Cnotes National Basketball League October-November Picks/Trends/News !!

[CNOTES]

Preview: Jazz (0-1) at 76ers (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

While Joel Embiid has yet to make his debut and Nerlens Noel is still developing, the Philadelphia 76ers may have found their sought-after dominant big man.


Jahlil Okafor will try to build on his promising debut in the home opener Friday night when Philadelphia looks to avoid a sixth straight loss to the defensive-minded Utah Jazz.


The 76ers were set on building a strong frontcourt when they traded for Noel shortly after New Orleans made him the sixth overall pick in 2013. After missing all of 2013-14 following knee surgery, he led all rookies with 18 double-doubles in 75 games last season.


Philadelphia also took a chance on Embiid with the third pick in 2014. The 7-footer, however, is expected to miss his second straight season after another foot surgery.


The determined club continued to add big men by selecting Okafor third overall in this year's draft. The 76ers didn't have to wait for the arrival of Okafor, who finished with a team-high 26 points in Wednesday's 112-95 season-opening loss at Boston.


The 6-11 center hit all six of his free throws, leaving him 14 of 15 from the stripe dating to his last two preseason contests, and added seven rebounds and two blocks.


"I leave encouraged... (Okafor) has capabilities beyond what I thought... He didn't disappoint," coach Brett Brown told the team's official website.


Okafor also has developed some solid chemistry with Noel, who finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Guard Isaiah Canaan had 18 points and seven assists for the 76ers, who opened the season with just nine healthy players.


Philadelphia needs to take care of the ball and play better defensively if it wants to beat Utah for the first time since November 2012. The Celtics scored 34 points off 22 turnovers, outscored the 76ers 26-7 on the break and went 26 of 27 at the foul line.


Although the Jazz aren't prolific offensively, Philadelphia will have to keep a close watch on Derrick Favors after he had 26 points in Wednesday's 92-87 loss at Detroit.


Alec Burks, playing for the first time since December following knee surgery, contributed 18 points off the bench. Gordon Hayward, who led the team with 19.3 points per game last season, will try to get on track after finishing with 13.


"It was just that kind of game - a one- or two-possession game," coach Quin Snyder, a former 76ers assistant, told the team's official website. "There's gonna be a lot of them like that. We know that."


Utah has high expectations in Snyder's second season after winning 21 of its final 32 games in 2014-15. The club, though, will try to avoid its fifth 0-2 start in six seasons.


The Jazz made their push last season while leading the NBA with 94.9 points allowed per game. They limited Detroit to 40.5 percent shooting but sent it to the line 34 times.


Utah held Philadelphia to 77.0 points per game on 34.6 percent shooting in taking both meetings last season. Favors totaled 32 points and 25 rebounds in the season series.


Trevor Booker served a one-game suspension Wednesday for taking a swing at Roy Hibbert of the Los Angeles Lakers in the preseason. Nik Stauskas, acquired from Sacramento in the offseason, could make his 76ers debut after back spasms took him out of the opener.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Heat (1-0) at Cavaliers (1-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The last time LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were all on the same court in a meaningful game was also the last time all three were wearing a Miami Heat uniform.


Given what they've gone through since, the former Big 3 should be thrilled to see each other healthy Friday night.


James figures to be fired up for the Cleveland Cavaliers' home opener against his old friends at Quicken Loans Arena, where Bosh played his final competitive game last season before blood clots put his life in jeopardy.


James returned to Cleveland while Wade and Bosh stuck around in Miami after the Heat's loss to San Antonio in the 2014 NBA Finals, and though the trio all played in a preseason game in Brazil last October, they've yet to face each other as opponents when it counts. James played every meeting last season - home teams won all four, each by double digits - but the one Wade missed was the only one Bosh played.


That changes Friday, and don't expect any of the three to take the circumstances for granted. James was at least briefly a question mark for Cleveland's opener due to a sore back, Wade's knees have long been an issue and Bosh missed the final two months of last season with blood clots in his lungs.


Everyone's healthy for now, though, and expectations are high for both the defending conference champions and a Heat team with perhaps the most talented starting five in the East. Yet as good as that group seems on paper, there's concern over the chemistry of the unit, even after Wednesday's 104-94 season-opening home win against Charlotte.


"If people are worried, that means they have expectations, and that's a very good thing," Bosh said after scoring a game-high 21 points in his first regular-season action since Feb. 12 at Cleveland. "We've had our challenges, but we've always believed in each other. We're making sure we talk to each other and we talk through it."


The Cavs will be without two key players for a while longer, and while the absence of Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert was felt in Tuesday's season-opening 97-95 loss in Chicago, it hardly registered a night later in Memphis. Cleveland got 50 points from its bench and hit 13 3-pointers in a 106-76 rout of the Grizzlies, cruising despite James only scoring 12 points in 31 minutes.


To the four-time MVP, though, holding Memphis to 35.4 percent shooting after the undermanned Cavs forged their way to the finals with hard-nosed defense was the most encouraging sign.


"It's who we need to be, it's who we are. It's what we stress every day," James said. "In order for us to be who we want to be long term, we've got to defend at a high level and we need to share the ball."


They've done that thus far, piling up 55 assists compared to their opponents' 28. Twelve of Kevin Love's 13 field goals have been assisted, and James is responsible for seven of those as he tries to get his power forward heavily involved.


"Kevin is going to be our main focus, he's going to have a hell of a season and he's going to get back to that All-Star status," James said. "He's the focal point of us offensively. I know I can go out and get mine when I need it, but I need Kevin to be as aggressive as he was (Thursday)."


Cleveland has outscored its first two opponents by 39 from the 3-point line and is a plus-17 on the boards, but it may need to guard the perimeter a little closer against the Heat. Miami hit 12 of 20 3s in its opener after finishing 24th in 3-point percentage (33.5) last season, with Gerald Green knocking down 5 of 8 off the bench.


The Heat assisted on 23 of their 36 field goals, efficient ball movement they're intent on continuing.


"It's easy to do it in your home opener, everyone is feeling good. We made a couple shots," Bosh said. "But when it's not going as well as we want it to, when things hit the fan a little bit, that's when we have to trust and continue to move the ball."


The Cavs have won 20 of their last 21 at home, including the postseason, with both James and Love in the lineup.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Raptors (1-0) at Celtics (1-0)
Date: October 30, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics probably pose the biggest threat to unseat the two-time defending Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors in 2015-16.


They get an early opportunity to make a statement when they host the Raptors on Friday night in the second game for each team.


Boston showed off the deep roster general manager Danny Ainge has built in Wednesday's opener. Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and seven assists to lead a Celtics bench that outscored Philadelphia's reserves 67-15 in a 112-95 home victory.


"Everybody wants to start. Everybody wants to be a star. Everybody wants to be the All-Star. Everybody wants to win a championship," Ainge said.


Amir Johnson, signed to a two-year, $24 million contract in July after spending his previous six seasons with the Raptors, added 15 points and seven rebounds. Jared Sullinger, who started 49 games last season, scored 12 and also grabbed seven boards.


"Well our bench has to be a great source of energy, scoring for us and everything else for us," coach Brad Stevens said.


Thomas shot 10 of 19, Johnson was 6 of 11 and Sullinger 6 of 8, which altogether helped make up for the starting five's 13-for-33 effort.


"That's my job. I've got a job to do. I have confidence in myself and my teammates do, too," said Thomas, who was acquired from Phoenix at last season's trade deadline.


The win improved Boston to 25-12 since Feb. 3, tying for the second-most victories in the NBA in that stretch. Defending champion Golden State leads the way with 31.


Two of those 25 wins have come against Toronto, but they were by a combined three points in April. The Raptors got things going Wednesday with a 106-99 win over visiting Indiana, relying mostly on their starters.


DeMar DeRozan had 25 points, Kyle Lowry scored 23, Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 15 rebounds and DeMarre Carroll scored 14 with eight boards, four assists and two steals in his Raptors debut.


"That's exactly why he's here," DeRozan said of Carroll, who came over from Atlanta on a four-year deal worth $60 million. "He brings that toughness and that defensive mindset with the things he's able to do offensively."


Toronto scored 37 points in the first half before holding a 69-54 advantage the rest of the way.


"I will admit that we were nervous to start the game," Lowry said. "Not knowing who we are and how we were going to play together. We settled down and started taking the shots that were there."


Toronto won the first two meetings last season before dropping those two April matchups. DeRozan averaged 30.5 points in two of those games, while Lowry scored 23.3 in three.


Kelly Olynyk played in all four meetings for Boston and averaged 15.0 points. He'll be making his season debut after sitting out Wednesday while serving a one-game suspension for his role in Cleveland forward Kevin Love's left shoulder injury in the first round of last season's playoffs.


Boston has won 21 of the last 25 meetings at home.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bulls (2-0) at Pistons (2-0)
Date: October 30, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

So far, so good for first-year Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. The same can be said for Stan Van Gundy in his second season with the Detroit Pistons.


The veteran-laden Bulls have picked up where they left off with a new voice in the huddle heading into Friday night's visit to the young Pistons, who will try to start 3-0 for the first time in seven years.


The Bulls hope to spoil Detroit's fast start by winning their first three games for the first time since 1996-97, when they started 12-0 en route to a 69-win season and their fifth NBA championship with Michael Jordan.


That gap without a quick start might be surprising given Chicago averaged 51 wins in five seasons under Tom Thibodeau, including a lockout-shortened 2011-12 in which the Bulls went 50-16.


But with the defensive-minded Thibodeau out, Hoiberg has the Bulls playing with a faster, more balanced offense.


After a 97-95 win in the NBA opener against Cleveland on Tuesday, Chicago downed New Jersey 115-100 on Wednesday. The game against the Nets was closer to the offense Hoiberg envisions as the Bulls made 53.8 percent of their shots, including 14 of 28 3-pointers - up from 22.3 attempts per game last season.


Both of Chicago's games have featured more than 102 possessions after Bulls games averaged 95.4 - 21st in the league - last season. But it's a small sample size, and the only thing holding back previous Bulls teams was LeBron James in the playoffs - not what they did in the regular season.


'It's only two games, we always have room to improve,' Derrick Rose said. 'Do I love the way that we played these two games? Of course. We had some ups and downs, but we've still got to get better.'


Though the Bulls have several veterans at the forefront, they also have young talent that may get more of a look under Hoiberg.


Nikola Mirotic (18.5 points per game), Tony Snell (10.5), E'Twaun Moore (10.0) and Doug McDermott (8.0) have all seen an uptick in minutes while Hoiberg has shaved a few away from his oft-injured veterans. Joakim Noah is coming off the bench for what seems like it will be his first extended stint as a reserve since 2008-09.


"It's a marathon," Hoiberg told the team's official website. "You have to prepare your guys the best you can and try to keep them healthy."


Meanwhile, the Pistons are led by a young core that will try to deliver a 3-0 start for the first time since 2008-09, the last season they made the playoffs.


Van Gundy was hired as coach and president of basketball operations in May 2014, but two extended losing streaks during his first season kept Detroit out of the playoffs once again.


The Pistons have impressed early, though, winning 106-94 in Atlanta on Tuesday and 92-87 over Utah on Wednesday to start a three-game stretch at home.


Last season the Pistons found ways to lose late, which tormented them during a 5-23 start. They held off a fourth-quarter Jazz rally, though, to reach two games over .500 for the first time since they were 33-31 in March 2009.


'Stan puts a lot of faith in us,' said Andre Drummond, who scored 18 points in each of Detroit's first two games while pulling down 29 total rebounds. 'At the end of the day it comes down to us to close the game up.'


The Bulls lost twice at The Palace last season, equaling the total number of losses they had in this series over the previous five seasons.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hornets (0-1) at Hawks (1-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Although they were beaten on the boards again, the Atlanta Hawks performed better overall in their latest game than in a season-opening defeat.


They'll try to keep their momentum going in their quick return home Friday night by adding to their recent success there against the Charlotte Hornets.


Atlanta held Detroit to 38.5 percent shooting in its 2015-16 debut Tuesday but the Pistons posted a 59-40 rebounding advantage and a 23-7 edge on the offensive glass in a 106-94 victory over last season's Eastern Conference finalists.


New York beat the Hawks 48-39 and 16-7 in offensive rebounds Thursday, but Atlanta (1-1) shot 50.6 percent in a 112-101 victory. Jeff Teague led the way with 23 points, and Al Horford scored 21.


The Hawks put six players in double figures and made 10 3-pointers after coach Mike Budenholzer challenged them following the opener.


"I think we had a healthy film session. There he kind of told us what he expected from us, what he wanted us to do a little bit better," said Horford, whose team finished an East-best 60-22 in 2014-15. "I think everybody answered the call."


The Hawks will next seek to avoid their first 0-2 start at home since dropping their first three in 2005-06. Atlanta won its first four games there in 2014-15 on its way to finishing 35-6, one win shy of matching its best showing on its own floor.


Their last regular-season victory at Philips Arena was a 104-80 rout of Charlotte on April 10, their 14th win in the last 16 visits from the Hornets (0-1). The Hawks also won 105-75 on Nov. 29.


The teams split their four overall matchups with Charlotte scoring an average of 118.5 points in its two wins while shooting 50.8 percent. The Hornets averaged 77.5 and shot 34.5 percent in their two losses.


Atlanta was more consistent in shooting no worse than 43.0 percent in the four games and 47.9 overall. They also connected on 43.9 percent from 3-point range.


Charlotte shot 39.3 percent and missed 18 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc in its season opener Wednesday, a 104-94 loss in Miami. Kemba Walker scored a team-best 19 points despite missing 11 of 16 shots and Jeremy Lin had 17 in his Hornets debut.


"I just don't think we played at all the way we played during the preseason, at either end of the floor," coach Steve Clifford said. "We never really found our comfort level."


Charlotte hasn't opened with back-to-back losses since losing its first three games in 2010-11. The Hornets dropped their first four road games in 2014-15 and 10 of their first 11 en route to finishing 33-49.


Walker has averaged 11.2 points - 5.1 below his career mark - in his last five games against Atlanta while shooting 30.8 percent and going 4 of 22 from 3-point range.


Teague totaled 12 points and missed 10 of 15 shots in his final two games versus Charlotte last season. He had 22 points and matched a career high with 15 assists in a 122-119 double overtime loss to the Hornets on Nov. 7.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Wizards (1-0) at Bucks (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

It took some time for the Milwaukee Bucks to adjust to personnel changes midway through last season. Another transitional period appears in the works for the start of this one.


Coming off a lopsided home loss in their opener, the Bucks seek a better result in Friday's matchup with the Washington Wizards.


Milwaukee was ineffective on both ends during Wednesday's 122-97 defeat to a New York Knicks team that finished last in the Eastern Conference a season ago. The Bucks shot 34.9 percent and their 18 turnovers - six by point guard Michael Carter-Williams - led to 25 points for the Knicks.


The Bucks allowed over 120 points only once during an encouraging 2014-15 campaign that saw the club trade leading scorer Brandon Knight in mid-February in a three-team deal that netted Carter-Williams from Philadelphia. Milwaukee lost 13 of 17 following the swap, then recovered to win seven of its next 11 to earn the East's No. 6 playoff seed.


Two key veterans, center Zaza Pachulia and swingman Jared Dudley, departed from last season's squad and Milwaukee played without young forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker as well as O.J. Mayo on Wednesday.


"For us to grow up we're going to have to go through this probably the first 20 games or so," coach Jason Kidd said. "We can't just say we lost because of Giannis and O.J. We felt we had enough firepower and talent to win (Wednesday)."


Antetokounmpo will be back in Friday's lineup after serving a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Chicago's Mike Dunleavy during Game 6 of the East quarterfinals. Mayo remains out with a hamstring injury and Parker isn't quite ready to return from a torn ACL that cut short his rookie season in December.


The Bucks envision Parker and fellow 20-year-old Antetokounmpo forming a dynamic frontcourt with free-agent addition Greg Monroe, who totaled 22 points and 14 rebounds in his Milwaukee debut.


Dudley was traded to Washington to help clear cap space for Monroe's signing, though it's uncertain if he'll face his former team after sitting out Wednesday's 88-87 win at Orlando to rest his surgically repaired back.


The Wizards unveiled a more up-tempo attack that seemed to suit backcourt starts John Wall and Bradley Beal well but produced mixed results overall. Beal had 24 points and Wall capped a 22-point night with a go-ahead floater with 12.7 seconds remaining. However, Washington shot just 39.3 percent and finished 7 of 28 from 3-point range.


"It's a process. It's different,' coach Randy Wittman said. 'We didn't play that way the last couple years, so ... this is Game 1. We've just got to keep working at it.'


Wall added a career-high five blocks on Wednesday and averaged 20.0 points, 9.5 assists and 5.0 steals in two Washington wins over Milwaukee last season. He was held to 3 for 14 shooting, however, in a 91-85 loss at the Bradley Center on March 7 that ended the Wizards' four-game series win streak.


Washington had also won four straight in Milwaukee prior to that defeat.


Milwaukee's Khris Middleton set a career high with 30 points in the teams' last meeting but struggled in the opener, scoring 11 points on 4 of 15 shooting.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nets (0-1) at Spurs (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

While the San Antonio Spurs already have their share of stars, coach Gregg Popovich declared the arrival of another following his team's opening night defeat.


Coming off one of the best performance of his career, Kawhi Leonard will try to help the Spurs bounce back Friday night when they seek a 13th straight home win over the Brooklyn Nets.


San Antonio still has Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and added All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge in the offseason, but Leonard stole the show with a career-high 32 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks in Wednesday's 112-106 loss at Oklahoma City.


Leonard first grabbed the national spotlight in the 2014 NBA Finals when he earned MVP honors while leading the Spurs to a five-game series win over Miami. He then averaged a career-best 16.5 points and also won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014-15.


Still, Popovich believes we haven't seen the best of the forward because injuries have limited him to 66 games or fewer in each of his first four seasons.


"He's a confident player now and has worked on his game diligently and really it's the first year he's been whole from the very beginning," Popovich said. "He wasn't hurt during the summertime. He wasn't hurt in preseason. Every year so far, that's been his situation. He's arrived.'


Despite Leonard's career night, San Antonio couldn't hold on to a seven-point advantage while allowing the Thunder to score 33 in the fourth quarter. The team's other four starters, Parker, Danny Green, Duncan and Aldridge, combined for 33 points on 14-of-40 shooting.


'A couple of defensive mistakes, a couple of offensive plays where we were impatient," Popovich said. "We just needed to work together a little bit longer.'


San Antonio hopes to gain some cohesiveness as it tries to win a seventh straight home opener at the AT&T Center, which underwent a $110 million renovation in the offseason.


The Spurs also have won nine consecutive home games overall and 40 of 45 there against the Nets going back to the 2003 NBA Finals. They've won by an average of 14.5 points during their 12-game home winning streak in the series.


Parker had 22 points and Leonard and Green scored 21 apiece in a 99-87 win in the most recent meeting in San Antonio last November. Green has averaged 19.3 points while hitting 14 of 22 from 3-point range in his last three against Brooklyn.


The Nets are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start since dropping their first 18 in 2009-10 en route to their worst record in 40 NBA seasons at 12-70.


Brook Lopez started strong with 26 points, while Andrea Bargnani contributed 17 in Wednesday's 115-100 home loss to Chicago. Starting point guard Jarrett Jack could return Friday after missing the opener due to a hamstring injury.


Brooklyn, 22nd in defensive field-goal percentage (45.6) last season, will have to be better at that end after allowing the Bulls to shoot 53.8 percent and 14 of 28 from 3-point range.


'I understand that we did do some good things," coach Lionel Hollins said. "As I told the team, we have to extend those good things to a longer period of time. Cut down on our mistakes in giving them easy things and make them have to earn everything.'


Mirza Teletovic, who had five points on 2-of-10 shooting Wednesday, totaled 48 points while sinking 9 of 15 from beyond the arc in last season's series with San Antonio.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Timberwolves (1-0) at Nuggets (1-0)
Date: October 30, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Entering his fifth NBA season, Ricky Rubio has only given the Minnesota Timberwolves glimpses of the creative brilliance that made him an overseas sensation as a teenager.


After playing in memory of his former coach sparked one of the best performances of his career, Rubio will try to help Minnesota start 2-0 on the road for the first time in 14 years Friday night in the home opener for the Denver Nuggets.


Rubio was the youngest player in Spanish ACB League history at age 14 before rising to stardom as a flashy playmaker in the Euroleague. The point guard, however, has been plagued by injuries and has played more than 57 games only once in four NBA seasons.


He missed most of the preseason following ankle surgery and also dealt with a sore quad, but three days after learning longtime coach and team president Flip Saunders had died due to complications while battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, the 25-year-old had a career-high 28 points and 14 assists in a season-opening 112-111 win at the Los Angeles Lakers.


"I think we had a little help," said Rubio, who shot 10 of 17 and also protected the ball with just one turnover. "It's been a tough week. It's hard to explain. Everybody went through a lot of pain. But even though Flip's gone, he will stay with us forever."


Saunders and Kevin Garnett guided the Timberwolves to their last playoff appearance in 2004. Garnett, who had seven rebounds to begin his 21st season, was persuaded to return to Minnesota by Saunders last season and left without speaking to reporters.


Kevin Martin contributed 23 points while shooting 5 of 11 from 3-point range and top overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 12 rebounds in his debut.


"It's been a tough last couple of days, but the guys, they get a safe haven playing basketball," said interim coach Sam Mitchell.


The Timberwolves haven't won their first two road games since a 4-0 start under Saunders in 2001. Rubio has averaged just 8.0 points on 31.3 percent shooting in four career games at Denver and should be tested defensively by Nuggets rookie Emmanuel Mudiay.


The 19-year-old Mudiay, the seventh overall pick in the draft, finished with 17 points and nine assists but also committed 11 turnovers in Denver's surprising 105-85 win at Houston on Wednesday.


Danilo Gallinari had a team-high 23 points and was 3 of 5 from long range, and Kenneth Faried scored 18 with nine rebounds as the Nuggets shot 50.6 percent and made 13 3s.


Coach Mike Malone, who was let go by Sacramento in December, won his Denver debut after taking over a club that finished 30-52 last season.


"This should not come as a shock," Malone said. "Everybody outside of our organization can pick us last if they want, but we feel we have a chance to do something special this year and I think the way we played showed that promise."


Faried averaged 16.3 points and 13.5 rebounds to help the Nuggets take three of four meetings with Minnesota last season. Andrew Wiggins scored 23.3 per game in the series, but the reigning Rookie of the Year hopes to bounce back after finishing with nine on 2-of-10 shooting in the opener.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Warriors (1-0) at Rockets (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

Stephen Curry made sure nobody forgot he is the NBA's current MVP with an impressive opening night. There's little chance the Houston Rockets have let it slip their minds.


After opening this season the way he finished the last, Curry and the Golden State Warriors visit Houston on Friday night looking to remind the Rockets why they're the defending champions.


It was about five months ago when Curry averaged 31.2 points to oust Houston from the Western Conference finals on the way to ending Golden State's 30-year title drought.


Curry picked up right where he left off in Tuesday's season opener, scoring 40 points in a 111-95 victory over New Orleans. It was the second-highest point total by a reigning MVP in an opener since 1963-64, short of only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 41 on Oct. 13, 1972.


Curry shot 14 of 26 and went 5 of 12 from 3-point range in his 13th career 40-point game, including the postseason. One of those playoff games came when he torched Houston for 40 on May 23 in a 115-80 blowout in Game 3 at Toyota Center.


Golden State won eight of nine against Houston last season, including the five-game playoff series. The lone loss was a 128-115 shootout in Game 4 at Houston. The Warriors scored 115 or more points four times against the Rockets and less than 100 twice - and they just missed with 99 and 98 in those games.


"Obviously, we had great success against them last year," said Curry, "But that's because we were focused every single night to the game plan and sticking to it."


Already playing without coach Steve Kerr, who is resting his surgically repaired back, the Warriors might be without another major contributor. Andrew Bogut left the opener with a concussion after taking an arm to the head, and he won't return until he is symptom-free and passes the NBA concussion protocol.


Bogut, who hit all six of his shots and finished with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Pelicans, played a big part in holding Dwight Howard to 14.8 points in seven games last season.


Bogut and Howard played a chippy series in the post that led to a hard Howard screen on Andre Iguodala in Game 5. In turn, Howard was given his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason and a suspension for Wednesday's season opener.


The Rockets missed him while suffering a 105-85 home loss to a Denver team not expected to make any waves this season. James Harden, who finished second to Curry in last season's MVP voting, scored a team-high 22 points, but he shot just 6 of 21 and 2 of 12 from 3-point range. Harden averaged 27.0 points against the Warriors last season.


Ty Lawson had 12 points and six assists in his first game with the Rockets, though he made just 3 of 10 shots.


"We can't worry about what wasn't brought in Game 1," Howard said. "That's over with. There's no need to focus on that anymore."


Coach Kevin McHale, though, would like his team to improve on its 34.5 field goal percentage.


"The big thing, we didn't have any push, we didn't have any pace," McHale said. "We've got a lot of work to do to get ourselves working in the right direction."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Lakers (0-1) at Kings (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott wants the ball to be in D'Angelo Russell's hands a lot more. Having it go in the basket would also help.


Russell is expected to take charge at the point while Kobe Bryant looks to improve his rusty scoring touch as the Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.


Los Angeles fell 112-111 to visiting Minnesota after Lou Williams missed a 4-foot runner at the buzzer in Wednesday's opener.


The Lakers, however, came away more worried about Russell's involvement. The rookie guard finished with four points, three rebounds and two assists, finding himself moved off the point in favor of the quicker and more aggressive Jordan Clarkson.


Scott plans to have Russell run the team a lot more against Sacramento.


"I really just wanted to up the tempo with Jordan pushing," Scott told the Lakers' official website. "(Russell is) probably a little bit better of a decision-maker, even at 19 years old and being in his rookie year. So we want him on the ball right now, and then we go to either side and we've got Kobe or Jordan."


Bryant led the Lakers with 24 points. However, he made 8 of 24 from the floor - 3 of 13 from 3-point range - while missing his final eight shots in his return from a torn rotator cuff that kept him out since January.


"That timing will come back," said Bryant, who averaged 31.0 points over his last 14 meetings with the Kings.


He's not the only one trying to improve from the field as the Lakers shot 37.6 percent - 9 for 35 from beyond the arc - against the Timberwolves.


Julius Randle, though, gave Los Angeles reason for optimism. The forward had 15 points and 11 rebounds, exactly one year after a broken leg in his NBA debut ended his season.


The Lakers, who dropped their first five games of 2014-15, are trying to avoid losing four straight to the Kings for the first time since 1993-94.


Sacramento is facing the possibility of its worst start since going 0-3 in 2012-13. The Kings fell 111-104 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in the opener of their final season at Sleep Train Arena.


Bouncing back will require doing a better job with the ball. Sacramento had 18 turnovers with 12 coming in the first half.


"At first we played terrible," said center DeMarcus Cousins, who had eight turnovers - one shy of his career high. "The turnovers killed us, especially on my end. We could have done a better job sharing the ball. But that being said, we had a great chance of winning the ballgame."


Cousins, however, made his presence felt with 32 points and 13 rebounds. He also showed some stunning shooting range, sinking 4 of 5 from behind the arc after going 11 for 69 in his first 350 games.


"I'm just building confidence behind it," Cousins said. "I think it will help the team spread the floor."


Sacramento has won six of the last eight meetings at home while averaging 105.1 points and shooting 48.2 percent.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Trail Blazers (1-0) at Suns (0-1)
Date: October 30, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The Portland Trail Blazers' overhauled roster figured to give new opportunities for its remaining players, and C.J. McCollum was the first to seize his chance.


Following a career-best scoring performance, McCollum will try to lead the Blazers to their best start in four seasons Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.


Portland retained one member of last season's starting lineup, Damian Lillard, and lost three players to free agency with franchise great LaMarcus Aldridge easily the most notable departure. The Blazers, though, looked in sync with a 112-94 victory over New Orleans on Wednesday that extended their streak of season-opening victories to a league-best 15.


McCollum scored 37 points, topping his previous regular-season high by 10, in his fourth career start and had 28 in the first half. The guard averaged 6.3 points in his first two seasons.


"It's been a long time coming for me," McCollum said. "I've worked so hard for this moment to get an opportunity to play opening night and the coaching staff to have trust in me."


McCollum gave a glimpse of his potential in the final month of the 2014-15 season and an opening-round playoff loss to Memphis.


He averaged 15.6 points on 53.2 percent shooting in the final eight games, and 25.7 points on 60.9 percent shooting in the last three of the five matchups with the Grizzlies.


"I've been telling you guys that (McCollum) can play, and he can explode," Lillard said. "I think you guys got a chance to see it last year in the playoffs just a little bit. Tonight, you guys saw what we've been seeing for two, three years now in practice, him just making shots, and tough shots."


Lillard, who finished with 21 points and 11 assists, will next try to send Portland to its first 2-0 start since it took the first three games in 2011-12 and first win in a road opener since 2010.


The Blazers will also seek a fourth consecutive win over Phoenix, which struggled in its season debut Wednesday.


The Suns trailed by 27 points in the third quarter of a 111-95 loss to visiting Dallas. Last season's leading scorer, Eric Bledsoe (17.0), missed eight of 12 shots and finished with 13.


One of Phoenix's other top scorers from 2014-15, Markieff Morris, fared even worse with four points on 1-of-6 shooting. Devin Booker had 14 points off the bench while making six of seven shots in his NBA debut, one shy of matching Brandon Knight's team-best 15.


"I think everybody from top to bottom can take a piece of this loss," said center Tyson Chandler, who had three points and six rebounds in his first game for the Suns.


Chandler will try to help Phoenix avoid its worst start and worst at home since 2011-12 on a night where the franchise will induct two-time league MVP Steve Nash into its Ring of Honor. The Suns haven't been to the playoffs since Nash was on their roster in 2009-10.


Phoenix had won seven consecutive home games over Portland until an 87-81 loss March 27.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Oregon 61, Arizona State 55 OT- Wild game ended at 2:40 ET. ASU gained 741 yards, had 37 first downs....and lost.

-- TCU 40, West Virginia 10-- Mountaineers are 0-4 in Big X.

-- North Carolina 26, Pitt 19-- Tar Heels won seven in row after losing opener.

-- Hawks 112, Knicks 101-- Back to reality; Atlanta was 10-24 from arc.

-- Clippers 104, Mavericks 88-- Rough night for Mark Cuban-- DeAndre Jordan had 15 rebounds, four blocks against team he almost signed with.

-- Patriots 36, Dolphins 7-- Pats converted 3rd-and-16 on first drive; it ended there.

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

13) NBA is trying to have teams play less back/back nights; LY, teams averaged 19.3 back/backs. This year, it is 17.8 and no team has more than 20.

12) I'd love to know what a President feels like the day after his term in office ends; imagine spending eight years in the most consuming job ever, where you can't drive a car and your assets are frozen and then one day it ends.. What do you do?

11) Central Michigan's basketball team is pretty good; how do I know? They had a hard time scheduling games-- when they called teams to fill out five slots in this year's schedule, BYU was the only team that would play the Chippewas, so they're going to play four non-D-I games, which huts their strength of schedule-- too bad.

10) ESPN's Magazine had a story on LSU's Leonard Fournette, how he gets a police escort back to his dorm after home games, from a state trooper who played for LSU 20+ years ago and whose day job is security for Governor Bobby Jindal. Without the police escort, the kid whould get beseiged by autograph seekers and it might take him hours to get away fron the stadium.

9) Dallas Mavericks lost to the Clippers last night and don't play again until Sunday night against the Lakers; they're staying in LA all weekend.

8) Baseball happenings: San Diego Padres named Arizona 3B coach Andy Green their new manager; Washington named former Padres' manager Bud Black their new skipper, Arizona named former Angel pitching coach Mike Butcher their new PC. .

7) San Diego State's basketball team has a new $15M practice facility, where kids can go 24/7 to work on their games. I was a basketball manager in college, but at a D-III school; can't imagine getting a call to go rebound for someone who wants to shoot at midnight, but it happens at the D-I level.

6) How is Tom Thibodeau not doing NBA games on TV? Guy is a basketball lifer, he was 417-283 coaching the Bulls-- we could learn a lot from him about basketball, plus I'm very curious if he has a TV personality. His in-game interviews were epic for being boring, but his taped tribute to the late Jerry Tarkanian this year was excellent.

5) Walgreen's drug stores bought out Rite-Aid this week for $9.4B; we have lot of drug stores around here. Must have lot of sick people.

4) Last March/April in college hoop, ACC teams were 19-7 in all postseason games, Pac-12 teams were 15-6, MVC teams 14-3. Loyola/Evansville both won a consolation tournament, pumping up the Valley's record.

3) Jets cut punter Steve Weatherford after one game; he nets $51K for punting four times and holding for five kicks. Good work if you can get it.

2) Analytics people in sports like to evaluate players using one number; I'm sure how they get to this number is well thought out but in my humble opinion, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a human being's performance with one number-- there are just so many intangibles that can't be measured accurately.

It is what makes sports so interesting; Raiders/Giants cut James Jones but with Green Bay (and Aaron Rodgers) he might make the Pro Bowl. Measure that.

1) Best wishes to Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill, who retired this week for health reasons (he has epilepsy). Coach Kill revived the Gophers' program, setting up his successor to be a contender in the Big 14.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Friday, October 30

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

7:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. ORLANDO
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games
Orlando is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Orlando's last 23 games when playing Oklahoma City

7:00 PM
UTAH vs. PHILADELPHIA
Utah is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
Philadelphia is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Utah

7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 9 games
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Miami

7:30 PM
TORONTO vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto's last 12 games on the road
Toronto is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Chicago's last 22 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Chicago is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Detroit's last 22 games when playing at home against Chicago
Detroit is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Chicago

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington

8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. ATLANTA
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Charlotte is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte

8:30 PM
BROOKLYN vs. SAN ANTONIO
Brooklyn is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Brooklyn is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing Brooklyn
San Antonio is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

9:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DENVER
Minnesota is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Denver
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Denver is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home

9:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. HOUSTON
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Golden State's last 13 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Golden State
Houston is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Golden State

10:00 PM
LA LAKERS vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 15 of the LA Lakers last 22 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
LA Lakers are 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games at home
Sacramento is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

10:30 PM
PORTLAND vs. PHOENIX
Portland is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
Portland is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Portland
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, October 30


Brooklyn @ San Antonio

Game 715-716
October 30, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
112.849
San Antonio
130.274
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 17 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 14
204
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-14); Over

Minnesota @ Denver

Game 717-718
October 30, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
115.955
Denver
116.822
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 1
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 4 1/2
210 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+4 1/2); Under

Golden State @ Houston

Game 719-720
October 30, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
122.319
Houston
123.822
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
220
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 2 1/2
215
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+2 1/2); Over

LA Lakers @ Sacramento

Game 721-722
October 30, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
112.304
Sacramento
115.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 3
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 6 1/2
210 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+6 1/2); Under

Miami @ Cleveland

Game 701-702
October 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
120.912
Cleveland
124.877
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 4
203
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6 1/2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+6 1/2); Over

Portland @ Phoenix

Game 723-724
October 30, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
116.577
Phoenix
123.743
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 7
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 4 1/2
206 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(-4 1/2); Over

Utah @ Philadelphia

Game 703-704
October 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
118.113
Philadelphia
113.671
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 4 1/2
184
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 7
188
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+7); Under

Oklahoma City @ Orlando

Game 705-706
October 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
121.880
Orlando
116.710
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 8 1/2
208 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+8 1/2); Under

Toronto @ Boston

Game 707-708
October 30, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
120.573
Boston
119.122
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+2 1/2); Over

Chicago @ Detroit

Game 709-710
October 30, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
125.146
Detroit
120.232
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 5
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 2 1/2
199
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-2 1/2); Over

Washington @ Milwaukee

Game 711-712
October 30, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
122.418
Milwaukee
117.333
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 5
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 2
196 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-2); Under

Charlotte @ Atlanta

Game 713-714
October 30, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
116.230
Atlanta
118.672
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 2 1/2
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 5 1/2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
(+5 1/2); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA


Friday, October 30




Pacers' George fined for criticizing officials


Indiana Pacers forward Paul George called out the officials after a season-opening loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night and paid a price.


George was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Thursday for his public criticism, league executive vice president Kiki VanDeWeghe announced Thursday night before the Pacers played the Memphis Grizzlies in Indianapolis in their home opener.


The 25-year-old George referenced "a lot of bad calls" in assessing the Pacers' 106-99 loss at the Air Canada Centre. The two-time NBA All-Star had 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the opener but made just 4 of 17 shots from the field.





NBA roundup: Jordan, Clippers down Mavs


LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 104-88 victory over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at Staples Center.


Jamal Crawford added 15 points off the bench as the Clippers prevailed in their home opener. John Jenkins had 17 points and Dirk Nowitzki 16 to lead the Mavericks, who were without injured Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews.


DeAndre Jordan, who reneged on a verbal agreement with the Mavericks this summer before remaining with the Clippers, and Nowitzki had a brief altercation with 1:41 left in the second quarter after Nowitzki fouled Jordan under the Clippers' basket. Players from both teams began jawing at each other before technical were issued to Jordan, Griffin and Mavericks guard Raymond Felton.


Jordan finished with six points and 15 rebounds.


Grizzlies 112, Pacers 103


INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Green sank two clutch 3-pointers during the final 3:23, and Memphis used a 39-point fourth quarter to rally for a victory over Indiana.


Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 20 points, pacing seven Memphis players in double figures. Mike Conley and Beno Udrih added 13 apiece, and Green scored 12. Conley dished out a game-high 10 assists.


George Hill led Indiana with 20 points, and Paul George and C.J. Miles each added 18 for the Pacers, whose five game-game winning streak in home openers was snapped.


Hawks 112, Knicks 101


NEW YORK -- Jeff Teague scored 23 points, leading Atlanta past New York.


Al Horford added 21 points for the Hawks. Kyle Korver contributed 15 points, and Dennis Schroder came off the bench to record 13 points. Paul Millsap chipped in with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five steals.


Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 25 points. Robin Lopez, a free agent acquisition over the summer, added 18 points, and rookie Kristaps Porzingis scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. New York never got closer than 11 points in the fourth quarter.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, October 30

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

MIAMI (1 - 0) at CLEVELAND (1 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

UTAH (0 - 1) at PHILADELPHIA (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 53-83 ATS (-38.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-45 ATS (-23.5 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 82-111 ATS (-40.1 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

OKLAHOMA CITY (1 - 0) at ORLANDO (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

TORONTO (1 - 0) at BOSTON (1 - 0) - 10/30/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-36 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 88-120 ATS (-44.0 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.

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

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

CHICAGO (2 - 0) at DETROIT (2 - 0) - 10/30/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 15-36 ATS (-24.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
DETROIT is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

WASHINGTON (1 - 0) at MILWAUKEE (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 130-174 ATS (-61.4 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 348-408 ATS (-100.8 Units) in home games since 1996.

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

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

CHARLOTTE (0 - 1) at ATLANTA (1 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 56-41 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

BROOKLYN (0 - 1) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 905-791 ATS (+34.9 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 715-609 ATS (+45.1 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 461-384 ATS (+38.6 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 300-246 ATS (+29.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 263-212 ATS (+29.8 Units) after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 363-292 ATS (+41.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

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

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

MINNESOTA (1 - 0) at DENVER (1 - 0) - 10/30/2015, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 33-49 ATS (-20.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 35-53 ATS (-23.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

GOLDEN STATE (1 - 0) at HOUSTON (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 58-41 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 93-127 ATS (-46.7 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-5 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 9-3 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

LA LAKERS (0 - 1) at SACRAMENTO (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 31-47 ATS (-20.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 32-49 ATS (-21.9 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 5-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-4 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

PORTLAND (1 - 0) at PHOENIX (0 - 1) - 10/30/2015, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 93-68 ATS (+18.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 41-22 ATS (+16.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-4 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, October 30


Miami at Cleveland, 7:05 ET
Miami: 9-24 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins
Cleveland: 32-19 UNDER after playing a road game

Utah at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Utah: 25-14 ATS when the total is between 190 and 199.5
Philadelphia: 26-45 ATS as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9

Oklahoma City at Orlando, 7:05 ET
Oklahoma City: 17-7 ATS after scoring 110 points or more
Orlando: 6-17 ATS in home games after 1 or more consecutive losses

Toronto at Boston, 7:35 ET
Toronto: 14-26 ATS after scoring 105 points or more
Boston: 18-5 ATS after playing a game as a home favorite

Chicago at Detroit, 7:35 ET
Chicago: 13-3 UNDER in road games after a blowout win by 15 points or more
Detroit: 11-23 ATS in home games after 1 or more consecutive unders

Washington at Milwaukee, 8:05 ET
Washington: 2-14 ATS after a win by 6 points or less
Milwaukee: 23-10 ATS first half of the season

Charlotte at Atlanta, 8:05 ET
Charlotte: 15-5 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6
Atlanta: 17-6 UNDER on Friday nights

Brooklyn at San Antoino, 8:35 ET
Brooklyn: 33-58 ATS after a game giving up 5 or less offensive rebounds
San Antonio: 13-4 ATS in home games after playing a road game

Minnesota at Denver, 9:05 ET
Minnesota: 14-33 ATS after scoring 110 points or more
Denver: 11-2 ATS off a win by 10 points or more as an underdog

Golden State at Houston, 9:35 ET
Golden State: 21-10 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more
Houston: 93-127 ATS in home games against Pacific division opponents

LA Lakers at Sacramento, 10:05 ET
Los Angeles: 61-34 ATS on road after game where they made 85% of free throws
Sacramento: 8-18 ATS as a favorite

Portland at Phoenix, 10:35 ET
Portland: 4-16 ATS in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders
Phoenix: 42-24 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread

 

[CNOTES]

NBA


Friday, October 30




Pistons G Meeks out 12-16 weeks after surgery


Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks underwent surgery on his broken foot and is expected to miss 12-16 weeks.


The team announced Friday that Meeks had a surgical procedure on Thursday night to repair a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.


Meeks left the Pistons' 92-87 victory over the Utah Jazz with 9:32 left in the second quarter Wednesday night. He played six minutes before his injury with one shot attempt.


Meeks, in his second season with the Pistons, will be re-evaluated throughout the rehabilitation process. He missed 22 games last season with a stress reaction in his lower back, and finished the season averaging 11.1 points in 60 games.




76ers had ATS success versus West last season


The Philadelphia 76ers were a dismal 18-64 straight up last season, including a record of 6-24 versus the Western Conference.


Despite the porous SU record against the other conference, the 76ers went 17-12-1 against the spread in those 30 games.


The Sixers will play their first game versus the Western Conference of the 2015-16 season as 7.5-point dogs with the Utah Jazz in town Friday evening. Philly went 0-2 SU versus Utah, but went 1-1 ATS, covering as 7.5-point home pups.




Home team the hot bet in Heat-Cavs meetings


The home team has gone 5-0 against the spread (4-1 straight up) in the past five meetings between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. The two Eastern Conference foes will square off in Cleveland Friday evening.


The Cavaliers covered the spread as 12 and 9.5-point faves in their two home games last season and are currently tabbed as 6-point faves at home.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday's Top Action
October 30, 2015




MIAMI HEAT (1-0) at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (1-1)


Tip-off: Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland -6.5, Total: 197


The Cavaliers look to build off a 30-point blowout when they play their home opener versus the Heat on Friday night.


Both teams enter this contest fresh off double-digit wins, with Miami taking out Charlotte 104-94 in its season opener and covering the 6.5-point spread. Cleveland lost 97-95 in Chicago to begin its the season on Tuesday, but bounced back in a big way on Wednesday with a 106-76 pounding of 5-point favorite Memphis. The Cavs are expected to win on Friday, and they were 41-36 ATS (53%) in the favorite role last season, including 24-21 ATS (53%) when giving points at home. The Heat were not a great wager as an underdog last season at 21-23-2 ATS (48%), which included a 14-16-1 ATS (47%) record when getting points on the road.


None of the four games these teams played last season were close, as the home team won and covered each time with double-digit victories. Miami won its two games by scores of 101-91 and 106-92 while Cleveland won by at least 20 points in wins of 113-93 and 114-88. Bettors expecting the Heat to buck this trend and cover on the road can point to their 25-10 ATS mark (71%) on the road after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds under Erik Spoelstra. But banking on LeBron James to once again crush his former team at home can look at the Cavaliers' strong 11-5 ATS record (69%) in the past three seasons after allowing 85 points or less.


Both teams are in good health to start the season with no significant injuries for Miami, but the club might choose to rest C Amar'e Stoudemire on Friday. Cleveland will continue to play minus PG Kyrie Irving (knee) and SG Iman Shumpert (wrist), who are both out indefinitely.


Miami did not have an explosive offense last season when it averaged a paltry 94.7 PPG, which was fourth-lowest in the NBA. Although the club connected on a solid 45.6% FG last season (11th-best in NBA), it shot poorly from long range (33.5% threes, 7th-worst in league). But the Heat shot lights-out on Wednesday, torching the Hornets for 49% FG, 60% threes (12-of-20) and 95% FT (20-of-21). PF Chris Bosh was the best player on the court with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while star SG Dwyane Wade produced 20 points on an efficient 7-of-16 FG and 6-of-6 free throws. Bosh had only 15 points on 5-of-17 FG in his lone meeting with Cleveland last season, but Wade was much more effective with 23.3 PPG on 52% FG in three head-to-head matchups.


These two players are always expected to carry the scoring load for the Heat, but reserve SG Gerald Green really opened some eyes against Charlotte on Wednesday with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. Miami's defense also played great in that season opener, limiting the Hornets to 94 points on 39% FG and 25% threes (6-of-24). Last season, the Heat held opponents to 97.3 PPG (6th-best in league) on 45.4% FG (19th in NBA) and 35.3% threes (20th in league), but allowed the Cavaliers to shoot a blistering 56% FG (40% threes) and 50% FG (43% threes) in their two trips to Quicken Loans Arena last season.


The Cavaliers were a great offensive team last season with 100.5 PPG (6th in NBA) on 44% FG (13th in league) and 37.9% threes (9th in NBA). Cleveland struggled to score against the Bulls defense in the season opener (95 points on 40% FG and 31% threes), but really turned things around on Wednesday with 106 points on 49% FG and 45% threes against a usually-stingy Grizzlies defense. SF LeBron James is leading the team with 18.5 PPG and also has 8.5 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2.0 SPG. PF Kevin Love is close behind with 17.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 3.5 APG. Both of these players shot at a strong 48% FG clip against Miami last season, with James pouring in 24.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 6.5 APG, and Love posting a modest 13.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG in his two meetings with the Heat.


The Cleveland defense is off to a great start this season in holding opponents to 86.5 PPG on 39% FG and 26% threes. Last season, the Cavs were not nearly as stingy, allowing opponents to score 98.7 PPG (13th in NBA) on 45.6% FG (20th in league), but did defend the three-point line very well (34.3% threes, 9th in NBA). With Miami shooting so well from downtown to start the year, Cleveland must do a great job of challenging jump-shooters.

 

[CNOTES]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores


7:05 PM EDT


701 MIAMI HEAT 196 198.5 / 199 / 199.5 200 +195
702 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -7 -7 / -6.5 / -6.5 -05 -5.5 -235


CLE-G-Kyrie Irving-OUT | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206


7:05 PM EDT


703 UTAH JAZZ -7.5 -7.5 -05 / -7.5 / -7.5 -05 -7.5 -325
704 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 190 187 / 186.5 / 186 185.5 +260

TV: Comcast, DTV: 665


7:05 PM EDT


705 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER -6.5 -8 / -8 -15 / -8.5 -05 -8 -370
706 ORLANDO MAGIC 206 208.5u13 / 208.5 / 207 206.5 +305

TV: FS-Florida, DTV: 654


7:35 PM EDT


707 TORONTO RAPTORS 203.5 204u21 / 203 / 202.5 202 +110
708 BOSTON CELTICS -1.5 -2 / -1.5 / -1.5 -15 -2 -130

TV: CSN-New England, DTV: 642


7:35 PM EDT


709 CHICAGO BULLS -3 -2.5 / -3 / -3 -15 -2.5 -145
710 DETROIT PISTONS 200 200.5 / 200.5o28 / 202 202.5 +125

DET-G-Brandon Jennings-OUT | TV: FS-Detroit, DTV: 663


8:05 PM EDT


711 WASHINGTON WIZARDS -1 -1.5 -15 / -1.5 / PK -2 -130
712 MILWAUKEE BUCKS 200 199 / 199u27 / 198 198.5 +110

TV: CSN-Mid-Atlantic, DTV: 642


8:05 PM EDT

713 CHARLOTTE HORNETS 195.5 193.5 / 194 / 193.5 193.5 +155
714 ATLANTA HAWKS -5 -5 -13 / -5 -15 / -4.5 -4 -175


TV: FS-Southeast, DTV: 677


8:35 PM EDT


715 BROOKLYN NETS 202 204 / 203.5 / 203 201.5 +1000
716 SAN ANTONIO SPURS -13.5 -14.5 -08 / -14.5 -05 / -14 -14 -15 -2000

TV: FS-Southwest, DTV: 676


9:05 PM EDT


717 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 207.5 203.5 / 203.5o21 / 204 203.5 +145
718 DENVER NUGGETS -5 -4.5 / -4.5 -05 / -4 +05 -3.5 -05 -165


MIN-G-Andrew Wiggins-Probable | TV: FS-North, DTV: 668


9:35 PM EDT


719 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS PK PK EVEN / -1.5 / PK -1 -115
720 HOUSTON ROCKETS 216 215 / 215.5 / 216 216.5 -105

HOU-C-Dwight Howard-Probable | TV: CSN-Bay, ESPN, ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 206, 674, 696


10:05 PM EDT


721 LOS ANGELES LAKERS 210 211.5 / 210 / 210.5 211.5 +245
722 SACRAMENTO KINGS -5.5 -6.5 / -7.5 / -7 -7 -05 -305


TV: CSN-California, DTV: 698


10:35 PM EDT


723 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 207.5 203u13 / 203 / 204.5 205 +160
724 PHOENIX SUNS -5 -5 -4.5 -180

TV: FS-Arizona, DTV: 686


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


NBA Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)


Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds


8:00 PM Charlotte +4.5 303 24.84% Atlanta -4.5 917 75.16% View View


9:00 PM Minnesota +3.5 392 35.00% Denver -3.5 728 65.00% View View


7:00 PM Miami +5.5 488 38.21% Cleveland -5.5 789 61.79% View View


8:30 PM Brooklyn +14 454 42.31% San Antonio -14 619 57.69% View View


7:00 PM Utah -7.5 481 43.33% Philadelphia +7.5 629 56.67% View View


7:30 PM Toronto +2 526 44.69% Boston -2 651 55.31% View View


10:00 PM L.A. Lakers +7 603 52.89% Sacramento -7 537 47.11% View View


10:30 PM Portland +4.5 617 54.55% Phoenix -4.5 514 45.45% View View


8:00 PM Washington -1 712 60.03% Milwaukee +1 474 39.97% View View


7:30 PM Chicago -2.5 827 66.43% Detroit +2.5 418 33.57% View View


9:30 PM Golden State -1 893 68.38% Houston +1 413 31.62% View View


7:00 PM Oklahoma City -8 824 68.50% Orlando +8 379 31.50% View View




TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)


Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds


7:30 PM Chicago 202.5 342 41.91% Detroit 202.5 474 58.09% View View


8:00 PM Charlotte 194.5 319 43.28% Atlanta 194.5 418 56.72% View View


7:00 PM Miami 200 383 47.34% Cleveland 200 426 52.66% View View


7:00 PM Utah 186 378 48.77% Philadelphia 186 397 51.23% View View


8:30 PM Brooklyn 201.5 385 50.46% San Antonio 201.5 378 49.54% View View


8:00 PM Washington 198.5 398 53.35% Milwaukee 198.5 348 46.65% View View


10:00 PM L.A. Lakers 211 452 56.36% Sacramento 211 350 43.64% View View


7:00 PM Oklahoma City 206.5 463 56.46% Orlando 206.5 357 43.54% View View


10:30 PM Portland 204.5 477 60.69% Phoenix 204.5 309 39.31% View View


9:00 PM Minnesota 204 503 63.27% Denver 204 292 36.73% View View


7:30 PM Toronto 202 514 65.23% Boston 202 274 34.77% View View


9:30 PM Golden State 216 576 68.17% Houston 216 269 31.83% View View


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


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Miami - 7:00 PM ET Cleveland -5.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Cleveland - Over 200 500


Oklahoma City - 7:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -8 500 SLAM DUNK
Orlando - Over 206.5 500


Utah - 7:00 PM ET Philadelphia +7.5 500 *****
Philadelphia - Under 186 500


Toronto - 7:30 PM ET Toronto +2 500
Boston - Under 202 500


Chicago - 7:30 PM ET Detroit +2.5 500
Detroit - Under 202.5 500


Charlotte - 8:00 PM ET Atlanta -4.5 500
Atlanta - Over 194.5 500


Washington - 8:00 PM ET Milwaukee +2 500
Milwaukee - Over 198.5 500


Brooklyn - 8:30 PM ET Brooklyn +14 500
San Antonio - Under 201.5 500


Minnesota - 9:00 PM ET Denver -3.5 500 *****
Denver - Over 204 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Golden State - 9:30 PM ET Golden State -1 500 SLAM DUNK
Houston - Under 216 500 SLAM DUNK


L.A. Lakers - 10:00 PM ET Sacramento -7 500
Sacramento - Over 211 500


Portland - 10:30 PM ET Phoenix -4.5 500 *****
Phoenix - Under 204.5 500








nba record for oct/nov:


thursday's night results:


*****............................0 - 2


double play.....................1 - 2


triple play...................... 0 - 1


slam dunk.......................0 - 0


overall record:


*****................................4 - 3


double play.........................5 - 4


triple play.......................... 2 - 2


slam dunk..........................0 - 4