Friday 2-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #1 - AQUEDUCT - 12:50 PM EASTERN POST
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $16,000.00 CLAIMING $27,000.00 PURSE

#2 STAY FOND
#6 THREE EIGHTY EIGHT
#3 WOUNDWITHHEREYES
#4 PAULA'S PISTOL

#2 STAY FOND takes a BIG class drop (-16) this afternoon, and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in four of her last five outings, facing substantially better company in each of those outings, than he will face in the claiming field today. #6 THREE EIGHTY EIGHT has hit the board in each of her last three races, with two of those "board hit efforts" also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." Jockey Hector Rafael Diaz Jr. and Trainer Linda Rice send her to the post for the "Friday Opener" ... they've hit the board with 61% of their entries saddled as a team to date.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fair Grounds

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

Race 3 - Maiden Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $15000 Class Rating: 67

FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $10,000 2 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 GREAT SKY 7/2

# 3 BLUES TOUR 5/1

# 6 TAICHUNG BOBBY 9/2

My pick in this competition is GREAT SKY. Shows signs of the look of a lucrative play, averaging a solid 62 Equibase speed fig which is one of the most competitive in this group of animals. Has to be carefully examined based on the very strong speed figure put up in the last contest. The average Equibase class rating alone makes this entrant a solid choice. BLUES TOUR - Looks very good for the conditions of this race today, showing solid numbers in dirt sprint races recently. With a strong jockey who has won at a competitive 18 percent rate over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top selections. TAICHUNG BOBBY - Stidham has this gelding racing well and is a very good choice based on the decent Equibase Speed Figures garnered in sprint races as of late. Earning some nice money in dirt sprint races.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:29 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Golden Gate Fields

Golden Gate Fields - Race 1

$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $1 Superfecta (.10 min) $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) $0.50 Early Pick 5 Races (1-2-3-4-5)

Claiming $3,200 • 1 Mile • All-Weather • Ages 4 and up • CR: 76 • Purse: $7,000 • Post: 12:45
FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. FOUR YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 125 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,200 (MAIDEN, CLAIMING AND STARTER RACES FOR $2,500 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. TAYLOR'S ROSE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * TAYLOR'S ROSE: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/ surface.
4
TAYLOR'S ROSE
2/1

5/2

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
TAYLOR'S ROSE
4

2/1
Alternator/Front-runner
76

75

80.6

71.0

65.5
5
MIA'S STORM
5

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
78

73

65.8

59.6

51.6
1
GOLDEN BUBBLES
1

9/5
Trailer
81

77

67.8

67.6

63.6
2
CROWN POINT
2

5/1
Alternator/Trailer
77

69

63.5

65.4

56.9
6
BULL EMPRESS
6

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
81

69

75.2

65.4

60.9
3
COLONEL PEGGY SUE
3

4/1
Alternator/Non-contender
70

60

65.4

52.0

41.5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:29 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream Park - Race #8 - Post: 4:06pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $34,000 Class Rating: 75

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 TENACITY ZIP (ML=7/2)
#5 MAGIC DRAGON (ML=6/1)
#8 HARD WAY WINNER (ML=2/1)

TENACITY ZIP - This gelding is in fine form. Finished third on Jan 13th. Saez is up for another event today after sitting atop this equine for the first attempt on Jan 13th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. I usually like playing sprinters who are 3-4 races into a comeback. MAGIC DRAGON - This jock and conditioner have a high win pct together. Was in a non-classified race race at Gulfstream Park last time out. That affair had a class figure of 83 and he is moving down in this race. A certain strong challenger. HARD WAY WINNER - I have to like this gelding's likelihood of winning at the shorter trip. Didn't do well last out, but I do see two starts back when racing on the dirt, a whole different horse. Speed rating of 91 should put this one in the money.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 CONTROLLED FURY (ML=9/2), #1 BEE QUIET (ML=6/1), #4 LITHIUM Z (ML=8/1),

CONTROLLED FURY - Really had to show me a whole lot more last time out. Never made much of an impact. BEE QUIET - Tough to wager on any horse in a short distance contest if he hasn't hit the board in a sprint in the last sixty days. LITHIUM Z - The Brain always tells me to keep away from ponies in sprint events that haven't hit the board in short distance events lately.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #3 TENACITY ZIP to win if we can get at least 7/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[3,5,8] with [3,5,8] with [3,4,5,6,8] with [3,4,5,6,8] Total Cost: $36

SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
[3,5,8] with [3,5,8] with [3,5,6,8] with [1,3,4,5,6,8] with [1,3,4,5,6,8] Total Cost: $72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:30 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park - Race 1

WPS / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double (Races 1-2) Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) / Pick 4 (Races 1-2-3-4)

Maiden Special • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 59 • Purse: $20,000 • Post: 7:00P
(PLUS UP TO $3,000 ATB) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Trailer. CHENERY is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * BOARDROOM DRAMA: Horse had a bullet workout within the last seven days. MIZZ CAT C S: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. CHE NERY: Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. RACETRACK DIVA: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SUNUP SUZIE: Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
3
BOARDROOM DRAMA
5/2

5/1
1
MIZZ CAT C S
5/1

6/1
5
CHENERY
6/1

8/1
6
RACETRACK DIVA
7/2

9/1
4
SUNUP SUZIE
15/1

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
SUNUP SUZIE
4

15/1
Front-runner
68

51

72.8

25.0

17.0
2
CEE R STAR
2

4/1
Front-runner
57

42

65.4

20.7

7.2
6
RACETRACK DIVA
6

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
60

52

54.8

50.1

43.1
3
BOARDROOM DRAMA
3

5/2
Alternator/Stalker
71

67

72.1

55.7

50.2
1
MIZZ CAT C S
1

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
62

58

60.5

55.7

49.2
7
GIO POINT
7

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
57

50

47.1

54.3

45.8
5
CHENERY
5

6/1
Trailer
61

53

29.8

50.0

40.0
8
OOGA OOGA MOOSKA
8

2/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

42.8

24.4

12.4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:30 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Sunland Park

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

Race 5 - Maiden - 350y on the Dirt. Purse: $22600 Class Rating: 83

QUARTER HORSE 350Y, FOR REGISTERED NEW MEXICO BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 12 MISS WOODY JAMES 3/1

# 10 REGARDS PK 8/1

# 3 EYE KNOW THE SECRET 12/1

MISS WOODY JAMES is the best wager in this race. The average class rating alone makes this one a definite contender. With a sound 67 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's contest. With a reliable jock who has won at a competitive 19 percent clip over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top selections. REGARDS PK - Could provide positive gains based on strong recent Speed Figures with an average of 74. Could wake up with Lasix change (with second time Lasix) today. EYE KNOW THE SECRET - Has to be given a shot based on the formidable speed rating put up in the last contest. Has solid speed figs and has to be considered for a bet for this race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 07:31 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #8 - Post: 4:14pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,200 Class Rating: 74

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 POKERIST (ML=9/5)
#7 REAL FAST MUSIC (ML=3/1)

POKERIST - This is a fairly classic handicapping angle. Play a thoroughbred that finished in the place spot in a maiden race last time out but finished well clear of the show horse. You always have to be on the lookout for money making jockey/conditioner tandems; we have one right here. Another way to judge class is earnings per start. This racer has the uppermost in the field. I think he'll be close at the finish. REAL FAST MUSIC - Gallardo is back for another affair today after sitting atop this horse for the first attempt on January 17th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. If this gelding gets out of the gate cleanly, he'll be tough to catch.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 WHISTLE ME HOME (ML=7/2), #5 BANKINGONTHEDUDE (ML=6/1), #6 RULE BOOK (ML=6/1),

WHISTLE ME HOME - Not likely for this participant to do much running with no recent good showings in a short distance affair. Where is the speed? None to be found in here to set things up for this horse. BANKINGONTHEDUDE - If he goes off near the oddsmaker's morning line of 6/1, I'll have to pass. RULE BOOK - I'm foretelling a lackluster go of it out of him this time.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 POKERIST is going to be the play if we are getting 8/5 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:56 AM

Pacers vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Indiana Pacers are winners of three straight games -- a stretch that includes a 105-96 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers will try to find a similar result on the road when they visit Charlotte for a brief one-game road trip on Friday.

Indiana got 25 points from Victor Oladipo in that win over Charlotte on Monday but he was held to 13 in a 105-101 victory over Memphis on Wednesday -- his lowest scoring total in over a month -- as the Pacers survived a scare. "We had to grind it out and figure out a way to win this game," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "I thought we started to get a little tougher on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively we made shots, made plays when we needed to, but we just have to do a better job of controlling the boards and rebounding the ball." The Hornets bounced back from their loss at Indiana by rolling over the Atlanta Hawks 123-110 on Wednesday. Charlotte managed to score 100 or more points twice in its last five games, both times against the lowly Hawks.

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

ABOUT THE PACERS (29-23): Oladipo got some scoring support on Wednesday from shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and came through on the defensive end down the stretch in the victory after going scoreless while missing all three of his shot attempts against the Hornets. "He did a great job, man, especially down the stretch," Oladipo told reporters of Bogdanovic. "(His fourth-quarter steal) was a huge play for us. Getting the rebound at the end of the game was huge for us. Stepping up and making all those free throws was huge, too. The way he shot the ball today was huge for us, as well." Bogdanovic collected three of Indiana's 16 steals in the victory.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (21-29): Charlotte is at its best when Kemba Walker is shooting with efficiency, and he set a career high with nine 3-pointers in 13 attempts en route to 38 points in Wednesday's win. Walker joined Golden State's Stephen Curry and Portland's Damian Lillard as the only players to make at least nine 3-pointers in a game this season. "It was great. I needed it I think," Walker told reporters. "I've been struggling all year shooting the three and in these last couple games I've been shooting it well. Tonight, I was aggressive, and they went down for me. To make nine threes and be in the company of (Curry and Lillard), that's pretty big time."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. McMillan will miss the game due to personal reasons.

2. Hornets C Dwight Howard is enjoying a string of 10 straight double-doubles.

3. Indiana's last win at Charlotte came on Feb. 8, 2015.

PREDICTION: Pacers 106, Hornets 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:56 AM

Hawks vs. Celtics Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats07:30 PM
The first-place team in the Eastern Conference hosts the last-place squad when the Boston Celtics continue a homestand against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Playing without All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving - who is day-to-day with a right quad contusion - the Celtics rolled past New York 103-73 on Wednesday for their second straight victory following a 1-5 swoon.

Terry Rozier stepped in for Irving and recorded a triple-double in his first career start with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. "It just worked out perfect for me," Rozier told reporters. "I got to knock down some shots in the beginning of the game, hit the open man, I'm always going to get in there and rebound. Just a great night." Irving averaged 32.5 points in two wins over Atlanta earlier this season but the Hawks have taken the last two meetings in Boston. To make it three straight they will have to tighten up their perimeter defense, as Charlotte Hornets All-Star Kemba Walker buried a career-high nine 3-pointers to sink Atlanta 123-110 on Wednesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE HAWKS (15-36): Atlanta tried to keep pace with Walker behind Kent Bazemore (25 points, 3-of-5 from 3-point range) and Marco Belinelli (22, 4-of-7), but leading scorer Dennis Schroder struggled to 13 points - nearly seven below his average - and missed all five of his 3-point tries while wrestling with a sore shoulder. "I don't know how it happened," Schroder told the media. "I'm going to check it with the trainers and see what's going on." After Walker torched the Hawks from beyond the arc, they were ranked 29th in 3-point defense (38 percent).

ABOUT THE CELTICS (37-15): Marcus Morris provided 20 points, five rebounds and two steals in just 19 minutes off the bench against the Knicks but left in the second half after falling hard on a breakaway dunk. "It was my [behind]. It wasn't really my hip, so it's sore. Very sore," Morris said after the game. "I'll go home and ice, see how I feel tomorrow." Morris scored in double figures in nine straight games, one shy of matching the longest such run of his career.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Irving is expected to be re-evaluated Thursday while fellow PG Marcus Smart (hand laceration) has missed four straight games.

2. Schroder scored 23 points in each of the first two meetings.

3. Both teams shoot 36.9 percent from long distance, tied for eighth in the NBA.

PREDICTION: Celtics 111, Hawks 98

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:56 AM

Lakers vs. Nets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Los Angeles Lakers made a recent run up the Western Conference standings largely due to significant improvement on the defensive end. That trend has been reversed with back-to-back ugly losses and the Lakers will try to rediscover their form on that end of the floor when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Los Angeles, which won eight of 10 before this week began, gave up an average of 125 points in setbacks at Toronto and Orlando, with both opponents shooting at least 50 percent from the floor. "We lost by 30 (actually 22) to the team that has the worst record in the league," rookie Kyle Kuzma told reporters after the 127-105 loss to the Magic. "That's kind of deflating, but give credit to them. They beat us." The Nets don't normally light up the scoreboard but they did manage 116 points in a win over Philadelphia on Wednesday to snap a four-game slide. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 27 points while making 13-of-15 free throws as Brooklyn posted its best scoring output since Dec. 23.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (19-31): After averaging 19.5 points in December, Kuzma dipped to 12.5 in January and finished it with a whimper, shooting 12-for-34 while averaging nine points in the first three games of the current road trip. Center Brook Lopez played a season-low nine minutes and returns to Brooklyn - where he starred for nine seasons - on a frustrating note, leaving without talking to reporters in Orlando. Lopez had his best game of the season in a matchup with the Nets at home in November, producing 34 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

ABOUT THE NETS (19-33): D'Angelo Russell, acquired in the deal that sent Lopez to Los Angeles, is working his way back from knee surgery and had his best effort since his return last month with 22 points in 17 minutes versus Philadelphia. "They got some talent over there and for us to get any win in this league is definitely a start, so hopefully we can capitalize on it and keep building," Russell told reporters. Rookie center Jarrett Allen is beginning to make his presence felt and is averaging 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 83.3 percent over his last five games, including back-to-back starts in which he made 11-of-12 shots.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PG Lonzo Ball (knee) missed eight straight games but is reportedly nearing a return.

2. Brooklyn SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and SG Caris LeVert have both missed three games in a row due to groin injuries.

3. SG Allen Crabbe led the Nets with 25 points in the 124-112 loss at Los Angeles earlier this season.

PREDICTION: Nets 112, Lakers 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:57 AM

Trail Blazers vs. Raptors Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
CJ McCollum has quite a performance to follow when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday. McCollum scored a career-best 50 points in Wednesday's 124-108 victory over Chicago, with his assault beginning with a franchise-record 28-point first quarter.

The Trail Blazers have won a season-best four straight games, and the latest victory was highlighted by McCollum's scoring spree - which he accomplished in just three quarters of action. "A lot of elite players score 50 points, it shows that you're a really unique scorer and have a lot of abilities," McCollum told reporters. "And to do it in three quarters is just a credit to our staff for helping develop me, hard work, teammates sharing, setting screens, sacrificing a lot of stuff." The Trail Blazers have won seven of their last eight games as they prepare to face the Raptors, who are opening a four-game homestand after suffering a 122-119 loss at Washington on Thursday. "I thought we were playing a little bit too loose and not moving the ball," Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We got good shots, but we didn't get great shots."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (29-22): McCollum is the seventh different Portland player to record a 50-point effort, with franchise icon Clyde Drexler and star point guard Damian Lillard being among the others. "I recognized that feeling," Lillard told reporters of McCollum's stellar show. "I saw the rhythm that he was playing with, and at that point, it was just my job to make sure he got the ball in his hands as many times as possible. He just kept rolling." Lillard scored just 13 points against Chicago after topping 20 in each of his previous 10 games - a stretch during which he averaged 27.4.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (34-16): All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January, opened the new month by registering 23 points and six assists in the loss to the Wizards. DeRozan typically has fared well versus the Trail Blazers as he has recorded a string of 11 consecutive 20-point performances and averaged 35.5 points in his last two home appearances against them. Kyle Lowry erupted for 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting against Washington after averaging 10.8 on 14-of-46 shooting over his previous four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have won the last five meetings, including a 99-85 victory at Portland on Oct. 30 in which DeRozan scored 25 points.

2. Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic (quadriceps) is probable after departing Wednesday's victory.

3. Toronto swingman CJ Miles (knee) is expected to miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Raptors 123, Trail Blazers 119

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:57 AM

Heat vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
Philadelphia fans are concerning themselves with the Eagles heading to the Super Bowl right now, allowing the 76ers to go through a recent slump without much notice. The 76ers will try to pull out of the slide before drawing much more attention and snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Miami Heat on Friday.

Philadelphia worked its way into sixth in the Eastern Conference during a stretch that included wins over Toronto, Boston, Milwaukee and San Antonio, but it dropped the final three of a four-game road trip to fall back to .500 and into the No. 8 spot in the conference. "That's the kind of win we've got to get if we want to be a playoff team," All-Star center Joel Embiid told reporters after a 116-108 loss at Brooklyn ended the trip. "If we're going to lose these types of games, we don't deserve to go to the playoffs." The Heat are trying to emerge from their own funk after dropping five of the last nine games, capped by a 91-89 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday that marked the fifth straight game in which the team failed to score more than 95 points. "We have to develop new layers to our offense and evolve because people are aware of us now and that comes with competition and playing well," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "So, we have to embrace that challenge as well."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Sun (Miami), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE HEAT (29-22): Miami point guard Goran Dragic, who was named as an All-Star replacement on Wednesday, is proud of the way the team played defense on Wednesday but recognizes the problems on the other end. "The opponents are preparing against us and they're scouting us," Dragic told the Miami Herald. "So, it's a little bit tougher on us. But at the same time, that game was winnable for us (in Cleveland). At the end of the day, we had 20 turnovers, missed 11 free throws and we went 3-for-28 from the 3-point line. We didn't have a good offensive game, but we're really satisfied how we play our defense. As long as we continue to play defense like that, we're going to win a lot of games." Dragic scored a team-high 18 points on Wednesday after combining for 18 points on 8-of-22 shooting in the previous two contests.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (24-24): One positive from Wednesday's loss was the return of shooting guard JJ Redick, who scored 20 points in 26 minutes after sitting out seven straight games with a leg injury. "He's going to be a huge help," rookie point guard Ben Simmons told reporters of Redick. "You can't leave him. If you leave him, and I'm going to hit him, and he's going to knock it down, usually." Simmons scored 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting in the setback and is 38-of-51 from the floor over the last four contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Embiid recorded a double-double in each of his last three starts.

2. Miami SG Wayne Ellington, who averages 11.2 points, went scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting in 26 minutes Wednesday.

3. The home team took the last five in the series.

PREDICTION: 76ers 103, Heat 98

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:58 AM

Knicks vs. Bucks Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
Jabari Parker takes the court for the first time in nearly 12 months when the Milwaukee Bucks host the New York Knicks on Friday. Parker has been recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee and will be looking to help Milwaukee bounce back from Thursday's 108-89 loss to Minnesota.

Parker was informed that he will play about 15 minutes in his return and the club certainly will monitor him closely due to two ACL tears in the same knee in a 26-month span. Parker, the second overall pick in the 2014 draft, posted career-best averages of 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 51 games last season prior to his latest misfortune. "I'm grateful for how far I came," he told reporters. "I'm grateful for the people who laid the foundation for me, especially the man above. From this point on, it's just not being complacent, not being satisfied and just keep on trying to be as good as I can be." The Knicks are coming off a horrific 103-73 loss to Boston on Wednesday - their largest margin of defeat this season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (23-29): New York is attempting to remain in the playoff race, but the woeful effort against Boston that included an eight-point fourth quarter in a contest in which Boston was missing star guard Kyrie Irving was disconcerting. The Knicks shot just 32.2 percent in the setback, and the point total was their smallest of the season. "There's going to be nights that you're not going to be good offensively, but I think for us to get to the next level, for us to be an elite team, just go out there and play defense," center Enes Kanter told reporters. "We cannot just say, 'Oh, we're not shooting the ball well,' and just give up on defense."

ABOUT THE BUCKS (27-23): Milwaukee had its four-game winning streak halted on Thursday and also lost shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon to a quadriceps tendon strain. Brogdon, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, suffered the injury during a non-contact sequence while attempting a layup and left the arena in a cast while walking on crutches. All-Star small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds against Minnesota, twisted his left ankle in the fourth quarter and is slated to be examined on Friday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Antetokounmpo averaged 28 points and 10.3 rebounds as the Bucks went 2-1 against the Knicks last season.

2. Milwaukee PG Eric Bledsoe (ankle) sat out against the Timberwolves and is doubtful for Friday's game.

3. New York G Ron Baker is sidelined indefinitely due to a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder.

PREDICTION: Bucks 108, Knicks 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2018, 08:58 AM

Jazz vs. Suns Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Utah Jazz are suddenly looking like playoff contenders again with a three-game winning streak capped by a 30-point blowout of the defending champions. The Jazz will try to keep up the momentum when they hit the road and open a four-game road trip by visiting the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Utah buried the Golden State Warriors 129-99 on Wednesday but quickly tried to turn the page as they prepare for a trip that will take them through San Antonio, New Orleans and Memphis after leaving Phoenix. "You want to move on from it in the sense that there's some sense of accomplishment: It's over," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "But how you got the win, and how you played and what you're doing -- we need to understand the things that we did that we want to do again. It becomes a question of repeating it. The more you do it, the more it becomes who you are. Games like that can give you some confidence." Utah will take on a Suns team that opened its three-game homestand with a 102-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. That marked second time this season that Phoenix held an opponent under 90 points, with the first coming in a 97-88 home win over the Jazz on Oct. 25.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (22-28): Utah shot 58.2 percent from the floor against the Warriors and watched small forward Joe Ingles knock down 6-of-8 from 3-point range. "We had a great shooting night -- they didn't have the kind of night they can have," Snyder told reporters. "Shooting is an equalizer. I thought we came out and Joe Ingles set the tone. The confidence with which he shot the ball, I thought that helped our other guys shoot the ball." Ingles is 24-of-43 from 3-point range over the last seven games -- a stretch during which the Jazz are 5-2.

ABOUT THE SUNS (18-34): Phoenix snapped a five-game slide with Wednesday's win but lost point guard Isaiah Canaan to a fractured left ankle. Canaan went down in a collision with Mavericks shooting guard Wesley Matthews and fell on the ankle, causing it to break and turn in the opposite direction in a gruesome scene. "It's hard for fans and everyone sitting right there and teammates especially, a guy they battle with every day, it's their friend on and off the court," Suns interim coach Jay Triano told reporters. "I used the timeout to let us say a quick prayer. ... Not much we can do. He was in the hands of our medical staff and we trust they do their job and we had to keep doing ours."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell earned his second straight Western Conference Rookie of the Month award after averaging 22.2 points in January.

2. Suns rookie SF Josh Jackson matched his season high with 21 points on Wednesday.

3. Phoenix's 97-88 win over Utah on Oct. 25 snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series.

PREDICTION: Jazz 113, Suns 102

Friday 2-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 2-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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