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

[CNOTES]

Preview: Raptors (21-13) at Cavaliers (22-9)
Date: January 04, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors were just victimized by a performance that surpassed the great Michael Jordan.


Now they have to face LeBron James, who may be at less than full strength.


James is battling an illness as he leads the Cleveland Cavaliers into Monday night's home game against the Raptors.


Toronto (21-14) failed to sweep a three-game homestand thanks to Sunday's 115-113 loss to Chicago. The Raptors gave up 40 second-half points to Jimmy Butler, who broke Jordan's team record for points in a half of 39.


"We tried everybody and everything, couldn't get him stopped," coach Dwane Casey said.


Now Toronto will be challenged to slow down James, though an illness may aid its cause. The superstar has been battling sickness, though it did little to prevent him from scoring 29 in 29 minutes in Saturday's 104-79 rout of Orlando.


James took part in Sunday's practice.


'Hopefully I can try to shake whatever I got going on and it doesn't linger the next couple days," he said.


The Cavaliers (22-9) have won three straight since moving Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup over Timofey Mozgov. They are 5-1 when Thompson starts, with the lone defeat a 103-99 loss at Toronto on Nov. 25.


"It's something that is not etched in stone," coach David Blatt said. "We may situationally or maybe philosophically go back, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see that happen."


Kyrie Irving is expected to start again after he made 4 of 12 shots for 13 points in his fifth game as he works his way back from knee surgery.


Iman Shumpert is also looking to find the range after shooting 39.3 percent in nine games after being out due to a wrist injury.


"I still think both of those guys are kind of in their preseason," Blatt said. "I'm not saying they're not ready to play or that they're not playing well because they are but neither one is really in 100 percent basketball shape right now."


While James' excellence isn't surprising as the Eastern Conference's top scorer at 25.8 points per game, it may be news that Toronto's DeMar DeRozan is third at 23.0. DeRozan is averaging 27.0 points in his last three games and went into Sunday second in the NBA with 11.8 drives per game. He's third with an average of 8.5 free-throw attempts.


The Cavaliers didn't have Irving, Shumpert, Mozgov and Matthew Dellavedova due to injuries in the November loss at Toronto. James scored 24 and Kevin Love added 21 while every Raptors starter scored in double figures, with Kyle Lowry scoring 27 and DeRozan contributing 20.


The Raptors held the Cavs to 43.9 percent shooting. That kind of defense was absent Sunday, as the Bulls became just the second team in the last 23 games to shoot better than 50 percent against the Raptors, who allowed them to shoot 63.2 percent in a 34-point fourth quarter.


'We can't give up 34 points in the fourth quarter,' Casey said. 'You have to put your foot down, put your foot on their neck and close it out."


Lowry has posted consecutive double-doubles, registering 22 points and 10 assists Sunday.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pacers (19-14) at Heat (19-13)
Date: January 04, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers kept their losing streak brief with one of their best defensive efforts of the season, and they've also proved adept at containing the Miami Heat in recent matchups.


The Pacers, though, have often come out on the losing end in road games lately and have struggled in Miami over the past 10 seasons, a pair of trends they'll try to change Monday night.


Indiana held Detroit to 35.5 percent shooting and a 3-for-20 performance from 3-point range in a 94-82 victory Saturday. The Pacers allowed their previous two opponents to top the century mark but one of those back-to-back losses was a 102-100 overtime defeat in Chicago on Wednesday.


The 82 points tied their second-fewest allowed this season and they've held one other opponent under 36.0 percent shooting.


"When we defend, we're pretty good," coach Frank Vogel said. "We've got to keep committing to that end of the floor."


Indiana (19-14) has limited Miami to an average of 85.0 points in its two wins in this season's series, both in Indianapolis, and has won five of six against the Heat since dropping Game 7 of the 2014 Eastern Conference finals.


The Pacers, losers in six of seven on the road, have also dropped 22 of their last 27 in Miami including playoffs and eight of their past nine games there. They split their two visits to AmericanAirlines Arena last season, losing 89-87 in their final one Jan. 23.


Indiana's 81-75 win in Miami on Nov. 12, 2014, ended a seven-game losing streak in that city, including the postseason. The Pacers could use another victory to kick off a stretch in which they'll play nine of 11 on the road.


"I personally love being on the road and playing on the road," said forward Paul George, whose team will begin a four-game trip Monday. "It's going to be fun to be in hostile environments."


George scored 21 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win and has a combined 63 in his past two games after averaging 13.0 in his previous five, well below his team-best mark of 24.5. He's averaged 29.5 points in the two games against Miami this season and scored 36 in a 90-87 victory Nov. 6.


The Heat (20-13) have also played stellar defense while winning their first two games in 2016, allowing an average of 78.5 points on 35.2 percent shooting. They held Washington to a 34.1 percent mark and a 4-of-29 performance from 3-point range in a 97-75 road victory Sunday.


"I think everybody was locked in and that's what we need," forward Chris Bosh said. "We need everybody to bring their best efforts and be in the positions where they need to be. ... (Monday) is a huge opportunity to keep take steps forward.


"We'll be ready for (the Pacers). We owe them, and we know they're going to come into ready to play. It's going to be ready to play."


The Heat have alternated losses and wins in their last nine home games, posting a 106-82 rout of Dallas in the latest Jan. 1. They'll play back-to-back games on their own floor then have 14 of 16 on the road.


Bosh is averaging a team-best 22.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in the two games against Indiana this season.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Celtics (18-15) at Nets (10-23)
Date: January 04, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

It may have taken the Brooklyn Nets one blowout loss to figure it out, but they've spent the past two meetings with Boston taking advantage of a major size advantage.


After losing Jarrett Jack to a season-ending knee injury, the Nets will likely keep feeding Brook Lopez inside Monday night when they try to sweep this home-and-home set and take the series from the visiting Celtics for the third time in four seasons.


Lopez, Brooklyn's 7-foot center, wasn't much of a factor in the first matchup Nov. 20, finishing with 14 points while attempting just nine shots in a 120-95 loss at Boston. The Celtics (18-15) start 6-9 Jared Sullinger in the middle but outscored the Nets 68-40 in the paint during their best shooting performance (58.6) in two seasons.


Brooklyn, however, made an adjustment two nights later when Lopez led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 20 times in a 111-101 home win. The team finished with a 49-35 advantage on the boards and a 50-32 scoring edge in the paint.


The Nets (10-23) stuck to a similar game plan in Saturday's 100-97 road win as Lopez dominated inside with a season-high 30 points on 11-of-24 shooting with 13 rebounds.


"I did my best to make the right play every time, realizing that, and just tried to read the double teams," said Lopez, who has averaged 26.7 points and 13.3 rebounds over his last three games.


Boston's frustration seemed to boil over in the second half when Sullinger had a flagrant foul on Lopez. Jack yelled something at Sullinger and both Jack and the Celtics' Jae Crowder got technicals.


Thaddeus Young had 16 points and 10 boards for his third double-double in as many meetings. Joe Johnson added 20 points after averaging 8.1 on 30.1 percent shooting in his previous nine games.


Jack, who had played a key role in the November home win with 22 points, suffered a torn right ACL as well as a torn meniscus Saturday and will miss the rest of the season.


The news isn't as bad for Boston's Avery Bradley, who left the game with a left hip contusion. Bradley, whose status is uncertain, totaled 48 points and eight 3-pointers in the first two matchups.


The Celtics are also hoping to regroup offensively as they try to avoid their second three-game losing streak in the past three weeks. They shot just 38.6 percent and made less than 26 percent from beyond the arc (7 for 32) for the fourth time in five games.


Isaiah Thomas, who averages a team-high 20.9 points, finished with 24 but missed seven of nine 3s, while Crowder scored 16 while going 2 for 6 from long range. Thomas has been slumping from beyond the arc, making just 4 of 21 over his last four games.


"I've got to hold guys accountable at a better level," said coach Brad Stevens, whose club also lost to the Western Conference-worst Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. "We're not playing as well as we think we are, so we've got to be better."


The Nets, who haven't won consecutive games since Dec. 8 and 10, took three of four in this series both in 2012-13 and '13-14.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Magic (19-15) at Pistons (18-16)
Date: January 04, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

It's not too early to think about the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with early surprises like the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons looking like improved teams.


Magic coach Scott Skiles, however, warned his team that it needs to improve its defense to make the postseason a reality.


His club is trying to salvage the finale of a three-game trip Monday night in its first meeting of the season with a Pistons team that has cruised to three straight wins in this series.


Orlando (19-15) has missed the playoffs three straight seasons and Detroit (18-16) has done so for the previous six. Both may end those droughts, and their three-game season series could prove to be decisive with these teams a game apart in the standings and the Magic currently holding the No. 7 seed.


Even though more than half the season remains, Skiles is concerned after his team fell 103-91 at Washington on Friday and 104-79 to Cleveland the next night. The coach normally wouldn't conduct a practice after a back-to-back set, but chose to do so the day after those efforts.


"When we talked to the guys this morning about if we have any intention of playing in the postseason or having a chance of winning a series, generally you don't win a (playoff) game 120-111,' Skiles told the Magic's official website. "You might win one game, but generally it's 96-91. If we don't understand that now, there won't be a postseason anyway."


The coach said he may re-insert Victor Oladipo into the starting lineup. Oladipo, averaging 12.4 points, has come off the bench the last 20 games.


Skiles may have no choice since starting point guard Elfrid Payton missed Sunday's workout with ankle issues that have plagued him throughout the season. Payton has played in all 116 games since entering the league.


Oladipo played point guard as a rookie in 2013-14.


"It was tough at first in the beginning when I was a rookie trying to figure it out," he said. "But now I have to be (ready) because some guys are hurt and I have to step in and play that role."


The Magic talked Sunday about how defending the Pistons' pick-and-rolls with Reggie Jackson and NBA leading rebounder Andre Drummond will be critical.


Detroit enters after losing its fourth in five games with Saturday's 94-82 defeat at Indiana. The Pistons matched their lowest point total and had a season-low three 3-pointers on 20 attempts while shooting 35.5 percent overall.


"We shot only 35 percent and anytime you shoot with that percentage, you've not going to win many games," said Drummond, who had 11 points and 18 boards.


Jackson made 5 of 19 shots for 12 points, his lowest total in a 12-game stretch in which he is averaging 20.8.


The Pistons are slowly working Brandon Jennings back into action. The guard is averaging 6.0 points in three games off the bench since returning after rupturing his left Achilles last January.


"I just tell the guys when we come in as a second unit that we are going to push it," Jennings said. "We are so dangerous in the open floor when we push it down the court and get easy baskets."


Jennings had 24 points and 21 assists the last time he faced Orlando, which won the first 2014-15 meeting and lost the next three by an average of 15.7 points.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Spurs (29-6) at Bucks (14-21)
Date: January 04, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

With LaMarcus Aldridge in the fold, Gregg Popovich admits the San Antonio Spurs have gone back to a more inside-out approach rather than being perimeter oriented.


Every now and then, they'll remind the NBA what they can do from behind the arc.


Fresh off their most impressive effort from 3-point range this season, the Spurs may want to keep firing away Monday night against a Milwaukee Bucks team that's no stranger to taking down some heavyweights at the Bradley Center.


San Antonio (29-6) is running its offense through the post more, jumping from 15.3 post-ups per game last season to 19.7 - third in the league - with Aldridge in the mix.


Aldridge averages a team-high seven per game and got himself and his teammates involved from the block Saturday against Houston. San Antonio scored 12 points off Aldridge's five post-ups, and the Spurs' newest star finished with 24 himself - the first time he's topped 20 in back-to-back games with his new team.


"LaMarcus is more and more comfortable every day," Popovich said. "These are new players for him, new offense, new defense, everything is different.


"It's difficult to do in the first year here. We've had a lot of guys take a whole year to get used to that. I think he's been remarkable in catching on this quickly. He's become more demonstrative, and he's inserting himself into the offense much better."


Danny Green hadn't been very visible for a while, shooting 26.8 percent from long range in December, but he got off to an excellent start to the new year. Green hit 6 of 8 3s against the Rockets to help the Spurs go 13 of 24 and improve to 18-1 when they make more than a third of their attempts. Twenty-two of those shots were uncontested.


"They run their stuff crisp and if you don't guard them the right way, they're going to get easy layups and easy shots," Rockets forward Corey Brewer said.


Tim Duncan didn't score a point Saturday for the first time in his 19-year career, but he was a focal point when the Spurs hosted the Bucks (14-21) on Dec. 2.


The two-time MVP tied a season-high with 16 points and San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 48-34 in the paint - holding the Bucks well under their league-best 48.3 average - in a 95-70 win to stretch its winning streak in the series to seven.


The Spurs shot just 41.1 percent and hit 7 of 21 3s but held the Bucks to 33.3 percent, the best effort of the season by the league's top defense. San Antonio had 17 points off 17 turnovers while the Bucks had two on 11 giveaways.


Milwaukee scored 57 points off turnovers in back-to-back road wins to split a four-game trip, converting 16 miscues into 22 points while coming from 17 down early in Saturday's 95-85 win at Minnesota.


"Our defense was really good tonight," interim coach Joe Prunty said.


Milwaukee has already taken down Golden State and Cleveland at home, and its recipe for winning this season has been fairly simple: keep its opponent from topping 100 points. The Bucks are 12-4 when they do.


Tightly guarding the 3-point line has been significant as well. When Milwaukee has allowed six 3-pointers or fewer, it's 9-0. Any more than that and it's 5-21.


The Bucks barely make that many per game themselves (6.1, 27th in the league), but their best shooter has gotten going of late. Khris Middleton is shooting 56.4 percent from 3-point range and averaging 23.4 points over his last seven.


Middleton (16) and Greg Monroe (14) were the only Bucks to score more than seven in the first meeting.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (13-20) at Thunder (24-10)
Date: January 04, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

With a renewed focus on defense after struggling at the end of December, the Oklahoma City Thunder opened the new year by taking a step in the right direction.


They could have a more difficult time against a Sacramento team looking to build on its highest scoring effort in 23 years, but the Kings haven't won in Oklahoma City since the SuperSonics relocated from Seattle in Kevin Durant's second season.


The surging Thunder seek their 15th consecutive home win in this series Monday night, though Sacramento did give them all they could handle in the first meeting.


After allowing an average of 92.1 points on 40.8 percent shooting during a 9-1 stretch, Oklahoma City (24-10) slumped on defense by allowing 111.5 per game and a 48.4 field-goal percentage - including a 43.0 mark from 3-point range - over its next four.


The Thunder appeared re-committed en route to a fourth straight win, limiting Charlotte to 34.5 percent and 6 of 22 from beyond the arc in Saturday's 109-90 road victory. Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant each had four of the team's season-high 15 blocks.


"I felt like our guys were really locked into the areas we need to get better. We showed a lot of improvement in those areas," coach Billy Donovan told the team's official website. "The things we were trying to do, I saw a conscientious effort for those guys to do those things."


Donovan's club will try to slow a Kings team that shot a season-high 60.9 percent Saturday while snapping a three-game skid with a 142-119 home win over Phoenix. It was their most points since a 154-98 victory over visiting Philadelphia on Jan. 2, 1993.


DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 32 points and nine rebounds, while Darren Collison scored 21 and Marco Belinelli 19. Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 15 assists. Belinelli has heated up by totaling 47 points on 18-for-28 shooting in his last two games.


"We're capable of being an elite team ... We want the best Kings team to show up every night," Collison told the team's official website.


That hasn't been the case in their visits to Oklahoma City, where they've lost by an average of 12.3 points during the Thunder's longest home winning streak versus an opponent since moving from the Pacific Northwest ahead of the 2008-09 season. It's also tied for the NBA's fifth-longest active streak.


The Kings (13-20), however, did threaten to end that skid Dec. 6. They rallied from a 17-point deficit and went ahead by seven before Durant scored six in the final 1:18 to lead the Thunder to a 98-95 victory.


Durant had 20 points and 10 rebounds but also committed 10 turnovers, while Russell Westbrook had a better triple-double with 19 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. Steven Adams added 12 rebounds to help Oklahoma City own a 62-41 advantage on the glass.


He also played a key role defensively against Cousins, who managed 13 points while missing 15 of 20 shots. The Kings shot just 39.8 percent from the field and 7 for 24 (29.2) from beyond the arc.


Westbrook has averaged 31.0 points and 10.3 assists in his last three home games for the Thunder, who have won 23 of the past 26 overall meetings with the Kings.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rockets (16-19) at Jazz (15-17)
Date: January 04, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

A tight victory over San Antonio on Christmas Day seemed to send a signal that the Houston Rockets had righted the ship after a disappointing start.


The rematch four games later has left the Rockets in another tailspin.


Houston obviously still has major work to do on defense and will try to again get things moving in the right direction when it visits the Utah Jazz on Monday night.


Following a 5-10 start during which coach Kevin McHale was fired, the Rockets won 10 of 15 entering their holiday matchup at home against the first-place Spurs.


The result was their finest defensive performance of the season in an 88-84 win that got them above .500 at 16-15. It's the only time they've won without scoring 100 points and one of only two opponents they've held under 90.


"We're more than capable," James Harden said that day. "We've got to find that energy, that consistent defensive togetherness every single night."


Coming off the high of beating the NBA's best defensive team with defense despite ranking 26th in the league at 106.2 points allowed per game, the Rockets have failed to find the energy Harden mentioned during a subsequent four-game losing streak.


Houston's defense has been completely absent during the skid, surrendering 116.5 points per game, allowing three of those opponents to shoot better than 50 percent and two to finish above 54 percent from 3-point range.


One of those occasions came Saturday against San Antonio, which shot 52.3 percent overall and went 13 of 24 from 3-point range in a 121-103 win that matched Houston's season high for points allowed four days after Atlanta set it. The fact that Tim Duncan went scoreless for the first time in his 19-year career didn't even matter.


"It's just tough, man," Harden told the team's official website. "We're in a tough position right now. We'll keep continuing to fight. We're just not doing it consistent."


When asked how the Rockets can find that consistency, Harden was at a loss.


"That's a good question. ... If we had the answer, we'd be doing it."


There were some positives for Houston, which became only the second team to shoot 50 percent in San Antonio and scored 16 more points than the Spurs had been allowing at home. Thirteen missed free throws and being outscored 36-17 in the third were the keys.


The Jazz (15-17) may not pose the same threat on offense as San Antonio, but their stout defense has been on display during a 3-1 span and will try to quiet a Rockets offense that has still averaged 109 points on the losing streak.


Utah ranks fifth in the league at 96.9 points allowed per game - the only NBA team in the top 10 with a losing record - and was even better against Memphis on Saturday, allowing just 84 in regulation of a 92-87 overtime victory.


Rodney Hood scored a career-best 32 points on 10-of-20 shooting and hit five 3-pointers for the Jazz. After a 1-for-13 night at Minnesota on Wednesday, he's totaled 40 points and gone 9 of 17 from long range in wins over Portland and the Grizzlies.


"It's hard to put behind you because you're not used to shooting like that," he said. "But games like that happen. ... Just to have this type of game means a lot. You trust your work and it just comes out like that."


Utah kept Houston in check during a 109-91 win March 12 in the most recent meeting in Salt Lake City but has lost eight of the last 10 overall.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hornets (17-16) at Warriors (31-2)
Date: January 04, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

It's unclear whether Stephen Curry will be available Monday night after re-injuring his left leg his last time out.


There's little doubt he'll want to be on the court considering that his father will be in the building.


Curry usually shines against his hometown Charlotte Hornets, who figure to be hard-pressed to stop the Golden State Warriors' 34-game regular-season home win streak.


The primary concern Monday is whether Curry will be on the floor. He returned from a two-game absence Saturday but left after playing 14 minutes when he injured his leg again in a 111-108 overtime home win over Denver.


'I just re-injured the same thing, so I'll be all right,' Curry said. 'I know exactly what it is. Whenever you hurt something and you try to play through a little bit of discomfort and just get out there, it's usually a magnet for something to happen.'


Curry is listed as questionable.


The reigning league MVP spent Sunday afternoon at the San Francisco 49ers' game with father Dell, one of the original Hornets and currently a broadcaster for Charlotte.


Stephen Curry grew up in Charlotte and is averaging 27.0 points against the Hornets for his second-best mark against any club. He enjoys playing in front of his father, upstaging "Dell Curry Night" in Charlotte on Dec. 2 by scoring 40 points in three quarters in a 116-99 victory. That outburst included the Warriors' final 24 points of the third.


Golden State (31-2) may finally get Harrison Barnes, listed as probable, back from his 16-game absence from a sprained left ankle. Brandon Rush is probable as well after he sat out Saturday due to right hamstring tightness.


Festus Ezeli will likely miss his fourth straight game with a sore left toe.


Charlotte (17-16) likely won't have any sympathy since it just lost center Al Jefferson with a torn knee ligament for an extended period of time.


Three Hornets are questionable Monday in starting guard Nicolas Batum (toe strain), reserve guard Jeremy Lin (ankle sprain) and backup center Spencer Hawes (low back tightness).


Charlotte starts a four-game trip seeking to avoid its first four-game slide. Losers of six of eight, the Hornets fell 109-90 at home to Oklahoma City on Saturday despite 32 points from Kemba Walker.


"Obviously we're missing some guys but our energy level is good but it's just our defense and our rebounding," coach Steve Clifford said. "When we start to get our defense going again, then we'll win again."


Batum sat out Saturday with Lin replacing him in the lineup. Lin came back after he missed two games with a sprained right ankle.


Walker is averaging 27.8 points in his last five games overall, but has been limited to 8.0 on 21.1 percent from the field in his past four against the Warriors. He had a season-low four points on 2-of-16 shooting in last month's loss.


Golden State can move closer to Chicago's record 44-game home win streak from 1995-96. The Warriors built a 24-point lead after one quarter Saturday and looked like a different team once Curry went down.


Draymond Green posted his NBA-best sixth triple-double with 29 points, 17 boards and 14 assists as he matched a season high with five 3-pointers.


Klay Thompson scored 26 points two nights after he had 38 in a win at Houston.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play ON BOSTON against the spread in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 41 Wins and 15 Losses for the last three seasons (+24.5 units)

NBA > (511) SAN ANTONIO@ (512) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-04 20:05:00 - 2016-01-04 20:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 14 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+10.7 units)

NBA > (505) INDIANA@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI against the spread in All games against Central division opponents
The record is 5 Wins and 19 Losses for the last two seasons (-15.9 units)

NBA > (511) SAN ANTONIO@ (512) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-04 20:05:00 - 2016-01-04 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE against the spread in All games after allowing 85 points or less
The record is 4 Wins and 18 Losses for the last three seasons (-15.8 units)


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


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (519) CHARLOTTE@ (520) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-01-04 22:35:00 - 2016-01-04 22:35:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE using money line in All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 15 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+13.8 units)


NBA > (515) HOUSTON@ (516) UTAH | 2016-01-04 21:05:00 - 2016-01-04 21:05:00
Play AGAINST HOUSTON using money line in All games as a favorite
The record is 10 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (-24.3 units)

NBA > (503) TORONTO@ (504) CLEVELAND | 2016-01-04 19:05:00 - 2016-01-04 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Wins and 4 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.8 units)


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Play ON OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 18 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.3 units)


NBA > (507) ORLANDO@ (508) DETROIT | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in Home games after a division game
The record is 7 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.15 units)


NBA > (517) MEMPHIS@ (518) PORTLAND | 2016-01-04 22:05:00 - 2016-01-04 22:05:00
Play ON MEMPHIS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 12 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+10.35 units)

NBA > (501) MINNESOTA@ (502) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-04 19:05:00 - 2016-01-04 19:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 14 Wins and 48 Losses for the last two seasons (-32.3 units)


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play ON BOSTON using money line in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 19 Wins and 14 Losses for the last two seasons (+20.15 units)

NBA > (503) TORONTO@ (504) CLEVELAND | 2016-01-04 19:05:00 - 2016-01-04 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+10.05 units)


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


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (501) MINNESOTA@ (502) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-04 19:05:00 - 2016-01-04 19:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 12 Wins and 32 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.2 units)


NBA > (517) MEMPHIS@ (518) PORTLAND | 2016-01-04 22:05:00 - 2016-01-04 22:05:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin Home games in January games
The record is 2 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (-13.4 units)

NBA > (517) MEMPHIS@ (518) PORTLAND | 2016-01-04 22:05:00 - 2016-01-04 22:05:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin All games in January games
The record is 2 Wins and 13 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.3 units)


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


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (511) SAN ANTONIO@ (512) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-04 20:05:00 - 2016-01-04 20:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 8 Overs and 33 Unders for the last two seasons (+24.2 units)


NBA > (511) SAN ANTONIO@ (512) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-04 20:05:00 - 2016-01-04 20:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games as a road favorite of 3.5 to 5 points vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 0 Overs and 12 Unders for the last two seasons (+12 units)


NBA > (505) INDIANA@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+12.8 units)

NBA > (515) HOUSTON@ (516) UTAH | 2016-01-04 21:05:00 - 2016-01-04 21:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games off an upset win as an underdog
The record is 4 Overs and 21 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.6 units)


NBA > (515) HOUSTON@ (516) UTAH | 2016-01-04 21:05:00 - 2016-01-04 21:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 11 Overs and 35 Unders for the last two seasons (+22.9 units)

NBA > (505) INDIANA@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games in January games
The record is 1 Overs and 13 Unders for the last two seasons (+11.9 units)


NBA > (509) BOSTON@ (510) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 16 Overs and 40 Unders for the last two seasons (+22.4 units)


NBA > (519) CHARLOTTE@ (520) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-01-04 22:35:00 - 2016-01-04 22:35:00
Play OVER CHARLOTTE on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 11 Overs and 1 Unders for the this season (+9.9 units)


NBA > (507) ORLANDO@ (508) DETROIT | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play UNDER ORLANDO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 14 Overs and 37 Unders for the last three seasons (+21.6 units)


NBA > (505) INDIANA@ (506) MIAMI | 2016-01-04 19:35:00 - 2016-01-04 19:35:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin Road games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 6 Overs and 22 Unders for the last three seasons (+15.4 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack


Westgate Super Contest (1,727 entrants-- prize pool is $2.5M)


Most popular picks in Week 17 season record: 52-50-2


6) Buccaneers, +10.5 (254)-- Will Carolina rest its starters? L


5) Steelers -10.5 (317)-- Steelers need win and Jets to lose in Buffalo. W


T3) Jets, -3 ((327)-- Lot of opinions both ways in this critical game. L


T3) Giants, -3 (327)-- One coach is already fired; other one will be Monday L


2) Packers -3 (392)-- Winner gets home field in playoff game next week. L


1) Bills +3 (403)-- Rex Ryan can knock his old team out of the playoffs. W
**********


Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Sunday.....


13) Vikings 20, Packers 13-- Second abominable week in row for Green Bay, which now goes to Washington next week, while Seahawks visit Minnesota. If my team had Aaron Rodgers, I'd sure as hell find him some receivers who can get open.


12) Bills 22, Jets 17-- Jets had ball in red zone down 19-17 with just over 4:00 left; you figure they at worst get go-ahead FG, but Fitzpatrick threw INT in end zone and their season comes to an unfortunate end. Jets were +18 in turnovers in their ten wins, -15 in their six losses. Sometimes its that simple.


11) Steelers 28, Browns 12-- Cleveland fired its GM before the game, the coach after the game. Next year they'll have their sixth HC in nine years. Pittsburgh has had three head coaches since 1969. Hire a coach, then give some freakin' time. Oy.


10) Eagles 35, Giants 30-- Tom Coughlin will be in the Hall of Fame; he obviously doesn't want to retire, but Giants have had three straight losing seasons and only one playoff spot in last seven- that gets you fired.


But when you've won two Super Bowls you get to "resign" or "mutually agree to part ways". Has to be very awkward for the Giants' front office-- "....nothing ends well or else it wouldn't end". That line from the bartender in the Tom Cruise movie, Cocktail, whose name, coincidentally, was Doug Coughlin.


9) Colts 30, Titans 24-- Tennessee clinches first pick in draft; you know they're not taking a QB-- maybe they'll deal the pick for multiple selections. Cleveland will pick #2 and Dallas #3- those two teams will have very interesting offseasons.


8) Seahawks 36, Cardinals 6-- Seattle goes on road in playoffs next week but they are a team no one wants to play. Arizona gets the #2 seed and has next week off- they will want the #3 seed to win next week so they don't have to play Seahawks again.


7) Broncos 27, Chargers 20-- Peyton Manning came out of the bullpen with Broncos down 13-7 in third quarter, promptly led go-ahead TD drive, and has his starting job back. This winter, what will Denver do with Osweiler? Manning will be retired and the Broncos are going to need a franchise QB.


6) Texans 30, Jaguars 6-- Houston recovers from its 2-5 start to win the AFC South; when I watched Hard Knocks last summer, wasn't impressed with Bill O'Brien at all- thought he butchered the QB situation, and Texans did wind up starting five different QBs this season, but now they're in the playoffs, thanks to Andrew Luck being hurt and the division being a bad division.


5) Dolphins 20, Patriots 10-- New England is 2-4 in its last six games after their 10-0 start; Patriots had only 12 first downs, 196 TY. Hard to tell if they're playing possum or if they have real issues, but they'll have next week off to work on them.


4) Redskins 34, Cowboys 23-- Dallas went 1-7 at home this year; they'll have the #3 pick in April's draft. Tony Romo will turn 36 right around the time the draft happens; might be a good time to pick a franchise quarterback.


3) Lions 24, Bears 20-- Detroit won six of its last eight games and one of the losses was the Green Bay Hail Mary in that Thursday night game- the question is now, will they fire Jim Caldwell after almost everyone else got fired during the season?


2) Chiefs 23, Raiders 17-- KC started season 1-5, so just making playoffs is big deal; they head to Houston to face a team they're better than. Chiefs won 27-20 in season opener at Houston, then didn't win again for six weeks.


1) Panthers 38, Buccaneers 10-- Carolina is highly underrated; they're heading into playoffs at 15-1 and the #1 seed in the NFC. Last two Super Bowls were #1-seed vs #1-seed; in 20 years before that, it only happened once.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, January 4

Hot teams
-- Cleveland won eight of its last ten games (8-7HF). Raptors won four of their last six games (7-3AU).
-- Spurs won nine of their last ten games (9-5AF). Milwaukee won last two games, after losing six of previous eight (6-2 last 8HU).
-- Thunder won seven of last eight games (0-5 last five HF).
-- Utah won three of its last four games (3-2HU).
-- Portland won three of its last four games (4-2HU).
-- Golden State won seven of last eight games (6-3 last nine HF).

Cold teams
-- Minnesota lost six of its last seven games (1-1AF). 76ers lost three of last four games (2-10HU).
-- Miami lost two of its last three games (5-9 last 14HF). Pacers lost five of their last eight games (6-3AU).
-- Orlando lost three of its last five games (5-1 last six AU). Detroit lost four of its last five (8-1 last nine HF).
-- Brooklyn lost seven of last ten games (1-4 last five HU). Celtics are 4-5 in last nine games (3-3AF).
-- Sacramento lost three of last four games (7-7AU).
-- Houston lost its last four games (3-4AF).
-- Memphis lost its last three road games (4-3AF).
-- Hornets lost six of their last eight games (5-4AU).

Series records
-- 76ers lost six of last eight games with Philly.
-- Cavaliers won three of last four games with Toronto.
-- Pacers won five of last six games with Miami.
-- Pistons won their last three games with Orlando.
-- Road team won last four Boston-Brooklyn games.
-- Spurs won their last seven games with Milwaukee.
-- Thunder won nine of last ten games with Sacramento.
-- Rockets won eight of last ten games with Utah.
-- Grizzlies won eight of last ten games with Portland.
-- Warriors won last three games with Charlotte by 25-5-17.

Totals
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Minnesota-Philly games.
-- Six of last eight Toronto games went over the total. Cleveland's last seven games all went over.
-- Eight of last ten Indiana games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Orlando-Detroit games went over.
-- Four of last five Boston games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Nine of last ten Thunder-King games stayed under.
-- Last four Houston games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Memphis-Portland games went over.
-- Over is 3-1 in last four games for both Hornets/Warriors.

Back/backs
-- Toronto is 4-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Portland is 1-7 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Monday, January 4

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

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 15 games when playing Toronto

7:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. PHILADELPHIA
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
INDIANA vs. MIAMI
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing on the road against Miami
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Indiana
Miami is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home

7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. BROOKLYN
Boston is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Brooklyn is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games

7:30 PM
ORLANDO vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Detroit is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Orlando

8:00 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Oklahoma City's last 11 games when playing Sacramento

8:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games

9:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. UTAH
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Utah's last 8 games when playing at home against Houston

10:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games
Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Portland is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games when playing Memphis
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:30 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. GOLDEN STATE
Charlotte is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Charlotte's last 9 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Golden State's last 9 games when playing at home against Charlotte

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, January 4


Houston @ Utah

Game 515-516
January 4, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
119.519
Utah
120.986
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 1 1/2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 2
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+2); N/A

Memphis @ Portland

Game 517-518
January 4, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
116.883
Portland
119.357
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 2 1/2
196
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
N/A

Charlotte @ Golden State

Game 519-520
January 4, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
115,335
Golden State
128.796
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 13 1/2
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
N/A

Minnesota @ Philadelphia

Game 501-502
January 4, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
112.286
Philadelphia
110.645
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 5 1/2
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+5 1/2); Under

Toronto @ Cleveland

Game 503-504
January 4, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
121.120
Cleveland
126.279
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 5
188
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 8
192
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+8); Under

Orlando @ Detroit

Game 507-508
January 4, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
116.584
Detroit
124.598
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 8
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
N/A

Indiana @ Miami

Game 505-506
January 4, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
120.580
Miami
127.113
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 6 1/2
198
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 2
191 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-2); Over

Boston @ Brooklyn

Game 509-510
January 4, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
122.807
Brooklyn
113.712
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 9
196
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 6 1/2
203
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-6 1/2); Under

San Antonio @ Milwaukee

Game 511-512
January 4, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
131,328
Milwaukee
120.128
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 11
186
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 9
192
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-9); Under

Sacramento @ Oklahoma City

Game 513-514
January 4, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
115.328
Oklahoma City
124.219
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 9
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 11
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+11); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Monday, January 4

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Raptors at Cavaliers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Raptors visit the Cavaliers Monday in a matchup where the underdog is 15-3 ATS in the last 18 meetings.

Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-8, 192)

Before beginning their longest road trip of the season, the surging Cleveland Cavaliers look to stay hot at home when they welcome Toronto to town on Monday night. The Cavaliers picked up a 104-79 win over Orlando on Saturday to extend their current winning streak to three and their home winning streak to five.

LeBron James scored 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting for Cleveland, which is 14-1 at home but will play six straight away from Quicken Loans Arena beginning Wednesday in Washington. Kyrie Irving added 13 points and five assists in his fifth game since returning from surgery and Kevin Love chipped in 10 points and 13 rebounds. "They know what they can be when they're all healthy and playing together," Cavaliers coach David Blatt told reporters of his star trio. "I think it gives them the kind of confidence and the kind of energy to be out there playing that way together. It’s a good sign." The Raptors are coming off a 115-113 loss to Chicago on Sunday and are beginning a five-game road trip of their own.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet ONE (Toronto), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)

LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened this matchup as 8-point home favorites. The total hits the board at 192.

INJURY REPORT:

Raptors - None to report.

Cavaliers - SF L. James (probable Monday, illness), SG J. Harris (questionable Monday, foot).

POWER RANKINGS: Raptors (-7.1) - Cavaliers (-8) + home court (-3) = Cavaliers -3.9

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (21-14, 19-15 ATS, 16-18 O/U): Toronto entered Sunday as one of the better second-half teams in the league (+3.9 scoring margin) and at the top of the list when it came to the fourth quarter (+2.8), but it had no answer down the stretch for Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, who scored a team-record 40 points after intermission. DeMar DeRozan led the way in the loss with 24 points while Kyle Lowry had 22 and 10 assists. Those two combined for 47 points to lead the Raptors to a 103-99 win over the Cavaliers in the previous meeting Nov. 25.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (22-9, 13-17-1 ATS, 13-18 O/U): Irving has been on a minutes restriction but has played just twice since Christmas and is nearing the point where Blatt can give him more time, especially after seeing Irving survive a head-first dive for a loose ball against Orlando that caused a tiny scare on the Cleveland sidelines. "There was a gasp of air but not only my teammates and staff but also everyone in the building and for me, too," Irving told the media. "That was one of those moments we all talk about as athletes when you come back from surgery and you're like, 'That was the moment for me.' That was the one. I was OK, I'm good." The Cavaliers are giving up 88 points on 40.4 percent shooting over their last 10 games (8-2).

TRENDS:

* Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 road games.
* Under is 9-0 in Cavaliers last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-seven percent of wagers are backing the Raptors in this matchup of Eastern Conference contenders. As for the total, 64 percent of wagers are on the over.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, January 4

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

MINNESOTA (12 - 22) at PHILADELPHIA (3 - 33) - 1/4/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 48-65 ATS (-23.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-47 ATS (-29.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 93-138 ATS (-58.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.

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

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

TORONTO (21 - 14) at CLEVELAND (22 - 9) - 1/4/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 71-46 ATS (+20.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.

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

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

INDIANA (19 - 14) at MIAMI (20 - 13) - 1/4/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) against Southeast division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MIAMI is 5-19 ATS (-15.9 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 10-6 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 9-7 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

ORLANDO (19 - 15) at DETROIT (18 - 16) - 1/4/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

BOSTON (18 - 15) at BROOKLYN (10 - 23) - 1/4/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 67-50 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 27-7 ATS (+19.3 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 6-5 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 6-5 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SAN ANTONIO (29 - 6) at MILWAUKEE (14 - 21) - 1/4/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 273-217 ATS (+34.3 Units) after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 104-75 ATS (+21.5 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 231-286 ATS (-83.6 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 58-83 ATS (-33.3 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 49-83 ATS (-42.3 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

SACRAMENTO (13 - 20) at OKLAHOMA CITY (24 - 10) - 1/4/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 46-64 ATS (-24.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

HOUSTON (16 - 19) at UTAH (15 - 17) - 1/4/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 13-22 ATS (-11.2 Units) in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
HOUSTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
UTAH is 62-48 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 42-29 ATS (+10.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 52-27 ATS (+22.3 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.

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

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

MEMPHIS (18 - 17) at PORTLAND (15 - 21) - 1/4/2016, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 9-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 11-3 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

CHARLOTTE (17 - 16) at GOLDEN STATE (31 - 2) - 1/4/2016, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Grizzlies (18-17) at Trail Blazers (15-21)
Date: January 04, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Portland Trail Blazers aren't missing Damian Lillard very much, thanks in large part to C.J. McCollum and Allen Crabbe.


They may need continued strong efforts with Lillard's status shrouded in mystery.


McCollum and Crabbe will try to help the Trail Blazers to a fourth straight win at home Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.


For the first time since drafting Lillard in 2012, Portland (15-21) is dealing with an injury to its star guard.


So far, it's going pretty well. The Trail Blazers are 4-3 since Lillard went down with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but they've won four of the last five games while averaging 104.2 points.


McCollum and Crabbe are big reasons why Portland has been able to withstand the absence of its leading scorer. McCollum is averaging 30.3 points over the last four games on 54.4 percent from the floor, including 14 of 30 from 3-point range.


Crabbe has chipped in with 16.6 per game since replacing Lillard in the lineup. He averaged 9.8 points while being used exclusively as a reserve over the first 29 games.


After Lillard was a late scratch Sunday, McCollum and Crabbe combined for 39 points in a 112-106 win at Denver.


"We need C.J. to do what he's doing," coach Terry Stotts said. "He's got a great knack for scoring, but I think he defends his position well. He's running the offense well. It goes beyond just scoring."


McCollum has made his presence felt against Memphis, averaging 24.6 points while sinking 17 of 28 3s over the last five meetings. That includes the final three games of last year's opening-round playoff series, which the Grizzlies won in five.


He scored 26 while Lillard only managed 11 at Memphis on Nov. 13, but it was Zach Randolph's put-back with less than a second to play that delivered the Grizzlies a 101-100 victory.


Memphis (18-17) has won 14 of the past 17 meetings with the Blazers, including playoffs. However, the Grizzlies have lost the last two visits to Portland after falling 115-96 on Nov. 5.


Marc Gasol is averaging 23.6 points during the past five overall matchups after scoring 31 on Nov. 13.


The center came up short in the clutch Saturday, missing an open jumper from the elbow in the final second of regulation before Memphis lost 92-87 in overtime at Utah. He finished with 20 points, seven boards, four assists and two blocks, as the Grizzlies lost their sixth in seven road games.


"I had a good look," Gasol said. "I didn't get my feet right. I couldn't believe I was that wide open and then I rushed it a little bit on my release."


Mike Conley is finding consistency after a slow start to the season. The guard is averaging 18.5 points while making 41.9 percent from behind the arc over the last eight games after scoring 10.3 over the previous six and missing 19 of 28 3-point attempts.


"He is feeling better physically," coach Dave Joerger said. "He is also shooting the basketball better. I think one helps the other, whatever side you want to look at first. ... He has shot the basketball very well."


Conley hasn't done that against Portland this season, averaging 9.0 points while making 6 of 21 from the field.


The Grizzlies will have forward Matt Barnes back from his two-game suspension for his involvement in an altercation with New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher in October.

 

[CNOTES]

MONDAY, JANUARY 4


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




MIN at PHI 07:00 PM


PHI +6.5


U 203.5 BEST BET




TOR at CLE 07:00 PM


TOR +8.0


U 194.0




BOS at BK 07:30 PM


BK +7.5


U 201.5 BEST BET




ORL at DET 07:30 PM


ORL +4.5 BEST BET


O 198.0




IND at MIA 07:30 PM


IND +2.0


O 193.5




SAC at OKC 08:00 PM


SAC +7.5


O 216.0 BEST BET




SA at MIL 08:00 PM


SA -10.0


U 192.0




HOU at UTA 09:00 PM


HOU -2.5


O 198.5




MEM at POR 10:00 PM


MEM -1.5


O 195.0




CHA at GS 10:30 PM


GS -8.5 BEST BET


O 206.0

 

[CNOTES]

Three-pointer: Mavs must own week
January 4, 2016


This is an important week for the Dallas Mavericks, who have steadily hung around fifth place in the West behind the four heavyweights widely considered favorites to make up the conference semifinal field. Considering some expected they would miss the playoffs altogether after memorably missing out on top free agency target DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs have been a pleasant surprise.


Plan B, consisting of point guard Deron Williams and center Zaza Pachulia after Wesley Matthews honored his commitment, has worked out better than anyone could’ve dreamed. Williams has been productive and has occasionally looked like his former All-Star self. Pachulia has been remarkably consistent, both with effort and production. Matthews has played in 32 of 34 games after tearing his Achilles last March and has seen his numbers improve every month. He’s already got a 10 3-pointer game this season and has retained his motor and remained a plus defender.


Chandler Parsons, also on the mend after offseason knee surgery, has played over 30 minutes in seven of the last eight games after not doing so for the first 26 as he was eased back into action. He should be able to get into a great rhythm this month as he keeps progressing.


Despite Jordan’s reneging on a promise to join them, the Mavericks could be a viable threat now that Dirk Nowitzki has a supporting cast. Rick Carlisle’s coaching, both his strategy and lineups, are elite. Guys seem to get along and the roster that has been assembled is filled with true pros.


Still, there’s always going to be a sense they’re overachieving and a fear that the older players they’re leaning on are going to wear down. That brings us back to why this week matters.


After ending December with four consecutive wins, including a 114-91 waxing of the Stephen Curry-less Warriors, Dallas has dropped games to the Heat and Pelicans in 2016. They’re potentially going to be without Williams against Sacramento on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury and have been without key guard Devin Harris during the losses due to a back problem.


That puts J.J. Barea in a major role that he's been successful playing until January hit. In games where Barea played 25 or more minutes, Dallas had been 5-2 before this recent losing streak. The 'over' opened 5-0 in games where Barea got borderline starter's minutes, but the 'under' has now prevailed four straight times. He's 6-for-19fromt the field in the last two losses.


Barea's matchup against Kings, led by former teammate Rajon Rondo at the point, will be against one of only two opponents that have to come through Dallas between now and Jan. 18, a span of eight games. This week’s slate, filled with sub-.500 teams in Sacramento, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Minnesota, must be capitalized upon given what lies ahead.


Starting next Monday, the Mavericks will play perhaps the most daunting four-game stretch anyone in the entire NBA will face this season, hosting the Cavs before road games against the Thunder, Bulls and Spurs.


In order to stay ahead of the pace as the fifth-best team in the Western Conference, the Mavericks must continue to handle the favorite role – they’ll likely be one in at least two of this week’s three road games – effectively. Dallas is 12-4 (10-6 ATS) as a favorite this season, including 4-0 (2-2 ATS) in that role on the road.


Ish effect hits lull in L.A.


The Christmas acquisition of Ish Smith delivered Philadelphia outright victories in two of his first three games in addition to covers each time out. The new year hasn’t treated Smith or the 76ers as kindly in a pair of losses at Staples Center against the Lakers (93-84) and Clippers (130-99). Smith shot 5-for-28 in the defeats, so teams are playing off him and challenging him to shoot. He’ll need to get into a rhythm and grow more familiar with his new teammates, but I don’t see another 12-game streak of losses and non-covers in Philly’s future. Smith has helped get Nerlens Noel off, which was the primary purpose for his acquisition. Over the five games Noel has played with Smith, he’s averaged 16 points and 9.2 rebounds on over 70 percent shooting.


With the 76ers opening a six-game homestand against Minnesota on Jan. 4, they have an opportunity to settle in for a spoiler run against East heavyweights Atlanta, Cleveland and Chicago. Portland comes into town to close the stretch on Jan. 16. By the time the Blazers arrive, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Philly on a run of ‘overs’ as new associate head coach Mike D’Antoni gets his philosophies across.


Lakers run worth watching


D’Antoni got very little reaction in his return to Staples, where the Lakers have managed to record their first three-game winning streak of the season, running a cover run to four. L.A. hadn’t covered more than two games in a row at any point over the first two months. They’ve won the last two games with Kobe Bryant sitting due to a shoulder injury and Lou Williams emerging as a primary catalyst, shooting 24-for-41 from the field and 9-for-16 from 3-point range.


Top picks D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle are looking more comfortable and point guard Jordan Clarkson is playing better. I wouldn’t call the Lakers a live dog with Golden State and OKC coming to town, but they’re certainly capable of covering a double-digit spread. Thursday’s visit to Sacramento could be winnable. Steph Curry’s shin issue might keep him out early in the week, aiding L.A.’s cause.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Knicks (16-19) at Hawks (21-14)
Date: January 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

While Arron Afflalo's breakout game to open this week supplied hope for another New York Knicks rebound, it also signaled a step back for the Atlanta Hawks.


He can help extend both trends two days later.


Afflalo will try to follow up his monster game in the second half of a home-and-home set Tuesday night when the Knicks visit the Hawks for the third meeting in 11 days.


New York (16-19) dropped the first two matchups against Atlanta this season but won 111-97 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden behind Afflalo's season-high 38 points, five shy of his career best. It was the second win in three games for the Knicks after suffering their third four-game losing streak since late November, and just their second in the last seven against the Hawks.


No other Knicks player scored more than 16 - including a quiet 11 from Carmelo Anthony - as Afflalo converted on 7 of 8 3-pointers and 14 of 17 shots overall. His 82.4 field-goal percentage was his best when attempting more than six shots.


It was a stark contrast to Afflalo's 31.7 shooting percentage while averaging 7.8 points the previous six games - five of them losses for New York.


'For me, consistency is more important than great games and very bad games," Afflalo said. "The more I can be counted on night in and out, the better it is for the team.'


Afflalo's inconsistencies line up with the Knicks' up-and-down season. They are 8-2 when he scores 15 or more points, but 4-13 when he plays and scores 14 or fewer. He missed the first eight this season with a strained left hamstring.


The last time the nine-year veteran scored more than 30 points - 31 in a loss to Houston on Nov. 29 - he followed with an average of 10.8 over the next five games. He has shot 55.3 percent while averaging 17.7 points in the 12 New York wins he's played in and 40.9 percent for 10.5 points in the 15 losses.


'To be honest, I play 30-plus minutes,' Afflalo said. 'If you're going to have a player out there that long, he has to be effective.'


Afflalo had 10 points in a 117-98 loss at Atlanta on Dec. 26 and sat out a 112-101 home loss on Oct. 29. He entered Sunday averaging 8.9 points in his first 21 career games against the Hawks.


Atlanta (21-14) held New York to 40.9 percent shooting in late October and clamped down defensively in the second half of the December matchup for a sixth straight win overall. The Knicks, though, became the second straight opponent to shoot 50 percent against the Hawks on Sunday.


New York made 11 of 26 3-pointers, the second straight game Atlanta has surrendered that many makes from deep, and won the rebounding battle 46-32. Atlanta closed a three-game trip 1-2.


'We just didn't have our game (Sunday) and New York is part of the reason we didn't have our game,' coach Mike Budenholzer said. 'We'll have to prepare, think about what it takes to execute better on both ends and we'll do that before Tuesday.'


While the Hawks have won four straight home games, the Knicks have lost four in a row and nine of 11 on the road.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bucks (14-22) at Bulls (20-12)
Date: January 05, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

A knee injury cost Jabari Parker his chance to play in his hometown as a rookie and a second matchup versus another Chicago schoolboy legend, Derrick Rose.


It's now the Bulls point guard who is dealing with an injury as Chicago seeks a season-high fifth consecutive victory Tuesday night when it hosts the Milwaukee Bucks.


Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, tore his left ACL on Dec. 15, missing the last three games between the teams - and a pair of trips down Interstate 94 to the United Center.


Parker did face Rose and the Bulls in Milwaukee, scoring eight points on 4-of-12 shooting in a 95-86 loss Nov. 5, 2014. Rose had 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting in the matchup of former Simeon Academy standouts.


The oft-injured Rose has sat out the past three games because of tendinitis in his right hamstring, and an MRI showed no structural damage in either his hamstring or knee. He's considered a game-time decision.


"The hamstring feels a lot better and the swelling in the knee has gone down," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He just had a little bit of soreness, weakness in it before (Sunday's game in Toronto) so we took a cautious approach with it."


Jimmy Butler had a record-breaking performance in Rose's absence, scoring 40 of his 42 points in the second half of a 115-113 victory. That topped Michael Jordan's 39 in the second half in a 117-116 win over Milwaukee on Feb. 16, 1989.


"I'm just happy we won, to tell you the truth. I don't want to be compared to (Jordan)," said Butler, who finished one point off his career high set in a quadruple-overtime loss to Detroit on Dec. 18.


"I'm just happy we got the win, points or no points."


The Bulls (20-12) are seeking their seventh victory in the past eight regular-season matchups with their Central Division rivals. Chicago is facing Milwaukee (14-22) for the first time since winning last year's opening-round playoff series, capped by its 120-66 beatdown of the Bucks - their worst postseason loss in franchise history - in Game 6 at the Bradley Center.


The Bucks need a few more wins to get into playoff position in the suddenly competitive Eastern Conference. Nine teams are currently above .500 compared with five at the end of last season.


Milwaukee came up well short of a third consecutive victory Monday with a 123-98 drubbing by visiting San Antonio.


Milwaukee has won its past two road games after dropping 14 of 15 but has lost in five of its last six visits to Chicago, including the playoffs. The Bulls are 14-5 at home and have won three straight.


The Bucks might not have Jerryd Bayless because of a left ankle injury suffered in Monday's loss. He missed 11 games last month with the same ailment.


"I don't know his full status. We'll obviously learn more tonight and (Monday)," interim coach Joe Prunty said. "We've been through it before. It's always been a next-man-up mentality and that won't change. Everybody's got to be prepared."


Butler is averaging 24.9 points in his last seven games against Milwaukee, including last year's playoff series. Pau Gasol had a streak of nine double-doubles versus the Bucks snapped in the Game 6 victory.


Among those performances was a career-high 46 points and 18 rebounds in a 95-87 win at the United Center on Jan. 10.