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Heat are 3-7-2 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Heat are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Heat are 5-14-1 ATS in their last 20 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Heat are 4-15-2 ATS in their last 21 home games.
Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.

OU Trends
Brooklyn

Under is 8-1 in Nets last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in Nets last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 6-1 in Nets last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 6-1 in Nets last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 4-1 in Nets last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Nets last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Under is 7-2-1 in Nets last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 10-3 in Nets last 13 overall.
Under is 9-3 in Nets last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 15-5-2 in Nets last 22 vs. NBA Southeast.
Under is 6-2 in Nets last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Miami

Under is 5-0 in Heat last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 10-1 in Heat last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-1 in Heat last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 7-1 in Heat last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 6-1 in Heat last 7 home games.
Under is 17-4 in Heat last 21 when their opponent allows 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 8-2 in Heat last 10 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Heat last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 21-7 in Heat last 28 overall.
Under is 19-7 in Heat last 26 Friday games.
Under is 19-7 in Heat last 26 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 8-3 in Heat last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 37-15 in Heat last 52 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 36-17 in Heat last 53 games following a ATS win.

Head to Head

Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Miami.
Nets are 1-3-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Miami.
Nets are 3-13-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Road team is 3-0-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Matchup Edge
IND Edge in: CHI
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Pacers at Bulls
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The last time the Chicago Bulls faced Central Division rival Indiana, they fell apart down the stretch while suffering their 10th straight loss and watching their NBA-worst record drop to 3-20. The Bulls' season changed dramatically days later and they are one of the league's hottest teams entering a rematch with the Pacers at home Friday night.

Chicago is 9-2 since forward Nikola Mirotic returned from facial fractures one game after the loss in Indiana after it rallied for a 92-87 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Mirotic had just four points - a season low - but a balanced attack and a dominant defensive stretch run gave the Bulls an 11-10 record against Eastern Conference opponents. "There are gonna be games that are ugly, but it all comes down to stops," guard Kris Dunn told reporters. "We take pride in our defensive stops. I think we're very resilient." The Pacers had a very different late-game experience in their loss 98-94 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, getting outscored 14-4 in the final four-plus minutes. Leading scorer Victor Oladipo missed the contest due to a knee injury and he has already been ruled out for this one.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, WGN-TV (Chicago)

ABOUT THE PACERS (19-16): Veteran Lance Stephenson picked up the start in place of Oladipo on Wednesday and responded with 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. "We were right there. I'm not going to say it was because (Oladipo) was out. We were right there," Stephenson told reporters. "We made mistakes and a lot of our guys were confident and trying to win the game. We just have to watch film and see what we did wrong and learn from our mistakes." Indiana attempted just 10 free throws - making eight of them - and it entered Thursday ranked 24th in the NBA with 19.7 attempts at the line per game.

ABOUT THE BULLS (12-22): Mirotic was not a big factor on the scoreboard against the Knicks but he did acknowledge that he and forward Bobby Portis - whose punch in a preseason practice led to Mirotic's facial fractures - have handled the controversy well, which has had a massive impact on the team's ability to move on. "I think it was huge because people didn't know how we were going to act because it was a tough moment obviously for all of us, especially for me," Mirotic told the media. "But I think [up to now] we've handled it well. We've tried to be professional. That was really important for the guys because we kind of tried to stick together. And being back was a great [thing] for me, for my teammates." Dunn shot 6-for-18 on Wednesday but led the Bulls with 17 points and is averaging 14.6 and 7.8 assists in December.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Dunn is averaging 17 points on 57.1 percent shooting in two meetings with the Pacers this season.

2. Pacers PG Darren Collison has 26 assists and only two turnovers in 172 minutes over a six-game stretch.

3. Chicago PF Lauri Markkanen is 6-for-22 from the floor over the last two games.

PREDICTION: Bulls 107, Pacers 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Indiana at Chicago

ATS Trends
Indiana

Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Pacers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
Pacers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games.
Pacers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Pacers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 vs. Eastern Conference.

Chicago

Bulls are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Bulls are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.
Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Central.
Bulls are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.
Bulls are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bulls are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bulls are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
Bulls are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Bulls are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 vs. Eastern Conference.

OU Trends
Indiana

Under is 5-0 in Pacers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 4-0 in Pacers last 4 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 6-0 in Pacers last 6 vs. NBA Central.
Under is 5-0 in Pacers last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 road games.
Under is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Pacers last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 6-2 in Pacers last 8 overall.
Under is 6-2 in Pacers last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.

Chicago

Over is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 Friday games.
Under is 6-1 in Bulls last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 6-2 in Bulls last 8 overall.
Over is 8-3 in Bulls last 11 games following a ATS win.
Over is 5-2 in Bulls last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 36-16 in Bulls last 52 home games.
Under is 34-16 in Bulls last 50 games playing on 1 days rest.

Head to Head

Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings.
Under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Chicago.
Home team is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Matchup Edge
DAL Edge in: NO
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Mavericks at Pelicans
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The New Orleans Pelicans will go as far as Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins can take them, but Rajon Rondo is capable of pushing the two big men to even greater heights. Rondo will try to follow up a historic performance and lead the Pelicans to a fourth consecutive win when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Rondo became the seventh player in NBA history, the first since 1996 and the first in franchise history to hand out 25 assists in a game when he hit that mark in a 128-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. "The number one thing is we got the win," Rondo told reporters. "And then me personally, I love passing the ball. When everyone touches the ball, it gives you energy and life on defense. That's what I'm a big believer in, giving everyone touches and energy on both ends of the floor." The Mavericks still own the worst record in the Western Conference but just finished holding a pair of high-powered offenses in check in wins over Toronto and Indiana. Wednesday's 98-94 triumph at the Pacers snapped an eight-game road losing streak for Dallas, which finishes up the three-game trip at Oklahoma City on Sunday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (11-25): Toronto averages 110.6 points but was held to 93 by Dallas on Tuesday before Indiana, which averages 107.5 points, was held under 95 on Wednesday. “We stuck with it,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after beating Indiana. “You know, they’re a great offensive team, and they were making shots early in the game. We just felt like if we picked up our intensity a little bit, we could contest a little better and make it tough on them.” Offensively, 39-year-old forward Dirk Nowitzki showed little wear on the back-to-back and scored a combined 33 points on 15-of-23 shooting in the two wins.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (18-16): Jrue Holiday served as the point guard for New Orleans until moving off the ball when Rondo joined the team, and he is thriving in his new role. Holiday scored 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting in Wednesday's win and is averaging 22.2 points on 52.5 percent shooting in December. "If you see an open lane to cut, he'll get (the ball) there," Holiday told the team's website of Rondo. "I don't know how he does, but he'll get it there. When he's on the court, everybody has this type of energy, where you want to play and get out in the lanes, cut, set flare screens and see everyone succeed, because that's the type of guy he is. Playing with him has been really fun."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis totaled 10 blocked shots in the last two games.

2. Mavericks SG Wesley Matthews is 2-of-16 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. New Orleans earned a 99-94 win at Dallas on Nov. 3 behind 20 points and 22 rebounds from Cousins.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 113, Mavericks 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Dallas at New Orleans

ATS Trends
Dallas

Mavericks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.
Mavericks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Mavericks are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Mavericks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Mavericks are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Mavericks are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games overall.
Mavericks are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.

New Orleans

Pelicans are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Pelicans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Pelicans are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Pelicans are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
Dallas

Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 5-0 in Mavericks last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 7-1-1 in Mavericks last 9 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Mavericks last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 37-15-1 in Mavericks last 53 games following a straight up win.
Under is 7-3 in Mavericks last 10 overall.

New Orleans

Over is 7-0 in Pelicans last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-0 in Pelicans last 7 home games.
Over is 8-0 in Pelicans last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 14-2 in Pelicans last 16 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-2 in Pelicans last 14 overall.
Over is 11-2 in Pelicans last 13 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 9-3 in Pelicans last 12 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 45-20 in Pelicans last 65 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 58-26 in Pelicans last 84 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Head to Head

Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New Orleans.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Mavericks are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings in New Orleans.
Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Matchup Edge
MIL Edge in: OKC
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Bucks at Thunder
Gracenote
Dec 29, 2017

The Oklahoma City Thunder attempt to stretch their season-best winning streak to seven games when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The Thunder opened a four-game homestand with impressive victories over Houston and Toronto to improve to a stellar 14-4 at home.

Oklahoma City was a porous 8-12 when November ended as the trio of point guard Russell Westbrook and forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony had trouble meshing. That no longer is an issue with the Thunder sitting at 12-3 this month and now owning the fifth-best record in the Western Conference. Milwaukee was sliding in the wrong direction with five defeats in seven games before recovering from a 20-point deficit to produce a solid 102-96 victory over Minnesota on Thursday. The Bucks outscored the Timberwolves 27-12 during the fourth quarter in a resounding finish.

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

ABOUT THE BUCKS (18-15): Milwaukee was getting jeered loudly by the home fans, and even coach Jason Kidd wasn't feeling so good before the team reversed course and posted its largest comeback victory of the season. "Sometimes you feel you're on the brink of being embarrassed," Kidd told reporters. "So you tend to turn it up. The guys stayed together. The best part of the night was, they kept talking to each other." Small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds, giving him 20 or more points in each off his last 23 appearances, while guard Eric Bledsoe scored 26 for his fourth 20-point effort in five games.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (20-15): Oklahoma City's "Big Three" combined for 81 points in the 124-107 victory over Toronto - the largest total of their 35 games together. George made seven 3-pointers while scoring 33 points, Westbrook contributed 30 and 13 assists and Anthony scored 18 as he continues to accept his role as the team's third scoring option. "The pieces to the puzzle is coming together. Everybody is doing their job. Everybody is playing their part," Anthony told reporters. "Now it's just a mindset of just going out there, winning, playing basketball, not worrying about anything else, focusing on doing your job and helping others and trying to win the game."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder have won five of the last six meetings, including a 110-91 victory in Milwaukee on Oct. 31.

2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams scored 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting against Toronto and has reached double digits in 12 of his last 13 games.

3. Milwaukee PF/C John Henson was 7-of-7 shooting against Minnesota and is 26-for-36 over his last five contests.

PREDICTION: Thunder 115, Bucks 98

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Milwaukee at Oklahoma City

ATS Trends
Milwaukee

Bucks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bucks are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games playing on 0 days rest.
Bucks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Bucks are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Bucks are 1-6-2 ATS in their last 9 Friday games.

Oklahoma City

Thunder are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Central.
Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Thunder are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Thunder are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 Friday games.

OU Trends
Milwaukee

Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 road games.
Over is 7-0 in Bucks last 7 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 11-1 in Bucks last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 13-2-1 in Bucks last 16 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-2 in Bucks last 14 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Bucks last 6 games playing on 0 days rest.
Over is 5-1 in Bucks last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 15-5-1 in Bucks last 21 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 Friday games.
Under is 7-3 in Bucks last 10 vs. NBA Northwest.

Oklahoma City

Over is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 Friday games.
Over is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-2 in Thunder last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 7-3 in Thunder last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 24-11 in Thunder last 35 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 45-22 in Thunder last 67 vs. NBA Central.

Head to Head

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Favorite is 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
Bucks are 11-23 ATS in the last 34 meetings.
Bucks are 4-12 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Oklahoma City.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Matchup Edge
PHO Edge in: SAC
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Suns at Kings
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

The Sacramento Kings are getting better results of late, and they continue to lean on their veterans in doing so. The Kings will try to build off perhaps their best victory of the season when they host the Phoenix Suns on Friday in the second of six straight home games.

Behind 24 points from 40-year-old Vince Carter, Sacramento rolled to a 109-95 triumph over Eastern Conference heavyweight Cleveland on Wednesday, improving to 9-11 since its 3-11 start. "The shot was falling tonight but it was our ball movement, and the ball found the open guy," Carter told reporters. "It just made it fun to watch. If we play that way we could be a pretty good basketball team." The Suns have made strides as well and welcomed back leading scorer Devin Booker for Tuesday's 99-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at home. Booker had 20 of his 32 points in the first half and Tyson Chandler's alley-oop slam in the final second lifted Phoenix to its fourth win in the last six games.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), NBCSN California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE SUNS (13-23): Chandler's dramatic finish grabbed most of the headlines, but Booker's seamless return from an adductor strain is the most important development in the desert. "This is better than Christmas for me," Booker told reporters. "Getting a chance to be back out on the floor, playing with my brothers and coming out with a close win makes it that much better." The 21-year-old missed a seven-point loss at Sacramento earlier this month but produced 22 points, five assists and four rebounds in a 117-115 win over the Kings at home on Oct. 23.

ABOUT THE KINGS (12-22): While Booker is the go-to guy nearly every night for Phoenix, Sacramento still gets much of its production from its older players, and veterans Zach Randolph and George Hill teamed with Carter in Wednesday's win. Randolph (14 points) and Hill (10) were the only starters for the Kings to score in double figures and Randolph continues to lead the team in scoring (15.5) and rebounding (6.9). Those two combined for 35 points while Carter sat in the win over the Suns on Dec. 12.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Booker averages 27.9 points on 48.7 percent shooting on the road, compared to 21.8 on 42 percent at home.

2. Kings C Willie Cauley-Stein is averaging 18.7 points on 61.9 percent shooting and nine rebounds over the last three games.

3. The teams have split 78 all-time meetings in Sacramento.

PREDICTION: Kings 104, Suns 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Phoenix at Sacramento

ATS Trends
Phoenix

Suns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Suns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Suns are 7-17-1 ATS in their last 25 games playing on 2 days rest.
Suns are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Pacific.
Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.

Sacramento

Kings are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.
Kings are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Kings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Kings are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

OU Trends
Phoenix

Under is 4-0 in Suns last 4 road games.
Under is 6-0 in Suns last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 4-0 in Suns last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 7-1 in Suns last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 5-1 in Suns last 6 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Suns last 8 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 16-6 in Suns last 22 games following a straight up win.
Over is 35-16-1 in Suns last 52 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 38-18 in Suns last 56 games following a ATS win.

Sacramento

Over is 5-1 in Kings last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-2 in Kings last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 5-2 in Kings last 7 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 5-2 in Kings last 7 Friday games.
Under is 20-8 in Kings last 28 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 15-7 in Kings last 22 games following a straight up win.

Head to Head

Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Suns are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Suns are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Sacramento.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2017
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Matchup Edge
CHA Edge in: GS
Points Per Game
Field Goal %
Free Throw %
Defense
Rebounding
Turn Overs
Bench

Preview: Hornets at Warriors
Gracenote
Dec 28, 2017

Stephen Curry missed a date against his hometown Charlotte Hornets after suffering an ankle injury during a road trip earlier this month, and he won't quite be ready for the rematch. Curry is expected to miss his 11th consecutive game when the Golden State Warriors host the Hornets on Friday.

Curry took part in practice on Thursday and scrimmaged 3-on-3 away from the glare of the media after practice, but the team isn't ready to throw him back onto the floor quite yet. "I doubt he'll play tomorrow with a back-to-back," coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "I don't think it would make much sense, but I think he's probably going to want to. But it's more likely he plays Saturday. If all goes well, I expect him to play Saturday, but even if it goes well, I'm not expecting him to play tomorrow." The Hornets are losers of 13 of their last 17 games and missed out on a chance to earn back-to-back wins for the first time this month when they dropped a 102-91 decision at home to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Charlotte is beginning a four-game California swing with Friday's matchup and is just 2-12 on the road.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (12-22): Charlotte needed to overcome an 18-point deficit to earn a 111-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday and fell into a 16-point hole at the half against the Celtics. "I talked to the guys in the locker room after the game about waiting too long and waiting until we get down to actually start playing the way we know how to play," associate head coach Stephen Silas told reporters after Wednesday's loss. "I thought we did that tonight. We did that in the last game and we won it, but that's something we don't want to continue because that's not a good formula for consistent play." Point guard Kemba Walker is trying to carry the team and is averaging 25 points over the last three games.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (28-7): Golden State hasn't missed the two-time MVP Curry all that much while going 9-1 in his absence and is coming off a 126-101 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday in which it shot 59.3 percent from the floor and handed out 37 assists. "An ideal game," Kerr told reporters. "Everybody really played well and chipped in. A lot of guys got going." The Warriors' success without Curry is attributable in large part to the efforts of Kevin Durant, who is averaging 29 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in the last 10 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SG Patrick McCaw scored a season-high 18 points on Wednesday.

2. Hornets C Dwight Howard totaled 33 rebounds in the last two games.

3. Golden State took the last seven in the series, including a 101-87 win in Charlotte on Dec. 6.

PREDICTION: Warriors 120, Hornets 103