Friday 12/18/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawks (15-12) at Celtics (14-12)

Date: December 18, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics have exhibited some inconsistent play this season. That was also the case in their first two meetings.

Atlanta looks to win consecutive games for just the second time since its 8-2 start Friday night when it visits a Boston team that's trying to avoid dropping three in a row for the first time since the opening week.

These teams met in Boston on Nov. 13 with the Celtics scoring the final 10 points to pull out a 106-93 victory. The next matchup came 11 days later in Atlanta, as the Hawks shot 56.3 percent, went 12 of 24 from 3-point range and scored 40 points in the fourth to win 121-97.

Atlanta matched its season high in points and had its best shooting performance of 2015-16 in that one before eclipsing both marks Wednesday against NBA-worst Philadelphia.

The Hawks shot 61.5 percent and went 10 for 21 from deep in a 127-106 victory to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 7-10 since their hot start.

'This year we've been up and down so much as a team,' center Al Horford said. 'This is a great opportunity for us to start being more consistent and really build those good habits that we had last year.'

Atlanta (15-12) shot 40.5 percent - 27.1 from beyond the arc - and averaged 86.7 points during the preceding three-game skid.

'Offensively we played harder, we cut harder, we screened harder,' coach Mike Budenholzer said. 'We moved the ball with pace.'

Atlanta leads the Eastern Conference with 25.2 assists per game - Boston is second at 24.3 - and had 32 against the 76ers.

'We were aggressive, not just to make the assist pass, but to make passes within our offense that eventually leads to a better shot,' guard Kyle Korver said. 'That's a huge key for us. Everybody has to be engaged when you do that.'

The Celtics (14-12) had a season-low 17 assists Wednesday in a 119-116 loss at Detroit, spoiling point guard Isaiah Thomas' career high-tying 38 points. Boston has lost three of four following a 6-2 stretch.

'We just needed to play better, that's the bottom line,' coach Brad Stevens said. 'That's a good team, and we know it was going to be a good team, and that we would have to play really well to win. We didn't play well.'

The Celtics committed 18 turnovers after totaling 15 in their previous two games.

'We probably should've executed a little bit better, took care of the ball,' forward Jonas Jerebko said. 'It just didn't go our way today and we didn't have a great game. We gotta bounce back ... Atlanta's next.'

Thomas had 23 points and 10 assists in the first meeting in Boston, while Paul Millsap scored 25 to lead seven Hawks in double figures in the one in Atlanta.

The Celtics have won 19 of the last 23 at home in this series, including playoffs. The Hawks have dropped six of eight on the road after opening 4-0.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (16-11) at Heat (15-9)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

After closing their homestand with a string of victories, the banged-up Toronto Raptors are fighting through an offensive slump on their three-game road swing.

It certainly won't get any easier in the finale against a team coach Dwane Casey said "got into us defensively and made it tough for us" last month.

As the Raptors try to avoid a season high-tying third straight loss, the defensive-minded Miami Heat seek their longest winning streak in 20 months Friday night.

Toronto shot 47.9 percent from the field in winning the last four of a six-game stay north of the border, but has struggled with a 36.4 mark over the first two of its trip.

Although DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points Thursday, Kyle Lowry shot 6 for 29 - including 3 of 17 from 3-point range - in a 109-99 overtime loss at Charlotte. The Raptors only made nine of a season-high 39 attempts (23.1 percent) from beyond the arc.

"It's almost like we have to get hit in the teeth before we compete," Casey said after his team rallied from a 16-point deficit to force overtime.

It hasn't helped that they're playing without starters Jonas Valanciunas (finger) and DeMarre Carroll (knee), the team's third and fourth leading scorers. Neither player is expected to return for the trip's final stop at American Airlines Arena.

Center Bismack Biyombo has filled in to give Toronto a solid defensive presence and finished with a career-best 18 rebounds and career high-tying seven blocks Thursday.

Valanciunas had a team-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the first meeting at Miami on Nov. 8. Lowry and DeRozan, however, were a combined 9 for 30 and the Raptors shot just 39.4 percent and were 3 of 19 from 3-point range in a 96-76 loss.

Toronto (16-11) had lost 16 in a row before winning the last two meetings in 2014-15. They could have a difficult time evening this season's series with Miami (15-9) leading the Eastern Conference in points (93.8) and shooting percentage (42.2) allowed.

The Heat shot 53.3 percent while holding their fifth consecutive opponent under 100 points in a 104-98 win at Brooklyn on Wednesday. They're going after their first four-game winning streak since March 28-April 2, 2014, before LeBron James' departure.

"We've won three in a row, but we have a big one Friday," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "The challenge now is not to get overwhelmed with just the result. It's how we're playing and just to bring an incredible disposition at home against a very good team."

Dwyane Wade played through a swollen mouth that gave him trouble speaking earlier in the day, finishing with 28 points. Hassan Whiteside scored 20 with 13 rebounds.

Wade made 13 of 17 shots after missing 13 of 16 in his previous game at Atlanta. Whiteside had been averaging just 7.8 points over his prior four.

"Last game I got so many great shots and couldn't knock them down," Wade said. "I told my teammates if I get those same shots versus Brooklyn, they're going in."

Now it's Chris Bosh's turn to regroup after he matched a season low with seven points while missing six of his seven shots. Bosh, who spent his first seven seasons with Toronto, has totaled 44 points and 19 rebounds in his last two meetings.

The All-Star has helped the Heat win 12 in a row in the series when he's played.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pistons (15-12) at Bulls (15-8)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls continue to take advantage of playing at home.

That's usually been the case when they face the Detroit Pistons.

The Bulls can continue that dominance of the Pistons at the United Center by completing a perfect five-game homestand Friday night.

Chicago (15-8) has consistently shined while going 11-3 at home. No team has played away from home less than the Bulls, who have gone 4-5 on the road. In home games, the Bulls lead the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage (40.8) and rank second in points allowed at 93.8 per contest.

Since giving up an average of 103.3 points during a three-game slide, Chicago has yielded 88.8 per game through the first four of this homestand. The Bulls haven't won five straight anywhere since last December.

"(There's) a great vibe," guard Derrick Rose said after scoring 19 in Wednesday's 98-85 win over Memphis. "As long as we're winning games we don't care about anything else. Everything else gets swept under the rug. We're playing together, finishing games together.

"On to the next game."

They've beaten the Pistons in 17 of the last 18 regular-season meetings at the United Center, holding them to an average of 86.7 points. Detroit (15-12) reached 100 once during that stretch.

The Pistons, though, won the only meeting this season with a 98-94 overtime victory Oct. 30 in Detroit as they held Rose to eight points on 4-of-13 shooting with five turnovers. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 23 points and has totaled 47 in his last two contests.

The Pistons are 2-8 in road games since winning their first three. They hadn't surpassed 100 points during that stretch, averaging 89.6, before winning 107-95 at league-worst Philadelphia last Friday.

Beginning with that victory, Detroit has averaged 111.8 points and shot 46.6 percent to win three of four. However, the Pistons yielded their second-most points of the season while holding on for a 119-116 win over Boston on Wednesday to close a three-game homestand.

"There were a lot of good things from an offensive standpoint," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We didn't play very good defense."

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a career-high 31 on 10-of-16 shooting. The third-year guard averaged 12.7 points and shot 38.2 percent in the first 20 games, but he's at 18.3 points and 47.4 percent in the last seven.

'I never lost confidence in myself, because I know offense is one of those things that comes and goes,' Caldwell-Pope said. 'I just kept playing hard on defense and stuck to my routine. I knew I would start hitting shots at some point.'

One of his worst games of the season came against Chicago, scoring six points on 2-of-12 shooting. Caldwell-Pope has averaged 7.6 points and shot 36.0 percent in eight career matchups.

Pistons leading scorer Reggie Jackson has averaged 24.8 points in the last four games. He's scored 22 in each of the last three against the Bulls while averaging 9.0 assists.

The NBA leader with 23 double-doubles, Andre Drummond recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds against the Bulls in October.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (10-15) at Timberwolves (9-16)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Sacramento Kings could have given in to distractions in their last game. Instead, they moved to the brink of their longest win streak this season.

With Rajon Rondo back from suspension, the Kings try for a fourth straight victory while sending the Minnesota Timberwolves to a fifth consecutive defeat Friday night.

Rondo was suspended by the NBA for Tuesday's game against Houston because of a "derogatory and offensive term" he used against official Bill Kennedy in a loss to Boston in Mexico City on Dec. 3.

Kennedy, who later reportedly revealed that he is gay in an interview, said that the Kings point guard used a gay slur. Rondo issued a second apology Tuesday after receiving criticism for his initial one on Twitter in which he blamed "frustration and emotion."

"I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill," Rondo said in a statement released by the Kings. "There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone's sexual orientation. That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person."

Rondo served his suspension during a 107-97 victory, a game that featured a strange incident. DeMarcus Cousins' manager Andrew Rogers was ejected for slapping at the Rockets' Jason Terry in the third quarter.

It didn't derail Cousins, who had a team-best 26 points and 12 rebounds, or the Kings (10-15) as they won despite committing 29 turnovers - their highest total in 19 seasons.

Darren Collison had eight giveaways but also recorded 14 points, a season-best 13 assists and seven rebounds in place of Rondo, among the NBA leaders with four triple-doubles.

"We all know what kind of player Rondo is, but when somebody is down, we've still got to be able to win games," said forward Rudy Gay, who had 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.

Rondo is slated to start against a Minnesota team that's lost eight of nine. A 107-102 defeat at New York on Wednesday was its fourth straight.

The Timberwolves (9-16) have averaged 106.1 points in their last seven games but given up 111.3. Coach Sam Mitchell, though, is touting his young team's improvement from a 16-66 effort in 2014-15.

"We're not jumping up and down celebrating, but compared to where we were defensively last year, offensively last year, I'm laughing at you guys (the media)," Mitchell said. 'Everybody's like, 'What's wrong with the Timberwolves?' We won 16 games last year. We've got nine wins right now.

"You're talking about eight guys 22 or younger. Our three most talented players that play the most minutes and are our leading scorers are all 20 years old and would be juniors in college."

Minnesota won 101-91 at Sacramento on Nov. 27, ending a four-game skid in the series. Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points while Zach LaVine contributed 19 points and eight rebounds.

The Timberwolves, 3-10 at home, face a Sacramento club that has won in its last two visits to Minnesota. The Kings have also played the past two in the series without Cousins, who was out with a strained lower back Nov. 27.

Gay had two points on 1-of-13 shooting in that game after scoring a combined 54 in his previous two matchups. Rondo had 16 points and 16 assists.

Wiggins is averaging 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in four career games against Sacramento, his highest marks in both categories against a Western Conference opponent.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Clippers (16-10) at Spurs (22-5)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The San Antonio Spurs' stretch of home dominance has exceeded even their previous standards of excellence.

Don't expect the Los Angeles Clippers to be intimidated, however, in Friday night's visit to AT&T Center for the teams' first meeting since last season's thrilling playoff series.

There's no shortage of storylines for this marquee matchup of Western Conference heavyweights, both of whom are in top form with the Clippers overcoming a sluggish opening month to win nine of 11.

The Spurs, winners of four straight and eight of nine, have been consistently good in posting a 22-5 record surpassed only by one-loss Golden State. They've been invincible at home in regular-season play since the latter stages of last season, outscoring opponents by an average of 18.1 points in winning a franchise-record 23 straight.

That reign of supremacy didn't extend into April's quarterfinals with Los Angeles (16-10), which came through with two pivotal victories in San Antonio to advance in seven games. The Clippers trailed in the series entering Games 4 and 6 and won both.

Los Angeles also dealt the Spurs their worst home loss of last season, 105-85 on Jan. 31.

The Clippers have had similar success on the road of late, winning five of six. They went 4-1 on an eight-day trip before getting another solid all-around effort in Wednesday's 103-90 home decision over injury-plagued Milwaukee.

Chris Paul scored 21 points and J.J. Redick added 19 in the Clippers' third straight win overall. Both have recovered from recent injuries to bring needed balance to an offense that was too often reliant on Blake Griffin during a 7-8 start.

Redick is averaging 20.6 points while shooting 54.8 percent from 3-point range over a five-game stretch. Paul is averaging 15.5 points and 10.3 assists in six games since returning from a rib injury while anchoring a defense that's held opponents to 41.1 percent shooting over the last four.

"I think defensively we're starting to get it. And it just makes us a better offensive team, right?," coach Doc Rivers said. "I don't think our team connected the dots early on that to be a good offensive team, you have to be a good defensive team because you have to get stops, you have to get stops in a row."

Defense has been the Spurs' calling card all season, as they're yielding a league-low 88.2 points per game and rank near the top in opposing field goal percentage (41.8). They limited Washington to 43 points and 36.4 percent shooting in the second half of Wednesday's 114-95 triumph that eclipsed the club's 22-game home win streak in 2010-11.

"We showed a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more contact and a lot more competitiveness in the second half, starting with transition 'D'," coach Gregg Popovich said. "That changed the game for us."

The offense has been rolling lately as well, with San Antonio shooting 52.6 percent and averaging 108.5 points over its last eight. Kawhi Leonard has hit at a 60.5 percent clip while averaging 23.7 points over the past three, highlighted by Wednesday's 27-point performance.

San Antonio will have Tim Duncan back after resting him Wednesday. The 39-year-old is posting career-low averages in scoring (9.0), rebounding (8.3) and minutes played (26.5).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (14-13) at Mavericks (14-12)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Given the way San Antonio is playing, it's hard to imagine Dallas or Memphis ever catching the Spurs in the Southwest Division.

Defending division champion Houston has been a major disappointment, so the Mavericks and Grizzlies may consider second place rather significant.

After losing the first meeting of the season in Memphis, the Mavericks will try to maintain that spot by evening things up Friday night at American Airlines Center.

San Antonio has quietly raced out to a 22-5 record thanks to Golden State claiming all the back pages, leaving Dallas (14-12) and Memphis (14-13) neck-and-neck in the battle for second despite both hovering around .500 most of the season.

Both clubs enjoyed strong stretches last month with the Mavericks winning six in a row at one point and the Grizzlies six of seven - including a 110-96 victory over Dallas on Nov. 24 - but since those surges, the Mavs are 5-8 and the Grizzlies 5-6.

It's all added up to an odd reversal for the NBA's toughest division over the last two seasons. The only team among the Spurs, Rockets, Mavs and Grizzlies in that span that didn't have at least 50 wins was Dallas with 49 last season.

Neither Dallas nor Memphis appears capable of returning to that success, but the Mavs can start helping their cause in the division by playing much better than they did against the Grizzlies last month.

Dallas had one of its worst nights at FedEx Forum, shooting 39.0 percent while turning the ball over 19 times, which led to 21 Grizzlies points. The Mavs were also outscored 48-22 in the paint in spite of a 48-42 advantage on the glass.

By posting their worst field-goal percentage in the rivalry since January 2011, they lost their third straight and fifth in the last six meetings.

"We've got to win some games against good teams," Wesley Matthews told the team's official website. "You know, we've got an opportunity to do it on Friday. Enough talking about it. We've just got to go out there and do it. ... Everybody's got to be better all around and find ways to win, whether we're making shots or not making shots."

That may not be easy for Dallas, which shot below 37.0 percent in two of its last three losses and scored its season low in a 107-81 defeat at Indiana on Wednesday.

Raymond Felton had 16 points and Dirk Nowitzki 13 for the Mavs, who allowed the Pacers to outscore them 62-34 after the break.

The Grizzlies also shot poorly in the first meeting with Dallas at 43.0 percent, but they took care of the ball with just nine turnovers - one of only three times this season they've avoided double digits.

The story's been different with 34 combined giveaways in their last two, although they picked up a 112-95 home win against Washington on Monday by shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 10 of 15 from 3-point range.

Memphis couldn't sustain that for long, though, and missed 14 of its 19 attempts from long range in Wednesday's 98-85 loss at Chicago. Mike Conley scored just eight points and went 1 for 8 from deep, while Marc Gasol had eight points and seven rebounds.

"Tough night for them," coach David Joerger said. "Neither guy is a guy that you feature and they believe that it's to score, score, score. They're pure-hearted. They're going to make the right play. Both of them had a tough night offensively."

Conley had 21 points against the Mavs in November and Gasol 15 with 10 rebounds.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (11-14) at Jazz (10-14)

Date: December 18, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Utah won in Denver as part of its promising start to the season, but that's quickly becoming a distant memory.

The Jazz's recent struggles include a season-high losing streak that they'll attempt to snap in Friday night's rematch, but they'll have to slow down a resurgent Nuggets team riding its longest road winning streak in two years.

Utah (10-14) held Denver to 38.9 percent shooting and 5 of 20 from 3-point range in a 96-84 victory Nov. 5. The Jazz beat Memphis two days later to go to 4-2 for their best start since 2008-09, allowing an average of 85.0 points. They've since given up 101.0 per game while posting a 6-12 record.

They've dropped four straight after losing 104-94 to New Orleans on Wednesday, getting outscored 31-15 in the fourth quarter.

'Yeah it's frustrating, but I've been through it before,' said forward Derrick Favors, who had 22 points. 'Just have to keep working. Keep at it. Don't feel bad or sorry for yourself.

'You're going to have winning streaks and losing streaks just like you have bad games and good games. Just got to keep fighting.'

The Nuggets (11-14), meanwhile, have won three in a row and five of six after a 112-100 victory in Minnesota on Tuesday. They shot a season-best 56.2 percent and went 10 of 18 from beyond the arc.

It was also their third consecutive road win after opening 3-7 away from home. This is Denver's longest road winning streak since a four-game run Nov. 25-Dec. 3, 2013.

Denver has topped 105 points in all three of the latest road wins and is averaging 104.2 on 46.0 percent shooting in the last six games overall. That follows an eight-game losing streak in which the Nuggets averaged 91.1 points and shot 40.5 percent.

Randy Foye had a season-high 19 points, tying Kenneth Faried for the team lead, and made five of his six 3-point attempts Tuesday. The veteran guard was averaging 5.0 points on 29.5 percent shooting, including 19.7 from beyond the arc, in his first 24 games.

"We all knew as an organization that the Randy Foye that's played in the first 20-some odd games isn't the Randy Foye we've seen for eight years," coach Michael Malone said. "We knew at some point he'd break out of it. It couldn't have happened on a better night."

It's unclear if No. 7 overall pick Emmanuel Mudiay, averaging 10.7 points and a team-best 5.7 assists, will return after missing the last two games with a sprained right ankle.

Jameer Nelson has started both games in his place, scoring 10 points in each with a combined 11 assists.

While sixth man Will Barton has sparked Denver's surge with an average of 18.5 points in the last six games, the Jazz's starting backcourt has been part of their recent struggles. Alec Burks and Rodney Hood combine to average 26.6 points but have totaled 29 over the past two games, with Burks shooting 4 for 19.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (7-18) at Suns (11-16)

Date: December 18, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Part of the Pelicans' disappointing start has been their dreadful play outside New Orleans. However, they are coming off their second road win of the season and now head to the city where they got their first.

Anthony Davis and the Pelicans look to again take advantage of the poor defense played by the Phoenix Suns, a team they helped send into a tailspin which is still lingering.

New Orleans heads back to Phoenix on Friday night after outscoring Utah 31-15 in the fourth quarter Wednesday to win 104-94 in Salt Lake City.

'From a competitive standpoint, we played the way you have to to win on the road,' coach Alvin Gentry said.

The Pelicans (7-18) held the Jazz to one field goal in the final seven minutes to improve to 2-12 away from home. It was the fewest points they've allowed in a road game all season and just the third time they held an opponent under 100.

"We hope it is (a turning point)," said Davis, whose team has topped 100 points in back-to-back road games after previously averaging 95.7. The Pelicans score 108.3 per game in New Orleans.

"We need to go to Phoenix with the same mentality, knowing that we already beat them twice. They will come out with lots of energy and effort. We will try to get another win against those guys. We have to make sure that everything from the past few nights carries over to Friday."

A playoff team last season for the first time since 2010-11, New Orleans opened 1-10 this fall before a three-game win streak which included back-to-back victories over Phoenix (11-16). Davis averaged 29.0 points, 18.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as the Pelicans reached 120 points in both games and won each by six.

The Suns entered the first of those matchups with a respectable 7-5 record but have since gone 4-11, a stretch during which they're allowing a league-worst 109.7 points per game. New Orleans hasn't topped 105 points in any road game other than its 120-114 win in Phoenix on Nov. 25.

It was less of a surprise that the Suns gave up another big number Wednesday. They lost 128-103 at Golden State, letting the league's best team offensively and record-wise put away the game with a 46-point third quarter. Klay Thompson outscored the Suns 27-19 in that period and finished with 43.

"We wasn't helping each other," point guard Eric Bledsoe said. "You know, our defense has kinda been a little bit bad as far as everything. We just gotta get better with that. ... We definitely gotta pick it up defensively."

Bledsoe failed to reach double figures for the first time all season with six points on 3-of-12 shooting. The Suns are 1-8 when he plays and doesn't shoot better than 40 percent.

Ryan Anderson averaged 24.5 points in the first two meetings and led New Orleans on Friday with 24 as he made all 13 of his free throws. He's missed only two of his last 40 attempts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (10-17) at Warriors (25-1)

Date: December 18, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The Golden State Warriors have built the best 26-game start in NBA history with a businesslike approach.

The next game will be a little personal, however.

The Warriors get a chance to avenge their lone loss when the Milwaukee Bucks limp into Oakland for Friday night's matchup.

Milwaukee sent shock waves throughout the league by ending the Warriors' 28-game regular-season winning streak with Saturday's 108-95 victory. Michael Carter-Williams capped the upset with a late dunk he followed by glaring at the Golden State bench, a move which drew the ire of several Warriors.

'We remember what happened less than a week ago," Stephen Curry said following Wednesday's 128-103 bounce-back win over Phoenix.

Even if Golden State didn't have that additional motivation, Milwaukee (10-17) faces an uphill task in achieving a season sweep. The Bucks have lost 11 straight on the road and won't have top scorer Greg Monroe for a third consecutive game due to a Grade I MCL sprain in his left knee.

Monroe played an integral part in the victory over the Warriors, tallying a season-high 28 points along with 11 rebounds and five assists.

The Bucks have averaged 89.0 points during their road skid. Including playoffs, Golden State (25-1) hasn't scored fewer than 90 at home in 70 straight outings. The Warriors have won 29 straight in Oakland in regular-season play.

Having Klay Thompson at full strength also figures to hinder Milwaukee's chances. The All-Star guard was held to 12 points and 4-of-14 shooting as he dealt with a sprained ankle in last week's meeting, but scored a season-high 43 against the Suns.

"It's good to have a few big-scoring games here or there just to let teams know they can't focus so much on Steph," said Thompson, who went 8 of 13 from 3-point range. "Just (to) give him some balance out there because he's going to get every team's greatest look every night."

The Warriors also should be more fresh for the rematch. Last week's loss was the finale of a grueling seven-game, 13-day road trip, but they'll play for just the second time in six days Friday.

Milwaukee has dropped the first two games of a four-game western swing. After opening with a lackluster performance in Tuesday's 113-95 defeat to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, the Bucks showed more will Wednesday but lost 113-90 to the Clippers.

'The fight was there and the intent was right,' coach Jason Kidd said. 'The guys played hard, but the ball did not fall for us. The effort was extremely high, but we just could not make the plays when we needed to.'

Carter-Williams had 17 points in the latest defeat and has averaged 17.7 in a three-game stretch, a result of his increased role with backcourt mates Greivis Vasquez and Jerryd Bayless sidelined by ankle injuries. The point guard totaled 17 points, seven assists and five steals against Golden State.

With Monroe out, the Bucks will lean more heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, who scored a season-high 19 on Saturday.

Milwaukee had lost four straight to the Warriors.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Friday, December 18 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Some interesting NBA scheduling thus far. The San Antonio Spurs, the preseason Western Conference favorites, have yet to play arguably the two other best teams in the West even though the season is more than a quarter of the way finished. Well, one of those issues is resolved on Friday when the Spurs host the Clippers. It's the first meeting between the teams since an epic seven-game first-round playoff series last year, won by the Clippers thanks to a running layup by Chris Paul over Tim Duncan's outstretched arm with one second left in Game 7. Certainly that remains the signature moment of Paul's career, and it's one of the best first-round series ever. Was a shame two teams that good had to face off so early. The NBA tried to fix that this offseason by seeding purely by record now without regard to division winners.

Nets at Pacers (-10, 201.5)

Brooklyn enters on a three-game skid, all coming at home. Reserve guard Shane Larkin missed Wednesday's loss to Miami with a concussion. The Nets have concluded a stretch of nine consecutive games played in New York City. Indiana beat visiting Dallas 107-81 on Wednesday. Monta Ellis had 19 points against his former squad. Indiana is now 7-0 when holding an opponent under 90 points. Brooklyn won two of three vs. the Pacers last year, including the lone game in Indianapolis.

Key trends: The underdog is 4-0 against the spread in the past four meetings. The "over/under" is 4-1 in Indiana's past five at home vs. teams with a losing road record.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Trail Blazers at Magic (-3.5, 200.5)

Portland started a road trip with a 106-90 loss in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Damian Lillard was scoreless in the second half in missing all nine shots. Orlando beat Charlotte 113-98 on Wednesday for its second straight win. Channing Frye scored a season-high 17 points. The Magic got their eighth home win more than two months earlier than last year. Portland and Orlando split the season series 1-1 last year, with each team winnings its respective home game. The home team has been victorious in each of the past six games in this series.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-0 in Orlando's past four after a win.

Early lean: Magic and over.

Knicks at 76ers (+5, 191.5)

New York beat Minnesota 107-102 on Wednesday for its second win in a row. Arron Afflalo blew up with 29 points, while Carmelo Anthony had 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Philly lost an eighth in a row and fourth straight by double digits, 127-106 in Atlanta on Wednesday. Isaiah Canaan finished with a season-high 24 points and Jahlil Okafor had 19 for Philadelphia, which played again without Nerlens Noel (eye). He might go Friday. This is actually a game the Sixers could win, so he should. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 99-87 at the Garden on Dec. 2. Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the past four. The under is 5-1 in the previous six.

Early lean: Knicks and under.

Hawks at Celtics (-3, 205.5)

Atlanta never trailed in a 21-point home win over Philly on Wednesday as the Hawks ended a three-game slide. They hit a season-high 61.5 percent from the field and had 32 assists. Boston lost 119-116 in Detroit on Wednesday for its second straight defeat. The C's never got off a good shot at the end to tie. The Hawks and Celtics have split two meetings this season, each winning by double digits at home.

Key trends: The home team is 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 4-1 in the past five in Boston.

Early lean: Boston and under.

Raptors at Heat (-4.5, 193)

Toronto played in Charlotte on Thursday. Miami won in Brooklyn 104-98 on Wednesday for its third win in a row. Dwyane Wade had 28 points and Hassan Whiteside 20 points and 13 rebounds -- the Heat have come out and said they have no plans to trade Whiteside amid those Dwight Howard rumors. The Heat won the first meeting with Toronto 96-76 in South Florida on Nov. 8. The Raptors lost for the 11th time in their last 12 trips to Miami.

Key trends: The favorite is 8-2 ATS in the past 10. The under is 5-2 in the previous seven.

Early lean: Heat and under.

Pistons at Bulls (-4, 196)

Detroit beat Boston 119-116 on Wednesday behind a career-high 31 points from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Andre Drummond had 16 points and 12 rebounds and hit only the second 3-pointer of his career. Needless to say, it wasn't off a designed play. Chicago won a fourth in a row Wednesday, 98-85 over Memphis. Doug McDermott scored 17 -- one shy of his career high. The Bulls lost the first meeting of the season in Detroit, 98-94 in OT on Oct. 30. Chicago has won three in a row at home in the series.

Key trends: The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 7-3 in the previous 10 in Chicago.

Early lean: Bulls and under.

Kings at Timberwolves (-1, 213)

Sacramento beat Houston 107-97 on Wednesday for its third consecutive win -- those were all at home. DeMarcus Cousins amassed 26 points and 12 rebounds, but he couldn't stay out of the negative headlines as his manager was tossed during that game for slapping at Rockets guard Jason Terry when Terry's momentum brought him slightly into the crowd. Rajon Rondo was suspended for the game but will be back Friday. Minnesota lost by five in New York on Wednesday for its fourth straight loss. Ricky Rubio nearly had a quadruple-double with 12 assists, 10 rebounds, nine points and eight steals. Kevin Garnett (rest), Kevin Martin (bruised right wrist) and Nikola Pekovic (right Achilles tendon) all sat out. Wolves won the first meeting vs. the Kings 101-91 on Nov. 27 in Sacramento. Cousins missed that one. So did Rubio.

Key trends: The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 4-1 in the previous five.

Early lean: Kings and over.

Clippers at Spurs (-7, 199)

This is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Los Angeles beat the visiting Bucks 103-90 on Wednesday for its third straight win. Chris Paul had 21 points and eight assists. DeAndre Jordan was tossed midway through the third quarter after getting two technical fouls, but it was nothing that would lead to a suspension. Paul Pierce hit a buzzer beater to end the first quarter and become the fifth active player and 16th in NBA history to reach 26,000 points. San Antonio won its fourth straight Wednesday, 114-95 over Washington. It was the Spurs' team-record 23rd straight regular-season home win (Clippers won Game 6 of last year's playoffs there). Tim Duncan sat due to rest but will be back Friday. L.A. and San Antonio split four regular-season meetings last year.

Key trends: The road team is 4-0 ATS in the past four. The over is 11-5 in the previous 16.

Early lean: Spurs will want payback. Take them and go over.

Grizzlies at Mavericks (-3, 199)

Memphis lost by 13 in Chicago on Wednesday. The Grizzlies were just 5-for-19 on 3-pointers, with Mike Conley (eight points) missing seven of eight. The team has ruled out forward Brandan Wright indefinitely following right knee surgery. He hadn't played since early in the season. Dallas was crushed in Indiana on Wednesday. That dropped the Mavs to 2-8 this year against .500-plus teams. Dallas lost in Memphis 110-96 on Nov. 24. Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures. Memphis' Zach Randolph missed that one.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over has hit in eight of the last 10.

Early lean: Mavericks and over.

Nuggets at Jazz (-6, 196.5)

Denver won a third in a row Tuesday, 112-100 in Minnesota. The Nuggets shot 56 percent. Denver played without rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay with a sprained right ankle, and he's questionable for Friday. Utah lost a season-high fourth straight Wednesday, 104-94 against New Orleans. Utah won in Denver 96-84 on Nov. 5. But the Jazz had Rudy Gobert then, and he had eight points and 16 rebounds.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under has hit in five the past six.

Early lean: Nuggets and under.

Pelicans at Suns (-4.5, 214)

Your ESPN nightcap. New Orleans ended a two-game losing streak with a 10-point win in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. The Pelicans outscored the Jazz by 16 in the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Phoenix had the misfortune of facing an angry Warriors team on Wednesday in Oakland and lost by 25. Brandon Knight, with 17 points, was the lone Suns starter in double figures. The Pelicans have won two high-scoring games vs. the Suns this season.

Key trends: The home team is 7-1 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 17-8 in Phoenix's past 25 at home.

Early lean: Suns and over.

Bucks at Warriors (-16, 210.5)

Milwaukee lost by 13 at the Clippers on Wednesday, the Bucks' 11th straight away defeat. Milwaukee hasn't won away from the Bradley Center since beating the Knicks 99-92 on Nov. 6. Leading scorer and rebounder Greg Monroe missed his second straight game because of a sprained left knee suffered in a shootaround Tuesday morning. He won't play here, either. Golden State clobbered the Suns on Wednesday behind 43 points from Klay Thompson (27 in third quarter) and Draymond Green's fourth triple-double this season. It was the Warriors' 29th straight home win. Think the Warriors will be motivated for this game after seeing their 28-game overall winning streak end in Milwaukee on Saturday?

Key trends: The Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 vs. teams with a losing record. The under is 5-1 in the previous six meetings.

Early lean: If Warriors win by less than 20, I'd be stunned. Go over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Orlando won seven of its last ten games (2-3HF).
-- Pacers won three of last four games (5-2HF).
-- Knicks won last two games by total of 7 points (0-1AF).
-- Miami won its last three games (2-6 last 8HF).
-- Chicago won its last four games (3-10HF). Pistons won three of their last four games (0-4 last four AU).
-- Sacramento won its last three games (0-0AF).
-- Clippers won six of their last seven games (1-1AU). Spurs won eight of last nine games (9-4HF).
-- Nuggets won five of their last six games (6-4AU).
-- 25-1 Warriors are 6-4 as home favorites.

Cold teams
-- Portland lost four of last six games (7-4AU).
-- Nets lost last three games, by 5-23-6 points (6- last 8AU).
-- 1-26 Philly is 2-7 as a home underdog.
-- Atlanta/Boston both lost three of last four games; Hawks are 3-3 as road underdogs. Celtics are 5-4 as home favorites.
-- Toronto lost last two games, by 16-10 points (6-2AU).
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last nine games (1-7-1HU).
-- Memphis/Dallas both lost three of its last four games (Memphis is 4-0 last fourAU........Dallas is 5-3HF).
-- Utah lost seven of its last nine games (3-4HF).
-- Pelicans/Suns both lost seven of their last ten games (Pelicans 4-9AU.......Suns 1-4 last five HF).
-- Milwaukee lost four of last five games (5-7AU)- the win was the game that ended Golden State's winning streak.

Series records
-- Home side won last six Portland-Orlando games.
-- Nets won last two games with Indiana, after losing five in row.
-- 76ers lost six of their last seven games with New York.
-- Hawks won four of last six games with Boston.
-- Raptors lost eight of last ten games with Miami.
-- Pistons won three of last four games with Chicago.
-- Kings won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Clippers won three of last four games with San Antonio.
-- Grizzlies won five of last six games with Dallas.
-- Jazz won three of last four games with Denver
-- Pelicans won four of last five games with Phoenix
-- Milwaukee handed Warriors their first loss last week, their first win in last five games with Golden State.

Totals
-- Three of last four Portland games stayed under total.
-- Last five Brooklyn-Indiana games went over total.
-- Five of last six NY-Philly games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Miami-Toronto games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Detroit games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Sacramento games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight San Antonio games went over total.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Memphis-Dallas games.
-- Seven of last nine Denver-Utah games stayed under.
-- Four of last five New Orleans games stayed under
-- Nine of last ten Golden State games went over total.

Back/backs
-- Toronto is 3-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Chicago is 3-0 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Notes for Friday's games..........

South Carolina is 9-0 with only top 100 win by 8 over Tulsa on a neutral floor; Gamecocks hammered Clemson by 23 LY, after losing to Tigers in previous two meetings. This is Carolina's first true road game, and its not even that, since Clemson is playing home games in Greenville this season. Tigers are 0-3 vs top 200 teams; their best win is over #217 Wofford.

Arkansas State is 1-6 vs D-I teams, losing four of its five road games by 9+ points- they also lost twice to teams ranked below #300. UT-Martin pulled big upset at Saint Louis last game; they're 3-7 vs D-I teams- this is only their second D-I home game. OVC home favorites are 6-5 vs spread; Sun Belt rosd underdogs are 12-17. ASU lost its last four D-I games.

East Tennessee State is 0-4 vs D-I teams since they upset Georgia Tech Nov 22; Bucs have two losses to teams outside top 250- they have the #286 eFG%.defense. Eastern Kentucky is 1-4 on road, with only win at #337 Savannah State. Colonels are forcing TOs 21.6% of time. SoCon home favorites are 2-2 vs spread. OVC road dogs are 21-21 vs spread.

Memphis won its last five games, is 7-2 despite shooting 255% from arc; Tigers have played only one neutral court game, no road games- they are 1-2 vs top 100 teams, beating Ohio State, losing to Oklahoma/Arlington. Ole Miss won five games in row since losing two of three in Charleston tourney; Rebels have true road wins at Bradley, SE Missouri State. SEC road underdogs are 7-7. AAC home favorites are 19-8.

Portland lost four of last six games but is 2-1 vs Big Sky teams this year; Pilots are 0-5 vs teams in top 200, with four losses by 10+. Weber State lost its last three games by total of nine points, with double OT loss to Utah Valley; Wildcats turn ball over 20.4% of time. WCC home favorites are 13-13 vs spread. Big Sky road underdogs are 16-22 against the spread.

Young Oregon State team is 6-2; they led Kansas by 11 at half last game, got buried in second half. Beavers won by 8-9 points in two games with teams outside top 200. Cal-State Fullerton lost last two games by 18-12 points; Titans play lot of guys, force turnovers 21% of time, but they're shooting 43% inside arc. Big West road underdogs are 14-12 vs spread.

Miami OH is 0-2 in true games, losing by 9 at Xavier, 14 at IUPUI; Red Hawks are shooting only 30.2% on arc, but force turnovers 23.8% (#12) of time. Tennessee Tech lost last two games to top 100 teams but is 5-1 vs teams outside top 200, with only loss to Air Force- three of the five wins were by 4 or less points. OVC home favorites are 6-5 vs spread.

Oregon split its last four games after 6-0 start; Ducks are 5-0 vs teams not in top 100, with all five wins by 15+ points. Oregon is still missing some guys with injuries; they force turnovers 23% of time. Long Beach State is 2-5 vs top 100 teams; they've played #12 schedule- they lost by 7-6-2 points in three true road games- their best win was #55 Seton Hall.

Washington State is 6-2 vs schedule #346; their best win was over #185 UTEP by 16- they're 4-1 vs teams outside top 200, with all four wins by 12+ points. Texas State is 4-2 vs an even worse schedule (#347); they've also played UTEP, losing by 15. Miners are best team they've played so far. Sun Belt road underdogs are 12-17 vs spread. All four of Bobcats' Division I wins are vs teams ranked #315 or lower.

LMU is 5-4, 0-4 vs top 200 teams, 5-0 vs teams outside top 200, with three wins by five or less points. Young Lions are 3-0 at home, with wins by total of eight points. Jacksonville State lost eight of last nine games; their last three losses are all by six or less points. WCC home favorites are 13-13 vs spread; OVC road underdogs are 22-20 against the spread.

5-3 BYU is 3-0 vs teams outside top 150, winning by 31-7-12; Cougars are shooting only 63% on foul line- they have trip to Hawai'i after this game for tourney next week. Central Michigan is thin team that is 3-4 vs D-I teams, with best win vs #256 Texas Southern. Chippewas lost only true road game by 3 at Grand Canyon (coached by Dan Majerle). MAC road underdogs are 6-15 vs spread.

Pepperdine won its last four games after 1-4 start; they beat Montana, Long Beach. Waves for turnovers 21.2% of time (#56). UL-Lafayette lost five of six D-I games, with only win vs #315 McNeese State; Cajuns are #339 defense in country- teams are making 49.2% on arc against them, worst in country. WCC home favorites are 13-13 against the spread; Sun Belt road underdogs are 12-17.

Nevada is 7-3, beating WCC's Pacific in double OT; Wolf Pack has #15 eFG% defense but is shooting just 27.5% on arc. Nevada is 4-0 ar home; they have trip to Wichita on deck. Santa Clara won last three D-I games after an 0-7 start, with win over Boston College. Broncos turn ball over 20.7% of time- their eFG% is #291. WCC road underdogs are 8-15.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Richmond Spiders (10-3) at North Dakota State Bison (11-2)

Date: December 18, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

(STATS) - Of all that has changed over the course of North Dakota State's historic run of four consecutive FCS titles, its supremacy at the Fargodome remains constant.

The Bison plan to use that advantage once again after receiving an unexpected home game in Friday night's FCS semifinal against Richmond, though the Spiders are establishing a reputation as giant killers on the road.

Seventh-seeded Richmond (10-3) earned its first semifinal appearance since its 2008 national championship season with last week's 39-27 victory at Illinois State, halting the second-seeded Redbirds' 19-game home winning streak.

The 12th-ranked Spiders' reward was another road date with a Missouri Valley Conference powerhouse after third-seeded North Dakota State (11-2) kept its "drive for five" alive with a gritty 23-13 win over league rival Northern Iowa last Saturday.

Richmond is the only team to defeat two national seeds on the road this season, having previously topped fellow CAA co-champion James Madison in October. The Spiders' next road test, however, is surely their toughest yet.

The second-ranked Bison haven't lost a playoff game at home since their Division II days in 1991, winning 16 straight. They're 15-0 at the Fargodome in their FCS playoff history and own a 41-game win streak over non-conference opponents at the 19,000-seat indoor venue, where the decibel levels figure to pose a considerably more challenging atmosphere than what Richmond faced in front of an announced crowd of 5,356 at Illinois State.

The Spiders spent part of the week conducting walkthroughs in their basketball arena, where artificial crowd noise was pumped in to prepare for the anticipated raucous conditions.

"I think we've done everything we can do under the circumstances that you have," coach Danny Rocco said. "The best thing to do is advance the ball and put it in the end zone and then you won't get as much crowd noise."

The Spiders have done plenty of that in their two playoff wins. After rushing for 302 yards in a 48-13 second-round rout of William & Mary, they got the Bison's attention by gaining 557 total against an Illinois State team that lost by just two to NDSU in last year's championship game.

"We know how good Illinois State was when we played them last year, not only skilled athlete-wise but they were physical, they were athletic up front. And Richmond really owned the game," Bison coach Chris Klieman said. "Seeing them do it against a team that you're familiar with garnered our respect really quickly."

North Dakota State continues to win resourcefully in the absence of standout quarterback Carson Wentz. The Bison are 7-0 since the Senior Bowl invitee underwent wrist surgery Oct. 21, receiving efficient play from stand-in Easton Stick and relying upon a formidable defense and superior special teams.

The Bison held Northern Iowa to a season-low 221 yards, 71 in the second half, and never trailed after taking a 14-10 lead on Bruce Anderson's 97-yard kickoff return to begin the third quarter.

All-American punter Ben LeCompte later pinned the Panthers near the goal line to set up a game-sealing safety. Anderson also had a 100-yard touchdown on a kick return in a 37-6 second-round win over Montana.

"I thought (last week) was one of our best special teams games," Klieman said. "Ben was dynamite and obviously Bruce's kick return. For us to be successful and continue to play we have to win that phase of the game."

Wentz returned to practice last week, prompting speculation he could be ready for Friday's game. The NFL prospect would bring better balance to an offense that's been run-centric with Stick at the controls, averaging 281.4 yards on the ground during the seven-game win streak.

The Bison mustered a season-low 269 total yards against Northern Iowa, though King Frazier ran for 107 on 14 carries and Stick was not intercepted for a fifth consecutive game.

Richmond presents a more diversified attack with quarterback Kyle Lauletta coming off a 369-yard passing day to complement second-team All-American running back Jacobi Green's 137 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

Green (1,563 yards, 21 TDs) is averaging 172.9 rushing yards and 27.4 carries over the last seven games, while wideout Brian Brown (71 catches, 1,362 yards) has five 100-yard outings over that stretch after gaining 141 on five catches last week.

The duo faces a stout NDSU defense that's yielded 209.0 total yards per game and a combined 19 points over the last three wins. Led by middle linebacker Nick DeLuca's 16 tackles, the Bison limited UNI's 1,000-yard rushing tandem of Aaron Bailey and Tyvius Smith to 91 yards on 34 attempts.

Takeaways have been Richmond's defensive forte, as the Spiders are tied for the FCS lead with 21 interceptions. They've been excellent against the run of late, permitting 89.8 yards and 3.3 per rush over the past four games.

"After the two back-to-back losses (to New Hampshire and Villanova from Nov. 7-14) we kind of got challenged by the coaching staff," Spiders defensive end Andrew Clyde said. "They wanted to see a more physical team, they wanted to see a team that could really shut down an opponent's run game and shut down what the opponent wants to do, and I think we've responded to that challenge."

Richmond is 4-0 all-time against MVC teams, including a win at Northern Iowa in the 2008 semifinals. NDSU is 3-0 versus CAA members, all coming in the playoffs. The schools have never met previously.

Friday's winner will face either No. 1 seed Jacksonville State or Sam Houston State in the Jan. 9 title game in Frisco, Texas.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

December Ups and Downs
By Jim Feist

NFL parity is alive and well in 2015! The Jets had a surprising 4-1 SU/ATS start under their new coach....then came back to earth with a losing streak along with a 0-3-1 ATS run. Andy Reid's Chiefs were at the morgue after a 1-5 SU/ATS start, then rose from the dead on a 7-0 SU/6-1 ATS run to get back in it. The Packers looked like the team to beat in the NFC winning their first six games....then looked like Jacksonville during an ugly 0-3 SU/ATS slide.

And speaking of Jacksonville, the laughable Jaguars started 1-5...then beat the Titans in a Thursday night game to pull within a game of first place! Along the way they covered 4 in a row, off a 51-16 beatdown of Indy to pull within a game of first place.

Every team has flaws that can be exploited. The Patriots have had a great season, but injuries have slowed down their unstoppable offense. The Dolphins have been all over the map depending on which head coach was running the show. Seattle went from two-time NFC champs to one struggling behind a terrible offensive line this season. The Atlanta Falcons started 5-0 for their new coach, but since have stumbled badly on both sides of the ball.

The season is littered with flops. The Lions, Dolphins, Chargers, Colts and Saints were expected to be better. The Rams have had high hopes the last three years with a slew of draft picks, but have been maddeningly inconsistent because of quarterback play and an ultra-conservative offense. Note to Jeff Fisher: Have you heard of the forward pass? It is a part of the game, you know.

The fact is it's always like this, which is why we love the game. A year ago the Chiefs destroyed the Patriots on national TV then later beat Seattle, the two teams that ended up in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs, meanwhile, missed the playoffs despite beating the best of each conference.

Last season how many teams with losing records can say they beat the Broncos, 49ers and then-defending champion Seahawks? Only the Rams could, if you can believe that. Of course, they have trouble with the bad teams, for some reason. "Hey Jeff Fisher, ever hear of"...oh, I covered that.

Oddsmakers make adjustments on teams all during the season, such as six years ago when the Saints and Colts started red hot. After starting 6-0 SU/ATS, the Saints went 2-8 ATS to end the regular season, often as a double digit favorite. That's what can happen to public teams, either popular teams or ones with a flashy offense like the 2013 Broncos, 2009 Saints and 2007 Patriots.

Normally we are at the time of the pro football campaign where some teams have mentally and physically packed in the season. It's been a lost season or one with higher expectations and players, especially ones on poorly coached teams, can just go through the motions. That can show up on the scoreboard and at the wagering window.

The 49ers and Ravens are dealing with lost seasons, the latter with much higher expectations. Two years ago, Houston lost 10 in a row after a 2-0 start and then fired their coach. The Redskins went from a division title in 2012 to a train wreck the last three seasons. Dejected teams can often be money-burners, too. Do you think it’s fun in 2015 to play for the Browns, Jags, Ravens, Lions, 49ers and Saints down the stretch of this lost campaign?

Those teams need to be watched closely as on the bubble for packing it in, along with the Titans, who are already on their second head coach. Pro players have pride and know the score. Taking out their frustrations on a powerhouse team is not uncommon. The good teams aren't that much better from year to year than bad ones. Parity and the salary cap have leveled the playing field and schedules are longer, all of which makes it that much harder to dominate.

The 1962 Green Bay Packers enjoyed a 10-0 start on the way to a 13-1 season, ending in a 16-7 win in the championship game over the Giants as one of Vince Lombardi's best teams. They came close to running the table, except for a surprising Thanksgiving Day loss to Detroit, 26-14 (trailing 26-0 to the fired up Lions). Even NFL David's can be gunning for Goliath this time of the season -- if they haven't already packed it in.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends to Watch - December
By Marc Lawrence

With Thanksgiving now in the rear view mirror and Santa charting his annual course, it’s onto the stretch-run of the 2015 NFL season.

Before backing teams on the blind it might serve you well to read up on the trends and tendencies of teams from December past. With that being said, here is this year’s list of good and bad teams to keep an eye n this month,

HOME TEAMS

Good: Seattle will be making its playoff push and nobody is better the last month of the season than the Seahawks at home. They are sensational 34-16 ATS and have Cleveland (12/20) and St. Louis (12/27).

Keep an eye on (Good): Pittsburgh comes in 36-22 ATS and as per usual they will also be on the playoff hunt. The Steelers will be facing two clubs that are same situation in Indianapolis (12/6) and Denver (12/20), who are a trying to repeat as division champions.

Green Bay is 31-19 ATS and often against inflated numbers at the frozen tundra by this time of year. Dallas pays a visit on the 13th. Houston chimes in at 17-9 ATS, but has a toughie with New England (12/13).

Keep an eye on (Bad): You would think the Bills would have an edge in the Buffalo winter, but they are just 20-30 ATS at home. The Bills home slate is not easy either with games against Houston (12/6) and Dallas (12/27).

St. Louis has three home games in 11 days starting Dec. 6th against Arizona, Detroit and Tampa Bay on a Thursday night (17th). Unfortunately for the Rams they are 18-28 ATS this month at the Edward Jones Dome.

AWAY TEAMS

Keep an eye on (Good): As crazy as it seems Buffalo has no edge at home, they are 32-21 ATS on the road in December. Maybe the players want to get out the cold also, but trips to Philadelphia and Washington in Weeks 14/15 are hardly warm weather destinations.

Bad: Long time football bettors who look at whole schedules to formulate opinions annually mark Chicago as 'play against' teams, knowing their 13-34 ATS road record. Trip to Minnesota (12/20) and Tampa Bay (12/27) do not figure to be pleasant.

The Oakland Raiders are nearly as bad as the Bears at 17-34 ATS and a division game at Denver (12/13) could add to their woes.

Keep an eye on (Bad): We all realize San Francisco is a bad football team, we knew that in August. What everyone might not know is they are lousy against the spread on the road at 18-33 ATS and have trips in the Midwest to take on Chicago (12/6), Cleveland (12/13) and Detroit (12/27).

Last season was a rare no fold job by Dallas this month but one year does not correct 22-34 ATS mark. The Cowboys have a Monday nighter in Washington on the 7th, six days later they are in Green Bay and Week 16 in Buffalo, all without Tony Romo.

As good as the Texans are at home, that is just about how bad they are on the road at 12-19 ATS. To win AFC South they will have to do much better at Buffalo (12/6), at Indianapolis (12/20) and at Tennessee (12/27).

FAVORITES

Keep an eye on (Good): The Packers had the dreadful looking three-game losing streak but they have been excellent front-runners in December at 47-26 ATS. Green Bay will be favored in every game except for trip to Arizona (12/27).

Bad: Miami ended being overrated this season, but nobody will do that to them this month at 22-46 ATS. For sure they will be handing out points against Baltimore (12/6) and possibly the next three weeks depending on circumstances against N.Y. Giants, at San Diego and Indianapolis.

Cleveland will also leave some coal in stocking as favorites at 5-10 ATS and will have the 49ers on the shores of Lake Erie on the 13th. What an ugly mess that game looks to be.

Keep an eye on (Bad): With the Cowboys shabby record this month, it makes sense they would not be to hot as favorites and are not at 21-35 ATS. The 'Boys chances of being favorites might have eclipsed with Mr. Romo.

The Raiders are bankroll-burners in this role at 16-26 ATS and will favored for sure on Christmas Eve versus San Diego.

UNDERDOGS

Good: With the kind of season Carolina is having, hard to imagine them as underdog, but it's been something that helped football bettors have better gifts to hand out at incredible 30-14 ATS run. The only possible time this will happen in the 20th in New Jersey against the Giants.

Last year's NFC champs the Seahawks are not far behind at 40-20 ATS and could be catching points at Minnesota (12/6).

Keep an eye on (Good): New England is 21-12 ATS, but who will they be an underdog too?

Keep an eye on (Bad): Chicago is miserable 20-39 ATS in this spot and will be receiving points at Minnesota (12/20) and the following week at Tampa Bay.

Oakland will be pooches at Denver (12/13) and when Green Bay visits them the following week and seems unlikely they will improve on 22-41 ATS mark.

Like an employee the night after the company Christmas party, the Rams have been sluggish at 20-37 ATS.

DIVISION

Good: The Panthers know how to close and are 27-11 ATS facing divisional foes the last month of the year. They will have three chances to improve on this playing at New Orleans (12/6) and having home and home with Atlanta on Dec. 13th and 27th.

Keep an eye on (Good): Normally this time of year New England has big spread numbers to overcome, yet is still 30-17 ATS against the AFC East. Just one matchup and that is versus the Jets on the 27th. Seattle is also quite strong at 30-16 ATS and has a revenge game with St. Louis on Week 16.

Keep an eye on (Bad): As just mentioned, St. Louis has to face Seattle in late December and they are hardly dangerous in division at 19-29 ATS. Before that contest, on the sixth of the month Arizona will be seeking payback.

Oakland only has one game remaining out of the AFC West, which is not good when sporting 20-31 ATS record. They will have Kansas City (12/6) and San Diego (12/24) at home, plus a trip to the Mile High City (13th).

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Friday
By Mike Dempsey

We have a good weekend of betting action coming up and with Christmas shopping days reduced to just a handful I know my bankroll could use an infusion of cash.

We have three stakes on tap at Gulfstream Park on tap on Saturday on an outstanding 11-race card. The feature is the $100,000 Mr. Prospector (G3) for sprinters that drew a field of seven.

Stallwalkin’ Dude is the 9-5 morning line favorite for trainer David Jacobson. The gelding won the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit in his last outing with a near career top Beyer Speed Figure of 102. He has won four of his 11 trips over the Gulfstream Park main track.

The co-features are the $75,000 Tropical Park Derby which drew a full field of 12 and the $75,000 Tropical Park Oaks which also will draw a full field, 14 entered with 12 to start.

The feature at Aqueduct is the $100,000 Queen’s County at nine furlongs on the inner track. Seven will go to the post led by the Todd Pletcher trained Tommy Macho (2-1).

The colt was a sharp winner of the Discovery Handicap (G3) in his last outing and note Javier Castellano is in from Gulfstream Park to retain the mount on the son of Macho Uno.

He faces a solid group that include Mylute (4-1) and Kid Cruz (5-2).

The big race on Saturday is the $350,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), which is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race with 10 points up for grabs to the winner.

The race was previously run at Hollywood Park through 2014 and has been won by a few juveniles that ended up having pretty good careers including Snow Chief, A.P. Indy, Best Pal, Real Quiet, Point Given, Lookin At Lucky and Shared Belief.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won the Futurity seven times and looks locked and loaded with two of the main contenders.

Mor Spirit is the 8-5 morning line favorite off his runner up finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

His stablemate Toews On Ice (9-5) could end up the betting favorite. The colt has won three races in a row, taking the Bob Hope (G3) in his last outing on Nov. 14 at Del Mar.


Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:

GP Race 1 Clm $20,000 (12:35 ET)
#3 Viva Bertha 3-1
#6 Maydell 7-2
#2 Starship Jodi 6-1
#4 lady's Lunar Luck 8-1

Analysis: Viva Beretha went gate to wire to bet $16,000 claimers last out at Hawthorne on the turf. He lands with the Walder barn that is 27% winners (with a +ROI) with newcomers to the barn and he has won with 4 of 9 starters so far at this meeting. A six-time winner on turf the mare picks up Castellano and looks like a good fit here.

Maydell is also sent out by Walder. The mare returns off a three-month break here after checking in third last out against $25,000 starter optional claimers here. Two back she ran a good second behind repeat winner Perfect Step, who won the Hard Worker Stakes in his next outing here on Sept. 11. Walder is 23% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180-day layoff.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6
TRI: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6,8

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:

GP Race 9 OClm $75,000N1X (4:35 ET)
#3 Mr. Ellie 3-1
#8 Destin 2-1
#7 Brighton Lane 12-1
#2 Pilot House 4-1

Analysis: Mr. Elite dueled for the early lead and drew clear late to a good looking maiden score in his second career outing. The third and sixth place finisher exited that race to graduate next out. Now he comes back here off a four-month break for the Nicks barn that is 19% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180-day layoff. The gelding is out of the stakes winner Proud Zoe ($241,928).

Destin hit the gate at the break, stalked the early pace and finished strongly to break his maiden in his debut at Belmont Park going seven furlongs. The race has produced one next out winner and a couple of that ran second next out. This guy was a $400,000 Keeneland purchase out of the stakes winner Dream of Summer ($1.19 million) who has dropped two other winners including stakes winner Creative Cause ($1 million). Hard to knock anything Pletcher has been sending out, picking up his 11th win at the meeting yesterday.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 3,8 / 2,3,7,8
TRI: 3.8 / 2,3,7,8 / 2,3,5,7,8

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Gulfstream Park
R1: #4 Lady’s Lunar Lady 8-1
R2: #6 Golden Spear 10-1
R4: #10 Scrumpdilicious 10-1
R5: #10 Command Control 8-1
R5: #2 Amen Alley 10-1
R6: #4 Whittsfields Return 10-1
R7: #1 Osorno 10-1
R7: #10 J B Quick 10-1
R9: #7 Brighton Lane 12-1
R10: #8 Scindia 10-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Balmoral Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 8 - Post: 9:30 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 75 - Purse:$2800 - NON-WINNERS OF 4 RACES OR $17,500 LIFETIME TO BE CLAIMED $8,000


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 MR MATLOCK 4/1


# 6 LET'S NOT DWELL 7/2


# 2 RICKY TIDWELL 9/2


MR MATLOCK will not be denied the ultimate prize in this one. Would appear to have a chance at being helped with second time Lasix here. Could surely take this group of animals given the 74 speed fig earned in his most recent affair. This contender has been making trips to the winner's circle on a routine basis, look for him to make another trip soon. LET'S NOT DWELL - Feel the need for speed, this solid standardbred has been turning in some excellent speed figs averaging around 76. This colt has room to improve, especially with first time Lasix. RICKY TIDWELL - Overall figures appear very nice. Can't throw out at this point. If effort in the most recent contest is representative, this contender will have a very good shot in this race. High last race TrackMaster Speed Rating.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Northfield Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 11 - Post: 9:20 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 85 - Purse:$11000 - PROGRESSIVE CLAIMING SERIES FILLIES & MARES CLAIMING $17,500 - $20,000


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 6 SAND TILLY LACE 5/2


# 4 LADY ASHLYN 3/1


# 1 DELIGHTFUL SYD 9/1


We've got good vibrations SAND TILLY LACE is going to get the triumph. It's a bit risky to consider based only on class, but this mare has among the finest class ratings of the pack. Always magnificent driver-trainer combination. 32 percent winners when they combine to do work. With superior win stats, Wrenn should have this mare in excellent position to win the outing. LADY ASHLYN - She has been running well and the TrackMaster Speed Ratings are among the most favorable in the race. Should be given a look based on the great TrackMaster Speed Rating earned in the last outing. DELIGHTFUL SYD - She has good class figures, averaging 85. Should be considered for a bet this time.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Gulfstream Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 9 - Optional Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $41000 Class Rating: 89

FOR TWO YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $75,000. WEIGHT, 120 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 18 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $75,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 1 SUMPTER 6/1


# 8 DESTIN 2/1


# 5 ASTERISK 10/1


SUMPTER is my choice. Looks like a sound candidate for the exotics. With a competitive 86 speed figure last time out, will definitely be a factor in this contest. Has been racing strongly and has among the strongest speed in the race for today's distance. DESTIN - In this field, this entrant is ranked high in earnings per start in dirt route events. Can't overlook the connections here, a 27 winning percentage, one of the most competitive at getting into the winner's circle. ASTERISK - Make a note that this horse runs with second time Lasix today. Has been running in the most competitive company of the group recently.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 7 - Claiming - 330y on the Dirt. Purse: $8400 Class Rating: 87

QUARTER HORSE 330Y, FOR TWO YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 4 ROYALSWEETJESS 2/1


# 1 PURE POLITICAL 5/1


# 6 CHECK UP 5/2


ROYALSWEETJESS looks to be a strong contender. Overall the Equibase Speed Figures of this horse look competitive in this contest. Win percentage one of the most competitive in this group of horses in this race. Ought to be given consideration in this contest if only for the formidable Equibase speed fig earned in the last race. PURE POLITICAL - Has posted solid speed figures in short races in the past. Overall the speed figures of this racer look very strong in this race. CHECK UP - Should come out sharp - I have liked the way this filly has moved sharply to the lead recently. Ought to be considered for this race if only for the very good Equibase Speed Figure garnered in the last race.