Wednesday 1-3-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. John's vs. Creighton Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/02/2018

No. 24 Creighton made a strong response to a loss in the Big East opener and looks to match that level of performance when it hosts injury-ravaged St. John's on Wednesday night in another league battle. The Bluejays were beaten at Seton Hall last Thursday after coughing up a 13-point lead in the second half and showed their disdain for that performance with an 83-64 rout of Providence on Sunday.

"You have to be ready every day," Creighton coach Greg McDermott told reporters after the win. "Obviously you could see the disappointment in their eyes and in their body language that first practice (after the Seton Hall loss). But they turned the page pretty quick." The Bluejays could be playing St. John's at the right time as the Red Storm's top two scorers Shamorie Ponds (20.1) and Marcus LoVett (14.9) are day-to-day with to injuries. St. John's, which was hammered 94-72 in its Big East opener by Providence, was without the two standouts Sunday and gave No. 21 Seton Hall all it could handle in a 75-70 loss with four players totaling 68 points. "They obviously made some big plays, made some free throws when they had to, so congratulations to them," Red Storm coach Chris Mullin told reporters after Sunday's setback. "I was proud of my guys' effort. A game like this will help win games for us down the road."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S (10-4, 0-2 Big East): Ponds, who also averages 4.8 assists, suffered a knee injury against Providence and fellow sophomore guard LoVett has missed the last seven contests with a sprained knee as the Red Storm went 4-3 in that stretch. Junior forward Marvin Clark II has averaged 19 points in two Big East games and senior guard Bashir Ahmed has contributed 14.7 per contest in the last three. Sophomore guard Justin Simon boasts double-doubles in two of the last three games and junior forward Tariq Owens recorded season highs of 19 points and 14 boards versus Seton Hall.

ABOUT CREIGHTON (11-3, 1-1): The Bluejays have been one of the nation's most productive offensive teams, sitting fourth in the country in scoring (91.1) while draining 51.4 percent from the field (10th nationally). Senior guard Marcus Foster has connected on 20-of-36 from the floor the past three games, leading the team at 19 points per contest overall, and junior guard Khyri Thomas (14.8) is next despite missing 10 of 11 from 3-point range his last two outings. Senior forward Toby Hegner had 15 points against Providence, matching his season high.

TIP-INS

1. Creighton F Martin Krampelj from Slovenia has averaged 18 points and nine rebounds in the first two Big East games.

2. Owens came into the week fifth in the nation and first in the Big East with 3.64 blocks per contest.

3. The Bluejays have won the last four meetings, scoring at least 80 in all four contests.

PREDICTION: Creighton 82, St. John's 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kentucky vs. LSU Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/02/2018

Kentucky freshman Kevin Knox is mired in the first slump of his brief career and he'll try to snap out of his funk when the No. 14 Wildcats visit LSU on Wednesday in the Tigers' SEC opener. Knox (14.5 points per game) scored a total of 15 points and was 4-for-18 from the field over his last two games, including seven points and 2-for-10 shooting in Sunday's hard-fought 66-61 victory over Georgia.

"This kid is a hard worker, he's a great kid,'' Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters. "This is all new to him, the game got physical, it's all new to him. ... I'm calling his number a lot, still calling his number, even if he is not playing great, because I know he has to play for us to win." Knox has been picked up by freshman guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has scored 45 points over the last two games. The Tigers concluded the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 71-61 victory at Memphis on Thursday and have won three straight and six of their last seven since losing their final two games in the Maui Invitational. First-year LSU coach Will Wade didn't enjoy the win long, telling reporters after the game that the focus now is on "the juggernaut that is Kentucky. It's what we signed up for. If you don't like this, go play intramurals. We play in the SEC, and it's time to rock and roll."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT KENTUCKY (11-2, 1-0 SEC): Freshman guard Hamidou Diallo (team-high 14.9 points) has reached double figures in seven straight games and is averaging 17.9 points during that span, and recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Memphis. Freshman guard Quade Green has also picked up his game of late with 28 points over the last two games while shooting 8-for-16 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range. Freshman forward PJ Washington (10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds) has struggled with consistency, fouling out with seven points and two rebounds versus Georgia after recording 16 points and seven boards in a 90-61 victory over Louisville on Friday.

ABOUT LSU (9-3, 0-0): Freshman guard Tremont Waters averages a team-best 17.1 points and SEC highs of 6.4 assists and 2.6 steals after recording 18, eight and four versus Memphis. Junior guard Brandon Sampson (9.8 points) scored 12 points in 25 minutes Thursday in his second game since missing six with an ankle injury and is 22-for-36 from the floor in six contests this season. Senior forward Aaron Epps (9.9 points, team-high 6.3 rebounds) fouled out after recording eight points, six rebounds and a career high-tying three blocks in 20 minutes against Memphis.

TIP-INS

1. Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds, is second in the SEC in steals at 2.3 per game.

2. LSU is shooting 51.5 percent from the field and was one of 23 teams nationally at 50 percent or better through Monday's games.

3. Kentucky has won five of the last six meetings, but lost 85-67 in its last trip to Baton Rouge on Jan. 5, 2016.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 68, LSU 67

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/03/2018

No. 7 Oklahoma has already matched its 11-win total for the entire 2016-17 season after opening Big 12 play with a 90-89 road win at then-No. 8 TCU. And a big reason for the big turnaround for Lon Kruger's squad, which hosts in-state rival Oklahoma State on Wednesday night, is the outstanding play of true freshman guard Trae Young.

The 6-2 Young, a five-star recruit from Norman High School just a five-minute drive from the OU campus, will enter his first Bedlam rivalry game leading the nation in both scoring (29.6 points per game) and assists (10.7) while shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range, and is battling Arizona's Kevin Garnett clone, 7-foot forward Deandre Ayton, for national freshman of the year honors. Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton, who coached against Steph Curry three times when he was an associate head coach at Wofford in 2007-08, compares Young favorably to two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. "I think he may be the best college basketball player since Steph Curry," Boynton told the Tulsa World. "Those guys, at 35 feet, you're not safe. So that changes the entire way you think about defensive schemes because you're not used to having to guard somebody at the 35-foot mark."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (10-3, 0-1 Big 12): All three of the Cowboys' losses have come at the hands of teams currently ranked No. 11 or better including No. 5 West Virginia, which defeated them 85-79 in their Big 12 opener on Friday. Oklahoma State, which entered that contest ranked No. 2 in the nation in free throw shooting (80.5 percent), made just 11-of-19 at the line in the second half hampering its chance at pulling off an upset. Senior guard Jeffrey Carroll (15.2 points) leads the team in scoring while junior swingman Tavarius Shine (11.2) and senior guard Kendall Smith (10.8), a graduate transfer from Cal State Northridge who began his career at UNLV, also are averaging in double digits.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (11-1, 1-0): Young had 39 points, including a pair of free throws with 7.9 seconds left that proved to be the game-winners, at TCU where the Sooners rallied from a 13-point second half deficit for their ninth straight win. Sophomore guard Kameron McGusty, who is averaging 9.5 points, scored 22 points against the Horned Frogs, including a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left that gave the Sooners their first lead (88-87) in the second half. Junior guard Christian James (13.1) and 6-9 freshman forward Brady Manek (10.5) also are averaging in double figures for OU, which has scored at least 90 points in nine of its 12 games and has hit triple digits four times.

TIP-INS

1. Oklahoma State has forced at least 18 turnovers in six of their last seven games and rank 18th nationally forcing 17.1 turnovers per contest.

2. Oklahoma leads the nation in scoring (94.7) and also ranks ninth in assists (19.1) and 12th in 3-pointers (11.2).

3. The Cowboys swept the Bedlam series last season but Oklahoma has won 17 of the last 26 meetings and 15 of the last 17 games played in Norman.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 92, Oklahoma State 84

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, January 3

Wizards won their last six games with New York; Knicks are 0-3 vs spread in their last three visits here. Five of last seven series games went over total. Knicks lost five of their last six games; they’re 4-9 vs spread as road underdogs. Six of their last eight games stayed under total. Washington won four of its last five games; they’re 6-4 in last 10 games as home favorites. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Spurs won their last ten games with Philly but 76ers covered four of last five. San Antonio is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Under is 8-2 in last ten series games. San Antonio won seven of its last nine games; they’re 8-11 vs spread on road. Five of their last seven games stayed under total. 76ers won three of last four games; they’re 8-7 vs spread at home. Over is 7-4 in their last eleven games.

Rockets won eight of last ten games with Orlando; Houston is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Under is 5-3 in last eight series games. Rockets lost five of their last six games; they’re 0-4 vs spread in last four games as road favorites. Over is 9-3-1 in their last thirteen games. Orlando lost 11 of its last 12 games; they’re 4-6 as home underdogs. Seven of their last ten games stayed under total.

Minnesota won three of last four games with Brooklyn; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Barclays Center. Four of last five series games went over the total. Minnesota won seven of its last eight games; they’re 6-2-1 as road favorites. Wolves’ last three games stayed under the total. Brooklyn lost eight of its last 11 games; they’re 7-4 vs spread as home underdogs. Under is 14-5 in their last 19 games.

Detroit is 6-4 in its last ten games with Miami; they’re 2-2 vs spread in their last four visits here. Four of last five series games went over the total. Detroit won six of its last eight games; they’re 9-5 vs spread as road underdogs. Pistons’ last three games stayed under the total. Miami is 8-4 in its last 12 games; they’re 2-7-1 vs spread as home favorites. Nine of last 12 games stayed under the total.

Bucks won three of their last four games with Indiana; four of last six series games stayed under total. Milwaukee is 3-2 vs spread in its last five visits to Indiana. Indiana lost its last four games; they’re 7-6 vs spread as road underdogs. Under is 9-4 in their last 13 games. Milwaukee is 4-6 in its last ten games; they’re 7-7-2 vs spread as home favorites. 15 of their last 19 games went over the total.

Toronto won its last three games with Chicago; home side won last five series games. Raptors are 0-4 vs spread in last four visits here. Nine of last ten series games went over. Toronto won 14 of its last 17 games; they’re 6-5 vs spread as road favorites. Four of their last five road games went over total. Chicago is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 8-5 as home dogs. Six of their last seven games went over the total.

Cavaliers won eight of last ten games with Boston; they covered their last four games in Boston. Under is 5-3 in last eight series games. Cleveland lost four of its last six games; they’re 9-9 vs spread on road. Thomas won’t play tonite because he played last nite. Cavaliers are 3-3 vs spread if they played night before. Boston won four of its last five games; they’re 11-8-2 vs spread at home. Over is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Golden State won its last eight games with Dallas (6-2 vs spread); they’re 4-1 vs spread in last five visits here. Three of last four series games stayed under the total. Golden State won 14 of its last 16 games; they’re 8-9 as road favorites. Under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Dallas won its last four games; they’re 5-6 as home underdogs. Five of their last seven games went over the total.

Denver won its last six games with the Suns; last four series games went over. Phoenix is 2-4 vs spread in its last six visits to Denver. Phoenix won six of its last nine games; they’re 10-6 vs spread as road underdogs. Under is 9-4 in their last 13 games. Denver is 3-4 in its last seven games overall; they’re 8-6 vs spread as home favorites. Four of their last five games stayed under the total.

Pelicans lost their last five games with Utah; they’re 1-3-1 vs spread in last five visits here. Five of their last six games went over the total. New Orleans is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 5-6 as road underdogs. 13 of their last 16 games went over the total. Utah lost 10 of its last 13 games; they’re 3-6 in last nine games as home favorites. five of their last six games stayed under the total.

Thunder won nine of last 10 games with the Lakers (7-3 vs spread); they’re 2-3 vs spread in last five series games played here. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Oklahoma City lost its last two games after a 6-game win streak; they’re 0-9 vs spread in last nine games as road favorites. Under is 5-3 in their last eight games. Lakers lost 15 of their last 18 games; they’re 6-8 as home underdogs. Over is 9-2 in their last eleven games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, January 3

Trend Report

HOUSTON @ ORLANDO
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
Houston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games at home
Orlando is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Houston

NEW YORK @ WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 7 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
Washington is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

SAN ANTONIO @ PHILADELPHIA
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 11 games when playing San Antonio
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio

MINNESOTA @ BROOKLYN
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Brooklyn's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing Minnesota

DETROIT @ MIAMI
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Detroit

CLEVELAND @ BOSTON
Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home

TORONTO @ CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

INDIANA @ MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games on the road
Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Milwaukee's last 15 games

GOLDEN STATE @ DALLAS
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

NEW ORLEANS @ UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 13 of New Orleans's last 16 games
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games when playing New Orleans

PHOENIX @ DENVER
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Denver is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix

OKLAHOMA CITY @ LA LAKERS
Oklahoma City is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing LA Lakers
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of LA Lakers's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers's last 5 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 3

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NEW YORK (18 - 19) at WASHINGTON (21 - 16) - 1/3/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
WASHINGTON is 398-463 ATS (-111.3 Units) in home games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (26 - 12) at PHILADELPHIA (17 - 19) - 1/3/2018, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (26 - 9) at ORLANDO (12 - 26) - 1/3/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 29-45 ATS (-20.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 19-38 ATS (-22.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 127-167 ATS (-56.7 Units) in January games since 1996.
ORLANDO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 2-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-1 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (24 - 14) at BROOKLYN (14 - 23) - 1/3/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 25-38 ATS (-16.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 35-57 ATS (-27.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-1 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DETROIT (20 - 15) at MIAMI (19 - 17) - 1/3/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-3 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-4 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (19 - 18) at MILWAUKEE (19 - 16) - 1/3/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 58-41 ATS (+12.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 395-459 ATS (-109.9 Units) in home games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-4 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 4-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (25 - 10) at CHICAGO (13 - 24) - 1/3/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 45-32 ATS (+9.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 8-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-3 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CLEVELAND (25 - 12) at BOSTON (30 - 10) - 1/3/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-6 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 10-3 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (29 - 8) at DALLAS (13 - 25) - 1/3/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 395-323 ATS (+39.7 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 44-31 ATS (+9.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 8-1 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHOENIX (15 - 24) at DENVER (19 - 17) - 1/3/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 44-28 ATS (+13.2 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 5-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 6-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (18 - 18) at UTAH (16 - 21) - 1/3/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 68-40 ATS (+24.0 Units) in road games in January games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 5-2 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 6-2 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (20 - 17) at LA LAKERS (11 - 25) - 1/3/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, January 3

New York @ Washington

Game 701-702
January 3, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
116.775
Washington
123.812
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 7
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 9
210 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+9); Over

San Antonio @ Philadelphia

Game 703-704
January 3, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
121.985
Philadelphia
119.522
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 2 1/2
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 1
206
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+1); Under

Houston @ Orlando

Game 705-706
January 3, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
124.313
Orlando
113.289
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 11
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 8
220
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-8); Under

Minnesota @ Brooklyn

Game 707-708
January 3, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
122.786
Brooklyn
113.398
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 9 1/2
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 6 1/2
215 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-6 1/2); Over

Detroit @ Miami

Game 709-710
January 3, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
118.718
Miami
117.775
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
193
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 3
196 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+3); Under

Indiana @ Milwaukee

Game 711-712
January 3, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
118.103
Milwaukee
122.563
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 4 1/2
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 8
209 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+8); Over

Toronto @ Chicago

Game 713-714
January 3, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
124.617
Chicago
114.209
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 10 1/2
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 5
216
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-5); Under

Cleveland @ Boston

Game 715-716
January 3, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
120.512
Boston
125.944
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 5 1/2
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
213
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-2 1/2); Over

Golden State @ Dallas

Game 717-718
January 3, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
123.013
Dallas
117.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 6
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 7 1/2
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+7 1/2); Under

Phoenix @ Denver

Game 719-720
January 3, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
114.301
Denver
121.908
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 7 1/2
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 11 1/2
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+11 1/2); Over

New Orleans @ Utah

Game 721-722
January 3, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
118.723
Utah
121.618
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 3
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 1 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(-1 1/2); Under

Oklahoma City @ LA Lakers

Game 723-724
January 3, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
123.606
LA Lakers
114.523
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 9
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 6
213
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-6); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, January 3

NBA Game of the Day: Cavaliers at Celtics betting preview and odds

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (-3.5, 212.5)

Storylines abound Wednesday in Boston as the Celtics welcome back Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup of Eastern Conference heavyweights. Thomas, who was a two-time All-Star with the Celtics before being traded with Crowder for star guard Kyrie Irving this offseason, made his debut for the Cavaliers in Tuesday's 127-110 win over Portland after missing the first 36 games of the season due to a hip injury.

The 28-year-old will not play against his former team as he sits out the second half of a back-to-back and the Celtics will not play a video tribute, per his request, but Thomas knows there will be plenty of emotion. "I know it will be all love," Thomas told reporters Tuesday. "I keep saying that I gave that city everything I had and they showed me genuine love back and I think that love is going to last forever. So, there's no hard feelings. This ain't no revenge game. They know what they gave up. They knew what they got. It's all good. I'm focused on the Cleveland Cavaliers and trying to win a championship." Despite knocking off Boston in the season opener, Cleveland has been looking up at the Celtics in the East for most of the season, but the hosts feel they still have work to do to dethrone the Cavaliers. "They've got a guy that's probably leading the charge for MVP in the league in LeBron (James), who's been doing it now for 15 years," Boston coach Brad Stevens told the media Tuesday. "They're the team to beat. Everybody knows that."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Boston

LINE HISTORY: After a long wait the line finally hit the board with the Celtics giving 3.5 points and the total at 212.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - PG I. Thomas (Out, Rest), PG D. Rose (Out Indefinitely, Ankle), SG I. Shumpert (Late Jan, Knee).

Celtics - PF S. Ojeleye (Questionable, Back), SF G. Hayward (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).

POWER RANKINGS: Cavaliers (-6.1) - Celtics (-7.6) + home court (-3) = Celtics -4.5

MATCHUP CHART:



ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (25-12 SU, 12-24-1 ATS, 17-19-1 O/U): James had 24 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals as Cleveland snapped a three-game slide Tuesday, but the superstar knew that the night belonged to Thomas. "The only thing I knew was what was going to happen when he came in, that these fans would give him the ovation he had been waiting on and that he deserved," James said of Thomas, who had 17 points in 19 minutes. Coach Tyronn Lue told reporters that Thomas would likely enter the starting five Saturday against Orlando.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (30-10 SU, 24-14-2 ATS, 21-19 O/U): Irving, who was a four-time All-Star with Cleveland, scored 28 points in a 108-105 win over Brooklyn on New Year's Eve, Boston's third consecutive victory following a 5-6 swoon. "Except missing another franchise cornerstone [Gordon Hayward] that's still cheering us on," Irving told reporters when asked about the team's relative health. "But in terms of the guys that are available, just I feel like we're rounding out at the right time in terms of getting healthy and getting back into the swing of things." Hayward was lost to a broken ankle minutes into the opener against the Cavaliers, when Irving had 22 points and 10 assists in his return to Cleveland.

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.
* Celtics are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 6-0 in Cavaliers' last 6 games playing on 0 days rest.
* Over is 12-4 in Celtics' last 16 games following a straight up win.
* Road team is 13-2-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Early consensus returns are showing 60 percent of the pointspread picks on the Celtics with 72 percent of the totals wagers coming in on the Under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA's Top ATS Teams:

1. Celtics 24-14-2
2. Bulls 22-14-1
3. Pistons 20-13-2
4. Nets 22-15


NBA's Worst ATS Teams:

30. Cavs 12-24-1
29. Magic 13-24-1
28. Grizzlies 13-23-2
27. Thunder 14-23


NBA's Top OVER Teams:

1. Bucks 22-12-1
2. Pelicans 22-14
3. Lakers 20-16
t4. Bulls 20-17
t4. Kings 20-17

NBA's Top UNDER Teams:

1. Blazers 25-12
2. Heat 24-12
3. Wizards 23-13-1
4. Spurs 23-15

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Wynn

Free Play: Tulsa -4 Over Connecticut

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesay, January 3, 2017



1/03 04:05 PM PT / 7:05 PM ET

NBA (703) SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Take : SPURS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Allen Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection is on the Wolves/Nets Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR WEDNESDAY: Take LOYOLA-CHICAGO -8 over over Indiana St

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Totals4U

Wednesday's Free Selection: New Orleans/Utah over 209 1/2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Anthony Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Fresno State Bulldogs - 1