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

[CNOTES]

nba record for oct/nov:


friday's night results:


*****............................1 - 2


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


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


slam dunk.......................2 - 1


overall record:


*****................................5 - 5


double play.........................6 - 5


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


slam dunk..........................2 - 5

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

-- Mets 9, Royals 3-- Home team is 3-0 so far in World Series.

-- Thunder 139, Magic 136 2OT-- This was a great game; there were three made 3's in last 0:14 of regulation.

-- Purdue's ace basketball recruit, Caleb Swanigan, is now eligible; he was adopted five years ago by a guy who is an agent, which caused a delay.

-- Texas Longhorns are signing a 15-year, $250M deal with Nike.

-- Dolphins lost DL Cameron Wake (achilles) for the year; big loss.

-- RIP Mel Daniels, one of the great players in ABA history. Indiana Pacers were a power in the ABA; Daniels was a great power forward.

**********

Armadillo: Saturday's Den: DDLohaus picks the Breeders' Cup......


Friday didn't start out very good; our selections in the first Breeders Cup race finished in the bottom three....but we bounced back with a nice exacta. Scratched out of our final bet.

Overall 1-2-1 for a small loss of $38.00 for the day. Pletcher had a big first day and he may be finally able to silent the critics about not being able to win at Breeders' Cup;

Today should be a lot of fun with some great racing. Going to enjoy watching these horses do what they were born to do.... let's get some cash. Have fun!

Juvenile Fillies
Selections:
Rachel's Valentina: Looked real sharp in wins; classy gal keeps it going
Tap to It: Might move forward in this; dangerous
Songbird: fast, Beyer's say she the best; might be the best; low odds

The Bet:
$10WP Rachel's Valentina
$10W Tap to It

Turf Sprint
Selections:
Jimmy Bouncer: Looks like peaking now; distance suits; great value.
Ready for Rye: getting good now; won at the Spa
Pure Sensation: unbeaten and may be this good.

The Bets:
$5WPS Jimmy Bouncer
$2Exacta Box Jimmy Bouncer/Ready for Rye/Pure Sensation

Filly & Mare Sprint
Selections:
Stonetastic: fresh and like the trainer; big chance
Taris: Loves Keeneland but can she leave something in the tank for the stretch. Cavorting: Bad post but undefeated at the distance

The Bets:
$3ExactaBox Stonetastic/Taris/Cavorting

Filly & Mare Turf
Selections:
Miss France: invader makes sense here; tough to bet against
Dacita: liked her at Saratoga; getting better?
Hard Not to Like: Wins at Saratoga; name says it all

The Bets:
$10WP Miss France

Sprint
Selections:
Run Happy: sharp, underrated jockey; needs good break; nice value
Masochistic: tough if back to previous form; a live one
Wild Dude: Needs fast pace and if he gets it look out!

The Bets
$10WP Run Happy
$2Exacta Box Run Happy/Masochistic/Wild Dude

Mile
Selections:
Impassable: looks ready to add fourth in a row; the one to beat
Make Believe: sharp overseas; make sense
Tourist: crafty trainer; mike get there in time

The Bets:
$10WP Impassable

Juvenile
Selections:
Conquest Big E: win over the track; live longshot
Ralis: throw out last and fits with these; a shot
Rated R Superstar: Versitile sort who may adapt and surprise

The Bets:
$5WPS Conquest Big E
$2Exacta Box Conquest Big E/Ralis/Rated R Superstar

Turf
Selections:
Golden Horn: hard to go past this guy; will need things to fall apart to lose
The Pizza Man: Hard knocker with a great name; gotta take a shot
Big Blue Kitten: If the race sets up can beat the top choice

The Bets:
$5WPS The Pizza Man
$10Exacta Golden Horn/The Pizza Man, Big Blue Kitten

The Classic
Selections:
American Pharoah: If gets an easy lead and stays clear, goes out on top; if tested early could be vulnerable
Keen Ice: If its fast enough up front can win again; if too slow is going to be really up against it
Gleneagles: relative unknown might be good enough if top two don't fire > >

The Bets:
$10Exacta Box American Pharoah/Keen Ice
$5WPS Gleneagles

Total Bets: $244.00
Good Luck and See You in May

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 31

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

UTAH (1 - 1) at INDIANA (0 - 2) - 10/31/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 41-22 ATS (+16.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 148-107 ATS (+30.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.

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

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

NEW YORK (1 - 1) at WASHINGTON (2 - 0) - 10/31/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 50-68 ATS (-24.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 23-42 ATS (-23.2 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 342-413 ATS (-112.3 Units) in home games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 7-0 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

GOLDEN STATE (2 - 0) at NEW ORLEANS (0 - 2) - 10/31/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 97-70 ATS (+20.0 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-42 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 54-36 ATS (+14.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-4 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 11-1 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

BROOKLYN (0 - 2) at MEMPHIS (1 - 1) - 10/31/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 83-58 ATS (+19.2 Units) against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 26-43 ATS (-21.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

PHOENIX (1 - 1) at PORTLAND (1 - 1) - 10/31/2015, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 94-68 ATS (+19.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 51-28 ATS (+20.2 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 42-22 ATS (+17.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

SACRAMENTO (1 - 1) at LA CLIPPERS (2 - 0) - 10/31/2015, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 32-47 ATS (-19.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 6-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 8-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA

Saturday, October 31

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

7:00 PM
UTAH vs. INDIANA
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Utah is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Utah
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games on the road
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York

7:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Golden State's last 20 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Golden State
New Orleans is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home

8:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. MEMPHIS
Brooklyn is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Brooklyn is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 21 of Memphis's last 25 games at home
Memphis is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home

10:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. PORTLAND
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Portland is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games

10:30 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. LA CLIPPERS
Sacramento is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
Sacramento is 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games at home
LA Clippers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Sacramento

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, October 31


New York @ Washington

Game 503-504
October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
116.884
Washington
121.310
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 4 1/2
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 7 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+7 1/2); Under

Golden State @ New Orleans

Game 505-506
October 31, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
126.518
New Orleans
124.334
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 5
212 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+5); Under

Brooklyn @ Memphis

Game 507-508
October 31, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
113.391
Memphis
121.446
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Memphis
by 8
186
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
by 12 1/2
191 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+12 1/2); Under

Phoenix @ Portland

Game 509-510
October 31, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
121.916
Portland
120.478
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 1 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 2 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+2 1/2); Over

Sacramento @ LA Clippers

Game 511-512
October 31, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
115.978
LA Clippers
130.140
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 14
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 10 1/2
215 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-10 1/2); Over

Utah @ Indiana

Game 501-502
October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
121.163
Indiana
120.170
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 1
185
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 3
190
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+3); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, October 31


New York @ Washington

Game 503-504
October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
116.884
Washington
121.310
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 4 1/2
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 7 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(+7 1/2); Under

Golden State @ New Orleans

Game 505-506
October 31, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
126.518
New Orleans
124.334
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 5
212 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+5); Under

Brooklyn @ Memphis

Game 507-508
October 31, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
113.391
Memphis
121.446
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Memphis
by 8
186
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
by 12 1/2
191 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
(+12 1/2); Under

Phoenix @ Portland

Game 509-510
October 31, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
121.916
Portland
120.478
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 1 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 2 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+2 1/2); Over

Sacramento @ LA Clippers

Game 511-512
October 31, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
115.978
LA Clippers
130.140
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 14
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 10 1/2
215 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-10 1/2); Over

Utah @ Indiana

Game 501-502
October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
121.163
Indiana
120.170
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 1
185
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 3
190
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+3); Under

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Knicks (1-1) at Wizards (2-0)
Date: October 31, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

A win Saturday night would give the Washington Wizards their first 3-0 start in a decade. It would also be a franchise-record eighth straight victory over the New York Knicks.


Washington swept a two-game road trip by beating Orlando 88-87 on Wednesday and rallying past Milwaukee 118-113 on Friday. John Wall capped a 22-point night against the Magic with a go-ahead floater with 12.7 seconds remaining before the Wizards outscored the Bucks 36-21 in the fourth quarter.


Bradley Beal scored 14 of his 26 points and reserve Ramon Sessions had 11 of his 23 in the fourth Friday for Washington, which went 7 of 9 from 3-point range in the final 12 minutes.


'(Beal's) taken my role for another night,' said Wall, who had 19 points and 10 assists. 'He stepped up. I made one 3 (in the fourth quarter), but he made some big shots for us.'


Washington shot 51.5 percent after posting a 39.3 mark in Orlando.


'This is the first two games we've run this offense in the regular season,' Wall said. 'In the preseason it's totally different.'


The Wizards now take on New York (1-1) in their first game at home, where they went 29-12 last season to post the third-most wins in the Eastern Conference.


Two of those victories came against the Knicks, part of a seven-game run in the series that matches Washington's longest from March 30, 1984-March 20, 1985.


New York has been held to 90.1 points and 41.5 percent shooting during the current slide, while Washington has received balanced scoring from Beal (19.0), Wall (18.4) and Marcin Gortat (12.1).


Carmelo Anthony appeared in five of those seven meetings for the Knicks and averaged 23.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting. He's struggled with his shot so far, going 14 for 43 (32.6 percent) and making 1 of 12 from 3-point range.


Anthony scored 25 on Thursday but shot 10 of 27 in a 112-101 home loss to Atlanta. He had 11 points in a 122-97 win the night before in Milwaukee, which marked his first game since a knee injury ended his 2014-15 season in February.


"I kind of prepared myself (for being rusty), but on the flip side of that I want to get it going," Anthony said. "I don't want to try to push it too much. I want to let it come to me naturally and not try to force it out there as far as trying to force my rhythm.


" ... It'll come back. Everything will start clicking for me."


Robin Lopez has been an early bright spot for the new-look Knicks after coming over from Portland in July on a four-year, $54 million contract. He's averaged 13.0 points and made 11 of 16 from the field.


Fellow starter Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 4 overall pick in June's draft, is also scoring 13.0 per game but shooting 33.3 percent.


"(The chemistry) will get there," Anthony said. "We have it some moments and some moments we don't. But it's there and is something that will come around to us."

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Jazz (1-1) at Pacers (0-2)
Date: October 31, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers are showing more offensive punch than in recent years, but the defense is a bigger concern after losing their first two games for the first time in six seasons.


They'll try to find their way into the win column Saturday night against the visiting Utah Jazz.


Indiana is 0-2 for the first time since 2009-10 after Wednesday's 106-99 loss at Toronto and a 112-103 home defeat to Memphis the next night. The Pacers, who averaged 97.3 points last season and haven't finished better than 23rd in scoring since 2011-12, look improved offensively, though two of their most potent scorers are struggling to shoot.


Paul George has scored 35 points but is 9 of 32 (28.1 percent) from the field with seven turnovers, though he's been contributing in other ways with 20 rebounds and 13 assists. New addition Monta Ellis, who averages 19.3 points for his career, has 18 points on 6-of-23 shooting.


"Those guys are proven offensive weapons," coach Frank Vogel told the team's official website. "They haven't got going yet and they will. You can rely on guys like Paul and Monta."


The Pacers have had major difficulties on the other end of the floor, though, letting opponents shoot 47.5 percent. They have allowed 97.0 points per game or fewer each of the last four seasons


Indiana gave up 39 points in the final quarter to Memphis, and 35 and 34 in the third and fourth quarters at Toronto.


"It's going to be tough to win games when we give up 30 points and 40 points a quarter," said George Hill, who has scored a team-high 39 points.


Utah (1-1) bounced back in resounding fashion from Wednesday's 92-87 loss in Detroit, winning 99-71 at Philadelphia two nights later. The Jazz limited the 76ers to 30.2 percent shooting and saw another strong performance by Derrick Favors, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds after recording 26 and 6 against the Pistons.


"I know a lot of people were expecting more out of me in the preseason," said Favors, who averaged 11.4 points in five preseason games. "But I used preseason to get myself in shape and work on things I worked on during the summer. When the season rolled around, I got focused."


Gordon Hayward's slow start continued, as he has 25 points through two contests after averaging 19.3 per game a season ago. He was 3 of 12 from the floor Friday, though he added seven rebounds and four assists. He has averaged 25.0 points in his last three meetings with the Pacers.


Utah tallied 23 second-chance points after scoring only three against Detroit, while the Pacers have already conceded 41 second-chance points. The Jazz ranked second with 15.1 per game last season with Favors and Rudy Gobert combining for 6.2


C.J. Miles, who played 389 games for the Jazz from 2005-12, scored 18 points in each of his first two games, going 8 of 14 from 3-point range.


The Pacers will be playing for the first time since Hall of Fame center Mel Daniels died Friday at the age of 71. Daniels was a two-time American Basketball Association MVP and helped lead the team to ABA titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973.


Indiana has won four straight and six of seven in the series.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Warriors (2-0) at Pelicans (0-2)
Date: October 31, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Stephen Curry opened this season with another high-scoring performance against the New Orleans Pelicans, highlighted by a stellar opening quarter.


He won't have to wait too long to face them again.


The superstar looks to push Golden State to 3-0 on Saturday night and help the Warriors extend their recent dominance over New Orleans.


Curry didn't let the pomp over the Warriors' NBA title celebration get in the way Tuesday as he scored 40 points in a 111-95 victory against the Pelicans, the second-most by a reigning MVP in a season opener. He tallied 24 points in the first period while connecting on seven of his first nine shots, including four 3-pointers.


Curry has scored at least 39 points in each of his last three games against New Orleans, including the final two contests in an opening-round playoff sweep in April. He has multiple games of 39-plus points against only one other team, four versus Portland.


"Some of those shots that Steph made, it doesn't matter who's out there, that's just who he is," said New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry, an assistant for Golden State last season.


Curry followed with a game-high 25 points in a 112-92 victory in Houston on Friday in a matchup with James Harden, who finished second in last season's MVP voting. Harden had 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting and went 1 of 10 from 3-point range.


"The best players in this league learn every year how to get a little bit better, a little bit more efficient," Curry said. "I'm just trying to follow suit."


Klay Thompson was on the court for 24 minutes due to an ailing back, and how much he'll play in the second of a back-to-back is unclear. Andrew Bogut is not traveling with the team because of a concussion he suffered in the season opener, and coach Steve Kerr is back home while continuing to recover from back surgery.


Bogut also got stitches for a cut above his right eye following Golden State's 15th win in the last 16 meetings, including the playoffs. The Warriors have won nine of their last 10 visits to New Orleans (0-2) but have needed overtime to earn two of their past three victories there.


They'll next try to spoil the Pelicans' home opener while sending them to their worst start since dropping their first eight games in 2004-05.


New Orleans has had plenty of time to rest since a 112-94 loss to Portland on Wednesday. The Pelicans allowed the Blazers' starting backcourt to score a combined 58 points with C.J. McCollum tallying a career-high 37.


They were also outscored 43-18 in the opening quarter.


"Tonight we fought like crazy and competed, but we've got to get off to better starts," Gentry said. "We were playing uphill the rest of the game. Then it has to be a perfect storm to come back. But I liked the fight."


Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds after missing 16 of 20 shots while finishing with 18 points and six boards against Golden State.


He averaged 30.9 points on 56.9 percent shooting and 12.3 rebounds in the previous seven matchups, including the playoffs.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nets (0-2) at Grizzlies (1-1)
Date: October 31, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Having started this season with contrasting performances, the Memphis Grizzlies will try to stay consistent Saturday night while carrying some momentum into their longest road trip.


A visit from the scuffling Brooklyn Nets could aid the Grizzlies' attempt to accomplish those goals.


A winner of 50-plus games the past three seasons, Memphis hardly looked like it in Wednesday's opener against reigning Eastern Conference champion Cleveland. The Grizzlies absorbed a 106-76 thumping on their own floor but bounced back with a 112-103 win at Indiana the next night.


"(Wednesday) night, we got our butt whipped, so guys came out with a lot more energy in this game," forward Zach Randolph said. "We stuck with it. We stuck to our defense. Guys hit shots. It was a good team win."


Memphis (1-1) outscored the Pacers 18-7 in the final four minutes to exit with its first victory, and Marc Gasol registered eight of his team-leading 20 points in that closing stretch. Jeff Green contributed a pair of 3-pointers.


"We know in order to compete in the Western Conference, we can't come out the way we did (Wednesday) night," Green said. "Tonight was a prime example of what we need to do."


After their brief return home, the Grizzlies will head out on a five-game Western trip that begins Monday against defending NBA champion Golden State.


Memphis will try to go into that trek on a positive note by earning its third consecutive victory over the Nets (0-2). The Grizzlies won 95-86 at home in the final of last season's two meetings Feb. 10.


Brooklyn heads into this game after a miserable second-half showing in a 102-75 drubbing in San Antonio on Friday. The Nets led 47-42 at the break then scored just 28 points over the final 24 minutes.


They had 16 points in the third quarter Wednesday en route to a 115-100 loss to visiting Chicago.


"Hopefully, we can bounce back (Saturday)," said guard Jarrett Jack, who made his season debut in the loss to the Spurs after dealing with an ailing hamstring. "We're playing a good Memphis team in its building, which is going to be tough as well. It's opportunity to get this first win out of the way."


The Nets' start is their worst since they set an NBA record by dropping their first 18 games in 2009-10, but Brook Lopez has performed admirably in the first two games. The center is averaging 21.5 points on 57.1 percent shooting, and had 17 while making six of 11 attempts Friday.


Lopez wasn't allowed to shine while facing Memphis and Gasol last season, averaging 11.5 points while shooting 43.5 percent. That was his third-lowest scoring mark against any opponent.


Randolph, meanwhile, averaged 19.5 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 60.7 percent in last season's two games against Brooklyn. He's off to a slow start this season with an 11.5-point average on 36.4 percent shooting.


Randolph missed eight of 11 shots and finished with 11 points in Thursday's victory.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Suns (1-1) at Trail Blazers (1-1)
Date: October 31, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Tyson Chandler underwhelmed in his Phoenix Suns debut, while C.J. McCollum enjoyed one of the best performances of his career in the Portland Trail Blazers' opener.


Both players and their teams flipped the script Friday, but will meet again Saturday night in Portland on the second half of a home-and-home.


Chandler, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal in July, had only three points and six rebounds in 17 minutes in Wednesday's 111-95 loss to Dallas. He was a force at home against the Trail Blazers on Friday, however, recording 15 points and 13 rebounds. He also helped Phoenix score 58 points in the paint, illustrating the possibility of a more consistent interior game for the Suns. They ranked 16th over the last three seasons with 41.8 points in the paint per game.


Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight also combined for 40 points in the backcourt, and coach Jeff Hornacek said the pick-and-roll action ran by his two guards was reminiscent of Steve Nash, whom the organization inducted into its Ring of Honor at halftime.


"They made some great passes and Tyson finished on a couple and they had to foul him on others or he is going to dunk it," Hornacek said. "So that's what we need. When we can get that going then it's going to open up other things."


McCollum lit up New Orleans in Portland's 112-94 home win on Wednesday, scoring a career-high 37 on 14-of-22 shooting, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. He scored 16 on Friday but was 7 of 22 from the field and is 16 for 47 in six career games against the Suns.


Damian Lillard scored a game-high 24 but was also shaky from the field, going 7 for 20 to fall to 15 for 41 in two games. He's averaging 16.4 points on 35.5 percent shooting in his last eight games against Phoenix compared to 26.3 and 49.2 in his first four career matchups.


Lillard, who averaged 2.7 turnovers per game in 2014-15, is at 5.5 thus far after committing seven giveaways Friday. The Trail Blazers had 23 turnovers, leading to 29 points for the Suns.


Portland seemed to take issue with the way the game was officiated, as it was 15 of 19 from the free-throw line compared to Phoenix hitting 32 of 42.


"It is frustrating," Lillard said. "The refs are going to call the way they see it. We just got to play."


The Suns continued to struggle from 3-point range Friday and are 10 for 42 to begin the season. They ranked 21st in 2014-15 (34.1 percent).


Phoenix snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with Friday's win, but has dropped 10 of 12 at Portland, including both last year by a combined 44 points.


Portland shot 50.0 percent at home Wednesday against the Pelicans and its .768 home winning percentage over the last two seasons is tied with Oklahoma City and Houston as the NBA's fourth-highest in that span.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Kings (1-1) at Clippers (2-0)
Date: October 31, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Both the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings sought out Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo for their championship pedigrees, and each has delivered early for his new team


The two former Boston Celtics teammates face off again for the second time in four days Saturday night when the Clippers host the Kings.


Pierce lived up to his legacy as an unflappable clutch performer by scoring eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's Clippers' debut. The last two came on a tie-breaking jumper over Rondo with 2:21 remaining that sparked an 11-4 run and lifted Los Angeles to a 111-104 season-opening triumph at Sacramento.


The Clippers bounced back after blowing a 15-point advantage early in the fourth quarter and had no such issues in Thursday's home opener against Dallas, building a lead as large as 28 en route to a 104-88 victory.


Blake Griffin had 26 points and 10 rebounds after scoring 33 points on 14-of-20 shooting against Sacramento. DeAndre Jordan grabbed 15 rebounds with four blocks in his first encounter with the Mavericks since spurning the team to re-sign with Los Angeles over the summer, a decision that clearly led to a testy atmosphere.


'It's definitely an emotional game,' said Jordan, who posted eight points and 12 rebounds against Sacramento. 'The emotions were high obviously because it was our home opener. We wanted to give the fans what they missed.'


The Clippers now aim for their first 3-0 start since winning the first four games of 2007-08 as they resume a series they've dominated of late. Los Angeles is 17-3 against Sacramento since 2010-11 and the Kings have dropped eight of nine at Staples Center, with the lone win a 98-92 decision on Nov. 2, 2014 behind DeMarcus Cousins' 34 points and 17 rebounds.


Cousins tallied 32 points and 13 rebounds Wednesday but committed eight of the Kings' 18 turnovers. Rondo, signed to a one-year contract in July, had just four points in the opener but bounced back in strong fashion in Friday's 132-114 home rout of the Los Angeles Lakers.


Rondo put up 21 points in 24 minutes in directing a Sacramento offense that shot 51.5 percent and generated 80 points in the paint. The veteran point guard finished 9 of 13 from the field and added eight assists.


'I wanted to come out aggressive, a lot more than I did last game,' he said.


Cousins chipped in 21 points with 11 rebounds and rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein delivered 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in his first NBA start.


'I played super loose and had my mind free,' Cauley-Stein said. 'We shared the ball and had a lot of fun out there.'


Cauley-Stein, known more for his defensive exploits during his three seasons at Kentucky, played just eight minutes Wednesday in a game the Clippers shot 52.5 percent.


The Kings, 11-30 as the visitor last season, will play their first road game on a schedule in which they'll host nine of their first 11 contests.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Utah - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -3.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Indiana - Under 191.5 500


New York - 7:00 PM ET Washington -7.5 500 *****
Washington - Under 205.5 500


Golden State - 7:30 PM ET New Orleans +5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
New Orleans - Under 212.5 500


Brooklyn - 8:00 PM ET Memphis -12.5 500 *****
Memphis - Under 191.5 500


Phoenix - 10:00 PM ET Portland -3 500
Portland - Under 204 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Sacramento - 10:30 PM ET Sacramento +10.5 500 SLAM DUNK
L.A. Clippers - Over 214.5 500 SLAM DUNK

 

[CNOTES]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

2:05 PM EST


701 ATLANTA HAWKS -1 -1 / -1.5 / -2 -15 -2 -135
702 CHARLOTTE HORNETS 193.5 193.5 / 194 / 195o14 193.5 +115

TV: FS-Southeast, DTV: 677


3:35 PM EST


703 SAN ANTONIO SPURS -4 -4.5 / -5 -17 / -5 -5 -15 -225
704 BOSTON CELTICS 202 202 / 201u21 / 200.5 200 +195

TV: FS-Southwest, DTV: 676


6:05 PM EST


705 MILWAUKEE BUCKS 204.5 204.5u21 / 203 / 202.5 202 +230
706 TORONTO RAPTORS -7 -7 -290


TV: NBA, DTV: 216


6:05 PM EST


707 HOUSTON ROCKETS 204.5 204.5 / 206 205 +130
708 MIAMI HEAT -1.5 -2 / -2.5 / -2.5 -15 -3 -150


TV: ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 674


7:05 PM EST


709 ORLANDO MAGIC 200 201 / 200.5 / 199 199.5 +255
710 CHICAGO BULLS -9 -8.5 / -8 -05 / -8 EVEN -7.5 -320


TV: WGN, DTV: 307


7:05 PM EST


711 DENVER NUGGETS 211 211 212 +700
712 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER -12.5 -12.5 / -12 +06 -12 -1000

TV: Altitude, DTV: 681


9:35 PM EST


713 DALLAS MAVERICKS -1 -26 -3 / -3.5 / -4 -4 -05 -170
714 LOS ANGELES LAKERS 210.5 212.5 / 213 / 212.5 212 +150

TV: FS-Southwest, DTV: 676

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

-- Average salary for an NFL head coach this year is $4,851,563.

-- Sean Payton/Pete Carroll ($8M) are highest paid NFL coaches. Five coaches make $3.5M, lowest head coaching salary.

-- Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator at Auburn, makes $1.7M.

-- Florida's backup kicker Saturday was a dental student who was chosen after an open tryout where 77 Florida students tried out.

-- New York City has 35,000 police officers. THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND!!!!

-- Between 10:30/11:15 Saturday night, there was a lot of drama in sports on TV. Wild football games at Minnesota and Duke plus the World Series game, then the end of the Temple game too. Hell of a fun Saturday night. .

Sunday's second six-pack

Westgate Super Contest (1,727 entrants-- prize pool is $2.5M)
six most popular picks in Week 7 season record: 23-18-2

6) Steelers even (462)-- Big Ben returns against the unbeaten Bengals.

5) Broncos +3 (470)-- Battle of unbeatens, both coming off of byes.

4) Bears +1.5 (499)- Vikings lost their last seven visits to Windy City.

3) Packers -3 (511). Lot of opinions both ways on this game.

2) Jets -2.5 (530)-- Jets will miss center Mangold if he can't go here.

1) Cardinals -5 (538)-- Arizona's last game before its bye week.

**********

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

13) Miami 30, Duke 27-- Hurricanes scored on a bizarre, 8-lateral kick return for the win as time expired, after Duke scored to take the lead with 0:06 left. Miami had one runner who appeared to be down before he lateraled and at least one illegal block, but since this wasn't basketball, Duke didn't get bailed out by the refs.

Officiating guru Mike Pereira of FOX: "they used replay to decide to pick up the flag for the block at the 25. Replay is not allowed to reveiw a call for that." OK then.

This is third Saturday in a row that a nationally televised game ended on a bizarre play on special teams. College football is wildly entertaining.

12) Michigan 29, Minnesota 26-- Coaching malpractice by the Gophers' staff, plain and simple. Minnesota has ball on 1-yard line after a TD was overruled by replay with 0:19 left. Gophers had one timeout left.

Refs wound the clock after the ball was re-set; Minnesota took so much time to run its play (incomplete pass) there were only 0:02 after the play- then they got stuffed on a QB sneak as the game ended. No way they shouldn't have gotten at least three plays-- those Minnesota kids played their asses off, they needed better coaching at the end.

11) Notre Dame 24, Temple 20-- This was also a really good game; channel 205 on DirecTV has eight screens on it-- it had four college football games, plus the World Series and some other stuff too. This guy who coaches Temple is going to get offers to move up the coaching ladder pretty soon- the Owls are legitimately good.

10) Oklahoma State 70, Texas Tech 53-- Tech has home losses this year where they scored 52-53 points; here's some advice: RECRUIT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS!!!!

9) Virginia Tech 26, Boston College 10-- Maybe BC, Texas Tech could just trade some kids; BC has a putrid offense but a good defense. Recruit a bleepin' QB. Just go to Texas or Florida and sign a couple kids who can pass. Everyone else does.

8) Iowa State 24, Texas 0-- Longhorns have played three true road games, have been outscored 112-10 in those games. Why exactly did they fire Mack Brown?

7) Purdue 55, Nebraska 45-- Cornhuskers turned ball over five times, ran for only 77 yards, threw for 407 with a backup QB. Losing to Purdue in football isn't good for a coach's job security; luckily for coach Riley, its only his first year in Lincoln.

6) San Diego State 41, Colorado State 17-- Aztecs are sitting atop Mountain West, which seems to be down this year, but San Diego State ran for 276 yards here.

5) Golden State 134, New Orleans 120-- Steph Curry had 53 points, nine assists for the Warriors. Pelicans have severe injury issues, but 53-9 is a really big night, and has not happened a lot in NBA history.

4) USC 27, Cal 21-- Solid road win for Trojans and interim coach Helton, who is now 2-0 since taking over. Golden Bears lost their last three games.

3) Florida 27, Georgia 3-- If Miami wanted to hire alum Mark Richt as its new head coach, how many people in Georgia would object? This is another team without a QB; how does this happen at the SEC level?

2) Ole Miss 27, Auburn 19-- Will Muschamp makes $1.7M a year and he isn't head coach at Auburn; whoever foots that bill can't be real happy today. Rebels threw the ball for 402 yards against the $1.7M coordinator's defense. Auburn is 4-4.

1) Stanford 30, Washington State 28 -- Coogs missed 43-yard FG on last play, but it was their red zone failures in first half that cost them here. Kid was 5-5 on FGs for night before missing the last kick. Tough end to a rainy night in Pullman. Solid win for Cardinal, who haven't lost since the opener at Northwestern.

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, November 1


San Antonio @ Boston

Game 703-704
November 1, 2015 @ 4:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
123.131
Boston
122.056
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 1
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 5 1/2
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+5 1/2); Over

Atlanta @ Charlotte

Game 701-702
November 1, 2015 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
116.708
Charlotte
118.219
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Charlotte
by 1 1/2
188
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 2
193 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Charlotte
(+2); Under

Milwaukee @ Toronto

Game 705-706
November 1, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
113.541
Toronto
123.690
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 10
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-7); Over

Houston @ Miami

Game 707-708
November 1, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
121.791
Miami
119.324
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2 1/2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 2
205 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+2); Under

Orlando @ Chicago

Game 709-710
November 1, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
117.237
Chicago
121.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 4 1/2
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 8
201
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+8); Under

Denver @ Oklahoma City

Game 711-712
November 1, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
120.833
Oklahoma City
125.353
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 4 1/2
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 12
211 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(+12); Over

Dallas @ LA Lakers

Game 713-714
November 1, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
119.819
LA Lakers
108.354
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 11 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 3
213 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(-3); Under

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, November 1

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

ATLANTA (2 - 1) at CHARLOTTE (0 - 2) - 11/1/2015, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 64-95 ATS (-40.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.
ATLANTA is 56-42 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

SAN ANTONIO (1 - 1) at BOSTON (1 - 1) - 11/1/2015, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 50-37 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 906-791 ATS (+35.9 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 716-609 ATS (+46.1 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 302-241 ATS (+36.9 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 301-246 ATS (+30.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
BOSTON is 17-37 ATS (-23.7 Units) in home games against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
BOSTON is 87-124 ATS (-49.4 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 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

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

MILWAUKEE (0 - 2) at TORONTO (2 - 0) - 11/1/2015, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 118-85 ATS (+24.5 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
TORONTO is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-1 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

HOUSTON (0 - 2) at MIAMI (1 - 1) - 11/1/2015, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 292-226 ATS (+43.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 116-78 ATS (+30.2 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
HOUSTON is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 105-139 ATS (-47.9 Units) in November games since 1996.
MIAMI is 111-148 ATS (-51.8 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
MIAMI is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

ORLANDO (0 - 2) at CHICAGO (2 - 1) - 11/1/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-3 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (1 - 1) at OKLAHOMA CITY (2 - 0) - 11/1/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DALLAS (1 - 1) at LA LAKERS (0 - 2) - 11/1/2015, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 36-49 ATS (-17.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 441-365 ATS (+39.5 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 139-105 ATS (+23.5 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-0 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Sunday, November 1

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

2:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

3:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games
San Antonio is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games at home

6:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. MIAMI
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Houston is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Miami
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Miami's last 16 games when playing Houston

6:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. TORONTO
Milwaukee is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing Toronto
Milwaukee is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Toronto is 6-13-1 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Milwaukee

7:00 PM
DENVER vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Denver is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Denver is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
Oklahoma City is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Denver

7:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 8 games on the road
Orlando is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

9:30 PM
DALLAS vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Dallas is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing Dallas
LA Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Hawks (2-1) at Hornets (0-2)
Date: November 01, 2015 2:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks managed to get by the Charlotte Hornets without Kyle Korver this week. They could have their 3-point specialist back on the floor while trying to complete a sweep of their home-and-home set with the Hornets on Sunday in Charlotte.


Still recovering from offseason ankle and elbow surgeries, Korver won't be overloaded with consistently heavy minutes to start the season. At least early on, Korver also could sit either end of back-to-back contests.


He scored 15 points and went 6 of 8 from the field in 32 minutes of Thursday's 112-101 win at New York, then watched as the Hawks (2-1) hung on for a 97-94 home victory over Charlotte a night later.


"I feel like I'll be in a good place here pretty soon," Korver, who shot an NBA-best 49.2 percent from 3-point range in 2014-15, told the Hawks' official website last week.


Korver, 4 for 10 from beyond the arc in two games, has made 49.1 percent of his long-distance attempts in 34 games against Charlotte (0-2).


Without him Friday, fourth-year swingman and North Carolina native Kent Bazemore had a game-high 19 points and went 4 of 5 from long range. Bazemore, who totaled five points while starting the first two games and pulled down nine rebounds Friday, seems the early favorite to replace DeMarre Carroll after the talented small forward signed with Toronto.


"Baze had a great summer," Korver said. "He really worked on his game. He's got a high ceiling. He's got a lot of tools to work with. He's very long. He's got a high motor. He's really coming into his own."


Each starter scored in double figures Friday as the Hawks held their second straight opponent to 40.9 percent shooting and forced at least 20 turnovers in back-to-back games.


"There are some positives to take from this game," coach Mike Budenholzer said.


Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams and Al Jefferson each posted double-doubles in points and rebounds for the Hornets, who last dropped their first three games in 2010.


"We've got to play with more purpose," said Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, whose team nearly overcame a 14-point hole in the fourth quarter.


The Hornets have shot 40.1 percent in their first two games, and after committing nine turnovers in Wednesday's 104-94 loss at Miami, had 20 that Atlanta turned into 26 points.


"If you're going to turn the ball over and the other team is going to score (21) fast-break points, you're going to lose," Clifford said. "Those have to be corrected.


"(The Hawks) are really good defensively and they protect the paint."


Charlotte's Kemba Walker scored 13 points Friday, but is averaging 18.7 in the last three home games against Atlanta.


The Hawks had won six consecutive road games against the Hornets before dropping both meetings at Charlotte last season.


"We'll go back, look at the film and try to get ready for them on Sunday," Williams said. "(The Hawks have) got to play us the same way, too. Correct the things we did wrong."


Atlanta big man Mike Muscala could miss a third straight contest with a sprained right ankle.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Spurs (1-1) at Celtics (1-1)
Date: November 01, 2015 3:30 PM EDT

San Antonio is still figuring out how to best use LaMarcus Aldridge, but two games into his first season with the Spurs, it's becoming clear that his level of inclusion in the offense isn't going to be as drastic as it was in Portland.


The power forward's third game with his new team comes Sunday in Boston as the Spurs begin a three-game East Coast swing.


Aldridge's 20.3 field-goal attempts per game over the previous two seasons trailed only Carmelo Anthony's 20.9, ahead of even the 20.0 of both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Tony Parker led the Spurs in that time with 12.8, and that's around the level of Aldridge's 23 shots through two games.


He's averaging 10.5 points in an offense that's thus far centered around Kawhi Leonard's 24.0 points and 19.0 shots per game, and Aldridge expects things to settle in shortly.


"Each game gets better," said Aldridge, who has averaged 22.7 points and 13.0 rebounds in three straight double-doubles against the Celtics. "I think it's a process for all of us - you know, how to use me. For me to find my spots, I have to be aggressive. Right now, I think I'm just getting the offensive boards, and that's fine for now."


The Spurs (1-1) recovered from Wednesday's season-opening loss in Oklahoma City with Friday's 102-75 home win over Brooklyn. Both Aldridge and Leonard had double-doubles in under 30 minutes, though it was a slow start with the Nets grabbing a 47-42 halftime lead before San Antonio broke out in a 34-point third quarter.


"That group has played together," Popovich said. "We did a different rotation tonight than we did in Oklahoma City just to have a little more familiarization out there. It worked out pretty well."


The Spurs have won the last seven meetings by an average of 12.1 points and 33 of 41 dating to 1993. The most recent meeting was a 101-89 final in San Antonio on March 20 with Leonard scoring 22 points. They've also won six straight against the Eastern Conference by an average of 15.8 points.


Boston (1-1) is completing a season-opening three-game homestand, and coach Brad Stevens is looking for offensive improvement after his team shot 37.6 percent in Friday's 113-103 loss to Toronto.


"We had a lot of misses. Some of them were good looks, some of them weren't," Stevens said. "We have to move the ball better and continue to probe for better shots."


Marcus Smart has gotten off to a slow start (5 of 19), as has backcourt mate Avery Bradley (6 of 17), Evan Turner (4 for 16) and newcomer David Lee (4 of 13), but Bradley said it's just taking time to develop an identity. None of their top-three scorers so far - Isaiah Thomas, Amir Johnson and Jae Crowder - began last season with the team.


"We're all trying to figure each other out still with the groups that we're playing with," Bradley told the team's official website. "I feel like we will continue to get better, but the main thing is just slowing down and playing free."


The bench has at least been productive with sixth-man Thomas averaging 26.0 points on 48.6 percent shooting, while newcomer Johnson is at 13.0 on 64.3 percent. Boston's reserves have accounted for 59.5 percent of its scoring, but that's not terribly difficult to do with the starting five averaging a league-low 43.5 points.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rockets (0-2) at Heat (1-1)
Date: November 01, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

It's been an inauspicious start to a season of high expectations for the Houston Rockets, who lost an opener they should have won before being reminded who the cream of the crop is in the Western Conference two days later.


Looking to avoid their first 0-3 opening since 2010, the Rockets make a quick trip to Miami looking to continue their recent strong play against the Heat on Sunday night.


Houston, which advanced to the conference finals last season, had the luxury of beginning 2015-16 with four of five at home, but it's stumbled out of the gate with losses to Denver and defending champion Golden State.


A 105-85 defeat to the Nuggets on Wednesday had plenty to do with the absence of center Dwight Howard, who served a one-game suspension for elbowing Golden State's Andre Iguodala in Game 5 of the conference final when the Rockets were eliminated.


The Warriors then came to town Friday and showed Houston it has a ways to go in the West, handing it a 112-92 loss that was its 10th in 11 meetings, including playoffs. The Rockets won nine of their first 10 last season, with the defeat coming against Golden State.


Houston has been shaky offensively, shooting 35.5 percent a season after averaging 103.2 points - sixth in the NBA - and 44.4 percent shooting. The Rockets also have 34 turnovers and have allowed the opposition to shoot 48.3 percent.


No one player has been struggling more than James Harden, who has gone 10 of 39 from the field, including 3 of 22 from 3-point range. Harden, the runner-up to Stephen Curry in last season's MVP voting, has scored 15 of his 38 points from the free-throw line.


"He's not comfortable, but then, who is?" coach Kevin McHale said. "I mean, I don't see anybody who looks comfortable out there. We're funky."


A game against the Heat (1-1) might be just what Harden and the Rockets need to snap out of that funk. Houston has won three of four meetings, including a two-game sweep last season, behind an average of 108.3 points and 50.3 percent shooting. Houston hit 17 3-pointers - three shy of a season best - in a 108-91 win in its last trip to Miami on Nov. 4.


Harden's numbers against the Heat in those previous four meetings have been strong with an average of 26.0 points and 50.8 percent from the floor. He had 25 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds Nov. 4.


Howard has also been solid against Miami over the last two seasons, shooting 66.7 percent with averages of 23.0 points and 13.3 rebounds.


The Heat opened with a win over Charlotte before visiting LeBron James and Cleveland on Friday. Miami played well with five players scoring in double figures, but didn't have much of an answer for James and Kevin Love and lost 102-92.


"This was a great environment," said Dwyane Wade, who scored 25. "I'm glad our team got the chance to play in an environment like this early in the season. Give them credit."


Chris Bosh had 16 points after scoring 21 in the opener, which was his first regular-season game since being sidelined in February because of a blood clot.