Monday 1-7-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 08:39 AM

Alabama-Clemson Part IV matchups
Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Clemson and Alabama are playing in the College Football Playoff for the fourth straight season, and the third time for the national championship.

The winner Monday will become the first 15-0 FBS champion.

With the help of SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic, a former Auburn offensive lineman, a breakdown of some of the key matchups that could decide Tide-Tigers Part IV.

CLEMSON ON LINE

There are few one-on-one matchups where Alabama is ever going to be at a disadvantage. Clemson's defensive line might be good enough to capitalize on some small vulnerability even without suspended 340-pound run stuffer Dexter Lawrence.

Tigers All-America defensive tackle Christian Wilkins against Alabama left guard Lester Cotton is a place where the Tigers can win one-on-one.

''Wilkins is a player who has really good quickness inside. Could be very disruptive against a player who was benched in the middle of the season for a younger player that came in and sort of took his spot and is now suspended and not going to play,'' Cubelic said.

Deonte Brown was suspended for an undisclosed NCAA violation, Alabama coach Nick Saban has said.

Alabama right tackle Jedrick Wills has occasionally had some problems in pass protection. The Tide might need to provide some help for the sophomore to deal with Clemson's defensive ends, whether it's All-American Clelin Ferrell, Cotton Bowl defensive MVP Austin Bryant or freshman Xavier Thomas, who looks like Clemson's next great pass rusher.

Clemson leads the nation with 52 sacks, led by Ferrell with 11+ and Bryant with eight, including two against Notre Dame. The Tigers also lead the nation in yards per play allowed at 4.05.

Cubelic said he would expect Clemson to rely on the defensive line to hold its own against the run and commit more players to coverage. It sounds weird to say of Alabama, but challenging this Tide team to run the ball is probably the way to go.

''They're kind of greedy,'' Cubelic said of Alabama's offense, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. ''They know they're really good throwing the ball. They know they have an elite quarterback and elite wide receivers. Why not go out there and pitch it around?''

Tagovailoa, the Heisman runner-up, has a 205.19 passer efficiency rating, which would break Baker Mayfield's single-season record from last year.

Senior Albert Huggins played well filling in for Lawrence against Notre Dame, but the junior is more likely to be missed this week.

''He's probably one of the best linemen in college football, no doubt, in terms of his production and his performance,'' Saban said. ''He's played really well against us in the past.''

Q RATING

If there was a defensive player with a case to the win the Heisman Trophy this season, Alabama's Quinnen Williams was the guy. He has hardly been slowed down and it's doubtful Clemson center Justin Falcinelli, an All-ACC player, and guards John Simpson, Gage Cervenka and Sean Pollard will be a physical match for the future top-five NFL draft pick.

Williams, an All-American and Outland Trophy winner, plays differently than the recent dominant Tide nose guards such as Terrence Cody and Daron Payne. Williams often lines up in one gap, and then shoots into another gap or works his way from one shoulder of a blocker to the other. Clemson uses a lot of zone- and gap-blocking schemes, where its linemen are assigned to block a particular space rather than a man.

''The scheme is not very friendly to handle not only a guy as talented as Quinnen Williams, but the way he plays,'' Cubelic said.

The 295-pound Williams had 18 tackles for loss, including eight sacks.

FLUSTERING THE FRESHMAN

Clemson freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence has all the physical gifts. From that standpoint, he is ready for Alabama. The challenge against the Tide for Lawrence will be as much mental as physical.

Alabama's overwhelming talent sometimes overshadows just how well-coached the players are. The Tide doesn't make many mistakes and Saban's defenses throw a lot at quarterbacks.

''The windows are going to close faster,'' Cubelic said. ''The pressure is going to be applied more quickly. The decisions are going to have to be made faster.''

Lawrence has completed 65.5 percent of his passes, with 27 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.

An underrated part of Lawrence's game is his mobility, but he hasn't used it much until late in the season. He has 86 yards on 10 carries in the last three regular-season games. Swinney said he'd like to see Lawrence take off more.

''Sometimes people will drop and play coverage and receivers will have to work and work and work to try to get open and he's confident he can rip it there,'' Swinney said.

Because Alabama is so good up front with Williams, Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs (team-high 9.5 sacks), it is likely Lawrence will see a lot of seven- and eight-man coverage and get some opportunities to run.

''If Alabama is going to give you anything, you damn well better take it,'' Cubelic said.

Alabama's excellent pass rush has helped bring along a secondary that relies on talented but inexperienced corners such as freshman Patrick Surtain.

''I don't know how good the Alabama secondary is,'' Cubelic said. ''And I don't think anybody else really knows.''

Clemson has a versatile group of receivers with Tee Higgins (11 touchdowns) and Justyn Ross (eight touchdowns) both checking in at 6-foot-4, Amari Rogers (four touchdowns), who is built like a running back, and senior Hunter Renfrow, who has scored four touchdowns in two previous championship games against Alabama.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 08:39 AM

NCAAF
Dunkel

Bowl Season

Monday, January 7

Clemson @ Alabama

Game 151-152
January 7, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Clemson
123.114
Alabama
121.337
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Clemson
by 2
70
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Alabama
by 6 1/2
59 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Clemson
(+6 1/2); Over

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 08:40 AM

NCAAF
Long Sheet

Monday, January 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEMSON (14 - 0) vs. ALABAMA (14 - 0) - 1/7/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 58-35 ATS (+19.5 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.
CLEMSON is 32-15 ATS (+15.5 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.
CLEMSON is 60-36 ATS (+20.4 Units) as an underdog since 1992.
CLEMSON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins this season.
CLEMSON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ALABAMA is 1-1 against the spread versus CLEMSON over the last 3 seasons
ALABAMA is 1-1 straight up against CLEMSON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 08:40 AM

NCAAF

Bowl Season

Monday, January 7

National title game, Santa Clara, CA

— Underdogs covered last five national title games.

— Alabama (2-1) is in its 4th straight national title game; Clemson (1-1) its third in four years.

— Crimson Tide is 2-1 vs Clemson last three years in bowls.

— Since 2012, Tigers are 4-3 as an underdog; last time they were an underdog was national title game vs Alabama, two years ago.

— Since 2012, Alabama is 8-12 as a single digit favorite (0-0 this year).

— Average total in last five national title game is 65.4.

— Both teams were favored by 10+ points in every game this season.

— Four of last five Clemson games stayed under; over is 8-5-1 in Alabama games.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 08:40 AM

NCAAF

Bowl Season

Trend Report

Clemson Tigers
Clemson is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Clemson is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Clemson's last 5 games
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Alabama's last 15 games

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

Clemson Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

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

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STORYLINES

1. Two stalwarts of the College Football Playoff era square off for a fourth consecutive year when No. 2 Clemson takes on top-ranked Alabama for the national title Monday in Santa Clara, California. After splitting a pair of championship-game matchups following the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Crimson Tide dispatched the Tigers 24-6 in the semifinals last year, and both emerged as early favorites to reach the title game. "I think as the season evolved, just knowing how well Clemson played all year long and how they were pretty dominant in their league, it was no surprise to me that they would end up where they are right now," Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters. "You're always looking at the next game and not looking too far ahead and all that, but it's no surprise to me that they're in the championship game, as well."

2. The first two meetings - Alabama's 45-40 win in January 2016 and Clemson's 35-31 triumph in January 2017 - were classics that went down to the wire, and both coaches expect a similar outcome between two evenly matched teams on Monday. "When you look at this game, I think both teams are kind of mirror images of each other, to be honest with you - really good defenses, dynamic quarterbacks, very talented running backs and explosive skill, and just kind of built in the trenches. We're so similar," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters. "So it's going to come down to just execution and mentally being sharp and making those two or three plays that you don't know when they're coming. So you just have to truly play every play like it's the play." Both teams rank in the top five nationally in total offense, scoring offense and scoring defense, while Clemson is fifth Alabama 13th in total defense.

3. Clemson will be without star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, tight end Braden Galloway and offensive lineman Zach Giella for a second straight contest after the trio tested positive for ostarine prior to the national semifinal game. Galloway and Giella are reserves who play sparingly, but Lawrence is a critical piece of the Tigers' dominant defensive line. Alabama suspended tight end Kedrick James and offensive linemen Elliot Baker and Deonte Brown for unspecified NCAA violations prior to the semifinal game, but the latter (five starts) is the only one of the three who played a key role this season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Alabama -5.5

ABOUT CLEMSON (14-0): Swinney made the bold decision to go with Trevor Lawrence as his starting quarterback four games into the season, and the move has paid off as the freshman has piled up 2,933 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. Lawrence's big arm gives the Tigers a downfield threat on every play, but running back Travis Etienne (1,572 yards, 22 TDs) is the workhorse on offense. Despite losing Dexter Lawrence, the defense still was dominant in last week's 30-3 victory over Notre Dame (as the Clemson were -10.5 point favorite at intertops) and possesses four players who have recorded at least 10 tackles for loss, including Clelin Ferrell (18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks).

ABOUT ALABAMA (14-0): The Crimson Tide have evolved from the team that was content to run the ball and slug out a low-scoring win, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (3,671 passing yards, 41 TDs, four interceptions) leads a high-powered offense. Alabama's best shot at attacking the Tigers is through the air as five receivers have made at least six touchdown receptions, with Jerry Jeudy (1,176 receiving yards, 13 TDs) leading the way. Alabama's defense might be the most susceptible unit on the field, having given up 454 and 507 total yards, respectively, in its last two games, so getting stops in the red zone and forcing turnovers will be key against Clemson's explosive offense.

PREDICTION: Clemson 37, Alabama 34

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Pistons Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The San Antonio Spurs are quietly one of the hottest teams in the NBA with wins in four straight and 12 of their last 15 games as they begin to sneak up the Western Conference standings. The Spurs will try to stay sharp when they begin a stretch with seven of 10 on the road by visiting the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

San Antonio ripped through a three-game homestand with wins over Boston, Toronto and Memphis, capped by Saturday's 108-88 drubbing of the Grizzlies. "They're just relentless," Memphis small forward and former Spur Kyle Anderson told reporters. "They've got high-character guys over there. They didn't get off to a good start, but they stuck with it as a team and they're obviously doing well right now, so that's going to pay off." The Pistons went the opposite way and followed up a hot start to the season with a slow decline that has them 4-13 over the last 17 contests, including a 110-105 home loss to Utah on Saturday in which they held an 18-point lead after the first quarter. "Great teams go from an 18-point lead to a 28-point lead, 25, and they keep it there," Detroit forward Blake Griffin told reporters. "We just haven't gotten to that level yet where we put our foot on people's throats and don't let up. That's the next step for us."

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

ABOUT THE SPURS (23-17): San Antonio tends to focus its offense around DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay, but point guard Derrick White stepped up to join that trio during the homestand. White, who averages 7.6 points on 47.3 percent shooting, averaged 20 points in the three wins while going 24-of-29 from the floor, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. White is forming a solid combination at the point guard spot with veteran reserve Patty Mills, who scored in double figures in each of the three games of the homestand and knocked down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in Saturday's triumph.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (17-20): Detroit committed 14 of its 18 turnovers in the second half on Saturday and let the first-quarter lead dry up quickly as the second unit struggled. "Utah's one of those teams - they're so well coached," Griffin told reporters. "They just have veteran guys who've been in playoff situations. They just grind it. Early on, we did a good job of getting in their air space, making it tough for them to get in the paint and get easy shots. And they just kept at it. Turnovers at the end killed us." Griffin was the bright spot with 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and is averaging 29.7 points over the last three contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons C Zaza Pachulia (leg) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

2. DeRozan is averaging 10.8 rebounds over the last four games.

3. Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak in the series with a 93-79 home victory in the last meeting on Dec. 30, 2017.

PREDICTION: Spurs 107, Pistons 98

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Boston Celtics will try to extend a series of streaks when they continue a four-game homestand against the surging Brooklyn Nets on Monday. The Celtics have won the first two games of the homestand to extend their winning streak at TD Garden to four in a row, and they own nine consecutive victories over the Nets, a run that extends over three years.

Boston hopes to have star point guard Kyrie Irving back for this one after he missed the last two games with an eye issue, but the squad has barely missed their playmaker in consecutive wins over Minnesota and Dallas, posting a season-high 35 assists in the 114-93 triumph over the Mavericks on Friday. "We've really tried to emphasize that all year," coach Brad Stevens told reporters of the ball distribution. "For the most part everybody was in a good rhythm and playing well together and seeking out the right shot. We've just got to keep doing that as much as possible." The Nets have taken the first two legs of their three-game road trip and they've won 12 of 15 overall after Sunday's 117-100 win at Chicago. Guard D'Angelo Russell stayed hot with 28 points as Brooklyn improved to 10-10 on the road.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), NBC Sports Boston

ABOUT THE NETS (20-21): DeMarre Carroll posted his second straight 20-point effort and fellow reserve Shabazz Napier added 18 as Brooklyn's bench outscored Chicago's substitutes by a 52-29 margin. "We're getting contributions from guys with a couple of guys out," coach Kenny Atkinson told the media. "DeMarre's really coming back to life and had a huge game tonight. Shabazz, excellent, so we're getting contributions from everybody. I think that's important." Russell is averaging 26.5 points over his last four games and 9.3 assists during the team's three-game winning streak.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (23-15): Irving's absence has given swingman Gordon Hayward more of an opportunity to step into the spotlight and the former All-Star responded with a season-high 35 points against the Timberwolves before falling two assists shy of a triple-double Friday. "It was fun," Hayward told reporters after finishing with 16 points, a season-high 11 rebounds and a season high-tying eight assists against the Mavericks. "I think when we have good spacing, we have talented players and it just makes the game easier. If you make the right read, everybody gets involved and it's fun." Terry Rozier started in place of Irving the last two games and is averaging 12 points, six assists and one turnover in that span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics SG Jaylen Brown is averaging 17 points on 63.5 percent shooting in 26 minutes over his last five games.

2. Nets C Jarrett Allen had 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting Sunday and posted his fifth straight game with exactly two blocked shots.

3. The teams meet three times in a span of 22 days this month before their fourth and final encounter March 30 in Brooklyn.

PREDICTION: Celtics 111, Nets 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The New Orleans Pelicans are not where they want to be in the standings, but at least they are starting to win some games. The Pelicans will try to earn back-to-back wins for the first time since a three-game streak from Nov. 16-19 when they host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

New Orleans won three of its last five games and ended a two-game road trip with a dominating performance in a 133-98 victory at Cleveland on Saturday. "It can't just be a win and a one-time thing because it's Cleveland," Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis told reporters. "We have to do it next game and the game after that, in order to get to where we want to be." The Grizzlies are sliding with losses in five straight and 12 of the last 15 games, including a 108-88 setback to begin the road trip at San Antonio on Saturday. Memphis will play five of its next seven games on the road, with trips to Miami, Houston, Boston and Toronto to come over the next two weeks.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS South (Memphis), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-21): Memphis committed 21 turnovers against the Spurs and was outscored 37-19 in the second quarter to let the game slip away. "When you're playing a team that is this good, anytime you lose or miss out on possessions with opportunities for shots, it's hard to overcome," Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "And for us, we're not normally a high-turnover team, but they were active with their hands. Some of the decisions we made we could've been more certain with - some of the passes and spacing." Center Marc Gasol committed four turnovers in the loss and was held to six points on 2-of-9 shooting.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (18-22): New Orleans managed to take some of the things they worked on in practice into Saturday's game, and continuing that moving forward is the goal. "I think that is an important thing," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "What we have to do is develop consistency on it. We can't do it this game and not do it the next game. We have to be able to take it from practice to the game situations and we have to be able to do it night after night after night, not just one night here and one night there." Davis and power forward Julius Randle each recorded a double-double in the win while point guard Jrue Holiday added 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans PF Nikola Mirotic (ankle) missed the last 11 games but could return during the two-game homestand.

2. Grizzlies SG Dillon Brooks (leg) left Saturday's contest and is day-to-day.

3. Memphis earned a 107-103 win at New Orleans on Dec. 7

PREDICTION: Pelicans 108, Grizzlies 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Houston Rockets finally fell flat on Saturday with a 110-101 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers, but the chance to prove themselves against top teams in both conferences looms during a three-game homestand. The host Rockets will start by trying to pick off the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Houston had a six-game winning streak come to an end with Saturday's setback and lost for just the second time in 11 games as superstar James Harden's run of 40-point games came to an end at five straight. "Honestly that streak is pretty cool for stats and whatnot, but honestly the win is more important," Harden, who finished with 38 points, told reporters. "So, came up short and now we've got another opportunity to go home and play Denver, who's playing exceptionally well. So, we've got to regroup." The Nuggets are winners of five straight and have their own superstar in center Nikola Jokic, who scored a season-high 39 points in Saturday's 123-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. "Tonight, I feel like he could've had 50 points," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters of Jokic. "He missed a lot of chippies and bunnies around the basket, but 39 points, impacts the game in every way possible. And I think he understands for us to be the team that we all want to be, he has to be a big part of that and he has to be aggressive."

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

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (26-11): Jokic got some help Saturday off the bench from shooting guard Gary Harris, who is being worked back into the rotation after missing nearly a month with a hip injury. Harris, who was starting for the team earlier in the season, played his third straight game since returning against the Hornets and filled up the box score with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes while knocking down three 3-pointers. "I feel good," Harris told reporters. "I'm still taking it one day at a time and it's always good to get the win."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (22-16): Harden joined Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson as the only players with 40-plus points in five consecutive games over the last 50 years, and his string of 10 consecutive games with at least 35 points and five assists is an NBA record. "It's unbelievable now, you grade him on a sharp curve where if he gets 38, now if he doesn't get 40 it's like, 'well, what's wrong with you?'" Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters of Harden. "He's gone up another level, and he'll stay up there. And that's why when people say, 'he can't continue on this tear,' yeah, he can, because he's doing it with ease, as long as he stays healthy." Harden leads the NBA in scoring at an average of 33.7 points and scored at least 30 in 12 consecutive contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets C Clint Capela grabbed 21 rebounds in each of the last two games.

2. Nuggets PG Jamal Murray was held to eight points on 3-of-13 shooting on Saturday after going for 36 points in a win at Sacramento on Thursday.

3. Harden collected 22 points and 11 assists in a 109-99 win at Denver on Nov. 13 that extended Houston's winning streak in the series to eight straight.

PREDICTION: Rockets 122, Nuggets 120

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:14 PM

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Milwaukee Bucks missed a chance to establish themselves as the top team in the Eastern Conference and had a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 123-116 home loss to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. The Bucks will try to finish off a six-game homestand strong when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Milwaukee took the first four games of its homestand by an average of 21.3 points and held a double-digit lead in the first half against Toronto before falling. "I think we match up really well with them," Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters. "Obviously there's a chance for us to see them in the future in the playoffs. It's too far right now to talk about it. I don't think as a team we are a bit scared about the Raptors. They're obviously a really good team, but I think we match up really well with them. It was just a bad game for us tonight." The Jazz fell at Toronto to begin their four-game road trip but followed that with wins over Cleveland and Detroit to reach .500. Utah fell behind early against the Pistons on Saturday but turned up the defense and forced 14 turnovers in the second half to earn a 110-105 victory.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (20-20): Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half on Saturday, sparked by a heckling fan near the bench. "I just became more aggressive," Mitchell told reporters. "I stopped listening to the guy in the corner. He said something to me, and it really just snapped for me. I don't know what it was, and it shouldn't take somebody to say something to me for me to play how I did, but that's what happened." Mitchell, who added five assists and three steals at Detroit, snapped a string of three straight games scoring under 20 points.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (27-11): Antetokounmpo scored 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting and added 18 rebounds on Saturday while matching Toronto's physical play. "You know it's going to be a physical game before the game starts," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "Top two teams in the NBA going at it, they're not going to call fouls. You've got to know in the back of your head it's going to be physical. You've just got to play through it and not complain and hopefully, at the end of the day, you can get the benefit of the doubt." Antetokounmpo went 8-of-11 from the free-throw line in the loss and is shooting 69.6 percent from the stripe.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks SF Khris Middleton handed out a season-high nine assists on Saturday.

2. Utah SF Thabo Sefolosha (hamstring) left Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Milwaukee snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with a 117-100 home win in the last meeting on Dec. 9, 2017.

PREDICTION: Bucks 111, Jazz 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:15 PM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

Like other teams before them, the Los Angeles Lakers are finding it hard to handle the loss of LeBron James, and they carry a season high-tying three-game losing streak into Monday's visit to the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers are 1-5 since James was lost to a groin strain and they offered little resistance in a 108-86 loss at Minnesota on Sunday.

Power forward Kyle Kuzma (back) missed his second straight game for Los Angeles, which received only 34 points on 11-for-41 shooting from its starters. The Mavericks have played just two home games since Dec. 16 and are coming off a 1-3 road trip capped by a 106-100 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday. "At home, we're great," rookie Luke Doncic told reporters of his team's 15-3 home mark and 3-18 road record. "But we got to figure out the road. For sure we can do it. We have great guys. We just got to figure out things." Doncic had 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting in Saturday's loss.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (21-19): Los Angeles was outscored 35-19 in the first quarter Sunday after falling behind by 14 points through one period in Friday's home loss to the struggling New York Knicks, an ugly trend for a team low on weapons. "Offensively our guys were trying to play the right way, we just weren't making shots, but defensively it's unacceptable that we let that many points in," coach Luke Walton told reporters Sunday. "That's the second game in a row a team has come in in the first quarter and just scored at will." Lonzo Ball missed all four of his shots in 23 scoreless minutes at Minnesota while fellow guard Josh Hart is 5-for-23 from the field over the last two games.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (18-21): A bright spot in the loss to Philadelphia was a 13-point, 11-rebound, eight-assist effort for rookie Jalen Brunson, who enjoyed a return trip to where he led Villanova to a pair of national championships. "(Brunson) was terrific all around," coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "These homecoming games can be emotional and difficult and he looked like he was right at home. I was happy for him. He did a lot of very, very good things." Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. had a very different experience with a season-low two points and he's 5-for-17 from the floor over the last two contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers won the first two meetings this season and have taken four in a row overall.

2. Los Angeles SF Brandon Ingram is 21-of-58 from the field - 0-of-4 from 3-point range - in January.

3. Mavericks rookie SG Ryan Broekhoff had a career-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting at Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 113, Lakers 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:15 PM

New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

After cooling off one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers take on one of the league's lesser squads when they host the New York Knicks on Monday. Behind 25 points and 15 rebounds from Jusuf Nurkic and a solid defensive job on Houston superstar James Harden, the Blazers snapped the Rockets' six-game winning streak with a 110-101 triumph Saturday.

Harden, who had scored at least 40 points in five straight games and entered the game with back-to-back triple-doubles, finished with 38 points but needed 35 shots to get there and was 5-of-17 from 3-point range. "Well, we held him under 40, so I guess that's a win," Portland coach Terry Stotts quipped with reporters after his team was victorious for the eighth time in its last 12 games. The Knicks do not have anyone even remotely on Harden's level as they endure another rebuilding campaign, but they did manage to snap an eight-game slide with a 119-112 win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Tim Hardaway Jr. led a balanced attack with 22 points as New York had its best offensive output in a regulation game since Nov. 16.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-29): Center Enes Kanter expressed displeasure over a recent reduction in playing time but he's making the most of his opportunities since the calendar turned to January, averaging 16.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 23.5 minutes this month. Fellow reserves Trey Burke, Damyean Dotson and Mario Hezonja also scored in double figures at Los Angeles to help support a starting five that shot 19-for-60 from the floor. "I think this is a confidence-booster," Burke told reporters. "We've been in a lot of games, but it doesn't matter when you don't pull it out. ... That was putting together a complete second half. They went on a run, and we responded to it."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (23-17): Evan Turner received a rare start in place of sidelined forward Maurice Harkless (knee) in Saturday's win and responded with 14 points while flustering the prolific Harden. "I just had to be aggressive and try to limit what he likes to do," Turner told reporters of defending Harden. "He's an amazing offensive player, he's been on a hell of a run and obviously he's the head of the snake, so I just tried to pick him up, wear him down, tire him out and not try to get any cheap fouls." CJ McCollum chipped in 24 points and played turnover-free basketball for the third time in a span of five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. McCollum scored 31 points and G Damian Lillard added 29 to lead Portland to a 118-114 win at New York earlier this season.

2. Knicks PG Frank Ntilikana played just one minute Friday before injuring an ankle and is considered day-to-day.

3. Nurkic has six double-doubles over his last nine games and reached 20 in that category for the second straight season.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 117, Knicks 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-07-2019, 01:15 PM

Orlando Magic vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-07

NBA Predictions 6th January 2019 by Gracenote
Magic vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/06/2019

The Sacramento Kings still are confident they are on the rise despite losing a season-high four straight games and get a chance to start proving their case when they host the road-weary Orlando Magic on Monday. Sacramento lost the four contests - all against teams in playoff position entering Sunday - by a total of 20 points after coughing up a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 127-123 setback against Golden State.

"It (stinks) to lose any type of game, but especially a game we compete from the start to the end," Kings forward Justin Jackson told the Sacramento Bee after scoring a career-high 28 points on Saturday. "Credit to them for hitting all their shots, but we all played extremely hard and I think we really left it out there, and that's all that really matters." The Kings, who have not made the playoffs since 2005-06, have won four straight meetings with the Magic after registering a 107-99 road triumph on Oct. 30 behind 25 points and 11 rebounds from Buddy Hield. Orlando led by 10 after one quarter on Sunday but shot 37.1 percent overall en route to a 106-96 setback against the Los Angeles Clippers for its third loss in the first four contests of its six-game road trip. "I told them I thought our effort was more than good enough. I thought we competed well," Magic coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "(But) you gotta make shots, and I thought we missed a ton of makeable shots."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (17-22): Nikola Vucevic, who has scored at least 22 points in five of his last seven games, did just about all he could Sunday with 16 on 7-of-17 shooting, 24 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Aaron Gordon added 17 points against the Clippers but has struggled from 3-point range of late - making just 5-of-21 attempts over his last five contests. Orlando's third-leading scorer, Evan Fournier has shot the ball well in his last five games - connecting on 52.8 percent overall and 9-of-20 from beyond the arc - but missed 10-of-13 shots against the Kings in October.

ABOUT THE KINGS (19-20): Hield drained a career-high eight 3-pointers on Saturday and has averaged 27.3 points over his last four games, going 22-for-41 from beyond the arc in that stretch. Jackson stepped up Saturday after totaling 13 points in his previous three games while Nemanja Bjelica has raised his production level over the last three contests, averaging 14.3 points and 10 rebounds. Second-leading scorer De'Aaron Fox (17.8 points, team-high 7.5 assists) hopes to bounce back from a 3-of-12 shooting performance against Golden State.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando rookie C Mo Bamba has accumulated 28 points, 30 rebounds and 10 blocks over his last four games.

2. Sacramento G Iman Shumpert (finger) was held out of Saturday's contest and is considered day-to-day.

3. Magic F Jonathon Simmons is just 5-for-19 in his last two games after missing the previous two with an ankle injury.

PREDICTION: Kings 114, Magic 102

Monday 1-7-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Monday 1-7-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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