Wednesday 12-12-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 8

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta


Claiming $5,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 86 • Purse: $10,000 • Post: 10:15
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE JUNE 12, 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 12 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY)(W V A RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Stalker. MACANAO is the Lone Stalker of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * PULLING G'S: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. POLISHED DEGREE: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. UNTETHERED: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. ENASOIT: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
8
PULLING G'S
9/2

7/2
4
POLISHED DEGREE
6/1

6/1
7
UNTETHERED
4/1

9/1
5
ENASOIT
7/2

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
POLISHED DEGREE
4

6/1
Front-runner
95

82

92.0

70.2

63.2
5
ENASOIT
5

7/2
Front-runner
81

83

87.8

70.2

59.2
3
RIP CURRENT
3

8/1
Front-runner
78

71

74.8

67.2

56.2
2
MACANAO
2

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
82

78

56.2

76.2

62.2
8
PULLING G'S
8

9/2
Trailer
92

87

63.2

86.6

84.1
6
MOMENTS NOTIZ
6

5/1
Trailer
86

77

39.8

77.6

69.1
1
TWICE MIKE
1

10/1
Trailer
80

67

0.0

0.0

0.0
7
UNTETHERED
7

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
86

82

52.4

78.0

69.5
9
HURLER
9

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
88

68

47.6

65.6

50.1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 4

Daily Double (Races 4-5) ($1 min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6) (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Claiming $4,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 68 • Purse: $13,500 • Post: 6:52P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE DECEMBER 12, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * SIZZLE FACTOR: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a la yoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BRILLIANT NOTES: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. VICTORY SEEKER: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
1A
SIZZLE FACTOR
9/5

4/1
9
BRILLIANT NOTES
9/2

9/2
7
VICTORY SEEKER
6/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
9
BRILLIANT NOTES
9

9/2
Front-runner
76

72

64.2

57.8

50.3
1A
SIZZLE FACTOR
11

9/5
Front-runner
72

65

60.6

60.2

52.7
1
WAR SPIRIT
4

9/5
Stalker
65

63

51.2

45.5

37.0
2
PROMISE TENDER
1

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
63

61

62.8

52.0

36.5
7
VICTORY SEEKER
7

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
73

74

55.0

56.6

50.6
6
SKIPADEE DUE DA
6

7/2
Alternator/Trailer
70

65

39.8

58.6

51.6
8
EMMA'S GIFT
8

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
72

63

57.4

51.2

40.2
3
RINGNECKDOVE
2

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
69

61

44.4

48.6

29.6
5
MISS MORONETTE
5

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
75

71

28.0

41.4

21.9
10
LATE APPOINTMENT
10

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
71

63

22.4

46.2

31.7
4
FAVORITE PROMISE
3

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

58

19.8

47.0

34.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

12/12/18, GP, Race 6, 3.03 ET
5F [Turf] 00.53.03 CLAIMING. Purse $24,000.
Claiming Price $16,000 (Races where entered for $12,500 or less not considered in allowances). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 6-7-8) / $.50 Pick 5 (Races 6-10)
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 17.65, $1 ROI 0.61, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 6 Solarte 12-1 Gonzales J J Nagle Sarah TE
098.2704 3 Love and Lemons 4-1 Donis A Bates Larry S
096.7842 12 Barbados Kitten 8-1 Sanchez J Hayford- Quinones Jenn
096.5351 5 Not Nice 6-1 Lopez P Belsoeur Yvon JF
096.5168 11 True Heiress 10-1 Zayas E J Klesaris Steve
095.8522 8 Rethinkme 20-1 Juarez N Marcondes Patrick K.
095.7745 4 Gracias Adios 5-1 Maragh R R Maragh Ricko L
094.8936 2 Life Time Citizen 7/2 Saez L Serpe Philip M.
093.5879 7 Proud Legacy 20-1 Castillo L A Combest Phil
093.3937 10 Wishfully 20-1 Reyes L Mastronardi. Jr. Nick
093.1772 13 Can You See Me 30-1 Arrieta R Arrieta Michel W
092.5084 9 Freudee 30-1 Lopez C C Nunez Milton
091.7924 1 Happy River 15-1 Panici L D'Angelo Francisco C
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse Win Percent 17.65, $1 ROI 0.35, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 3 Love and Lemons 4-1 Donis A Bates Larry SW
098.8046 6 Solarte 12-1 Gonzales J J Nagle Sarah TE
098.2367 11 True Heiress 10-1 Zayas E J Klesaris Steve
097.8344 4 Gracias Adios 5-1 Maragh R R Maragh Ricko FL
097.3048 2 Life Time Citizen 7/2 Saez L Serpe Philip M.
097.1791 5 Not Nice 6-1 Lopez P Belsoeur Yvon J
096.3561 8 Rethinkme 20-1 Juarez N Marcondes Patrick K.
095.4402 1 Happy River 15-1 Panici L D'Angelo Francisco C
095.1714 12 Barbados Kitten 8-1 Sanchez J Hayford- Quinones Jenn
095.0336 13 Can You See Me 30-1 Arrieta R Arrieta Michel
094.0696 9 Freudee 30-1 Lopez C C Nunez Milton
094.0305 10 Wishfully 20-1 Reyes L Mastronardi. Jr. Nick
093.6910 7 Proud Legacy 20-1 Castillo L A Combest Phil

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mountaineer Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $9100 Class Rating: 78

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 12 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 SHESMYHEARTANDSOUL 7/5

# 1 SURELY DIMPLE 12/1

# 2 SUNDAY DINNER 8/1

SHESMYHEARTANDSOUL is my choice. Has to be given a chance versus this group of animals displaying strong numbers recently and an average speed rating of 69 under similar conditions. Her 68 average has this filly with among the best Equibase Speed Figures here. Has a solid shot in this competition if you like back class.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #4 - Post: 2:08pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,600 Class Rating: 34

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 MISS CLEO (ML=8/1)


MISS CLEO - Sprinters that come back to the races quickly are generally good plays. Last time, was entered in a race at Woodbine in a race with an Equibase class figure of 70. Dropping a significant amount in class figure this time around puts her in a solid position in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 PRINCESS MESA (ML=8/5), #2B MEGAWATT (ML=8/5), #4 LAUGHING WATER (ML=3/1),

PRINCESS MESA - Don't think this mount is worth 8/5 in this race. MEGAWATT - Usually I need a sprinter to have some success lately in sprint contests in order to play her. Ran somewhat erratically last time out on November 23rd at Mahoning Valley Race Cour. LAUGHING WATER - In the last race this steed finished seventh. Doesn't look promising for her chances this time out.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - MISS CLEO - Watch out for this entrant. My data would suggest that she will sit chilly for most of the race, then with a slight urging from Dominguez, will take the lead coming out of the turn for home.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #5 MISS CLEO on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
5 with 7

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

12/12/18, TAM, Race 3, 1.25 ET
1M [Turf] 1.33.04 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $14,200.
Claiming Price $25,000, if for $20,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 3-4-5) / Super High 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 12.50, $1 ROI 0.25, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Turf
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 8 Lady Breanna 10-1 Centeno D Bennett Gerald S. JTW
098.0071 4 Reconsider It 9/2 Lynch F Sweezey J. Kent SE
097.3956 10 My Little Stormy 3-1 Castanon J L Colebrook Ben
097.0635 9 Holiday Storm 5-1 Cannon D Blair Jordan
096.5136 1 Southern Sunday 6-1 Camacho. Jr. S Sweezey J. Kent
095.8624 7 Elusive Bae 6-1 Garcia J J Colebrook Ben L
094.2995 6 Lloydly 6-1 Bracho J A Downing Miranda
093.9024 3 Queen Isabella 30-1 Allen. Jr. R D McBride Barbara I.
093.4385 5 Hoxie 10-1 Camacho S Stewart Chad J. FC
089.4058 2 Ocala's Caliente 30-1 Wales G Brooks Marcy
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse Win Percent 07.14, $1 ROI 0.14, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 10 My Little Stormy 3-1 Castanon J L Colebrook Ben
099.8018 8 Lady Breanna 10-1 Centeno D Bennett Gerald S. JTW
099.2053 9 Holiday Storm 5-1 Cannon D Blair Jordan
098.6959 5 Hoxie 10-1 Camacho S Stewart Chad J. C
098.3313 4 Reconsider It 9/2 Lynch F Sweezey J. Kent SE
098.0319 6 Lloydly 6-1 Bracho J A Downing Miranda F
095.7208 1 Southern Sunday 6-1 Camacho. Jr. S Sweezey J. Kent
095.7034 7 Elusive Bae 6-1 Garcia J J Colebrook Ben L
092.1134 3 Queen Isabella 30-1 Allen. Jr. R D McBride Barbara I.
089.2511 2 Ocala's Caliente 30-1 Wales G Brooks Marcy

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #4 - Post: 1:55pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.2 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $13,200 Class Rating: 66

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 WITH ME WITHOUT ME (ML=2/1)


WITH ME WITHOUT ME - This rider and conditioner's horses have been generating a lucrative return on investment. Earnings per race is something that I believe can be an extremely key factor. This horse is ranked at the very top in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 PHYLLIS DRILLER (ML=3/1), #1 O'HI MARIE (ML=9/2), #9 WHEN IT'S LOVE (ML=5/1),

PHYLLIS DRILLER - Recent deteriorating speed figures of 65/62/36 give a clue that this horse may be going off form. WHEN IT'S LOVE - I'd like to see better recent showings with morning line of 5/1.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - WITH ME WITHOUT ME - When a horse takes such a big drop in the class fig department, I always take a look. I like what I see with this one and am betting on her.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #2 WITH ME WITHOUT ME on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turfway Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 3 - Claiming - 8.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $7100 Class Rating: 91

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 12, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 MALIBU TIDE 10/1

# 2 IMPASSABLE CANYON 3/1

# 8 CANDIR 10/1

MALIBU TIDE looks respectable to best this group and is a very good value wager given the line. Recent figs for the jockey - 20 win percent - make this gelding stand out in this group of horses in this race. Is difficult not to consider based on speed figures which have been strong - 80 avg - of late. McKee has an excellent ROI over the past month (+14) which should help wagerers with this choice. IMPASSABLE CANYON - Will most likely be one of the front-runners of the bunch going into the halfway point of the competition. With a formidable 89 speed figure last time out, will surely be a factor in this outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

The New York Knicks are struggling through a four-game losing streak and they'll need to figure things out on the road when they begin a three-game trip at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Opponents are averaging 117.3 points against the Knicks during their slide, and the Charlotte Hornets were a tad over that mark in a 119-107 win at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points while his fellow starters combined for just 15 as New York's bench -- led by a rejuvenated Frank Ntilikina and rookie Kevin Knox -- carried the load in the setback. "I think that's from the work I put on every day. That's the mindset," Ntilikina -- who was recently benched for three straight games amid a long slump -- told reporters after scoring 18 points in 20 minutes. "I want to be more aggressive to get to the hoop, to get to my spot. It's an improvement. But I can say also I've got to make it consistent and even better. It's just the beginning. I want it to go more, further." The Cavaliers are in the midst of a stretch in which they play six of seven at home and they dropped the one road game in that span Monday at Milwaukee. Larry Nance Jr. scored a season-high 16 points in the loss, his fourth straight double-digit effort after reaching the 10-point mark just four times in his first 21 games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (8-20): While Ntilikina, who made all four of his 3-point attempts Sunday, digs himself out of a hole, Knox is showing flashes of dominance and finished with 26 points for the second time in the past five games to go along with a career-high 15 rebounds. "Yeah, he's getting better," coach David Fizdale told reporters. "And we're watching his growth right before our eyes. Where he started struggling, early, you're starting to see some more games where he's putting together some solid performances." Hardaway shot 7-for-13 in the loss and has scored at least 20 points in four of his last contests.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (6-21): Center Tristan Thompson scored 12 points in 18 minutes on 6-of-7 shooting against the Bucks before departing with a sprained left foot, and he will be sidelined from two to four weeks. "They didn't chop my foot off. I'll be fine," Thompson, who is averaging career highs of 12 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, told reporters. Rookie Jaron Blossomgame, playing his fourth career game after signing a two-way contract earlier this month, produced 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench against Milwaukee.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hardaway averaged 31 points, seven rebounds and 6.5 assists in two games against Cleveland last season.

2. Knicks SG Allonzo Trier (hamstring) missed Sunday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Cavaliers SG Rodney Hood was 1-for-7 from the floor in Monday's loss and is 10-for-34 over a four-game span.

PREDICTION: Knicks 111, Cavaliers 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

The Indiana Pacers are cruising right along despite All-Star guard Victor Oladipo missing the last 11 games with a knee injury and are content to work him back into shape slowly. Oladipo will remain questionable when the Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday while searching for a fifth consecutive victory.

Indiana, which is 7-4 over its last 11 games, could soon be regaining the services of its best player with Oladipo expected to go through practice on Tuesday after participating in four-on-four drills Monday. The Pacers are doing just fine without Oladipo in part because they are sharing the ball and spreading out the points, and point guard Darren Collison took his turn playing the leader when he handed out 17 assists in Monday's 109-101 win over the Washington Wizards. The Bucks managed to earn a win without their best player as well with Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out Monday's 108-92 triumph over Cleveland due to neck soreness. "Everybody just had to step up," point guard Eric Bledsoe told reporters of Antetokounmpo, who is day-to-day. "That's almost 30 points a game that we're missing."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE BUCKS (18-8): Antetokounmpo told reporters "I'm fine" on his way out of the arena on Monday after watching his teammates step up in his absence. The backcourt duo of Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon combined for 38 points on 16-of-27 shooting, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in the victory. "I think the way both Eric and Malcolm can put it on the floor and get to the basket and finish, and I think Khris (Middleton) and Brook (Lopez) and some of our other shooters create so much space for those guys," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "Eric and Malcolm have come up big and particularly tonight, without Giannis, I think for the most part in the year they've been really good and it's a great tandem."

ABOUT THE PACERS (17-10): Center Myles Turner was at the receiving end of plenty of assists from Collison on Monday and finished with a season-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the win. Turner, who also knocked down a pair of 3-pointers against the Wizards, recorded at least three blocks in five of the past seven games. "He's got to be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year right now," Collison told reporters of Turner. "This is unbelievable. I haven't played with a big that protects the paint like that since (former Los Angeles Clippers teammate) DeAndre (Jordan)."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers SF Bojan Bogdanovic is averaging 21.4 points on 50.7 percent shooting over the last five games.

2. Milwaukee PG George Hill made his team debut on Monday after being acquired from the Cavaliers and scored two points in 13 minutes off the bench.

3. Antetokounmpo recorded 26 points and 15 rebounds in a 118-101 home win over Indiana on Oct. 19.

PREDICTION: Bucks 119, Pacers 116

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

The Charlotte Hornets are about to begin their longest homestand of the season and are hoping to use it as a springboard up the standings. The Hornets come into the stretch hot and will try to push their current winning streak to three straight when they host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Charlotte's scoring comes mostly from the backcourt, but the team was able to easily push aside New York in a 119-107 road win on Sunday thanks to its efforts on the inside, where it won the rebounding battle and outscored the Knicks 54-40 in the paint. "I think our defense overall was solid tonight," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters after the victory. "We wanted to win the paint. This is a very good rebounding team. We won the paint and won the boards tonight and kept them off those second-chance points, so that was an emphasis going into the game and we delivered. I thought the guys were great from start to finish. It was a good team win." The Pistons are strong on the interior with center Andre Drummond and power forward Blake Griffin but are streaking in the wrong direction with five straight losses after rattling off wins in nine of the previous 11. "We are trying to get every bit of positive out of this stretch," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "This is the stretch from hell, but again this is going to make us a better team, closer together, tougher hopefully. It should make us tougher because this feeling doesn't feel good and I told our players, 'The only people who can pick ourselves out by the bootstraps are ourselves.'"

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (13-12): Detroit gave Griffin a night off on Monday and added swingman Luke Kennard to the starting lineup, which proved to be one of the few bright spots. Kennard averaged 2.3 points in his first four games after missing 16 with a shoulder injury but broke out for a career-high 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting in 37 minutes on Monday. "I've been struggling since I got back," Kennard told reporters. "My coaches and teammates told me to stay confident, stay aggressive, so that was my mindset coming into it. We knew we had some guys out, so we took the opportunity to just play hard and just try to get a rhythm back."

ABOUT THE HORNETS (13-13): All-Star guard Kemba Walker (25.8 points) leads the team in scoring but backcourt mate Jeremy Lamb is beginning to assert himself and is averaging a career-best 15.1 points after scoring 19 on 8-of-12 shooting Sunday. "Lamb, he's just getting more comfortable as a secondary ball handler," Borrego told reporters. "He's our second-leading scorer and getting to the rim. He's scoring for us when we go dry at times." Veteran point guard Tony Parker is coming off the bench behind Walker and Lamb and scored in double figures in four of the last five contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets C Cody Zeller went 5-of-5 from the floor on Sunday and is shooting 57.8 percent on the season.

2. Pistons SG Reggie Bullock (ankle) and SF Stanley Johnson (knee) are questionable for Wednesday.

3. Walker and Parker scored 24 points apiece in a 113-103 win at Detroit on Nov. 11.

PREDICTION: Hornets 106, Pistons 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

The Boston Celtics' injury report got a bit smaller and they figure to have point guard Kyrie Irving back in action when they visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Irving (shoulder) was one of four regulars that sat and watched a makeshift lineup top the New Orleans Pelicans 113-100 on Monday for the Celtics' sixth straight win.

Al Horford (knee) and Aron Baynes (ankle) are both questionable for this one while backup forward Gordon Hayward (illness) has been listed as doubtful as Boston seeks a fourth consecutive road victory. "I think that's been one of the, kind of, trademarks of this group has been whoever's not available, you don't focus on that, you just focus on how to play to your strengths," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after Monday's win. "And the key is when everybody is available, getting the most out of ourselves, I think." The Wizards dropped their final two games of a four-game road trip, capped by Monday's 109-101 setback at Indiana. Star point guard John Wall missed the contest with a sore heel and is considered day-to-day.

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

ABOUT THE CELTICS (16-10): Marcus Morris made his eighth straight start Monday and finished with a season-high 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting. "The first thing was be a leader," Morris told the media of his mission. "We had a lot of guys down ... and keep trying to play the right way with the guys out there." Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points and Jaylen Brown added 19, giving him a scoring average of 21 in three games since returning from a back injury.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (11-16): Bradley Beal scored 30 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 23 in the loss to the Pacers, while newcomer Sam Dekker made a splash in his team debut, fueling a late comeback and finishing with a plus-20 rating. "Effort and energy and his motor. That's just how he plays," coach Scott Brooks told reporters of Dekker's impact. "He obviously got a little winded out there. He hasn't played in a while. I liked what I saw. He plays hard. You can tell that he plays with a lot of enthusiasm and loves the game. And it shows." Dekker, who had two steals and a fast-break dunk in his 10 minutes, was acquired in a trade with Cleveland last week and was playing for the first time since Nov. 5.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Beal is averaging 31 points over his last three games.

2. Celtics rookie C Robert Williams had career highs of seven points and 11 rebounds while tying his personal best with three blocks against New Orleans.

3. Washington took three of four meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Celtics 118, Wizards 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
Nets vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

An eight-game losing streak is well back in the rearview mirror for the Brooklyn Nets, who are building off a pair of impressive wins after knocking off NBA-best Toronto and skipping past crosstown rival New York over the weekend. The path to three straight wins includes another tall task when the Nets visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Brooklyn outlasted the Raptors 106-105 in overtime on Friday and built up a big lead before tiring late and holding off the Knicks 112-104 the next night, and coach Kenny Atkinson would like to see his team keep its foot on the gas. "Happy obviously with the wins, but I do think we still have a lot of areas to improve in terms of closing out games," Atkinson told reporters. "I even felt the Knicks game, we made some mistakes. So, it's a great time to teach. It's better to teach through a win, dealing with protecting a lead, protecting the ball when we have a lead, taking good shots, defensive execution." The 76ers won't be an easy mark for that third straight win and come into Wednesday's matchup hot after posting wins in 10 of the last 12 games, capped by a 116-102 triumph over Detroit on Monday. Not everything worked out right on Monday for Philadelphia, which lost All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler in the first quarter to a groin strain that leaves him questionable for Wednesday.

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

ABOUT THE NETS (10-18): Brooklyn gave some credit for its current winning streak to increased communication that came out of a players-only film session held prior to Friday's win in Toronto, and the players are starting to think about bigger things. "We're trying to make the playoffs," guard Spencer Dinwiddie told Newsday. "If we could rattle off the next three or four games, which isn't out of the question, the perception of the team and the season just completely shifts." Dinwiddie is a key to any potential winning streak and he led the way with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting off the bench in Saturday's win at New York.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (19-9): Philadelphia center Joel Embiid recently expressed some concern about the way he was being used since the team acquired Butler in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves last month, and he looked comfortable with Butler out of the game on Monday. "You can see what I see, how important he is to us," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters of Embiid. "I think that Joel, just his presence and some of the plays he made late, his spirit was exceptional tonight." Embiid finished with 24 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes and went 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets C Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double in each of the last two games.

2. 76ers SG Furkan Korkmaz scored a career-high 18 points off the bench on Monday.

3. The teams split the first two meetings - both in Brooklyn - with Philadelphia taking the most recent matchup 127-125 on Nov. 25.

PREDICTION: 76ers 120, Nets 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2018-12-12

NBA Predictions 11th December 2018 by Gracenote
Thunder vs. Pelicans Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/11/2018

The Oklahoma City Thunder own the best winning percentage in the Western Conference after recovering from a 0-4 start. The Thunder look to post their 18th win in the past 22 games when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

Oklahoma City star point guard Russell Westbrook has only been the second-best player on his own team thus far as small forward Paul George has been superb, the latest example being a 31-point outing in a 122-113 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday despite having just 10 field-goal attempts. "Real balanced, under control, took open shots, knocked them down and played at his own pace," Westbrook told reporters after George made eight of those shots and went 5-of-6 from 3-point range. "He's aggressive when he plays at his pace. He gets any shot he wants and can score on anybody in this league." New Orleans has its own star in power forward Anthony Davis and he scored 41 points on Monday but the Pelicans dropped a 113-100 decision to the Boston Celtics. "We got another one on Wednesday against a team that's hot right now, OKC," Davis told reporters. "But we play well at home so hopefully can get that one, then we have like three or four days off where we can regroup and recollect ourselves and try to put a string of wins together."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Oklahoma, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE THUNDER (17-8): George was receiving MVP chants during his latest performance, which came two games after he scored a season-best 47 points against the Brooklyn Nets. "I'm going to just play hard," George told reporters. "If that happens at the end of the year, then so be it. That's the least of my concerns. Right now, I'm enjoying playing with this group. We've got a special group here. We want to win. We want to win big." Westbrook recorded his third straight triple-double - and 110th of his career - against Utah with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists despite suffering through a 4-of-18 shooting night.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-15): Davis has recorded four 40-point efforts this season - all coming in the past 3 1/2 weeks - as he attempts to set the tone for a team that has battled consistency issues this season. "I know the team follows me," Davis told reporters. "I'm the leader and I've got to be the one to make sure that we're ready to play every night. So for me, I just go out there and play with this team and go out there and try to have fun and get wins." Forward Julius Randle had 20 points and 11 rebounds against Boston and is averaging 27.6 points and 11.2 rebounds over the past five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder recorded a 122-116 home win over the Pelicans on Nov. 5, when they limited Davis (20 points) to 7-of-20 shooting.

2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams topped 20 points in three of the past four games and is averaging 19.8 points during the stretch.

3. New Orleans F Nikola Mirotic (ankle) is doubtful after being injured in Monday's game, while SG E'Twaun Moore (leg) will likely miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Thunder 108, Pelicans 104