Wednesday 12-19-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Members post your personal plays in the various sports forums @ IWS and our betting trackers!

NFL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...3-NFL-Football

College Football
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...-NCAA-Football

Baseball
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...57-ML-Baseball

College Basketball
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...CAA-Basketball

NBA
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...NBA-Basketball

NHL
http://www.investwithsports.com/newf...?58-NHL-Hockey

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 5 - Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $10000 Class Rating: 85

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 19, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 19 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. W V A RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 WISE MAC 6/5

# 4 TWIN ENGINE 4/1

# 2 WILDCATPLEASURES 5/1

WISE MAC is the best wager in this race. Well above average win clip at this distance/surface. Has been running soundly lately and will most likely be up on the lead early on. In the upper half of earnings per start at the distance/surface in this group. TWIN ENGINE - This equine has to be in sound condition coming back to race so soon. Shows evidence of the look of a money-making play, averaging a solid 70 Equibase speed fig which is one of the best in this group. WILDCATPLEASURES - He has recorded decent figures under today's conditions and should fare well against this field. With a formidable ROI of +44 this conditioner has shown very good results with entries running at this distance and surface.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

12/19/18, GP, Race 6, 3.03 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.01 CLAIMING. Purse $19,000.
Claiming Price $6,250 (Races where entered for $5,000 or less not considered in allowances). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
$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)
Top Horse - Races 55, Win Percent 25.45, $1 ROI 0.68, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 10 Treatherlikestar 4-1 Saez L Delgado Gustavo T
095.9137 9 Coquivacoa 6-1 Berrios H I Cordero-Lopez Alexis FEL
095.1917 1 There Goes Bella 3-1 Gaffalione T Walder Peter R. J
094.8955 3 Cowtown Jane 15-1 Mitchell R Negrete Javier SW
094.4535 5 Power Jak 30-1 Gonzales J J Croft Barry N.
094.0526 2 Princess Knoll 6-1 Reyes L Delgado Alexis
093.4745 7 Non Finisce Mai 5/2 Maragh R R Gullo Gary P.
091.2390 6 Lexi's Doll 30-1 Castillo L A McGoey Monica
090.6476 4 Image of Rachel 12-1 Ulloa O Rose Barry R. C
090.4957 8 Dancing Noelle 30-1 Monterrey. Jr. P Cuito Marcelo

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer Park - Race #1 - Post: 7:00pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,100 Class Rating: 67

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 SUDDEN RIOT (ML=5/2)


SUDDEN RIOT - A wise man taught me to invest in the lone speed horse. Take a look at this animal. He finished in the place spot December 9th, but was well ahead of the show horse. I do like the fact this gelding is back in a race so quickly. This gelding is certainly on the improve with Equibase speed figures of 34, 56, 58 last three out.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 LIL HABANERO (ML=3/1), #1 JULIANO (ML=4/1), #4 MY KINDA KID (ML=5/1),

LIL HABANERO - Just don't believe he is worth it at the given odds. JULIANO - The finish position of sixth in the last affair shows me that this animal may be getting out of condition. The Brain cautions me to keep my distance from thoroughbreds in short distance races that haven't finished in the money in sprint contests recently. MY KINDA KID - A bit of a less than stellar effort when this gelding finished third. This horse likes to finish in the money, but doesn't usually get the job done. Don't put in the top spot.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - SUDDEN RIOT - Earnings per start is a sign of class. I often play horses like this one that are number one in the field in earnings per start.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #5 SUDDEN RIOT on top if we're getting at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Allowance - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $31300 Class Rating: 71

FOR ACCREDITED OHIO BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 19 ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 LUNAR HEAT 2/1

# 8 BOSA FLOW 3/1

# 6 CIELO LINDO 6/1

LUNAR HEAT appears to be the wager in here. Overall the Speed Figures of this equine look strong in this contest. Has been running soundly lately and will almost certainly be close to the front end early on. Could beat this field given the 67 speed figure posted in his last outing. BOSA FLOW - Earned a quite good speed figure last time out. Could provide positive returns based on very good recent speed figures with an average of 57. CIELO LINDO - Radosevich and Rivera have won 21 percent of their races giving this pony a strong chance. Will most likely be one of the front-runners of the pack going into the halfway point of the race.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #7 - Post: 8:58pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,200 Class Rating: 49

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 BLAZING D. R. (ML=9/2)
#1 STACIE'S DAUGHTER (ML=8/1)
#4 NUREYEVS BALLERINA (ML=9/5)


BLAZING D. R. - This filly likes to lay just off the pace and the way things shape up here, she should get a gorgeous trip. This animal could be tough today, especially since Carrow rode last time around the track and now should be familiar with this one. This filly is in nice condition, having run a good race on November 23rd, finishing second. STACIE'S DAUGHTER - This mare gets a weight break of -7 pounds from last race. This certainly could make the difference right here. NUREYEVS BALLERINA - Coletti has this filly entered in the perfect affair.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 DOUBLE CROSS (ML=7/2), #7 WESTERN REFLECTION (ML=5/1), #2 AU FUDGE (ML=8/1),

DOUBLE CROSS - Morning line odds of 7/2 make this mount a pass by my approach. WESTERN REFLECTION - Won't be easy for this racer to beat this field off of that last speed figure. Not probable to improve enough to run a figure close enough to today's Equibase class figure, so put her on the vulnerable competitors list. AU FUDGE - Difficult to invest in at 8/1 odds after the most recent efforts.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #6 BLAZING D. R. To win if we can get at least 4/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,4,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

12/19/18, TAM, Race 9, 4.25 ET
7F [Dirt] 1.21.02 CLAIMING. Purse $10,400.
Claiming Price $5,000 (Registered Florida Breds Preferred). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JUNE 19
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Super High 5
Top Horse - Races 47, Win Percent 27.66, $1 ROI 0.64, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 8 Bold Response(b+) 5-1 Gallardo A A Rodriguez Darien T
099.2794 1 Spring Up 7/2 Mena R Delgado Jose H. E
099.2625 4 Polygram 3-1 Centeno D Hemingway Ian SFW
097.7752 6 Damage Control 10-1 Ferrer J C DaCosta Jason JL
096.4545 5 Thirst for Victory 8-1 Urdaneta J J Ramos Rafael C
095.9681 2 My Charming Clyde 8-1 Pedroza B Ward Dennis
095.8791 9 Seventysevenwilow 5-1 Garcia J A Minieri Joseph
095.5485 10 Here's Johnny 15-1 Morales P Escobar Alison
092.6128 3 Entertainer 15-1 Allen. Jr. R D House Gary F.
091.1360 7 Holiday Boy 30-1 Medina J C Minieri Joseph

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Turfway Park
Turfway Park - Race 1

Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Daily Double Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) / Pick 5 (1-2-3-4-5)


Maiden Claiming $5,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 63 • Purse: $5,100 • Post: 6:15P
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. CONCORD COUPE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * CONCORD COUPE: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
3
CONCORD COUPE
4/5

3/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
CONCORD COUPE
3

4/5
Front-runner
79

80

73.3

63.3

61.3
5
SANCTUAIRE SPOT
5

15/1
Front-runner
58

48

61.6

37.0

26.0
8
PRISSY SISSY
8

15/1
Front-runner
0

0

60.7

45.5

35.5
6
QUEEN JEANNE
6

4/1
Stalker
66

52

61.0

45.4

39.4
4
LADY CREED
4

4/1
Trailer
63

62

16.9

39.6

33.6
1
G CODE
1

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
56

50

52.0

35.6

22.6
9
LANTANA MOLL
9

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
47

4

32.8

14.9

0.4
2
E Z BONUS
2

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

32.7

24.5

9.0
7
GOTALOT
7

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60

34

22.4

37.7

26.7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for ZIA
ZIA - Race 5

$1 Exacta / .50 Trifecta / .10 Superfecta


Claiming $10,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 75 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 1:48P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Stalker. LUCKY BELLE is the Lone Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * IRISH CREAM N KAFE: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. BECKH EM'S BEAUTY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. LUCKY BELLE: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
4
IRISH CREAM N KAFE
8/5

4/1
6
BECKHEM'S BEAUTY
5/2

4/1
5
LUCKY BELLE
3/1

5/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
STYLISTIC
1

12/1
Front-runner
72

57

77.8

54.3

45.3
4
IRISH CREAM N KAFE
4

8/5
Front-runner
77

76

75.6

69.2

66.2
2
TWIST TAIL
2

20/1
Front-runner
62

60

68.2

47.2

36.2
5
LUCKY BELLE
5

3/1
Stalker
72

69

54.0

65.4

58.4
6
BECKHEM'S BEAUTY
6

5/2
Trailer
78

72

47.6

69.4

66.4
8
INNER CIRCLE
8

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
62

52

60.2

46.6

35.6
7
AUGUSTINA
7

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
48

51

38.2

40.8

28.8
3
MAMASITA
3

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
57

59

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Ohio Bobcats Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NCAAF Predictions 5th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/05/2018



DXL FRISCO BOWL STORYLINES

1. Schools that finished their seasons going in opposite directions square off when San Diego State faces Ohio in the DXL Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Dec. 19. The injury-plagued Aztecs sputtered to the finish line in Mountain West Conference play, losing their final three games and four of their last five including a 31-30 overtime loss to visiting Hawaii in their season finale. Ohio won five of its final six games to finish in a tie for second place in the Mid-American Conference's East Division including back-to-back blowout wins over East champion Buffalo (52-17) and Akron (49-28) to end conference play.

2. The contest should be nicknamed the AARP Bowl. Ohio coach Frank Solich is 74 years old while San Diego State's Rocky Long turns 69 on Jan. 27. "I don't know if it's old-school football, but the two coaches are old," Long joked at the school's bowl press conference. "Since coach (Bill) Snyder (79) retired at Kansas State, I think Solich is the oldest guy coaching Division I football right now. I'm right up there close to him. We're in the top three, so the two of us coaching in the same bowl is probably going to set a record for total age. That's OK since I'm the younger one of the two."

3. In a era where wide open passing attacks dominate college football headlines, this will be an old fashioned battle in the trenches. Ohio ranks eighth nationally in rushing offense with an average of 262.2 yards per game and rolled up 38 rushing touchdowns. The Bobcats will be going up against a San Diego State defense that ranks fourth nationally in rush defense behind only Michigan State, Texas A&M and Clemson allowing an average of 94.5 yards per game and 2.75 yards per attempt and has allowed only 14 rushing TDs.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Ohio -3

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (7-5, 4-4 MWC): The Aztecs haven't scored more than 31 points in a game this season and hit the 30-point mark twice while ranking 109th nationally in total offense with an average of 354 yards per game. A big reason for that is that starting quarterback Christian Chapman (50-of-87, 774 yards, four touchdowns) missed six games with an MCL injury suffered in the second game of the season in a 28-14 victory over Sacramento State while star running back Juwan Washington (870 yards and 10 TDs on 180 carries) missed four games with a broken clavicle suffered in a 23-20 overtime win over Eastern Michigan. Both are back now with Washington rushing for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in the season-ending overtime loss to Hawaii while Chapman and has split time with junior Ryan Agnew, who has completed 104-of-199 passes for 1,525 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

ABOUT OHIO (8-4, 6-2 MAC): Senior running back A.J. Ouellette earned first team all-MAC honors and was named the MAC Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus after rushing for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns including a career-high 196 yards in the win over Buffalo. Senior running back Maleek Irons (831 yards and eight TDs on 126 carries) and junior quarterback Nathan Rourke (816 yards on 125 carries, 13 TDs) also topped the 800-yard rushing mark with Rourke, a second team all-MAC pick, also passing for 2,228 yards and a career-high 22 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Papi White (58 receptions, 897 yards, nine TDs) also was a first team all-MAC selection while linebacker Evan Croutch (team-high 79 tackles, four sacks) leads the Bobcats' defense and was a second-team choice.



PREDICTION: San Diego State 24, Ohio 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NBA Predictions 18th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/18/2018

All-Star guard Kemba Walker looks to snap out of a shooting slump and his Charlotte Hornets will try to improve on the other side of the court when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Walker scored a season-low four points in Saturday's 128-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and is shooting 32.2 percent in seven games this month while making just 15-of-59 from 3-point range.

"He's had a couple of nights where he has struggled shooting the ball but he'll continue to shoot. We trust him," Charlotte coach James Borrego told reporters. "His confidence is still there. I think he'll kick it back into gear real soon. He's having to work a lot out there." The Hornets gave up an average of 127 points the last two games - both losses - after winning three in a row and face a Cleveland team that is near the bottom of the league in scoring, but is coming off a road victory. Larry Nance Jr.'s tip-in just before the final buzzer gave the Cavaliers a 92-91 victory at Indiana on Tuesday - just their third in 14 games away from home this season - to open a three-game road trip. Guard Jordan Clarkson, who averages 16.7 points to lead the team among active players, missed the game for Cleveland to rest a minor back injury and his status for Wednesday's contest is uncertain.

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

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (8-23): Shooting guard Rodney Hood is averaging 18 points - almost five above his season mark - on 53.1 percent shooting in the last four games after pouring in 17 on Tuesday. Nance finished with 15 points and hauled in a career-high 16 rebounds - grabbing double-figure caroms for the third time in four games - while rookie Collin Sexton (15.2 points per contest) reached double figures in scoring for the 20th time in 21 games. Guard Matthew Dellavedova has scored at least 10 points in all five games since being acquired, connecting on 11-of-21 from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (14-15): Rookie forward Miles Bridges picked up some of the slack for Walker on Saturday by scoring a season-high 17 points after managing 19 combined in his previous four outings. Walker leads the team at 24.9 points per game and Jeremy Lamb (15.0) is the only other player with 11 or more while guard Malik Monk averages 10.6 points after scoring 19 in the loss against the Lakers and is 10-of-23 from 3-point range the last five contests. Veteran point guard Tony Parker has combined for six points in the past two games after averaging 17 over the previous three contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cleveland G Alec Burks is averaging 11 points in 11 games since coming over in a trade from Utah.

2. Charlotte C Cody Zeller is averaging 13.3 points while connecting on 22-of-31 from the field the last four contests.

3. The teams have each rolled to easy wins at home in the first two meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Hornets 102, Cavaliers 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NBA Predictions 18th December 2018 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Magic Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/18/2018

The San Antonio Spurs hit a speed bump over the weekend before continuing their surge with another outstanding performance and will go after a sixth win in seven games when they visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The Spurs were beaten 98-93 by struggling Chicago at home Saturday, but rebounded to rout Philadelphia 123-96 on Monday to move back over the .500 mark.

"I think we're starting to figure out each other more than anything," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "Who's got the mismatches out there. Usually your best players look for those mismatches and our guys are starting the figure that out. Defensively, we've got a little bit more rhyme and reason to what we're doing." The Spurs will try to avenge a 117-110 loss to the Magic at home on Nov. 4, when Orlando shot 50.5 percent from the field and led by 17 going into the final 12 minutes. The Magic found their game in Mexico City with wins over Chicago and Utah last week and will work on improving their results in Orlando - where they are 6-8 - with five of the next six in their home arena. "The big thing that I told the guys in the locker room: That was a terrific win because of the way we won, the way we fought," Orlando coach Steve Clifford told The Athletic of the 96-89 win over Utah on Saturday. "... The reality is this: We have to start playing better on our court, in Orlando. That's been our problem."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE SPURS (16-15): Forward Rudy Gay scored at least 20 points four times in the last seven games after pouring in 21 on 10-of-15 from the floor in Monday's victory to push his season average to 14.3. "He's got a little spunk in his step," Popovich told the media of Gay. "He likes the group. He's worked hard to understand defensively and rebounding what we want and, of course, he can score." Guard DeMar DeRozan tops the team in scoring (23.5) and assists (6.2) while LaMarcus Aldridge adds 18.9 points - 25.3 in the last three games - and a team-high 9.6 rebounds per game.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (14-15): Forward Aaron Gordon led the way with 26 points in the victory at San Antonio last month, but he has struggled the last three games while averaging 8.7 points and connecting on just 9-of-33 from the field. Center Nikola Vucevic continues to make a case for a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, averaging team-bests of 20.6 points and 11.7 rebounds - 13.6 in the last seven - while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor. Shooting guard Evan Fournier rebounded from a pair of below-average games to score 24 in the victory over Utah on 7-of-15 shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando G Terrence Ross is coming off one of his best games of the season, going 8-of-9 from the field for 19 points Saturday.

2. San Antonio G Bryn Forbes, who averages 11.6 points, managed just six combined in the last two contests.

3. The Spurs share the league lead in 3-point shooting at 38.9 percent entering Tuesday and Orlando is 13th at 35.4.

PREDICTION: Spurs 106, Magic 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NBA Predictions 18th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/18/2018

The Boston Celtics have played 12 home games, the fewest in the Eastern Conference and the second-fewest in the NBA. They will finally get a chance to unpack their bags for an extended period of time when they open a four-game homestand and begin a stretch in which they play 15 of 22 at TD Garden by hosting the surging Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Boston saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end with a 113-104 loss at Detroit on Saturday, but it still enters the favorable stretch with plenty of momentum, in large part because it has already overcome a slow start. "I think [the 10-10 start] was very beneficial because if we would have started out good and won some games, some of these issues that were underlying, winning would take care of that, but they'd still be there," center Al Horford told reporters. "Now all those things have been addressed thoroughly. We're still going through it, but we're learning." The Suns are going through their own learning process at the bottom of the West but they're riding a three-game winning streak for the first time since March of 2017. Devin Booker tied the season-high he had against the Celtics on Nov. 8 with 38 points at Madison Square Garden on Monday as Phoenix topped the New York Knicks 128-110.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Arizona (Phoenix), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE SUNS (7-24): Booker has shaken off the rust in impressive fashion after missing seven straight games with a hamstring strain, scoring 66 points on 53.8 percent shooting in two games since his return. "We're learning how to win," Booker told reporters. "It starts on the defensive end. Playing together. Playing the right way. Everybody is contributing. It looks really good." In addition to his 38-point effort against the Celtics earlier this season, the 22-year-old had 38 in his visit to Boston last season and a franchise-record 70 points at TD Garden the previous March.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (18-11): Boston scored at least 113 points in each of its eight straight wins and reached 124 six times during the run before being stymied at Detroit. Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and Marcus Smart added 21 but their teammates combined to shoot 37.9 percent from the floor and 2-of-20 from 3-point range. Horford has missed five straight games with a knee injury but could return for this one.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns SF T.J. Warren is averaging 25 points over his last four games.

2. Celtics SG Jaylen Brown is 3-for-16 from the floor in the last two contests after missing one game due to an illness.

3. Boston has won four straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Celtics 119, Suns 110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NBA Predictions 19th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/19/2018

The Indiana Pacers may have been caught looking too far ahead prior to Wednesday night's visit to the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors. The Pacers had won seven in a row and led the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers by six points with roughly four minutes to play Tuesday at home before faltering down the stretch in a 92-91 loss.

Victor Oladipo missed three straight free throws in the final minute - two of them with 9.5 seconds to go - as Indiana fell to 14-4 against the East. The Raptors have been atop the heap since the season began but they are just 3-5 after starting 20-4 after falling 95-86 at Denver on Sunday to finish a four-game road trip. "I mean, that's why you got 82 games, a learning concept as you go on through the year," star swingman Kawhi Leonard told reporters at Tuesday's practice. "You're building toward something at the end of the year." Leonard shot 12-for-21 in the loss to the Nuggets while his teammates combined to shoot 34.3 percent.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, TSN (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PACERS (20-11): Oladipo had been progressing well since returning from a knee injury that robbed him of 11 games, but the missed free throws were part of a rough showing against Cleveland. "I got to be better down the stretch, especially at the free-throw line," Oladipo told reporters after scoring 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting and getting tossed to the ground ahead of Larry Nance Jr's game-winning tip-in. Myles Turner chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double this month.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (23-9): Health has been an issue of late, as guards Kyle Lowry (thigh) and Fred VanVleet (back) and forward Pascal Siakam (back) all missed Sunday's loss. Center Jonas Valanciunas was lost during the trip to a thumb injury that will keep him out for up to a month and forward Norman Powell (shoulder) has missed for over a month, although he may return Wednesday. Leonard averaged 28.5 points in the final two games of the trip after sitting out the first two due to a hip issue.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have lost four consecutive games with Leonard in the lineup.

2. Indiana has held eight straight opponents to 101 points or fewer.

3. Toronto has won nine meetings in a row at home.

PREDICTION: Raptors 104, Pacers 98

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2018-12-19

NBA Predictions 18th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/18/2018

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to build off one of their best efforts of the season and continue home-court success when they host the struggling Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves scored their most points in a win and dished out a season-high 37 assists as they took advantage of road-weary Sacramento to post a 132-105 victory on Monday, improving to 12-4 at the Target Center.

Nine Minnesota players scored in double figures and four reserves, plus Robert Covington, put together the decisive spurt to start the second quarter as the Timberwolves finished with a 30-point lead at halftime. "Man, that was an amazing run to go on," Covington told the Star Tribune. "Guys just came in and did their job. That second unit's been great all season. (Monday) it was on another level." The Pistons attempt to extend their winning streak against the Timberwolves to seven games, but they will need to find their elusive top form to post a victory in Minnesota for the fourth straight visit after losing seven of the last eight games overall. Leading scorer Blake Griffin recorded his first triple-double of the season (19 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) on Monday, but also had 10 turnovers and told reporters after the 107-104 loss to Milwaukee: "I feel bad for these guys because they played so hard and got us back in the game. I wasn't there for them tonight."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (14-14): Griffin scored at least 26 points in five straight games before Monday's 4-of-13 effort from the field and averages a team-high 25.4 points to go along with 9.1 rebounds. Center Andre Drummond strung together six straight double-doubles to place third in the league with 23 overall and leads the NBA in rebounding (15.5 per game). Guard Reggie Bullock stepped up with a team-high 24 points in the loss to Milwaukee and drained 9-of-17 from 3-point range the past two games after missing the previous five contests with an ankle injury.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (14-16): Rookie guard Josh Okogie played his most minutes (28) in more than a month Monday and contributed 10 points, three assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. "Everyone has that guy that brings the best out of everyone, and Josh is that guy for us," leading scorer Karl-Anthony Towns (21.4) told reporters. "When he comes in the game and plays that way every single time, it reinvigorates all of us." Okogie got more minutes with Jeff Teague (left ankle inflammation) out and the veteran point guard is questionable for Wednesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Detroit SF Stanley Johnson scored 20 points on Monday, reaching double figures for the first time since Dec. 1.

2. Minnesota SF Andrew Wiggins is averaging 19.4 points in December, more the three above his season mark.

3. Pistons SG Luke Kennard connected on just 1-of-7 from the field Monday after making all four of his attempts against Boston on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 114, Pistons 102