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

[CNOTES]

Preview: Knicks (12-14) at 76ers (1-26)
Date: December 18, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Kristaps Porzingis fared well against a fellow top rookie in the New York Knicks' last game and his team came away with a victory.


He'll face another high 2015 draft pick Friday night in the Philadelphia 76ers' Jahlil Okafor, who missed what would have been their first regular-season meeting due to a suspension - the result of off-court behavior that has Porzingis looking like the better pick at the moment.


The Knicks go for their third straight victory when they visit a woeful 76ers club that's dropped eight in a row overall and 10 of 11 at home on the season.


Porzingis matched up with No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota on Wednesday. Though Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Porzingis' 11 points, six boards and seven blocked shots helped New York (12-14) to a 107-102 victory.


'For Kristaps to block seven shots, he took away seven opportunities for the other team to score,' coach Derek Fisher said. 'That's more important than him making one more basket. Our guys are continuing to embrace the fact that your stat line won't make the difference every night. It's really about the Knicks winning the game.'


Arron Afflalo scored a game-high 29 and Carmelo Anthony had 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for the Knicks, who built a 60-40 halftime lead by outscoring the Timberwolves 33-14 in the second quarter. Six of Porzingis' blocks came in the first half.


Anthony's assist total was his highest since recording 10 against Boston on April 17, 2012.


'(Anthony) always makes things easier for us,' Porzingis said. 'He was rebounding the ball good, helping us bigs get the rebound. He was passing the ball well. He had nine assists. He was really doing it all on the floor and that's what we need from him.'


Porzingis, who drew scorn and some ridicule from many fans and pundits when he was the Knicks' choice at fourth overall, has joined Towns as the top players out of the draft in the early going. Along with Towns, Okafor was seen as one of New York's top targets in June, but the Knicks are likely feeling fortunate that the draft broke the way it did, with Okafor being taken third by Philadelphia (1-26).


The center is averaging 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, but his troubles away from the court have overshadowed that production. He was involved in a street fight in Boston on Nov. 25, which resulted in the 76ers suspending him for two games. He was also cited for speeding on a bridge in New Jersey, and other reports of troublesome behavior have surfaced.


The first game Okafor was suspended for came Dec. 2 at New York. Porzingis had team highs of 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lift the Knicks to a 99-87 victory - their sixth in the past seven meetings.


The Sixers allowed a season-high point total in a 127-106 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Philadelphia shot 52.0 percent from the field but allowed the Hawks to make 61.5 percent.


Isaiah Canaan scored a season-high 24 points and Okafor had 19.


'We just gave up a lot of easy looks, which has kind of been the story throughout the season,' point guard Kendall Marshall said, 'but it's something we can get better at.'


Porzingis and Okafor have met on the court once, during a Las Vegas Summer League game July 14. Porzingis blocked Okafor's potential tying dunk with 42 seconds remaining in overtime, though Okafor scored 18 points.


The 76ers won the most recent home matchup with the Knicks 97-81 on March 20.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nets (7-18) at Pacers (15-9)
Date: December 18, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers are doing a good job of using different lineups to create points off turnovers and that factor could be a recipe for success against the lowly Brooklyn Nets.


The Nets struggle to limit opponents in that department and have been awful on the road ahead of Friday night's matchup against a Pacers team that is 7-0 at home against Eastern Conference foes.


Indiana (15-9) has shown its versatility by occasionally employing a starting lineup with two big men with a presence in the post, as it did in Wednesday's 107-81 rout of Dallas in which Lavoy Allen and Ian Mahinmi started. Allen replaced C.J. Miles, who came off the bench.


Miles, who scored a team-high 20 points, doesn't mind the fact that his role changes. The varying usage of the Pacers' personnel is a major reason why they average 20.0 points off turnovers for one of the NBA's best marks.


"If a team is trying match up with that spread lineup or the big lineup because those guys run too, it's hard," Miles said. "We want to create a tempo to make their big guys have to run and make them have to match up."


It's not clear which lineup the Pacers will use against a Nets team that employs Brook Lopez at center and Thaddeus Young at power forward since Miles may be able to match up with Young.


Brooklyn (7-18) is yielding 18.0 points off turnovers and averaging 15.4 turnovers for two of the league's poorer marks. That puts pressure on point guard Jarrett Jack to control the tempo and prevent mistakes.


Jack had 22 points and 10 assists in Wednesday's 104-98 home loss to Miami. The Nets failed to contain Dwyane Wade, who had 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting.


Now Brooklyn faces another explosive guard in Monta Ellis, who scored all 19 points in the second half Wednesday in his first game against his former team.


'First half, I had some good looks, they just weren't going down,' Ellis said. 'I got some easy buckets and shots just started falling. It was nothing personal, but Dallas was talking in the second half, a little. It probably got me going.'


Indiana star Paul George has struggled in the last three games to average 16.0 points on 34.0 percent shooting. He averages 26.2 points on 43.7 percent shooting.


George was injured for the 2014-15 season series in which the Pacers lost two of three. He averaged 23.5 points on 52.3 percent shooting two seasons ago when Indiana swept four meetings.


Lopez made 12 of 16 shots for 25 points against the Heat. He totaled 32 on 11-of-29 shooting in his three previous games.


"It was a good bounce-back game," Lopez said. "You don't want to be happy with losing, it's still very disappointing."


Brooklyn is 1-11 on the road, including 0-6 against East foes. Indiana has won nine of its last 10 at home.


Nets reserve guard Donald Sloan had season highs of five points and 12 minutes Wednesday ahead of his return to Indiana, where he spent the previous two seasons.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hawks (15-12) at Celtics (14-12)
Date: December 18, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics have exhibited some inconsistent play this season. That was also the case in their first two meetings.


Atlanta looks to win consecutive games for just the second time since its 8-2 start Friday night when it visits a Boston team that's trying to avoid dropping three in a row for the first time since the opening week.


These teams met in Boston on Nov. 13 with the Celtics scoring the final 10 points to pull out a 106-93 victory. The next matchup came 11 days later in Atlanta, as the Hawks shot 56.3 percent, went 12 of 24 from 3-point range and scored 40 points in the fourth to win 121-97.


Atlanta matched its season high in points and had its best shooting performance of 2015-16 in that one before eclipsing both marks Wednesday against NBA-worst Philadelphia.


The Hawks shot 61.5 percent and went 10 for 21 from deep in a 127-106 victory to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 7-10 since their hot start.


'This year we've been up and down so much as a team,' center Al Horford said. 'This is a great opportunity for us to start being more consistent and really build those good habits that we had last year.'


Atlanta (15-12) shot 40.5 percent - 27.1 from beyond the arc - and averaged 86.7 points during the preceding three-game skid.


'Offensively we played harder, we cut harder, we screened harder,' coach Mike Budenholzer said. 'We moved the ball with pace.'


Atlanta leads the Eastern Conference with 25.2 assists per game - Boston is second at 24.3 - and had 32 against the 76ers.


'We were aggressive, not just to make the assist pass, but to make passes within our offense that eventually leads to a better shot,' guard Kyle Korver said. 'That's a huge key for us. Everybody has to be engaged when you do that.'


The Celtics (14-12) had a season-low 17 assists Wednesday in a 119-116 loss at Detroit, spoiling point guard Isaiah Thomas' career high-tying 38 points. Boston has lost three of four following a 6-2 stretch.


'We just needed to play better, that's the bottom line,' coach Brad Stevens said. 'That's a good team, and we know it was going to be a good team, and that we would have to play really well to win. We didn't play well.'


The Celtics committed 18 turnovers after totaling 15 in their previous two games.


'We probably should've executed a little bit better, took care of the ball,' forward Jonas Jerebko said. 'It just didn't go our way today and we didn't have a great game. We gotta bounce back ... Atlanta's next.'


Thomas had 23 points and 10 assists in the first meeting in Boston, while Paul Millsap scored 25 to lead seven Hawks in double figures in the one in Atlanta.


The Celtics have won 19 of the last 23 at home in this series, including playoffs. The Hawks have dropped six of eight on the road after opening 4-0.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Raptors (16-11) at Heat (15-9)
Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

After closing their homestand with a string of victories, the banged-up Toronto Raptors are fighting through an offensive slump on their three-game road swing.


It certainly won't get any easier in the finale against a team coach Dwane Casey said "got into us defensively and made it tough for us" last month.


As the Raptors try to avoid a season high-tying third straight loss, the defensive-minded Miami Heat seek their longest winning streak in 20 months Friday night.


Toronto shot 47.9 percent from the field in winning the last four of a six-game stay north of the border, but has struggled with a 36.4 mark over the first two of its trip.


Although DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points Thursday, Kyle Lowry shot 6 for 29 - including 3 of 17 from 3-point range - in a 109-99 overtime loss at Charlotte. The Raptors only made nine of a season-high 39 attempts (23.1 percent) from beyond the arc.


"It's almost like we have to get hit in the teeth before we compete," Casey said after his team rallied from a 16-point deficit to force overtime.


It hasn't helped that they're playing without starters Jonas Valanciunas (finger) and DeMarre Carroll (knee), the team's third and fourth leading scorers. Neither player is expected to return for the trip's final stop at American Airlines Arena.


Center Bismack Biyombo has filled in to give Toronto a solid defensive presence and finished with a career-best 18 rebounds and career high-tying seven blocks Thursday.


Valanciunas had a team-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the first meeting at Miami on Nov. 8. Lowry and DeRozan, however, were a combined 9 for 30 and the Raptors shot just 39.4 percent and were 3 of 19 from 3-point range in a 96-76 loss.


Toronto (16-11) had lost 16 in a row before winning the last two meetings in 2014-15. They could have a difficult time evening this season's series with Miami (15-9) leading the Eastern Conference in points (93.8) and shooting percentage (42.2) allowed.


The Heat shot 53.3 percent while holding their fifth consecutive opponent under 100 points in a 104-98 win at Brooklyn on Wednesday. They're going after their first four-game winning streak since March 28-April 2, 2014, before LeBron James' departure.


"We've won three in a row, but we have a big one Friday," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "The challenge now is not to get overwhelmed with just the result. It's how we're playing and just to bring an incredible disposition at home against a very good team."


Dwyane Wade played through a swollen mouth that gave him trouble speaking earlier in the day, finishing with 28 points. Hassan Whiteside scored 20 with 13 rebounds.


Wade made 13 of 17 shots after missing 13 of 16 in his previous game at Atlanta. Whiteside had been averaging just 7.8 points over his prior four.


"Last game I got so many great shots and couldn't knock them down," Wade said. "I told my teammates if I get those same shots versus Brooklyn, they're going in."


Now it's Chris Bosh's turn to regroup after he matched a season low with seven points while missing six of his seven shots. Bosh, who spent his first seven seasons with Toronto, has totaled 44 points and 19 rebounds in his last two meetings.


The All-Star has helped the Heat win 12 in a row in the series when he's played.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pistons (15-12) at Bulls (15-8)
Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls continue to take advantage of playing at home.


That's usually been the case when they face the Detroit Pistons.


The Bulls can continue that dominance of the Pistons at the United Center by completing a perfect five-game homestand Friday night.


Chicago (15-8) has consistently shined while going 11-3 at home. No team has played away from home less than the Bulls, who have gone 4-5 on the road. In home games, the Bulls lead the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage (40.8) and rank second in points allowed at 93.8 per contest.


Since giving up an average of 103.3 points during a three-game slide, Chicago has yielded 88.8 per game through the first four of this homestand. The Bulls haven't won five straight anywhere since last December.


"(There's) a great vibe," guard Derrick Rose said after scoring 19 in Wednesday's 98-85 win over Memphis. "As long as we're winning games we don't care about anything else. Everything else gets swept under the rug. We're playing together, finishing games together.


"On to the next game."


They've beaten the Pistons in 17 of the last 18 regular-season meetings at the United Center, holding them to an average of 86.7 points. Detroit (15-12) reached 100 once during that stretch.


The Pistons, though, won the only meeting this season with a 98-94 overtime victory Oct. 30 in Detroit as they held Rose to eight points on 4-of-13 shooting with five turnovers. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 23 points and has totaled 47 in his last two contests.


The Pistons are 2-8 in road games since winning their first three. They hadn't surpassed 100 points during that stretch, averaging 89.6, before winning 107-95 at league-worst Philadelphia last Friday.


Beginning with that victory, Detroit has averaged 111.8 points and shot 46.6 percent to win three of four. However, the Pistons yielded their second-most points of the season while holding on for a 119-116 win over Boston on Wednesday to close a three-game homestand.


"There were a lot of good things from an offensive standpoint," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We didn't play very good defense."


Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a career-high 31 on 10-of-16 shooting. The third-year guard averaged 12.7 points and shot 38.2 percent in the first 20 games, but he's at 18.3 points and 47.4 percent in the last seven.


'I never lost confidence in myself, because I know offense is one of those things that comes and goes,' Caldwell-Pope said. 'I just kept playing hard on defense and stuck to my routine. I knew I would start hitting shots at some point.'


One of his worst games of the season came against Chicago, scoring six points on 2-of-12 shooting. Caldwell-Pope has averaged 7.6 points and shot 36.0 percent in eight career matchups.


Pistons leading scorer Reggie Jackson has averaged 24.8 points in the last four games. He's scored 22 in each of the last three against the Bulls while averaging 9.0 assists.


The NBA leader with 23 double-doubles, Andre Drummond recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds against the Bulls in October.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (10-15) at Timberwolves (9-16)
Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Sacramento Kings could have given in to distractions in their last game. Instead, they moved to the brink of their longest win streak this season.


With Rajon Rondo back from suspension, the Kings try for a fourth straight victory while sending the Minnesota Timberwolves to a fifth consecutive defeat Friday night.


Rondo was suspended by the NBA for Tuesday's game against Houston because of a "derogatory and offensive term" he used against official Bill Kennedy in a loss to Boston in Mexico City on Dec. 3.


Kennedy, who later reportedly revealed that he is gay in an interview, said that the Kings point guard used a gay slur. Rondo issued a second apology Tuesday after receiving criticism for his initial one on Twitter in which he blamed "frustration and emotion."


"I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill," Rondo said in a statement released by the Kings. "There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone's sexual orientation. That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person."


Rondo served his suspension during a 107-97 victory, a game that featured a strange incident. DeMarcus Cousins' manager Andrew Rogers was ejected for slapping at the Rockets' Jason Terry in the third quarter.


It didn't derail Cousins, who had a team-best 26 points and 12 rebounds, or the Kings (10-15) as they won despite committing 29 turnovers - their highest total in 19 seasons.


Darren Collison had eight giveaways but also recorded 14 points, a season-best 13 assists and seven rebounds in place of Rondo, among the NBA leaders with four triple-doubles.


"We all know what kind of player Rondo is, but when somebody is down, we've still got to be able to win games," said forward Rudy Gay, who had 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.


Rondo is slated to start against a Minnesota team that's lost eight of nine. A 107-102 defeat at New York on Wednesday was its fourth straight.


The Timberwolves (9-16) have averaged 106.1 points in their last seven games but given up 111.3. Coach Sam Mitchell, though, is touting his young team's improvement from a 16-66 effort in 2014-15.


"We're not jumping up and down celebrating, but compared to where we were defensively last year, offensively last year, I'm laughing at you guys (the media)," Mitchell said. 'Everybody's like, 'What's wrong with the Timberwolves?' We won 16 games last year. We've got nine wins right now.


"You're talking about eight guys 22 or younger. Our three most talented players that play the most minutes and are our leading scorers are all 20 years old and would be juniors in college."


Minnesota won 101-91 at Sacramento on Nov. 27, ending a four-game skid in the series. Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points while Zach LaVine contributed 19 points and eight rebounds.


The Timberwolves, 3-10 at home, face a Sacramento club that has won in its last two visits to Minnesota. The Kings have also played the past two in the series without Cousins, who was out with a strained lower back Nov. 27.


Gay had two points on 1-of-13 shooting in that game after scoring a combined 54 in his previous two matchups. Rondo had 16 points and 16 assists.


Wiggins is averaging 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in four career games against Sacramento, his highest marks in both categories against a Western Conference opponent.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Clippers (16-10) at Spurs (22-5)
Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The San Antonio Spurs' stretch of home dominance has exceeded even their previous standards of excellence.


Don't expect the Los Angeles Clippers to be intimidated, however, in Friday night's visit to AT&T Center for the teams' first meeting since last season's thrilling playoff series.


There's no shortage of storylines for this marquee matchup of Western Conference heavyweights, both of whom are in top form with the Clippers overcoming a sluggish opening month to win nine of 11.


The Spurs, winners of four straight and eight of nine, have been consistently good in posting a 22-5 record surpassed only by one-loss Golden State. They've been invincible at home in regular-season play since the latter stages of last season, outscoring opponents by an average of 18.1 points in winning a franchise-record 23 straight.


That reign of supremacy didn't extend into April's quarterfinals with Los Angeles (16-10), which came through with two pivotal victories in San Antonio to advance in seven games. The Clippers trailed in the series entering Games 4 and 6 and won both.


Los Angeles also dealt the Spurs their worst home loss of last season, 105-85 on Jan. 31.


The Clippers have had similar success on the road of late, winning five of six. They went 4-1 on an eight-day trip before getting another solid all-around effort in Wednesday's 103-90 home decision over injury-plagued Milwaukee.


Chris Paul scored 21 points and J.J. Redick added 19 in the Clippers' third straight win overall. Both have recovered from recent injuries to bring needed balance to an offense that was too often reliant on Blake Griffin during a 7-8 start.


Redick is averaging 20.6 points while shooting 54.8 percent from 3-point range over a five-game stretch. Paul is averaging 15.5 points and 10.3 assists in six games since returning from a rib injury while anchoring a defense that's held opponents to 41.1 percent shooting over the last four.


"I think defensively we're starting to get it. And it just makes us a better offensive team, right?," coach Doc Rivers said. "I don't think our team connected the dots early on that to be a good offensive team, you have to be a good defensive team because you have to get stops, you have to get stops in a row."


Defense has been the Spurs' calling card all season, as they're yielding a league-low 88.2 points per game and rank near the top in opposing field goal percentage (41.8). They limited Washington to 43 points and 36.4 percent shooting in the second half of Wednesday's 114-95 triumph that eclipsed the club's 22-game home win streak in 2010-11.


"We showed a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more contact and a lot more competitiveness in the second half, starting with transition 'D'," coach Gregg Popovich said. "That changed the game for us."


The offense has been rolling lately as well, with San Antonio shooting 52.6 percent and averaging 108.5 points over its last eight. Kawhi Leonard has hit at a 60.5 percent clip while averaging 23.7 points over the past three, highlighted by Wednesday's 27-point performance.


San Antonio will have Tim Duncan back after resting him Wednesday. The 39-year-old is posting career-low averages in scoring (9.0), rebounding (8.3) and minutes played (26.5).

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Grizzlies (14-13) at Mavericks (14-12)
Date: December 18, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Given the way San Antonio is playing, it's hard to imagine Dallas or Memphis ever catching the Spurs in the Southwest Division.


Defending division champion Houston has been a major disappointment, so the Mavericks and Grizzlies may consider second place rather significant.


After losing the first meeting of the season in Memphis, the Mavericks will try to maintain that spot by evening things up Friday night at American Airlines Center.


San Antonio has quietly raced out to a 22-5 record thanks to Golden State claiming all the back pages, leaving Dallas (14-12) and Memphis (14-13) neck-and-neck in the battle for second despite both hovering around .500 most of the season.


Both clubs enjoyed strong stretches last month with the Mavericks winning six in a row at one point and the Grizzlies six of seven - including a 110-96 victory over Dallas on Nov. 24 - but since those surges, the Mavs are 5-8 and the Grizzlies 5-6.


It's all added up to an odd reversal for the NBA's toughest division over the last two seasons. The only team among the Spurs, Rockets, Mavs and Grizzlies in that span that didn't have at least 50 wins was Dallas with 49 last season.


Neither Dallas nor Memphis appears capable of returning to that success, but the Mavs can start helping their cause in the division by playing much better than they did against the Grizzlies last month.


Dallas had one of its worst nights at FedEx Forum, shooting 39.0 percent while turning the ball over 19 times, which led to 21 Grizzlies points. The Mavs were also outscored 48-22 in the paint in spite of a 48-42 advantage on the glass.


By posting their worst field-goal percentage in the rivalry since January 2011, they lost their third straight and fifth in the last six meetings.


"We've got to win some games against good teams," Wesley Matthews told the team's official website. "You know, we've got an opportunity to do it on Friday. Enough talking about it. We've just got to go out there and do it. ... Everybody's got to be better all around and find ways to win, whether we're making shots or not making shots."


That may not be easy for Dallas, which shot below 37.0 percent in two of its last three losses and scored its season low in a 107-81 defeat at Indiana on Wednesday.


Raymond Felton had 16 points and Dirk Nowitzki 13 for the Mavs, who allowed the Pacers to outscore them 62-34 after the break.


The Grizzlies also shot poorly in the first meeting with Dallas at 43.0 percent, but they took care of the ball with just nine turnovers - one of only three times this season they've avoided double digits.


The story's been different with 34 combined giveaways in their last two, although they picked up a 112-95 home win against Washington on Monday by shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 10 of 15 from 3-point range.


Memphis couldn't sustain that for long, though, and missed 14 of its 19 attempts from long range in Wednesday's 98-85 loss at Chicago. Mike Conley scored just eight points and went 1 for 8 from deep, while Marc Gasol had eight points and seven rebounds.


"Tough night for them," coach David Joerger said. "Neither guy is a guy that you feature and they believe that it's to score, score, score. They're pure-hearted. They're going to make the right play. Both of them had a tough night offensively."


Conley had 21 points against the Mavs in November and Gasol 15 with 10 rebounds.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nuggets (11-14) at Jazz (10-14)
Date: December 18, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Utah won in Denver as part of its promising start to the season, but that's quickly becoming a distant memory.


The Jazz's recent struggles include a season-high losing streak that they'll attempt to snap in Friday night's rematch, but they'll have to slow down a resurgent Nuggets team riding its longest road winning streak in two years.


Utah (10-14) held Denver to 38.9 percent shooting and 5 of 20 from 3-point range in a 96-84 victory Nov. 5. The Jazz beat Memphis two days later to go to 4-2 for their best start since 2008-09, allowing an average of 85.0 points. They've since given up 101.0 per game while posting a 6-12 record.


They've dropped four straight after losing 104-94 to New Orleans on Wednesday, getting outscored 31-15 in the fourth quarter.


'Yeah it's frustrating, but I've been through it before,' said forward Derrick Favors, who had 22 points. 'Just have to keep working. Keep at it. Don't feel bad or sorry for yourself.


'You're going to have winning streaks and losing streaks just like you have bad games and good games. Just got to keep fighting.'


The Nuggets (11-14), meanwhile, have won three in a row and five of six after a 112-100 victory in Minnesota on Tuesday. They shot a season-best 56.2 percent and went 10 of 18 from beyond the arc.


It was also their third consecutive road win after opening 3-7 away from home. This is Denver's longest road winning streak since a four-game run Nov. 25-Dec. 3, 2013.


Denver has topped 105 points in all three of the latest road wins and is averaging 104.2 on 46.0 percent shooting in the last six games overall. That follows an eight-game losing streak in which the Nuggets averaged 91.1 points and shot 40.5 percent.


Randy Foye had a season-high 19 points, tying Kenneth Faried for the team lead, and made five of his six 3-point attempts Tuesday. The veteran guard was averaging 5.0 points on 29.5 percent shooting, including 19.7 from beyond the arc, in his first 24 games.


"We all knew as an organization that the Randy Foye that's played in the first 20-some odd games isn't the Randy Foye we've seen for eight years," coach Michael Malone said. "We knew at some point he'd break out of it. It couldn't have happened on a better night."


It's unclear if No. 7 overall pick Emmanuel Mudiay, averaging 10.7 points and a team-best 5.7 assists, will return after missing the last two games with a sprained right ankle.


Jameer Nelson has started both games in his place, scoring 10 points in each with a combined 11 assists.


While sixth man Will Barton has sparked Denver's surge with an average of 18.5 points in the last six games, the Jazz's starting backcourt has been part of their recent struggles. Alec Burks and Rodney Hood combine to average 26.6 points but have totaled 29 over the past two games, with Burks shooting 4 for 19.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bucks (10-17) at Warriors (25-1)
Date: December 18, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The Golden State Warriors have built the best 26-game start in NBA history with a businesslike approach.


The next game will be a little personal, however.


The Warriors get a chance to avenge their lone loss when the Milwaukee Bucks limp into Oakland for Friday night's matchup.


Milwaukee sent shock waves throughout the league by ending the Warriors' 28-game regular-season winning streak with Saturday's 108-95 victory. Michael Carter-Williams capped the upset with a late dunk he followed by glaring at the Golden State bench, a move which drew the ire of several Warriors.


'We remember what happened less than a week ago," Stephen Curry said following Wednesday's 128-103 bounce-back win over Phoenix.


Even if Golden State didn't have that additional motivation, Milwaukee (10-17) faces an uphill task in achieving a season sweep. The Bucks have lost 11 straight on the road and won't have top scorer Greg Monroe for a third consecutive game due to a Grade I MCL sprain in his left knee.


Monroe played an integral part in the victory over the Warriors, tallying a season-high 28 points along with 11 rebounds and five assists.


The Bucks have averaged 89.0 points during their road skid. Including playoffs, Golden State (25-1) hasn't scored fewer than 90 at home in 70 straight outings. The Warriors have won 29 straight in Oakland in regular-season play.


Having Klay Thompson at full strength also figures to hinder Milwaukee's chances. The All-Star guard was held to 12 points and 4-of-14 shooting as he dealt with a sprained ankle in last week's meeting, but scored a season-high 43 against the Suns.


"It's good to have a few big-scoring games here or there just to let teams know they can't focus so much on Steph," said Thompson, who went 8 of 13 from 3-point range. "Just (to) give him some balance out there because he's going to get every team's greatest look every night."


The Warriors also should be more fresh for the rematch. Last week's loss was the finale of a grueling seven-game, 13-day road trip, but they'll play for just the second time in six days Friday.


Milwaukee has dropped the first two games of a four-game western swing. After opening with a lackluster performance in Tuesday's 113-95 defeat to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, the Bucks showed more will Wednesday but lost 113-90 to the Clippers.


'The fight was there and the intent was right,' coach Jason Kidd said. 'The guys played hard, but the ball did not fall for us. The effort was extremely high, but we just could not make the plays when we needed to.'


Carter-Williams had 17 points in the latest defeat and has averaged 17.7 in a three-game stretch, a result of his increased role with backcourt mates Greivis Vasquez and Jerryd Bayless sidelined by ankle injuries. The point guard totaled 17 points, seven assists and five steals against Golden State.


With Monroe out, the Bucks will lean more heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, who scored a season-high 19 on Saturday.


Milwaukee had lost four straight to the Warriors.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pelicans (7-18) at Suns (11-16)
Date: December 18, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Part of the Pelicans' disappointing start has been their dreadful play outside New Orleans. However, they are coming off their second road win of the season and now head to the city where they got their first.


Anthony Davis and the Pelicans look to again take advantage of the poor defense played by the Phoenix Suns, a team they helped send into a tailspin which is still lingering.


New Orleans heads back to Phoenix on Friday night after outscoring Utah 31-15 in the fourth quarter Wednesday to win 104-94 in Salt Lake City.


'From a competitive standpoint, we played the way you have to to win on the road,' coach Alvin Gentry said.


The Pelicans (7-18) held the Jazz to one field goal in the final seven minutes to improve to 2-12 away from home. It was the fewest points they've allowed in a road game all season and just the third time they held an opponent under 100.


"We hope it is (a turning point)," said Davis, whose team has topped 100 points in back-to-back road games after previously averaging 95.7. The Pelicans score 108.3 per game in New Orleans.


"We need to go to Phoenix with the same mentality, knowing that we already beat them twice. They will come out with lots of energy and effort. We will try to get another win against those guys. We have to make sure that everything from the past few nights carries over to Friday."


A playoff team last season for the first time since 2010-11, New Orleans opened 1-10 this fall before a three-game win streak which included back-to-back victories over Phoenix (11-16). Davis averaged 29.0 points, 18.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as the Pelicans reached 120 points in both games and won each by six.


The Suns entered the first of those matchups with a respectable 7-5 record but have since gone 4-11, a stretch during which they're allowing a league-worst 109.7 points per game. New Orleans hasn't topped 105 points in any road game other than its 120-114 win in Phoenix on Nov. 25.


It was less of a surprise that the Suns gave up another big number Wednesday. They lost 128-103 at Golden State, letting the league's best team offensively and record-wise put away the game with a 46-point third quarter. Klay Thompson outscored the Suns 27-19 in that period and finished with 43.


"We wasn't helping each other," point guard Eric Bledsoe said. "You know, our defense has kinda been a little bit bad as far as everything. We just gotta get better with that. ... We definitely gotta pick it up defensively."


Bledsoe failed to reach double figures for the first time all season with six points on 3-of-12 shooting. The Suns are 1-8 when he plays and doesn't shoot better than 40 percent.


Ryan Anderson averaged 24.5 points in the first two meetings and led New Orleans on Friday with 24 as he made all 13 of his free throws. He's missed only two of his last 40 attempts.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (513) SACRAMENTO@ (514) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA against the spread in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 4 Wins and 20 Losses for the last two seasons (-18 units)


NBA > (507) ATLANTA@ (508) BOSTON | 2015-12-18 19:30:00 - 2015-12-18 19:30:00
Play ON ATLANTA against the spread in All games in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+9.9 units)


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


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (511) DETROIT@ (512) CHICAGO | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 65 Wins and 24 Losses for the last three seasons (+47.85 units)


NBA > (513) SACRAMENTO@ (514) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 6 Wins and 24 Losses for the last two seasons (-24.15 units)


NBA > (509) TORONTO@ (510) MIAMI | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in All games against Atlantic division opponents
The record is 19 Wins and 5 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.4 units)


NBA > (503) BROOKLYN@ (504) INDIANA | 2015-12-18 19:00:00 - 2015-12-18 19:00:00
Play ON INDIANA using money line in Home games on Friday nights
The record is 17 Wins and 3 Losses for the last three seasons (+14.45 units)


NBA > (505) NEW YORK@ (506) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-18 19:00:00 - 2015-12-18 19:00:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA using money line in Home games in December games
The record is 41 Wins and 61 Losses for the since 1992 (-53.4 units)


NBA > (511) DETROIT@ (512) CHICAGO | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games after playing 3 consecutive home games
The record is 5 Wins and 13 Losses for the last three seasons (-17.35 units)


NBA > (521) NEW ORLEANS@ (522) PHOENIX | 2015-12-18 22:30:00 - 2015-12-18 22:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in Road games off an upset win as an underdog
The record is 1 Wins and 9 Losses for the last two seasons (-11.35 units)


NBA > (501) PORTLAND@ (502) ORLANDO | 2015-12-18 19:00:00 - 2015-12-18 19:00:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND using money line in All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 4 Wins and 14 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.2 units)


NBA > (521) NEW ORLEANS@ (522) PHOENIX | 2015-12-18 22:30:00 - 2015-12-18 22:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in All games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 4 Wins and 13 Losses for the last three seasons (-15.3 units)


NBA > (519) DENVER@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-18 21:00:00 - 2015-12-18 21:00:00
Play AGAINST DENVER using money line in All games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 6 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (-16.3 units)


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


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (513) SACRAMENTO@ (514) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin Home games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 4 Wins and 21 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.1 units)


NBA > (509) TORONTO@ (510) MIAMI | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI ?>in the first halfin Home games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 1 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (-14.4 units)


NBA > (513) SACRAMENTO@ (514) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 15 Wins and 39 Losses for the last two seasons (-27.9 units)


NBA > (521) NEW ORLEANS@ (522) PHOENIX | 2015-12-18 22:30:00 - 2015-12-18 22:30:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS ?>in the first halfin Road games off an upset win as an underdog
The record is 1 Wins and 13 Losses for the last three seasons (-13.3 units)

NBA > (515) LA CLIPPERS@ (516) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games after a non-conference game
The record is 31 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+18.9 units)


NBA > (523) MILWAUKEE@ (524) GOLDEN STATE | 2015-12-18 22:30:00 - 2015-12-18 22:30:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE ?>in the first halfin All games first half of the season
The record is 38 Wins and 17 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.3 units)


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


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (519) DENVER@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-18 21:00:00 - 2015-12-18 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 > (519) DENVER@ (520) UTAH | 2015-12-18 21:00:00 - 2015-12-18 21:00:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 6 Overs and 28 Unders for the last two seasons (+21.4 units)


NBA > (521) NEW ORLEANS@ (522) PHOENIX | 2015-12-18 22:30:00 - 2015-12-18 22:30:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin Road games first half of the season
The record is 9 Overs and 35 Unders for the last three seasons (+25.1 units)


NBA > (515) LA CLIPPERS@ (516) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 21 Overs and 55 Unders for the last two seasons (+31.9 units)


NBA > (515) LA CLIPPERS@ (516) SAN ANTONIO | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 20 Overs and 53 Unders for the last three seasons (+31 units)


NBA > (501) PORTLAND@ (502) ORLANDO | 2015-12-18 19:00:00 - 2015-12-18 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) TORONTO@ (510) MIAMI | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 17 Overs and 43 Unders for the last two seasons (+24.3 units)


NBA > (513) SACRAMENTO@ (514) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-18 20:00:00 - 2015-12-18 20:00:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 17 Overs and 42 Unders for the last two seasons (+23.3 units)


NBA > (507) ATLANTA@ (508) BOSTON | 2015-12-18 19:30:00 - 2015-12-18 19:30:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 36 Overs and 73 Unders for the last two seasons (+33.4 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Rams 31, Bucs 23-- Best game Rams' offense has played in years.

-- Both Texas A&M QBs are transferring; not sure I've ever heard of a team losing both its top two QBs that way- they must've had a lot of fun together this year.

-- Lebron James crashed into a woman on sidelines last night; woman was carted off on a stretcher-- turns out it was the wife of golfer Jason Day.

-- When they show football stats, I'd like to see total plays run-- more important than time of possession, thats for sure.

-- Tournament of Roses parade cost $9.4M to put on LY, took in $7.4M, Guy who is the executvie director of the parade makes $365,141. The football game makes so much money it more than covers the expenses for the parade.

-- Yadier Molina had a second surgery on his injured thumb, is expected to miss most of spring training.

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Ranking NFL QBs within tiers.........

I divided 33 NFL (two for Denver) QBs into four tiers, then ranked them within the tiers. I think Philip Rivers is better than Joe Flacco, but Flacco won a Super Bowl and Rivers hasn't played in one, so they're in different tiers. Rankings are for right now, with exception of the injured starters- their ranking is for when they were last healthy.

Tier One: QBs who won a Super Bowl
8) Peyton Manning-- One of the all-time greats is at the end of the trail.

7) Joe Flacco-- This was his first losing season out of eight in NFL.

6) Eli Manning-- Durable, immobile, won two Super Bowls. Funny how he and his brother are statuesque, while their dad was a lot like Steve Young, a scrambler.

5) Drew Brees-- Had advantage of playing in dome and being coached by Sean Payton, an aggressive playcaller. Wonder if Chargers regret letting him go.

4) Russell Wilson-- As Ram fan, root against him twice a year; he has many qualities like Joe Montana. Elusive, smart, much better runner obviously but he doesn't have Jerry Rice. He is really, really good, as his 50-19 W-L record suggests.

3) Aaron Rodgers-- Which was more seamless, Packers going from Favre/Rodgers or Colts going from Manning/Luck? Good management by both teams.

2) Ben Roethlisberger-- Go back to 2004 draft; Giants traded for Eli Manning, when they could've stood pat and taken Big Ben. Its worked out well for both sides, but if that draft happened again, you wonder how it would play out?

1) Tom Brady-- Why do quarterbacks run a 40-yard dash at the Combine?

Tier Two: Veteran QBs who haven't won a Super Bowl
10) Matt Ryan-- Has had a dismal year, Falcons' third losing year in row (16-29).

9) Alex Smith-- 49ers chose Kaepernick over him; was that the right move?

8) Matthew Stafford-- Plays in dome, for a team that has won one playoff game since 1957. Has 39-51 record; you watch him and think Lions should be better.

7) Jay Cutler-- 66-65 career record, going 27-13 from 2010-12, 39-52 the rest of the time. Bears lost 26-0 in one game he missed this year. Cutler might be underrated.

6) Tony Romo-- Dallas is 1-8 in games he missed this year, but a 2-4 playoff record also haunts him. 10 years as a starter, six playoff games. No bueno.

5) Andy Dalton-- 0-4 in playoffs, but 50-26-1 in regular season- Bengals were terrible before he became the QB. This was his best season until he broke his right thumb.

4) Andrew Luck-- Indy better be careful with him; lacerated kidney is nothing to mess around with. The way this season has gone, Colts will have new coach next year. Has 3-3 playoff record in four years (more playoff wins than Romo/Dalton combined).

3) Carson Palmer-- What QB wouldn't love playing for Bruce Arians? This is his best season, now he needs a playoff win-- his playoff record is 0-2 ('05, '09).

2) Cam Newton-- Win college, won in junior college, winning in NFL.

1) Philip Rivers-- 95-71 career record, 4-5 in playoffs; was drafted in same year as Eli and Big Ben. Has eight kids, so I'm guessing he leads NFL QBs in that category.

Tier Three: Less accomplished QBs
8) Nick Foles/Case Keenum-- Give one of them a decent OL and a tight end who can catch the ball, then we'll see. Rest of team is ready to roll- offensive ineptitude has kept this team from contention this year- they're really not very far away.

7) Ryan Tannehill-- Was WR for two years at Texas A&M, not sure what Dolphins see in him- his starting job never seems to get challenged.

6) Sam Bradford-- At least he stayed mostly healthy this season.

5) Blaine Gabbert-- Has played fairly well for 49ers this season.

4) Brian Hoyer-- Head coach is a QB guru, but Texans can't find a QB- Hoyer has been OK but now has concussion issues.

3) Blake Bortles-- Jaguars scored 115 points in last three games; they have hope.

2) Derek Carr-- Oakland has chance to get to .500 this year if they can upset Green Bay this weekend. Raiders management got him couple good WRs, which helps.

1) Ryan Fitzpatrick-- Playing for fourth team in four years, during which time he has started 50 games-- unique career. Hope he writes a book someday.

Tier Four: Young QBs
7) Johnny Manziel-- Second coming of Fran Tarkenton on the field; hopefully he will be little less active off the field. Curious what Browns will do with him this winter.

6) Tyrod Taylor-- Wasn't that good in college, sat bench in Baltimore for four years, has done pretty well as a starter this year. Maybe thats the way to develop a QB.

5) Brock Osweiler-- Same boat as Taylor, is 3-1 filling in for legendary QB Manning. Will be free agent this winter- will Denver sign him up longterm?

4) Teddy Bridgewater-- Seems a little bit like Alex Smith; doesn't screw things up, is mobile enough to move chains. Vikings move to new stadium indoors next year.

3) Kirk Cousins-- No one talks about RGIII anymore.

2) Marcus Mariota-- I'm sure Tennessee is happy with him, but not sure why they fired the coach. Teams with rookie QBs starting seldom win a lot.

1) Jameis Winston-- All the BS he put himself thru in college is gone now; he has done way better than most people expected in his rookie year. Went 27-1 at Florida State, is 6-7 with Bucs- big improvement. Future is bright in Tampa Bay.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, December 18

Hot teams
-- Orlando won seven of its last ten games (2-3HF).
-- Pacers won three of last four games (5-2HF).
-- Knicks won last two games by total of 7 points (0-1AF).
-- Miami won its last three games (2-6 last 8HF).
-- Chicago won its last four games (3-10HF). Pistons won three of their last four games (0-4 last four AU).
-- Sacramento won its last three games (0-0AF).
-- Clippers won six of their last seven games (1-1AU). Spurs won eight of last nine games (9-4HF).
-- Nuggets won five of their last six games (6-4AU).
-- 25-1 Warriors are 6-4 as home favorites.

Cold teams
-- Portland lost four of last six games (7-4AU).
-- Nets lost last three games, by 5-23-6 points (6- last 8AU).
-- 1-26 Philly is 2-7 as a home underdog.
-- Atlanta/Boston both lost three of last four games; Hawks are 3-3 as road underdogs. Celtics are 5-4 as home favorites.
-- Toronto lost last two games, by 16-10 points (6-2AU).
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last nine games (1-7-1HU).
-- Memphis/Dallas both lost three of its last four games (Memphis is 4-0 last fourAU........Dallas is 5-3HF).
-- Utah lost seven of its last nine games (3-4HF).
-- Pelicans/Suns both lost seven of their last ten games (Pelicans 4-9AU.......Suns 1-4 last five HF).
-- Milwaukee lost four of last five games (5-7AU)- the win was the game that ended Golden State's winning streak.

Series records
-- Home side won last six Portland-Orlando games.
-- Nets won last two games with Indiana, after losing five in row.
-- 76ers lost six of their last seven games with New York.
-- Hawks won four of last six games with Boston.
-- Raptors lost eight of last ten games with Miami.
-- Pistons won three of last four games with Chicago.
-- Kings won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Clippers won three of last four games with San Antonio.
-- Grizzlies won five of last six games with Dallas.
-- Jazz won three of last four games with Denver
-- Pelicans won four of last five games with Phoenix
-- Milwaukee handed Warriors their first loss last week, their first win in last five games with Golden State.

Totals
-- Three of last four Portland games stayed under total.
-- Last five Brooklyn-Indiana games went over total.
-- Five of last six NY-Philly games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Miami-Toronto games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Detroit games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Sacramento games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight San Antonio games went over total.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Memphis-Dallas games.
-- Seven of last nine Denver-Utah games stayed under.
-- Four of last five New Orleans games stayed under
-- Nine of last ten Golden State games went over total.

Back/backs
-- Toronto is 3-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Chicago is 3-0 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Friday, December 18

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

7:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Brooklyn is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
Indiana is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
New York is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against New York

7:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. ORLANDO
Portland is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 7 games on the road
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games

7:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. BOSTON
Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta's last 8 games
Boston is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

8:00 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. MINNESOTA
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Sacramento's last 23 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games

8:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. SAN ANTONIO
LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers are 5-20 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 20-5 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 13 of San Antonio's last 19 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Miami
Miami is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Toronto

8:00 PM
DETROIT vs. CHICAGO
Detroit is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Chicago is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing Detroit
Chicago is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Detroit

8:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. DALLAS
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Memphis's last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games at home

9:00 PM
DENVER vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Utah's last 10 games at home

10:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. GOLDEN STATE
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Golden State is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee

10:30 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. PHOENIX
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, December 18


Atlanta @ Boston

Game 507-508
December 18, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
118.630
Boston
120.717
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 4
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+4); Under

Toronto @ Miami

Game 509-510
December 18, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
118.671
Miami
121.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 2 1/2
183
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 5
187 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+5); Under

Detroit @ Chicago

Game 511-512
December 18, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
120.635
Chicago
121.492
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 4
195
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+4); Under

Sacramento @ Minnesota

Game 513-514
December 18, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
117.715
Minnesota
113.200
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 4 1/2
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 2
212 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(-2); Over

LA Clippers @ San Antonio

Game 515-516
December 18, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Clippers
121.480
San Antonio
136.715
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 15
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 7 1/2
194 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-7 1/2); Over

Memphis @ Dallas

Game 517-518
December 18, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
114.709
Dallas
119.805
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 5
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 2 1/2
196 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(-2 1/2); Over

Denver @ Utah

Game 519-520
December 18, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
111.317
Utah
118.953
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 7 1/2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 5
195 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(-5); Over

New Orleans @ Phoenix

Game 521-522
December 18, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
118.087
Phoenix
115.675
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 2 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 3 1/2
214
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+3 1/2); Under

Portland @ Orlando

Game 501-502
December 18, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
116.577
Orlando
125.519
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 9
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 4 1/2
199
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-4 1/2); Over

Milwaukee @ Golden State

Game 523-524
December 18, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
113.259
Golden State
129.399
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 16
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 19
211
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+19); Under

Brooklyn @ Indiana

Game 503-504
December 18, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
112.418
Indiana
128.320
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 16
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 10 1/2
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-10 1/2); Over

New York @ Philadelphia

Game 505-506
December 18, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
113.844
Philadelphia
110.864
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 3
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 6 1/2
196
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+6 1/2); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, December 18

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

PORTLAND (11 - 16) at ORLANDO (14 - 11) - 12/18/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) first half of the season this season.
ORLANDO is 66-44 ATS (+17.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents since 1996.

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

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

BROOKLYN (7 - 18) at INDIANA (15 - 9) - 12/18/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 34-21 ATS (+10.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 201-144 ATS (+42.6 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-3 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-2 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW YORK (12 - 14) at PHILADELPHIA (1 - 26) - 12/18/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-47 ATS (-24.7 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 102-136 ATS (-47.6 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 39-57 ATS (-23.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (15 - 12) at BOSTON (14 - 12) - 12/18/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 63-47 ATS (+11.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 36-23 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 88-126 ATS (-50.6 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
BOSTON is 89-122 ATS (-45.2 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (16 - 11) at MIAMI (15 - 9) - 12/18/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 117-155 ATS (-53.5 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 5-3 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 6-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DETROIT (15 - 12) at CHICAGO (15 - 8) - 12/18/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 240-289 ATS (-77.9 Units) first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-4 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SACRAMENTO (10 - 15) at MINNESOTA (9 - 16) - 12/18/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 43-59 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 44-60 ATS (-22.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in December games this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in home games first half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

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

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LA CLIPPERS (16 - 10) at SAN ANTONIO (22 - 5) - 12/18/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 22-34 ATS (-15.4 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 76-113 ATS (-48.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 32-45 ATS (-17.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 140-105 ATS (+24.5 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 471-388 ATS (+44.2 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 79-54 ATS (+19.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) first half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 312-244 ATS (+43.6 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 191-143 ATS (+33.7 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 269-216 ATS (+31.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 8-6 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-7 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MEMPHIS (14 - 13) at DALLAS (14 - 12) - 12/18/2015, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 294-241 ATS (+28.9 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 5-4 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DENVER (11 - 14) at UTAH (10 - 14) - 12/18/2015, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 58-44 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 7-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-4 straight up against DENVER 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 (7 - 18) at PHOENIX (11 - 16) - 12/18/2015, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 36-60 ATS (-30.0 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 93-124 ATS (-43.4 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.
PHOENIX is 105-82 ATS (+14.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MILWAUKEE (10 - 17) at GOLDEN STATE (25 - 1) - 12/18/2015, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 227-285 ATS (-86.5 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 36-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 38-23 ATS (+12.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) first half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 44-24 ATS (+17.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-36 ATS (+9.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 74-55 ATS (+13.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-2 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-1 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

Friday's NBA Tip Sheet
December 18, 2015


Hawks at Celtics (-4, 204.5) – 7:35 ET


The Celtics are on their first losing streak since before Thanksgiving and will be out to avoid dropping three straight for only the second time this season. They’ll be without guard Marcus Smart for another few weeks but had been getting excellent play out of Avery Bradley on both ends of the floor. Boston’s top perimeter defender saw a streak of 17 consecutive double-figure scoring games end in Wednesday’s 119-116 loss to Detroit where he shot 2-for-8 and was held to five points.


He didn’t play in the first meeting between these teams, a 106-93 Celtics win on Nov. 13, but scored 25 on 10-for-17 shooting in a 121-97 loss on Nov. 24. Atlanta snapped a season-high three-game losing streak in Wednesday’s 127-106 win over the 76ers, also ending a run seven consecutive games that went under the posted total. The Hawks won their first four road games of the season but are just 6-6 now. They’re only 1.5 games behind Miami for first place in the Southeast Division. Boston is 1.5 games behind Toronto in the Atlantic.


Raptors at Heat (-4, 204.5) – 8:05 ET


Two of the Eastern Conference’s three division leaders square off for the second time this season as Toronto looks to avoid a winless three-game road trip in South Florida. The first meeting, also played in Miami, saw the Heat roll to a 96-76 win, which is still the Raptors worst-loss of the season. Kyle Lowry had a rough night in Thursday’s 109-99 OT loss in Charlotte, calling timeout just before DeMar DeRozan knocked down what would’ve been a game-winning halfcourt shot. Making matters worse, he shot an incredible 6-for-29 from the field, including 3-for-17 from 3-point range. He was 4-for-16 in the loss to Miami, so there’s a good chance he’ll struggle again. The Heat have won three consecutive games and will be looking to put together their longest prosperous run of the season. Reserves Josh McRoberts (knee) and Tyler Johnson (shoulder) are questionable, while Toronto starters DeMarre Carroll (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (finger) remain sidelined. Although the ‘under’ has come in 18 of 24 times in Miami games, two of the last three have gone over the posted total. The ‘under’ has prevailed in three of the last four Raptors contests.


Pistons at Bulls (-4, 195) – 8:05 ET


The Pistons begin a crucial three-game road trip that will also feature stops at top East contenders Miami and Atlanta, giving the team a good idea of where they stand at this point in the season. Through the first 27 games, Stan Van Gundy has delivered a winner, helping mold Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond into two of the league’s top young players as potential All-Stars. Detroit has won seven of its last 10 games and have seen the ‘over’ come in in eight of 10, including each of the last four contests. They’ll be getting their second look at the Bulls, who they defeated 98-94 in Auburn Hills way back on Oct. 30. Chicago carries a four-game winning streak into this one and are wrapping up a homestand that has delivered victories over the Clippers, Pelicans, 76ers and Grizzlies. Although Derrick Rose has missed 17 of his last 22 3-point attempts, he does come off a 19-point game in Wednesday’s 98-85 win over Memphis, so it will be interesting to see how he handles this matchup with Jackson. Rose scored just eight points and committed five turnovers in the October loss to the Pistons.


Clippers at Spurs (-7.5, 194.5) – 8:05 ET, ESPN


For the first time since an epic first-round series in the 2015 playoffs, the Clippers and Spurs will cross paths.Chris Paul reigned supreme back in May and comes off his highest-scoring game of the month, finishing with 21 points and eight assists in a 103-90 win over the Bucks on Wednesday. L.A. has won six of its last seven, while San Antonio has won 13 of 15, including four straight. The Spurs are a perfect 14-0 at home, covering on 10 occasions. Kawhi Leonard comes off a 27-point game, his second highest-scoring of the season, after shooting 9-for-15 in Wednesday’s 114-95 win over Washington. Leonard has shot 29-for-50 (58 pct.) over the last four games, averaging 21.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. This will be the Clippers first look at LaMarcus Aldridge in a Spurs uniform. After a slow start, Aldridge has scored in double-figures in eight consecutive contests and is starting to assert himself offensively. Tim Duncan hasn’t scored in double-digits since Dec. 2 and has only done so once in the last 11 games he’s played in, but remains among the NBA’s most efficient performers. He rested on Wednesday and will be fresh here. DeAndre Jordan should also be well-rested since he was ejected in the third quarter against Milwaukee and played just 18 minutes. The Spurs have seen the ‘over’ come in four of the last five games, while the Clippers have had the ‘under’ prevail in three of four.

Pelicans at Suns (-3.5, 214) – 10:35 ET, ESPN


It can be argued that the Pelicans have been the NBA’s most disappointing squad since most expected they would compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. Instead, New Orleans enters Friday’s game tied with Brooklyn for the third-worst record in the league, leading only the hapless Lakers in the West. Despite being as healthy as they’ve been all season, Alvin Gentry’s team hasn’t won consecutive games since Nov. 25, when they defeated these Suns in a home-and-home, prevailing 122-116 and 120-114. These teams will play one last time on April 9. Anthony Davis has averaged 29 points and 18 rebounds against Phoenix and has shot over 60 percent from the field. Phoenix has also been disappointing, coming in with a two-game losing streak that has seen them lose to Dallas and Golden State by double-digits. Speculation has Markieff Morris on the block for Phoenix and Ryan Anderson available on the Pelicans. Truth be told, this game is only being spotlighted because it’s being nationally televised.

Bucks at Warriors (-19, 211) – 10:35 ET


There hasn’t been a spread this large in the NBA all season. The most Golden State has laid in a single game is 17. They covered too, beating the Lakers 111-77. The most points the 76ers have gotten this season is 16. The Spurs, who own the top point differential in the league, have been favored by 16 points over Philadelphia. While Greg Monroe, Milwaukee’s top scorer and rebounder (15.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg), likely won’t play due to a knee injury, it still seems like overkill that bookmakers would make the only team that has defeated the Warriors this season nearly a 20-point underdog in Oakland tonight. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances. Golden State has expressed its displeasure with how the Bucks handled handing the Warriors their first loss, celebrating a little too much. Golden State has won six games by 19 or more points this season, including Wednesday’s 128-103 win over Phoenix. They’re 7-4 ATS and 11-0 straight up at Oracle Arena this season, covering in each of their last four contests.

 

[CNOTES]

Pelicans, Suns square off
December 18, 2015




NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (7-18) at PHOENIX SUNS (11-16)

Tip-off: Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Phoenix -3.5, Total 213.5


The Suns will be looking to prevent a three-game losing streak when they host the Pelicans on Friday night.


The Pelicans are coming off of an impressive 104-94 win in Utah on Wednesday. New Orleans was a three-point road underdog and has now covered in two of its past three games. The Suns, meanwhile, were not able to hang with the Warriors for long in Golden State on Wednesday. Phoenix lost 128-103 as a 12-point road underdog and just could not stop the Warriors, allowing them to shoot 52.3% from the field in the game.


The Pelicans have already tasted victory against this Suns team this year, beating them 120-114 in Phoenix on Nov. 25 as a four-point ‘dog and 122-116 as a one-point home favorite on Nov. 22. The Pelicans are 6-3 ATS against the Suns over the past three seasons, but Phoenix is actually 5-4 SU in those contests.


There are some interesting trends in favor of both teams heading into this game. The Pelicans are 21-9 ATS after two straight games giving up 10 or less offensive rebounds over the past two seasons. The Suns won’t be intimidated, as they are 15-5 ATS after a blowout loss by 15 points or more over the past three seasons.


The only injury worth noting heading into this game is that SF Quincy Pondexter (Knee) remains out indefinitely for the Pelicans.


The Pelicans are coming off of a big win in Utah and PF Ryan Anderson (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG) had a huge game for New Orleans. Anderson scored 24 points in 34 minutes of action, but it was his efficiency that really helped the team. Anderson was 5-for-10 from the field and 13-for-13 from the charity stripe. He’ll have a good chance to have another solid performance against a run-and-gun Phoenix team on Friday.


PF Anthony Davis (23.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG) will be looking forward to this matchup, as he has torched the Suns this season. Davis is averaging 29.0 PPG and 18.0 RPG in 39.0 MPG against Phoenix this year. He should be able to dominate the Suns once again on Friday.


One reason things are looking up for the Pelicans is that PG Jrue Holiday (12.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG) is starting to get healthy. Holiday is averaging 25.5 MPG over the past four contests and has put up 16.8 PPG and 4.5 APG in those games. His minute restriction could be coming off soon and that will really help New Orleans.


The Suns were playing well in Golden State until around the halfway point in the second quarter. Steph Curry got hot for the Warriors and from there it was all Golden State. The Suns will now look to turn things around and beat a Pelicans team that they have not beaten in two attempts this season.


PG Eric Bledsoe (21.7 PPG, 6.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 SPG) was miserable against the Warriors, scoring just six points on 3-for-12 shooting. He will need to be a lot better against New Orleans on Friday.


SG Brandon Knight (20.3 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.2 RPG) has played well against the Pelicans this season. Knight is averaging 24.0 PPG, 8.5 APG and 3.0 SPG in two meetings with New Orleans and will need to pick up the slack if Bledsoe continues to struggle for the Suns.


PF Mirza Teletovic (9.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG) was one player that really lit it up against the Warriors. He scored 24 points in 24 minutes and it’ll be interesting to see if Phoenix gives him extended minutes on Friday.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


POR at ORL 07:00 PM


ORL -4.5 TRIPLE PLAY


O 201.0




BK at IND 07:00 PM


IND -10.0 BLOW OUT


U 206.5




NY at PHI 07:00 PM


PHI +6.0


U 195.0




ATL at BOS 07:30 PM


BOS -3.5


U 206.0 DOUBLE PLAY




TOR at MIA 08:00 PM


MIA -4.5 DOUBLE PLAY


U 187.0




DET at CHI 08:00 PM


DET +5.0 TRIPLE PLAY


U 196.0




SAC at MIN 08:00 PM


MIN +2.5


O 213.5 DOUBLE PLAY




LAC at SA 08:00 PM


LAC +7.5


U 195.0




MEM at DAL 08:30 PM


DAL -2.5


O 197.0




DEN at UTA 09:00 PM


UTA -5.5 DOUBLE PLAY


U 194.0




MIL at GS 10:30 PM


MIL +19.0 BLOW OUT


O 209.5 BLOW OUT




NO at PHO 10:30 PM


PHO -3.5


U 213.5