Wednesday 1-30-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:05 AM

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NHL Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning return to action for the first time in 11 days as they begin a three-game trip with a matchup against the suddenly struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. The Lightning last played Jan. 19 when they earned a 6-3 victory against San Jose at home before a bye week and the All-Star break gave them a breather after enjoying their best start in franchise history.

"You can tell they've got energy," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters after Monday's practice. "I always think (the bye week) is good. The hockey's better down the stretch. There may be a little sloppiness in the first game back, but I think every team in the end will be better off that their guys got that break going down the final third of the season." Nikita Kucherov (league-leading 78 points) hopes to pick up where he left off for the Lightning and take advantage of a Pittsburgh defense that has sprung leaks of late. The Penguins, who went 10-1-0 from Dec. 19 through Jan. 11, have allowed 25 goals while losing four of five since after suffering a 6-3 setback against New Jersey at home Monday. "I think the urgency and desperation and work ethic (weren't there)," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby told reporters after the loss. "There should be a lot of energy from our group; didn't seem like there was. ... We can say everything we want to say and say all the right things, but you have to go out there and do it. I think we all understand."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (37-10-2): Kucherov had three assists in the last two contests before the break while linemate Brayden Point registered three of his team-leading 30 goals in the 4-3 victory at Pittsburgh on Nov. 15 and is slated to play his 200th NHL game Wednesday. Captain Steven Stamkos, who joined Kucherov and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at All-Star weekend, has been red hot since late November with 36 points (19 goals) in the last 24 games after posting 21 in his first 25 outings this season. Forward Tyler Johnson (18 goals, 34 points) is expected to return after missing the last game with a lower-body injury.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (26-17-6): Pittsburgh came up empty with five power-play opportunities Monday and coach Mike Sullivan told reporters there would be changes to the unit that is 4-of-27 the last eight games despite a star-studded group. Crosby, who was held off the scoresheet Monday after being named the MVP of the All-Star Game with four goals and four assists in two contests, leads the team with 57 points. Evgeni Malkin recorded 11 of his team-high 39 assists (599 career) in the last 10 games while fellow forward Jake Guentzel leads the team in goals (24) and has eight in 10 contests during January to go along with five assists.

OVERTIME

1. Penguins RW Phil Kessel scored twice in the last three games and had a goal to go along with an assist in the previous meeting with the Lightning.

2. Tampa Bay D Victor Hedman recorded 14 points in the last 13 games and owns a plus-13 rating over the past 15 contests.

3. Pittsburgh D Jack Johnson (11 points, 49 games) left Monday's game with an undisclosed injury, but participated at practice Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Lightning 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:05 AM

Buffalo Sabres vs. Dallas Stars Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NHL Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The Dallas Stars began their six-game homestand with three straight defeats before ending a four-game overall slide by topping Winnipeg in the final contest before the All-Star break. The club hopes to pick up where it left off as it resumes the stretch at American Airlines Center on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Tyler Seguin ended his three-game point drought in the win over the Jets, recording a goal and an assist to pull even with captain Jamie Benn (18) for the team lead in the former category and Alexander Radulov (27) for first on the club in the latter. The 26-year-old Seguin, who tops the Stars with 45 points, is closing in on his sixth consecutive 20-goal season and the seventh overall in his career. Buffalo is wrapping up a five-game road swing during which it is 2-2-0 after edging Columbus 5-4 on Tuesday. Evan Rodrigues tallied in the victory and brings a four-game streak into Wednesday's matchup after scoring only two goals over his first 39 contests this season.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo), FS Southwest Plus (Dallas)

ABOUT THE SABRES (25-18-6): Rodrigues also set up Conor Sheary's game-winning goal early in the third period on Tuesday for his third two-point performance of the campaign and first since Nov. 21 versus Philadelphia. Sheary, who is in his first season with Buffalo, ended his 11-game drought with just his second tally in 29 contests following a three-game streak from Nov. 3-8. Jeff Skinner scored his team-leading 31st goal on Tuesday and is six away from tying the career high he set in 2016-17 with Carolina.

ABOUT THE STARS (24-21-4): What goes around, comes around - especially in the case of Jamie Oleksiak, who was re-acquired from Pittsburgh on Monday for the same 2019 fourth-round draft pick Dallas obtained from the Penguins for him in December 2017. The 26-year-old defenseman, who was selected 14th overall by the Stars in the 2011 draft, recorded four goals and seven assists in 36 games with Pittsburgh this season. Fellow blue-liner Marc Methot underwent successful season-ending surgery to repair a cartilage defect in his left knee on Monday.

OVERTIME

1. The Stars scored more goals in their victory over Winnipeg (four) than they totaled during their losing streak (three).

2. Buffalo rookie D Rasmus Dahlin notched two assists Tuesday for his sixth multi-point effort of the season, joining Phil Housley (13) and Bobby Orr (eight) as the only defensemen in NHL history to record at least six before their 19th birthday.

3. Dallas placed C Tyler Pitlick (upper body) on injured reserve and recalled LW Roope Hintz from Texas of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Stars 3, Sabres 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:05 AM

Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 30th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/30/2019

The Miami Heat look to record a third straight win for just the second time this season when they host the hapless Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Miami won a season-best five consecutive contests from Dec. 14-23 but otherwise has come up empty for a third straight victory on six occasions.

The Heat, who defeated Cleveland and New York on their two-game road trip, open a three-game homestand with the contest against the Bulls. Hassan Whiteside recorded 13 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday's 106-97 win over the Knicks for his third straight double-double and 23rd of the season. Chicago has lost four games in a row and 14 of 15 after succumbing 122-117 to host Brooklyn on Tuesday. Zach LaVine scored 26 points against the Nets and has topped 20 in five of his last six contests.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE BULLS (11-40): Coach Jim Boylen criticized his club's lack of toughness, and Lauri Markkanen didn't dispute the comments after collecting 18 points and a career-best 19 rebounds. "Yeah, I just try and do whatever I can to help the team, and we need toughness," Markkanen told reporters. "I think everybody has to step their game up, and I'm trying to do the same thing." Markkanen is averaging 19.5 points and 17 rebounds over his last two games and has scored in double digits in nine straight contests.

ABOUT THE HEAT (24-24): Wayne Ellington is in line to draw the start at shooting guard against the Bulls with Tyler Johnson (calf) and backup Dwyane Wade (knee) both questionable for the contest. Ellington wasn't caught up in the situation - "I'm just going with the flow. I'm staying ready for whatever," he told reporters - after scoring 19 second-half points against New York to follow a stretch during which he didn't play in 13 of 15 games. "He's a model of professionalism and consistency," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "Rotation is complex. I'm the first to admit - I don't know if I am making the right decisions, but there has to be a decision at some point, and so somebody is going to have to (sit). Unfortunately, it was him for parts of this season, but it was never deserved."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Heat defeated the Bulls twice in Chicago earlier this season and have won each of the last three overall meetings.

2. Bulls F Jabari Parker scored 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds against Brooklyn.

3. Miami SF Derrick Jones Jr. will miss at least six weeks due to two bone bruises in his right knee, an injury he suffered against the Knicks.

PREDICTION: Heat 106, Bulls 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:06 AM

Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The New York Knicks are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak and the only light at the end of the tunnel appears to be a high draft pick after the season. The Dallas Mavericks, who visit the Knicks on Wednesday, are showing just how valuable making the right high draft pick can be with rookie Luka Doncic leading the way.

New York held a brief fourth-quarter lead on Monday before allowing the Charlotte Hornets to go on a 17-1 run and roll to a 101-92 win. The Knicks will reportedly pursue a trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis and have star forward Kristaps Porzingis inching closer to a return from a knee injury, but the immediate future remains bleak for a club that dropped 23 of its last 25 games and is locked in a battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst record in the league. The Mavericks are trying to fight their way through a crowded Western Conference and missed out on a three-game winning streak when they dropped a 123-120 decision to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. "We scored enough points - 120 points is enough points to win an NBA game," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "But even a high-scoring team like Toronto, you've got to find a way to keep them somehow in the low hundreds and we just didn't do it."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-27): Doncic, 19, became the youngster player in NBA history to post a 30-point triple-double in Sunday's setback with a season-high 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. "We couldn't get him out of rhythm because he was low and strong and crossing over," Toronto coach Nick Nurse told reporters. "Then with a burst, he was into the paint. And when we did get enough help there, he'd hang in the air until the last second and throw that incredible, two-handed pass out to the right corner. He's something else." The triple-double was Doncic's second in the last four games, but both came in losses.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-39): New York doesn't have a rookie on par with Doncic but small forward Kevin Knox is making strides in that direction. Knox, 19, shot 25.4 percent from the floor and averaged 7.2 points during a five-game span before busting out of the slump with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting (3-of-4 from 3-point range) on Monday. "Just a poised game where he picked his spots well," Knicks coach David Fizdale told reporters of Knox. "Those are the same shots he's been getting. He took his time and knocked them down. I thought it was a matter of time and I was going to keep pushing him through the fatigue and the struggles and all of that. That's something that's going to help him become a better basketball player."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks SF Harrison Barnes went 5-of-21 from the floor in the last two games.

2. Knicks C Enes Kanter sat out his fourth straight game on Monday as the team gives younger players a bigger role.

3. The road team took the last three in the series, with New York earning a 118-106 win at Dallas in the most recent meeting on Nov. 2.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 110, Knicks 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:06 AM

Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The Boston Celtics are winners of six of their last seven games and are deep enough to thrive even when All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving sits out. The Celtics could be without Irving again when they wrap up a five-game homestand by hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Irving (hip) sat out two of the last three games - appearing long enough to drop 32 points and 10 assists on the defending champion Golden State Warriors during a 115-111 setback on Saturday - and could miss one more as Boston tries to keep its star healthy for the stretch run. The Celtics were just fine without Irving on Monday, when Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown scored 21 points apiece to pace a 112-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets that improved the team's home record to 20-6. The Hornets eased past the lowly New York Knicks 101-92 on Monday at home but own a 7-17 record on the road. Charlotte's All-Star point guard, Kemba Walker, is healthy but struggling and went 8-of-28 from the floor over the last two games, including 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE HORNETS (24-25): Reserve shooting guard Malik Monk finished with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 22 minutes on Monday but did the bulk of his damage in a key stretch in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points during a 17-1 run that put Charlotte ahead for good. "Monk was special in the fourth," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters. "That's what he can do. Kemba found him a couple of times and he was ready to fire. He's been working on his game. He's been ready for this moment. Give him a lot of credit." Monk was one of four reserves to score in double figures on Monday as the bench carried the load with 53 points and 25 rebounds.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (31-19): Boston survived the loss of Irving on Monday thanks to its depth on offense and a tenacious defensive effort that resulted in a franchise record-tying 16 blocks. "They just keep on going to the basket," center Al Horford, who led the way with six blocks, told reporters. "That's just what they do. We knew coming in that they attack the paint and our guys did a good job of waiting until the last second to impact the ball. We had some success with that." Horford added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win for his third straight double-double.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets C Willy Hernangomez recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds on Monday for his third double-double of the season.

2. Celtics PG Terry Rozier is averaging 14.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting in seven games starting in place of Irving.

3. The teams split the first two meetings, with Boston earning a 119-103 home win on Dec. 23 behind 25 points from Irving.

PREDICTION: Celtics 115, Hornets 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:06 AM

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The Memphis Grizzlies look to rebound from the worst collapse in franchise history when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Memphis let a 25-point lead get away in Monday's 95-92 loss against the Denver Nuggets for its 15th loss in the past 17 games.

The Grizzlies are beginning a three-game road trip so the loss to the Nuggets could turn out to be the final home appearance for either point guard Mike Conley or center Marc Gasol after the duo were informed the club is shopping them prior to the Feb. 7 trading deadline. "It's been an awkward week for sure," Conley told reporters after the loss to Denver. "It's been feeling like it's our eulogy. People giving us hugs and asking for one last autograph, all that stuff. And I'm thinking: 'I'm not gone. I'm still here.'" The Timberwolves are coming off back-to-back losses to the Utah Jazz after reaching the .500 mark for the first since Dec. 8. Center Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 27.5 points in the two games and scored 20 or more in 16 of the past 17 contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (20-31): Gasol (28 points, nine rebounds) and Conley (23 points, 11 assists) both had solid outings against Denver and Gasol said he has been trying to keep the possibility of being dealt out of his mind. "I have no control over the situation," Gasol told reporters. "... I can't control it so I can't spend much time thinking about it even though your mind wanders sometimes - 'what's going on? What's going to happen?'" Memphis committed 20 turnovers against the Nuggets to drop to 0-4 when having 20 or more miscues this season and was outscored 35-15 in the final stanza.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (24-26): Small forward Andrew Wiggins was a stellar 13-of-23 shooting while scoring 35 points in Sunday's 125-111 home loss to the Jazz for his fourth 30-point effort of the season. Minnesota is in 11th place in the Western Conference - 3 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers - but the squad hasn't been able to go on a sustained run due to a pattern of inconsistency. "I know we can fix it," Wiggins told reporters after Sunday's setback. "We've done it before. We've had good defensive games consistently. We've just got to keep it consistent."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Gasol had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 100-87 road win over the Timberwolves on Nov. 18.

2. Minnesota PG Derrick Rose (ankle) could miss his third straight game.

3. Memphis PF JaMychal Green (knee) is questionable after sitting out Monday.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 106, Grizzlies 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:06 AM

Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 30th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/30/2019

The circus involving Anthony Davis wasn't a distraction in the team's last game, but things could be different when the New Orleans Pelicans host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The home contest will be the first for New Orleans since Davis' agent publicly requested a trade on Monday, an act that prompted the NBA to fine Davis $50,000 the following day.

Davis (finger) will miss his fifth straight game, and the Pelicans didn't let the situation strip their focus as they posted an impressive 121-116 road win over Houston on Tuesday. "That's going to play out the way it plays out," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters of the Davis situation, with the trading deadline of Feb. 7 closing in. "I don't talk about it very much. I think it's out in the public now, and I think everything that needed to be said has been said." The Nuggets have won 13 of their last 17 games after recovering from a 25-point deficit to record a 95-92 victory in Memphis on Monday. "We just didn't give up," star center Nikola Jokic told reporters after his team outscored the Grizzlies 35-15 in the final quarter. "That says something about the team. We don't want to quit. We were fighting."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (34-15): The comeback was the largest since Denver also overcame a 25-point deficit to post a 113-106 win over Indiana on Nov. 10, 2007. Backup guard Malik Beasley helped ignite the rally with 13 fourth-quarter points as the Nuggets responded to coach Michael Malone's halftime tongue-lashing. "We had to bring it on defense," Beasley told reporters. "We weren't knocking down shots. So I think that messed up our mental (focus) on defense. We just picked it up and didn't worry about our offense and just played defense, got some stops and runs and just did our jobs."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (23-28): The NBA's collective bargaining agreement prohibits players and their agents from publicly requesting trades, and the league said comments made by agent Rich Paul were "an intentional effort to undermine the contractual relationship between Davis and the Pelicans." Jahlil Okafor continues to take advantage of Davis' absence as he scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against the Rockets for his fourth double-double in five games since being inserted into the starting lineup. Jrue Holiday recorded 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a career-best six blocks in a solid all-around effort.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split this season's first two meetings.

2. New Orleans PF Julius Randle (ankle) will miss his fourth straight game.

3. Denver PG Jamal Murray (ankle) will sit out his third consecutive contest.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 108, Pelicans 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:06 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 30th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/30/2019

The Indiana Pacers are reeling from the loss of star guard Victor Oladipo as they begin a four-game road trip Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. Indiana is 0-2 since Oladipo was lost to a season-ending knee injury after being steamrolled 132-100 by visiting Golden State on Monday.

The 32-point loss to the Warriors represents the Pacers' worst of the season, and the team is viewing its trek as vitally important after losing its best player. "Everything is important right now," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "We're going down the stretch and we've had to make some major adjustments. Every game becomes even more important. Certainly, this road trip is important." Washington is beginning a three-game homestand after losing back-to-back games, including Tuesday's 116-113 setback against Cleveland - a contest in which it trailed by 25 points in the fourth quarter. "Regardless of if the team you're playing has a good record or not a good one, you've got to always outplay your opponent with effort," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters, "and we didn't do that."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Indiana, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE PACERS (32-17): Tyreke Evans (back) will miss his second straight game on Wednesday, and that further diminishes the available firepower for Indiana. Edmond Sumner was pressed into the lineup on Monday for his first career start and scored two points on 1-of-10 shooting in a dreadful showing. "He had his head down a little bit after the game," veteran point guard Darren Collison told reporters. "I told him, 'Look, you may not notice, but you played good. Forget about the offense. I don't care how good you are, nobody in their first game playing against a back-to-back championship team is going to be great. It takes time, it takes rhythm.'"

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (21-29): Tuesday's setback was Washington's second against the lowly Cavaliers this season, and Bradley Beal was none too happy with his club's effort. "We probably thought that Cleveland was terrible, and they came out and punched us in the mouth, just like they did last time," Beal told reporters. "You can't overlook anybody. You've got to respect every team in the league." Beal poured in 31 points for his fifth 30-point performance of the month and 12th of the campaign.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers won two home games against the Wizards by an average of 12 points earlier this season.

2. Washington C Thomas Bryant scored just five points against Cleveland to snap a streak of seven straight double-digit performances.

3. Indiana SF Bojan Bogdanovic has recorded 15 or more points in eight of his last 11 contests.

PREDICTION: Wizards 108, Pacers 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:07 AM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
Hawks vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The Sacramento Kings fought their way through a disappointing road trip and head home with an even record and an uphill climb in the Western Conference. The Kings will try to pick up the pace when they return home and host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Sacramento dropped four of six on the just-completed trip, with each of the four losses coming by double digits. "We've played some teams that play a little bit slower this month and we've had a couple of guys who aren't shooting the ball great, and they'll be better," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "(Veterans) Nemanja (Bjelica) and Iman (Shumpert) are both having a couple of weeks where they're not shooting the ball great, but that stuff always evens itself out and we like the space." The Hawks are not quite as far along on the rebuilding curve as Sacramento but are making some definite strides of late and improved to 2-1 on their seven-game road trip with a 123-118 triumph at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Atlanta rookie Trae Young led the way with 26 points and eight assists and is averaging 28 points over the last two games after beginning the trip with five points on 1-of-12 shooting in a win at Chicago.

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

ABOUT THE HAWKS (16-33): Young and power forward John Collins are the cornerstones of the rebuilding effort in Atlanta and are both playing well of late. Collins is averaging 26 points on 76.3 percent shooting over the first three games of the trip and averages a double-double (19.5 points and 10 rebounds) on the season. Rookie shooting guard Kevin Huerter is not enjoying quite as much success on the trip and is 3-of-18 from the floor over the last two games after missing the opener at Chicago with a neck injury.

ABOUT THE KINGS (25-25): Sacramento leading scorer Buddy Hield (20.2 points) will participate in the 3-point contest during All-Star weekend and is shooting 45.7 percent from beyond the arc on the season but went 2-of-7 at the Clippers as part of a 6-of-17 effort from the floor. Hield was 24-of-41 from 3-point range over the first five games of the trip and was one of several players limping to the end as the Kings shot 39.8 percent in Los Angeles. Point guard De'Aaron Fox (21 points on 8-of-16 shooting) was an exception on Sunday and scored over 20 points in each of the last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hawks C Dewayne Dedmon recorded his first double-double in a month with 13 points and 10 rebounds on Monday.

2. Kings SG Bogdan Bogdanovic is 2-of-16 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. Sacramento raced to a 146-115 win at Atlanta on Nov. 1 behind 31 points and 15 assists from Fox.

PREDICTION: Kings 126, Hawks 120

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:07 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-30

NBA Predictions 29th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/29/2019

The Utah Jazz are winners of three straight and nine of 10 as they make their way up the standings in the Western Conference. One of the teams still in front of them in the West are the Portland Trail Blazers, who host the surging Jazz on Wednesday.

Utah is thriving behind the play of its starting backcourt and watched Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio combine for 47 points and 13 assists in a 125-111 win at Minnesota on Sunday. "We were playing the right way," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Our shots were better because of our guards. When we attack the rim, everything else opens up and we get easier shots and shoot better." The Trail Blazers are nearly as hot with wins in five of the last six games and have their own dynamic backcourt with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who recorded his first career triple-double in a 120-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Portland is enjoying a seven-game winning streak at home and sits in fourth place in the West, two games ahead of Utah.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (29-22): Mitchell scored at least 24 points in each of the last 12 games and opened things for his teammates by being aggressive on Sunday. "Donovan started to figure out some angles in pick-and-roll," Snyder told reporters. "When we attack the rim, all of those things start to open up." Mitchell is averaging 28.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting in January after managing 18.2 points while shooting 38.1 percent from the floor in December.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (31-20): McCollum collected 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against the Hawks and is averaging 26.3 points over the last three contests. "Honestly, I was just trying to get through the game and get home and relax, watch some Netflix," McCollum told reporters. "But the last couple possessions where I was like, 'Ah, I've got a chance to get it so if the play is there, I'll throw it, if not, I'm shooting it.' That's kind of how I've always played. It's nice to get a triple-double but it takes a lot of help from other guys setting screens, sacrificing - and Moe (Harkless) made a good finish because I was about to shoot it. I was like, 'Oh he's open.' So, I tried to make the pass." Lillard sat out Saturday with a knee injury and is day-to-day.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Trail Blazers SG Seth Curry started in place of Lillard on Saturday and scored a season-high 22 points.

2. Jazz PF Jae Crowder made at least three 3-pointers in each of the last four games.

3. Utah took two of the first three meetings, including a 120-90 triumph at Portland on Dec. 21.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 113, Jazz 112

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:14 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 2

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4)

Claiming $10,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 61 • Purse: $15,500 • Post: 7:29P
FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 30, 2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000, FOR EACH $1,000 TO $8,000 1 LB. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $8,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN WEIGHT ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Front-runner. WONDER HOW is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * WONDER HOW: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Today is a sprint , horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. MOLOKAI: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and trainer's win percentage with horses coming off a layoff is at least 25. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. TALENT QUEST: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
3
WONDER HOW
10/1

7/2
1
MOLOKAI
7/5

9/2
4
TALENT QUEST
4/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
WONDER HOW
3

10/1
Front-runner
71

62

82.4

52.6

45.1
7
PICKLES N LIME
7

9/2
Stalker
54

50

42.6

45.2

36.7
4
TALENT QUEST
4

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
67

60

43.8

52.2

45.7
5
WHY ALL DA TIME
5

6/1
Trailer
67

60

30.6

53.4

45.4
1
MOLOKAI
1

7/5
Alternator/Trailer
75

67

49.4

64.6

62.1
6
CANDY MAN ONE
6

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
70

64

38.9

49.0

40.0
2
POZZUOLI
2

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
58

54

36.2

45.6

33.1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:15 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 2

Daily Double (Races 2-3) ($1 min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) (.50 min) / Superfecta (.10 min.)

Allowance • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 82 • Purse: $49,000 • Post: 5:52P
FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE DECEMBER 30, 2018 ALLOWED 3 LBS. (CLAIMING RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. ROCKIN SUNDAY MASS is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * MI COPA REBOSA: Horse is highest ranked on Good Speed and Good Class. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. FL AT OUT BIG MONEY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
2
ROCKIN SUNDAY MASS
9/5

3/1
5
MI COPA REBOSA
10/1

9/2
4
FLAT OUT BIG MONEY
5/1

7/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
ROCKIN SUNDAY MASS
2

9/5
Front-runner
80

77

78.2

78.2

73.7
4
FLAT OUT BIG MONEY
4

5/1
Front-runner
73

78

65.4

70.2

60.2
5
MI COPA REBOSA
5

10/1
Alternator/Front-runner
85

83

71.1

64.5

61.0
3
MUSKET'S CUP CAKE
3

8/1
Stalker
69

66

61.0

56.7

47.7
1
THEGRAYSPIDER
1

2/1
Stalker
79

77

55.8

66.4

59.9
6
SHE SANG DIXIE
6

7/2
Trailer
71

73

33.1

68.5

60.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:15 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

01/30/19, GP, Race 7, 3.39 ET
1 1/16M [Turf] 1.38.01 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $50,000.
FOR MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 7-8-9) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10) / $2 HRR - (RED 2,5: 4/5. BLK 1,3,4,6,8: 6/5. GRN 7,9,10: 10/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 250, Win Percent 24.80, $1 ROI 0.90, 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 GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 8 Souper Riptide 10-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Casse Mark E. JSFE 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
099.4549 2 Rhode Island 2-1 Castellano J McGaughey III Claude R W 140.00 1.81 8.14 7 86 Last_Race Was Same Jockey
097.4230 1 Argonne 3-1 Saez L Bond H. James 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
096.2734 5 Battle of Memphis (IRE) 4-1 Gaffalione T Casse Mark E. C 28.00 1.13 31.73 33 104 Race Entries Are Not GT 9
095.9507 3 Repair the World 12-1 Lopez P Lynch Brian A. L 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
095.8427 10 First Commander 15-1 Landeros C McLaughlin Kiaran P. T 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
094.8608 6 Silver Shield 12-1 Leparoux J R Casse Norm W. 140.00 1.81 8.14 7 86 Last_Race Was Same Jockey
094.3224 7 (F)Trinity (FR) 15-1 Velazquez J R Motion H. Graham 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
093.8509 4 Abe Froman 15-1 Maragh R R Day Phillips Catherine 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
093.6456 9 Bernardino(b+) 20-1 Ortiz J F Abreu Jorge R. 51.60 1.16 31.85 50 157 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Sprint Today
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 255, Win Percent 34.12, $1 ROI 0.85, 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 GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 8 Souper Riptide 10-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Casse Mark E. JFE
099.7781 5 Battle of Memphis (IRE) 4-1 Gaffalione T Casse Mark E. SC 20.00 1.29 41.18 14 34 Last_Race Was Sprint To A Route Today
099.6282 2 Rhode Island 2-1 Castellano J McGaughey III Claude R
098.8475 1 Argonne 3-1 Saez L Bond H. James
097.0381 10 First Commander 15-1 Landeros C McLaughlin Kiaran P. T
096.5005 3 Repair the World 12-1 Lopez P Lynch Brian A. L
096.1015 9 Bernardino(b+) 20-1 Ortiz J F Abreu Jorge R. W 10.80 1.14 36.84 14 38 Horse Blinkers On From Off
095.4787 7 (F)Trinity (FR) 15-1 Velazquez J R Motion H. Graham
095.2878 6 Silver Shield 12-1 Leparoux J R Casse Norm W.
095.2321 4 Abe Froman 15-1 Maragh R R Day Phillips Catherine 9.40 1.10 40.00 18 45 Horse 2nd Start

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-30-2019, 09:16 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $11100 Class Rating: 66

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 30 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 PERFECTLY MATTIE 3/1

# 5 CORKER 2/1

# 9 DOLCE TEMPESTA 10/1

I've got to go with PERFECTLY MATTIE. With a formidable rider who has won at a respectable 17 percent clip over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top selections. Could best this field based on the speed fig - 65 - of her last contest. Win percentage one of the best in this group of animals. CORKER - Buttigieg is serious with this one, wheeling her back quickly. She has been running well and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the strongest in this group. DOLCE TEMPESTA - Well above average win clip at this distance/surface. Looks respectable to be close to the lead at the first call.

Wednesday 1-30-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 1-30-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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