Wednesday 1-23-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 7 - Allowance - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $24500 Class Rating: 82

FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 23, 2018 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 23, 2018 ALLOWED 6 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 IHEARUKNOCKIN 3/1

# 5 TAMPERED CHARACTER 7/2

# 1 PENGUIN POWER 7/5

IHEARUKNOCKIN has a solid shot to take this race. Has been running very well and has among the strongest speed in the race for today's distance. Earned a formidable speed figure in the most recent race. Can run another good one in this race. Is hard not to consider based on speed figures which have been very strong - 71 avg - of late. TAMPERED CHARACTER - Could best this group of horses in this race based on the Equibase Speed Figure - 82 - of his last affair. A solid 80 avg class rating may give this gelding a distinct class edge against this field. PENGUIN POWER - Has been racing quite well and has among the strongest speed in the race for today's distance. Win percentage one of the strongest in this group.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 3

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


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 47 • Purse: $17,000 • Post: 6:22P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. SUPERSPORT SALLY is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SUPERSPORT SALLY: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMas ter Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. SPEEDPOINT: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
9
SUPERSPORT SALLY
3/1

2/1
1
SPEEDPOINT
7/2

9/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
9
SUPERSPORT SALLY
9

3/1
Front-runner
54

44

61.4

38.0

34.0
1
SPEEDPOINT
1

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
43

42

51.8

33.0

22.5
2
LADYGOGENTLY
2

5/1
Stalker
60

34

40.6

28.2

20.2
7
GAL
7

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
39

45

53.3

23.1

14.1
5
BOBBIES REASON
5

12/1
Trailer
0

0

16.1

19.0

3.0
4
ARGUMENT WON
4

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

19.0

33.2

27.7
11
RUNPEGGYRUN
11

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

8.5

25.6

16.6
3
CLEVER MORE
3

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

36.5

23.5

12.5
6
HEY ZARBY
6

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

32.2

17.1

0.6
10
MY MALLORY'S ON
10

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

11.4

19.9

6.9








Unknown Running Style: G G HAS A SHOT (15/1) [Jockey: Contreras Alfredo - Trainer: Guidry Brandon].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

01/23/19, GP, Race 10, 4.41 ET
1 1/8M [Turf] 1.44.03 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $51,000.
Claiming Price $35,000 (Races Where Entered For $25,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances) (Condition Eligibility). FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND 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 $35,000
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $2 HRR
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 95, Win Percent 22.11, $1 ROI 1.01, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 1 Golden Spear 6-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Navarro Jorge TSW 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
098.4254 8 Illudere 5/2 Castellano J Jerkens James A. 61.00 1.98 35.48 11 31 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
097.8339 6 Hierarchy 4-1 Velazquez J R McGaughey III Claude R EC 61.00 1.98 35.48 11 31 Last Race Weight is LT Todays Weight
095.1639 4 Freedom Matters 12-1 Lopez C C Iwinski Allen FL 33.00 1.25 23.08 15 65 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
094.6354 9 Enough Is Enough 20-1 Lopez P Eppler Mary E. J 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
094.5588 5 Bern' James Bern 3-1 Saez L Falcone. Jr. Robert N. 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
094.0093 2 Barney Rebel (IRE) 15-1 Karamanos H Eppler Mary E. 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
093.4605 10 Son of Oahu 12-1 Batista J A Belsoeur Yvon 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
092.7500 7 Franklin Towers 10-1 Landeros C Cibelli Jane 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
090.3137 3 Year of the Kitten 15-1 Ortiz J L Maker Michael J. 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
089.0960 11 Cowboy's Hero 30-1 Lugo C D Castillo Pedro 34.00 1.24 25.71 18 70 Last Race Weight Is Not GT Today's Weight
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 131, Win Percent 28.24, $1 ROI 0.86, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 1 Golden Spear 6-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Navarro Jorge JTSW 39.60 1.38 46.15 24 52 Horse Best Jockey
097.6054 8 Illudere 5/2 Castellano J Jerkens James A. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
096.1812 5 Bern' James Bern 3-1 Saez L Falcone. Jr. Robert N. 23.40 1.13 14.94 13 87 Last Race Was Different Jockey with Worse WPC
096.0980 6 Hierarchy 4-1 Velazquez J R McGaughey III Claude R FEC 11.20 1.10 30.91 17 55 Race Distance Is Route
092.9339 7 Franklin Towers 10-1 Landeros C Cibelli Jane 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
092.7599 3 Year of the Kitten 15-1 Ortiz J L Maker Michael J. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
092.4111 2 Barney Rebel (IRE) 15-1 Karamanos H Eppler Mary E. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
092.1978 9 Enough Is Enough 20-1 Lopez P Eppler Mary E. 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
091.7783 4 Freedom Matters 12-1 Lopez C C Iwinski Allen L 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
091.7735 10 Son of Oahu 12-1 Batista J A Belsoeur Yvon 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today
090.1232 11 Cowboy's Hero 30-1 Lugo C D Castillo Pedro 15.60 1.14 29.82 17 57 Last Race Did Not Have Higher Purse Than Today

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park - Race 11

$1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5/$2 HRR (RED 1,8,9,13: 4/5. BLK 4,6,10,11,12: 6/5. GRN 2,3,5,7,14: 12/1.)


Maiden Claiming $20,000 • 1 Mile • Turf • Age 3 • CR: 77 • Purse: $25,000 • Post: 5:12P
(RAIL AT 24 FEET). FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000. (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT ONE MILE)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. ALLEGIANCE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ALLEGIANCE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. KING LEO: Today is a r oute and this is the horse's third start after a layoff, after two sprint prep races. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BOLD PAYNTER: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equib ase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. TIZ LUNA: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has a 4F workout since its last race, and the workout time is faster than its own half-mile time in its last race.
8
ALLEGIANCE
7/2

5/2
12
KING LEO
5/1

9/1
9
BOLD PAYNTER
4/1

9/1
6
TIZ LUNA
8/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
8
ALLEGIANCE
8

7/2
Front-runner
76

73

119.4

69.2

63.2
11
SNELL FLICKA
11

10/1
Front-runner
67

50

60.7

60.7

53.2
1
BEE KEEPER
1

6/1
Front-runner
0

0

12.3

12.3

0.0
3
HALLUCEGENIC
3

20/1
Front-runner
0

0

7.6

7.6

0.0
14
ROLL ON DUDE
14

30/1
Alternator/Front-runner
0

0

87.5

48.1

26.6
4
HILLSDOWN
4

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

84.4

69.2

56.7
12
KING LEO
12

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
79

62

63.6

63.6

55.1
9
BOLD PAYNTER
9

4/1
Trailer
72

76

61.5

69.2

54.2
13
VIN FOR THE WIN
13

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

75.8

48.3

35.3
5
RAGE AWAY
5

20/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

72.4

61.1

45.6
6
TIZ LUNA
6

8/1
Alternator/Trailer
76

65

72.1

63.4

55.4
10
WINE AT THE BEACH
10

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

51.4

51.4

34.4
7
FORTUNICKLE
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

42.7

11.4

0.0
2
DOWN TO THE FELT
2

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.9

0.9

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #7 - Post: 3:33pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,100 Class Rating: 72

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 MAMA'S HOPE (ML=5/1)
#6 WICKED LOVE (ML=15/1)
#3 LORETTAS SONG (ML=3/1)


MAMA'S HOPE - Finished off the board last out at Mahoning Valley Race Cour, but was within 5 lengths of the winner. Opening at 5/1 makes me think she's got a chance. You probably want to overlook that last event at Mahoning Valley Race Cour on the mud where she finished out of the money. Should do well right here under normal track conditions. WICKED LOVE - I think that a sprinter coming off a layoff will usually run her best in the 3rd or 4th start back. LORETTAS SONG - This horse coming off a solid effort in the last month is a serious competitor in my opinion.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 RACY EMBRACE (ML=5/2), #4 MEGA MONSTER (ML=9/2), #9 PUBLIC MERGER (ML=6/1),

RACY EMBRACE - This mare will likely bounce, and not come anywhere near the last fig of 71. MEGA MONSTER - Speed ratings of 71/65/51 are in motion the wrong way. PUBLIC MERGER - Will be hard for this horse to beat this group off of that last speed figure. Unlikely to improve enough to run a figure close enough to today's class figure, so put her on the questionable challengers list.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - MAMA'S HOPE - I play this angle all the time. Top Power Rating and morning line odds of at least 5/1.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 MAMA'S HOPE to win at post-time odds of 5/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
5 with [3,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #8 - Post: 9:15pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 79

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 IATESOMUCHI'MPHIL (ML=6/1)
#4 WORLD VIEW (ML=2/1)


IATESOMUCHI'MPHIL - The May 24th affair at Presque Isle Downs was at a class level of (95). Dropping to a lower level drastically, so he should be in a good position. Gelding got a healthy speed figure last time he tried this distance. That number would be good enough to win today. This gelding is very familiar with the winner's circle at Penn National. I expect a repeat performance today. WORLD VIEW - Have to make this gelding a contender; he comes off a solid race on January 5th. I have to like this gelding's likelihood of winning at the shorter trip. Gelding took a little vacation, but has been racing into shape.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 STARRY MESSENGER (ML=3/1), #9 MORE FRONT (ML=4/1), #6 COUZINS GONE WILD (ML=5/1),

STARRY MESSENGER - 3/1 is not priced right for any thoroughbred in a sprint of 5 furlongs that hasn't hit the board in a sprint affair of late. Could be tough for this racer to beat this field off of that last speed figure. Not likely to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's class rating, so put him on the vulnerable contenders list. MORE FRONT - 4/1 is not worth the risk for any horse in a sprint of 5 furlongs that hasn't finished in the money in a short distance race lately. The speed figure in the last race doesn't fit very well in this event when I look at the class figure of today's event. Mark this horse as a possibly overvalued contestant. COUZINS GONE WILD - This gelding is always close, but just doesn't finish on top. Tough to bet on him on the front end.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #7 IATESOMUCHI'MPHIL to win if you can get at least 7/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

01/23/19, TAM, Race 5, 2.25 ET
1 1/16M [Turf] 1.39.03 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $22,500.
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 5-6-7) / Super High 5
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 24, Win Percent 33.33, $1 ROI 1.27, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to TAM.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 12 Queen of Country 6-1 Castanon J L Stidham Michael W 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
099.8849 6 Tiple (IRE) 3-1 Camacho S Clement Christophe 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
099.8717 3 Chancetheracer 7/2 Morales P Motion H. Graham JFEL 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
097.1868 7 Blowout (GB) 4-1 Gallardo A A Brown Chad C. T 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
094.7923 2 Sophie Antoinette 12-1 Boisseau L Brisset Rodolphe 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
094.7288 13 Let's Go Now 10-1 Bracho J A Harty Eoin G. 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
094.5725 5 Eareckson (GB) 6-1 Centeno D Delacour Arnaud 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
094.3966 4 Kerry's Ring 10-1 Cannon D Clement Christophe 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
094.3059 10 Sally Dangles 12-1 Castanon J L Motion H. Graham S 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
093.5510 9 Woodfin 8-1 Lynch F Oliver Victoria H. 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
092.3885 8 Taylor's Belle 15-1 Garcia W A Ryan Derek S. 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
092.3515 11 Night City 15-1 Brandao G Rivera Marco 18.80 1.55 35.29 6 17 Horse Is Not 3YO in 3UP Race
091.3942 1 Maria Bonita 30-1 Bracho J A Stewart Chad J. C 22.80 1.81 50.00 7 14 Last Race Weight Is Equal To Today's Weight
089.8711 14 Lady Marjorie(b-) 15-1 Centeno D Gleaves Philip A. 18.80 1.67 42.86 6 14 Last Race Is Not 1st Race After 45 Days Off
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 64, Win Percent 25.00, $1 ROI 0.66, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to TAM.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 12 Queen of Country 6-1 Castanon J L Stidham Michael W 3.00 1.50 66.67 2 3 Horse Lasix On From Off
099.2113 6 Tiple (IRE) 3-1 Camacho S Clement Christophe 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
098.3324 3 Chancetheracer 7/2 Morales P Motion H. Graham JFEL 14.20 1.65 63.64 7 11 Last Race Distance Is Equal To Today's Distance
096.3875 7 Blowout (GB) 4-1 Gallardo A A Brown Chad C. T 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
094.9984 10 Sally Dangles 12-1 Castanon J L Motion H. Graham S 2.20 1.37 33.33 1 3 Horse Post Is GT 9
094.1575 2 Sophie Antoinette 12-1 Boisseau L Brisset Rodolphe 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
094.0532 4 Kerry's Ring 10-1 Cannon D Clement Christophe 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
093.4646 13 Let's Go Now 10-1 Bracho J A Harty Eoin G. 2.20 1.37 33.33 1 3 Horse Post Is GT 9
092.8058 11 Night City 15-1 Brandao G Rivera Marco 2.20 1.37 33.33 1 3 Horse Post Is GT 9
092.7645 8 Taylor's Belle 15-1 Garcia W A Ryan Derek S. 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
092.7169 9 Woodfin 8-1 Lynch F Oliver Victoria H. 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
092.2112 5 Eareckson (GB) 6-1 Centeno D Delacour Arnaud 14.20 1.65 63.64 7 11 Last Race Distance Is Equal To Today's Distance
090.8268 1 Maria Bonita 30-1 Bracho J A Stewart Chad J. C 1.80 1.09 30.00 3 10 Race Age Is 3
089.1384 14 Lady Marjorie(b-) 15-1 Centeno D Gleaves Philip A. 2.20 1.37 33.33 1 3 Horse Post Is GT 9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 8 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $7000 Class Rating: 79

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED AT THE 2018-2019 TURF PARADISE MEET FOR $3,500 OR LESS AND HAVE NOT FINISHED 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD AT THE MEET. OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JANUARY 22, 2018. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 10 RUSHIN TO JUDGE 10/1

# 2 PAKAL 10/1

# 4 RUNN'N REBEL 12/1

RUSHIN TO JUDGE has a very good shot to take this competition and the potential return justifies the dangerous nature of the long odds. Francis will probably be able to get this gelding to break out quickly for this race. Should be given consideration in this competition if only for the solid speed rating garnered in the last contest. PAKAL - He looks very good in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the midpoint. Has ran solidly in dirt sprint races. RUNN'N REBEL - Is hard not to look at based on speed figures which have been respectable - 72 avg - of late. This gelding is coming right back to the track.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 22nd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/22/2019

The Indiana Pacers have just four losses in the last 35 days, but two of them came against the Toronto Raptors, their opponent Wednesday in Indianapolis. The Raptors secured a three-point win over the Pacers at home Dec. 19 and a 16-point victory in a rematch Jan. 6, but Indiana is 11-2 against all other teams in that span after a 120-95 triumph over Charlotte on Sunday.

"We just tried to prepare ourselves defensively, making sure it was tougher for them than it was in the last game," guard Victor Oladipo told reporters, referencing an earlier 26-point loss to the Hornets. "Collectively, we did awesome." Oladipo scored a team-high 21 points in the win while handing out seven of the Pacers' 34 assists, one shy of the team's season high. Toronto finished a 3-0 homestand with a 120-105 win over Sacramento on Tuesday. Star swingman Kawhi Leonard (rest) missed his third game in a row for the Raptors and he is not expected back until Friday at Houston.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (36-13): Toronto is 11-2 without Leonard this season and it overcame his latest absence with a 16-for-40 showing from behind the arc, led by a 4-for-5 effort by CJ Miles, who is averaging 13.7 points in 16.7 minutes over his last three games. Kyle Lowry finished with 19 points and nine assists while Fred VanVleet matched him in the scoring column one game after shooting 1-for-8 from the floor as he manages the wear and tear of the long season. "At this point nobody's 100 percent healthy," VanVleet, who recently missed a game with a thigh issue, told reporters. "You've gotta be a professional, take care of your body, try to be the best version of yourself that day and go out there and lay it on the line. So, barring anything major, I'll be out there scrapping and clawing and giving it what I've got."

ABOUT THE PACERS (31-15): Darren Collison scored 19 points and handed out nine assists while Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 16 points in Sunday's victory as Indiana reached the 120-point mark for the fourth time in its last seven games. "Me, Bojan, Vic, we were all being aggressive on the pick-and-roll," Collison told the media. "When all three of us are aggressive, it's tough to beat us." Bogdanovic is averaging 19.5 points on 51.6 percent shooting to go along with seven rebounds against the Raptors this season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers SG Tyreke Evans is averaging 15.5 points in 18.7 minutes over his last six games.

2. The Raptors are 8-1 in the second game of back-to-backs.

3. Toronto has won five in a row against Indiana.

PREDICTION: Pacers 111, Raptors 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LA Clippers vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 23rd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/23/2019

The Miami Heat have taken a step backward in recent weeks and look to start a turnaround when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Miami lost only five times in a 17-game stretch to move above .500 but has since lost five of its last eight contests to drop back under the break-even mark.

The Heat have failed to reach 100 points in all the setbacks during the eight-game span, which includes Monday's 107-99 road loss against the Boston Celtics. "This is almost like we went back six weeks, coughing up all these possessions," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after his club committed 20 turnovers against the Celtics. "It's just tough and it makes it extremely hard to find rhythm when we're turning the ball over that often." The Clippers are struggling with six losses in their past seven games after falling 106-98 to the host Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. "We couldn't make open shots," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters afterward. "We had wide open shots and they just didn't go in. That happens sometimes. I thought we made a lot of a game plan mistakes, offensive and defensively."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (25-22): Los Angeles is in the midst of a lackluster stretch in which it has lost eight of its past 12 contests with four of the setbacks being by double digits. Sixth man Lou Williams (hamstring) returned from a two-game absence to score 15 points but was unable to be a difference-maker due to a 5-of-16 shooting effort. Point guard Patrick Beverley is averaging 17 points and 10.5 rebounds over the past two games after averaging just three points over the previous seven games with a high output of six.

ABOUT THE HEAT (22-23): Third-year pro Derrick Jones Jr. continues to make strides and he scored a career-high 18 points against Boston for his sixth double-digit outing in his past 10 appearances. The 21-year-old forward also collected nine rebounds versus the Celtics and is in line to receive more playing time with a promotion to the starting lineup being possible. "I just go out there and play my game, starting or coming off the bench," Jones told reporters. "Either way, I feel comfortable doing whatever I need to do, whatever the team needs me to do."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Heat have won the past three meetings, including a 121-98 road victory over the Clippers on Dec. 8.

2. Los Angeles SF Tobias Harris had just nine points on 1-of-9 shooting against Dallas for his third single-digit effort of the campaign.

3. Miami SF Justise Winslow scored eight points on 1-of-5 shooting against Boston to snap a streak of 13 straight double-digit performances.

PREDICTION: Heat 107, Clippers 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 22nd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/22/2019

James Harden remains a historic scoring machine, but the Houston Rockets are beginning to slide. Harden will try to move past Wilt Chamberlain and help the Rockets avoid a sixth loss in 10 games when they visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Harden scored 30 or more points for the 20th straight game when he finished with 37 in a 121-93 loss at Philadelphia on Monday, matching a record Chamberlain set in 1964. "Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch," Harden told reporters. "Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That's what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players." Harden could be in line for another big game against the Knicks, who sit 28th in the NBA in scoring defense (115.7) and are losers of six straight and 14 of their last 15 games after dropping a 127-109 decision at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. "It wears on you some," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters. "We want to win for our fans. We want to win for each other, mainly. But this is where we are. And I can't tell them when that win is coming. Just got to keep chopping that tree."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (26-20): Harden is leading a Houston team without key players like center Clint Capela (thumb) and point guard Chris Paul (hamstring), and the absence of Capela was particularly notable on Monday. The Rockets were outrebounded 66-46 and outscored in the paint 56-38 in the loss and could not make up the difference while going 11-of-42 from 3-point range. "We just couldn't seem to get our energy," Harden told reporters. "We tried to go smaller in that second half. We missed some shots, turned the ball over a few times, and they capitalized."

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-35): New York's rebuilding season is pushing veteran center Enes Kanter to the end of the bench, and he remains dismayed with his role. "I love it here, but in the end, I want to play basketball," Kanter told reporters about a potential trade ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline. "I miss playing basketball. ... It's tough because they're trying to give the young guys a lot of minutes and get them better, but it's not like I'm 32, 33 years old. I'm 26 years old and I want to go out there and compete." Kanter made the most of his 19 minutes off the bench on Monday by scoring 11 points and grabbing three rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks PF Luke Kornet left Monday's game with a sprained left ankle and is day-to-day.

2. Rockets PF Kenneth Faried scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 23 minutes in his team debut on Monday after being acquired from Brooklyn.

3. Houston took the last five in the series.

PREDICTION: Rockets 113, Knicks 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 22nd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/22/2019

The Boston Celtics are rolling along with wins in their last four games as point guard Kyrie Irving continues to put up big numbers in several different statistical categories. Irving will try to push his hot streak one more game and lead the Celtics to a fifth consecutive victory when they host his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Wednesday.

Irving, who was quick to criticize and then apologize to his teammates when things weren't going so well over a week ago, is saying and doing all the right things now and led the team to a 107-99 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday while collecting 26 points, 10 assists and eight steals. "I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, being aggressive," Irving told reporters. "That's really pretty much it. Trying to make plays for myself and my teammates. The ball is in my hands, and I've just got to make the right plays." The Cavaliers are trying to make the right plays but keep coming up short and watched their latest losing streak reach four straight with a 104-88 home setback against the Bulls on Monday. Cleveland, which beat Boston in the Eastern Conference finals last season, owns the worst record in the NBA and lost 16 of its last 17.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (9-39): Cleveland was coming off a six-game road trip when it played on Monday and placed some of the blame for the struggles on fatigue. "They couldn't really get it going," coach Larry Drew told reporters of his team. "I don't know how much I would attribute that to road fatigue, but clearly we didn't have the zap. We didn't have the energy. I really thought throughout the game that it would kick in, but we did not have it." The Cavaliers did get another solid performance on Monday from rookie point guard Collin Sexton, who led the team with 18 points to reach double figures for the 12th straight game.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (29-18): Irving's eight steals on Monday marked a career high and were the result of his increased commitment at that end of the floor, according to center Al Horford. "All year he's been more committed to being better on the defensive end, and tonight he seemed to be at the right spots every time," Horford told reporters of Irving. "And that's a credit of him preparing for the game. I'm just happy to see him having an impact not only on offense but on defense, as well." Irving is averaging 30.8 points on 60.3 percent shooting and 11 assists over the last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Horford is shooting 65.9 percent from the floor over the last four games while averaging 17.8 points.

2. Cavaliers C Tristan Thompson (foot) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

3. Boston clobbered Cleveland 128-95 at home on Nov. 30 behind 29 points from Irving.

PREDICTION: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 22nd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/22/2019

The Brooklyn Nets are no longer a scrappy young team putting some wins together and are instead becoming a legitimate threat to reach the Eastern Conference playoffs and perhaps earn homecourt advantage. The Nets will try to push their latest winning streak to five in a row when they host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Brooklyn looked destined for another trip to the lottery during an 8-18 start but turned things around with wins in 17 of the last 22 games and moved two games over .500 by crushing the Sacramento Kings 123-94 at home on Monday. "We have a certain calm about us now, a certain confidence," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "Even the halftime locker room was pretty much businesslike. We've got a confident locker room in there right now." The Magic are finding it more difficult to win consistently and are aware that the window may be closing for the team. "We're not stupid; we know that if we don't make the playoffs this year, this is probably it for us," guard Evan Fournier told reporters. "Just like (center Nikola Vucevic) and myself, we like it (in Orlando) and we like to play with each other. We've struggled for so long here and we want to see the results. We spent so much time and hours with the Magic, and you want to see it work."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (20-27): Vucevic reportedly told his teammates after a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Saturday that the fate of the team's season would be decided over the following three games. Vucevic did his part with 29 points and 14 rebounds on Monday as Orlando began that three-game stretch with a 122-103 triumph at the Atlanta Hawks. "We understand that if we don't wake up now it's going to be really, really hard for us going forward if we don't get some wins in these next few games," Vucevic told reporters. "Coach (Steve Clifford) talks about (the playoffs), we know it and see it, and it's on us to respond and play the right way. Things turn around quickly, just like two weeks ago things were going great for us. Now, we're struggling. But if we can get a couple of wins and play consistently for 48 minutes, we can be right there (in the playoff race)."

ABOUT THE NETS (25-23): Brooklyn's recent run is being led by point guard D'Angelo Russell, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday before putting up 31 points and eight assists in the win over Sacramento. "Everything we do offensively, he is the lifeblood of us," small forward Joe Harris told Newsday. "Everything flows through him. He does a really good job of dictating the pace, getting guys in rhythm and just doing a really good job on every level. ... D'Angelo is just a real cerebral player. He's got a really good feel for the game, and he always seems to be a step ahead of everybody else." Russell went 7-of-14 from 3-point range on Monday - the third time in the last four games that he knocked down at least seven from beyond the arc.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets SF Rodions Kurucs is 22-of-35 form the floor over the last four games.

2. Magic PG D.J. Augustin is 9-of-14 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. Brooklyn earned a 117-115 win at Orlando on Friday as Russell sprang for 40 points on 16-of-25 shooting.

PREDICTION: Nets 123, Magic 115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-01-23

NBA Predictions 22nd January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/22/2019

The New Orleans Pelicans look to continue their dominance of Detroit when they host the Pistons on Wednesday. New Orleans won 12 of the past 13 meetings, including a 116-108 triumph in Detroit on Dec. 9.

Star big man Anthony Davis will miss his second straight game and he wasn't missed Monday when the Pelicans recorded an impressive 105-85 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. "We approached the game the right way," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "I thought we played extremely hard, and did a good job of playing with each other. That was one of the best defensive games we've had this year." The slumping Pistons have lost 19 of their past 26 games and didn't have much in the tank as they dropped a 101-87 road contest to the Washington Wizards on Monday afternoon. "I thought we just came out with low energy," power forward Blake Griffin told reporters afterward. "Games like this you got to find a way. Weird time, you just got to find a way to have better energy."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE PISTONS (20-26): Griffin scored 29 points against the Wizards but only one other player scored in double digits during a performance in which Detroit scored a season-low 34 first-half points. "We didn't start playing until the second half," Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "No excuse for it. We're professional players no matter what time the schedule says. The game starts, we got to get started. You can't coach effort - effort and focus, you can't do that." Griffin narrowly missed his fourth straight 30-point effort and is averaging 32.3 points on 42-of-81 shooting during the stretch.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (22-25): Center Jahlil Okafor made his fourth start of the season with Davis out and he was superb with a season-high 20 points and matching a season best of 10 rebounds against Memphis. Okafor connected on 9-of-11 field-goal attempts in 35 minutes during the strong showing after playing a total of 25 minutes over the previous four games. "I'll tell you, he's played well when we put him in the game," Gentry told reporters of the 23-year-old Okafor. "He's done a good job for us. There are some games he doesn't get to play at all. The thing that I see is that I see him working to try to get better every day. When we do need him and stick him in the lineup, he really kind of comes through for us."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons have dropped their past nine visits to New Orleans.

2. Pelicans PG Jrue Holiday scored 21 points against Memphis for his fourth 20-point effort in five games.

3. Detroit C Andre Drummond (concussion) is expected to miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 109, Pistons 103