Friday 11-16-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:50 AM

Memphis Tigers vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

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

SMU is in the driver's seat of the American Athletic Conference's West Division heading into Friday's home game against Memphis. Back-to-back wins moved the Mustangs into a first-place tie with Houston and Tulane - teams they have already beaten.

The Tigers, who own an outside chance to winning the division, have won four straight in the series - outscoring SMU 228-62 in that span. Junior Darrell Henderson has recorded a dozen 100-yard rushing performances in his past 15 games for Memphis and leads the FBS with 9.2 yards per carry. He needs 183 yards to tie the American's single-season record (1,629 by Tulsa's James Flanders in 2016). SMU junior quarterback Ben Hicks has been solid since regaining his starting job four games ago but the Mustang defense had trouble slowing Connecticut's ground game last week - allowing 365 yards.

TV: 9 ET, ESPN2. LINE: Memphis -9

ABOUT MEMPHIS (6-4, 3-3 American): Henderson leads the league with 1,446 rushing yards, shares the top spot with 17 rushing scores and is tied for the FBS lead with 20 total touchdowns. Junior Brady White (2,512 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions) has connected with sophomore Damonte Coxie (58 catches, 949 yards) for a team-high seven touchdowns. John "Pop" Williams (28 catches, 275 yards, two touchdowns) leads the league in punt return average (12.9 yards) after a 72-yard return for a score last week against Tulsa.

ABOUT SMU (5-5, 4-2): Hicks (1,919 yards, 16 touchdown passes, four interceptions) has 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in his past four games. Healthy running backs Ke'Mon Freeman and Xavier Jones join Braeden West to combine for 1,110 rushing yards and 13 scores - including six rushing touchdowns in last week's win at UConn. Sophomore Reggie Roberson Jr. (42 catches, 648 yards, six touchdowns) has at least one touchdown catch in four straight games while leading receiver James Proche (70 catches, 882 yards, nine touchdowns) has three 100-yard games this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Memphis is 15-1 in regular-season weeknight games since 2014.

2. Henderson's 3,082 career rushing yards are second in Memphis history, trailing only DeAngelo Williams' 6,026 yards.

3. SMU has allowed 10 non-offensive touchdowns (four interceptions returned, three fumbles returned, two kickoff returns, one punt return).

PREDICTION: Memphis 48, SMU 40

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:50 AM

Boise State Broncos vs. New Mexico Lobos Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

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

After moving back into the Mountain West championship picture with a critical victory last week, No. 24 Boise State looks to avoid a letdown Friday against host New Mexico, which has lost five straight. The Broncos rallied from a 17-3 third-quarter deficit against Fresno State last week and knocked the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff rankings with a 24-17 victory.

Quarterback Brett Rypien became the Mountain West all-time leading passer in both yards and completions with a stellar outing against Fresno State, which had only allowed three touchdowns in conference play before facing the Broncos. Rypien had 269 yards passing with a touchdown along with 30 yards rushing against the Bulldogs while the team's injury-depleted defense held Fresno State well below its previous season average of 40.4 points per game. Safety Kekoa Nawahine had 10 tackles to lead a Broncos defense that played without three starters, including leading tackler Riley Whimpey (torn ACL). The Broncos have won five in a row following a loss to San Diego State and are heavy favorites to extend the streak against struggling New Mexico, which allowed five sacks in last Saturday's 42-24 loss to Air Force.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Boise State -20.5

ABOUT BOISE STATE (8-2, 5-1 Mountain West): After failing to run the ball consistently this season, the Broncos received a statement game from Alexander Mattison (144 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns) against Fresno State. Rypien threw for 11 touchdowns against two interceptions over the past four games and has speed on the outside in freshman wideout Khalil Shakir, who caught a 49-yard pass for a score last week. Linebacker Tyson Maeva has taken on a larger role of late, moving into third on the team in tackles (45) with a total of three sacks and six tackles-for-loss.

ABOUT NEW MEXICO (3-7, 1-5): Coach Bob Davie used both Coltin Gerhart and Sheriron Jones at quarterback against Air Force in hopes of kick-starting the offense, but the duo was limited to a combined 186 passing yards and one interception. Safety Stanley Barnwell Jr. has 62 tackles to lead the defense, which is looking to bounce back after allowing Air Force to rush for 478 yards and control the clock a week ago. "We're not real good right now," Davie told reporters. "They muscled us. We had a hard time with the fullback. We had a hard time with the quarterback."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boise State is 8-1 all-time against New Mexico - including 4-0 in Albuquerque

2. New Mexico has recovered nine fumbles in the last two games after recording a total of 10 in the previous 19 contests.

3. Boise State is holding opponents to a 31 percent conversion rate on third downs, which leads the Mountain West.

PREDICTION: Boise State 45, New Mexico 13

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:50 AM

Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
Nets vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The league's most disappointing team over the first couple of weeks, the Washington Wizards suddenly are moving in the right direction. They will try to extend their first winning streak of the season to four games when they continue a five-game homestand against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.

After a 2-9 start, Washington topped Miami on the road last weekend before opening the homestand with victories over Orlando and Cleveland, averaging 117.3 points during the streak. "We still have a lot of work to do -- we still have to get better," guard Bradley Beal told reporters after Wednesday's 119-95 win over the Cavaliers. "We're still not content with where we are. We put three (wins) together, but we still have a couple more at home that we have to take care of." The Wizards have been able to take advantage of a succession of sub-.500 opponents and the Nets fit the bill, having lost three straight with a 120-107 home loss to the Heat on Wednesday. In its first game since losing guard Caris LeVert to a foot injury, Brooklyn shot 40.2 percent from the floor while allowing Miami to hit on 54.1 percent of its shots.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE NETS (6-9): Although Brooklyn was pleased to learn that LeVert may be able to return this season from a dislocated right foot, it knows there will be a long adjustment period without its leading scorer. "Just the significance of how the injury happened, him being the heart and soul of the team up until this point, our go-to scorer and facilitator," forward Joe Harris told reporters. "Then obviously just the energy and enthusiasm and leadership that he brings, that's a void we miss a lot and it is going to be an adjustment for us." Spencer Dinwiddie was the high scorer Wednesday with 18 points off the bench while Allen Crabbe started in place of LeVert and was held to six points before fouling out in 26 minutes.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (5-9): Washington wasted little time establishing itself against the struggling Cavaliers by scoring 41 points in the first quarter and racing to a 73-52 halftime lead. "We did a good job of coming out there very aggressive on the defensive end," center Dwight Howard told the media. "We got a lot of stops early which allowed us to get a pretty good lead." Beal had a team-high 20 points while fellow guard John Wall collected nine assists and a pair of steals to make up for a season-low eight points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Howard is averaging 12.6 points on 61.1 percent shooting in seven games since returning from a sore backside.

2. Nets PG D'Angelo Russell is shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range on the road, compared to 28.1 percent at home.

3. Brooklyn took the first two meetings at home last season before falling in overtime at Washington on Jan. 13.

PREDICTION: Wizards 114, Nets 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
Jazz vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The Jimmy Butler era began with a loss, but the Philadelphia 76ers seem to think big things are on the horizon. The 76ers will try to earn their first win since adding Butler to the mix when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on Friday.

Butler, who was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves after a public trade demand and protracted drama, scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting in his Philadelphia debut on Wednesday as the 76ers dropped a 111-106 decision at the Orlando Magic. "Obviously, we didn't get the win, and get the outcome we wanted to have," Butler, who noted the players were getting along with each other and communicating well, told reporters. "But we got a lot more of these things. I think we will all be better, myself included." Philadelphia will be taking on a Jazz squad that just suffered its worst loss since the franchise moved to Utah, 118-68 at Dallas on Wednesday. "There was a point where we stopped competing," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "We all have to own that, and obviously the scoreboard reflected that."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE JAZZ (7-7): Utah's 68 points marked the lowest total of any team in a game this season, and it managed just 22 points after the break. "We just didn't play with a lot of pride defensively," guard Donovan Mitchell, who was one of three Jazz players to score in double figures with 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting, told reporters. "Obviously, when shots aren't falling, our defense has to drive us even more." Utah shot 31.3 percent from the floor, including 6-of-35 from 3-point range, and committed 22 turnovers in the lopsided decision.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (9-7): Butler's acquisition pushed much-maligned former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz to a reserve role, and the early returns were positive. Fultz delivered eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and two assists in 21 minutes while serving as the point guard on the second unit. "We played him exclusively as (point guard) tonight, and I saw him make plays out of a middle pick-and-roll, get into the paint," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters of Fultz. "I thought defensively he was good tonight as well."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. 76ers C Joel Embiid recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on Wednesday.

2. Utah SF Jae Crowder is 4-of-21 from the floor in the last two games, including 2-of-16 from beyond the arc.

3. Philadelphia, which is 7-0 at home, took both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Jazz 97

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The Indiana Pacers are struggling with one win in their last four games but got a rare four-day break to practice and attempt to fix some of the problems. The Pacers will show off the results of that practice when they host the Miami Heat on Friday.

Indiana, which earned a 110-102 win at Miami last Friday for its lone victory in the last four contests, is struggling to find balance on the offensive end with All-Star Victor Oladipo dominating the ball. "We talk about execution, and execution is working to get a good shot. It is on Victor. When he feels he has a good shot, we want him to take that - but also create opportunities for other guys when that defense is committed to him," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "Part of this process of establishing our style is trusting each other, recognizing a matchup and trying to take advantage of that and get those guys the ball." Miami has a chance to sweep its two-game road trip after snapping a three-game slide with a 120-107 victory at Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Heat, who held a team meeting following a 124-114 home loss to Philadelphia on Monday, were noticeably better on the defensive end, holding the Nets to 40.2 percent shooting.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE HEAT (6-8): Miami got a season-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting off the bench on Wednesday from guard Tyler Johnson, who is building some consistency with four straight games in double figures. "We need him to be aggressive off the bench," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters of Johnson. "...He's reading it, because not every play is just to make to the rim. But the aggressiveness certainly is important for us. It's good for him to see the ball go in, because he's been putting a lot of time at it." Fellow guard Goran Dragic is putting up solid numbers as well with an average of 21.5 points in the last two games after going scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting in a loss to Washington on Saturday.

ABOUT THE PACERS (8-6): Oladipo averages 20 field-goal attempts while the next-highest shooter on the team - reserve guard Tyreke Evans - is at 9.6, and the discrepancy is something the team would like to fix. "He's trying to get us involved," point guard Darren Collison told the team's website of Oladipo. "We have to take it upon ourselves to be more aggressive, too. With the shot disparity, you don't want him to have that early in the season. He'll wear down. Everybody has to take it upon themselves to help him out. And he'll do a better job distributing as well." Oladipo is shooting 45 percent from the floor and leads the team in scoring (23.8 points) and assists (4.9).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers SG Bojan Bogdanovic is 9-of-15 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Miami SG Dwyane Wade (personal) sat out the last five games and is not expected to play Friday.

3. Oladipo scored 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting in the 110-102 win at Miami on Nov. 9.

PREDICTION: Pacers 116, Heat 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The Memphis Grizzlies look to post their fourth victory in the past five games when they host the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Memphis continued its stellar season-opening play with a 116-113 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies bounced back from Monday's home loss to the Utah Jazz with the impressive showing while handing the Bucks their first home setback of the season. "I couldn't be more proud of the guys with their effort," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "This is a hell of a win for our ballclub coming off a loss and not allowing ourselves to lose two in a row." Sacramento is also playing well and Monday's 104-99 home win over the San Antonio Spurs was its seventh in the past 10 games. Second-year point guard De'Aaron Fox has played solidly during the stretch by averaging 19.5 points and 7.2 assists.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE KINGS (8-6): Shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic recently returned from knee surgery and scored 22 points against the Spurs in his third game of the season. "He's trying to find his rhythm a little bit and he's also playing with some guys that maybe he hasn't played with before," Sacramento coach Dave Joerger told reporters after Bogdanovic played 25 minutes. "But I thought he was really feeling it and did a terrific job." Center Willie Cauley-Stein recorded back-to-back doubles and is averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past four games.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (8-5): Center Marc Gasol scored a season-high 29 points and point guard Mike Conley added 26 in the impressive win over the Bucks. "That's who we live and die with. We were riding with those two guys - they are our horses," Bickerstaff said. "The other guys understand that and play their part. They understand how to make their teammates better, so it works well together." Gasol needs 16 rebounds to pass Zach Randolph (5,612) - now a member of the Kings - for most rebounds in franchise history.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. SG Buddy Hield scored 23 points as the Kings posted a 97-92 victory over the Grizzlies on Oct. 24.

2. Memphis backup PG Shelvin Mack scored 15 points against Milwaukee to reach double digits for the sixth time in the past eight games.

3. Sacramento backup C Kosta Koufos (calf) could miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 104, Kings 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

Jimmy Butler has been traded and suddenly the Minnesota Timberwolves look like a team again. Minnesota strives to earn its third straight victory since Butler was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers when it hosts the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Center Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points, 16 rebounds) and small forward Andrew Wiggins (23 points) both had strong games as the Timberwolves posted a 107-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. "We were just playing together," Towns told reporters. "We did a great job getting the ball around, getting everyone involved. It was just about having fun and playing with love and enthusiasm." Portland will be looking to rebound after it fell 126-117 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday to see a four-game winning streak reach an end. The setback occurred in the opener of a six-game road trip that concludes against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 23.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (10-4): Star guard Damian Lillard is nursing a sore right knee but played 38 minutes against the Lakers and collected 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Lillard has 23 assists over the past two games while recording back-to-back double-doubles and has tallied 25 or more points on nine occasions in another strong start. Center Jusuf Nurkic averaged 19.5 points and 15.5 rebounds while recording two straight double-doubles and has seven on the campaign.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (6-9): Forwards Robert Covington (13 points) and Dario Saric (nine) made their team debuts on Wednesday after being acquired in the Butler deal along with injured guard Jerryd Bayless (knee). Covington was in the starting lineup while Saric came off the bench and Minnesota will study their games to see where they best fit. "The last few days feel very short to me, but at the end of the day, this is basketball," Saric told reporters after the win. "It was very pleasurable to be on the court. We played team basketball. I think we had 29 assists -- that's a pretty good number. It's just the beginning. I hope we still continue to play like this every game."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers won the past three meetings, including a 111-81 victory on Nov. 4.

2. Minnesota G Derrick Rose (knee) is expected back after a one-game absence.

3. Portland SG Seth Curry (knee) departed Wednesday's contest and is questionable to play against Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 119, Trail Blazers 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The New Orleans Pelicans have done nothing but streak this season and are hoping Wednesday's setback at Minnesota doesn't send the team into another tailspin. The Pelicans will try to avoid a losing streak when they host the lowly New York Knicks on Friday.

New Orleans, which began the season with four wins, followed that with six losses and then won three straight to pull above .500, fell into a 21-point hole in the second quarter against the Timberwolves and ran out of gas down the stretch. "You gotta start the game the right way, and we didn't do it," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "We dug ourselves a hole and spent too much energy getting out. We talked before about everything, putting ourselves in a position where we can catch the lead." New Orleans should be able to score early and often against the Knicks, who are allowing an average of 123.7 points during a three-game slide and dropped the first stop of a three-game trip 128-103 at Oklahoma City on Wednesday. "With young teams that's just how it is," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters. "If everybody was a complete player right now, I think we'd be in a lot different situation record-wise."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE KNICKS (4-11): Fizdale changed his lineup on Wednesday to get more offense in the starting unit with Emmanuel Mudiay and Kevin Knox replacing Frank Ntilikina and Damyean Dotson. Mudiay handed out five assists for a New York team that is last in the NBA in assist average (19) but combined with Knox to go 7-of-21 from the floor. "We have a microcosm of how I'd like our guys to play," Fizdale, who remains optimistic about his young squad, told reporters of the new lineup and its intended results. "Fast, athletic, disruptive."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-7): New Orleans fell in Minnesota but shooting guard E'Twaun Moore kept up his recent run of solid play with a season-high 31 points. Moore scored in single digits in back-to-back games before going for 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting in a win over Phoenix and following that up with 30 points on 13-of-18 from the floor in a victory at Toronto on Monday. The Pelicans could use more from the second unit, which combined for five points on 2-of-11 shooting on Wednesday as power forward Julius Randle slumped to three points - the first time this season he failed to reach double figures.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans PF Nikola Mirotic (ankle) returned from a two-game absence on Wednesday but will undergo an MRI on Thursday and is day-to-day.

2. Knicks rookie C Mitchell Robinson blocked three shots on Wednesday - his fifth straight game with multiple blocks.

3. New York dropped four of the last five meetings but earned a 105-103 win in its trip to New Orleans last season.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 130, Knicks 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:51 AM

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The Milwaukee Bucks attempt to bounce back from their first home loss of the season when they host the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Bucks were outplayed down the stretch on Wednesday, when they suffered a 116-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the opener of a six-game homestand.

Milwaukee was just 9-of-35 from 3-point range and swingman Khris Middleton missed a tying 3-point attempt as the buzzer while falling to 6-1 at home. The early-season success of the Bucks has been partially due to the team's long-range success as Milwaukee makes an NBA-leading 14.8 3-pointers per game. The Bulls have dropped back-to-back games and Wednesday's loss was a brutal 111-82 trouncing against the Boston Celtics that included 22 turnovers. "They came out and hit us in the mouth in the second quarter," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters of being outscored 32-11. "A huge thing in this league is, find a way to fight through adversity and play through tough times, and we obviously did not do that well."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, WGN (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE BULLS (4-11): High-scoring shooting guard Zach LaVine had just 10 points against the Celtics after scoring at least 20 in each of the first 14 games of the season. LaVine, who averages 25.9 points, was just 3-of-11 from the field, and knew his lackluster outing didn't help matters on a night in which Boston pulled away. "We just weren't scoring the ball," LaVine told reporters. "We were playing really good defense, but the floodgates opened up and we couldn't respond."

ABOUT THE BUCKS (10-4): Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the loss to Memphis and topped 20 points in each of his last eight games. Antetokounmpo has four 30-point outings while averaging 25 points and is shooting 56 percent from the field despite being only 2-of-28 from 3-point range. Middleton scored 25 points against the Grizzlies and ranks fourth in the NBA with 47 3-point baskets entering Thursday's play with teammate Brook Lopez tied for seventh with 41 makes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split last season's four meetings.

2. The Bulls failed to reach 100 points in four straight games and are averaging 94.3 during the stretch.

3. Milwaukee rookie SG Donte DiVincenzo (knee) was injured Wednesday and is questionable to play versus Chicago.

PREDICTION: Bucks 121, Bulls 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 06:52 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NBA Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The Boston Celtics hope to have solved some of the problems stemming from a rocky road trip, just in time for a visit from the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors, on Friday night. After a 1-4 trip that featured only a come-from-behind win at lowly Phoenix, the Celtics took out some frustrations with a 111-82 win over Chicago in their return home Wednesday.

"One of the toughest things to do in this league is to come off a road trip, good or bad, and play well in front of the home fans," guard Kyrie Irving told reporters after scoring 17 points. "For us it was a conscious effort to be more aggressive and kind of play the game out as it came." The Raptors started 12-1 but may have some frustration to take out as well after dropping their final two games of a three-game homestand, including Wednesday's 106-104 loss to Detroit and former coach Dwane Casey. Toronto blew a 19-point lead and fell on Rodney Bullock's buzzer-beater to send the squad out on a four-game road trip on a bad note. "It's a good win for (Casey)," Raptors guard Kyle Lowry told the media. "I'm sure he's happy, but we're not happy. I'm not happy for him. We should have won the game."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (12-3): Kawhi Leonard had 26 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the loss to the Pistons, but he also committed six of Toronto's season high-tying 20 turnovers, eight of which came in the fourth quarter. He was also 1-of-6 from 3-point range for a team that has made just 17 of its 65 long-range attempts during the two-game slide. Reserve swingman CJ Miles (groin) was inactive while veteran big man Greg Monroe took advantage of some rare minutes to post season highs of 17 points and nine rebounds.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (8-6): Jaylen Brown had a team-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting against Chicago after scoring a combined 16 points on 6-of-24 from the field over the final two games of the road trip. "Just trying to be aggressive on both ends," Brown told reporters. "Despite having a bad game, or despite being in a slump it's coming out with the right mindset. It's not my style to point fingers and things like that. I got to play better. I just got to come out and play with the right mindset and happily some of the shots fell." Irving, who scored 21 points and had just one turnover in 36 minutes of a loss at Toronto last month, is averaging 26.4 points over his last seven games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics PF Marcus Morris (illness) missed Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Leonard scored 31 points and grabbed 10 boards in the 113-101 win over the Celtics at home Oct. 19.

3. Toronto ranks second in the NBA in field-goal percentage (48.6) while Boston is 28th (42.9).

PREDICTION: Celtics 106, Raptors 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 08:54 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Dallas Stars Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NHL Predictions 16th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/16/2018

The Boston Bruins got off to an ominous start in the opener of a four-game road trip, unable to slow the potent Colorado Avalanche after losing yet another defenseman to injury. Captain Zdeno Chara exited Wednesday's loss with what appeared to be a knee injury, another blow to Boston's injury-ravaged blue-liners entering Friday night's matchup at the Dallas Stars.

Chara was hurt in the opening period and the short-handed Bruins were unable to withstand the loss of another defenseman, giving up five unanswered goals -four in the third period - of a 6-3 loss. "It seems like we're losing a guy every game," Boston goaltender Jaroslav Halak told reporters. "We need to keep playing hard, and whoever comes in the lineup has to step up." The slumping Stars will be playing their eighth game in a row against a team that made the playoffs in 2017-18, and six of the first seven have been decided by one goal. A 2-1 overtime loss in Boston started a stretch of four losses in five contests for Dallas, which is wrapping up a four-game homestand.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, NESN (Boston),FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (10-6-2): Chara's left knee appeared to buckle when he finished a check along the boards and did not return, becoming the latest casualty in a unit that already is without fellow defensemen Charlie McAvoy (concussion), Kevan Miller (broken hand) and Brandon Carlo (upper body). "It's our whole right side for one thing. And now you're talking about your top guy on the left side," said coach Bruce Cassidy. Rookie Jakub Zboril, a first-round pick in the 2015 draft who was called up from the minors earlier this week, could make his NHL debut against Dallas.

ABOUT THE STARS (9-7-2): Alexander Radulov returned to the lineup in Monday's 2-1 loss to Columbus after sitting out six straight games and 10 of 11 and scored the lone goal to give him 12 points in eight contests this season. "He's a fiery guy," forward Jason Spezza said of Radulov, who had 27 goals and 72 points in 2017-18 in his first season in Dallas. "He means a lot for us. You don't take a guy of that caliber out of your lineup and not miss him." Forward Devin Shore suffered a lower-body injury against Columbus and is expected to be sidelined for one to two weeks.

OVERTIME

1. Bruins F David Pastrnak scored his league-high 17th goal - and fifth in three games - versus Colorado.

2. The Stars placed D Marc Methot (lower body) on injured reserve and recalled D Gavin Bayreuther from Texas of the American Hockey League.

3. Bruins F Jake DeBrusk has a pair of two-goal games in his last four.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 08:55 AM

Buffalo Sabres vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NHL Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

It is far too early for the Buffalo Sabres to start thinking about the spring, but for a franchise that has missed the playoffs seven consecutive seasons a three-game winning streak and a 10-6-2 record is reason for optimism entering Friday's road contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Buffalo begins a three-game road trip that features back-to-back contests versus the Jets and Minnesota this weekend, but following Tuesday's 2-1 win over Tampa Bay the Sabres noted something feels different.

"I don't think we played our best game (Tuesday) night, but we found a way to win and that's what good teams do," Buffalo defenseman Zach Bogosian told reporters Wednesday. "We try not to dwell on the past, but maybe that one wouldn't have happened in the past." The Jets finally are playing at the level many expected of last season's Western Conference finalist as Winnipeg has won three in a row and eight of its past 11 games following Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over defending Stanley Cup champion Washington. Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding in winning his third consecutive start, making 27 saves against Washington's high-powered offense and holding Alex Ovechkin off the scoresheet. "(Wednesday) definitely was a big one for us," Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele told the media after the Jets improved to 8-2-1 at home this season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE SABRES (10-6-2): Center Jeff Skinner scored his 13th goal of the season Tuesday and has seven tallies to go along with one assist in his past six games - moving within one point of 400 for his career. San Reinhart earned an assist on Skinner's goal, his sixth assist in his past five games as the Sabres improved to 9-0-0 when he registers at least one point. Carter Hutton stopped 29-of-30 shots on goal and in his past three appearances has posted a .946 save percentage.

ABOUT THE JETS (11-5-1): Forward Blake Wheeler extended his point streak to 11 games with an assist Wednesday, and has 18 assists with a plus-8 rating during that stretch. Winnipeg entered Thursday leading the NHL in power-play percentage (34 percent) and Scheifele's marker with the man advantage Wednesday gave him eight goals and 16 points in his past 10 games. The Jets have scored on the power play in 14 of their 17 games this season and 12 of their past 13 contests.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg G Laurent Brossoit, who is 3-0-0 but has not played since Oct. 26, is expected to start Friday.

2. The Sabres early-season success will be tested with six games in the next nine days, including a visit to Pittsburgh on Monday after the weekend back-to-back.

3. Buffalo seeks its first four-game winning streak since Dec. 9-15, 2014.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Sabres 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 08:55 AM

Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NHL Predictions 16th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/16/2018

The Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks alternated hoisting the Stanley Cup over a four-year period from 2012-2015, but the main thing the clubs have in common this season is that each has already fired its head coach. Fresh off snapping an eight-game losing streak and giving new coach Jeremy Colliton his first victory, Chicago will host the Kings on Friday night.

Offense has been a struggle for both teams as Chicago scored only 14 goals during its eight-game slide and halted the swoon with a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night. "This group needed some good things to happen," Colliton told reporters. "They needed it. They need some reinforcement that the sun's coming up on this." What started as a promising seven-game homestand ended with three straight losses for Los Angeles, which was outscored 9-2 during the skid. Tuesday's 5-1 setback to Toronto marked the eighth time in the last 15 games that the Kings have been limited to one goal or fewer.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE KINGS (5-11-1): Things could not look much bleaker for Los Angeles, which is scoring a league-worst 2.0 goals per game and is down to its No. 3 goaltender due to injuries. Peter Budaj made his first start and second appearance of the season against Toronto and lasted fewer than five minutes into the second period before he was yanked in favor of Calvin Petersen, who stopped 15 of 16 shots in his NHL debut. Friday's game could mark the Kings debut of speedy forward Carl Hagelin, who was acquired from Pittsburgh earlier this week in exchange for Tanner Pearson.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (7-8-4): Chicago needed a big performance from someone to end its slide and Corey Crawford responded by turning aside all 28 shots he faced to register his first shutout in just over a year. Crawford, who posted his 24th career shutout, did not play after Christmas last season due to a concussion and did not return to the lineup until the sixth game this year. "We're feeling good right now. We're getting used to the systems and playing better with it," said Crawford, who is 9-5-1 with a 2.65 goals-against average and one shutout versus the Kings.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane has 12 goals and 35 points in 36 games versus Los Angeles.

2. Kings D Dion Phaneuf had an assist Tuesday to halt his 16-game season-opening point drought.

3. Los Angeles (8-for-56) and Chicago (8-for-58) rank in the bottom five in the league on the power play.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Kings 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 11-16-2018, 08:55 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 11-16-2018

NHL Predictions 15th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/15/2018

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals could be short-handed when they continue a four-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. The Capitals dropped a 3-1 decision at Winnipeg on Wednesday in a game in which goalie Braden Holtby was a late scratch before leading scorer Evgeny Kuznetsov and fellow forward T.J. Oshie went down with injuries during the contest.

Holtby will be re-evaluated for an upper-body injury while Kuznetsov (team-high 21 points) was held out for precautionary reasons after taking a headshot in the first period and Oshie left when he was thrown on his head by Josh Morrissey late in the contest. The Capitals, who said all the players are day-to-day, have lost three of their last four contests and scored once in each of the three setbacks while Colorado rebounded from a five-game losing streak to win its last two. The Avalanche fell behind two goals against Boston on Wednesday before scoring the last five to post an impressive 6-3 victory as the top line of Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog registered three goals and three assists. "It's big for us because we just went through a little stretch where we couldn't win, and we went into Edmonton and had a really nice game (4-1 win Sunday) ... ," Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters. "You have a great game, you want to repeat it."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington Plus, Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (8-7-3): In addition to the three injuries Wednesday, Michal Kempny missed the game with illness and fellow defenseman Brooks Orpik has been out since late October with a lower-body ailment. Captain Alex Ovechkin has not scored in four games, but leads the team with 12 goals while tying for second in points with center Nicklas Backstrom (team-high 16 assists) at 20. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov is beginning to find his top form with two goals, two assists and a plus-4 rating in two games after managing two points and a minus-8 in the first 16.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (9-6-3): Colorado's top line has combined for 75 points in the first 18 games with Rantanen leading the way at 29 and Landeskog along with MacKinnon each recording 12 goals. The Avalanche can turn it on even more offensively when their defensemen are activated and blue liners Tyson Barrie (four points, last three games) along with Samuel Girard (five assists, last five contests) are on a roll. Center Alexander Kerfoot has also picked up his production level with eight of his 14 points in the last six contests and goals in back-to-back games.

OVERTIME

1. The Capitals have won seven of the last eight meetings, but fell 6-2 at Colorado last season.

2. Washington F Tom Wilson, who scored in his first game back from a long suspension Tuesday, was a minus-2 against Winnipeg.

3. Colorado C Tyson Jost has registered two of his three goals on the season in the last three games.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Capitals 3

Friday 11-16-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 11-16-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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