Thursday 12-27-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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

Race 4 - Allowance - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $24500 Class Rating: 74

FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 27 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE OCTOBER 27 ALLOWED 4 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 ROCK ON 8/5

# 3 PAGAN SMART 5/2

# 6 CASTLE FIVE 5/1

I like ROCK ON here. Handler has strong win rate (23 percent) at this distance and surface. This gelding must be carefully examined just off the earnings per start in dirt sprint races alone. With a quite good 77 Equibase Speed Fig last time out, will unquestionably be a factor in this contest. PAGAN SMART - With a sound 64 average Equibase speed fig at the distance, seems well suited for today's contest. Could beat this group given the 72 Equibase Speed Figure earned in his last outing. CASTLE FIVE - Should be considered for this race if only for the very good speed fig recorded in the last contest. Has a sharp shot in this contest if you like back class.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 8

Daily Double (Races 8-9) ($1min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Allowance • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $37,000 • Post: 8:52P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 27 ALLOWED 3 LBS. (CLAIMING RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. DEDICATED is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DEDICATED: Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. LAT E NITE MISCHIEF: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. BLOWIN SMOKE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMas ter Power Rating.
4
DEDICATED
9/2

3/1
2
LATE NITE MISCHIEF
5/1

8/1
3
BLOWIN SMOKE
3/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
LATE NITE MISCHIEF
2

5/1
Front-runner
83

85

78.9

73.3

67.8
7
NOMO RON
7

7/2
Front-runner
60

68

64.9

64.9

54.4
8
NATE'S ATTACK
8

15/1
Alternator/Front-runner
82

76

77.5

73.5

66.0
4
DEDICATED
4

9/2
Stalker
84

86

86.2

86.2

80.7
3
BLOWIN SMOKE
3

3/1
Stalker
89

82

59.6

67.8

61.3
6
MAGA MAN
6

8/1
Stalker
81

73

40.8

66.4

55.9
5
HANDSOME HARVE
5

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
82

84

65.8

74.8

60.3
1
STAR BANJO
1

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
81

78

69.5

66.2

52.2
9
STAR ANNE
9

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
79

65

52.6

66.6

52.6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Fair Grounds - Race #2 - Post: 12:58pm - Maiden Special - 5.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $38,000 Class Rating: 81

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 INSPECTOR EDDIE (ML=7/2)
#5 BOSTON REPO (ML=6/1)


INSPECTOR EDDIE - Jockey jumped on this colt's back for the 1st attempt on December 8th. Should be in touch with the horse even better in today's contest. You have to like this mount changing from dirt to turf for the first time. He finished on the board on a sluggish dirt track on December 8th. A sign he may take to turf. Ranked number one in earnings per start (EPS). Another sign that this animal has the class to win. BOSTON REPO - This horse has a lot of class. A good sign in a race on the grass like we have today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #11 SAINT WILLIAM (ML=4/1), #8 UNRESTRICTED (ML=4/1), #14 BOSTON BIND (ML=8/1),

SAINT WILLIAM - The race on December 2nd was versus maiden claimers. Pass on this one this time around versus the tougher group. This colt raced well on December 2nd placing first, but hasn't even visited the track since then. Not really a good sign. UNRESTRICTED - The speed fig last time out doesn't fit very well in this affair when I look at the Equibase class figure of today's event. Mark this horse as a possibly overvalued contestant. BOSTON BIND - This gelding hasn't had any strong victories in sprint races in the last sixty days. When examining today's class figure, he will have to garner a better speed fig than last time out to compete in this turf sprint.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Turf Man - BOSTON REPO - Don't be afraid to wager on this horse first time on the turf. His trainer, Faucheux, is good at moving a campaigner from dirt to turf.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #4 INSPECTOR EDDIE on the win end if we get at least 8/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
4 with 5 with [3,9,14] Total Cost: $3

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

12/27/18, GP, Race 1, 12.35 ET
1M [Dirt] 1.33.01 STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $23,000.
Claiming Price $12,500 (Races where entered for $6,250 or less not considered in allowances). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $8,000 OR LESS OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $12,500
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 1-2-3) / $.50 Pick 5 (Races 1-5)
Top Horse - Races 76, Win Percent 27.63, $1 ROI 0.70, 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 6 Radiantrithym 8-1 Maragh R R Navarro Jorge TW
097.8305 3 Southernperfection(b+) 3-1 Albarado R Quartarolo Anthony T. L
097.6794 7 Bella Vincenza 5/2 Panici L O'Connell Kathleen SE
097.0374 8 Untrue 6-1 Saez L De La Cerda Armando JF
096.8437 5 Amaluna 4-1 Vasquez M A Maragh Ricko C
094.1642 4 Oro Bird 6-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Dickey Charles L.
093.5855 1 Nile Princess(b-) 30-1 Batista J A McGoey Monica
093.0543 2 Miss Contessa 10-1 Ortiz J L Catanese. III Joseph C

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 3 - Optional Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $19500 Class Rating: 85

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING $30,000 THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 27 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $30,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 BOLD FRIENDS 1/1

# 6 Z U SOON 6/1

# 3 LITTLE MIGHTY MAN 5/1

BOLD FRIENDS has a very good shot to take this race. He has been running quite well and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the top in this group of animals. Divito has a solid 17 percent win rate with entries running at this distance and surface. Should compete soundly in the early pace contest which bodes well with this group of horses. Z U SOON - A nice return on investment of +3 with this rider and trainer combo. Young has a strong 17 percent win rate with entries running at this distance and surface. LITTLE MIGHTY MAN - Has performed quite well lately in sprint races, posting a nifty 74 avg speed rating. His earnings per start in dirt sprint events alone makes you take a look at him.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #1 - Post: 6:05pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,400 Class Rating: 84

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 THAT'S HISTORY (ML=7/2)
#6 HOWDY BOY (ML=3/1)
#4 HESGOTAWAYWITHWRDS (ML=7/2)


THAT'S HISTORY - Have to make this gelding a strong challenger; he comes off a nice contest on Nov 29th. The morning line odds on this gelding are higher than those of the other entrant from the shedrow of trainer Salvaggio. Often the longer-priced part of a 'split' entry wins. The 83 recent race speed rating looks strong in black and white. HOWDY BOY - It looks like Conner had to become familiar with this gelding on December 13th when riding him for the initial time. Back aloft again today. Have to give this gelding a shot. Ran a good contest last time around the track within the last month or so. HESGOTAWAYWITHWRDS - Have to give this gelding a good chance. Ran a strong effort in the last race within the last thirty days. This gelding is clearly on the improve with speed ratings of 62, 74, 80 last 3 out.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 JOE CLOCKER (ML=5/2), #3 WONITBYLAND (ML=9/2),

JOE CLOCKER - Tough to like the downward moving flow (79/72/28) of speed figures. 5/2 is too low of a value to take on most any horse that has run poorly in back to back efforts. WONITBYLAND - Usually I need a sprinter to have some success lately in sprint races in order to support him. Tough to put your dough on the win end of any entrant that finishes second and third as frequently as this thoroughbred does. This colt recorded a rating in his last affair which likely isn't good enough in today's event.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #5 THAT'S HISTORY on top if we're getting at least 4/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Turfway Park
Turfway Park - Race 8

Exacta / 50 cent Trifecta / 10 cent Superfecta / Super Hi 5


Claiming $6,250 • 1 Mile • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 92 • Purse: $8,500 • Post: 9:42P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 27 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $6,250 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $6,250 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * CAIRN: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at le ast 50. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. MONEY TALKER: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. FEROCIOUS TIGER (FR): Horse ranks in t he top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. CHUCKMATE: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks i n the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
9
CAIRN
4/1

5/1
2
MONEY TALKER
5/1

6/1
7
FEROCIOUS TIGER (FR)
12/1

8/1
5
CHUCKMATE
20/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
7
FEROCIOUS TIGER (FR)
7

12/1
Front-runner
93

90

96.4

74.8

64.8
2
MONEY TALKER
2

5/1
Front-runner
92

91

85.0

86.8

81.3
8
MY FOOLISH BEAU
8

10/1
Front-runner
86

82

81.6

65.0

46.5
11
U S CITIZEN
11

6/1
Front-runner
90

90

37.0

66.4

59.4
3
THE CURT FOX (GB)
3

5/1
Alternator/Front-runner
94

88

65.4

75.8

66.3
5
CHUCKMATE
5

20/1
Stalker
93

83

76.2

83.6

69.6
6
CALM PACIFIC
6

9/2
Trailer
100

96

86.0

70.2

56.2
9
CAIRN
9

4/1
Trailer
91

87

78.9

85.4

78.9
1
UNION BOWMAN
1

9/2
Trailer
90

81

71.4

78.6

65.6
10
WOODBURN
10

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
87

74

74.8

71.2

52.7
4
MY OWN LANE
4

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
93

88

54.3

39.4

29.4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Celtics at Rockets
Gracenote
Dec 26, 2018

A slow start to the season is in the rearview mirror as the Houston Rockets surge up the standings in the Western Conference with wins in seven of their last eight games. The Rockets will try to finish off a perfect three-game homestand when they host the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Houston was three games under .500 after a loss at Dallas on Dec. 8 but is taking advantage of a home-heavy portion of the schedule and benefitting from the MVP-level performance of James Harden in turning things around over the last two weeks. "We've got a lot of guys playing at a high level right now," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters after a 113-109 victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday. "So many guys contributed tonight. James, like I said, is up to another level that I don't know maybe he's been there before. It's hard to tell once he gets to that altitude, but he's playing great." The Celtics have their own star guard playing at a high level in Kyrie Irving, who collected 40 points and 10 rebounds in a 121-114 overtime victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. "I always talk about being on those big stages," Irving told reporters. "It's just so much fun. It's competition at its highest. I love going against the best."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (20-13): Boston is embarking on a three-game road trip having won 10 of its last 13 games with Irving leading the offense. "I think it's - first of all, it's him," coach Brad Stevens told reporters of Irving. "Secondly, it's a function of the one thing that I think we've gotten better at offensively over the last couple months - is spacing and early attack. And you know, he's a big reason why, obviously. But our bigs are doing a good job hunting guys in transition. We're playing with a little more tempo than we played with the first couple weeks." Irving is averaging 25.3 points while shooting 44.9 percent from 3-point range in December.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (18-15): Harden scored 30 or more points in a career-high seven straight games, capped by 41 points in Tuesday's triumph, and is averaging 39.9 points in that span. "(Our) record isn't where we want it to be, but it's getting there," Harden told reporters. "We're preparing for a postseason. We're not going to be at our tip-top right now, which is a great thing, so we've got something to build to. We've had that confidence all year though, man." Harden is also averaging 9.1 assists over the last seven contests and took over the NBA scoring lead at an average of 32.3 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics PF Marcus Morris is 13-of-23 from the floor in two games since returning from a knee injury.

2. Rockets C Clint Capela grabbed 23 rebounds in each of the last two games.

3. The teams split the two-game series in each of the last two seasons, with the home team winning each matchup.

PREDICTION: Rockets 109, Celtics 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Knicks at Bucks
Gracenote
Dec 26, 2018

The Milwaukee Bucks had little trouble taking down the New York Knicks on the road on Christmas Day and will try to sweep the home-and-home set when they host the finale on Thursday. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 30 points and 14 rebounds in the Bucks' 109-95 triumph at New York.

Milwaukee dominated the Knicks on the defensive end Tuesday, holding New York to 36.5 percent from the floor while forcing 15 turnovers. "Hopefully our identity is built from our defense," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "We know that's going to be there every possession every night. We're going to take the shots offensively, try to play with great place, all those things, but not let our overall energy and effort be affected if we’re not making shots." The loss was the fifth straight for the Knicks, who are losers of 12 of their last 14 contests and are staring down a six-game road trip that will take them through Western Conference powers Utah, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Golden State after leaving Milwaukee. "We've got to stay together and find a way to make our lives a lot easier while we're out there on the floor," New York shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. told reporters. "Knock down our shots when we're open, hit the right man when they're open and defend."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (9-26): New York was only down two points at the half on Tuesday but was outscored 36-22 in the third quarter. "It's a common thing that we have to change," rookie small forward Kevin Knox told reporters. "Most of our losses, it's the one quarter. We played them really good in the first half. We were down just two. But that third quarter, something slips for us. It's got to change." Knox led the team with 21 points in the setback and scored 21 or more points in each of the last three contests.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (23-10): Antetokounmpo contributed to the defensive effort on Tuesday with four steals and two blocks and leads the team in points (26.4), rebounds (12.8), assists (5.9) and steals (1.32) while ranking second in blocks (1.42). One area in which Antetokounmpo does not thrive is from beyond the arc, where he is connecting at 12.7 percent. Milwaukee as a team struggled from 3-point range on Tuesday, connecting on 6-of-32 as Khris Middleton (1-of-7), Brook Lopez (1-of-6) and Malcolm Brogdon (1-of-5) all struggled to find their shot.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Middleton is 3-of-18 from 3-point range over the last two contests.

2. Hardaway went 4-of-18 from the floor in Tuesday's loss and is shooting 39.1 percent.

3. Milwaukee took seven of the last eight in the series.

PREDICTION: Bucks 121, Knicks 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Lakers at Kings
Gracenote
Dec 27, 2018

LeBron James will miss his first game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The star forward suffered a strained left groin in the Lakers' rout of the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day and is listed by the club as day-to-day.

James felt relieved that Wednesday's MRI exam didn't detect a more serious injury - 'Dodged a bullet!' he tweeted in part - and the decision was reached to leave him behind in Los Angeles to rest his injury. James was hurt in the third quarter of the 127-101 trouncing of the Warriors and Lakers coach Luke Walton said that the Lakers won't rush James back to action. "Obviously, we want him back soon as possible," Walton told reporters, "but we also will be very cautious when we bring him back." Sacramento's next two games are against the Lakers after dropping a 127-118 road decision to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (20-14): Point guard Rajon Rondo also will miss the contest after spraining his right ring finger against Golden State. Rondo had 15 points and 10 assists without a turnover for his fourth double-double of the season before departing with his second injury of the campaign to his right hand. Rondo was playing in his third contest since returning from a 17-game absence because of a broken right hand, and Lonzo Ball will again carry the load again in his absence.

ABOUT THE KINGS (18-16): Shooting guard Buddy Hield's hot streak reached a temporary halt when he scored 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting - including misses on all six 3-point attempts - in the loss to the Clippers. Hield had scored 20 or more points in 10 of the previous 11 games while going 53-for-112 from 3-point range before being stymied by the Los Angeles defenders. Hield has failed to make a 3-pointer twice this season and the other occasion was also against the Clippers when he was 0-for-7 on Nov. 29.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. James scored 25 points as the Lakers posted a 101-86 victory in Sacramento on Nov. 10.

2. Sacramento PG De'Aaron Fox is averaging 20 points and 10 assists over the past four games.

3. Los Angeles C Ivica Zubac had two double-doubles in the past three games and is averaging 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds while making 25-of-32 field-goal attempts during the stretch.

PREDICTION: Kings 108, Lakers 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: 76ers at Jazz
Gracenote
Dec 26, 2018

The Utah Jazz are starting to find their form with wins in three of the last four games and are coming off a dominating Christmas Day performance in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Jazz will try to get back to .500 when they continue a four-game homestand by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

Utah is holding its own against some of the best teams in the West with wins over Portland (twice) and Golden State in the last four games and is crediting an increase in focus. "Mental focus - that's all it is," Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell told reporters. "We've been in this situation at the beginning of the year, and we didn't have it. Now, we're adjusting and making those kinds of plays. ... There are still a few lapses we had where we kinda got complacent, and then fixed it. Now we want to play a game where we don't have any complacency at all." The 76ers began their five-game road trip with a 121-114 overtime loss at Boston on Tuesday but still feel good about where the team is headed. "I look forward to watching us evolve," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters. "We will learn from this. We leave disappointed, but I think there's lots you're going to point to and say it was a hell of a job, and we lost to a team that’s very tough."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Philadelphia, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (22-13): Philadelphia's starters scored 101 of the team's 114 points on Tuesday and getting more out of the bench is a priority. "The fact that the starting five for the large majority of the game was excellent," Brown told reporters. "I though the spirit was great, the energy was great, but we need to continue to grow our bench, and to work with our starters to finish out the game." Power forward Mike Muscala suffered through the roughest night for any of the reserves while going 1-of-9 from the floor (1-of-8 from beyond the arc).

ABOUT THE JAZZ (17-18): Utah held Portland to 39.3 percent shooting on Tuesday as center Rudy Gobert anchored the defensive effort with seven blocks. Gobert added 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 14 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double. "Rudy's able to play all over the court," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "That's what we need from him. He can still protect the rim and also be impactful out on the floor. We've got to be able to protect him, too. When we do that, it puts him in positions where he can impact the game - not just plugging holes but doing some of the things he did tonight."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz PG Dante Exum scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting Tuesday, snapping a string of five straight games scoring in single digits.

2. 76ers PG Ben Simmons recorded a double-double in each of the last three games, including one triple-double.

3. Philadelphia took the last three in the series, including a 113-107 home win on Nov. 16.

PREDICTION: Jazz 108, 76ers 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Trail Blazers at Warriors
Gracenote
Dec 26, 2018

The Golden State Warriors barely showed up to play on Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Lakers and finding a consistent level of effort is important for a team going after its third straight NBA championship. The Warriors will try to find their way back into the win column when they host the struggling Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

Golden State shot 40.9 percent from the floor and allowed the Lakers to go off at 55.3 percent in the 127-101 setback on Tuesday and were blown out despite Los Angeles star LeBron James leaving the game in the third quarter with a groin injury. "This loss obviously is a smack in the face, and we have to respond to it," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "That's kind of the name of the game in this league. We need to come in tomorrow, watch the tape, get some work in and get back at it." Portland suffered through its own embarrassing performance on national TV Tuesday while dropping a 117-96 decision at Utah - its second loss to the Jazz in a span of five days. "It's difficult on the road," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "We have to sustain, whether it's the mental intensity, effort, or just weathering the storm on the road. Obviously, I thought we played better (than on Friday when they lost by 30 to the Jazz). They made a very similar game four days ago. We had them kind of in striking distance and they went on a 9-0 run that widened the gap and then the game wasn't manageable anymore."

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

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (19-15): Portland, which will host Golden State in the back half of the home-and-home set on Saturday, won its last four against non-Jazz opponents but could not defend the 3-point line in Utah. "They didn't make a three in the first quarter, and then they shot 60-some percent from three in the second through fourth," Stotts told reporters. "Unfortunately, that was a big part of it. But I'll say offensively I think we shot under 40 percent almost every quarter. We had a hard time finishing at the rim. We had a hard time finishing in the paint, so it was a struggle on both ends." Shooting guard CJ McCollum went 4-of-14 from the floor in the loss and is 2-of-17 from 3-point range in the last four contests.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (23-12): One issue for Golden State is the continued shooting slump of guard Klay Thompson, who is 8-of-39 from 3-point range over the last seven games and is shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc on the season. "I think it will turn around. I know it will turn around," Kerr told reporters of Thompson. "This game is funny, life's funny. Things go on, things happen. And you just have to find your way out of the woods. Our job as a staff is to help our team do that when we're in a rut, and it's to help individual players as well. As I said, I have no doubt that Klay will find his way, but he's in a rut right now. I think that's obvious. But it'll get better." Thompson finished with five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 33 minutes on Tuesday - the first time this season he failed to score in double figures.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SF Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting Tuesday.

2. Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard scored 20 or more points in 10 of 12 games this month.

3. Golden State ripped Portland 125-97 at home on Nov. 23 as Thompson scored 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting.

PREDICTION: Warriors 121, Trail Blazers 118

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Long Sheet


DUKE (7 - 5) vs. TEMPLE (8 - 4) - 12/27/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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MIAMI (7 - 5) vs. WISCONSIN (7 - 5) - 12/27/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WISCONSIN is 1-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 1-0 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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VANDERBILT (6 - 6) vs. BAYLOR (6 - 6) - 12/27/2018, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Trend Report

Temple Owls
Temple is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Temple is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Temple's last 6 games
Duke Blue Devils
Duke is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Duke is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Duke is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Duke's last 23 game

Miami-FL Hurricanes
Miami-FL is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Miami-FL is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Miami-FL is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami-FL's last 5 games
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Wisconsin is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 5 games

Baylor Bears
Baylor is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Baylor is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 games
Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt's last 5 games