Friday 12-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 09:36 AM

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
76ers vs. Pistons Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers want to be considered among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference, but both recently failed a test against another top-level opponent. Both teams will be trying to pick up the pieces when the Pistons host the 76ers on Friday.

Philadelphia struggles on the road but had a chance to make a statement at NBA-best Toronto on Wednesday and fell short in a 113-102 loss. "It's December 5th, (against) the league's best team, but we leave disappointed," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters. "We also leave we feel a little bit smarter on what it's going to take to beat the best team right now in the NBA." The Pistons were at the second-best team in the East on Wednesday against Milwaukee and could not contain the Bucks on the defensive end in a 115-92 setback. "Discipline," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "I thought we started out doing a good job on the 3-point line and then they got away from us. We got sucked in and (paid) too much attention to (Giannis) Antetokounmpo, rightfully so, but there's things we're supposed to be doing behind the guy defending him that we didn't do."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Detroit LINE: 76ers -3.5

ABOUT THE 76ERS (17-9): Jimmy Butler tried to keep Philadelphia in Wednesday's loss with a game-high 38 points on 15-of-27 shooting and 10 rebounds, and he continues to amaze his new team. "The Jimmy Butler acquisition is ridiculously exciting," Brown told reporters. "I thought he was excellent tonight. I think Jimmy showed why he's an All-Star. He came and gave us some tremendous things." Butler pulled out of a funk after averaging 13 points on 15-of-37 shooting (2-of-9 from 3-point range) over the previous three games.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (13-9): Detroit followed up a five-game winning streak with losses to Oklahoma City and Milwaukee by a combined 50 points in the last two games, and Casey wants to see the intensity improve. "We've got to pick it back up," Casey told reporters. "We've got to understand and have the same sense of urgency we had against Houston, against Golden State. We have a bull's eye on us now. You're in that middle part of the playoff race. Everybody's fighting for something and this next gauntlet of games are going to be like that. Our fight level has got to go up." Star center Andre Drummond failed to record a double-double in either of the last two games while averaging 11.5 points and seven rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons PG Ish Smith (groin) left Wednesday's game and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.

2. Philadelphia PF Wilson Chandler (quad) returned from a one-game absence on Wednesday and managed three points on 1-of-6 shooting in 26 minutes.

3. The teams split the first two meetings this season, with each winning on its own home floor.

PREDICTION: Pistons 109, 76ers 108

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:53 PM

Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Denver Nuggets look to extend their season-best winning streak to eight games when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The streaking Nuggets recorded a 124-118 overtime victory against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday to push their Western Conference-best record to 17-7.

Denver has notched five consecutive road victories, including the first three on the current five-game swing, but had to outplay Orlando in the extra session to collect Wednesday's triumph. "Even in light of it not being a great performance, giving up 20 3s, allowing them to force overtime, we didn't drop our heads," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters afterward. "I give our guys a lot of credit. They still went out there in the fourth quarter -- in overtime rather -- and won the game, which is not easy to do under those circumstances." The Hornets are striving to break out of a slump as Wednesday's 121-104 road loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves was their third straight defeat and fifth in six games. "Our margin for error is very small. We have to be perfect," Charlotte coach James Borrego told reporters. "We have to be executing, especially against a team like this that is so talented and so deep."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS Southeast (Charlotte) LINE: Nuggets -1

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (17-7): Point guard Jamal Murray scored 31 points against Orlando for his highest output since his epic 48-point performance against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 5. Murray topped 20 points in four of the past five games and boasts a team-best 17.9 points per game. Center Nikola Jokic contributed 12 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds against the Magic and is averaging 14 assists over the past two games while posting seven outings of 10 or more this season.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (11-13): Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist figures to again be in the starting lineup in place of injured Marvin Williams and he produced nine points and five rebounds in 23 minutes in the loss to Minnesota. "He had a lot of energy. He helps us in transition and defensively, he's very active," Borrego told reporters of Kidd-Gilchrist. "I think it was a good start for him. He's very comfortable with that first unit. Overall, a pretty good performance by him." Guard Jeremy Lamb continues to play well as he had 18 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth career double-double as well as scoring in double digits for a career-best 16th straight time.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split last season's two meetings with the home team winning by 17 points on each occasion.

2. Denver SG Gary Harris (hip) will miss his second straight game.

3. Williams (shoulder) will sit out for the second consecutive contest and could miss another week.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 104, Hornets 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Indiana Pacers are keeping their heads above water while they wait out Victor Oladipo's knee injury, even if it doesn't always look good. They will try to look the part and pick up a second straight win when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Darren Collison led four players in double figures with 23 points as Indiana survived 18 turnovers and a 43-point first half in a 96-90 win over Chicago at home Tuesday night. "It was a pretty murky, muddy kind of game," center Myles Turner told reporters after his team improved to 4-4 since Oladipo was sidelined. "It wasn't a pretty win, but wins are hard to come by in this league and we got it done." The Magic returned from a solid 3-3 road trip to take the streaking Denver Nuggets to overtime before falling 124-117 on Wednesday. Orlando hit a season-high 20 3-pointers -- six by Evan Fournier -- while dipping to 6-7 at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Florida (Orlando) LINE: Magic -2

ABOUT THE PACERS (14-10): Turner finished Tuesday's win with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots while Domantas Sabonis fell a point shy of an 11th double-double. Tyreke Evans has started all eight games in place of Oladipo but has struggled at times, scoring 9.4 points on 31.3 percent shooting in that role after producing 11.2 on 40 percent in 15 games off the bench. "He's had some turnovers, some missed shots lately, (but) we're not going to go away from him," coach Nate McMillan told the media of Evans. "Off the bench, he was doing some good things for us. Hopefully he'll find his rhythm and start knocking down some of those shots."

ABOUT THE MAGIC (12-13): Fournier finished with 26 points in a solid return home after a difficult road trip in which he shot 33.8 percent and recorded four single-digit scoring efforts. He took four of his team's season-low eight free throws while fouling out and then receiving a second technical, part of a frustrating night for a team that feels it deserves more respect. "It's terrible, man, and that's why it's frustrating," Fournier told reporters after the Nuggets attempted 37 free throws. "We're a team that never complains and we never get the calls. Then we start to say something and then we get the technicals. What is that?"

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Indiana has won seven straight meetings overall between the two teams and also seven in a row at Orlando.

2. Magic C Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 15 rebounds against Denver while making at least 50 percent of his shots for the 11th straight time.

3. Collison is averaging 12.4 points, 8.2 assists and three steals over his last five games and is 5-for-7 from 3-point range over the last two.

PREDICTION: Magic 106, Pacers 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The surprising Sacramento Kings continue to rack up wins and have a chance to make it three in a row when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The Kings began their four-game road trip with a 122-105 triumph at Phoenix on Tuesday before switching time zones and will play the next three against Central Division foes.

Sacramento is excelling in part because of its roster depth and watched five reserves score in double figures at Phoenix while no starter logged more than 27 minutes. "I think it was good for us," Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox told reporters. "We're on this road trip for about a week and (it's good to) get the first game out of the way. Our guys were able to rest, everybody's playing, and the energy is up, so (we're about) to go to Cleveland in good spirits." The Cavaliers' spirits aren't quite as high after the team was crushed 129-105 by the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in a rematch of the last four NBA Finals. "They've got so, so many weapons and so much firepower and you have to really just sustain as much as you can against them because they keep coming and keep coming and keep coming," Cleveland coach Larry Drew told reporters of the Warriors. "They actually wore us down. It's the reason why they are the defending NBA champs."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Ohio (Cleveland) LINE: Kings -2.5

ABOUT THE KINGS (12-11): Sacramento is above .500 23 games into the season for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign and set the tone in Phoenix by racing out to a 36-9 lead after the first quarter. Center Willie Cauley-Stein led the way with four steals in the first eight minutes as the Kings put on a show defensively. "(Cauley-Stein) was just aggressive defensively," Fox told reporters. "He was up denying, he was able to push catches out, and when he's denying, as a guard, you don't want to have an easy pass, so as soon as he did that our guards started pressuring and he was able to get his hands on a lot of balls, and we were able to get steals and get out in transition early."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (5-19): No longer the juggernaut that battled Golden State in the last four NBA Finals, Cleveland is trying to rebuild while looking for positive signs from its young players. Rookie point guard Collin Sexton scored 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting on Wednesday - his 14th straight game scoring in double figures. "One thing about Collin is that he's not going to back down," Drew told reporters. "He's a fierce competitor and he'll accept any challenge. Tonight, I thought he did a good job against a pretty good guard in (Stephen) Curry. Curry scored 42, but Collin kept competing. The message that I was hearing from him in the huddles was, 'Hey guys, come on, let's keep playing hard, let's keep going at it, and that's a sign of growth."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Kings rookie PF Harry Giles scored a season-high 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 10 minutes on Tuesday.

2. Cavaliers C Tristan Thompson is averaging 16 points and 16 rebounds over the last four games.

3. The teams split the two-game series in each of the last two seasons.

PREDICTION: Kings 113, Cavaliers 108

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Toronto Raptors will try to extend a pair of streaks when they visit the sliding Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The Raptors have won 12 straight meetings between the Atlantic Division foes since the Nets last claimed a victory in April 2015, and Brooklyn enters this one suffering through an eight-game losing streak overall.

Toronto seems primed to stretch those runs a bit further behind Kawhi Leonard, who scored 36 points -- one shy of his season high -- in a 113-102 win over Philadelphia at home Wednesday night. "I try to perform every night," Leonard told reporters after making 5-of-6 3-pointers and bumping his scoring average to 26.1. "If you try to turn it on against the good teams, it's really hard to do that. You've got to do it on a nightly basis." Brooklyn's latest loss may have been its most difficult, as it blew a 23-point lead in a 114-112 loss to Oklahoma City. "What's the definition of insanity? The same, over and over, and not changing, not adjusting," forward Jared Dudley told reporters of the team's eighth consecutive home defeat.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), YES (Brooklyn) LINE: Raptors -9

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (21-5): Leonard's big game allowed Toronto to survive another off-night for star guard Kyle Lowry, who is 3-for-15 from the floor in two games since sitting out one contest due to a back issue. Center Jonas Valanciunas also stepped up with a season-high 26 points to go along with eight rebounds in only 18 minutes off the bench. "Our bench did an unbelievable job," Lowry told reporters. "Tonight was one of those games where they just had it clicking."

ABOUT THE NETS (8-18): Three of Brooklyn's eight straight losses have come by exactly two points, including the last two, and seven of them were by 10 points or fewer, but that's no solace for a squad that has sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic. "At the end, I don't know if it's a switch or not a switch," Dudley added when discussing the play that led to Oklahoma City's go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds. "Paul George hits a wide-open 3, (Alec) Burks scores around a back dunk (in Monday's 99-97 loss to Cleveland). It's like these game winners are the easiest game winners in NBA history. So, we got to figure out a way." A bright spot in the loss to the Thunder was a 7-for-13 effort from behind the arc by guard Allen Crabbe, who made 30.6 percent of his 3s in October, 35.2 percent in November and 47.8 percent in three December games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lowry had a triple-double with 25 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the last meeting, a 116-112 win at home on March 23.

2. Nets SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is 1-for-9 from the floor with six total points over his last two games after scoring at least 11 in his previous four outings.

3. Leonard is averaging 33.5 points on 54.5 percent shooting over a four-game hot stretch.

PREDICTION: Raptors 114, Nets 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

Opposing styles are set to clash when the high-scoring New Orleans Pelicans host the defensive-minded Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. The Pelicans enter play on Thursday second in the NBA in scoring offense at an average of 118.7 points while the Grizzlies are second in scoring defense at 102.3 points allowed.

New Orleans showed off its firepower on Wednesday in a 132-106 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, shooting 55.4 percent from the floor while knocking down 17-of-29 from beyond the arc and placing six scorers in double figures. "I think we started the game with a lot of energy," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "We moved the ball and we got out and ran. We did everything we had to do to try and replicate everything we did early in the season." Memphis found its way into the win column on Wednesday by holding the Los Angeles Clippers to 33.8 percent shooting in a 96-86 triumph. "The whole thing we were worried about was just grinding it out," Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green told reporters. "We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game, and we knew they were going to come to play. Everybody stepped up tonight, we got the game won, playing defense and moving the ball as a team."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS South (Memphis), FS New Orleans LINE: Pelicans -5.5

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (14-9): Veteran center Joakim Noah made his team debut on Wednesday and collected four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench while providing the team with an energy jolt. "He's added energy from the moment he walked into this building," Memphis rookie forward Jaren Jackson Jr. told reporters of Noah. "You can just feel it. He's always hyped about whatever it is. Screaming, yelling - you saw it. All that. He's doing everything. We love that." Noah was playing in his first game since Jan. 2, when he went scoreless in two minutes for the New York Knicks.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (13-13): New Orleans continues to be led by MVP candidate Anthony Davis but is getting solid production from fellow forward Julius Randle, no matter what his role happens to be. Randle found himself in the starting lineup with Nikola Mirotic (illness) sidelined on Wednesday and contributed 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 18 rebounds. "My mindset doesn't really change (starting)," Randle told reporters. "I just focus on what I can control, which is energy and effort. Any time you can share the floor with a guy like (Davis) it makes the game easier. It's a different dynamic that teams have to adjust to."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Davis blocked five shots on Wednesday and is second in the NBA at an average of 2.82.

2. Memphis C Marc Gasol was held to four points on 1-of-13 shooting Wednesday.

3. The teams split four games last season, with each protecting homecourt.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 110, Grizzlies 96

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
Thunder vs. Bulls Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder look to post their fifth straight victory when they visit the struggling Chicago Bulls on Friday. Oklahoma City recovered from a 23-point deficit to record a 114-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday for its 16th victory in the past 19 games.

Forward Paul George scored 25 of his 47 points in the final quarter and completed his team's comeback with the winning 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds to play. "It felt good. I had the hot hand," George told reporters of the stellar performance that fell one point shy of his career best. "Honestly, when you're in the zone, everything is just kind of slowed down. Everything is timing, from the ball dribbling to the steps to get to the basket, everything seems calculated and slowed down." Jim Boylen made his debut as coach on Tuesday but the Bulls fell 96-90 to the Indiana Pacers to suffer their season-worst seventh straight setback and 11th in their last 12 contests. "I really like this team. I like these guys," Boylen told reporters after his game as Fred Hoiberg's replacement. "I thought we competed. I thought we battled. That's a big, physical team. I'm really proud of this group. We have a lot of mistakes to clean up, we have a lot of things I think we have to get better at. It was awesome."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, NBCS Chicago LINE: Thunder -8.5

ABOUT THE THUNDER (16-7): George and point guard Russell Westbrook continue to mesh well in their second season together and the former MVP was mighty impressed with George's fourth-quarter splurge. "I love it," Westbrook told reporters of George's ability to take over games. "When you're able to sit back and watch and see the time he's put in and how it's been so much better for him this year and see it pay off in a moment we much need it, it's great. I'm just happy that he's on my team."Westbrook had 21 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds in the victory for his 108th career triple-double, snapping a tie with Jason Kidd for third most in NBA history.

ABOUT THE BULLS (5-20): Power forward Lauri Markkanen recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds against Indiana in his second game after missing the first 23 due to an elbow injury. But the second-year pro is still looking to find his shooting touch after going 8-for-24 against the Pacers and 12-of-38 in the two games. "I don't think I had too many bad shots," Markkanen told reporters. "They were quite open and they all felt good. Just get my timing back - had so many offensive rebounds I had my hand on the ball and I just couldn't grab it. All that little stuff will get better if I keep playing."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder won both of last season's meetings, holding the Bulls to an average of 74 points.

2. Chicago SG Zach LaVine tallied 20 or more points in 20 of his 24 appearances but scored just 13 against the Pacers.

3. George also collected a season-best 15 rebounds against the Nets while posting his seventh double-double of the season.

PREDICTION: Thunder 109, Bulls 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:54 PM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
Lakers vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

LeBron James looks to torture San Antonio for the second time in three nights when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Spurs on Friday to conclude a home-and-home set. James scored 20 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday to help the Lakers defeat the Spurs 121-113 to stretch their winning streak to four games.

Wednesday's victory marked the first time Los Angeles defeated San Antonio in three chances this season and the win featured the third 40-point effort of the season for James, who is becoming mentioned as an early MVP candidate. "Well, he's obviously in that top group," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters of James' MVP case. "It's early. We count on LeBron to do a lot for us and there's a lot of responsibility that comes with the type of player he is. And I've been very impressed with how he handles it and how he continues to work and make winning the ultimate thing." While the Lakers have won 13 of their past 17 games, San Antonio has dropped four of its last five and coach Gregg Popovich pointed at James as the reason for his team's latest setback. "LeBron was the generator," Popovich told reporters. "He made some great 3s, he drove it to the bucket, hit a lot of open people on the drive. He did it all. He got it done."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (San Antonio) LINE: Spurs -1

ABOUT THE LAKERS (15-9): Small forward Brandon Ingram sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of Wednesday's game and didn't travel with the club for a two-game trip to San Antonio and Memphis. Ingram, who averages 15.2 points, is slated to undergo an MRI exam to rule out serious damage and a timetable for his return will be determined after the results come back. "Just next-man-up mentality. He's a big part of what we do," Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma told reporters about the team replacing Ingram. "Big part offensively and defensively, so for us, it's all about stepping up. Next man has to get in there."

ABOUT THE SPURS (11-14): Veteran forward Rudy Gay exploded for 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting against the Lakers one night after going scoreless in 19 minutes in a loss to the Utah Jazz. It was the first 30-point effort for Gay in over 25 months, the last coming in the fifth game of the 2016-17 season when he scored 30 as a member of the Sacramento Kings. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points on Wednesday for his second 30-point outing in three games and seventh of the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. James is averaging 36.3 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against the Spurs this season.

2. San Antonio G Bryn Forbes is averaging six points on 8-of-23 shooting over the past three games.

3. Kuzma scored 22 points on Wednesday and has topped 20 in four of the past six games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 118, Spurs 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 7th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/07/2018

The Miami Heat have picked the right place to open a six-game road trip as they square off with the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Miami has prevailed in 15 of its last 16 meetings with the Suns, who enter the contest with a seven-game losing streak that matches its worst of the season.

The Heat are a disappointing five games below .500 and have lost nine of their last 13, and veteran guard Dwyane Wade views the lengthy trek as a pivotal time for the team. "We're just trying to find our identity, and we're having our ups and downs throughout the year," Wade told reporters. "To go on a long road trip, it can make you or break you, or it'll pull you together. We're hoping that on this road trip, we'll be able to play some good basketball, put some good games together, come out of this trip even more confident." The Suns own the worst record in the NBA as Thursday's 108-86 loss to Portland was their sixth by double digits during the seven-game slide. Phoenix scored just nine first-quarter points for the second straight game and has lost by an average of 15.6 points during its skid.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Arizona (Phoenix) LINE: Heat -8.5

ABOUT THE HEAT (9-14): Goran Dragic (knee) has practiced with the team on back-to-back days and could be set to return after missing the last eight games. "He's doing a lot better," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after Thursday night's practice in Phoenix. "He's making progress. We're really excited about his last week of work." The All-Star is averaging just 16.3 points in 12 games this season but has been greatly hindered by the sore right knee, which was drained of fluid 2 1/2 weeks ago.

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-21): Phoenix will be without Devin Booker (hamstring) for the third straight game and T.J. Warren (ankle) for a fifth consecutive contest, and the team is having trouble competing without them. The Suns were manhandled by Portland and trailed by 25 points after the opening quarter, but coach Igor Kokoskov isn't interested in excuses. "We are missing Book, we are missing T.J. Warren, this is a challenging time for us as a team," Kokoskov told reporters after the loss. "We are starting a young group, three rookies in the starting lineup. This is the NBA. Nobody asks you who you are starting. Put five people on the court and compete and play."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Heat averaged 125.5 points in last season's two victories over the Suns.

2. Phoenix F Richaun Holmes is 45-for-64 over his last 11 games and shooting 64.9 percent for the season.

3. Miami C Hassan Whiteside didn't travel with the team due to the expected birth of his child and SG Wayne Ellington (personal reasons) also didn't board the team plane.

PREDICTION: Heat 115, Suns 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NBA Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
Warriors vs. Bucks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

Fresh off a trouncing of their former NBA Finals rivals and looking much more like themselves of late, the Golden State Warriors are seeking revenge for one of their worst losses. The Warriors, who suffered a 134-111 home loss to the Bucks on Nov. 8, will try to ride red-hot Stephen Curry to a victory when they visit Milwaukee on Friday.

Curry went down with a groin injury in the Nov. 8 meeting that kept him out the next 11 games, but he is quickly rediscovering his MVP form upon his return and followed up 30 points in a win at Atlanta on Monday with 42 on 11-of-20 shooting in Wednesday's 129-105 triumph at Cleveland. The two-time MVP is 15-of-24 from 3-point range over the last two games, during which Golden State is averaging 128.5 points. The Bucks bounced back from a tough loss at New York by breezing past the Detroit Pistons 115-92 on Wednesday. "I thought the effort by our guys was very good and the togetherness, I felt like we were very together defensively," Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "Sometimes you take three or four days without a game and it can be not good, but it's good to see our guys come out off the start with a good aggressiveness on both ends and find a way to beat a good team."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State) LINE: Bucks -1.5

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (17-9): Curry's scoring blitz overshadowed another strong game on Wednesday from All-Star forward Kevin Durant, who collected 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. Durant is 19-of-29 from the floor in the last two games while totaling 17 assists and 15 boards. Fellow power forward Jonas Jerebko is on a hot streak as well and is 18-of-25 from the floor over the last four games.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (16-7): Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe scored 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the Nov. 8 victory at Golden State and was just as effective on Wednesday, when he raced around the Pistons for 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting in 26 minutes. "I feel great," Bledsoe told reporters. "We have a great group of guys that can get it going at any time. I just try to do other things to help the team win. Those 50-50 balls always win games." Bledsoe added four assists and four steals to his collection on Wednesday and averages 5.9 assists and 1.4 thefts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks PF D.J. Wilson (hamstring) made his season debut on Wednesday and scored seven points in six minutes off the bench.

2. Warriors PF Draymond Green (toe) could return on Monday.

3. Golden State won its last two trips to Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Bucks 119

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NHL Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

Dallas captain Jamie Benn hopes to continue his scoring surge and the Stars look to improve their impressive record against the Pacific Division when they host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night. Dallas defeated Edmonton 4-1 on Monday to push its record against the Pacific to 8-0-1, including a 4-3 win over San Jose on Nov. 8, and Benn scored for the third straight game as the Stars earned at least a point for the fifth time in six contests (4-1-1).

"Jamie Benn has been phenomenal all year," Dallas' rookie coach Jim Montgomery told reporters. "It's getting close to 10 games now that he's winning so many battles. When your best players are your hardest workers you start to see the team build." The Stars climbed into a playoff position in the Western Conference entering Thursday with their surge, allowing six goals in the last four games, while the Sharks rebounded from a rough road trip to rout Carolina 5-1 on Wednesday. San Jose was outshot 40-23 by the Hurricanes, but got three points apiece from forwards Joe Thornton and Timo Meier along with 39 saves from Martin Jones to answer a disturbing 1-3-1 trek. "We're coming off the road, I was a little worried about our energy the first game back," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told reporters. "But we got off to a quick start, got the first goal, which was huge. I thought we had some bounces tonight which we haven't gotten a lot of lately. And (Jones) was great."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Pacific, NBCS California (San Jose), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (14-10-5): Meier came back from a three-game injury absence to register a goal along with two assists, skating with Thornton and Marcus Sorensen, and has eight points in his last seven contests overall. "Your try to be a difference-maker," the 22-year-old Meier told reporters. "Obviously, I've gained some confidence. I've learned a lot over the time I've spent here, so all I do is try to focus on what I can do to help the team." Defenseman Brent Burns was held off the scoresheet Wednesday, but leads the team in points with 29 - two more than center Logan Couture.

ABOUT THE STARS (15-10-3): Forward Brett Ritchie, who had been scratched seven of the previous eight games, returned to the lineup with Blake Comeau on paternity leave and took advantage with a goal and an assist. "I thought Ritchie was the best he's (been)," Montgomery told reporters. "We've talked to him about his puck possession needs to be better and I think the first goal of the game, he wins a forecheck, protects it, moves it, which ends up being a goal." Benn tops the team with 12 goals and is second behind Tyler Seguin (26) with 24 points while fellow forward Alexander Radulov has 22.

OVERTIME

1. Thornton can tie Steve Yzerman for 18th in NHL history with his 1,514th appearance Friday and is two assists shy of Marcel Dionne (1,040) for 10th all time.

2. Dallas lost F Gemel Smith on waivers to Boston on Thursday and C Martin Hanzal (back) is expected to be activated for his season debut Friday.

3. Sharks captain Joe Pavelski scored his team-leading 18th goal Wednesday and has tallied five times in the last five contests.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Sharks 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NHL Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
Blues vs. Jets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Winnipeg Jets return home Friday to face the St. Louis Blues after a successful road trip that pushed their winning streak to a season-high four games. The Jets swept a three-game swing through New Jersey and New York despite missing several key defensemen because of injuries, finishing the trip with back-to-back goals from Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry early in the third period of Tuesday's 3-1 victory at the Islanders - Winnipeg's fifth victory in six games.

"We believe in our system and when you believe in something, good things start to come," Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck told reporters after Tuesday's game. "It's huge to get all six points on the three games here. A key for your season." The Blues are seeking a similar hot streak as losses in seven of their past nine games have sank St. Louis into the Central Division cellar. The struggle continued with Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss at home to Edmonton with a 2-0 lead evaporating as the Blues blew a two-goal lead for the fourth time this season. "We just stopped making plays," St. Louis interim coach Craig Berube told the media afterward. "When you stop making plays, you get the puck out and they just pound it back in and that's their game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NHL Network; FS Midwest (St. Louis), TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE BLUES (9-13-4): Center Ryan O'Reilly did not register a point Wednesday for only the second time in six games, but leads St. Louis in goals (12) and assists (16). Goaltender Jake Allen stopped 34-of-36 shots against the Oilers but suffered his third loss in his past four games, and has surrendered 10 goals in that span. St. Louis was ranked sixth in the NHL in penalty kill (82.8 percent), but is allowing 3.35 goals per game (24th in the league entering Thursday).

ABOUT THE JETS (17-8-2): Hellebuyck has shaken off a brief slump, winning his past three starts and making 27 saves Tuesday. Forward Patrik Laine entered Thursday leading the NHL in goals (21), five of those coming in a road victory over the Blues on Nov. 24. Forward Nikolaj Ehlers has four goals in his past four games, helping support a defense corps that featured three players Tuesday who started the season in the AHL (Cam Schilling, Nelson Nogier, Sami Niku).

OVERTIME

1. St. Louis F Jaden Schwartz (upper body), F Alexander Steen (concussion) and D Carl Gunnarsson (upper body) took part in Thursday's morning skate, but are listed as day-to-day.

2. Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters Thursday that D Dustin Byfuglien (concussion), D Dmitry Kulikov (upper body), D Josh Morrissey (lower body) and F Andrew Copp (concussion) could return Friday.

3. The Blues have allowed four goals or more in four of their past five losses, including eight in last month's setback to Winnipeg.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Blues 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NHL Predictions 7th December 2018 by Gracenote
Wild vs. Oilers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/07/2018

The Edmonton Oilers hope to extend their home winning streak to four games when they host the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Each of the Oilers' victories during its run at Rogers Place have been by one goal, including Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Vegas.

Edmonton, which has gone 5-2-1 under new coach Ken Hitchcock, recorded a 3-2 shootout victory Wednesday at St. Louis in which captain Connor McDavid scored the decisive goal in the third round of the bonus format after setting up defenseman Oscar Klefbom's tying tally with 56 seconds remaining in the third period. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who also scored in the triumph, has recorded each of his last three goals on the road. Minnesota has split the first two contests of its three-game trek, posting a 3-2 win at Vancouver on Tuesday before suffering a 2-0 setback in Calgary two nights later. The loss to the Flames was the Wild's fourth defeat in five overall games and third in four road contests.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE WILD (15-11-2): Alex Stalock appeared in his 100th game on Thursday, becoming the seventh Minnesota-born goaltender to accomplish the feat. The 31-year-old is the first to do so since 1995-96, when fellow St. Paul native Damian Rhodes reached the century mark while with Ottawa. Zach Parise, who leads the team with 13 goals, has not gone back-to-back contests without a tally since enduring a three-game drought from Oct. 25-29.

ABOUT THE OILERS (14-12-2): Cam Talbot registered his 100th victory with the team on Wednesday, joining Grant Fuhr (226), Bill Ranford (176), Tommy Salo (147) and Andy Moog (143) as the only goaltenders in franchise history to reach the plateau. The triumph over the Blues was Talbot's first since Oct. 28 at Chicago, ending the 31-year-old's six-game losing streak. McDavid has notched at least one point in nine of his last 10 contests and is eight away from 300 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Klefbom has scored all three of his goals on the season over his last five games.

2. Minnesota went 0-for-5 on the power play Thursday after cashing in on all three of its opportunities against Vancouver.

3. Edmonton placed Drake Caggiula (hand) on injured reserve, activated fellow LW Valentin Zykov and recalled C Cooper Marody from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Oilers 3, Wild 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-07-2018, 01:55 PM

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview and Predictions 2018-12-07

NHL Predictions 6th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/06/2018

The Anaheim Ducks have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last three weeks and will try to extend their winning streak to six games when the scuffling Carolina Hurricanes pay a visit Friday night. The Ducks have won seven of the last eight games, including a 2-1 overtime victory at Carolina last Friday, and own at least a point in nine of 10 following a 4-2 triumph against Chicago on Wednesday.

"Our first period was really good," Anaheim forward Jakob Silfverberg told reporters after scoring his 99th NHL goal Wednesday. "We were playing with a lot of confidence. That comes from building off earlier games knowing we're playing really good right now. That's a big boost for the whole team. We need to keep it going." The Ducks go after their sixth straight win in the series against the Hurricanes, who have managed one goal on the first two legs of their three-game California trip. Carolina had 34 shots in the 2-0 loss at league-worst Los Angeles on Sunday and outshot San Jose 40-23 on Wednesday only to drop a 5-1 decision for a third consecutive setback overall. "I feel like we're pretty much doing everything we can. We're getting enough opportunities," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters. "The hard part is we're going to have to stick together and stick with the game plan because it's easy to go away when it's not working at all as far as the results."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Carolinas, Prime Ticket (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (12-11-4): Veteran center Jordan Staal left Wednesday's game with an upper-body injury and is questionable, while leading goal scorer Micheal Ferland (11) likely will miss his fourth straight contest with a concussion. The good news Wednesday was the return of defenseman Brett Pesce, who had two shots in 15:06 of ice time after missing nine games with a lower-body injury. Sebastian Aho leads the team in scoring with 26 points, but managed one in his past five contests, and fellow forward Teuvo Teravainen (18 points) has been kept off the scoresheet the last five games.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (15-10-5): Right wing Ondrej Kase scored the game-winning goal Wednesday and has four to go along with four assists in his last nine games after going scoreless in his first three contests this season. Captain Ryan Getzlaf was left off the scoresheet Wednesday, but had a plus-3 rating and leads the team with 22 points to pull within three of 900 in his career. Center Adam Henrique notched an assist against Chicago to extend his point streak to six games while forward Pontus Aberg (team-high nine goals), a waiver pickup, set up a score Wednesday to give him seven points over the past five contests.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim G John Gibson turned aside 33 shots to beat Carolina last week and is 4-1-0 all-time against the Hurricanes.

2. Carolina D Dougie Hamilton has assists in two of the last three contests and leads the team with 100 shots on net.

3. Ducks F Daniel Sprong scored his first goal of the season Wednesday in his first game with the team after being acquired from Pittsburgh.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Hurricanes 2

Friday 12-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 12-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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