Saturday 2-2-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:44 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct
RACE #9 - AQUEDUCT RACE TRACK - 4:30 PM EASTERN POST
The Withers Stakes
9.0 FURLONGS DIRT GRADE III THREE YEARS OLDS STAKES $250,000.00 PURSE

#7 NOT THAT BRADY
#1 TAX
#6 OUR BRAINTRUST
#5 LUCKY LEE

F.Y.I. folks ...inaugurated in 1874, the Withers has been a corner stone on the Kentucky Derby trail. Points are now allocated towards the Derby for the winner. Eddie Arcaro takes the title for most wins by a jockey (6) while Jim Fitzsimmons takes it for trainer at (6) wins. The Withers is named for David Dunham Withers who was a prominent owner and breeder. The Withers has been run at Jerome Park Racetrack, Morris Park Racetrack, Jamaica Racetrack, Belmont Park and is now currently run at Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, New York. Here in the 145th running of The Withers, #7 NOT THAT BRADY, a 4-1 shot on top ... has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of his last three starts, including back-to-back, "POWER RUN WINS" in his last two starts. Jockey Reylo Gutierrez was in his irons for those two wins, which produced a +300% return on investment in the process, and is back this afternoon here at "The Big-A" for his 3rd ride, gunning for a "Hat Trick Win!" #1 TAX, the morning line favorite, has hit the board in each of his three career starts to date, breaking his maiden in his 2nd race back, and comes off a "POWER RUN SHOW" finish facing slightly better company in his last start.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:44 AM

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

Race 10 - Maiden Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $17000 Class Rating: 39

FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 10 YOU HAVE A POINT 3/2

# 11 MISS BILLIE K 7/2

# 12 RANGER CONNECTION 15/1

I think YOU HAVE A POINT is a very good choice. Ought to compete solidly in the pace contest which bodes well with this field. Could beat this group given the 50 speed figure garnered in her last outing. MISS BILLIE K - Has been racing in the most competitive company of the group recently. Earnings per start at the distance/surface is a good angle. This one ranks at the top in this bunch. RANGER CONNECTION - There is a solid possibility of an increase in speed as this mare changes blinkers (off) for the first time. Has respectable front speed and will almost certainly fare strongly against this field.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:44 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Sam Houston - Race #5 - Post: 9:15pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $9,000 Class Rating: 42

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 MIMEOGRAPH (ML=4/1)
#9 MCKCHLO (ML=12/1)

MIMEOGRAPH - Comparing how the horses in this field have fared under similar conditions, I see this thoroughbred has the highest speed figure for the distance and surface. Was in a $10,000 Maiden Claiming race at Delta Downs in the last race. That race had a class number of 58 and she is moving down today. A certain win candidate. MCKCHLO - The May 7th race at Sun Ray Park was at a class level of (65). Dropping down in class drastically, so she should be in a good position. This thoroughbred brings in a lot of money per race around the track. I believe she can add to the lifetime bankroll in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 BELKNAP CREEK (ML=3/1), #1 GLITTER BRIGHT (ML=5/1), #11 THE LUMBER GAL (ML=8/1),

BELKNAP CREEK - No good fortune for this horse in a sprint event over the last couple months tells me that this filly is in a difficult spot This questionable contender hasn't been close at the finish line lately. This racer ran a substandard speed rating in the last race. She shouldn't run much better and will probably lose in today's race running that fig. GLITTER BRIGHT - This mare finished out of the money on Aug 8th and wasn't even close in the last race either. THE LUMBER GAL - Not a good enough price on this thoroughbred at the probable odds of 8/1.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 MIMEOGRAPH to win if we can get at least 5/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:45 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Louisiana Downs
Louisiana Downs - Race 5

Daily Double / Exacta / .50 Trifecta / .10 Superfecta / .50 Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7)

Allowance • 250 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 74 • Purse: $6,300 • Post: 2:36P
QUARTER HORSE 250Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * BP MISS DYNASTY: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. LIL BIT CORONA: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" desi gnation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. ACADIAN ANGEL: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. WAGON RIDE: Horse's average w inning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
3
BP MISS DYNASTY
12/1

4/1
6
LIL BIT CORONA
4/1

5/1
7
ACADIAN ANGEL
2/1

9/1
4
WAGON RIDE
6/1

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
CORONA DOWN PERRY
1

3/1
Slow
76

63

9.0

0.0

0.0
2
JM PARTYIN
2

10/1
Slow
70

67

8.9

0.0

0.0
3
BP MISS DYNASTY
3

12/1
Slow
79

83

7.8

0.0

0.0
4
WAGON RIDE
4

6/1
Average
76

72

4.5

0.0

0.0
5
PEPPERMINT PUNCH
5

5/1
Slow
76

67

8.4

0.0

0.0
6
LIL BIT CORONA
6

4/1
Average
81

81

3.7

0.0

0.0
7
ACADIAN ANGEL
7

2/1
Average
79

70

4.8

0.0

0.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:45 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #9 - Post: 3:58pm - Maiden Special - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $22,100 Class Rating: 60

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#12 MAGICAL JUSTICE (ML=7/2)
#2 BLUE SKIES COMING (ML=3/1)

MAGICAL JUSTICE - Berrios rode this thoroughbred for the initial time in the last race and comes right back in today's contest. Another way to assign class is earnings per start (EPS). This racer has the uppermost in the group. I think she'll be close at the finish. Last time, was entered in a race at Mahoning Valley Race Cour. Finished second, but had a pretty decent chunk of the win pool. Could be dangerous in this field. This filly is in fine condition. Ran second on Jan 2nd. BLUE SKIES COMING - Strong return on investment for this rider and conditioner duo. That 74 fig this filly registered in her last race tells me she's a major player this time around. Last race was at Turfway Park in a race with a class figure of 81. Dropping drastically in class rating in today's event puts her in a solid position in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #10 CHAOS (ML=4/1), #5 DARLING CASSIE LOU (ML=6/1), #1 FILLY RIDE (ML=8/1),

CHAOS - Don't believe this vulnerable equine will make an impact today. That last rating was quite unimpressive when compared with today's class figure. DARLING CASSIE LOU - Not the proper 'situation' in this affair. FILLY RIDE - Tough for anyone who saw this runner in her last event to bet on her in today's event.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #12 MAGICAL JUSTICE on the win end if we get at least 8/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,12]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:46 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

02/02/19, SA, Race 8, 3.53 PT
6 1/2F [Dirt] 1.13.01 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $55,000.
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double - $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 8-9-10) / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) - $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR - (RED 5,6: 4/5. BLK 1,3,4,8: 6/5. GRN 2,7,9: 8/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 376, Win Percent 34.31, $1 ROI 0.93, 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 SA.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 3 Scalper 6-1 Talamo J Baffert Bob TW 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
099.6898 5 My Mandate 3-1 Van Dyke D Glatt Mark FEL 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
098.6494 1 Time Is Now 5-1 Prat F Mandella Richard E. J 34.00 1.11 36.02 58 161 Horse Post Is Not GT 9 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
098.3124 4 Parsimony 6-1 Gutierrez M O'Neill Doug F. 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
097.4606 9 Young Phillip 10-1 Figueroa H D'Amato Philip 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
097.1253 6 Whitehouse Road 4-1 Rosario J Mullins Jeff 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
096.5493 8 Norski 6-1 Flores E Palma Hector O. C 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
096.2198 2 Platinum Nights 8-1 Maldonado E A Eurton Peter 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f
095.5510 7 C Falls 20-1 Desormeaux K J Ruis Shelbe 48.00 1.15 37.50 60 160 Horse Post Is Not 1 and Distance Is 6f or 6 1/2f

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:46 AM

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

.50 Pick 5(Races 3-4-5-6-7)/$1Exacta/Trifecta /.10 Superfecta

Claiming $12,500 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 53 • Purse: $15,500 • Post: 1:24P
FOR REGISTERED NEW MEXICO BRED FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * LET IT ROLL: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest Tr ackMaster Power Rating. MCWEND: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. TALK ABOUT CONTROL: Horse had a bullet workout within the last seven days. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. SHEZA DANDY R F: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). Today is a sprint and the horse is carryi ng at least 120 lbs.
1
LET IT ROLL
3/1

9/2
4
MCWEND
4/1

5/1
8
TALK ABOUT CONTROL
9/2

8/1
6
SHEZA DANDY R F
6/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
SECRET TO ROSIE
2

10/1
Front-runner
42

37

63.6

28.8

15.8
8
TALK ABOUT CONTROL
8

9/2
Front-runner
47

36

52.3

35.1

28.6
6
SHEZA DANDY R F
6

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
47

44

55.0

41.7

29.7
3
CEDE'S DREAM
3

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
31

0

37.3

17.8

3.8
4
MCWEND
4

4/1
Trailer
50

44

51.8

45.2

41.7
1
LET IT ROLL
1

3/1
Trailer
56

53

36.6

41.4

38.4
7
LUCY'S BIG LAUGH
7

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
35

29

30.5

30.0

17.5
5
MINDOFMYOWN
5

7/1
Alternator/Non-contender
42

42

25.0

30.8

23.8

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 08:48 AM

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

Race 1 - Optional Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $27500 Class Rating: 74

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $75,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JANUARY 2 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 2 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $75,000

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 RUSSIAN ROULETTE 9/5

# 6 SCOWLING RIDGE 7/2

# 2 TAKE ME HOME 5/2

RUSSIAN ROULETTE has a competitive shot to take this race. Could provide positive gains based on decent recent speed figures with an average of 72. Well above average win rate at this distance/surface. Will probably come out solid - I have liked the way this filly has moved quickly to the front end recently. SCOWLING RIDGE - She looks strong in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the midpoint. Put up a strong Equibase Speed Figure in the latest race. Can run another good one in this affair. TAKE ME HOME - Handler has sharp win rate (16 percent) at this distance and surface. Must be given consideration in this competition if only for the decent speed rating posted in the last race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:00 AM

LA Clippers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

It was an emotional scene the last time the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons met, with Blake Griffin drawing cheers from his former home fans while leading his current team to victory. Griffin will try to pull off the same trick while leading his new team at home when the Pistons host the Clippers on Saturday.

Griffin, who was drafted first overall by Los Angeles in 2009 and was with the franchise until being shipped to Detroit last season, exploded for 44 points on 13-of-23 shooting in a 109-104 win at the Clippers last month and is averaging 30.6 points over 10 games, beginning with that performance. "I am happy and excited that Blake (Griffin) made the All-Star team, it was well-deserved," Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters after it was announced that Griffin was selected as an All-Star reserve on Thursday. "He's been an All-Pro for us and has helped us get every bit of the 22 wins that we have, so congratulations to him." Los Angeles is embarking on a six-game road trip after dropping two in a row at home, including a 123-120 overtime loss to the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Small forward Tobias Harris, who came over in the Griffin deal and was among a handful of All-Star snubs, collected 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the setback.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (28-24): Los Angeles placed seven scorers in double figures in Thursday's loss, with defensive-minded point guard Patrick Beverley joining the charge with 17 points. Beverley, who averages 7.2 points, scored in double figures in each of the last three games and went 5-of-8 from 3-point range against the Lakers but missed out on a third straight double-double while finishing with eight rebounds. Reserve guard Lou Williams went a combined 6-of-33 from the floor in the two previous games but busted out of the slump with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting Thursday.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (22-28): Detroit barely squeezed past a depleted Dallas Mavericks team that traded away three rotation players earlier in the day on Thursday and sat star rookie Luka Doncic, and Griffin is trying to fight his team's complacency in such situations. "I've been in some similar situations before where a team is missing some guys for one reason or another and you come out and you underestimate them and they play hard," Griffin told reporters. "A lot of those guys are getting their chance to play starter minutes. I don't know that it was necessarily what they were doing tonight, I thought it was what we didn't do that put us in that hole." Griffin struggled to 24 points on 8-of-26 shooting in the 93-89 triumph while center Andre Drummond collected 24 points and 20 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons SG Reggie Bullock is 9-of-38 from 3-point range over his last five games.

2. Clippers SF Danilo Gallinari (back) will travel with the team but is not expected to play Saturday.

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

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Clippers 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:00 AM

Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Charlotte Hornets look to reach the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 31 when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. The Hornets have won six of their past nine contests after recording a 100-92 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Charlotte started slowly and trailed the Grizzlies by 12 points after one quarter but recovered well and outscored Memphis 30-19 in the fourth to land the victory. "We thought we could just go through the motions and they would miss shots," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters after the triumph. "We didn't come out with the right spirit but over the course of time, we figured out how to get this done." The Bulls delivered a solid 105-89 road victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday to win for only the second time in the past 16 games. Shooting guard Zach LaVine (ankle) could return Saturday after sitting out against Miami and he has topped 20 points in five of the his last six games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE BULLS (12-40): Forward Jabari Parker, who is averaging 14.3 points in 39 games, won't play Saturday after a death in the family. Parker was signed in the offseason but has proven not to be a fit and Chicago is shopping him with Thursday's trading deadline about to arrive. "I've never handled that before. I've never been in trade rumors," Parker told reporters of the trade speculation. "This is kind of the first time, so just trying to do good things in the mean time. It's just part of the business. It's nothing that I am bothered by. I understand a team needs you and a team doesn't want you - that's just how it goes."

ABOUT THE HORNETS (25-26): Second-year shooting guard Malik Monk scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter against Memphis and is averaging 16.7 points over the past three games. "Malik was great, the second half especially," Borrego said afterward. "Just getting downhill and getting to the rim and knocking that shot down. He is getting more and more comfortable out there. He's looking really confident shooting the ball right now." All-Star point guard Kemba Walker scored 23 points against the Grizzlies and has topped 20 in eight of the past 10 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split two meetings earlier this season with the Hornets' win coming by 29 points.

2. Charlotte PG Tony Parker (ankle) returned from a one-game absence to contribute 15 points and seven assists on Friday.

3. Chicago officially waived F Carmelo Anthony on Friday and acquired swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a second-round draft pick in 2020.

PREDICTION: Hornets 118, Bulls 95

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:00 AM

Brooklyn Nets vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Brooklyn Nets will attempt to defeat the Orlando Magic for the third time in just over two weeks when the teams meet Saturday in Florida. The Nets picked up a two-point win at Orlando on Jan. 18 and followed that up with a four-point triumph over the Magic at home five days later.

Those two victories were part of a six-game winning streak for Brooklyn, which has since dropped two of three games, including Thursday's 117-114 setback at San Antonio in which the Nets held a seven-point lead approaching the middle of the fourth quarter. "They're not going to beat themselves," guard D'Angelo Russell told reporters of the Spurs. "So, when you go to an away game, you've got to come with your hard hat on and be ready to take that win." The Magic snapped a four-game slide with a 107-100 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The matchup with Brooklyn caps a three-game homestand for Orlando, after which the club plays 11 of its next 16 on the road.

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

ABOUT THE NETS (28-25): Brooklyn is now 2-2 since losing guard Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb surgery), who scored a total of 49 points in 57 minutes in the recent back-to-back wins over the Magic. Russell, who was named as an All-Star reserve Friday in place of the injured Victor Oladipo, reached the 25-point mark in six of his last seven games, including an average or 32.5 in the matchups with Orlando. Shabazz Napier has gobbled up most of Dinwiddie's minutes and is averaging 19.3 points despite shooting 35.6 percent from the floor over the four-game span.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (21-31): Terrence Ross scored a season-high 30 points in the win over the Pacers while center Nikola Vucevic followed up his first career All-Star Game nod with his 35th double-double. "This is really an emotional night for me," Vucevic told reporters of the selection. "It's hard to describe when you put so much work into it for so many years and then it finally pays off. That is really satisfying. My teammates and coaches share just as much credit for this." The team's first All-Star since 2012, Vucevic is averaging 18.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 blocks against Brooklyn.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets PF Ed Davis is averaging 11.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes over his last four games.

2. Ross is 15-for-34 from 3-point range over a four-game stretch.

3. Brooklyn won five of the last six meetings.

PREDICTION: Nets 114, Magic 112

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:01 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
Bucks vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Milwaukee Bucks made their statement with a 105-92 victory at Toronto on Thursday, declaring themselves the clear top team in the Eastern Conference heading into the stretch run before the All-Star break. The Bucks will try to avoid a letdown on Saturday, when they continue a five-game road trip by visiting the Washington Wizards.

Milwaukee learned that swingman Khris Middleton would join superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo during All-Star weekend with his first selection and then made sure their coaching staff would join them by knocking off the Raptors. "It's a great honor," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who will coach Team Giannis in the All-Star Game by virtue of being the coach with the best record in the conference, told reporters. "I think it says a lot about our team. The players are the ones that put the coaching staff in that position. Incredibly grateful to our entire roster and all those guys. It's a huge statement, honor, compliment to the assistant coaches. What these guys do for me is pretty special. We've been together a long time, so I love that as a staff you get to go and enjoy it." One of Milwaukee's two losses in the last 12 games came at Washington on Jan. 11 despite 25 points from Middleton. The Wizards got 32 points from Bradley Beal in that win over the Bucks and were given another 25 by the All-Star shooting guard on Wednesday to help the team to a 107-89 victory over Indiana in the opener of a three-game homestand.

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

ABOUT THE BUCKS (37-13): Milwaukee can score with any team in the East and is especially dangerous when it locks down on the defensive end, as it did on Thursday. The Bucks held the Raptors to 39.8 percent from the floor, including 7-of-27 from 3-point range while collecting 13 steals and six blocks in the win. "The team was so fantastic across the board. It was a great team win," Bucks center Brook Lopez, who blocked three shots, told reporters. "I'm just, probably, most proud of our defense. We had great team defense. The team tried to make a run obviously in the second half, but we stood tough. It was a great playoff atmosphere. Good test for us."

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (22-29): Beal was named to his second straight All-Star team on Thursday and is averaging 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists. The 25-year-old boosted his scoring to an average of 27.6 points in January while absorbing a bigger leadership role due to point guard John Wall's season-ending injury. "I never get caught up in trying to be an All-Star and trying to be this and trying to prove myself," Beal told the Washington Post. "I just concern myself with getting better every game. I never let anyone else define my career. I never let anyone else tell me I'm good or better than the next man. I'm myself, I'm my person, I reflect on my game and nothing is more important than my team and winning ballgames."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards SF Otto Porter Jr. (toe) left Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Lopez blocked at least three shots in four of the last six contests.

3. Washington's Jan. 11 victory snapped a string of five straight meetings won by the road team in the series.

PREDICTION: Bucks 125, Wizards 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:01 AM

Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Cleveland Cavaliers will go in search of their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. The Cavaliers, who no longer own the worst record in the NBA, knocked off the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards in the last two games and are close to getting star forward Kevin Love back.

Cleveland became the last team in the league to reach double figures in wins with the 104-101 win over the Bulls on Sunday and managed to execute in the fourth quarter again on Tuesday, securing another three-point win with a 116-113 triumph over the Wizards that opened a three-game homestand. "As far as what we're doing, I don't think we're doing much of anything different," Cavaliers coach Larry Drew told reporters. "I think we're doing some things better." The Mavericks pulled off the first blockbuster trade of the NBA season by dealing for New York Knicks superstar Kristaps Porzingis but don't expect the 7-3 Latvian to take the court this season. Dallas is hoping the other players acquired in that deal - guards Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke - are ready to help the team on Saturday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-28): Dallas pulled off the stunning deal on Thursday afternoon, shipping point guard Dennis Smith Jr., center DeAndre Jordan and shooting guard Wesley Matthews to the Knicks along with a pair of first-round picks. That, plus an ankle injury to star rookie Luka Doncic, left the Mavericks with several players in unfamiliar positions during a 93-89 loss at Detroit that night. "It was a great effort and we were just very mentally tough, we hung in there and made plays," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "It was headed to being a low-scoring game from the beginning and it just comes down to a play here and a play there. I love the way we competed, I'm disappointed we came up short, but obviously a lot of positives."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (11-41): Cleveland has been without Love since the former All-Star underwent foot surgery in October but finally got him back at practice this week. "He actually did pretty well," Drew told reporters after watching Love practice on Thursday. "He moved around pretty well. Got a little winded, which is expected. The first time he has really been in a contact situation where we went up and down and there was actual contact. I thought he moved really well, shot the ball well, passed the ball well." Love, who is not expected to play Saturday, averaged 19 points and 13.5 rebounds in four games before going down.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers SF Cedi Osman is averaging 24.3 points over the last four games.

2. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki, who is expected to retire at the end of the season, was added to the All-Star Game roster as a special addition by commissioner Adam Silver.

3. Cleveland took six of the last seven meetings.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 108, Cavaliers 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-02-2019, 09:01 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-02-02

NBA Predictions 1st February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/01/2019

The Indiana Pacers will try for a fifth time to pick up their first win since losing All-Star guard Victor Oladipo for the season when they visit the Miami Heat on Saturday. A 107-100 loss at Orlando on Thursday left the Pacers 0-4 since Oladipo suffered his knee injury in a win over Toronto, and the slide has seen them sink into fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

"I thought we played harder than in the previous games," point guard Darren Collison told reporters Thursday. "I thought we got back to ourselves tonight and we made up for missing some open shots. But we still had some inexcusable mental lapses down the stretch, including me. We have to figure out a way to get out of this slump." Miami may present a soft landing spot as it fell to 11-15 at home with a 118-102 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday. Kelly Olynyk scored 21 points off the bench in defeat for the Heat, who play their next five on the road starting Tuesday in Portland. Miami has dropped three in a row at home, all by at least 12 points.

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

ABOUT THE PACERS (32-19): The loss of Oladipo certainly stung but the additional injury to Tyreke Evans (back) -- Oladipo's replacement in the starting lineup -- has given the team a double whammy that has it scrambling for production while navigating a four-game road trip. "You're talking about something you have developed over the course of a year and a half and all of a sudden, that piece is missing," coach Nate McMillan told reporters of the injuries. "We're not panicking, even though it seems like everybody else is." Evans is questionable for Saturday, as is fellow guard Cory Joseph (groin), who made his first start of the season in Thursday's loss.

ABOUT THE HEAT (24-26): Prior to Friday's loss the league announced that Miami guard Dwyane Wade and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki would be special additions to the All-Star Game rosters as they play the final seasons of their Hall of Fame careers. Wade followed up the announcement with just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in the loss to the Thunder, but the 37-year-old led the Heat with six assists. "For the commissioner to create that opportunity for Dirk and myself, it's cool, and I think I appreciate it more getting in this way," Wade told reporters after stressing he never would've wanted to take an actual spot from someone else.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Joseph scored 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting over the first two meetings, both wins for the Pacers.

2. Olynyk is 15-for-21 from the floor over his last three games.

3. Collison averages 5.8 assists but has at least eight in five of his last six games.

PREDICTION: Pacers 101, Heat 99

Saturday 2-2-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 2-2-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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