Wednesday 11-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The Brooklyn Nets received relatively good news on injured guard Caris LeVert and will try to press on without him when they host the Miami Heat on Wednesday. LeVert suffered a gruesome foot injury during Monday's 120-113 loss at Minnesota that initially looked like a season-ender, but the team announced Tuesday that the cornerstone of the franchise's rebuild will not need surgery and could return this season.

Brooklyn still needs to endure a period of time without its leader in scoring (18.4 points per game) and steals (1.21), and it carries a two-game losing streak into Wednesday's affair. "I just think it's a devastating blow for us, for him. That's all I really want to say about this," coach Kenny Atkinson said after Monday's loss. "Our thoughts should be with him and his recovery. And I really don't want to talk about the game or anything else." The Heat have their own problems to deal with having lost three straight and six of their last eight. They capped a 1-3 homestand with a 124-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, the eighth time in the last nine games Miami has allowed at least 110 points.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), YES (Brooklyn) Linea: Heat -1.5

ABOUT THE HEAT (5-8): Miami gave up 32 points in each of the first three quarters in Monday's loss as defensive issues continue to be an issue for a team that is searching for some answers. "It's time. It's definitely time to start looking in the mirror," guard Josh Richardson told reporters. "It shouldn't have gotten to this point but it's definitely time to start cracking down and problem-solving." Point guard Goran Dragic provided a bright spot with 22 points, which comes on heels of 21 scoreless minutes -- on 0-of-7 shooting -- in a loss to Washington and two games on the sidelines with a foot issue.



ABOUT THE NETS (6-8): Guard D'Angelo Russell will assume more of the scoring responsibility while LeVert is on the mend, and the former of the two enters this uncertain stretch on a good note after making a career-high nine 3-pointers in the loss to the Timberwolves. Russell is averaging 19 points while making 38.1 percent from beyond the arc this month and has exactly two steals in each of his last four contests. Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made his first start of the season at Minnesota and finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 27 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Richardson is 6-for-7 from 3-point distance over his last two games.

2. Nets PF Ed Davis is averaging 9.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes over a four-game span.

3. Miami won the first of four meetings last season before Brooklyn claimed the final three.

PREDICTION: Nets 108, Heat 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

Blake Griffin is in a shooting slump, and the frustration seems to be getting to him. Griffin will try to get his shot and his temper under control on Wednesday, when his Detroit Pistons face their toughest test of the season's first month with a visit to the Toronto Raptors.

Griffin is a combined 6-of-26 from the floor and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in the last two games while getting knocked around by opposing defenses and was ejected in the third quarter of Sunday's 113-103 loss to Charlotte Hornets after being whistled for a flagrant 2 foul. "I think he's getting hit on a lot of shots," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "I've got to go back and see it. The frustration builds up. He's had a lot of load on himself - bringing the ball up the floor, handling the basketball, being a point forward, then going down in the paint and battling down there. Officials are not going to change the way they're calling it, so we have to adjust." The Raptors suffered through a rare off night on Monday, dropping a 126-110 decision at home to the New Orleans Pelicans to snap a six-game winning streak. "They played well," Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters after the setback. "We weren't physical enough. They got to the rim. It's one game."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Sportsnet One (Toronto) Linea: Raptors -9.5

ABOUT THE PISTONS (6-6): While Griffin is struggling, center Andre Drummond is thriving and notched his fifth 20-20 game of the season with 23 points and 22 rebounds on Sunday. Drummond is averaging 23.5 points and 19 boards over the last four games and increased his presence on the defensive end with totals of eight blocks and eight steals in that span. Shooting guard Reggie Bullock is trying to pick up some of the slack on offense as well and went 9-of-15 from beyond the arc in the last two games after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out the first two games of the month.



ABOUT THE RAPTORS (12-2): The loss obscured another strong performance from power forward Pascal Siakam, who finished with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting for his third straight game scoring 20 or more. Siakam was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week prior to Monday's game after averaging 20 points on 21-of-29 shooting in three wins last week. "He's just a whole other level of confidence I think," Toronto coach Nick Nurse told reporters of Siakam. "He has always been an energy guy and with the ball he's exciting to watch. I think it's fun. And it gives us a whole other dimension."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons PG Ish Smith is 4-of-23 from 3-point range over the last five games.

2. Lowry went 0-of-6 from 3-point range on Monday and is 3-of-18 over the last three contests.

3. Toronto owns a six-game winning streak in the series.

PREDICTION: Raptors 122, Pistons 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
Knicks vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

New York Knicks coach David Fizdale is trying to mold his roster into a winner but is having some trouble putting the pieces together. Fizdale and the Knicks will try to avoid a third consecutive setback when they open a three-game road trip by visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The Knicks were crushed 115-89 at home by the Orlando Magic on Sunday and rank in the bottom third of the NBA in scoring average (106.4 points) while sitting last in assists (19.1). "Sometimes holding it too much, not making shots. There's always two sides to getting assists," Fizdale told reporters. "Trust. Making the right play with the right timing. There's a lot of different factors. I don't think it's a selfish thing. We're not a selfish team at all. It's matter of timing, hitting guys when they're open and converting fast breaks when we have a 3-on-1, 3-on-2 opportunity, and not finishing those and making shots." The Thunder know how to finish a fast break and used a 22-0 run in the first quarter on Monday to open a lead and coast to a 118-101 victory over Phoenix. "As a group we sense the energy," Oklahoma City forward Paul George told reporters. "We were the more aggressive team. We just jumped on them. Once you get one stop, you get another. At that point we were just in a groove. We felt good out there."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Oklahoma Linea: Thunder -8.5

ABOUT THE KNICKS (4-10): While New York searches for an identity as a team, rookie center Mitchell Robinson is quickly developing his own identity as a defensive force. Robinson set a team rookie record with nine blocks in just 22 minutes on Sunday - his fourth consecutive game with multiple blocked shots. "I thank Coach. He put me in position to get those blocks," Robinson told reporters. "He was telling me to drop back and not to worry about my guy. Just go get him and meet him at the rim."



ABOUT THE THUNDER (8-5): Oklahoma City can afford to let superstar point guard Russell Westbrook take all the time he needs to recover from an ankle injury if it continues the level of play that saw it win eight of the last nine games - three of four without Westbrook. George matched a season high with 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting and hit a season-high six 3-pointers on Monday while coming up two rebounds shy of his third straight double-double. "It's a long year," George told reporters. "One game at a time. We're just trying to get better."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks SG Tim Hardaway is 4-of-23 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams went 9-of-13 from the floor on Monday and is shooting 60.3 percent on the season.

3. New York snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with a 111-96 home win in the most recent meeting on Dec. 12, 2017.

PREDICTION: Thunder 114, Knicks 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting a fresh start and Karl-Anthony Towns is taking advantage. Towns will welcome a trio of new teammates and try to lead the Timberwolves to back-to-back wins when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

Towns was the big winner of the trade that sent disgruntled swingman Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless, and he played like someone with a weight lifted off his shoulders in a 120-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. The 22-year-old former No. 1 overall pick made up for 10 turnovers by scoring 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbing 21 rebounds in the victory. The Pelicans, who were reportedly involved in talks for Butler but refused to include guard Jrue Holiday in any potential deal, come in hot with wins in three straight after starting the road trip with a 126-110 victory over East-leading Toronto on Monday. "We played really good tonight and we beat them, but it's one game," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "I'd like to say this is going to springboard us, but it's one game and they understand that, too. It's a good win for us on the road against a very good team."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS New Orleans, FS North (Minnesota) Linea: Timberwolves -2

ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-6): Holiday showed why New Orleans insisted he not be included in any deal when he collected 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting and 14 assists on Monday while taking part in a defensive effort that held Toronto's Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Danny Green to a combined 9-of-33 from the floor. "I think Jrue (Holiday) had a great floor game, and I thought he was fantastic defensively," Gentry told reporters. "If Kawhi goes 7-for-20, you've done an outstanding job on him because not only is he a great defender, but he is also a great scorer and great shooter, and I thought Jrue did a really good job on him." Holiday is averaging 23.2 points on 54.1 percent shooting and 10.8 assists over the last five games.



ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (5-9): Covington, Saric and Bayless sat out on Monday, hours after the trade was finalized, but will practice with the team on Tuesday and are expected to be in uniform Wednesday. "We wanted quality players. That was important for us," Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "(We get) two starters (Covington and Saric) off a team that won 52 games, and they're both young. ... Once we get to that point where we felt we were getting multiple rotational players, we felt it would be time to execute the deal." Saric, 24, got off to a slow start in 2018-19 after averaging 14.6 points in a breakout 2017-18 campaign while Covington, 27, is shooting 39 percent from 3-point range and was leading Philadelphia in steals (1.8) at the time of the trade.

BUZZER BEATERS

1.Pelicans PF Nikola Mirotic (ankle) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Bayless (knee) has yet to make his season debut and is likely out at least another week.

3. Minnesota took all four meetings last season by an average of 13.3 points.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 120, Timberwolves 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

If Giannis Antetokounmpo is ever having an off night, at least the Milwaukee Bucks know they can lean on center Brook Lopez for some offensive fireworks. Lopez will try to follow up a record-setting performance and lead the Bucks to another win when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Lopez scored a game-high 28 points and matched an NBA record for a seven-footer by making eight 3-pointers in a 121-114 win at Denver on Sunday that closed out a four-game West Coast road trip. "Man, it's a sight to see a big shoot like that," Milwaukee point guard Eric Bledsoe told reporters of Lopez, who knocked down 6-of-7 from beyond the arc in the third quarter alone. "It was exciting, man. Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) look out." The Grizzlies will play four of their next six games on the road after suffering their first home loss, 96-88 to the Utah Jazz on Monday. "I always think that there's room for improvement in a lot of areas, offensively mainly," Memphis center Marc Gasol told reporters. "Offensively I don't think we are there yet, but we are working on it. Everybody has to bring things to work with one another."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS South (Memphis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee) Linea: Bucks -9.5

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (7-5): Small forward Kyle Anderson made a name for himself as a player willing to do the small things to help a team win when he was with the San Antonio Spurs, and he is displaying those same traits in his first season in Memphis. Anderson is averaging just 5.8 points but grabbed 13 rebounds in each of the last two contests and handed out a team-high five assists in Monday's setback. Anderson is helping to open things up for point guard Mike Conley, who averaged 28 points in the last two games.



ABOUT THE BUCKS (10-3): Milwaukee knocked off two of the top teams in the Western Conference on its just-completed trip - Golden State and Denver - and Antetokounmpo was impressed with the way his team battled. "We do not want to be a good team, we want to be a great team," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "Great teams, no matter what, come back. You've got to keep fighting, keep playing within your game plan and you hope things are going to work, you hope you can knock down shots and that's what we did." Antetokounmpo shot 58 percent on the road trip and is averaging 25.4 points, 13 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks PG Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 or more points in each of the last three games.

2. Grizzlies SF Omri Casspi (knee) sat out the last four games and remains day-to-day.

3. Antetokounmpo averaged 23.5 points in a pair of wins over Memphis last season.

PREDICTION: Bucks 106, Grizzlies 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The Utah Jazz look to beat Dallas for the third time this season when they visit the Mavericks on Wednesday. The Jazz averaged 115 points while winning the first two meetings with center Rudy Gobert standing out with averages of 20 points, 13 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots.

Utah has won three straight games and prevailed 96-88 on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies in the opener of a five-game road trip. Jazz small forward Joe Ingles is averaging 23 points on 16-of-26 shooting over the past two games and has three 20-point outings this season. The Mavericks have won two consecutive games and three of their last four after posting a 103-98 road win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. "We've had a lot of tough losses this year, times where we were close and just couldn't get over the hump, couldn't make the right play," Dallas small forward Harrison Barnes told reporters. "Things are finally starting to come together."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Southwest (Dallas) Linea: Jazz -4.5

ABOUT THE JAZZ (7-6): Star guard Donovan Mitchell experienced his roughest outing of the campaign in the win over the Grizzlies as he tallied a season-low 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Ingles scored a team-high 19 points while Gobert continued his strong season with 15 points and 16 rebounds for his 12th double-double. Gobert is shooting an NBA-leading 72.1 percent from the field, has shot over 70 percent in seven different contests and is 16-for-22 in the two wins over Dallas.



ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (5-8): Rookie forward Luka Doncic tallied just 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting against the Bulls after averaging 23 points over the previous three games. "Sometimes, he's gonna have bad games," veteran point guard J.J. Barea told reporters. "He's still young, and he can't be great every game. So we've got to help him out." Barnes helped pick up the slack with a season-best 23 points - his first 20-point outing of the season - while Barea scored 14 for his third straight double-digit outing.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Jazz have won five straight and eight of the past nine meetings after posting a 117-102 win over the Mavericks on Nov. 7.

2. Dallas SG Wesley Matthews (hamstring) is expected to return after a one-game absence.

3. Utah PG Ricky Rubio is 5-of-22 shooting in the two meetings with the Mavericks.

PREDICTION: Jazz 106, Mavericks 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Suns Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The San Antonio Spurs strive to emerge from a mini-funk when they visit the struggling Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. San Antonio has dropped three of its last four games, including Monday's 104-99 setback against the Sacramento Kings in the opener of a three-game trek.

Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan continues to fit in well with the Spurs and had 23 points against Sacramento for his ninth 20-point outing of the campaign. "We got to move on from it and bounce back," DeRozan told reporters of the loss to the Kings. "We've got a game in Phoenix, and we have to understand it's early in the season. We have to understand that we got to keep stepping up and understand what we got to do to close out these games, especially on the road." The Suns have lost four consecutive games and first-year coach Igor Kokoskov was distressed with the team's slow start in Monday's 118-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. "The way we opened the game, no presence, no life whatsoever," Kokoskov told reporters. "We were behind 20 points in the first quarter. That's hard. It put us in a situation that we have to compete and play the whole game and every possession has got to be perfect. You're looking for that spark, looking for that energy to bring us back in the game."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Arizona Linea: Spurs -5

ABOUT THE SPURS (7-5): San Antonio suffered defensive lapses during the loss to the Kings as Sacramento made 50 percent of its field-goal attempts while connecting on 11-of-24 3-pointers and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge wanted nothing to do with any talk that the players are still getting to know each other. "Just got to know who you are guarding," Aldridge told reporters. "You have to come mentally prepared to do better. I don't think that's about getting to know each other. That's about knowing the game plan and executing it." Veteran small forward Rudy Gay (heel) returned from a three-game absence and had 14 points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes.



ABOUT THE SUNS (2-11): Phoenix is losing by an average of 16.5 points during its skid and is allowing opponents to shoot 48.9 percent on the season, which is next-to-last in the NBA. A bright spot has been the play of small forward TJ Warren, who is averaging 25 points over the past three games and has knocked down 20 3-pointers to match last season's total. "He's a crafty scorer," forward Trevor Ariza told reporters. "He finds a way to put the ball in the basket. I don't expect anything different. That's just who he is."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs recorded a 120-90 victory over the Suns on Oct. 31 for their 14th win in the past 15 meetings.

2. Phoenix SG Devin Booker is averaging just 15.5 points on 11-of-30 shooting over the past two games.

3. San Antonio C Pau Gasol (foot) will miss his fourth consecutive contest.

PREDICTION: Spurs 113, Suns 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NBA Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The Los Angeles Lakers ended their 16-game losing streak against Portland earlier this month and now look to defeat the visiting Trail Blazers again on Wednesday. This time around, Los Angeles aims to halt a nine-game home slide against Portland with its last win at Staples Center occurring on Feb. 22, 2013.

Portland just concluded a 5-1 homestand - the lone setback was to the Lakers - and now embarks on a six-game road trip that concludes against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 23. Star point guard Damian Lillard missed Tuesday's practice with a sore right knee but is expected to play against Los Angeles. The Trail Blazers have won four straight games while the Lakers have posted three straight wins after edging the Atlanta Hawks 107-106 on Sunday. Overall, Los Angeles has won five of its last six games with the most impressive win being the 114-110 triumph in Portland on Nov. 3.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles) Linea: Lakers -3

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (10-3): Lillard, who is averaging 26 points per game, was injured during Monday's 100-94 win over the Boston Celtics - a victory that he feels personifies the club's hot start. "I liked the way we've done it," Lillard told reporters. "I think it's been by committee, everybody's been pretty consistent and we've been sharp. ... We're doing the things we need to do to win games and we're doing it consistently." Backcourt mate CJ McCollum scored just 14 points against Boston after averaging 27.3 points over the previous four outings.



ABOUT THE LAKERS (7-6): Veteran center Tyson Chandler has provided toughness, defense and rebounding in three games since joining the club and his biggest contribution was blocking the last-second shot by Atlanta's Trae Young in Sunday's victory. "For him to be playing winning basketball once again, I think those emotions just came out," forward LeBron James told reporters after Chandler and the Lakers enjoyed a raucous celebration. "To make a game-winning block like that -- you don't see that much in our league." Chandler is teaming up with JaVale McGee, who has been surprisingly good in the early stages of the season by averaging 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and three blocked shots.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Portland split two home contests with the Lakers earlier this season, including a 128-119 season-opening victory on Oct. 18.

2. Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic recorded 18 points and 17 rebounds against Boston for his sixth double-double of the season.

3. Los Angeles SF Brandon Ingram is averaging 11 points on just 8-of-25 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 115, Trail Blazers 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NHL Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are far removed from the days when the bitter rivals were routinely battling for supremacy in the Central Division. As the teams prepare to meet for the fourth time this season Wednesday night in Chicago, the Blues are sitting in last place in the division - one point behind the skidding Blackhawks.

A change behind the bench has done nothing to reverse the sagging fortunes of Chicago, which has lost eight in a row (0-6-2) and dropped all three games under new coach Jeremy Colliton. "When you're in a losing streak, it's hard to get out of it," Colliton told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "You need a couple breaks, but often you don't get them. You got to make your own breaks. And we're close. Once we break through, that tide will turn and we can go on a run." St. Louis got off to a dismal start with seven losses in its first nine games, including a pair of overtime defeats to the Blackhawks, but it has won four of six starting with a 7-3 thrashing of Chicago. "We've been winning some games this last little stretch," Blues coach Mike Yeo told reporters after Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Minnesota. "Unfortunately, when you dig yourself into a hole the way that we did, every loss really hurts."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE BLUES (6-6-3): The loss to the Wild denied St. Louis its first three-game winning streak of the season and also marked the team's sixth one-goal defeat in 15 games. "We gotta keep learning from this," Yeo told the media. "Everybody's sick of losing. So it's just a matter of doing what it takes to win hockey games. At a certain point, you can't just keep saying, hey, we're getting closer. Or we're getting better. At a certain point we gotta find a way to win these games that are there for you." Center Ryan O'Reilly has eight goals and nine assists during a career-high 10-game point streak.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (6-8-4): Chicago picked up its first point since Colliton replaced Joel Quenneville, but it coughed up a two-goal lead in the 3-2 overtime loss at Carolina on Monday and has scored 14 goals during the eight-game skid. "Just the way things are going right now that we didn't find a way to get up a few more goals or two," said captain Jonathan Toews, who is tied with Alex DeBrincat for second on the team with nine goals after both scored Monday. Toews has three goals and an assist and DeBrincat boasts four points in the three games versus the Blues this season.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Brandon Saad (arm) could rejoin the lineup after missing the past two games.

2. Blues F Vladimir Tarasenko has 18 goals and 28 points in 26 career games versus Chicago.

3. Chicago put F Marcus Kruger on injured reserve and recalled D Gustav Forsling from Rockford of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Blues 4, Blackhawks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Capitals vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NHL Predictions 14th November 2018 by Gracenote
Capitals vs. Jets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/14/2018

Blake Wheeler has been red-hot for the Winnipeg Jets, recording multiple points in each of his last four games and at least one in 10 straight. The 32-year-old captain hopes to continue his torrid pace when the Jets host the reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Wheeler has collected two goals and 17 assists during his streak and leads Winnipeg with 23 points. He has netted one tally and set up 11 others in his last four contests - a span that includes a career-best five-point performance in a 5-2 home triumph over Colorado on Friday. The Jets posted an identical victory over visiting New Jersey on Sunday and look for a similar outcome against Washington, which avoided a three-game slide with Tuesday's 5-2 win at Minnesota in the opener of its four-game road trip. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov recorded two goals and an assist while Tom Wilson tallied in his season debut after having his 20-game suspension reduced to 14 earlier in the day.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TVA, NBCS Washington Plus, Sportsnet (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (8-6-3): After having his six-game point streak halted by Arizona on Sunday, Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded an assist versus the Wild to reach 200 for his career. Andre Burakovsky, who registered just one goal and one assist in his first 16 contests this season, doubled both totals in Tuesday's victory. Nicklas Backstrom set up a tally against Minnesota, giving him two goals and five assists during his six-game point streak.

ABOUT THE JETS (10-5-1): Wheeler earned the NHL's Second Star of the Week honors after notching seven points in only two games. The veteran right wing, who is the first member of the franchise to record five points in a contest since Ilya Kovalchuk in 2009, joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to register an assist on nine straight team goals before scoring an empty-netter against the Avalanche. Mark Scheifele also has been wielding a hot stick, recording back-to-back three-point performances to give him seven goals and eight assists in his last nine contests.

OVERTIME

1. Jets D Dustin Byfuglien is riding a six-game point streak during which he has collected a goal and seven assists.

2. Orlov, who notched only two points in his first 16 games this season, is three assists shy of 100 for his career.

3. Winnipeg rookie LW Brendan Lemieux, the son of former NHL star Claude Lemieux, is eligible to return to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for a high hit on Florida's Vincent Trocheck.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Capitals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Bruins vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NHL Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

There does not figure to be any shortage of offense when the Boston Bruins kick off a four-game road trip at the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. Boston has the NHL's top goal scorer in red-hot David Pastrnak while Colorado's Mikko Rantanen leads the league in overall scoring, and through Monday's games the teams featured the top four point-getters.

Pastrnak admitted to some lofty aspirations after he was named the NHL's First Star of the Week, scoring five times in four games to boost his season total to 16 goals in 17 games. "I would obviously love to hit 50 goals at some point in my career. It's just a question of work," Pastrnak told reporters. "It's my strength, you know? That's what kind of player I am. I'm here to score goals. That's how I help the team." Colorado ended a five-game slide (0-4-1) with a 4-1 win at Edmonton on Sunday as Rantanen scored one goal and set up another while Nathan MacKinnon collected a pair of assists. The Avalanche have won the past three meetings between the teams and outscored the Bruins 10-3 in a two-game series sweep last season.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (10-5-2): Goaltender Tuukka Rask rejoined the team following a leave of absence that caused him to miss two games, but Jaroslav Halak will make his fourth consecutive start for Boston. Rask admitted he has been outplayed by Halak, who bounced back from a rocky performance against Vancouver to limit Toronto and Vegas to one goal apiece. "We knew he'd be solid. He's certainly exceeded expectations, and it's what is required right now," coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters. "He's getting lots of starts, guys are confident in front of him and we're starting to understand how he is."

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (8-6-3): Semyon Varlamov will be in net after giving Colorado a big lift with his 26-save performance in Edmonton that also halted a personal five-start losing streak. Tyson Barrie hit a pair of milestones against the Oilers, scoring his 62nd goal to tie Rob Blake for third among defensemen on the franchise's all-time list and notching an assist for the 200th of his career. "That one is cool because Blakey was my favorite defenseman growing up, and I wore No. 4 because of him," Barrie told reporters. "I ended up playing for Colorado, so fairy book ending for me."

OVERTIME

1. Pastrnak has two goals and an assist in six career games versus Colorado.

2. Rantanen has been limited to two assists in five games against Boston.

3. Bruins C Patrice Bergeron has two goals and four assists during a four-game point streak.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 5, Bruins 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NHL Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

The Vegas Golden Knights ended the Anaheim Ducks' five-year reign as Pacific Division champions last season in their inaugural campaign, but both teams are struggling to find their form as they prepare to meet for the second time on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights have won four of five all-time meetings, including a 3-1 victory at home on Oct. 20.

Vegas has labored away from home and wrapped up a four-game trek with a 4-1 setback at Boston on Sunday to fall to 3-8-0 on the road. "Just not enough fire," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant told reporters. "We need a little more fire in our game, a little more energy out there. We play OK, but not good enough." Anaheim has alternated wins and losses since a seven-game slide (0-5-2) but is coming off a 2-1 shootout victory over league-best Nashville on Monday - handing the Predators their first road loss of the season. "It was a great test for us, especially playing against those guys," Ducks forward Rickard Rakell told reporters. "It shows we can play with any team in this league."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE DUCKS (8-8-3): Anaheim could be short-handed on the blue line due to the uncertain status of defenseman Cam Fowler, who did not practice Tuesday and was undergoing tests after taking a puck off the cheek area later in Monday's game. Forward Ondrej Kase, a 20-goal scorer in 2017-18 who has been sidelined with a concussion suffered in the preseason finale, had four shots on goal in his season debut against Nashville. Captain Ryan Getzlaf, who notched the team's lone regulation tally Monday, has registered four goals and five assists in his last eight games.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (7-10-1): Vegas is getting next to nothing out of its current third line of Tomas Nosek, Ryan Carpenter and Tomas Hyka, who have combined for one goal and five assists on the season. While injuries have led to the grouping, Nosek and Carpenter own the worst plus-minus ratings in the league at minus-14 and 13, respectively. "You can't make excuses," Carpenter told reporters. "No matter who you're playing with on a line, you want to play the same way as a team. It really shouldn't matter. We're just going to keep working hard and hopefully it starts clicking."

OVERTIME

1. Ducks G John Gibson is 1-3-1 with 12 goals allowed in five appearances against Vegas.

2. Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury is 10-4-0 with a 2.22 goals-against average versus Anaheim.

3. The Ducks recalled D Andy Welinski from San Diego of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Michigan Wolverines vs. Villanova Wildcats Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NCAAB Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

Villanova and Michigan are ready for their national championship rematch, but most of the familiar faces from that April showdown have moved on to the professional ranks. Still, there will be excitement in the air when the eighth-ranked Wildcats host the 18th-ranked Wolverines on Wednesday as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

In last season's NCAA Tournamen title game, the Wildcats topped the Wolverines 79-62 for their second championship in three years, but seven of the 11 players who logged over 20 minutes in that game will not be playing Wednesday. "We weren't thinking about Wednesday coming into this game. We were thinking about Quinnipiac," senior guard Phil Booth said after Saturday's 33-point win. "That was our main focus. Now it's time to get ready for Michigan." As for the Wolverines' returning players, that feeling of coming up empty on the biggest stage is one that will stay with them forever. "I'm still not over it," Jordan Poole said earlier this month. "Being able to have that opportunity right there in our hands and have it separated is a feeling that you won't forget."

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT MICHIGAN (2-0): The Wolverines have won their first two games by 19 points and have allowed a total of 81 points in the process. Only two teams in the nation are allowing fewer points on average than Michigan, which actually trailed Holy Cross 24-18 at halftime on Saturday before outscoring the Crusaders 38-13 in the second half. Charles Matthews led the way with 20 points, while Ignas Brazdeikis notched 19 in his second career game - and the duo is averaging a combined 30.5 points so far on the young season.

ABOUT VILLANOVA (2-0): The Wildcats are getting a combined 38.5 points out of senior stars Booth and Eric Paschall thus far, while they have made 24 3-pointers as a team. Paschall, who attempted 2.5 free throws per game last season, has reached the foul line 17 times through two games, while Booth has nine assists against one turnover through two outings. Joe Cremo and Collin Gillespie each have a team-high five 3-pointers for the Wildcats, who have attempted 69 shots from behind the arc in the first two contests.

TIP-INS

1. Villanova F Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree has registered three blocks in each game and has made 5-of-7 shots while pulling down 12 rebounds in 36 minutes.

2. Matthews only had six points in last season's title game, missing both of his 3-point attempts and all four of his free throws.

3. Michigan G Zavier Simpson went scoreless in 28 minutes versus Holy Cross and is 1-of-7 from the field this season.

PREDICTION: Villanova 73, Michigan 70

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Seton Hall Pirates vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NCAAB Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

After some early season blowouts, No. 25 Nebraska and visiting Seton Hall should finally be tested when they meet Wednesday as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. The Cornhuskers have won their two contests by a total of 121 points while the Pirates have a 40-point win to their credit.

The backcourt will be the center of attention on both ends of the floor as Seton Hall's Myles Powell goes up against the duo Glynn Watson, Jr. and James Palmer, Jr. of Nebraska. Now the star of the show following the departure of Angel Delgado, Khadeen Carrington and Desi Rodriguez, Powell did not disappoint in the season opener, dropping 30 points and five 3-pointers as the Pirates easily handled Wagner. Three years of hard work paid off last year for Watson as the Cornhuskers posted their first winning season since 2013-14 and all that is left is to play in the NCAA Tournament. "I hope we can exceed expectations because there's nobody that deserves it more than Glynn," coach Tim Miles told the media." We really have guys that I think have a lot of talent and can carry a team."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT SETON HALL (1-0): With the departure of the big three and defensive specialist Ismael Sanogo, senior Michael Nzei is now expected to provide scoring and rebounding for the coach Kevin Willard. The 6-8 forward from Nigeria, who has never averaged better than 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in his previous three seasons, opened with 11 points and seven rebounds against Wagner. Nzei will be joined in the frontcourt by the likes of sophomore forwards Taurean Thompson and Sandro Mamukelashvili, and freshman center Romaro Gill.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (2-0): Palmer is coming off a season in which he earned All-Big Ten first-team honors by averaging 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The senior from Upper Marlboro, Md., scored 568 points a season ago, more than double the amount he had in two seasons at Miami (Fla.). Freshman forward Brady Heiman made an impact in his first two college games with a combined 19 points and 18 rebounds but now that the competition is increasing, he will likely cede minutes to more experienced frontcourt mates Isaac Copeland, a senior, and junior Isaiah Roby.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Cornhuskers have dropped seven straight games against Big East opponents, including five losses to Creighton, but have never faced the Pirates.

2. Nebraska, which hasn't won a regular season conference title since 1950, is the only team from a Power Five conference that has never won an NCAA Tournament game.

3. Powell, a junior who moved into 50th place on Seton Hall's all-time scoring list, is 91 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 69, Seton Hall 66

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Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview and Predictions 11-14-2018

NCAAB Predictions 13th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/13/2018

After throttling Montana State, Indiana faces a more formidable challenge Wednesday night at home against Marquette. The matchup between Big Ten and Big East title contenders is part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

Indiana's defense suffocated Montana State in the 80-35 blowout Friday, holding the Bobcats to the fewest points by an opponent at Assembly Hall since a 94-29 win over Notre Dame on Dec. 18, 1971. Indiana forced Montana State into 25 turnovers and 25.5 percent shooting from the field. But no one expects the proceedings to be that easy against Marquette, which is led by the preseason All-Big East duo of Markus Howard and Sam Hauser. "We have to be ready to play the hardest we've ever played starting next week, and that will be a great test for us on Wednesday," Indiana coach Archie Miller told reporters.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT INDIANA (2-0): Romeo Langford already is establishing himself as one of the best freshmen in the country, leading the Hoosiers in scoring at 15.5 points per game and shooting 60 percent from the floor. Senior forward Juwan Morgan has also played well, averaging 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He finished with his 10th career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds against Montana State.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (2-0): The Golden Eagles, picked to finish second in the Big East behind Villanova in the preseason coaches poll, are led by Howard, the Big East Player of the Week whose 37 points in a 92-59 beatdown of Bethune-Cookman on Saturday were the most at home by a Marquette player in 12 years. In the team's wins over Bethune-Cookman and Maryland-Baltimore County, he's averaging 26.0 points 8.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists while Hauser contributes 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. The defense has proved to be an ally in Marquette's two wins, limiting opponents to 26 percent shooting from the floor and 19.1 percent from 3-point range while forcing an average of 14 turnovers and blocking 16 shots.

TIP-INS

1. Morgan and Indiana sophomore Justin Smith combined to make 12 of 14 shots from the field and score 27 points against Montana State.

2. Indiana has several players dealing with injuries, including Devonte Green (thigh contusion), Zach McRoberts (lower back strain), Race Thompson (concussion symptoms) and Jerome Hunter, who is out indefinitely with a leg condition.

3. Howard, Langford and Morgan are among the 50 elite players on the preseason Wooden Award Watch List.

PREDICTION: Indiana 82, Marquette 76