Wednesday 10-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park
RACE #8 - BELMONT PARK - 5:13 PM EASTERN POST
8.0 FURLONGS TURF FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $80,000.00 OPTIONAL CLAIMING $85,000.00 PURSE

#3 CANDY STORE
#4 HALLIE BELLE
#1 PENJADE
#5 BELLAVAIS

#3 CANDY STORE, an Irish-bred entry, has won 6 of 9 in her career to date racing at today's distance of a mile on the dirt, including a trio of "POWER RUN WINS" found in her last five starts. Jockey Joel Rosario and Trainer Chris Clement send her to the post ... they've hit the board with 54% of more than 80 entries saddled as a team to date. #4 HALLIE BELLE, the morning line favorite, takes a class drop (-10) and has turned in "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in four straight, hitting the board in a pair, including a "POWER RUN WIN" facing better company (+9) in her 4th race back.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes - Race 4

EXACTA * TRIFECTA * SUPERFECTA (10 Cent Minimum) * DAILY DOUBLE(Races 4-5) * PICK 3 (50 CENT MINIMUM: RACES 4-5-6) * PICK 5 WITH CARRYOVER (50 Cent Minimum: Races 4-5-6-7-8)


Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 72 • Purse: $9,000 • Post: 2:31P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 24 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE AUGUST 24 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. MONMOUTH BEACH is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * MONMOUTH BEACH: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. FIFTY PLUS: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. EVER YOUNG: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. IAMP OE: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
5
MONMOUTH BEACH
8/5

3/1
3
FIFTY PLUS
9/2

7/1
1
EVER YOUNG
2/1

9/1
4
IAMPOE
8/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
MONMOUTH BEACH
5

8/5
Front-runner
70

70

57.4

70.8

66.8
1
EVER YOUNG
1

2/1
Stalker
67

66

48.4

63.0

55.0
3
FIFTY PLUS
3

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
69

70

63.0

55.8

51.3
4
IAMPOE
4

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
73

69

48.0

56.4

47.9
6
ALEX'S LEMON TWIST
6

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
73

66

44.5

54.3

48.3
7
KIELBASA BOB
7

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
54

47

40.4

24.4

8.9
8
COMEONLETSDANCE
8

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
49

48

35.6

31.7

19.7
2
ONLY THE SILK
2

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
53

45

34.8

42.8

30.8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park West

10/24/18, GPW, Race 2, 1.47 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.04 CLAIMING. Purse $19,000.
Claiming Price $8,000 (Races Where Entered For $6,250 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 2-3-4) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5) / $1 Super Hi 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 21.57, $1 ROI 0.56, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 4 Outrun 6-1 Sanchez J Gonzalez Javier E. FWL
099.2291 1 Over Promised 5/2 Jaramillo E Garcia Rodolfo JC
097.6506 7 Quinientos 3-1 Zayas E J Silva Daniel S
097.3532 3 Ekhlaas 7/2 Camacho S Sano Antonio
097.2507 2 Pokerist 9/2 Maragh R R Barboza. Jr. Victor T
096.9231 5 Catana's Edge 8-1 Carmona K Morrison Michael S. E
088.5245 6 Cyber Josh 30-1 Ulloa O Rose Barry R.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Hawthorne
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 6 - Allowance - 8.5f on the Turf. Purse: $21000 Class Rating: 91

FOR ILLINOIS REGISTERED, CONCEIVED AND/OR FOALED. THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $9,800 ONCE OR A STATE BRED RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE SEPTEMBER 24 ALLOWED 3 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 IOYA AGAIN 7/2

# 2 TRAVEL WEST 2/1

# 7 SUPERMANS CAPE 10/1

IOYA AGAIN looks to be the wager in here. Trainer boasts strong win figures at this distance and surface. Had one of the most competitive speed figures of this field in his last affair. Recent figures for the rider - 22 win percent - make this gelding stand out in this field. TRAVEL WEST - Has performed admirably lately in route races, posting a nifty 84 avg Equibase Speed Figure. Earned a solid speed fig last time out. SUPERMANS CAPE - With a strong 86 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's race. Has competitive front speed and will probably fare solidly versus this group.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Keeneland

10/24/18, KEE, Race 4, 2.45 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.02 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $67,000.
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD
Daily Double-Exacta ($1 min)-Trifecta-Pick 3-Pick 5 ($.50 min)-Superfecta - ($.10 min)-Super High Five ($1 min)
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 24.00, $1 ROI 0.62, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 11 Play On 6-1 Bridgmohan S Cox Brad H. T
098.2636 13 Alizee 6-1 Hill C Catalano Wayne M.
097.5769 4 Sugar Love 8-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Arnold. II George R. W
097.5497 2 Shesomajestic 3-1 Kennedy T Hartman Chris A. FE
097.3250 6 Just Perfection 6-1 Saez G Jones J. Larry L
097.1511 1 Special for You 8-1 Lanerie C J Kenneally Eddie
097.0792 16 Semper Frey 6-1 Diego J Pompell Robert
096.4704 3 Paynter Up Mauk 10-1 Graham J Mauk William
096.3773 12 Take Me Home 8-1 Jimenez A Hamm Timothy E.
095.5581 10 Insane Maclean 12-1 Murrill M Heitzmann Eric L.
094.6449 7 Bohemian Bourbon 15-1 Leparoux J R Wilkes Ian R.
093.9151 15 Moonfield 20-1 Cannon D Jordan. Jr. Harold Z.
093.0494 9 Upgrade Me 10-1 Morales E McGee Paul J. C
092.4378 5 Summer Delivery 15-1 Gaffalione T Sims Philip A. J
091.5694 14 Miss Systematic 15-1 Albarado R Sims Philip A.
090.9759 8 Empress Sophia 15-1 McMahon C Lukas D. Wayne

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mountaineer Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6300 Class Rating: 75

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 24 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 CUCKOO'S SALOON 8/1

# 9 DANCE EVEN 6/1

# 8 EL CACIQUE 3/1

CUCKOO'S SALOON has a strong shot to take this contest and is a solid value bet given the line at 8/1. Is tough not to examine based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been respectable - 63 avg - of late. Radosevich has him trained very well to break quickly out of the gate. Must be considered given the class of races run recently. DANCE EVEN - He has been racing soundly recently while recording solid Equibase Speed Figures. Recently Paucar has been on fire which may give the edge to this gelding. EL CACIQUE - Strong average speed figures in dirt sprint races make this racer a solid choice. Has a very solid record at the distance and surface, which makes me like this gelding.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #2 - Post: 6:31pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 80

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 NEBIKON (ML=9/2)
#4 AWESOME GHOST (ML=3/1)
#1 HERE COMES GARY (ML=7/2)


NEBIKON - Taking a trip to a lower class rank; has the class ability to make his presence felt. Lower weight carried of -5. In my opinion, a movement of 5 is important, so this gelding falls into this category. AWESOME GHOST - The September 13th clash at Delaware Park was at a class level of (88). Dropping down the class scale considerably, so he should be in a good position. I like the case that this gelding's last fig, 73, is tops in this field. HERE COMES GARY - Looking over this horse's PPs I see that the last time he tried this distance he got a speed fig that would be good enough to win today's contest. This horse runs very well off of a layoff. Taking a trip to a lower class level; has the class ability to make his presence felt. Look for this horse to show better in this field. Last event at Penn National finishing eighth on a track listed as good is no indication of his true talent.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 JAZZY'S QUATTRO (ML=5/1), #8 RUN DIXIE RUN (ML=6/1), #6 VICIOUS (ML=8/1),

RUN DIXIE RUN - The Brain always cautions me to keep my distance from thoroughbreds in sprint affairs that haven't hit the board in short distance races of late. VICIOUS - Equibase speed figures tell a story of decreasing form.



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

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,4,7] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Remington Park
Remington Park - Race 7

Exacta / Trifecta (.50 Cent Minimum) / Superfecta (.10 Cent Minimum) Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) (.50 Cent Minimum)


Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $9,350 • Post: 9:52P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2018. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000. OKLAHOMA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $6,250. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
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 * ALABAMA TIDE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Hor se has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. WHOZ TALKIN NOW: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. RIPPIN RIDE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
4
ALABAMA TIDE
3/1

9/2
1
WHOZ TALKIN NOW
2/1

5/1
7
RIPPIN RIDE
5/2

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
SMOKING ROMANCE
5

30/1
Front-runner
82

71

84.2

66.8

59.8
7
RIPPIN RIDE
7

5/2
Front-runner
84

84

74.2

76.0

70.0
6
SANTORINI SKY
6

30/1
Front-runner
71

76

68.5

67.0

50.0
8
THE GINJA NINJA
8

20/1
Alternator/Front-runner
85

78

71.0

74.8

63.8
2
BIG TUNA
2

5/1
Alternator/Front-runner
87

84

69.8

69.6

58.6
4
ALABAMA TIDE
4

3/1
Stalker
90

88

67.2

77.6

73.1
3
YANKEE GAMBLER
3

12/1
Stalker
80

76

64.0

72.4

61.9
1
WHOZ TALKIN NOW
1

2/1
Trailer
86

77

29.0

79.2

72.7
9
TRUST YOUR GUT
9

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
69

66

43.0

65.0

49.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th October 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/24/2018

David Price recorded his first career playoff victory as a starting pitcher in his 12th attempt and now looks to make it two in a row when the Boston Red Sox host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday for Game 2 of the World Series. The left-hander set aside his longstanding postseason struggles with six scoreless innings in the American League Championship Series-clinching win over Houston.

Price, who will be trying to help Boston take a 2-0 series lead, was bombarded with questions and routinely ridiculed for his October issues and admitted Tuesday that he feels a lot less pressure now that he is 1-9 as a starter. "It's definitely a weight lifted off of me, for sure," Price said during his press conference. "Not like food tastes better or anything like that. But it was time. And I'm definitely glad that the time came and we moved past it. And I look forward to doing the same thing (Wednesday)." The Red Sox recorded an 8-4 win in Game 1 as Andrew Benintendi had four hits and Eduardo Nunez belted a pinch-hit, three-run homer, while Manny Machado drove in three runs for the Dodgers. "Our guys, like you've seen all year, are going to fight," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said in his postgame press conference. "And we don't expect (the Red Sox) to give us anything. So we expect it to be a hard-fought series."

TV: 8:09 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-1, 4.40 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (1-1, 5.11)

Ryu never has pitched in Fenway Park and took some time to study the playing field dimensions on Monday. "When I was in Korea, I only saw Fenway Park through TV, and same like here in the States," the South Korean said through a translator during his press conference. "It took me this long to actually get here to the Fenway Park. And my initial reaction to the Green Monster is, it's very tall. I don't think there is going to be much difference between a left-handed pitcher and a right-handed pitcher because the dimension is still going to stay the same regardless." The 31-year-old Ryu is 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA in six career postseason starts.



While Price is happy to have a winning start on his postseason resume, Red Sox manager Alex Cora insists the 33-year-old is going about his business in his typical fashion. "Nothing has changed," Cora said during a press conference. "He talked about it, obviously, after the clincher, that he doesn't have to answer questions, but he knows that his next start is a big start. (Wednesday) is going to be a big one. So we count on him." Price is 3-9 with a 5.04 ERA in 20 career postseason appearances (12 starts), with the first two wins coming as a reliever.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox are 8-0 this postseason when scoring first.

2. Benintendi joined Wally Moses (Game 4, 1946) and Jacoby Ellsbury (Game 3, 2007) as the only Boston players with four hits in a World Series game.

3. Los Angeles DH Matt Kemp became the 36th player to homer in his first World Series at-bat.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Red Sox 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 23rd October 2018 by Gracenote
Nets vs. Cavaliers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/23/2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers are missing something on the defensive end in the early going as they try to navigate life without LeBron James. The Cavaliers will try to solve some of their communication issues on defense when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.

Cleveland is allowing opponents to shoot 49.5 percent from the floor, including 43.8 percent from 3-point range, during an 0-3 start and was crushed 133-111 in the home opener by the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. "Whoever's in the game has got to be ready to play, take the scout serious and understand what we're doing," center Tristan Thompson told the Akron Beacon Journal. "If you don't know what to do, ask questions. But don't go out there and say, 'I know. I know,' and then you come out there and get your (butt) whupped." The Nets went through their own struggles on the defensive end in a 132-112 loss at Indiana on Saturday but are getting an upgrade on that end with the return of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who missed the first three games with an adductor strain. "I definitely can come out and contribute defensively just being a vocal, energetic and hardworking guy," Hollis-Jefferson told reporters. "It's just about doing whatever they need me to do and doing that extremely well."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE NETS (1-2): Injuries to the likes of Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe gave Caris LeVert the opportunity to get more shots up in the first three games, and he took advantage. LeVert, who averaged 12.1 points in a reserve role last season, is averaging 24.7 points on 65 percent shooting while logging 31.3 minutes in the first three games. Small forward Joe Harris started in Hollis-Jefferson's spot in the first three games and averaged 14.3 points while shooting 52.9 percent from beyond the arc.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (0-3): Cleveland allowed the Hawks to bury 22 3-pointers in Sunday's setback and were outscored 41-25 in the fourth quarter. "Opening Night at home we expect to play better," star power forward Kevin Love told reporters. "We expect to play better in front of our home crowd. I don't know if alarming is the right word but it sure sounds right, just with our effort level. Our effort level wasn't there, especially defending the 3-point line. They were just gunning and we weren't getting into them, we weren't physical." Love had a rough night from beyond the arc in that loss while hitting 1-of-8 but is averaging 20.7 points and 14.3 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets PG Shabazz Napier (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut on Wednesday.

2. Cavaliers SG JR Smith (elbow) sat out Sunday and is questionable.

3. Cleveland took the final three meetings last season while averaging 123 points.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 112, Nets 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 23rd October 2018 by Gracenote
Mavericks vs. Hawks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/23/2018

Rookies Luka Doncic and Trae Young were the featured players in a notable draft-night deal between the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks last spring. The youngsters, who have hit the ground running in their NBA careers, will face off for the first time Wednesday when Doncic leads the Mavericks into Atlanta for Young's home debut with the Hawks.

The two lottery teams swapped their first-round picks and Dallas sent Atlanta a 2019 first-round selection, and both Doncic and Young are already leading their respective teams in scoring, with Young erupting for 35 points in a rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. "Trae is fearless," Hawks guard Kent Bazemore told reporters. "Even in the practices earlier in the summer, he came in and established himself right away. That's what you have to respect: a young guy that comes in, he's not bashful, he's not shy and who has that kind of caliber talent." The Mavericks won two straight and Doncic has shined in both victories, averaging 22.5 points while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He will try to help Dallas snap a nine-game losing streak against Atlanta, a slide that extends to the Mavericks' last win in the series nearly five years ago.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (2-1): Doncic added a team-high six assists in Monday's 115-109 win over the Chicago Bulls, including a clever look to cutting center DeAndre Jordan that put the 19-year-old on the highlight reels. Jordan converted on the play as part of an 18-point, 16-rebound effort, making him the first Dallas player in 24 years to start a season with three straight double-doubles. "He's just been sensational," coach Rick Carlisle told reporters of Jordan. "He's giving us a major presence on the inside. You add the personality and attitude that he brings to the game. On a night like tonight, you don't get over the top without it."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (1-2): Young had 11 assists and Atlanta recorded 32 of them on their 48 baskets in the 133-111 win over the Cavaliers, the Hawks' best scoring output since Dec. 2, 2009. Bazemore finished with 23 points and made 4-of-8 3-pointers just two days after being held to three points without a single 3-point try in a loss at Memphis. Rookie Omari Spellman had a breakout game with 17 points in 24 minutes off the bench after playing just eight total minutes through his first two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks SF Harrison Barnes (hamstring) is expected to miss his fourth straight game to begin the season.

2. Atlanta SF DeAndre' Bembry hit 8-of-14 3-pointers over his last five games, including the preseason.

3. The Mavericks entered Tuesday leading the NBA in 3-point attempts per game (43.3) while Atlanta ranked fourth (37.7).

PREDICTION: Hawks 116, Mavericks 114

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 23rd October 2018 by Gracenote
Knicks vs. Heat Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/23/2018

The Miami Heat will have had three days off to digest a painful loss in their home opener, and to hopefully get a bit healthier ahead of a matchup with the visiting New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Heat rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to tie the Charlotte Hornets in the final minute on Saturday before falling 113-112.

Miami played once again without Justise Winslow (hamstring), Wayne Ellington (ankle), James Johnson (abdomen) and Dion Waiters (ankle), while Hassan Whiteside (hip) and Derrick Jones Jr. (foot) were both held out of Monday's practice. The Knicks also made a late charge but fell short 124-113 at Milwaukee on Monday, their third straight loss. "This is the suffering you must go through to become a good basketball team," coach David Fizdale told reporters. "The best part about it is our guys found a way to make it a basketball game." Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 24 points for the second straight game and is averaging 27 points through the first four for New York, although the veteran swingman is shooting just 41.8 percent.

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

ABOUT THE KNICKS (1-3): Monday marked New York's first game without rookie forward Kevin Knox, who sprained his left ankle in a loss to Boston on Saturday. Damyean Dotson picked up some of the slack after Knox left the game against the Celtics and Dotson played a big part in Monday's contest with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Enes Kanter recorded four straight double-doubles to begin the season, the first Knick to do so since Zach Randolph did it in seven straight to open 2007-08.

ABOUT THE HEAT (1-2): Dwyane Wade had the best game of his "Last Dance" season with Miami, scoring 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the Hornets. Goran Dragic added 20 points and seven assists against one turnover as he continues to be the steadying force amid the team's many physical issues. "You can bank on what he does virtually every single night," coach Erik Spoelstra told the media of Dragic. "That's why he's an All-Star and one of the best point guards in our league. He can do it with different kinds of teams, different kinds of style. He's a model of consistency."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks SG Courtney Lee (neck) has yet to play this season and remains day-to-day.

2. Whiteside entered Tuesday tied for third in the NBA with 14.3 rebounds per game.

3. The teams split four meetings last season with the home team winning each time.

PREDICTION: Heat 112, Knicks 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 23rd October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/23/2018

The Minnesota Timberwolves and their fans are still waiting for some resolution on the Jimmy Butler saga, but as long as he's there he might as well continue to lead the team to wins. Butler will try to guide the Timberwolves to back-to-back victories when they visit the red-hot Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Butler requested a trade prior to training camp and is still around despite well-documented tension between he and the front office and got mixed messages in each of the first two home games from fans, who booed at the start and cheered when he played well. "I'm just hooping," Butler told reporters. "I don't really pay attention to the crowd. That's my brothers and my guys sitting right there. I interact with them the majority of the game. ... Other than that, I'm out there just hooping." The Raptors made their big trade over the summer over the summer by bringing in Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard is having no trouble fitting in with his new teammates and is averaging 25.7 points and 8.7 rebounds during Toronto's undefeated start.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Sportsnet (Toronto)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (2-2): Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is looking for a big return in any potential trade for Butler because he understands how much of an impact the All-Star swingman has on both ends of the floor. "He combines great strength, quickness, speed and intelligence," Thibodeau told reporters of Butler's skills at the defensive end. Butler is leading the Timberwolves in scoring at an average of 25.3 points while center Karl-Anthony Towns is pulling out of an early funk and recorded his first double-double of the campaign with 17 points and 14 rebounds in Monday's 101-91 win over the Indiana Pacers.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (4-0): Leonard is making things easier for the rest of his teammates, especially All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry. Lowry is a career 42.6 percent shooter but is connecting at a 60 percent clip this season and is 20-of-29 from the floor in the three games he started alongside Leonard. Lowry handed out 14 of the team's 36 assists in Monday's 127-106 win over the Charlotte Hornets while shooting guard Danny Green, who came over along with Leonard from the Spurs, scored a season-high 18 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Toronto PG Delon Wright (groin) sat out the first four games but could make his season debut on Wednesday.

2. Timberwolves SF Andrew Wiggins (quad) left Monday's game early and is questionable.

3. The teams split the two-game series in each of the last three seasons, with the home team winning each contest.

PREDICTION: Raptors 128, Timberwolves 115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 10-24-2018 in NBA

NBA Previews 23rd October 2018 by Gracenote
Jazz vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 10/23/2018

The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets met in the Western Conference semifinals last season and figure to be prime contenders to get at least that far in 2018-19. However, both squads have stumbled out of the gate and are just looking to get back to .500 when they meet Wednesday in Houston.

The Rockets split a pair in Los Angeles, first surviving a fight-marred game against the Lakers on Saturday before falling the next night to the Clippers without suspended star point guard Chris Paul. Paul will be serving the second game of his two-game suspension for the fight with Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, likely giving veteran backup Eric Gordon another start in the backcourt. The Jazz dropped both ends of their first homestand of the season, first fading down the stretch against Golden State and then struggling on the offensive end in a 92-84 loss to Memphis on Monday. Utah's starting five combined to shoot 32.7 percent -- including 3-for-21 from 3-point range -- in the setback.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (1-2): After scoring 81 points in the first half against the Warriors on Friday, Utah has had six straight quarters with 24 or fewer points and it produced only 38 after halftime against the Grizzlies. "I think that we had spurts where we got stagnant," guard Donovan Mitchell told reporters. "Just little things. I think that they took us out of what we wanted to do. That can't happen." Reserve forward Jae Crowder led the way with 15 points while Mitchell and fellow starting guard Ricky Rubio combined for 20 on 7-of-25 shooting.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (1-2): While Gordon -- who scored 21 points while starting in place of Paul against the Clippers -- figures to get another start, forward James Ennis III (hamstring) will be sidelined for a couple of games. Coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters that Michael Carter-Williams will get the start in place of Ennis. All the changes could place more on the shoulders of MVP James Harden, who averaged 33.5 points and 9.5 assists in the 1-1 trip to Los Angeles.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Harden averaged 28 points in the playoffs against Utah last spring but shot just 40.4 percent.

2. Jazz SF Joe Ingles was 1-of-7 from long range against Memphis after hitting 11-of-17 3-pointers through the first two games.

3. Houston won all four regular-season meetings in 2017-18 by an average of 17.5 points.

PREDICTION: Rockets 109, Jazz 101