Wednesday 1-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #2 - Post: 7:29pm - Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 81

Rating: 4

#9 GURSKY (ML=2/1)


GURSKY - Looking at today's Equibase class figure, this pony is up against an easier field than last time around the track at Charles Town. Bocachica's agent must look forward to anytime Runco gives them a mount; win percentage together is terrific. He has the top earnings per start. Give the once over to this thoroughbred.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 CINDERELLA'SPALACE (ML=5/2), #4 BIG BRANCH (ML=7/2),

CINDERELLA'SPALACE - This animal doesn't have a winner's mental state. Frequently finishes in the place or show hole. This gelding hasn't had any recent accomplishments in sprint events. Not easy to play him in this race. Tough for this closer horse to get up today. Without a hot pace to stir things up, the lone pace is going to make it awfully hard to get the job done. BIG BRANCH - Today's race is 7 furlongs. Hasn't hit the board in a sprint event in the last couple months. Not the best of omens. This gelding probably needs a better pace scenario to make his furious rally.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #9 GURSKY on top if we're getting at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
9 with 4

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs

Delta Downs - Race 2

Daily Double (Races 2-3) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) Superfecta (.10 min.)


Claiming $7,500 • 7 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 77 • Purse: $17,500 • Post: 6:07P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE JULY 24, 2017. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE DECEMBER 24, 2017 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500 (CLAIMING RACES FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * CELTIC LASS: Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. RANDINSKY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. MY BONNE MARGIE: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. VOW ME OVER: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. CAT WHO DAT: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position.
1
CELTIC LASS
2/1

5/1
5
RANDINSKY
5/2

7/1
7
MY BONNE MARGIE
15/1

8/1
2
VOW ME OVER
4/1

8/1
4
CAT WHO DAT
5/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
CAT WHO DAT
4

5/1
Front-runner
79

64

71.8

57.4

45.9
7
MY BONNE MARGIE
7

15/1
Front-runner
80

79

69.6

55.8

45.8
5
RANDINSKY
5

5/2
Front-runner
85

72

65.8

64.0

57.0
6
CROWN EXPRESS
6

12/1
Stalker
69

66

57.2

58.4

45.9
1
CELTIC LASS
1

2/1
Alternator/Stalker
85

80

59.1

77.2

73.7
2
VOW ME OVER
2

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
77

66

57.5

62.6

59.1
8
GATOR JACK
8

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
75

63

35.6

57.4

43.4
3
MISS ARDYN
3

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
73

71

32.4

55.1

46.1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Sam Houston

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 6 - Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $8500 Class Rating: 78

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 GO GONE GONE 5/2

# 1 CHI TOWN CHIEF 3/1

# 7 MY TOCCET 6/1

My pick in this event is GO GONE GONE. Has recorded formidable speed figs in dirt sprint races in the past. Could provide positive profits based on respectable recent speed figs with an average of 67. Ought to come out solid - I have liked the way this gelding has moved quickly to the lead recently. CHI TOWN CHIEF - Recorded a strong speed figure in the last race. Can run another good one in this contest. Overall, has one of the best earnings per start in dirt sprint races in this group. MY TOCCET - When Caster uses McNeil there's a good chance for collecting. Put up a strong Equibase Speed Fig in the most recent race. Can run another good one in this affair.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Penn National

Penn National - Race 7

W-P-S / Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta / Daily Double


Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 94 • Purse: $14,400 • Post: 8:43P
(PLUS UP TO 40% PABF) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 24, 2017 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 24, 2017 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Stalker. POSSILICIOUS is the Lone Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SHINY FINISH: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. SMOOTH SERVICE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BUFFALO (BRZ): Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. RED ROCKET EXPRESS: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. POSSILICIOUS: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
3
SHINY FINISH
2/1

5/1
1
SMOOTH SERVICE
7/2

7/1
5
BUFFALO (BRZ)
7/2

7/1
4
RED ROCKET EXPRESS
12/1

8/1
2
POSSILICIOUS
6/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
SHINY FINISH
3

2/1
Front-runner
92

91

96.6

85.4

82.9
5
BUFFALO (BRZ)
5

7/2
Front-runner
94

85

86.2

87.0

82.5
6
PUT IT FORWARD
6

12/1
Front-runner
93

85

72.8

84.2

74.2
2
POSSILICIOUS
2

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
87

86

74.2

80.0

68.5
1
SMOOTH SERVICE
1

7/2
Trailer
94

91

75.0

83.8

76.8
4
RED ROCKET EXPRESS
4

12/1
Trailer
93

86

48.4

85.2

75.7
7
DISCREETLY PLACED
7

5/1
Alternator/Trailer
86

90

64.8

81.2

70.2
8
C THE JUDGE
8

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
87

88

78.4

74.6

60.1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #4 - Post: 1:53pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $15,200 Class Rating: 77

Rating: 4

#4 LOOKING GOOD CAROL (IRE) (ML=6/1)
#3 HINT OF MARY (ML=6/1)
#8 SHES GOT THE LUCK (ML=12/1)


LOOKING GOOD CAROL (IRE) - Faced tougher last time around the track at Gulfstream Park. Based on Equibase class figures, this is a weaker group, so I will put this one on my list of contenders. The racer with the top average class rating in turf events is usually a solid play. This thoroughbred fits the bill. HINT OF MARY - It looks like Camacho had to learn all about this filly on January 7th when riding her for the initial time. Back aloft again today. This horse coming off a solid race in the last month is a contender in my opinion. SHES GOT THE LUCK - This horse ran outside the top 3 at Tampa Bay Downs in the last race on a track listed as good. She should improve right here in this race without a sloppy track. This filly gets a weight break of -5 pounds from last race. This certainly could make the difference right here in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 BLAME T J (ML=7/2), #2 MEGSTONE (ML=4/1), #10 LADY LOVE (ML=9/2),

BLAME T J - Hasn't been on the Tampa Bay Downs oval in the last three weeks. Cause for some concern. MEGSTONE - Would have to get more than the oddsmaker's morning line of 4/1 to wager on this entrant. LADY LOVE - Tough to bet on at 9/2 odds after the most recent efforts.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 LOOKING GOOD CAROL (IRE) is going to be the play if we are getting 3/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,4,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,4,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[3,4,8] with [3,4,8] with [3,4,8,10,11] with [3,4,8,10,11] Total Cost: $36

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turf Paradise

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $14000 Class Rating: 89

FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 24, 2017 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000, IF FOR $14,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS. ARIZONA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $20,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 MAKAHA HEAT 3/1

# 2 BRIANA JEAN 4/1

# 7 COUNCIL RULES 7/2

MAKAHA HEAT looks to be a very good contender. Has to be given a shot here on the basis of the figures in the speed section alone. She looks formidable in this slot and I expect will be on the front end or close at the halfway point. With a very good 90 speed figure last time out, will definitely be a factor in this outing. BRIANA JEAN - Looks strong against this field and will probably be one of the early speedsters. COUNCIL RULES - Has to be given consideration based on the formidable speed rating recorded in the last race. Has recorded solid Equibase Speed Figures in dirt sprint races in the past.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty was waiting on Villanova (-14 1/2, which was a Winner) on Tuesday and likes USC (-10) on Wednesday. The deficit is 520 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jazz vs. Pistons Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Detroit Pistons are enduring a five-game losing streak that dropped the team below .500 and out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference. Coming off the most heartbreaking of those losses in a last-second setback to Brooklyn on Sunday, the Pistons will try to pick up the pieces and turn their fortunes when they host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

"There's nothing big. There's nothing glaring," Pistons forward Anthony Tolliver told the team's website after the 101-100 loss to the Nets. "It's little things that add up over the course of 48 minutes that loses these games. We just need to clean up those little things and if we do that, we'll put ourselves in position to win every night." Detroit began a stretch with 13 of 15 at home by falling to the Washington Wizards 122-112 on Friday and then watched Spencer Dinwiddie bury a last-second shot in Sunday's heartbreaker to fall to 13-8 in its own arena. The Jazz looked like they were turning things around with a solid home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday but began their stretch of seven of eight on the road with a 104-90 setback at lowly Atlanta on Monday. Utah, which plays its only home game over the next 2 1/2 weeks against defending champion Golden State, averaged 120 points in the three games prior to Monday.

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

ABOUT THE JAZZ (19-28): No Utah starter managed more than Donovan Mitchell's 13 points against the Hawks, and the rookie pointed to effort as the issue. "There were times where we kind of looked like we didn't want to play, myself included," Mitchell said, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. "That's not us. That's not our identity. I think we just gotta come out with more life and more energy. I think if we play like we played here, there will be a lot of nights like this." Mitchell committed six turnovers without an assist in the loss and totaled 15 turnovers in the last three contests.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (22-23): Detroit is 3-9 since starting point guard Reggie Jackson went down with an ankle injury, and the team is struggling on the offensive end without him around to start the pick-and-roll and drive the paint. "We've got to get to the rim," Pistons small forward Tobias Harris told reporters of the offensive issues. "We've got to get higher percentage shots -- free throws, layups and three balls if it's falling. On a night like (Sunday), we can't settle for mid-range. I thought we settled for that a little bit. We've got to find a way of mixing it up a little bit more, getting to the rim, getting some more cuts, drives to the basket and some more drop-offs to Andre (Drummond), alley oops, things like that." Harris leads the team in scoring (18.1 points) but is shooting 37.7 percent from the field over the last five games, including 5-of-26 from 3-point range.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz SG Rodney Hood (lower leg contusion) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Detroit SG Luke Kennard is 9-of-16 from the floor in two games since returning from a thumb injury.

3. Utah took the two meetings last season by an average of 23.5 points.

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Jazz 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Suns vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Indiana Pacers salvaged a winning five-game road trip by pulling out one of their more impressive performances in a 94-86 win at San Antonio on Sunday. The Pacers will try to bring that same effort when they return home to host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

"It was big for this young team to come into San Antonio, where they've only lost two games," Indiana head coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "This has always been a tough place to play and to end the road trip when you're a little fatigued, a little tired, the challenge was mentally give yourself a chance. Giving that effort, staying connected, playing together, and they did." The Spurs had won 14 straight at home before running into the Pacers, who recorded 14 steals and forced 20 turnovers in a strong defensive effort. The Suns, who rank last in the NBA in average points allowed (112.1) aren't very familiar with strong defensive efforts and allowed at least 100 points in 11 straight games after falling 109-105 at Milwaukee on Monday. Phoenix allowed the Bucks to shoot 53.5 percent from the floor while falling to 1-2 on the four-game trip.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE SUNS (17-30): Phoenix is not the best matchup for a team like the Pacers that can force turnovers and can directly point to turnovers as a reason for the setback in Milwaukee. The Suns, who average 15.2 turnovers, gave the ball away 22 times against the Bucks, leading to 26 points. "They just get their hands on a lot of balls," reserve shooting guard Troy Daniels told the Arizona Republic after Monday's setback. "Sometimes we're lackadaisical with the pass or we don't cut to get open. Part of it is being young. We have to learn how to get open."

ABOUT THE PACERS (25-22): Indiana is holding opponents to an average of 96.3 points over its last nine games, with Sunday marking the second time in that stretch that they held an opponent under 90. "This is one of our better defensive games as a collective group," point guard Darren Collison told reporters. "It just seemed like everybody was connected. We were helping one another, if that person got beat off the dribble, we stepped and helped them, we were scrambling all over the place." That nine-game stretch coincides with the return of Victor Oladipo, who grabbed three steals on Sunday and is averaging 2.4 over the last nine contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns SG Devin Booker went 2-of-14 from the floor on Monday, marking a season low in made field goals.

2. Pacers C Myles Turner (elbow) sat out the entire road trip and remains week-to-week.

3. Indiana placed seven scorers in double figures while breezing to a 120-97 win at Phoenix on Jan. 14.

PREDICTION: Pacers 113, Suns 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pelicans vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
Behind DeMarcus Cousins' historic performance, the New Orleans Pelicans stayed hot in perhaps their most dramatic win of the season. Cousins seeks another dominant effort and the Pelicans aim for their sixth win in seven games when they travel to take on the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Cousins put up 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists and New Orleans rallied from 17 points down to steal a 132-128 double-overtime win over Chicago on Monday at home. "My strength coach had the nerve to ask me, do I want to lift after this game? I almost lost it. If I had some energy, we would have fought," Cousins joked with reporters after his 52-minute effort. "I'm just glad it's over. Seriously. I think [the Bulls] feel the same way, too." The Hornets lost a pair of overtime matchups with the Pelicans last season but they enter this one on a high note as well, having won six of their last nine after fending off Sacramento 112-107 on Monday. Kemba Walker, the subject of trade rumors in Charlotte, had 26 points as the Hornets improved to 2-1 on their current five-game homestand.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-21): Cousins' recorded the first 40-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972, and was supported by running mate Anthony Davis, who had 34 points before fouling out in the first OT. "You dream about moments like that as a kid -- a game coming down to the line and just making big plays down the stretch," Cousins added. "I think we just willed our way through this game." Davis may take the leading role in this one after averaging 42 points and 18.5 boards in the two wins over Charlotte last season.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (19-26): Charlotte attempted a season-high 40 3-pointers - making 16 - in the win over the Kings and Walker did the bulk of the work with a 5-for-14 showing. "Just moving the basketball," Walker told reporters. "Whenever you have an open shot just being aggressive and making them. We're all creating for each other to get the best shots possible and whenever we did we just knocked them in tonight." Dwight Howard ran his streak of consecutive double-doubles to five with 14 points and 16 rebounds to go along with a season high-tying six blocks.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist missed Monday's game due to an abscess in his arm.

2. New Orleans is 6-3 on the road against Eastern Conference opponents.

3. Charlotte SG Jeremy Lamb is 7-for-14 from 3-point range over a four-game span.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 111, Hornets 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bulls vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Philadelphia 76ers displayed some sloppy basketball in seeing their winning streak come to an end on the road. They will try to clean up their act in a return home Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

A total of 24 turnovers - including 10 in the fourth quarter - was the deciding factor in the Sixers' 105-101 loss at Memphis on Monday, as the Grizzlies won the final period by a 31-18 margin to hand Philadelphia just its second loss in nine games. "Poise. Lack of judgment. Leadership. I thought that we had not much leadership," Sixers coach Brown told reporters of the stretch run. "I thought our poise was poor." The Bulls are 1-1 on their current three-game road trip after dropping a double-overtime thriller in New Orleans on Monday, blowing a 17-point lead late in regulation. Chicago also had 24 turnovers and it was 8-for-31 from 3-point range while falling to 7-17 on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN-TV (Chicago), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE BULLS (18-29): Jerian Grant is filling in at one of the guard spots while Kris Dunn remains in concussion protocol and he had one of his best performances of the season with 22 points and 13 assists against New Orleans. Five others scored at least 14 points and the Bulls had a chance to win in regulation but Justin Holiday's free throw rimmed out. "A lot of good things and obviously we had a chance to win it at the end," coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "A lot of things we can learn as well and grow from."

ABOUT THE SIXERS (22-21): Dario Saric led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Grizzlies, while second-year pro Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had his second straight big game with 20 points while making 6-of-8 3-pointers. Filling in as a starter while fellow guards Jerryd Bayless (wrist) and JJ Redick (leg) are sidelined, Luwawu-Cabarrot is averaging 18 points over the last two games and he's hit 9-of-13 long-range attempts. "He's coming on strong," teammate Ben Simmons told the team's website. "He's playing well, and playing with confidence. That's what we need...especially because he's had his chance to start."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Chicago took the first meeting 117-115 at home and it has won seven straight in Philadelphia.

2. Since going 0-for-4 from the field in a loss to Houston on Jan. 8, Bulls C Robin Lopez is averaging 16.7 points on 67.1 percent shooting over his last six games.

3. Sixers C Joel Embiid has five double-doubles in seven games this month and is averaging 23.3 points and 11.4 rebounds in January.

PREDICTION: 76ers 112, Bulls 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Raptors vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Toronto Raptors are likely looking forward to a long stretch loaded with home games, but they first must get past an improving Atlanta Hawks team on the road Wednesday night. The Raptors, who are 17-3 at home, will play 10 of 13 in Air Canada Centre beginning with Friday's matchup against Utah, and they hope to head to Toronto on a good note.

Their two-game road trip began with a 115-109 loss at Minnesota on Saturday, the squad's fourth loss in seven contests following a 17-3 run. "We didn't match their intensity coming out of the locker room in the second half," coach Dwane Casey said after his team was outscored by 14 points after the break. "We knew they were going to come. We just didn't move offensively. We were standing, watching the ball. We were trying to run our sets, but we played in mud." Toronto won its first two against Atlanta by an average of 23.5 points, but the Hawks are on their best run of the season with four victories in six games, the latest a 104-90 triumph over the Jazz on Monday. Dennis Schroder had 20 points as Atlanta improved to 3-2 on its current six-game homestand.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (31-14): The loss to Minnesota wasted a phenomenal effort for Kyle Lowry, who posted a season-high 40 points in 34 turnover-free minutes, but the team as a whole faded in the second night of a back-to-back. "We've got to come out with a little bit more energy on the back-to-back, but it's no excuse," Lowry told reporters. The 31-year-old is averaging 13.5 points on 37.5 percent in the two routs of Atlanta, and fellow star guard DeMar DeRozan had a season-low two points in 28 minutes in his previous visit to Philips Arena.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (14-32): Taurean Prince added 17 points and 12 different Atlanta players got into the scoring column in the win over the Jazz, which gives the Hawks a 7-7 mark after a 7-25 start. "We've got to keep it going," Prince told reporters after matching his scoring total from the previous four games combined. Schroder is averaging 22.2 points and seven assists through the first five games of the homestand.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Prince scored 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting in the most recent meeting, a 111-98 win for Toronto at home last month.

2. Atlanta is 4-10 at home against Eastern Conference opponents, compared to 6-3 against the West.

3. DeRozan is 2-for-16 from 3-point range over the last five games after going 16-for-32 through the first six contests this month.

PREDICTION: Raptors 104, Hawks 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Spurs vs. Grizzlies Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been a go-to player this season, and he's headed to the NBA All-Star Game for the sixth time in his career. Aldridge celebrated his latest accolade with a 30-point performance against Cleveland and aims for another strong outing when the Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Aldridge regained the primary scoring role due to small forward Kawhi Leonard being available for just nine games due to his season-long injury issues, and his stellar 12-of-18 shooting performance in Tuesday's 114-102 win over the Cavaliers raised his scoring average to 22.5 points. "L.A. is the reason we've kept a pretty good record and stayed in the hunt with so many injuries," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "He's been a warrior, for sure. We'd be in deep Kimchi if he isn't playing the way he is." The Grizzlies have won four of their last five games after rallying from a 15-point, third-quarter deficit to post a 105-101 win over Philadelphia on Monday. "We're just sharing the basketball," Memphis rookie forward Dillon Brooks told reporters. "It's unselfish play from top to bottom. We're playing defense at a high level."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE SPURS (31-18): The saga involving Leonard's quadriceps injury is frustrating to Popovich, who insists there in no rift between the club and the superstar despite an ESPN report claiming there was heavy dissension. "Nobody wants to come back more than Kawhi Leonard," Popovich told reporters. "I think I'm No. 2. His teammates want him back. Everybody wants him back. He's a competitor. He wasn't Kawhi Leonard when he first arrived, the one we know now. So that shows you how much he's put in to get here. He certainly doesn't want to be missing games, so it's frustrating for everybody." Leonard suffered the injury during the preseason, but it has been slow to heal.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (17-29): Brooks has been a key figure in Memphis' improved play as he averaged 17 points over a four-game stretch before scoring only seven against the 76ers as he struggled with an illness. His rise has been impressive in that he was just a second-round pick (45th overall) in last June's draft, but his pesky style and ability to annoy opponents has impressed interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff. "We've seen it time and time again this year," Bickerstaff told reporters. "Even in the preseason, whenever there was a matchup to be had, Dillon would find his way to that matchup. He's competitive, he's dogged in his defensive ways and he's just not going to back down."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs are 2-0 against the Grizzlies this season and have won the last four meetings.

2. San Antonio C Pau Gasol (wrist) could miss his second straight game.

3. Memphis G Mario Chalmers scored 17 points against Philadelphia, his top effort since recording a season-best 21 versus Portland on Nov. 20.

PREDICTION: Spurs 99, Grizzlies 92

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rockets vs. Mavericks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
James Harden and Chris Paul are both healthy, and the Houston Rockets are rolling again. The Rockets will try to push their latest winning streak to four in a row when they open a two-game road trip at the in-state rival Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Houston swept its three-game homestand by knocking of three playoff teams, capped by a 99-90 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday in which it trailed by 14 points in the first quarter before battling back. "After the initial hit we took from them, the 33 points (allowed in the first quarter), I thought our defense really stepped up," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We played hard as heck. I thought it could be that way after we got an emotional victory on Saturday (over the Golden State Warriors) and then to get going, we just didn't come out of the gate very well. But after that our defense is solid." The Mavericks are coming off a strong defensive performance as well after opening a three-game homestand with a 98-75 win over the Washington Wizards. "It was a great team effort," rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. told reporters. "Everybody did their part tonight. We gave up a couple of offensive rebounds, but that's bound to happen. We kept fighting from quarter one to quarter four, so it was a great effort all around."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (33-12): Houston can score as well as any team in the league but is getting stronger on the other end as well and limited Miami to 57 points over the final three quarters on Monday after holding Golden State to 17 fourth-quarter points on Saturday. "We have to, every single night," Harden told reporters about defending. "Our shots might not fall, or we might not have our rhythm, but defensively we've got to compete and match each opponent's intensity. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance every night." Harden, who leads the NBA in scoring (31.4) poured in 28 points on Monday -- his highest total in three games since returning from a hamstring injury.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (16-31): Smith highlighted his 17-point effort on Monday with a 360 dunk on a breakaway in the first quarter and is averaging 21.5 points over the last four contests. The 20-year-old North Carolina State product added six assists on Monday to help small forward Harrison Barnes break out of a shooting slump. Barnes finished with 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting in 31 minutes after going 3-of-13 from the floor in a loss at Portland on Saturday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets SG Eric Gordon is 0-of-16 from 3-point range over the last two games.

2. Mavericks PG Devin Harris (concussion) sat out Monday and is questionable for Wednesday.

3. Houston took the last five in the series, including a 107-91 win in the first meeting of the season at home on Oct. 21.

PREDICTION: Rockets 113, Mavericks 101