Sunday 3-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:33 AM

CAPPERS ACCESS

(CBB) Auburn
(CBB) Duke
(MLB) Nationals

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:35 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park - Race 6

$1 Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $2 Rolling Double $0.50 Rolling Pick Three (Races 6-7-8) $0.50 Late Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9) / $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.) $1 Rolling Super High 5 / $2 HRR (RED 4,5,1

Optional Claiming $40,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Downhill Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 105 • Purse: $57,000 • Post: 3:42P
(RAIL AT 10 FEET). DOWNHILL TURF FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $15,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $40,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING, OR STARTER ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $40,000 (NON-STARTERS FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $20,000 OR LESS IN THEIR LAST 3 STARTS PREFERRED).
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 * ERIC THE TROJAN: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. MR. TWIN ERY: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. BLITZKRIEG: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. MY MAN CHUCKLES: Horse ranks in t he top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. OISEAU DE GUERRE: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
4
ERIC THE TROJAN
6/1

6/1
11
MR. TWINERY
8/1

6/1
5
BLITZKRIEG
7/2

7/1
9
MY MAN CHUCKLES
4/1

8/1
10
OISEAU DE GUERRE
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
2
VIA EGNATIA
2

6/1
Front-runner
104

101

83.4

13.3

0.0
5
BLITZKRIEG
5

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
101

105

94.8

93.8

80.8
11
MR. TWINERY
11

8/1
Stalker
104

105

95.5

99.6

93.6
12
PASSIONATE REWARD
12

10/1
Stalker
95

96

86.0

96.4

87.9
10
OISEAU DE GUERRE
10

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
105

100

83.4

96.8

88.8
7
BUCKYS PICK
7

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
102

92

78.4

97.6

84.6
9
MY MAN CHUCKLES
9

4/1
Trailer
106

102

60.6

99.6

95.1
4
ERIC THE TROJAN
4

6/1
Trailer
110

102

55.4

102.8

96.8
1
GALLOPING MISCHIEF
1

8/1
Trailer
97

93

54.0

88.2

68.2
8
TASTE'S LEGEND
8

30/1
Alternator/Trailer
99

91

76.0

94.5

77.0
3
BIG BUZZ
3

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
95

94

71.1

89.1

73.1
6
MAJOR CABBIE
6

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
96

89

0.0

0.0

0.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:36 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)

Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse) - Race 4

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (.10 cent minimum wager) $1 Pick Three / $1 Daily Double

Claiming $5,000 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $14,000 • Post: 7:29P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2019. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (MAIDEN RACES AND RACES FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
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 * PICK ONE: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BARGAINING: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. KENNY BENNY: Horse is droppin g in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. HAYNE'S PAL: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position.
5
PICK ONE
5/2

5/1
3
BARGAINING
6/1

6/1
1
KENNY BENNY
4/1

6/1
4
HAYNE'S PAL
4/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
HAYNE'S PAL
4

4/1
Front-runner
90

87

86.2

67.6

59.1
7
STRETCH
7

5/1
Front-runner
83

79

77.2

67.5

57.0
3
BARGAINING
3

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
83

82

81.0

80.8

74.3
2
GUTSY STREAK
2

7/2
Stalker
92

75

80.8

79.8

69.3
1
KENNY BENNY
1

4/1
Stalker
93

84

74.3

82.6

79.1
6
GONE WITH IT
6

20/1
Stalker
88

81

74.3

77.0

67.0
5
PICK ONE
5

5/2
Alternator/Stalker
91

89

69.2

85.6

80.6

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:37 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Sunland Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Allowance - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $24300 Class Rating: 86

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 120 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 INTO MYSTIC 7/2

# 7 K P SLICKEM 3/1

# 6 PASSIVE 4/1

I've got to go with INTO MYSTIC. Has recorded reliable Equibase Speed Figures in dirt sprint races in the past. Will most likely be one of the front-runners of the group going into the halfway point of the contest. Is hard not to look at given the company run in recently. K P SLICKEM - Reason to like this filly as she has in the saddle one of the best jocks using winning percentages over the last 30 days. Could best this group of horses in this race based on the speed figure - 89 - of her last effort. PASSIVE - Look for a solid pace improvement from this equine who enters with second time Lasix today. Has been running admirably lately and will almost certainly be up near the front end early on.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:38 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #2 - Post: 12:55pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,700 Class Rating: 75

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#10 SHANGHAI SHUFFLE (ML=7/2)
#9 EXCLUSIVE EXPRESS (ML=4/1)
#7 SEMINARA (ML=8/1)
#2 MAKEYOURSELFATHOME (ML=8/1)

SHANGHAI SHUFFLE - This jockey/trainer duo has been producing a high win pct, right around 33. Looking at this filly's running lines, I see she's almost always in the top three. Have to make this filly a serious competitor; she comes off a nice outing on March 17th. EXCLUSIVE EXPRESS - This filly is in fine condition. Ran second on March 1st. SEMINARA - Have to like the way DaCosta has raced this mare back into shape off the layoff. Horse is well spotted in this sprint and I think she'll run well today. She has the uppermost (EPS) earnings per start. Take a long look at this horse. MAKEYOURSELFATHOME - Has unearthed a good situation this time.

Vulnerable Contenders: #11 PIKI PIKI GIRL (ML=5/1), #4 KWAINA (ML=6/1), #3 G Q GIRL (ML=6/1),

PIKI PIKI GIRL - This less than sharp equine hasn't won in her last ten efforts. She's not worth the value today. I cannot play this confirmed non-winner. Gets the task executed infrequently. KWAINA - The pace situation just isn't too promising for this speedball. Many other ponies would have to scratch to aid her dreams at winning. Finished third in her most recent effort with a somewhat easily forgotten speed figure. When I look at today's Equibase class figure, it would take an improved performance to score after that in this bunch. G Q GIRL - Showed very little in the last contest. Really don't see any chance of any betterment today. It appears like too much early zip is entered in this event. This early speedster will most likely get cooked on the top end. This steed ran a pedestrian rating in the last race. She shouldn't show signs of improvement and will probably get beat in today's race running that number.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#10 SHANGHAI SHUFFLE is going to be the play if we are getting 7/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
10 with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] with [2,7,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
[9,10] with [2,7,9,10] with [2,7,9,10] with [2,4,7,9,10,11] with [2,4,7,9,10,11] Total Cost: $72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:38 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Oaklawn Park

03/31/19, OP, Race 7, 4.14 CT
6F [Dirt] 1.07.04 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $34,000.
Claiming Price $30,000. FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta - 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 251, Win Percent 27.89, $1 ROI 0.82, 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 by race category and exclusive to OP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 11 My Girl Rocket 6-1 Eramia R E Broberg Karl 4.20 1.05 37.50 15 40
099.8140 10 Stormy Bray 5-1 Cohen D McKnight Norman T 3.80 1.05 27.78 10 36
099.2374 8 Wrinkled Rose 4-1 Morales E Van Meter William B. SFC
098.1706 13 Starvana 5-1 Birzer A Anderson Doug L. EL 8.80 1.08 36.36 20 55
098.0446 5 Peka 7/2 Santana. Jr. R Asmussen Steven M. J
097.9322 2 Tap That Cat 6-1 Vazquez R A Cox Brad H.
097.0851 12 Dusty Miller 10-1 Lara E Holthus Paul E. 3.80 1.05 27.78 10 36
095.6403 1 Veiled Vixen(b+) 12-1 Rocco. Jr. J Hobby Steve 8.80 1.08 36.36 20 55
095.6305 6 No Time to Play 12-1 Canchari A L Derryberry Mark W 25.60 1.21 40.00 24 60
093.9602 9 Miss Larissa 20-1 Birzer A Anderson Doug L.
093.6753 3 Take Charge Erica 12-1 Mojica O Shorter Aaron
093.2739 7 Come Getcha Some 20-1 Sanjur S Matthews Randy
089.8755 4 Battleship Mary 30-1 Quinonez L S Young Scott E.
P# 11 Last Race Not 3rd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 10 Horse Post Greater Than 9
P# 13 Last Race 2nd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 12 Horse Post Greater Than 9
P# 1 Last Race 2nd Race After 45 Days Off
P# 6 Horse Best Workouts

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:39 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Golden Gate Fields

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $17000 Class Rating: 73

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JANUARY 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 SECRET PARANOIA 5/1

# 4 COASTAL STARLITE 9/5

# 2 DAFNE WILDCAT 9/2

SECRET PARANOIA is my choice. Has put up reliable Equibase speed figs in dirt sprint races in the past. This filly has some longshot angles I like to bet on. COASTAL STARLITE - Her 68 average has this filly with among the best speed figs in this competition. Looks respectable for the conditions of this race today, showing solid figs in dirt sprint races recently. DAFNE WILDCAT - Trainers don't bring horses back this soon without any reason. With a nice class rating average of 75, has one of the strongest class advantages in this group.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:39 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turf Paradise - Race #8 - Post: 5:02pm - SO - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $8,200 Class Rating: 95

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 WHY FRANK (ML=3/1)
#7 MAMBOCELLO (ML=8/1)

WHY FRANK - Lopez's agent must enjoy anytime Diodoro gives them a mount; win percentage together is out of sight. This trainer brings horses to the grass in shape and ready to win, winning over 20 percent of the time under similar conditions. This horse has a lot of class. A good sign in a turf race like we have today. Had a powerful closing move in the last race, running the last quarter in less than 25 seconds. A similar race today, and it's straight to the winner's circle. MAMBOCELLO - Came home fast last time around the track at Turf Paradise. That type of move bodes well for his chances in this race. I seem to always make money betting McFarlane horses on the turf. That barn has a solid win pct for this distance/surface. Look at this pattern of improvement. 74/77/86 are the last 3 speed figs.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 DUST ROLLER (ML=4/1), #10 KICKENIT (ML=9/2), #5 PRESIDENTSKY (ML=5/1),

DUST ROLLER - This vulnerable equine didn't do too much last time out of the box finishing fifth. Don't expect any betterment in today's event. KICKENIT - Not likely that the speed figure he notched on Mar 24th will be good enough in this event. PRESIDENTSKY - Mediocre speed figure last out at Turf Paradise at 1 mile. Don't feel this racer will improve too much in today's race.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #2 WHY FRANK to win if you can get at least 9/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
2 with 7 with [4,9,10] Total Cost: $3

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
2 with 7 with [3,4,6,9,10] with [3,4,6,9,10] Total Cost: $20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 08:40 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Aqueduct

03/31/19, AQU, Race 8, 5.21 ET
1M [Dirt] 1.32.02 STAKES. Purse $100,000.
Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Double
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 839, Win Percent 30.15, $1 ROI 0.89, 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 by race category and exclusive to AQU.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 7 Cheatham Hill 8-1 Franco M Servis Jason T 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
098.6673 8 Flush 5-1 Maragh R McLaughlin Kiaran P. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
098.5443 4 Shelley Ann 3-1 Gutierrez R Jerkens James A. FL 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
097.4645 6 Intoxicologist 6-1 Velazquez J R Nevin Michelle C 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
096.9334 9 Wadadli Princess 8-1 Lezcano J Kelly Patrick J. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
095.9812 2 Pat's No Fool 10-1 Toledo J Capuano Gary 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
095.9442 5 Elegant Zip(b+) 7/2 Davis D Donk David G. SE 14.80 1.27 37.04 10 27
095.0340 10 Saratoga Style 30-1 Carmouche K Contessa Gary C. W 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
094.1040 3 Today Comes Once 12-1 Cancel E Contessa Gary C. 12.00 1.06 32.35 33 102
094.0349 1 Maiden Beauty 12-1 Alvarado J Contessa Gary C. J 140.60 1.60 19.49 23 118
P# 7 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race
P# 8 Race Age 3
P# 4 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race
P# 6 Race Age 3
P# 9 Race Age 3
P# 2 Race Age 3
P# 5 Horse Blinkers On From Off
P# 10 Race Age 3
P# 3 Race Age 3
P# 1 Last Race 5f Workout Since Last Race

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 11:10 AM

Michigan St Spartans vs. Duke Blue Devils Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NCAAB

Top-seeded Duke squeezed by its last two opponents in the final possession and faces an even bigger challenge Sunday when it battles red-hot second seed Michigan State in the East Region final at Washington D.C., for a trip to the Final Four. The Blue Devils survived two potential winning shots against Central Florida in the second round and Virginia Tech's attempt to tie in the final second Friday in the Region semifinal.

"Now that it's March Madness, every game is kind of going to be like this, close, hard-fought games," Duke freshman forward RJ Barrett told reporters after recording 18 points and a career-high 11 assists Friday. "And we somehow find a way to keep winning at the end. It's great and we're not surprised by it, but we've just got to keep it up." Blue Devils freshman phenom Zion Williamson scored 23 and added three blocks in the 75-73 victory over Virginia Tech and is averaging 26.8 points in six games since returning from a knee sprain, but Michigan State comes in with an eight-game winning streak and has won its three NCAA Tournament games by 48 points combined. The Spartans have gotten consistent performances from senior point guard Cassius Winston, who is averaging 18.7 points and seven assists in the tournament, and received career games from freshmen Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown to beat LSU 80-63 in Friday's Region semifinal. "Amazing," Winston told reporters after the win. "Just finally being in that position - the work we put in, the time we spent, the ups and downs we've been through. At the end of the day to have this moment, to have another opportunity to do some special things."

TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, CBS LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (31-6): The 6-foot-6 Henry is scoring just 6.0 per game overall, but registered career highs of 20 points along with six assists against LSU and told reporters: "It was one of those nights where I just felt like the basket was huge." Winston averages 18.8 points while shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range and broke the program record for assists in a single season with 279, moving past Mateen Cleaves (274) on Friday. Second-leading active scorer Nick Ward (13.4), a junior forward, told reporters he expects to play Sunday despite falling on his left hand Friday and suffering a deep bone bruise.

ABOUT DUKE (32-5): Coach Mike Krzyzewski called Tre Jones' performance Friday "magnificent" after the freshman point guard registered season highs of 22 points and five made 3-pointers while handing out eight assists with no turnovers in 40 minutes. "These guys believed in me all year, especially after the last game with me struggling from 3," Jones told reporters. ". ... Coach kept telling me to take the shots and these guys kept telling me to take my shots. They were able to fall tonight." Freshman swingman Cam Reddish (13.6 points) was a late scratch Friday due to a knee injury and his status for Sunday is uncertain.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan State is looking to reach the Final Four for the 10th time while the Blue Devils seeks their 17th trip.

2. Duke sophomore G Alex O'Connell registered career highs with 35 minutes and seven rebounds in Friday's win.

3. Brown scored a career-high 15 off the bench Friday and Spartans sophomore F Xavier Tillman is averaging 14 points in the tournament.

PREDICTION: Duke 78, Michigan State 72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 11:10 AM

Auburn Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NCAAB

SEC rivals Auburn and Kentucky have met 113 times on the court, but none have been as significant as Sunday's Midwest Region final in Kansas City, Mo. with a Final Four berth on the line. The fifth-seeded Tigers are the hottest team in college basketball with 11 straight wins and will be trying to take down their third consecutive giant of the sport after coasting past Kansas 89-75 in the second round and routing North Carolina 97-80 in Friday's Sweet 16.

However, Auburn will have to press forward without star sophomore Chuma Okeke, who suffered a torn ACL Friday night that loomed large over the otherwise historic win for the program. "I think Chuma is our most valuable player," Tigers point guard Jared Harper told reporters. "He rebounds and gets assists. He scores inside and outside. He can guard all five positions. He's always in the right spot." Auburn's last defeat was a 27-point setback at Kentucky, which survived a tense affair to get past Houston 62-58 in Friday's second game at the Sprint Center. Sophomore forward PJ Washington returned from a foot injury that caused him to miss the first two rounds and scored 16 points off the bench while delivering a big blocked shot down the stretch.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT AUBURN (29-9): The Tigers, in the Elite Eight for the second time in program history, have scored at least 80 points six times during their winning streak and shot 54.5 percent - including 17-of-37 from 3-point range - in the win over the Tar Heels. Okeke's 20 points led the way while five others reached double figures in scoring and Harper had nine points to go along with 11 assists. Danjel Purifoy, a junior forward who was 4-for-6 from beyond the arc in the Sweet 16, is expected to gobble up many of the available minutes left by Okeke, who is scheduled to have surgery next week.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (30-6): The Wildcats outshot the Tigers 54.5 percent to 32.8 percent in the last meeting while dominating the glass and limiting Auburn's potent perimeter game to eight 3-pointers, but they expect a very different challenge Sunday. "Eleven in a row. They're playing and shooting it. They're playing defense, getting their hands on balls," Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters of the Tigers before turning his attention to Washington, who had 24 points in the last matchup with Auburn. "You know, it was - you know, how they're playing and how we're playing. I mean it's good to have PJ back. We don't win the game today without him. We don't." Freshman guard Tyler Herro had a team-high 19 points against Houston and drilled the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute.

TIP-INS

1. Auburn is playing for its first Final Four berth. Kentucky is vying for its 18th - fifth in 10 seasons under Calipari.

2. Tigers senior G Bryce Brown leads his team in scoring at 15.8 per game - 16.3 in the tournament.

3. Wildcats freshman G Keldon Johnson is averaging eight points on 35 percent shooting in the last two games after scoring 25 points on 10-of-16 in the first-round win over Abilene Christian.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 77, Auburn 74

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 11:11 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Philips Arena Atlanta

The Milwaukee Bucks already have clinched the Central Division title and lead the Eastern Conference by four games, but the right ankle of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the focal point entering Sunday's visit to the Atlanta Hawks. The MVP candidate sprained his ankle on March 17 and re-aggravated the injury during Thursday's 128-118 victory over the Clippers, leading to speculation Milwaukee may need to give its star a breather before the playoffs.

"I've got to work through it while playing," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Thursday's game, in which he scored 34 points but did not play the final 7:46 after tweaking the ankle on a dunk. "I'll be ready to play until coach (Mike Budenholzer) tells me not to play." The Bucks bring a four-game winning streak into Atlanta, facing a Hawks team that had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 118-98 home defeat Friday to Portland. Rookie point guard Trae Young scored 18 points in the first quarter, but was limited to eight the rest of the way as the Hawks finished 9-of-38 from 3-point range. "I didn't shoot the ball well," Young told the media after hitting just 1-of-8 attempts from long range. "I started off early, but my shots weren't going in after that first quarter."

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (57-19): Antetokounmpo entered Saturday fifth in the NBA in scoring at 27.4 points per game and tied for sixth in rebounding at 12.5. Forward Khris Middleton comes in off a season-high 39 points Thursday on 16-of-24 shooting, his third 30-plus point outing of the season, and guard Sterling Brown matched a career high with 15 points. Milwaukee has won 44 games by 10-plus points and 77 percent of Bucks' victories this season have come by double digits, the second-highest percentage in NBA history.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (27-49): Atlanta ranks second in the league in points per game (119.3) and made 3-pointers (276) since the All-Star break. Young has reached 20-plus points in eight consecutive games, and moved past Dominique Wilkins and John Drew into second place in franchise history for most points scored by a rookie (1,444). Forward John Collins leads Atlanta in scoring at 19.3 points and 9.5 rebounds, and his 56.1 percent shooting from the field ranks 15th in the NBA.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta F Vince Carter scored nine points Friday and tied Karl Malone for fifth on the NBA's all-time games played list (1,476).

2. Brown is averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 53.1 percent shooting from the field since returning from injury four games ago.

3. The Bucks have won the first two meetings this season while averaging 138.5 points per game.

PREDICTION Bucks 127, Hawks 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 11:11 AM

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
|
Scheduled Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not firing on all cylinders as they try to clinch their spot in the Western Conference playoffs and battle for the best possible seed. The Thunder will try to avoid a seventh loss in nine games when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Oklahoma City dipped into eighth place in the West with a 115-105 home loss on Friday to the Denver Nuggets - a team it could face in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder are part of a four-team battle for the final four spots and are two games behind the fifth-place Utah Jazz but get the benefit of playing four of their final six games at home and the next two against teams out of the race - Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks dropped 17 of their last 20 games and could not insert themselves into a playoff race in the Eastern Conference while dropping a 105-99 decision to the Miami Heat in the opener of the two-game road trip on Thursday. "We played a great first half," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "The second half we didn't hit as many shots, but we had chances."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (29-46): Dallas dropped to 7-31 on the road with the loss in Miami and is trying to get the young players on the roster valuable experience down the stretch while also sending future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki out strong. Nowitzki scored 13 points in 28 minutes on Thursday to reach double figures for the second time in three games and knocked down three 3-pointers against the Heat. The other end of the NBA age spectrum is rookie Luka Doncic, who flirted with a third straight triple-double before finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on Thursday.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (44-32): Oklahoma City allowed Denver to shoot 56.5 percent from the floor and subsequently struggled to get out in transition. "The best attacking moments for this group is when we get stops and get out," All-Star forward Paul George told reporters. "A lot of teams like to load up, get into their help spots, shrink the floor against me and (Russell Westbrook). We got a lot more breathing room once we get stops and play in the open floor." George is battling a shoulder injury but logged at least 39 minutes in each of the last four games and averaged 28.5 points in that span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder C Steven Adams is 19-of-26 from the floor over the last two games after going 7-of-23 over the previous three contests.

2. Dallas PF Dwight Powell is averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds over the last two games.

3. The home team took each of the first three meetings, with Oklahoma City claiming a 122-102 victory on its own floor Dec. 31.

PREDICTION Thunder 112, Mavericks 96

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-31-2019, 11:11 AM

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in NBA

31st March 2019
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Scheduled Smoothie King Center New Orleans

The specter of what could have been hangs over any battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers despite the uncertain status of superstar forward Anthony Davis. Davis sat two of the last three games and is considered day-to-day with a back injury as the Pelicans get set to host LeBron James and the Lakers on Sunday.

James and Los Angeles openly courted Davis prior to the trade deadline in negotiations that went public but ultimately led nowhere, and both superstars will sit out the postseason. While Davis is in and out of the lineup for New Orleans, James is still going strong and scored 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting to go with nine assists in a 129-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. "I said it after the game: 'We picked a hell of a time to have a great rhythm,'" James told reporters. "We're having fun, we're playing the way we wanted to play all year." The Pelicans are still battling as well and snapped a three-game slide with a 121-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday behind another big game from former Los Angeles power forward Julius Randle.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE LAKERS (34-42): Point guard Rajon Rondo handed out a season-high 17 assists to go with seven points, six rebounds and five steals in Friday's win and spoke after the game about his desire to remain with Los Angeles next season. "I don't know what the future holds as far as the summer -- if I come back, or who else comes back or if I don't come back," Rondo told ESPN. "Those things are out of my control. But at the same time, it's a great organization. I can't say enough about the staff and the people who work here. They're really kind and helpful, so I want to continue, if I can, help this organization grow." Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a free-agent-to-be as well and showed off with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting in Friday's win.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-45): Randle exploded for 34 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's victory and is averaging 24.4 points in March, over three more than his season mark (21.2). The 24-year-old Kentucky product knocked down three 3-pointers in Thursday's win and is shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc. "It's cool. It's what I worked so hard for in the summer," Randle told reporters. "Shooting the ball, expanding my offensive game, being more versatile. I have a lot I can get better at, too. That is what's the more exciting thing, that I've gotten better from last year, but I've got a lot more I can (improve). That's the exciting part for me."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans PF Christian Wood scored a career-high 25 points on Thursday and is averaging 24 over the last two contests.

2. Lakers SG Lance Stephenson collected 14 points and 13 rebounds on Friday for his first double-double of the season.

3. The home team took each of the last five meetings, with New Orleans earning a 128-115 home win on Feb. 23.

PREDICTION: Lakers 125, Pelicans 118

Sunday 3-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Sunday 3-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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