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**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:12 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

NBA notebook: LeBron scoffs at 'coach killer' rap
By The Sports Xchange

LeBron James scowled and scoffed at the notion that he has earned a reputation as a coach killer.
"I've never, in my time since I picked up a basketball, ever undermined a coach, ever disrespected a coach," James said after the Cleveland Cavaliers' shootaround Wednesday. "You ask any of my little league coaches, my high school coaches, coaches I've played for in tournaments, camps, my NBA coaches. I've always respected what they wanted to do. And I'm not the owner of a team, I'm not the GM of a team. I'm the player of a team."
James said coaches always have the final call, and he's being wrongly accused because he was outspoken with past NBA coaches Paul Silas, Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra and recently fired David Blatt.
"People get it so misconstrued because I'm a smart basketball player and I've voiced my opinion about certain things, which I did when I was here my first stint with Paul Silas and Mike Brown," he said. "And at the end of the day, they'll still have their final call."

---New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue added Mike Longabardi to his staff as an assistant.
Longabardi joins the Cavaliers after head coach David Blatt was surprisingly fired last week and Lue elevated to replace him. He is expected to take over Lue's role as the defensive specialist.
Longabardi spent two-plus seasons as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns before he was let go last month in a coaching staff shake-up. For six seasons, Longabardi was as an assistant with the Boston Celtics under Doc Rivers, including four years when Lue was also on the staff. Before Longabardi arrived in Boston, he worked under Jeff Van Gundy as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

---San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will coach the West team in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced.
Head coaches whose teams have the best records in each conference after the games played two weeks prior to the All-Star Game serve as the coaches. However, no head coach is allowed to participate in two consecutive All-Star games.
Interim head coach Luke Walton led the Golden State Warriors to a 39-4 record in the season's first 43 games prior to the Jan. 22 return of head coach Steve Kerr. Despite Golden State holding the conference's best record (41-4), Kerr is ineligible for the coaching honor because he led last year's West All-Stars.
The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be televised by TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14 from Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

---Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins, last season's Rookie of the Year, and teammate center Karl-Anthony Towns highlight the players selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge before the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.
The league announced the 20 players for the game to be held on Friday, Feb. 12 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The 65th All-Star Game will be on Sunday, Feb. 14.
New York Knicks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis joins Wiggins on the World Team. Minnesota guard Zach LaVine, the dunk champion at NBA All-Star 2015, will play alongside Towns on the U.S. Team, giving the Timberwolves three players in the game, all 20 years old.
For the second consecutive year, the league's annual showcase of premier young talent will pit 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.

---Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic underwent surgery after being diagnosed with an acute appendicitis.
The appendectomy was performed at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is expected to be sidelined until after the NBA All-Star Game break in mid-February, the team said in a statement.
Mirotic is averaging 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his second season with the Bulls. He was one of the players named to the World Team for the Rising Stars Challenge game for rookies and second-year pros during All-Star weekend.

---Sacramento forward Rudy Gay will miss his second straight game on Thursday when the Kings play at New Orleans while an eye injury continues to heal.
Gay suffered a left corneal abrasion during the second overtime of Monday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets and sat out Tuesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kings said in a statement that he was re-examined at Kaiser Permanente and his condition is "improving daily." His status is day to day.
In 40 games this season, Gay is averaging 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:12 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Nuggets (17-29) at Wizards (20-23)

Date: January 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

As the city of Washington continues to thaw out from a horrendous winter storm, the hometown Wizards' offense has remained ice cold.

They'll look to rectify their shooting woes against a team that has been struggling defensively when the Denver Nuggets pay a visit Thursday night.

Coming off a four-day layoff created when the recent blizzard postponed Saturday's home game against Utah, the Wizards were out of sync in defeats to Boston and Toronto on consecutive nights. After committing 20 turnovers in Monday's 116-91 loss to the Celtics, they went 4 of 15 from 3-point range and shot 41.0 percent overall in a 106-89 road defeat to the Raptors.

Washington (20-23) has dropped four of five following a season high-tying four-game win streak to fall to 11th in the Eastern Conference and put its bid for a third consecutive playoff appearance in question.

'We have to figure it out,' coach Randy Wittman said. 'We have to get back in the gym and work at it.'

Having Bradley Beal unavailable for all but nine minutes of those two losses has compounded matters. The Wizards' second-leading scorer and top outside threat missed the Toronto game after sustaining a concussion and broken nose from an inadvertent forearm from the Celtics' Marcus Smart.

Beal is still in the NBA's concussion protocol and appears unlikely to be cleared for Thursday, a potential problem for a Washington team that's 1-16 when shooting below 45.0 percent and 1-11 when scoring 95 points or less.

On the positive side, Boston and Toronto rate among the league's top defensive teams and have won a combined 13 straight. Denver (17-29) doesn't fall into either category, having lost four of five and allowing 111.5 points per game over its last six.

An 18-1 Boston run overlapping the third and fourth quarters led to the Nuggets' latest defeat, Wednesday's 111-103 loss that opened a three-game trip. Denver also was hurt by 20 turnovers that the Celtics converted into 20 points.

'This is such a mental thing where we have to figure out a way to do it together,' forward Danilo Gallinari said. 'We can't keep playing like this for good stretches, bad stretches, especially when we're on the road.'

The Nuggets have had an easier time recording points, having eclipsed 100 in a season-high six straight. Gallinari is averaging 23.3 in 13 January games since returning from a sprained ankle and Will Barton followed a 21-point effort in Monday's 119-105 loss to Atlanta with 23 on 8-of-12 shooting against Boston.

Washington ranks last in the NBA in 3-point percentage defense (38.2), with opponents hitting at 45.4 percent over the last four games.

'Our defense is terrible right now, probably the worst in the league,' John Wall said after Monday's loss. 'Until we start playing defense, we're not going to win games.'

Denver may be coming in thin in the interior, however, as Joffrey Lauvergne missed Tuesday's game with a toe injury and fellow center Nikola Jokic left in the fourth quarter with a bruised right tibia.

The Wizards will be without Kris Humphries (knee) for a 12th straight game. The forward totaled 41 points in two wins over Denver last season, including a 119-89 home rout on Dec. 5, 2014.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:12 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Hawks (27-20) at Pacers (23-22)

Date: January 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Much has been made of Kyle Korver's pedestrian 3-point shooting after the Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter was deadly from deep last season.

He's starting to regain his touch but faces a tough matchup Thursday night when the Hawks visit an Indiana Pacers team trying avoid dropping to .500 for the first time in 2 1/2 months.

Korver put Atlanta ahead of the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers by one with a 3-pointer with 24.6 seconds to go Wednesday but the Hawks (27-20) couldn't close it out, falling 85-83 for their third loss in four games.

Korver made all four of his 3-point attempts - only the fourth time this season he's hit at least four 3s after having 27 such games last season - and is 10 of 15 from beyond the arc in the last three contests.

"When he's flying down the court, rising up and making them and hits the big shot contested late, it's great," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a big part of us, and when he starts making those shots I think other things will start happening for us offensively."

Despite heating up, Korver is still shooting 38.2 percent from deep - a far cry from leading the league at 49.2 percent last season. He has been brutal in the second game of Atlanta's last three back-to-backs, going 3 of 24 from beyond the arc while averaging 4.7 points.

With one day of rest prior to Atlanta's only meeting of the season with Indiana on Dec. 28, he missed all eight 3-point attempts and finished with two points in a 93-87 loss.

The Hawks turned the ball over a then-season high 22 times in that one - exceeded only by their 23 giveaways Wednesday.

The Pacers (23-22) have generally been tough to score on from 3-point range but allowed the Clippers go 15 of 37 from long distance in Monday's 91-89 loss.

Although Indiana has dropped six of seven and is a loss away from falling to .500 for the first time since it was 4-4 on Nov. 9, coach Frank Vogel believes his team is on the verge of a turnaround. The Pacers showed improvement defensively Tuesday after allowing their previous six opponents to average 112.3 points and Paul George has returned to form.

"We know we're close, we know we've done some good things. We're not getting blown out every night," Vogel said. "We haven't won nearly enough for our liking but we feel like we're doing the right things to start put us in position to start winning games again."

George has combined for 65 points in the last two games and perhaps the best aspect of his recent play is he's averaging 1.8 turnovers in his last four contests after averaging 4.3 in his previous seven.

However, the three-time All-Star had one his worst performances of the season against the Hawks, scoring nine on 3-of-14 shooting. Monta Ellis, who was 3 of 13 for six points Tuesday, picked up the slack with a game-high 26 points.

While George's scoring prowess is to be expected, the Pacers are also getting offense from an unlikely source.

Myles Turner is averaging 19.6 points on 64.6 percent shooting along with 2.8 blocks in the last five games. He scored 16 points in 18 minutes Tuesday and Vogel said he plans to increase the 6-foot-11 rookie's workload.

"We don't want to overreact to a couple of games but obviously we've like what we've seen," Vogel said. "And we'll find the right time to get him in the starting lineup if he continues to play at the level he's been playing at."

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Bucks (20-27) at Grizzlies (26-20)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Milwaukee Bucks felt right at home in Jason Kidd's return to the bench, though a greater challenge on the road awaits.

The resurgent Memphis Grizzlies aim for an 11th win in their last 12 games at FedExForum, where the Bucks seek their first victory in over six years Thursday night.

Kidd had plenty to feel good about in his first game since undergoing hip surgery on Dec. 21, as the Bucks overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to rally for a 107-100 win over Orlando on Tuesday. The head coach missed 17 games while recovering, with assistant Joe Prunty going 8-9 to keep Milwaukee (20-27) in striking distance for a playoff spot.

"I liked the composure of the guys in that first half. We were down and didn't stop playing," Kidd said. "I thought in the third quarter we took control of the game."

The Bucks used a familiar formula to end a two-game skid, outscoring the Magic 62-26 in the paint and receiving big nights from top three scorers Khris Middleton, Greg Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo, all of whom had at least 21 points.

Milwaukee's 49.3 points per game in the paint is tied with Sacramento for tops in the NBA, though hitting that mark figures to be difficult against a Grizzlies team that's yielding a league-low 37.9 per game.

Memphis (26-20) also can score in the post, as it showed with 70 paint points in Monday's 108-102 win over Orlando, its fourth straight at home. The Grizzlies have relied heavily on Marc Gasol during a 5-1 overall stretch, with the standout center averaging 22.8 points over the past five.

Jeff Green was the one carrying the offense against the Magic, however, particularly during crunch time. The forward scored a season-high 30 points and had two crucial baskets in the final 14 seconds to force overtime, where the Grizzlies held Orlando to two points on 1-of-10 shooting.

"Basically, all five guys locked in defensively and held our heads on the defensive end and stuck to our coverage," guard Tony Allen said. "We did everything just a little bit harder, and down the stretch we were aggressive on the defensive end."

The Grizzlies also locked down Milwaukee in a 96-83 win at FedExForum on March 14, their eighth in the series' last nine meetings. The Bucks, 3-13 on the road under Kidd this season, have lost four straight in Memphis since a 103-98 victory on Nov. 21, 2009.

Milwaukee's chances of ending that drought likely depend on its success from the perimeter, as the Grizzlies rank near the bottom of the league in 3-pointers allowed. The Bucks have two players shooting over 42 percent in Middleton and Jerryd Bayless, who hit two key 3s in the final 2:20 to help seal Tuesday's win.

"Bayless made big plays down the stretch for us. He's done it all season," Kidd said. "But if it wasn't for our defense getting stops and rebounding and going the other way, we wouldn't be in that position."

The Bucks also have had trouble defending the outside shot, as they've permitted 45 3-pointers over their last three games. Orlando finished 13 of 24 after New Orleans made 17 of 31 attempts to hand Milwaukee a 116-99 loss on Saturday.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Knicks (22-25) at Raptors (30-15)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors might have to chase history without their top playmaker, while the New York Knicks may have to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season without their biggest star.

The status of both Kyle Lowry and Carmelo Anthony is uncertain as the Raptors go after a franchise-record 10th consecutive victory Thursday night against the visiting Knicks, who have dropped three in a row.

Lowry starred with 29 points and five 3-pointers Tuesday when Toronto matched its longest winning streak with a 106-89 victory over Washington.

After equaling that milestone, the Raptors turned their focus to the health of their All-Star point guard, who had been rushed to the locker room with 3:42 left with what he believed was a serious wrist injury.

Postgame X-rays were negative, but Lowry is questionable after sitting out Wednesday's practice because of soreness. He hasn't missed a game this season and the team was 6-6 without him in 2014-15.

"I really thought it was worse than it was, but I'm fine," Lowry said.

The Raptors were a plus-15 with Cory Joseph on the floor against the Wizards. Joseph, who had 10 points, will likely start if Lowry is sidelined.

DeMar DeRozan, who averages a team-high 23.0 points, had 17 and Terrence Ross stayed hot off the bench with 15. Ross has scored 14.4 per game while making 16 of 27 from 3-point range in his last five.

Toronto (30-15) is playing well on both ends as it tries to eclipse a franchise-record streak set March 22-April 3, 2002. The Raptors have averaged 108.6 points and shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range in their last seven games while limiting opponents to 88.0 and 27.6 marks in the past three.

"Right now we're too focused on our next opponent, which is the New York Knicks," Lowry told the team's official website. "It's time to get focused for them. We're just taking it game by game, day by day."

The Raptors struggled to contain Anthony and the Knicks (22-25) on Nov. 10 in the first meeting at Air Canada Centre. Anthony had 25 points and New York went 11 for 23 from 3-point range in a 111-109 victory.

The All-Star forward has averaged 30.6 points in his last seven matchups with Toronto. Although he's expected to make the trip north of the boarder, Anthony will likely be a game-time decision due to a sore left knee.

The Knicks fell to 0-5 without him with Tuesday's 128-122 overtime home loss to Oklahoma City. Langston Galloway had 21 points and Derrick Williams added 19. Arron Afflalo scored 17 but shot 6 for 21, with the potential winner going in and out before the regulation buzzer.

"From this point forward, it's about at least giving that energy so that if we do lose a game, we know that we gave it everything," Afflalo said.

New York looks to tighten things up as it tries to avoid its fourth four-game losing streak. It has given up 111.5 points per game and a 42.2 3-point percentage in its last eight, though that does include four overtime games.

Lowry and DeRozan scored a combined 52 points in the November meeting. Lowry has averaged 24.2 points while sinking 16 of 35 (45.7 percent) from beyond the arc in his last six games in this series.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Kings (20-25) at Pelicans (16-28)

Date: January 28, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Not much was expected of the Sacramento Kings this season, but DeMarcus Cousins has led them into playoff contention.

Anthony Davis was expected to push the New Orleans Pelicans to the next level. However, that hasn't happened and now he might miss some time.

Cousins will try to resume an otherwise outstanding January by bouncing back from one of the worst shooting performances of his career Thursday night when the Kings continue their road swing against the short-handed Pelicans.

The All-Star big man led the league with 34.4 points per game this month - nearly five better than Golden State's Stephen Curry - after scoring 48 against Indiana on Saturday and a franchise-record 56 versus Charlotte on Monday.

Cousins, though, cooled off Tuesday when he was held to 17 points and missed 17 of 21 shots in a 112-95 loss at Portland. It was his worst game from the field since going 3 for 16 in a loss at Washington in February 2014.

George Karl was hesitant to blame the effort on fatigue after Cousins played 46 minutes in a 129-128 double-overtime loss to the Hornets.

'He's been so good I'm not going to complain," the coach said. "He's been our horse and we've ridden him to a lot of good things.'

Cousins has led Sacramento (20-25) within percentage points of the Trail Blazers for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. The Kings haven't reached the postseason since 2005-06.

Rajon Rondo has done a nice job getting Cousins the ball, recording at least 10 assists in 13 straight games. He leads the NBA by a wide margin with 11.8 per game, which would be a career high.

Rondo's only game of more than 15 points in the past month came against New Orleans (16-28), getting 17 along with 10 assists, but the Kings lost at home 109-97 on Jan. 13. Cousins had 32 points and 12 rebounds, giving him averages of 31.7 points and 17.3 boards during Sacramento's three-game losing streak in this series.

Davis and Eric Gordon finished with 24 points apiece for the Pelicans, but both could miss this contest. While Gordon remains sidelined with a broken finger, Davis sustained a concussion in Monday's 112-111 home loss to Houston that snapped a season high-tying three-game winning streak.

Davis has yet to pass the league's concussion protocol but is listed as questionable along with Tyreke Evans, who is dealing with right knee tendinitis.

New Orleans has dropped all five of its games this season without Davis, who is averaging team highs of 22.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Ryan Anderson, who has 45 points over the last two games, will likely start in his place. Fellow reserve Jrue Holiday stepped up with a season-high 32 points, nine assists and three steals Monday.

"We just have to continue to plug away and play hard," said Toney Douglas, who had a season-high 18 points.

After reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years, the Pelicans have been a major disappointment this season. They're 3 1/2 games behind Sacramento as they sit at the bottom of the Southwest Division.

New Orleans has scored 114.0 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range in its last four and should get some open looks against Sacramento, which ranks last in the NBA with 107.8 points allowed per game.

The Kings could have Rudy Gay after he sat out Tuesday due to an eye injury.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Bulls (25-19) at Lakers (9-38)

Date: January 28, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls' longest road trip of the season is starting at a bad time considering their recent struggles, but they're at least kicking it off with a favorable matchup.

The Los Angeles Lakers could establish a season-worst losing streak Thursday night with the Bulls beginning a seven-game trip seeking a seventh win in the last nine meetings.

Since a season-best six-game winning streak, Chicago (25-19) has gone 3-7 with some awful offensive efforts creeping in. Among them was Monday's 89-84 home loss to Miami with the Bulls shooting 39.8 percent. Dating to an 83-77 home loss to Dallas on Jan. 15, they have been limited to 25.0 percent from 3-point range.

Pau Gasol led the Bulls with 19 points and 17 rebounds Monday and shot 9 for 18, but the rest of the starting five was 11 of 35 as inconsistency becomes the norm. Gasol has averaged 20.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in three straight double-doubles, but that followed an 0-for-8 performance in last Wednesday's loss to Golden State.

"It's repetitive," Gasol told the team's official website. "It's definitely a pattern. It's happened all season long and continues to happen. Right now that's just who we are, capable of great games and capable of not being able to sustain those.

"We do have a lot of injuries, key players, veteran players who could help us out, who know how to navigate and deal with the situations. But it is what it is. We have a tough road trip coming up. Let's see if we can actually get some continuity and some good games together."

Derrick Rose missed the second half against the Heat because of lower back and right hamstring injuries, and the Bulls were already playing without backup guards Kirk Hinrich (bruised quadriceps) and E'Twaun Moore (hamstring strain). They're also dealing with long-term injuries to Mike Dunleavy and Joakim Noah, and forward Nikola Mirotic will be sidelined until after the All-Star break after having his appendix removed Wednesday.

Rose is questionable against the Lakers (9-38), and the Bulls could elect to rest him with the Clippers looming Sunday.

The Lakers won the last meeting, 123-118 in overtime at home last Jan. 29 despite 35 points from Jimmy Butler, but that seems like the kind of individual effort Los Angeles can't keep up with at the moment.

During their second seven-game losing streak of the season, the Lakers have been outscored by an average of 16.3 points with opponents scoring 110.0 per game and shooting 48.8 percent. However, Tuesday's 92-90 defeat to Dallas was a comparative success, particularly on the defensive end after giving up at least 108 points in six straight games.

"I'm never happy about a loss, but I was extremely happy about our effort and how hard we played," said coach Byron Scott, whose team is also trying to avoid extending a season-worst home skid to five. "I thought for the first time in a while, we really paid attention to the little details that we've been talking about. We really focused in on that end of the floor."

Julius Randle had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and the second-year forward is averaging 13.0 and 11.3 in his last three games while shooting 45.7 percent. The 21-year-old, limited to one game last season because of a broken leg, entered that span averaging 6.8 points and shooting 31.8 percent in his previous 10 games.

"I put a lot of hours into it," Randle told the team's official website. "Day and night - it's a lot of hours. It's coming around slowly."

Kobe Bryant sat out the Dallas game with a sore a sore right shoulder and hasn't faced the Bulls since 2012-13.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

NBA Odds: Thursday, January 28 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

The Los Angeles Clippers don't play on Thursday, but I want to address the Blake Griffin issue. He apparently will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, although Coach Doc Rivers says that timetable is unrealistic. Griffin was hurt after punching the team's assistant equipment manager a few times outside a Toronto restaurant over the weekend. Apparently the two are good friends and had vacationed together but were arguing about something. I'm sure TMZ will have video eventually. Griffin was one of the most disliked players around the NBA, so I'm sure many locker rooms are filled with laughter right now. And if I'm the Clippers, I don't pay him during the time he's out as that's just a stupid thing to do. Griffin has a history of this, too, as in November 2014 he was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery after allegedly getting into an altercation with a man in Las Vegas. That case was dropped. This latest injury is a shame because Griffin would have returned by now from his quad injury but now is out until March. Griffin was having his best season, but the Clippers have been playing better without him, albeit against an easier schedule.

Hawks at Pacers (-2, 206.5)

Atlanta hosted the Clippers on Wednesday. Indiana lost a third in a row Tuesday to those Clippers, 91-89. Paul George had 31 points and 11 rebounds, but the Pacers couldn't get off a tying shot in the final seconds. Indiana center Ian Mahinmi returned after missing two games with a sprained ankle and had 12 points and 10 boards. Atlanta had won four straight in this series before the Pacers took a 93-87 home victory on Dec. 28. Monta Ellis had 26 points. Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 24 points. The Hawks turned it over 22 times, leading to 26 Indiana points.

Key trends: The Hawks are 2-5 against the spread in their past seven in the second of a back-to-back. Indiana is 1-6 ATS in its past seven games. The "over/under" is 11-3 in the past 14 meetings at Indiana.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Nuggets at Wizards (TBA)

Denver was in Boston on Wednesday to start a three-game trip. Washington lost a second straight in blowout fashion on Tuesday, 106-89 in Toronto. John Wall had 18 points and 14 assists, but the Wiz played without the oft-injured Bradley Beal. He's day-to-day with a broken nose and concussion. Beal is averaging 18.5 points per game. Washington won both meetings last year, with the one in D.C. a 119-89 rout.

Key trends: The home team is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 3-1-1 in the past five in Washington.

Early lean: TBA clearly for Beal, but the Wizards will win this without him.

Knicks at Raptors (TBA)

This is the first of the TNT doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. New York lost a third in a row Tuesday, 128-122 in overtime against the Thunder. New York blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead. The team played without Carmelo Anthony due to knee soreness. Consider him questionable here; I doubt he plays. Toronto won a ninth in a row on Tuesday, 106-89 over Washington. The team got a scare when late in the game All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who had 29 points, injured his wrist. X-rays were negative but Lowry could obviously miss this game. The Knicks won the first meeting north of the border, 111-109 on Nov. 10. Anthony had 25 points. New York took the lead for good with 8:43 remaining on a 3-pointer from Langston Galloway. DeMar DeRozan had 29 and Lowry 23 for the Raptors.

Key trends: The Knicks are 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 7-0 in the past seven in Toronto.

Early lean: Have to wait on Melo and Lowry. Only way I give Knicks a shot here is if Melo plays and Lowry doesn't. Otherwise, Raptors will set franchise record with 10th straight win.

Bucks at Grizzlies (-5.5, 196)

Coach Jason Kidd returned from hip surgery for Milwaukee on Tuesday and the Bucks ended a two-game losing streak with a 107-100 victory over the visiting Magic. The Bucks were down 16 at one point. Khris Middleton had 25 points, hit seventh straight with at least 20. Memphis also is off a win over the Magic, 108-102 in OT on Monday. Jeff Green had a season-high 30 points. The Grizzlies' 64 first-half points matched their most for a half this season. Tony Allen was iffy to play with a few injuries but did. First meeting of the season between these teams. Grizzlies have won four straight at home vs. Bucks. Both last year were very low-scoring.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five. The under is 8-1 in the past nine.

Early lean: Grizzlies and under.

Kings at Pelicans (TBA)

Sacramento lost a second straight Tuesday, 112-97 in Portland, but you could see that coming as the Kings were off a double-OT draining defeat the night before. DeMarcus Cousins had a franchise-record 56 points on Monday but was only 4-for-21 from the field vs. Portland for 17 points. Rudy Gay missed another game with an eye injury. New Orleans had a three-game winning streak end in a 112-111 home loss vs. Houston on Monday. Anthony Davis left late in the second quarter after taking an elbow to the head. He has been diagnosed with a concussion, so there's little chance he plays here. New Orleans has won three in a row in the series, including the first one this year, 109-97 in Sacramento on Jan. 13. Davis and Eric Gordon each had a team-high 24 points and the Pelicans matched a franchise record with 16 3-pointers. Gordon is out now several more weeks injured now.

Key trends: The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Kings in a big way if Davis sits as seems likely. Doesn't matter if Gay also does.

Bulls at Lakers (TBA)

The TNT nightcap. Chicago lost 89-84 at home to Miami on Monday and saw Derrick Rose get injured again. He tweaked his hamstring and lower back, and knowing Rose he will miss four months. OK, I'm kidding but it would be a surprise if Rose plays here. With Kirk Hinrich out again, the Bulls might be down to just one point guard: Aaron Brooks. The Lakers lost a seventh straight on Tuesday, 92-90 to Dallas. Kobe Bryant sat out with a right shoulder issue, thus preventing one last meeting between him and Dirk Nowitzki. They are the two active leading scorers in the NBA. Lakers rookie Larry Nance Jr. returned from a four-game injury absence but didn't score in 23 minutes. First meeting this season between Bulls and Lakers. They split last year, with the Lakers taking a 123-118 double-OT win at home. Kobe was out for the season by then. Jimmy Butler had 35 points and Pau Gasol 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back at the Lakers since leaving the team as a free agent.

Key trends: Chicago is 0-4 ATS in its past four vs. teams with a losing record. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 4-1 in the past five in L.A.

Early lean: Bulls whether Rose and/or Kobe plays or not.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 07:14 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

NBA

Thursday's hot teams
-- Memphis won five of its last six games (6-2-1 last 9HF). Bucks won four of their last six games (8-5 last 13AU).
-- Toronto won its last nine games (8-1 vs spread).
-- Kings won five of last seven games, but lost last two (6-3 last nine AU). New Orleans won five of last seven (3-1 last 4HF).

Cold teams
-- Washington lost four of its last five games (5-10HF). Nuggets lost four of their last five games (8-4 last 12AU).
-- Hawks lost three of their last four games (5-5AU). Indiana lost six of its last seven games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Knicks lost five of their last seven games (12-8AU).
-- Chicago lost three of last four games (3-3AF). Lakers lost their last seven games (2-5 vs spread).

Series records
-- Wizards won four of last six games with Denver.
-- Hawks won three of last four games with Indiana.
-- Grizzlies won eight of last nine games with Milwaukee.
-- Knicks lost three of last four visits to Toronto.
-- Pelicans won four of last five games with Sacramento.
-- Lakers lost six of last eight games with Chicago.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Denver games went over total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Last eight Memphis games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight New York-Toronto games went over.
-- Five of last six Sacramento games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Chicago road games went over.

Back/backs
-- Denver is 5-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Hawks are 1-4 vs spread on road if they played night before.

**TheGame** · 01-28-2016, 08:58 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

DENVER vs. WASHINGTON
Denver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Denver's last 23 games when playing Washington
Washington is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Denver
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Denver

ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
Atlanta is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Indiana's last 14 games when playing at home against Atlanta

SACRAMENTO vs. NEW ORLEANS
Sacramento is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games
New Orleans is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Sacramento

MILWAUKEE vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 5-19 SU in its last 24 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Memphis is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home

NEW YORK vs. TORONTO
New York is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games at home

CHICAGO vs. LA LAKERS
Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of the LA Lakers last 22 games when playing Chicago

**Satch** · 01-28-2016, 09:14 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Atlanta At Indiana
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 28, 2016
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indiana Pacers attempt to escape from the woes that have seen them lose six of seven games when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The Pacers’ only victory during the stretch has come against the lowly Phoenix Suns and they have dropped to eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana’s issues continued with a 91-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday — the club’s fewest points since tallying 84 in a loss to Memphis on Dec. 19. “The inconsistency,” All-Star forward Paul George bemoaned to reporters. “We have yet to feel comfortable with the way these games are going. We preach one thing, then it comes to game-time and it’s not being done.” Atlanta dropped an 85-83 home decision to the Clippers on Wednesday and it committed a season-worst 23 turnovers. The contest against the Pacers and Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat complete a stretch in which the Hawks play six of seven on the road.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE HAWKS (27-20): The productivity of point guard Jeff Teague has dipped a bit this season and rumors are circulating that Atlanta has discussed trading Teague to the New York Knicks. Teague could be viewed as expendable now that 22-year-old backup Dennis Schroder appears ready to be an NBA starter. Schroder averaged 15.3 points during a three-game stretch before scoring seven points against the Clippers while Teague was on his game and had 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
ABOUT THE PACERS (23-22): George has emerged from a slump with back-to-back 30-points after experiencing a lag partly brought on by fatigue issues. One player trending upward is rookie power forward Myles Turner, who had 16 points in 18 minutes against the Clippers for his sixth consecutive double-figure outing. “I’m playing ball at end of the day,” Turner told reporters. “It’s cool. Of course, I’m going to work for a starting job but I can’t complain if I’m out there playing 20, 25, 30 minutes a game.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pacers posted a 93-87 home victory over the Hawks on Dec. 28 to end a four-game losing streak in the series.
2. Indiana SG Monta Ellis, who had just six points against the Clippers, tallied a season-best 26 points in last month’s win over Atlanta.
3. Atlanta SG Kyle Korver made all four of his 3-point attempts against the Clippers and is 10-of-15 in the past three contests.
PREDICTION: Pacers 92, Hawks 89

**Satch** · 01-28-2016, 09:15 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Denver At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 28, 2016
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Washington shooting guard Bradley Beal is expected to miss his second consecutive game when the Wizards host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Beal broke his nose and suffered a concussion Monday and must be cleared through the NBA concussion protocol before he can return to action.
Beal has missed 20 games with a variety of ailments, and that has been a factor in Washington’s inability to hit its stride. The Wizards fell 106-89 to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday and have lost four of their last five games to fall to 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Denver also has dropped four of five, and the defense has been an issue as the team has allowed an average of 111.5 points in the last six contests. The Nuggets committed 20 turnovers while opening a three-game road trip with a 111-103 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (17-29): Denver has experienced turnover issues on many occasions this season and it is something that leading scorer Danilo Gallinari finds frustrating. “This is such a mental thing where we have to figure out a way to do it together,” Gallinari said after the loss to the Celtics. “We can’t keep playing like this for good stretches, bad stretches, especially when we’re on the road.” Gallinari scored 23 points against Boston had has 20 or more points in 10 of 13 games this month.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (20-23): Point guard John Wall had 18 points and 14 assists for his 24th double-double in the loss to Toronto but suffered through his second consecutive subpar shooting night. Wall is 9-of-28 from the field during the stretch and also suffered through a 4-of-17 shooting outing in a loss to Portland on Jan. 18 — the nine-point outing against the Trail Blazers is one of two single-digit performances in the last four games. The absence of Beal once again makes Wall have to take on more of a scoring role, and that sometimes compromises his talents as a floor leader.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Wizards swept last season’s two meetings and have won four of the past six matchups.
2. Denver backup SF Will Barton is averaging 22 points in the last two games after being just 18-of-51 shooting during the previous five games.
3. Washington SG Garrett Temple is 3-of-15 shooting in the last two games.
PREDICTION: Wizards 105, Nuggets 100

**Satch** · 01-28-2016, 09:15 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: New York At Toronto
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 28, 2016
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The New York Knicks battled down to the wire but could not manage to pull out a victory without their star player on Tuesday. The Knicks hope to have Carmelo Anthony (knee) back on Thursday, when they attempt to prevent the host Toronto Raptors from setting a franchise record with their 10th consecutive victory.
New York fell 128-122 in overtime to the Oklahoma City Thunder to drop to 0-5 with Anthony out of the lineup this season, and it has lost three in a row overall. The Knicks failed to reach 90 points in either of the first two losses but got 16 points from Lance Thomas starting in Anthony’s place on Tuesday while Derrick Williams (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Langston Galloway (21 points) led a solid effort from the supporting cast. The Raptors have held opponents to 95 points or fewer in six of the last nine games and limited the Washington Wizards to 39 second-half points in Tuesday’s 106-89 triumph. “I’m trying to tell (the players) enjoy this, enjoy this,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “You hear all this, ‘Well let’s see what they do in the playoffs.’ You’d better enjoy this right now because tomorrow’s not promised to any of us, so let’s enjoy some of the good times and some of the small victories we have.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, TSN (Toronto)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (22-25): Anthony is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday, pushing Thomas back to the bench. Thomas had missed the previous three games with his own knee injury but went 5-of-7 from the field in 41 minutes in place of Anthony before fouling out late and is 12-of-20 from the floor in his last three games. Galloway logged 33 minutes off the bench on Tuesday and is taking more and more playing time away from starter Jose Calderon, who managed six points in 21 minutes against Oklahoma City.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (30-15): The only downside to matching the record winning streak set by the 2001-02 squad came in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, when All-Star starter Kyle Lowry left the game with an apparent hand injury. X-rays came back negative and Lowry, who led the way with 29 points before leaving the game, was diagnosed with a sprained left (non-shooting) wrist. Backup point guard Cory Joseph is averaging 11 points on 10-of-15 shooting in the last two games and can pick up more of the slack if Lowry takes any time off to rest.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 14 points and 9.9 rebounds during the winning streak.
2. Knicks G Arron Afflalo is 10-of-36 from the floor in the last three games.
3. Anthony scored 25 points and Thomas added 17 as New York earned a 111-109 win at Toronto on Nov. 10.
PREDICTION: Raptors 102, Knicks 97

**Satch** · 01-28-2016, 09:16 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 1/28

Preview: Milwaukee At Memphis

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 28, 2016
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphis Grizzlies are playing nothing but tight games of late and are pulling most of them out thanks to solid defensive execution down the stretch. The Grizzlies will try to pick up their sixth win in the last seven games when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Memphis needed overtime to dispatch the Orlando Magic on Monday but held them to 1-of-10 from the floor in the extra period to pull out a 108-102 triumph. “Basically, all five guys locked in defensively and held our heads on the defensive end and stuck to our coverage,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told reporters. “We did everything just a little bit harder, and down the stretch we were aggressive on the defensive end.” The Bucks took advantage of slumping Orlando to earn a 107-100 victory on Tuesday in coach Jason Kidd’s return from hip surgery. “I felt great,” Kidd told reporters. “I was happy to be back and hopefully I didn’t mess the guys up tonight.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (20-27): Milwaukee has won four of its last six games and is getting a strong contribution from guard Khris Middleton, who has scored over 20 points in each of those six contests. Middleton had 25 points on Tuesday but got credit from Kidd for one of his seven assists that helped seal the win down the stretch. “Down at the end Khris made some great plays, getting to the free-throw line and then running the play at the end,” Kidd told reporters. “Not that Khris shot it, he made a play for a teammate and (Jerryd) Bayless made the shot.”
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (26-20): Memphis’ last six games have been decided by an average of four points, and the team is getting contributions from several different players of late. Inconsistent forward Jeff Green had his chance to step up on Tuesday and responded with a season-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting. “We’ve talked about it before but when a guy gets a couple offensive rebounds, gets to the foul line a couple times, gets a couple in transition then you throw down a dunk and are just being aggressive it really charges up our whole team,” Joerger told reporters in reference to Green. “That’s the thing – it certainly affects him but it affects our whole team.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Memphis F Zach Randolph (16,222) needs 42 points to move into 100th place on the all-time list.
2. Milwaukee G O.J. Mayo (hamstring) has missed the last five games and is day-to-day.
3. The home team took each of the two meetings last season.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 104, Bucks 99

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NBA Betting Info. 1/28

NBA Betting Info. 1/28

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