Monday 2-25-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:25 AM

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Portland Trail Blazers are in a good place as they continue their season-high seven-game road trip Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Portland won the first two games of the trip after Saturday's 130-115 victory at Philadelphia with 7-0 center Jusuf Nurkic averaging 25.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in the two contests while leading a dominating attack in the paint.

"It's a long road trip," the Trail Blazers' Enes Kanter told reporters Saturday after recording 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. "We are 2-0, but I think now we just learn from it and move forward. We know we can score the ball. For us to get to the next level, we have to do it on the defensive end." Portland sits fourth in the West, two games behind Oklahoma City and two ahead of Houston while five games clear of ninth-place Sacramento. Cleveland moved away from New York and Phoenix in the race for worst record in the league after winning three of its last four games, including 112-107 over Memphis on Saturday behind a season-high 32 points and 12 rebounds from Kevin Love. "I feel like a big part of my life, my identity, is taken away when the game is taken away from you," Love, who is averaging 16.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in four games since missing 50 with a foot injury, told reporters. "So, I feel really good and really fortunate just to be out there."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (36-23): Nurkic (15.4 points, 10.2 rebounds) recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and five blocks versus the Cavaliers last month, becoming the first player in NBA history with that stat line while playing 28 minutes or fewer. Portland matched its season high with 66 points in the paint in each of its last two games, with Kanter totaling 34 points 17 rebounds during that span in his first contests since being acquired from New York. Damian Lillard (25.9 points) scored a total of 30 in two games since the All-Star break while CJ McCollum (20.9) scored 21 at Brooklyn on Thursday - the only time he's reached his average in the last five contests.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (14-46): Tristan Thompson (11.5 points, 11.1 rebounds) missed the last 15 games because of a foot injury with coach Larry Drew telling the media about the recovery: "It's still going slow. We're going to take it very slowly as far as bringing him back." Rookie guard Collin Sexton (15.0 points) recorded 20 points, six rebounds and five assists Saturday, including a career-high four 3-pointers, and reached double-figure points in 51 games - second among rookies to Dallas' Luka Doncic (52). Love averages 17.8 points and 10.9 rebounds but shoots only 38 percent from the field while Jordan Clarkson goes for 16.9 points per game exclusively off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Portland G Evan Turner (7.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists in 23.3 minutes) is expected to miss the next 2-to-3 games with a knee injury.

2. Cleveland G Brandon Knight, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 assists in five games since being acquired from New York, is in line to play his 400th career game Monday.

3. The home team won 10 straight in the series after the Trail Blazers' 129-112 victory Jan. 16 behind 33 points from Lillard, who averages 25.9 points in 12 games versus the Cavaliers.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 110, Cavaliers 106

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:25 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The fight the Indiana Pacers showed before the break after All-Star Victor Oladipo was lost for the season carried through the layoff with two straight wins. The Pacers will try to make it three straight when they visit the similarly surging Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Indiana is holding its own among the powers in the Eastern Conference and sits in third place after coming out of the break with wins over the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards, giving it eight wins in the last nine contests. "One thing we have been all year long is resilient," Pacers forward Thaddeus Young told reporters after helping his team hold off a late challenge in the 119-112 win over the Wizards. "We continue to fight, continue to fight through adversity. We believe in our brotherhood." The Pistons are fighting for a postseason spot and moved themselves into seventh in the East by earning a pair of road wins out of the break and checking off victories in six of the last seven overall. "The theme of the past several weeks has been about us," All-Star forward Blake Griffin told reporters after a 119-96 triumph at Miami on Saturday. "The way we've played has been unbelievable. We just played with the right spirit. We got stops on the defensive end and got a couple of easy baskets and then once that happened you had guys hit shots and get hot."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE PACERS (40-20): Indiana is winning with a full team effort since Oladipo went down and placed seven scorers in double figures while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor and handing out 29 assists in Saturday's triumph. Young led the way with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting while shooting guard Wesley Matthews chipped in 14 points on 5-of-9 from the floor in his fourth game with the Pacers. "Down the stretch we knocked a few free throws, a couple guys made a couple key shots and we were able to get ourselves a comfortable lead, where we could finish the game," Young told reporters.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (28-30): Detroit went 13-7 in the first 20 games before dropping 16 of the next 20 to fall out of the top eight in the East and is trying not to let that happen again. "We still have a long way and a lot of basketball to be played," coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We have to stay focused. We are doing pretty well right now. We have to maintain our focus. We have a tough team coming into our home on Monday and we have to be focused for that." The Pistons are getting strong play from their second unit of late and watched Luke Kennard, Ish Smith and Langston Galloway combine to go 20-of-27 from the floor on Saturday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons C Andre Drummond recorded a double-double in each of the 11 games.

2. Pacers SG Bojan Bogdanovic is shooting 54.3 percent from the floor in nine games this month.

3. Indiana earned a 125-88 home win in the first meeting of the season while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor on Dec. 28.

PREDICTION: Pacers 120, Pistons 118

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:26 AM

Golden State Warriors vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
Warriors vs. Hornets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The last time Kevin Durant was in Charlotte, he was winning MVP at the All-Star Game by leading Team LeBron past Golden State Warriors teammate and North Carolina native Stephen Curry on Team Giannis. Durant and Curry will try to work together in Charlotte on Monday when the Warriors visit the Hornets.

Golden State is still getting used to playing with center DeMarcus Cousins, and there was one point in Saturday's 118-112 home loss to the Houston Rockets that saw Cousins and Durant exchange words about missed assignments on the defensive end. "Sure, he's frustrated," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters of Cousins. "Think about what DeMarcus has been through with the year-long injury and the frustrating free agency. So, it's not an easy thing, a very difficult injury to come back from. After the first couple weeks, the excitement, the adrenaline, the wear and tear begins and that's where you really got to be able to rely on execution. So, we'll work with him; he can do better, he knows that." The Hornets are fighting for a spot in the top eight of the Eastern Conference and fell to a team in front of them in the standings with a 117-115 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. "I think the hardest thing is trying to put this one behind you," Charlotte forward Marvin Williams told reporters after his team battled back from a 19-point deficit only to fall in the final seconds. "Take nothing away from Brooklyn. They came with their A-game. We played well enough to win that game too. It's disappointing, man, it's going to be a tough night."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (42-17): Golden State forward Draymond Green went down with a sprained left ankle in Saturday's loss, but the team doesn't seem overly concerned that he might miss some time. "He'll be back for the playoffs," Durant told reporters. "I mean, that's the only thing we worry about here, right?" Warriors All-Stars Durant, Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 74 points on Saturday while Cousins and Green combined for 17 on 6-of-18 shooting.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (28-31): Charlotte had its own representative at the All-Star Game in point guard Kemba Walker, who started alongside Curry in the backcourt for Team Giannis. Walker looked like an All-Star in trying to drag his team to victory on Saturday with 32 points but had his 3-point attempt at the buzzer blocked on a play the Hornets felt should have been called a foul. "We put ourselves in position to win," Charlotte coach James Borego told reporters. "It's not easy out there. I understand it's a tough game to call, but this is extremely frustrating for our team."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets PG Tony Parker scored 21 points on Saturday - his highest total since putting up a season-high 24 at Detroit on Nov. 11.

2. Curry went 6-of-23 from the floor in the All-Star Game but is 21-of-41 in two games since the break.

3. Golden State earned a 101-87 victory at Charlotte last season despite Curry missing the game.

PREDICTION: Warriors 126, Hornets 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:26 AM

Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Miami Heat look to pull themselves out of a tailspin that has them sitting outside playoff position, and begin to move forward again when they host the league-worst Phoenix Suns on Monday night. The Heat, who are suddenly 1 1/2 games out of eight place in the Eastern Conference, have dropped eight of 10 games after suffering a demoralizing 119-96 setback against Detroit on Saturday while falling to 11-17 at home.

"They played better than us, in every aspect of the game," Miami veteran guard Dwyane Wade told reporters of the Pistons, who had played the night before. "It's disappointing, but here we are. I don't have answers. I wish I did. But obviously we've been talking about this all year. You can't just turn it on because the game means more." The Heat have won four straight against the Suns, including a 115-98 triumph in Phoenix on Dec. 7, and 16 of the last 17 meetings - eight in a row at home. The Suns, who complete a five-game trip Monday, are trying to put an end to a franchise-worst 17-game losing streak after coughing up a fourth quarter lead in a 120-112 loss at Atlanta on Saturday. "We didn't play smart and we didn't have enough discipline to finish the game," Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "It's a shame because I think we tried and we gave our best. The effort was there, but as I keep saying, effort alone is not enough."

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

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-50): Tyler Johnson poured in a season-high 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting (4-of-6 from 3-point range) Saturday in his fifth game with the team after scoring single digits in the first four. Devin Booker leads the team in scoring (24.7) and assists (6.7) after averaging 28.0 and 7.5 in the past two games while rookie big man Deandre Ayton notched his fourth double-double in February on Saturday (14 points, 12 boards). Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 21.7 points the last three games, including 10 made 3-pointers.

ABOUT THE HEAT (26-32): Veteran guard Goran Dragic (knee) scored four points in 16 minutes Saturday in his first appearance since Dec. 10, but two other regulars sat out and another was lost during the game. Justise Winslow (knee) and James Johnson (shoulder) were forced to watched from the sideline Saturday while forward Rodney McGruder suffered a bruised right knee in the first half and all are questionable. Leading scorer Josh Richardson (17.6) recorded 22 points against Detroit and Dion Waiters has averaged 18 over the last five contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Phoenix F T.J. Warren is second on the team in scoring (18.0), but is questionable after missing 12 straight games with an ankle injury.

2. Miami C Hassan Whiteside recorded his team-high 29th double-double Saturday (13 points, 15 rebounds).

3. The Heat are third in the league in scoring defense (105.9) and the Suns give up 116.1 per contest to sit 28th entering Sunday.

PREDICTION: Heat 112, Suns 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:26 AM

San Antonio Spurs vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
Spurs vs. Nets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The San Antonio Spurs' annual Rodeo Road Trip will come to a merciful end Monday night when they cap the eight-game sojourn with a visit to the Brooklyn Nets. The Spurs are 1-6 on the trip after dropping a 130-118 decision Sunday at the New York Knicks, who had lost a franchise-record 18 straight home games.

"It was a pathetic performance defensively but the Knicks had something to do with that," coach Gregg Popovich told the media. "They were physical. They did a good job." The slump has San Antonio tied with the Los Angeles Clippers at the back end of the Western Conference playoff race, one game behind sixth-place Utah and a game up on ninth-place Sacramento. The Nets split their first two games out of the All-Star break, first falling at home to Portland before picking up a 117-115 victory at Charlotte on Saturday. D'Angelo Russell scored 40 points to tie his career high as sixth-place Brooklyn moved 1 1/2 games up on Detroit and two ahead of the Hornets in the East.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE SPURS (33-28): DeMar DeRozan did all he could do to keep pace with the Knicks by scoring 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, and he is averaging 24.8 points on the road trip. Popovich gave some credit to a second unit that helped to make things interesting in the second half, a group that included center Jakob Poeltl (12 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes). "Our subs came out, showed some physicality, showed some effort and cut - whatever it was, 20 points down to 10 - and we just couldn't get it below that," he told reporters. "But that group gets credit for playing and doing their job the way they should."

ABOUT THE NETS (31-30): Russell became the go-to guy earlier in the season and continues to embrace the role in the wake of his first All-Star appearance. "For sure, because I feel like when you have that All-Star badge, you have to be aggressive," Russell told reporters Saturday. "Teams expect it already, they game plan for you and they are trying to stop you - and I feel like I can't be stopped." The 23-year-old had 25 points and nine assists in a 117-114 loss at San Antonio last month.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets SG Caris LeVert is shooting 34.5 percent in five games since returning from a foot injury.

2. Spurs PG Derrick White, who recently returned from a heel injury, sat out Sunday's game to rest but is expected back Monday.

3. San Antonio took each of the last seven meetings, including three in a row at Brooklyn.

PREDICTION: Nets 116, Spurs 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:26 AM

Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Sacramento Kings try to take the next step toward their first playoff berth since 2005-06 when they conclude a four-game road trip Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento began the trek by playing the top three teams in the conference, losing by two points at Denver on Wednesday and Golden State on Thursday before upending Oklahoma City 119-116 on Saturday.

The Kings are attempting to fast-track their climb with speed as the Warriors' Draymond Green told reporters it is "probably the fastest team in NBA history'' while Sacramento coach Dave Joerger said to the media: "We're going to play fast. That's what we do. We're successful if we can get out and run." The Kings are within striking distance of the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West while Minnesota is three games behind Sacramento after a 140-128 loss at Milwaukee on Saturday. The Timberwolves have been without All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns (23.1 points, 12.0 rebounds per game), who missed his second straight contest Saturday (concussion protocol) after a car accident Thursday. "We're missing him a lot," Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins told reporters about Towns, who had played in all 303 games of his career prior to Friday's 115-104 victory at New York. "He's our rim protector. He challenges a lot of shots. He changes the game in a lot of different ways. We're definitely missing him."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE KINGS (31-28): Buddy Hield (team-high 20.7 points per game) scored 34 on Saturday - the fifth time this season he's scored more than 30 - and is averaging 23.9 points in February. Rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds) scored 19 and had 10 boards versus Oklahoma City after netting a career-high 28 points with 14 rebounds in Thursday's 125-123 setback at Golden State. De'Aaron Fox, who's totaled 37 points and 17 assists in his last two contests, is one of three league players averaging at least 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals, joining Houston's James Harden and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (28-31): Wiggins (17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds) did not play the final two games prior to the All-Star Game because of illness but has recorded 35 points and 15 rebounds in two contests since the break. Derrick Rose (18.4 points) averaged 21.5 in the last two games while 0-for-20 from 3-point range over his past nine contests. Tyus Jones contributed nine points, nine assists and four steals in 28 minutes Saturday in his second game since missing 13 with an ankle injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Minnesota C Gorgui Dieng (5.6 points, 13.4 minutes), who is third in club history with 435 blocks, missed the last two games because of personal reasons.

2. Hield is fourth in the league in made 3-pointers at 3.39 per game, which would break the club record of 3.0 set in 2003-04 by Sacramento assistant general manager Peja Stojakovic - a member of team's front office for the past four seasons.

3. The home team has won all three meetings this season with Towns averaging 24.0 points and 14.7 rebounds.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 113, Kings 112

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:26 AM

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
76ers vs. Pelicans Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Philadelphia 76ers are having a tough time with All-Star center Joel Embiid on the sidelines and will try to find a winning formula without him when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. After struggling to get past Miami on Thursday at home while Embiid (knee) began what is expected to be at least a week-long absence, the Sixers were embarrassed 130-115 by Portland on Saturday.

The Trail Blazers had a 61-42 advantage on the glass and scored the most points for a Philadelphia opponent in a regulation game this season. "We just didn't rebound well enough against a team like this," point guard Ben Simmons told reporters. "It's a group effort rebounding. I think just all of us combined, I don't think we did enough." The Pelicans have a very different drama with their star big man, Anthony Davis, and they angered some fans by resting him Saturday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jrue Holiday helped send the fans home happy by scoring 27 points in New Orleans' 128-115 triumph.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Philadelphia, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE 76ERS (38-22): Simmons scored 29 points and Tobias Harris added 20 in the loss to the Blazers as Philadelphia fell two games behind third-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference. "Clearly we miss Joel," Harris told reporters. "There's no getting around that. He's a big piece to our team, but we don't have him right now and we have to be able to get efforts from everybody else on the team." Veteran guard JJ Redick has seen his scoring total fall in each of the last five games after a seven-point effort in the loss and he is 4-for-15 from beyond the arc since the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-34): Forward Cheick Diallo has taken advantage of some available minutes while the Davis drama plays out and notched his second straight double-double while making all eight of his shots against the Lakers. Julius Randle added 24 points, Ian Clark had 17 off the bench and Elfrid Payton finished with 14 and nine assists as New Orleans put forth a team effort without its All-Star. "I think you can take all the guys that were involved in the game in some stage," coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "They did something positive for us."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Holiday scored 30 points while Davis was limited to 12 in a one-point loss at Philadelphia earlier this season.

2. Diallo has 34 points and 28 rebounds in 45 minutes over his last two games.

3. Sixers PG T.J. McConnell has 23 assists and two turnovers over his last six games.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 118, 76ers 111

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:27 AM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race and superstar LeBron James is sensing a lack of preparedness on the part of his team. James will try to lead the Lakers back into the win column when they wrap up a two-game road trip at the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

James had 27 points, 12 assists and a season-high four steals but Los Angeles could never recover from a sluggish start in Saturday's 128-115 loss at New Orleans, which was playing without All-Star forward Anthony Davis. "It's how you approach the game every day, how you think the game every day," James told reporters of the need for urgency. "It's how you play the game, prepare for the game. It's not even like when you get to the arena. It's like way before that. It's the most important thing in your life at this time." The loss left the Lakers 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot in the West entering Sunday. The Grizzlies have long been out of the race and dropped their fourth in a row Saturday with a 112-107 setback at Cleveland.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (29-30): Brandon Ingram scored 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting in the loss to the Pelicans but he and James combined for nine of the team's 23 turnovers and went a collective 8-for-15 at the foul line. "The theme is similar to what we talk about all of the time: it's turnovers, it's making free throws, and it's being the aggressor on defense," coach Luke Walton told reporters of his team's issues Saturday night. "When we struggle, those are kind of a common theme throughout." Los Angeles did post its third-highest field-goal percentage (54.3) of the season with center JaVale McGee making all four of his attempts in 16 minutes.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (23-38): Center Jonas Valanciunas had perhaps his best game since being acquired in the trade with Toronto that sent Marc Gasol to the Raptors with 25 points and 11 rebounds at Cleveland, but the 26-year-old is also learning a bit more about the challenges in Memphis. "Losing stinks," Valanciunas told reporters. "We're trying to learn how to win games. Stats are stats. We don't look at the stats. We look at the results." The Grizzlies were playing their second straight game without standout rookie forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (quadriceps).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PG Lonzo Ball (ankle) has missed 12 straight games.

2. Grizzlies SF Chandler Parsons is 2-for-14 from the floor in two games since returning from a lengthy absence due to a knee injury and a separation from the team while it attempted to trade him.

3. The road team won the first two meetings, with Los Angeles picking up a 111-88 win at Memphis on Dec. 8.

PREDICTION: Lakers 110, Grizzlies 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:27 AM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Houston Rockets didn't need James Harden chasing Wilt Chamberlain to knock off the defending champions on the road Saturday with a 118-112 victory at Golden State. The Rockets could have their MVP back when they return home Monday to host the Atlanta Hawks.

Harden, who scored at least 30 points in each of his last 32 games and is chasing Chamberlain's NBA record of 65 in a row, could not go on Saturday due to a neck injury and watched as his teammates earned a third win this season over the Warriors. "Don't make too much of it. It's a good win," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We played well. They didn't play as well. Especially in the first half, they didn't play very good. They might not have seen Harden and gone, 'Oh.' Sometimes you have a letdown. There's all kinds of reasons, but all we know is we go on to the next one." The rebuilding Hawks struggled to make the most of a seven-game homestand and went 2-5 in their own arena bridging the break, capped by a 120-112 triumph over Phoenix on Saturday. Atlanta is making a brief trip to Houston before returning home for nine of the next 13 as it tries to build some momentum.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (20-40): Atlanta is ticking off marks on the development scale for its young players and got another solid performance from rookie point guard Trae Young on Saturday. The Oklahoma product matched the team high with 23 points and added eight assists while going 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Second-year power forward John Collins, who showed off his athleticism with a dunking exhibition during the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend, added 19 points and 14 rebounds in his fourth double-double this month.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (34-25): Houston fell at the Los Angeles Lakers coming out of the break on Thursday but got up for Saturday's matchup and is confident it can hang with the champs. "I truly believe that we're their toughest opponent," shooting guard Eric Gordon told reporters. "We've got to continue playing, trying to be a championship team. They know who they are. This is another game for them, but this is a special night for us." Gordon scored a team-high 25 points in the win while point guard Chris Paul collected 23 points and 17 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hawks rookie SG Kevin Huerter (ankle) missed the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Rockets SG Iman Shumpert (knee) sat out the last two contests and is questionable for Saturday.

3. Atlanta won seven straight in the series before Houston took both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Rockets 129, Hawks 116

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:27 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Chicago Bulls are supposed to be racing to the bottom to ensure themselves the best chance at a top draft pick but instead came out of the All-Star break hot with back-to-back wins over playoff contenders. The Bulls will try to make it three straight wins out of the break and four in a row overall when they host the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

Chicago scratched past Orlando 110-109 on the road Friday and returned home Saturday with a 126-116 victory over the Boston Celtics, avenging a 56-point home loss to the Celtics from Dec. 8. "We had it in the back of our minds, but we didn't talk about it too much," power forward Lauri Markkanen told reporters of the previous loss to Boston. "We've had a ton of adversity, and the only way you can fight through it is come together. That's what we've been doing." The Bucks earned their own win over Boston coming out of the break and followed that with a 140-128 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday as the All-Star duo of Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 55 points. "Not very happy with our defense, but credit to our guys for finding a way to kind of have a pretty decent defensive fourth quarter and make enough plays to win a game," Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "Certainly not our best tonight. ... I guess it's hard to argue with 140 points."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE BUCKS (45-14): Milwaukee allowed 109 points through the first three quarters on Saturday before locking down in the fourth quarter. "We'll take a win, even an ugly win, a nice win; we'll take any win," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "But at the end of the day though, we've got to get better because when playoff time comes, when the games count the most, when we play really, really good teams, you got to play defense." Antetokounmpo and center Brook Lopez combined for six blocked shots in the win and each had a key swat during the fourth-quarter run that put the game away.

ABOUT THE BULLS (16-44): Guard Zach LaVine scored a career-high 42 points on 17-of-29 shooting in Saturday's win while Markkanen added a career-high 35 to go with 15 rebounds. The double-double was the ninth in the last 11 games for Markkanen, who is shooting 49 percent from the floor and 92.6 percent from the line in eight games this month. LaVine is putting up 26.6 points in the last seven games and buried 10-of-17 from beyond the arc in the last two contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls SF Otto Porter Jr. suffered a lower left leg strain on Saturday and is day-to-day.

2. Bucks PF Nikola Mirotic scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 18 minutes off the bench on Saturday - his second game since joining the team and recovering from a calf injury.

3. Milwaukee took the first three meetings this season, including a 112-99 win at Chicago Feb. 11.

PREDICTION: Bucks 115, Bulls 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:27 AM

Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NBA Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Los Angeles Clippers began a back-to-back with a lopsided loss on the road against one of the top teams in the Western Conference. They will try to bounce back in the second half of the back-to-back at home Monday night when they face one of the conference's lesser squads in the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles shot 34.5 percent from the field and received just 38 points from its starters in a 123-96 setback at Denver on Sunday. "I didn't think we played very well," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told the media. "I would love to say it was our shots missed. I thought they were the tougher team, the more physical team, they got most of the loose balls, they beat us down the floor." The Mavericks have dropped four straight, all by at least 10 points. Star rookie Luka Doncic (ankle) missed his second straight game Saturday at Utah and is questionable to return for this one.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (26-33): Future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki made his first start of the season for Dallas in the 125-109 loss at Utah on Saturday. "That's what I've been doing for two decades," Nowitzki told reporters after scoring a season-high 15 points in 25 minutes. "It wasn't that new. It's a little easier to get into the game when you start. You have a rhythm right away. It's a lot easier than coming off the bench." The 40-year-old needs 92 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain and move into sixth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (33-28): Los Angeles was a woeful 3-of-21 from 3-point range in Sunday's loss, missing its first 14 attempts. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the biggest culprit in the cold-shooting effort with an 0-for-9 showing, including three misses from beyond the arc. Lou Williams led the way with 24 points off the bench and he's averaging 29.3 points over his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. has scored at least 20 points in three of his last five games.

2. Clippers PG Patrick Beverley is averaging 3.3 points in 27.8 minutes over a four-game stretch.

3. Los Angeles has won four straight meetings at home.

PREDICTION: Clippers 108, Mavericks 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:27 AM

Montreal Canadiens vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NHL Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Montreal Canadiens saw a three-goal lead in the first period evaporate in short order last time out, as the club fell for the fifth time in seven outings (2-4-1). The Canadiens look to rebound from that demoralizing result and prevent a three-game sweep by the sputtering New Jersey Devils on Monday when the clubs meet at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

"I think once they scored that second goal, we just tightened up. I thought we froze, even in the third period," Montreal coach Claude Julien told reporters following Saturday's 6-3 setback to Toronto. "... We couldn't even make a play, I don't know why." Julien also referenced the Canadiens' struggles in the third period, during which the club has been outscored 11-1 in the last five outings to find itself clinging to the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The first period on Saturday wasn't kind to the Metropolitan Division cellar-dwelling Devils, who failed to adjust to several new faces in the lineup and surrendered three tallies in the opening 20 minutes of a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. "The guys that are in the lineup have to be ready to play and we've got to do our best to prepare ourselves to play no matter what happens," said forward Kyle Palmieri, who leads the team in goals (26) and points (48).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (33-22-7): Tomas Tatar pushed his goal-scoring streak to three games and point streak to four by tallying in the first period versus the Maple Leafs. Defenseman Jeff Petry assisted on that goal and scored on the power play just 68 seconds later to give Montreal a 3-0 lead before it all went south on Saturday. "You get up 3-0, you should come away with a win. We didn't do that," Brendan Gallagher (team-leading 26 goals) told reporters. "The only choice we have is to learn from this and make sure that it doesn't happen again because it's a pretty (bad) feeling and it stings more than a regular loss."

ABOUT THE DEVILS (24-30-8): Nico Hischier set up captain Andy Greene's goal to notch his 26th assist, tying him with reigning Hart Trophy recipient Taylor Hall for the team lead in that department. The 20-year-old Hischier has tormented Montreal this season, scoring once in a 5-2 victory on Nov. 21 before capping a two-goal performance by tallying 1:56 into overtime of a 3-2 win on Feb. 2. Palmieri scored in the first encounter with the Canadiens and has eight points (three goals, five assists) in his last eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Montreal C Max Domi, who leads the team in assists (34) and points (54), has scored three goals and set up two others during his four-game point streak.

2. Devils C Pavel Zacha (upper body), who is questionable to play on Monday, scored twice in the first meeting with the Canadiens.

3. Montreal F Andrew Shaw had a goal and an assist on Saturday heading into a tilt with New Jersey, against which he had two assists on Nov. 21.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 5, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:28 AM

Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NHL Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a season-high three-game winless skid in style, overcoming an early three-goal deficit with six unanswered tallies to best an Original Six rival. The Maple Leafs bid to ride that momentum against another Atlantic Division adversary on Monday when they host the Buffalo Sabres in the third contest of their four-game homestand.

"I think that first period intermission we just wanted to come in and just take a deep breath, get our composure back and just go to work," said Auston Matthews, who scored and set up a goal in Toronto's 6-3 triumph over Montreal on Saturday to boost his point total to 15 (nine goals, six assists) in his last 13 games. The 21-year-old capped a two-goal performance with three seconds remaining in overtime in the Maple Leafs' 4-3 win over the Sabres on Dec. 4. Sam Reinhart scored and set up a goal in that contest and registered his third career hat trick in Saturday's 5-2 victory against Washington to lift his point total to six (four goals, two assists) in his last five games. "I just like the urgency and the desperation in our game right now," said Buffalo coach Phil Housley, whose team snapped a four-game skid (0-3-1) on Saturday and resides six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, TVA, TSN4 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE SABRES (29-24-8): Captain Jack Eichel tallied twice in the first encounter with Toronto and had two of his club-best 47 assists against the Capitals to boost his team-leading point total 66 - two more than his previous career high set last season. "I thought we've done a good job the last two games for sure," the 22-year-old Eichel told reporters. "I thought we've defended when we need to, we've worked hard, we played pretty desperate." Jeff Skinner, who leads the team with 36 goals, survived a scare after injuring his ankle and reportedly was making jokes during the second intermission before returning to Saturday's game to start the third period.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (37-20-4): Mitch Marner recorded his 15th multi-assist and 22nd multi-point performance on Saturday by setting up both of Zach Hyman's third-period goals to boost his team-leading totals in assists (50) and points (71). The 21-year-old's point total surpassed his previous high of 69, set in 2017-18. Hyman, who boasts three goals in his last three games, has posted 17 of his 27 points on home ice this season.

OVERTIME

1. Buffalo D Rasmus Ristolainen snapped a six-game point drought with an assist on Saturday and heads into the tilt with Toronto, against which he set up two goals in the first meeting.

2. Maple Leafs F Patrick Marleau, who scored in the first matchup with the Sabres, has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in February.

3. Buffalo G Carter Hutton has turned aside 116 of his last 124 shots, but only has a 1-2-1 record to show for it.

PREDICTION: Sabres 4, Maple Leafs 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-25-2019, 11:28 AM

Los Angeles Kings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 2019-02-25

NHL Predictions 24th February 2019 by Gracenote
Kings vs. Lightning Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 02/24/2019

League-leader Nikita Kucherov reached 100 points for the second straight season last time out and his Tampa Bay Lightning can match that milestone Monday night when they host the struggling Los Angeles Kings. Kucherov scored the only goal as the NHL-best Lightning (98 points) pulled out a 2-1 shootout victory over Buffalo on Thursday to extend their winning streak to eight - one off the club record set in 2016.

Kucherov (30 goals, 70 assists) is the fifth player to reach 100 points in 62 games or fewer during one season since 1993-94 and the first since Mario Lemieux accomplished the feat in 1996-97 for the second time in two years. "He was dominant out there tonight," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters of Kucherov after Thursday's win. "The kid wants to win and wears his emotions on his sleeve. There's not too much more you can say about him. He's a remarkable player and he's having an amazing year." The Kings have dropped five straight to the Lightning after losing 6-2 in Los Angeles on Jan. 3 and seven in a row overall (0-5-2) following a 6-1 setback at Florida on Saturday with only 19 shots on net - four in the third period. "It's embarrassing," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty told reporters. ". ... The fact that we're not playing with pride and we're not working for each other, that's the scary part about what's going on right now."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-32-6): Veteran forward Dustin Brown scored the only goal Saturday to tie Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Iafallo for second on the team with 13, behind only captain Anze Kopitar (17). Kopitar has not scored in six games, but recorded three assists in that span to push his team-leading toal to 44 points while Doughty tops Los Angeles with 28 assists. Jeff Carter (697 career points) has been kept off the scoresheet in six straight contests and fellow forward Tyler Toffoli is pointless in the past five after totaling seven in his previous five games.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (47-11-4): Kucherov became the first Tampa Bay player to reach 100 points in the season for the second time to lead the league's top offense, but the team's defense has also shined during a 10-0-2 run. The Lightning have allowed 18 goals in 12 games this month and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has played a big part with a 7-0-2 record and .958 save percentage in February. Brayden Point (team-best 35 goals) saw his six-game point streak end Thursday and captain Steven Stamkos (33 goals) had a seven-game point run halted against Buffalo.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick gave up six goals on 33 shots in the Jan. 3 loss, but is 6-4-1 with a .925 SP all time versus the Lightning.

2. Tampa Bay F Tyler Johnson (21 goals) assisted on Kucherov's score Thursday to draw within one of 300 points for his career.

3. The Lightning lead the league in power-play percentage (29.8) and the Kings are 30th on the penalty kill after going 5-of-10 the last three games.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Kings 1

Monday 2-25-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Monday 2-25-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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