Friday 1-12-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:18 PM

Magic vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The Washington Wizards have struggled at times to put away seemingly inferior teams, a scenario that popped up again with a sloppy loss to the reeling Utah Jazz at home. The Wizards will try to bounce back and earn their first win of a five-game homestand when they host the Orlando Magic on Friday.

The 107-104 loss to the Jazz left Washington - which tied a season high with 23 turnovers - with an 11-10 mark against sub-.500 teams, compared to 12-8 against stiffer competition. "You're not going to win like that," Bradley Beal told reporters while referencing the turnovers and the 61 points allowed in the second half. "That's the game right there." Despite the woes against lesser teams, Washington had no issues in its first meeting with Orlando, topping the Magic 130-103 on Dec. 23 in its best offensive effort of the season. That was part of a 1-15 slide for Orlando, which will be trying to salvage the finale of a three-game road trip.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE MAGIC (12-30): Orlando had to rely on its reserves for a fourth-quarter push that made Wednesday's 110-103 loss at Milwaukee a bit more respectable, as leading scorer Aaron Gordon was 4-for-18 from the floor and the Magic were outrebounded by 12. "I think we're fighting. I think we're playing hard," coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "We're just not a very good basketball team right now. We got to fight and execute." Gordon and second-leading scorer Evan Fournier - who had 21 points versus the Bucks - both missed the first visit to Washington with injuries.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (23-18): Washington had three days off following a loss to Milwaukee in the opener of the homestand and opened a 12-point lead on Utah before straying from the game plan. "First quarter, we did a great job coming out with pace and moving the ball," John Wall told the Washington Post. "We got defensive stops. Second quarter, we got away from it. They played with a little more momentum, pace and got out in transition. It was an up-and-down game from there." Wall stuffed the stat sheet against the Jazz with 35 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals while committing eight of the team's 23 turnovers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Seven Wizards scored in double figures while Magic G Elfrid Payton had a career-high 30 points in the first meeting.

2. Orlando F Jonathon Simmons is 15-for-59 from the field over his last seven games.

3. Wall needs five points to become the fourth player in franchise history with 10,000 for his career.

PREDICTION: Wizards 123, Magic 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:18 PM

Jazz vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The Utah Jazz won their first road game in nearly a month at Washington on Wednesday while dipping deep into the rotation. The Jazz will try to make it back-to-back triumphs for the first time since bridging November and December with a six-game streak when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Utah was without its starting frontcourt of Derrick Favors (ankle) and Rudy Gobert (knee) in Washington but got season highs of 16 points and nine rebounds from center Ekpe Udoh -- making a rare start -- and 10 points from Royce O'Neale off the bench. "It's a group of guys who have a lot of character," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "When you compete, sometimes you make good stuff happen. It doesn't always go your way, but it went our way tonight." The Hornets went 3-1 on a west coast road trip, including a win at Golden State, but could not take the momentum home and dropped a 115-111 decision to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday despite Kemba Walker going off for 41 points. Charlotte is just 2-8 in its last 10 home games to drop to 10-11 overall in its own building.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (17-24): Utah forced 23 turnovers against the Wizards and got a strong performance from point guard Ricky Rubio, who scored 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting while knocking down three 3-pointers. The 27-year-old Spaniard went 0-of-6 from the floor and finished with just four points in Sunday's 103-102 loss at Miami and is averaging 14 points on 45.1 percent shooting in wins but just 9.8 points on 35.5 percent in losses. Rubio had less help in the backcourt down the stretch on Wednesday after shooting guard Rodney Hood was ejected with two technical fouls for arguing with officials and slapped a fan's phone away on his way off the court, likely earning himself some discipline from the league.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (15-24): Rubio will have to expend some energy on the defensive end Friday chasing around Walker, who went 16-of-28 from the floor in Wednesday's setback. Walker's scoring is not translating into wins of late, with Charlotte dropping its last eight games in which Walker scored 20 or more points but winning four straight when he scored 19 or fewer. Walker could use some help from his starting backcourt partner Nicolas Batum, who is 4-of-18 from the floor in the last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Favors (ankle) was probable on Wednesday before being scratched late and is day-to-day.

2. Charlotte C Dwight Howard went 5-of-18 from the free-throw line on Wednesday and is shooting 53.3 percent from the stripe.

3. The home team took the last seven meetings.

PREDICTION: Hornets 108, Jazz 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:18 PM

Cavaliers vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/12/2018

The Indiana Pacers have played well against the Cleveland Cavaliers this campaign and look to improve to 3-0 in the season series when they host the next meeting on Friday. Indiana, which rolled to a 124-107 victory in Cleveland on Nov. 1 and posted a 106-102 home win on Dec. 8, now faces a struggling team that has dropped its last two games by an average of 31 points.

The Cavaliers were steamrolled 133-99 by Toronto on Thursday, with the 34-point margin of defeat being the team's largest of the season - topping Monday's 28-point setback against Minnesota. Cleveland has lost six of its last eight games, looking out of sync and demoralized in the back-to-back poor efforts. "I don't know where it kind of went wrong or what happened," Cavaliers forward LeBron James told reporters in regard to the routs. "We've got to try to pick it back up and find it." Indiana is 2-1 on its four-game homestand after dropping a 114-106 decision to Miami on Wednesday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (26-15): Cleveland allowed a season high in points in the loss to Toronto, which exposed the defense and repeatedly broke down the team. Kevin Love tried to take the "impossible to get worse" approach while expressing his displeasure with the recent stretch of rough performances. "We have enough talent here to get over that hump and make a lot of good things happen," Love said after the defeat. "Right now, it's just tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is there. We will get out of it and we will get better."

ABOUT THE PACERS (21-20): Leading scorer Victor Oladipo recorded 26 points in the loss to Miami but missed all six of his 3-point attempts as Indiana was just 1-for-18 from beyond the arc. Outside shooting had been a strong point for the Pacers, as they rank fourth in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (37.9) and are tied for eighth in scoring at 107.3 points per game. Oladipo is shooting a career-best 41 percent from 3-point range but is just 1-for-11 over his last two contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Oladipo averaged 28 points and made 11-of-20 3-point attempts in this season's two victories over the Cavaliers.

2. Cleveland PG Isaiah Thomas is expected to rest Friday after scoring four points on 2-of-15 shooting against Toronto.

3. Indiana C Myles Turner (elbow) will miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Pacers 112, Cavaliers 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:18 PM

Nets vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

After snapping a long road losing streak, the Atlanta Hawks set their sights on an extended run at home, beginning with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. A 110-97 victory at Denver in the finale of a five-game road trip ended the Hawks' 10-game slide away from home and they will now play six straight and nine of 10 at Philips Arena.

"It feels good to win a game -- period," guard Malcolm Delaney told reporters. "We've been battling. It's been tough for us, losing a lot of close games. Just to pull one out and finish how we did feels pretty good." Dennis Schroder recorded his 20th career double-double with 19 points and 10 assists while Delaney provided a boost off the bench with 10 points and a season high-tying six assists for Atlanta. The Nets completed a 2-3 homestand with a 114-80 loss to Detroit on Wednesday, which came after five straight games in which the final margin was three points or fewer. Brooklyn took two of the first three meetings with the Hawks and can win the season series for the first time since 2013-14.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE NETS (15-26): Spencer Dinwiddie carried Brooklyn through the bulk of the homestand with three straight 20-point performances - including a career-high 31 against Toronto on Monday - but bottomed out in Wednesday's loss. The 24-year-old point guard scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting in 26 minutes, part of a 36.5 percent showing for the Nets. "Just kind of gotta flush (the loss), really," Dinwiddie told the team's website. "I don't think collectively we'll miss as many shots as we did, and then obviously that's the game right there. It's a make or miss league. We miss shots and then we also did kind of let it affect our defense a little bit as the game wore on, which obviously we can't do."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (11-30): Delaney was a big part of a bench that shot 18-for-31 and outscored Denver's reserves 46-31, with Marco Belinelli also scoring 10 points and three others finishing with at least eight. "Our bench needs to play a little bit better," Delaney told reporters. "I take the pride in that, being the leader coming off the bench and trying to do that, pick up the pace. If the first team is up, try to build the lead. If we're down, try to get the lead down or take the lead when we get in. Just something I'm taking pride in." Schroder is averaging 20 points but shooting under 40 percent in three meetings with the Nets.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Brooklyn SG Allen Crabbe reached the 20-point mark in consecutive games for the first time in his five-year career.

2. Hawks F Taurean Prince is averaging 18 points over his last two contests while making 8-of-17 3-pointers.

3. Nets C Jahlil Okafor is averaging 3.5 points while shooting 7-for-21 from the floor in four games since returning from a nine-game layoff.

PREDICTION: Hawks 105, Nets 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Knicks vs. Timberwolves Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been dominant on their current homestand, while the New York Knicks have struggled all season to win away from home. The Timberwolves will try to keep their trend alive and the Knicks will attempt to end theirs when the teams meet Friday night in Minneapolis.

Behind another outstanding performance by Jimmy Butler (26 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots), Minnesota coasted past Oklahoma City 104-88 on Wednesday, improving to 3-0 on the homestand and claiming its sixth straight overall at the Target Center. "Guess we're, I don't know, growing a little bit," Butler told reporters. "For us to go out there and guard the way we did, do what we talked about in shootaround and the day before in practice, it's huge for us. We're growing as a unit." The Timberwolves are winning by an average of 20.7 points in the stay at home and will try for another rout against a Knicks team that dropped a double-overtime contest at home against Chicago on Wednesday. New York is notably 4-14 on the road but it did win its last such contest Sunday at Dallas.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (19-22): Tim Hardaway Jr. has missed 20 games in a row with a leg injury but earned a questionable designation after he went through a full-court scrimmage and took contact in practice Thursday. "If it was playoffs then I would obviously," Hardaway told reporters of his chances to play Friday. "But regular season, the guys are out there fighting hard. Time will tell. I've still got to make sure I get evaluated and make sure I'm good to go." Coach Jeff Hornacek indicated that Hardaway may have to fight for some of the minutes that have been given to Lance Thomas and Michael Beasley, who returned from a one-game layoff to score 26 points in Wednesday's loss.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (27-16): Minnesota held its opponent under 100 in seven consecutive games, its longest such run in 10 years. "The way we've been playing, a lot of confidence, you can see the guys, especially the young guys, they're smiling every day knowing that they're in a good space and knowing that the hard work is coming around," forward Taj Gibson told reporters. "But it all comes from defense, and everybody's understanding that." Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the victory for his seventh consecutive double-double.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves PG Jeff Teague (knee) returned from a seven-game layoff Wednesday and had eight points and three assists in 26 minutes.

2. Beasley averages 12.4 points for the season but scored at least 15 in each of his last six games and at least 20 in three straight contests.

3. The Knicks swept two meetings last season and won seven of the last nine matchups.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 115, Knicks 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Warriors vs. Bucks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The Golden State Warriors did not approach their game against the Los Angeles Clippers with the appropriate spirit, according to coach Steve Kerr, leading to a rare loss. The Warriors will try to get some of their star players back on the court and improve that spirit when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

Golden State had its latest winning streak come to an end at five straight games with Wednesday's 125-106 home loss to the Clippers while the All-Star backcourt duo of Klay Thompson (rest) and Stephen Curry (ankle) watched from the bench. "Our spirit wasn't right. Our energy wasn't right," Kerr told reporters. "We weren't connected, and they were. The Clippers came in here probably insulted that we were resting Klay and then obviously Steph goes down, so the game changes and they came in and just kicked our (butt) and they deserved everything they got because their spirit was right." The Bucks traded wins and losses over the last six games but earned a 110-103 win over Orlando on Wednesday despite going 4-of-19 from 3-point range. "We got lucky," Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd told reporters. "In this league, if you don't make 3s you're going to get beat. We've got to get better at making open shots."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (33-9): Curry recently sat out 11 straight games with an ankle sprain before coming back on Dec. 30 and averaging 35.2 points in five games -- all wins. The two-time MVP tweaked his ankle during shootaround before Wednesday's game, but the injury is not thought to be as serious as the one that kept him out 11 games, and he is day-to-day. Golden State could have used Curry and Thompson Wednesday on the defensive end against Los Angeles shooting guard Lou Williams, who dropped 50 points and went 8-of-16 from 3-point range in a Curry-like performance.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (22-18): Milwaukee got at least 14 points from each of its starters on Wednesday and watched those five combine to go 39-of-64 from the field. That starting unit is led by MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the way with 26 points on 10-of-15 from the field on Saturday and is shooting 61.1 percent from the field in six games this month. Antetokounmpo is getting plenty of help from shooting guard Khris Middleton, who scored at least 20 points in each of the Bucks' last four wins.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SF Kevin Durant became the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points on Wednesday.

2. Milwaukee PF John Henson recorded a double-double in each of the team's last two wins.

3. Golden State took the last three and six of seven in the series.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Bucks 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats08:00 PM
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers both have plans to make the playoffs in the Western Conference this spring, but neither team seems to be generating any consistent forward momentum. Both teams will be trying to bounce back from tough losses when the Pelicans host the Trail Blazers on Friday.

Portland was streaking in the right direction and looking impressive in the process with a three-game winning streak that included triumphs over San Antonio and Oklahoma City before dropping a 121-112 decision at Houston on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers are averaging 114 points over their last six games, going 4-2 in that span, but allowed at least 30 points in each of the final three quarters on Wednesday and could not keep up down the stretch at Houston. New Orleans is missing star forward Anthony Davis (ankle) but still had a good chance to win at Memphis on Wednesday before scoring just nine points in the third quarter of the 105-102 setback. "Obviously, we started to struggle offensively," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "I thought the offensive rebounds hurt us as much as anything. I still thought our defense was very solid, but we didn't guard like we did in the first quarter there. Eventually, they chipped away at the lead."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (22-19): Portland got star point guard Damian Lillard (calf) back from a two-game absence on Wednesday and watched him shake off the rust with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting and eight assists in 32 minutes. Lillard showed off his passion at the end of the loss, getting into a brief altercation with fellow star point guard Chris Paul after Paul went in for a needless layup in the final seconds. Lillard's return prompted a boost in production from swingman Evan Turner, who scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting at Houston after totaling 15 points in the previous two games with Lillard sitting out.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (20-20): Not having Davis around on Wednesday led to New Orleans being outrebounded overall and giving up 14 offensive rebounds, which Gentry pointed to as a difference in the outcome. "We have to be a little more physical," Gentry told reporters. "I thought that the physicality of the game was really in their favor. Then we just have to complete defensive possessions by coming up with the rebound and not giving up the offensive rebound." DeMarcus Cousins scored 29 points in the loss but secured only eight rebounds to end a string of six straight double-doubles.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans G Jrue Holiday is 1-of-14 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Trail Blazers PF Ed Davis recorded a double-double on Wednesday - his first since collecting 10 points and 12 rebounds against the Pelicans on Oct. 24.

3. New Orleans took three of the last four in the series, including a 123-116 win at Portland on Dec. 2.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 112, Trail Blazers 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Grizzlies vs. Nuggets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

A loss at the defending champion Golden State Warriors doesn't look terrible, but falling to the NBA-worst Atlanta Hawks at home might be a low point for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets will try to pick themselves up and avoid a second straight loss to a team at the bottom of the standings when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Denver's losing streak began with a loss at lowly Sacramento and hit three in a row with Wednesday's 110-97 setback, and coach Michael Malone is not happy with his team's effort. "At the end of the day, I put this loss on me," Malone told reporters. "Obviously, I'm not doing my job to get this team ready to play. ... We come out thinking we can just show up. In this league, when you think you can just show up and win a game, you get your (butt) kicked. That's exactly what happened tonight." The Grizzlies avoided sole possession of last place in the Western Conference by edging New Orleans 105-102 on Wednesday and will be trying to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since Oct. 26 and 28. "They found a way to scrap out a win," Memphis interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "That's who we've become, but it hasn't necessarily shown itself in the win-loss column, but we've continued to fight. We fought back tonight. We just made the one more play that we needed to make."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (13-27): Memphis star center Marc Gasol had been struggling in fourth quarters before scoring seven of his 21 points in the final period on Wednesday, including a pair of baskets with under 2 1/2 minutes left that kept his team in the lead. "The guys did a great job of finding me and making sure that I got the ball in the right spot," Gasol told reporters. "We were patient. I thought that we had more movement and that allows us to be more proactive instead of reactive to the things that they try to do to us. It was good. I think defensively, we did a really good job." Gasol once again got plenty of help from shooting guard Tyreke Evans, who scored 28 points on Wednesday to go over 20 for the eighth time in the last nine games.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (21-20): Denver guard Will Barton is struggling through a shooting slump and is 13-of-36 from the floor during the three-game slide. "Now it's a tough spot. We're on a losing streak, and now it's time to get out of it. You learn about yourself (during adversity)," Barton told the Denver Post. "Me, I'm a guy that likes these types of times. They reveal a lot about your character, so I'm willing to embrace the challenge. I'm ready. I can't wait to play against Memphis." Star center Nikola Jokic is in a shooting slump as well and went 4-of-21 from the floor on Wednesday, including 0-of-8 from 3-point range.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Memphis PF JaMychal Green recorded his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds on Wednesday.

2. Nuggets PF Paul Millsap (wrist) had his cast removed and is targeting a return around the All-Star break.

3. Denver snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with a 104-92 win on Nov. 24.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 106, Grizzlies 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Rockets vs. Suns Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

Chris Paul is asserting himself more with James Harden sidelined with a hamstring injury, and the Houston Rockets have been the beneficiaries. Paul will try to keep his hot streak going when the Rockets put a two-game winning streak on the line at the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Harden, the league's leading scorer (32.3 points per game) who has missed five games in a row, could return as early as next week and has seen Paul average 26.3 points and 10.5 assists over the past four contests, including 37 and 11 in Wednesday's win over Portland. "He was exceptional," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "He really controlled the game, like he can do. His shot-making was as good as I've seen." Paul made his return in November from a knee injury to produce 11 points and 10 assists in just 21 minutes against the Suns as Houston ran away for a 142-116 win, its eight consecutive victory in Phoenix. The Suns have improved since then and are 7-5 in their last 12 games after a a 114-100 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (29-11): Paul has been outstanding but it's nearly impossible to make up for Harden's absence on his own, and Gerald Green continues to do his part to fill the gap. "We're having to manufacture points in different ways," Paul told reporters after the win over Portland. "Gerald continues to be great and be aggressive. ... James averages 30 and we're just doing it by committee." Green had 12 points Wednesday and scored in double digits in seven straight games since going scoreless in his debut with Houston on Dec. 28.

ABOUT THE SUNS (16-26): Devin Booker and T.J. Warren combined for 49 points against the Thunder but it was the effort of two reserves and former fourth overall picks - Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson - that garnered most of the attention following the win. Bender hit 6-of-8 3-pointers en route to a career-high 20 points while Jackson had 17 points and personal bests of 10 rebounds and five assists just three games after he was benched in a win over Atlanta. "It was kind of hard to take in. I kind of really didn't understand what he was saying," Jackson told reporters of the benching, to which he has responded with three straight double-digit scoring efforts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets G Eric Gordon is averaging 24.8 points over the last four games.

2. Suns G Isaiah Canaan (adductor) and F Marquese Chriss (hip) are both questionable.

3. G Troy Daniels, who had 23 points off the bench to lead Phoenix in the loss to Houston earlier this season, is 12-for-43 from the floor over a six-game stretch.

PREDICTION: Rockets 117, Suns 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:19 PM

Canucks vs. Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The Vancouver Canucks make another attempt at their first road victory since the end of November when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Vancouver has gone 0-4-2 away from home since winning in Nashville on Nov. 30 and fell to 0-2-1 on its seven-game road trip with Tuesday's 3-1 setback at Washington.

Daniel Sedin has notched two goals and two assists over the first three games of the Canucks' trek, netting the lone tally against the Capitals to reach double digits for the 16th time in his 17 NHL seasons. Columbus is looking to bounce back after dropping a 3-1 decision at Buffalo on Thursday. Artemi Panarin recorded the lone goal to extend his scoring lead to 37 points for the Blue Jackets, who had won two straight and three of four. Columbus also has performed well at home of late, capturing four of its last five contests at Nationwide Arena.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (16-21-6): Brock Boeser was selected to participate in the All-Star Game later this month in Tampa Bay at the age of 20, becoming the third-youngest Canuck and second rookie in franchise history (Dale Tallon, 1971) to be chosen. Boeser has captured back-to-back NHL Rookie of the Month honors and leads Vancouver - and all league rookies - in points (40), goals (22) and power-play tallies (six). Thomas Vanek has notched just one point in five games since registering five - two goals - on Dec. 28 against Chicago.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (25-17-3): Alexander Wennberg returned to the lineup Thursday after missing eight games with a back injury and posted a minus-1 rating in 18 minutes, 12 seconds of ice time. The 23-year-old Swede hadn't played since Dec. 21, when he was kept off the scoresheet at Pittsburgh after collecting two goals and three assists during a four-game point streak. Panarin, who reached the 30-goal plateau while with Chicago in each of his first two NHL seasons, trails Josh Anderson (14) by two for the team lead.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets All-Star D Seth Jones notched an assist Thursday, giving him five over his last three games.

2. Vancouver has lost five straight contests overall (0-4-1), last winning on Dec. 28 versus Chicago.

3. Columbus recalled Joonas Korpisalo, who served as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup on Thursday, from Cleveland and assigned fellow G Matiss Kivlenieks to the American Hockey League club.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Canucks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:20 PM

Capitals vs. Hurricanes Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/12/2018

Less than 24 hours after having their 10-game home winning streak halted, the Washington Capitals attempt to exact revenge when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. Washington, which hadn't lost at Capital One Arena since Nov. 30 against Los Angeles, dropped a 3-1 decision to Carolina on Thursday in the opener of their home-and-home series.

Lars Eller scored the lone goal to extend his run to three games for the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals, who also had their season-high five-game overall winning streak halted. Thursday's victory allowed Carolina to break even on its four-game road trip, which began with a triumph in Pittsburgh. Sebastian Aho recorded his team-leading 15th goal in the win to tie fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen for first on the club in scoring with 35 points. The 20-year-old Aho has netted four tallies in as many contests and landed on the scoresheet in eight of his last nine games, collecting eight goals and four assists in that span.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington Plus, FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (27-14-3): Captain Alex Ovechkin was kept off the scoresheet on Thursday, ending a five-game point streak during which he registered four goals and five assists. A six-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, the 32-year-old shares the league lead in tallies with Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov (27) and is four assists shy of 500 for his career. Nicklas Backstrom recorded two goals and six assists during his four-game point streak, which also came to an end on Thursday.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (20-15-8): Jordan Staal is riding a four-game point streak during which he has collected two goals and two assists after tallying in Thursday's contest. The 29-year-old center, who was selected by Pittsburgh with the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, needs one goal to reach 200 for his career. Carolina is facing Washington for the third time in six games as it suffered a 5-4 overtime loss on Jan. 2 in its most recent home contest.

OVERTIME

1. Backstrom is three goals away from reaching double digits for the fifth straight season and 10th time in his 11 NHL campaigns.

2. Tom Dundon became the majority owner of Carolina on Thursday after purchasing 61 percent of the team from Peter Karmanos, who has retained a minority ownership interest.

3. Washington D John Carlson's next point will be his 300th in the NHL.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Hurricanes 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:20 PM

Flames vs. Panthers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/12/2018

Aleksander Barkov looks to extend his goal-scoring streak two days after being selected for his first All-Star Game as the Florida Panthers host the red-hot Calgary Flames on Friday. Barkov has netted a tally in three straight games and notched four assists in his last four contests after posting three points in Florida's 7-4 victory over St. Louis on Tuesday, while Calgary is riding a season-high five-game winning streak.

Barkov, who has registered 40 points on the season, was one of 12 players with at least one in the victory over St. Louis as the Panthers rallied from an early two-goal deficit. "We had contributions from everybody," Florida coach Bob Boughner told reporters. "I liked the way we played. I liked our bite. I think when we were down 2-0, we never thought we were out of it. We put our heads down and we worked hard." The first four wins during the Flames's streak were by a goal, including a pair in overtime, before it knocked off NHL-best Tampa Bay 5-1 in the opener of their back-to-back set in the Sunshine State. "We want to go into the break feeling good about where we are in the standings," Calgary goaltender Mike Smith told reporters. "Every game is so important now. It's like a playoff mentality for us. It's been talked about in our room that now is the time to make a push to get points in all the games we can."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Flames (Calgary), FS Florida

ABOUT THE FLAMES (23-16-4): The top line for Calgary stayed hot Thursday as All-Star Johnny Gaudreau (10 points in five contests), Sean Monahan (eight in five) and Micheal Ferland (two points in four straight games) totaled two goals and three assists. Coach Glen Gulutzan also praised the penalty-killing unit after the win at Tampa Bay, as it went 3-for-3 and improved to 15-for-15 over the last five games. Smith has allowed 11 goals and posted a .934 save percentage during the winning streak while defenseman Dougie Hamilton has posted three points and a plus-6 rating over his last three games.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (18-18-6): Jonathan Huberdeau likely got consideration for the All-Star Game as well after registering three goals and four assists over the last four games to push his team-leading total to 43 points. Vincent Trocheck is tied with Barkov for second on the team in points after scoring two goals and setting up another in the victory at St. Louis. Evgenii Dadonov has notched three assists in his last three games but has gone 19 contests without a goal, while Colton Sceviour snapped a 16-game goal-scoring drought last time out.

OVERTIME

1. Calgary D TJ Brodie recorded an assist in Thursday's victory for his 200th career point.

2. The Panthers are 1-for-21 on the power play over their last nine games and rank 27th in the league at 15.6 percent.

3. The Flames have won the last three meetings, including a 4-2 triumph at Florida last February as RW Troy Brouwer recorded a goal and an assist.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Panthers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:20 PM

Jets vs. Blackhawks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The tables have turned in the ultra-competitive Central Division, with perennial power Chicago fighting to stay out of the basement and surprising Winnipeg sitting atop the pack. The red-hot Jets can become the third team in the NHL to hit the 60-point mark when they continue their four-game road trip with a visit to the Blackhawks on Friday night.

Winnipeg surged into first place behind a high-powered offense that has produced at least four goals in each win during its current seven-game point streak (6-0-1). "Everyone's stepped up a little bit," Jets forward Blake Wheeler said following Tuesday's 7-4 rout in Buffalo. "We've had some injuries and some guys have been given opportunities to play a little bit different role, a little bit bigger role, and done a good job." After beating up on Edmonton and Ottawa by a combined 12-3 count, Chicago fell to division rival Minnesota 2-1 on Wednesday in the opener of a six-game homestand. Friday's game is expected to mark the Windy City debut of forward Anthony Duclair, who was acquired from Arizona on Wednesday in a four-player trade.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE JETS (26-11-7): Wheeler, among the NHL's leaders in points (52) and assists (38), and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck were selected to the All-Star team. Hellebuyck owns a nine-game point streak (7-0-2) dating to last month's loss at Chicago. "The real difference in our season this year is the confidence we have in our goaltending," Wheeler said. "He was pretty young to be given the starting role last year. ... I don't think anyone ever wrote him off or lost confidence in him."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (21-16-6): Duclair and defenseman Adam Clendening were brought in by Chicago general manager Stan Bowman in exchange for forwards Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin. Duclair scored in each of his last two games with Arizona and had 20 goals in his first full season in 2015-16. "He's sort of a player that embodies what the NHL is all about now in terms of his speed and his ability to put the puck in the net," Bowman said. "He brings the ability to be a really electrifying player."

OVERTIME

1. Wheeler has five goals and six assists during a seven-game point streak.

2. Chicago won at Winnipeg 5-1 on Dec. 14 -- the fifth straight victory by the road team in the series.

3. The Jets are 9-for-23 during a six-game power-play streak while Chicago is 10-for-10 on the penalty kill in the past four.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Jets 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-12-2018, 01:20 PM

Oilers vs. Coyotes Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/11/2018

The free-falling Edmonton Oilers have lost seven of their last eight games (1-6-1) to plummet toward the deeper waters of the Pacific Division. The Oilers look to reverse course on Friday when they play the fourth contest of a five-game road trip against the longtime residents of that ocean floor: the Arizona Coyotes.

The frustrating season hit another low in the last outing for Connor McDavid, who saw his team's bid for a late game-tying goal go by the boards due to a reviewed offside call as Edmonton sustained its third straight loss with a 2-1 setback at Nashville on Thursday. "I think the fans want to see offense, and if that's going to hold back offense, it's very frustrating," the reigning Hart Trophy recipient said. While Edmonton hardly is tearing up the league with its 24th-ranked offense (2.7 goals per game), Arizona resides one shy of the basement (2.3, 30th) in that regard while surrendering an NHL third-worst 3.4 goals per contest. The Coyotes exit their league-mandated break looking to turn around their fortunes after losing 11 of 14 (3-9-2).

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE OILERS (18-23-3): Defenseman Matthew Benning, who set up McDavid's team co-leading 15th goal against the Predators, collected a goal and an assist in Edmonton's 3-2 overtime win over Arizona on Nov. 28. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored on a breakaway 4:20 into overtime of that contest and is tied with McDavid with 15 goals despite mustering just one in the past 10 games overall. Cam Talbot has routinely flustered Arizona, highlighted by a 29-save performance in the first meeting this season to improve to 7-3-1 with a 2.24 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in 11 career encounters.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (10-27-6): Anthony Duclair scored for the second straight game in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, but the disgruntled 22-year-old found himself joining defenseman Adam Clendening in heading to Chicago four days later in exchange for forwards Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin. Signed to a two-year, $5.6 million contract, Panik (six goals, 10 assists) ended a 27-game drought Tuesday night in an 8-2 victory at Ottawa. "Richard Panik is a big, skilled winger who is an excellent goal scorer," Arizona general manager John Chayka said. "He's also a strong two-way forward with great speed and provides a veteran presence. He will be a nice addition to our forward group.

OVERTIME

1. Arizona D Oliver Ekman-Larsson capped a three-game goal-scoring streak versus Edmonton, marking the last time he's tallied this season.

2. The Oilers' 31st-ranked penalty kill (71.4) has permitted nine power-play goals in the last seven contests.

3. Arizona RW Christian Fischer scored in the last encounter versus Edmonton and has four goals in his last eight games overall.

PREDICTION: Coyotes 3, Oilers 2

Friday 1-12-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 1-12-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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