Monday 1-14-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:20 AM

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Boston Celtics followed four consecutive home wins with back-to-back losses on the road, and star point guard Kyrie Irving is not happy. The Celtics will try to respond to Irving's latest attempt at motivating the team and salvage the finale of the three-game trip when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

Irving credited a team meeting for giving Boston the boost it needed to average 120 points during the four-game homestand but was dismayed after a 105-103 loss at Orlando on Saturday about the team's inconsistency. "I know from the majority of fact that we're better than most teams in this league," Irving told reporters. "It's just going out and proving it every single night and demanding it and actually showing it. So, until we do that every single night and realize our depth is a positive and all the wishes and could-haves and should have done that, once that goes out the window, then we'll be better." The good version of the Celtics showed up for a 116-95 win over the Nets at home last Monday, and Brooklyn followed that with a home win over Atlanta before falling at Toronto on Friday. "If you say you're going to be a playoff team, we have to beat playoff teams," Brooklyn forward Ed Davis told reporters. "It's easy to beat the Hawks and Knicks and teams like that, but you really see where you're at when you play Toronto, Boston, at Houston, at Orlando, games like that. You really see where you're at."

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

ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-17): Boston's inconsistency was on the minds of the players and the coaches following Saturday's loss, which featured the team squandering a double-digit, second-half lead. "It's definitely a little frustrating," swingman Gordan Hayward told reporters. "Puzzling is a good word. ... We have stretches where we're really, really good, and really tough. And we have other stretches where we're not at all." Irving led the team with 25 points in Saturday's loss but went 0-of-5 from beyond the arc as part of a team effort that saw the Celtics connect on 8-of-32 from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE NETS (21-23): Brooklyn is 13-5 over its last 18 games and is battling for a playoff spot in the East, raising expectations for a team that was supposed to still be in rebuilding mode. The Nets held an early lead at East-leading Toronto on Friday but were outscored 71-40 in the second and third quarters and committed 17 turnovers in the 122-105 setback. "I rarely say this about our team, but I didn't love the effort and execution," coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "When you have both of those go wrong, that's when you get beat by 20. To beat an elite team on the road, our effort and our execution was nowhere near where it needed to be. We've got good guys. They understand it. They understand we've got Boston coming up, and if we have the same effort and execution, you're going to take (a 20-point loss) on the chin."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics PG Terry Rozier is 1-of-13 from the field over the last two games.

2. Nets SF Jared Dudley (hamstring) sat out Friday and is day-to-day.

3. Boston took the last 10 in the series, including five in a row at Brooklyn.

PREDICTION: Celtics 111, Nets 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

James Harden kept alive one of the best scoring streaks in NBA history Sunday in Orlando, but his inability to hit from the perimeter led to a rare loss for the Houston Rockets. The reigning MVP will attempt to find the range once again Monday when the Rockets begin a three-game homestand against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Harden was a woeful 1-for-17 from 3-point range - including a series of misses down the stretch as the Magic closed on a 20-6 run - in the 116-109 loss, just the fourth setback in Houston's last 17 games. "You can't rely on (Harden) being a superhuman every night," coach Mike D'Antoni told the media of his star guard, who tied Kobe Bryant (16) for the most consecutive 30-point games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964. "We got to have some contributions from some other guys. I just thought they came in with a lack of focus, especially on the defensive end, but it carried over to the offensive end. We just didn't play well." The Grizzlies are in the midst of a challenging stretch that will see them follow up the trip to Houston with a home game against Milwaukee and then visits to Boston and Toronto. They snapped a six-game slide with an impressive win over San Antonio on Wednesday before falling 112-108 at Miami on Saturday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-23): JaMychal Green led the way in Saturday's loss with 24 points and 11 rebounds in only 22 minutes off the bench, his third double-digit effort on the boards in a span of four games. The 28-year-old's role may increase after starting forward Kyle Anderson, who scored 20 points in a New Year's Eve loss at Houston, was lost to a sprained ankle. Green is averaging 15 points and six rebounds in 22.5 minutes in two games against the Rockets this season, making all three of his 3-point attempts and shooting 76.9 percent overall.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (24-18): Making his seventh straight start while fellow guards Chris Paul and Eric Gordon are sidelined, Austin Rivers scored a season-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting Sunday. Center Clint Capela chipped in 17 points and 10 rebounds for his 29th double-double, and the 24-year-old is averaging 21.2 points and 13 boards this month. Four reserves combined for seven points on 2-of-9 shooting in the loss to the Magic.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Harden recorded a triple-double in both of the previous matchups with Memphis, averaging 37.5 points, 11.5 assists and 11 rebounds in two Houston wins.

2. Grizzlies PG Mike Conley is averaging 22.2 points while making 46.4 percent of his 3-pointers over the last five games.

3. Rockets SF Danuel House Jr. has back-to-back 14-point outings while hitting 7-of-14 from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Rockets 110, Grizzlies 100

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
Hornets vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The San Antonio Spurs won four championships with Tony Parker as the starting point guard, including a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 in which he was named the Finals MVP. Parker will make his first trip to San Antonio as a visiting player when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Spurs on Monday.

Parker was drafted by the Spurs as a 19-year-old in 2001 and spent the first 17 seasons of his career in black and silver before leaving as a free agent last summer to join former San Antonio assistant James Borrego and the Hornets. "It'll really look weird, won't it," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters last week of seeing Parker in a different uniform. "Anxious to see him. We talk frequently. He's always going to be part of my thoughts. He's a special young man and I've always felt like a second daddy to him over the years and he's been like a son in all kinds of ways. So, he's just a friend for life and someone I'll always care about. So, it'll be great to see him." Parker sat out Saturday to rest on the second night of a back-to-back and watched Charlotte fall to 1-4 on the six-game road trip with a 104-97 loss at Sacramento. "We turned it over a little bit too much," Borrego told reporters. "We were trying to execute, trying to make the right play - give them credit. They turned us over in this game. Give Sacramento credit. We could have been better."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (19-23): Charlotte won at Phoenix on the trip but dropped double-digit decisions at Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland before falling just short at Sacramento. "Just a lot of mistakes. We made a lot of mistakes down the stretch defensively, and they made plays," Hornets guard Kemba Walker told reporters after falling to the Kings. "That's really what it was. We came out with some great energy tonight. We were really conscious of that. We haven't been playing with that kind of energy as of late." Walker scored 31 points at Sacramento but is shooting 37.8 percent from the floor on the road trip, including 11-of-40 from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE SPURS (25-19): San Antonio is enjoying a seven-game home winning streak but is coming off a 122-112 loss at Oklahoma City on Saturday. The Spurs, who beat the Thunder in an epic 154-147 double-overtime thriller at home on Thursday, are 18-5 at home and are making a brief stop in front of the home fans before hitting the road again for four of the next five. All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge broke out for a career-high 56 points in Thursday's victory but could not muster the same effort on Saturday, when he settled for 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting in 33 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Spurs SF Rudy Gay (wrist) sat out the last four games and is questionable for Monday.

2. Hornets C Bismack Biyombo is averaging 8.8 rebounds on the road trip.

3. San Antonio took the last four in the series by an average of 12.3 points.

PREDICTION: Spurs 120, Hornets 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

Detroit Pistons vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Utah Jazz are making things look easy on their homestand as they slowly work their way back up the standings in the Western Conference. The Jazz will try to ride sizzling guard Donovan Mitchell to a four-game sweep of the homestand when they host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Utah knocked off the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls by an average of 13 points and Mitchell averaged 33.3 points in the victories. "Mentally and physically, I think we're really tough," Mitchell told reporters after scoring 34 points on the second night of a back-to-back to lead the Jazz past the Chicago Bulls 110-102 on Saturday. "It just shows our character, and we're willing to compete, willing to fight, even with the odds really stacked against us. When our back's against the wall, I think that's when we really play our best." The Pistons snapped a four-game slide with a 109-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday as star forward Blake Griffin scored 44 points against his former team. "It was nice to get that game over with," Griffin told reporters. "I kind of compare it to the first game of the year in a way. There's such a big hype leading up to it, and then once it's done, you have to play 81 more. Now we have to play 41 more or whatever it is. It's over, and I'm moving on, they're moving on."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (18-23): Griffin went 13-of-23 from the floor and added eight rebounds and five assists to his totals on Saturday, with several of those assists going to shooting guard Reggie Bullock. "When he's got it going like that on offense, it's tough for teams," Bullock told reporters of Griffin. "They have to make an adjustment on the defensive end. They have to start doubling him. Once they double, it's my time to shine." Bullock knocked down 5-of-10 from beyond the arc en route to 17 points while Andre Drummond collected 20 points and 21 rebounds in the victory.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (23-21): Utah is operating without a true point guard with Ricky Rubio (groin), Dante Exum (ankle) and Raul Neto (groin) out and everyone is chipping in to pick up the slack. Center Rudy Gobert led the team with eight assists on Saturday while Mitchell handed out six. "We've got toughness. We've got chemistry," veteran guard Kyle Korver told reporters. "It's hard to play basketball without a point guard - it's an important position. But a bunch of guys have stepped up. It wasn't pretty the whole time tonight but winning the second game of a back-to-back is always big, so we'll take it and keep going."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz PF Jae Crowder is 3-of-24 from the floor over the last two games.

2. Drummond's effort on Saturday marked his seventh game this season with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds but first since Nov. 23.

3. Utah earned a 110-105 win at Detroit on Jan. 5 behind 26 points from Mitchell.

PREDICTION: Jazz 109, Pistons 101

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Portland Trail Blazers will have little time to recover from a difficult loss when they wrap up a quick two-game road trip at the Sacramento Kings on Monday. After winning four straight to end a five-game homestand, the Trail Blazers took the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets to the finish line Sunday night before falling 116-113 as guard Damian Lillard's long shot at the buzzer was off.

The Nuggets shot 55.6 percent from the floor, the third-highest mark for a Portland opponent this season, and seized control with a 35-point third quarter. "The turning point of the game was in the third quarter," Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "They got hot, made six of seven from three. They made a nice run to finish the quarter." The Kings will be trying to finish a perfect three-game homestand after knocking off Detroit and Charlotte to begin their stay at Golden 1 Center. Three players scored at least 21 points and Sacramento held the Hornets to just 38 second-half points in Saturday's 104-97 triumph.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (26-18): Lillard scored 26 points on Sunday for his best total in a span of eight games, during which he has shot better than 40 percent just twice. The three-time All-Star is 12-for-50 from 3-point range in January, including a 1-of-9 showing in a 113-108 overtime win at Sacramento on New Year's Day. Center Jusuf Nurkic dominated that affair with 24 points, a career-high 23 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and a career-high five steals.

ABOUT THE KINGS (22-21): Sacramento is 7-0 this season when holding an opponent under 100 points, and Saturday's win over Charlotte was the latest example of what this improving team can accomplish when it locks down on that end of the floor. "This was kind of a gritty win. We stuck together, kept competing defensively and got stops," coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "A good win for us." Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting after going 17-of-52 from the floor over his previous four contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Kings SG Buddy Hield is averaging 22.3 points in January while shooting 53.4 percent from 3-point range.

2. Blazers SF Maurice Harkless (knee) has missed three straight games and is day-to-day.

3. Portland has won four straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Kings 109, Trail Blazers 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

New Orleans Pelicans vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NBA Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Los Angeles Clippers could not match the force of Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons in his return on Saturday, leading to a 109-104 setback in the opener of a four-game homestand. The Clippers will try to bounce back and avoid a third consecutive loss when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

Setting aside the emotion of welcoming back one of the best players in franchise history on Saturday, Los Angeles outshot Detroit from the field (48.6 percent to 43.5) and from beyond the arc (50 percent to 43.2) but was outrebounded 53-42 and knocked down seven fewer 3-pointers. The Clippers are trying to remain among the elite teams in the West and need to take advantage of a homestand that features visits from Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors after the Pelicans. New Orleans looked great in beating up the likes of Cleveland and Memphis during a three-game winning streak but dropped a 110-106 decision at Minnesota on Saturday to open a five-game road trip. The Pelicans are 5-17 on the road and will not play back-to-back games at home again until February 12 and 14, leading into the All-Star break.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (20-23): Superstar forward Anthony Davis is doing his best to keep New Orleans relevant in the loaded Western Conference and is averaging 34.7 points on 59.3 percent shooting over the last three games. Davis (30 points and 14 rebounds) and Julius Randle (22 points and 11 boards) both recorded a double-double in Saturday's loss, but the Pelicans scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter after totaling 89 in the first three periods. New Orleans struggled from beyond the arc (5-of-25), with guards Jrue Holiday (0-of-4), E'Twaun Moore (0-of-3) and forward Nikola Mirotic (1-of-6) having trouble getting started from long range.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-18): The trade of Griffin last season and the departure of DeAndre Jordan in the offseason left Los Angeles without a true star on the roaster, and the team is relying on its depth in 2018-19. The reserves outscored the starters in Saturday's loss with Montrezl Harrell (21 points) and Lou Williams (22) highlighting the bench. The Clippers could use more out of starting forward Tobias Harris, who averages 20.8 points but was held to 11 on 4-of-9 shooting against the Pistons.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers starting SG Avery Bradley is averaging five points on 30.8 percent shooting in six games this month.

2. Holiday is shooting 56.8 percent from the floor in five games this month.

3. The teams split the first two meetings this season - both in New Orleans.

PREDICTION: Clippers 115, Pelicans 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:21 AM

Minnesota Wild vs. Philadelphia Flyers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
Wild vs. Flyers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Minnesota Wild were booed out of their own building in their last outing after what Bruce Boudreau labeled as "the worst game that we've played since I've been here as coach." The Wild look to get back in Boudreau's good graces on Monday when they visit the free-falling Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.

Zach Parise set up Luke Kunin's first goal of the season late in the first period of Saturday's 5-2 setback versus Detroit, moving past Mikael Granlund for the team lead in points (40) after collecting 11 (four goals, seven assists) in his past nine contests. The 34-year-old Parise, who has recorded 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 45 career contests versus Philadelphia, needs to tally just once in 45 contests to reach 20 for the ninth time in his career. The Flyers' gloom-and-doom season limped along on Saturday afternoon as they fell for the ninth time in 10 contests (1-7-2) following a 3-2 loss to New Jersey. Philadelphia has mustered just 14 goals in its last nine contests overall and likely will face Devan Dubnyk, who turned aside all 62 shots he faced in back-to-back shutouts against the club last season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE WILD (22-19-3): Boudreau wasn't the lone Minnesota representative to find fault with the team's performance as veteran forward Eric Staal also took umbrage following the 18-shot effort against the Red Wings. "Whether it was shots or no shots, I don't think we were very good." said the 34-year-old Staal, who is mired in an eight-game goal drought. "We just didn't execute very well. We didn't win a lot of the battles and they competed harder than we did. You do that in the NHL you're going to be on the losing end of it pretty much every night." Staal scored and set up a goal in two encounters last season versus the Flyers to boost his point total against the team to 41 (18 goals, 23 assists) in 52 games.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (16-23-6): James van Riemsdyk wasn't in the mood to celebrate after scoring and setting up a goal in his second straight game on Saturday, telling reporters that the team's frustration level has been heightened due to careless mistakes. "Certainly it's been frustrating. We shoot ourselves in the foot a lot and it makes you have to chase the game a lot of the time," said the 29-year-old van Riemsdyk, who has just eight goals and 18 points since signing a five-year, $35 million contract in the offseason. Jakub Voracek set up Sean Couturier's team-leading 16th goal on Saturday to boost his point total to four (one goal, three assists) over the last three games heading into a tilt with Minnesota, versus which he has 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 21 career contests.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia rookie G Carter Hart has been confirmed to start Monday's game at home, where he owns a 3-2-1 mark with a 2.18 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.

2. The Wild have dropped nine of 13 all-time meetings in the City of Brotherly Love.

3. Flyers captain Claude Giroux has just four (one goal, three assists) of his club-best 48 points in his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Wild 4, Flyers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

While Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat are pumping in points on the scoreboard, the Chicago Blackhawks are letting them slip away in the standings. Kane and DeBrincat look to continue their respective torrid stretches on Monday when the Blackhawks open a brief two-game road trip against New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

"We've gotten into tight games and for whatever reason we sit back. The way we were playing the first two periods (on Saturday), that was fun hockey. ... Why stop, no matter what the score?" said Kane, who saw Chicago fail to hold a two-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime setback versus Vegas for its fifth loss in six outings (1-2-3). The 2016 Hart Trophy recipient, who leads the team in goals (25), assists (35) and points (60), recorded his fourth consecutive multi-point performance on Saturday to boost his point streak to five games (three goals, seven assists). While the status of the reigning Hart Trophy winner remains in question due to a lower-body injury, New Jersey improved to 5-4-0 without Taylor Hall by posting a 3-2 win over ice-cold Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. Nico Hischier posted his 20th career multi-point performance with a goal and an assist, lifting his total to 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his last 11 games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (16-22-9): DeBrincat tallied twice versus the Golden Knights to give him five of his 23 goals during the last four games and 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in his last 20. "We're doing well. We're passing it around pretty well," the 21-year-old Michigan native told reporters. "Kaner's a threat by himself over there, too. It's tough for the other teams to defend if we're zipping it around and we have a lot of different options to score, so I think we're pretty confident right now and we look to keep going with it." DeBrincat has five of Chicago's 13 power-play goals over the last 12 games, with four being set up on one-timers from Kane.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (17-20-7): While Hischier has the burden of carrying the weight of being a top overall pick in an NHL draft class, the 20-year-old Swiss center told reporters he couldn't imagine the pressure that rookie Mackenzie Blackwood has to endure given his position. "If you make a mistake as a goaltender, it ends up in the back of the net. For me, I have defensemen to help," Hischier said the 22-year-old. Blackwood turned aside 32 shots in his return from injury on Saturday for New Jersey, which may turn back to Keith Kinkaid as he has stopped 102 of 112 shots in three career encounters (1-0-2) versus Chicago.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey RW Kyle Palmieri (club-best 20 goals) has been held off the scoresheet in four straight contests.

2. Chicago's Erik Gustafsson has set up 11 goals during his eight-game assist streak, which is two contests shy of matching Pierre Pilote (10-game streak, 1961) for the longest by a defenseman in franchise history.

3. The Devils' 21st-ranked power play is mired in an 0-for-18 drought.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

St. Louis Blues vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
Blues vs. Capitals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The St. Louis Blues have used the inspiration of a 25-year-old rookie goalie to climb out of last place in the Central Division and look to notch their fifth win in seven games when they visit the Washington Capitals on Monday night. Jordan Binnington allowed just two goals while winning his first three starts during the current revival for the Blues, including 21 saves in Saturday's 3-1 victory at Dallas.

"His focus, his energy in what he's doing right now, it's nice," St. Louis center Ryan O'Reilly told reporters of Binnington, who has a .941 save percentage in five appearances. "I think it's kind of contagious. You feed off it - that's the big thing." While Binnington's play has been outstanding, veteran goalie Jake Allen started the 4-2-0 stretch with 23 saves in a 5-2 home victory over Washington on Jan. 3 and it is uncertain which netminder will go Monday with the Blues playing at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals may have to go with backup goalie Pheonix Copley after No. 1 Braden Holtby left Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to Columbus when he took a stick to his left eye in the second period, but the former Vezina Trophy winner practiced Sunday. Washington was still able to extend its point streak to five games (3-0-2) and coach Todd Reirden told reporters: "It's an important point. I thought (Columbus) played a very desperate, urgent game. We weren't on top of our game as well as we have been."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), NBCS Washington, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific

ABOUT THE BLUES (19-20-4): Right wing Vladimir Tarasenko registered his first two-goal performance Saturday since late October and has three to go along with two assists in five January games, telling reporters: "There's way more goals before I'm relieved." O'Reilly tops the team with 42 points, including three goals and seven assists over the past nine contests, while fellow forward David Perron boasts a 10-game point streak. Oskar Sundqvist has stepped up to post a goal and three assists in the past two games with fellow forwards Alex Steen (shoulder), Tyler Bozak (concussion) and Robert Thomas (shoulder) out.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (27-12-5): The team has gained plenty of confidence in Copley (10-2-3, .916 save percentage) and Reirden told reporters: "We're testing him with a lot of stuff this year and he's again passed with flying colors." Captain Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (32) and the team in points (50) after scoring twice and setting up two others the last four games while center Nicklas Backstrom (34 assists) was held to one point the last five games. Evgeny Kuznetsov, who scored a career-best 27 times in 2017-18, snapped a 17-game goal drought with his eighth of the season in Saturday's loss.

OVERTIME

1. Washington D Brooks Orpik is slated to play his 1,000th NHL regular-season game Monday and appeared in his last 296 with the Capitals.

2. St. Louis recalled Fs Jordan Kyrou and Jordan Nolan from the American Hockey League for more depth up front.

3. The Blues snapped a five-game losing streak against the Capitals with the victory earlier this month.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Blues 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Colorado Avalanche's pronounced woes on the road grow worse with each passing game while the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't been too keen about their recent performances at home, either. The Avalanche bid to end a seven-game road losing skid on Monday when they visit Scotiabank Arena to face the Maple Leafs, who fell for the fourth time in their last five home contests with Saturday's 3-2 setback versus Boston.

"We have to come together and figure a way out of this. And I have no doubt we will, but nonetheless it's frustrating," said Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who saw his run of three straight contests with multi-point performances come to a halt in Saturday's 3-0 setback in Montreal. The Avalanche, who have lost nine of 10 overall (1-7-2), surrendered 15 goals during the first three contests of its five-game Canadian trek. The Avalanche may need to vent their frustrations at Frederik Andersen, who told reporters on Sunday that he feels ready to end his eight-game absence due to a groin injury. Although the 29-year-old Dane is optimistic, Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said he has to refer to the training staff before a decision will be made on his starting goaltender against the Avalanche.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), TSN4 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (20-17-8): Carey Price and the Canadiens brought a halt to four separate point streaks by Colorado players, namely Nathan MacKinnon's eight-game run in which he scored five goals and set up six others. The 23-year-old scored a goal and set up two others in Colorado's 4-3 overtime win over Toronto on Dec. 29, 2017. Linemates Landeskog (three goals, three assists) and Mikko Rantanen (three goals, three assists) as well as defenseman Erik Johnson (one goal, two assists) saw their respective three-game point streaks come to a close Saturday as well.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (28-14-2): While Auston Matthews has scored just one goal in his last nine games and fellow forward William Nylander has just one tally in his 16 contests this season, Nazem Kadri cautioned that the noise surrounding individual players' troubles will fall on deaf ears. "Complaining and saying you're unlucky and feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to do much," the 28-year-old Kadri told TSN. "So you just have to have that work ethic, have that positive mentality and be able to turn that page every game." Matthews has five points (one goal, four assists) over his last five games overall and scored twice in four career contests with Colorado.

OVERTIME

1. Toronto G Garret Sparks was medically cleared to return after sustaining a concussion during a practice.

2. Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov improved to 4-3-2 in his career versus the Maple Leafs after turning aside 31 shots in the win on Dec. 29, 2017.

3. The Maple Leafs' eighth-ranked power play is 6-for-46 in the last 17 games.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Avalanche 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Boston Bruins are heating up at just the right time, as the club has won six of seven to reside within two points of second place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins bid to continue their sizzling stretch on Monday when they host the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden in the finale of the four-game season series between the Original Six rivals.

David Pastrnak, who is set to play in his 300th career NHL contest on Monday, scored the eventual game-winning tally in Saturday's 3-2 triumph at Toronto to boost his team-leading total in goals (26) and points (53). The 22-year-old Czech had a pair of assists in Boston's 4-0 romp at the Bell Centre on Dec. 17 as the road team improved to 3-0-0 in the season series. Former Hart and Vezina Trophy recipient Carey Price was on the losing end of that contest but recorded his second shutout in five outings after turning aside all 28 shots he faced in Saturday's 3-0 victory versus Colorado. The 31-year-old owns a sterling 25-13-5 mark with two shutouts in his career versus Boston, however fellow netminder Jaroslav Halak has had his number by winning all five head-to-head encounters.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TSN2, RDS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (24-17-5): Brendan Gallagher answered an eight-game goal drought by scoring in back-to-back contests to raise his team-leading total to 17 before being held in check against the Avalanche. The 26-year-old, who joined Phillip Danault on top line with Jonathan Drouin on Saturday, scored in Montreal's 3-0 road victory over Boston on Oct. 27 to boost his point total to 20 (seven goals, 13 assists) in 25 career matchups before failing to dent the scoresheet in the last two battles. Max Domi, who has a club-best totals in assists (25) and points (39), also scored in the Canadiens' win over the Bruins in October.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (26-15-4): David Krejci has scored in back-to-back games to boost his point total to five (two goals, three assists) in six contests this month. The recent strong surge comes on the heels of the 32-year-old answering an eight-game point streak - during which he scored in Boston's 4-0 win over Montreal on Dec. 17 - with four straight games of failing to notch a point. Brad Marchand scored in that contest versus the Canadiens to ignite a stretch of 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in nine games before being held off the scoresheet in each of his last two outings.

OVERTIME

1. Montreal's league-worst power play is 1-for-20 in the past seven games.

2. Ten of LW Jake DeBrusk's 14 goals have been scored in Boston wins this season.

3. Canadiens LW Tomas Tatar has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games on the heels of collecting seven points (two goals, five assists) in his previous four.

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Canadiens 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NHL Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

The Buffalo Sabres were one of the biggest surprises in the NHL the first two-plus months of the season, but are suddenly sitting outside of playoff position as they begin a three-game Western Canada trip against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. The Sabres fell to 2-5-1 after coughing up three unanswered goals in the third period of a 5-3 setback against league-best Tampa Bay on Saturday.

"Sure, there's frustration," Buffalo top-line wing Sam Reinhart told reporters after scoring his 10th goal Saturday. "But we're right there. There's no time to dwell on it. We're right in the hunt. That's where we wanted to be at the start of the year." The Sabres, who will have an 11-day break after the trip, have won four in a row against the Oilers -- including a 5-0 victory at Edmonton last season, and are 9-2-1 against Pacific Division foes in 2018-19. The Oilers are battling for a playoff position in the Western Conference despite a 3-9-0 stretch, including a 3-2 loss to Arizona on Saturday, with two-time reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid (67 points) leading the way. "It seems to be the story of the last few games, but at this point there are no more excuses," Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot told reporters. "We have to be better. We can't allow those bounces to beat us every night."

TV: 9 p.m ET, TVA, MSG Buffalo, Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE SABRES (23-16-6): Captain Jack Eichel registered eight shots on goal in Saturday's loss, but is stuck on a team-high 49 points during a four-game drought - sandwiching a three-game injury absence. Jeff Skinner boasts a team-high 30 goals, including four in five games this month, while Reinhart has four points in the same span after scoring on his only shot Saturday. Veteran goalie Carter Hutton, who was rested on Saturday in favor of backup Linus Ullmark, must snap out of a rough stretch in which he has won in just two of his last 11 appearances.

ABOUT THE OILERS (21-21-3): McDavid turned 22 on Sunday and boasts 323 career points, sixth-most in NHL history before that birthday behind only Wayne Gretzky (640), Dale Hawerchuk (423), Sidney Crosby (397), Mario Lemieux (348) and Jimmy Carson (325). The key for Edmonton will be supporting him and fellow All-Star Leon Draisaitl (23 goals, 54 points), who managed two shots combined the last three games. Talbot has started four straight contests, going 2-2-0 with a .913 save percentage, while Mikko Koskinen gave up six goals on 27 shots in his last two appearances.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton D Darnell Nurse recorded a goal and three assists in his last four contests to push his season total to 22 points.

2. Buffalo rookie D Rasmus Dahlin posted four assists in the last three games with a plus-2 rating.

3. The Oilers are 1-of-13 with the man advantage over the last six games and surrendered three power-play tallies in seven tries over the past three.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Sabres 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NCAAB Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

A return home Thursday proved to be just what Nebraska needed to end its first two-game losing streak of the season. No. 24 Indiana hopes the same proves to be true for itself Monday when the Hoosiers attempt to move to 11-0 at home and post their first victory over the Cornhuskers in nearly three years.

Indiana made all 16 of it free throws and committed only seven turnovers Friday, but the Hoosiers allowed 18 offensive rebounds and surrendered 16 consecutive points early in the second half en route to a 78-75 setback at Maryland. "We just couldn't get it done on the glass tonight. We just gave them 18 second shots and that was the difference in the game," coach Archie Miller said. Nebraska also dropped a heartbreaker at Maryland on Jan. 2 (74-72) and fell to 0-3 on the road in Big Ten play four days later at No. 25 Iowa before ending its short skid with a 70-64 victory against Penn State, setting a school record with its 20th straight win at home. "(Assistant Coach) Jim Molinari said ... 'the hardest thing when you have a good team but you've lost a couple in a row ... is win a game', and it's true. I just thought we were a little uptight, and you can see that," coach Tim Miles said.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT NEBRASKA (12-4, 2-3 Big Ten): Miles praised 6-8 junior Isaiah Roby, who finished with a career-high 22 points and set or tied season highs in both rebounds (11) and blocked shots (four) in 38 minutes en route to his first double-double of the season. "I just want to start with Isaiah. You can see why he's such a special kid and a special player. He was the one guy that I thought had great energy, great body language and was aggressive the whole night through," Miles said. Roby moved into a tie for eighth place on the school's all-time list with 113 blocks following Thursday's effort, while Glynn Watson Jr. had 19 points to tie Chuck Jura (1,255) for 16th place in school history.

ABOUT INDIANA (12-4, 3-2): Romeo Langford (team-high 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds), who ranks fourth in the conference in scoring, continued his banner freshman season by scoring 20 of his 28 points in the second half Friday and was responsible for more than half of his team's free throws (nine). Sophomore forward Justin Smith (8.5, 4.1) finished with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting but was limited to 22 minutes due to foul trouble, and Miller cited his absence as a major factor in the loss to Maryland. "What really hurt us was Justin Smith's unfortunate fouls. When he was on the floor, we were plus-22 in the game. His inability to stay in there, those fouls, hurt us," Miller said during a post-game radio interview.

TIP-INS

1. Indiana ranks second in the country in field-goal percentage (Big Ten-best 51.8), while the Cornhuskers are second in the conference and 18th in Division I in field-goal percentage defense (38.4).

2. Nebraska had only eight turnovers Thursday and has committed 10 or fewer in nine of its last 11 contests.

3. The Hoosiers have won 12 of 18 all-time meetings, but the Cornhuskers have won the last two.

PREDICTION: Indiana 71, Nebraska 68

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-14-2019, 08:23 AM

Syracuse Orange vs. Duke Blue Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-01-14

NCAAB Predictions 13th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/13/2019

Second-ranked Duke puts its nine-game winning streak on the line when it hosts Syracuse on Monday in a matchup of two iconic programs and coaches. It's a quick turnaround for both teams after playing ACC contests on Saturday.

Freshman sensation RJ Barrett scored 32 points in the Blue Devils' 80-78 win at Florida State on Saturday. Duke needed a 3-pointer as time expired to escape versus the Seminoles and claim its fourth victory over a top-15 team. Conversely, the Orange had their four-game winning streak snapped with a 73-59 home loss to Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils won two meetings between the squads last season, including a 69-65 triumph in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT SYRACUSE (11-5, 2-1 ACC): The Orange rank among the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense (61.7 points per game) and field-goal defense (39.1 percent), but they allowed Georgia Tech to shoot a season-high 59.5 percent. Syracuse isn't good enough offensively to afford that type of defensive lapse. Only three players - guard Tyus Battle (17.1 points) and forwards Elijah Hughes (15) and Oshae Brissett (13.9) - average more than seven points per game.

ABOUT DUKE (14-1, 3-0): Barrett (23.4 points, 6.3 rebounds) and fellow freshman Zion Williamson (20.3, 9.4) form the only pair of teammates in the nation averaging more than 20 points per contest. They are one half of Duke's outstanding freshman class that also includes 3-point specialist Cam Reddish (13.3 points) and point guard Tre Jones (8.5, 5.9 assists), who ranks second in the country with a 5.93 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Blue Devils also have been dominant at the defensive end - especially in the paint, where they lead the nation with an average of 7.9 blocks.

TIP-INS

1. Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (1,114) and Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (937) rank first and second, respectively, in NCAA Division I history for coaching wins.

2. Hughes has scored in double figures in nine straight games.

3. Blue Devils F Javin DeLaurier has made 18 consecutive field-goal attempts, leaving him two shy of tying the ACC record set by Duke's Alaa Abdelnaby during the 1988-89 season.

PREDICTION: Duke 81, Syracuse 67

Monday 1-14-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Monday 1-14-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment