Wednesday 3-21-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
Jeffrey Carroll and Kendall Smith are not content to end their careers as the two senior guards lead Oklahoma State into the NIT quarterfinals against visiting Western Kentucky on Wednesday night. Carroll scored 26 and Smith added 19 as the Cowboys rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Stanford 71-65 on Monday to get within a victory of reaching the NIT semifinals for the first time since 1944.

"When we're both playing at a really high level, it's a matchup problem for the other team," Smith told the Stillwater News Press after Oklahoma State outscored the Cardinal 29-18 in the final 10 minutes. "When we're going on the offensive end, it lights a fire under both of us to be even more locked in on the defensive end. ... We weren't ready for this thing to be over with." The Cowboys, who own five victories against teams still alive in the NCAA Tournament, won five of their last six games and have tied the program record with 15 triumphs at home this season. Western Kentucky, which last made the NIT semifinals in 1954, lost in the Conference USA final to Marshall 67-66 has won four of five overall after knocking off Boston College and USC in the first two rounds. The Hilltoppers boast five players averaging double figures in scoring and are led by senior forward Justin Johnson (team-bests of 15.6 points and 9.5 rebounds), who has posted 42 points in the first two NIT contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY (26-10): Johnson, a first team All-Conference USA pick, is 16-for-26 from the field in NIT and is averaging 20.2 points over the last five games while shooting 51.7 percent from the field overall. Senior guard Darius Thompson (13.9 points, team-high 4.8 assists) scored 25 points in the NIT and freshman guard Taveion Hollingsworth (13.0 points) was held to four Monday in the 79-75 win at USC after recording 18 in the first round. "We've had different people at different times step up a make plays," coach Rick Stansbury, who took Mississippi State to the NIT semifinals in 2007, told reporters.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (21-14): The Cowboys held Stanford to 38.7 percent shooting from the field overall and forced 19 turnovers Monday while registering a season-low six turnovers to improve to 6-1 all time in home NIT games. Carroll (15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds) has scored 44 points in two NIT games while Smith is only 6-for-27 from the field in the last two games, but drained three 3-pointers in the win over USC and has 10 rebounds in the tournament. Senior forward Mitchell Solomon (8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds) has scored in double figures in five of his last six contests and is averaging 11.5 points and 7.5 boards in the NIT.

TIP-INS

1. Oklahoma State sophomore G Lindy Waters III is 16-for-28 from 3-point range over the last eight games.

2. The 26 victories are the most for Western Kentucky since reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2008 when it won 29.

3. Carroll, who tied a career best with five 3-pointers against Stanford, needs one to tie Joe Adkins (182) for eighth on the program's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 78, Western Kentucky 74

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Utes vs. St. Mary's Gaels Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
Saint Mary's appears to have gotten over the disappointment of being left out of the NCAA Tournament as it hosts Utah on Wednesday in the NIT quarterfinals. The Gaels defeated Washington 85-81 in Monday's second round, giving them 30 wins for the first time in school history and earning a third chance at playing in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden after falling one game short in 2009 and 2016.

The Utes, who were not under serious NCAA Tournament consideration, made 14 3-pointers and routed LSU 95-71 in Salt Lake City on Monday behind 16 points from senior guard Justin Bibbins, who leads Utah in scoring at 14.8 points per game. Three of Saint Mary's top four scorers are seniors with center Jock Landale (21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds), the only player to average a double-double in the West Coast Conference this season, leading the way. "They've got a lot of pieces and a lot of veteran players and are a well-coached team," coach Larry Krystkowiak told reporters. The Utes and Gaels haven't met since 2013-14, but participated in a closed scrimmage prior to the season. "I haven't watched them all year but we played them early on and know their personnel,'' Gaels coach Randy Bennett told reporters. "I'm familiar with their program and they are tough, physical and well coached."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT UTAH (21-11): Senior forward Tyler Rawson (10.6 points, team-high 6.9 rebounds) is averaging 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the two NIT games. Junior guard Sedrick Barefield (11.4 points) scored a team-high 17 versus LSU and was 3-for-7 from 3-point range, raising his percentage from beyond the arc to 31.9. Senior forward David Collette (12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds) is shooting 64 percent from the field (eighth nationally) after going 6-for-9 in the NIT games and has made 74.4 percent of his 90 attempts over the last 12 contests.

ABOUT SAINT MARY'S (30-5): Senior guard Emmett Naar (9.7 points) is second nationally at 8.0 assists per game after dishing out 12 on Monday. Sophomore guard Jordan Ford (11.1 points) scored a game-high 26 points versus Washington and is averaging 20.3 over his last six contests. Junior center Evan Fitzner (5.1 points, 15.9 minutes per game this season) scored a season-high 20 on Monday.

TIP-INS

1. Bibbins has made 89 3-pointers this season, 10 behind Nick Jacobson (2003-04) for most in a campaign in school history.

2. Landale shoots 64.2 percent from the floor (seventh in the country), helping Saint Mary's lead the nation in field goal percentage at 51.8.

3. Utah, the 1947 NIT champion and 1974 runner-up, is bidding for its first trip to the semifinals since 1992 with first-round exits in 2001, 2014 and 2017.

PREDICTION: Saint Mary's 75, Utah 74

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town

Charles Town - Race 2

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


Claiming $5,000 • 7 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 68 • Purse: $10,000 • Post: 7:29P
FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 21 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (WINNERS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. EL ORO is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * EL ORO: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. GOOD SPOR T: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. ZODIAC KOWBOY: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
8
EL ORO
3/1

4/1
7
GOOD SPORT
9/5

9/2
2
ZODIAC KOWBOY
10/1

6/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
8
EL ORO
8

3/1
Front-runner
59

57

60.0

54.4

42.9
4
FLY THE COOP
4

7/2
Stalker
45

47

43.6

44.4

32.9
7
GOOD SPORT
7

9/5
Alternator/Stalker
59

68

57.8

59.4

57.4
3
WHERE'S BENTLEE
3

6/1
Trailer
56

47

34.8

49.6

41.6
2
ZODIAC KOWBOY
2

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
60

74

43.2

49.0

44.0
5
INDIAN SOUND
5

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
54

59

69.8

46.8

38.3
6
JUST TREY
6

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60

54

59.0

48.8

37.8
1
STERLING REBEL
1

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
58

51

43.4

43.2

29.2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream Park - Race #7 - Post: 3:35pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $22,000 Class Rating: 81

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 COMMISSIONED (ML=6/1)
#4 NOTHINS FREE (ML=4/1)


COMMISSIONED - This rider and handler have a positive ROI when they combine forces. This filly is in good physical condition. Ended up first on February 21st. NOTHINS FREE - When Castellano gives Castellano a leg up on any thoroughbred, you sense that with their win percent you have more than a fighting chance. Castellano comes to saddle up after getting to know the filly in the last contest. I like that last contest on February 25th at Gulfstream Park where she finished first.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 SIPMYCHARDONNAYNAE (ML=6/5), #7 SHE'S SPOILED (ML=5/1), #8 SALSA RITA (ML=8/1),

SIPMYCHARDONNAYNAE - Tough to wager on this questionable contender running out of the one slot. Her past performances show that she doesn't run well out of there. SHE'S SPOILED - Difficult to put your dough on this early speedster. Too much early speed in the affair. This filly hasn't had any recent good fortune in short distance events. No picnic to play her in this contest. SALSA RITA - It appears like too much speed is entered in this contest. This early speedster will probably get baked up front. This youngster isn't going to beat the veterans today, maybe another time. Unlikely that the speed figure she notched on Feb 15th will hold up in this event.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #5 COMMISSIONED to win if we can get at least 2/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Louisiana Downs

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 300y on the Dirt. Purse: $4300 Class Rating: 67

QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 8 POCKET STRIKE 4/1

# 6 JLA FLOGOES ON FIRE 15/1

# 5 JORDANS FIRST PRIZE 8/1

POCKET STRIKE is my choice. Last time out, this filly was up against a tougher crew. Has the appearance of a lucrative play. Is worth considering and may be a bet - strong Speed Figures (56 average) at today's distance and surface recently. JLA FLOGOES ON FIRE - Ought to come out strong - I have liked the way this filly has moved rapidly to the lead recently. Gonzalez is trying to prove victorious with this one by bringing her back so soon. JORDANS FIRST PRIZE - This animal enters today's affair now going off Lasix. The average Equibase class rating of 38 makes this entrant hard to beat.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #6 - Post: 3:04pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,800 Class Rating: 90

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 SANDCAT (ML=8/1)
#8 KAT'S GOOD SCOUT (ML=4/1)
#1 ARATHORN (ML=5/1)


SANDCAT - Entered at the same class level and distance of his last win, which is a big plus for this gelding. KAT'S GOOD SCOUT - This gelding is very reliable, frequently finishing in the money. This gelding is in nice form, having run a good race on February 27th, finishing third. Have to like the way Pappada has raced this gelding back into shape off the layoff. Horse is well spotted in this sprint and I think he'll run well today. ARATHORN - Using this rider/trainer combination is a smart choice. Gelding won shipping here on February 13th and looks good right back.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 CHARITABLE (ML=5/2), #6 BANK ACCOUNT (ML=7/2),

CHARITABLE - On a downward moving series. Speed ratings keep decreasing. Don't believe this vulnerable equine will do much running in today's race. That last speed figure was quite unimpressive when compared with today's class rating. BANK ACCOUNT - Registered a disappointing rating in the last race in a $5,000 Claiming race on March 6th. Not likely to see an improved performance off of that figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #5 SANDCAT to win. Have to have odds of at least 4/1 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,5,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,5,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs - Race 8

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) Super High 5


SO $25,000 • 7 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 100 • Purse: $21,200 • Post: 4:20P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $8,000 OR LESS OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $25,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 21 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE JANUARY 21 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $25,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $25,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Paceless Race. There is no true early speed in this race. * KEY ANGLES * DIVINE AMBITION: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. PALACE BARISTA: Hor se ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. THIRST FOR VICTORY: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
7
DIVINE AMBITION
8/5

5/2
3
PALACE BARISTA
9/2

5/1
5
THIRST FOR VICTORY
7/2

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
6
SNUGGLEY BEAR
6

6/1
Stalker
89

94

0.0

0.0

0.0
5
THIRST FOR VICTORY
5

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
97

90

62.2

86.0

78.5
7
DIVINE AMBITION
7

8/5
Trailer
103

102

78.6

98.6

96.1
4
EL GRANDE ROJO
4

3/1
Trailer
93

88

48.5

87.6

82.1
3
PALACE BARISTA
3

9/2
Alternator/Trailer
99

94

84.0

86.4

81.4
2
LESS THAN PERFECT
2

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
90

85

72.4

83.8

71.8
1
DECISIVE BOSS
1

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
87

83

61.6

62.6

49.6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turf Paradise

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $8500 Class Rating: 85

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $8,500. ARIZONA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 INTELICRYPT 5/1

# 1 PARTICLE OF ENERGY 8/1

# 3 RISKY VENTURE 2/1

INTELICRYPT is the best bet in this race. Hazel has him trained quite well to break promptly out of the gate. Could beat this field given the 79 Equibase Speed Figure earned in his last outing. Should keep the good string of finishing positions intact today. RISKY VENTURE - Is difficult not to consider based on speed figures which have been quite good - 80 avg - of late. With a nice Equibase class rating average of 88, has one of the strongest class advantages in this group.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia 76ers are keeping the heat on those ahead of them in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have an excellent chance to continue their surge when the lowly Memphis Grizzlies visit Wednesday night. Three consecutive victories have the sixth-place 76ers a half-game out of fifth, a game out of fourth and 1 1/2 games behind third-place Cleveland.

The winning streak, combined with a favorable schedule the rest of the way, has Philadelphia dreaming big. "Our goal is to make the playoffs," coach Brett Brown told the media after Monday's 108-94 win over Charlotte at home. "Now, seemingly, we are pretty close to doing that. Now we all get greedy and say, 'Let's get a home court.' And I'm the captain of that new club. And it can only happen if we guard. And that's the message to our team." The Grizzlies snapped their 19-game losing streak over the weekend before falling 118-115 at Brooklyn on Monday. It was the 15th consecutive road loss for Memphis, but the squad has won 10 in a row against the Sixers and seven straight in Philadelphia.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-51): Andrew Harrison (wrist) returned from a nine-game absence to score 19 points against the Nets but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it in the closing moments. "I should have pushed the ball up," Harrison - who is averaging 15.8 points in five games since the All-Star break - told reporters. "It's all on me. All on me." Center Marc Gasol missed the loss due to an illness and point guard Tyreke Evans also sat after averaging 22.5 points in his first two games since returning from a rib injury.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (39-30): Philadelphia has been careful to get Joel Embiid to the point where he is an everyday player and has kept an eye on the minutes for rookie Ben Simmons, but both seem to be handling the grueling schedule of their first full NBA seasons just fine. Embiid is averaging 26.8 points and 15 rebounds over his last four games while Simmons has three of his nine triple-doubles in that same span, and the LSU product posted 15 assists with zero turnovers against Charlotte. "That was probably the easiest triple-double I've had because they were hot. My teammates were hot," Simmons told reporters. "Finding guys, if they are sagging off me, I'm just going to find my guy, set a screen. He's wide-open. So the reason it seems easy for me is because they make it easy for me."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Gasol and Evans combined for 37 points as Memphis topped Philadelphia 105-101 at home earlier this season.

2. The Sixers have won 15 of their last 16 in their home arena.

3. Philadelphia SG Robert Covington is 11-of-19 from 3-point range over his last three games.

PREDICTION: 76ers 113, Grizzlies 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Toronto Raptors are streaking toward the best record in the Eastern Conference as they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday for a late-season showdown. The Cavaliers are three-time defending conference champions but currently are in third place - 11 1/2 games behind Toronto.

Cleveland is more focused on getting into position to make a playoff run than it is about seeding, and it received a boost when All-Star forward Kevin Love (broken hand) returned from a 21-game absence to score 18 points over 25 minutes in Monday's 124-117 win over Milwaukee. "I felt pretty good," Love told reporters afterward. "Initially, that first wind is always tough, but even after that, I felt like my legs were underneath me and that I could've played a little bit more." Toronto has won a franchise-record nine consecutive road games after posting a 93-86 victory at Orlando on Tuesday. The Raptors had their franchise-record streak of 23 straight 100-point outings snapped but allowed just 10 in the fourth quarter of the gritty triumph.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (53-18): All-Star DeMar DeRozan (thigh) sat out against Orlando but is expected back Wednesday as Toronto seeks its 20th victory in 22 games. Kyle Lowry, who became the first player in franchise history to make 200 3-pointers in 2015-16 (212), sank seven against the Magic to eclipse the mark for a second time (201). "Kyle is a smart player," coach Dwane Casey told reporters after Lowry (25 points) was among those who picked up the slack in DeRozan's absence. "And they found a way, they found something that worked for us. Offensively, it wasn't pretty, but we got it done."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (41-29): Interim coach Larry Drew is running the team with Tyronn Lue on leave as he deals with health issues, and he is hoping two more injured players will return on Wednesday. Tristan Thompson (ankle) and Rodney Hood (back) are listed as questionable as the former has missed the last eight games while the latter has sat out four of the last five, but Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) will be sidelined for a fourth straight contest. All-Star LeBron James posted his fifth career 40-point triple-double by exploding for 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against the Bucks, giving him a career-best 16 triple-doubles this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have won the last two meetings, including a 133-99 home romp on Jan. 11.

2. Cleveland swingman Kyle Korver was excused from Wednesday's game after his 27-year-old brother, Kirk, died on Tuesday due to a sudden illness.

3. Toronto backup PG Fred VanVleet (hand) is questionable after sitting out Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 106, Raptors 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Brooklyn Nets are already eliminated from the postseason race but have no intention of laying down the rest of the way with draft position of no concern. The Nets will try to earn their third consecutive win when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Brooklyn does not own its first-round pick this season and is playing hard to the finish line as young players like Caris LeVert, D'Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson try to prove they are building blocks the team can use moving forward. "It's a good feeling," Russell told reporters after delivering 14 points and seven assists in a 118-115 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. "Like I said, no matter when it comes in the season, the two wins to build off of is a great feeling." The Hornets are growing closer to mathematical elimination from the postseason race with losses in eight of the last 10 games and are playing the finale of a five-game road trip at Brooklyn. Charlotte, which suffered a 125-111 home loss to the Nets on March 8, is allowing an average of 118.3 points over its last 10 contests.

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

ABOUT THE HORNETS (30-41): Charlotte is at the point where it is looking for signs from its young players and got solid games from rookie guard Malik Monk and 23-year-old center Willy Hernangomez in a 108-94 loss at the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Monk, who was the No. 11 overall pick in last June's draft, is getting regular minutes off the bench over the last two weeks after being used sparingly and went 3-of-4 from 3-point range against the 76ers. Hernangomez, who was acquired from the New York Knicks last month, scored a season-high 17 points in 20 minutes on Monday -- his longest run since joining the team.

ABOUT THE NETS (23-48): Brooklyn is experimenting with different lineup combinations and found one recently that veteran small forward DeMarre Carroll is enjoying. "I think we're just moving the ball," Carroll told reporters of the starting unit. "We're spacing. We have different dynamics with Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) at the four who can push it, drive it, put pressure on the rim, get to the free throw line and you got a guy like D'Angelo (Russell) who sees everybody and knows who's getting it on the bounce. We just got to keep playing and keep grinding it out." Carroll scored 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, in Monday's win.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets PF Dante Cunningham (concussion) missed the last two games and is questionable for Wednesday.

2. Hornets SG Nicolas Batum (Achilles) sat out Monday and is doubtful for Wednesday.

3. Brooklyn SG Allen Crabbe (illness) returned from a two-game absence on Monday and scored 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

PREDICTION: Hornets 120, Nets 116

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
The New York Knicks are already eliminated from playoff contention but are starting to play well and could have an impact on the race down the stretch. The Knicks will try to knock off one Eastern Conference playoff contender when they open a stretch with four of five on the road by visiting the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

New York dropped nine straight and 17 of 18 beginning on January 31 to fall out of the race but showed some fight against a pair of lottery-bound clubs while beating Charlotte and Chicago by a total of 41 points in the last two contests. "It means the world because it just doesn't feel good to lose," Knicks point guard Trey Burke told reporters after a 110-92 win over the Bulls on Monday. "Guys love the game. It don't feel good to lose. It don't feel good to go home after a loss, racking up losses after losses. When you win it's your reward for the hard work you put in, your reward to how far you've come." The Heat needed two overtimes to earn a 149-141 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday as they set a franchise single-game record for scoring. "That's basketball at its peak," Miami center Kelly Olynyk told reporters. "It was so fun to be a part of, so fun to play and honestly coming out on top makes the night so much more enjoyable to us -- what it meant to us in terms of our push to the playoffs and the standings. Also (to do it) in front of our fans, to hold down home court, is big as well."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (26-45): New York is seeing what it has in its rotation of young guards and is encouraged by the recent play of rookie Frank Ntilikina. The 19-year-old is 4-of-8 from 3-point range over the last two games and totaled 23 points in those contests after going scoreless in a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday. "When I'm aggressive like that it opens up a lot more for me and for my teammates also," Ntilikina told reporters. "So, I know it's only a matter of time how I'm going to be and what impact I'm going to give on that court. I know I can do a lot of great things here. So that will be my job, every time, to work hard and to make myself become the best player I can become."

ABOUT THE HEAT (38-33): Miami is sitting in the No. 7 spot in the East and is poised to move up after the frontcourt duo of James Johnson and Olynyk combined for 61 points on 24-of-33 shooting on Monday, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range. "Kelly is a unique player," All-Star guard Goran Dragic told the Miami Herald. "He can do a lot of stuff. He's got that unorthodox game a little bit. But he can pass, he can shoot, he can put the ball on the floor. I don't know how he takes a shot, every time he drives he kind of stops. That's a unique skill to have. It's not easy." Johnson is averaging 17.8 points over the last five games after posting 7.2 in the previous five contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks C Enes Kanter needed just 18 minutes on Monday to record a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

2. Heat SG Wayne Ellington scored 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting Monday after slumping to four points on 1-of-7 in the previous game.

3. Miami earned a 107-103 home win over New York in overtime in the most recent meeting on Jan. 5.

PREDICTION: Heat 116, Knicks 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

20th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Denver Nuggets put up 141 points at Miami on Monday and still couldn't escape with a win, and they are falling off the pace in the Western Conference playoff race. The Nuggets will try to put in a little more work on the defensive end and get back in the win column when they continue the road trip by visiting the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Denver dropped back-to-back games and two of its last three, including a 149-141 double-overtime loss at Miami, to fall two games behind the eighth-place Minnesota Timberwolves in the West entering play on Tuesday. "I feel awful for our guys," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters after the loss to the Heat. "They did everything they could to try to get this win for us tonight, only to come up a little bit short." Denver fell to 11-23 on the road with Monday's loss and dropped the first two of the current seven-game trip, beginning with a 101-94 loss at lowly Memphis on Saturday. Chicago last beat a team with a winning record on Feb. 9 with a 114-113 triumph over Minnesota and is coming off a 110-92 loss at the New York Knick on Monday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (38-33): Denver allowed Miami to go 20-of-36 from 3-point range in Monday's loss, squandering an offensive effort that saw four different players score at least 22 points. "It hurts," forward Paul Millsap told reporters. "We worked so hard. Go double overtime and end up losing the game. But, there's still hope. We've still got a few more games on this road trip; games that we've got to get. But the door is not slammed yet. We've still got hope. We've just got to get out there and take care of business." Millsap was the lone starter to miss out on the 20-point plateau and finished with 14 as the team fell to 5-6 since he returned from a broken wrist.

ABOUT THE BULLS (24-46): Chicago is fighting for draft position at this point and is not willing to risk any long-term injury to their young players, leading to a situation on Monday where guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine and forward Lauri Markkanen were all held out. Center Cristiano Felicio scored a career-high 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting but the rest of the team shot 30.5 percent from the floor. "I don't think we're going to have to worry about them throwing this on NBA Classic anytime soon," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "When that ball doesn't go in the hoop, it's ugly out there. We got our young guys some good quality minutes."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets SG Gary Harris (knee) sat out the first two games of the road trip and is not expected to play Wednesday.

2. Bulls SG Justin Holiday is 0-of-8 from 3-point range over the last two games.

3. Denver took the last four in the series, including a 111-110 home win on Nov. 30.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 122, Bulls 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 03-21-2018

21st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Indiana Pacers make a recently added trip to the Crescent City on Wednesday as they face the New Orleans Pelicans to make up a contest that was postponed last month. The game scheduled for Feb. 7 in New Orleans had to be scrapped due to a leaky roof in the Smoothie King Center.

The make-up game interrupts what was slated to be a three-game homestand for the Pacers and leaves them with seven road contests in a 10-game span. "We're tired, of course," Indiana point guard Darren Collison told reporters. "But everybody in the NBA is tired right now. So there's really no excuse. We've got to go out there and perform." New Orleans has it even worse, as this is the middle contest of a string of three games in as many days and part of a stretch during which it plays five times in six nights. "It's not some impossible thing," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "I don't want to make a big deal out of it, and we'll be able to manage it and play and do the best we can with it."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE PACERS (41-30): Second-year center Myles Turner (ankle) returned from a one-game absence to post 21 points and seven rebounds in Monday's 110-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. After the contest, an upset Turner said his big performance was prompted by an unidentified teammate calling him soft, and he replied "Not you" when All-Star Victor Oladipo requested a name. "It's a mental adjustment that he had to make," Collison told reporters about Turner after Tuesday's practice. "It had nothing to do with his physical skills. He's going to be a very good player for a long time. Once he changed that mentality, he's going to be just fine."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (41-30): All-Star Anthony Davis scored 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting in Tuesday's 115-105 win over Dallas to help the Pelicans move three games clear of ninth-place Denver in the Western Conference playoff chase. New Orleans is tied with San Antonio for fifth in the tightly packed race and could use a bit of a cushion as it has a tough closing slate that includes games against Houston, Portland, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Golden State and the Spurs. Jrue Holiday (illness) missed his first game of the season on Tuesday, and the hope is that the club's second-leading scorer (19.1 points) will be able to play against Indiana.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers have won 12 of the last 15 meetings, but the Pelicans posted a 117-112 victory on Nov. 7 behind 37 points from Davis.

2. New Orleans F Cheick Diallo recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds versus Dallas for his third double-double of the season.

3. Indiana PF Domantas Sabonis (ankle) will miss his fourth consecutive game.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 109, Pacers 105