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

[CNOTES]

NBA

Wednesday, January 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. MIAMI
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New York's last 12 games
Miami is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

7:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. WASHINGTON
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Indiana's last 12 games
Indiana is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Orlando is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Orlando is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana

7:30 PM
DETROIT vs. BOSTON
Detroit is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Detroit

7:30 PM
TORONTO vs. BROOKLYN
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games
Brooklyn is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Brooklyn is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
DENVER vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 3-15-1 ATS in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. NEW ORLEANS
Dallas is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Dallas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Dallas
New Orleans is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Dallas

8:30 PM
UTAH vs. SAN ANTONIO
Utah is 4-18 SU in its last 22 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Utah

9:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. PHOENIX
Charlotte is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Charlotte is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte

9:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Oklahoma City's last 25 games when playing at home against Memphis
Oklahoma City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Memphis

10:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
LA Clippers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Portland
Portland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Portland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

 

[CNOTES]

This Week's Best Spot Bets

Lookahead spot

There’s a Big 12 battle on the horizon with No. 14 Iowa State hosting No. 20 Baylor this weekend. Before those conference powers collide, the Cyclones are home to Texas Tech Wednesday night. Iowa State just dropped a 4-point loss to Oklahoma in Norman and faces another tough task in the Red Raiders, who are 11-1 SU and 7-2 ATS heading into this week.

Texas Tech has won 10 straight since losing the second game of the season to Utah at the Puerto Rico Tip-off back in November. The Red Raiders haven’t played that rough a schedule, fattening up on some mid-major foes, but they do have victories over Miss State, Minnesota, Richmond and Texas. Tubby Smith could add another notable name to that resume if ISU looks ahead to Baylor and past TTU Wednesday.

Letdown spot

The UCLA Bruins, while not ranked, have likely punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament thanks to some big-name opponents already this season. The Bruins took down power programs like Kentucky and Gonzaga, and lost tough games against Kansas and North Carolina. Up next are the No. 6 Arizona Wildcats, who come to Pauley Pavilion on Thursday.

UCLA is set up for a cookie-cutter letdown spot two days later when it welcomes another Arizona school, Arizona State, on Saturday. The Sun Devils had won four in a row before losing a 12-point decision to the Wildcats last weekend. Arizona State won its lone meeting with UCLA last season, stealing a 68-66 win in Pauley in February.

Schedule spot

The New York Knicks are away from the Big Apple this week and playing a short but hectic road schedule. New York visits Atlanta Tuesday night and heads down the coast to play at Miami Wednesday. The Knicks enjoy a day off Thursday before taking on the Spurs in San Antonio Friday night, wrapping a stretch of three games in four nights.

New York has dropped four straight road games SU and went 1-3 ATS in those outings, sitting at 7-11 SU and 11-7 ATS as a visitor on the year. Looking ahead to the San Antonio game, the Knicks are 6-5 SU and ATS against Western Conference opponents and lost 94-84 at home to the Spurs as 7.5-point underdogs back in November.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 6

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INDIANA (19 - 15) at ORLANDO (19 - 16) - 1/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
INDIANA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-2 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 7-1 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW YORK (17 - 19) at MIAMI (21 - 13) - 1/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 138-103 ATS (+24.7 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-1 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 8-1 straight up against NEW YORK 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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CLEVELAND (23 - 9) at WASHINGTON (15 - 17) - 1/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
WASHINGTON is 351-421 ATS (-112.1 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 82-119 ATS (-48.9 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 53-80 ATS (-35.0 Units) in home games after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.

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

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TORONTO (21 - 15) at BROOKLYN (10 - 24) - 1/6/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 9-5 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 8-7 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DETROIT (19 - 16) at BOSTON (19 - 15) - 1/6/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 68-50 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

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

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DALLAS (20 - 15) at NEW ORLEANS (11 - 22) - 1/6/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 332-266 ATS (+39.4 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 450-372 ATS (+40.8 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 121-89 ATS (+23.1 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 175-137 ATS (+24.3 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
DALLAS is 167-131 ATS (+22.9 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-5 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-3 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DENVER (12 - 23) at MINNESOTA (12 - 23) - 1/6/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 31-48 ATS (-21.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 48-66 ATS (-24.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 18-30 ATS (-15.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 18-30 ATS (-15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 7-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 7-4 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (15 - 18) at SAN ANTONIO (30 - 6) - 1/6/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 55-85 ATS (-38.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
UTAH is 39-62 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-10 ATS (+14.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 74-50 ATS (+19.0 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 193-144 ATS (+34.6 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
UTAH is 63-48 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 43-29 ATS (+11.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.

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

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CHARLOTTE (17 - 17) at PHOENIX (12 - 25) - 1/6/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 142-181 ATS (-57.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.

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

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MEMPHIS (19 - 17) at OKLAHOMA CITY (24 - 11) - 1/6/2016, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 147-111 ATS (+24.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-8 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 9-8 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA CLIPPERS (22 - 13) at PORTLAND (15 - 22) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.

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

 

[CNOTES]

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NY at MIA 07:00 PM

MIA -7.5 BEST BET


U 193.5




IND at ORL 07:00 PM


IND -2.5 BEST BET


U 198.5




CLE at WAS 07:00 PM


WAS +7.5


U 201.5




DET at BOS 07:30 PM


BOS -3.0 BEST BET


U 202.0 BEST BET




TOR at BK 07:30 PM


BK +7.0


O 195.5




DEN at MIN 08:00 PM


MIN -3.0


U 202.0




DAL at NO 08:00 PM


NO -8.0 BEST BET


O 203.0




UTA at SA 08:30 PM


SA -14.5


U 183.5 BEST BET




CHA at PHO 09:00 PM


CHA -2.0


U 203.5




MEM at OKC 09:30 PM


OKC -6.0


U 198.5




LAC at POR 10:00 PM


LAC -3.5 BEST BET


O 205.5

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hawks (21-15) at 76ers (4-33)
Date: January 07, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A matchup with the lowly Philadelphia 76ers would have provided the Atlanta Hawks with a perfect opportunity to break out of a funk two weeks ago.


That certainly isn't the case since Ish Smith joined the 76ers.


After not losing three straight until late March last season, the Hawks hope to avoid their third such streak in two months Thursday night when they visit Philadelphia.


Atlanta (21-15) only dropped three in a row twice en route to the Eastern Conference's top seed in 2014-15. The Hawks showed signs of a potential return to the top with a six-game winning streak Dec. 16-26, but they've since taken a step back by losing three of four.


"It's frustrating because I feel like we are playing hard," center Al Horford said. "We're doing some good things out there but we keep having mental lapses as a group, forgetting assignments, little things."


They now look to regroup after getting swept in a home-and-home series against New York, including a 107-101 defeat in Atlanta on Tuesday. The Hawks fell behind by 16 points in the third quarter and got within two with 40 seconds left but couldn't complete the comeback.


"I credit our guys for fighting and competing," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "But we have to be better for more of the 48 minutes.'


Dennis Schroder contributed seven points and eight assists in his return to the sixth man role after sitting out the previous two games despite having no announced injury.


The man Schroder backs up, point guard Jeff Teague, had no assists for the first time since Jan. 14, 2014. Teague has 15 assists and 13 turnovers in the last four games as the Hawks have averaged 101.5 points on 43.0 percent shooting, compared to 111.5 points and 51.2 percent during the win streak.


That run began Dec. 16 against league-worst Philadelphia (4-33), with Millsap and Teague combining for 39 points as Atlanta shot a season-high 61.5 percent in a 127-106 home win.


At that time, the 76ers were in the midst of a 12-game losing streak and a 1-30 start. But on Dec. 24, they acquired Smith from New Orleans for two second-round draft picks.


Smith made an immediate impact, averaging 18.0 points and 8.3 assists in his first three games as Philadelphia won two of them. The journeyman point guard then came up big with 21 and 11 on Monday when the team improved to 3-3 since his arrival with a 109-99 home win over Minnesota.


The 76ers have averaged 100.7 points and 24.2 assists in six games with Smith after previously scoring a league-low 91.4 per game with 18.8 assists.


'We're constantly trying to get better," Smith said. "Let's move on to (the Hawks).'


Jahlil Okafor scored 10 on Monday in his return to the starting lineup but played just 20:42. That was near his average in the previous three games coming off the bench after missing a pair with a knee injury.


Okafor had 19 points in the first meeting with Atlanta while Isaiah Canaan had 24 with six 3-pointers.


The Hawks have won eight of the past nine meetings, though the only defeat was 92-84 on March 7 in the most recent meeting in Philadelphia. Nerlens Noel, who had a career-high 17 rebounds in that contest, has averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 boards in his last six games.


Elton Brand, who played for the Hawks the past two seasons, could make his season debut after signing with the 76ers on Monday. He also played with Philadelphia from 2008-12.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Celtics (19-15) at Bulls (21-12)
Date: January 07, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls are enjoying their best stretch of the season with Jimmy Butler leading the way.


The Boston Celtics are enduring some woes, but their defense and play on the road make them a dangerous opponent.


The Bulls look to extend their season-high winning streak to six Thursday night when they meet a Celtics' club that owns the Eastern Conference's best road record.


It's well documented by now that Butler was critical of coach Fred Hoiberg after a blowout loss at New York on Dec. 19. The superstar has backed up his strong words with strong play, averaging 31.3 points in the last four games of this win streak.


Chicago (21-12) is averaging 109.2 points in the last five games.


"Everybody's doing their job, trying to win their matchup," Butler said. "When you buy into that team thing, you win five games in a row."


Boston (19-16) comes to town after its third loss in four games, falling 99-94 to Detroit on Wednesday. The Celtics led by 13 in the third quarter before collapsing down the stretch, getting outscored 33-19 in the fourth.


'We didn't bring it in the second half,' said Jae Crowder, a college teammate of Butler's at Marquette.


The Celtics have brought it on the road, posting a 10-6 mark with three straight wins and may thrive being away from Beantown. They are also 5-2 in the second game of back-to-backs for the East's best mark.


Boston can also play defense, allowing 97.9 points per 100 possessions for the league's second-best mark to San Antonio.


Guard Avery Bradley is expected to miss a third straight game with a left hip contusion. Coach Brad Stevens indicated that David Lee or Tyler Zeller will see action in this contest after neither played Wednesday.


Isaiah Thomas, reportedly playing with a sprained left thumb, had 22 points and 10 assists.


Derrick Rose returned for the Bulls in Tuesday's 117-106 home win over Milwaukee after missing three games with a sore right hamstring. He showed no effects of the injury and took the ball to the basket all night, finishing with 16 points.


'I thought Derrick was good. He was a little rusty out of the gate. Once he started attacking the basket, I really liked the way he was playing,' Hoiberg said.


Much has been made of the transition from defensive-minded former coach Tom Thibodeau to the offensive-minded Hoiberg possibly hurting Chicago on that end of the court. The Bulls, though, lead the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage at 41.8.


The Celtics survived Butler's 36-point night in a 105-100 home victory over the Bulls on Dec. 9. Thomas scored 20 as one of eight Celtics to score in double digits.


Lee had 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes, making him a good choice to see action Thursday.


Flashy Chicago native Evan Turner has started the last two games in place of Bradley, totaling 29 points and 17 boards. Turner scored 29 in Boston's last trip to the United Center, a 109-104 overtime defeat Jan. 3, 2015.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lakers (8-28) at Kings (14-21)
Date: January 07, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Lakers are expecting Kobe Bryant back for his last game in Sacramento.


Whether the Kings will have Rajon Rondo will determine whether they will be successful at pushing the tempo as they have been in a four-game win streak in this series.


DeMarcus Cousins has simply been sensational as well for Sacramento heading into Thursday night's opener of a three-game homestand.


Bryant has missed the last three games with a sore right shoulder, though he is traveling to the state capital with the intention to play one final time there. He was a signature part of the rivalry between these teams early in his career, most notably when he and Shaquille O'Neal combined for 65 points in a Game 7 overtime victory at Sacramento in the 2002 Western Conference finals en route to the third of three straight titles for the Lakers.


"It'll be interesting tomorrow," coach Byron Scott said. "It's the last time he'll be in Sacramento so obviously I think the fans will be very respectful."


Bryant, the NBA's worst shooter overall (34.1 percent) and on 3-pointers (25.9), is officially questionable.


"I'm kind of anxious to get him back out there, and it seems like he's anxious as well," Scott said. "How much and how long will be determined."


More vital to the outcome of this game will be whether Rondo, the NBA's leader with 11.6 assists per game, will be on the floor. He sat out Tuesday's 117-116 double overtime loss at Dallas due to back spasms.


Sacramento (14-21) is one of the NBA's leaders in fast-break points with an average of 18.0. The Kings finished with a season-high 33 fast-break points in a 132-114 rout of Los Angeles on Oct. 30, and are averaging 25.0 in this four-game win streak in the series.


"It's going to be probably the number one thing tomorrow because they do run," Scott said. "They run just as well as anybody right now, they really get up and down the floor."


Scott will also have to worry about slowing down Cousins, who is averaging 33.3 points and 15.0 rebounds in his last three games. He had 35 and 17 on Tuesday as the Kings narrowly missed their third three-game win streak.


Sacramento allowed the game's final eight points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Deron Williams.


"The only thing I can complain about is the last outcome of the game," coach George Karl said.


Cousins now has 4,019 rebounds for the most in the franchise's history in its Sacramento era. He passed Chris Webber's mark of 4,006.


"Big fan of C-Webb and it's an incredible honor," Cousins said.


While the Kings' point guard situation is murky, it looks like the Lakers (8-28) will get rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell back after he missed Tuesday's 109-88 defeat to Golden State with a sore throat. It marked the first game he missed.


"I was lacking energy a little bit," Russell said. "That's the only reason. I can play with a sore throat, but I didn't really have the energy. I felt really slow."


Los Angeles had its season-high three-game win streak snapped. Lou Williams missed all seven shots from the floor and scored 10 at the line after totaling 54 points in his previous two games.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (705) UTAH@ (706) HOUSTON | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play ON UTAH against the spread in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 47 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+29.4 units)


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NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (703) BOSTON@ (704) CHICAGO | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 67 Wins and 25 Losses for the last three seasons (+47.85 units)


NBA > (705) UTAH@ (706) HOUSTON | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play ON UTAH using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+23.9 units)

NBA > (705) UTAH@ (706) HOUSTON | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST HOUSTON using money line in All games as a favorite
The record is 11 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (-23.3 units)


NBA > (703) BOSTON@ (704) CHICAGO | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 39 Wins and 12 Losses for the last three seasons (+22.3 units)


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


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (705) UTAH@ (706) HOUSTON | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 83 Overs and 241 Unders for the since 1992 (+149.7 units)


NBA > (705) UTAH@ (706) HOUSTON | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin Road games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 43 Overs and 135 Unders for the since 1992 (+87.7 units)


NBA > (703) BOSTON@ (704) CHICAGO | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin Road games in January games
The record is 0 Overs and 11 Unders for the last two seasons (+11 units)


NBA > (703) BOSTON@ (704) CHICAGO | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games in January games
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.8 units)


NBA > (703) BOSTON@ (704) CHICAGO | 2016-01-07 20:05:00 - 2016-01-07 20:05:00
Play OVER CHICAGO on the totalin All games against Atlantic division opponents
The record is 20 Overs and 5 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.5 units)

NBA > (701) ATLANTA@ (702) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-07 19:05:00 - 2016-01-07 19:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 34 Overs and 62 Unders for the last two seasons (+24.6 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


College basketball referees work a lot from November-March; here is what referee John Higgins has been doing for the last 7-10 days.........


Dec 29-- Texas Southern @ Baylor


Dec 30-- Nevada @ New Mexico


Dec 31-- BYU @ St Mary's


Jan 1-- Utah @ Stanford


Jan 2-- Michigan State @ Minnesota


Jan 3-- Arizona @ Arizona State-- Higgins tossed Bobby Hurley at end.


Jan 4-- Oklahoma @ Kansas-- Game went triple overtime.


Jan 5-- Kansas State @ Texas


Jan 6-- Evansville @ Wichita State


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Ranking the NFL's playoff teams.......


12) Green Bay-- Rodgers was sacked 14 times in his last two games.


11) Washington-- Won last four games, three of which were on road.


10) Houston-- 7-2 in their last nine games after a 2-5 start.


9) Minnesota-- Going to be sub-zero for their game on Sunday.


8) Cincinnati-- Their last playoff win was in 1990: I had hair then!!!!


7) Steelers-- I beat this to death every time an NFL team fires a coach too soon; the Steelers have had three head coaches...........since 1969


6) Seahawks-- Ted Cruz was born in Calgary; if he shows up at a campaign event wearing a Calgary Flames jersey I promise to vote for him. Have some fun with it.


5) Chiefs-- They haven't lost since the Royals won the World Series; they haven't won a playoff game since 1993.


4) Denver-- Don't have lot of confidence in their chances, even at home.


3) New England-- Who are the three people who didn't vote for Junior Griffey for the Hall of Fame? They need to be identified.


2) Arizona-- Now is the hour for Carson Palmer and the Redbirds. Why did Mike Piazza have to wait four years to get into the Hall of Fame?


1) Carolina-- Think about Lovie Smith getting fired last night; in Ron Rivera's first two years with the Panthers, they went 13-19, but they kept him and they're 34-13-1 in three years since then. Firing a guy after two years makes very little sense.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, January 7

Hot teams
-- 76ers split their last six games (4-2 vs spread).
-- Chicago won its last five games (3-1 last four HF).
-- Lakers won three of their last four games (3-1 last four AU).

Cold teams
-- Hawks lost three of last four games (1-4 last five AF).
-- Celtics lost three of last four games (6-2AU).
-- Jazz are 3-5 in their last eight games (1-4 last five AU). Houston lost four of its last five games (4-10HF).
-- Sacramento lost four of its last six games (5-5HF).

Series records
-- 76ers lost eight of last nine games with Atlanta.
-- Bulls won six of last eight games with Boston.
-- Rockets won eight of last ten games with Utah.
-- Lakers lost five of their last six games with Sacramento.

Totals
-- Nine of last ten Atlanta games went over total.
-- Over is 8-2 in last ten Chicago games, 1-6 in last seven Boston tilts.
-- Four of last five Houston games went over total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five Sacramento games.

Back/backs
-- Celtics are 3-1 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Utah is 4-2 vs spread if it played the night before.




NBA

Thursday, January 7

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

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. PHILADELPHIA
Atlanta is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Philadelphia is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Philadelphia is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta

8:00 PM
UTAH vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Utah's last 19 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

10:30 PM
LA LAKERS vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 16 of the LA Lakers last 23 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
LA Lakers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Sacramento's last 12 games

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, January 7


Atlanta @ Philadelphia

Game 701-702
January 7, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
117.930
Philadelphia
112.731
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 5
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 9
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+9); Over

Boston @ Chicago

Game 703-704
January 7, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
117.510
Chicago
120.540
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 3
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 5 1/2
203
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+5 1/2); Over

Utah @ Houston

Game 705-706
January 7, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
113.102
Houston
123.645
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 10 1/2
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 9
198
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-9); Under

LA Lakers @ Sacramento

Game 707-708
January 7, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
111.639
Sacramento
122.420
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 11
193
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
N/A

 

[CNOTES]

Inside the Paint - Thursday
January 7, 2016


Odds · ATS Rankings · Totals Report · Expert Picks Wednesday’s 11-game card in the Association watched favorites go 6-5 straight up record but the underdogs prevailed to a 6-5 mark against the spread, largely due to the Wizards pulling off the backdoor cover against the Cavaliers. I’m guessing some folks were cheering or cussing Washington point guard John Wall, who padded his stats with a meaningless layup.


That’s gambling and if you bet on the NBA, expect to see that scene play out again. The Wizards and Cavs went ‘over’ last night but the ‘under’ posted a 6-5 overall mark. Since Monday, bettors have seen favorites go 19-13 SU and 15-17 ATS while the ‘over’ is 17-15.


Thursday’s card offers up four conference games and the double-header on TNT and below is my quick handicap.


Atlanta (21-15 SU, 16-18-2 ATS) at Philadelphia (4-33 SU, 15-21-1 ATS)


After watching the Hawks win six straight games, they’ve dropped three of their last four and two of the setbacks came to the Knicks. Atlanta is listed as a nine-point road favorite in this spot and while Philadelphia isn’t a world-beater, it has played better of late. Make a note that the Hawks are 5-4 SU and 4-4-1 ATS as road favorites this season but none of those spreads were higher than five.


The 76ers are 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six and coming off a 109-99 win against Minnesota on Monday as 6 ½-point home underdogs. Philadelphia has actual pros on its roster now but the lack of depth is still noticeable and it hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record. If the 76ers do win tonight, you should be aware that in the last 2 ½ seasons, the 76ers have only put together winning streaks of three or more on two occasions.


The Hawks have won eight of their last 10 meetings against the 76ers, which includes a 127-106 win on Dec. 16 as 13 ½-point home favorites earlier this season. However, Philadelphia did knock off Atlanta 92-84 as a 7 ½-point home underdog last season.


Despite playing a shootout in mid-December, total bettors should note that the ‘under’ had cashed in the five previous meetings. Thursday’s total opened 207 ½ and has dropped to 205 ½ at most shops.


Boston (19-16 SU, 19-15-1 ATS) at Chicago (21-12 SU, 14-19 ATS)


This game will be the opener for the TNT double-header and this could easily be a first round playoff matchup. The Bulls have played much better of late, going 6-1 both SU and ATS in their last seven games and those results have coincidentally occurred since veteran Joakim Noah went down with a shoulder injury. The offense has been on fire lately too, posting 100-plus in every game during this span which has helped the ‘over’ 6-2.


Boston did knock off Chicago 105-100 as a 3 ½-point home favorite on Dec. 9 which was a tad surprising, considering the Bulls had won eight of the previous nine encounters against the Celtics.


The Celtics ran out of gas last night and lost at home to the Pistons 99-94 as three-point favorites. It was Boston’s third loss in its last four games and two of the setbacks came to the lowly Lakers and Nets, teams that it usually bullies around.


While some bettors might hop off Boston right now due to its current form, head coach Brad Stevens has found a way to thrive when they face adversity. The Celtics have been a great bet in back-to-back spots as road underdogs, going 3-1 both SU and ATS, with the lone loss coming by three points.


The total on this game is sitting at 204 and the ‘over’ has cashed in the last five games between the pair. Chicago started the season 13-3 to the ‘under’ but the ‘over’ has gone 12-4 in the last 16 and it appears that Fred Hoiberg’s offensive scheme is coming together. Meanwhile, Boston was known to run ‘n gun but it enters this game on a 6-1 run to the ‘under.’


Utah (15-19 SU, 18-15-1 ATS) at Houston (17-19 SU, 13-23 ATS)


Quick rematch game here as the Rockets defeated the Jazz 93-91 on Monday but failed to cover as 3 ½-point road favorites. If there was a game to pass tonight, this matchup should be on your radar.


It’s hard to ignore the fact that Houston has won five straight and seven of its last eight home meetings against Utah, which includes a pair of double-digit victories last season. However, the Rockets have been the worst ATS team (13-23) in the NBA and that includes a dreadful 7-12 mark at the Toyota Center.


The Jazz has hopes of making the playoffs this season but the injury bug is starting to take a toll and they have no depth whatsoever. Utah was embarrassed 123-98 at San Antonio last night and the Spurs easily covered (-13.5) with its backups. The Jazz have been a sound investment in back-to-back spots, going 4-2 both SU and ATS this season and they’re catching 8 ½-points at most shops for tonight’s game.


Still, it’s hard to back a team that’s missing Derrick Favors (back), Alec Burks (ankle) and Rudy Gobert (knee) from the lineup.


Tonight’s total is hovering between 196 and 198 at most shops and it’s rare to see a total under 200 for the Rockets but this is based on the opponent. The Jazz are ranked 26th in scoring (96.7 PPG) and fourth defensively (97.6 PPG), plus they have the second slowest pace in the NBA. Utah has watched the ‘under’ go 21-13 this season and Houston has been a great ‘under’ bet (12-5) at home.


L.A. Lakers (8-28 SU, 15-21 ATS) at Sacramento (14-21 SU, 17-18 ATS)


No overnight line was posted on this matchup due to a couple key injuries for both squads, in particular Kobe Bryant for the Lakers and Rajon Rondo for the Kings. Both are listed as ‘questionable’ and most are expecting Kobe to give it a shot in what will be his last road trip to Sac-Town. As of Thursday morning, the Kings opened as 8 ½-point home favorites.


Sacramento has gone 9-9 SU and 8-10 ATS at home this season but if you delve into the numbers further, George Karl’s team has posted a 7-3 record as a favorite at home. They’ve only gone 5-5 ATS in those games but it has stepped up in the ‘chalk’ role.


The Lakers have won three of their last four albeit two of the wins came against the 76ers and Suns. Still, L.A. has covered four of five and six of its last nine games. While the current form is good for the club, the road tendencies for Los Angeles (4-18 SU, 9-13 ATS) are very ugly.


The Kings have owned the Lakers recently, winning four straight and five of the last six meetings. In the first encounter this season, Sacramento blasted Los Angeles 132-114 as a seven-point home favorite.


Neither L.A. (105.8 PPG) or Sacramento (107.9 PPG) focus on defense and that’s why you have a total hovering around 212.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, January 7

Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Atlanta: 21-8 ATS in a road game where the total is 200 to 209.5
Philadelphia: 2-10 ATS after playing a game as a home underdog

Boston at Chicago, 8:05 ET
Boston: 9-1 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6
Chicago: 23-37 ATS after a game where they covered the spread

Utah at Houston, 8:05 ET
Utah: 14-2 ATS in road games after a combined score of 205 points or more
Houston: 6-16 ATS after playing a game as favorite

LA Lakers at Sacramento, 10:35 ET
Los Angeles: 5-1 ATS after a game with 15 or less assists
Sacramento: 13-18 ATS after covering 3 of their last 4 against the spread

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




ATL at PHI 07:00 PM


ATL -9.5

U 208.0 BEST BET




UTA at HOU 08:00 PM


HOU -7.5


U 197.0 BEST BET




BOS at CHI 08:00 PM


BOS +6.0 BEST BET


U 204.5 BEST BET




LAL at SAC 10:30 PM


SAC -8.5


O 213.5 BEST BET

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Raptors (22-15) at Wizards (15-18)
Date: January 08, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

A four-game win streak had the Washington Wizards at .500 and looking to climb out of the cellar in the Southeast Division before a few of the NBA's top defensive clubs stopped them in their tracks.


After one of their strongest efforts of the season still resulted in a loss against one of those teams, the Wizards get no respite from lockdown defenses Friday night in their second meeting with the Toronto Raptors in just over a week.


The Raptors (22-15), Miami and Cleveland each rank in the top four in fewest points allowed per game, and Washington (15-18) has lost to all three over its last four games - though two of the defeats are hard to comprehend in that context.


The string began with a 94-91 loss at Toronto on Dec. 30 in which the Wizards made 35 shots to the Raptors' 28 but were done in by 32 points they gave up on free throws.


Sunday's 97-75 loss to the Heat was easy to explain since Washington scored its season low, eclipsing an 84-82 home loss to Toronto on Nov. 28, and shot a season-worst 13.8 percent (4 for 29) from 3-point range. The Wizards then bounced back with an outstanding effort against the Cavaliers that was wasted in a 121-115 loss Wednesday.


They did everything right on offense against a team surrendering an average of 95.3 points, posting season bests in field-goal (55.3) and 3-point (58.3) percentage, assisting on 31 of 42 field goals and setting the tempo with a 22-5 edge on the break.


Garret Temple had 21 points to lead six players in double figures and John Wall added 20 with 12 assists after snapping his eight-game streak of at least 11 assists with five against Miami. In the end, though, Washington had no answer for Kyrie Irving, who scored 21 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter.


"We did a bad job of knowing personnel in certain spots of who we wanted to shoot the ball," forward Jared Dudley said. "I thought we scored enough to win the game. ... Overall, not enough stops to win."


Poor play in the second quarter was again a major factor. Cleveland had a 38-24 scoring edge in the period and Toronto's was 24-14, but Miami's was the worst at 25-7 - which didn't even mark the fewest points Washington has scored in a quarter this season. It had six in the fourth of a 101-87 loss at Charlotte on Nov. 25.


The good news is that Nene returned from a 19-game absence because of a strained left calf and Gary Neal was back after missing five with a strained right quadriceps. Kris Humphries sat out with a sore knee but should face the Raptors.


Having Nene and Humphries should help after Toronto owned a 55-44 rebounding edge Dec. 30, including 15 on the offensive glass that contributed to a 21-6 advantage in second-chance points.


The Raptors had allowed an average of 118.5 points in losses to Chicago and Cleveland before bouncing back with a 91-74 win at Brooklyn on Wednesday that marked their season low for points allowed.


Despite shooting 4 for 22 from 3-point range, they won their first game without DeMarre Carroll, who will be out a while after having arthroscopic right knee surgery.


"We're going to have games where we're not going to be able to score," said guard DeMar DeRozan, who had 15 points. "We've got to understand we've got to be able to win games in the 80s and keep teams, like tonight, in the low-70s, high-70s."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Magic (19-17) at Nets (10-25)
Date: January 08, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Because the new year hasn't been kind, the Orlando Magic are desperate to avoid falling into the losing ways that plagued them the past three seasons.


First-year coach Scott Skiles hasn't been afraid to tinker with the lineup, and Victor Oladipo could be a long-term fix at point guard regardless of Elfrid Payton's health.


The Magic look to end their longest slide of the season Friday night with their third victory in four weeks over the Brooklyn Nets, who can't buy a win at Barclays Center.


After winning 20, 23 and 25 games in the last three seasons, respectively, Orlando (19-17) seemed to have turned a corner under Skiles by going an Eastern Conference-best 13-5 from Nov. 25-Dec. 30.


The Magic, though, opened 2016 with three straight road defeats by an average of 21.0 points before falling 95-86 to Indiana in their return home Wednesday. They averaged 104.0 points on 51.0 percent shooting in a 7-2 stretch before scoring 86.3 per game during the skid.


"There's no way that we're going to go back to losing like last year. We've worked too hard for that," guard Evan Fournier, who hopes to play through an in-grown toenail, told the team's official website. "We've just got to trust each other and believe that it is going to be all right."


Skiles has responded by moving Oladipo, a reserve the last six weeks after opening the season as a starter, into the point guard role the past two games. Oladipo has played well, totaling 38 points and hitting 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He could be there to stay since Payton, who started the first 34 games, averaged 2.3 points on 25.0 percent shooting over a four-game stretch before missing the past two with an ankle injury.


Nikola Vucevic finished with 17 points Wednesday when the Magic shot 40.5 percent - including 6 for 31 from beyond the arc - and committed 17 turnovers. Tobias Harris is among those struggling to find his stroke, missing 9 of 10 from 3-point range in the last three games, and Fournier is 3 for 19 from deep during the losing streak.


Orlando hopes to get right against the team it defeated to cap its best December (10-5) since going 12-3 in 2008. Vucevic led the way with 20 points and Fournier added 17 in a 100-93 home win over the Nets on Dec. 30.


The Magic also dealt Brooklyn (10-25) a loss during its current eight-game home slide with a 105-82 victory at Barclays on Dec. 14. Vucevic had 18 points and Payton contributed 17 as Orlando shot 53.9 percent while limiting the Nets to 38.8.


Brooklyn, which has made 10 for 39 (25.6 percent) from 3-point range in the two meetings, has averaged 91 points during its worst home skid since a 14-game dive during the 2009-10 season. The club scored a season-low total in a 91-74 home loss to Toronto on Wednesday.


'We need to work through some things,' said center Brook Lopez, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds. 'It hasn't all gone as planned.'


Lopez has been a bright spot, averaging 24.6 points and 11.6 boards in his last five games. That includes a 24-point, 15-rebound effort last week in Orlando.


Joe Johnson had five points Wednesday after totaling 41 in his previous two.


The Nets haven't lost a season series to the Magic since moving to Brooklyn in 2012-13. The teams will play one more time in Orlando on March 29.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pacers (20-15) at Pelicans (11-23)
BT Movements · Line Movements
· Bet Now at Sportsbook.co
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers have produced a promising string of defensive efforts to open 2016 and earned a rare road win with their latest.


The Pacers will try to remain stingy Friday night while extending their dominance over the New Orleans Pelicans.


Indiana (20-15) has allowed an average of 90.3 points on 37.8 percent shooting in its last three games with opponents connecting at 19.2 percent from 3-point range. The Pacers held Orlando to a 6-of-31 performance from beyond the arc in a 95-86 victory Wednesday, the halfway point to a four-game trip.


In 10 games since Dec. 19, they're allowing a league-low 25.0 percent on 3-pointers.


"We're focusing on (defense) a little bit more," coach Frank Vogel said. "We're playing big a little bit more so we've got some size out there. We're also continuing to score the ball too so it's coming around."


Indiana had just three players in double figures in its second win in the past nine road games, but Monta Ellis scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. George Hill had 16 points after missing a 103-100 overtime loss to Miami on Monday because of food poisoning.


"I thought (Hill) looked good. He knocked down some big (3-pointers). He was 3 for 3 from 3. He knocked down his free throws late and made some big plays off the bounce," Vogel said. "He's obviously a huge part of what we do, and when he's out of the lineup, we're weakened. It was good do see him back out there."


The Pacers seek a third win in four games, which would surpass the total from their final seven contests in 2015, by earning their ninth in a row against the Pelicans (11-23).


Indiana has also won in each of its last four visits to New Orleans.


The Pelicans have dropped back-to-back home games for the first time since an 0-3 start after a 100-91 loss to Dallas on Wednesday. They shot 37.0 percent, including a 7-for-30 mark from 3-point range, against a team that was resting starters Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Zaza Pachulia and Deron Williams.


New Orleans connected at 48.2 percent in a 105-98 win at the Mavericks on Saturday.


"I don't really know, to be honest with you. I wish I had answers. I don't have answers, but we're going to come up with answers," coach Alvin Gentry said. "It's not fair to the fans. It's not fair to anybody for us to come out and have that kind of effort. It really isn't.


"And when I say 'us,' I mean all of us: coaches, players, everybody. It's just not good. I'm really disappointed in the way we approached the game."


The Pacers have won their past three meetings with New Orleans by a combined 42 points while limiting the Pelicans to an average of 86.3 points.


Leading scorer Paul George, averaging 28.8 points in his last four games, scored 56 in two meetings with the Pelicans in 2013-14 after missing last season's series.


Ellis has averaged 27.3 points and shot 53.8 percent in his past three matchups.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Mavericks (21-15) at Bucks (14-23)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Zaza Pachulia provided the Milwaukee Bucks with not only a physical presence off the bench but a big man who could fill a starting role.


He's been so much more for the Dallas Mavericks since they acquired him in July.


After he was one of four starters to take a night off, Pachulia will return to Milwaukee for the first time Friday night when the Mavericks go after their seventh straight win over the Bucks.


The 13th-year center averaged 8.0 points and 6.6 rebounds with Milwaukee from 2013-15, making 88 starts over that span primarily due to injuries. He helped the Bucks reach the playoffs last season in former Mavs point guard Jason Kidd's first year as coach.


Pachulia was viewed as merely a consolation prize when Dallas traded for him just hours after DeAndre Jordan reneged on a verbal agreement and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.


The 31-year-old, however, has been terrific for the Mavericks (21-15) with 18 double-doubles in 35 starts after totaling 15 in his 73 games with the Bucks last season. With 10.7 points and a career-high 10.7 rebounds per game, he's one of only nine players averaging a double-double.


Pachulia, who says he loved his time in Milwaukee, faced his former team for the first time last week and had nine points in the first seven minutes as Dallas raced to a 10-point lead. He finished with 17 points and eight boards, and Wesley Matthews scored 22 with five 3-pointers as the Mavericks never trailed in a 103-93 home win Dec. 28.


Pachulia also gave his teammates some advice before they finished with a season-low four turnovers against a team that entered third in the NBA with 19.3 points off turnovers.


"They have length, but once you move the ball from side to side, that's where they can struggle," Pachulia said. "Whenever we moved the ball, we got quality shots."


That's likely to be the strategy again with Pachulia, Matthews, Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams set to return after sitting out a 100-91 win at New Orleans on Wednesday. Raymond Felton stepped up with 22 points and Chandler Parsons added 21 with eight rebounds.


A night earlier, Nowitzki, Williams, Pachulia and Matthews had all played 40-plus minutes in a 117-116 double-overtime win over Sacramento. Nowitzki has totaled 47 points in his last two games but had a season-low seven on 3-of-15 shooting against the Bucks.


Matthews has hit 28 of 55 (50.9 percent) from 3-point range in his past eight games and is 9 for 14 in his last two versus Milwaukee (14-23).


The Bucks hope to avoid a third straight loss after falling 117-106 at Chicago on Tuesday. They've particularly struggled defensively, allowing 114.4 points per game over their last five.


"We're going to have to keep working on it - every day," said interim coach Joe Prunty, filling in while Kidd recovers from hip surgery.


Khris Middleton finished with 26 points Tuesday, while Michael Carter-Williams added 20 points and 12 assists and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17.


Middleton has been a bright spot with 23.2 points per game while sinking 27 of 53 (50.9 percent) from long range over his last nine. Jerryd Bayless led the Bucks with 19 points in the first meeting, but he could be out after missing 12 of the past 17 games with an ankle injury.


Milwaukee's six-game losing streak to Dallas is its longest in the history of this series, and the Bucks haven't beaten the Mavs at home since Jan. 1, 2011.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cavaliers (24-9) at Timberwolves (12-24)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

With a healthy Kyrie Irving rounding into form, the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked nearly unstoppable at the outset of 2016.


That could mean another rough night for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their scuffling offense.


The Cavaliers enter Friday night's matchup having won five straight and they've been particularly impressive in their three games to open January. After blowing out Orlando and Toronto at home by a combined 47 points, Cleveland (24-9) had its offense clicking again in Wednesday's 121-115 at Washington that began a season-high six-game trip.


Irving showed he's fully over the fractured kneecap he suffered in last June's NBA Finals by playing a major role in the last two wins. The star point guard amassed 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting against the Wizards after scoring 25 with eight assists in Monday's 122-100 rout of Toronto.


Those games are the Cavaliers' two highest scoring efforts of the season. They're 6-1 when Irving's played since his Dec. 20 return.


'The first few games were just being able to solidify myself back in the league and being an elite athlete and get around guards,' Irving said. 'That was the hump I needed to get over, and now I think I'm starting to get over it going from game to game going against great matchups, great players every single night, great teams.'


Cleveland, winners of 11 of 13, has also received a boost from J.R. Smith during the new year. The streaky guard has recorded 49 points while going 13 of 27 from 3-point range over the last two wins.


The Cavaliers may not need such precision to handle Minnesota (12-24), which has failed to reach 100 points during a 1-8 stretch. The Timberwolves have lost four straight following Wednesday's 78-74 defeat to visiting Denver, their lowest point total since an 87-72 setback to Milwaukee on Nov. 6, 2009.


Minnesota was 2 for 20 from the field during a nine-point fourth quarter, 12 less than Irving tallied during the final period against Washington.


The Timberwolves' struggles have coincided with slumps from their two young stars. Andrew Wiggins was 4 of 14 on Wednesday and is shooting 39.0 percent from the floor and 59.6 percent on free throws over his last eight. Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 10.0 points on 35.9 percent shooting over the past three games after scoring 20.0 per game over his previous nine.


"I'm pressing, I don't know if anyone else is, but I am," Towns said. "We've got to change the talk, we can't keep losing these games. It's this theme that we are commonly giving up games that are very close."


Minnesota did receive a spark from Nikola Pekovic's season debut. The powerful center, returning from offseason surgeries to his ankle and Achilles', had 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench.


"I thought his 15 minutes were very productive," coach Sam Mitchell said. "I think without Pek, with the way we shot the ball (Wednesday), it would have been a tougher game."


Wiggins tied a career high with 33 points during Cleveland's visit to the Target Center last season, but the Cavaliers got 36 from LeBron James in a 106-90 win that swept the two-game season series. Kevin Love added 14 points and 17 rebounds in the former Timberwolves star's first game in Minneapolis since being traded to Cleveland in a deal that included Wiggins' draft rights.


The Cavaliers have won 11 straight from Minnesota with James on the roster, with the four-time MVP averaging 30.1 points during the streak. The Timberwolves' last victory over a Cleveland team that included James occurred on Nov. 26, 2005.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nuggets (13-23) at Grizzlies (19-18)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies can secure their longest win streak on their own court this season in the opener to their longest homestand, but it's unclear if their starting backcourt will play.


Mike Conley and Courtney Lee are considered questionable as the Grizzlies attempt to extend their mastery over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.


Memphis came within one home win of matching the franchise single-season record in 2014-15, going 31-10, but started just 7-6 there in this campaign. The Grizzlies (19-18) found their groove at FedExForum last month, earning four straight wins before a road trip to start 2016.


They went 1-2 on the trek, dropping the opener in overtime against Utah on Saturday. Memphis was forced to play without Conley against Oklahoma City on Wednesday because of a sore left Achilles, and shooting guard Courtney Lee exited in the second half of a 112-94 loss with a bruised hip.


Mario Chalmers had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds off the bench but the Grizzlies shot 38.9 percent. Marc Gasol missed nine of 11 attempts while finishing with eight points.


'It's hard to sometimes figure out what we try to accomplish offensively, what our goal is in every set. We're not very disciplined," Gasol said. "I don't know why, but I know it ended up with me. I've got to be more assertive. I've got to be a playmaker."


The Grizzlies will try to open a six-game stay in Memphis with a sixth consecutive home win over the Nuggets. They've taken four of the past five overall matchups.


Denver (13-23) snapped a six-game skid and a season high-tying string of four road losses with a 78-74 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday.


The Nuggets shot 35.8 percent but held the Timberwolves to 38.4 percent.


"It wasn't pretty basketball at times but there's no such thing as an ugly win," coach Michael Malone said.


Danilo Gallinari was just one of two players in double figures with 20 points. Jusuf Nurkic had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks off the bench in his third game back from offseason knee surgery.


"Fifteen points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in his third game back is a helluva effort. I think as he gets in game shape ... that's going to get better and better," Malone said.


The Nuggets are hoping to get starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay back from a sprained right ankle that's kept him out since Dec. 11. The No. 7 overall pick was too sore to return Wednesday following what was reportedly a strenuous practice the previous day.


He is averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 assists in 23 games.


The Grizzlies' Zach Randolph is averaging 19.9 points and 13.7 rebounds in his last seven games against Denver. He also has double-doubles in each of his last five matchups but he'll likely have to try to extend that streak while coming off the bench.


Randolph, who has one double-double in his last 10 games, has started in just one of the past 13 contests.