Thursday 1-10-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Aqueduct - Race #4 - Post: 2:26pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $68,000 Class Rating: 93

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 MASTER DISTILLER (ML=2/1)


MASTER DISTILLER - This gelding's last figure is strong enough to prove victorious here, I'll bet on him back again this time out. This gelding is tops in earnings per start (EPS). Take a good look at this animal in the saddling enclosure.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 GETYOURMINDRIGHT (ML=8/5), #2 INTO A HOT SPOT (ML=9/2), #1 IONA MOBE (ML=6/1),

GETYOURMINDRIGHT - Should have at least finished in the money in the last 60 days in a short distance contest to be any kind of value at small odds in a sprint. INTO A HOT SPOT - Hard to bet on a runner that lays up for a long time then doesn't end up on the board off the extended time off. IONA MOBE - The fifth place finish last out coming after the long turnout is unquestionably not a healthy indication. Tough for anyone who saw this steed in his last contest to bet on him this time out.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 MASTER DISTILLER is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 8

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta


Claiming $5,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 81 • Purse: $10,000 • Post: 10:15
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 10 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (W V A RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. KINGDOM MINDED is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * KINGDOM MINDED: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
2
KINGDOM MINDED
9/5

5/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
KINGDOM MINDED
2

9/5
Front-runner
76

84

84.6

76.8

69.3
8
WORKTAB
8

15/1
Front-runner
66

59

69.4

58.8

44.8
1
DURO DE MATAR
1

9/2
Stalker
84

75

79.2

70.8

63.3
7
GOTHAM BOY
7

10/1
Stalker
79

72

64.6

60.4

47.4
9
CLUBIN TIL MIDNITE
9

15/1
Alternator/Stalker
72

64

61.8

66.8

51.3
3
MAN OF WIREGRASS
3

5/2
Alternator/Stalker
81

83

55.2

75.8

70.3
6
MR SHEEN
6

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
79

66

61.8

68.8

60.8
4
ENVISION SUCCESS
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
76

64

45.0

58.8

42.3
5
LOUD
5

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
70

64

35.2

57.2

40.2
11
LEGAL PRECEDENT
11

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
80

65

31.2

61.2

51.7
10
MR J
10

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

28.0

37.3

20.8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 10

Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 55 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 9:52P
FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Stalker. VILLAGE is the Lone Stalker of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * FORESTRY'S BUDDY: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rati ng at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Horse had a bullet workout within the last seven days. KISS YOUR BRIDE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top th ree in TrackMaster Power Rating. TALKOTHTOWN: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs. STAR OF RUSTON: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start a fter a layoff.
2
FORESTRY'S BUDDY
2/1

9/2
4
KISS YOUR BRIDE
4/1

5/1
5
TALKOTHTOWN
7/2

7/1
6
STAR OF RUSTON
3/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
CHASING A SAINT
1

30/1
Front-runner
0

0

57.8

25.6

6.6
6
STAR OF RUSTON
6

3/1
Alternator/Front-runner
53

48

56.8

41.9

29.9
7
VILLAGE
7

12/1
Stalker
51

43

47.2

38.4

28.9
2
FORESTRY'S BUDDY
2

2/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

47.1

55.3

49.8
4
KISS YOUR BRIDE
4

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
55

54

39.6

45.0

35.5
11
JR'S SAUVAGE
11

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
51

41

23.4

39.0

26.0
5
TALKOTHTOWN
5

7/2
Alternator/Trailer
65

51

0.0

40.8

34.8
8
CHASE FOR THE GOLD
8

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
59

53

74.7

18.2

5.2
12
COOL MAN
12

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
62

45

55.8

33.4

22.9
9
WHOOZ THE KING
9

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
49

51

23.6

33.0

13.5
3
TAYBO NATION
3

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

6.2

19.2

4.2
10
ITSA FLASHMOB
10

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

4.7

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #1 - Post: 12:45pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,500 Class Rating: 87

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 COLONEL DEERING (ML=9/2)
#6 PATTYVILLE (ML=5/1)


COLONEL DEERING - Solis was aboard this filly in the last race and was impressed enough to take the animal right back. PATTYVILLE - Based on the TrackMaster data I've reviewed, this filly should run well off the vacation.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 STRATUS BIRD (ML=2/1), #1 GRAPE JUICE (ML=5/2), #5 VACAVILLE SPECIAL (ML=7/2),

STRATUS BIRD - I think this morning-line favorite needs this race under her belt to start getting back into shape. Hasn't finished in the money in any short distance events lately. Improbable to see her doing it this time around either. Unlikely that the speed fig she garnered on Mar 29th will hold up in this race. GRAPE JUICE - Hasn't finished in the money in any short distance races lately. Unlikely to see her doing it this time either. This mare is always in the money, but just doesn't win. Hard to play her on the front end. VACAVILLE SPECIAL - Doubtful that this horse will finish better than she did last time out when placing sixth. Difficult to wager on this mount in today's event. Make her show you something in a sprint race before you bet on her in a race of 5 1/2 furlongs.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #3 COLONEL DEERING to win. Have to have odds of at least 7/5 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

01/10/19, GP, Race 7, 3.35 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.01 CLAIMING. Purse $33,000.
Claiming Price $25,000 (Races where entered for $20,000 or less not considered). FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 7-8-9) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10)
Top Horse - Races 113, Win Percent 27.43, $1 ROI 0.81, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 2 Abaco Dream 9/2 Jimenez A Ward Wesley A. T
097.7244 8 Shall Return 12-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Olivares Luis JE
097.2598 5 Blue Sky Venezuela 12-1 Ortiz J L Delgado Alexis SW
096.7807 6 Midnight Miracle 4/5 Castellano J Hess. Jr. Robert B. FC
096.7329 1 Southern Toddy 8-1 Saez L De La Cerda Armando L
094.6931 7 Bargainaire 6-1 Gaffalione T Wasilewski Christine
093.2862 3 Tong Shu 30-1 Urdaneta J J Mejia Jaime
092.8685 4 C. A. C. Chaquira 20-1 Batista J A Machado Antonio

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 6 - SO - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $28000 Class Rating: 69

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $25,000 OR LESS AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING $25,000 AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 10 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $25,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 SOUTHERN MYTH 1/1

# 2 CHARGING LION 8/1

# 4 HE'S NOT CURLY 5/1

My choice in this event is SOUTHERN MYTH. Overall the Speed Figures of this equine look very strong in this race. Toledo's return on investment over the last 30 days automatically makes this animal a very strong contender. Looks very good against this group and will probably be one of the leaders. CHARGING LION - With a decent 62 speed fig last time out, will surely be a factor in this competition. Has been running strongly and has among the best speed in the race for today's distance. HE'S NOT CURLY - He should have a good outing versus this less demanding group. If you examine closely, this one has some longshot possibilities.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 5 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $16400 Class Rating: 85

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE DECEMBER 10 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 10 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000, IF FOR $9,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 RED AT LAST 5/1

# 2 HAIL'S STATEMENT 5/2

# 8 MARTINI KID 3/1

RED AT LAST figures to be the bet in here. Displays strong Equibase Speed Figures on average overall when matched with the rest of this field. Has a strong shot for this event if you like back class. Armata has this gelding racing well and is a strong selection based on the decent Equibase Speed Figs recorded in route races recently. HAIL'S STATEMENT - Earnings per start in dirt route races is formidable for this equine. Must be considered here on the basis of the figs in the speed section alone. MARTINI KID - With a formidable 75 speed figure last time out, will unquestionably be a factor in this contest. The average class figure alone makes this horse a solid contender.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

01/10/19, SA, Race 9, 4.32 PT
6 1/2F [Turf About] 1.10.04 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $55,000.
DOWNHILL TURF FOR CALIFORNIA BRED OR CALIFORNIA SIRED MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) - $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR - (RED 3,4: 1/1. BLK 2,6,5,8,10: 6/5. GRN 1,9,7: 10/1.)
Top Horse - Races 34, Win Percent 26.47, $1 ROI 1.50, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Turf
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 6 Radish 8-1 Prat F O'Neill Doug F. JSW
099.9474 2 I'm Sassy 8-1 Pereira T J Scolamieri Sam J. T
099.1445 3 Smoovie 3-1 Gutierrez M O'Neill Doug F.
098.9616 4 Smiling Annie 7/2 Rosario J Glatt Mark
098.4164 10 Into Rissa 8-1 Talamo J Sherlock Gary
097.6587 5 Oh Pretty Woman 4-1 Van Dyke D Jones Martin F. FEC
095.8860 8 Whoa Nessie 8-1 Bejarano R O'Neill Doug F. L
095.2953 1 La Guapa Velos 12-1 Figueroa H Puype Mike
091.0337 9 Perfect Portrait 15-1 Blanc B French Neil
090.8699 7 Eagle Ease 20-1 Maldonado E A Pender Michael
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse - Races 68, Win Percent 30.88, $1 ROI 0.88, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 3 Smoovie 3-1 Gutierrez M O'Neill Doug F.
099.8534 6 Radish 8-1 Prat F O'Neill Doug F. JE
098.8976 5 Oh Pretty Woman 4-1 Van Dyke D Jones Martin F. SFC
098.4319 10 Into Rissa 8-1 Talamo J Sherlock Gary W
098.3862 4 Smiling Annie 7/2 Rosario J Glatt Mark
098.3665 2 I'm Sassy 8-1 Pereira T J Scolamieri Sam J. T
096.4741 1 La Guapa Velos 12-1 Figueroa H Puype Mike
095.8238 8 Whoa Nessie 8-1 Bejarano R O'Neill Doug F. L
092.9574 7 Eagle Ease 20-1 Maldonado E A Pender Michael
090.8936 9 Perfect Portrait 15-1 Blanc B French Neil

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NBA Predictions 9th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/09/2019

The Boston Celtics are fresh off their highest scoring output of the season and they look to record a fifth straight victory when they visit the Miami Heat on Thursday. The Celtics shot 56.8 percent from the field and clicked on all cylinders during Wednesday's 135-108 home rout of the Indiana Pacers.

Boston's teamwork was on display in the thrashing of the Pacers as seven players scored in double digits and the team compiled 32 assists on 50 made baskets. "Hopefully we can continue to move it," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after the victory. "That's our task." The Heat have dropped back-to-back games after winning eight of their previous 10 contests. Miami failed to reach 100 points in either setback and posted an average of 90.5 after producing an average of 112.2 over the previous six contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-15): Forward Marcus Morris had 22 points and eight rebounds against Indiana while scoring 20 or more points for the sixth time in his past 12 appearances. "He's been in a good rhythm all year," Stevens told reporters of Morris. "He's been very comfortable with what he was going to do best and how it fit in, whether it was starting or coming off the bench. He's always been consistent. The most impressive thing is he did it with eight shots." Point guard Kyrie Irving had 12 points and was only needed to play 24 minutes in his second contest since returning from an eye injury that sidelined him for two games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (19-20): Backup guard Dion Waiters scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting against in Tuesday's 103-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in his second game since returning from ankle surgery. Waiters missed more than 12 months after injuring the ankle in December of 2017 but looked crisp and spry during 25 minutes against the Nuggets. "A healthy me, that's all I can ask for," Waiters told reporters after the loss. "I can just go out there and play. I don't have to worry about anything."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Heat went 2-1 against the Celtics last season.

2. Boston has recorded 30 or more assists in five straight games.

3. Miami backup C Bam Adebayo is averaging 12 points on 15-of-23 shooting over the past three games.

PREDICTION: Heat 104, Celtics 102

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NBA Predictions 9th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/09/2019

The streaking Denver Nuggets strive to post their seventh victory in eight games when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. The Nuggets continue to be the surprising leader in the Western Conference while the Clippers reside in fourth after winning three straight and seven of their past 10.

Star big man Nikola Jokic recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season as Denver notched a 103-99 road win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday. "Hell of a win," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters afterward of a victory that came on the second end of a back-to-back that began with a loss to the Houston Rockets. "I don't know if it's a statement win or not. But it's a win where we had every reason to use an excuse for the loss. And we don't want to be a team that makes excuses." Los Angeles registered a solid 128-109 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday and has won by double digits three straight times during its three-game winning streak. Backup guard Lou Williams had 27 points and 10 assists for his third double-double of the season as one of four Clippers to score 20 or more points.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-16): Former Denver standout Danilo Gallinari is averaging 19.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 39 games in a strong bounce-back season after being limited to 21 games last season due to injuries. Gallinari scored 20 points against the Hornets and has four 20-point efforts in the past five games and nine in the last 12 contests. The 30-year-old is averaging 18.5 points and six rebounds against the Nuggets this season with outputs of 16 and 21 points.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (27-12): Journeyman forward Torrey Craig has carved himself out a role with the squad and he once again paid dividends with his first career double-double against the Heat. The 28-year-old Craig scored 11 points and collected a career-high 16 rebounds while fighting for any ball near his path. "I just like to go for loose balls and rebounds," Craig told reporters afterward. "If it's a long rebound or anything on the rim, I try to put myself in the best position to get it. (Tuesday) was just a night where a lot of balls were going my way."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split two meetings in Los Angeles earlier this season.

2. Clippers F Tobias Harris scored 23 points against Charlotte and has topped 20 in three of the past four games.

3. Denver SG Gary Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable after sitting out the Miami contest.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 112, Clippers 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NBA Predictions 10th January 2019 by Gracenote
Thunder vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/10/2019

The San Antonio Spurs attempt to recover from a subpar effort when they begin a home-and-home with the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The Spurs saw a season-high five-game winning streak evaporate as they shot a woeful 36.1 percent from the field during a 96-86 loss to the host Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich remains tied with Jerry Sloan (1,221) for third place on the all-time victories list after the listless effort against the Grizzlies that resulted in only the club's fourth loss in the past 17 games. "It was one of those nights where the ball wouldn't drop for us," Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge told reporters after scoring 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting. "We couldn't get out of it." Oklahoma City is in a lull with a 4-5 mark over the past nine games after experiencing a 21-6 stretch. Star point guard Russell Westbrook recorded 25 points and 16 assists but also committed seven turnovers in Tuesday's 119-117 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, TNT

ABOUT THE THUNDER (25-15): Backup center Nerlens Noel is in the NBA concussion protocol after suffering a hard fall in Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves and being hospitalized overnight. Noel received an elbow in the head from Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins in the third quarter and lost consciousness after hitting the floor and was taken off the court on a stretcher. "It's just one of those crazy plays," Oklahoma center Steven Adams told reporters after the game. "Fortunately, they responded quite quickly, the medical staff. I felt he was in the best hands."

ABOUT THE SPURS (24-18): Shooting guard Bryn Forbes registered 14 points against the Grizzlies and has scored in double digits in 10 of the past 11 games. The third-year-pro has shown the ability to stretch defenses with his long-range shooting and has made at least three 3-pointers in the seven of the past 11 games. "Some people might say he's overachieved," veteran point guard Patty Mills told reporters of Forbes. "For me being with him every day, we were waiting for this moment for him to be able to do that. He grabbed it with both hands and ran with it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder have lost six straight regular-season games in San Antonio.

2. Spurs SF Rudy Gay (wrist) will miss his third straight game.

3. Oklahoma City SF Paul George recorded 27 points against Minnesota and has scored 20 or more in each of his past 15 appearances.

PREDICTION: Spurs 106, Thunder 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NBA Predictions 10th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/10/2019

Two struggling teams badly in need of a victory square off on Thursday, when the Sacramento Kings host the Detroit Pistons. Sacramento has dropped five of its last six games while Detroit has lost six of its last seven and 15 of 19.

The Pistons got off to a 13-7 start before things begin turning sour, and the struggles continued in Wednesday's 113-100 road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. The defense was an issue as Detroit allowed the Lakers to shoot 56.1 percent and Kyle Kuzma performed a LeBron James impersonation by scoring a career-high 41 points. Sacramento is opening a three-game homestand and looking to rebound from a 115-111 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday in which it blew a 21-point lead. "A lot of mistakes, a lot of turnovers," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters after his club committed 17 of its season-worst 26 turnovers in the second half. "We were very casual coming out of halftime. We turned it over too much in the first half and certainly turned it over way too much in the second half."

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

ABOUT THE PISTONS (17-22): Blake Griffin scored 16 points in the loss to the Lakers but didn't grab a single rebound in 37 minutes, marking the first time he came up empty on the boards in 567 career regular-season contests and 51 postseason games. Griffin, who had just two rebounds in the previous game against San Antonio, averaged 30.8 points over a four-game span before being just 6-of-14 shooting against Los Angeles. Andre Drummond collected 17 rebounds against the Lakers but struggled offensively with just six points on 2-of-12 shooting.

ABOUT THE KINGS (20-21): De'Aaron Fox has emerged in his second season, but his ball-handling versus Phoenix was porous as he committed seven of his career-worst eight turnovers in the second half. "We gave up the ball too much, and it's what cost us the game," Fox told reporters. "The times that we didn't turn the ball over, we got what we wanted, but when you have 20-some turnovers, you can't win like that." Fox scored 24 points in the contest and has 16 20-point performances this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons have won seven of the last 10 meetings.

2. Detroit SG Langston Galloway matched his season best of five 3-pointers while scoring 15 points against the Lakers.

3. Sacramento SG Iman Shumpert (finger) is expected to miss his fourth straight game.

PREDICTION: Kings 114, Pistons 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NHL Predictions 10th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/10/2019

The Nashville Predators have answered their worst stretch of the season with a six-game point streak and look to extend it when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Predators suffered through an 0-5-1 slump but have gotten some key performers back in the lineup to win five of their last six (5-0-1) after Filip Forsberg scored in overtime to beat Chicago 4-3 on Wednesday.

Forsberg, who returned from a 5 ½-week absence due to a hand injury on Monday, recorded two goals against the Blackhawks while Viktor Arvidsson tallied for the fifth time in seven games after missing 21 contests with a broken thumb. The Predators have won five straight meetings and seven of eight against the Blue Jackets, who suffered a 4-0 loss at NHL-best Tampa Bay on Tuesday despite holding a 15-2 advantage in shots during the second period. "We can't just play 20 minutes, we have to find a way to put 40-50 minutes together of great hockey," Columbus defenseman Seth Jones told reporters. "We're not going to be perfect, but we have to find a way to keep that pressure sustained for more than a period." The Blue Jackets are 11-8-2 at home as they begin a stretch during which they play four of five at Nationwide Arena and are expected to have Nick Foligno in the lineup after the captain missed four games to be with his daughter as she underwent heart surgery.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (27-15-3): Defenseman Mattias Ekholm has been on quite a run, recording two goals and five assists while posting a plus-5 rating during a three-game streak that has pushed his season total to 32 points - three shy of his career high. Ryan Johansen set up a pair of goals on Wednesday and tops Nashville with 38 points while Forsberg took over the team lead in goals (16) despite missing 17 games. Pekka Rinne is 3-0-1 over the last four games after making 28 saves on Wednesday but could give way to backup Juuse Saros, who is 3-0-0 with two goals allowed in his last three starts.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (24-15-3): Artemi Panarin saw his seven-game point streak end Tuesday, but the left wing leads the team with 45 - three more than Cam Atkinson, who has been kept off the scoresheet in three straight contests. Atkinson tops Columbus with 24 goals and Pierre-Luc Dubois is next with 16, but the team's power play continues to struggle at 12.8 percent (30th) after going 0-for-24 over the last 11 games. Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) and Markus Hannikainen (upper body) left Tuesday's game and are questionable for the contest against Nashville.

OVERTIME

1. Columbus D Zach Werenski is one goal away from reaching double digits for the third straight season to start his career.

2. Nashville C Colton Sissons, who leads the team with a plus-22 rating, has matched his career high of nine goals after scoring in back-to-back contests.

3. Blue Jackets G Sergei Bobrovsky, who has allowed at least three goals in five straight games, is 7-5-0 with a .919 save percentage versus the Predators.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Stars vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-10

NHL Predictions 9th January 2019 by Gracenote
Stars vs. Flyers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/09/2019

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin has done his best to tune out the noise after both a sluggish start to the season and public criticism from the team's CEO. Fresh off his third two-goal performance in four outings, Seguin and the ascending Stars look to continue their hot streak on Thursday as the club wraps up a three-game road trip against the free-falling Philadelphia Flyers.

"I don't even want to talk about it. You call it puck luck, crossbars, all that stuff, it's part of the game," Seguin said. "I knew things were going to start going in and I didn't know when. I wanted to keep shooting. Right now, they're going in." The 26-year-old, who is tied with captain Jame Benn for the team lead in goals (17), also had an assist in Tuesday's 3-1 triumph over St. Louis to boost his point streak to six games (six goals, four assists). While Dallas' 5-1-1 mark since the holiday break has vaulted the club into third place in the Central Division, Philadelphia's doom-and-gloom season continued as the use of its NHL record-tying seventh goaltender (Mike McKenna) did little to alter its fortunes as it fell for the eighth straight time (0-6-2) following Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Washington. Rookie netminder Carter Hart will bid to snap a personal five-game winless skid (0-4-1) on Thursday, although he has turned aside 63 of 68 shots in his last two contests.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE STARS (23-17-4): Improved special teams play is one of the primary reasons for Dallas' rise in the standings, as its ninth-ranked power play has scored a goal in six consecutive contests (6-for-15) while its eighth-ranked penalty kill is 27-for-32 in its last 11. "The power play is something we thought we needed to take to a new level," Seguin said. "We're growing with it every game, getting better every game. We want to keep that up." Alexander Radulov, who scored 40 seconds into overtime of a 3-2 win versus Philadelphia on March 27, set up a pair of goals on Tuesday to match Seguin with a club-best 25 assists and boost his point total to 10 (three goals, seven assists) in the past six contests.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (15-22-6): Philadelphia was once again done in by a porous performance in the second period, as it surrendered three goals against the Capitals and has been outscored 15-1 in the middle session during its losing skid. "The second period (on Tuesday), we just stopped skating," forward Jakub Voracek said. "You play 40 minutes, you're not going to win many games." Captain Claude Giroux scored that lone second-period goal in a 6-5 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Dec. 27 and tallied again on Tuesday to move within one of Sean Couturier (15) for the team lead.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia D Shayne Gostisbehere scored two power-play goals in a 2-1 win over Dallas on Dec. 16, 2017, and added two assists in the March encounter.

2. Stars G Anton Khudobin will get nod on Thursday after turning aside 85 of 86 shots in his last two starts.

3. The Flyers' minus-37 goal differential is the worst in the NHL.

PREDICTION: Stars 6, Flyers 1