Saturday 3-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:33 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #4 - AQUEDUCT - 2:52 PM EASTERN POST
The Maddie May Stakes
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#2 SPLIT TIME
#4 BREEZY GAL
#1 UNDER SUSPICION
#5 OUT SUPER NOVA

Well folks, this race is named after New York bred and multiple graded stakes winner, Maddie May. Here in just the 3rd running of The Maddie, #2 SPLIT TIME has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of her 3 career starts to date, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her last two starts. Jockey Junior Alvarado was in her irons for those two wins, and is back today here at "The Big-A" for his 3rd ride, gunning for a "Hat Trick Win!" #4 BREEZY GAL is the overall speed and pace profile leader, and comes off a maiden-breaking, 13-length, "POWER RUN WIN" in her last start, which was just the 2nd ride of her young career to date.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:33 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Aqueduct

Aqueduct - Race 6

Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (6-8) Grand Slam Races (6-9), Double Wagers

Maiden Claiming $30,000 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 79 • Purse: $35,000 • Post: 3:54P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE AND APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $30,000.
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 * IMAGINAR: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest Track Master Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. THIS CAT CAN FLY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the dist ance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
6
IMAGINAR
4/1

3/1
5
THIS CAT CAN FLY
5/2

3/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
UCANTCATCHMYBREATH
4

6/1
Front-runner
66

50

65.4

47.4

39.4
9
ALEX'S LEMON TWIST
9

5/1
Front-runner
0

0

53.1

53.1

45.1
6
IMAGINAR
6

4/1
Alternator/Front-runner
75

81

77.8

65.3

59.3
5
THIS CAT CAN FLY
5

5/2
Trailer
78

73

68.3

69.2

66.2
1
BANKER'S ISLAND
1

15/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

102.4

34.1

27.1
3
SCOTTISH DEVIL
3

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

60.7

31.3

20.3
7
HOLYCOWITS PATRICK
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

21.8

19.9

10.9

Unknown Running Style: MASTA ACE (7/2) [Jockey: Mccarthy Trevor - Trainer: Rice Linda], THE VOW IS LIT (8/1) [Jockey: Alvarado Junior - Trainer: Baker Charlton].

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:34 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds - Race 14

Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta $0.50 Super High 5

Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 63 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 6:47P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * MR. OLD HAT: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. SCALPEL PLEASE: Horse ranks in th e top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. FATHER GEORGE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. LEFTFIELDJUNCTION: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
9
MR. OLD HAT
9/2

5/1
11
SCALPEL PLEASE
8/1

6/1
16
CUSTOM BLING
3/1

8/1
14
FATHER GEORGE
7/2

8/1
6
LEFTFIELDJUNCTION
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
16
CUSTOM BLING
16

3/1
Front-runner
64

61

76.4

49.4

40.4
10
A HIGHER WAGER
10

6/1
Front-runner
59

50

72.4

47.2

34.7
7
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
7

20/1
Front-runner
50

42

65.4

26.8

2.3
1
DICKIE DO WRONG
1

8/1
Front-runner
0

0

39.3

33.1

10.6
6
LEFTFIELDJUNCTION
6

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
81

59

53.6

41.6

35.1
2
FROM NOW ON
2

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
58

64

53.1

41.0

26.5
14
FATHER GEORGE
14

7/2
Trailer
55

60

40.8

53.0

40.5
9
MR. OLD HAT
9

9/2
Trailer
60

63

9.5

59.7

46.2
13
MIKEY'S MOUSE
13

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
70

59

31.6

47.2

34.2
11
SCALPEL PLEASE
11

8/1
Alternator/Trailer
71

60

15.8

55.8

52.3
8
HALF BLINK
8

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

1.9

14.2

3.2
4
LIL BLINKEY
4

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

60.1

26.4

5.4
12
ASH TAX
12

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

53.3

20.7

0.0
5
GRAND ASSEMBLY
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

47.4

32.2

5.2
15
DOUG'S BUG
15

9/2
Alternator/Non-contender
61

47

43.2

29.6

6.6
3
WAR DUDE
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

17.2

35.4

17.4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:35 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mahoning Valley Race Course

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

Race 3 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $20000 Class Rating: 105

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 24 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 DETERMINATOR 3/1

# 7 AESOP 5/2

# 8 PROUD MAXX 15/1

DETERMINATOR has a very strong shot to take this race. Will probably compete strongly in the early pace battle which bodes well with this field. Could beat this group given the 105 speed figure posted in his last outing. Has to be given a chance against this field displaying quite good figures lately and an average speed figure of 94 under similar conditions. AESOP - Looks like a formidable player for the exotics. Ought to be given consideration - I like the figs from the last race. PROUD MAXX - Trainer has solid win rate (17 percent) at this distance and surface.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:35 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #1 - Post: 6:00pm - Allowance - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $31,600 Class Rating: 89

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS (ML=6/1)

HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS - This gelding is number one in (EPS) earnings per start. Take a good look at this horse in the saddling enclosure.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 THEY SHOT SONNY (ML=2/1), #1 GURT BOYS (ML=5/2), #5 HAPPY INDEED (ML=7/2),

THEY SHOT SONNY - A bit of a lackluster performance when this gelding finished fifth. GURT BOYS - Tough to take this horse at the odds after the finish position (seventh) in the last event. HAPPY INDEED - Recorded a somewhat easily forgotten speed fig in the last race in an Allowance race on Feb 24th. Not probable to see an improved performance off of that number.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS - This gelding has, in my highly educated opinion, dominant pace. Look for this one to be in front when the field turns for home, straight through to the wire.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 HOWBOUTTHEMCOWBOYS is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:36 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #1 - Post: 12:55pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $21,500 Class Rating: 81

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 PAX IN TERRA (ML=3/1)
#1 VOCAB (ML=9/5)
#1A TIPIT (ML=9/5)
#2X UNBRIDLED ROCKET (ML=5/1)

PAX IN TERRA - Looking at today's class rating, this thoroughbred is meeting an easier field than last time around the track at Parx Racing. Rosado is up for another event today after sitting atop this equine for the 1st attempt on February 17th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. Earnings per race is something that I believe can be a very key factor. This mount is ranked at the very top in this bunch. This horse didn't run well on an off track in his last race around the track at Parx Racing. You probably want to throw out that showing. VOCAB - This gelding recorded a nice speed rating of 89 in his last affair. That speed fig should be high enough to prove victorious this time. TIPIT - This gelding is in first-rate condition right now. Finished third last race out and comes back promptly. Lake gets a break on this mount carrying 9 lbs less than last out. Could make the difference in this race. UNBRIDLED ROCKET - While the finish was disappointing, this race horse made a good stretch move last time around the track at Parx Racing. Should do much better in this field. This animal didn't run well on a muddy track in his last start at Parx Racing. You may want to disregard that showing. Gelding made a nice late run going 7 furlongs on February 5th. I have to like his chances stretching out today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 KENDRICKS (ML=5/1), #5 MONTAUK MAN (ML=6/1), #6 GILES FAIR (ML=8/1),

MONTAUK MAN - Doesn't seem inspiring to me after the lack of any type of closing ability on March 12th. Earned a most unsatisfactory rating last race out in a $12,500 Claiming race on March 12th. Improbable to see an improved performance off of that number.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #3 PAX IN TERRA on top if we're getting at least 7/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,3] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[1,2,3] with [1,2,3] with [1,2,3,7,8] with [1,2,3,7,8] Total Cost: $36

** Some or all wagers above involve entries and assume all parts of entry start the race **

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 07:36 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turfway Park

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

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 73

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $10,000 1 LB.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 SPIRIT FLY 1/1

# 7 MISS DEVINE 7/2

# 5 URAWESOMEBLOSSOM 4/1

SPIRIT FLY figures to be the bet in here. Could best this group here, showing quite good figs of late. Will probably come out sharp - I have liked the way this filly has moved speedily to the front end recently. Put up a strong speed rating in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. MISS DEVINE - Put up a quite good speed figure last time out. Has been racing in the most competitive company of the group lately. URAWESOMEBLOSSOM - Earnings per start at the distance/surface is a strong angle. This one ranks at the top in this lot. Should best this group here, showing decent numbers of late.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:52 AM

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Kansas State Wildcats Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
An unlikely trip to the Final Four wouldn't mark uncharted territory for Loyola Chicago or Kansas State, but neither team has advanced that far in more than five decades. The teams that busted up the NCAA Tournament's South Regional bracket - the ninth-seeded Wildcats and the 11th-seeded Ramblers - square off Saturday in Atlanta with a long-awaited return to the Final Four on the line.

Kansas State is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2010, but the Wildcats lost the last six times they had a chance to advance to the Final Four. Their last trip came in 1964 - one year after Loyola claimed the national title in their only Final Four trip. The Ramblers were a power in the 1960s but hadn't been in the NCAA Tournament since 1985 before this year's Cinderella run in which the Ramblers have won three games by a total of four points, including a 69-68 win over No. 7 seed Nevada on Thursday. Kansas State, which overcame foul trouble to escape with a 61-58 win over No. 5 seed Kentucky on Thursday, will be the lowest-seeded team Loyola has faced thus far after beating the Nos. 6, 3, and 7 seeds.

TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT LOYOLA CHICAGO (31-5): The Ramblers have won 13 straight - the longest streak in the nation - and 20 of their last 21. They closed out the win over Nevada by shooting 75 percent in the second half, as Marques Townes (11.2 points) and Aundre Jackson (11.2 points) made key 3-pointers down the stretch. Five players averaged double-digit scoring with Clayton Custer (13.4) - the hero of the Tennessee win - leading the way.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (25-11): Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Wildcats' run through the tournament - which was aided by No. 16 seed Maryland-Baltimore County knocking off overall No. 1 seed Virginia - is the fact they've done it with very little contribution from leading scorer and rebounder Dean Wade (16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds). The 6-10 center missed the first two games with a foot injury and was limited to eight minutes against Kentucky. Point guard Barry Brown (16 points, 3.3 assists) and swingman Xavier Sneed (11 points, 5.1 rebounds) have stepped up to carry the load in his absence.

TIP-INS

1. Kansas State is 10-2 when making at least nine 3-pointers, including two wins in the NCAA Tournament.

2. The Ramblers are 22-0 when leading at halftime and 29-1 when scoring at least 60 points.

3. The Wildcats are 20-2 when leading at halftime and 24-2 when shooting for a higher percentage from the field than the opposition.

PREDICTION: Kansas State 67, Loyola Chicago 65

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:52 AM

Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
Third-seeded Michigan looks to stay on course for its second Final Four appearance in six years when it faces No. 9 seed Florida State in the West Regional Final on Saturday in Los Angeles. The Wolverines set a new NCAA Tournament single-game record as eight players made at least one 3-pointer in the impressive 99-72 win against seventh-seeded Texas A&M on Thursday to advance to the Elite 8 for the third time in their last five tournament appearances.

Michigan, which is coming off its most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game since 1992, has won 12 straight games, including nine in a row away from home, and can set a single-season program record with their 32nd victory at the Staples Center. Florida State overpowered No. 4 seed Gonzaga 75-60 to reach the Elite 8 for the first time since 1993. The Seminoles, who had one player finish in double figures against the Bulldogs, blocked nine shots while holding Gonzaga to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor en route to the upset and hope to put the defensive clamps on the hot-shooting Wolverines to reach their first Final Four in 46 years. "We're a team that operates with the philosophy that we have to win games by committee," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "They're all able to contribute offensively and defensively because of that philosophy."

TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (23-11): Terance Mann led the way with 18 points to go along with five rebounds despite being hampered by a groin injury while Braian Angola and C.J. Walker each added nine points in the win against Gonzaga. Trent Forrest provided a big spark off the bench with seven points, six rebounds and six assists while fellow reserve Mfiondu Kabengele was an intimidating force in the paint as he registered a game-high four blocks against the Bulldogs. "It feels great," Forrest told reporters. "We're a team that from the beginning of the season knew that we could make it as far as we wanted to."

ABOUT MICHIGAN (31-7): Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 16 of his team-leading 24 points in the second half and dished out seven assists against Texas A&M after shooting a combined 7-of-26 from the floor in his previous two NCAA Tournament games. Moritz Wagner bounced back from two pedestrian performances as he tallied 14 of his 21 points in the first half to set the offensive tone as the Wolverines finished 14-of-24 from 3-point range against the Aggies. Charles Matthews continued his stellar play in the tournament by adding 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting while Zavier Simpson contributed 11 points, six steals and five assists.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan has won eight of its last 12 games by double digits.

2. Florida State has held three straight opponents to 70 points or fewer.

3. The winner plays ninth-seeded Kansas State or No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago in the Final Four.

PREDICTION: Michigan 77, Florida State 69

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:53 AM

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia 76ers aim for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. A win would carry extra importance as it would clinch the franchise's first winning season since 2004-05, when Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson was its star player.

The 76ers, who rolled to a 118-98 victory over Orlando on Thursday, are also closing in on their first postseason berth since 2012 as they are 9 1/2 games in front of ninth-place Detroit with just 11 remaining. "After this game, I kind of have a new goal," All-Star center Joel Embiid told reporters on Thursday. "I want to get to 50 wins. If we can do that, that'd be great, so we got to keep pushing for that." Minnesota can relate to Philadelphia's .500 milestone as it registered a 108-104 victory over New York on Friday to clinch its first winning campaign since 2004-05. "We're trying to change things here," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "We have to do it game by game, day by day and not skip over anything."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (42-31): Minnesota is battling to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04 as it stands seventh in the Western Conference - two games ahead of ninth-place Denver with nine remaining. "We have a lot more work to do and we have a lot more games in front of us that are just as important," All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds on Friday for his NBA-leading 60th double-double of the season, told reporters. Taj Gibson is averaging 16.5 points on 11-of-16 shooting over his last two games after playing poorly in the previous two, when he averaged six points on 5-of-13 shooting.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (41-30): Philadelphia led by as many as 35 points while crushing Orlando and finished with a 32-10 advantage in fast-break points. "I feel like our defense set the stage where we could have (had) a launching pad to get out and go," coach Brett Brown told reporters. "It's hard to run after made baskets. It's easier to run after missed baskets." The huge margin allowed Brown to use Embiid for just 20 minutes - in which he recorded 17 points and nine rebounds - in the second end of a back-to-back set.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Embiid contributed 28 points, 12 rebounds and a career-best eight assists as the visiting 76ers notched a 118-112 overtime win over the Timberwolves on Dec. 12.

2. Philadelphia F Ersan Ilyasova scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the Magic after five straight single-digit performances.

3. Minnesota PG Derrick Rose (ankle) did not play on Friday and will miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: 76ers 114, Timberwolves 108

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:53 AM

Phoenix Suns vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Orlando Magic have dropped 15 of their last 18 games during another dismal season as they enter Saturday's matchup against the host Phoenix Suns. The campaign has been so dreadful for the Magic that speculation is running rampant that second-year coach Frank Vogel will be dismissed.

Orlando has been in a long funk since opening the season with an 8-4 record as it has won just 13 of its last 60 contests. The Magic were outplayed and outworked in Thursday's 118-98 loss to Philadelphia, and Vogel maintains that he isn't going to back off of his expectations no matter how tenuous his situation becomes. "Part of changing a losing culture is not giving in and not relenting in situations where the other team's kicking your butt," Vogel told reporters after his team trailed by as many as 35 points on Thursday. "So, to me, it was a good opportunity to challenge these guys and call something out that's been an issue for us." The Suns are sinking in even worse fashion with 10 straight losses and 25 in their last 27 games after Friday's 120-95 setback against Cleveland.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus, FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-54): Devin Booker tested his injured right hand prior to Friday's contest before sitting out his third straight game. "Can't catch the ball. Can't throw a pass," interim coach Jay Triano said during his postgame press conference. "Hopefully, he'll be able to play (Saturday) night. We've got a lot of guys who are tired." TJ Warren (knee) also is questionable for Saturday's contest after sitting out each of the last two contests.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (21-51): Orlando recently re-signed Rodney Purvis to a second 10-day contract, and he was one of the few bright spots in the loss to the 76ers. Purvis scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting - going 3-for-5 from 3-point range - as he attempts to show the Magic he can be a contributor next season. "I was just trying to bring a lot of energy on the defensive end and create something on the offensive end," Purvis told reporters. "My teammates found me in good spots and I was able to make some shots."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. PF Aaron Gordon scored 22 points as the Magic posted a 128-112 road victory over the Suns on Nov. 10.

2. Phoenix PG Elfrid Payton will play against his former club for the first time since being dealt in early February after spending 3 1/2 seasons in Orlando.

3. Orlando rookie F Jonathan Isaac (left foot) hopes to return after sitting out Thursday, while SF Jonathon Simmons (wrist) likely will miss his third straight contest.

PREDICTION: Magic 112, Suns 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:53 AM

Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

24th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Detroit Pistons' playoff hopes are evaporating, but they will try to continue their pursuit of the final Eastern Conference postseason spot when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Detroit sits six games behind eighth-place Milwaukee, which defeated the Bulls on Friday, with just 10 contests remaining.

The Pistons fancied making a playoff charge after acquiring Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers, but they instead are fading with 14 losses in their last 19 games. "Whatever problems we have have not been because of him at all," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters of Griffin. "His attitude has been great, his play has been great, and when we get healthy and get the right people around him, this is going to be a good team." Chicago is well out of playoff contention and dropped a 118-105 decision to the Bucks on Friday for its fourth straight setback. The Bulls are just 9-26 on the road as they begin a four-game trek that includes stops in Houston, Miami and Orlando.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Detroit Plus

ABOUT THE BULLS (24-48): Chicago could fail to reach the 30-win mark for the first time since going 23-59 in 2003-04, but Fred Hoiberg is continuing to coach as if a playoff spot is within reach. "With the way that our season is, the big picture, these guys are getting a great opportunity to play," Hoiberg told reporters. "You have to keep playing all the way to the final horn. I don't care what the score is. We have to try to play the right way." Rookie power forward Lauri Markkanen (back) is one of the building blocks, and he returned from a five-game absence to contribute nine points and six rebounds on Friday but won't make the trip to Detroit so he can rest his back.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (32-40): Rumblings suggesting Van Gundy could be let go after his fourth season with the franchise have started, but the 58-year-old remains bullish that the team is close to turning the corner. "I thought we made really good progress our first two years," Van Gundy told reporters. "We went .500 after Christmas our first year after a miserable start, and then 44 wins and a playoff team. And, quite honestly, we just haven't been able to build on that. There's a lot of reasons. Some of them within our control, some of them not within our control, and we just haven't been able to build on that these last two years." Two more defeats will give Van Gundy three losing seasons during his tenure in Detroit.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split their first two meetings this season, and the fourth and final matchup is slated for April 11 in Chicago.

2. Detroit was just 6-for-38 from 3-point range in Thursday's 100-96 overtime loss to Houston.

3. Chicago PG Cameron Payne (ankle) was injured while recording 17 points and six assists on Friday, and he underwent X-rays but said "everything was fine" after the contest.

PREDICTION: Pistons 105, Bulls 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:53 AM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The Memphis Grizzlies suffered through several embarrassing losses this season, but none was as bad as the thumping they were issued at Charlotte on Thursday. The Grizzlies will try to put that terrible performance behind them and find a better effort when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Memphis, which is fighting to avoid the worst record in the NBA, suffered the largest margin of defeat in franchise history and the sixth largest in NBA history with a 140-79 setback against the Hornets. "It's got to be from everybody, not just one or two guys," Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans told reporters. "They were out there just laughing. It was embarrassing, the whole thing. We've got to just wash this one away and just come back next game and be ready to play." The Lakers are enduring their own losing streak but are at least putting up more of a fight. "We're not losing because we're not making shots," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton told reporters after a 128-125 loss at New Orleans on Thursday. "The ball is moving, we're playing at a good pace. The reason we lost was we didn't play any defense for the majority of the game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (31-40): Los Angeles allowed 80 points in the paint in Thursday's loss, but the focus after the game was still on rookie Lonzo Ball's poor shooting. The 20-year-old went 2-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-12 from beyond the arc in the loss and is 7-of-48 from 3-point range over the last seven contests. "The shots I'm getting, I like them, been hitting them my whole life," Ball, who went unguarded on several of his 3-point attempts on Thursday, told reporters. "A little frustrated they're not going in, though."

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-53): Memphis did not play center Marc Gasol (rest) on Thursday and is without point guard Mike Conley (heel), leaving plenty of minutes for younger players. "Every game for these guys and for all of us is an audition," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "It's a matter of being able to prove that you belong. To me, the end results and the scores, that stuff is going to be what it is. But every team in the NBA is going to go back and they're going to watch these films. They're going to key in on each individual and see in tough situation, what did they do? There's two options, you fight or you run. And tonight we ran from the fight." Second-year shooting guard Wayne Selden led the team with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PF Julius Randle scored at least 20 points in each of the last six games and recorded five double-doubles in that span.

2. Grizzlies PG Andrew Harrison (wrist) sat out Thursday and is day-to-day.

3. Memphis took two of the first three meetings this season, including a 123-114 home win on Jan. 15.

PREDICTION: Lakers 120, Grizzlies 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2018, 09:53 AM

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 03-24-2018

23rd March 2018 by Gracenote
The New Orleans Pelicans aren't making it look easy, but they continue to find the win column. The Pelicans are in for a challenge when they try to push their winning streak to five straight on Saturday against the host Houston Rockets, who are winners of seven straight and own the best record in the NBA.

Anthony Davis' late MVP push is keeping New Orleans in the top eight of the Western Conference, and it outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers 128-125 on Thursday to head into play on Friday in the No. 4 spot, 3 1/2 games in front of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets. "It feels good, but we can celebrate tonight," Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday told reporters after the win. "We got a still tough schedule to go. Pretty sure we moved up (in the standings), but we got, what, nine games left. We've got to keep on winning games and get to where we want to get so that we can have some advantage in the playoffs." The Rockets are inching toward locking up the No. 1 spot in the West and are winners of 24 of their last 25 after MVP frontrunner James Harden scored 10 of his 21 points in overtime of a 100-96 win over Detroit on Thursday. Houston will play seven of its final 10 games at home, where it owns a 28-6 record.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS New Orleans, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-30): New Orleans is thriving through a rough stretch of schedule that had it play five games in six days and had enough energy left on Thursday to outscore the Lakers 31-17 in the fourth quarter. "Mentally tough. Mentally tough," Davis told reporters. "Just had to grind it out. It was one of those games where you got a grind out a team who was making a lot of shots, playing very well. Five (games) in six (nights), so it was just one of them games we just tried to fight through the fatigue -- physically and mentally -- and just try to pull this one out." The Pelicans, who began that stretch with a 107-101 home loss to Houston last Saturday, don't get any breaks with games against Portland, Cleveland and Oklahoma City next week.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (58-14): Harden struggled to 2-of-16 from the floor in regulation on Thursday before finding his stroke in overtime. "It's always tough getting home from a long road trip, but we found a way to win," Harden told reporters. "Defensively we were pretty active. They only had 96 points, which is good in overtime. Offensively, we couldn't get it going. It's going to be like that sometimes, so, find ways to win games." Harden went 0-of-8 from 3-point range in the win, marking the first time this season that he failed to make at least one 3-point attempt.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets will reportedly release PF Brandan Wright, who played in only one game for the team after being bought out by Memphis.

2. New Orleans SF E'Twaun Moore is 16-of-25 from the floor over the last two games.

3. Houston took three of the last four in the series, including a 130-123 home win on Dec. 11.

PREDICTION: Rockets 122, Pelicans 119

Saturday 3-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 3-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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