Friday 1-4-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:30 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Utah Jazz are kicking off 2019 with a four-game road trip and did not get off to the best start with a 122-116 loss at Toronto on New Year's Day. The Jazz will try to improve to 1-1 in the new year when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Utah finishes up the trip with a stretch of three games in four nights at Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee and nearly picked off the Raptors behind a career-high 30 points from forward Jae Crowder. "We were right there, but we needed to get stops," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "We had a couple guys with good shooting nights - obviously Jae had a big night for us - but we've gotta play defense over the course of the whole game to win." The Cavaliers are sliding with losses in seven straight and were crushed 117-92 by the Miami Heat on Wednesday to open a four-game homestand. Cleveland, which represented the Eastern Conference in the last four NBA Finals while being led by LeBron James, owns the worst record in the NBA while being outscored by an average of 9.4 points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (18-20): Crowder averaged 11.1 points on 43.9 percent shooting in December but opened January by knocking down 9-of-15 en route to the career high. Crowder, who also went 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, is known for his work on the defensive end and was unhappy about the way he and his teammates performed in the loss. "Effort wasn't there, and it was bad," Crowder told reporters. "Especially in the third quarter - those guys got some momentum, banged home three 3s on us, got some confidence. From there it was an uphill battle."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (8-30): Coach Larry Drew lamented his team's lack of physicality after Wednesday's loss, in which Cleveland was outrebounded 57-32 despite center Tristan Thompson returning from a 10-game absence. "We have to be grimy," Drew told reporters. "As far as our style of play, we can't play cute, we can't play pretty. We have to do all the little things that add up to be big things. Then hopefully offensively we are making some shots. But there has to be a total commitment on the defensive end and total commitment as far as really getting out there scrapping. That is the only way we win. It's got to be a real bulldog mentality." Thompson (foot) grabbed two rebounds in 23 minutes in the setback.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz SF Joe Ingles is 1-of-11 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Cavaliers SG Rodney Hood (Achilles) returned from a four-game absence on Wednesday and scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

3. The home team took each of the last eight meetings.

PREDICTION: Jazz 113, Cavaliers 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:30 AM

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Boston Celtics have been riding quite the roller coaster as they navigate injuries and the pressure of high expectations. Perhaps no better example of this up-and-down campaign has been the recent play of forward Gordon Hayward, who will attempt to follow up his best game of the season with another gem when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

After being held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting in a New Year's Eve loss at San Antonio, Hayward erupted for a season-high 35 points while making 14-of-18 shots in Wednesday's 115-102 win over Minnesota at home. "He's going to make a lot of shots, because he's got a lot due," coach Brad Stevens told reporters of Hayward. "He was disappointed in how he shot the ball, obviously, in San Antonio, and got back in the gym this morning. You could tell he was going to play pretty well." Hayward's big effort helped Boston overcome the absence of point guard Kyrie Irving (eye) and the in-game departure of forward Marcus Morris (neck). The Mavericks will be trying to build off just their third road win in 19 tries - a 122-84 runaway victory at Charlotte on Wednesday - as they play the third of four straight games away from home.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (18-19): Dallas has won three of five since a six-game slide as franchise legend Dirk Nowitki begins to contribute a bit more after missing the first two months of the season following ankle surgery. The 40-year-old, who is closing in on Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) for sixth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, has 30 points in 40 minutes over his last four games while making 6-of-13 3-pointers and committing one turnover. He was one of nine Mavericks to score at least six points in Wednesday's win, a group led by Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic with 18 apiece.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (22-15): Hayward admitted that his ghastly ankle injury suffered in last season's opener is still an issue, but that he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. "Yeah, man, I think it's slowly getting there," Hayward told the media Wednesday. "Like I think my lateral movement, it's so much better since the beginning of the season. But I think that's pretty close to where it was. I think vertically I still have a little ways to go. My ankle is a little sore right now. But I think in April and May it'll be better than it is right now." Another struggling reserve, Terry Rozier, was given a chance to step up in the wake of Irving's injury and he finished with 16 points, five assists and a career high-tying five steals against Minnesota.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. PG J.J. Barea had 20 points and eight assists off the bench to lead the Mavericks to a 113-104 win over the Celtics at home earlier this season.

2. Doncic averages 19.5 points and has scored at least 17 in 10 straight contests.

3. Boston PG Marcus Smart has at least one steal in 22 straight games.

PREDICTION: Celtics 114, Mavericks 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Washington Wizards don't seem to need John Wall to find the win column with the way Bradley Beal and Tomas Satoransky are steeping up to fill the hole left by the All-Star point guard. The Wizards will try to make it three straight wins without Wall when they begin a three-game road trip by visiting the Miami Heat on Friday.

Washington dropped a 101-92 decision against Chicago last Friday after it was announced that Wall would need season-ending surgery on his heel but bounced back to knock off Charlotte and Atlanta with several players picking up their respective levels of performance. "I feel like I have more of a responsibility," Beal told reporters after scoring a team-high 24 points in Wednesday's 114-98 win over Atlanta. "I definitely have an opportunity to be able to show that I can carry the team. Or at least sustain where we are and if not do better, get us to the playoffs. That's definitely my biggest and main goal because everybody roots us out. With John being out, that's just even more motivation for me: 'Okay, can I lead this team to the playoffs?'" The Heat are operating without an All-Star point guard as well with Goran Dragic (knee) out until mid-February but come in hot with wins in seven of the last nine games as small forward Justise Winslow acts as the point guard for an offense with several weapons. "It's not a criticism for our team to say one of our biggest strengths was our depth and versatility," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "We should be a team with seven or eight guys in double figures. ... It takes a mature, emotionally stable team to be able to understand that."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (15-23): Satoransky showed off all of his talents in Wednesday's win while collecting 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, a career-high 11 rebounds, seven assists and a pair of steals. "(Satoransky is) about winning. He's a winner," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "He'll be the first to tell you that he only focuses on helping the team win. He'd love to have three more assists tonight -- he probably won't tell you that -- to get the triple-double. He just plays hard. You just love the way he plays, he gives you great effort. He just makes the right reads. He has a pure heart, and just he wants to do the right thing. He's a great teammate who plays hard every night." Satoransky is averaging 17 points and 6.5 assists while totaling two turnovers in the last two games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (18-18): Miami shooting guard Dion Waiters missed more than a year following ankle surgery but made his return on Wednesday and contributed seven points in 11 minutes off the bench. The 27-year-old averaged 14.3 points in 30 games before going down last season and adds another scoring threat to a team that entered play on Thursday 26th in the league in scoring average (106.9 points). "I've been working my (butt) off," Waiters told reporters. "Coming into it, I was ready. If you think negative thoughts, you get a negative outcome. My whole intention was stay positive, make the shot, take the shot. At the end of the day, you have to bet on yourself. I went in with a great sense of urgency to play the game, have fun. I was mentally just ready. Being able to step between the lines with my brothers, that was the best thing about it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards F Markieff Morris (neck) is expected to miss at least six weeks of action.

2. Heat SG Josh Richardson knocked down at least two 3-pointers in each of his last 12 games.

3. The road team took each of the first two meetings, with Washington grabbing a 116-110 victory at Miami on Nov. 10.

PREDICTION: Heat 109, Wizards 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

Losing seems to be getting to the Memphis Grizzlies, who held a closed-door team meeting after their latest setback that reportedly included some scuffling between teammates. The Grizzlies will try to get on the same page and get back in the win column when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Wednesday's 101-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons marked the team's 10th in 13 games and dropped Memphis one game below .500, and the postgame scuffle reportedly between Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi was serious enough that general manager Chris Wallace felt the need to issue fans an apology on Thursday, though the team downplayed the meeting afterwards. "We were openly sharing our thoughts and trying to fix the situation in getting back to being a really good basketball team together and doing the things we need to do in order to win games consistently," center Marc Gasol told reporters. The Nets are familiar with lengthy dry spells but recently turned a corner with wins in 10 of their last 13 after outlasting the New Orleans Pelicans 126-121 at home on Wednesday. "We still struggled a little," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "Our execution at the end was so-so. But I'm not sure two months ago that we win that game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE NETS (18-21): Brooklyn lost a close game while struggling down the stretch at New Orleans on Oct. 26 but showed off the team's growth by holding off a late surge on Wednesday. "I don't think anybody was thinking back directly to that game and the unfortunate ending," swingman Joe Harris told reporters. "I felt more confidence that we were going to win. There wasn't any doubt. That's the hump we've overcome from that point until now. We never really wavered." Harris finished with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, as one of seven scorers in double figures for the Nets.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-19): Memphis started out strong and was 12-5 after a win on Nov. 21 but has since gone 6-14 with an offense that is 29th in the NBA in scoring average (101.5 points), one reason for a reported trade for Chicago Bulls forward Justin Holiday on Thursday. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not emerge for more than 30 minutes after the latest setback and team meeting, and veterans Gasol and Mike Conley were the only players still around when reporters were finally let into the locker room. "Once you lose more than win, frustration builds up and you carry on those feelings into all the possession," Gasol told reporters. "It's more of looking into a mirror and trying to see what you can do better to solve the situation and why it's wrong. OK, what can I do to fix our defense? Or, what can I do to fix out offense? What can I do to help my teammates out and encourage them and help them accomplish their job?"

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Grizzlies reportedly sent G MarShon Brooks and G Wayne Selden to Chicago for Holiday.

2. Nets PG D'Angelo Russell matched a season high by handing out 13 assists on Wednesday.

3. Memphis earned a 131-125 overtime victory at Brooklyn on Nov. 30 behind 37 points and 10 assists from Conley.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 103, Nets 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Indiana Pacers are moving up the standings by taking advantage of a weaker stretch in the schedule and are hoping to extend the winning streak to six straight when they visit the rebuilding Chicago Bulls on Friday. Each of the Pacers' last five wins have come against sub-.500 opponents, and the Bulls fit that bill as well.

Indiana, which is opening a five-game road trip at Chicago and will see the schedule tighten up a bit with visits to Toronto and Boston during the trip, finished off a two-game homestand and ended 2018 by knocking off the Atlanta Hawks 116-108 on Monday. "We're just continuing to learn each other and continuing to grow," guard Victor Oladipo told reporters. "Everybody's getting better and the great part is we can improve. We can still get better." Chicago seemed to be turning the corner from bottom-dwellers to competitors with wins in three of five but took a step back with Wednesday's 112-84 home loss to the Orlando Magic. "Effort too," Bulls guard Zach LaVine told reporters in reference to the team's issues. "I think we lacked all of it. It was an overall terrible game. I can't imagine what it looked like on TV. It felt even worse in the game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE PACERS (25-12): Indiana averaged 32.3 assists over its last three games and credits sharing the ball for finding the win column. "With ball movement, it's a simple game," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "When guys are open, you get them the ball and you don't care about who shoots or who scores. You just play the game together and if you play the game that way and do a good job of taking care of the ball, guys are going to get opportunities and you are going to be able to score points." Six players scored in double figures and three (Oladipo, center Myles Turner and reserve power forward Domantas Sabonis) scored at least 20 points in Monday's triumph.

ABOUT THE BULLS (10-28): Chicago allowed the Magic to shoot 57.9 percent from the floor and was never in the game after getting outscored 32-16 in the first quarter. "We're not doing our jobs," LaVine told reporters. "We're top of the line professional athletes. That's what we get paid to do. We were giving them easy looks, we weren't physical enough, they dictated the game and we fell back. We have to do a lot of things better. We are not making passes to the open man, not hustling, not helping each other on defense. So, that's a problem." LaVine, who averages a team-high 23.3 points, was held to an average of 14.5 in the last two games - both losses.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Bulls traded SF Justin Holiday to Memphis on Thursday for G Marshon Brooks, G Wayne Selden and two draft picks, according to ESPN.

2. Turner suffered a broken nose in Monday's win but is being fitted for a mask and could play Friday.

3. Indiana took the first two meetings by a total of eight points, including a 107-105 victory at Chicago on Nov. 2.

PREDICTION: Pacers 112, Bulls 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Orlando Magic split the first two contests of a lengthy road excursion as they enter Friday's tilt against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Orlando won three of its past four overall games while the Timberwolves dropped three of their past four contests.

The Magic opened the trip with a 125-100 loss to the Charlotte Hornets before recovering to rout the Chicago Bulls 112-84 on Wednesday and look for more efforts like the latter with games against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz also looming. "The next four games are going to be hard," shooting guard Evan Fournier told reporters. "With all of the travelling and games, it's going to be tough, but (Wednesday) was a really good game for us and it gives us confidence for the rest of the trip. We just have to keep playing this way." The Timberwolves dropped a 115-102 road decision against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and are allowing an average of 116.3 points over the past four games. Small forward Andrew Wiggins scored a season-high 31 points against Boston for his second 30-point effort of the season.

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

ABOUT THE MAGIC (17-20): Center Nikola Vucevic recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots against the Bulls for his 25th double-double of the season and he was impressed with his team's strong first quarter (32-16 lead) against the Bulls. "That was a really great win for us, and we started out the game really well on both ends of the floor," Vucevic told reporters after topping 20 points for the fourth time in five games. "I think when we start a game like we did defensively, it gives us a lot of energy. And we were able sustain it for 48 minutes." Point guard D.J. Augustin (ankle) had 10 points and six assists in 25 minutes after missing Monday's loss to Charlotte.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-21): Minnesota couldn't compete with Boston with point guards Derrick Rose (right ankle) and Jeff Teague (left ankle) and forward Robert Covington (right ankle and knee) all sidelined but the on-court communication was choppy as well without Covington, who has been ruled out of Friday's game. "That's on us. Just on the players," Wiggins told reporters. "The coaches can coach, but the players who are on the floor, we see what's happening so we have to make the decisions to call what we're doing." Center Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 28 points and 12 rebounds and he has five straight 20-point efforts and five straight double-doubles.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Timberwolves won three of the past four meetings after dropping the previous five.

2. Orlando SF Jonathon Simmons (ankle) is questionable after missing the previous two games.

3. Minnesota PG Tyus Jones is averaging 12.4 points, 7.6 assists and 2.8 steals over the past five contests.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 106, Magic 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Milwaukee Bucks will try to avoid looking too far ahead when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in head coach Mike Budenholzer's first game against his former team. The Bucks, who entered Thursday in a virtual tie atop the Eastern Conference with Toronto, host the Raptors on Saturday in the third of four meetings between the two front-runners.

Behind first-year coach Budenholzer, Milwaukee has won four in a row overall, is 3-0 on its six-game homestand and carries a league-best 17-3 home record into the matchup with the Hawks after a 121-98 dismantling of the Detroit Pistons on New Year's Day, the latest in a series of strong defensive efforts. "I'm so proud of the way our team's been handling business defensively over the last month or so," center Brook Lopez told reporters. "It's something we talked about probably 10, 12 games back and we've really responded well." The Hawks followed up a recent 5-1 surge with back-to-back losses to begin their three-game road trip. They received only 52 points from their starters in a 114-98 setback at Washington on Wednesday, falling to 5-16 on the road.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (11-26): Backup center Alex Len scored a season-high 24 points at Washington and he's averaging 18.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25.3 minutes over his last three games after missing two contests due to a back strain. "We've had opportunities for a couple of guys to increase their role," coach Lloyd Pierce told reporters of Len. "[Dewayne Dedmon's] been out the last two games and so Alex has been able to gain his rhythm back a little bit and you're seeing it out there tonight as well." Forward John Collins remains the steadying force for Atlanta and he has produced at least 20 points in 10 of 13 games since the start of December.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (26-10): Milwaukee has won by an average of 16.8 points during its four-game run and it received contributions from all over in the rout of the Pistons. All five starters scored at least 13 points in the win and the quintet combined to shoot 59.3 percent from the field, led by Lopez with 25 points. The veteran big man continues to fire away from the perimeter and is 14-for-27 from beyond the arc over the last two games, compared to just 1-for-3 on two-point attempts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Budenholzer led Atlanta to a 213-197 record and four playoff appearances between 2013-18 before he was fired last April.

2. Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 27 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three games against the Hawks last season.

3. Atlanta PG Trae Young averages 7.4 assists but has at least nine of them in seven of his last 11 games.

PREDICTION: Bucks 115, Hawks 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:31 AM

LA Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Los Angeles Clippers attempt to stretch their winning streak against Phoenix to 11 games when they visit the struggling Suns on Friday. Los Angeles kept its dominance going with two wins against the Suns earlier this season, including a 123-119 overtime win in Phoenix on Dec. 10.

The Suns are experiencing a tough 0-4 start to a seven-game homestand as they have allowed an average of 126 points in losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers. "As a team, we all just have to come out strong, just come out aggressive throwing the first punch," rookie center Deandre Ayton told reporters after Phoenix trailed by 23 points at halftime during Wednesday's 132-127 loss to the 76ers. "There's a really small margin of error to play against great teams like this so it's pretty hard to mess up and have silly mistakes against teams, and they'll make you pay." Los Angeles also lost to Philadelphia in its last game - 119-113 on Tuesday - and is just 5-9 after a 16-7 start. Reserve guard Lou Williams scored 22 points and topped 20 in five of the past seven games.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (21-16): Los Angeles allowed a stunning 76 first-half points in the loss to the 76ers before a late-game sprint made the final score look respectable. "We're not a team that can ease into a game," point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "We have to be dogs, we have to be gritty, that's our M.O., and we have to build off that. As of lately, we've been trying to ease into games, and we can't do that." Forward Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points in each of the past two games and tallied over 20 in seven of the past nine contests.

ABOUT THE SUNS (9-30): Star shooting guard Devin Booker had 37 points and eight assists against Philadelphia for his 10th straight 20-point outing and he is averaging 29.3 points during the span. The four consecutive home losses follow a stretch in which Phoenix won five of seven games and coach Igor Kokoskov is bemoaning that the slate hasn't allowed for much practice time. "When you have good foundation, a veteran team, you just polish what you have," Kokoskov told reporters. "Polish the foundation. We've had a couple of new guys, guys in and out. When your foundation is not as solid because we're not a vet team that can just polish, work on little details and move on. We have to drill some stuff. We can't talk basketball. We have to play basketball."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers have prevailed by an average of 14.3 points during their winning streak against the Suns.

2. Los Angeles SF Tobias Harris scored 21 points against the 76ers after averaging just 14 over a three-game span.

3. Phoenix SF TJ Warren scored just seven points against Philadelphia after exceeding 20 points in nine of the previous 11 games.

PREDICTION: Clippers 107, Suns 95

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:32 AM

New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
Knicks vs. Lakers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

LeBron James will sit out his fifth consecutive game when the Los Angeles Lakers host the slumping New York Knicks on Friday. James strained his left groin in a Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles has gone 1-3 without him.

The Lakers are hopeful that James' absence won't last more than another week and he was certainly missed in Wednesday's 107-100 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. "All four games we've had since LeBron's been out we've had leads," guard Josh Hart told reporters. "We've been playing well. Really they've all been one- or two-possession games we could've - and a couple we should've - won." New York is plunging downward with eight straight setbacks and 13 in its last 14 games after dropping a 115-108 road decision against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. "I'm very sad seeing my teammates out there losing," recently demoted backup center Enes Kanter told reporters after contributing 17 points and 12 rebounds. "I hate losing, man. I'm not going to accept losing. Every time I'm out there I'm trying my best to get a win."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (9-29): Forward Kevin Knox was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and his best outing of the month was when he matched his season high of 26 points and collected a season-best 15 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 9. The performance made the 19-year-old just the second teenager in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game, the other being James, who Knox was looking forward to playing against prior to James' injury. "He's got a lot of years left," Knox, who is averaging 12.2 points, told reporters after a practice at UCLA on Thursday. "I'll probably see him down the road sometime, so it's not the only time I'll get to play him."

ABOUT THE LAKERS (21-17): Los Angeles forward Kyle Kuzma was diagnosed with a lower back contusion after undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday after leaving the previous night's game against the Thunder. Kuzma was listed as questionable by the team and it may come down to how he feels at the mid-day shootaround - or even pregame warm-ups - before a decision is made on his playing availability. Kuzma, who averages 18.3 points per game, had just four points in 16 minutes before departing after scoring at least 20 points in 11 of the previous 15 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split last season's two meetings.

2. New York PF Luke Kornet scored 19 points against Denver and is averaging 18.7 points over the last three games.

3. Los Angeles SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 25 points against the Thunder, one shy of his season high notched against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 30.

PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Knicks 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 05:32 AM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NBA Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Oklahoma City Thunder aim to halt an eight-game losing streak in Portland when they visit the Trail Blazers on Friday. The Thunder haven't prevailed in Portland since Feb. 11, 2014, and have also lost the last six overall meetings.

Oklahoma City arrives in the Pacific Northwest with three wins in its last four games after star forward Paul George scored 37 points in Wednesday's 107-100 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. George topped 20 points in each of his past 12 games and is averaging 32.1 points during the stretch. Portland hasn't played since posting a 113-108 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday in a contest it led by 14 at halftime before blowing the advantage and later dominating the overtime. "The effort it took to come back and win in overtime, I was really impressed with our guys," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "To make a comeback like that you have to be good at both ends, and we were."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Oklahoma, NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (24-13): Star point guard Russell Westbrook was a horrific 3-of-20 shooting against the Lakers but it didn't prevent him recording his 115th career triple-double with 14 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. "He does so much more stuff than score the ball," George told reporters of Westbrook. "It's the reason why we're winning when he's not shooting well. It's because he does so much that sometimes doesn't even show up on the stat sheet. He just makes winning plays." Westbrook shot 30 percent or worse in four of the past seven games with the showing against the Lakers being one of three during the stretch in which he made fewer than 20 percent of his attempts.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (22-16): Center Jusuf Nurkic collected a career-best 23 rebounds in the victory over Sacramento and also had 24 points, seven assists, five blocked shots and five steals. "Without my team, I couldn't do that," Nurkic told reporters. "They help me out, I help them. I'm just glad we win." Nurkic is enjoying a solid four-game run in which he is averaging 21.5 points, 13 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals while shooting 56.6 percent from the field.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers won last season's four meetings by an average of 6.5 points.

2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams recorded three double-doubles over the past four games.

3. Portland PG Damian Lillard scored 25 points against Sacramento for his eighth 20-point performance in the past 10 games.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 117, Thunder 114

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 11:34 AM

Winnipeg Jets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NHL Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
Jets vs. Penguins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

Captain Sidney Crosby was selected to participate in his eighth NHL All-Star Game later this month, and his sizzling play is one of the primary reasons why the Pittsburgh Penguins are riding a season-high seven-game win streak. Crosby has recorded five straight multi-point performances (three goals, nine assists) for the fourth time in his career as the Penguins head into Friday's home game against the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby scored and set up a goal for the second consecutive contest in Wednesday's 7-2 romp over the New York Rangers, improving Pittsburgh to 12-2-1 in its last 15 games. The two-time Hart Trophy winner scored a goal in the Penguins' 4-3 victory at Winnipeg on Nov. 27, boosting his career total to 53 points (17 goals, 36 assists) in 35 career encounters versus the club. Mark Scheifele tallied twice against Pittsburgh and collected 17 points during a recent eight-game stretch before being named to his first NHL All-Star Game. "We have to focus on the task at hand. Once the start of that bye week happens then maybe I'll ask a few more questions. But now it's focusing on getting wins with the Jets," said the 25-year-old Scheifele, who resides second on the team in goals (22), assists (27) and points (49).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus, TVAS, TSN3 (Winnipeg), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE JETS (25-12-2): Captain Blake Wheeler, who scored in Monday's 4-3 triumph at Edmonton, is pleased to join Scheifele and head to his second straight All-Star Game after posting team highs in assists (44) and points (50). "Scheif and I are getting the recognition for being on a really good team," the 32-year-old Wheeler said. "We get a lot of ice time. We're put in positions to succeed because we have guys that do the right things every day." Patrik Laine, who is Winnipeg's representative in the NHL's "Last Men In" competition, has just one of his team-leading 24 goals in the last seven games.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (22-12-6): Defenseman Kris Letang put his best foot forward after being selected as Pittsburgh's "Last Men In" representative for the NHL All-Star Game -- the 31-year-old Quebec native scored and set up a goal versus the Rangers to boost his season-high point streak to five games (two goals, six assists). Letang has scored nine of his 105 career tallies this season to move within three of matching Paul Coffey's franchise record for goals by a defenseman. Zach Aston-Reese, who is riding a career-long three-game point streak (two goals, one assist), snapped a tie with 5:12 remaining in the third period for the eventual game-winning goal in the previous meeting with Winnipeg.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg LW Brandon Lemieux, the son of former NHLer Claude Lemieux, tallied twice on Monday to double his career goal total.

2. Pittsburgh is 9-for-19 on the power play and 16 of 17 on the penalty kill during its seven-game win streak.

3. Jets G Connor Hellebuyck sports a 4-3-0 mark in his last seven starts despite yielding 22 goals.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Penguins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 11:34 AM

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Carolina Hurricanes Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NHL Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to pile up points in their battle for first place in the Metropolitan Division and look to record their seventh victory in eight games when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The Blue Jackets are 7-1-1 in their last nine contests after matching a franchise record with five goals in the third period of a 6-3 win over Ottawa on Monday and trail first-place Washington by only two points.

"We didn't play perfect, Neither did they," Columbus defenseman Seth Jones told reporters after Monday's win. "It got kind of wide-open there for a bit. All that matters is, we got the win. We got some nice goals, some timely plays when we needed them." It's uncertain whether or not captain Nick Foligno will join the team after missing Monday's game to be with his five-year-old daughter Milana for a heart procedure in Boston, but Columbus will try to match the effort from a 4-1 win at Carolina on Nov. 17, when Cam Atkinson recorded a hat trick. The Hurricanes have rebounded from a 1-4-0 stretch by sweeping a home-and-home series against division-rival Philadelphia after Teuvo Teravainen recorded three points in Thursday's 5-3 win. Leading scorer Sebastian Aho (41 points), who is slated to play in his 200th NHL game on Friday, set up a pair of power-play goals in the latest victory after Carolina had gone 0-for-25 with the man advantage over its previous seven contests.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus) FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (23-13-3): Artemi Panarin, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the season, has collected three goals and six assists during his five-game point streak and leads the team with 43 points. Atkinson has scored five of his team-high 24 goals in the last six contests while Pierre-Luc Dubois registered a career-best four points on Monday to push his total to 36 on the season. Defenseman Zach Werenski recorded two of his nine goals on Monday and has notched points in five consecutive games while Jones (23 points in 32 games) has posted assists in three straight.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (17-17-5): Teravainen snapped his three-game point drought with Thursday's effort and is the only other player on the team with more than 21 points, accumulating 10 goals and 22 assists. Captain Justin Williams scored for the first time in eight games on Thursday and Micheal Ferland notched an assist but has been stuck on 11 goals since Nov. 21 - a scoreless streak of 11 games. Petr Mrazek posted the victory in his 200th NHL game on Thursday, meaning Curtis McElhinney (.924 save percentage) could receive the start against his former team.

OVERTIME

1. The Blue Jackets have not received much help from their power play during their run, going 0-for-20 over their last eight games.

2. Carolina D Dougie Hamilton snapped his 11-game point drought Thursday with a goal and an assist.

3. Columbus G Sergei Bobrovsky has registered a .942 save percentage over his last eight appearances.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Hurricanes 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 11:35 AM

Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NHL Predictions 3rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/03/2019

The Nashville Predators continue to get healthier and look to extend their winning streak to three games when they visit the struggling Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Right wing Viktor Arvidsson scored twice in his fourth game back from a thumb injury as Nashville knocked off Philadelphia 4-0 on Tuesday and his first-line partner Filip Forsberg (hand) has been skating and could return soon.

"I thought (Arvidsson) came back and played a good first game, and then from there I think it's been a buildup where he's tried to get better," Predators coach Peter Laviolette told reporters. "He's pushing himself, and you see how important he was (Tuesday) with his speed and his work ethic and his ability to score goals and make a difference in a game." Nashville snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with a win in February against the Red Wings, who dropped a 5-3 decision against Calgary at home Wednesday for their sixth straight setback (0-4-2). Detroit had climbed back into the postseason race after a slow start, but has managed one victory in its last 11 contests (1-7-3) while falling double-digit points out of a playoff position. "We lost nine of our first 10 games this season and we were able to dig ourselves out of that hole," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. "Now we're facing that same situation and we are going to have to do it again. It will be tough, but we have the experience to know we can do it."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (24-15-2): Defenseman Yannick Weber (undisclosed) and forward Colton Sissons (lower body) have also been skating while center Kyle Turris (lower body) is on the mend for Nashville, which was 0-5-1 before winning the last two. Center Ryan Johansen, who has often skated between Forsberg and Arvidsson, leads the team with 35 points after recording a goal and three assists the last two games. Reigning Vezina Trophy recipient Pekka Rinne (15-10-1), who cooled off in December (.897 save percentage), is likely back in net after backup Juuse Saros shut out Philadelphia on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-20-7): Detroit has also had injury problems much of the season with three top-six defensemen out, but it could get right wing Anthony Mantha (hand) back in the lineup Friday for the first time since Dec. 2. Fellow forward Darren Helm returned after a 20-game injury absence Wednesday and scored his second goal of the season while leading scorer Dylan Larkin (17 goals, 39 points) saw his career-best 14-game point streak end. Goalie Jimmy Howard (.918 SP) is winless in his last five games, but was selected to the Atlantic Division team for the All-Star Game.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit LW Thomas Vanek, who scored in the shootout loss to Florida on Monday, is slated to play his 1,000th NHL game Friday.

2. Rinne and D Roman Josi (29 points) were selected to the Central Division team for the All-Star Game later this month.

3. Red Wings F Andreas Athanasiou registered three of his 14 goals with an assist in his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Predators 4, Red Wings 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-04-2019, 11:36 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Dallas Stars Preview and Predictions 2019-01-04

NHL Predictions 4th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/04/2019

Dallas Stars president Jim Lites' biting comments about the play of Tyler Seguin and captain Jamie Benn apparently hit home. The duo hopes to be able to continue its offensive surge since the remarks were made when the Stars conclude their four-game homestand Friday against the Washington Capitals.

Dallas has gone 2-0-1 during its stretch at American Airlines Center, which began a day after Lites spoke harshly about Seguin and Benn - who have combined for four goals and two assists over the three games. However, Benn suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday's 5-4 triumph over New Jersey and is considered day-to-day. Captain Alex Ovechkin ended his six-game goal-scoring drought on Thursday, but it wasn't enough to keep Washington from having its five-game road winning streak snapped as it began a three-game trek with a 5-2 setback at St. Louis. The 33-year-old Russian's tally was his league-leading 30th, making him the second player in league history (Mike Gartner) to begin his career with 14 straight 30-goal seasons.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington Plus, FS Southwest Plus (Dallas)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (24-12-3): Defenseman Matt Niskanen recorded two penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating in 21 minutes, 23 seconds of ice time on Thursday after missing two games with an upper-body injury. Ovechkin joined Gartner (15 seasons from 1979-94) and Jaromir Jagr (15 from 1991-2007) as the only NHL players to record at least 30 goals in 14 or more consecutive campaigns. Blue-liner Michal Kempny notched a pair of assists against the Blues, matching his total from the previous 13 games.

ABOUT THE STARS (21-16-4): Rookie defenseman Miro Heiskanen celebrated being selected to play in the All-Star Game by recording his second career two-goal performance on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Finn, who also tallied twice on Nov. 23 against Ottawa, is tied with forwards Devin Shore and Alexander Radulov for the team lead with three game-winning goals. Seguin, who registered his third two-goal performance of the season in the win over the Devils, is one assist shy of 300 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Stars D Julius Honka, who exited Wednesday's game with an upper-body injury, practiced the next day and is expected to be in the lineup against the Capitals.

2. Washington RW T.J. Oshie has gone three games without a goal, keeping him two shy of 200 for his career.

3. Dallas recalled Erik Condra from Texas and assigned fellow RW Denis Gurianov to the American Hockey League club.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Stars 2

Friday 1-4-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 1-4-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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