Friday 11-30-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sal Michaels

Nov 30 '18, 9:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | Utah vs Washington
Play on: Utah +6 -110 at sportsbook

Free Play on Utah +6 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lee

Nov 30 '18, 9:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | Utah vs Washington
Play on: Utah +6 -115 at Bovada

10* FREE NCAAF PICK (Utah +6)
I'll take my chances here with Utah to cover in the Pac-12 title game against the Huskies. This line is just begging you take Washington. Something I think the public will gladly do, having just watched the Huskies take down No. 8 ranked Washington State and knowing that the Utes have just recently lost both their starting QB and leading rusher. Not to mention, Washington already beat the Utes in Utah by 14.
I’ll be the first to admit that I thought Utah was toast after Huntley went down with an injury, as they really fell off last year when he got hurt. However, this year they have freshman Jason Shelley to step in and he’s been a difference maker. He threw an interception in relief of Huntley in the loss to ASU, but has not thrown another and has showcased his ability to make plays with his legs.
I just don’t think it’s as big a deal as it will be made out to be and if anything it gives Utah a new wrinkle for Washington to prepare for. I would also expect the Utes to make some adjustments from the first time these two teams played and it’s not asking a lot for them to score more than 7-points.
I also like the matchup for Utah. The Utes have one of the best defenses in the country and without a doubt the best defensive line in the Pac-12. They can not only take away the running game of the Huskies, but they can put big time pressure on Washington quarterback Jake Browning, as the Huskies have one of the worst offensive lines in the Pac-12.
Lastly, you can’t ignore how poor Washington has been against the spread this season. Prior to covering against the Cougars, the Huskies had failed to cover the number in seven straight games. Give me the Utes +6!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Jones

Nov 30 '18, 10:35 PM in 5h
NBA | Mavs vs Lakers
Play on: Mavs +3½ -105 at 5Dimes

Jack’s Free Pick Friday: Dallas Mavericks +3.5
The Dallas Mavericks are playing their best basketball of the season right now. They are 7-1 SU & 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. That includes upset wins over the Warriors, Jazz, Celtics and Rockets. And now they’re once again underdogs to the Lakers when the shouldn’t be tonight.
This is an awful spot for the Lakers. They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days here after beating the Pacers 104-96 at home last night. Meanwhile, the Mavs are well-rested and ready to go, playing just their 2nd game in 6 days here. The spot couldn’t favor the Mavs any more than it does.
Plays on road teams (Dallas) - after beating the spread by more than 18 points in their previous game against opponent after going UNDER the total by 54 or more points in their last 10 games are 36-13 (73.5%) ATS over the last five seasons.
Dallas is 29-15 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons. The Mavericks are 8-1 ATS when revenging a road loss this season. That adds to their motivation after losing 113-114 to the Lakers in their first meeting this year. The Lakers are 0-7 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Dallas is 37-19 ATS in its last 56 games vs. a team with a winning record. Bet the Mavericks Friday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Northern Illinois at Buffalo
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, November 30, 2018
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan



Overall Team Offense

The Buffalo Bulls are ranked 53 on offense, averaging 419.9 yards per game. The Bulls are averaging 200.8 yards rushing and 219.1 yards passing so far this season.
The Northern Illinois Huskies are ranked 125 on offense, averaging 318.0 yards per game. The Huskies are averaging 176.7 yards rushing and 141.3 yards passing so far this season.



The Buffalo Bulls are 5-1 at home this season, 7-1 against conference opponents and 8373-8373 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Bulls are averaging 36.5 scoring, and holding teams to 23.7 points scored on defense.
The Northern Illinois Huskies are 4-3 while on the road this season, 6-2 against conference opponents and 8373-8373 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Huskies are averaging 20.0 scoring, and holding teams to 24.1 points scored on defense.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Utah vs. Washington



Sans decorated quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Luke Falk, the Pac-12 took on a more defensive tone in 2018. And that’s certainly reflected in Friday night’s conference championship game which pits No. 17 Utah against No. 11 Washington in Santa Clara, Calif.


Both teams boast top-20 FBS total and scoring defenses with the Huskies allowing 311.3 yards and 16.5 points and the Utes permitting 315.8 yards and 19.3 points per game. “You (had) better get your mind right,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said Sunday in his weekly news conference. “Our guys know it’s going to be (a defensive game). They (the Utes) don’t give you anything. Lots of man coverage, (they) pack the box and are extremely active and aggressive.” Washington will be playing in its second Pac-12 title game in three years while Utah is making its first appearance since joining the conference in 2011. “It’s our first trip to the championship, and I’m proud of our guys for continuing to persevere and fight this season,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said at his Monday media gathering. “We overcame so many obstacles and so much adversity. They are a great group to be around, and this has been one of the most enjoyable years of coaching for me.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Washington -5


ABOUT UTAH (9-3): The adversity Whittingham referenced centers mainly on the early-November injury losses of starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and tailback Zack Moss, who had accounted for 84 percent of the Utes’ total offense in the first nine games. Freshman Jason Shelley has stepped in at quarterback, and while he’s averaged only 208 passing yards over the last three contests, he’s also rushed for 112 yards and accounted for six touchdowns with no turnovers. Defensively, safety-turned-linebacker Chase Hansen has notched a conference-most 22 tackles for loss to pace a unit which has been the Pac-12’s stingiest against the run with 100.3 yards allowed (fifth nationally).

ABOUT WASHINGTON (9-3): Unlike Utah, the Huskies have the advantage of health and experience in the backfield with the senior duo of Jake Browning and tailback Myles Gaskin. Browning, despite averaging a career-low 224.3 aerial yards this season, is the school’s career passing yards leader and Pac-12’s all-time winningest quarterback, while Gaskin is averaging 107.6 yards on the ground and is the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven is tied for the lead nationally with 155 tackles and paces a defense which ranks second in the conference against the run (121.8 yards allowed) and pass (189.4 yards).


EXTRA POINTS

1. With a 21-7 road win at Utah on Sept. 15, Washington has won five of the six meetings since Utah entered the Pac-12.

2. In the September contest, Gaskin rushed for 143 yards and a TD on 30 carries while the Huskies’ defense forced three turnovers and had a trio of fourth-down stops.

3. The Utes figure to have the edge in the kicking game, ranking in the top 14 nationally in field goals made (23) and net-putting average (40.6).


PREDICTION: Washington 23, Utah 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Sabres at Panthers

Nov 30, 2018

The Buffalo Sabres finally saw their franchise record-tying win streak come to an end and will not have to wait long to try to start a new run as they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Buffalo coughed up a one-goal lead in the third period and suffered a 5-4 setback at Tampa Bay on Thursday after stringing 10 straight victories together - seven of them coming after regulation.

“When you go on a streak like that, teams are going to take notice and be ready for you and (the Lightning) certainly were tonight,” Sabres forward Sam Reinhart told the Buffalo News after scoring twice Thursday. “We have another opportunity, another crack at it to get two more points (Friday).” One day after seeing their historic run end, the Sabres will try to snap another streak as Florida has won the last five meetings while allowing only seven total goals in the process. The Panthers could use a boost after losing six of their last eight contests (2-5-1), including Wednesday’s 3-2 setback against Anaheim in which they led by a goal midway through the game and gave up the winner with 1:28 left. “It is frustrating. These kinds of games, we’ve got to at least get a point,” Florida left wing Jonathan Huberdeau told reporters. “We can’t get scored on late like that. You’ve got to battle through it the whole 60.”

TV: 7 p.m ET, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, MSG Buffalo, FS Florida

ABOUT THE SABRES (17-7-2): Captain Jack Eichel posted a pair of assists Thursday to push his team-leading total to 30 points, but linemate Jeff Skinner (team-best 19 goals) was limited to one shot and did not score for the first time in five games. Power forward Tage Thompson, acquired from St. Louis in the Ryan O’Reilly trade, scored Thursday and has four goals to go along with an assist in the last six games after registering one point in his first 13 contests. Top-pair defenseman Jake McCabe left the game in Tampa Bay with an undisclosed injury and his status for Friday is uncertain.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (9-10-4): Huberdeau has taken over the team scoring lead with 24 points after scoring once and setting up six others in the last three games while Mike Hoffman scored two of his team-high 12 goals in the last four contests. Right wing Evgenii Dadonov is tied with Hoffman for second on the team with 23 points after posting four in the past three games and captain Aleksander Barkov is next with 21. James Reimer (4-6-2, .894 save percentage) is expected in net for a fourth straight game, but veteran Roberto Luongo (knee) could return as early as Saturday against Tampa Bay.

OVERTIME

1. Florida D Keith Yandle is second on the team with 17 assists and is two from 400 for his career.

2. Buffalo D Rasmus Ristolainen recorded his fifth assist in six games Thursday and logged a season-high 28:52 of ice time.

3. Panthers F Denis Malgin (upper body) has missed the last two games and is questionable for Friday.

PREDICTION: Panthers 3, Sabres 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Devils at Capitals


The surging Washington Capitals could get a very important player back in the lineup when they go after a seventh straight victory Friday night against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who recorded 21 points in the first 18 games before missing the last six with a head injury, skated with the Capitals on Thursday and is awaiting official medical clearance.

“Good step in the progress today, for sure, going through a full practice,” Washington coach Todd Reirden told reporters. “We’ll see how he is (Friday). It was good to see him out there today, that’s for sure.” Captain Alex Ovechkin, who leads the Capitals with 18 goals and shares the team lead in points with Nicklas Backstrom sat out Thursday’s practice, but is expected to be in the lineup as Washington tries to avenge a 6-0 loss to New Jersey on Oct. 11. The Devils won that game during a 4-0-0 start to the season, but have dropped 14 of 19 since (5-10-4) and lost all four overtime games this season after falling 4-3 in the extra session at Florida on Monday. “It’s been different situations, different guys, different things,” New Jersey coach John Hynes told reporters of the overtime struggles. “. … The last couple of games, we lost the first face-offs and (Monday) we won the first face-off, had possession. We’ll continue to work at it.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, TVA, MSG Plus, NBCS Washington Plus

ABOUT THE DEVILS (9-10-4): In addition to its struggles in overtime, New Jersey needs to improve on the power play which has sputtered to 1-of-23 over the last 11 games and dropped to 15th in the league at 20.3 percent. Left wing Taylor Hall recorded five of his team-leading 24 points in the last four games while right wing Kyle Palmieri has only one of his 21 in the past six contests. The Devils lost Jean-Sebastien Dea on waivers this week and fellow forward Michael MacLeod, a 2016 first-round pick, was recalled and is expected to make his NHL debut Friday.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (14-7-3): Goalie Braden Holtby has played a big part in Washington’s revival, allowing four goals on 126 shots combined in four straight wins to improve his save percentage to .917. Backstrom leads the team with 22 assists and has 11 over the past 13 games to tie Ovechkin for the team lead in points while power forward Tom Wilson boasts 12 points in eight games since returning from a long suspension. Defenseman John Carlson registered eight of his 21 assists in the last six games and is second on the team with a plus-10 rating.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey C Travis Zajac (seven goals, seven assists) is mired in a six-game point drought.

2. Washington D Michal Kempny (upper body), who leads the team with a plus-11 rating, is expected to play Friday.

3. Devils F Marcus Johansson could return to the lineup Friday after missing Monday’s game with a leg injury.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Devils 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Ducks at Hurricanes


Anaheim's Nick Ritchie has caught fire since missing the first nine games of the season holding out for a three-year contract at $1.533 million per and not scoring in his first eight contests. The 6-2, 234-pound power forward has all four of his goals in the last four games - three in the past two - as the Ducks hunt for their third straight victory and a winning road trip Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

"Obviously being a bigger guy I like to get to the front of the net," Ritchie told reporters after scoring his second goal of the game with 1:28 left to give Anaheim a 3-2 victory over Florida on Wednesday. "It's a place where I need to do it on this team. I've done a good job of it the last couple of games and I got rewarded for it." The Ducks and Hurricanes have each won four of their last five games as their seasons continue to mirror each other with fast starts and rough stretches in between. "It's still early, but it's quite a few games into the season, so we're still trying to figure it out, but it's definitely stepping stones in the right direction," Anaheim goaltender John Gibson told reporters. "It's something we can build off of and hopefully carry it throughout the road trip and through Christmas." Carolina is coming off a 2-1 victory at Montreal on Tuesday behind 48 saves from Curtis McElhinney, prompting coach Rod Brind'Amour to tell reporters: "... So now I know how it feels where the goalie just stole the game. And we need that sometimes."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE DUCKS (12-10-5): Ondrej Kase has three goals and two assists in his last six games after missing the first 18 contests with a concussion and being held off the scoresheet in his first three games back. Gibson (9-8-4, 2.54 goals-against average, .927 save percentage), who is expected to play his 200th game Friday, made 42 saves Wednesday - the fifth time this season he's stopped 40 or more shots - in winning for the third time in four starts. Defenseman Josh Manson (three goals this season) has scored in the last two games while Ryan Getzlaf (team-high 18 points), Adam Henrique and Pontus Aberg share the club lead in goals with six apiece.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (12-9-3): McElhinney (7-2-0, 2.12, .930) has allowed five goals in winning his last four games and with Petr Mrazek also in tow, Scott Darling (2-4-1, 3.14, .892) was placed on waivers Thursday. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk's second goal of the season was the difference Tuesday and Victor Rask scored his first goal in his fourth game after missing the first 20 contests of the campaign with a hand injury. Sebastian Aho (team-high 25 points) and Teuvo Teravainen (18) have been kept off the scoresheet in their last two games while Micheal Ferland (club-most 11 goals, 15 points) hasn't recorded a point in three contests.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim has allowed seven goals in 18 short-handed situations over their last six games while Carolina is 10-for-10 on the penalty kill over the past five.

2. Prior to their recent successes, the Ducks followed a 5-1-1 start with a 3-8-4 stretch while the Hurricanes went 4-0-1 and 4-8-2.

3. Anaheim has won four straight meetings, including two in shootouts, and has also won the last four encounters in Raleigh, N.C.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Hurricanes 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Blues at Avalanche

The red-hot Colorado Avalanche look to extend their winning streak to seven and gain at least a point for the 10th consecutive game when they host the scuffling St. Louis Blues on Friday night. The Avalanche saw a three-goal lead evaporate Wednesday against Pittsburgh before pulling away for a 6-3 victory, improving to 8-0-1 in the last nine contests and closing in on the top spot in the Western Conference.

“We’re in a groove, and right now we don’t want to look behind us,” Colorado right wing Mikko Rantanen told reporters. “We want to aim for those top teams like Nashville, and Tampa Bay, and try to stay with them. It’s still early in the season, but we have to stay consistent and play good hockey, which is what we’ve done during the win streak.” Rantanen and linemate Nathan MacKinnon - the top two point-getters in the league - are sizzling again with six-game point streaks and will try to take advantage of the fading Blues, who have dropped five of the last six contests. St. Louis has picked up its production in the last three games with 13 goals, but allowed 12 combined over the last two games in losses after a 4-3 setback at Detroit on Wednesday. “We looked like we’re obviously not a confident hockey team,” Blues interim coach Craig Berube told reporters after the latest loss. “It looks like we’re waiting to lose at times.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), Altitude 2 (Colorado)

ABOUT THE BLUES (8-12-3): Center Ryan O’Reilly continues to produce during his first season in St. Louis, posting two goals and two assists in the last three games to push his team-leading total to 27 points. Vladimir Tarasenko has answered a 10-game goal drought with one in each of the last two contests while fellow forward David Perron scored three times and set up another in his past two outings. St. Louis converted twice in three opportunities on the power play Wednesday and is 3-for-6 the past two games after going 0-for-21 the previous eight contests.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (15-6-4): Rantanen boasts three goals and 10 assists during his six-game point streak to push his league-leading total to 42 points - one better than MacKinnon, who has scored six times and set up nine others during his run. The other member of the high-scoring line, captain Gabriel Landeskog, had a goal and an assist in the win over Pittsburgh and leads the team with a plus-18 rating. Forward Tyson Jost, the 10th pick in the 2016 draft, had two points in 11 games during October and boasts three goals to go along with five assists in 10 November contests.

OVERTIME

1. Blues RW Nikita Soshnikov, who has not recorded a point in five games this season, was placed on waivers Thursday.

2. Colorado D Tyson Barrie (three goals, 20 points) could miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury.

3. St. Louis is 30-of-35 on the penalty kill in the last 12 games and the Avalanche are 12-for-25 on the power play over the past nine contests.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 5, Blues 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Kings at Flames

Nov 30, 2018

The Calgary Flames have climbed into first place in the tight Pacific Division and they are intent on staying there for a while as the last-place Los Angeles Kings pay a visit Friday night. The Flames are 4-1-1 in their last six contests after dropping a 4-3 decision in overtime against Dallas on Wednesday and will be looking to duplicate the defensive effort from the 1-0 shutout of the Kings on Nov. 10.

Calgary was not at its best against the Stars as they coughed up a one-goal lead in the third period and allowed a goal 24 seconds into overtime with Dallas playing the second of a back-to-back in Western Canada. “We’re fortunate to get a point out of the game,” Flames coach Bill Peters told reporters Wednesday. “I didn’t think we were very good. I didn’t think our attention to detail was very good and our commitment to doing it right wasn’t where it needs to be to get two points.” The Kings had matched a season high with two straight wins before falling 3-2 at Edmonton on Thursday, allowing the winning goal on the power play with 2:20 left in the contest. The game marked the return of former Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick in goal after he sat out more than a month with a knee injury, but it’s uncertain whether the 32-year-old will be between the pipes in the second of a back-to-back.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE KINGS (9-15-1): Jeff Carter ended an 11-game goal drought with his fifth of the season Thursday and fellow veteran forward Dustin Brown registered his fifth tally in the last three games to increase his total to eight. Captain Anze Kopitar notched a pair of assists in the setback and has eight points over the past four contests to push his team-leading total to 17 while defenseman Drew Doughty moved into second with 15 after posting his team-best 13th assist. Veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has not recorded a point in the last 11 games but had four shots Thursday.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (14-9-2): Left wing Johnny Gaudreau scored Wednesday and has three goals to go along with six assists over the last six games to take over the team lead with 28 points. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk has not made the scoresheet in the last three games after recording eight points in the previous four, including four of his 12 goals - one behind team leader Sean Monahan. Mark Giordano had a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s loss, giving him four multi-point efforts in the last seven games, and boasts a plus-12 rating - second behind fellow defenseman T.J. Brodie (plus-16) on the team.

OVERTIME

1. The Kings have allowed seven power-play goals in 14 opportunities over the last five games.

2. Calgary F Elias Lindholm had an assist for his 24th point Wednesday and is slated to play his 400th NHL game Friday.

3. Los Angeles assigned veteran G Peter Budaj to Ontario of the American Hockey League Thursday to make room for Quick.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Kings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Cavaliers at Celtics


The Boston Celtics finished a three-game road trip in impressive fashion and now look to build some momentum in a relatively soft portion of the schedule, beginning with Friday's matchup with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers. Behind 26 points and 10 assists from Kyrie Irving, the Celtics rolled past New Orleans 124-107 on Monday to finish the trip 2-1.

"That's how we're used to playing. That's the team we know," Boston guard Marcus Smart told reporters. "We had different guys diving on the floor and doing multiple things on the defensive end." Monday's triumph capped a stretch in which the Celtics played nine of 13 on the road -- going 5-8 in that span -- but the team now gets eight of 12 at home and the first seven of those contests are against teams that are .500 or worse. First up is an Eastern Conference-worst Cavaliers squad that has dropped two in a row and shook things up by trading away sharpshooter Kyle Korver for Utah guard Alec Burks and draft picks on Wednesday. Just six Cleveland players got into the scoring column in a 100-83 loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

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

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (4-16): Cleveland's rebuild will revolve around rookie guard Collin Sexton, who continued his solid play with 21 points and a personal-best 10 rebounds against the Thunder. The 19-year-old is averaging 18.9 points while shooting 47.8 percent from 3-point range in 10 starts as he holds down the fort for a team with an unsettled roster due to the Korver trade, trade requests (J.R. Smith) and injuries. Veteran guard George Hill (shoulder) and swingman Sam Dekker (ankle) have both missed 10 straight games and guard David Nwaba (knee) has sat out two in a row.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (11-10): Boston looked much more like the team most expected to see in the win at New Orleans, and it happened to coincide with the first start of the year for Marcus Smart, who replaced Jaylen Brown (back) in the first five. "I think the unit that we had out there today, we really had that mindset going that we wanted to start off the game and have a defensive presence," Irving told reporters. "Marcus on the ball took some of that pressure off me, being off the ball as well offensively and defensively." This sets up a debate over whether Brown, who is shooting 39.8 percent from the floor and 25.3 percent from 3-point range, should return to the starting lineup once healthy.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Irving had five steals at New Orleans and is averaging 2.8 over his last 11 games.

2. Cleveland G Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 25 points in Wednesday's loss and has hit the 20-point mark in four of his last eight games.

3. This marks the first meeting since the Cavaliers ousted the Celtics in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals last spring.

PREDICTION: Celtics 110, Cavaliers 92

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Bulls at Pistons


The Detroit Pistons can match their longest winning streak of the season when they continue a long homestand against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Wins over Houston, Phoenix and New York to begin the six-game homestand have put the Pistons four games over .500, matching the high-water mark they attained by starting the campaign with four straight victories.

Blake Griffin scored 30 points while hitting 12 of the team's season-high 32 made free throws in a 115-108 defeat of the Knicks on Tuesday. "Blake used his experience in the post and is finally getting some respect in the post that he deserves," coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "Not too many teams have a post-up player like Blake in the league that demands to see how you're going to call it." Griffin went for 33 points and 12 rebounds in a two-point win at Chicago earlier this season. The Bulls have yet to put together consecutive wins and are in a virtual tie at the bottom of the Eastern Conference after dropping their fourth straight game Wednesday at Milwaukee.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE BULLS (5-17): Chicago's last two losses have come by a total of four points and it scored 40 first-quarter points in a valiant effort at Milwaukee before falling 116-113. "I love how we're competing right now," coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after his team's fifth straight road loss. "I thought we did execute down the stretch. When we have our movement, we have a lot of great looks at the basket." Zach LaVine and Jabari Parker scored 24 points apiece and Ryan Arcidiacono chipped in with his second straight 22-point effort.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (11-7): The bench provided a big boost in the win over the Knicks, led by Stanley Johnson (21 points), Ish Smith (nine points, seven assists) and Zaza Pachulia (nine points on 3-of-3 shooting). Johnson is averaging 11.2 points on 47.1 percent shooting in 10 games as a reserve after he struggled to produce 7.1 points on 35.2 percent in seven starts. "Stan's been good ever since Coach made the move," Smith told reporters of his running mate off the bench. "I know he probably wasn't happy about it, but I remember when the move was made he said, 'Ish, let's roll. Let's run.' When he's able to play with freedom, play with pace and be confident and just play his game, that's when he's at his best. He's been huge."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. LaVine has scored at least 24 points in five straight games while averaging 6.6 assists -- two more than his norm for the season.

2. Pistons C Andre Drummond leads the NBA in rebounding with 16 per game. He's also 1-for-12 from the foul line over his last two contests.

3. Detroit has taken each of the last four meetings and owns a 130-129 advantage in the all-time series.

PREDICTION: Pistons 117, Bulls 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Jazz at Hornets


The Utah Jazz could have a different look to their rotation when they continue a three-game road trip at the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The Jazz traded away reserve guard Alec Burks -- and draft picks -- to Cleveland on Wednesday in exchange for veteran Kyle Korver, who could make his debut in this one.

Korver will be joining a team that is looking to crawl out of an early hole and hoping to build upon Wednesday's 101-91 win at Brooklyn to open the trip. "We got stops," center Rudy Gobert told reporters after his team dominated the fourth quarter en route to its eighth road victory, most in the Western Conference. "Everyone was locked in, everyone was communicating and when we get stops we can score on the other end, and that's what we did." While Utah has done well on the road, Charlotte has excelled at home and opened its current four-game homestand with victories over Milwaukee and Atlanta. Jeremy Lamb scored 23 points in Wednesday's 108-94 win over the Hawks, which gave the Hornets an 8-3 mark at the Spectrum Center.

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

ABOUT THE JAZZ (10-12): Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell returned from a two-game absence due to bruised ribs to score 29 points at Brooklyn in a game he played moments after learning that Burks was on his way to Cleveland. "I think it was tough for me. I was just kind of like, 'Whoa!' It took me by surprise," Mitchell told the media of the trade news. "But you know, I think we did a good job of not letting that affect us on the floor. I think we stayed focused with the task at hand. But I missed my guy, for sure." Gobert finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds for his West-leading 19th double-double.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (11-10): Lamb is emerging as a solid complementary scorer for Kemba Walker, by averaging just under 20 points over the last eight games as he rewards coach James Borrego's vote of confidence before the season. "It was huge," Lamb told reporters of the support. "You always want your coaches to believe in you, to trust you. He didn't just give me the spot. He told me I had to earn it. And that's what I am trying to do." Cody Zeller chipped in a season-high 19 points Wednesday and is shooting 65.8 percent over his last five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Walker is 16-for-54 from the field over a three-game stretch.

2. Korver had 11 points and four assists in just 14 minutes for Cleveland against the Hornets earlier in the season.

3. Charlotte has won four straight over Utah at home.

PREDICTION: Hornets 110, Jazz 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Wizards at 76ers

Nov 30, 2018

All-Star center Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are developing one of the best homecourt advantages in the NBA. Philadelphia looks to improve to 12-1 at home this season as well as win for the 35th time in the past 37 games at Wells Fargo Center when it hosts the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Philadelphia's home floor fortunes started to rise once Embiid was fully healthy and the big man is dominating foes this season with averages of 28 points and 13.3 rebounds overall. Embiid registered his NBA-best 21st double-double when he had 26 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday's 117-91 rout of the visiting New York Knicks. Washington is 2-8 on the road and was pounded 125-104 by the host New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Dealing with Embiid could be troublesome after Anthony Davis-led New Orleans outrebounded the Wizards 64-38 and turned 17 offensive rebounds into 28 points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (8-13): Shooting guard Bradley Beal recorded a season-high 11 assists to go with 16 points against the Pelicans but was highly disturbed that his team dug a 20-point halftime deficit en route to another road loss. "Our effort just wasn't good, Beal told reporters. "Without the ball, we didn't help each other out and our transition was terrible. As to why, I don't really know. It's a little frustrating, but it's fixable. It's just a matter of getting used to those good habits." Point guard John Wall tallied 17 points against New Orleans after topping 20 in four of the previous five games, including outputs of 36 (a season high) and 30.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (15-8): Shooting guard JJ Redick was a season-best 10-of-14 shooting against the Knicks while scoring 24 for his eighth 20-point effort of the season. Redick helped set the tone for the easy win by hitting nine of his 10 first-half shots and the 34-year-old raised his season average to 18.3. "I always feel like when I shoot the ball it's going to go in, but there's a different feeling I think when you haven't missed and you've taken a few shots and you just keep seeing the ball go in," Redick told reporters. "It certainly increases the dopamine levels in your brain."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wizards have lost four straight visits to Philadelphia.

2. The 76ers lead the NBA in first-quarter scoring (30.3 average) after exploding for 41 in the win over the Knicks.

3. Washington F Markieff Morris scored 22 points in each of the last two games and has reached double digits in five straight contests.

PREDICTION: 76ers 114, Wizards 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Grizzlies at Nets


The Memphis Grizzlies have faded in the second half in each contest during a three-game losing streak, a trend they hope to reverse with a more complete effort at the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. After blowing eight- and- nine-point halftime leads in losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks, respectively, the Grizzlies watched a 12-point intermission advantage disappear in Tuesday's 122-114 setback to Toronto.

They've been outscored by an average of 12.3 points in the third quarter of those affairs while showcasing little of the team's trademark defensive prowess. "I'm not happy, by any means," center Marc Gasol told reporters Tuesday. "I'm nowhere near happy with (our defense). You can see the trend. Things don't happen overnight. You can see it. You can start feeling it. It tickles you a little bit, but you think, 'Maybe it’s just me.' I'm pretty demanding when it comes to defense and I'm the guy behind, so I see a lot of things." Memphis will try to right the ship against a Nets' squad coming off its worst offensive effort of the season in a 101-91 loss to Utah. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 18 points for Brooklyn, which shot 34.9 percent in losing its fourth straight.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-8): Gasol did his part on the other end with 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting against the Raptors, and later downplayed any issues from an ankle injury suffered late in the game. Guard Mike Conley added 20 points and six assists for Memphis, which shot over 50 percent from the field for the sixth time this season but let Toronto go off at a 60.9 percent clip. "Systematically, I think we're fine. Obviously, teams do a good job of preparing and studying and seeing what's going on," coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "Tonight, they were creating gaps. But, for the most part, our defense has been solid. We just have to do a better job of executing and taking them out of what they want to do."

ABOUT THE NETS (8-14): Guard D'Angelo Russell followed a 16-for-28 shooting performance Sunday against Philadelphia by going 6-for-25 from the floor in the loss to the Jazz. "I think they had a great scouting report against us, whatever it was. I'll watch the film," Russell told reporters. "But I think they did a great job staying attached to our shooters and being in the right place in rotations." Dinwiddie is averaging 21.5 points in 27.3 minutes over his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies rookie PF Jaren Jackson Jr. made 1-of-4 shots and scored four points against Toronto after averaging 18 points while hitting 14-of-21 from the field over his prior two contests.

2. Nets SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is shooting 53.1 percent in three starts and 39.2 percent in 15 games off the bench.

3. Brooklyn took the two meetings last season and has won three in a row overall.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 113, Nets 106