Tuesday 1-1-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:24 AM

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

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

OUTBACK BOWL STORYLINES

1. Two of the premier defenses in FBS will take center stage on New Year's Day in Tampa, Fla. when No. 18 Mississippi State and Iowa square off in the Outback Bowl. The Bulldogs are the only team in the country to rank inside the top 10 in scoring (FBS-best 12 points allowed per game), rushing (ninth; 104.3 yards), passing (sixth; 164.2) and total (third; 268.4) defense. Iowa, which finished the regular season in a tie for first in FBS with 18 interceptions, rivaled Mississippi State in three of the four defensive categories: 11th in scoring (17.4), seventh in rushing (102.8) and seventh in total yards (289.6).

2. Iowa served as the home of the two of the best tight ends in the country in 2018, but only one will take the field at Raymond James Stadium. First-team All-Big Ten selection Noah Fant elected to skip the bowl game to begin preparing for the 2019 NFL Draft following a three-year career in which he caught 19 touchdown passes - the most ever by a tight end in school history. Mackey Award winner T.J. Hockenson has yet to announce whether he will turn pro but will play in this contest after posting seven total TDs and team-high totals of 46 receptions and 717 receiving yards in 2018.

3. Senior defensive end Montez Sweat, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, became the first Mississippi State player to be named a first-team All-American since Benardrick McKinney in 2014.. The 6-6, 245-pound Georgia native ranks sixth in school history with 21.5 career sacks despite playing only two seasons with the Bulldogs. Sweat consistently made his presence felt in 2018, totaling 11 sacks (tied for sixth in FBS), 13.5 tackles for loss (seventh in the SEC) and 40 total pressures per Pro Football Focus.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: Mississippi State -7

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-4, 4-4 SEC): Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who has been responsible for 99 total touchdowns in his career, owns the SEC record for most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback (20) and is the only signal-caller in conference history to run for more than 3,000 yards. All-SEC junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons anchors the front of the Bulldogs' dominant defense, as his team-high 14.5 tackles for loss rank fourth in the conference, while his 45 tackles during league play led all SEC defensive lineman. Senior safety Johnathan Abram heads up the back end of the Bulldogs' defense, garnering All-SEC honors after recording a team-high 93 tackles - 7.5 for loss - 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

ABOUT IOWA (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten): Junior Nate Stanley is responsible for two of the top six passing touchdown totals in school history (26 in 2017 was second in program annals, while his 23 in 2018 ranks sixth), and his 49 TD passes in 2017-18 is tied with Chuck Long for the most over a two-year span. Defensive ends A.J. Epenesa and Anthony Nelson are in a three-way tie for first in the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks - the highest single-season totals by any Hawkeye since Adrian Clayborn had 11.5 in 2009. Sophomore Ihmir Smith-Marsette averages a Big Ten-best 29.3 yards on kickoff returns (second in FBS), while Kyle Groeneweg also leads the conference with a 10.2-yard average on punt returns (19th).

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 21, Iowa 10

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:25 AM

Louisiana State Tigers vs. Central Florida Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

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

PLAYSTATION FIESTA BOWL STORYLINES

1. Seventh-ranked Central Florida tries to complete its second straight perfect season when it takes on No. 11 LSU in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. The Knights ended last season 13-0 with a 34-27 victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl before winning its final two games this year without star quarterback McKenzie Milton, who suffered a serious knee injury early in the regular-season finale, and 22 UCF seniors are determined to leave with 26 straight wins. "We talk about every game like this could be the one game that could trip us up," senior defensive lineman Titus Davis told the Orlando Sentinel. "This being the last game, it's a big game for us and we know that going out with a bang would mean everything to us."

2. The starting quarterbacks will offer quite a contrast in experience and style as LSU junior Joe Burrow averages 208.3 yards passing and will go against dual-threat UCF freshman Darriel Mack Jr. Burrow, an Ohio State transfer, finished the season strong with six touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last three games while rushing for 100 in the wild finale against Texas A&M - a 74-72 loss in seven overtimes. Mack ran for 120 yards in his first career start against East Carolina on Oct. 20 and threw for 348 in the American Athletic Conference championship game against Memphis as the Knights (4-5 in bowl games overall) rallied from 17 points down for a 56-41 win.

3. The Knights are fifth in the nation in rushing offense at 276.5 yards per game and boast five healthy players with at least four touchdowns and 250 yards on the ground, led by sophomore Greg McCrae (1,101 yards, nine TDs). The Tigers, who will play in the 50th bowl game in their history, have limited opponents to 139.3 yards per contest on the ground and junior linebacker Devin White leads the way with 115 tackles - 12 for a loss. If UCF is forced to go to the air more often, LSU is tied for 12th in the nation with 16 interceptions - five by sophomore defensive back Grant Delpit - although star corner Greedy Williams (two interceptions, nine pass breakups) will sit out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: LSU -7.5

ABOUT LSU (9-3, 5-3 SEC): Burrow has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns, but is completing just 57.4 percent of his passes, while sophomore Justin Jefferson has been the top target for the Tigers with 50 catches, 788 yards (189 versus Georgia and Alabama combined) and four TDs. Senior running back Nick Brossette waited his turn behind Derrius Guice and Leonard Fournette for three years before getting his chance and took advantage with 922 yards along 14 scores to lead LSU's ground attack. Sophomore Clyde Edwards-Helaire added 626 yards rushing, including 145 against Georgia on Oct. 13, along with seven scores but was held to just three yards against Texas A&M.

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (12-0, 8-0 American): While the Knights gave up at least 30 points four times this season and 423.6 yards per game - 86th in the country - the defense has stepped up at key times, including the 38-13 win over Cincinnati. Sophomore defensive back Richie Grant leads the team in tackles (102) and interceptions (six) while Davis led the way in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (6.5) for a unit that is tied for eighth in the nation in turnovers gained with 26. Junior Adrian Killins Jr. is a threat on the ground (698 yards, four TDs) or through the air (385 yards, four TDs) and sophomore Gabriel Davis (50 catches, 756 yards, six TDs) leads a balanced receiving corps.

PREDICTION: Central Florida 38, LSU 34

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:25 AM

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

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

VRBO CITRUS BOWL STORYLINES

1. Penn State had visions of greater success this season while Kentucky has to be thrilled with where it is at as the teams prepare for a VRBO Citrus Bowl matchup New Year's Day in Orlando, Fla. The 12th-ranked Nittany Lions bounced back from a midseason swoon to win their final three games and hope to send star quarterback Trace McSorley off with a third straight season of 10 wins or more. In their sixth year under coach Mark Stoops and playing in their third consecutive bowl game, the 15th-ranked Wildcats have not won 10 games since 1977.

2. McSorley is Penn State's all-time leader in passing yards (9,653), passing touchdowns (75) and completions (703) and needs just 16 rushing yards to become the top quarterback in that category for the Nittany Lions (Michael Robinson had 1,637 between 2002-05). While he's in the conversation as the best player in program history, the same could be said for one of the men that will be watching his every move - Kentucky senior linebacker Josh Allen, who is fourth among FBS players with 14 sacks and tied for first with five forced fumbles. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year has been cleaning up the postseason awards and announced he would play in the Citrus Bowl after some speculation he may skip it to focus on the NFL.

3. Wildcats running back Benny Snell Jr., a junior, announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, but in the same announcement indicated he will play in the Citrus Bowl. The SEC's second-leading rusher with 1,305 yards, Snell has been held to just 49 yards on 13 carries through his first two bowl games. The Nittany Lions can match Kentucky on the ground behind McSorley and junior running back Miles Sanders, who was second in the Big Ten with 1,223 yards - 375 over the final three games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Penn State -6.5

ABOUT KENTUCKY (9-3, 5-3 SEC): The Wildcats rank 115th with an average of 164.8 passing yards per game, but sophomore starter Terry Wilson averaged 209.4 while throwing seven TDs over the final five games. "Early in the season, some of my decisions weren't quite there and weren't the best," Wilson recently told reporters. "Middle of the season I was a little hesitant, but I feel like these past four or five weeks I've been trusting myself and trusting where everybody's going to be at and trusting the o-line and trusting the play calling that's being called." Wilson accounted for four scores - one on the ground - in the 56-10 win over rival Louisville to end the regular season and has gained more than 50 rushing yards on five occasions.

ABOUT PENN STATE (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten): McSorley was not the most heralded recruit but he already has the most wins for a quarterback in school history with 31 and getting one more before moving on is all he can think about. "That'd be huge. Obviously, for our team, that's our goal," McSorley told reporters when asked about getting a 10th victory. "It's hard to win 10 games two years in a row, but it's harder to do it three years. I mean, if you look at teams that can do that, it's Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson - those programs that are always at the top. So, if we can do that, I think that it puts us in a really good spot for the future and it's something that is a testament to all the hard work that we put in this year." The Nittany Lions allowed a total of 20 points in the three-game winning streak to end the regular season and they are tied for third among FBS teams with 43 sacks, including six over the last six games by emerging sophomore defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos.

PREDICTION: Penn State 31, Kentucky 23

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:25 AM

Washington Huskies vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

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

ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL STORYLINES

1. Urban Meyer gets to stalk the sidelines at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day in his final game as coach for fifth-ranked Ohio State, which faces No. 9 Washington in the 105th edition of the game in Pasadena, Calif. Meyer announced he is stepping down as coach after the contest, primarily because of stress-related headaches stemming from a cyst on his brain. Offensive coordinator Ryan Day will be the replacement for Meyer, who has an 82-9 record and won the 2014 national title during seven seasons at the school.

2. The matchup between the Buckeyes and Huskies marks the first time the Big Ten champion (Ohio State) and Pac-12 champ (Washington) have met in the Rose Bowl since the College Football Playoff began in 2014. Both schools are making their 15th Rose Bowl appearances but have never previously met in Pasadena. "We ended up right where we hoped to be, facing an awesome team in a big-time game that has so much history with this school and this program," Washington coach Chris Petersen said during a press conference. "We couldn't be more excited about going down there. It couldn't be more awesome for our fans and where we recruit and those types of things."

3. Ohio State wins games with a flashy offense behind sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. while the Huskies are happy to lean on a strong defense led by senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Haskins, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting, set school records of 4,580 yards and 47 touchdown passes as the Buckeyes scored 40 or more points on eight occasions while averaging 43.5 points per game. Burr-Kirven has racked up 165 tackles and forced four fumbles for a defense that allowed 15 or fewer points seven times while allowing 15.5 points per game.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Ohio State -6.5

ABOUT WASHINGTON (10-3, 7-2 Pac 12): Senior quarterback Jake Browning is the school's all-time leader in career passing yardage (11,983) and touchdown passes (94) but he battled consistency issues while passing for 2,879 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions this season. Senior running back Myles Gaskin is the program's all-time leader with 5,202 rushing yards and his 1,147 yards this season marked his fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign. Burr-Kirven, an All-American, gets help on the defensive side from sophomore cornerback Byron Murphy (four interceptions) and junior safety Taylor Rupp (two interceptions, five sacks).

ABOUT OHIO STATE (12-1, 8-1 Big Ten): Haskins completed 70.2 percent of his passes in his first season as a starter and his top target, wideout Parris Campbell (79 catches, 11 touchdowns), is eight receiving yards away from a 1,000-yard campaign. Sophomore back J.K. Dobbins (1,029 yards, nine touchdowns) and junior Mike Weber (858 yards, five scores) split the ball-carrying duties with Weber already announcing he is leaving in favor of the NFL after the Rose Bowl. Sophomore defensive end Chase Young (9.5 sacks) and junior defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones (8.5 sacks) have enjoyed strong seasons but the leaky defense has allowed 200 points over the past six games, with one of the shaky outings being a 49-20 loss to Purdue that eventually caused Ohio State to be bypassed by the College Football Playoff committee.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 30, Washington 24

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:25 AM

Texas Longhorns vs. Georgia Bulldogs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

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

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL STORYLINES

1. Sixth-ranked Georgia faces No. 14 Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, and for the Bulldogs the challenge of facing the Longhorns is one of several hurdles they must overcome. Last season's national runner-up would have made the College Football Playoff if it had not blown a fourth-quarter lead in losing to No. 1 Alabama in the SEC championship, defensive coordinator Mel Tucker left to take the head job at Colorado, and reports have surfaced that highly touted freshman quarterback Justin Fields intends to transfer. "This is the hand we were dealt," sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm told reporters. "I know I'm going to go out and try to compete and play my best."

2. The Longhorns have enjoyed a renaissance in Tom Herman's second season as coach, achieving their highest win total since a nine-win campaign in 2012 and are back in a high-profile bowl game for the first time since losing the BCS championship in 2009. Texas shook off an upset loss to Maryland in the season opener, finishing 6-3 in games decided by one possession and defeating four ranked teams. "It's really big for our team and our seniors," senior defensive tackle Chris Nelson told the media. "To have a chance to leave a legacy on the program and get it back to the level that Texas needs to be at is special."

3. Both quarterbacks look to cap stellar seasons with a New Year's Day bowl victory. Sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who is recovering from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, passed for 25 touchdowns with five interceptions, rushed for 13 touchdowns and has already accumulated 5,038 passing yards in two seasons. Fromm completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 2,537 yards and 27 touchdowns with five interceptions, and his play down the stretch limited opportunities for Fields.

TV: 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia -12.5

ABOUT TEXAS (9-4, 7-2 Big 12): Ehlinger has two big-time targets in junior wide receivers Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson, who have combined for 144 receptions, 2.054 yards and 16 touchdowns - making the Longhorns one of only seven teams to have two receivers with 65-plus receptions. A healthy offensive line has helped Texas average 31.3 points per game, as lineman have missed only three combined games this season. Senior defensive end Charles Omenihu earned Big 12 defensive lineman of the year, leading the conference with 9½ sacks.

ABOUT GEORGIA (11-2, 7-1 SEC): The Bulldogs average 39.2 points and feature the nation's 12th-best rushing offense at 251.6 yards per game, fronted by sophomore D'Andre Swift (1,037 yards, 10 touchdowns) and junior Elijah Holyfield (956 yards, seven scores). Defensively, Georgia has allowed only 19.3 points per game, led by All-American defensive back Deandre Baker and his 40 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is one of the nation's most consistent kickers, hitting 19-of-23 field goals while recording 79 touchbacks on 93 kickoffs.

PREDICTION: Georgia 37, Texas 21

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:26 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NBA Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

The Toronto Raptors bounced back from their worst performance of the season in their last outing but are just 7-7 since a torrid 20-4 start. Toronto will look to notch its second straight victory when it hosts the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

The Raptors registered a 95-89 home victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday two nights after a horrific 116-87 loss to the Orlando Magic. The 29-point setback against Orlando was the second of the blowout variety in a three-game span that began with a 126-101 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 22. Utah is beginning a four-game road trip after walloping the New York Knicks 129-97 on Saturday. Center Rudy Gobert scored 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting and collected 16 rebounds while notching his 31st double-double of the season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (18-19): Point guard Ricky Rubio (leg, back) could sit out for the second straight game and that would give Dante Exum a chance to follow up his strong outing against New York. Exum recorded 13 points and a career-best 13 assists for his first career double-double and he committed just one turnover in 26 minutes while expertly running the offense. "Dante did an excellent job," Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Sometimes you get an opportunity to start and you want to play differently. I thought he played the same way he's been playing. He was just really efficient and was able to find other guys on the floor."

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (27-11): Standout point guard Kyle Lowry (back, quadriceps) missed seven of the past eight games and his absence worries coach Nick Nurse. "You're always concerned," Nurse told reporters. "You want an All-Star player back as soon as possible. Any of our guys, we want them back as soon as possible. ... I think we're positive and hopeful that it's going in the right direction, and we'll see him back soon." Fred VanVleet moved into the starting role and has scored in double digits in each of his last eight appearances but is just 3-of-12 shooting in each of the past two contests, including a stretch of 16 straight misses over the two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. SF Kawhi Leonard sat out with an ankle injury as the Raptors recorded a 124-111 home win over the Jazz on Nov. 5.

2. Utah SF Jae Crowder (thumb) hopes to return after a one-game absence.

3. Toronto PF Pascal Siakam had 20 points and 12 rebounds against the Bulls for his fifth double-double of the season.

PREDICTION: Raptors 106, Jazz 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:26 AM

Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NBA Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

The Milwaukee Bucks own the fewest losses in the NBA and are picking their way through a soft spot in the schedule with three straight wins over sub-.500 opponents. The Bucks will try to make it four in a row over teams with losing records when they host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Milwaukee swept a home-and-home from the New York Knicks before moving to 16-3 at home with a 129-115 victory over the Brooklyn Nets behind Giannis Antetokounmpo's third triple-double of the season. "I'm really, really happy about this team and this team's effort," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "But at the end of the day, we can't be satisfied. We're the No. 1 team in the East, but we've got to keep pushing. We're the No. 1 and 14 teams are chasing us. That's the hardest thing, to stay No. 1." The Pistons looked like a team that might be capable of challenging the Bucks in the Central Division before dropping 11 of their last 14 games, capped by a 109-107, buzzer-beating setback at the Orlando Magic on Sunday. "Everybody looks at the last play," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "It was way more possessions before that that we did some things that get you beat. ... Just do the simple things. But again, we have to learn."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (16-18): Detroit didn't end up with the win at Orlando but put in a much better effort than it did in the opener of the four-game trip at Indiana on Friday, when it was crushed 125-88. "I'm proud of our team -- the way they competed and fought," Casey told reporters after falling to the Magic. "Again, like I said, we take away some of the IQ situations we did down the stretch that hurt you, that get you beat. I love the effort. Even if we lost by whatever, five points, six points, I loved our approach, our disposition. I thought we played with some toughness, some grit." Star forward Blake Griffin was held to 15 points on Sunday - 10 below his season average - and is shooting 40.4 percent from the floor over the last four games.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (25-10): Antetokounmpo scored 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting and added 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the win over the Nets, which earned him M-V-P chants from the home crowd. "I try to block it out," Antetokounmpo told reporters of the chants. "I know it's loud; it's getting louder and louder. I try to block it out and focus on the game. But it was pretty loud. I want to thank the fans for supporting me and supporting our team." Antetokounmpo knocked down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc in the win as the Bucks set a franchise record with 14 3-pointers in the first half before finishing with 21.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons SG Luke Kennard is 12-of-19 from the floor over the last two games after going 3-of-20 in his previous four contests.

2. Bucks SF Khris Middleton averaged 27 points on 21-of-32 shooting over the last two games.

3. Milwaukee took the first two meetings this season, including a 115-92 home win on Dec. 5.

PREDICTION: Bucks 116, Pistons 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:26 AM

New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NBA Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

The Denver Nuggets head into 2019 atop the Western Conference while the New York Knicks are stumbling into the new year with a seven-game slide. The Knicks will try to start 2019 better than they finished 2018 when they visit the Nuggets on Tuesday.

New York lost by double figures in six of the last seven games and was crushed 129-97 at Utah on Saturday after trailing by as many as 46 points. "Force," Knicks coach David Fizdale explained to reporters. "They came out with force. We came out dead. We just had no legs, no life, nothing. Couldn't make shots. Couldn't get stops. It was just a total avalanche." The Nuggets built up a 20-point lead after the first quarter on Saturday before holding off the Suns for a 122-118 victory at Phoenix - their sixth win in the last eight games. Denver is 14-3 at home but is only making a brief stop before playing three of the next four on the road, starting at Sacramento on Thursday.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (9-28): New York is firmly in rebuilding mode and Fizdale recently made the decision to bring veteran center Enes Kanter off the bench, a move that is not sitting well with the big man. "I don't understand," Kanter told reporters. "This is too early in the season to shut me down. My goal is to go out there and try to be an All-Star this year. That was my goal. But now, look at the situation. You can't do anything about it. You've got to stay positive. Just got to stay positive." Kanter, who averages 14.3 points and 10.6 rebounds, went scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench while grabbing four rebounds at Utah.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (23-11): Denver point guard Jamal Murray led the way on Saturday with 46 points and eight assists while knocking down a career-best 9-of-11 from 3-point range. "Once he sees that ball going in, he starts shooting into a very big basket like he did tonight," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters of Murray after the victory. "Forty-six points, we needed every one of them. Terrific performance, but, once again, I can wait to watch film and learn and teach about all the things that we did wrong to not allow it to be a four-point game." Murray is 13-of-18 from beyond the arc in the last two games after slumping to 3-of-18 in the previous three contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets C Nikola Jokic handed out at least nine assists in each of the last three games and is averaging 7.4.

2. Knicks PF Luke Kornet, who is starting in place of Kanter, averaged 18.5 points in the last two contests while going 11-of-17 from 3-point range.

3. The teams split two meetings last season, with each protecting homecourt.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 123, Knicks 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:26 AM

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NBA Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

Portland shooting guard CJ McCollum is coming off his third-highest scoring output of the season and looks for another strong performance when the Trail Blazers visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. McCollum scored 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting as the Trail Blazers steamrolled the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 129-95 on Sunday.

McCollum, who has two 40-point efforts this season, was just 37-of-104 shooting over the previous six games before breaking out of his slump in a big way. "I've been getting some of the same looks I've been getting my entire life, and I wasn't making them," McCollum told reporters afterward. "But I understand how I approach the game, how much time I put in. I figured the tide would turn eventually." Sacramento missed a chance to win No. 20 when it was outscored 18-4 over the final 4 1/2 minutes of a 121-114 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. "This is one we should have closed out and we didn't," Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield said afterward. "We had our minds on going into 2019 with 20 wins but we have more work to do. We can't just be happy with where we are at right now."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (21-16): Center Jusuf Nurkic put together three straight strong efforts and is averaging 20.7 points on 25-of-43 shooting and 9.7 rebounds during the stretch. "He's been more effective in the paint, more effective finishing," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters of Nurkic. "He finished three baskets with his left hand (on Sunday). We've been working with him on that, our assistants have been working with him on that." Star point guard Damian Lillard scored just 15 points in the easy win over Philadelphia as the Trail Blazers shot 59 percent from the field - including 12-of-22 from 3-point range - and owned a 59-36 rebounding edge.

ABOUT THE KINGS (19-17): Point guard De'Aaron Fox continues to make his mark as a scorer and his 26-point outing against the Lakers marked his sixth effort of 25 or more points in the past 13 games. Fox is a big reason why the improving Kings are two games above .500 but he realizes it isn't too early to fret about letting games slip away in the tightly bunched Western Conference. "Trying to get into the playoffs in this conference, you really start thinking about the ones you let slip," Fox told reporters after Sunday's blown lead.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers won the past three meetings by an average of 15.7 points.

2. Lillard averaged 31.8 points and seven assists in last season's four meetings with the Kings.

3. Sacramento SG Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 21 points against the Lakers and topped 20 in three of the past four games.

PREDICTION: Kings 115, Trail Blazers 112

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:26 AM

Philadelphia 76ers vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NBA Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

Philadelphia star center Joel Embiid could sit out his second straight game when the 76ers visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Embiid sat out Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers and the 76ers were drilled 129-95 for their largest margin of defeat this season.

The status of Embiid will likely be firmed up Tuesday but his teammates badly missed him against Portland while digging a 70-41 halftime deficit. "We win together and we lose together, honestly," Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons told reporters afterward. "Defensively, we weren't up to it. I don't think we played hard enough. I know we had guys who were tired from travel, but that's not an excuse to not come in here and at least play hard defensively." The Clippers suffered a 122-111 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday after winning four of their previous five games. Forward Danilo Gallinari had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Spurs to narrowly miss his third double-double in four games.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia-Plus, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (23-14): Philadelphia could have used a productive game from swingman Jimmy Butler with Embiid sidelined but he was woeful while scoring five points on 2-of-12 shooting. "The entire game we played with low energy, myself included," Butler told reporters. "The good part about it is that it's only one game and we can fix it." The 76ers shot just 35.4 percent from the field - including 8-of-43 from 3-point range - and were outrebounded 59-36 by Portland.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (21-15): Los Angeles wasn't ready to play when the second half started against the Spurs and was outscored 39-19 in the third quarter. "I wish I knew, I wish I had the answer, I wish I had the secret," Gallinari told reporters. "I guess sometimes it happens. It cannot happen often, and hopefully it is not going to happen again." Reserve power forward Montrezl Harrell had 21 points against San Antonio and scored 20 or more points in four of the past eight games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The 76ers won the past three meetings, including a 122-113 victory on Nov. 1 when Embiid scored 41 points.

2. Los Angeles G Lou Williams scored 16 points on 4-of-14 shooting against San Antonio after recording a season-best 36 points against the Los Angeles Lakers one night earlier.

3. Philadelphia SG JJ Redick is averaging 15 points on 13-of-34 shooting in three games against the Clippers since departing as a free agent in the summer of 2017.

PREDICTION: 76ers 100, Clippers 97

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:27 AM

CAPPERS ACCESS
(CFB)
Iowa
Kentucky
Washington
Georgia

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:27 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NHL Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

The surging Chicago Blackhawks try to change their fortunes in the Winter Classic when they take on the Boston Bruins in a battle of Original Six franchises at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., on Tuesday afternoon. The Blackhawks are 0-3-0 in the Winter Classic, but come into the 11th New Year's Day event with five wins in their last six contests overall after beating Colorado 3-2 in overtime Saturday.

"We've done a good job of focusing on what was right in front of us, and now that game is here," Chicago interim coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters. "But it's nice to go in there with some positive energy." The Blackhawks lost to St. Louis 4-1 in the 2017 Winter Classic, one year after Boston was beaten by Montreal in the eighth Jan. 1 outdoor event, but the Bruins won in their only other try 2-1 in overtime at Fenway Park in 2010 against Philadelphia. Boston, which has been hampered by injuries all season long, comes to the land of Touchdown Jesus after rallying to beat Buffalo 3-2 in overtime on Saturday for its fourth victory in six contests. "It's rare when you get to play in games like (this)," Bruins defenseman Torey Krug told the Boston Herald. "This is a special venue and a special occasion for sure. You just want to soak it all in and hopefully be on the winning side of things."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, NBC, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE BRUINS (21-14-4): Second-leading scorer Brad Marchand (12 goals, 41 points) is hoping to be able to play Tuesday after missing Saturday's contest with an upper-body injury. Right wing David Pastrnak leads the team with 23 goals and 48 points and veteran center Patrice Bergeron has 31 points in 23 games this season after scoring three times and setting up two others in four contests since returning from an upper-body injury. Boston won't have veteran power forward David Backes (three goals, 10 points), who is serving the second contest of a three-game suspension for an illegal check.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (15-20-6): Former Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane has been on a roll with five goals in his last two outings and seven to go along with six assists during a current seven-game point streak. Kane tops the team with 50 points while captain Jonathan Toews has four assists in three games to push his total to 35 and fellow forward Alex DeBrincat is close behind (33) after posting four goals and three assists during a five-game point streak. Rookie Collin Delia is 3-0-0 with a .957 save percentage since being recalled, but veteran Cam Ward (6-6-4, .886 SP) is expected to start in net.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago acquired F Drake Caggiula and veteran D Jason Garrison from Edmonton in exchange for blue liners Brandon Manning and Robin Norell on Sunday.

2. Boston D Charlie McAvoy, who has 11 points in 17 games this season, is not expected to play due to a lower-body injury.

3. The Bruins are 7-of-21 on the power play over the last six games while the Blackhawks converted 5-of-11 with the man advantage in the past three.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:28 AM

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NHL Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
Flyers vs. Predators Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

One day after ending their slide in impressive fashion, the Nashville Predators attempt to begin a winning streak when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Nashville was en route to a seventh straight setback Monday in Washington but scored five unanswered goals to post a 6-3 victory.

Miikka Salomaki began the comeback midway through the second period with his first tally in 27 games while Ryan Johansen highlighted it with a goal and two assists as the Predators recorded their first overall triumph since edging New Jersey in a shootout on Dec. 15. The win also was Nashville's first on the road since it posted a 5-4 overtime win on Nov. 10 in Dallas, ending its 10-game skid away from home (0-8-2). Philadelphia is coming off its third consecutive defeat, a 3-1 loss at Carolina on Monday that dropped it to 1-2-1 on its five-game road trip. Jakub Voracek scored the lone goal in his 215th straight contest with the Flyers, who are 3-3-1 under interim coach Scott Gordon.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE FLYERS (15-18-5): Voracek has recorded at least one point in 12 of his last 15 games, registering five goals and eight assists in that span. The 29-year-old Czech's tally on Monday was his 10th of the season, marking the 10th straight campaign he has reached double digits. Captain Claude Giroux, who tops the club with 44 points, has been kept off the scoresheet in back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 13 and 15.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (23-15-2): Johansen leads the team with 34 points after collecting two goals and six assists over his last seven games. Rocco Grimaldi, who totaled a tally and an assist in his first 20 contests this season, matched that output in Monday's victory. It was the third career two-point performance by the 25-year-old forward and first since Oct. 28, 2017, when he scored a goal and set up another against Chicago while with Colorado.

OVERTIME

1. Predators C Kyle Turris has missed two straight games with a lower-body injury.

2. Philadelphia C Scott Laughton helped set up Voracek's goal on Monday, giving him a season-high three-game point streak (three assists).

3. Nashville RW Nicholas Baptiste was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League before Monday's game but was a healthy scratch.

PREDICTION: Predators 5, Flyers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2019, 09:28 AM

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-01-01

NHL Predictions 31st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/31/2018

The Vegas Golden Knights enjoyed a strong December, earning points in 12 of their 15 games (9-3-3). Vegas hopes to carry over that success as it begins the new month on Tuesday against the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

The Golden Knights faced the Kings three times last month, suffering a regulation loss in Los Angeles and dropping an overtime decision at home before skating to a 4-1 road victory on Saturday. They recorded their third straight triumph the following night at Arizona as Paul Stastny and Brandon Pirri each notched a goal and an assist to help extend the team's point streak to six games (4-0-2). Los Angeles squandered a two-goal lead in the third period on Monday but pulled out its fifth win in six games, a 3-2 victory at Colorado in which Dustin Brown tallied 54 seconds into overtime. The former captain, who also notched an assist, leads the Kings with 11 goals - two of which have been overtime winners.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Vegas)

ABOUT THE KINGS (16-21-3): Captain Anze Kopitar has collected a goal and four assists during his four-game point streak after setting up a pair of tallies against the Avalanche. The 31-year-old Slovenian is closing in on a milestone as he is one goal shy of 300 for his career. Rookie defenseman Sean Walker has recorded a point in back-to-back contests after netting his first NHL tally on Monday.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (23-15-4): Stastny, who missed 29 games with a lower-body injury earlier this season, has recorded a goal and an assist in each of his last three contests. Jonathan Marchessault notched an assist on Sunday, putting him three away from 100 for his career. The 28-year-old has registered 30 points this campaign, tying him with William Karlsson and Alex Tuch for the team lead.

OVERTIME

1. Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury leads the league in both victories (22) and shutouts (five).

2. Los Angeles D Drew Doughty scored just his third goal of the season on Monday, ending his 17-game drought.

3. Vegas is the first team to earn 50 points before Jan. 1 in each of its first two seasons.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Kings 2

Tuesday 1-1-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 1-1-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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