Wednesday 4-3-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Los Angeles Dodgers have tied a major-league record with 17 home runs in their first six games and have a visit to homer-friendly Coors Field coming up this weekend. Before heading to Colorado, however, the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game series.

Cody Bellinger crushed a grand slam off Madison Bumgarner in Tuesday's 6-5 victory, giving the Dodgers' slugger five home runs and 12 RBIs. Hyun-Jin Ryu tossed seven strong innings while Enrique Hernandez and A.J. Pollock had two hits apiece for the Dodgers, who have homered in 10 straight games dating back to last season. San Francisco added to its outfield mix on Tuesday by trading pitchers Juan De Paula and Derek Law and infielder Alen Hanson to Toronto for 30-year-old veteran Kevin Pillar, who is expected to start in right field on Wednesday. A lifetime .260 hitter, Pillar is likely to see regular playing time in a Giants' lineup that has averaged 2.3 runs in its first six games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (0-0, 0.00)

Holland gave up three runs and four hits with five strikeouts over four innings in Friday's 4-1 loss to San Diego. The 32-year-old native of Ohio is back for his second season with the Giants after going 7-9 with a 3.57 ERA in 36 games (30 starts) last year. Hernandez is 4-for-7 with a home run against Holland, who is 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in seven career contests (five starts) versus Los Angeles - including 0-2 with a 3.07 mark in three starts at Dodger Stadium.

With Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill both sidelined due to injury, Stripling got the call on Friday against Arizona and pitched scoreless three-hit ball into the sixth inning. The 29-year-old Texan was named to the All-Star team last season and finished the campaign with an 8-6 record and 3.02 ERA in 33 games (21 starts). Stripling is 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 10 career contests (three starts) against San Francisco and has limited Brandon Crawford to a pair of hits in 11 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Five of the Giants' first six games have been decided by two runs or fewer.

2. Hill (knee) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday and hopes to rejoin the rotation by the end of April.

3. Giants OF Michael Reed was designated for assignment to make room for Pillar.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Giants 3

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Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Indiana Pacers are battling for the No. 4 seed in the first round of the playoffs and snapped a three-game slide by turning away the Detroit Pistons 111-102 at home on Monday. The Pistons, who are fighting for one of the final three spots in the East playoff bracket, get a chance for some quick revenge when they host the Pacers on Wednesday.

Nothing much changed in the East on Monday, except sixth-place Detroit came one game closer to locking up its spot in the postseason as Brooklyn, Miami, Orlando and Charlotte all lost as well. "Any time you lose in a tight playoff race, you feel like you've missed an opportunity," Pistons reserve point guard Ish Smith told the team's website. "If we'd have won those during the road (trip last week), we would've had a cushion. If we beat Cleveland (in a mid-March road game), we could've had a cushion. But they're playing for playoff position as well, so it's huge for us to keep playing, keep pushing, keep pressing." Indiana is tied with Boston for the No. 4 spot, but the Celtics own the tiebreaker, and the Pacers need to avoid looking ahead to a home date with Boston on Friday. "We're trying to (turn a new page)," Indiana power forward Thaddeus Young told reporters after snapping the losing streak on Monday. "The biggest thing is just believing and staying the course."

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

ABOUT THE PACERS (46-32): Indiana did not have a player reach 20 points on Monday but shot 54.5 percent from the floor and placed seven scorers in double figures, including reserve guard Aaron Holiday, who scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting and handed out five assists in 25 minutes. "I think he's going to be a really good guard in this league," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters of Holiday. "He's going to be here to play and help us. He keeps himself ready to play and when he's called upon, he's played solid minutes for us. I thought he did a solid job. We kept him in there and he did a good job of keeping Jackson in front and running the offense for us." Holiday was getting extra playing time in the absence of starting point guard Darren Collison, who is day-to-day with a groin injury.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (39-38): All-Star forward Blake Griffin (knee) missed his second consecutive game on Monday and his presence was missed in the paint on the defensive end. "I think they were getting real deep paint points," Detroit point guard Reggie Jackson told reporters of Indiana. "Guards, including myself, defensively we have to be better at keeping their guards out of the paint, allowing our bigs to get back to them so they can't come at our bigs with force. As the game went along, they became the aggressor. We get them in two days. We have to come out and hit first and hit often until the end of the game." Center Andre Drummond tried to make up for the loss of Griffin and collected 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and four steals in the loss.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers SG Wesley Matthews (hamstring) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.

2. Pistons SG Luke Kennard is day-to-day with a foot injury.

3. Detroit knocked off Indiana 113-109 at home on Feb. 25 - its third straight home win in the series.

PREDICTION: Pacers 110, Pistons 106

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New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

Orlando opens its final homestand of the season Wednesday night against the NBA-worst New York Knicks in an absolute must-win for the Magic in their pursuit of a playoff spot. After splitting four games on the road, capped by Monday's 121-109 loss at Toronto, Orlando found itself a half-game out of the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference but also just one game out of seventh and 1 1/2 short of sixth.

It has games against the Knicks and Atlanta at home before ending the regular season at Boston and Charlotte. "It's impossible not to look," Magic guard Evan Fournier told reporters when asked Monday if he was paying attention to the scoreboard. "We're the ninth seed right now, so we have to look at other teams." The Knicks have nearly clinched the worst record in the league but they are coming off a rare victory, riding a career-high 24 points from Luke Kornet to a 113-105 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. The triumph snapped a six-game slide for New York, which is flirting with the worst record in franchise history (17-65 in 2014-15).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (15-62): Kornet and the other four starters each scored at least 14 points and the quintet combined to shoot 15-of-27 from 3-point range in the win over the Bulls. "We were moving the ball, getting out in transition and playing together," guard Damyean Dotson, who made 6-of-7 from long range, told reporters. "When we move it like that, we get more shots and we are more efficient." Rookie center Mitchell Robinson received his second consecutive start and finished with 14 points on 4-of-4 from the field to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (38-40): Orlando raced to an early lead at Toronto before giving up 33 points in both the second and third quarters as the defensive lapses began to pile up. "We've got to know who we are," coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "We ain't scoring 115 every night. We don't have that kind of roster. We have to defend, whether we're scoring or not." Fournier led the way on the other end with 21 points after averaging 11 over his previous three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Magic SF Wesley Iwundu made all seven of his shot attempts Monday and is 13-for-14 from the floor over a three-game stretch.

2. Orlando has won seven straight home games.

3. The Magic took the first two meetings before New York won at home 108-103 on Feb. 26 behind Robinson, who had 17 points, 14 boards and six blocks.

PREDICTION: Magic 113, Knicks 100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Washington Wizards were eliminated from the postseason last week but are still pushing and capped a four-game road trip with a 95-90 victory at playoff-bound Denver on Sunday. The Wizards will try to make it back-to-back victories when they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Washington, which reshaped its roster at the trade deadline by dealing small forward Otto Porter Jr. to the Bulls in a move that brought back forwards Bobby Portis Jr. and Jabari Parker, is trying to build a team that can compete next year and is not sitting All-Star guard Bradley Beal the rest of the way. Beal, who collected 17 points and six assists in Sunday's win, is developing a chemistry with the likes of Parker, Portis, rookie forward Troy Brown Jr. and center Thomas Bryant as the season winds down. Chicago would like to spend the remainder of the regular season developing chemistry among its core players but is having trouble keeping them on the floor. The Bulls are losers of five in a row and opened the two-game trip with a 113-105 loss at NBA-worst New York on Monday as four of their five starters sat out the contest.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE BULLS (21-57): Chicago is missing point guard Kris Dunn (back), guard Zach LaVine (thigh), power forward Lauri Markkanen (fatigue), Porter (shoulder) and rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. (thumb), leaving plenty of minutes for players trying to prove themselves for next season. Forward JaKarr Sampson made the most of his opportunity with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 30 minutes off the bench while making his team debut on Monday. "The one thing I like about JaKarr is he just competes," Bulls coach Jim Boylen told reporters. "You throw him out there at three, you throw him out there at four, you throw him out there at five, he figures it out. He gets downhill, he embraces contact, collision. He's just a tough, hard playing dude."

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (32-46): Brown, who was drafted 15th overall by Washington last June, struggled to break into the rotation until March and steadily increased his production throughout the month. The Oregon product logged a season-high 42 minutes on Sunday and scored a season-high 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. "I thought we competed like I knew we would," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "It was great to see Troy have a great game, make some shots. A lot of work from Troy all year long, it's definitely showing."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls C Robin Lopez scored a season-high 29 points on Monday after being held to two points in a loss to Toronto on Saturday.

2. The Wizards fired president Ernie Grunfeld on Tuesday after 16 seasons.

3. Chicago outlasted Washington 126-120 in overtime at home on March 20 and took two of the first three meetings.

PREDICTION: Wizards 126, Bulls 109

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Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Boston Celtics continue their fight for homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs while the Miami Heat are desperate to hang onto the eighth and final playoff spot as the teams finish a home-and-home set Wednesday in Florida. The Celtics got past the Heat at home 110-105 on Monday to remain in fourth place in the East by virtue of a tiebreaker with fifth-place Indiana.

"We'll see when we get there," guard Kyrie Irving told reporters of the first round of the playoffs. "I'm pretty sure I think we know who we're going to play, but we'll see how it pans out." Irving had 25 points in the contest as he helped hand Miami just its fifth loss in the last 16 games, leaving the Heat a half-game up on ninth-place Orlando in the East. Goran Dragic led Miami with 30 points while Dwyane Wade added 17 in his final regular-season visit to Boston. Following Wednesday's contest, the Heat play three of their final four games on the road, including a finale at fellow playoff hopeful Brooklyn on April 10.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Boston, FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (46-32): Center Al Horford picked up his first triple-double in a Boston uniform with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Miami on Monday. "I don't think we can overstate his importance to our team," coach Brad Stevens told reporters of Horford, who is averaging 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists over his last five games. Forward Gordon Hayward chipped in 11 points off the bench and has reached double figures in a season-high five straight games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (38-39): Center Bam Adebayo contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds at Boston for his third double-double in the last five games. Each of those contests has been decided by single digits as Miami fights for a spot in the postseason amid a string of games with near-playoff intensity. "We just could not get it over the hump to close out the game," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters Monday after his team missed a host of 3-pointers down the stretch to finish 10-of-37 from beyond the arc.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Heat SG Josh Richardson (heel) missed three straight games and SF Justise Winslow (thigh) sat out each of the last nine.

2. Celtics SF Jaylen Brown (back spasms) missed Monday's contest and is day-to-day.

3. The home team has won each of the first three meetings.

PREDICTION: Celtics 108, Heat 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers figure to end up with the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference but aren't delivering a strong finishing kick. Philadelphia has lost three of its last five games entering Wednesday's matchup against the host Atlanta Hawks, with two of the setbacks coming by 20 or more points.

All-Star center Joel Embiid (knee) is expected to miss his third straight game while Jimmy Butler (back) probably will miss his second consecutive contest. The 76ers badly missed both players on Monday, when they were drubbed 122-102 by Dallas in the second contest of their three-game road trip. Atlanta suffered a 117-111 defeat in San Antonio on Tuesday to reach the 50-loss mark for the second straight season. Kent Bazemore scored 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting after making just 4-of-31 shots over his previous four games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (49-28): JJ Redick (26 points) and Tobias Harris (25) combined for half the team's points in the loss to Dallas. Redick made 4-of-11 3-point attempts while the rest of the squad was a combined 2-of-22, and Harris scored 25 for the second consecutive contest. Jonah Bolden (two points) and James Ennis III (four points) were in the starting lineup in place of Embiid and Butler, and both players were just 1-of-6 shooting.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (28-50): Second-year power forward John Collins is slated to return to the lineup after being rested on Tuesday. Atlanta knocked down 12 3-pointers in the loss to the Spurs to raise its team-record total to 1,011. "It's not so much the number of 3s we make, it's the type of 3s we make," coach Lloyd Pierce told reporters. "We're moving the defense and we're creating the shots we want and are seeking out. It's a result of our ball movement."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hawks are 2-1 against the 76ers this season, including a 129-127 home win on March 23.

2. Atlanta F Taurean Prince (foot) likely will miss his fourth straight game.

3. Philadelphia reserve PG T.J. McConnell scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting against Dallas after averaging 2.3 on 6-of-24 shooting over his previous six games.

PREDICTION: 76ers 107, Hawks 100

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Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Brooklyn Nets are trying to lock up a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but are struggling through a tough portion of the schedule with losses in three of the last four games - all against playoff teams. The Nets will face another team that already punched its ticket to the playoffs when they host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Brooklyn, which would start the postseason at the second-seeded Raptors if the season ended now, sits seventh in the East but is only one game ahead of ninth-place Orlando and a half-game clear of eighth-place Miami while sitting a half-game behind sixth-place Detroit in a tightly-packed race. "Yeah, that definitely helps us," Nets guard Caris LeVert told reporters about the Pistons, Heat and Magic also losing on Monday. "I'm not going to lie and say we didn't look at that. We've just got to focus on ourselves and get as many wins as we can." Toronto is tuning up for the postseason with wins in its last four games and is managing to still find the win column without extending any of its players. No starter logged more that 28 minutes in Monday's 121-109 home win over the Magic and the Raptors will continue to monitor minutes throughout the remainder of the regular season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS2 (Toronto), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (55-23): Toronto shooting guard Danny Green only needed 28 minutes to score a season-high 29 points while going 11-of-15 from the floor, including 7-of-10 from 3-point range, on Monday. Green, who suffered a jammed thumb in the win and had X-rays come back negative, is 16-of-23 from beyond the arc over the last four games. The Raptors got another solid game on Monday from the center duo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, who combined for 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting (3-of-4 from beyond the arc) and 10 rebounds in the win.

ABOUT THE NETS (39-39): Brooklyn dropped a 131-121 decision to the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks on Monday but got an encouraging performance off the bench from LeVert, who scored 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting in his best game since missing nearly three months with a foot injury. "It was his best game," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "From a confidence level and a physical level, that was the Caris from the beginning of the year. I loved how athletic he looked and how fast he looked. We stuck with him. He performed at a high level, and that bodes well for us going forward." Brooklyn will only play postseason contenders the rest of the way, with a two-game trip to Milwaukee and Indiana following Wednesday's home game and a home date against the Miami Heat to end the regular season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Raptors SF OG Anunoby (concussion) missed the last three games and his return date is uncertain.

2. Nets SF Joe Harris is 12-of-18 from 3-point range over the last three games.

3. The home team took each of the first three meetings, with Brooklyn edging Toronto 106-105 in overtime at home on Dec. 7.

PREDICTION: Nets 124, Raptors 115

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

An ill-timed losing streak has put the Charlotte Hornets in a virtual must-win situation entering Wednesday night's visit to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Hornets lost the first three legs of their four-game road trip to sink three games out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with five to play.

"There's still a chance, and as long as there is still a chance (we have to) keep fighting," Charlotte guard Jeremy Lamb told reporters after the team fell 111-102 at Utah on Monday, despite 47 points from Kemba Walker. After they leave New Orleans, the Hornets host Toronto and then go back on the road for two more before the regular-season finale at home against fellow playoff hopeful Orlando. The Pelicans have long been out of the race in the West and are fading fast with 10 losses in their last 12 games. They've allowed at least 130 points four times in that stretch, including Sunday's 130-102 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers at home.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE HORNETS (35-42): Walker tried to will his team to a big road win at Utah, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter alone. "I did get into a good rhythm," he told reporters. "I was trying to get downhill, trying to get to the free-throw line. Made a few 3s. It was a little too late." The rest of Charlotte's starting lineup had six total points as forwards Marvin Williams and Miles Bridges combined for 50 scoreless minutes on 0-of-9 shooting.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-46): Superstar forward Anthony Davis (back) missed his third straight game in the loss to the Lakers and Julius Randle had to leave the game with a finger injury after scoring 17 points in 23 minutes. Randle also had five of the team's 24 turnovers, which led to 32 points for Los Angeles, many coming in a 44-point third quarter. "You're not going to win any basketball games where you're in the thirties as far as points off turnovers," coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "A lot of their points in the third quarter came off of turnovers. We had 12 turnovers at the half against a team that doesn't really force a lot of turnovers. We just didn't play very well."

BUZZER BEATERS


1. New Orleans PF Christian Wood, acquired last month after Milwaukee put him on waivers, is averaging 21 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.3 steals over his last three games.

2. Hornets C Cody Zeller (knee) has missed 11 games in a row but the team has yet to rule him out for the rest of the season.

3. The Pelicans have won five straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Hornets 118, Pelicans 113

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

Despite being out of the playoff race, the Dallas Mavericks are not going quietly down the stretch. They will seek their first three-game winning streak since December when they continue a three-game homestand against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Justin Jackson scored 24 points and five others had at least 12 for Dallas in Monday's 122-102 win over Philadelphia to begin the homestand, the Mavericks' third win over a playoff team in a 10-day span. Dallas played its second straight game without star rookie Luka Doncic, who is hampered by a thigh contusion and still considered day-to-day. The Timberwolves wrapped up a 1-3 homestand with a 132-122 loss to Portland on Monday. The visit to Dallas marks the penultimate road game for Minnesota, which is 5-19 away from home against Western Conference teams.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (34-43): Star center Karl-Anthony Towns carried Minnesota through an otherwise difficult season but the big man might be hitting a bit of a wall. He was 6-of-21 from the floor in the loss to the Trail Blazers and is shooting 34.7 percent from the floor over his last four games. Forward Andrew Wiggins is trending in the other direction with seven straight games of 20 points or more.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (31-46): There are just three home games left for Dallas, which means three more chances for the home fans to catch a glimpse of team legend Dirk Nowitzki before he is expected to retire. "If you can get here for the last game, you want to be here for the last game in Dallas," team owner Mark Cuban told the media. "It's going to be a special night whether he likes it or wants it or not." The 40-year-old Nowitzki needs nine rebounds to pass Elgin Baylor (11,463) and move into 26th place on the NBA's all-time list and just 12 boards on the defensive end to become the fifth player in league history with 10,000.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Doncic had 26 points to lead Dallas to a 140-136 win in the first meeting at home on Oct. 20 and then 29 more in a 119-115 victory at Minnesota on Jan. 11.

2. Timberwolves C Gorgui Dieng scored a season-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the loss to Portland.

3. Mavericks C Salah Mejri notched his sixth career double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds versus Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 120, Timberwolves 114

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Denver Nuggets surely saw their chances at earning the No. 1 seed evaporate and will now concentrate on protecting the No. 2 spot when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Denver suffered a disappointing 116-102 setback at Golden State on Tuesday when a win would have moved it into a first-place tie.

The Nuggets are two games behind the Warriors with five to play after a disappointing performance, with streaking Houston just 1 1/2 behind. "It was turnovers the whole night," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "We couldn't take care of the ball. You give up 21 points off (16) turnovers in this building, you're going to make it really hard to be in the game." San Antonio is battling Oklahoma City for the seventh seed and it rallied for a 117-111 home win over Atlanta on Tuesday. "Stops win basketball games," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after his squad outscored the Hawks 31-21 in the final quarter. "Sure, you've got to make shots, but when we lose these games, it's because we don't make stops - especially in the fourth quarter."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE SPURS (45-33): Derrick White broke out of a slump with 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting against the Hawks. "He had a couple of games where he struggled, but sometimes you've got to embrace the struggle to understand how to get out of it and what you need to do to get back to yourself," standout shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters of White. The 24-year-old was just 7-of-30 shooting over the previous four games and averaged only five points during the stretch.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (51-26): Denver has dropped four of its last six games and its offense has been stagnant as only a 36-point fourth quarter allowed the club to reach 100 for just the second time in six games. "We're getting good shots, we're just not making a lot of shots that we normally make," point guard Jamal Murray told reporters. "I don't think our offense is the problem." The evidence said differently as Denver shot just 37.5 percent from the field - including 7-of-31 from 3-point range - despite the late flurry.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs are 2-1 against the Nuggets this season but have lost three straight in Denver.

2. Denver SG Gary Harris is averaging just 7.8 points on 12-of-36 shooting over his last four games.

3. DeRozan scored 29 points against Atlanta and has tallied 25 or more in three of the past four contests.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 110, Spurs 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Portland Trail Blazers are battling the Houston Rockets for the third seed in the Western Conference. The Trail Blazers look to take another step toward securing that spot when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Portland has won 16 of its last 21 games after registering a 132-122 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Rodney Hood was inserted into the starting shooting guard position normally held by injured CJ McCollum (knee) and scored 21 points, his second-highest output with the club since being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Grizzlies have dropped six of their past nine contests and opened a three-game road swing by being trounced 113-96 by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Point guard Mike Conley sat out that game with an ankle injury but hopes to return against Portland as he scored a career-best 40 in a 120-111 home win over the Trail Blazers on March 5.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (31-46): Center Jonas Valanciunas is done for the season after suffering a Grade 2 sprain of his right ankle during the loss to the Clippers. Valanciunas averaged 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in 19 games for the Grizzlies after being acquired from Toronto in February in the Marc Gasol trade and had recorded five straight double-doubles prior to the injury. "It's really tough to see this happen at the end of the season," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "It's a setback for our players and our fans. Injuries have made it frustrating but our guys still have no quit in them."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (49-28): Reserve swingman Evan Turner stood out with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Timberwolves to record his first triple-double in exactly four years, that one coming as a member of the Boston Celtics. Turner made all five of his field-goal attempts in 25 minutes of action while playing arguably his best game of the campaign. "I just do what I'm asked. Whatever my minutes are, just go with the flow," Turner told reporters. "Play defense. I've been distributing. That's pretty much it. I got the most minutes I've got in a while and I made shots so I'm just going with the flow. I just ride the wave and the most important thing is winning and closing the game."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Grizzlies are 2-1 against the Trail Blazers this season but Portland prevailed 99-92 on Dec. 19 in the previous meeting in the Rose City.

2. Trail Blazers C Enes Kanter had 20 points, 11 rebounds and a season-best four blocked shots in the win over Minnesota.

3. Memphis PG Delon Wright matched his career best of 25 points in last month's win over Portland.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 119, Grizzlies 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker took the prolific scoring down a notch on Monday but finally managed to guide his team into the win column with a 122-113 triumph over Cleveland that snapped a six-game slide. Booker and the Suns will get a stiffer test on Wednesday, when the playoff-bound Utah Jazz visit.

Booker scored at least 48 points in three consecutive games, starting with 59 in a 125-92 loss at Utah on March 25, but found more team success with 25 points and 13 assists in Monday's victory. "We had fun tonight," Booker told reporters. "We played together. Everybody was involved. We had some big runs. We fell apart at times, but we stuck together and came together when we needed each other the most." The Jazz are trying to lock up the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference and still have an outside shot at No. 4 as they bring a five-game winning streak into Wednesday's matchup. "We're getting connected, and that's great - even with guys out," Utah point guard Ricky Rubio told reporters after a 111-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. "Everybody's stepping in and doing their job and raising the level even more."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (47-30): Utah won 10 of its last 11 games and held the Hornets to 40 percent from the floor on Monday, including 7-of-30 from 3-point range. "Everybody that steps on the floor knows who they are and what they can contribute to the team, so it was a good effort by our group," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Particularly, defensively we were really good for the majority of the game, and then we had some foul trouble and (Hornets All-Star guard) Kemba (Walker) got going. But I thought the whole group was ready to play and played together." Utah will play its next three against non-playoff teams before hosting Denver and visiting the Los Angeles Clippers to finish out the regular season.

ABOUT THE SUNS (18-60): Phoenix is close to clinching one of the three worst records in the NBA and the best odds at the No. 1 pick in the draft, but coach Igor Kokoskov is pushing his team to keep playing hard. "It's very important," Kokoskov told reporters. "That's what we owe to the fans who come here. We don't have an impressive record by any means. We have a talented team who's going to be the future, but fans have not quit on this team. We don't quit on the fans starting with the bench and the players on the court." Former top-four pick Dragan Bender is trying to prove he should get a spot on the Suns' team of the future and delivered 12 points and 10 rebounds on Monday for his first double-double since Jan. 22.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns rookie C Deandre Ayton (ankle) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.

2. Jazz PF Derrick Favors (back) and SG Kyle Korver (knee) are both questionable for Wednesday.

3. Utah is enjoying a six-game winning streak in the series and breezed to a 114-97 triumph at Phoenix on March 13.

PREDICTION: Jazz 118, Suns 103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NBA

The Los Angeles Clippers look to record their 14th victory in 16 games when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Houston also is hot with 17 wins in its plast 20 contests after rolling to a 130-105 victory in Sacramento on Tuesday.

The Rockets are one-half game ahead of Portland for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are one-half game behind fifth-place Utah. "You don't need to use your energy to look at the rankings," Los Angeles forward Danilo Gallinari told reporters of the closeness of the West race. "You need to use your energy to win games." The Rockets matched the NBA record of 26 3-pointers that they set earlier this season in the rout of the Kings and have made 20 or more on 16 occasions. Houston reached the 50-win mark for the fifth time in six seasons as star guard James Harden poured in 36 points.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (50-28): Harden also recorded 10 assists against Sacramento and knocked down seven 3-pointers to raise his season count to 360, which is second-best in NBA history behind Stephen Curry (402 in 2015-16). Sharpshooter Eric Gordon knocked down five 3-pointers during a 20-point effort against the Kings and has made 20 over the last five games despite missing all five of his attempts against Milwaukee on March 26. Kenneth Faried (knee) returned from a three-game absence to produce 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (47-31): Gallinari recorded 27 points and a season-best 15 rebounds in Sunday's 113-96 home victory over Memphis and leads the club with career-best averages of 19.8 and 6.2. The 30-year-old Gallinari has registered a career-high seven double-doubles this season after suffering through a tough first season with the club, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the field and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries. Backup shooting guard Lou Williams scored 17 points against the Grizzlies and has recorded 15 or more in 20 of his last 21 contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers are 2-0 against the Rockets this season, winning by three points at home and by 20 in Houston.

2. Rockets backup SG Gerald Green (thigh) is expected to miss his sixth straight game.

3. Los Angeles PG Patrick Beverley (hip pointer) is questionable for Wednesday's contest.

PREDICTION: Rockets 123, Clippers 119

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NHL

The Ottawa Senators are in full-fledged rebuilding mode after unloading their top offensive forwards at the trade deadline, but they were playing fairly well until running into the league's best team. Owning the worst record in the NHL, the Senators hit the road for the final time this season when they visit the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

Ottawa had won five of eight but was unable to keep up with the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5-2 loss on Monday night in the finale of a four-game homestand. The Senators have won three of their last four meetings against New York, but they enter the final three games of the season with the worst road record in the league. The Rangers, who also are in the midst of a rebuild that started prior to the 2018 trade deadline, were denied a third straight victory in Monday's 4-2 loss to the rival New Jersey Devils. "The thing that surprised me was how intense the game was for two teams out of the playoffs," New York coach David Quinn said of the matchup between the two worst teams in the Metropolitan Division.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, Sportsnet1 (Ottawa), MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (28-45-6): Rookie Brady Tkachuk, the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, has scored five times in the past seven games to boost his season total to 21 goals. Tkachuk eclipsed Alexandre Daigle for the most tallies by a teenager in franchise history. "He came in really wanting to prove that he was capable of playing in the league," interim coach Marc Crawford said. "Everything we give him, he takes and just tries to implement his own identity on to the areas that we gave him. What I like most about him is he doesn't waste any shifts."

ABOUT THE RANGERS (31-35-13): Rookie Filip Chytil, selected in the first round in 2017, has not enjoyed the same success as Tkachuk but the 19-year-old finally put an end to a 22-game goal drought with his 11th tally. Fellow forward Pavel Buchnevich was riding a career-long eight-game point streak and had scored in back-to-back contests before he was forced to sit out against New Jersey after going into the concussion protocol Sunday. "We kept him out for precautionary reasons, but there's a pretty good chance you'll see him Wednesday," Quinn said.

OVERTIME

1. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist has lost five straight starts to remain two wins shy of 20 for the season.

2. Ottawa signed G Joey Daccord to a two-year contract and could give him a start in one of the final games.

3. Rangers rookie C Brett Howden has one goal and four assists during a four-game point streak.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Senators 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in NHL

The St. Louis Blues have flipped the script since the calendar changed to 2019, collecting points in 32 of their last 42 games (28-10-4) to join Winnipeg and Nashville in their pursuit of the Central Division title. The Blues trail the Jets and Predators by two points heading into Wednesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center.

Jordan Binnington has been an integral part of St. Louis' surge toward its seventh playoff berth in eight seasons, earning NHL Rookie of the Month honors for both February and March while raising his win total to 22 in 2019. The 25-year-old turned aside 24 shots in a 3-2 shootout victory over Colorado on Monday, improving the Blues to 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Chicago has been headed in the other direction with losses in six of its last eight contests (2-3-3), although Dylan Strome is keeping positive after his first career multi-goal performance in Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to Winnipeg. "We're working hard every day. ... There hasn't been a game where we've felt terribly about ourselves and we're right in every game," said the 22-year-old Strome, who had just one assist for his lone point in his previous seven contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS

ABOUT THE BLUES (43-28-8): Vladimir Tarasenko scored his third goal in five games on Monday to boost his team-leading total to 31, with four spread over a pair of two-goal performances against Chicago in October. Brayden Schenn also tallied twice in a 4-3 overtime loss at Chicago on Oct. 13 and had two assists in St. Louis' 7-3 romp over the Blackhawks two weeks later. Ryan O'Reilly secured a pair of three-point efforts versus Chicago in that month for the Blues, who were unable to benefit from those explosive performances en route to losing three of the four meetings this season between the teams.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (34-33-12): Captain Jonathan Toews scored and set up a goal for the second time in three outings on Monday to push his career-high point total to 78. The 30-year-old matched his personal-best total in goals with 34, with three coming right out of the gate as he completed a hat trick by scoring 2:20 into overtime of Chicago's 5-4 win over St. Louis on Oct. 6. Alex DeBrincat set up a pair of goals in that contest and tallied twice one week later in a 5-4 overtime victory versus the Blues.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago RW Patrick Kane has recorded seven (four goals, three assists) of his 105 points versus St. Louis this season.

2. Binnington beat out C Robert Thomas for NHL Rookie of the Month honors for March, with the latter collecting 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 15 games.

3. Blackhawks G Corey Crawford has yielded 11 goals in his last three contests after surrendering 13 in his previous nine appearances.

PREDICTION: Blues 3, Blackhawks 1