Sunday 4-1-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
Shohei Ohtani made his major-league debut as a hitter in the season opener but will get his first turn on the mound Sunday, when the Los Angeles Angels visit the Oakland Athletics for the finale of their four-game series. A highly touted prospect who is attempting to succeed as a two-way player, Ohtani served as Los Angeles' designated hitter on Thursday and singled in his first at-bat before finishing 1-for-5 with a strikeout.

The 23-year-old native of Japan hopes to turn in a strong pitching performance and help the Angels post their third straight win after rolling to an 8-3 victory on Saturday. Mike Trout was the star at the plate for Los Angeles, collecting three of the team's 12 hits - including two doubles - while driving in a pair of runs and scoring twice. Khris Davis matched Trout with a pair of two-base hits for Oakland, which has scored a total of four runs in its two losses after registering a 6-5 triumph on Opening Day. The 30-year-old Davis, who is coming off back-to-back 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons, is 4-for-10 with a blast and four RBIs over his first three games of 2018.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Shohei Ohtani (ML Debut) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Gossett (2017: 4-11, 6.11 ERA)

Ohtani will be completing a feat that hasn't been accomplished in nearly a century, as he becomes the first person to start as a position player on Opening Day and then as a pitcher within his team's first 10 games since Babe Ruth in 1919 with Boston. "At this time, I am not that nervous," the phenom told Los Angeles' website through an interpreter prior to Saturday's contest. "But I'm not sure how I'll be feeling after (Saturday's) game." Ohtani is hoping to perform better than he did during spring training, where he yielded nine runs - eight earned - and nine hits (three homers) over 2 2/3 innings in two starts.

Gossett made 18 starts as a rookie last season but allowed fewer than three earned runs in only six of those outings. One of those occasions came in Los Angeles on Aug. 28, when the 25-year-old native of South Carolina limited the Angels to two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings of a loss. That was the only career meeting with Los Angeles for Gossett, who failed to last five frames in any of his final three turns last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels placed 2B Ian Kinsler (adductor) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled INF Nolan Fontana from Triple-A Salt Lake.

2. Oakland acquired Josh Lucas from St. Louis for fellow RHP Casey Meisner and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.

3. Los Angeles signed OF Ben Revere to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Athletics 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Nationals never really got a chance to see what kind of impact Adam Eaton could make at the top of their lineup, losing him to a torn ACL in the first month last year. Eaton appears to be bent on making up for lost time as he looks to continue his fast start to 2018 and help the visiting Nationals go for a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.

Acquired for three top pitching prospects in December 2016, Eaton enjoyed a career day in Saturday's 13-7 win, going 5-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, three RBIs and four runs scored. Matt Adams, a longtime nemesis for the Reds, continued to torment them with a three-run home to ignite the offensive barrage, giving him 17 blasts and 43 RBIs in 68 games versus Cincinnati. After being shut out on Opening Day, the Reds got untracked offensively Saturday, as Adam Duvall and Eugenio Suarez swatted two-run homers while Scott Schebler added a solo shot. Scooter Gennett collected two more hits Saturday and is 6-for-9 for Cincinnati, which sends right-hander Sal Romano to the mound to face veteran lefty Gio Gonzalez in the series finale.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2017: 15-9, 2.96 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (2017: 5-8, 4.45)

Gonzalez is coming off one of the better seasons of his career, reaching double digits in victories for the eighth consecutive year while posting his second-lowest ERA. The 32-year-old won 11 times away from home last season and turned in a dominant performance at Cincinnati on July 14, limiting the Reds to four hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings. Joey Votto has been a nemesis, going 8-for-21 with three homers.

Romano had an up-and-down rookie campaign but showed improvement down the stretch by allowing a combined nine runs during a span of six starts from mid-August to mid-September. Despite pitching half of his games in homer-happy Great American Ball Park, the 24-year-old New York native permitted only nine homers in 16 starts overall. He has never faced Washington, although Matt Adams has a homer in three at-bats off Romano.

WALK-OFFS

1. Adams, in his first season with the Nationals, has 11 homers and 25 RBIs in 104 at-bats at Great American.

2. Duvall and Schebler hit 31 and 30 homers, respectively, in 2017.

3. Washington has won 11 of its last 13 meetings against the Reds.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Reds 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
Yonder Alonso finished the 2017 season with the Seattle Mariners and it did not take him long to make his former team regret letting him walk in free agency. Alonso got the Cleveland Indians off to a fast start with a first-inning grand slam in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, setting up Sunday's rubber match of the three-game series.

An All-Star with Oakland a year ago, Alonso clubbed 28 homers between the Athletics and Mariners before moving on to Cleveland, which he led with seven blasts during spring training. Catcher Yan Gomes supplied the lone run for the Indians with a bloop single in the season-opening 2-1 loss and delivered what proved to be the decisive hit Saturday - a two-run shot for a 6-3 lead. The Mariners are holding their breath over an injury to slugger Nelson Cruz, who twisted his ankle while walking down the dugout stairs Saturday after his second homer in as many games. Cruz, who led the American League in RBIs (119) and was fourth in homers (39) last season, is scheduled for an MRI exam on Sunday.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (2017: 17-9, 4.19 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (2017: 10-13, 3.92)

A former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2011, Bauer had a breakout season with the Indians a year ago and was immense over the second half, winning 10 of his last 11 decisions. The 26-year-old was denied a victory at Seattle on Sept. 22, when he went seven innings and allowed one run on five hits. Bauer is 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA versus the Mariners, but he owns a 2.25 ERA in four starts at Safeco Field

Leake was acquired by Seattle for the stretch run at the end of August last season and was impressive in his five starts, compiling a 3-1 record and 2.53 ERA while surrendering a total of nine earned runs and walking only two batters over 32 frames. The one loss with Seattle came against Cleveland in his final regular-season start, when he permitted three runs over seven innings. Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is 6-for-17 against Leake.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners LF Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-4 to move into sole possession of 21st place on the all-time hits list with 3,082.

2. Indians 3B Jose Ramirez, who clubbed 29 homers and batted .318 last year, is hitless in eight at-bats.

3. Seattle placed C Mike Zunino on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a strained left oblique.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Mariners 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The real winner of the season-opening series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers is Mother Nature, with inclement weather Saturday forcing a second postponement in two days and resulting in a split doubleheader Sunday in Detroit. The two teams may have needed the rainout to recover from a wild opening day Friday (following a Thursday rainout), a game the Tigers appeared to have won before a reversed call at home plate led to a 13-10 Pirates victory in 13 innings.

Detroit spent Friday evening and undoubtedly Saturday seething after Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe in the bottom of the 10th with the game-winning run, only to have replay reverse the call, setting off an argument that resulted in Ron Gardenhire being ejected in his debut as Tigers manager. "We've had plenty of plays that need clear and conclusive evidence to overturn, and there was one angle that maybe looked like it could have gotten my sleeve, and let's over turn the game and not let the Tigers win," Castellanos told reporters afterward. Both teams had plenty of chances in the opener, however, as the Pirates blew a four-run, ninth-inning lead and Detroit relievers surrendered nine runs and 11 hits in seven innings. "We fight as a family," Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco told the media after he finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, three runs scored, and the go-ahead three-run homer in the 13th. "We've got to fight every pitch, every at-bat, every inning, and you see what happens."

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Pittsburgh), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (2017: 8-11, 4.35 ERA) vs. Tigers TBD

Kuhl found a good rhythm after the All-Star break last season, posting a 3.63 ERA in his final 13 starts with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The 25-year-old endured a difficult spring, however, surrendering five homers in 17 innings en route to posting a 10.06 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP in six appearances. Kuhl beat the Tigers in Detroit on Aug. 8 last season, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts in six innings.

Detroit had yet to decide on whether Sunday's original starter, left-hander Francisco Liriano (6-7, 5.66 ERA last season), would start the nightcap or if lefty Matthew Boyd (6-11, 5.27 ERA a season ago) would get the nod. The 34-year-old Liriano, who pitched exclusively out of the bullpen with Houston after being acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline last season, looked sharp in spring training while posting a 2.25 ERA and limiting opponents to a .214 batting average in 16 innings. The 27-year-old Boyd made seven starts in spring training, finishing 4-0 with a 3.42 ERA, and struck out 26 against just seven walks in 23 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The two teams combined for 23 runs, 31 hits and five errors in Friday's opener.

2. Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte is hitting .335 in interleague play since the start of 2014, the highest average by any National League player.

3. The Tigers did not hit a homer in Friday's marathon game, but seven of their 14 hits were doubles.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Tigers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia 76ers look to extend their winning streak to 10 without leading scorer and rebounder Joel Embiid in the lineup as they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon. The 76ers pushed their winning streak to nine with a 109-101 victory at Atlanta on Friday in the first game since Embiid (22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds) suffered a fractured orbital bone.

"Without Joel it just means we run more, we shoot the ball a lot more from 3, and it's a quicker game," Philadelphia rookie Ben Simmons told reporters of Embiid, who has no timetable for return after surgery. "But we lose that big presence of him in the post, changing shots and things like that. So we lose a lot, but we're able to move the ball a lot quicker." The 76ers are a half-game behind Cleveland for third place in the Eastern Conference with one game in hand and a half-game up on Indiana for fourth as they go for a sixth straight win over Charlotte. The Hornets had won four straight before losing two in a row, including a 107-93 loss at Washington on Saturday afternoon in which they allowed 18 makes from 3-point range. Veteran center Dwight Howard notched his fifth straight double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, but leading scorer Kemba Walker was just 3-for-9 from the field and finished with single digits (seven points) for the first time since March 6.

Video: Philadelphia Sixers vs Atlanta Hawks - Full Game Highlights | March 30, 2018 | NBA Season 2017-18



TV: 1 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (45-30): Simmons recorded 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in Friday's victory for his 11th triple-double of the season and the fifth in 10 contests as he continues put up impressive numbers. "I'm just happy that we got the win," Simmons told reporters. ". ... But I think my teammates, if I didn't have these guys, I wouldn't get these triple-doubles. They make it easy for me." Guard J.J. Redick has raised his level of play the last three games, averaging 19.7 points - more than three above his season mark.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (34-43): Rookie guard Malik Monk has showed plenty of progress in March and ended the month by scoring 17, dishing out three assists and draining three 3-pointers in Saturday's loss. Center Willy Hernangomez, acquired from the New York Knicks in early February, has also picked up his production of late while averaging 8.5 points and six rebounds over the last eight contests. Third-leading scorer Jeremy Lamb (13.1 points) missed Saturday's game with a foot injury and his status is uncertain.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The 76ers have registered at least 30 assists in eight consecutive games, matching the club record in 1980.

2. Howard is fourth in the league with 48 double-doubles - five shy of his total with Atlanta last season.

3. Philadelphia G Marco Belinelli is averaging 14.9 points over the last seven games - more than three above his season mark.

PREDICTION: 76ers 108, Hornets 98

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The San Antonio Spurs are back up to fourth in the Western Conference thanks to LaMarcus Aldridge playing through some pain, but the race is far from over. The Houston Rockets, who visit the Spurs on Sunday, are much more secure in their position at No. 1 in the West and are still going strong with wins in 11 straight.

San Antonio is just a half-game ahead of Minnesota and Oklahoma City tied for fifth and one game clear of Utah and New Orleans tied for seventh after beating the Thunder 103-99 on Thursday to snap a two-game slide. The Spurs, who haven't missed the playoffs since 1997, are three games ahead of the ninth-place Clippers with six to play, including a visit to Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Rockets don't need any more wins after clinching the No. 1 spot but refuse to lose and recovered from a 21-point, second-half deficit to stun the Phoenix Suns in a 104-103 win on Friday. Houston is starting to rest players and didn't have Chris Paul or Eric Gordon available on Friday but leaned on its depth as Gerald Green buried the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Video: Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets - Full Game Highlights | March 30, 2018 | NBA Season 2017-18



TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (62-14): The West is jumbled enough at the bottom that Houston could see one of seven different teams in the first round of the playoffs and making sure they are ready for a deep run into the spring is the top priority. MVP candidate James Harden and center Clint Capela got a day off during Thursday's 118-86 thrashing of the Chicago Bulls before Paul, Gordon and Nene took Friday off, though all could be available against San Antonio. The Rockets built plenty of depth on their roster with in-season additions like Green and Joe Johnson, who combined for 31 points on Friday, giving the starters a chance to take a breather down the stretch.

ABOUT THE SPURS (44-32): Aldridge suffered a knee injury in Tuesday's 116-106 loss at Washington and was questionable heading into Thursday but ended up playing 34 minutes and collecting 25 points and 11 rebounds in the win. "We need him to be there, even if he feels bad," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili told reporters of Aldridge. "He's become so important and we depend on him so much. It's great to see him compete like that, fight through the pain and have a great game." Ginobili is trying to do his part as well and scored 10 points in 15 minutes off the bench against the Thunder.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets SF PJ Tucker went 5-of-7 from 3-point range on Friday after going 8-of-24 in the previous four contests.

2. Spurs SF Kyle Anderson is 19-of-27 from the floor over the last five games.

3. Houston took the first three meetings this season by an average of 14 points.

PREDICTION: Spurs 109, Rockets 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Los Angeles Clippers lost a game in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference on Friday and are running out of time to make up any ground. The Clippers will try to stay in the race at the expense of another team jockeying for position in its conference when they host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Los Angeles dropped a 105-96 decision at Portland on Friday to fall two games behind eighth-place New Orleans with six games left in the regular season. "I thought offensively, as much as defensively, we were horrible," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the setback. "I thought we never got to our formula that we have -- the draw and kick and attack. I thought we were passive most of the night. Why? I wish I knew. But clearly Portland has a confidence against us, and you can see it on the floor." The Pacers are winners of four straight and sit a half-game behind the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 4 spot in the East and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, one game shy of third-place Cleveland. "We know it's going to be tough, obviously, with these road games," Indiana All-Star Victor Oladipo told reporters about earning homecourt advantage. "But if we take it one game at a time, we can accomplish it. That's what we're focused on."

Video: Los Angeles Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers - March 30, 2018 - Recap



TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE PACERS (45-31): Indiana opened the four-game road trip with wins over Golden State and Sacramento, recovering from slow starts in each contest before getting the upper hand late. "We know we're going to be in some tough fights and some dog fights each and every game," Pacers forward Thaddeus Young told the team's website. "Hopefully we can come out and jump on teams like we're supposed to. We're starting off a little slow right now, but like I said, it's getting us ready for the playoff atmosphere. Each and every time we step out on the court, especially when we're away, it's us five versus the whole world and that's how we have to treat each and every game." Young scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the 106-103 win at Sacramento and is averaging 18.3 points over the last four games to raise his season average to 12.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (41-35): Los Angeles' season has been marked by constant injuries to key members of the rotation and just when the team got one back, another was lost. The Clippers welcomed small forward Danilo Gallinari back from a broken hand on Friday only to learn that point guard Milos Teodosic would miss at least the rest of the regular season after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot. Gallinari, who was playing for the first time since Feb. 22, got the start against the Trail Blazers and managed 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting in 25 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers G Austin Rivers slumped to three points on 1-of-8 shooting on Friday, ending a string of 15 straight games scoring in double figures.

2. Pacers SF Bojan Bogdanovic is averaging 22 points on 57.1 percent shooting over the last four games.

3. Los Angeles suffered a 109-104 loss at Indiana on March 23 as Bogdanovic led the way with 28 points.

PREDICTION: Clippers 113, Pacers 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Wizards look to continue adding victories after clinching a playoff berth for the fourth time in five seasons when they visit the struggling Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon. The Wizards got All-Star point guard John Wall back in the lineup Saturday after he missed more than two months with a knee injury and they rolled over Charlotte 107-93 to seal a spot in the postseason.

Wall, who finished with 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting and 14 assists in 33 minutes in the victory, will sit out Sunday's game in the second of a back-to-back as he tries to ease his way back to form. Washington holds down the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference after winning for just the second time in six games, but drained 18-of-39 from 3-point range Saturday and received 48 points combined from Otto Porter Jr. and Bradley Beal. The Bulls snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 90-82 victory at Orlando on Friday night as rookie Lauri Markkanen registered 13 points and eight rebounds. Chicago plays four of its last six contests at home where it is 15-22 with four consecutive losses and will attempt to end a five-game losing streak against Washington, including two in 2017-18.

Video: Washington Wizards vs Charlotte Hornets Full Game Highlights / March 31 / 2017-18 NBA Season



TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (42-34): Porter looked fine Saturday with 26 points despite suffering an ankle injury and scoring just seven in a 103-92 setback against Detroit on Thursday. Beal had been just 3-of-18 from 3-point range in the previous three games before connecting on six of his eight attempts from beyond the arc Saturday to finish with 22 points - his best output in four contests. Kelly Oubre Jr. saw his six-game streak of double-figure scoring games end by recording nine Saturday and is just 1-for-23 from 3-point range the last four contests.

ABOUT THE BULLS (25-51): Center Cristiano Felicio pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds in Friday's win and has double-figure boards three times in his last seven games while averaging 8.6 in that stretch. Markkanen averaged 17.5 points in his last two outings to push his season mark to 14.9 - second on the team behind Zach LaVine (16.7), who will likely be held out the rest of the season with knee tendinitis. Point guard Cameron Payne is averaging 10.3 points and 4.8 assists over the last six games after scoring 11 versus Orlando.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Washington G Tomas Satoransky is expected to replace Wall in the starting lineup Sunday after recording six points against Charlotte.

2. Chicago G Sean Kilpatrick is averaging 10 points in three games since joining the team, but is 8-for-27 from the field.

3. The Bulls are last in the league in field-goal percentage (43.4), but are near the top of the league in rebounds per game (44.9).

PREDICTION: Wizards 110, Bulls 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic on Sunday in a matchup of the two worst teams in the Eastern Conference, and they will do so without their leading scorer. Point guard Dennis Schroder suffered a medial bone bruise and a sprained left ankle against Golden State on March 23, and his 19.4 points and 6.2 assists per game will be sidelined for Atlanta's final six contests.

Schroder joins fellow guard Kent Bazemore, the Hawks' third-leading scorer at 12.9 points per game, on the shelf for the rest of the way. Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer indicated before Friday's 101-91 home loss to Philadelphia that several players on the roster, including Isaiah Taylor (12 points with seven assists against the 76ers) will share time at the point in the final six games. The Magic held Chicago to nine points in the third quarter Friday, only to go scoreless for almost six minutes in the fourth quarter of a 90-82 home loss. "I thought there were a handful of possessions that set up a poor fourth quarter by trying to go for the knockout punch, the dagger 3s, and just trying to force it a little bit when we had them on the ropes," Orlando coach Frank Vogel told the media afterward.

Video: Philadelphia Sixers vs Atlanta Hawks Full Game Highlights | March 30, 2018 | NBA Season 20



TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (22-53): Orlando beat the Hawks on Feb. 8, but in 21 games since the Magic have allowed 106.1 points per game in going 4-17 during that stretch. Forward Aaron Gordon scored a game-high 18 points against Chicago and is averaging a team-leading 18.2 points to go along with 8.3 rebounds per game. Center Nikola Vucevic averages 17.1 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds per contest for the Magic, who play four of their next six games on the road.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (21-55): Rookie guard Damion Lee has averaged 10.4 points in his first nine NBA games, scoring a team-high 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting Friday. Another rookie, forward John Collins, is sixth in the NBA in field-goal shooting (58.3 percent) while averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Atlanta is 1-11 in its past 12 games and opponents are scoring 113.9 points per game against the Hawks during that stretch.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Magic lead the season series 2-1 and have beaten the Hawks six times in the past 10 meetings.

2. The Hawks recorded a season-high 59 rebounds in Friday's loss, led by C Dewayne Dedmon's 15.

3. Orlando SF Wesley Iwundu was scratched from Friday's lineup due to an illness, and SG Rodney Purvis scored five points in 23 minutes in his second NBA start.

PREDICTION: Magic 106, Hawks 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers are winners of seven of their last eight games but are still fighting off a pair of teams to hold onto the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will try not to overlook the visiting Dallas Mavericks when they continue a four-game homestand on Sunday.

Cleveland will face three straight East playoff teams after finishing up with the lowly Mavericks, including a date with the East-leading Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The Cavaliers are following the lead of superstar LeBron James, who scored 27 points in Friday's 107-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans to reach double figures for the 867th straight game, breaking a record previously held by Michael Jordan. "It will probably go in my trophy case with a lot of accomplishments in my life," James told reporters, referencing the game ball that he kept as a memento. "That's a good moment, a special moment not only for myself but for my family and for so many kids that look up to me for inspiration, to know that you can actually go out there and do it." Dallas dropped seven of its last eight games but played another potential playoff team tough before falling just short in a 93-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Video: Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Full Game Highlights / March 30 / 2017-18 NBA Season



TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-53): Dallas is looking for improvement from its young players as the season draws to a close and rookies Dennis Smith Jr. and Max Kleber are putting up solid performances. Smith battled foul trouble on Friday but still managed to record 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting and seven assists in 26 minutes and is averaging 17.8 points over the last four games. Kleber added 10 points in Friday's loss but did his best work on the defensive end with four blocks.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (46-30): Cleveland is getting healthy as it advances toward the postseason, and head coach Tyronn Lue is the next one expected to return. Lue missed the last eight games while dealing with health issues but attended Friday's game and the Cavaliers have a plan to increase his involvement gradually at practice and shootaround before he takes his place back on the bench. "I know he's itching to get back," assistant coach Larry Drew, who is serving as head coach while Lue is away, told reporters on Friday. "He's talked to management here in the organization and they've come up with a plan as far as when it's time for him to come back how often he'll be around and how they want to move forward as far as him getting used to getting back into the grind."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks SF Doug McDermott is 9-of-14 from 3-point range over the last five games.

2. Cavaliers PG George Hill (ankle) left Friday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Cleveland took five of the last six in the series, including a 111-104 win at Dallas on Nov. 11.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 109, Mavericks 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
Seven teams are vying for five playoff spots in the Western Conference and the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans - who meet Sunday in New Orleans - are right in the middle of the battle. Both teams are suffering through ill-timed three-game losing streaks and are separated by a half-game in the West, with the eighth-place Pelicans holding a two-game edge on the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.

New Orleans saw superstar forward Anthony Davis struggle to 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting in a 107-102 loss at Cleveland on Friday. "I missed a lot of shots," Davis told reporters. "I have to play better. If I do make half of those shots that I missed, we probably wouldn't even be in that situation. It's on me." The Thunder saw their own stars struggle from the field in a 126-125 overtime loss to Denver at home on Friday, as Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George combined to shoot 25-of-65. Oklahoma City hosts Golden State and then visits Houston after finishing up with the Pelicans.

Video: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Full Game Highlights / March 30 / 2017-18 NBA Season



TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBATV FS Oklahoma, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE THUNDER (44-33): Oklahoma City's three straight losses have come by a combined eight points and all were against West playoff hopefuls, making for a frustrating slide. "We just have to finish them," Westbrook told reporters after Friday's loss. "We did a good job of locking in when we needed to get stops. We just need to put the ball in the hole." Westbrook had 33 points and 13 assists and Anthony scored 23 before sitting out the entire fourth quarter and returning in overtime.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-33): Jrue Holiday continued his stellar play and kept New Orleans close while Davis struggled at Cleveland, producing 25 points on 12-of-18 shooting after recording a triple-double against Portland on Tuesday. Rajon Rondo (wrist) returned from a two-game absence to hand out eight assists and Nikola Mirotic added 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting after producing a total of seven points on 2-of-13 over his previous two games. "You have to do the right things to be able to finish games and I thought we put ourselves in a really good situation and had an opportunity to maybe steal a game here, but you have to do the right things in order to finish it," coach Alvin Gentry told the media.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. New Orleans scored 114 points in each of the first two meetings - both wins.

2. Thunder SF Paul George shot 38.3 percent from the floor in 14 games in March.

3. Davis averages 29.6 points on 56.6 percent shooting at home.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 113, Thunder 110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Detroit Pistons have a chance to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. After a 3-13 swoon sent the Pistons to the brink of elimination in the Eastern Conference playoff race, they've shown some late life with four straight wins.

Andre Drummond had 22 points and 17 rebounds to lead Detroit to a 115-109 win at the New York Knicks on Saturday, pulling the squad within 4 1/2 games of eighth-place Miami but with just six games to play. "It's been a long season. It's been a tough one for us. We're not where we necessarily envisioned ourselves, but like I said I'm just proud of the resiliency this team's had," guard Reggie Jackson told reporters after scoring 17 points in the win. "Despite what our record may say, coming in every day and trying to get better and continue to battle." Saturday's contest at Madison Square Garden began a closing stretch for the Pistons in which five of their final seven opponents are at least 20 games under .500. The Nets certainly qualify but they're coming off a 2-0 trip to Florida, including Saturday's 110-109 overtime triumph in Miami that kept the Heat from clinching a playoff berth.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Detroit Plus, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (36-40): Saturday's win came with star power forward Blake Griffin sidelined with a bone bruise in his right ankle, and he likely will miss at least three more contests. Veteran Anthony Tolliver filled in admirably when Griffin left early in Thursday's win over Washington and he added 17 points in the win over the Knicks. Tolliver is averaging 17.8 points in the last four games to raise his season mark to 8.2.

ABOUT THE NETS (25-51): D'Angelo Russell is one of Brooklyn's building blocks for the future but he wasn't able to play his way out of a rough start Saturday, seeing just seven minutes of action and missing all five of his shots before he sat for the remainder of the game. "I felt like those other guys came in and started to play great," coach Kenny Atkinson said of benching Russell. "You just go with it as a coach. It was just a feel." Another cornerstone who had a much better evening was Caris LeVert, who produced 19 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes off the bench, making the decisive basket in the final minute.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Drummond had a season-high 27 rebounds in a 115-106 win over Brooklyn at home Feb. 7.

2. Nets SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 20 points against Miami and has averaged 17.2 - nearly three over his season mark - over an 11-game stretch.

3. Pistons SF James Ennis III is 14-of-24 from the field over his last four games.

PREDICTION: Pistons 111, Nets 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz are both fighting to stay in the top eight of the Western Conference and are separated from each other by just a half-game. The Timberwolves will try to run their winning streak to three in a row at the expense of the Jazz when they host Utah on Sunday.

Minnesota leaned on All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns in its last two games, and the 22-year-old delivered with 56 points in a 126-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and 21 points and 20 rebounds in a 93-92 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. "Scratching out wins, it's critical," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters after Friday's triumph. "Everyone is tough in the West. Sometimes it's going to be like tonight." Utah is tied for the seventh spot in the West, two games clear of the ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers, but is only one game behind fourth-place San Antonio in the tightly-packed group. The Jazz held off lowly Memphis 107-97 on Friday to split a two-game homestand and will play three of its remaining six games on the road.

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

ABOUT THE JAZZ (43-33): Utah got an unexpected scoring boost off the bench on Friday from point guard Dante Exum, who scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and went 3-of-4 from 3-point range. The 22-year-old Australian suffered a separated shoulder in the preseason and did not make his season debut until March 15. "(Dante) ignited our team, and he really did it on both ends of the floor," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "He attacked on offense and came up with some big defensive plays. It's really good to see after everything he's fought through, and our team needed that tonight."

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (44-33): Towns was solid on Friday, but it was veteran Jamal Crawford taking over down the stretch when the team needed a boost in the fourth quarter. Crawford, 38, scored 13 of his 24 points in the final period, including a jumper in the final seconds to provide just enough cushion for the win after waving off a screen from Towns. "That was cold-blooded," Towns told reporters. "That was one of the most cold-blooded shots I've ever seen. He waved me off. He wanted to go 1-on-1. When you're in a zone like that? Why not?"

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves PG Derrick Rose (ankle) sat out the last five games but is nearing a return.

2. Jazz PG Ricky Rubio (hamstring) missed Friday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Minnesota took the first two meetings but Utah earned a 116-108 home win in the latest matchup on March 2.

PREDICTION: Jazz 103, Timberwolves 95

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The odds to make the playoffs are stacked against the Denver Nuggets as they begin a three-game homestand Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Denver sits two games behind Utah and New Orleans, who are tied for seventh and own the final two postseason spots in the Western Conference, and while the Nuggets have a favorable schedule down the stretch, so do the Jazz and Pelicans.

Denver will persevere without Gary Harris, their second-leading scorer who missed the last seven games with a knee injury. "Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to see him for a while,'' Nuggets coach Michael Malone told the Denver Post. "Just being completely honest. Obviously, I am not a doctor, but in talking to our training staff, Gary has been working hard to get back, but I think he is still a ways away.'' Milwaukee is jockeying for position with Washington and Miami for the final three playoff spots in the East while well clear of ninth-place Detroit after a 124-122 overtime victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday. Denver won the first of two meetings this season 134-123 on Feb. 15 behind 30 points, a career-high 17 assists and 15 rebounds from Nikola Jokic for its third straight victory in the series.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Altitude 2 (Denver)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (41-35): Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.3 points, 10.0 rebounds per game) recorded 27 points and 16 rebounds Friday, giving him five 25-point, 15-rebound games this season -- second-most in the Eastern Conference to Philadelphia's Joel Embiid (six). Eric Bledsoe (17.6 points) is averaging 24 over his last four games after erupting for a season-high 39 versus the Lakers. John Henson (8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds) remains day-to-day after missing his second straight game Friday with a finger injury while Malcolm Brogdon (13.3 points), who has missed the last 26 games with a quad injury, is working his way toward a return before the regular season ends.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (41-35): Jokic (17.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists) is averaging 23.2 points over his last 12 games after scoring 23 in Friday's 126-115 victory at Oklahoma City that capped a 3-4 road trip while Paul Millsap (14.8 points) recorded a season-high 36. Veteran guard Devin Harris (8.4 points), who was acquired at the trade deadline, reached double figures in points in eight of his last 11 games after scoring 12 on Friday. Will Barton (15.2 points) replaced Gary Harris in the starting lineup and averaged 17.4 during the road trip.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jokic has 14 triple-doubles since the start of the 2016-17 season, fourth-most in the NBA behind Russell Westbrook (65), LeBron James (29) and James Harden (25).

2. Milwaukee is 17-12 versus the West this season as it plays its final regular-season game against the conference this campaign. The 17 wins are tied for second-most among Eastern Conference teams with Philadelphia behind only Toronto (19).

3. Denver has won seven straight at home versus Milwaukee, which is 2-1 on its four-game road trip and trying for consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1999-2001.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 110, Bucks 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Golden State Warriors have dealt with a plethora of injuries of late, and they now must press on following the shock of another scary one. A night after seeing reserve guard Patrick McCaw leave the floor in Sacramento on a stretcher, the Warriors will try to extend a pair of long losing streaks for the visiting Phoenix Suns when the teams meet Sunday.

McCaw was inadvertently undercut on a layup attempt during Golden State's 112-96 win over the Kings and was on the court for several minutes before being taken to a hospital for further evaluation. "It was really scary," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "He was in a lot of pain. Landed on his back. ... Scary stuff." The Warriors have won 13 in a row over the Suns - including two this season by an average of 30.5 points - and Phoenix has dropped 14 in a row overall after falling on a buzzer-beater at Houston on Friday after leading by 21 points in the second half, inching closer to clinching the worst record in the NBA. "There's no better way of learning than being in these games and going through an experience like that," Suns coach Jay Triano told the media.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-58): Devin Booker (hand), T.J. Warren (knee) and Elfrid Payton (knee) sat out the loss to Houston and all remain day-to-day. Rookie Josh Jackson has made the most of the available minutes and scored 27 points on 13-of-24 shooting on Friday to finish March with a scoring average of 17.5 points. Troy Daniels buried seven 3-pointers en route to 23 points against the Rockets and is 29-of-61 from beyond the arc over a six-game span.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (55-21): While McCaw is hurt, the Warriors did get sharpshooter Klay Thompson back from a broken thumb and he went for 25 points in 32 minutes in the win over the Kings. Additionally, Kevin Durant - who returned from a six-game absence Thursday against Milwaukee but was promptly ejected - had his best effort in well over two weeks with 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Kerr did not address the game at all during an emotional postgame in Sacramento, choosing instead to offer support for McCaw.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Golden State SG Andre Iguodala (knee) missed Saturday's win and is day-to-day.

2. The Suns' road losing streak stands at eight in a row.

3. Warriors PG Quinn Cook scored 28 points and PF Draymond Green added 25 and 11 rebounds in a 124-109 win at Phoenix on March 17.

PREDICTION: Warriors 110, Suns 102