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

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up


Saturday, January 9


Hot teams
-- Clippers won last seven games, covering last six.
-- Chicago won its last six games (4-6AU).
-- Detroit won three of its last four games (9-1 last ten HF).
-- Raptors won six of their last nine games (6-5AF).
-- Miami won four of its last five games.
-- Golden State won its last five games (11-5-1AF). Kings are 3-1 in their last four games (3-4HU).


Cold teams
-- Charlotte lost its last five games (1-5 vs spread in last six).
-- Hawks lost three of their last five games (6-3 last nine AF).
-- Wizards lost five of their last six games (5-2 last seven AU). Orlando lost four of its last five (5-1 last six HF).
-- Brooklyn lost four of last five games (11-2 last 13AU).
-- 76ers lost three of last four games (2-10 last 12 HU).
-- Jazz lost last three games, by 2-25-9 points.


Series records
-- Clippers won nine of last ten games with Charlotte (7-3 ATS).
-- Bulls won seven of last nine games with Atlanta.
-- Washington won last ten games with Orlando (5-3 L8 ATS).
-- Nets won four of last five games with Detroit.
-- 76ers lost last ten games with Toronto (3-7 vs spread).
-- Heat lost three of last four visits to Utah.
-- Kings lost last ten games with Golden State (1-8 ATS last nine).


Totals
-- Three of last four Clipper games went over total
-- Five of last seven Chicago games went over total.
-- Five of last six Washington-Orlando games stayed under.
-- Last five Brooklyn games stayed under the total.
-- Philly's last three games all went over the total.
-- Three of last four Utah home games stayed under.
-- Over is 5-0-1 in last six Sacramento games.


Back/backs
-- Washington is 3-4 vs spread if it played night before; Orlando is 4-2.
-- Brooklyn is 5-1 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Toronto is 4-2 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Miami is 3-2 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Golden State is 7-2 vs spread if it played night before.


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


NBA


Saturday, January 9


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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3:30 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. LA CLIPPERS
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games on the road
LA Clippers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Clippers last 10 games at home


5:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chicago's last 12 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Atlanta is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home


7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ORLANDO
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Orlando is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando's last 7 games


7:30 PM
BROOKLYN vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Brooklyn's last 16 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Brooklyn's last 21 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit's last 15 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Detroit is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Brooklyn


7:30 PM
TORONTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home


9:00 PM
MIAMI vs. UTAH
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Miami's last 13 games on the road
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Utah
Utah is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Utah is 7-14 ATS in its last 21 games when playing Miami


10:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Golden State's last 20 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Sacramento is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home


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


NBA
Long Sheet


Saturday, January 9


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CHARLOTTE (17 - 18) at LA CLIPPERS (23 - 13) - 1/9/2016, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 142-182 ATS (-58.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 84-58 ATS (+20.2 Units) in home games in January games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 3-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 4-1 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


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CHICAGO (22 - 12) at ATLANTA (22 - 15) - 1/9/2016, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 73-58 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 78-44 ATS (+29.6 Units) in road games in January games since 1996.


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


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WASHINGTON (15 - 19) at ORLANDO (20 - 17) - 1/9/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 162-207 ATS (-65.7 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
ORLANDO is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-4 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 11-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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BROOKLYN (10 - 26) at DETROIT (20 - 16) - 1/9/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games this season.
BROOKLYN is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 6-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 4-4 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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TORONTO (23 - 15) at PHILADELPHIA (4 - 34) - 1/9/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-48 ATS (-25.8 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-47 ATS (-28.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 94-139 ATS (-58.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-3 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 10-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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MIAMI (22 - 14) at UTAH (15 - 20) - 1/9/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 47-18 ATS (+27.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.


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


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GOLDEN STATE (34 - 2) at SACRAMENTO (15 - 21) - 1/9/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 73-49 ATS (+19.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in road games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 46-27 ATS (+16.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-32 ATS (+9.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 78-59 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 48-65 ATS (-23.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) in home games on Saturday games since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 23-37 ATS (-17.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 8-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 11-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, January 9


Miami @ Utah

Game 511-512
January 9, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
120.700
Utah
117.310
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 3 1/2
179
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 1 1/2
184
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-1 1/2); Under

Golden State @ Sacramento

Game 513-514
January 9, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
125.830
Sacramento
120.717
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 5
228
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 7 1/2
223 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+7 1/2); Over

Charlotte @ LA Clippers

Game 501-502
January 9, 2016 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
112.869
LA Clippers
117.755
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 5
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 7 1/2
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
(+7 1/2); Over

Chicago @ Atlanta

Game 503-504
January 9, 2016 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
124.142
Atlanta
123.027
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 2
206 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+2); Over

Washington @ Orlando

Game 505-506
January 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
114.594
Orlando
118.509
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 4
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-2); Over

Brooklyn @ Detroit

Game 507-508
January 9, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
111.616
Detroit
124.419
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 13
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 11 1/2
196 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-11 1/2); Over

Toronto @ Philadelphia

Game 509-510
January 9, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
120.398
Philadelphia
109.422
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 11
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9 1/2
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9 1/2); Under

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




MIA at UTA 09:00 PM


UTA +1.5 BEST BET


U 182.5




GS at SAC 10:00 PM


GS -8.5


O 223.0 BEST BET

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pelicans (11-24) at Clippers (23-13)
Date: January 10, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

While the New Orleans Pelicans hold out hope over Anthony Davis' latest injury, the Los Angeles Clippers don't appear to be in any rush to get Blake Griffin back.


The scorching Clippers vie for a ninth consecutive win when the Pelicans begin an important road trip Sunday afternoon with Davis' status in question.


Los Angeles (24-13) hasn't slowed down a bit with Griffin sidelined by a partially torn left quadriceps, averaging 110.0 points in winning seven straight without their leading scorer.


'I think it's because we all had to step up by committee,' guard Chris Paul said. 'We're moving the ball and putting a huge emphasis on defense. The only way we can really score without the big fella is we defend and get out in transition.'


The Clippers have held opponents to 95.6 points and a 42.9 percent field-goal percentage over their longest winning streak since a nine-game run from Nov. 24-Dec. 10, 2014. They limited injury-plagued Charlotte to 36.9 percent in Saturday's 97-83 victory at Staples Center, keeping Kemba Walker to 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting after he averaged 27.3 over his previous six outings.


"For us to win, we had to embrace the defensive side of the ball, and we did that," guard J.J. Redick said. "Three quarters for them under 20 points, it's pretty phenomenal."


Los Angeles also is getting strong offensive contributions from Paul, Redick and DeAndre Jordan in the absence of Griffin, who's expected to miss at least one more week. Paul followed a 21-point, 19-assist effort in Wednesday's 109-98 win at Portland with 25 points against Charlotte, while Redick is averaging 21.0 points and shooting 64.3 percent from 3-point range over his last five games.


New Orleans (11-24), on the other hand, shot a combined 37.1 percent in recent home losses to Dallas and Indiana and is averaging 92.0 points over a 1-4 stretch. It played nearly all of Friday's 91-86 defeat to the Pacers without Davis after the star forward suffered a back contusion diving into the crowd in the opening minutes.


With Davis unavailable to patrol the lane, New Orleans was outscored 50-32 in the paint and outrebounded 54-37 to negate a season-high 25 turnovers forced by its defense.


"At the end of the day, we played hard. Now we've got to play smarter," coach Alvin Gentry said. "I did think we competed at the level that we needed to, but we have to convert. Twenty-five turnovers that we forced and we got ten points out of. That's not very good."


New Orleans did receive encouraging performances from Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans, both of whom will be relied upon heavily if Davis does miss any time during this three-game trip. Anderson had 21 points Friday and went 4 of 10 from 3 after a 3-of-19 effort over the previous four games, while Evans matched a season high with 27 points.


The Pelicans, 14th in the Western Conference, struggled offensively in a pair of losses to Los Angeles earlier this season. They were 5 of 20 from 3 and shot 36.2 percent overall in a 111-90 defeat at Staples Center on Nov. 27.


Redick scored 26 points as the Clippers won 95-89 in New Orleans without Griffin on Dec. 31, their third straight victory over the Pelicans and 10th in 12 meetings.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Mavericks (21-16) at Timberwolves (12-25)
Date: January 10, 2016 5:00 PM EDT

Everyone on the Dallas Mavericks seems to know the importance of limiting turnovers. Coach Rick Carlisle keeps waiting for it to happen on a consistent basis.


The Mavericks wrap up the easier of their three-game road swings around a home contest as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.


Dallas (21-16) failed to build on its victory at New Orleans, falling 96-95 at Milwaukee on Friday night. The Mavericks committed 16 turnovers that led to 20 points, a stark contrast to their 103-93 win Dec. 28 over the Bucks in which they had just four - none of which provided any points.


"We kept giving them the ball," Carlisle told the team's official website. "We gave them the ball seven times in the first quarter for a total of 10 points, and that gets them to 28 points in the first quarter and kept us at 18."


Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and Devin Harris added a season-high 19 off the bench for Dallas, which erased a double-digit deficit before a bad pass by Nowitzki led to Khris Middleton's winning basket with 10 seconds to play.


"We've got to focus on an all-around and efficient game from start to finish," Carlisle added. "We talked a lot about the keys to the game, and the No. 1 thing was ball security. We failed in the first half. Second half, we did a lot better."


Dallas has dropped four of its last six road games, but its chances for a 2-1 trip seem viable considering it swept last season's series from Minnesota (12-25). The Mavericks won the turnover battle in all three games, committing 37 while forcing 49. They also shot 51.2 percent while compiling a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.


The schedule toughens considerably after this contest. The Mavs host LeBron James and Cleveland on Tuesday before returning to the road to face Oklahoma City, Chicago and San Antonio, who have a combined 53-10 record at home.


The Timberwolves have dropped five straight after being routed 125-99 at home by the Cavaliers on Friday night. Andrew Wiggins scored a career-high 35 points, but Minnesota again put up token resistance defensively as Cleveland shot 53.1 percent and made 13 of 27 3-pointers - seven by J.R. Smith.


"We played some good defense, they were making some contested shots," said Shabazz Muhammad, who had 22 points. "We just tried to play good defense and keep them in front of us but obviously everything was going in for them tonight."


Perimeter defense has been an issue throughout Minnesota's recent struggles in which it's dropped nine of 10. Opponents are shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc in that span, and eight of them made at least eight 3-pointers.


Dallas certainly isn't shy about taking 3-pointers, having attempted an NBA season high-tying 44 in Friday's loss while making 14. The Mavericks are 12-6 when they connect on 10 or more from long range.


Wiggins averaged 11.3 points versus Dallas last season as a rookie, going 13 of 37 from the field. Nowitzki was highly efficient for the Mavericks, scoring 15.7 points per game on 19-of-28 shooting.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cavaliers (25-9) at 76ers (4-34)
Date: January 10, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

J.R. Smith credited Kyrie Irving's presence as a major reason for his string of high-scoring games.


He'll try to keep that run going as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers go for their first four-game season sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers in 20 years on Sunday night.


Smith, averaging 11.9 points, has scored at least 24 in three consecutive games and had a season-high 27 in a 125-99 victory in Minnesota on Friday. He made 10 of 12 shots, 5 of 6 from 3-point range, and has connected on 18 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc during his run.


The Cavaliers (25-9) have tied a franchise record by scoring at least 120 points in three straight games and have won six in a row overall.


"I've got so much room. At the end of the day, when I catch the ball, nobody is coming to help. It's just me and my man on an island. I can pretty much do what I want," Smith said. "With Kyrie out there, it helps everybody."


Irving scored 13 points in his eighth game since returning from knee surgery after totaling 57 in his previous two. The point guard made his long-awaited debut Dec. 20 in a 108-86 win against Philadelphia.


The Cavaliers have won five straight over the 76ers (4-35) and all three matchups this season. They rallied from an early 15-point deficit for a 107-100 victory in their previous trip to Philadelphia on Nov. 2.


The 76ers have dropped back-to-back games by a combined 41 points since winning three of their prior six. They fell 108-95 to Toronto on Saturday, dropping to 2-14 on their own floor.


Ish Smith had a career-high 28 points for Philadelphia and is averaging 20.3 while shooting 56.3 percent in his last three games.


"His speed is undeniable and now he's knocking down his jump shot," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "He's a handful. Philly's got a gem in him."


Cleveland, winners in a season-high four straight on the road following a 3-7 stretch as visitors, have won in two of its past three at Philadelphia. The Cavaliers' bench had one of its best scoring performance of the season in the most recent trip to the Wells Fargo Center with 43 points and scored 47 - three shy of matching its top effort in 2015-16 - in the latest win in the series.


The reserves provided 46 points against Minnesota after totaling 35 in the previous two games. Iman Shumpert had a season-high 23.


Matthew Dellavedova set his season mark with 20 points off the bench in the most recent matchup with Philadelphia.


"It is nice. A lot of different guys can carry the load on this team," forward Kevin Love said. "It's not just one or two guys and that makes for a pretty formidable group."


J.R. Smith has totaled eight points against the 76ers this season, scoring all of that in the latest meeting, but has dealt with injury in two of those games. A bruised right knee limited him to 4:57 in the most trip to Philadelphia and was forced to sit out a 108-102 victory in Cleveland because of that same ailment.


The Cavaliers haven't swept a season series from Philadelphia since winning three games in 2009-10 and haven't produced a four-game sweep since 1995-96.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Celtics (19-17) at Grizzlies (20-18)
Date: January 10, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics are stuck in offensive ruts, but one has been able to claw out a few more victories along the way.


The Grizzlies will try to build on an ugly win during an offensively inept stretch while the visiting Celtics hope to snap out of their shooting funk Sunday night - possibly again without their coach.


While Boston (19-17) has lost four of five during its scoring woes, Memphis (20-18) has won four of six despite a similar stretch in its last four games. The Grizzlies are 2-2 despite averaging 90.8 points and shooting 38.7 percent.


Friday's 91-84 victory over Denver was Memphis' fifth straight home win and opened a six-game homestand - the team's longest since late 2013. It was also the epitome of an ugly win as the Grizzlies played without Mike Conley (left Achilles) and Courtney Lee (left hip contusion) while coach Dave Joerger was suffering from flu-like symptoms. Neither team shot 37.0 percent and they combined for four quarters with 20 or fewer points.


The Grizzlies, though, committed just eight turnovers to the Nuggets' 18 and held them to a season-low for a Memphis opponent with seven points in the second quarter.


'We just kept fighting. Kept playing,' said Zach Randolph, who scored 24 points off the bench. 'That's our team. That's our personality. We get it in the mud, play inside out and play defense. It's not pretty. We just play hard.'


Memphis continued its defensive trend, holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points for the 11th time in the last 13 games. Opponents are averaging 93.4 points while shooting 42.1 percent during that stretch.


Mario Chalmers made just 3 of 13 shots while starting in place of Conley, though he connected on two key 3-pointers and scored eight of his 12 points in the final 90 seconds. Chalmers finished with 23 in Wednesday's 112-94 loss at Oklahoma City.


Conley is Memphis' second-leading scorer at 15.1 points per game, and it is unclear if he will return to the lineup.


The Celtics have also struggled offensively without their second-best scorer. Avery Bradley (14.7 ppg) missed his third consecutive game Thursday with a sore left hip, and Boston shot 35.7 percent in a 101-92 loss at Chicago.


Boston's top scorer Isaiah Thomas has averaged 18.3 points in Bradley's absence, but he has shot just 32.7 percent.


The Celtics, winners of seven of their last 10 road games, have shot 39.8 percent in their last five games and 36.5 while averaging 93.0 points in their last two. Boston was the third-best 3-point shooting team in the league at 38.2 percent from Nov. 30-Dec. 21 behind Golden State (41.5) and Houston (38.6) but has plummeted to last in eight games since at 24.4 percent.


'But we have to turn it back around and get back on our high horse and get back to running our offense the way we should," said Jared Sullinger, who finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds at Chicago.


It is unclear if Bradley will be available Sunday, and the same can be said for coach Brad Stevens. He missed his first game in two seasons with the Celtics on Thursday to visit his former Butler player Andrew Smith, who has been battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.


Assistant Jay Larranaga filled in for Stevens against the Bulls and said afterward he wasn't sure when Stevens would rejoin the team.


Boston won the last matchup in this series 95-92 on March 11, but the Grizzlies won the previous five, including three in Memphis.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pacers (21-15) at Rockets (18-19)
Date: January 10, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers are finding out that they don't need a big effort every night from Paul George - or, apparently, to take care of the basketball - in order to be successful.


The Houston Rockets are still looking for a fallback plan after James Harden.


They haven't needed one the last two times they've faced the Pacers, but now the Rockets will have to worry about George and an Indiana team that's playing fantastic defense to start the new year.


George has hit a rough patch over the past 10 games, averaging 19.3 points and shooting 35.5 percent after scoring 26.6 per game and shooting 43.4 percent in his first 26.


But unlike those first two months, the Pacers (21-15) have been able to survive George's off nights. They've won four times in the seven games he's scored 20 or fewer over the last 10, something they did four times over those first 26.


A lot of that can be attributed to lock-down defense. Indiana has allowed a league-best 94.3 points per 100 possessions since Christmas, and it's held its first four opponents of 2016 to 37.7 percent shooting after Friday's 91-86 win in New Orleans.


The Pacers have won the past two on this four-game trip despite 41 turnovers.


'Those road wins like that, when you turn the ball over 25 times and you're still able to win, those are good wins,' said Ian Mahinmi, who had a season-high 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. 'We played Pacers defense, and that's what kept us in the game.'


For some reason, taking care of the basketball on the road hasn't mattered to Indiana. It's 5-0 when committing 19 or more turnovers away from home and 0-7 when it has 14 or fewer.


Just don't try to make sense of that around Frank Vogel.


"We've got to play better than that. There's no question about it," Vogel said. "We're too sloppy."


The Rockets know a thing or two about struggling to hang on to the basketball. Their 16.6 turnovers per 100 possessions are the second most in the league, and the Pacers' 16.5 forced per 100 rank fifth.


Houston (18-19) ran into a team that wanted to slow things down twice earlier this week, sweeping a home-and-home against a Utah club that plays at the league's slowest pace. The Rockets still managed to impose some of their more up-tempo style, outscoring the Jazz 29-10 on the break in those contests.


"It's a style that we've played before," coach Bernie Bickerstaff said after Thursday's 103-94 home win. "We've been down before, we've grinded it out. Our guys don't mind the grind, they don't mind fighting."


Houston, seventh in pace, likely won't have to worry about slowing things down against an Indiana team that's eighth. But the Pacers will need to figure out a way to contain Harden.


Harden totaled 89 points in helping the Rockets sweep last season's series from the George-less Pacers, getting to the free-throw line a combined 37 times. That's exactly the same number of free throws Indiana shot.


"That's one of the biggest challenges in guarding a guy like that, is trying to do it without fouling," Vogel said at the time. "He's got all the tricks to pick up fouls."


When Harden's usage is up is still when the Rockets are the most successful. They're 11-0 when he attempts at least 23 field goals and 11-4 when he scores 30 points.


Houston point guard Ty Lawson remains out due to a three-game suspension for his July DUI arrest while Dwight Howard is expected back after resting Thursday.


Howard has averaged 22.3 points in his last four games.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bucks (15-23) at Knicks (18-20)
Date: January 10, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The New York Knicks feel a narrow defeat against a team that has been unstoppable at home won't take away from their recent turnaround.


New York, though, isn't likely to have it easy with the Milwaukee Bucks coming to town.


As they look to bounce back with their fifth win in seven games, the Knicks will try to contain Khris Middleton and avoid a third straight loss in this season series on Sunday night.


Since averaging 93 points while allowing 103.8 during its third four-game losing streak of the season, New York has scored 100.7 and given up 98.7 during a promising 4-2 stretch.


The Knicks rallied from a 12-point deficit Friday to put themselves in position to end San Antonio's 30-game regular-season home winning streak. Carmelo Anthony attracted a couple of defenders before finding Jose Calderon for a 3-pointer that missed as time expired in a 100-99 loss.


Kristaps Porzingis finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony contributed 20 and 12 despite shooting 5 for 15 while being hounded by Kawhi Leonard.


"I'll take a loss like this any day," Anthony said. "We have been playing good basketball as of late. I don't want to let this loss linger into Sunday against Milwaukee at home. (We'll) put this one behind us and build off this."


Although the Spurs seemed to be bothered by New York's frontcourt length, the tall, athletic Bucks (15-23) certainly won't. They've been a difficult matchup for the Knicks (18-20), winning two of the three meetings this season after taking all four in 2014-15.


Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in a season-opening 122-97 home loss, but had 20 points and seven rebounds in a 99-92 road win Nov. 6 and 17, six boards and six assists in a 106-91 home win Dec. 5.


Middleton has averaged just 10.3 points on 9 for 34 (26.5 percent) shooting against the Knicks. However, he's one of the league's hottest players heading into this meeting with 25.7 points per game while making 18 for 35 (51. 4 percent) over his last six.


The fourth-year guard finished with 27 points Friday and hit a layup with less than 10 seconds left to help the Bucks snap a two-game slide with a 96-95 home win over Dallas.


"We have to take this win and build on it and try to validate it in New York," he said.


Michael Carter-Williams filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and five steals. The point guard has averaged 19.7 points in three meetings against the Knicks since arriving in Milwaukee.


The Bucks limited the Mavericks to 41.7 percent shooting after they had given up an average of 112.3 points on 49.5 percent while dropping five of their previous seven. They've held New York to 92.8 points and a 42.9 percentage in the past six matchups.


"We have the length and size and athleticism to defend any team in this league," Middleton said. "Once we do that we're going to give ourselves a great chance to win."


Jerryd Bayless might be out after missing 12 of the previous 17 games with a left ankle sprain. Miles Plumlee's status is also uncertain after he sat out Friday with a sore left knee.


The Knicks have won seven of their last nine games at Madison Square Garden, but have dropped their past three there against the Bucks.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hornets (17-18) at Nuggets (13-24)
Date: January 10, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Charlotte Hornets' troubles on the road date to last season. Missing Nicolas Batum certainly isn't helping.


With Batum's status uncertain again, the Hornets head into the finale of this trip looking to snap their seven-game road losing streak Sunday night against the struggling Denver Nuggets.


Charlotte (17-19) has lost 22 of its last 27 games on the road, giving up an average of 106.7 points while losing seven straight.


However, it was the offense that was the problem Saturday. The Hornets shot 36.9 percent from the floor - 7 for 23 from 3-point range - in a 97-83 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers to extend their overall slide to six games.


"At this point, we are just trying to get a win," guard Jeremy Lin said. "But I would say (Saturday) that we played harder and had more communication on the defensive end than we have had in previous games. If we keep playing as hard as we did (Saturday), good things will happen in the near future."


That's been rare with Batum - second on the team with a career-high 16.3 points per game - nursing a sprained right toe that's sidelined him for the last four games.


Lin has started in his place over that stretch and performed very well, averaging 17.3 points on 48.1 percent shooting after scoring a season-high 26 against the Clippers. He's scored 16.8 per contest while sinking 7 of 16 from long range in his last four visits to Denver.


Kemba Walker has averaged 22.0 points in his past three meetings with the Nuggets, but that all came at home. He was held to eight points in his only appearance in Denver, a loss on Dec. 22, 2012.


Walker is coming off one of his worst performances of the season, missing 12 of 16 attempts from the floor and finishing with 11 points against the Clippers. The Hornets' leading scorer was averaging 26.3 points over the three prior games.


Charlotte has won four straight meetings with the Nuggets, including two in Denver.


The Nuggets (13-24) are opening a season-high eight-game homestand, but their 5-11 home record is among the worst in the league. They've lost four straight there while allowing opponents to score 111.5 points per game and shoot 49.7 percent from the field.


Denver's home skid is part of its overall 2-10 stretch that continued with Friday's 91-84 loss at Memphis.


"I thought the turnovers were a big part of our demise ... we had 18 turnovers that led to 16 points," coach Michael Malone said.


Danilo Gallinari leads the Nuggets with a career-high 18.4 points per game, but he's producing 25.5 in four after missing six with a left ankle sprain. He finished with 29 points Saturday, making 8 of 18 from the floor while sinking all 11 from the foul line.


Will Barton had been a bright spot for Denver but he's cooled considerably. The reserve guard has totaled 18 points on 25.9 percent shooting in the past three games after he scored 27.0 on 46.3 percent over the three previous contests.


It's not clear if Denver will have forward Kenneth Faried available after he missed one game to be at the birth of his child. Faried leads the team with 8.9 rebounds and ranks third with 12.3 points.


Darrell Arthur filled in for Faried on Saturday, scoring 12 points and pulling down nine boards.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Thunder (26-11) at Trail Blazers (15-24)
Date: January 10, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

When their two superstars are on the court, the fast-paced Oklahoma City Thunder are able to put as much pressure on an opponent as any team not named Golden State.


They hope to continue that trend for a second straight game versus the Portland Trail Blazers.


Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant look to continue their strong play as the Thunder go after their seventh straight win with both in the lineup Sunday night at the Moda Center.


Although it ranks a distant second to the Warriors in scoring average (114.1 to 108.9), Oklahoma City entered the weekend 2.6 points behind mighty Golden State with 109.6 per 100 possessions.


The Thunder (26-11) are generating many of those by getting into the lane. They rank near the top of the league with 25.6 free-throw attempts per game and in the top three with both a 79.7 free-throw percentage and 46.9 points in the paint per game.


That's how the Thunder did their damage last month versus Portland (15-24). They owned a 48-34 edge in paint points and went 28 for 37 from the line in a 106-90 home win Dec. 16.


Durant finished with 24 points but Westbrook had 13 while missing 10 of 15 shots. Westbrook, however, is coming off a big game Friday when he scored 36, hit 13 of 16 from the free-throw line and pulled down 12 rebounds in a 117-113 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers.


Durant has shot 58.7 percent while making 7 of 10 from 3-point range to go along with 11.7 boards per game in the past three. The six-time All-Star sat out the club's only loss in the past seven, 116-104 to Sacramento on Monday, because of a sprained right big toe.


"Whoever is in front of us, we're just trying to get better," Durant told the team's official website after finishing with 24 points against the Lakers.


Oklahoma City will likely try to keep the pressure on as it goes after its first five-game road winning streak since running off six in a row in January 2014. Portland is sending opponents to the free-throw line 26 times per game, the most in the Western Conference.


The Blazers are looking to tighten things up defensively after giving up an average of 108.6 points during a 1-4 stretch. They let visiting Golden State shoot 52.9 percent - including 18 for 32 from 3-point range - in their third straight defeat, 128-108 on Friday.


Portland hasn't lost four in a row at home since dropping eight straight late in 2012-13.


Damian Lillard was a bright spot Friday, becoming the first Blazer with 40 points and 10 assists in the history of the Moda Center. The star guard had gone just 11 for 39 (28.2 percent) from the field in his first two games after missing seven because of left foot plantar fasciitis.


"I'm a confident basketball player and coming off the injury, I knew I would get it going eventually,' said Lillard, who had a 40 and 11 game at Oklahoma City on Dec. 23, 2014.


Allen Crabbe contributed 18 points and C.J. McCollum added 17 after missing one game because he was inadvertently left off the pregame active sheet submitted to the officials.


McCollum had 24 points last month at Oklahoma City, while Lillard scored 20 on 6-of-20 shooting as Portland shot 34.8 percent and committed 18 turnovers.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA against the spread in All games in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points
The record is 0 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-11 units)


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


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (813) CHARLOTTE@ (814) DENVER | 2016-01-10 20:05:00 - 2016-01-10 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DENVER using money line in All games after scoring 85 points or less
The record is 3 Wins and 18 Losses for the last three seasons (-20 units)


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in Road games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 23 Wins and 6 Losses for the last two seasons (+20.25 units)


NBA > (803) NEW ORLEANS@ (804) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-01-10 15:35:00 - 2016-01-10 15:35:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in All games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 5 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-19.9 units)


NBA > (817) UTAH@ (818) LA LAKERS | 2016-01-10 21:35:00 - 2016-01-10 21:35:00
Play AGAINST LA LAKERS using money line in Home games against Northwest division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.8 units)


NBA > (813) CHARLOTTE@ (814) DENVER | 2016-01-10 20:05:00 - 2016-01-10 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DENVER using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 20 Wins and 19 Losses for the last three seasons (-32.15 units)

NBA > (803) NEW ORLEANS@ (804) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-01-10 15:35:00 - 2016-01-10 15:35:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 6 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (-14.65 units)


NBA > (815) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (816) PORTLAND | 2016-01-10 21:05:00 - 2016-01-10 21:05:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in All games in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210
The record is 10 Wins and 19 Losses for the last three seasons (-22.05 units)


NBA > (809) INDIANA@ (810) HOUSTON | 2016-01-10 19:05:00 - 2016-01-10 19:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA using money line in All games in non-conference games
The record is 15 Wins and 28 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.45 units)


NBA > (807) BOSTON@ (808) MEMPHIS | 2016-01-10 18:05:00 - 2016-01-10 18:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using money line in All games in January games
The record is 8 Wins and 28 Losses for the last three seasons (-22.2 units)


NBA > (811) MILWAUKEE@ (812) NEW YORK | 2016-01-10 19:35:00 - 2016-01-10 19:35:00
Play AGAINST NEW YORK using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 19 Wins and 30 Losses for the last three seasons (-28.6 units)


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


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (815) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (816) PORTLAND | 2016-01-10 21:05:00 - 2016-01-10 21:05:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin Home games in January games
The record is 0 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.1 units)


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
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 > (809) INDIANA@ (810) HOUSTON | 2016-01-10 19:05:00 - 2016-01-10 19:05:00
Play ON HOUSTON ?>in the first halfin Home games against Central division opponents
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the last three seasons (+10 units)


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 18 Wins and 40 Losses for the last two seasons (-26 units)


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


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (817) UTAH@ (818) LA LAKERS | 2016-01-10 21:35:00 - 2016-01-10 21:35:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 12 Overs and 46 Unders for the last three seasons (+32.8 units)


NBA > (807) BOSTON@ (808) MEMPHIS | 2016-01-10 18:05:00 - 2016-01-10 18:05:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin Road games in January games
The record is 0 Overs and 12 Unders for the last two seasons (+12 units)

NBA > (813) CHARLOTTE@ (814) DENVER | 2016-01-10 20:05:00 - 2016-01-10 20:05:00
Play OVER CHARLOTTE on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 13 Overs and 1 Unders for the this season (+11.9 units)


NBA > (803) NEW ORLEANS@ (804) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-01-10 15:35:00 - 2016-01-10 15:35:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 26 Overs and 73 Unders for the last three seasons (+44.4 units)


NBA > (803) NEW ORLEANS@ (804) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-01-10 15:35:00 - 2016-01-10 15:35:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 1 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+10.9 units)


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 18 Overs and 46 Unders for the last two seasons (+26.2 units)


NBA > (805) CLEVELAND@ (806) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-01-10 18:05:00 - 2016-01-10 18:05:00
Play UNDER CLEVELAND on the totalin All games after a non-conference game
The record is 0 Overs and 9 Unders for the this season (+9 units)


NBA > (801) DALLAS@ (802) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-10 17:05:00 - 2016-01-10 17:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin Home games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 7 Overs and 23 Unders for the last two seasons (+15.3 units)

NBA > (809) INDIANA@ (810) HOUSTON | 2016-01-10 19:05:00 - 2016-01-10 19:05:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 36 Overs and 74 Unders for the last three seasons (+34.4 units)


NBA > (813) CHARLOTTE@ (814) DENVER | 2016-01-10 20:05:00 - 2016-01-10 20:05:00
Play OVER CHARLOTTE on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 25 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+14 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Jazz (16-20) at Lakers (8-30)
Date: January 10, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

The Utah Jazz haven't had too many problems overcoming a short-handed roster in many of their recent home games. It's been a different story on the road but a matchup with the lowly Los Angeles Lakers gives them a chance to end a season-worst skid there.


The Jazz will try to avoid an eighth consecutive loss away from home by sending Los Angeles to its fourth in a row overall Sunday night.


Utah (16-20) has won six of eight on its own floor with Alec Burks, Derrick Favors and Ruby Gobert missing most of those games. The Jazz, though, are mired in their longest road losing streak since March 16-April 12, 2014.


"Guys can still compete and they can still defend, and that's the hand you're dealt," coach Quin Snyder said. "There's no sense in lamenting it."


The Jazz got Gobert back in the starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 30 in a 98-83 win over Miami on Saturday. He ended an 18-game absence because of a knee injury in a 103-94 loss in Houston on Thursday.


Favors (back spasms) and Burks (leg) remained out while Rodney Hood (ankle) missed his second game this season. Gordon Hayward lifted his depleted team with a season-high 34 points.


"We've talked about trying to get better throughout whatever challenges we have with injury and fatigue on back-to-backs and playing through adversity," Snyder said. "I think our players could've been down. And we just tried to maintain the strength of character as a group and not let those things affect us.


"That's a credit to our players. ... I'm not sure I could do what they're doing right now."


D'Angelo Russell was limited to seven-plus minutes for the Lakers (8-30) in a 117-113 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday because of an ailing right ankle. The No. 2 overall pick suffered that injury while scoring a career-high 27 points in a 118-115 defeat in Sacramento on Thursday.


Russell is considered questionable ahead of his first potential matchup with Utah. Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been dealing with a sore right shoulder but is deemed probable.


Bryant has scored a combined 47 points in the past two games despite that ailment but missed a tying shot in the final seconds Friday. Lou Williams had a career-high 44 points and is averaging 24.5 on 50.0 percent shooting in his last six contests.


He has also connected at 41.5 percent from 3-point range and gone 44 of 48 from the line. Williams converted all 15 of his free throws against the Thunder.


"My game has evolved over the years. I'm not as athletic as I used to be. I can't play above the rim like when I first came into the league," he said. "(After an ACL tear in 2012-13), I started to learn how to draw fouls, how to create contact and use my reputation to bait guys to get those fouls. That's one of the things I've been able to bring here."


Williams totaled 30 points in his two games against Utah last season after averaging 20.3 in his previous six matchups. Roy Hibbert had a combined 51 points in his two meetings in 2014-15 while with Indiana but is averaging a career-low 6.8 in his first season with the Lakers.


Hayward is averaging 23.5 points and shooting 52.5 percent in his last four games against Los Angeles.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack


-- Steelers 18, Bengals 16-- First time I watched an NFL game and worried for the officials' safety; Bengals acted worse than the inmates in Longest Yard.


-- Bengals' last playoff win is in 1990; they had the ball and the lead with less than 1:40 to go, but fumbled. Just a horrific way to lose.


-- When the NFL Draft rolls around in April, teams will talk about drafting guys with character; when you have too many guys with low character, you get stuff like tonight, losing a game because you have no poise.


-- Big toll for Pittsburgh; Roethlisberger hurt his shoulder, Antonio Brown got a concussion on the fateful personal foul before the GW field goal.


-- Next week in the AFC: Steelers-Broncos, Chiefs-Patriots


-- Chiefs 30, Texans 0-- KC ran opening kick back for TD; highlight of game for Houston was the trajectory of that kick before Knile Davis caught it.


**********


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


13) USC 103, Arizona 101 4 OTs-- Andy Enfield is turning around USC's fortunes; they're 14-3, 3-1 in Pac-12, winning this wild game, as Arizona goes 0-2 on its swing to Tinseltown. Nine players played 40:00+ in this marathon.


12) Pitt 86, Notre Dame 82-- January 9-- it was Pitt's first true road game all season. Teams from big conferences are playing fewer non-conference road games, making it harder to gauge what they'll do when they get to conference play.


11) North Carolina 84, Syracuse 73-- ESPN treated Jim Boeheim like he was coming back from two tours of duty in Middle East, as opposed to a suspension for coaching a program that skirts the NCAA's rules. It pays to be friends with Coach K.


10) Biggest upsets: LaSalle/Southern Miss both won as 12-point home dogs. LaSalle only used six guys the whole game- the one sub played 15:00.


9) Georgia Tech 68, Virginia 64-- Big win for Brian Gregory; they talked a lot on the Wisconsin game yesterday that Tony Bennett could probably have the Badgers job if he wants it, but is Wisconsin a better job than Virginia?


8) South Carolina 69, Vanderbilt 65-- Gamecocks are a very quiet 15-0; guess they will have to beat Kentucky before anyone believes in them.


7) Washington 99, Washington State 95 OT-- Huskies are atop Pac-12 at 3-0; USC is 3-1, Arizona is 1-2, UCLA 2-2. No easy outs in this league


6) Wichita State 83, Southern Illinois 58-- Salukis are much-improved, but their first taste of the big-game atmosphere didn't go well against the veteran Shockers.


5) Wm & Mary 78, Northeastern 60-- Tribe avenges loss to Northeastern in finals of CAA tourney last March. CAA is a wide-open league once again.


4) Omaha 79, South Dakota 73-- Mavericks were down 52-31 with 15:12 left but won despite playing zero possessions of man/man defense during the comeback. They have solid, veteran guards who are ballhawks. Omaha attacks basket well, gets to foul line a lot- this was an exceptional road win.


3) Wyoming 59, UNLV 57-- Dave Rice is a terrific guy, but this UNLV team is now officially a train wreck and change is on its way, just a matter of when. You watch the game and you get the feeling the coaches have no idea who they really trust to put on the floor in the last 3:00 of a close game. And it shows.


2) 13 hours of watching college basketball is a fine way to spend a winter day.


1) Could somebody please buy Mike Tomlin a jacket? Guy is standing outside in a freakin' typhoon and doesn't know enough to put a coat on.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, January 10

Utah @ LA Lakers

Game 817-818
January 10, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
118,242
LA Lakers
113.718
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 4 1/2
182
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
N/A

Dallas @ Minnesota

Game 801-802
January 10, 2016 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
114.661
Minnesota
112.694
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 2
191
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 4 1/2
198 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+4 1/2); Under

New Orleans @ LA Clippers

Game 803-804
January 10, 2016 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
116.261
LA Clippers
120.464
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 4
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
N/A

Cleveland @ Philadelphia

Game 805-806
January 10, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
125.859
Philadelphia
108.407
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 17 1/2
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 15
204
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-15); Under

Boston @ Memphis

Game 807-808
January 10, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
121.049
Memphis
117.123
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 4
187
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2
193
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-2); Under

Indiana @ Houston

Game 809-810
January 10, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
120.698
Houston
124.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 3 1/2
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
Pick
206 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
Over

Milwaukee @ New York

Game 811-812
January 10, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
115.290
New York
126.154
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 11
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 5
200 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-5); Over

Charlotte @ Denver

Game 813-814
January 10, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
112.601
Denver
111.167
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Charlotte
by 1 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Charlotte
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
N/A

Oklahoma City @ Portland

Game 815-816
January 10, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
121.789
Portland
116.952
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 7 1/2
214
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(+7 1/2); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, January 10

Hot teams
-- Mavericks won six of their last nine games (3-2AF).
-- Clippers won their last eight games, covering last seven.
-- Cavaliers won their last six games (3-9-1AF).
-- Memphis won four of its last five games (4-0 last four HF).
-- Pacers won three of their last four games (1-3 last four AU).
-- Bucks won three of last five games (5-2 last seven AU). Knicks won three of last four (5-3HF).
-- Thunder won six of last seven games (4-2 last six AF).

Cold teams
-- Minnesota lost nine of last ten games (2-9-1HU).
-- Pelicans lost four of their last five games (7-12AU).
-- 76ers lost four of last five games (3-12HU).
-- Celtics lost four of their last five games (6-3AU).
-- Houston lost four of its last six games (4-10HF).
-- Charlotte lost its last six games (1-5 vs spread). Denver lost seven of its last eight games.
-- Portland lost four of its last five games (4-5HU).
-- Jazz lost three of their last four games (0-5 last five AU). Lakers lost last three games (2-2HF).

Series records
-- Dallas won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Clippers won four of last five games with New Orleans.
-- Cavaliers won last five games with Philly (1-4 vs spread).
-- Grizzlies won five of last six games with Boston.
-- Rockets won their last three games with Indiana.
-- Knicks lost six of last seven games with Milwaukee.
-- Hornets won their last four games with Denver.
-- Portland is 5-4 in last nine games with Oklahoma City.
-- Visitor won four of last five Utah-Laker games.

Totals
-- Six of last seven Dallas games stayed under total.
-- Last five New Orleans games stayed under total.
-- Philly's last four games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Memphis games.
-- Five of last six Houston games went over total.
-- Over is 7-3 in Milwaukee's last ten games.
-- Three of last four Charlotte games stayed under.
-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Thunder-Blazer games.
-- Five of last six Laker home games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Clippers are 4-5 vs spread if they played night before.
-- 76ers are 2-6 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Charlotte is 1-4 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Utah is 4-2 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Sunday, January 10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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3:30 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. LA CLIPPERS
New Orleans is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New Orleans's last 11 games on the road
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games

5:00 PM
DALLAS vs. MINNESOTA
Dallas is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games
Minnesota is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Minnesota's last 19 games when playing at home against Dallas

6:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Philadelphia's last 14 games when playing Cleveland

6:00 PM
BOSTON vs. MEMPHIS
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Memphis's last 17 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Memphis's last 8 games when playing at home against Boston

7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Indiana's last 20 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Indiana's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston's last 20 games when playing at home against Indiana
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games

7:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee

8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. DENVER
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Charlotte's last 9 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games at home
Denver is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games

9:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Oklahoma City's last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

9:30 PM
UTAH vs. LA LAKERS
Utah is 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing LA Lakers
Utah is 5-20 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 4-13 SU in their last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, January 10

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DALLAS (21 - 16) at MINNESOTA (12 - 25) - 1/10/2016, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 451-373 ATS (+40.7 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 298-243 ATS (+30.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 48-68 ATS (-26.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 41-63 ATS (-28.3 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 3-16 ATS (-14.6 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 42-61 ATS (-25.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

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

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NEW ORLEANS (11 - 24) at LA CLIPPERS (24 - 13) - 1/10/2016, 3:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

CLEVELAND (25 - 9) at PHILADELPHIA (4 - 35) - 1/10/2016, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-23 ATS (-11.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-48 ATS (-29.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 94-140 ATS (-60.0 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 7-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 8-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

BOSTON (19 - 17) at MEMPHIS (20 - 18) - 1/10/2016, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 68-52 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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INDIANA (21 - 15) at HOUSTON (18 - 19) - 1/10/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 66-43 ATS (+18.7 Units) in home games against Central division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 295-236 ATS (+35.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
INDIANA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 14-23 ATS (-11.3 Units) in all games this season.

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

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MILWAUKEE (15 - 23) at NEW YORK (18 - 20) - 1/10/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MILWAUKEE is 121-86 ATS (+26.4 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 7-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 7-4 straight up against NEW YORK 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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CHARLOTTE (17 - 19) at DENVER (13 - 24) - 1/10/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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OKLAHOMA CITY (26 - 11) at PORTLAND (15 - 24) - 1/10/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 21-33 ATS (-15.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PORTLAND is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

UTAH (16 - 20) at LA LAKERS (8 - 30) - 1/10/2016, 9:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

 

[CNOTES]

Hoop Trends - Sunday
January 10, 2016


ATS TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Nuggets are 0-12-1 ATS (-10.15 ppg) since Jan 07, 2015 at home with less than two days rest off a road game.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Pacers are 14-0 OU (11.54 ppg) since Jan 09, 2001 as a dog after a game as a road favorite in which their opponent shot under 40% from the field.


PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Thunder are 10-0-1 OU (16.64 ppg) since Mar 06, 2014 on the road after Russell Westbrook had a double double with rebounds in a win.


CHOICE TREND:


-- The Rockets are 11-0 ATS (11.68 ppg) since Nov 27, 2012 at home with more than one day of rest off a win in which they shot over 50% from the field.


ACTIVE TRENDS:


-- The Clippers are 8-0 ATS (6.25 ppg) since Dec 09, 2015 after Deandre Jordan had a double double the last two games.

 

[CNOTES]

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




NO at LAC 03:30 PM


LAC -8.5


O 205.0




DAL at MIN 05:00 PM


MIN +4.0 BEST BET


O 198.5




BOS at MEM 06:00 PM


MEM +2.5


U 191.5 BEST BET




CLE at PHI 06:00 PM


CLE -16.5


U 206.5




IND at HOU 07:00 PM


IND +1.5 BEST BET


O 207.0




MIL at NY 07:30 PM


NY -5.0 BEST BET


O 200.0




CHA at DEN 08:00 PM


DEN -1.5


U 199.0




OKC at POR 09:00 PM


OKC -7.5


U 215.0




UTA at LAL 09:30 PM


UTA -1.5 BEST BET


U 193.0