Cnotes National Basketball League December Picks/Trends/News !!

[CNOTES]

Preview: Heat (14-9) at Nets (7-17)
Date: December 16, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Hassan Whiteside has played a key role on the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference.


That's why it's hard to imagine the Miami Heat parting ways with the shot-blocking center.


The trade winds, however, seem to be swirling as the visiting Heat try to win their seventh consecutive meeting with the offensively challenged Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.


Whiteside easily leads the NBA with 4.0 blocks per game - a mark that would surpass Mark Eaton's 3.5 as the highest in league history. With the 7-footer guarding the rim, Miami leads the East in defensive scoring (93.6) and is near the top in defensive field-goal percentage (42.0).


Whiteside finished with eight points, 13 rebounds and three blocks as the Heat (14-9) held Atlanta to 39.3 percent shooting and 8 for 33 from 3-point range in Monday's 100-88 road victory.


But because Whiteside is expected to be a max-level free agent next season, reports surfaced this week that he's being shopped in potential trades involving Houston's Dwight Howard and Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins. Miami, however, insists there are no truth to the rumors.


The Heat expect to have Whiteside patrolling the middle as they try to win back-to-back road games for the first time. They swept all four meetings with the Nets (7-17) last season after winning the final two games in a second-round playoff series in 2014.


Dwyane Wade could bounce back after finishing with seven points on 3-of-16 shooting against the Hawks. He's averaged 27.3 points in his last four meetings, including that postseason series.


Chris Bosh led the way against Atlanta with 24 points while hitting 4 of 6 from 3-point range and pulling down 10 rebounds. Gerald Green added 20 points and Luol Deng scored 18 with nine boards as Miami, 3-5 on the road, scored 100 away from home for the first time.


'We've got to bring this every game,' Green said. 'When the season ends, we want to be competing for a world championship.'


The Heat hope to continue that production against a Brooklyn team that has given up an average of 104.7 points and a 47.6 field-goal percentage while dropping four of six. The Nets allowed Orlando to shoot 53.9 percent in Monday's 105-82 home defeat.


They had reached 100 points in a season-best three straight games before finishing with a 38.3 field-goal percentage. Brooklyn ranks last in the league in 3-point percentage (30.7) and near the bottom in scoring (96.0), though the team is just ahead of Miami (95.8).


Jarrett Jack had 15 points and seven assists against the Magic, but Brook Lopez had 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting with only six rebounds. The 7-foot center has a tough matchup with Whiteside after averaging 10.7 points over his last three games.


"I kind of let us down and pulled us back," Lopez said. "I definitely need to be better.'


Brooklyn, seeking to break even on this six-game homestand, has scored 89.2 per game on 42.3 percent shooting while dropping 21 of the past 26 meetings with Miami, including the postseason.


Heat guard Goran Dragic is expected to play despite having a tooth knocked out Monday. He's averaged 19.6 points in his last five games against Brooklyn dating to his time with Phoenix.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Timberwolves (9-14) at Knicks (11-14)
Date: December 16, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

While Karl-Anthony Towns has broken through what may have been an early rookie wall, struggling Kristaps Porzingis insists he isn't sure what that means.


In a matchup pitting two of the top four picks in this year's draft, Towns will try to help the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves avoid their eighth loss in nine games Wednesday night against Porzingis and the New York Knicks.


After he was selected first overall in the June draft, Towns - a New Jersey native - watched as Knicks fans booed the selection of Porzingis three picks later.


Both players, however, have justified those selections by earning the NBA Rookie of the Month award for their respective conferences in November. That doesn't surprise Towns heading into his first head-to-head matchup with the 7-foot-1 forward.


"(Porzingis) is very tall. I know that from the get," Towns said. "I heard he was very talented coming out and I'm just glad that he's been able to make my way up home proud."


Towns averaged 15.8 points and 10.6 rebounds over his first 12 games before encountering his first rough patch. He scored 8.4 per game over a five-game stretch from Nov. 23-Dec. 1.


The 6-foot-11 center has regrouped nicely, averaging 18.5 points on 61.3 percent shooting over his last six contests. He scored 18 to go along with six boards in Tuesday's 112-100 home loss to Denver that extended Minnesota's losing streak to three.


Porzingis, meanwhile, has become a fan favorite in the city that booed him in June. He averaged 14.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in his first 22 games before totaling 17 points on 6-of-25 (24.0 percent) shooting on New York's three-game western trip.


The Latvian sensation is confident he'll be able to get on track after missing all six of his field-goal attempts in his first scoreless effort Saturday, a 112-110 win at Portland.


"It's a couple of bad games," Porzingis insisted. "It happens. It happens to all of us, not only rookies. I'm just looking forward to the next game. I'm preparing myself as good as I can. I don't really know what a rookie wall is."


Porzingis should get some open looks against a Minnesota team that has allowed an average of 112.0 points and a 48.4 field-goal percentage over its last six games. The Timberwolves (9-15) let the Nuggets shoot 56.2 percent and 10 of 18 from beyond the arc.


Afterward, coach Sam Mitchell hinted that it was time to change the starting lineup.


"I want to sleep on it and make sure,' he said.


Minnesota swept last season's series with New York (11-14) for the first time since 2006-07 and has won the past two trips to Madison Square Garden. Kevin Martin had 22 points and Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins added 20 apiece in a 95-92 overtime win there March 19 in what was then a battle between the league's two worst teams.


Wiggins finished with 23 points and LaVine scored 20 on Tuesday. Wiggins leads the Wolves with 20.6 points per game, while LaVine has totaled 38 in his last two.


New York also has slipped defensively, allowing 105.0 points per game and a 46.9 field-goal percentage over its last five. Carmelo Anthony helped make up for those shortcomings Saturday with a season high-tying 37 points as the club ended its second four-game skid of the season.


The Knicks have won consecutive games once since a four-game run in mid-November.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Celtics (14-11) at Pistons (14-12)
Date: December 16, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

It doesn't seem like the Boston Celtics have made much of an effort to hide their desire to acquire All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in recent months.


With the Sacramento Kings now listening to offers, the Celtics have reportedly jumped back into the mix ahead of their matchup with emerging big man Andre Drummond.


As the Cousins rumor continues to swirl, Boston will try to regroup from an ugly home loss with its fifth win in six road games Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons.


The Celtics first became linked to Cousins when the teams met in February. According to reports, general manager Danny Ainge was then pushing to get a deal done during the offseason after it seemed coach George Karl and Cousins couldn't co-exist.


Having collected a number of young players and draft picks, Boston has reportedly expressed interest once again with Sacramento now testing the market.


The Celtics (14-11) have been starting 6-foot-9 Jared Sullinger in the middle. Sullinger, whose name has been included in potential trade scenarios for Cousins, has been struggling with just 6.7 points per game and a 29.5 field-goal percentage in his last seven.


Boston certainly could use some interior size as it seeks to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since Nov. 22 and 24 following Tuesday's 89-77 home loss to Cleveland.


Since scoring 109.8 per game over their previous six, the Celtics have averaged 87.5 on 37.2 percent shooting in their last two. They could have a tough time getting on track against a Detroit team that ranks in the top 10 in defensive scoring (97.7).


"For whatever reason we were in mud a little bit on offense," coach Brad Stevens told the team's official website after falling to the Cavaliers.


The Celtics rank in the bottom third of the league with a minus-2.6 rebounding margin, while the Pistons are in the top five with a plus-3.5 mark. Drummond has had his way with undersized Boston, averaging 20.8 points on 61.5 percent from the field and 18.4 boards in the past five meetings.


Drummond averages an NBA-best 16.3 rebounds and ranks third among all centers with a career-best 17.7 scoring average. He had 20 points and 15 boards in Monday's 105-103 overtime home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that ended a two-game winning streak.


Reggie Jackson finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The point guard is averaging 23.3 points while shooting 45.3 percent from 3-point range at home.


Kentavious Caldwell-Pope totaled 37 points in the first two of this three-game stay for the Pistons (14-12), who have averaged 106.7 points during a 6-3 stretch overall.


"I like our group," coach Stan Van Gundy told the team's official website. "It's stepping up and competing hard against good teams. We're right there."


Drummond had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Jackson added 21 and 15 assists, but Boston snapped a six-game losing streak at Detroit in a 113-103 win April 8.


Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 34 points and was 4 of 8 from 3-point range in that contest. The point guard, who averages a team-high 20.5 points, will try to bounce back after he had a season-low 12 on 3-of-15 shooting against the Cavs.


Guard Avery Bradley has scored 19.7 per game and hit 10 3-pointers in his last three.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: 76ers (1-25) at Hawks (14-12)
Date: December 16, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks have shot their way into a slump against some of the NBA's elite. They may be able to shoot their way out of it against the league's worst team.


The Hawks seek to snap a three-game skid and keep the Philadelphia 76ers winless on the road as the teams meet Wednesday night.


Atlanta (14-12) set out to prove its 60-win 2014-15 campaign wasn't a fluke by starting 7-1. The Hawks, though, have since dropped 11 of 18 and are trying to avoid a fourth consecutive loss for the first time since a six-game losing streak March 21-29, 2014.


Their shooting woes continued with Monday's 100-88 home loss to Miami, making 39.3 percent of their shots and 8 of 33 from 3-point range. Those long-distance issues have been one of the reasons Atlanta has regressed this season - it's 18th in the league in 3-point shooting at 34.1 percent after finishing second to reigning champion Golden State last season at 38.0.


"Obviously we're not playing well and we have to find a way to fight through this, to work through this," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We're having a hard time sustaining or fighting through any kind of adversity ... if things don't go well you have to go to the next play, the next possession, whatever it may be and I think that's an area we haven't been good recently."


Atlanta's skid can partially be attributed to its schedule - Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Miami are a combined 51-22 and lead their divisions, while the 76ers alone have more losses at 1-25.


Kyle Korver has typified the Hawks' troubles on the perimeter. After shooting a league-best 49.2 percent from 3-point range and making at least four 3s in 27 games last season, the 13-year veteran is connecting at a 39.0 percent clip and done so just twice thus far.


Jeff Teague is also looking for a slump-buster after totaling 11 points against the Spurs and Heat while shooting 2 for 17.


'I think I've been the worst of everyone,' Teague said. 'I have to step up and play a lot better.'


Budenholzer did get one positive from juggling his lineup Monday, as Kent Bazemore scored a career-high 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting while replacing Thabo Sefolosha.


As the Hawks fight their way through their offensive woes, the 76ers continue to battle them in every phase of the game. The young team again absorbed another painful lesson Monday in Chicago, scoring 37 points in the second quarter - Philadelphia's most in any quarter this season - but doing little else right in a 115-96 defeat.


"We had had a good second period and you knew they were going to come out of the locker room like they did," coach Brent Brown said after his team fell to 0-15 on the road. "The young guys need to learn how to get through that. It's a 48-minute game.'


Jahlil Okafor has averaged 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds his last four games, further moving past his two-game suspension for fighting outside a Boston nightclub. The rookie center likely will bear more of the burden in the paint since Nerlens Noel is expected to miss a second straight game with a corneal abrasion of the left eye.


The 76ers snapped a seven-game skid against Atlanta with a 92-84 win March 7, but the Hawks rested three starters as part of their playoff push.


Philadelphia is also looking to end a 24-game losing streak to Eastern Conference opponents.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Grizzlies (14-12) at Bulls (14-8)
Date: December 16, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Memphis thinks it might have found something in a smaller lineup, and Chicago's beginning to believe it's simply found something.


The Bulls will try for a fourth straight win Wednesday night against the visiting Grizzlies, who had one of their best offensive nights of the season with Zach Randolph coming off the bench.


Chicago (14-8) had to come from behind in Monday's 115-96 home win over Philadelphia, but a five-point halftime deficit was an afterthought following a 34-12 third quarter. The Bulls topped 50 percent shooting for just the second time this season (43 of 85) with Jimmy Butler scoring a game-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting after going 8 of 30 in the first two games of the winning streak.


"The movement, shot over 50 percent, 28 assists, played unselfish basketball," Fred Hoiberg told the team's official website. "I hope we are starting to get there. ... Once we get cutting and playing out there, it's tough to guard. I think we are getting there; I hope."


He didn't mention rebounding, but the Bulls have had an edge on the glass in eight straight games, including a 53-36 advantage over Philadelphia. Their margin in that span is plus-7.3 after posting a minus-3.0 mark through 15 contests.


Joakim Noah is averaging 12.3 on the winning streak, had 15 against the 76ers and said the team's motor hasn't been what it was in past seasons.


"Obviously (we) have an issue now playing with the right energy," Noah said. "It's definitely something we need to (do). This team has an identity of playing with intensity and the right energy; that's been our identity for a while. It's for us to find that and play hard the whole game."


Chicago has gone with less of an outside game by replacing Nikola Mirotic with Taj Gibson in the starting lineup over the last four contests, but it's resulted in Mirotic making 10 of 22 from 3-point range after entering that stretch at 32.6 percent.


Neither the Bulls nor the Grizzlies (14-12) thrive from the perimeter - they're 23rd and 28th in 3-point attempts per game - but while Chicago has embraced that with its lineup change, Memphis has adjusted the other way.


Tony Allen has been out the last two games with a knee injury, while Randolph has been used off the bench. The two have been replaced by Courtney Lee and Matt Barnes, who combined to go 7 of 9 from long range in Monday's 112-95 home win over Washington as Memphis shot a season-best 56.4 percent and hit 10 of 15 from 3-point range.


Barnes is averaging 15.0 points on 50.9 percent shooting and 44.1 from 3-point range in five games as a starter as opposed to 7.1 on 35.9 and 28.0 as a reserve, but it's the benefit two others receive that has coach Dave Joerger's attention.


"I certainly like the spacing. The two main guys who benefit from the spacing is Jeff Green and Mike Conley," Joerger told the team's official website. "Jeff Green really took advantage of it (in Sunday's loss in Miami), had a big night, got up 20 shots and was aggressive. Those kind of things make more guys threats and so we just have to learn to play that way."


Green has averaged 20.5 points and shot 50 percent in the last two games, while his former fellow starting forward adjusts to a new role. Randolph has averaged 10.0 points in 23.5 minutes over the last two games after starting his previous 182 games.


"It's different," Randolph said. "I've got to learn how to adjust to it. But as long as I go out there and keep playing hard, whether it's eight minutes or five minutes, I just need to go out there and do what I can do."


The teams have split four games over the previous two seasons with the road team winning each.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Trail Blazers (11-15) at Thunder (16-8)
Date: December 16, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Damian Lillard became the face of the Portland Trail Blazers the moment LaMarcus Aldridge bolted in free agency, a defection that left Lillard with the task of taking on more responsibility for a team undergoing plenty of adjustment.


Getting contributions from up and down the roster helps ease that transition, just as the Oklahoma City Thunder experience their most success when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook complement each other.


The Blazers still have a lot of work to do in order to reach that level, and they'll see it first hand when they visit the surging Thunder on Wednesday night.


Lillard has increased his scoring average from 21.0 points per game last season to 24.7 while having the ball in his hands more than during his first three years, when Aldridge often stood as the first option offensively.


Portland (11-15), though, isn't winning at the same rate with a revamped roster that also lost Wesley Matthews to Dallas in the offseason. C.J. McCollum started three games in his first two seasons but has become Lillard's backcourt sidekick, averaging 19.7 points after scoring 6.8 per game in less than half the minutes he's receiving this year.


Lillard scored 30 points and McCollum added 16 to help the Blazers beat New Orleans 105-101 on Monday.


'I think for me and (McCollum), that's something that we got to do a lot of this year - make guys better and put guys in a position to be successful,' Lillard said.


They did that with newcomers Gerald Henderson and Mason Plumlee against the Pelicans. Henderson hit 4 of 5 from 3-point range and finished with 19 points off the bench, and Plumlee had 15, 13 rebounds and six assists.


"We've seen so many guys step up in different games," Lillard said. "(It) shows that down the line when we grow and kind of put this thing together a little bit more, we see what guys can do now so we see how it can payoff later."


Even Durant and Westbrook didn't hit it off immediately. The Thunder finished 23-59 in Westbrook's rookie season of 2008-09 before they began building off each other's strengths to make a run to the NBA Finals just three years later.


Oklahoma City missed the playoffs last season with Durant sitting out 55 games due to injury, but it is beginning to click now with him healthy. The Thunder (16-8) have won five straight after sweeping a home-and-home with Utah, including Sunday's 104-98 overtime victory.


Durant scored 29 of his 31 points after halftime, and Westbrook finished with 25, 11 rebounds and five assists to help the Thunder overcome a 16-point deficit.


"To start that third quarter, we were a different team than we were to start the game," first-year coach Billy Donovan said. "We expended a lot of energy. Emotionally we played at a really high level."


Durant admitted to being too emotional during the first half, when he took only two shots.


'I was getting a little frustrated with myself and I just had to calm down,' Durant said. 'At halftime, I just told myself to calm down and go get the ball and try to score. That's what opened it up for my teammates.'


Westbrook had 36 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Thunder fell 101-90 in the last meeting against Portland on April 13 without an injured Durant.


Lillard scored only 10 points but Meyers Leonard had a career-high 24.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wizards (10-13) at Spurs (21-5)
Date: December 16, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Only five teams have knocked off the San Antonio Spurs, and one of them is the Washington Wizards.


It's hard to imagine them pulling off the season sweep.


A short-handed, last-place Washington team that hasn't won in San Antonio since the 1990s is all that stands in the way of the Spurs notching the longest home winning streak in franchise history Wednesday night.


San Antonio's run of 22 straight regular-season home wins includes a 13-0 record this season and dates back to an overtime loss to Cleveland on March 12. The Spurs (21-5) have matched the franchise record set during the 2010-11 season.


Four of the last five opponents to visit San Antonio lost by at least 20 points, and it seems Washington could be headed for a similar fate with leading scorer Bradley Beal sidelined while the Spurs are at full strength and pretty fresh.


All of their starters were rested for the final 16 minutes of a 118-81 drubbing of Utah on Monday.


"It's always great because it adds up," said Tony Parker, who had 18 points in 21 minutes. "All the rest that we're getting right now will help come playoff time."


The Spurs have won three straight by an average of 28.0 points, and Washington has often been blown out during a 15-game losing streak in San Antonio which dates back to Dec. 11, 1999.


Last season's trip was among the closest as the Wizards lost 101-92 after being within three points with five minutes to play. However, the Spurs were without Parker and Kawhi Leonard.


This time it's Washington (10-13) missing a top player with Beal (leg) out at least another 10 days. The Wizards wouldn't have beaten the Spurs without him when the teams met Nov. 4, as Beal had a game-high 25 points and hit the deciding 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining in a 102-99 victory.


When asked about that loss Monday, Parker said "we felt like we had the game and we let it slip at the end," but added that his team is playing much better going into the rematch.


"I feel like we're improving a lot," he said. "I feel like we're a different team, so we're going in the right direction."


The first meeting was one of five games the Spurs have allowed 100 points. They've done that once in the past 14 games and are now allowing a league-low 87.9 per game.


"We're playing great defense," Parker said. "Every time you play great defense, it gives you opportunities to win games."


The Wizards' defense has left a lot to be desired.


While going 1-2 on a four-game trip which has coincided with Beal's absence, Washington is allowing averages of 110.0 points and 53.3 percent from 3-point range (40 for 75).


'Until we get a commitment to defend ... we're going to be on this roller coaster,' coach Randy Wittman said.


The Wizards are allowing an Eastern Conference-worst 105.6 points per game, including 100-plus in eight straight.


'Right now, our mindset is to outscore people," Wittman said. "Our team isn't made that way."


While Washington is the NBA's worst at defending the 3, allowing 41.1 percent, San Antonio is No. 1 at 30.6.


John Wall is 1 for 8 on 3-pointers in five games at San Antonio while getting held to an average of 13.2 points.


His two 3-pointers Monday were his only points in a 112-95 loss at Memphis. The Wizards are 1-5 when he fails to score at least 15.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pelicans (6-18) at Jazz (10-13)
Date: December 16, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Utah Jazz have struggled to get into a groove since last month's decisive victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and are entering the next matchup on the verge of a season-high skid.


Another visit from one of the NBA's worst road teams might allow them to avoid that Wednesday night.


Utah (10-13) took advantage of short-handed New Orleans in a 101-87 victory Nov. 28. Among the missing for the Pelicans (6-18) were Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans and Kendrick Perkins.


The Jazz have dropped six of eight since, and a 118-81 drubbing in San Antonio on Monday was their third consecutive loss. Utah had its fewest points this season and shot 40.5 percent in the second of back-to-back games, while the Spurs' 56.0 percent shooting was the best mark by a Jazz opponent.


"The sky kind of fell, but it happens," coach Quin Snyder said. "We had no juice, but that's the wrong team to play when you're out of gas. Their defense is terrific and they are a championship-level program."


The Jazz will seek their third win in four home games while trying to avoid their first four-game skid since March 21-27. In the opener of a three-game homestand, they'll face a Pelicans team that's 1-12 on the road even with a healthier lineup.


Evans and Cole have played in all seven games this month. Perkins appeared in his first game since Oct. 31 in a 98-94 loss to Chicago on Saturday, the start of a five-game road trip, but sat out a 105-101 defeat to Portland on Monday.


New Orleans couldn't maintain a 14-point lead against the Bulls and failed to get closer than four points after trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter versus the Trail Blazers.


"(The mistakes) we made are the ones we've been talking about for the last month. Until we get that get cured, we're not going to win a game. We're not going to be able to beat teams when we do silly things," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We're playing hard and competing like crazy. But it takes more than that to win games. You've got to play smart basketball."


Anthony Davis' 28 points against Portland were his most in his last four games. Evans had 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals.


Evans is averaging 22.7 points in his last three games and 18.5 in his past two against Utah.


Davis had 36 points in last month's meeting and is averaging 36.7 on 71.4 percent shooting in his last three matchups.


He scored a career-high 43 in Utah on Nov. 22, 2014, and has matched that performance two times.


Utah's Gordon Hayward is averaging 23.2 points in his last six meetings with New Orleans and 23.8 in the last five at home.


He was held to a season-low four points on 1-of-5 shooting in San Antonio. Hayward was averaging 22.6 points while shooting 54.0 percent from 3-point range in his previous nine games.


Utah has won 14 of the past 17 home matchups with New Orleans and is seeking its third consecutive overall win in the series.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Suns (11-15) at Warriors (24-1)
Date: December 16, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

(AP) - The Golden State Warriors did something for the first time this season: practice following a loss.


After returning home from a grueling two-week road trip that started with six straight wins to extend their record start to the season to 24-0 before finally losing in Milwaukee on Saturday, the Warriors have a chance to catch their breath.


They took a needed day off Sunday before returning to a light practice Monday as they gear up for their next game at home Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns.


'The perspective of being 24-1 is a little different than undefeated,' star guard Stephen Curry said. 'You don't have to answer questions about it, hopefully no more creative shirts in the stands and stuff like that. We can just play basketball. It is just about how we're playing. Obviously we want to continue to win games. We have to take our game to the next level.'


The road trip featured circuslike levels of attention with Cam Newton and several Carolina Panthers coming out for Curry's homecoming in Charlotte, a live feed of Curry's pregame warmup in Boston and an almost college-style atmosphere in Milwaukee with fans wearing T-shirts with '24-1' on the front.


But the streak also overshadowed parts of Golden State's game that had been slipping of late, including defensive rotations, stagnation on offense and too many sloppy turnovers.


'There was a lot of talk obviously with the streak and all that,' Curry said. 'At a certain point it kind of became about just winning the game. ... We didn't play our best for probably about three straight games. With the streak over and all that, hopefully we can get another one going, we can focus on the details of how we're playing and continue to get better and focus on the things that will help us win a championship let alone regular-season games.'


Now with just five games - all at home - in the next two weeks, the Warriors will have the time at practice to work on those little parts of their game.


'We're continuing to work toward being a championship team and that requires us getting better than we were last year,' interim coach Luke Walton said. 'We know that, our guys know that and we'll keep working at it. It's harder on the road and when you're constantly winning to focus on the little details. Now that we're back home I think we'll have the chance to clean some things up.'


That was tough to do on a trip that included two sets of back-to-backs, including the game against the Bucks a night after winning a double-overtime thriller against the Celtics.


The Warriors didn't make it to Milwaukee until 3 a.m. Saturday and just ran out of energy in the loss that ended the streak as they came just short of becoming the first team in NBA history to have a perfect trip of at least seven games.


'That's why it's so hard and nobody has ever won seven straight in a road trip before,' Walton said. 'It's a difficult thing to do, especially coming off that back-to-back. We just ran out of gas.'


While Golden State's streak reached 28 regular-season games, dating to last season, it fell five games short of the record set by the Lakers in 1971-72. There are still other marks to chase. The Warriors have won 28 straight home games in the regular season since losing to Chicago on Jan. 27 - 16 shy of the mark set by the Bulls in 1995-96. Golden State is also chasing the single-season wins mark set by those Bulls with 72.


The Warriors hope to get a boost sometime soon with the return of forward Harrison Barnes, who has missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle. Walton said Barnes will miss both games this week before being re-evaluated.


But Klay Thompson reported his sprained ankle that kept him out of Friday's game in Boston and seemed to hamper him a bit in Milwaukee is much better and shouldn't be a factor Wednesday.


The Warriors rolled past Phoenix (11-15) in the first meeting as Curry scored 41 in a 135-116 rout Nov. 27. That matchup was on the road, and the Suns enter this one having dropped seven straight in Oakland.


Phoenix lost for the second time in three games Monday, 104-94 at Dallas. Eric Bledsoe had 23 points and seven assists for the Suns, who shot 41.3 percent in falling to 0-9 when being held under 100 points.


'We didn't convert some of our layups,' coach Jeff Hornacek told the team's official website. 'The 3-pointers we did OK; we had some good looks that we didn't make.'


Reserve forward T.J. Warren had a career-best 28 points in November against the Warriors, with Bledsoe and Brandon Knight adding 21 apiece.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bucks (10-16) at Clippers (15-10)
Date: December 16, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

After a loss to the worst team in the Western Conference, it's already clear what should be made of the Milwaukee Bucks' win over the best team of basketball.


It might still be too early to draw many conclusions from the Los Angeles Clippers' recent success given the level of competition.


The only of their last six games to be decided by more than five points was a win in Milwaukee, and the Clippers can do it again Wednesday night to hand the Bucks a deflating Staples Center sweep and 11th straight road loss.


The Clippers (15-10) have won five of their last six with the blemish an 83-80 defeat in Chicago, while the handful of wins came by a total of 27 points. A 109-95 victory over the Bucks last Wednesday accounted for more than half that, and Los Angeles concluded the five-game road trip with Monday's 105-103 overtime win against Detroit. It was its eighth in 10 games after a 3-8 span.


Blake Griffin had 34 points, J.J. Redick added 24 and the Clippers won despite trailing by six with under two minutes remaining.


"I think a win like this can go a long ways," Jamal Crawford told the team's official website. "We handled adversity again. I think we were down three with a minute to go in Minnesota. This game, we're down 86-81, a minute and a half, two minutes (left), and we found a way to win."


Redick has been a bigger part of the offense in the last four games, averaging 21.0 points on 50.9 percent shooting while hitting 14 of 25 from 3-point range. That follows a 13.4-point average in his first 17 games, and he drained a 3 in the final seconds of regulation against the Pistons to tie it.


"The shot J.J. made, we're all going crazy," said Crawford, who hit a 3 with 12 seconds left in overtime. "We play for each other, and we're really figuring it out."


The Bucks (10-16) present little mystery. The 14-point win last week came with Redick scoring a season-high 31 points, which is two shy of his career best. He's averaging 26.3 with a 16-of-24 mark from 3-point range in the last three meetings.


The teams split two games last season, but Los Angeles has won seven of the last eight and 14 of the last 15 at home, including seven straight.


Few if any of those defeats figure to have been as painful for the Bucks as Tuesday's 113-95 loss to the 4-21 Lakers, representing the ultimate regression after Saturday's 108-95 home win over Golden State.


"This is the NBA," coach Jason Kidd said. "Anybody can be beaten on any given night. If you don't bring energy and effort, you can find yourself on the losing end, and that's what happened tonight."


Greg Monroe was a late scratch with a sore left knee after someone fell into him in the morning shootaround, and he'll be evaluated again Wednesday. Milwaukee remains short at guard with Jerryd Bayless missing the trip due to a sprained ankle, and the team learned Tuesday that Greivis Vasquez will be out three to four months after having knee surgery.


Those injuries have allowed Michael Carter-Williams to step back into a larger role. He's averaged 18.0 points and shot 57.1 percent in the last two games, albeit as a reserve.


Dating to the loss to the Clippers, Milwaukee has dropped three of four. That could quickly grow to five of six with a stop in Oakland coming Friday for the rematch with the Warriors, and its road skid is already in danger of matching a recent 11-gamer from Feb. 6-March 30.

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
December 16, 2015


Mavericks at Pacers – 7:05 PM EST


Dallas (14-11 SU, 15-10 ATS) has been the definition of inconsistency of late by splitting its last 10 games. The Mavericks go for their fourth straight road victory after knocking off Portland, New York, and Washington on the highway this month. In Monday’s 104-94 home win over the Suns, Rick Carlisle’s club knocked down 12 three-pointers and shot 49% from the floor as six Mavs scored at least 12 points. Dallas has dropped three of the past four meetings at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, capped off by a 104-99 setback this past March.


Since starting 0-3 this season, Indiana (14-9 SU, 14-9 ATS) won 12 of its next 14 games, while covering 12 times in that stretch. The Pacers have gone backwards since that hot stretch by losing four of their past six games, but Frank Vogel’s team is coming off a solid effort in Monday’s 106-90 home rout of the Raptors as 4 ½-point favorites. Indiana improved to 5-1 ATS in the last six games in the home favorite role, while limiting four of its last five opponents to 92 points or less at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.


Celtics at Pistons – 7:35 PM EST


Boston (14-11 SU, 14-10-1 ATS) has made incredible strides this season, trying to capitalize off last season’s playoff appearance. However, the Celtics still aren’t part of the NBA’s elite yet, as their past three losses have come to San Antonio, Golden State, and Cleveland. The Cavaliers knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs last season with a first round sweep, as Boston fell short again last night against Cleveland in an 89-77 home defeat. Boston scored its fewest points of the season, as Brad Stevens’ squad was held to 32% shooting from the floor. The C’s have seen plenty of success as a road underdog with no rest by posting a 3-0 SU/ATS record this season and winning seven straight games in this role since February.


Following a 9-2 start at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pistons (14-12 SU, 14-11-1 ATS) have dropped a pair of tough contests at home over the past week. The Grizzlies shocked Detroit with a half-court heave in the final seconds last Wednesday, while the Clippers rallied late to force overtime and beat the Pistons on Monday, 105-103. Stan Van Gundy’s club hits the road for a three-game trip after tonight’s contest, as the Pistons will face the Celtics three times in the next three weeks. Detroit is riding a 7-2 run to the ‘over’ the last nine games, including six ‘overs’ in the previous seven home contests.


Grizzlies at Bulls – 8:05 PM EST


Can the real Grizzlies please stand up? Memphis (14-12 SU, 11-14-1 ATS) has endured a four-game losing streak this season, followed by a four-game hot streak, while losing early season contests by 30 and 50 points to the two teams that played in the NBA Finals last season. The Grizzlies have currently split their last 10 games, while coming off a 112-95 blowout of the Wizards on Monday as three-point home favorites. Zach Randolph has turned into a sixth man for Memphis, coming off the bench the last two games as Matt Barnes put up 20 points in his starting role against Washington on Monday.


Chicago (14-8 SU, 8-14 ATS) has won each of the first three games on its current five-game homestand, coming off a 115-96 rout of the hapless 76ers on Monday as 13 ½-point favorites. The Bulls covered as home favorites for the first time in eight tries, as Fred Hoiberg’s club has limited all three teams on this homestand to 96 points or less. Chicago has performed well against Western Conference foes at the United Center by winning five of seven games, as the two losses came to Minnesota (in overtime) and Phoenix (at the buzzer). The Bulls have struggled at home against the Grizzlies the last few seasons, losing three straight in the Windy City to Memphis since 2013.


Bucks at Clippers – 10:35 PM EST


The obvious letdown came through for Milwaukee (10-16 SU, 12-14 ATS) in Tuesday’s 113-95 loss at Staples Center to the Lakers, three nights after handing Golden State its first defeat of the season. Granted, the Bucks played without center Greg Monroe, who sat out after colliding knees with a teammate at shootaround. Monroe’s status is in the air for Wednesday, as the Bucks visit Staples Center once again. The Bucks fell to the Clippers last week at home, 109-95 as 5 ½-point underdogs, but Milwaukee has covered in three of the last four visits to Los Angeles. Jason Kidd’s club has been horrible on the road lately, losing 10 straight games away from BMO Harris Center.


Los Angeles (15-10 SU, 8-14-3 ATS) is in a rough scheduling spot tonight, coming off a 4-1 road trip, but heading back on the highway on Friday to travel to San Antonio. The Clippers are rolling of late by winning eight of their last 10 games, while scoring at least 100 points in each of their four victories on their road swing. In last Wednesday’s 14-point victory at Milwaukee, J.J. Redick knocked down six three-pointers on his way to a 31-point performance, while Chris Paul scored 18 points and dished out 18 assists.


Suns at Warriors – 10:35 PM EST


Hitting 82-0 was unrealistic, but Golden State (24-1 SU, 16-8-1 ATS) should make no apologies after suffering its first loss of the season on Saturday at Milwaukee following a 24-0 start. The Warriors outlasted the Celtics in double overtime the night before, as Golden State shot just 41% against the Bucks and were held to below 100 points for the first time this season in a 108-95 setback. Luke Walton’s team still finished the road trip at 6-1, as the Warriors return home for the first time since Thanksgiving weekend. Golden State lit up Phoenix the last time these division rivals hooked up in late November as the Warriors rolled to a 135-116 triumph as eight-point road favorites.


Can Phoenix hand Golden State its second straight loss? The Suns (11-15 SU, 12-14 ATS) have lost nine of 13 games away from the Valley this season, while losing five of their last six on the highway. Phoenix has covered in two of its last three visits to Oracle Arena, including as 12 ½-point underdogs in a one-point defeat back in April. Jeff Hornacek’s defensive unit better sure things up against this explosive Warriors’ offense as Phoenix has allowed at least 100 points in five straight games, but the ‘under’ has cashed in three consecutive contests.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack


Six of the more interesting NFL games this weekend.........


-- Texans @ Colts-- First place on line with backup QBs playing for 6-7 teams.


-- Panthers (-5) @ Giants-- Carolina can get to 14-0 with win here.


-- Packers (-3) @ Raiders-- Oakland can get to .500 with an upset win here.


-- Broncos @ Steelers (-6)-- Denver scored 19 ppg in Osweiler's first four starts.


-- Bengals (-4) @ 49ers-- McCarron gets first NFL start for Cincinnati.


-- Cardinals (-3.5) @ Eagles-- Much bigger game for 6-7 Philly.


**********


Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: tba


13) Wisconsin basketball coach Bo Ryan abruptly retired last night, after Badgers beat Texas-Corpus Christi 64-49. Timing of the announcement seems odd, but I have a theory that Ryan wants his assistant Greg Gard to have a shot at succeeding him as Wisconsin coach and this was the only way that was going to happen.


12) CNN's crew analyzing Republican debate was outside the Venetian in Las Vegas last night; they looked like they were freezing their butts off. As I type this, it is 43 degrees in Las Vegas, 43 here in beautiful upstate New York.


11) Monmouth 83, Georgetown 68-- Hawks were 10-20 from arc, 31-37 on foul line as they led Hoyas just about whole way. Monmouth has beaten UCLA, Notre Dame, USC and Georgetown- they also lost at Canisius. UNC alum King Rice is the coach at Monmouth, at least for another three months, then he'll get a bigger job.


10) Going into Tuesday's games, college basketball scoring was up 5.28 ppg, so the new rules have influenced coaches to play more aggressively, which had created a lot more attractive product to watch, all of which will make this winter more fun.


9) ESPN will televise 38 of the 41 bowl games; they OWN ten of them. 80 of 128 college football teams are going to bowls-- it is just too many. You go 6-6 or 5-7 and you get a trip to the Bahamas or San Diego-- those teams don't deserve it!!!!


8) Last year, Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams transferred from I-AA Eagles to Oregon in hopes of enhancing his resume for NFL scouts. Now it has happened again, as Montana State QB Dakota Prukop will transfer to the Ducks-- he chose them over Alabama. Whatever happened to loyalty? Whatever happened to finishing what you started? Tony Romo went to Eastern Illinois, Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard, future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner went to Northern Iowa.


If you're good enough, the NFL will find you, that I guarantee.


7) Parents, please teach your kids to throw lefty: reliever Jerry Blevins just signed a deal with the Mets for $4M for next season. I have great fondness for Blevins, who helped the A's make the playoffs in 2012-2013, but he has 16 wins, two saves in his nine major league seasons. $4M a year, thats million, with an M. Wow.


6) Eli Manning was playing flag football Monday night, going 27-31 against a team that blitzed him three times the whole game. Three times. Eli Manning is immobile, just like his brother and Odell Beckham is a great deep threat. How on God's green earth do you let him stand back there and throw the ball long all night?


5) There is a TV program on A&E called Married at First Sight where couples are matched and then get married, five minutes after they first meet. A friend asked me if this was a real show and it is; these people get married legally, then have six weeks or so to decide if they want a divorce or to remain married. No annulments. Oy.


My mom passed away in 2004; my one wish would've been to sit in a room with her while this show was on and just watch her boil over as it unfolded. She was religious and outspoken-- the over/under on her demanding the channel be switched would've been roughly 11.5 minutes, and I'm being generous. It would've been great fun.


4) Raiders' LB Khalil Mack had five sacks in Denver Sunday; if he played for a New York team, they'd be fitting him for his Hall of Fame jacket already. Oakland has a shot for a .500 season- they haven't had one since 8-8 years in 2010-11- their last winning season was in '02, when they lost to the Bucs in the Super Bowl.


3) Raiders' QB Derek Carr bought all of his offensive linemen flatscreeen TVs as Christmas presents. What do QBs on lousy teams buy their linemen?


2) Nick Young played over 400 minutes on floor at same time as Kobe Bryant, until he assisted on a Bryant basket. Thats hard to believe, but it was true until he finally assisted on a Bryant basket last week.


1) Baseball won't reinstate Pete Rose, which is fine; he is 74 years old so he wasn't going to coach or be in a front office job anyway-- he makes over $1M a year signing his name in Las Vegas 4-5 days a week, and he does studio work on FOX, so he has his hand in it a little bit, but the Hall of Fame needs to let him in. Here is why.


-- He has more hits than anyone who ever played the game.
-- He changed positions mulitple times to help his team improve; all he wanted to do was win and he was a great player whose teams did win a lot.
-- Cooperstown, NY is a very small town that could use a boost and a ceremony with Rose would be the biggest weekend the Baseball Hall of Fame has ever seen.
-- He broke a rule and bet on baseball, so put it on his Hall of Fame plaque, say he was banned from baseball, but let him have his day-- he'll make a speech and then this will become a non-issue.
-- I'm not a Reds fan, but I think Rose deserves to be honored as a great player.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA


Wednesday, December 16




NBA roundup: Lakers taste victory thanks to Bryant, rookie Russell


LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant scored 22 points in three quarters, allowing the Los Angeles Lakers to snap a six-game losing streak by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 113-95 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.


Rookie D'Angelo Russell came off the bench to score 19 points and record seven assists as seven Lakers reached double figures in scoring. Guard Lou Williams scored 16 points, forward Julius Randle finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds and center Roy Hibbert added 12 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for Los Angeles, which won for only the second time at home this season.


Michael Carter-Williams had 19 points and Khris Middleton chipped in 16 to lead Milwaukee.


Kings 107, Rockets 97


SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- DeMarcus Cousins scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and point guard Darren Collison made up for the absence of teammate Rajon Rondo with 14 points and 13 assists.


Collison started for only the third time all season and played 41 minutes after Rondo was suspended for one game for hurling gay slurs at referee Bill Kennedy during a game against Boston in Mexico City on Dec. 3.


Omri Casspi scored 19 points and added six assists and the Kings won their third straight to match the longest win streak of the season.


Cavaliers 89, Celtics 77

BOSTON -- With Kyrie Irving almost ready to make his season debut after recovering from a knee injury, LeBron James capped a 12-0 third-quarter run with a reverse slam dunk, and Cleveland defeated Boston.


James, who finished with 24 points, had six during that run and also capped a 10-3 fourth-quarter spurt that made things comfortable for Cleveland.


Guard Avery Bradley led the Celtics with 17 points, while forward Jae Crowder, who played strong defense on James much of the night, added 14. Guard Isaiah Thomas shot 3-for-15 from the floor en route to 12 points.


Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 100


MINNEAPOLIS -- Kenneth Faried had 19 points and 10 rebounds and reserve Randy Foye added 19 points off the bench as Denver took down Minnesota.


Six Nuggets scored in double-figures. Danilo Gallinari had 14 points, while Will Barton chipped in 14.


Andrew Wiggins led Minnesota with 23 points on nine-of-17 shooting. Guard Zach LaVine added 20 points and five assists off the bench in the loss.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, December 16


Washington @ San Antonio

Game 517-518
December 16, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
113.024
San Antonio
123.608
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 10 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 13
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+13); Over

New Orleans @ Utah

Game 519-520
December 16, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
113.355
Utah
115.273
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 4
203 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+4); Over

Milwaukee @ LA Clippers

Game 521-522
December 16, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
113.856
LA Clippers
126.883
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 13
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 10 1/2
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-10 1/2); Under

Dallas @ Indiana

Game 501-502
December 16, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
117.991
Indiana
126.135
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 8
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 3 1/2
205
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-3 1/2); Over

Phoenix @ Golden State

Game 523-524
December 16, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
115.411
Golden State
131.275
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 16
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 12 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-12 1/2); Under

Charlotte @ Orlando

Game 503-504
December 16, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
119.231
Orlando
122.794
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 3 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 1 1/2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-1 1/2); Over

Minnesota @ New York

Game 505-506
December 16, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
113.283
New York
116.131
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 3
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 5
201
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+5); Under

Miami @ Brooklyn

Game 507-508
December 16, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
115.606
Brooklyn
117.003
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn
by 1 1/2
185
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 4
190
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+4); Under

Boston @ Detroit

Game 509-510
December 16, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
124.041
Detroit
121.493
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 2 1/2
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+2 1/2); Over

Philadelphia @ Atlanta

Game 511-512
December 16, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
108.018
Atlanta
118.676
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 10 1/2
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 13 1/2
198 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+13 1/2); Over

Portland @ Oklahoma City

Game 513-514
December 16, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
117.456
Oklahoma City
128.865
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 11 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 9 1/2
208 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-9 1/2); Under

Memphis @ Chicago

Game 515-516
December 16, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
115.611
Chicago
123.590
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 8
188
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 3 1/2
194 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-3 1/2); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, December 16

Hot teams
-- Mavericks won last three road games (9-5A).
-- Charlotte won four of its last five games (5-3AU).
-- Detroit won five of its last six home games (6-1 last seven HF). Celtics are 5-3 in their last eight games (5-1AU).
-- Oklahoma City won its last five games (2-7 last nine HF).
-- Bulls won their last three games (3-10HF).
-- Spurs won seven of last eight games (9-4HF).
-- Clippers won eight of last ten games (4-8HF).
-- 24-1 Warriors are 6-4 vs spread as home favorites.

Cold teams
-- Indiana lost four of its last six games (7-4H).
-- Orlando lost three of its last five games (2-3HF).
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last eight games (9-1AU). Knicks lost four of their last five games (3-2HF).
-- Miami lost three of its last five games (2-2AF). Brooklyn lost four of its last six games (6-3HU).
-- 1-25 Sixers failed to cover their last four road games. Atlanta lost last three games (3-1 last four HF).
-- Portland lost three of its last five games (4-1 last five AU).
-- Grizzlies lost three of their last five games (4-0 last four AU).
-- Washington lost three of its last four games (4-1 last five AU).
-- New Orleans lost seven of its last nine games (1-4 last five AU). Jazz lost six of its last eight games (3-4HF).
-- Bucks won three of last four games, losing to Lakers after beating the Warriors over weekend (2-6 last eight AU).
-- Suns lost six of their last nine games (3-5 last eight AU).

Series records
-- Pacers won five of their last seven games with Dallas.
-- Visiting team won last four Charlotte-Orlando games.
-- Knicks lost three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Nets lost eight of last nine games with Miami.
-- Celtics lost four of last five visits to Detroit.
-- 76ers lost seven of last eight games with Atlanta.
-- Thunder lost three of last four games with Portland.
-- Grizzlies won five of last seven games with Chicago.
-- Wizards won last two games with San Antonio, after losing eight in row to Spurs before that.
-- Pelicans lost five of last six visits to Utah.
-- Clippers won seven of last eight games with Milwaukee.
-- Warriors won their last four games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Last three Dallas-Indiana games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Charlotte-Orlando games went over.
-- Five of last six Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Miami games stayed under total.
-- Last six Boston-Detroit games went over the total.
-- Last five Philly-Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Nine of last ten Thunder games stayed under total.
-- Six of last eight Memphis games went over total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Washington games.
-- Seven of last eight New Orleans-Utah games went over.
-- Four of last six Clipper games went over the total.
-- Last three Phoenix games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Minnesota is 2-0 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Boston ia 3-0 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Milwaukee is 6-0 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Wednesday, December 16

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

7:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. ORLANDO
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
DALLAS vs. INDIANA
Dallas is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Indiana
Dallas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Dallas

7:30 PM
MIAMI vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 10 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Miami is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Brooklyn's last 10 games

7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. DETROIT
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Detroit is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Detroit is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

7:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. NEW YORK
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota

8:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Portland is 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. CHICAGO
Memphis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Memphis's last 16 games on the road
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games

8:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

8:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Washington
San Antonio is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Washington

9:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. UTAH
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games on the road
New Orleans is 1-6-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Utah's last 8 games when playing New Orleans
Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against New Orleans

10:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA CLIPPERS
Milwaukee is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

10:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. GOLDEN STATE
Phoenix is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Golden State is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Golden State's last 20 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Wednesday, December 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Grizzlies at Bulls
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bulls will try to win their fourth consecutive game when they welcome the Grizzlies to town Wednesday night.

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls (-3.5, 194.5)

The Chicago Bulls have followed three straight losses with three consecutive wins to kick off a five-game homestand. The Bulls will try to make it four in a row on Wednesday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, who are struggling to find consistency as well.

Memphis joined the small ball revolution by removing Zach Randolph and Tony Allen from the starting five prior to a 100-97 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday and kept the smaller set during a 112-95 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Monday. “The two main guys who benefit from the spacing is Jeff Green and Mike Conley,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told reporters. “Jeff Green really took advantage of it (on Sunday), had a big night, got up 20 shots and was aggressive. Those kind of things make more guys threats and so we just have to learn to play that way.” Chicago made a similar switch with Joakim Noah heading to the bench prior to the start of the season and is still adapting to coach Fred Hoiberg’s scheme. The latest change moved Tony Snell into the starting lineup, and he responded with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes on Monday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Chicago

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Bulls as 3.5-point home favorites and the total at 194.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Grizzlies - SG T. Allen (questionable Wednesday, knee), PF B. Wright (out indefinitely, knee), SG J. Adams (out indefinitely, knee), PF J. Martin (out indefinitely, foot).

Bulls - PG D. Rose (probable Wednesday, illness), SG M. Dunleavy (Mid January, back).

POWER RANKINGS: Grizzlies (+1.3) - Bulls (-4.3) + home court (-3) = Bulls -6

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "There has been no home court advantage recently in this series with the road team going a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS in the past five head-to-head meetings. It will be interesting to see if that trend holds up considering the Bulls are 10-3 SU at home this season, compared to just 4-5 SU on the road. The Grizzlies have been a better road team that most, going 6-6 SU away, compared to just 8-6 SU at home so far this season."

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Opened Chicago -4.5 and got sharp play on Grizzlies, so moved line to the current number of Bulls -3.5. One injury to keep eye on is Derrick Rose, who is listed as probable (illness). Sixty-two percent of betting cash is backing Memphis."

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (14-12, 11-14-1 ATS, 13-13 O/U): The lineup changes only work if veterans like Randolph buy into new roles, and so far it seems to be working for Memphis. “It’s different. I’ve got to learn how to adjust to it,” Randolph told reporters. “But as long as I go out there and keep playing hard, whether it’s eight minutes or five minutes, I just need to go out there and do what I can do.” Randolph managed eight points in 21 minutes on Monday while six others reached double figures.

ABOUT THE BULLS (14-8, 8-14 ATS, 7-14-1 O/U): Chicago trailed by five points at the half against NBA-worst Philadelphia on Monday before dominating after the break and going onto a 115-96 win. "We obviously have an issue right now with playing with the right energy,” Noah told reporters. “I think that it's definitely something we need to (change). This team has an identity of playing with intensity and the right energy. That's been our identity for a while now. I think it's up to us to find that, play hard the whole game." Noah collected 15 rebounds and eight assists in 22 minutes off the bench on Monday.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Bulls are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0 in Grizzlies last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 9-1 in Bulls last 10 vs. Western Conference.

CONSENSUS: Sixty-five percent of users are backing the Bulls.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) DETROIT | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play ON BOSTON against the spread in Road games when playing on back-to-back days
The record is 16 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.8 units)


NBA > (519) NEW ORLEANS@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-16 21:00:00 - 2015-12-16 21:00:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS against the spread in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (-12.4 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW YORK against the spread in Home games first half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 32 Losses for the last three seasons (-23.2 units)

 

[CNOTES]

NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (519) NEW ORLEANS@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-16 21:00:00 - 2015-12-16 21:00:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 2 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (-15.75 units)


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) DETROIT | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points
The record is 4 Wins and 13 Losses for the last three seasons (-19.75 units)


NBA > (507) MIAMI@ (508) BROOKLYN | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in Road games against Atlantic division opponents
The record is 9 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.1 units)
NBA > (523) PHOENIX@ (524) GOLDEN STATE | 2015-12-16 22:30:00 - 2015-12-16 22:30:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE using money line in Home games vs. division opponents
The record is 15 Wins and 1 Losses for the last three seasons (+14 units)


NBA > (501) DALLAS@ (502) INDIANA | 2015-12-16 19:00:00 - 2015-12-16 19:00:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 26 Wins and 7 Losses for the last three seasons (+21.6 units)


NBA > (517) WASHINGTON@ (518) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-16 20:30:00 - 2015-12-16 20:30:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 23 Wins and 4 Losses for the last three seasons (+18.7 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW YORK using money line in Home games first half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 32 Losses for the last three seasons (-30.6 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in All games in December games
The record is 2 Wins and 15 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.45 units)

NBA > (507) MIAMI@ (508) BROOKLYN | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in All games against Atlantic division opponents
The record is 18 Wins and 5 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.4 units)


NBA > (513) PORTLAND@ (514) OKLAHOMA CITY | 2015-12-16 20:00:00 - 2015-12-16 20:00:00
Play ON OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 17 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.3 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW YORK using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 18 Wins and 30 Losses for the last three seasons (-29.6 units)


NBA > (515) MEMPHIS@ (516) CHICAGO | 2015-12-16 20:00:00 - 2015-12-16 20:00:00
Play ON MEMPHIS using money line in All games after scoring 105 points or more
The record is 21 Wins and 6 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.4 units)


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


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 9 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (-24 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 15 Wins and 38 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.8 units)


NBA > (517) WASHINGTON@ (518) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-16 20:30:00 - 2015-12-16 20:30:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 27 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (+16 units)


NBA > (517) WASHINGTON@ (518) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-16 20:30:00 - 2015-12-16 20:30:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 15 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.7 units)


NBA > (523) PHOENIX@ (524) GOLDEN STATE | 2015-12-16 22:30:00 - 2015-12-16 22:30:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE ?>in the first halfin All games first half of the season
The record is 37 Wins and 17 Losses for the last two seasons (+18.3 units)


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


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (519) NEW ORLEANS@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-16 21:00:00 - 2015-12-16 21:00:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 8 Overs and 33 Unders for the last two seasons (+24.2 units)


NBA > (517) WASHINGTON@ (518) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-16 20:30:00 - 2015-12-16 20:30:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 20 Overs and 55 Unders for the last two seasons (+33 units)


NBA > (519) NEW ORLEANS@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-16 21:00:00 - 2015-12-16 21:00:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 0 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+10 units)


NBA > (517) WASHINGTON@ (518) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-16 20:30:00 - 2015-12-16 20:30:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 19 Overs and 53 Unders for the last three seasons (+32.1 units)


NBA > (503) CHARLOTTE@ (504) ORLANDO | 2015-12-16 19:00:00 - 2015-12-16 19:00:00
Play UNDER ORLANDO on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 3 Overs and 17 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.7 units)


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) DETROIT | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 35 Overs and 73 Unders for the last two seasons (+34.5 units)


NBA > (521) MILWAUKEE@ (522) LA CLIPPERS | 2015-12-16 22:30:00 - 2015-12-16 22:30:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games after scoring 105 points or more
The record is 1 Overs and 11 Unders for the this season (+9.9 units)


NBA > (505) MINNESOTA@ (506) NEW YORK | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 17 Overs and 41 Unders for the last two seasons (+22.3 units)


NBA > (507) MIAMI@ (508) BROOKLYN | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games first half of the season
The record is 5 Overs and 18 Unders for the this season (+12.5 units)


NBA > (507) MIAMI@ (508) BROOKLYN | 2015-12-16 19:30:00 - 2015-12-16 19:30:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the total in all games
The record is 5 Overs and 18 Unders for the this season (+12.5 units)


NBA > (511) PHILADELPHIA@ (512) ATLANTA | 2015-12-16 20:00:00 - 2015-12-16 20:00:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 30 Overs and 59 Unders for the last two seasons (+26 units)

 

[CNOTES]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


DAL at IND 07:00 PM


IND -4.5 TRIPLE PLAY


U 207.5 TRIPLE PLAY




CHA at ORL 07:00 PM

ORL +1.0 BLOW OUT


O 198.0




BOS at DET 07:30 PM


BOS +2.5


U 198.5 TRIPLE PLAY




MIN at NY 07:30 PM


MIN +4.0 DOUBLE PLAY


U 201.0 DOUBLE PLAY




MIA at BK 07:30 PM


MIA -4.5


O 192.0




POR at OKC 08:00 PM


POR +10.0


O 207.5




MEM at CHI 08:00 PM


MEM +4.5


U 194.0




PHI at ATL 08:00 PM


ATL -13.5


O 199.5




WAS at SA 08:30 PM


SA -13.0 DOUBLE PLAY


U 197.5




NO at UTA 09:00 PM


UTA -3.5 BLOW OUT


U 201.0




PHO at GS 10:30 PM


GS -12.0 TRIPLE PLAY


U 219.0 TRIPLE PLAY




MIL at LAC 10:30 PM


MIL +11.0 DOUBLE PLAY


O 197.5