Friday 11-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the surprise teams in the NBA and they look to continue their impressive rise when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Memphis owns the best record in the Western Conference after stretching its winning streak to five games with Wednesday's 104-103 road win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Center Marc Gasol hit two free throws with 0.7 seconds left to provide the winning margin against the Spurs and coach J.B. Bickerstaff is impressed with the attitudes of his players. "Personally, I haven't been around a group in the 15-some years that I've been coaching that has been this together and has been this supportive of one another," Bickerstaff told reporters. "Like this group is all in and it's fun to be a part of it and just watch it blossom." The Clippers had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Washington Wizards on Tuesday but also are faring well and are tied for the third best mark in the conference. Los Angeles blew a 24-point lead in Tuesday's 125-118 loss to the Wizards.

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

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-5): Memphis had dropped seven straight games in San Antonio, which added to the euphoria of the dramatic late-game victory. "This is what it's like in the NBA," Gasol told reporters after contributing 20 points and 10 rebounds. "This game is over, we should be happy with this game but there's another one coming in a couple of days so we've got to get ready." Point guard Mike Conley recorded 30 points and nine assists and is averaging 25.3 points over the past seven outings.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (11-6): Forward Tobias Harris continues to show why the franchise didn't want to deal him to the Minnesota Timberwolves to pry away Jimmy Butler as he is averaging 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds. Harris scored a season-best 29 points in the loss to the Wizards and is averaging 26.7 points over the past three games while scoring 20 or more on 11 occasions. Backup power forward Montrezl Harrell scored 20 points against the Wizards for his fourth 20-point outing in six games and he is averaging 20.4 points over the past seven outings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers won nine of the past 13 meetings.

2. Gasol recorded four straight double-doubles and is averaging 20.5 points and 13 rebounds during the stretch.

3. Los Angeles F Danilo Gallinari missed all eight of his field-goal attempts against Washington.

PREDICTION: Clippers 108, Grizzlies 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Houston Rockets will be aiming to stretch their winning streak to six games when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday in the second game of a home-and-home set between the two teams. Houston posted a 126-124 victory on Wednesday when star guard James Harden scored a season-best 43 points.

The Rockets won eight of their past 10 games but the home win over the Pistons wasn't easy as Detroit splurged for 41 fourth-quarter points. "But we found a way to win," Harden told reporters. "There's going to be games like that where you've got to figure it out." The Pistons were rolling down the stretch as Blake Griffin made five 3-pointers in a span of 3 1/2 minutes but the power forward committed two costly late-game turnovers - and nine overall - to help prevent his club from notching a comeback victory. "Two turnovers down the stretch killed us," Griffin told reporters. "Doesn't matter how many points you score. The big moments - that's where I've got to be better."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (9-7): Harden also registered nine assists, seven rebounds, four steals and drained all 19 of his free throws in his stellar effort on Wednesday. "James had some big steals, especially guarding the post, having to guard Blake and having to guard (Andre) Drummond," Houston point guard Chris Paul told reporters. "James is a really good post defender. That's why at times we put him on bigs. James' all-around game was unbelievable." Paul contributed 20 points for his fourth 20-point effort in the past five games.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (8-7): The loss to the Rockets was only Detroit's second in the past six games but coach Dwane Casey saw some concerning things that he wants to correct prior to the rematch. "What hurt us was our lack of discipline," Casey told reporters afterward. "Not staying at home, getting sucked in. Unnecessary help was what we call it. There are certain shots we want them to take and some we don't and we got undisciplined a few times, got sucked in. We'll clean that up come Friday night." Drummond recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh consecutive double-double and 13th of the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Houston C Clint Capela scored a season-best 27 points to go with 15 rebounds and four blocked shots to become the first Houston player with at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in consecutive games since Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon in Nov. 1993.

2. Detroit reserve G Langston Galloway was 4-of-5 from 3-point range Wednesday and made four or more in four of the past seven games.

3. Harden moved into third place on the Rockets' all-time scoring list with 13,391 points, passing Rudy Tomjanovich (13,383).

PREDICTION: Pistons 118, Rockets 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

This is not how the Boston Celtics figured their season would unfold, not after tons of preseason hype and certainly not after starting the season with six wins in their first eight games. The Celtics visit the Atlanta Hawks on Friday looking to snap out of a 3-7 stretch that has been marked with inconsistent play, and needed a 40-point fourth quarter Wednesday to make a 117-109 loss to the New York Knicks appear more respectable - after trailing by 26 points in the first half.

"We've got to try and turn this ship around and get it going in the right direction," Boston forward Gordon Hayward told reporters afterward. "I don't think it's smart to get too down on ourselves, but we've got to improve." The Celtics missed their first 10 3-point attempts against New York in losing for the third consecutive contest, and open a three-game road trip that also includes visits to Dallas and New Orleans. The swing begins in Atlanta, where the Hawks have dropped nine games in a row and 15-of-18 so far this season after Wednesday's 124-108 home defeat to Toronto. "We just struggled," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce told the media after his bench outscored the starting five 16-8 in the first quarter. "We just needed to get some new life, new energy."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Boston, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (9-9): Kyrie Irving finished with 13 assists to go along with his team-high 22 points Wednesday, and is averaging 22.4 points and 6.4 assists on the season. Center Al Horford scored 19 points in 35 minutes despite a sore left knee. The Celtics are scoring 106 points per game, ranking 25th in the NBA, and are third in points allowed per contest (103.4) despite surrendering 117 points in back-to-back losses to the Knicks and Charlotte.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-15): There was very little for Atlanta to feel good about Wednesday, other than veteran guard Vince Carter scoring his 25,000th career point just before the final buzzer. Forward Taurean Prince was the only starter to reach double figures in scoring (12 points) as Atlanta's starting five combined to shoot 13-for-40 from the field. Guard Jeremy Lin came off the bench to score a team-best 26 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, and is 12-for-23 from long range in his past five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta rookie G Trae Young ranks third in the NBA in assists at 8.1 per contest.

2. Boston is shooting 24-for-98 from 3-point range during the three-game skid.

3. The Hawks played Wednesday without C Alex Len (sore back) and F Omari Spellman (right hip adductor).

PREDICTION: Celtics 108, Hawks 94

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans Pelicans vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The New York Knicks snapped a six-game losing streak with their best win of the season, a wire-to-wire victory at Boston on Wednesday. They will now try to get revenge for one of those six straight losses when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The Pelicans used a 41-point fourth quarter to storm to a 129-124 win over the Knicks at home earlier this month, one of New York's many woeful defensive efforts during the slide, which came to an abrupt halt with a more complete effort at TD Garden. "We're 5-14. We've still got a lot of learning to do," Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. told reporters after Wednesday's win. "We'll go and look at film on Friday. But everybody should go home with a smile on their face and eat good (Thursday), you know, because we got a win." The victory over New York ignited a three-game winning streak for New Orleans but a missed free throw by superstar forward Anthony Davis was the difference in Wednesday's 121-120 loss at Philadelphia. Davis, who had 43 points against the Knicks, was held to 12 points by the 76ers, nearly 16 below his average entering the night.

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

ABOUT THE PELICANS (10-8): Jrue Holiday and E'Twaun Moore picked up the slack for Davis on Wednesday by scoring 30 points apiece and backup forward Julius Randle continued his solid play with 22 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. That marked Randle's fourth straight game with either a double-double or a triple-double and he is averaging 20.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in 27.5 minutes during that span. Moore has scored 54 points on 58.5 percent shooting over the last two games for the league's second-ranked offense (119.6 points per game).

ABOUT THE KNICKS (5-14): The fact that Wednesday's win came on the road against a somewhat desperate team and just 24 hours after a loss at home signaled, perhaps, a sign of growth for New York's growing roster. "Effort. They stuck with it. Young fellas on a back-to-back, in a hostile environment," Knicks coach David Fizdale told the media. "Just played extremely hard and played through a lot of adversity. Thank goodness that clock ran out." Trey Burke led the way with 29 points and Hardaway added 21 for New York, which is looking to produce its first winning streak of the season Friday night.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Burke is averaging 25.8 points on 58.8 percent shooting during a four-game hot stretch.

2. Pelicans PF Nikola Mirotic has nine double-doubles in his last 11 games.

3. Davis, who reached the 10,000-point milestone Wednesday, is averaging 27.3 points on 53.7 percent from the floor in 10 career games against the Knicks.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 119, Knicks 115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
Cavaliers vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The arrival of Jimmy Butler dominated headlines of late but the Philadelphia 76ers are aware of who the MVP of the team - and maybe the league - is through the first 20 games. Star center Joel Embiid will try to continue boosting his MVP credentials by leading the 76ers to a fifth straight win when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Embiid recorded his 12th outing of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds with 31 and 19 on Wednesday as Philadelphia slipped past the New Orleans Pelicans 121-120. "I was getting the ball a lot and I was doing my job, and that's dominating," Embiid, who was showered with M-V-P chants by the home crowd, told reporters. The Cavaliers no longer have a dominating player on which to anchor their playoff hopes and had to watch former hometown hero LeBron James score 32 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 109-105 loss on Wednesday that dropped their league-worst record to 2-14. The lone starter remaining from the team that James led to the NBA Finals in each of the previous four seasons, center Tristan Thompson, collected 14 points and 15 rebounds in the setback.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (2-14): Cleveland is firmly in rebuilding mode and at least is getting some encouraging performances from younger players. Small forward Cedi Osman, 23, scored a team-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 42 minutes on Wednesday and was happy with his team's effort. "It was a great game," Osman told reporters. "It was a great game for everybody. We competed really hard. We just have to go out every game and do the same thing we did tonight. There were, of course, some bad moments that we had, but mostly it was good. Everybody competed hard and we did our best to win tonight."

ABOUT THE 76ERS (13-7): Philadelphia is an NBA-best 10-0 in its own arena and can feel the momentum when competing in front of the home fans. "I think just knowing we've played well here, and giving home fans what they want, for us to play hard every game coming in here and competing," point guard Ben Simmons told reporters. "There's a priority to that where we want to win. We don't want to let anybody down here." Embiid averages 30.8 points at home while posting 25.4 on the road.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers SG JR Smith is away from the team as it tries to work out a trade for the disgruntled veteran.

2. 76ers PG Markelle Fultz (shoulder) is not expected to play this weekend.

3. The teams split four meetings last season, with Philadelphia taking the last two.

PREDICTION: 76ers 130, Cavaliers 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Toronto Raptors ended a four-game road trip with three straight victories and look to extend their winning streak to four in a row when they return home to take on the Washington Wizards on Friday. Playing without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who was rested on the second half of a back-to-back, the Raptors rolled to a 124-108 win at Atlanta on Wednesday.

Three players scored at least 21 points, including Kyle Lowry as part of a triple-double, and Toronto dominated on the glass 55-34. Lowry had a season-high 17 assists and continues to lead the NBA with 10.5 per game, prompting center Jonas Valanciunas (team-high 24 points) to say: "That was kind of fun. It's easy to play with this kind of point guard." The Wizards capped a 3-2 homestand with a 125-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 57 points as Washington rallied from a 24-point deficit.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, TSN (Toronto)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (6-11): After a 2-9 start, rumors of the team listening to trade offers on Wall and Beal and even a testy practice that led to Wall being fined for yelling at head coach Scott Brooks, a rally like the one Washington put forth Tuesday was needed, but still not enough. "We've still got a lot of stuff to fix," Beal told reporters. "I'm still not happy. I know everybody's not happy with where we are." Center Dwight Howard (lower body) missed the game and is questionable for this one, which could yield another start underneath for Thomas Bryant (seven points in 19 minutes against the Clippers).

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (15-4): Leonard has yet to play both ends of a back-to-back and the team is 5-1 without him, but Toronto's top scorer could become a more consistent presence on the court in the near future. "I don't really know on that. I think we're getting closer," coach Nick Nurse told the media when asked if and when Leonard would play on consecutive days. "I will say this, there's been zero issues as far as any, too much minutes, or too long a run. He feels good, so I think the early plan here through 18, 20 games is going really well." Forward Pascal Siakam had 22 points in the win over the Hawks and is averaging 17.3 on 64.1 percent shooting in November.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lowry had 28 points and 12 assists while Leonard sat in a 117-113 win at Washington earlier this season.

2. Wizards G Austin Rivers is 3-for-16 from the floor over his last three games.

3. Lowry needs 10 points to become the fourth Raptor to reach 8,000 with the franchise.

PREDICTION: Raptors 114, Wizards 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
Hornets vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

Kemba Walker went from scoring machine to facilitator, and the Charlotte Hornets still pulled out a win. Walker will try to continue showing off his well-rounded game and lead the Hornets to a third consecutive victory when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opener of a two-game trip on Friday.

Walker, who scored 60 points in an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday and followed that up with 43 points in a win over the Boston Celtics on Monday, handed out a season-high 11 assists to go with 16 points in Wednesday's 127-109 triumph over Indiana. "It shows what kind of fight we have," Walker told reporters. "We know that Philly game - it was a tough one for us. It was a tough loss for us. But we bounced back with the game against Boston and tonight. ... I'm glad that we came out, we came out and fought. We came out and we executed, and we had a huge win for us, huge win for us." Charlotte will need to execute at its best against the Thunder, who are winners of 11 of their last 13 and dominated the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a 123-95 road win on Wednesday. "Just making the right play," star point guard Russell Westbrook, who finished with a triple-double, told reporters, "Simple as that. Being able to find open guys and get them in scoring position. You never know who is going to do it. It opens the floor for everybody and it's a good way to attack."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE HORNETS (9-8): Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb led seven scorers in double figures with 21 points on Wednesday while going 5-of-7 from 3-point range. "I just took what the defense gave me," Lamb told reporters. "I had a lot of open threes. Kemba was penetrating and Cody (Zeller) hit me a couple of times, Frank (Kaminsky) hit me a couple times, so I was able to get some open ones and thankfully I was able to knock them down." Zeller and Kaminsky combined for 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting out of the center position.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (11-6): Just as Walker can turn from scorer to facilitator for the Hornets, so can Westbrook for Oklahoma City. The former MVP managed 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting Wednesday but handed out 13 assists and was pleased with his performance. "My job is to see the game, read the game. The game will tell you what you need to do," Westbrook told reporters. "As a point guard my job is to facilitate and have control of the game."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder rookie SG Hamidou Diallo was carted off the floor after suffering a lower leg injury on Wednesday, but x-rays ruled out a serious injury.

2. Charlotte SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) sat out the last four games and is day-to-day.

3. Westbrook collected 29 points and 10 assists in a 111-107 win at Charlotte on Nov. 1.

PREDICTION: Thunder 123, Hornets 119

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Miami Heat continue to have all sorts of problems when trying to defend their home court, so they'll try their hand on the road again when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Heat suffered their fifth consecutive home loss with Tuesday's 104-92 setback against Brooklyn in a game that saw the hosts get outscored 30-15 in a dismal fourth quarter.

"You can definitely see guys not playing just free with their game," Miami guard Dwyane Wade told reporters. "We're overthinking at times. In this game, you don't want that. You just want to play." The Bulls have the same ugly home record (3-7) as the Heat but Chicago has split its last four at the United Center and topped visiting Phoenix 124-116 on Wednesday. Jabari Parker finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Bulls shot a season-high 56.8 percent to snap a four-game losing streak. "I thought our outlet passes were crisp," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told the media. "I thought they were up the floor, and I thought our guys did a good job of getting down quickly. We didn't hang our heads. We had a couple answer-back plays after they scored where we scored on the other end, and those are important. Those are big plays. We need all those points."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE HEAT (6-11): Center Hassan Whiteside had 21 points and 23 rebounds against Brooklyn but his fellow starters combined to produce 43 points on 16-of-48 shooting. Wade did not help much off the bench with five points on 2-of-8 from the floor as he returned from a seven-game layoff following the birth of his daughter. Point guard Goran Dragic (knee) is expected to miss his third straight game Friday and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) will sit out the team's two-game road trip.

ABOUT THE BULLS (5-13): Chicago continues to operate without several key injured players, but forward Lauri Markkanen (elbow) had "his best conditioning workout" on Wednesday, according to Hoiberg, and both Markkanen and guard Kris Dunn (knee) took part in pick-and-roll drills. Zach LaVine has been carrying the load for the shorthanded squad and he returned from a one-game layoff due to an illness to provide 29 points and six assists against the Suns. Second-year man Ryan Arcidiacono has filled in for Dunn and had 14 points while making 4-of-6 3-pointers Wednesday, improving to 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Heat SG Josh Richardson has missed all six of his 3-point attempts in two games since tying a career high with seven made 3s at Indiana last Friday.

2. Whiteside is day-to-day with knee tendinitis.

3. Miami took three of four meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Heat 109, Bulls 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Pacers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The San Antonio Spurs attempt to break out of their slump when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The Spurs dropped seven of their past nine games, including a 104-103 setback against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

San Antonio got off to a solid 6-2 start but now the losses are adding up and the team finds itself tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the 11th best record in the Western Conference. "Win or lose, there are always things you can do better," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters afterward. "It is a game of mistakes so you try to make fewer than your opponents." Indiana had a three-game winning streak snapped when it suffered a 127-109 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Star guard Victor Oladipo (knee) missed the past two games and his status for Friday will likely be determined in the hours prior to the game.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE SPURS (8-9): Popovich referred to the chemistry issue after the loss to Memphis as his team certainly is still learning how best to operate after the trade of former star Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. "We're trying to get guys to know each other and get to know the system," Popovich said. "That's our goal - to keep getting better and reducing errors and giving ourselves opportunities to win." Standout guard shooting guard DeMar DeRozan - acquired in the Leonard deal - scored 24 points against the Grizzlies and scored 20 or more in six straight games while averaging 24.3 during the stretch.

ABOUT THE PACERS (11-7): Indiana hasn't fared well when Oladipo is out of the lineup and is 1-8 without him over the past two seasons, including an 0-7 mark last season. Small forward Bogdan Bogdanovic is playing well with four 20-point outings in the past five games and he has made 18-of-28 3-point attempts over the past six contests. Center Myles Turner has just one double-double in a tame start and hasn't scored more than 12 points in any of the past nine outings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers won the past three meetings, including a 116-96 rout in San Antonio on Oct. 24.

2. Spurs C Pau Gasol (foot) is expected to miss his ninth straight game.

3. Indiana backup SF Doug McDermott is averaging 13.5 points on 9-of-14 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Pacers 105, Spurs 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
Suns vs. Bucks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Milwaukee Bucks already announced themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference with their play early this season, but they might have just shown the league how high their ceiling really is. The Bucks will try to follow up one dominating performance with another when they host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Milwaukee shot 52.8 percent from the floor and held the Portland Trail Blazers to 36.2 percent in a 143-100 shellacking at home on Wednesday, but the team still thinks it can improve. "I think we definitely have made a statement so far," Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters. "I think teams, when they come to Milwaukee, they know they're going to play a great team and they've got to play hard and play well. At the end of the day, I think we're getting better every day. We have a long way to go until April, May and June." The Suns are trying to get better every day as well but continue to fall short in the win column and suffered their third straight loss with a 124-116 setback at Chicago on Wednesday. The positives come from the development of young players, and No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton pulled off his 10th double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds on Wednesday.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE SUNS (3-14): Part of the current developmental plan is rounding out the game of 22-year-old foundation piece Devin Booker. The shooting guard is taking on more responsibility in the offense and is operating as the point guard for all or parts of games. Booker is averaging 9.5 assists over the last four games but totaled 16 turnovers in that span, including six in Wednesday's setback.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (13-4): Antetokounmpo led the way with 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting Wednesday but came up just shy of a triple-double with 16 rebounds and nine assists. "I knew that," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "My teammates told me to go get (the triple-double), so that's what I tried. ... I always go to Tony (Snell). He was able to knock down some shots. Thon (Maker) did the same thing. Then some didn't go in. It was a great win overall." The performance marked the third straight double-double for Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 26.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks SF Khris Middleton scored over 20 points in four of the last five games.

2. Suns SF T.J. Warren is averaging 23.9 points over the last seven games.

3. Milwaukee took the last six in the series.

PREDICTION: Bucks 132, Suns 114

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Denver Nuggets hope to gain some momentum from a huge win on the road when they come home to face the improved Orlando Magic on Friday night. Denver had dropped six of seven games before holding on for a 103-101 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday as veteran forward Paul Millsap registered a season high-tying 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting.

"We just played free. Everybody played in attack mode," Nuggets guard Monte Morris told the Denver Post. "Our players who need to make plays down the stretch went out and did it." The Nuggets have dropped three of their last four at home after winning the first six and will be tested against a dangerous offensive team in Orlando, which scored at least 130 points in two wins before suffering a 93-91 loss to Toronto on Tuesday. The Magic have won seven of their last 10 games overall after a disappointing start and center Nikola Vucevic has played a big part, averaging a team-high 20 points overall - 27 over the last four contests. "He's playing better than I've ever seen him play," Toronto coach Nick Nurse told reporters of Vucevic. "It used to be he'd get 20 and 12 or something and it was like you didn't even notice or it didn't matter. But now, it's in the rhythm of what they're doing. He's got this look on his face that says give me the ball and I'm going to score it."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (9-9): Vucevic was held to 14 points Tuesday, but hauled in a season-high 18 rebounds to record his sixth double-double in seven games and 12th on the season - tied for fifth in the league. Evan Fournier poured in 27 points against Toronto and averages 16.7 - third on the team behind Vucevic and Aaron Gordon (17.1), who scored a season-high 31 in the win over the New York Knicks on Sunday. Guard Terrence Ross has cooled off the last two outings (6-of-23 from the field) after a four-game stretch in which he was 25-of-40 from the floor.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (11-7): Millsap missed some time on the court Wednesday when he suffered a facial laceration, but the 33-year-old added five rebounds and five steals during his big night. "He's a tough cat. I'm sure he's going to have a nice headache in the morning," coach Michael Malone told reporters after the game. "But he's a pro - he came back in and wanted to get right back in the game and helped us pull out the victory." Gary Harris leads the team in scoring with 310 points in 18 games while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each have 309 in the same amount.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando F Jonathan Isaac is averaging 12.5 points on 9-of-16 shooting the last two games.

2. Jokic is tied for eighth in the league in double-doubles with 11 and is averaging 10.1 rebounds along with 7.1 assists.

3. The Nuggets have swept a pair of games in the last two season series, including a 125-107 victory at home last November.

PREDICTION: Magic 106, Nuggets 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Los Angeles Lakers are soaring with LeBron James and look to record their seventh victory in eight games when they host the Utah Jazz on Friday. James posted 32 points and 14 rebounds in his return to Cleveland on Wednesday as new his club continued its roll with a 109-105 victory.

Lakers coach Luke Walton is impressed with a lot of things when it comes to James but he really is amazed at how the superstar blocks out distractions. "The great ones have that ability," Walton told reporters. "When they're on the basketball court nothing else matters, other than what they're trying to do. Their focus level seems to somehow get higher with the louder the noise gets. I don't know how. I don't know why." Utah dropped four of its last five games after falling 119-110 at home to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. "We have to figure it out," center Rudy Gobert told reporters of the club's lackluster start. "There's nothing to overthink. It starts with me, and then once I do what I have to do, I think the team's gonna follow."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (8-10): Utah has been a solid defensive squad in recent seasons but the intensity has been lacking and the Jazz allowed at least 113 points in all four losses of the five-game stretch. "We have to be able to defend better to win," Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "If I could point to one thing, it's our communication. That's the thing that links you together and makes you be able to defend as a group." The Jazz have given up more than 100 points in 12 of the past 14 games, and have allowed more than 120 four times this season.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (10-7): Second-year point guard Lonzo Ball was 1-of-11 shooting while scoring two total points in a two-game span before tallying 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with seven rebounds and six assists against the Cavaliers. "That was one of my favorite parts of our game - how much he was attacking the rim," Walton said afterward. "Even the ones that he didn't finish, I didn't care. Just seeing him get downhill and be physical and playmake." Forward Kyle Kuzma scored 12 points and is averaging just 11.8 points over the last six games after topping 20 points in four of the first 11 contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Jazz went 3-0 against the Lakers last season and won the past seven meetings.

2. Utah star SG Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points against the Kings for his third 30-point outing of the campaign.

3. Los Angeles C JaVale McGee hit all six of his shots against the Cavaliers and is 22-for-31 over the past four contests.

PREDICTION: Lakers 123, Jazz 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NBA Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers are both coming off embarrassing defeats, but while one could be considered a blip, the other is becoming a pattern. The defending-champion Warriors will try to break that pattern and snap a four-game slide when they host the Trail Blazers on Friday.

Portland was playing the second night of a back-to-back after beating the New York Knicks 118-114 on Tuesday and had no bounce in a 143-100 loss at Milwaukee the next night. "It was a tough start, obviously we knew it was going to be a long trip," Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "Dropped the first two against quality teams (the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers), teams that can beat you. We bounced back and win two games, which is what we wanted to do, then you come here, arguably the best team in the East on their floor and we were a step slow." The Warriors failed to win on a three-game trek through Texas only to come home and get flattened by the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-95 on Wednesday. "It wasn't pretty tonight, and it hasn't been these last four games," shooting guard Klay Thompson told reporters. "But if you want to take a positive out of tonight, it's the first time we've ever lost four games under (head coach) Steve (Kerr). That's pretty amazing when you think about it."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (12-6): Portland is making the final stop of a six-game, 10-day trip at Golden State but was not ready to use fatigue as an excuse for Wednesday's performance, in which the team shot 36.2 percent from the floor. "We're not the first team to go on a trip like this and it's not our first time," Lillard told reporters. "We aren't going to lean on that and make an excuse about being tired. It's early in the season. We haven't even played 20 games yet. There were a lot of things that we could've done to be much better, whether we were tired or not." Lillard is averaging 27.6 points on the trip, including a 40-point outing in a win at Washington on Sunday.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (12-7): Golden State is dealing with injuries to two All-Star players in Stephen Curry (groin) and Draymond Green (toe) along with some personality clashes among teammates. "Our guys, they're not gonna get too discouraged," Kerr told reporters. "They know, especially the guys who have been in this league for a long time, they know the drill. We haven't felt this a whole lot here the last few years - maybe once or twice - but this is part of being in the league. You're banged up, you lose games. You just fight your way out of it and get healthy and you keep going, and things'll turn." Green is day-to-day while Curry is expected to miss several more games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Trail Blazers SF Maurice Harkless (knee) returned from a 12-game absence on Wednesday and scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes.

2. Golden State SF Kevin Durant is 2-of-22 from 3-point range over the last five games.

3. Portland took the final two meetings last season after dropping seven in a row in the series.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 117, Warriors 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NHL Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Flyers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

The New York Rangers have reversed course on what many assumed would be a rebuilding season by posting a 9-1-1 mark in their last 11 games to ascend toward the top of the Metropolitan Division. The red-hot Rangers vie for their fourth consecutive victory on Friday afternoon when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers, who have dropped four in a row (0-3-1) to tumble into a share of last place in the division.

Filip Chytil converted a 2-on-1 rush just 29 seconds into Wednesday's 5-0 romp over the cross-town New York Islanders to become the first teenager in Rangers history to score a goal in five straight games. "When you're hot, you're hot," fellow forward Kevin Hayes said of the 19-year-old Chytil. "... It's impressive. It's a tough league to score goals in and he's doing it at will right now." New York takes a less-than-desirable 3-5-2 road record into a date with Philadelphia, which has its own problems as the whispers of Joel Quenneville potentially replacing head coach Dave Hakstol have grown louder after the team surrendered four first-period goals in Wednesday's 5-2 setback in Buffalo. "Lost battles. Didn't make plays. Played on our heels ... Not acceptable. Pretty (ticked) off," said captain Claude Giroux, who scored to give him seven (two goals, five assists) of his club-best 25 points in his last seven games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, NBC

ABOUT THE RANGERS (12-8-2): Chris Kreider has turned it up a notch over the last two weeks, scoring six goals among his 11 points in that stretch to raise his club-best totals to 12 and 20, respectively. Mika Zibanejad hasn't been too shabby in his own right, setting up two goals versus the Islanders to give him a team-leading 12 assists and at least a point in seven of his last nine games (two goals, seven assists). Hayes has turned it on after a sluggish start with 11 (three goals, eight assists) of his 14 points in his past 11 contests.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (9-10-2): After scoring first in six straight games, Philadelphia fell behind for the fourth consecutive contest on Wednesday -- much to the chagrin of physical defenseman Christian Folin. "We've talked about it from the start of the season about wanting to have good starts," the 27-year-old Swede told Philly.com. "... Then we have two days off and we come and we show that kind of a start. No emotions whatsoever. Just flat." Alex Lyon, whose season debut went off the rails with four goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Calvin Pickard, turned in strong performances in a pair of wins over the Rangers in 2017-18.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia C Travis Konecny scored three goals and set up two others in four games versus New York last season.

2. Rangers D Neal Pionk has five power-play points (one goal, four assists) in his last five contests.

3. Flyers RW Wayne Simmonds has scored in back-to-back games to boost his team-leading goal total to nine.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Flyers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018

NHL Predictions 23rd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/23/2018

The Edmonton Oilers hope that a coaching change will continue reversing their fortunes as they resume their three-game California road trip Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. Edmonton began the Ken Hitchcock era with a 4-2 overtime victory over San Jose on Tuesday after firing Todd McLellan earlier in the day, giving it two wins in eight games (2-5-1) since a promising 8-4-1 start.

"That's what it has to be (a wake-up call)," Edmonton's Connor McDavid, the two-time defending Art Ross Trophy winner, told reporters Wednesday after scoring his 100th career goal. "Anytime you bring in a new coach, that's kind of the last option I would say before shipping everyone out. This is a chance for us to come together and turn this around." Anaheim is coming off a 4-3 victory over Vancouver on Wednesday that snapped its three-game slide (0-1-2) and hasn't put together a winning streak while going 4-8-4 since starting the season 5-1-1. "We're taking small steps right now," Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf told reporters after recording a goal and an assist for the second straight game. "We're getting better and better. We're going to continue to build and try to get this group pushing the right way every night and every shift." The clubs have split their last four regular-season contests - all one-goal affairs, with three decided in overtime or a shootout - since Anaheim defeated Edmonton four games to two in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FS West (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE OILERS (10-10-1): McDavid (team highs of 13 goals and 31 points) and Leon Draisaitl (13 goals) have combined for six goals and 11 points during their four-game point streaks. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has notched 20 points, but no other Edmonton player has more than nine - with Milan Lucic (five points, club-worst minus-8 rating) scoring once this season and twice in his last 67 games. Cam Talbot (5-8-1, 3.31 goals-against average, .888 save percentage) has lost five straight starts, allowing 20 goals during that span.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (9-9-5): Ondrej Kase, who recorded 20 goals in his second NHL season in 2017-18, has scored in each of his last two games -- his fourth and fifth contests of the campaign after missing the first 18 with a concussion. Getzlaf and Pontus Aberg share the club lead with six goals apiece while Rickard Rakell (three goals this season, 99 career) continues to struggle with one tally in his last 13 games. Anaheim continues to play four rookie defensemen with Hampus Lindholm (lower body) and Cam Fowler (face) out indefinitely.

OVERTIME

1. McDavid became the first Edmonton player to record 30 points in 21 or fewer games since Mark Messier needed 19 contests to accomplish the feat in 1989-90.

2. Ducks G John Gibson (7-7-4, 2.58, .927), who posted his 100th career win on Wednesday, is 6-1-3 with a 1.97 GAA and .933 save percentage in 10 contests versus the Oilers.

3. Anaheim has allowed three power-play goals on four chances over its last two games.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Oilers 2