Saturday 2-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #4 - Post: 8:25pm - Maiden Special - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $23,000 Class Rating: 52

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 LIL SWEETHEART (ML=7/2)


LIL SWEETHEART - This is a fairly classic handicapping angle. Play a horse that finished second in a maiden race last time out but finished well in front of the 3rd horse. This thoroughbred coming off a sharp performance in the last thirty days is a contender in my opinion. This filly should be in tip-top shape, this far into her form cycle. A repeat of that most recent performance on Jan 23rd where she earned a figure of 49 looks strong enough to prove victorious in this clash. This pace horse could take the lead quickly. My guess is she'll take a shot at moving to the front, and never looking back.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 POSEIDON'S BLUFF (ML=3/1), #5 UAINTSEENMECRAZYET (ML=4/1), #3 QUINCYS WAY (ML=9/2),

POSEIDON'S BLUFF - This vulnerable equine hasn't won at this oval. UAINTSEENMECRAZYET - Hasn't been coming close at all recently. The Brain always tells me to stay away from thoroughbreds in sprint races that haven't finished in the money in sprint events recently. Recorded a common speed fig last out in a Maiden Special race on Jan 18th. Improbable to see an improved performance off of that rating. QUINCYS WAY - Hasn't been coming close at all lately. Should have at least hit the board in the last two months in a sprint event to be worth the risk at minimal odds in a sprint.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 LIL SWEETHEART to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park - Race 8

WPS / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double (Races 8-9)


Claiming $25,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 72 • Purse: $10,000 • Post: 10:45
(PLUS UP TO $1,500 ATB) FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $25,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. OUR STORY is the Lone Front-runner of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * GOLDEN LULLABYE: Horse's win percentage at today's distance (sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. MARIA CHUCHENA (MEX): Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the dis tance/surface. LEGENDARY SONG: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
6
GOLDEN LULLABYE
8/5

4/1
5
MARIA CHUCHENA (MEX)
5/2

5/1
2
LEGENDARY SONG
4/1

7/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
OUR STORY
4

9/2
Front-runner
39

52

65.9

38.7

27.7
6
GOLDEN LULLABYE
6

8/5
Stalker
64

81

64.9

62.5

57.5
5
MARIA CHUCHENA (MEX)
5

5/2
Stalker
68

71

57.5

63.0

58.5
2
LEGENDARY SONG
2

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
67

69

58.7

53.6

48.1
3
STREET CONSCIOUS
3

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

60

73.7

45.1

39.6
1
CAMP WASHITA
1

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
48

60

50.5

38.9

28.9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 52

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 SIX EIGHTEEN 7/5

# 3 CHARMING WEEKEND 8/5

# 1 ENDEARMENT 4/1

I've got to go with SIX EIGHTEEN. Risk takers have been noting speed increases from starters changing equipment (blinkers off today). I think having Payeras ride this filly is a smart move. Has been running strongly lately and will probably be close to the front end early on. CHARMING WEEKEND - Ought to compete strongly in the pace contest which bodes well with this field. ENDEARMENT - With a nice Equibase class rating average of 72, has one of the top class advantages in this group. Castaneda has a solid 16 percent win rate with entries running at this distance and surface.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $15000 Class Rating: 88

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 9 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 DRIVE AT NITE 5/2

# 2 LENNY 12/1

# 7 TO THE STARS 6/1

I like DRIVE AT NITE here. With a solid 84 speed fig last time out, will definitely be a factor in this outing. Dilodovico and Karamanos have a very good win percentage together. This one has been consistently racing well lately. LENNY - Hillegass has him trained soundly to break promptly out of the gate. The average class figure of 76 makes this one tough to beat. TO THE STARS - Is a very strong contender based on figures garnered recently under today's conditions. Could beat this group given the 69 speed rating recorded in his last outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Oaklawn Park

02/09/19, OP, Race 6, 3.45 CT
1M [Dirt] 1.34.02 CLAIMING. Purse $34,000.
Claiming Price $20,000 (Races where entered for $16,000 or less not considered). FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta - 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) / 50 Cent Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 392, Win Percent 25.26, $1 ROI 0.79, 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 OP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 6 Inge 9/2 Cabrera D McKnight Norman TSEWL
097.8165 1A My Farmer 5/2 Mojica O Diodoro Robertino
097.4758 4 Holiday Mischief 6-1 Vazquez R A Villafranco Federico JFC 17.40 1.11 32.93 27 82 Horse Best Jockey
097.3664 1 Hardly a Secret 5/2 Cohen D Diodoro Robertino
095.6988 2 Curmit 4-1 Santana. Jr. R Asmussen Steven M.
095.6494 11 Doctor Lee 6-1 McMahon C Broberg Karl
094.2135 7 Papa Caliente 15-1 Sanjur S Campbell Michael B.
094.0288 3 Vaporman 15-1 Court J K Morse Randy L.
093.7215 10 Karma Delight 20-1 Lara E Holthus Paul E.
092.2296 8 Memphisinmay 20-1 Morales E Lauer Michael E.
091.1730 5 Small Town Hero 20-1 Wethey. Jr. F Puhl Kim A.
090.6969 9 Holiday Man 10-1 Canchari A L Martin Timothy E.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Rillito
Rillito - Race 2

$2 Second Half Daily Double $2 Exacta, $2 Quinella, $1 Trifecta ($1 Box) $1 Superfecta ($1 Box)


Allowance • 330 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 75 • Purse: $2,600 • Post: 2:00P
QUARTER HORSE 330Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND OLDER 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 * IMA SPECIAL REB: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation. Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" design ation.
8
IMA SPECIAL REB
5/2

9/5
4
SUFFERIN SASSAFRAS
15/1

6/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
KATIES MIRACLE
1

12/1
Average
63

60

3.9

0.0

0.0
2
SUNNITA SPECIAL
2

12/1
Average
62

63

5.6

0.0

0.0
3
SHAKIN CASH
3

5/1
Average
79

64

5.1

0.0

0.0
5
FATGEORGE
5

10/1
Slow
66

57

6.9

0.0

0.0
6
LONELY DESIRIO
6

3/1
Slow
71

72

6.7

0.0

0.0
7
UNIQUE DEBONAIR
7

2/1
Fast
59

60

2.8

0.0

0.0
8
IMA SPECIAL REB
8

5/2
Fast
92

81

0.0

0.0

0.0








Unknown Running Style: SUFFERIN SASSAFRAS (15/1) [Jockey: Oliver Rick J - Trainer: Cruz Omar].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Santa Anita Park

02/09/19, SA, Race 9, 3.42 PT
1 1/4M [Turf] 1.57.01 STAKES. Purse $200,000.
Grade 2
$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta /$2 Rolling Double - $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 9-10-11) - $1 Superfecta (.10 min) / $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR - (RED 1,3,7: 1/1. BLK 4,5,6,8,10,12: 1/1. GRN 2,9,11,13: 12/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 393, Win Percent 22.39, $1 ROI 0.72, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to SA.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 7 Dabster 5-1 Talamo J Baffert Bob FL
098.6136 2 Roman Rosso (ARG) 12-1 Roman E A Baffert Bob EW
096.8846 4 Epical 7/2 Baze T Cassidy James M.
096.1314 3 Chicago Style 3-1 Van Dyke D Proctor Thomas F. JC
095.9784 5 Platinum Warrior (IRE) 12-1 Foley S Sadler John W. S
095.9244 8 Beach View 5-1 Bejarano R Powell Leonard
095.7380 6 (F)Sejo (IRE) 12-1 Prat F Sadler John W.
095.2182 1 Unapologetic 10-1 Franco G Spawr William
094.8477 12 Ya Gotta Wanna(b-) 12-1 Gryder A T D'Amato Philip 14.60 1.26 32.14 9 28 Horse Post Is GT 9
093.6068 10 Flamboyant (FR) 12-1 Blanc B Gallagher Patrick 14.60 1.26 32.14 9 28 Horse Post Is GT 9
092.3962 9 Lucky Soul(b-) 30-1 Figueroa H McCarthy Michael W.
091.5089 13 Prince of Arabia 30-1 Desormeaux K J Cassidy James M. 14.60 1.26 32.14 9 28 Horse Post Is GT 9
090.5665 11 India Mantuana 20-1 Rosario J Bell. II Thomas Ray 14.60 1.26 32.14 9 28 Horse Post Is GT 9
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 556, Win Percent 27.70, $1 ROI 0.80, 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 7 Dabster 5-1 Talamo J Baffert Bob L
098.4353 2 Roman Rosso (ARG) 12-1 Roman E A Baffert Bob EW 124.80 1.26 23.75 57 240 Last_Race Was Different Jockey
096.3487 4 Epical 7/2 Baze T Cassidy James M.
096.1832 8 Beach View 5-1 Bejarano R Powell Leonard F
096.0286 5 Platinum Warrior (IRE) 12-1 Foley S Sadler John W. S
094.8744 6 (F)Sejo (IRE) 12-1 Prat F Sadler John W. J 126.80 1.33 25.00 48 192 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
094.8318 3 Chicago Style 3-1 Van Dyke D Proctor Thomas F. C
094.7931 12 Ya Gotta Wanna(b-) 12-1 Gryder A T D'Amato Philip 124.80 1.26 23.75 57 240 Last_Race Was Different Jockey
094.6885 1 Unapologetic 10-1 Franco G Spawr William
093.2838 10 Flamboyant (FR) 12-1 Blanc B Gallagher Patrick 26.20 1.25 28.85 15 52 Race Entries Are GT 9
092.8761 9 Lucky Soul(b-) 30-1 Figueroa H McCarthy Michael W. 126.80 1.33 25.00 48 192 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
091.6853 13 Prince of Arabia 30-1 Desormeaux K J Cassidy James M. 126.80 1.33 25.00 48 192 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC
090.6904 11 India Mantuana 20-1 Rosario J Bell. II Thomas Ray 126.80 1.33 25.00 48 192 Last_Race Was Different Jockey With Worse WPC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turfway Park - Race #6 - Post: 8:42pm - Claiming - 6.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $9,000 Class Rating: 74

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 PINOTAGE (ML=4/1)
#5 GO STELLAIRE (ML=7/2)


PINOTAGE - I'm optimistic this filly will run well today. Last prep was 2nd fastest of the day, which tells me she's sharp right now. Ran last out against much better company at Laurel. The move to a lower class rank should suit her well. Another way to assign class is earnings per start. This entrant has the highest in the bunch. I think she'll be close at the finish line. GO STELLAIRE - Has discovered a soft spot this time around.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 LUCY'S TOWN (ML=3/1), #7 SHOWED UP LATE (ML=4/1), #3 MORGAN'S DAVID (ML=6/1),

LUCY'S TOWN - Last raced on January 17th at Turfway Park, finishing fifth. Unlikely to advance off of that try in today's event. SHOWED UP LATE - Tough to bet on at 4/1 odds after the two most recent outings. The Brain always cautions me to keep away from thoroughbreds in sprint contests that haven't hit the board in sprint events lately. MORGAN'S DAVID - Difficult to put your money on the win end of any horse that finishes second and third as often as this entrant does.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #4 PINOTAGE to win if you can get odds of 3/2 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The road is not so smooth for the San Antonio Spurs, who dropped the first three of their eight-game rodeo road trip while surrendering an average of 131.7 points. The Spurs will try to turn things around on the defensive end and keep their hopes of a winning trip alive when they visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

San Antonio took a five-game winning streak into the trip but fell at Sacramento on Monday before getting blown off the court in a 141-102 loss at Golden State on Wednesday and dropping a 127-118 decision at Portland the next night. The Spurs allowed the Kings, Warriors and Trail Blazers to shoot a combined 55.8 percent from the floor and fell to 10-18 on the road overall with Thursday's loss at Portland. The Jazz, who are percentage points ahead of San Antonio for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, are winners of 11 of their last 14 after blasting the Phoenix Suns 116-88 on Wednesday. Utah, like the Spurs, did not make any big moves in front of Thursday's trade deadline, with rumored deals shipping point guard Ricky Rubio out of town never materializing.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah) LINE: Jazz -6.5

ABOUT THE SPURS (32-25): Immune from the team's struggles on the road trip is shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who is 24-of-43 from the floor in two games while sitting out Wednesday's debacle at Golden State to rest. DeRozan did his best to keep San Antonio in the game on Thursday with 35 points, six rebounds and six assists at Portland. Small forward Rudy Gay enjoyed a solid performance at Portland as well with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc.



ABOUT THE JAZZ (31-24): Utah allowed the Suns to hang around through three quarters on Wednesday before outscoring them 37-17 in the fourth quarter. "I thought our transition defense in the second half was better, as was just our one-on-one defense," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Offensively, we just settled down. We made some careless plays where we weren't able to convert on defensive possessions. In the second half, we made the extra pass. There was that one stretch, we were getting some good looks because we we're passing the ball." Small forward Joe Ingles was at the front of the charge making the extra pass and finished with a career-high 11 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz C Rudy Gobert recorded multiple blocked shots in each of the last 13 games.

2. Spurs SG Lonnie Walker IV (ankle) sat out Thursday and is day-to-day.

3. The home team took each of the last four meetings, with Utah trouncing San Antonio 139-105 at home on Dec. 4.

PREDICTION: Jazz 124, Spurs 110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The Indiana Pacers dropped their first four games after losing All-Star guard Victor Oladipo to a season-ending injury, but they've followed it up with four consecutive wins. The Pacers will try to continue to come together without their leader and push the run to five games in a row when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.

"I think we've been connected," coach Nate McMillan told reporters after Thursday's 116-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the second game of a six-game homestand. "Defensively playing good, offensively we've got ball movement and guys are knocking down shots. I felt like we lost a rhythm for a few games. That four-game losing streak, I thought we lost a rhythm. But, we seemed to have found it with the guys that we have out on the floor." Leading the way has been Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 29 points against the Clippers and is averaging 24.5 during the winning streak. The 29-year-old sharpshooter is averaging 20.7 points on 54.5 percent shooting in three games this season against the Cavaliers, who picked up a somewhat stunning 92-91 win on a last-second tip-in by Larry Nance in their previous visit to Indiana on Dec. 18. Cleveland is just 2-12 on the road since then after dropping a 119-106 decision at Washington on Friday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Indiana LINE: Pacers -14.5

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (11-44): Friday saw the return to action for power forward Kevin Love, who scored four points on 1-of-5 shooting in six minutes after missing the previous 50 games following foot surgery. "It was fun to be out there," Love told reporters. "It's my 11th year. I've seen a lot, done a lot, but coming back off of that, that was a weird feeling. But it felt good to be back out there, for sure." Rookie guard Collin Sexton posted his second straight 27-point effort in the loss while Nance hauled in a career-high 19 rebounds.



ABOUT THE PACERS (36-19): Bogdanovic is posting career-best numbers in scoring (16.7), rebounding (4.0), assists (1.8), field-goal percentage (49.4) and 3-point percentage (43.3), and has settled in nicely as the go-to guy on the offensive end. "I've never been in this situation, to be a starter and one of the (primary scoring threats) on the team," Bogdanovic told reporters Thursday. "That's given me a lot of confidence to shoot the ball the way I'm shooting right now." He'll try to keep it going on Saturday, which kicks off a stretch in which Indiana plays nine of 10 games against teams with sub-.500 records.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers PG Darren Collison has 16 assists and one turnover over his last three games.

2. Love is not expected to play Saturday.

3. Indiana C Myles Turner recorded a career-high six blocked shots in Thursday's win and has 15 over his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Pacers 117, Cavaliers 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Charlotte Hornets are lingering around the bottom of the top eight in the Eastern Conference and did nothing in front of the trade deadline on Thursday to improve the team while several other teams in the East took obvious steps forward. The Hornets will continue to rely on All-Star guard Kemba Walker to drive them forward when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Charlotte dropped to 7-19 on the road with 99-93 loss at Dallas on Wednesday despite 30 points from Walker, who scored 30 or more in each of the last three contests. "He gets the best matchup every single night and the most focus, so he's resilient," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters of Walker, who added 11 rebounds and six assists on Wednesday. "Every single night he brings it. He was a competitive kid again tonight, so give him a lot of credit." The Hawks stood pat at the deadline as well and kept a young core intact while keeping veteran swingman Vince Carter, 42, around as a mentor. Carter scored nine points in 17 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 119-101 loss to Toronto and is 9-of-14 from the floor in the last two games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte, Atlanta) LINE: Hornets -3.5

ABOUT THE HORNETS (26-28): Charlotte dropped its last three and seven of nine on the road and was disappointed in its execution late on Wednesday. "We just went dry," Borrego told reporters. "In the last 17 possessions we scored seven points. We had great looks. I'll take those looks all day. We just couldn't knock down a shot. I think our defense gave us a chance in this game. We weren't perfect defensively, but we gave ourselves a chance there. We just couldn't score down the stretch. That was the key." The Hornets are getting solid production from center Cody Zeller, who totaled 15 points and 24 rebounds in two games off the bench after returning from a fractured hand that kept him out 16 games.



ABOUT THE HAWKS (18-36): Atlanta's young core includes steadily improving rookie point guard Trae Young, who scored 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting in Thursday's loss to bounce back from a 2-of-13 effort in Monday's victory at Washington. Young is averaging 23.3 points on 48.7 percent shooting over the last seven games despite the poor performance on Monday. Small forward Taurean Prince is on a roll as well and averaged 20 points on 14-of-22 shooting over the last two games, including knocking down 10-of-15 from beyond the arc.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets PF Marvin Williams is 4-of-17 from 3-point range over the last two games.

2. Hawks PF John Collins recorded a double-double in each of the last three games.

3. The home team took each of the first three meetings this season, with Atlanta earning a 124-123 victory at home on Nov. 25 behind 23 points and 11 rebounds from Collins.

PREDICTION: Hornets 121, Hawks 116

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Toronto Raptors made a pretty big splash at the trade deadline and hope to have all the components of a new-look lineup in place when they visit the New York Knicks on Saturday. Center Marc Gasol, acquired in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, will be with the team in New York and could make his debut with the Raptors.

The squad has also listed leading scorer Kawhi Leonard as questionable with a knee issue that kept him out of Thursday's 119-101 win at Atlanta. The victory was the third straight for Toronto, which has averaged 119.7 points during the run after posting just 92 in a loss to Milwaukee on Jan. 31. New York's losing streak reached 15 games -- one shy of matching the franchise record -- with Friday's 120-103 setback at Detroit. It has also dropped a franchise-record 15 in a row at Madison Square Garden, including five in a row by at least 12 points.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), MSG (New York) LINE: Raptors -10.5

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (40-16): Head coach Nick Nurse has indicated that he was not sure whether Gasol would start with Serge Ibaka while emerging star Pascal Siakam goes to the bench, or if one of the veterans would join the reserves while Siakam remains a starter. "I really don't know what I'm going to do until I see [Gasol] play and see what it looks like, and see what some combinations look like and make a decision," Nurse told reporters Thursday. "He's used to starting, Serge is used to starting. I think Serge has earned [it] and played his butt off this year." Siakam had a career-high 33 points and 14 rebounds in the win at Atlanta.



ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-44): Dennis Smith Jr. scored a career-high 31 points Friday night in his third game since joining the team in the Kristaps Porzingis deal while center DeAndre Jordan, who also came over from Dallas in the blockbuster trade, chipped in 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting. Noah Vonleh, the only Knick to play in all 54 games this season, was limited to three minutes before coach David Fizdale yanked him, later telling reporters that Vonleh "is fighting right now to get back to playing good basketball." Since scoring a career-high 22 points at Brooklyn on Jan. 25, the 23-year-old forward is averaging 4.6 points on 28.2 percent shooting over a seven-game span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Siakam led seven Raptors in double figures with 23 points in a 128-112 win at New York earlier this season.

2. Smith is averaging 28 points and seven assists over the last two games.

3. Toronto PG Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 30 points Thursday after totaling 12 over his previous two games.

PREDICTION: Raptors 112, Knicks 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Anthony Davis is back with the New Orleans Pelicans, but the drama meter still is pointing toward high. Davis faced jeers from the home fans in his first contest since the trading deadline passed - his request to be dealt wasn't granted - but the atmosphere likely will be less adversarial when the Pelicans visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Davis recorded 32 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes of Friday's 122-117 victory over Minnesota in his first game since suffering a finger injury on Jan. 18, and he addressed his situation after the contest. "I'll be here for the rest of the year," Davis told ESPN in a postgame interview. "My job is to play basketball, and that's all I want to do." Memphis had its own trading-deadline drama as it dealt long-time center Marc Gasol to Toronto and kept stalwart Mike Conley. The Grizzlies received center Jonas Valanciunas, guards C.J. Miles and Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round draft pick for Gasol, and also acquired guard Avery Bradley from the Los Angeles Clippers for forward JaMychal Green and guard Garrett Temple.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Southeast (Memphis) LINE: Grizzlies -1.5

ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-31): Davis sat out the entire fourth quarter on Friday and made it sound like a surprise to him during the ESPN interview, but coach Alvin Gentry said the two discussed the minutes situation prior to the contest. "A.D. and I talked about that earlier - I was not going to have him, first game back, playing 38, 40 minutes," Gentry told reporters after the win. "We talked about him playing 22-to-25 minutes, and that's why he didn't go back in the game. I thought he played well the minutes he was in there. He was typical Anthony." Davis stated that he was fine with the atmosphere. "It was fun being back out here, all the boos, it was fun for me," he said.



ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (22-34): Conley is looking forward to having his focus be solely on basketball as he admitted to having concentration issues prior to Thursday's game in which he was just 4-of-15 shooting while scoring 15 points in a 117-95 loss at Oklahoma City. "After they put my name out there, if y'all do it, y'all do it," Conley told reporters of the team shopping him. "But this is all I know. Memphis is all I know. I didn't necessarily ask for any of this to begin with, but I also understood our situation. I'd be one of the players that could hold some value in the trade market. Me being a pro, I just took that and understood it." The star point guard was rumored to be a trade target of Utah, and there were reports saying that was a destination of which Conley wasn't fond.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pelicans are 2-1 against the Grizzlies this season, with the victories coming by 20 and 19 points.

2. New Orleans C Jahlil Okafor (ankle) sat out Friday's contest but could return against the Grizzlies.

3. Memphis C Joakim Noah (heel) likely will miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 104, Pelicans 97

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Otto Porter Jr. will see some familiar faces in his second game with the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, when they host the Washington Wizards. Porter spent 5 1/2 seasons with the Wizards before being dealt to the Bulls prior to Thursday's trading deadline for forwards Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker.

Porter, the third overall pick in the 2013 draft, scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting over 34 minutes in his team debut on Friday as the Bulls registered an impressive 125-106 victory at Brooklyn. "I feel kind of sad leaving (Washington)," Porter told reporters prior to the game. "It is like my second home. To leave and start fresh is another opportunity for me. They have some amazing guys here." Portis scored 33 points in his final game for the Bulls - his employers for 3 1/2 seasons - and followed up with 30 on 12-of-18 shooting in Friday's 119-106 home win over Cleveland to become the first player in NBA history with back-to-back 30-point performances for different franchises in a single season. "I think the Wizards got a steal with me and Jabari because we're two versatile bigs," Portis said during a postgame television interview.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington Plus, WGN (Chicago) LINE: Wizards -1.5

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (23-32): Parker, who recorded seven points over 23 minutes in his team debut, was pleased to be moved as he had requested a trade after falling out of favor in his first season playing in his hometown. "I like the fit a lot," Parker told reporters of the Wizards. "Just being able to contribute with guys who've been playing and who focus on winning. Hopefully, I can enhance that playoff run." While Parker attempted six shots (making three) in his debut, Portis was a stellar 12-for-18 against the Cavaliers.



ABOUT THE BULLS (13-42): Team management feels Porter can help speed up a rebuild that revolves around frontcourt players Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., as well as shooting guard Zach LaVine. "That's been the challenge with the rebuild - finding the right veterans to lead in the locker room," executive vice president John Paxson told reporters. "And even though Otto is 25 (years old) and a quiet guy, he has been in the league six years and has had success. So we'll see how he does." Markkanen fueled the win over the Nets with 31 points and 18 rebounds for his third straight 30-point performance and fifth double-double in the last six games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. LaVine scored 24 points as the Bulls posted a 101-92 victory over the host Wizards on Dec. 28.

2. Washington SG Bradley Beal recorded 25 points against Cleveland, marking the ninth straight time and 17th in 18 games he has topped 20.

3. Chicago PG Kris Dunn has registered eight or more assists in three of his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Wizards 116, Bulls 110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LA Clippers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2019-02-09

NBA Predictions 8th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/08/2019

The Boston Celtics made little noise at Thursday's NBA trade deadline while some of their chief competitors in the Eastern Conference made significant improvements, and then they lost on a buzzer-beater that night. With games against some of those East rivals on the horizon, the Celtics will try to gain a split of a two-game homestand when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

Former Celtic Rajon Rondo buried the game-winner to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-128 win over Boston in the hours after the deadline, snapping the Celtics' five-game winning streak. "I thought the basketball Gods rewarded the right team," Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "I hate to say that, but we had a chance to wrap that game up with a rebound but that was kind of the whole night." With the loss, the Celtics fell back into fourth place in the East behind the Indiana Pacers, who were in the process of routing the Clippers 116-92. Playing its first game since trading away leading scorer Tobias Harris, Los Angeles had 21 turnovers in the loss.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Boston) LINE: Celtics -8.5

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (30-26): The Harris trade was the first of three moves Los Angeles made prior to the deadline, which left the team with a makeshift roster at Indiana. "It was tough, especially when you're playing against a very good team like Indiana," forward Danilo Gallinari told reporters. "We didn't do a very good job tonight. We started pretty well, but we were not able to keep up for the while game." The Clippers will soon welcome center Ivica Zubac, forwards Michael Beasley and JaMychal Green and guard Garrett Temple -- all acquired in deals with the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.



ABOUT THE CELTICS (35-20): Although Boston's moves were limited to sending little-used reserve Jabari Bird to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a pick, many feel it will be in position to land New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis in a trade this summer. Meanwhile, they press on with a group led by Kyrie Irving (24 points and eight assists versus the Lakers) and Jayson Tatum (22 points, 10 rebounds), whose name was thrown about in rumors leading up to the deadline. "I'm happy to still be on the team," Tatum told reporters Thursday. "I'm glad that it's over with for now."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers PF Montrezl Harrell had a team-high 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting in the loss to the Pacers.

2. Celtics PF Daniel Theis is 18-for-21 from the floor over his last four games and has made his last five 3-point attempts.

3. The road team won both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Celtics 115, Clippers 100