Sunday 11/25/2018 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Requests Etc

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Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Los Angeles Chargers look to bounce back from their first setback in nearly two months when they host the lowly Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Chargers had their six-game winning streak snapped with last week's 23-22 loss to Denver (as a -7 point favorite at intertops) but still remain two games ahead of the pack for the first spot in the AFC wild-card race.

The Chargers played a sluggish contest against the Broncos and quarterback Philip Rivers saw a good opportunity evaporate with his team's performance. "We've had a good run," Rivers told reporters. "We're still sitting at 7-3. There's no satisfaction, no settling. But we've got a lot to look ahead to, and it's right in front of us with Arizona." The Cardinals have been dreadful and are coming off a 23-21 loss to equally impotent Oakland. "It's tough," Arizona first-year coach Steve Wilks told reporters. "You've got to learn how to hit the reset button and not linger on things. I try to pull out the positive and learn from the negative stuff. It is a hard process, and I knew it would be hard coming in. Did I expect to be where we are? No."

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Chargers -12.5 O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (2-8): Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen is struggling with the intelligence of NFL defensive backs as nine of his 10 interceptions have come in the last five games. "He is going to go through those ups and downs as a rookie," Wilks told reporters. "We understand and know that. You want to try to eliminate those, of course. Those interceptions put you behind the eight-ball." Arizona's defense allows an average of 24.8 points and defensive end Chandler Jones has been a force, recording two sacks in each of the last two contests as he ranks third in the NFL with 10.5.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (7-3): Defensive end Joey Bosa returned from a foot injury to play for the first time this season against Denver, and he was pleased that he was able to play 31 snaps. "Thirty (one) plays in an NFL game is - well, obviously you can have more - but it's about as high stress of a situation as you can put yourself in," Bosa told reporters regarding his first game. "Now I know my foot can withstand it. I know my body can withstand it. I was pretty conditioned out there, so this week will be much more about getting back to my technique and worrying about playing and more of the football aspect of it than the health aspect of it." Rivers is enjoying a stellar campaign with 23 touchdown passes against six interceptions while running back Melvin Gordon has recorded 741 yards and seven scores.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chargers hold a 9-4 series advantage, but the Cardinals won the last meeting 18-17 during the 2014 season.

2. Arizona has committed 21 turnovers and is tied for 28th in the NFL with a minus-9 turnover margin.

3. The Chargers placed DT Corey Liguet (knee) on injured reserve due to the season-ending injury he suffered against Denver.

PREDICTION: Chargers 44, Cardinals 20

 

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Pittsburgh Steelers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last week and will carry a six-game winning streak into Denver for a matchup with the Broncos on Sunday. After falling behind 16-0 at Jacksonville, the Steelers scored 20 unanswered points -- a rally capped by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's dive to the goal line in the closing seconds -- to steal a monumental road win.

The six-game streak is the third-longest in the NFL and has Pittsburgh on a rather comfortable perch atop the AFC North, but nobody with the team is looking too far ahead. "We try to be good enough to win on Sundays. We acknowledge on Mondays we better get back to work because you better be good enough to win the following Sunday," coach Mike Tomlin told reporters of the need to focus on the task at hand. "We take that approach and work hard to live it out and stay singularly focused on the things that are important to us." The Broncos emerged from a bye week to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-22 on the road last Sunday (as the Broncos were +7 point underdog at intertops). A 34-yard field goal by Brandon McManus as time expired sent Denver to just its second win in the last eight games.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Steelers -3 O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE STEELERS (7-2-1): Antonio Brown has been Pittsburgh's leading receiver for five straight years but could pass that mantle to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who tallied 10 catches for 104 yards to lead the comeback against the Jaguars and draw comparisons to another franchise great at the position. "He's Hines Ward-like," Tomlin said at his weekly news conference of Smith-Schuster. "I realize what I said when I said that. But this guy enjoys it. He's embracing it, and I think it helps us. I don't know that we've had a guy that I can even make that loose comparison to." Brown, Smith-Schuster and others have helped Roethlisberger put together one of his best seasons at the age of 36, as he is on pace for a career-high 37 touchdowns and to eclipse 5,000 yards for the first time.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (4-6): Quarterback Case Keenum threw for 205 yards against the Chargers and went without an interception for the second straight game after starting the year with eight consecutive contests with at least one pick, and he continued to display a calm demeanor in crunch time. "I think he likes the challenge of bringing our team back," Broncos coach Vance Joseph told reporters Monday. "He's always been that way, from college to his NFL career." Last week's victory has Denver still hoping to be in the playoff mix and a win over the Steelers would give the team loads of momentum heading into a four-game stretch against teams with a combined record of 12-27-1.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos waived veteran CB/KR Adam Jones.

2. Brown has 10 TD catches over the last eight weeks and is tied for the NFL lead with 11 overall.

3. This is the first meeting since Jan. 17, 2016, when Denver defeated Pittsburgh 23-16 at home in the divisional round of the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Broncos 24, Steelers 23

 

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Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers were expected to battle for the NFC North title, but both clubs are looking up at the Chicago Bears with six games to play. Although both teams are coming off losses, Green Bay is in the more desperate position, sitting one game behind the second-place Vikings and winless in five road games entering Sunday night's matchup at Minnesota.

"I definitely didn't expect to be sitting where we're sitting but our record is what it is," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "Obviously, Minnesota has a strong team. They're probably surprised where they're sitting as well. So I don't think either of us are out of (it)." Rodgers was hobbled by a knee injury during the team's first matchup, when the Vikings scored 22 fourth-quarter points in Week 2 in a game that ended in a 29-29 tie. Minnesota, which reached the NFC title game last season, had a chance to move atop the division last weekend but dropped a 25-20 decision in Chicago (as the Vikings +3 point underdog at intertops) to fall 1 1/2 games behind the Bears. "We're a good team. We know that," Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks said. "It's just about going out there and doing it. Quit talking about it. ... We've got to point the finger at ourselves, so we've just got to get the job done, period."

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Vikings -3 O/U: 47.5

ABOUT THE PACKERS (4-5-1): Rodgers keeps putting up big numbers -- 19 touchdowns against only one interception -- and threw for 332 yards and two scores last week in a 27-24 loss at Seattle, but again was unable to end the road skid. Running back Aaron Jones was held to 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries but set season highs with five receptions for 63 yards and a score against the Seahawks. Tight end Jimmy Graham did not practice due to a broken thumb sustained against Seattle, but Rodgers has been locked in on Davante Adams, who set a season high with 166 yards on 10 catches last week. The Packers are No. 5 against the pass (223.0 yards) but are dealing with multiple injuries in the secondary.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (5-4-1): Minnesota has struggled offensively for the past three games as Kirk Cousins has five touchdowns passes and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns in losses to New Orleans and Chicago. Wide receiver Adam Thielen failed to score for the first time in seven games last week but still went over 1,000 yards while Stefon Diggs had a season-high 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. The running game, however, was non-existent against the Bears as Dalvin Cook was limited to 12 yards on nine carries. The Vikings' defense ranks sixth against the pass (226.0 yards), will get a boost with the expected return of linebacker Anthony Barr after a three-game absence.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rodgers had 26 TDs and zero interceptions in his past 10 division games.

2. Thielen had 12 catches for 131 yards and a TD in the Week 2 matchup.

3. Adams has a TD catch in his last three against Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Vikings 26, Packers 24

 

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Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE

Their ugly start to the season now a distant memory, the Houston Texans can set a franchise record when they host the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. The Texans own a two-game lead atop the AFC South and will go for their eighth consecutive victory after opening the campaign with three straight losses, including a 20-17 setback at Tennessee in Week 2.

Surging Houston is coming off consecutive two-point triumphs at Washington and Denver, giving the team four victories by three points or fewer during its winning streak. "We just try to keep on stacking wins and put us in position for later on down the season," Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson told reporters. "It's a very important game. It's a home game. We want to win those. It's a division game. We have to make sure we prepare well and get ready for it." The Titans squandered a chance to make Monday's matchup a showdown for division supremacy, following a pair of decisive wins over Dallas and New England with a 38-10 loss to Indianapolis last week (as the Titans were +2 point underdog at intertops). Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota was knocked out of that game with a stinger, but he practiced fully on Friday and Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur pronounced him "ready to roll."

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texans -6 O/U: 41.5

ABOUT THE TITANS (5-5): Mariota had his two best games in the wins over the Cowboys and Patriots, and it was feared that last week's injury was related to the elbow issues that have plagued him for most of the season and forced him to miss the Week 2 matchup versus Houston. Running back Derrick Henry, who was used out of the wildcat in the first meeting, could be in line for a heavier workload as part of a backfield tandem with Dion Lewis, LaFleur said after Friday's practice. Corey Davis is Mariota's top target with 45 receptions, but it's unclear if fellow wideout Taywan Taylor will return after a two-game absence. Tennessee had the NFL's top-ranked scoring defense until it was shredded by the Colts.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (7-3): Watson had his NFL coming-out party against Tennessee last season in his third career start, throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for another as Houston set a franchise record for points in a 57-14 rout. He has not thrown for more than 239 yards in his last five starts and the Texans have scored more than 23 points just twice, but wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has at least one TD catch in five straight games and eight overall after posting an NFL-high 13 receiving scores last season. Running back Lamar Miller is providing balance to the offense with at least 18 carries and 86 yards rushing in three of the last four games. The Texans are fifth in scoring defense (20.5 points).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Hopkins has at least 100 yards in three of his last four versus Tennessee, including 110 and a TD in Week 2.

2. Mariota had a passing and rushing touchdown in his last matchup against Houston.

3. Texans DE J.J. Watt has registered 10 sacks on the season, including one in each of his last three games.

PREDICTION: Texans 23, Titans 20

 

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Ottawa RedBlacks vs. Calgary Stampeders Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Calgary Stampeders hope the third time's the charm when they take on the Ottawa Redblacks in the 106th edition of the Grey Cup on Sunday in Edmonton. The Stampeders finished with the best record in the CFL the previous two seasons, but weren't able to parlay that success into a championship, falling twice at the last hurdle by a combined nine points, and look to exact a measure of revenge on the Redblacks following a 39-33 overtime loss in the 2016 title game.

"You don't build it up to be a redemption for the last one because you are going to put too much pressure on yourself," Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell told reporters. "You have to go out there and win a football game so don't make it bigger than it is." Ottawa has reached the CFL's biggest stage for the third time in their four-year existence following an impressive 46-27 victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division Semifinal. The Redblacks have played some memorable games with Calgary over the past four years, including a pair of contests which ended in ties, but have failed to notch a win in their last seven regular-season meetings while hoping to win the one that counts and bring the Grey Cup back to the nation's capital. "That seems like an eternity from now when we played those two games," Ottawa wide receiver Brad Sinopoli told reporters about back-to-back losses to the Stampeders in June and July. "You try to peak at the right moment and that's what we're doing right now."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS, ESPN2

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (12-7): Trevor Harris put in one of the best performances of his career as he finished 29-of-32 for 367 yards and a CFL playoff-record six touchdown passes against Hamilton. Defensive back Jonathan Rose, who was tied for the league lead with five interceptions, will miss the Grey Cup pending an appeal after he was suspended one game for pushing a referee to the ground during a sideline melee against the Tiger-Cats. "I don't want to be a distraction and I would never do anything to jeopardize this team's success," Rose told reporters. "I feel like we've got a good understanding between me, the commissioner and the CFLPA so hopefully these guys get it worked out."

ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (14-5): Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns in the 22-14 victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Division Final to become the fifth player in CFL history to win a playoff game in five straight years. Eric Rogers caught six passes for 61 yards and three touchdowns against the Blue Bombers despite hurting his knee in the second half, but is expected to be at full strength Sunday. Calgary will be without the services of running back/kick returner Romar Morris, who suffered an Achilles injury last weekend, with Terry Williams likely to take his place.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Calgary outscored Ottawa 51-17 in their two meetings this season.

2. Harris has thrown for 1,615 yards and 14 TD passes over his last five outings.

3. Rogers has caught eight touchdown passes in five career playoff games.


PREDICTION: Stampeders 32, Redblacks 24

 

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Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Los Angeles Lakers seek revenge for their only loss in the last three weeks when they host the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Lakers went 2-1 on their recent three-game road trip, opening it with a 130-117 loss at Orlando on Nov. 17, when the Magic shot 53.8 percent overall and scored 105 points over the final three quarters.

The defense for Los Angeles was much better in the next two games of the trip and it was stellar in a 90-83 win over the Utah Jazz at home Friday night. "There's going to be games where you just don't shoot the ball well, and tonight we turned the ball over," Lakers superstar LeBron James told reporters after his team survived 23 turnovers to win for the seventh time in eight games. "We're trying to be a really good team, and there's going to be games where we've got to do it defensively. Tonight we did that." Orlando's victory over Los Angeles was part of a three-game winning streak, but it has followed that up with consecutive losses to Toronto and Denver. Magic starters combined for just 42 points in Saturday's 112-87 setback at Denver.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (9-10): The loss at Denver came after two full days of rest and it was a sour note to begin a challenging six-game road trip that also features visits to Golden State and Portland. "Just not enough energy to win a game on the road, not enough focus, just not a good game by us, so we just gotta take tomorrow and see what we did wrong, improve and get ready for Sunday," center Nikola Vucevic told the media after producing 16 points and eight rebounds. Terrence Ross came off the bench to provide 18 points while making 4-of-5 3-pointers.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-7): James fell three assists shy of a triple-double while Brandon Ingram had 24 points and Lonzo Ball chipped in nine with 10 rebounds against the Jazz. "I think Zo, I think he just sometimes he doesn't realize how great he is," James told reporters of Ball, who averages 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists at home. "The things that he possesses out on the floor, when Zo realizes how good he is on the floor, it makes him a very dynamic player and it makes us even better. And he's been doing that as of late, his aggressiveness." Friday's win kicked off a stretch in which Los Angeles plays six of seven at home.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Ball was held scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in 28 minutes in the earlier loss to the Magic.

2. Magic SG Evan Fournier followed up a 27-point performance in a loss to Toronto on Tuesday with five points while missing all five of his 3-point tries in the loss to Denver.

3. James is shooting 58.1 percent from 3-point range over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 115, Magic 104

 

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Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Detroit Pistons are beginning to pick up the types of wins that could potentially serve as a springboard for something greater and will try to carry the momentum over from the latest of those victories when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Detroit is 5-2 in its last seven games, a stretch that includes three road wins -- one at Eastern Conference-leading Toronto -- and an overtime triumph at home against a streaking Houston Rockets squad.

"It felt like a playoff game," center Andre Drummond told reporters Friday after the 116-111 win against the Rockets, who defeated the Pistons at home two nights earlier. "We didn't miss a beat. We took our mistakes from the game before and we didn't let it happen again." Drummond had 23 points and 20 rebounds in Friday's win and Blake Griffin added 28 to bump his team-leading average to 25.3. The Suns are usually just a stepping stone for teams on a roll like Detroit, but Phoenix picked up a surprising 116-114 win at Milwaukee on Friday behind Jamal Crawford's jumper with 0.8 seconds left. "We showed a lot of grit," Crawford told the media after the team's first road win. "Everybody was so tied together. Everybody was so engaged. We were saying the right things on the bench. This seems like the most gratifying win."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus (Phoenix), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-14): Devin Booker's development as a ball distributor continues to take shape while the 22-year-old star sacrifices little -- if anything -- from his scoring, finishing with 29 points and seven assists in the win over Milwaukee. T.J. Warren and rookie Deandre Ayton both shot 8-of-13 from the floor and Trevor Ariza posted his first double-double with the team by finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds. "Positivity was there," Ayton said. "Togetherness was there. We got the job done. Great team win."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (9-7): Rookie Bruce Brown played a season-high 25 minutes and had a team-high plus-18 rating in Friday's win as he was utilized to help bottle up Rockets superstar James Harden, who shot 9-for-27. "It's a big challenge, but he's a great scorer," Brown told reporters. "Honestly, I didn't go into tonight expecting to touch the floor, but I knew the game plan and I knew his tendencies." Brown's defense allowed Griffin, Drummond and Reggie Jackson (19 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime) to operate more freely and Detroit's starters shot 51.7 percent.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns PF Richaun Holmes is 17-for-22 from the floor over a four-game span.

2. Jackson averages 18.1 points and 4.8 assists at home, compared to 12.9 and 3.3 on the road.

3. Phoenix leads the all-time series 67-66.

PREDICTION: Pistons 118, Suns 110

 

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Miami Heat vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

That brief blip in an otherwise stellar first two months for the Toronto Raptors is a thing of the past, and the team is rolling along again. The Raptors will try to push their latest winning streak to five straight when they wrap up a two-game homestand by hosting the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Toronto began the season 12-1 before dropping three in a row but won each of its last four games by an average of 18.8 point to reassert its dominance over the rest of the Eastern Conference. "We're playing well, I still think we can get better," Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard told reporters after a 125-107 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. "Our whole lineup hasn't been here, guys have been out, so once we just get everybody here, and playing, like I said this upcoming schedule is going to be good, just all of us playing, and getting that rhythm of playing, one day off and then game, it's going to be good." The Heat began their two-game trip by earning a 103-96 win in Chicago on Friday, snapping a three-game slide. Miami failed to reach 100 points in any of those three losses and just barely eclipsed that mark while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor against the Bulls.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE HEAT (7-11): Miami's best offensive player on Friday was shooting guard Josh Richardson, who scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and finished 10-of-16 from the floor. "He's been doing a great job all year of being willing to take all those shots," Heat guard Dwyane Wade told reporters of Richardson. "When you have success, it gives you more confidence to take them. Even in the moments when you miss them. I think he understands he's our guy, we're going to him. He's picking up the phone every time we call him, for the most part, and that's all you can ask for." Richardson went 5-of-9 from beyond the arc on Friday after going a combined 0-of-6 in the two previous contests.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (16-4): Toronto knocked down 17-of-39 from beyond the arc on Friday as reserves OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright combined to go 8-of-12 from beyond the arc. "We had a couple of guys back that could shoot, we're slowly working those guys back in there," Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters. "Yeah, we hit some tonight. Started early and it kept on going." Leonard only connected on one of his four attempts from 3-point range but went 12-of-22 from the field after sitting out Wednesday's win at Atlanta to rest on the second night of a back-to-back.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Raptors SF CJ Miles (groin) returned from a five-game absence on Friday and went 3-of-10 from the floor in 18 minutes.

2. Heat C Hassan Whiteside recorded his 13th double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds on Friday.

3. Miami earned a 116-109 overtime victory in its last visit to Toronto on April 11.

PREDICTION: Raptors 126, Heat 113

 

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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Philadelphia 76ers suffered their first home loss on Friday, 121-112 to the NBA-worst Cleveland Cavaliers, but were not discouraged. The 76ers will try to bounce back quickly and win for the fifth time in six games when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Philadelphia, which returns home for three straight after playing the Nets, was 10-0 in its own arena before getting pushed around on the glass and letting the lowly Cavaliers shoot 52.7 percent from the floor on Friday. "You never want to lose, you never want to lose to a team not doing that well," 76ers point guard Ben Simmons told reporters. "And you don't want to lose at home. We've got to move on to Brooklyn next." The Nets outrebounded Minnesota 56-44 on Friday but still suffered a 112-102 setback and were not happy with their effort level. "We came out lackadaisical," point guard D'Angelo Russell told reporters. "We didn't have that bounce in our step, just that energy from the start of the game. (Even if you don't have that), we can still play defense, still be physical, still gain rebounds, still do stuff like that, but as far as on the offensive end, it carried over. It held us back, and those missed rebounds and defensive assignments led to them getting points and us not."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (13-8): Philadelphia was outrebounded 51-38 by the Cavaliers, and All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler put the blame on the backcourt. "I think a lot of it's on the guards," Butler told reporters. "I think (Joel Embiid), Mike (Muscala), Wilson (Chandler), they're down there banging with some big guys. 7-footers, 200-however many pounds. I think the guards got come over the top and secure a lot more of those rebounds. I think it's on us - the guard unit - to help the bigs out." Embiid still managed to secure 12 rebounds in the loss to go with 24 points in his NBA-leading 19th double-double.

ABOUT THE NETS (8-12): Russell went 2-of-10 from the floor, including 0-of-6 from 3-point range, and committed four of Brooklyn's 18 turnovers in Friday's setback. "We were searching for energy, but we just didn't have the juice," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "We couldn't get over the hump. ... I think our turnovers were a big part of our inefficiencies tonight." Russell's five points marked a season low and the first time this month that he failed to reach double figures, coming on the heels of a four-game stretch in which he averaged 20.8 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets PG Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 17.8 points and 7.4 assists over the last five games.

2. 76ers rookie PG Landry Shamet totaled 25 points off the bench in the last two games.

3. Brooklyn snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with a 122-97 home win on Nov. 4.

PREDICTION: 76ers 120, Nets 113

 

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New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The New York Knicks appeared to be headed for a prime position in the NBA draft lottery before knocking off a pair of contenders in the last two games. The Knicks will try to make it three in a row against top-tier competition when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday in the opener of a three-game trip.

New York's winning streak is its first of the season and came about after the team held the New Orleans Pelicans to 39.6 percent shooting in a 114-109 victory on Friday. "Our first two in a row. We're riding with this one," Knicks coach David Fizdale told reporters "We're gonna roll with this one for a little bit. ... I think the credit was - I thought our defense really came to play for the most part. They shot 39 percent from the field, and to get them to that, obviously you gotta get lucky with them missing. But I thought our guys competed in a way that helped that number." The Grizzlies know something about playing hard defense and allow an NBA-low average of 100.8 points. Memphis had a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 112-107 overtime setback at the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS South (Memphis)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (6-14): New York is leaning on its young players and received another solid performance from rookie shooting guard Allonzo Trier on Friday. The Arizona product scored a season-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench and is shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, including 48 percent from beyond the arc, in November. "I think we've just been growing, starting to understand each other better, starting to understand the things that we need to do in order to close out games," Trier told reporters of the team. "I think it's the little things, the attention to detail things that we were better at tonight that made the difference in us winning."

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-6): Memphis was whistled for 29 personal fouls and point guard Mike Conley fouled out in 30 minutes on Friday, leading the team to question some of the calls. "Our defense is where we live, our guys know that," coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "It's frustrating when we are not allowed to defend the way that we are. That's our reputation and it's frustrating. We're going to play this style of basketball, we deserve the respect because of the character of the guys we have, to play this style of basketball." Center Marc Gasol anchors that defense and earned his fifth consecutive double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds on Friday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks leading scorer Tim Hardaway Jr. (23.3 points) was held to seven points on 2-of-15 shooting Friday.

2. Memphis rookie PF Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 15.8 points on 59.1 percent shooting over the last six games.

3. The teams split the two-game series in each of the last two campaigns, with the home team winning each meeting.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 109, Knicks 95

 

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Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE


The Charlotte Hornets are one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the NBA, sparked by Kemba Walker and his league-leading 69 baskets from long range, but sometimes the shots just do not fall. Charlotte heads to Atlanta on Sunday to face the struggling Hawks after a 109-104 loss Friday at Oklahoma City, a game in which Walker hit just 2-of-10 3-point attempts and the Hornets missed two shots to tie or take the lead in the final seconds.

"We had a wide-open one to take the lead and had another one to tie the game," Charlotte coach James Borrego told the media afterward. "We will continue to trust our guys, trust the three ball and move on." The Hornets awoke Saturday at .500 on the season but still in first place in the Southeast Division, and despite a 6-of-31 shooting night from long range Friday are tied for 10th in the league at 35.9 percent. Atlanta's miserable season continued with its 10th consecutive defeat Friday, a 114-96 home loss to Boston in which the Hawks gave up 45 first-quarter points and trailed by as many as 29 in the opening half. "Still seeking and searching, trying to find a group that we can get started in terms of our energy, our effort, playing together," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce told reporters after the game.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Southeast

ABOUT THE HORNETS (9-9): Walker scored 25 points with eight assists Friday, and began Saturday third in the NBA in scoring at 28.6 points per game. Jeremy Lamb averaged 19.8 points across his past five games, hitting 7-of-13 shots from the field against Boston on Monday and again on Wednesday against Indiana. Frank Kaminsky finished with a season high in points for the second straight game Friday, scoring 12 points after finishing with 11 on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-16): Jeremy Lin scored 19 points Friday, and in his past five games is averaging 16.8 per contest while shooting 62 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from 3-point range. DeAndre Bembry scored a career-high 14 points Friday, but other than John Collins (16 points) the rest of Atlanta's starting lineup scored only 14 points. Rookie point guard Trae Young scored fewer than 10 points in four of his past five games, shooting 29.3 percent from the field in that span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta G Kent Bazemore did not play in the second half Friday due to a left ankle sprain.

2. Charlotte G Tony Parker (bruised ribs) and F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (right ankle sprain) did not play Friday.

3. The Hawks' losing streak started with a 113-102 loss at Charlotte on Nov. 7.

PREDICTION: Hornets 117, Hawks 101

 

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LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Portland trail Blazers stumbled hard at the end of a six-game road trip and suffered a pair of blow-out losses against top competitors in each conference. The Trail Blazers will try to hit the reset switch and turn things around at home when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Portland was crushed 143-100 at the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and was barely closer on Friday, falling 125-97 at the Golden State Warriors. "A championship team, you've got to know what can happen. It's something that we've got to look at and see why is this happening?" Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "Why are we losing these games by such a wide margin? But then also understand that you can lose by two, a heartbreaker or lose by 30, a loss is a loss. But after the trip we've just got to go back and correct things, get back to our foundation and get back to the things that we've done to make us the team that we started of the season as." The Clippers are rolling with wins in six of the last seven games and knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies 112-107 in overtime on Friday in a brief stop at home following a three-game trip. Los Angeles, which fell at Portland 116-105 on Nov. 8, will play eight of its next 11 games on the road.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (12-6): Los Angeles is sitting among a group of teams atop the Western Conference because of a well-rounded roster that lacks superstars but celebrates role players like power forward Montrezl Harrell. The 24-year-old Louisville product never averaged more than 11 points in three previous seasons but is posting 15.9 points on 65.4 percent shooting after going for 22 points and 11 rebounds on Friday - his third straight game with 20 or more points. "He's the most improved player in the league," Clippers guard Lou Williams told reporters of Harrell. "He has my vote early on if he can keep up that pace, but he's been playing at a high clip. We're going to need him to continue that way and he's been just playing great."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (12-7): Portland allowed the Bucks to shoot 52.8 percent from the floor in Wednesday's loss and watched Golden State go off at 56.5 percent in Friday's setback. "This is probably the most disappointing game of the trip because they had two guys out with injuries and we had a day of rest," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters, referring to Warriors All-Stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. "This was probably the one that we really needed to get." Lillard needed 24 field-goal attempts to reach 23 points on Friday and shot 37.5 percent from the floor on the six-game trip.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Trail Blazers SG CJ McCollum is 13-of-26 from 3-point range over the last four games.

2. Los Angeles SF Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points on Friday after going for three points on 0-of-8 shooting Tuesday.

3. Portland took the last four meetings in the series.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 111, Clippers 109

 

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Calgary Flames vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Calgary Flames finally ran into a hot goaltender to stymie their scorching offense but they will try to regain their scoring touch when they wind up a two-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday afternoon. After erupting for 17 goals during a three-game winning streak, Calgary was blanked for the first time this season Friday in Las Vegas.

The Flames were the fourth team in league history to erupt for at least five first-period goals in back-to-back games, but they was shut out by Vegas 2-0 just four days after routing the Golden Knights 7-2. "These are the games you've got to get used to," Calgary captain Mark Giordano told reporters. "That's what the league's going to be all about, especially as the year goes on." The Coyotes dropped their third in a row with a 5-1 home loss to Colorado on Friday night and their sputtering offense has managed only seven goals in the past five games (1-3-1). "Right now we can't chase any game because we're not really getting any production," Arizona coach Rick Tocchet told reporters after the latest setback.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Calgary), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE FLAMES (13-9-1): James Neal was honored by the Golden Knights in his return to Las Vegas for helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals last season, but he continued to struggle offensively. Neal, who is mired in a nine-game point drought, was the odd man out as coach Bill Peters juggled his third and fourth lines at Saturday's practice but he will be in the lineup Sunday. David Rittich had his six-start winning streak halted despite turning aside 26 of 28 shots Friday and could give way to ex-Coyotes netminder Mike Smith against his former teammates.

ABOUT THE COYOTES (9-10-2): Antti Raanta had a rude welcome back to the lineup after missing eight games due to a lower-body injury, allowing three goals in the first 10 minutes against the Avalanche. "It was three-nothing and the game was pretty much over. Rough start for sure," Raanta told reporters. "It's about how we play and how I'm playing and it's pretty awful right now. There's a lot of things to do right now to regroup again." Former No. 3 overall draft pick Dylan Strome ended a 10-game goal drought with a power-play tally and won seven of nine faceoffs.

OVERTIME

1. The teams split four meetings last season, with Arizona outscoring Calgary 9-3 in winning the last two.

2. Flames F Johnny Gaudreau has four goals and 15 points in 17 career games versus Arizona.

3. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson had two goals and an assist in four games against the Flames last season.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Coyotes 2

 

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New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made it a little easier on themselves by scoring the first goal in their last four games and hope to keep that trend going when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. The Lightning scored in the first minute for the second straight contest Friday and finished the first period with four goals en route to a 4-2 triumph over Chicago - their fourth victory in five games.

"We got off to a really good start," Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson told reporters after scoring twice in the first period on Friday. "When you get the lead early, it makes it a little bit easier to play the rest of the game. We felt good the way we were playing and kept on going." Nikita Kucherov assisted on three goals in the opening session against the Blackhawks to continue his offensive surge and has recorded 21 points in 13 games since netting two tallies and setting up another in an 8-3 home victory over New Jersey on Oct. 30. The Devils were in a tailspin at that time but have righted the ship a bit with points in five of their last six contests (3-1-2), although they dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to the New York Islanders on Friday - losing for the third time in three tries in the extra session. "Look at the standings. Look how tight everything is," New Jersey center Brian Boyle told reporters after the setback. "Even a tough start is something you don't want to happen. It's going to happen, but we really try to focus. That's what we can control."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE DEVILS (9-9-3): Taylor Hall has stepped up in the last two games, registering two goals and two assists to take over the team lead with 23 points - two better than linemate Kyle Palmieri (club-high 12 goals). New Jersey needs to get more from its power play, which has gone 1-for-19 over the last nine games to drop to 12th in the league (21.4 percent), while its penalty kill is 14-for-14 in the past five contests. Rookie right wing Joey Anderson was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, but defenseman Sami Vatanen (lower body) returned to the lineup Friday after missing three games.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (16-6-1): Kucherov has collected two goals and 10 assists during his five-game point streak to take over the team scoring lead with 30 points - two better than new linemate Brayden Point, who has netted six of his team-best 15 tallies in the last five contests. Kucherov, Point and Johnson teamed up for the second straight game and combined for seven points while captain Steven Stamkos skated between J.T. MIller and Yanni Gourde - a trio that totaled eight points in the previous contest against Florida. Rookie defenseman Erik Cernak notched two assists Friday and has posted a plus-5 rating in his first six NHL games.

OVERTIME

1. Hall, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, needs one assist to reach 300 for his career, two goals to hit 200 and three points to make it to 500.

2. Tampa Bay D Ryan McDonagh has recorded five of his 17 points in the last three games and entered Saturday tied for the league lead with a plus-15 rating.

3. Devils 19-year-old C Nico Hischier is slated to play his 100th NHL game on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Devils 2

 

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Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
BY GRACENOTE

The Anaheim Ducks sat in a playoff position entering the weekend despite plenty of injury issues and a rough stretch during which they lost 12 of 15 games, but they face a difficult five-game road trip that starts Sunday against the Nashville Predators. The Ducks, who also play Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina and Washington on their trek, have earned at least one point in four straight contests (2-0-2) after recording a 2-1 overtime victory over Edmonton on Friday thanks to Rickard Rakell's 100th NHL goal.

Nine of Anaheim's 24 games have ended after regulation (4-5), including four of the last six, and Nick Ritchie's goal with 17 seconds remaining in regulation on Friday earned Rakell a chance to win it. "It takes 60-plus minutes to get points in the NHL, and (Friday) was a prime example," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, whose team beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout on Nov. 12, told reporters. "It wasn't a hockey game we would say we executed at a high level." Anaheim will try to tie its season-high winning streak of three games while the Western Conference-leading Predators have won five straight at home and are 6-0-2 in their last eight meetings with the Ducks but struggled at St. Louis in Friday's 6-2 loss. "It wasn't good. We'll look at it," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette told reporters. "We made too many mistakes. That's why we lost the game."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NHL Network, KCOP-13 (Anaheim), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-9-5): Anaheim is expected to be without its top two defensemen on Sunday as Cam Fowler (facial fractures) is out indefinitely and Hampus Lindholm (lower body) is doubtful despite reportedly accompanying the team on the road trip. Blue-liner Jake Dotchin, who was released by Tampa Bay in the preseason and signed as a free agent by the Ducks, made his season debut Friday and registered one shot in 15 minutes, 54 seconds of ice time. Captain Ryan Getzlaf, who leads the team with 17 points, has recorded two goals, three assists and a plus-4 rating in his last three contests.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (16-6-1): Pekka Rinne should be back in the crease after coming on in relief Friday to turn aside 18-of-19 shots and has posted a .953 save percentage this month to lead the league with a .944 overall mark. Ryan Johansen has notched three points in his last three games to lead the team with 21 - one better than linemate Filip Forsberg, who tops Nashville with 14 goals - including two in his last three contests. Kyle Turris left Friday's game with an undisclosed injury and is questionable for the contest against Anaheim while defenseman P.K. Subban (upper body) likely is still out.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville C Colton Sissons has registered four goals and four assists while leading the team with a plus-12 rating.

2. Rakell is now tied with LW Andrew Cogliano (one goal this season) for seventh on the Ducks' all-time goal-scoring list.

3. The Predators are 4-for-13 on the power play over their last four games while Anaheim is just 2-for-6 on the penalty kill in its last three contests.

PREDICTION: Predators 5, Ducks 1

 

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Miami-Florida Hurricanes vs. Seton Hall Pirates Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
NCAAB PREDICTIONS BY GRACENOTE


Myles Powell has carried Seton Hall's offense on his shoulders all month long, but the high-scoring junior guard may need a bit more help from his teammates if the squad hopes to tackle its next challenge. Miami hopes to corral the nation's seventh-leading scorer and move to 6-0 for the second straight season when it takes on former Big East rival Seton Hall on Sunday in the championship game of the Wooden Legacy in Fullerton, Calif.

The Pirates edged Grand Canyon in Thursday's opening round behind a career-high 40 points from Powell - tying James Harden's single-game tournament record in a non-overtime game for Arizona State in 2008. Seton Hall's newest 1,000-point scorer was held mostly in check with only 19 points - 6.8 below his season average - against Hawaii, but a stingy defensive effort held the Rainbow Warriors more than 25 below their season average in a 64-54 win. The Hurricanes made their way into the title game earlier in the day, getting a put-back dunk from Zach Johnson with two-tenths of a second remaining to hold off Fresno State 78-76. While the Pirates haven't received more than Michael Nzei's 16 points on Friday from any other player this season, Johnson's 24-point effort made him the fourth different Miami player to score 20 at least once.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT MIAMI (5-0): Coach Jim Larranaga credited Johnson's size (6-2) and well-rounded play as key reasons why his team was able to advance in the tournament. "I look at it like we have seven starters," he told reporters. "Zach is bigger and stronger against their press and can see a bit better over it. ... The defense collapsed to stop him from scoring at a high rate, but what makes a guy really good is if he can make his teammates better, and he did that." Chris Lykes (team-high 19.6 points, 2.4 steals) leads four other Miami players averaging at least 11.4 points and has recorded at least 17 and two steals in every contest thus far.

ABOUT SETON HALL (3-2): Powell (25.8 points) is responsible for 36.2 percent of the team's scoring and the only player from a major conference shooting at least 50 percent while averaging at least 25 points entering Saturday. No other Pirate scores more than 9.2 points per game, although Nzei and sophomore Myles Cale (10) recorded season-high point totals on Friday. Sandro Mamukelashvili (7.8 points, 8.2 rebounds) continues to flirt with double-doubles, although he has yet to post one - grabbing at least seven rebounds in each of his last four contests - while Syracuse transfer and fellow sophomore Taurean Thompson is averaging 10 points at this event after totaling nine in his first three games.

TIP-INS

1. Powell became the 44th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points on Friday.

2. Johnson is the first Miami reserve to score 24 or more points in at least nine seasons.

3. Pirates assistant Tony Skinn was Larranaga's point guard at George Mason in 2006, when the Patriots made their memorable run to the Final Four.

PREDICTION: Miami 81, Seton Hall 68

 

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Cal. State - Bakersfield Roadrunners vs. Southern California Trojans Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
NCAAB PREDICTIONS BY GRACENOTE

USC returns home for a stretch of three games in seven days starting Sunday against Cal State Bakersfield, which opened the season with a narrow five-point loss to TCU. Trojans forward Bennie Boatwright was named to last week's NABC Hall of Fame Classic all-tournament team after averaging 18 points and 6.5 rebounds in games against Texas Tech and Missouri State.

Boatwright missed the first two games of the season while recovering from knee surgery, but the senior appears fully healthy after recording 22 points and seven rebounds in last Tuesday's 99-80 victory over Missouri State in Kansas City. The Trojans opened tournament play by committing 17 turnovers in a 78-63 loss to Texas Tech but made 17 3-pointers in their impressive showing against Missouri State. "I thought they were just a little too much for us, especially offensively," Bears coach Dana Ford told reporters. "When we tried to press them, they were just too big and athletic and strong." Trojans forward Nick Rakocevic, a 6-11 junior, averages 14.4 points and 12.4 rebounds and figures to be tough matchup for the Roadrunners, who have only two players listed at 6-9 or taller.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD (3-2): Picked to finish fifth in the Western Athletic Conference, the Roadrunners opened last week's Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas with a 67-55 loss to Central Michigan before recording back-to-back one-point wins over San Jose State and Weber State. Sophomore forward Greg Lee scored 17 points and senior guard Damiyne Durham hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left in last Sunday's 68-67 win over Weber State. Sophomore guard Jarkel Joiner is averaging 12.2 points to lead the Roadrunners, who own a minus-0.2 rebounding margin.

ABOUT USC (3-2): The Trojans have five players averaging double figures - including freshman guard Kevin Porter Jr., who is averaging 14 points on 53.8 percent shooting and has opened his college career by scoring in double figures in five straight games. Junior guard Jonah Mathews is looking to build on a strong showing in Kansas City, where he averaged 16.5 points on 12-of-20 shooting in two games - including 8-for-15 from 3-point range. Rakocevic has 13 blocked shots for the Trojans, who are averaging 83.6 points per game.

TIP-INS

1. USC is 37-6 in nonconference home games under coach Andy Enfield.

2. The Trojans have won 33 consecutive games when allowing 70 points or fewer.

3. USC won its only previous meeting against Cal State Bakersfield 63-59 on Dec. 15, 2013.

PREDICTION: USC 83, Cal State Bakersfield 67

 

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Memphis Tigers vs. Charleston Cougars Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
NCAAB PREDICTIONS BY GRACENOTE

Memphis has alternated wins and losses in its first five games, but the team hopes to end that pattern Sunday. The Tigers look to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they face Charleston in the fifth-place game of the AdvoCare Invitational at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Memphis reached this point by defeating Canisius 71-63 in Friday's contest behind Kyvon Davenport's 16 points and 10 rebounds. Three other players scored in double figures for Memphis, which is beginning to play a more disciplined style under first-year coach Anfernee Hardaway. "That's what this tournament was for," Hardaway said after losing the previous night. "It wasn't to come down here and get beaten by Oklahoma State by 20 points. It was to win the tournament, and also see where we are as a team." Charleston trounced UAB on Friday after falling to LSU in its tournament opener.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT MEMPHIS (3-2): Hardaway changed the starting lineup in Friday's contest after going with the same five-man lineup in each game to that point. Hardaway inserted seniors Mike Parks Jr. and Raynere Thornton into the starting lineup because "we needed energy, and Big Mike and Raynere bring energy. ... That's why I went with that decision," Hardaway said. Parks and Thornton finished a combined 9-of-11 from the field with eight rebounds and three blocks in 40 combined minutes against Canisius and are likely to start again.

ABOUT CHARLESTON (4-2): The Cougars rode Grant Riller (33 points on 13-of-17 shooting) to a 74-51 triumph over UAB as the senior guard stepped up after totaling 11 points on 4-of-24 shooting in the previous two games. Riller averages 18.8 points but is just 2-of-23 from the arc after shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range last season. Jarrell Brantley is the top man on the Charleston scoring chart with an average of 19.3 points, including an average of 25.5 points in the earlier matchups with LSU and Oklahoma State.

TIP-INS

1. After scoring 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting in his first four games, Memphis freshman G Antwann Jones was 6-of-14 from the field for 14 points versus Canisius.

2. Charleston starting F Nick Harris has four points (and only five shot attempts) in 113 minutes.

3. Memphis G Jeremiah Martin has scored in double digits in all five games but is just 7-of-20 from the field in this tournament.

PREDICTION: Charleston 70, Memphis 60

 

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Oregon St. Beavers vs. Long Beach St. 49ers Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
NCAAB PREDICTIONS BY GRACENOTE

Oregon State looks to build on a successful trip to the Virgin Islands when the Beavers continue nonconference play Sunday against visiting Long Beach State. Forward Tres Tinkle has posted a double-double in four straight games for the Beavers, who sandwiched a loss to Missouri with wins over Old Dominion and Penn at last week's Paradise Jam tournament.

Tinkle is second in the Pac-12 in scoring (21.8), third in rebounding (10.6) and sixth in assists (4.6) for an Oregon State team that opened the season with back-to-back home wins over UC Riverside and Wyoming. The Beavers will play their first home game in three weeks against Missouri State on Dec. 1, but first need to be careful not to overlook a Long Beach State team that battled UCLA in its season opener before falling by nine points. Oregon State leads the Pac-12 in scoring defense at 61.2 points per game and has held three of its five opponents below 60 points - including last Monday's 74-58 win over Penn in the third-place game of the Paradise Jam. Guard Stephen Thompson Jr. had 11 points, six assists and four steals as the Beavers bounced back from a six-point loss to Missouri and led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, None

ABOUT OREGON STATE (4-1): Tinkle scored a career-high 32 points in the victory over Penn and averaged 20.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists across three games in the Virgin Islands. The Beavers have received a spark off the bench from 7-foot junior Kylor Kelley, a junior college transfer who had eight boards against Penn and has scored 35 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in his past four games. Starting center Gligorije Rakocevic is shooting 65.4 percent from the field for the Beavers, who were picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll.

ABOUT LONG BEACH STATE (2-4): Senior guard Deishuan Booker is averaging 17.8 points to lead the 49ers, who lost 87-72 to Utah Valley in last Wednesday's MGM Resorts Main Event Middleweight Bracket title game in Las Vegas. Picked to finish fifth in the nine-team Big West Conference, the veteran 49ers roster has a total of nine seniors and juniors - including 6-7 senior forward Temidayo Yussuf, who is averaging 8.3 points and five rebounds. Coach Don Monson's squad has wins over Menlo College and Iona and losses on the road to UCLA, Arizona State and Mississippi State.

TIP-INS

1. Oregon State and Long Beach State split a pair of games last season with the Beavers winning 89-81 in Corvallis and Long Beach State posting a 74-69 victory at the AdvoCare Invitational in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

2. Oregon State is 46-12 when leading at halftime under coach Wayne Tinkle.

3. Thompson averaged 20.5 points and Tinkle averaged 17.5 in two games against the 49ers last season.

PREDICTION: Oregon State 78, Long Beach State 66

 

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Rice Owls vs. Wichita St. Shockers Preview and Predictions 11-25-2018
NCAAB PREDICTIONS BY GRACENOTE

Wichita State finally got the breakout performance it had been waiting for from freshman Dexter Dennis, but it wasn't enough as the Shockers lost 90-86 to Alabama last Sunday in the fifth-place game of the Charleston Classic. The Shockers return home after a week off to meet Rice on Sunday afternoon, playing at Charles Koch Arena for the first time since their season opening loss to Louisiana Tech on Nov. 6.

Dennis had a dominant second half against the Crimson Tide as the 6-5 guard scored 15 of his career-high 19 after the break to help Wichita State rally from a 13-point deficit to make it a one-possession game with 11 seconds remaining. "It takes some guys no time. They come in and they got it," Shockers coach Gregg Marshall told the media. "It takes other guys weeks, months. It takes some a season or seasons, and some never get it. For (Dennis), it appeared that the light came on at halftime of the Alabama game." Senior Markis McDuffie made the all-tournament team at the Charleston Classic as he combined to score 50 points while making 15-of-25 field goals in the Shockers last two games against Alabama and Appalachian State. An early season surprise for Rice has been the improved shooting of guard Robert Martin, who has matched his 3-point output from his first 48 collegiate games (11-of-43) in the first six contests of his junior season (11-of-21).

TV: 3 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT RICE (3-3): Junior guard Ako Adams, the only returning starter, is leading Rice in scoring (15.1) and is coming off a team-high 17 points in a 105-78 blowout loss to BYU on Wednesday. The Owls will try to improve on their worst defensive performance of the season as they allowed BYU to shoot 55.7 percent from the floor and gave up 10 3-pointers (both season highs), while forcing a season-low six turnovers. Rice has welcomed eight new players this season including graduate transfer Jack Williams, who is third on the team in scoring (10.8) while also leading the Owls in rebounding (7.2).

ABOUT WICHITA STATE (2-3): McDuffie is off to an incredible start as his 21.6 scoring average leads the American Athletic Conference is the most for a Wichita State player in the first five games of a season since Maurice Evans' 23.8 in 1998-99. Junior center Jaime Echenique has been the Shockers' greatest weapon down low as the Columbian leads the team in rebounding (6.6) and has recorded at least one block in every game. This young Wichita State team (eight freshmen) is gaining plenty of experience playing in tight games early in the season as the Shockers' two wins have been by a combined nine points and their last two losses have each been by four.

TIP-INS

1. This will be the second meeting between Rice and Wichita State with the other coming in an Owls win in 1949.

2. Rice is 3-0 at home and 0-3 on the road.

3. A loss Sunday for the Shockers would be only the fourth time in six seasons that they've lost consecutive regular season games.

PREDICTION: Wichita State 93, Rice 77