Cnotes National Basketball Association March Picks/Trends/News !!

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pelicans (23-35) at Rockets (29-31)
Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Although James Harden and Dwight Howard lead a prolific offense, the Houston Rockets' inability to contain opponents is halting a potential playoff push.


Those struggles may worsen if Anthony Davis returns for the New Orleans Pelicans.


Coach Alvin Gentry believes his All-Star forward will play Wednesday night when the visiting Pelicans try to move closer to a playoff spot by dealing the eighth-place Rockets their 10th loss in 14 games.


Harden has scored 34.0 per game and Howard is averaging 18.6 points and 13.0 rebounds over the past eight for a Houston team that has been fine offensively. The Rockets (29-31) have put up 110.4 points over their last 19 but have given up even more, allowing an NBA-high 113.4 since Jan. 18.


Houston, barely holding on to the final postseason spot with a half-game lead on slumping Utah, dropped its second in a row and sixth in eight games Monday, 128-121 at Milwaukee.


Howard finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Harden added 26 and nine assists and Trevor Ariza had 20 and 11. Houston, however, let the Bucks shoot 59.3 percent.


'The offense, for us, will come easy. We can score the ball. We all know that,' interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. 'The defensive end of the floor is where the problem is.'


Bickerstaff's club doesn't look like it'll catch a break as it tries to take three of four in the season series with New Orleans (23-35). Davis is listed as day to day after hurting his toe prior to Saturday's 112-110 loss to Minnesota, though his coach sounded more than optimistic Tuesday.


"No pain, no anything, so he'll be ready to go," Gentry said after practice.


Davis has averaged 33.0 points and 13.3 rebounds in his last four games, including a franchise-record 59-point effort in a win at Detroit on Feb. 21. He had scored 26.0 per game in his prior four against Houston before suffering a concussion in the first half of a 112-111 home defeat Jan. 25.


The Pelicans fell to 1-6 without Davis on Saturday, even though Ryan Anderson filled in with 31 points and 14 rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 31 after missing 16 games with a broken finger. Anderson has averaged 18.9 points over his last eight against the Rockets.


New Orleans had won five of seven before losing to the Timberwolves. Now it will try to bounce back and close to within four games of its Southwest Division rivals.


"These games do mean an awful lot, especially when you're (at) the bottom looking up," Gentry said. "For us, every game is going to be like that though. We've just got to have wins if we're going to be any factor in the playoff race."


The Pelicans are averaging 108.1 points over their past eight, but they're also scuffling on the defensive end by allowing 113.5 in the last six. That was the case in the last meeting when Harden had 35 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Ariza added 31 with eight 3-pointers.


Howard did not play in that contest after totaling 15 points in the first two matchups. Gordon led New Orleans with 26 and six 3-pointers and Davis scored 24 in a 110-108 home win Dec. 26.


The Pelicans have lost eight of nine in Houston.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wizards (29-30) at Timberwolves (19-41)
Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Thanks to some solid play at home, the Washington Wizards have fared well since the All-Star break. They'll need to carry that success over to the road, where a good amount of their time will be spent going forward.


The Wizards can end their road struggles to the Minnesota Timberwolves by matching a season high with a fourth straight victory Wednesday night.


Trying to reach .500 for the first time since Jan. 15, Washington (29-30) is 10th in the Eastern Conference but 6-2 since the break and within striking distance of the final three playoff spots. Five of those victories are part of a season-high six-game home winning streak, but the Wizards play 14 of the final 23 on the road, including five of the next six.


"We're taking the right strides and winning," star guard John Wall said. "We've just got to keep playing the right way. ... Keep adding a W in the win column."


The Wizards went 2-5 on the road in February, beating two of the league's worst teams in New York and Philadelphia. Minnesota (19-41) also falls into that category, but Washington has averaged 88.6 points in losing five straight there. The Timberwolves are also averaging 112 points and shooting 49.8 percent while winning five of eight at home.


"It's a good young team," said Wall, who was held to five points on 2-of-10 shooting in last February's 97-77 loss at Minnesota in their last meeting. "I love (Andrew) Wiggins and (Zach) LaVine. Definitely (Karl-Anthony Towns). To me, he's the rookie of the year."


If the Wizards are to turn things around in Minnesota, they must offer a more complete effort than was shown in Monday's 116-108 win over Philadelphia.


Wall and Marcin Gortat combined for 29 points in the fourth quarter as Washington used a 16-0 run in the final period to prevail. One night after holding a Cleveland team minus LeBron James to 40 percent shooting in a 113-99 victory, the Wizards allowed lowly Philadelphia to shot 48.3 percent and open the second half on a 26-6 run


The Wizards also shot 48.3 percent but their 17 turnovers were the most in as many games.


'You always appreciate a win but it's not the way we wanted to win,' said Wall, who finished with 37 points on 13-of-26 shooting. 'I feel like we took a step back.'


Gortat scored 18 and has a career-high 20 rebounds.


"We just show up and we play hard," he said.


The Timberwolves showed up in Dallas on Sunday, but didn't seem to play all that hard during a 128-101 defeat. After shooting 50.6 percent in the previous three games, Minnesota shot 37.8 and gave up their second-most points of the season while the Mavericks made good on 52.8 percent of their attempts.


"We just look like a tired basketball team,' said interim Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell, whose club allowed an average of 112.7 points and 48.3 percent shooting during a 5-6 February.


After posting 30 points and 15 rebounds in Saturday's two-point win at New Orleans, Towns recorded his rookie-leading 34th double-double with a modest 12 and 11 boards Sunday.


The Timberwolves are 3-14 when Towns scores 12 or less.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pistons (31-29) at Spurs (50-9)
Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

It's been a foregone conclusion that the San Antonio Spurs are going to the playoffs for the 19th consecutive season. They can make it official Wednesday night.


After an outstanding road trip, the Spurs return home looking to clinch another postseason berth with a win over the surging Detroit Pistons.


San Antonio (50-9) is only behind Golden State for the league's best record, and the Warriors have already clinched a playoff spot. Now, the Spurs can join them. They're 22 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Utah, and both teams have 23 games remaining.


A 19th straight playoff appearance would tie San Antonio with Boston (1951-69) for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history. The Spurs have the second-longest active streak in American professional sports behind the NHL's Detroit Red Wings (24).


San Antonio has won 25 of its last 28 games, including five in a row while averaging 109.0 points.


The Spurs concluded their yearly "Rodeo Road Trip" with a seventh win in eight games Saturday, leading the entire way in a 104-94 victory over Houston.


"Our guys played well and stayed locked in the whole trip," said LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 26 points and 16 rebounds. "I think everybody was motivated to finish the trip off right."


Now they'll try to keep their perfect home record intact. The Spurs are 28-0 at home this season and have won 37 in a row on their own court, but lost their most recent matchup there against Detroit, 105-104 on Jan. 6, 2015.


A victory Wednesday would equal the third-longest such streak in NBA history, tying Boston's 38-game run over two seasons from 1985-86.


In an effort to boost its chances at another championship run, San Antonio signed veteran point guard Andre Miller on Monday after he was waived by Minnesota four days earlier.


Miller, who turns 40 later this month, is the oldest player in the NBA, so it's only fitting that he joins the league's oldest roster with an average age of 32 - a full two years older than the next team (Dallas).


He's expected to add depth to a team known for resting players ahead of the playoffs.


"He's gonna be terrible. That's why we brought him in. He's got no chance to fit in whatsoever. I can't believe we did that," coach Gregg Popovich deadpanned before turning serious.


"His basketball IQ is off the charts," he added. "What a pro, tough minded, disciplined and he'll pick up things very quickly. He's picked up already a lot. He'll be fine."


Kawhi Leonard has totaled 56 points on 18-of-28 shooting and 6 of 9 from 3-point range over the last two games, putting his recent calf injury behind him. The All-Star forward, however, has missed 16 of 19 shots while totaling 15 points in the last two matchups with the Pistons (31-29).


Tony Parker picked up the slack with a season-high 31 points and Aldridge added 22 with 13 boards in a 109-99 win at Detroit on Jan. 12.


While the Spurs are a regular in the playoffs, the Pistons are trying to get back there for the first time since 2009. They're tied with Indiana for seventh in the East after following a five-game slide with a season high-tying fourth straight win, 114-101 over Atlantic Division-leading Toronto on Sunday.


"Young, dumb and we don't know any better," said guard Reggie Jackson, who had 19 points and eight assists. "That's who we are. We just continue to fight and continue to battle. We come out and try to be the best versions of ourselves."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (24-34) at Grizzlies (35-24)
Date: March 02, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

While the Memphis Grizzlies are holding things together amid an injury-filled stretch, the ailing Sacramento Kings are quickly falling apart.


The series history in Memphis suggests the Kings will continue crumbling Wednesday night.


The Grizzlies seek a season sweep and their 12th straight home win over the Kings, who have lost three straight and are fading fast from the Western Conference postseason race.


Losing Marc Gasol for the season in early February was a huge blow to Memphis (35-24), which has played its last five games without defensive specialist Tony Allen due to a sore left knee.


But others have stepped up - mainly Zach Randolph inside - and the Grizzlies have won five of their last seven games to solidify their place as a top-five team in the West.


Randolph has helped fill the void of Gasol's team-leading 16.6 points per game, averaging 17.1 in seven without him, while Lance Stephenson, Vince Carter, P.J. Hairston and Matt Barnes have expanded their offensive roles.


The Grizzlies fell 111-106 at lowly Phoenix on Saturday, but Randolph finished with 22 points and six assists in Monday's 103-96 win at Denver to help Memphis close its three-game trip with two wins.


'It's a happy locker room,' coach Dave Joerger said. 'We played with the focus that was lacking in Phoenix."


Memphis has three winnable games ahead on its homestand, closing it with Friday's game against Utah and Sunday's rematch with the Suns. The Grizzlies are 14-3 at FedExForum since Dec. 14.


Sacramento (24-34) hasn't fared so well while banged up and sits four games back of Houston for the West's No. 8 seed - the spot it held after a season-high five-game win streak in mid January. Since, the Kings are 4-11.


Making matters worse is a growing injury report.


Second-leading scorer Rudy Gay (strained right shoulder) and Seth Curry (sprained right foot) sat out Monday's 131-116 loss to Oklahoma City. Gay suffered his injury in Friday's 117-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game in which Curry scored a career-high 19 points.


Gay and Rajon Rondo had MRIs on Monday morning, though Rondo returned from a one-game absence due to a sore thumb by registering a franchise record with his 39th double-digit assist game.


Even DeMarcus Cousins sprained his ankle against Oklahoma City, though he had it re-taped and returned to post 35 points and 12 rebounds.


While Rondo and Cousins should play Wednesday, Gay and Curry are considered day to day.


Sacramento went winless on its homestand while playing the Nos. 2-4 offenses in the league when it comes to effective field-goal percentage: San Antonio, the Thunder and the Clippers. The Kings' four-game trip goes through Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans, followed by a homestand opener against East-leading Cleveland.


"I think we're all frustrated," coach George Karl said. "No one's going to feel sorry for us, no one's going to give us a game. We're going to just have to figure out how to go get one."


It's been more than six years since Sacramento won in Memphis. The Kings have lost 11 straight at FedExForum as part of a 3-19 stretch against the Grizzlies that dates to November 2009.


Memphis won this season's first two meetings, 103-89 on Nov. 3 and 121-117 on Jan. 30.


Cousins finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists in the second meeting in Memphis, but he made only 3 of 17 shots and committed six turnovers. He missed the first game in Sacramento due to a strained right Achilles.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Thunder (42-18) at Clippers (39-20)
Date: March 02, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, partly because they've been a whole lot healthier.


Doc Rivers wishes that still wasn't the case with his Clippers about to see a lot more of the Thunder.


Blake Griffin could be joined in street clothes by fellow starting forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute on Wednesday night at Staples Center for Los Angeles' first matchup with Oklahoma City in 2016 and the first of three this month.


These teams are in a bit of a bubble for the 3-4 spots in the Western Conference. The Thunder have a 2 1/2-game lead on the Clippers for the No. 3 seed - and potentially avoiding Golden State in the West semifinals. Oklahoma City (42-18) is 8 1/2 behind second-place San Antonio, and Los Angeles (39-20) is four ahead of fifth-place Memphis.


On the surface, the potential absence of Mbah a Moute might not seem like a big deal considering he's not among the Clippers' top eight scorers or rebounders.


Don't tell that to Chris Paul.


"People look at the boxscore and don't really see how valuable he is to our team," Paul said. "We really need him."


Rivers said he didn't think they would have him for this game after Mbah a Moute suffered a left eye laceration in Monday's 105-95 win over Brooklyn. That absence could be problematic considering he's helped limit Kevin Durant to 34 points on 13-of-35 shooting the last two times they faced each other.


The most recent contest came Dec. 21, though Durant got the best of the Clippers by hitting a jumper with 5.8 seconds left and blocking Paul's potential game-winner as time expired in a 100-99 victory.


Rivers was asked Monday if he liked facing a team of the Thunder's caliber three times late in the season, including next Wednesday and March 31 in Oklahoma City.


"I'm not even sure," he said. "If you're at full strength, yeah for sure. But we're really not, so I'd rather play those teams when we're ready."


Rivers' son, Austin, could return after missing 10 games with a fractured hand, but the Clippers remain short-handed and the Thunder continue at full strength. Oklahoma City's top six scorers have a combined nine player games missed due to injury, compared to 53 for Los Angeles.


The depth of the healthy Thunder was on display Monday in a 131-116 win in Sacramento. Their 64 bench points were a season high, with Enes Kanter scoring 23 and Dion Waiters 22.


Oklahoma City is 38-3 when its reserves score at least 30.


'A lot of times our bench doesn't get this kind of scoring opportunity,' coach Billy Donovan said. 'The second unit with Kevin in there was really moving the ball."


Durant got to watch the final six minutes after scoring 27 for the Thunder, who had lost four of five.


'It's been an up-and-down roller coaster the last couple of weeks, so it was nice to chill and coast to a victory,' Durant said.


He was in part referencing Saturday's 121-118 loss to the Warriors, decided on Stephen Curry's 32-footer with 0.6 seconds left in overtime. Oklahoma City visits Golden State on Thursday but won't overlook Los Angeles, which is 23-7 since Christmas despite losing Griffin that day.


"I love where we're at," Rivers said. "I love the way we've played overall. We've played through a lot of adversity this year."


Paul has stepped up with averages of 26.1 points and 11.4 assists in the last seven games. He scored 32 against Oklahoma City in December while Russell Westbrook had 33.


Westbrook had his ninth triple-double Monday with 20 points despite only eight field-goal attempts. The Thunder are 22-3 when he attempts 17 or fewer.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bulls (30-28) at Magic (26-32)
Date: March 02, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

While the postseason chances of the Orlando Magic have drifted into the danger zone, there continues to be a growing concern for those of the Chicago Bulls - and the defensive slumps that have led to this rival each other.


The Bulls hope to end a historically bad stretch guarding the basketball when they visit the struggling Magic on Wednesday night.


Chicago (30-29) entered the season as a consensus title contender but slipped out of the Eastern Conference's top eight spots with Tuesday's 129-111 loss at Miami, its third in a row.


That defeat dropped the Bulls to 8-17 since a season-high six-game win streak. It also extended a miserable defensive stretch the franchise hasn't seen in 30 years.


Chicago has surrendered at least 100 points to 14 straight opponents, the longest such streak since it allowed 25 consecutive teams to reach that number from Dec. 21, 1985-Feb. 17, 1986 - in Michael Jordan's second season.


Chicago's current slump of 14 is just two more than it allowed in the entire 2013-14 season.


The latest setback came against one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league. The Heat set a franchise record by shooting 67.5 percent and scored a season-high 129 points on Tuesday, handing the Bulls their sixth straight road loss.


Miami, which averages only 97.5 points, made 52 of 77 shots for the NBA's best single-game percentage since Utah matched it on Feb. 27, 2010, against Houston. No team has shot better since the Los Angeles Clippers' 69.3 percent on March 13, 1998, against Toronto.


It was a single-game high for a Bulls' opponent since field-goal percentage was first tracked in the 1983-84 season. Miami, which didn't even have leading scorer Chris Bosh, outscored Chicago 74-48 in the paint.


'A terrible defensive effort on our part,' Pau Gasol said. 'We knew that this team was a high-scoring team in the paint, we didn't force them to take 3s, we didn't force them to take long shots. They pretty much got everything that they wanted.'


Though Derrick Rose returned after sitting out two games with tendinitis in his right hamstring and Jimmy Butler is nearing a return from a strained left knee, Taj Gibson left Tuesday's game with a right hamstring injury. His status for Wednesday is uncertain.


While falling into the league's lower half defensively, the Bulls are on the outside looking in on the playoffs for the first time since Jan. 1, 2014. They are one-half game back of Detroit and Indiana for the eighth seed in the East.


The Bulls have won 14 of 18 against the Magic, including a 92-87 home win on Nov. 1.


Orlando (26-33) dropped to 4 1/2 games back of the East's final spot with Tuesday's 121-108 loss at Dallas. The Magic are 7-20 since Jan. 1, including 4-9 at Amway Center.


Opponents are shooting 53.4 percent through Orlando's 2-4 stretch and four of the last five have scored at least 115 points.


"It's less about my message now and more about a response," coach Scott Skiles told the team's official website. "Somebody has got to respond and pick us up on the defensive end and get us going on the offensive end."


The defensive flips this season for both the Bulls and Magic are disconcerting. The Bulls allowed 99.7 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting while opening 22-12. Since, opponents have averaged 107 points on 46.3 percent.


Orlando started 19-13 while holding opponents to 98.4 per game on 43.7 percent, but those numbers have dropped to 107.1 and 47.4 since.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (713) WASHINGTON@ (714) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA against the spread in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 7 Wins and 24 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.4 units)


NBA > (705) PORTLAND@ (706) BOSTON | 2016-03-02 19:35:00 - 2016-03-02 19:35:00
Play ON BOSTON against the spread in All games when the total is greater than or equal to 210
The record is 23 Wins and 6 Losses for the last three seasons (+16.4 units)


NBA > (717) DETROIT@ (718) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO against the spread in All games in March games
The record is 24 Wins and 7 Losses for the last three seasons (+16.3 units)


NBA > (711) NEW ORLEANS@ (712) HOUSTON | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON HOUSTON against the spread in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 20 Wins and 6 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)


NBA > (701) CHICAGO@ (702) ORLANDO | 2016-03-02 19:05:00 - 2016-03-02 19:05:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO against the spread in All games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10 units)


----------------------


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (717) DETROIT@ (718) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games in March games
The record is 21 Wins and 2 Losses for the last three seasons (+18.75 units)


NBA > (705) PORTLAND@ (706) BOSTON | 2016-03-02 19:35:00 - 2016-03-02 19:35:00
Play ON BOSTON using money line in All games when the total is greater than or equal to 210
The record is 14 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+13.55 units)


NBA > (721) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (722) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-03-02 22:35:00 - 2016-03-02 22:35:00
Play AGAINST LA CLIPPERS using money line in All games when the total is greater than or equal to 210
The record is 6 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-20.75 units)


NBA > (711) NEW ORLEANS@ (712) HOUSTON | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON HOUSTON using money line in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 22 Wins and 4 Losses for the last two seasons (+18.05 units)


NBA > (715) INDIANA@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 5 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-21.75 units)


NBA > (713) WASHINGTON@ (714) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 10 Wins and 32 Losses for the last two seasons (-29.05 units)


NBA > (709) SACRAMENTO@ (710) MEMPHIS | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON MEMPHIS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 27 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+19.5 units)

NBA > (701) CHICAGO@ (702) ORLANDO | 2016-03-02 19:05:00 - 2016-03-02 19:05:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO using money line in All games in a road game where where the total is between 205 and 209.5 points
The record is 12 Wins and 34 Losses for the since 1992 (-32.75 units)



-----------------------


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (717) DETROIT@ (718) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games in March games
The record is 14 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.9 units)


NBA > (705) PORTLAND@ (706) BOSTON | 2016-03-02 19:35:00 - 2016-03-02 19:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+10.9 units)

NBA > (705) PORTLAND@ (706) BOSTON | 2016-03-02 19:35:00 - 2016-03-02 19:35:00
Play ON BOSTON ?>in the first halfin Home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 14 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+11.8 units)

NBA > (715) INDIANA@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA ?>in the first halfin All games in March games
The record is 7 Wins and 26 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.6 units)


NBA > (715) INDIANA@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA ?>in the first halfin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 23 Wins and 52 Losses for the last three seasons (-34.2 units)


NBA > (713) WASHINGTON@ (714) MINNESOTA | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 15 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.5 units)


NBA > (703) CHARLOTTE@ (704) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-03-02 19:05:00 - 2016-03-02 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA ?>in the first halfin All games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 7 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-17.2 units)


NBA > (709) SACRAMENTO@ (710) MEMPHIS | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play AGAINST SACRAMENTO ?>in the first halfin All games against Southwest division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10 units)


-------------------


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (707) UTAH@ (708) TORONTO | 2016-03-02 19:35:00 - 2016-03-02 19:35:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 237 Overs and 583 Unders for the since 1992 (+322.3 units)


NBA > (721) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (722) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-03-02 22:35:00 - 2016-03-02 22:35:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games after scoring 105 points or more
The record is 6 Overs and 23 Unders for the this season (+16.4 units)


NBA > (711) NEW ORLEANS@ (712) HOUSTON | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin All games off a upset loss as a favorite
The record is 4 Overs and 21 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.6 units)


NBA > (709) SACRAMENTO@ (710) MEMPHIS | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play OVER SACRAMENTO on the totalin Road games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 27 Overs and 7 Unders for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)

NBA > (717) DETROIT@ (718) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 31 Overs and 69 Unders for the last two seasons (+34.9 units)

NBA > (717) DETROIT@ (718) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 28 Overs and 66 Unders for the last three seasons (+35.2 units)


NBA > (709) SACRAMENTO@ (710) MEMPHIS | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play OVER MEMPHIS on the totalin Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 18 Overs and 5 Unders for the this season (+12.5 units)


NBA > (715) INDIANA@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 B][/B20:05:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 1 Overs and 12 Unders for the last two seasons (+10.9 units)


NBA > (709) SACRAMENTO@ (710) MEMPHIS | 2016-03-02 20:05:00 - 2016-03-02 20:05:00
Play OVER SACRAMENTO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 16 Overs and 3 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.7 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lakers (12-49) at Nuggets (23-37)
Date: March 02, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Kobe Bryant turned back the clock in his last appearance at the Pepsi Center, saying "I can still play a little bit" but stopping short of having second thoughts about retirement.


Now the future Hall of Famer is hoping to put on one final show there Wednesday night.


Returning to an area that likely conjures up some mixed emotions, Bryant is expected to return from a sore right shoulder against the Denver Nuggets as he tries to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to back-to-back victories.


Although the 37-year-old guard has missed the past two games for the Lakers (12-49), Bryant has made a concerted effort to play when visiting an arena for the last time.


He's averaged 29.8 points in eight playoff road games spanning three series against the Nuggets (23-37), including a six-gamer in the 2009 Western Conference finals.


Bryant scored 51 there Feb. 12, 2003, but was accused in a publicized sexual assault case in Colorado that same year. The charges were dropped, and a civil suit was settled out of court.


The 18-time All-Star looked like he did in his glory years as his 31 points led the Lakers to a 111-107 road win over the Nuggets on Dec. 22. He also held guard Will Barton to two second-half points after he had poured in 23 over the first two quarters.


"We didn't have anybody that could guard (Kobe),' Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.


This time, Bryant is expected to receive a tribute and more love from the crowd in his final visit. He's also hoping to help West-worst Los Angeles snap a six-game road losing streak and win two in a row overall for only the second time since a three-game run from Dec. 30-Jan. 3.


D'Angelo Russell had season highs of 39 points and eight 3-pointers - including two in the final minute - in Tuesday's 107-101 home win over Brooklyn that snapped an eight-game losing streak.


The point guard finished with the most points by a rookie this season and the most by a Lakers rookie in a regular-season game since Elgin Baylor had 55 on March 11, 1959.


'He just had one of those games where everything seemed to be falling in place for him,' coach Byron Scott said.


The Nuggets are 0-3 at home and 1-5 overall since the All-Star break. They shot 53.3 percent Monday but had 20 turnovers in a 103-96 loss to Memphis to open a seven-game homestand.


Denver is averaging 17.8 turnovers and allowing 109.5 points per game during this stretch.


'It's hard to beat a team when they shoot 36 free throws and we give up 30 points on turnovers,' said Gary Harris, who had 15 points. "We've just got to clean up those areas.'


Kenneth Faried has averaged 19 points and 11.3 rebounds over three straight double-doubles, but he's questionable with a sore back. The power forward led the way with a season-high 28 points and 15 rebounds in Denver's 120-109 road win over the Lakers on Nov. 3.


Harris finished with a career-high 21 points in the December matchup when the Nuggets lost for only the second time in the past 12 meetings. They'll be without leading scorer Danilo Gallinari for at least one month because of torn ligaments in his ankle.


Lakers guard Lou Williams is out after suffering a strained hamstring against the Nets.

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
March 2, 2016


Bulls at Magic – 7:05 PM EST


It’s been a roller coaster ride since the start of February for Chicago (30-29 SU, 23-36 ATS), who lost five straight games, followed by a three-game winning streak, while currently riding a three-game skid. The Bulls fell to the Heat on Tuesday, 129-111, allowing at least 100 points for the 14th straight contest (‘over’ is 8-6). Miami shot a scorching 67% from the floor last night as Chicago gave up its second-most points in regulation this season. The Bulls have struggled with no rest this season by posting a 4-7 SU/ATS mark, including a 1-5 SU/ATS record in the last six opportunities on the road.


Orlando (26-33 SU, 32-26-1 ATS) is also on the second of a back-to-back set, coming off a 121-108 defeat at Dallas as 4 ½-point underdogs. The Magic have given over 100 points in seven consecutive games, resulting in six ‘overs’ during this stretch, including four straight ‘overs’ at the Amway Center. Orlando and Chicago haven’t faced off since early November when the Bulls edged the Magic, 92-87 as eight-point home favorites.


Blazers at Celtics – 7:35 PM EST


It was a rocky start to the season for Portland (33-28 SU, 35-26 ATS), who began with a 3-10 record. The Blazers have heated up at the right time by winning 14 of their last 17 games, including each of the first three contests of their current six-game road swing. Portland cruised past New York last night, 104-85 as 4 ½-point favorites, as Terry Stotts’ club eclipsed the 100-point mark for the ninth straight game. The Blazers haven’t fared well on the second end of a back-to-back, going 3-10 SU and 5-8 ATS, but Portland won in its last opportunity in this situation at Indiana on Sunday as 5 ½-point ‘dogs, 111-102.


Past Golden State and San Antonio, the hottest home team in the league resides in Boston. The Celtics (36-25 SU, 34-26-1 ATS) have won 11 consecutive games at TD Garden with the last loss coming on January 6 against the Pistons. Boston rallied past Utah on Monday, 100-95 to grab the fortunate cover as 4 ½-point favorites. Brad Stevens’ team has busted the 100-point plateau in all 11 wins during this hot streak at home, but the ‘over’ has cashed only six times in this stretch. These teams are meeting for the first time this season as the Blazers have captured the last two matchups at TD Garden.


Jazz at Raptors – 7:35 PM EST


The race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference will come down to the wire between Utah and Houston, who are separated by a half-game entering Wednesday. The Jazz (28-31 SU, 28-31 ATS) have dropped six of eight games since a seven-game winning streak prior to the All-Star break, including Monday’s 100-95 defeat at Boston. Quin Snyder’s squad has lost four consecutive contests away from Salt Lake City, while posting a 4-8 record on the highway against Eastern Conference opponents.


Toronto (39-19 SU, 32-26 ATS) looks for the season split with Utah after losing in Salt Lake City in mid-November, 93-89 as 4 ½-point underdogs. The Raptors shoot for their 11th consecutive home victory, while trying to bounce back from a 114-101 defeat at Detroit on Sunday as point guard Kyle Lowry sat out to rest. Toronto has failed to cover in three of its last four opportunities as a home favorite, while the Raptors have posted the ‘over’ in four of six games since the All-Star break.


Pistons at Spurs – 8:05 PM EST


Out of nowhere, the Pistons (31-29 SU, 31-28-1 ATS) have won four straight games to forge above the .500 mark. Detroit cruised past Toronto on Sunday, 114-101 as all five Pistons’ starters finished in double-figures while the team shot 57% from the floor. Stan Van Gundy’s club closed out the first half with a 2-6 record in its final eight road games, but the Pistons have won two consecutive contests away from the Palace of Auburn Hills at Cleveland and Milwaukee. Detroit hasn’t fared well on the road against the West, posting a 5-8 SU/ATS record, including underdog losses to the Clippers, Thunder, and Warriors.


San Antonio (50-9 SU, 30-22 ATS) has won all 28 games at the AT&T Center this season, but hasn’t played at home since beating the Lakers on February 6. The Spurs finished off its annual Rodeo trip at 7-1 SU and 4-3 ATS, capped off by a 104-94 victory at Houston on Saturday as 5 ½-point favorites. San Antonio hits the road again on Thursday to visit New Orleans, as Gregg Popovich’s team has covered just once in its last five home games since 2011 in the first game back from the Rodeo trip. The Spurs go for the season sweep of the Pistons after winning at the Palace of Auburn Hills in mid-January, 109-99.


Thunder at Clippers – 10:35 PM EST


Oklahoma City (42-18 SU, 24-35-1 ATS) continues its four-game road trip following a 131-116 victory over Sacramento on Monday as 8 ½-point favorites. The Thunder had dropped four of its previous five games prior to the win over the Kings, as Billy Donovan’s team is riding a four-game ‘over’ streak. Kevin Durant drilled the game-winning jumper the last time these clubs met at Staples Center on December 21 as the Thunder edged the Clippers, 100-99 as two-point favorites as the last four matchups in Los Angeles have finished ‘under’ the total.


The Clippers (39-20 SU, 29-27-3 ATS) look to become the fourth Western Conference team to reach the 40-win mark as Los Angeles has won four of six games since the All-Star break. L.A. failed to cash as 12-point home favorites in Monday’s 105-95 victory over Brooklyn, while finishing ‘under’ the total for the eighth time in the past 10 games. The Clippers have fared well as home chalk of seven points or less, putting together a 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS record in their last seven times in this role.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack


-- Stetson 82, NJIT 67-- #7-seed upsets #2-seed in Atlantic Sun.


-- Lipscomb 92, Jacksonville 89 OT-- #6-seed will face Stetson in next round.


-- Oklahoma 73, Baylor 71-- Sooners led 26-5 early, survived huge comeback.


-- Indiana 81, Iowa 78-- Hawkeyes lost five of their last six games.


-- Dayton 85, Richmond 84-- Flyers were down 11 in second half.


-- Warriors 109, Hawks 105 OT-- Golden State won its last 43 home games.


**********


Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Happy birthday to Dr Seuss......


Today would've been Dr Seuss' 112th birthday; with that in mind, I'm adding one of his quotes at end of each note today.


13) Clippers' owner Steve Ballmer is a 59-year old, overweight bald man. Druing a timeout Monday night, Mr Ballmer dunked, using a trampoline. Thanks to him, I will never wonder what it would look like if I dunked using a trampoline, seeing as I am a 56-year old, overweight bald man. If you're wondering, it wasn't pretty.


Dr Seuss: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."


12) Golden State Warriors have now had 159 consecutive home sellouts.


Dr Seuss: "A person's a person, no matter how small."


11) Bernie Sanders raised $6M on Monday alone; he raised over $42M in month of February. He is very good at raising money.


Dr Seuss: "Oh the things you can find, if you don't stand behind."


10) Aroldis Chapman got suspended 30 games for violating the domestic violence policy; based on his $11,325,000 salary, looks like he is being docked a total of just about $2,097,222.22.


Dr Seuss: "Today I shall behave, as if today is the day I will be remembered."


9) Sam Bradford gets $36M for two years from the Eagles; good luck there. He has a 25-37-1 career W-L record, with zero playoff appearances in six years.


Dr Seuss: "From there to here and here to there, funny things are everywhere."


8) Tampa Bay Rays are playing the Cuban National team in Havana March 22, which is really a breakthrough in international relations.


Dr Seuss: "You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut."


7) City of San Francisco raised the smoking age to 21 this week. I personally think smoking should be illegal, since it helps to kill people, but nobody asked me.


Dr Seuss: "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."


6) Spring training logistics must be interesting; so many players have to be given a chance to show themselves; its not like the egular season, when the best guys play the most. Cleveland has 22 pitchers in its big league camp; coaches ahve to script who gets how many innings and when. Takes a lot of planning.


Dr Seuss: "Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."


5) Michigan loses its star player Caris LeVert for the season; he had only played one game since New Year's, but now it is offical that his college career is over.


Dr Seuss: "Don't cry because its over. Smile because it happened."


4) Dillon Avare is a walk-on basketball player at Louisville who will graduate from Louisville in three years, then transfer and play at Eastern Kentucky on scholarship. Why is he at Louisville? His dad is Rick Pitino's business manager. Why is he going to EKU? EKU's coach Dan McHale used to be a manager for Rick Pitino at Kentucky.


Dr Seuss: "You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."


3) Colorado Rockies are raising fences in right-center field 8 feet and down the left field line 5 feet. They might raise all the fences for the 2017 season.


Dr Seuss: "From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere."


2) Kansas City Royals rewarded catcher Salvador Perez for his leadership and great play with a 5-year, $52.5M contract extension. Much deserved.


Dr Seuss: "Unlike someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better. Its not."


1) I like to watch the credits at the end of movies; not sure why. Was watching one of my favorite movies Leap of Faith the other night and noticed this in the credits:


Cons and Frauds Consultant-- Ricky Jay


Leap of Faith is about a travelling preacher who scams people into giving him money by making them think he can heal their illnesses, or fix their problems. Not sure if the credit is a joke or if they really did have a fraud consultant, but it made me laugh.


Dr Seuss: "Step with care and great tact. And remember that life is a great balancing act."

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Wednesday, March 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings with the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers (-1, 220)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have halted a mini-slump while the Los Angeles Clippers have a winning streak for the first time since Feb. 5-8. The two squads square off in Los Angeles on Wednesday when All-Star point guards Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul figure to wage another fierce battle.

Westbrook had 33 points to Paul's 32 and that one point was the difference as the Thunder posted a 100-99 victory over the Clippers on Dec. 21. Westbrook tuned up for the outing on Monday by posting his ninth triple-double of the campaign - 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists - as Oklahoma City opened a four-game road trip with a 131-116 win over the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder had dropped four of five games before that victory while Los Angeles recorded a 105-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday for its second straight victory. Paul had 23 points and 12 assists against the Nets for his fourth straight double-double.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Oklahoma, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

LINE: The early overnight odds out of Nevada have this game pegged as a pick'em with the total set at 222 points. Books opened with the Clippers as 1-point home favorites with the total at 220.

POWER RANKINGS: Oklahoma City (-10.7) - Los Angeles (-9) + home court (-3.0) = Los Angeles = -1.3

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Oklahoma City has played a much tougher schedule than the Los Angeles Clippers since the All-Star break. The Thunder haven’t fared well in those step-up games, but I expect they’ll be ready for this game against the Clippers. Los Angeles is just 2-2 SU in its last four home games, and Oklahoma City won on this court back in mid-December."

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The Thunder roll into the Staples center on the first game of a back to back (in Golden State Thursday). The Clippers have been on a bit of a roll as of late, winning 7 out of their past 10. The Thunder are +1 dogs on the road but are getting the bulk of the early action so far."

ABOUT THE THUNDER (42-18): All-Star forward Kevin Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the victory over the Kings and he wasn't shy about expressing why the win was important. "It was huge for us," Durant told reporters. "We'd lost four of five, so if we lose, you guys are going to act like the world is going to end, and nobody in here is laughing or feeling good. It's been an emotional roller coaster for us the past couple of weeks. It was nice to come in here and chill after coasting to a win." Oklahoma City's offense was clicking as it shot 57.3 percent from the field and made 14 3-pointers, while backup center Enes Kanter scored 23 points on 11-of-11 shooting.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (39-20): Los Angeles has won consecutive games for the first time since a three-game winning streak in early February and trail the Thunder by 2 1/2 games in the battle for third place in the Western Conference. Backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford poured in 26 points against the Nets and he has been superb with 10 20-point outings in the past 14 games. "I got in a pretty good rhythm," Crawford said after the Brooklyn game. "We just see what's working for us on a particular night. I have the easy part of just shooting. Those guys are drawing up plays and getting open, so credit to them as well."

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Los Angeles.
* Thunder are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Los Angeles.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Road team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
* Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, March 2

Hot teams
-- Hornets won six of their last eight games (3-5AF).
-- Portland won eight of its last nine games (5-2 last 7AU). Boston won four of its last five games (8-2 last 10HF).
-- Toronto won four of its last five games (6-2 last 8HF).
-- Kings won five of their last seven games (4-2 last 6HF).
-- Pelicans won five of their last eight games (5-3 last 8AU).
-- Wizards won six of their last eight games (3-2AF).
-- Minnesota won four of last six home games (5-0 last 5HU).
-- Spurs won their last five games (11-6 last 17HF). Detroit won its last four games (5-4 last 9AU).
-- Clippers won three of last four games (6-4 last 10HF).

Cold teams
-- Bulls lost their last five road games (2-6 last 8AU). Orlando lost three of its last five games (6-7HF).
-- 76ers lost last nine games, covered one of last six.
-- Utah lost four of its last five games (2-8 last 10AU).
-- Sacramento lost its last three games (0-4 last 4AU).
-- Rockets lost six of their last eight games (1-4 last 5HF).
-- Minnesota lost four of its last six games (5-1 last 6HU).
-- Pacers lost four of their last five games (4-2 last 6AF).
-- Denver lost five of its last six games (1-5HF). Lakers lost seven of their last eight games (4-0 last 4AU).
-- Thunder lost four of its last six games (2-2AU).

Series records
-- Bulls won five of last seven games with Orlando.
-- Hornets won five of last six games with Philly.
-- Celtics lost four of last five games with Portland.
-- Raptors won four of last five games with Utah.
-- Grizzlies won nine of last ten games with Sacramento.
-- Pelicans lost four of last five games with Houston.
-- Home side won last six Washington-Minnesota games.
-- Pacers won seven of last ten games with Milwaukee.
-- Spurs won three of last four games with Detroit.
-- Lakers lost eight of last ten games with Denver.
-- Clippers lost six of last nine games with Oklahoma City.

Totals
-- Five of last six Orlando games went over total.
-- Four of last five Charlotte games stayed under.
-- Seven of last eight Portland games went over.
-- Five of last seven Toronto games went over.
-- Eight of last nine Sacramento games went over.
-- Six of last eight New Orleans games went over.
-- Nine of last ten Minnesota games went over.
-- Last four Indiana-Milwaukee games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight Detroit games stayed under total.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Laker-Denver games.
-- Under is 5-2 in last seven Thunder-Clipper games.

Back/backs
-- Chicago covered two of last nine if it played night before. Orlando lost five of last six games, if it played night before.
-- Charlotte is 2-7 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Portland covered four of last six on road if it played night before.
-- Lakers are 8-5 vs spread if they played night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Wednesday, March 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. ORLANDO
Chicago is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chicago's last 15 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Orlando's last 15 games when playing at home against Chicago

7:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games
Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games

7:30 PM
UTAH vs. TORONTO
Utah is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games at home
Toronto is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games

7:30 PM
PORTLAND vs. BOSTON
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Portland
Boston is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Portland

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. MILWAUKEE
Indiana is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. MEMPHIS
Sacramento is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Sacramento is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
Memphis is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Sacramento
Memphis is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games

8:00 PM
DETROIT vs. SAN ANTONIO
Detroit is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of San Antonio's last 12 games when playing Detroit

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Washington's last 19 games on the road
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 9 games

8:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. HOUSTON
New Orleans is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games

9:00 PM
LA LAKERS vs. DENVER
LA Lakers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 8 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Denver's last 8 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Denver is 10-2 SU in their last 12 games when playing LA Lakers

10:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. LA CLIPPERS
Oklahoma City is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
LA Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, March 2


Chicago @ Orlando

Game 701-702
March 2, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
112.467
Orlando
117.942
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 5 1/2
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 3
210 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-3); Under

Charlotte @ Philadelphia

Game 703-704
March 2, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
121.450
Philadelphia
111.400
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Charlotte
by 10
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Charlotte
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
N/A

Portland @ Boston

Game 705-706
March 2, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
123.584
Boston
125.694
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2
223
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 5 1/2
216 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(+5 1/2); Over

Utah @ Toronto

Game 707-708
March 2, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
117.337
Toronto
120.283
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 3
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 6
193 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+6); Over

Sacramento @ Memphis

Game 709-710
March 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
113.469
Memphis
122.436
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Memphis
by 9
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Memphis
N/A

New Orleans @ Houston

Game 711-712
March 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
114.912
Houston
122.714
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 8
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
N/A

Washington @ Minnesota

Game 713-714
March 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
119.237
Minnesota
112.686
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 6 1/2
225
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 3
220
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-3); Over

Indiana @ Milwaukee

Game 715-716
March 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
121.996
Milwaukee
116.796
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 5
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 2
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-2); Over

Detroit @ San Antonio

Game 717-718
March 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
117.023
San Antonio
130.258
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 13
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 10 1/2
200 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-10 1/2); Over

LA Lakers @ Denver

Game 719-720
March 2, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
110.175
Denver
120.007
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 10
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 6 1/2
211 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(-6 1/2); Over

Oklahoma City @ LA Clippers

Game 721-722
March 2, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
125.965
LA Clippers
122.801
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 3
214
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 1
221
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(+1); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, March 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO (30 - 29) at ORLANDO (26 - 33) - 3/2/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 23-36 ATS (-16.6 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) against Southeast division opponents this season.
CHICAGO is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more this season.
CHICAGO is 28-42 ATS (-18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 7-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-3 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLOTTE (31 - 28) at PHILADELPHIA (8 - 52) - 3/2/2016, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-4 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 6-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTLAND (33 - 28) at BOSTON (36 - 25) - 3/2/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 82-62 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
BOSTON is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 51-34 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
PORTLAND is 35-26 ATS (+6.4 Units) in all games this season.
PORTLAND is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 2-2 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UTAH (28 - 31) at TORONTO (39 - 19) - 3/2/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-0 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-1 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SACRAMENTO (24 - 34) at MEMPHIS (35 - 24) - 3/2/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 5-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 8-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (23 - 35) at HOUSTON (29 - 31) - 3/2/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 7-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (29 - 30) at MINNESOTA (19 - 41) - 3/2/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 61-78 ATS (-24.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 332-392 ATS (-99.2 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 44-67 ATS (-29.7 Units) against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 2-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANA (31 - 29) at MILWAUKEE (25 - 35) - 3/2/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
INDIANA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
MILWAUKEE is 46-71 ATS (-32.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 335-402 ATS (-107.2 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 59-85 ATS (-34.5 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 22-37 ATS (-18.7 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-4 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 7-3 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (31 - 29) at SAN ANTONIO (50 - 9) - 3/2/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 414-349 ATS (+30.1 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-7 ATS (+16.3 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 195-147 ATS (+33.3 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 264-216 ATS (+26.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 57-42 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 123-88 ATS (+26.2 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA LAKERS (12 - 49) at DENVER (23 - 37) - 3/2/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 6-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 7-2 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OKLAHOMA CITY (42 - 18) at LA CLIPPERS (39 - 20) - 3/2/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-27 ATS (-13.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 183-243 ATS (-84.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-6 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-6 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

Warriors sway 73-win odds in their favor


For months, the prevailing question in NBA circles has revolved about how seriously to take Golden State’s pursuit of 73 wins, which would shatter the all-time mark of 72-10 held by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.


According to ESPN chalk, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened the prop "Will Golden State win 73 or more games in the 2015-16 regular season" on Nov. 24, when the Warriors opened 15-0, offering +500 odds to back the run and making ‘no’ a remarkably heavy -700 favorite.


Throughout January, odds steadily started tilting in Golden State’s favor as the team continued to maintain Chicago’s pace from 20 years ago, steadily decreasing to the point where betting the affirmative trickled all the way down to paying out even money before the Warriors actually became a favorite to do so.


Following Saturday night’s miraculous comeback OT win, Jeff Sherman, WestgateLV’s SuperBook manager, tweeted out an update. The new odds listed the 53-5 Warriors at -300 to break the record while placing +250 on no, returning 2.5-times your investment if you feel it’s time to fade them. Entering March, the Warriors are now universally favored to make history by becoming the first NBA team to get through an 82-game schedule without a double-digit number in the loss column.


Sportsbook.ag has Golden State at -265 to win at least 73 while paying +210 on them falling short.


Time to fade GSW run at history arrives


If you’re going to take a contrarian’s approach, now is definitely the time to do it. March opened with both Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala absent from the month’s first shootaround due to injuries. Curry’s ankle predictably is feeling the effects from being twisted and then stepped on by Russell Westbrook, while Iguodala is dealing with a sore hamstring. They both may play against Atlanta since an unbeaten run at Oracle Arena is also on the line, but the fact that they’re currently ailing should be cause for concern. Curry, as of 1 PM PT on Tuesday afternoon, will be a game-time decision.


Head coach Steve Kerr has already intimated that the Warriors will be erring on the side of caution this close to the playoffs. While there’s no question he’d take great pride in coaching the team that breaks the record of the legendary team he played on, his primary responsibility lies in doing whatever he can to ensure the Warriors are healthy as they attempt to defend their title.


Say Curry tries to gut it through this injury and he aggravates it further? The Warriors can’t afford to be without him. Since drafting him in ’09, Golden State is 18-44 (.290) in games he’s missed. While most of that came before this current run to prominence, the Warriors are 1-3 over the past two seasons without him.


Beyond losing their top player for even a game, the fact is that Golden State’s brilliance is predicated on the key components being whole. While the team has survived injuries to centers Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli, the core of Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and super sub Iguodala has remained remarkably healthy. Each has missed two games or less this season. That’s two of the NBA’s top shooters, one of its most versatile players and an elite defender all joining forces. You’re going to need to count on that group remaining intact over the final 24 games, which is tenuous given the current status of Curry and Iguodala.


Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson may not have an ally in Kerr here, but they’ve got mercenaries on all 17 teams that make up Golden State’s remaining opposition. To pull off a 73-9 record, GSW will have to finish a minimum of 20-4. While that winning percentage (.833) pales in comparison to the .914 clip it has accomplished to date, its no small feat.


The Warriors will have to face the Thunder again on Thursday night and will see the Spurs three times, including twice over the last four contests. The Mavericks, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves and Grizzlies are each up twice, while the Clippers, Celtics and Wizards are among the more challenging teams who will come through Oakland.


If Golden State pulls off this record, it will definitely have earned it. Currently, it's more lucrative to bet they won't.


Curry is looking to make it three straight games with at least 10 3-pointers the next time he takes the floor, so it’s understandable why the odds have shifted so dramatically of late. The reigning MVP is doing things we’ve never seen before. More than 5 million viewers watched Curry’s Jordan-esque performance on Saturday night in Oklahoma City, so there’s definitely a “prisoner of the moment” theory in play.


In spite of an injury everyone saw and with another primetime national showcase on tap, the odds of Golden State making history have skewed to cartoon-like proportions.


Golden State’s next loss will send the odds back closer to even money, so if you’re looking to get in on 72-10 or worse, the time is now.


If you’re with the Warriors, definitely wait. The inclination here is that their sixth loss comes sooner than later.

 

[CNOTES]

MARCH RECORD: 3 - 3


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




CHI at ORL 07:00 PM


ORL -4.5 BEST BET




CHA at PHI 07:00 PM


CHA -9.5




UTA at TOR 07:30 PM


UTA +5.5




POR at BOS 07:30 PM


POR +6.0 BEST BET




SAC at MEM 08:00 PM


MEM -3.5


U 214.0 BEST BET




DET at SA 08:00 PM


SA -11.0




WAS at MIN 08:00 PM


WAS -2.5 BEST BET




IND at MIL 08:00 PM


IND -3.0




NO at HOU 08:00 PM


HOU -6.0 BEST BET




LAL at DEN 09:00 PM


DEN -8.0




OKC at LAC 10:30 PM


LAC -1.5 BEST BET

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Suns (15-45) at Heat (34-26)
Date: March 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

While much of their success has been predicated on their defense, the Miami Heat seem to be taking things to another level at the other end with Joe Johnson on board.


There's little reason to believe that won't continue against the swingman's former team.


The Heat look to build on a record-setting offensive performance Thursday night when they chase their 12th straight win over the Phoenix Suns, who hope to avoid a dubious streak on the road.


Miami (34-26) leads the Southeast Division by 1 1/2 games, mostly because it has allowed an Eastern Conference-low 96.9 points per game - a mark that ranks second in the NBA.


The Heat haven't been nearly as prolific offensively, sitting near the bottom of the league with 97.5 points per game and last with a 31.9 3-point percentage. They made a move to improve in that area Saturday, signing Johnson off waivers from Brooklyn.


The 34-year-old had averaged 13.4 points with a 46.0 3-point percentage in his last 25 games with the Nets. Now he's providing a spark for the Heat, totaling 36 points on 15-of-23 (65.2 percent) shooting from the field over back-to-back victories.


'Great pickup, Heat,' center Hassan Whiteside said of Johnson, who played in Phoenix from 2002-05. 'He's an amazing player and I'm glad he's on our side.'


Johnson finished with 24 points in Tuesday's 129-111 home win over Chicago. Whiteside scored 26 with 14 rebounds and is averaging 20.0 and 15.7 over six straight double-doubles.


Luol Deng contributed 20 points, Dwyane Wade added 18 and seven assists and former Sun Goran Dragic had 17 and 11 as Miami scored a season-high point total and shot a franchise-record 67.5 percent - which also matched the NBA's top effort in the last 18 years.


"It's five-man basketball, guys are making the right play and if you see somebody open you follow the fundamental law of basketball and throw it to them," coach Erik Spoelstra said.


Spoelstra's club looks to improve to 6-2 since losing leading scorer Chris Bosh indefinitely because of a blood clot in his leg. There hasn't been any updates on his condition of late.


Phoenix (15-45) could have a tough time containing Miami since it ranks near the bottom of the league in defensive scoring (107.9) and field-goal percentage (47.2). The Suns have been even worse on the road, allowing 114.0 points on 50.2 percent shooting during a 16-game losing streak that is their longest since dropping a team-record 17 straight during the 1973-74 season.


"A lot of it is immaturity, not in a bad way, but just in a realistic way," interim coach Earl Watson said.


Alex Len had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Mirza Teletovic scored 17 on Tuesday as Phoenix let Charlotte hit 13 of 27 from 3-point range in a 126-92 road defeat. Len has averaged 18.0 points and 11.0 boards in his last five games, while Teletovic has scored 17.8 and made 43.1 percent from beyond the arc over his past 10.


Wade led the way with 27 points and Dragic added 22 on Jan. 8 when Miami won 103-95 at Phoenix. The Heat have scored 113.6 per game while taking the last five home matchups by an average of 17.6 points.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Spurs (51-9) at Pelicans (23-36)
Date: March 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Back to playing outstanding defensively now that Kawhi Leonard has returned, the San Antonio Spurs are also getting some big production from the All-Star at the other end.


Now they might be facing banged-up nemesis Anthony Davis at an opportune time.


While the New Orleans Pelicans hope to spark a run to the postseason, the already playoff-bound Spurs will try to end their longest current road skid versus an opponent Thursday night.


San Antonio easily leads the league with 92.3 points allowed per game, but it surrendered 109.7 over a three-game stretch from Feb. 18-21 when Leonard was sidelined with a calf injury.


With the reigning Defensive Player of the Year back, the Spurs have returned to their stingy ways by holding opponents to an average of 86.3 points in their past four games. They limited Detroit to 39.7 percent shooting in Thursday's 97-81 home victory.


Leonard also led the way offensively with 27 points and San Antonio (51-9) joined Golden State as the only teams to clinch spots in the postseason so far. Leonard has found his stroke, averaging 27.7 points on 62 percent shooting over his last three games.


'It's not about (making the playoffs)," said LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 23. "This is my first year here, but even for me it's not about that. I think we have a bigger picture in mind.'


The Spurs will go after their seventh straight win as they hit the road for the ninth time in 10 games, though their recent visits to New Orleans haven't gone so well. They've dropped their last three at the Smoothie King Center following a 104-90 loss there on Nov. 20.


Ryan Anderson finished with 30 points while making 6 of 11 from 3-point range in that contest and Davis contributed 20 points and 18 rebounds. Davis has given the mighty Spurs all they can handle, averaging 23.5 and 12.9 over eight consecutive double-doubles in the series.


The All-Star big man, however, didn't seem like himself Wednesday after returning from a one-game absence due to a sprained toe. He had 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting in a 100-95 loss at Houston that dropped the Pelicans six games behind the eighth-place Rockets with 23 left.


Norris Cole finished with 21 points as New Orleans held Houston to 3-of-34 shooting from 3-point range but committed 23 turnovers and sent the Rockets to the free-throw line 38 times.


"We come out here after every game and we talk about 'We're still in the playoffs,'" coach Alvin Gentry said. "No, we're not. We're not."


The Spurs, who have dropped four of the past six meetings with the Pelicans (23-36), shot just 3 for 14 from 3-point range and went to the foul line nine times against the Pistons.


Aldridge will try to stay hot after totaling 49 points and 26 rebounds in his last two games. He's averaged 25.6 points in his past seven versus New Orleans dating to his time with Portland.


Leonard has scored a combined 48 points on 54.1 percent shooting in this season's series.


San Antonio received some good news Wednesday when Manu Ginobili said he's pain free and will return next week after missing a month following testicle surgery. The guard took a knee directly to the groin from Anderson in a 110-97 home win over New Orleans on Feb. 3.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (24-35) at Mavericks (33-28)
Date: March 03, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

A strategic tweak has opened things up offensively for the Dallas Mavericks, who are looking to continue a late-season playoff push during this critical six-game homestand.


The defensively challenged Sacramento Kings are just trying to remain in the chase.


With Rajon Rondo hopeful to play in Dallas for the first time since a contentious split, the Mavericks seek their longest winning streak since late December on Thursday night when they try to extend the NBA's second-longest run at home versus an opponent.


Since averaging 91.8 points on 41.2 percent shooting during a five-game stretch from Jan. 29-Feb. 5 that culminated in three straight defeats, Dallas (33-28) has turned things around by scoring 117.5 per game and shooting 47.6 percent over its last eight.


"We made an easy adjustment, and mainly it was me," center Zaza Pachulia explained. "It's with the spacing. Don't block or run closer to the shooters and the penetrators."


The Mavericks rank among the NBA's leaders with a 39.4 3-point percentage since Feb. 6.


Wesley Matthews had 21 points to lead five players with at least 17 on Tuesday when they shot a season-high 55.8 percent, including 9 for 19 from long range, in a 121-108 home win over Orlando.


Chandler Parsons, who scored 17, has hit 52.1 percent from deep over his last eight games.


Dallas took over sole possession of sixth place in the Western Conference with Portland's loss Wednesday. The club appears to have a good opportunity to continue its surge and close out the homestand with its first four-game win streak since Dec. 23-30.


The Kings (24-35) have fallen five games out of a playoff spot after dropping four in a row. They've been porous defensively, allowing an average of 115.8 points during a 4-12 stretch.


Sacramento played better at that end Wednesday when DeMarcus Cousins had 18 points and 16 rebounds and Rondo added 17 assists in a 104-98 loss to Memphis to open a four-game trip.


"We just have to be aware and show urgency from the beginning of the game," Cousins said, "and not when somebody lights a flame under our (butts)."


Coach George Karl said he hopes Rondo can play after tweaking his ankle in the fourth quarter. The point guard was acquired by the Mavericks in a trade with Boston last season and had a tumultuous 46-game stint that included clashes with coach Rick Carlisle.


The relationship ended when Carlisle said Rondo had a back injury and wouldn't play again two games into a five-game playoff loss to Houston in the first round last April.


Rondo avoided pregame boos by sneaking to the bench during Dallas introductions Jan. 5 when Deron Williams had 25 points and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in the second overtime to give Dallas a 117-116 victory.


The Mavericks escaped with their 22nd consecutive home win in the series, which is second only to San Antonio's 32 straight against Golden State.


Cousins led Sacramento with 35 points and 17 rebounds in the January defeat. Rudy Gay added 31 points but now could be out for a third straight game with a strained shoulder.


Cousins is averaging 30.3 points and 13.3 rebounds in his last four versus Dallas. The two-time All-Star led the way with 31 points in a 112-98 home victory Nov. 30.