Thursday 1-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #7 - AQUEDUCT RACE TRACK - 3:58 PM EASTERN POST
6½ FURLONGS DIRT FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD ALLOWANCE $64,000.00 PURSE

#3 READY TO ESCAPE
#4 LEM ME TEL YA
#2 SUAS
#1 LOHENGRIN TWO

#3 READY TO ESCAPE, the overall speed and pace profile leader in this allowance field sprinting at, or about today's distance of 6½ furlongs on the dirt, and has hit the board in each of his last five outings, with three of those efforts, including a win in his 2nd race back, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." Jockey Junior Alvarado has been in his irons on two previous occasions hitting the board in both, winning one, and is back today here in Ozone Park for his 3rd ride, gunning for a 2nd "Circle Trip." #4 LEM ME TEL YA has produced a quartet of "POWER RUNS" in his last five starts, hitting the board in a pair, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 5th race back. Jockey Rajiv Maragh and Trainer Bruce Levine send him "postward" this afternoon ... they've hit the board with 56% of their entries saddled as a team to date.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 1

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double / Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) Pick 4 (Races 1-2-3-4)


Allowance • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 88 • Purse: $24,500 • Post: 7:00P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, WAIVER CLAIMING OR STATE BRED RACES OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 31, 2018 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 30, 2018 ALLOWED 6 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $12,500 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN WEIGHT ALLOWANCES)(W V A RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. BLUE PLAID is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * BLUE PLAID: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the dista nce/surface. PHONEMYPOSSEAGAIN: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. RUN BANNER: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Jockey win percentage over the last 30 days i s at least 18. GRAND FIBER: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
7
BLUE PLAID
3/1

9/2
6
PHONEMYPOSSEAGAIN
6/5

6/1
5
RUN BANNER
7/2

7/1
3
GRAND FIBER
8/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
7
BLUE PLAID
7

3/1
Front-runner
89

83

87.4

83.2

78.7
6
PHONEMYPOSSEAGAIN
6

6/5
Front-runner
82

86

87.2

76.8

71.3
3
GRAND FIBER
3

8/1
Front-runner
88

74

82.6

75.6

68.1
5
RUN BANNER
5

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
88

82

84.4

77.0

69.5
1
TRUFFLES AND GOLD
1

12/1
Alternator/Front-runner
80

81

72.0

68.6

56.6
2
LAST PLUNGE
2

10/1
Stalker
91

71

74.4

74.2

66.7
4
U ROCK IT
4

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
87

73

77.8

69.2

58.7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs
Delta Downs - Race 6

DD (Races 6-7) ($1 min.) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) Pick 5 (Races 6-10) (.50 min.) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Claiming $5,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 78 • Purse: $15,000 • Post: 7:52P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. IPIDATE is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * GUS'S TIZZY: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PACIFIC SONG: Horse has a TrackM aster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. IPIDATE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
3
GUS'S TIZZY
3/2

7/2
12
PACIFIC SONG
8/1

9/2
8
IPIDATE
8/1

7/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
8
IPIDATE
8

8/1
Front-runner
62

69

56.8

58.0

48.5
3
GUS'S TIZZY
3

3/2
Stalker
80

75

54.6

73.0

69.5
1
IT'S A SWEET ONE
1

7/2
Stalker
71

58

49.8

55.2

45.7
12
PACIFIC SONG
12

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
82

73

65.6

59.7

56.7
4
ZENS SECRET
4

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
68

66

57.7

53.3

39.8
11
ROARING STAR FIRE
11

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
66

58

44.4

55.6

45.6
10
COREY'SGOLDENTOUCH
10

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
51

48

69.8

36.6

16.1
7
SUPERSONICSONG
7

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
67

49

53.8

45.6

31.6
2
OLD PEP N STEP
2

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60

52

42.0

46.8

31.8
6
RESPECT DUE
6

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
56

44

28.2

37.2

18.7
5
MY PAL KAY
5

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
69

61

14.1

44.4

29.9
9
COURTNEY'S BEAU
9

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
57

53

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 3 - SO - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $20000 Class Rating: 93

FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $5,000 OR LESS IN 2017-2019 OR CLAIMING PRICE $12,500. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE DECEMBER 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 GREELEY'S WISH 3/1

# 3 SEA VOW 7/5

# 7 RECKLESS RANSOM 5/1

GREELEY'S WISH is my choice. Looks very good for the conditions of this outing today, showing solid figs in dirt sprint races lately. Schweda has him trained well to break promptly out of the gate. Put up a strong speed rating in the latest race. Can run another good one in this race. SEA VOW - This gelding has to be considered just off the earnings per start in dirt sprint events alone. With a solid 93 Equibase speed fig last time out, will clearly be a factor in this race. RECKLESS RANSOM - Formidable rider and trainer combo winning 29 percent of their races working together. With a sound 85 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #3 - Post: 1:52pm - Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,000 Class Rating: 94

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 OF NOTE (ML=5/2)
#7 PURE PERFECTION (ML=6/1)
#5 OUR RENEE (ML=4/1)


OF NOTE - Antongeorgi's agent must relish anytime Herbertson gives them a mount; winning percent together is terrific. Stick with this horse. No other viable pace gives this horse a strong chance at the winner's circle. This animal tops my list of choice plays. 3 solid efforts leading into this event can prove Moochie here is right. This mare's last figure is lofty enough to score here, I'll play her right back in today's event. PURE PERFECTION - Hernandez comes to saddle up after getting to know the mare in the last event. This mare is in first-rate physical condition right now. Finished second in the last race and comes back promptly. OUR RENEE - Have to make this mare a solid contender; she comes off a sharp effort on Jan 10th. When Cedillo and Wong team up on equines the win percent has been fantastic at 31. Finished fourth at Golden Gate Fields last out. Was close at the end and at odds of 4/1 in today's race, she looks like a possible contender.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 LADY BEWARE (IRE) (ML=7/2), #4 SPARKLE SHINE (ML=9/2), #1 NEON GYPSY (ML=8/1),

LADY BEWARE (IRE) - 7/2 is just not enough of a value to take on most any animal that has run poorly in back to back races. SPARKLE SHINE - The fourth place result in the last event was not the best. When examining today's Equibase class figure, she will have to earn a much better speed figure than in the last race to vie in this dirt route. NEON GYPSY - Hard to put your dough on the win end of any racer that finishes second and third as frequently as this one does. The rating last race out doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the class figure of today's affair. Mark this racer as a questionable contender.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #6 OF NOTE to win if you can get at least 5/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
6 with [5,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [5,6,7] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[5,6,7] with [5,6,7] with [1,3,5,6,7] with [1,3,5,6,7] Total Cost: $36

SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
[5,6,7] with [5,6,7] with [3,5,6,7] with [1,3,4,5,6,7] with [1,3,4,5,6,7] Total Cost: $72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #5 - Post: 7:54pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,800 Class Rating: 93

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 NEGRITO (ML=5/2)
#4 POINT OF VISION (ML=10/1)


NEGRITO - This horse didn't run well on a track listed as good in his last start at Penn National. You may want to overlook that performance. Another way to determine class is earnings per race. This entrant has the top in the group. I think he'll be close at the finish. POINT OF VISION - Could be a possible overlay in this event at odds of 10/1. Finished sixth in last race at Penn National but was close at the finish. This gelding gets a weight break of -7 lbs from last race. This could make a difference in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 CRAFTY CONCORDE (ML=2/1), #1 PHILIPPIAN (ML=5/2), #7 AFLEET MARTINI (ML=6/1),

CRAFTY CONCORDE - I don't normally play a probable favorite that hasn't been to the track in the last 3 weeks. PHILIPPIAN - 5/2 is not worth it for any entrant in a sprint of 5 1/2 furlongs that hasn't finished in the money in a short distance contest recently. Registered a somewhat easily forgotten speed figure in the last race in a $6,250 Claiming race on December 14th. Not probable to see an improved performance off of that fig. AFLEET MARTINI - This gelding raced well above average on Dec 22nd ending up first, but hasn't even visited the track since then. Not really a good sign. When checking today's class figure, he will have to record a much better speed rating than last race out to compete in this dirt sprint.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #5 NEGRITO to win if you can get odds of 7/5 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

01/31/19, SA, Race 4, 2.07 PT
6F [Dirt] 1.07.00 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $59,000.
Claiming Price $62,500. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $15,000 TWICE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $62,500
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double - $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 4-5-6) - $0.50 Late Pick 5 (Races 4-8) - $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) / $2 HRR - (RED 3,4: 4/5. BLK 5,6: 1/1. GRN 1,2: 6/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 535, Win Percent 28.79, $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 SA.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 5 Microrithms 4-1 Smith M E Baffert Bob JL 131.00 1.36 25.14 46 183 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
099.4662 1 Zulfikhar 4-1 Talamo J Baffert Bob FWC 131.00 1.36 25.14 46 183 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
098.1928 3 Distinctive B 5/2 Van Dyke D Miller Peter SE 16.10 1.26 41.94 13 31 Race Track Is Not Fast; Wet Fast; Firm; Hard
098.0679 6 Captain Scotty 3-1 Prat F Miller Peter 16.10 1.26 41.94 13 31 Race Track Is Not Fast; Wet Fast; Firm; Hard
096.8866 4 The Hardest Way(b-) 4-1 Rosario J Ellis Ronald W. 131.00 1.36 25.14 46 183 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
096.3672 2 Graycaster 6-1 Franco G Hollendorfer Jerry 129.00 1.28 23.81 55 231 Last_Race Was Different Jockey

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 68

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $10,000 1 LB.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 THEA BEE 8/5

# 6 CENTRAL BANKING 4/1

# 4 VICKIE'S RANSOME 6/1

My pick for this event is THEA BEE. Looks competitive versus this group and should be one of the leaders. Could provide positive profits based on very strong recent speed figs with an average of 51. Has a very solid shot for this race if you like back class. CENTRAL BANKING - This equine enters today's contest with second time Lasix. The average Equibase class rating of 29 makes this horse tough to beat. VICKIE'S RANSOME - Formidable average Equibase Speed Figures in dirt sprint races make this equine a contender. Lately Villasana has been hot which may give the edge to this filly.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

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

Luka Doncic was unstoppable against Detroit just six days ago and looks for another strong outing when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Pistons on Thursday. Doncic had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Dallas posted a 106-101 home win over Detroit last Friday.

The 19-year-old rookie is the first teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles in a season after posting two in the past five games. But Doncic didn't flirt with one on Wednesday as he settled for 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a convincing 114-90 road win over the New York Knicks. The Pistons have dropped four of their past five contests as they enter the second contest of a four-game homestand. Power forward Blake Griffin scored 18 points in Tuesday's 115-105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks after scoring 30 or more points in eight of his previous 11 appearances.

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

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-27): Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. scored 13 points, recorded a career-high 15 assists and matched his career best of 10 rebounds against the Knicks for his second career triple-double. Smith is averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 assists in four games since returning from a six-game hiatus in which he was unhappy with his role in the wake of Doncic's emergence as a ball-handler. "Smith had a big impact game," Carlisle told reporters, later adding this remark about Smith posting a triple-double one game after Doncic: "It means that they can play together if you ask me."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (21-28): With Detroit's season being mired in mediocrity, there is plenty of speculation that Griffin could be on the move prior to the Feb. 7 deadline. Pistons owner Tom Gores complimented Griffin's play on the team website and said he wouldn't be surprised if the 29-year-old is frustrated, while Griffin asserted that he hasn't requested a trade. "Yeah, I am happy here and of course I'm frustrated," Griffin told reporters. "You should be frustrated. But I still - like Tom - believe in this team and we can turn this around and (reel) off a couple of wins and be fine. The NBA, it's ups and downs. After a loss or several losses, you're not supposed to be happy. If there's guys in here smiling, point them out and I'll say something."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons won their past two home games against the Mavericks after dropping their previous five.

2. Dallas SG Wesley Matthews was 5-of-9 from 3-point range against New York after being 3-of-15 over the previous three contests.

3. Detroit SG Reggie Bullock (ankle) is "uncertain" according to coach Dwane Casey and could miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Mavericks 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

NBA Predictions 31st January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/31/2019

The Indiana Pacers look to halt a season-worst three-game slide when they visit the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The Pacers are winless since losing star guard Victor Oladipo to a season-ending knee injury and their last two losses are by an average of 25 points.

Indiana has dominated Orlando by posting eight straight victories and in 15 of the past 16 so it will be glad to see the Magic after being trounced 107-89 by the host Washington Wizards on Wednesday. "Vic is not coming back," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters after the club's lowest-scoring output of the season. "We have to move past that and not look on what we don't have and focus on what we do have. We have to get more energy in the game." The Magic have dropped four straight games and seven of their last eight after being outplayed in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 126-117 home loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "It's kind of the story of our season - we don't maintain what works for us for 48 minutes," standout center Nikola Vucevic told reporters. "It's very disappointing and very tough to deal with."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE PACERS (32-18): McMillan is trying to keep his team from unraveling after a strong first 47 contests prior to the three-game slide. "We just got to roll up our sleeves and play with more energy and more hustle and more scrap," McMillan told reporters. "That's where it starts. We've got to get our mojo back." Small forward Bojan Bogdanovic poured in 26 points in a 112-90 road win over the Magic on Dec. 7 and he has scored 20 or more points on 14 occasions this season.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (20-31): Orlando hasn't had a player in the NBA All-Star Game since Dwight Howard in 2012 but Vucevic has a chance of ending that drought. Vucevic boasts career-best averages of 20.7 points, 12 rebounds along with 3.8 assists while posting 34 double-doubles, and appears to be on his way to surpassing his career high of 46 in that category. "It would be great for him and great for our franchise," Magic coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "He's really played at a high level at both ends of the floor. I think he's smart, and he gets himself ready to play every night."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers have won each of their past eight visits to Orlando.

2. Orlando SF Jonathan Simmons (abdominal) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game.

3. Indiana G Tyreke Evans (back) is expected to miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Magic 104, Pacers 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

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

The battle for first place in the Eastern Conference will go head-to-head when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. The Bucks go into the meeting with a half-game lead in the East and took two of the first three matchups against the Raptors, including a win at Toronto on Dec. 9.

Milwaukee began its five-game road trip with a loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday but managed to maintain its record as the lone team in the league without back-to-back setbacks by knocking off the Detroit Pistons 115-105 on Tuesday. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, flirted with a triple-double and finished with 21 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the victory. The Raptors avoided a third consecutive setback on Sunday and closed a three-game road trip by edging the Dallas Mavericks 123-120, and they get two at home before hitting the road again for three more. Toronto is enjoying a 10-game winning streak at home that began after that 104-99 setback against the Bucks on Dec. 9.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, TSN 1/4/5 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (35-13): Injuries are getting to Milwaukee's backcourt, but seldom-used reserve Pat Connaughton is making the most of the opportunity and sprang for 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 22 minutes Tuesday after not getting off the bench in three of the previous four contests. "Unbelievable," Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe told reporters of Connaughton. "Pat's been great all season when he does play. He always stays ready. He's a veteran. He's a professional, so he puts in the work. As I always say, just glad to see him come in and play well and we win." Connaughton could be a key player again on Thursday with shooting guards Malcolm Brogdon (chest), Sterling Brown (wrist) and Donte DiVincenzo (heel) all day-to-day.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (37-15): Toronto has its own superstar forward in Kawhi Leonard, who scored at least 20 points in each of the last 22 games. Leonard, who sat out four straight as part of an injury maintenance program, averaged 32.5 points in two games since his return and recorded a double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday's triumph at Dallas. Center Serge Ibaka recorded a double-double in the win as well - his season-best fourth straight.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Raptors PG Kyle Lowry is 7-of-23 from the floor over the last two games.

2. Bucks C Brook Lopez is averaging 3.4 blocks over the last five contests.

3. Antetokounmpo is averaging 31 points and 18.5 rebounds in two games against Toronto this season.

PREDICTION: Raptors 121, Bucks 119

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brooklyn Nets vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

NBA Predictions 30th January 2019 by Gracenote
Nets vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/30/2019

The San Antonio Spurs pushed their winning streak to three in a row with a 126-124 triumph over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, but coach Gregg Popovich wasn't happy about it. The Spurs will try to put together a more complete effort against a stronger team when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

San Antonio turned the ball over six times in the fourth quarter against the Suns and needed a buzzer-beater from Rudy Gay to earn the win. "We were really fortunate to win the game," Popovich told reporters. "I thought that they outplayed us, outcoached us, outphysicaled us, outexecuted us. We had no respect for them or for the game. We didn't play with each other. It was a pathetic performance, and Phoenix got robbed." The Nets come in hot with wins in seven of their last eight games but had to grind out a 122-117 home win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. "Grinding it out, keeping our head above water," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "Toward the All-Star break, everybody's fatigued. They're fatigued, we're fatigued. We just found a way (and) it wasn't pretty at all. ... You look back on the end of the season and say that was a big win, so we knew it was important."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE NETS (28-24): Brooklyn's charge up the standings is being led by point guard D'Angelo Russell, who scored 24 of his 30 points in the second half on Tuesday. The 22-year-old is averaging 23.7 points on 48.9 percent shooting and 7.1 assists while leading the team to an 11-3 record in January. "I give him a lot of credit for the teaching moments," Russell told reporters of Atkinson. "My knowledge and IQ really rose to another level just from learning from my mistakes and him breaking it down and us (dissecting) the film together."

ABOUT THE SPURS (30-22): San Antonio averaged 128 points in winning its last three games but is not feeling great about its performances, especially at the defensive end. "We're just not as physical as we were when we were really playing well," Spurs guard Derrick White told reporters after Tuesday's win. "We have moments where we're doing the right things, but we haven't been consistent with it." Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is doing his part and averaged 29 points and 11.7 rebounds over the last three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Spurs SF Davis Bertans averaged 19.5 points on 14-of-25 shooting in two games after sitting out a pair for personal reasons.

2. Nets reserve PG Shabazz Napier posted his first back-to-back 20-point efforts of the season in the last two games.

3. Brooklyn is trying to snap a 15-game losing streak in San Antonio.

PREDICTION: Spurs 123, Nets 118

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Lakers vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

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

LeBron James missed the last 17 games, during which the Los Angeles Lakers went 6-11 and tumbled out of the top eight in the Western Conference. James is back at practice and is questionable to return from a groin injury when the Lakers serve as the visiting team in a date with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.

James returned to practice on Sunday and the team is waiting to see how his body responds the rest of the week before deciding on a return. "We did three-minute scrimmages so, again, we'll see how his body responds to that and then from there we'll take it, as far as making those scrimmages longer or if he says, 'Hey I feel great, see if I can play,'" Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters of James. "Then we'll make those adjustments. ... He's not driving the lane and tomahawk dunking on people right now. But he's moving well and he's getting to the paint and shooting jumpers and all those types of things." The Clippers are one of the teams sitting above the Lakers in the West and had a three-game winning streak come to an end with a 123-118 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. "I'm not going to overreact," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "I didn't think we were ready to play. Didn't matter what defense or offense we were in."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Lakers), Prime Ticket (Clippers)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (26-25): Los Angeles' young stars keep hearing their names being tossed out in trade rumors for New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, and small forward Brandon Ingram took the opportunity to raise his stock on Tuesday. The 21-year-old exploded for a career-high 36 points on 16-of-20 shooting in a 121-105 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. "That's just part of the business," Ingram told ESPN of the trade speculation. "I realized that. There's different odds (of where Davis could end up) looking at everything. I can only control what I can control and just be the best that I can be every single day that I'm out on the floor."

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (28-23): Los Angeles held five straight opponents to 106 points or fewer before letting the Hawks shoot 50.6 percent from the floor and score at least 29 points in each quarter on Monday. Point guard Patrick Beverley tried to do his part on that end with 10 rebounds and three steals but didn't get enough help in the setback. The Clippers are missing their own key piece due to injury with small forward Danilo Gallinari (back) on the shelf, and he is questionable for Thursday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers SF Tobias Harris is averaging 27 points over the last four games.

2. Lakers PF Kyle Kuzma (hip) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

3. The Clippers took seven of the last eight meetings.

PREDICTION: Clippers 111, Lakers 104

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 2019-01-31

NBA Predictions 30th January 2019 by Gracenote
76ers vs. Warriors Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/30/2019

The Golden State Warriors are winners of 11 in a row and have seamlessly integrated center DeMarcus Cousins into the team's offense, giving opponents another headache to game plan around. The Warriors will try to push it to 12 straight against another team experimenting with some different lineups when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

Golden State swept a five-game road trip, capped by a 132-100 trashing of Indiana on Monday, and is trying to find its top gear as it prepares for the stretch run after the All-Star break. "Unbelievable trip," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "Just a really good way to finish it, too, with everybody playing, everybody contributing, leading from start to finish. I was a little worried about this game. Everybody's anxious to get home. But we finished off the trip the right way, and it was great to see. ... We're in a good groove. We're in a good place, but we got to keep going." The 76ers are winners of three of their last four games and are experimenting with Jimmy Butler running the point and Ben Simmons moving into the frontcourt. "I liked what I saw," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters of having Butler run the offense for stretches of Tuesday's 121-105 win at the Los Angeles Lakers. "We didn't really run complicated offense. It was quite simple and spaced, and I thought he did a really good job with that."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE 76ERS (33-18): Butler collected 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, six assists and five rebounds in 29 minutes on Tuesday and was a fan of the new offensive look. "It's a different look," Butler told reporters. "We've got so many guys who do so many things well. I think Ben gets to post up a little more, cut to the basket a little bit more, play off the ball a little bit more. I think when somebody else has the ball, it makes everybody else's job easier." Simmons finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists while logging a team-high 37 minutes.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (36-14): Cousins made his season and team debut at the beginning of the trip and averaged 15.2 points in the five games, capped by 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting against the Pacers. "Every game, he's looking a little bit more athletic, more confident," All-Star guard Stephen Curry told reporters of Cousins. "Got a little bit more of a rhythm. Understanding where he's going to get his touches. Just the way he runs in transition defensively, the effort he's bringing on that end of the floor, as well." Curry is in his own groove and needed only 13 shots to score 26 points while going 6-of-8 from 3-point range on Monday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors PF Draymond Green (rest) sat out Monday's win but is expected back on Thursday.

2. 76ers C Joel Embiid posted a double-double in each of his last three games, bringing his season total to 41.

3. Golden State took the last 10 meetings.

PREDICTION: Warriors 131, 76ers 122