Friday 1-11-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Stronach 5
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $31000 Class Rating: 90

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JULY 31. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 11 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $30,000, IF FOR $25,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 MR JOSHUA 3/1

# 8 FRENCH QUARTER 12/1

# 5 STORMING MY WAY 6/1

MR JOSHUA looks to be a very good contender. Recent figs for the jock - 25 win percent - make this gelding stand out in this group. He looks solid in this slot and I expect will be on the front end or close at the midpoint. Must be carefully examined based on the very strong Equibase speed fig posted in the last competition. FRENCH QUARTER - Must be considered as he drops to compete against this softer field. STORMING MY WAY - Put up a strong speed fig in the most recent race. Can run another good one in this contest. Could best this field here, showing quite good figs of late.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Fair Grounds - Race #9 - Post: 4:22pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $41,000 Class Rating: 74

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 WHATELSE IGOT TODO (ML=7/2)


WHATELSE IGOT TODO - A big drop down in class figure points from his November 14th race at Churchill Downs. Based on that key piece of info, I will give this horse the edge. You have to expect a better performance out of this gelding in today's event. He put in a good effort on the backstretch on Nov 14th only to run evenly in the stretch drive. Morales and Shirer partnered with one another are a horse gambler's friend. Gelding was in versus 'open company' on November 14th and should find this group easier to deal with.

Vulnerable Contenders: #9 TIZ NEYNEY AND RAD (ML=4/1), #8 SOUTHERN SWAGG (ML=9/2), #10 ARCTIC DYNAFLOW (ML=5/1),

TIZ NEYNEY AND RAD - Doesn't appear to be in a cozy situation this time around. SOUTHERN SWAGG - This steed didn't go to the head of the pack and didn't close in the stretch last time he ran. The Brain always warns me to keep away from horses in sprint contests that haven't finished in the money in sprint contests lately. ARCTIC DYNAFLOW - Doubtful that the speed figure he recorded on November 24th will hold up in this race.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - WHATELSE IGOT TODO - This gelding has the top speed figure last race with a very good 74. He is the top wager here.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #1 WHATELSE IGOT TODO to win if you can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with [3,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [3,5] with [2,3,5,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [2,3,5] with [2,3,5,7,8] with [2,3,5,7,8] Total Cost: $36

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #2 - Post: 1:18pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 91

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 GENERAL MACH FOUR (ML=5/2)


GENERAL MACH FOUR - All systems look good for this gelding. Last workout, 2nd fastest of the day, shows he's fit and ready. I really like sprinters that make a fast turnaround. Looking at today's Equibase class figure, this thoroughbred is up against an easier group than last time around the track at Golden Gate Fields. This gelding is in fine form, having run a strong race on Dec 31st, finishing first.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 RIVZINTHEHOUSE (ML=1/1), #5 OMACHE KID (ML=4/1), #7 JOEJOE'S KINGDOM (ML=6/1),

RIVZINTHEHOUSE - In any event of 5 furlongs, I like to support a contender that has been looking good in short distance events lately. OMACHE KID - This horse hasn't shown very much in the last couple of affairs. Don't believe this less than sharp equine will make a winning move in today's race. That last fig was mediocre when compared with today's class rating. JOEJOE'S KINGDOM - This horse ran a mediocre speed fig last time out. He shouldn't show signs of improvement and will probably get beat in today's event running that rating.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#2 GENERAL MACH FOUR is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

01/11/19, GP, Race 6, 3.08 ET
5F [Turf] 00.53.03 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $51,000.
Claiming Price $25,000 (Races Where Entered For $20,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances) (Condition Eligibility). FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $10,000 OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $25,000
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 6-7-8) / $.50 Pick 5 (Races 6-10)
Top Horse - Races 79, Win Percent 21.52, $1 ROI 1.07, For Race Category Non-Maiden 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 10 Little Dipper 5-1 Landeros C Breen Kelly J. F
099.8486 3 Really Proud 4-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Clement Christophe
099.6374 6 Samara 9/2 Juarez N Servis Jason TL
098.6196 5 Tapping Colors 10-1 Gaffalione T Nicks Ralph E.
098.2726 7 R Happy Ending 6-1 Lopez P Baxter Georgina JEC
097.6555 4 Length 6-1 Ortiz J L Mott William I.
096.6547 8 Bodebabe 12-1 Saez L Joseph. Jr. Saffie A.
096.6349 1 Believe in Victory 15-1 Leparoux J R Sancal Murat
096.4740 9 Crazy for Sofia 8-1 Albarado R Sano Antonio SW
094.7999 2 (F)Bath And Tennis (IRE) 10-1 Maragh R R Keefe Timothy L.
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse - Races 113, Win Percent 27.43, $1 ROI 0.81, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 6 Samara 9/2 Juarez N Servis Jason TL
099.1840 3 Really Proud 4-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Clement Christophe J
097.8044 4 Length 6-1 Ortiz J L Mott William I. W
097.7237 10 Little Dipper 5-1 Landeros C Breen Kelly J. F
097.0422 7 R Happy Ending 6-1 Lopez P Baxter Georgina EC
096.3208 8 Bodebabe 12-1 Saez L Joseph. Jr. Saffie A.
095.2418 9 Crazy for Sofia 8-1 Albarado R Sano Antonio S
095.1491 5 Tapping Colors 10-1 Gaffalione T Nicks Ralph E.
094.7610 2 (F)Bath And Tennis (IRE) 10-1 Maragh R R Keefe Timothy L.
094.4488 1 Believe in Victory 15-1 Leparoux J R Sancal Murat

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)
Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse) - Race 1

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $1 Place Pick All Starts Here/ $1 Superfecta (.10 cent minimum wager $1 Early Double / $1 Pick Four


Maiden Claiming $5,000 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 70 • Purse: $9,500 • Post: 7:00P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Paceless Race. There is no true early speed in this race. * KEY ANGLES * SONIC BOY: Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. MYSTIC GREY: 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. CALIE VIEW: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
4
SONIC BOY
3/1

7/2
5
MYSTIC GREY
6/1

7/2
2
CALIE VIEW
3/1

7/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
SONIC BOY
4

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
78

66

62.8

52.6

46.6
2
CALIE VIEW
2

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
70

62

42.0

49.2

42.7
5
MYSTIC GREY
5

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
72

67

44.8

59.6

56.1
3
ACHIEVED
3

8/5
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

83.5

38.7

33.2
1
RED POTATOES
1

9/2
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

45.5

39.8

31.3
6
MACHETE
6

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
72

54

21.6

34.0

23.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 3 - Maiden Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $18000 Class Rating: 56

FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 ZEPHYR TRAIN 1/1

# 6 VALLEY CAL 8/1

# 4 PHANTOM SPOT 7/5

ZEPHYR TRAIN looks to be a formidable contender. Ought to be given a chance here on the basis of the numbers in the speed department alone. With a formidable 64 Equibase Speed Fig last time out, will clearly be a factor in this affair. He looks decent in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the halfway point. VALLEY CAL - Have to bet on this gelding with the sound earnings per start in dirt sprint races. PHANTOM SPOT - Posted a very good Equibase Speed Figure last time out.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunland Park
Sunland Park - Race 3

.50 Pick 3(Races 3-4-5/$1Exacta/Trifecta /.10 Superfecta


Claiming $7,500 • 350 Yards • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 78 • Purse: $10,300 • Post: 1:24P
QUARTER HORSE 350Y, FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JULY 1, 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. FOUR YEAR OLDS, 126 LBS.; OLDER, 128 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * LOOMING: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation. Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). SMARTI ES: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. MIGHTY B GOOD: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rati ng. AFIRSTVALIANTHERO: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating.
7
LOOMING
6/1

4/1
4
SMARTIES
12/1

6/1
3
MIGHTY B GOOD
5/2

8/1
2
AFIRSTVALIANTHERO
20/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
DM LITTLE B
1

10/1
Average
82

70

5.5

0.0

0.0
2
AFIRSTVALIANTHERO
2

20/1
Fast
76

75

2.9

0.0

0.0
3
MIGHTY B GOOD
3

5/2
Average
78

80

3.8

0.0

0.0
4
SMARTIES
4

12/1
Average
91

77

4.4

0.0

0.0
5
EL TUR CO
5

20/1
Average
73

62

6.0

0.0

0.0
6
GAME PRIZE
6

3/1
Slow
79

80

0.0

0.0

0.0
7
LOOMING
7

6/1
Fast
88

90

2.7

0.0

0.0
8
MAGIC LIL JESSE
8

8/1
Fast
89

70

2.9

0.0

0.0
9
FEAR THE BEARD
9

6/1
Average
81

78

4.0

0.0

0.0
10
KISSIN CORONAS
10

10/1
Fast
79

78

2.7

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

01/11/19, TAM, Race 4, 2.17 ET
1 1/16M [Turf] 1.39.03 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $15,200.
Claiming Price $32,000, if for $30,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 4-5-6) / Super High 5
Top Horse - Races 17, Win Percent 29.41, $1 ROI 1.21, 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 9 Quality Step 4-1 Lynch F Nations Keith TSFEW
095.6063 6 Noonsight 3-1 Gallardo A A Sweezey J. Kent JL
094.4846 5 Channel Strike 4-1 Allen. Jr. R D Klopp Randy L.
094.1477 7 Painted Image 7/2 Martinez W Ryan Derek S. C
094.1439 2 Get Along 6-1 Spieth S Pickerrell Joseph A.
093.9671 3 The Manipulater 12-1 Morales P Block Chris M.
092.3489 8 No More Cache 15-1 Cannon D Sweezey J. Kent
091.9226 4 Bibliotecario 12-1 Delgado D Lightner Mary
089.9514 1 Full Moon Rising 20-1 Jimenez M Gaffney Emmy
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse - Races 55, Win Percent 21.82, $1 ROI 0.56, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 9 Quality Step 4-1 Lynch F Nations Keith TEW
095.8596 7 Painted Image 7/2 Martinez W Ryan Derek S. FC
094.6295 6 Noonsight 3-1 Gallardo A A Sweezey J. Kent JL
093.2239 5 Channel Strike 4-1 Allen. Jr. R D Klopp Randy L.
092.4195 3 The Manipulater 12-1 Morales P Block Chris M.
091.9734 8 No More Cache 15-1 Cannon D Sweezey J. Kent
091.9220 2 Get Along 6-1 Spieth S Pickerrell Joseph A. S
091.0013 4 Bibliotecario 12-1 Delgado D Lightner Mary
089.9123 1 Full Moon Rising 20-1 Jimenez M Gaffney Emmy

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

NBA Predictions 10th January 2019 by Gracenote
Bucks vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/10/2019

The Milwaukee Bucks just finished taking out one of the hottest teams in the NBA as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo got the better of Houston's James Harden in a battle of MVP candidates. The Bucks will try to avoid a letdown when they make the second stop of a three-game trip by visiting the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Harden scored 42 points on Wednesday but Antetokounmpo collected 27 points, a career-high 21 rebounds and five assists while leading Milwaukee to a 116-109 victory. "I definitely think it's our belief inside this locker room, and a lot just around the league, that we have the best player in the league right here," Bucks center Brook Lopez told reporters of Antetokounmpo. "He does it in so many ways. He makes so many of his players better. He's all over the court constantly. It's so impressive to watch every night." The Wizards are trying to make their way back into the playoff picture in the East behind their own All-Star, shooting guard Bradley Beal, who guided the team to wins in four of the last six games. "We're playing well, but we have a lot to make up," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We're so far behind. We just want to put ourselves in position to one day get to .500."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE BUCKS (29-11): Milwaukee owns the fewest losses in the NBA thanks in large part to Antetokounmpo, who is Harden's closest challenger in the race for the MVP award halfway through the season. "To be honest with you, all I care about right now is getting better, helping my team win," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "And (becoming MVP is) going to take care of itself. I know that one day it might happen. I don't know if I'm there yet, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there, because that's what I want to be." Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.6 points on 58.1 percent shooting, 12.8 rebounds and six assists.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (17-25): Beal is leading the team in the absence of point guard John Wall (heel) and scored 34 points in Wednesday's 123-106 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers. "It's just extra effort," Beal told reporters of the team's improved play of late. ... It's kind of that mentality of don't let it be. Don't be that guy that is relaxing on defense. Don't be that guy that is getting beat." Beal is getting some help off the bench of late from forward Otto Porter Jr., who is averaging 15.4 points in five games since returning from a knee injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks G Malcolm Brogdon averaged 22.5 points on 17-of-26 shooting over the last two games.

2. Washington SF Trevor Ariza scored 17 points on Wednesday after totaling six points on 2-of-16 shooting in the previous two contests.

3. The road team took each of the last five in the series.

PREDICTION: Bucks 119, Wizards 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

NBA Predictions 10th January 2019 by Gracenote
Hawks vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/10/2019

The Philadelphia 76ers have played 27 games since acquiring Jimmy Butler from Minnesota in November, and the effort to fit him into an offense featuring Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons continues heading into Friday's home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The 76ers are 18-9 since trading for Butler but not all is harmonious in the City of Brotherly Love, as Butler reportedly has criticized coach Brett Brown's usage of him in the offense.

Nights like Wednesday - when Philadelphia's four-game winning streak ended with a 123-106 loss at Washington, a game the 76ers trailed by 26 points in the third quarter - do not help, even though Embiid (35 points), Butler (23) and Simmons (15) combined for 68.9 percent of the offensive output. "I think that was just lack of competitiveness," Simmons told reporters afterward. "I don't think we competed." As for Atlanta, the rebuilding Hawks went 5-1 during an impressive late December stretch, but are 1-5 since after Wednesday's 116-100 defeat at Brooklyn. "A lot of energy, a lot of movement, a lot of pace, attacking downhill, and then we just ran out of gas," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce said after a game in which the Hawks led by 15 points after one quarter then fell flat on the second night of a back-to-back.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE HAWKS (12-29): John Collins continues his campaign for All-Star consideration, scoring 30 points with 14 rebounds Wednesday for his 16th double-double of the season and raising his team-leading averages to 18.8 points and 10.6 rebounds. Rookie guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter have found a rhythm offensively, Young averaging 15.9 points and 7.6 assists in his past nine games and Huerter reaching double-figures scoring in his past four games. Atlanta concludes a stretch of six road contests in seven games Friday; the Hawks are 5-19 away from home this season.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (27-15): Butler has averaged 18.3 points in 23 games since joining Philadelphia, averaging 13.9 shots per game on a team where Embiid averages 18.2 shots per contest and Simmons 11.5. Embiid ranks third in the NBA in rebounding at 13.5 per game and seventh in scoring at 26.9, while Simmons is shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Philadelphia has struggled at times defensively, sitting 22nd in the league in scoring defense (112.5).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The 76ers are third in the NBA in assists (27 per game), fourth in rebounding (47.5) and sixth in scoring (114.6).

2. Philadelphia SG J.J. Redick missed his second game in a row with lower back tightness, but the 76ers are optimistic he could return as early as Friday.

3. Simmons scored 21 points to lift Philadelphia to a 113-92 home victory over Atlanta on Oct. 29, the 76ers' fourth consecutive triumph over the Hawks.

PREDICTION: 76ers 123, Hawks 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

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

The New York Knicks managed one win on their six-game road trip, which is one more than they posted in their last six home games. The Knicks will try to win at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Dec. 1 when the host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

New York snapped an eight-game slide with a 119-112 win at the Los Angeles Lakers last Friday but dropped the final two stops of the six-game West Coast trip and lost 15 of the last 17 games overall. "We've got a long way to go," Knicks coach David Fizdale told reporters after finishing the road trip with a 122-95 loss at Golden State on Tuesday. "We've got a lot of work to do. We've got to learn to play complete games. Hopefully, over the second half of the season, which I expect us to continue to get better. I expect the second half for the young guys to be a little more familiar and hopefully we're going to get a little more trust between us." The Pacers are coming to the end of a five-game road trip and fell to 2-2 on the excursion after getting blasted 135-108 by the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. "It just looked like we were gassed tonight," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "We didn't win a quarter. We knew they would come out fast, and they did. Came out very aggressive, attacking us. We weren't able to establish anything defensively against this group."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Indiana

ABOUT THE PACERS (27-14): Indiana knocked off sub-500 foes Chicago and Cleveland on the trip but fell to East contenders Toronto and Boston, and the latest loss did not sit well with star guard Victor Oladipo. "They just beat us in every category today," Oladipo told reporters. "Everything you can imagine, they beat us in, so. Got to go back to the drawing board. One of those games where they do what they need to do. They came in and dominated us. Credit them. They played well." Oladipo scored 36 points at Chicago to begin the trip but was held to 17 or fewer in each of the last three contests.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-31): New York is in full rebuilding mode and is shuffling veterans to the end of the rotation, opening up more minutes for rookies like small forward Kevin Knox. The 19-year-old Kentucky product shot 33.3 percent from the floor on the road trip but drew praise from Warriors superstar Kevin Durant. "I got a chance to watch a lot of the young guys in the league so far and he's one of the guys having a good year," Durant told reporters of Knox. "He was injured at the start of the season and he's coming back. Coach put him in the starting lineup and (he is) playing some great minutes. He's really starting to get a feel for the game. He has a bright future ahead of him."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Knicks are reportedly fielding trade offers for veteran C Enes Kanter, with the Sacramento Kings emerging as a possibility.

2. Pacers C Myles Turner (shoulder) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

3. Indiana took the first two meetings this season, including a 107-101 victory at New York on Oct. 31.

PREDICTION: Pacers 121, Knicks 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

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

Kawhi Leonard attempts to run his career-best streak of 20-point games to 18 when the Toronto Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Leonard is averaging 30.2 points during the stretch and is closing in on the franchise record 23-game streak Vince Carter recorded in 2001.

The Raptors are looking for their seventh straight home victory against the Nets and they bring a three-game winning streak into the contest after recording a 104-101 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Leonard scored 31 points in the contest to improve Toronto's home mark to 17-14 as the club battles the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn also defeated the Hawks in its last game, producing a 116-100 home win that leaves the streaking Nets with four wins in five games and 13 in their past 17. Guard D'Angelo Russell scored 23 points and has topped 20 in five of his last six appearances and is averaging 22.3 during the stretch.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE NETS (21-22): Brooklyn trailed by 15 points after the opening quarter against the Hawks before outscoring Atlanta by 31 points over the final three quarter to easily win the contest. "Guys just vocalized that we needed to pick up the energy, just compete harder," Nets forward Joe Harris told reporters. "That's all it really boiled down to. It had nothing to do with Xs and Os, making shots, anything like that. It was just competing harder and we did a better job to help us in the defensive end in the second quarter." Backup power forward Ed Davis collected a season-best 16 rebounds off the bench for his 17th double-digit effort on the boards this season.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (31-12): Toronto matched a franchise-record with 18 steals against the Hawks with Leonard (six) and point guard Kyle Lowry (four) each recording a season high in the category. Lowry scored 16 points in the contest, which marked the first time since Dec. 9 that he and Leonard played in the same contest. Lowry has played in back-to-back games after missing 10 of the previous 11 games due to back and hip injuries and Leonard was held out for rest when Lowry returned against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nets halted a 12-game losing streak against the Raptors by recording a 106-105 overtime home victory on Dec. 7.

2. Toronto is on the verge of signing G Patrick McCaw and it is unknown if he will be available against the Nets.

3. Brooklyn SF Jared Dudley (hamstring) is doubtful after being injured against the Hawks.

PREDICTION: Raptors 116, Nets 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

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

Ryan Saunders won his first game as Minnesota interim coach and looks to post another triumph when the Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The 32-year-old Saunders was promoted to the top seat on the bench when the organization fired Tom Thibodeau on Sunday.

Minnesota has won three straight contests and six of its last nine and Saunders - the son of former Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders - liked what he witnessed from his team in the 119-117 road win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "It's unbelievable how they stayed connected throughout the whole game," Saunders told reporters. "Down the stretch, there were so many times where we could have disbanded and then the crowd could have got into us. I can't say enough about that team." Dallas posted a 104-94 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and is three games below .500 at the midway point of its schedule. "We can be a lot better," center DeAndre Jordan told reporters afterward. "I'm definitely not satisfied and happy with where we are right now - we want to be better and that's not a negative thing. That's just real. We want to be better, we know we're better."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (19-22): Rookie forward Luka Doncic reached the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season in the win over the Suns and he was solid all-around with 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, four 3-pointers and three steals. "Luka does crazy stuff all the time," Jordan told reporters after the club won for just the fourth time in 15 games. "So I'm not surprised by anything he does." Forward Harrison Barnes had 17 points against Phoenix thanks to hitting all 10 of his free-throw attempts but he was just 3-of-11 from the field and is 8-of-33 over the past three contests.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (20-21): The players felt the environment was improved during Saunders' first game in place of stern taskmaster Thibodeau. "He fed off our energy, and we fed off his energy," Minnesota power forward Taj Gibson told reporters. "We were just trying to get a win for him." Small forward Andrew Wiggins certainly responded with season highs of 40 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth career double-double and he is averaging 27 points over the past five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Mavericks posted a 140-136 home win on Oct. 20 to snap a five-game losing streak against the Timberwolves.

2. Minnesota PF Derrick Rose (ankle) is expected to play Friday after missing six straight games.

3. Dallas PG Dennis Smith Jr. (back) and F Dirk Nowitzki (illness) could return after one-game absences.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-11

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

The Houston Rockets are cooling off a bit with losses in two of their last three games after falling 116-109 to the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. James Harden will try to drag his team back into the win column when the Rockets take a step down in Eastern Conference foes while hosting the NBA-worst Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Harden went head-to-head with his closest competitor in the NBA MVP race on Wednesday and posted his 14th straight game with 30 or more points by scoring 42 on 13-of-30 shooting, but Giannis Antetokounmpo ended up with the win. "We've just got to keep fighting," Harden told reporters. "That's what it's about. It's the grind. We've been playing some really good teams and you've just got to continue to fight. We're down a couple players, but that's no excuse." The Cavaliers scored 38 points in the first quarter on Wednesday but still couldn't avoid an 11th consecutive setback while falling 140-124 at the New Orleans Pelicans in the opener of a six-game trip. "We just have to buckle down and try to put four solid quarters together, which we haven't been able to do," Cleveland coach Larry Drew told reporters. "We just have to continue working on it."

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

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (8-34): Cleveland allowed New Orleans to shoot 54.8 percent from the floor in its most recent loss but can take away some positives offensively after knocking down 14 3-pointers and placing seven scorers in double figures. The Cavaliers did not get much out of rookie point guard Collin Sexton (13 points on 2-of-12 shooting) but placed a pair of reserve point guards in double figures as Matthew Dellavedova and Cameron Payne combined for 33 points on 12-of-16 shooting. Those two were joined by reserve guard Jordan Clarkson, who scored a team-high 21 points in his third straight 20-plus performance.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (23-17): Houston let the game slip away while getting outscored 38-23 in the third quarter but is taking some positives from Wednesday's setback. "These games are probably more important than the ones we win, just because these teams are feisty and scrappy, and they come in here and try to get a big road win," Harden told reporters. "We've got to lock back in, watch some film (Thursday), prepare, get ready for Cleveland." The Rockets shot 37.6 percent from the floor against the Bucks as center Clint Capela endured a rare tough shooting night, going 4-of-16 from the floor.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) missed Wednesday game and is questionable for Friday.

2. Rockets SG Eric Gordon (knee) sat out the last five contests and is not expected to play Friday.

3. Cleveland knocked off Houston 117-108 at home on Nov. 24 as Sexton scored 29 points on 14-of-21 shooting.

PREDICTION: Rockets 128, Cavaliers 110