Sunday 11/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (4-3) at Hurricanes (3-4)

Date: November 06, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes don't mind the hard work and extra time, but they would like to start making it easier on themselves.

Another chance to do that comes Sunday when the struggling New Jersey Devils visit PNC Arena.

"At some point when we get playing at home, we have to take advantage of that," Carolina coach Bill Peters said.

Both teams are coming off Saturday night road games with different results.

It turned out to be a late, yet successful night for the Hurricanes, who won in a shootout at Nashville.

The Devils are trying to salvage something from a three-game Southern road swing. They lost 4-3 in overtime at Florida before Saturday night's 4-1 setback at Tampa Bay.

The teams might benefit from the extra hour because of the time change.

New Jersey has yet to post a victory on the road.

"It's always better and easier when you start (playing better) from the beginning," said Devils forward Pavel Zacha, pointing out one of the themes of slow starts to games involving New Jersey.

Devils coach John Hynes said some rallies have been encouraging, but it's not the best route to take and it's not something that can be relied on.

"It builds some confidence, it can do that," Hynes said.

The Hurricanes are looking for ways to produce better beginnings of games as well, particularly after some miserable shifts in Nashville.

"We knew that was as bad as it was going to get," defenseman Ron Hainsey said of a stretch in the first period.

That has led to issues with low scoring and even though it worked out against Nashville that won't always be the case.

"If you keep scoring one goal (it's not enough)," Hainsey said. "No matter how you do it, you're going to have to score two or three to win consistently."

Peters said he intended to use both goalies this weekend, so that would mean going with Eddie Lack against the Devils.

But Peters also likes to stick with a hot goalie and Cam Ward was strong Saturday night.

"He gave us a chance to get our feet underneath us, especially early," he said. "Obviously, 3-for-3 in the shootout, which is huge."

Sunday's game marks the first time this season Carolina plays on back-to-back days.

"You have to show up every day no matter what happened the previous day and try to get better," Hurricanes center Jordan Staal said. "It's a matter of fine tuning things and continuing to get better."

If Devils defenseman Andy Greene plays Sunday, he will set the club record with his 322nd consecutive game.

For Carolina forward Lee Stempniak, it's the pursuit of a new milestone because he played in his 800th career NHL game Saturday night.

This will be only the third home game for the Hurricanes, who opened with a two-week road schedule because of the North Carolina State Fair that takes place near the arena.

This wraps up a three-game road trip for the Devils. The teams meet again Tuesday night in Newark, N.J.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Stars (4-5) at Blackhawks (8-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- If the Chicago Blackhawks are to extend their current winning streak by sweeping a weekend home-and-home series with the Dallas Stars, they'll need end a skid against their Central Division rivals at the United Center.

Chicago goes for its sixth win in a row Sunday evening when it meets Dallas for the second time in as many days.

The Blackhawks (8-3-1) stretched their streak to five games with a 3-2 win over the Stars on Saturday night.

"I don't think anyone realizes we're on a little streak like that," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. "We're just focusing on trying to improve every single day."

However, Chicago has been outscored 16-7 while dropping three in a row -- all in regulation -- on the West Side against Dallas. Chicago hasn't lost four straight at home to the Stars since Oct. 13, 1996-Oct. 24, 1997.

Chicago got goals Saturday from Richard Panik, Ryan Hartman and Patrick Kane, who also had an assist, and 31 saves from Corey Crawford.

Kane, the first U.S.-born Hart Trophy winner, has registered points in six of his last seven games, totaling three goals and six assists. He also believes the club can do more.

"I thought tonight was a little bit better of a game, all-around for us, and we can still can improve," Kane told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's good we're winning these games, knowing we can be better."

Chicago has scored 18 goals during its winning streak, but as impressive as that might be, there might not be a goaltender in the league playing better right now than Crawford. After yielding 13 goals while going 1-3-1 in his first four games this season, Crawford has given up just seven goals in six games, posting a record of 5-0-1.

However, Crawford will have something to prove against the Stars. He has lost his last two home starts against Dallas, playing just 78 minutes and posting a 6.90 goals-against average with a .824 save percentage.

Brett Richie and Curtis McKenzie scored first-period goals Saturday for the Stars, who failed again to post consecutive wins for the first time this season, and dropped to 0-2-1 in their last three games.

Dallas is 1-3-1 on the road and has surrendered at least one power-play goal in each of five road games this season. Chicago, meanwhile, has killed off 12 straight short-handed situations in the last four games.

"They've got a good team, and we have to handle that a little," Stars coach Lindy Ruff told the Dallas Morning News.

Injuries to key players have contributed to the slow start by Dallas (4-5-2).

Patrick Sharp, a former fan favorite who played nine-plus seasons for Chicago, is on injured reserve with concussion-like symptoms. Ales Hemsky is also on IR after undergoing hip surgery that's expected to sideline him for five to six months. Also expected to miss up to six months is Mattias Janmark (knee). Cody Eakin remains out with a knee injury, and Jiri Hudler has missed seven straight games with a viral infection.

And the list grew Saturday. Jason Spezza, who has four goals in nine games so far, left after the second period with an upper body injury. Ruff said after the game that Spezza will "miss some time."

Former Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi made 29 saves Saturday, but Kari Lethonen might get the start in net for this game. Lehtonen has surrendered 10 goals en route to an 0-2-1 record in his last three starts overall, but only seven shots have gotten past him while winning his last three starts in Chicago.

Chicago right winger Marian Hossa, who scored his 500th NHL goal on Oct. 18, is two points shy of 1,100 for his career. Hossa ranks fourth among active players in points behind Jaromir Jagr, Joe Thornton and Jarome Iginla.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flames (5-7) at Ducks (5-5)

Date: November 06, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Two teams looking to change their identities meet Sunday night when the Anaheim Ducks and the Calgary Flames face each other at the Honda Center.

The Ducks seek consistency after 10 days that resembled a ferociously jagged line on a Richter scale. Anaheim began that stretch with a 6-1 thrashing of the Nashville Predators, only to follow with a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Ducks responded by defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-0, then got routed by the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1.

Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle hopes his team's most recent result, Friday night's 5-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes, will be the beginning of the end of the Ducks' uneven performance.

"Hopefully, it's a start we can build on," Carlyle said afterward. "Tonight was a statement that we have to approach the game a little differently, maybe, than we had for the first five or six games. Our defense was much more effective moving the puck. We didn't really tax our goaltender. We were disciplined. We didn't take a bunch of stupid penalties."

They also relied on forward Rickard Rakell, the Ducks' most consistent player lately. Since returning to the lineup Tuesday night against the Kings, Rakell accumulated three goals and six points in three games. Two goals and an assist came Friday night, three weeks after Rakell ended his status as a restricted free agent by signing a six-year contract worth $22.8 million.

"He's a gifted kid, and we're very fortunate to have him," Carlyle said. "It looks like the game is slow for him. That's what's amazing for those young players who have that skill set. The puck follows them around, and they can do things that other people don't want to try."

Whether left winger Nick Ritchie and center Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks' captain and leader in assists, are able to contribute remains an open question. Both missed the past two games after sustaining upper-body injuries in the victory over Los Angeles. Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert received a three-game suspension for hitting Ritchie into the glass. Both Ducks participated in Saturday's practice, though.

The Flames, meanwhile, search for a new personality under first-year coach Glen Gulutzan, who wants to add discipline and skill to a squad known for workmanlike grit.

"I'd like to establish a really solid, structured game," Gulutzan told the Calgary Herald while referring to comments Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane made about the Flames' schizoid tendencies.

"They're hard to predict," Kane told the Herald. "Whether it's going to be a tight checking match-up or it could get out of hand and there could be a lot of scoring, they're always fun games to play in, especially when you don't know what to expect."

For Gulutzan, those are fighting words.

"We used that quote because we need to find and establish what you're going to get from the Calgary Flames every night," Gulutzan told the Calgary Sun. "When you look at the teams that have had success year after year over the last 10 years, you always knew what you were going to get. That's the stepping stone we'd like to get to."

Calgary's 5-0 loss to the Kings on Saturday night reinforced Gulutzan's point.

"You're going to get a team that rolls and knows its identity," Gulutzan told the Sun. "They've got all the pieces, right?"

The Flames face Anaheim without right winger Kris Versteeg, who went on injured reserve with a strained groin Saturday. Calgary recalled left winger Hunter Shinkaruk from Stockton of the AHL.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - November

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
11/1 12 66.5 57 UNDER
11/2 3 16.5 16 UNDER
11/3 12 65.5 65 UNDER
11/4 3 16 24 OVER
11/5 13 - - -
11/6 6 - - -
11/7 3 - - -
11/8 10 - - -
11/9 3 - - -
11/10 10 - - -
11/11 6 - - -
11/12 11 - - -
11/13 6 - - -
11/14 1 - - -
11/15 13 - - -
11/16 2 - - -
11/17 10 - - -
11/18 5 - - -
11/19 11 - - -
11/20 5 - - -
11/21 7 - - -
11/22 5 - - -
11/23 12 - - -
11/24 2 - - -
11/25 11 - - -
11/26 9 - - -
11/27 6 - - -
11/28 2 - - -
11/29 12 - - -
11/30 3 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (4-2) at Mavericks (0-5)

Date: November 06, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The news just keeps getting worse for the Dallas Mavericks.

Not only is the team mired in the longest losing streak to start a season in franchise history, the Mavs are going to be without Dirk Nowitzki for the foreseeable future.

The sixth-leading scorer in NBA history is being shut down due to right Achilles soreness. The initial thought is Nowitzki is going to miss at least a week before being reevaluated.

The team is not putting a timetable on his absence. The Mavericks face the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center on Sunday.

"Is it bad news? Yes. It's bad news, but we'll get through it," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "We'll get through it. We've gone through some periods like this before, but his health is the most important thing.

"He's more than willing to continue playing, but it's pretty obvious that things just aren't right. We've got to do the right thing here and back him off, get to the root of it and get it fixed."

Nowitzki played only 16 first-half minutes in Friday's 105-95 home loss to Portland, dropping the Mavericks to 0-5. No team in club annals had ever started worse than 0-4.

Nowitzki missed two games before suiting up against Utah and the Trail Blazers. The rest initially helped, but he didn't come out of the locker room after halftime Friday.

"It felt better after a couple of days of not doing anything," Nowitzki said. "But as soon as I got back out there with the cutting and the showing and the quick changing of direction, it went right back to feeling the same.

"I'm already not moving great at 38 as it is and to be out there on one leg is not helping myself or the team at all. We are going to get this thing right in the next few days and then ramp it back up."

The Bucks (4-2) extended their winning streak to three with Saturday night's 117-91 home rout over to Sacramento. Mirza Teletovic knocked down seven 3-pointers and led Milwaukee with 22 points off the bench.

Jabari Parker scored 19 and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 17 points. None of the starters played in the fourth quarter.

"Getting able to get some rest in the fourth quarter is a great feeling going to Dallas with fresh legs," said Antetokounmpo, the team leader in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks.

Coming to Dallas serves as a pseudo-homecoming for coach Jason Kidd, who was drafted by the Mavericks before returning years later to help lead the franchise to its first NBA championship in 2011.

The game is also Jason Terry's first in Dallas as a member of the Bucks. Terry was also part of the championship team during his eight-run with the Mavs and remains a fan favorite.

The Bucks snapped a six-game losing streak against Dallas last season. The Mavs have won three straight in the series at home and 11 of the last 13.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: LeBron moves up scoring list in Cavs win
By The Sports Xchange

PHILADELPHIA � LeBron James had 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, Kevin Love added 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers remained unbeaten with a 102-101 victory over the feisty Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Channing Frye scored 12 points, J.R. Smith added 11 points and Tristan Thompson pulled down 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers improved to 6-0. They're the lone team in the league without a loss.
It is Cleveland's best start since winning its first eight games in 1976-77.
Along the way, James also passed NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon to move into 10th place on the league's scoring list. James' driving layup with 6:02 left in the first quarter pushed him past Olajuwon's total of 26,946 points.
Cleveland won its seventh straight game over Philadelphia.

Magic 88, Wizards 86
ORLANDO -- Reserve forward Jeff Green scored 18 points, including 10 in the final period, to lead Orlando to a victory over Washington at the Amway Center.
The Magic won their third consecutive game after rebounding from a 10-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. Green hit a 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining for a 84-82 lead they never lost.
Magic guard Evan Fournier had 13 points. Forward Serge Ibaka had 11 points and seven rebounds. Reserve Mario Hezonja had nine points, including eight in the fourth-quarter rally. Reserve center Bismack Biyombo had nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

Pistons 103, Nuggets 86
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Andre Drummond powered for 19 points and 20 rebounds, and Detroit romped past Denver at The Palace.
The Pistons center notched his third 20-rebound game of the season. He also made three blocks, giving him 500 for his career.
It was a bounce-back effort for the All-Star. Drummond was benched for much of the second half of Detroit's 109-101 loss at Brooklyn on Wednesday for what coach Stan Van Gundy deemed a low-energy performance.

Pacers 111, Bulls 94
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Teague scored 21 points to lead six Indiana players in double figures, and the Pacers dominated Chicago from start to finish to get the win.
Indiana, which improved to 3-0 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, came in ranked last in scoring defense, allowing 115 points a game.
CJ Miles added 20 for Indiana, Myles Turner had 16, Paul George had 13, Thaddeus Young contributed 12 and Aaron Brooks finished with 10. Monta Ellis had eight assists for the Pacers, who shot 53.5 percent (46 of 86).

Thunder 112, Timberwolves 92
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook scored 28 points to lead Oklahoma City to a victory over Minnesota at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook shot 9 of 18 from the field to go along with eight assists, six rebounds and three assists. Center Enes Kanter came off the bench to pour in 20 points and grab 10 rebounds. Center Steven Adams added 14 points and eight boards.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 33 points on 13 of 20 shooting. Shabazz Muhammad came off the bench to post 15 points. No other starter reached double digits.

Hawks 112, Rockets 97
ATLANTA -- Guard Kent Bazemore, held scoreless one night earlier, bounced back to score a season-high 20 points and spark Atlanta to a win over Houston at Philips Arena.
The win broke Atlanta's two-game losing streak and extended its winning streak over Houston to six games. It was the most points scored by the Hawks this season.
Bazemore, who signed a four-year, $70 million contract in the offseason to remain with the Hawks, entered the game with a 27 percent shooting percentage. His previous high for the season had been 11 points and he didn't score on Friday in the game at Washington, going 0-for-7 from the floor.

Bucks 117, Kings 91
MILWAUKEE -- Some players, when they find themselves in a funk, try working on their shot mechanics or spend more time out on the court, working out flaws in their shot.
Mirza Teletovic, however, decided to get a haircut.
The pampering paid off as Teletovic knocked down seven 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 22 as Milwaukee extended its winning streak to three games with a victory over Sacramento at the Bradley Center.

Clippers 116, Spurs 92
SAN ANTONIO -- Blake Griffin scored a season-best 28 points in just 29 minutes as Los Angeles crushed San Antonio.
Guard Jamal Crawford scored 16 points for the Clippers and forward Marreese Speights added 15. Guard Chris Paul had 10 assists.
The Clippers rank first in defensive efficiency. They used that prowess to initiate offense against the Spurs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jazz (3-3) at Knicks (2-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 12:00 PM EDT

It took five games, but the revamped starting five for the New York Knicks has become a collective force.

Forward Kristaps Porzingis hopes the momentum continues Sunday when the Utah Jazz visit Madison Square Garden.

"It feels good to get on the right track and play the kind of basketball we want to," Porzingis said after scoring 27 points in New York's 117-104 victory in Chicago on Friday. "This is a first baby step of how we want to play as a team. This is something to build on."

All five starters were in double figures early in the fourth quarter, with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah making a triumphant return to the United Center.

Rose notched his first double-double as a Knick, recording 15 points and 11 assists. Noah contributed 16 points and nine rebounds.

Carmelo Anthony added 25 points and Courtney Lee, a free agent acquisition like Noah, tossed in 15 points.

"We were sharing the ball a lot and we did a good job of being aggressive," Porzingis said after New York improved to 2-3. "We made a lot of good plays for each other. Even though we lost the lead, we still found a way to come back. And that's the kind of basketball we want to be playing."

Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek had reprimanded his team for not getting Porzingis the ball enough after a 118-99 home loss to Houston on Wednesday, but credited better spacing to allow Porzingis to roam the perimeter.

The Jazz (3-3) could receive a boost from small forward Gordon Hayward, the team's leading scorer last season, who will be making his season debut. Hayward is expected to return from a broken finger on his non-shooting hand.

The Jazz could use his scoring prowess. Utah shot 37.5 percent from the floor in a 100-86 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Hayward warmed up prior to the game, but did not see any action.

Power forward Derrick Favors, who averaged 16.4 points and shot 51.5 percent from the floor last season, has seen his production slip. He's averaging 8.0 points and shooting 33.3 percent.

Favors missed the season opener with a knee injury and came off the bench in his first two games back. He played a season-high 27 minutes Friday and went 3 for 13 from the field.

The continuation of the maturity process of second-year pro Trey Lyles, who turned 21 on Saturday, has Utah coach Quinn Snyder excited. Lyles will be up against Noah on Sunday, one of the more physical centers in the league.

"Trey's a talented offensive player," Snyder told the Salt Lake Tribune. "He can do things that are unique. He can pass. He can shoot. He can hit the mid-range and three-point shot. (But) he needs to read a situation before he gets the ball.

"I want him to have an idea of what he's going to do beforehand, so the ball doesn't stick. He's conscious of that. I want the emphasis to be on his reads.

"On defense, he has to come out determined and aggressive. If he's behind his man in the post, that's not what we want. We want him in front. We want him to get physically stronger and hold his ground. Not just to absorb contact, but to not get pushed out of the way.

"I see him continuing to improve."

Utah begins its first long road trip of the season as it plays five games in seven nights this week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (3-3) at Grizzlies (3-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

MEMPHIS -- The Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers both enter Sunday's matchup at the FedEx Forum with mediocre 3-3 records. But think where each of the teams would be without their All-Star point guards.

Mike Conley of Memphis is averaging 21.8 points and 6.6 assists per game. The 10th-year pro, who signed a five-year, $153-million contract extension in the offseason, scored 30 points and dished out 10 assists as the Grizzlies fell 99-88 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Damian Lillard of Portland ranks third in the NBA in scoring at 34.2 points a game.

In his fifth NBA season, Lillard, signed to a five-year, $120-million contract extension in the offseason, scored 15 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Trail Blazers past Dallas 105-95 on Friday night at American Airlines Center.

During Conley's first career 30/10 game, he became the first player in Memphis history with 30 points 10 assists and no turnovers and the first Grizzly since Wayne Ellington in 2012 to knock down seven 3-pointers.

It wasn't enough to rescue the Grizzlies, who shot 36.9 percent from the field against the Clippers. Memphis also yielded 19 turnovers that resulted in 30 L.A. points.

"I sensed frustration from a lot of (teammates) because their individual games weren't going well, because they weren't making shots, because we were turning the ball over," Conley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

"I told myself, 'I've got to do something aggressive and make plays.' I tried to do whatever it took to get us back in the game."

Aside from Conley, the Grizzlies combined to miss 14 of their first 15 shots. Center Marc Gasol started 1 for 11 before catching a rhythm to finish with 21 points on 7-for-18 shooting to go with nine rebounds.

Memphis coach David Fizdale was unhappy with his team's sloppiness on offense, which he said led to poor defense.

"We did a crap job of getting back with too many guys gambling in the backcourt and (with) fake hustle," Fizzle said. "We weren't committed to our transition defense.

"The turnovers killed us, and (getting outscored) 31-8 in fast break points ... that is just losing basketball. We have to really tighten that up."

Lillard made 4 of 5 shots from the field and 6 of 6 free throws in the fourth quarter as Portland kept Dallas at bay and snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Oakland native finished with 12-for-18 shooting, including 5 for 5 from 3-point range, to go with four rebounds and four assists.

"Sensational, amazing, All-Star, MVP," teammate CJ McCollum told reporters afterward. "He was big tonight. He had some huge shots throughout the game, kept us afloat."

Added Portland coach Terry Stotts: "Damian has done a lot already in his young career, but that might have been his best game. His performance was remarkable."

Lillard is one of five players to have scored 200 or more points in the first six games of a season over the last 30 years, joining Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Stephen Curry.

"He's making a statement," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's establishing himself as an early MVP candidate."

Lillard became the first player since O'Neal in 1994 to score at least 27 points in each of his first six games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (2-5) at Raptors (4-1)

Date: November 06, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Sacramento Kings are the latest team to try to hold Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan under 30 points.

If they do on Sunday at Air Canada Centre, they will be the first team to do so this season. DeRozan has scored 30 or more points in the Raptors' first five games of the season.

He scored 34 points in a 96-87 win over the Miami Heat Friday to become the first player to score 30 or more points in five straight games to open a season since Michael Jordan Nov. 1-11, 1986.

Jordan extended his streak to six games and DeRozan will be trying to do the same on Sunday.

"Yeah, I heard it, I don't believe it," DeRozan said. "It's tough, it's not easy. Everything that goes into it, it's just not what you do on the court, it's how you take care of yourself physically, mentally, everything. There are things off the court that people don't get a chance to see that are just as important."

Two NBA players scored 30 or more points in five straight games last season. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (Feb. 22-March 3) and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers (Feb. 8-23).

"He's mine. He's ours. He belongs to the Raptors," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said of DeRozan's torrid start. "He's been great. He's been a great leader with his approach, being very professional."

DeRozan surpassed the previous club record of four straight games with 30 or more points set in 2005 by Mike James.

The Raptors (4-1) have won three in a row since losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second game of the season.

They face the struggling Kings (2-5), who lost Saturday night to the Milwaukee Bucks, 117-91.

The Kings have lost the first four games of a five-game trip that ends in Toronto. The Kings are dealing with injuries to forwards Rudy Gay (rib cartilage strain) and Anthony Tolliver (knee).

Omri Casspi replaced Gay -- who is second on the Kings in scoring with 22.5 points per game -- in the starting lineup Saturday and had six points and six rebounds.

The Kings are trying to improve defensively.

"We have to do a better job individually taking on the challenge of beating the guy in front of us," coach Dave Joerger told the Sacramento Bee. "That has not been happening for us. ... Secondly, it's where is our second line of help. Our third line of help is at the rim. There have been too many having-to-help situations by our bigs. We end up giving up something, and one thing leads to the next."

Joerger said he could adjust his starting lineup based on the opponent.

"Either we size down or size up a little bit," Joerger said. "It gives our other guys an opportunity to step up and have a chance. Guys have been working hard and waiting for their opportunities. It's a good chance for those guys as well."

Guard Garrett Temple led Sacramento with 19 points on Saturday, going 5-for-6 in 3-point attempts. DeMarcus Cousins scored 15 points, eight in the first quarter.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (2-3) at Celtics (3-2)

Date: November 06, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics, still looking to have their entire team on the floor in the same game, host the road-weary Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.

The Celtics (3-2) played the first three games of the season without the injured Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk, then got Smart back but lost Al Horford to a concussion prior to Wednesday's home win. In that game, Jae Crowder went down with a left ankle sprain.

Olynyk appears to be the closest to returning, from offseason shoulder surgery. He has officially been listed as questionable for Sunday night's game.

"I'd say he's closer than further, so we'll see," coach Brad Stevens said Saturday. "He's going to be listed as questionable, but that's going to be completely his and (trainer Ed Lacerte's) call. But he's getting a lot better ... he's right around the corner here."

Olynyk practiced with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League team, Friday.

Meanwhile, Horford had progressed to jogging on a treadmill and doing some on-court work and the swelling was down in Crowder's ankle.

"Al's getting better," Stevens said. "He did a little bit of activity, as you probably saw above. He's going to be out on the court a little bit today, but he'll be out tomorrow (against the Nuggets). If everything goes well today then we'll up his activity tomorrow but he will not be cleared to play by game time, is what I've been told."

The Nuggets (2-3) are 1-2 on their current five-game road trip that will give them six of their first seven games away from home.

Saturday night in Detroit, they fell behind 10-0 and were down 29-12 at the end of the first quarter and never caught up. Sunday, they face a team playing on its home floor and one that hasn't played since losing in Cleveland Thursday night -- and will do it with a different starting lineup.

"I'm just tired of watching the struggle that goes on out there," said coach Michael Malone. "It almost looks like they're disinterested to start the game and if we're going to go down, we're not going to go down like that.

"Our defense was horrendous tonight. They did whatever they wanted. It's the fifth game in a row where the squad came out asleep, so we're not going to have the same starting lineup tomorrow night. We can't afford to keep building ourselves 15-20 point deficits to start the game and play catchup. That group is unable to change that, so we'll try to mix up the lineup to give ourselves a better chance at playing 48 minutes because I'm tired of watching that."

Before the game, Malone said, "Regardless of who we play, our goal is to play with pace for 48 (minutes), whether it's Minnesota or Boston tomorrow night. We have to be true to ourselves and play our style of basketball."

Clearly, that didn't happen Saturday night.

The Nuggets got Gary Harris (groin) back Saturday, but Will Barton remained out with a sprained ankle.

The Celtics have swept the two-game season series from the Nuggets each of the last two seasons and are 5-1 over the last three.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (2-4) at Lakers (3-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

Friday was exciting for fans of the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for varying reasons.

The Suns provided a thrilling finish with a last-second one-point overtime win at New Orleans. The Lakers surprised many with a double-digit home victory over the Golden State Warriors.

On Sunday night, the two youngest teams in the Pacific Division get together for the first time this season when the Suns visit the Lakers.

The Suns have won two of their first six games and are getting significant production from Devin Booker, who is averaging 19.5 points after a solid rookie campaign. The second-year guard scored 38 points and hit two-game-tying baskets late in regulation in Friday's 112-111 win decided on P.J. Tucker's inbounds pass to T.J. Warren for the game-winning backdoor dunk.

It was hard to say which was more impressive, the dunk or the fact Tucker was defended by Anthony Davis.

"Tuck, man, made a phenomenal play," Warren said. "It was an amazing pass, using his basketball IQ. It was just a perfect play."

It was the second straight overtime victory for the Suns and their third overtime game of the week. Phoenix also is the fifth team in NBA history to play three overtime games through the first six games of a season and has won consecutive overtime games for the first time since Feb. 27-28, 2011.

"We play this game at the end of every practice called 95-95," Suns coach Earl Watson said. "The team that reaches 100 in two minutes wins, so we are used to this. I don't mean for it to go into overtime every two games. I like the fact that our guys never stop fighting."

The Lakers are coming off seasons of 17 and 21 wins, respectively. Last year, Los Angeles needed 18 games to get its third win and in 2014-15, it took 12 games for the Lakers to reach three wins.

"Honestly, we're looking at the big picture and the big picture isn't beating Golden State and then losing Sunday night at home," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton said. "The big picture is we make it really hard on teams that come into Staples Center and get wins, and so far we've had two home games against two really good teams and won both."

Los Angeles reached its third win by getting 20 points apiece from Lou Williams and Julian Randle in a 117-97 blowout of the Warriors. Randle shot 10 of 18 from the floor and had a key block of Draymond Green at the rim while Williams had at least 10 points in the fourth quarter for the third straight game.

"He's a monster," Walton said of Randle, who is shooting 59 percent this season. "I mean he is. He's as big, strong and quick as anyone in the league."

It also was Los Angeles' third win against a team who made the postseason last year. The Lakers opened the season by beating the Houston Rockets and before Friday also won in Atlanta.

"It's a good start for us, and it's a great win for us," Randle said. "It shows how good we can be, but we've got to continue to build on it."

Los Angeles held Golden State to 5-of-32 from behind the arc and is allowing opponents to make 27.9 percent of their 3-pointers.

Phoenix has won 11 of the last 13 meetings with the Lakers. Sunday is the first meeting between the teams without Kobe Bryant on the roster since April 14, 1996, when Cedric Ceballos scored 23 points in a 118-114 Los Angeles win at the Inglewood Forum.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Sunday’s games

Jeff Hornacek played 6.5 years for the Jazz; his Knicks lost three of last four games with Utah- under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Jazz lost six of last seven visits to Manhattan- they are 3-3 this season (over 3-3), 1-2 on road, losing by 9-13 but with a win in San Antonio. New York is 2-3 (under 3-2), splitting its two home games- they won last game Friday in Chicago.

Memphis won seven of last ten games with Portland; four of last five series games went over total. Trailblazers lost five of last six visits to Memphis (2-3-1 vs spread). Portland split its first six* games (over 5-1), winning two of three road games- favorite covered all six of their games so far. Grizzlies split first six games, with last three staying under- they’re 3-1 at home.

Sacramento won six of last nine games with Toronto (over 5-3 in last eight); Kings won three of last five visits to Canada. Raptors won their last three games, are 2-1 as home favorites; over is 3-2 in their games. Sacramento lost its last four games (0-4 vs spread); under is 3-2 in their road games. Kings are 1-3 as a road underdog.

Dallas won six of last seven games with Milwaukee (5-1-1 vs spread); Bucks lost last three visits to Dallas, by 13-23-10 points- under is 3-2 in their last five games in Dallas. Milwaukee crushed the Kings last night- they’ve won three of last four games. five of their last six games went over total. Bucks are 1-1 as road underdogs. Mavericks are 0-5, 0-2 at home; their last four games stayed under.

Celtics won their last four games with Denver (3-1 vs spread); four of last six series games went over the total. Nuggets lost their last four visits to Boston (1-3 vs spread). Denver got whacked in Detroit yesterday; they’ve lost three of last four games but are 3-1 vs spread as road dogs. Celtics won their two home games by 5-7 points (1-1 as home favorite); over is 3-2 in their games this season.

Lakers won both their home games so far, are 5-1 vs spread overall, but trap game here, with LA coming off its upset of Golden State Friday. Suns won seven of last eight games with LA (over 5-2-1); Phoenix won three of last four visits here. Suns won their last two games, both in OT; four of their last five games went over- they’re 2-1 as road dogs. Lakers are favored for first time this season- their home wins are by 6-20 points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Sunday’s games

Red Wings won nine of last ten games with Edmonton; three of last four series games went over the total. Oilers were outscored 20-9 in losing their last six visits to Motor City. Edmonton lost three of last four games but is 4-2 on road; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Detroit lost its last four games, outscored 15-8; their last three games went over.

Colorado lost four of last five visits to St Louis; under is 7-2 in last nine series games. Avalanche lost four of last six games; they scored total of two goals in last three games (under 4-1 in last five). Colorado is 4-3 on road. Blues also lost four of last six games; they scored total of six goals in last six games. St Louis is 4-2 at home. Both teams won 1-0 games yesterday.

Carolina won three of last four games with New Jersey; under is 6-2-2 in last ten series games. Devils lost three of last four visits here (under is 4-1-1 in last six). New Jersey is 0-5 on road with four one-goal losses, two in OT; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Hurricanes is off to a 207 start but they split only two home games; three of their last four games stayed under.

Winnipeg won three of last four games with the Rangers (under 3-1); Jets won four of their last five visits to Manhattan. Winnipeg lost three of last four games; over is 2-0-1 in their last three. Jets are 2-3 on road. New York won its last four games, scoring 21 goals (over 3-1); they won last five home games, outscoring opponents 24-8.

Chicago won 3-2 in Dallas last nite, just their second win in last eight series games; Dallas Stars* won last three visits here, in series where visitor won five of last six series games. Over is 7-2 in last nine series games. Dallas lost its last three road games by combined 11-3 score; they’re 2-6 in last eight games overall. Blackhawks won last five games, taking last three at home by a combined score of 12-1.

Anaheim won its last seven games with Calgary; four of last five went over. Flames lost last six visits here, outscored 30-11. Calgary got whacked in Staples Center last nite; they’ve lost three of last four games, are 3-4 on road. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Ducks are 3-2 at home, with four of those five games going over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL notebook: Chiefs re-sign RB Davis
By The Sports Xchange

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed running back Knile Davis on Saturday after he was traded last month to the Green Bay Packers before being released a couple of weeks later.
The Chiefs traded Davis to the Packers on Oct. 18 but he was released on Oct. 31.
At the time Davis was traded, it looked like the Chiefs had depth at the running back position. But then Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware suffered injuries, leaving the Chiefs with little depth.

-- Running back Dexter McCluster of the San Diego Chargers sustained a fractured forearm in a home accident on Friday and is out for the season.
McCluster was reportedly moving luggage when he suffered the injury, and an X-ray confirmed the fracture. He was placed on the reserve non-football injury list.
The 28-year-old was signed by the Chargers after running back Danny Woodhead went down because of an ACL tear in Week 2 and was used mostly as a returner, averaging 20.2 yards on kickoff returns and 7.1 yards on eight punt returns.

-- The New Orleans Saints activated first-round pick Sheldon Rankins off injured reserve.
The defensive tackle, who was taken 12th overall by the Saints in May, spent the last eight weeks on IR due to a fractured left fibula. Rankins could make his NFL debut when New Orleans visits San Francisco on Sunday.
The Saints reportedly placed linebacker James Laurinaitis on IR with a quad injury in a corresponding move. Laurinaitis, who spent the first seven years of his career with the then-St. Louis Rams before joining New Orleans in 2016, recorded 19 tackles in five games for the Saints.

-- The Baltimore Ravens activated safety Matt Elam to the 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Elam, the Ravens' 2013 first-round pick, had been designated to return off injured reserve. He sustained a knee injury and had surgery in the preseason that sent him to IR for the Ravens' first eight weeks of the season.
Elam is expected to contribute on special teams and possibly play in nickel defense.

-- The Green Bay Packers activated center Corey Linsley from the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
Linsley will start in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts after he returned to practice two weeks ago following a recurring hamstring injury from the offseason.
The Packers lost starting center JC Tretter to a knee injury suffered against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. Tretter started the first seven games of the season after he regained his old job back because of Linsley's injury. This is the third job swap between the two centers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Opening Line Report - Week 9
By Marcus DiNitto

Here’s a game-by-game look the early point spreads for the NFL’s Week 9 betting card, with insight from two Las Vegas oddsmakers – CG Technology vice president of risk Jason Simbal and Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook manager Ed Salmons.

The numbers listed are the Las Vegas consensus as of about 11:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with early line moves and differences among sports books noted.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)

The Chiefs opened -7.5 at the Westgate and -8 at CG.

While Salmons doesn’t see a big difference between Alex Smith and Nick Foles – the Chiefs “just do what they do,” he said, “it’s not like it’s a complicated offense” – some books will hold off hanging a number on this game until they learn more about Smith’s status. He took a couple shots to the head in Sunday’s game against the Colts.

“The reason we (posted the game) is because we’re in so many Strip properties and there’s a lot of fans that want to bet games like this,” said Simbal. ”So we try to put up our best estimate of a number and let the bets decide if they think he’s going to play or not. We went with 8, which is closer to him playing but not as high as it could be.”

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)

This line ranged from Minnesota -6 at William Hill U.S. to -7 at CG Technology on Sunday night.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

Before Philly took the field in Dallas on Sunday night, CG was dealing the Giants -2.5 for next week’s NFC East showdown, while the Westgate hung -3.

Dallas Cowboys (-7) at Cleveland Browns

The Browns were offered at +6.5 at the Westgate and +7 on Sunday as they look for their first win of the season at home next week against the Cowboys.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3.5)

The Westgate and CG both opened Miami -3 (-120) with quick moves to -3.5. Bettors faded the Jets against the Browns last week, moving the line in Las Vegas from New York -4.5 to -2.5, an indication of the market’s lack of confidence in Todd Bowles’ men.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)

Despite Ben Roethlisberger’s likely absence, public bettors were on the Steelers at CG on Sunday for next week’s AFC North clash in Baltimore. The line stayed put at 2.5, though, since public money early in the week doesn’t influence books to move their numbers. Still, the early action told Simbal something.

“We took a bunch of public money on the Steelers pretty quickly,” he said. “That means, to me, that number is probably about right because if the public is taking the Steelers +2.5, this might be a situation where we actually need a favorite.”

Salmons, meanwhile, is waiting to post a number on this game until he’s sure Roethlisberger will not play. If he starts, the Steelers will be at least 3- or 3.5-point favorites next week, he said.

Simbal and Salmons agree that it’s hard to evaluate Roethlisberger’s replacement, Landry Jones, from the Patriots game two weeks ago – Jones’ lone start of the season – because of the sizable gap between the Pats and the rest of the league.

Simbal recalled the betting pattern of that game, “Most people had Pittsburgh -2 and it closed New England -7, but Roethlisberger’s not really worth 9 points; he’s just worth 9 points against New England. Against a team like Baltimore, he’s worth a lot less.”

New Orleans Saints (-3) at San Francisco 49ers

While laying this short number will entice plenty of public players, they should be aware that the road favorite role has been particularly brutal for the Saints. Since 2013, New Orleans is a bankroll-busting 2-9 ATS when laying points away from home.

Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

Carolina was bet from -2.5 to -3 at multiple shops on Sunday, but the +3s didn’t last long for Rams bettors, as the line settled back at 2.5.

Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7)

Despite a multitude of injuries for the Packers, CG took a few early Green Bay bets on Sunday. Not enough, though, for the book to move off -6.5.

“You don’t really want to go to 7 because of (the injuries) and give sharp guys the +7,” Simbal said. “If there are so many injuries, the public may not want to lay the 7, so it can put you in a bad spot. We’ll probably have to sit tight here and see what happens.”

Most shops were dealing 7, however.

Salmons said he can see this line going as low as Green Bay -4.5, depending on how many significant players can’t go, but he believes the Packers have bigger problems than the immediate health of their roster.

“It looks like a team that got old really fast,” Salmons said. “You can see it. They just have zero team speed, bottom line.”

The good news is they’re playing the Colts next week.

“The Colts are just so wretched,” Salmons said. “(The Colts and Packers are) two teams going in a downhill direction. Green Bay at least has a pulse. You watch this (Colts) team every week and you say to yourself, ‘how can this guy (Chuck Pagano) still be coaching this team?’”

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-5)

Speaking of wretched, San Diego is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 opportunities as a favorite. That didn’t stop bettors from laying the Chargers from -4.5 up to -5 at some spots in Vegas. As of this writing, the line ranged from 4.5 to 5.5.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (pick ‘em)

While most books have this game a pick ‘em, the Westgate was dealing Denver -1 on Sunday. Salmons isn’t all that high on the 5-2 Raiders.

“They keep getting miracle wins against these really bad teams,” he said. “… I expect them to lose to Denver next week.”

Monday, Nov. 6

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks (-7)

CG opened Seattle -6 and was bet to -6.5 by wiseguys who may have been trying to get ahead of the public money that’s sure to come.

“I don’t know how much of (the early wagering on Seattle) is realizing how horrible Buffalo looked and that on a Monday night all the fans will bet the Seahawks.”

Simbal seemed to welcome the action on the favorite.

“This is the type of game where the Bills should be able to hang,” he said. “You saw it (Sunday vs. the Patriots). Their offense is actually decent. They just had stupid penalties, which Seattle tends to have as well. They just couldn’t stop Brady. But Seattle’s offense is very uninspiring.”

Salmons added of the Seahawks, “Their offense is playing so bad. I don’t know what their answer is on offense. You keep saying to yourself, one of these weeks they’re going to wake up and be Seattle, but I’m not so sure Seattle’s not heading in the same direction as Green Bay.”

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 9 Opening Line Report: Raiders, Bronocs meet with first place on the line
By PATRICK EVERSON

Every team in the NFL reaches at least the season’s midpoint this weekend, and perhaps a game beyond that for teams that haven’t had their bye week yet. We talk about some key Week 9 opening lines with Peter Childs, risk management supervisor.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (+1)

Defending Super Bowl champion Denver is atop the AFC West, but not alone, as on-the-rise Oakland is also 6-2 SU heading into a Sunday night showdown. The Broncos (6-2 ATS) held off San Diego 27-19 as a 3.5-point home favorite in Week 8, continuing an interesting trend: in their last 12 victories, the Broncos have held their opponents to 20 points or less all 12 times.

Oakland (5-3 ATS) has continued its rise by hanging out in Florida the past two weeks and bagging consecutive wins and covers. In Week 7, the Raiders bested Jacksonville, and on Sunday, Oakland edged Tampa Bay 30-24 in overtime as a 1-point underdog.

“This is a great prime-time matchup, with these teams vying for sole possession of first place in the very competitive AFC West,” Childs said. “The Raiders are hot, winning and covering their past two games, but that was against the god-awful Jags and the very inconsistent Bucs. Against the Bucs, they set a record for number of penalties recorded in an NFL game (23).”

Childs noted the Raiders are a stout 5-0 SU and ATS on the road, but have failed to cash in their three home games this season.

“So this is truly a test, going up against the defending Super Bowl champs,” Childs said. “We considered making this game a pick ’em, because while the Raiders have struggled at home, they still have great support in Oakland. And being the Sunday night game, we fully expect a raucous crowd.

“But we also know that our customers are going to bet the Broncos in this game, and we wanted to open them a slight favorite, which we did, having them lay 1. So far, 80 percent of early action has come in as we expected, on the Broncos, and we’re sure that money will continue to come in on the Broncos up until game time. We’ll be fine going into this game needing the Raiders, they’re definitely live, and no question they’re going to bring a monster effort in their first Sunday night game since I can remember.”

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)

This is annually a key game for these AFC North rivals, but Pittsburgh will still be without Ben Roethlisberger (knee), and Baltimore is flailing after a strong start. The Steelers (4-3 SU and ATS) are coming off their bye, following a 27-16 home loss to New England as a 7.5-point pup on Oct. 23.

The Ravens (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS) are also coming off the bye, having lost four in a row SU and five in a row ATS. In Week 7, as a 2.5-point road ‘dog to the New York Jets, Baltimore lost 24-16.

“Maybe no team in the NFL needed a bye more than the Ravens,” Childs said. “Baltimore simply can’t move the ball on offense and recently fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. The extra week should help new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg implement his schemes and systems.”

We strongly considered Ravens -3 as the opening number, with Pittsburgh trotting out Landry Jones as the starting quarterback.
“I really wanted to make the Ravens a solid 3-point favorite. But we simply couldn’t,” Childs said. “The history of this rivalry has been intense and ultra-competitive, and both games last year landed on 3. Throw in the fact that bettors are very down on this Ravens team, and we simply couldn’t open up as high as a field goal, so we opened Ravens -2.5. So far we’ve seen steady, two-way action.”

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-7)

Minnesota (5-1 SU and ATS) still has some Week 8 work to complete, traveling to Chicago to face the Bears in a Halloween Monday nighter. But that didn’t stop Childs from posting the Vikings’ Week 9 line a little bit earlier, largely due to Detroit’s performance Sunday. The Lions (4-4 SU and ATS) saw their three-game SU and ATS streak halted in a 20-13 loss at Houston as a 1-point ‘dog

“Detroit went into Houston with some nice momentum, but those wins were all at home, and yesterday, they simply couldn’t execute on offense,” Childs said. “If the Lions can’t move the ball against Houston on the road, you can’t expect them to do much against the best defense, playing in the loudest stadium in the NFL.

“So far, we’ve seen decent two-way action at our current number of Minnesota -7, but so much will depend on how the Vikings play tonight. Their performance will impact how we reopen this line Tuesday.”

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

New York hopes to pick up where it left off before its bye week, as the Giants had won two in a row SU and ATS, including a 17-10 victory at Los Angeles giving 2.5 points in Week 7 to reach 4-3 SU, 3-3-1 ATS. Philadelphia (4-3 SU and ATS) started the season 3-0 behind rookie QB Carson Wentz, but has now lost three of four, including Sunday’s 29-23 overtime setback at Dallas catching 5 points.

“I suspect we’ll open up the Giants about a field-goal favorite, but we haven’t opened this game yet, as the Eagles played on Sunday night,” Childs said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Opening Line Report - Week 9
By Marcus DiNitto

Here’s a game-by-game look the early point spreads for the NFL’s Week 9 betting card, with insight from two Las Vegas oddsmakers – CG Technology vice president of risk Jason Simbal and Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook manager Ed Salmons.

The numbers listed are the Las Vegas consensus as of about 11:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with early line moves and differences among sports books noted.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)

The Chiefs opened -7.5 at the Westgate and -8 at CG.

While Salmons doesn’t see a big difference between Alex Smith and Nick Foles – the Chiefs “just do what they do,” he said, “it’s not like it’s a complicated offense” – some books will hold off hanging a number on this game until they learn more about Smith’s status. He took a couple shots to the head in Sunday’s game against the Colts.

“The reason we (posted the game) is because we’re in so many Strip properties and there’s a lot of fans that want to bet games like this,” said Simbal. ”So we try to put up our best estimate of a number and let the bets decide if they think he’s going to play or not. We went with 8, which is closer to him playing but not as high as it could be.”

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)

This line ranged from Minnesota -6 at William Hill U.S. to -7 at CG Technology on Sunday night.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

Before Philly took the field in Dallas on Sunday night, CG was dealing the Giants -2.5 for next week’s NFC East showdown, while the Westgate hung -3.

Dallas Cowboys (-7) at Cleveland Browns

The Browns were offered at +6.5 at the Westgate and +7 on Sunday as they look for their first win of the season at home next week against the Cowboys.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3.5)

The Westgate and CG both opened Miami -3 (-120) with quick moves to -3.5. Bettors faded the Jets against the Browns last week, moving the line in Las Vegas from New York -4.5 to -2.5, an indication of the market’s lack of confidence in Todd Bowles’ men.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)

Despite Ben Roethlisberger’s likely absence, public bettors were on the Steelers at CG on Sunday for next week’s AFC North clash in Baltimore. The line stayed put at 2.5, though, since public money early in the week doesn’t influence books to move their numbers. Still, the early action told Simbal something.

“We took a bunch of public money on the Steelers pretty quickly,” he said. “That means, to me, that number is probably about right because if the public is taking the Steelers +2.5, this might be a situation where we actually need a favorite.”

Salmons, meanwhile, is waiting to post a number on this game until he’s sure Roethlisberger will not play. If he starts, the Steelers will be at least 3- or 3.5-point favorites next week, he said.

Simbal and Salmons agree that it’s hard to evaluate Roethlisberger’s replacement, Landry Jones, from the Patriots game two weeks ago – Jones’ lone start of the season – because of the sizable gap between the Pats and the rest of the league.

Simbal recalled the betting pattern of that game, “Most people had Pittsburgh -2 and it closed New England -7, but Roethlisberger’s not really worth 9 points; he’s just worth 9 points against New England. Against a team like Baltimore, he’s worth a lot less.”

New Orleans Saints (-3) at San Francisco 49ers

While laying this short number will entice plenty of public players, they should be aware that the road favorite role has been particularly brutal for the Saints. Since 2013, New Orleans is a bankroll-busting 2-9 ATS when laying points away from home.

Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

Carolina was bet from -2.5 to -3 at multiple shops on Sunday, but the +3s didn’t last long for Rams bettors, as the line settled back at 2.5.

Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7)

Despite a multitude of injuries for the Packers, CG took a few early Green Bay bets on Sunday. Not enough, though, for the book to move off -6.5.

“You don’t really want to go to 7 because of (the injuries) and give sharp guys the +7,” Simbal said. “If there are so many injuries, the public may not want to lay the 7, so it can put you in a bad spot. We’ll probably have to sit tight here and see what happens.”

Most shops were dealing 7, however.

Salmons said he can see this line going as low as Green Bay -4.5, depending on how many significant players can’t go, but he believes the Packers have bigger problems than the immediate health of their roster.

“It looks like a team that got old really fast,” Salmons said. “You can see it. They just have zero team speed, bottom line.”

The good news is they’re playing the Colts next week.

“The Colts are just so wretched,” Salmons said. “(The Colts and Packers are) two teams going in a downhill direction. Green Bay at least has a pulse. You watch this (Colts) team every week and you say to yourself, ‘how can this guy (Chuck Pagano) still be coaching this team?’”

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-5)

Speaking of wretched, San Diego is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 opportunities as a favorite. That didn’t stop bettors from laying the Chargers from -4.5 up to -5 at some spots in Vegas. As of this writing, the line ranged from 4.5 to 5.5.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (pick ‘em)

While most books have this game a pick ‘em, the Westgate was dealing Denver -1 on Sunday. Salmons isn’t all that high on the 5-2 Raiders.

“They keep getting miracle wins against these really bad teams,” he said. “… I expect them to lose to Denver next week.”

Monday, Nov. 6

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks (-7)

CG opened Seattle -6 and was bet to -6.5 by wiseguys who may have been trying to get ahead of the public money that’s sure to come.

“I don’t know how much of (the early wagering on Seattle) is realizing how horrible Buffalo looked and that on a Monday night all the fans will bet the Seahawks.”

Simbal seemed to welcome the action on the favorite.

“This is the type of game where the Bills should be able to hang,” he said. “You saw it (Sunday vs. the Patriots). Their offense is actually decent. They just had stupid penalties, which Seattle tends to have as well. They just couldn’t stop Brady. But Seattle’s offense is very uninspiring.”

Salmons added of the Seahawks, “Their offense is playing so bad. I don’t know what their answer is on offense. You keep saying to yourself, one of these weeks they’re going to wake up and be Seattle, but I’m not so sure Seattle’s not heading in the same direction as Green Bay.”

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 9 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Alan Matthews

So, I was all ready to tell you that the NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday and not to expect anything major. The NFL deadline is nothing like those in the NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball because of salary-cap issues and all those bonuses paid out to players that are stretched out over years in cap form. You don't have those bonus issues in the other sports because those players' contracts are guaranteed. Last year, the biggest name to go around the deadline in the NFL was past-his-prime tight end Vernon Davis.

And, frankly, one player isn't going to make much of a difference in the NFL in midseason because no one is trading their star quarterback or defender. At least that's what I thought. Yet on Monday, the New England Patriots pulled a stunner in dealing arguably their most important defensive player in Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns.

In seven games this year, the 27-year-old Collins has 31 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a sack. He missed a game against the Bengals in Week 6 with a hip issue. Why would the Super Bowl betting favorites trade such an important player? For the same reason they dealt their best pass-rusher, Chandler Jones, this offseason: Because both are set to hit free agency this offseason. And it's hard to bet against Bill Belichick's decisions.

Somewhat of an odd deal for the Browns considering they could well go winless this season, but they must believe they can re-sign Collins, who reportedly wants Von Miller money ($70 million guaranteed). The Browns also have the option to apply the franchise tag to Collins. Last offseason, that figure was $14.19 million for linebackers.

The trade is for a third-round compensatory pick if the Browns are awarded one. If the Browns don't get that pick from the league, the trade is for a fourth-round pick. The Cleveland defense does need all the help it can get as no team has scored fewer than 25 points on the Browns this season, and four of eight have scored more than 30. Collins is expected to play Sunday against Dallas ( a 7.5-point favorite). The Browns were rumored to be active on the trade market, but as sellers. Receiver Josh Gordon, offensive tackle Joe Thomas (Seattle could really use him) and cornerback Joe Haden all are on the market. The Jets are rumored sellers with receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. The 49ers would trade just about anyone.

Here are some Week 9 early lines that caught my eye. I won't touch on Thursday's game (Falcons-Bucs), the marquee Sunday matchup (Broncos-Raiders) or the Monday night game (Bills-Seahawks) as I will be previewing them here individually. Chicago, Cincinnati, New England, Arizona, Washington and Houston are on the bye.

Jaguars at Chiefs (-8.5, 45.5): When I previewed Jacksonville's game last Thursday at Tennessee, I took the Titans at -2.5 on the alternate line and wrote that it wouldn't shock me at all if the Jaguars fired their coach if they lost in embarrassing fashion. Well, they did. And a coach was fired, it just wasn't head coach Gus Bradley for some reason. Instead, Bradley canned offensive coordinator Greg Olson, saying the offense needed to be "stimulated." Quarterback Blake Bortles sure needs to be as he was really bad again -- disregard his final numbers as pretty much everything came in garbage time vs. the Titans. Bortles and the Jacksonville offense had a breakout 2015 season, but that unit ranks 26th in yards, 31st in rushing, 24th in scoring and last on third down. Olson was replaced by QBs coach Nathaniel Hackett. He has NFL play-calling experience from 2013-14 in Buffalo. This line could change depending on the status of Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith and running backs Spencer Ware and Jamaal Charles. The former two left Sunday's win over Indianapolis with concussions. Nick Foles would start in Smith's place and he was quite good against the Colts. Charles just can't get right off last year's torn ACL, didn't play Sunday and was to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday. That's never a good thing. Here's hoping his great career isn't over. The pick: Jaguars and under.

Colts at Packers (-7, 54): I expected Green Bay to play in a shootout this past Sunday in Atlanta and the Packers did, losing 33-32 to the Falcons. Should be another one this week -- it's the highest total on the board -- as Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers face off for the second time in their pro careers. Remember, these teams were supposed to open the preseason against one another in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, but field issues canceled that. The Packers managed 32 points vs. Atlanta despite playing without receiver Randall Cobb and receiver/running back Ty Montgomery. Both were somewhat surprise scratches and certainly messed up fantasy leagues everywhere. Cobb had a hamstring injury and Montgomery some sort of illness relating to his sickle-cell trait. So obviously monitor those two. Ditto Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who also sat. Green Bay gave up on running back Knile Davis on Monday, releasing him two weeks after acquiring Davis from Kansas City. So the Packers must think Montgomery is going to play. Meanwhile, Colts Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis is in the NFL's concussion protocol. The pick: Packers and over.

Steelers at Ravens (-2.5, 43.5): Both clubs off their bye. Believe it or not, it's looking like Pittsburgh might have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for this showdown, which is pretty amazing considering he has missed just one game after tearing a meniscus in his knee. The original diagnosis following surgery was 4-6 weeks. Big Ben was at practice on Monday. The Steelers' two straight losses have dropped them to 4-3, but they remain one game ahead of both the Bengals and Ravens (who have lost four in a row) in the AFC North. It's the first time these two have played with first place in the North on the line in four years. The Steelers are also expecting back Cam Heyward back after missing two games with a hamstring. The Ravens swept the Steelers last year, each by a field goal. It was Baltimore's first sweep of the series since 2011. Roethlisberger missed one of the games. The Ravens are 8-9 vs. Roethlisberger in his career; they're 6-1 against the Steelers when Pittsburgh has been without him. The pick: Steelers and over if Roethlisberger plays. Ravens and under if not.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Injury Report
Sunday's games

CAROLINA PANTHERS at LOS ANGELES RAMS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
--Out: DT Vernon Butler (ankle), T Michael Oher (concussion), LB Shaq Thompson (knee)
--Questionable: DE Mario Addison (groin), C Ryan Kalil (shoulder), LB Luke Kuechly (groin), CB Daryl Worley (elbow)
LOS ANGELES RAMS
--Out: WR Nelson Spruce (calf)
--Questionable: DT Michael Brockers (groin), G Jamon Brown (hand), DE William Hayes (ankle), CB Trumaine Johnson (ankle)

DALLAS COWBOYS at CLEVELAND BROWNS
DALLAS COWBOYS
--Out: S Barry Church (forearm), CB Morris Claiborne (groin), DE Ryan Davis (hamstring), T Chaz Green (foot), QB Tony Romo (back)
--Questionable: WR Dez Bryant (knee, back), DT Maliek Collins (knee), RB Lance Dunbar (knee), LB Anthony Hitchens (knee), DE Demarcus Lawrence (back, shoulder), T Tyron Smith (back)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
--Questionable: LB Tank Carder (concussion), C Cameron Erving (shoulder), WR Ricardo Louis (hamstring), CB Jamar Taylor (groin)

DETROIT LIONS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DETROIT LIONS
--Out: LB DeAndre Levy (knee, quadricep)
--Questionable: DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), CB Adairius Barnes (hamstring), T Taylor Decker (ribs), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), T Riley Reiff (illness), RB Theo Riddick (ankle), CB Darius Slay (hamstring)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
--Out: G Alex Boone (concussion, shoulder, knee), DT Sharrif Floyd (knee), LB Eric Kendricks (concussion), G Zac Kerin (hand)
--Questionable: DT Tom Johnson (concussion), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle), S Andrew Sendejo (ankle)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at GREEN BAY PACKERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
--Out: S Mike Adams (groin), LB Chris Carter (hamstring), DE Kendall Langford (knee), G Jack Mewhort (tricep), T Joe Reitz (concussion)
--Questionable: TE Dwayne Allen (ankle), DT Henry Anderson (knee), CB Vontae Davis (concussion), G Denzelle Good (knee), LB Curt Maggitt (ankle)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
--Out: TE Jared Cook (ankle), CB Damarious Randall (groin), RB James Starks (knee), C J.C. Tretter (knee)
--Questionable: WR Randall Cobb (hamstring), CB Demetri Goodson (concussion), LB Clay Matthews (hamstring), CB Quinten Rollins (groin)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
--Out: DE Jared Odrick (foot, ankle)
--Questionable: CB Aaron Colvin (calf)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
--Out: G Parker Ehinger (knee), QB Alex Smith (head, ear), RB Spencer Ware (concussion), CB D.J. White (hand)
--Questionable: DE Jaye Howard (hip), WR Jeremy Maclin (groin)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
--Out: LB Dannell Ellerbe (quadricep), RB Daniel Lasco (hamstring), LB James Laurinaitis (quadricep)
--Questionable: LB Stephone Anthony (hamstring), T Terron Armstead (knee), CB Delvin Breaux (fibula), WR Jake Lampman (knee), CB Sterling Moore (abdomen)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
--Out: LB Aaron Lynch (ankle), CB Rashard Robinson (knee)
--Questionable: RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder)

NEW YORK JETS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
NEW YORK JETS
--Out: LB Bruce Carter (quadricep), TE Kellen Davis (elbow), LB Darron Lee (ankle)
--Doubtful: C Nick Mangold (ankle), T Brent Qvale (neck)
--Questionable: T Ryan Clady (shoulder), T Breno Giacomini (shoulder), T Brandon Shell (shoulder), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
--Out: TE Jordan Cameron (concussion), CB Xavien Howard (knee), TE Dion Sims (concussion)
--Questionable: S Isa Abdul-Quddus (ankle), T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), WR DeVante Parker (hamstring), T Laremy Tunsil (abdomen)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at NEW YORK GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
--Out: G Allen Barbre (hamstring), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (hamstring)
--Questionable: DT Taylor Hart (ankle), DT Bennie Logan (groin)
NEW YORK GIANTS
--Out: S Darian Thompson (foot), DE Kerry Wynn (concussion)
--Questionable: S Nat Berhe (concussion), QB Ryan Nassib (right elbow), T Marshall Newhouse (calf), RB Bobby Rainey (calf)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at BALTIMORE RAVENS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
--Out: C Cody Wallace (knee)
--Questionable: CB William Gay (foot), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee), RB DeAngelo Williams (knee)
BALTIMORE RAVENS
--Out: LB Kamalei Correa (thigh), LB Elvis Dumervil (foot), TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh)
--Doubtful: CB Shareece Wright (thigh)
--Questionable: LB C.J. Mosley (thigh), WR Steve Smith (ankle), T Ronnie Stanley (foot), LB Terrell Suggs (biceps), CB Lardarius Webb (thigh), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder), CB Tavon Young (concussion)

TENNESSEE TITANS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
TENNESSEE TITANS
--Out: G Quinton Spain (knee)
--Questionable: S Rashad Johnson (neck), TE Delanie Walker (groin), LB Aaron Wallace (shoulder)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
--Out: LB Jatavis Brown (knee), TE Hunter Henry (knee), CB Craig Mager (concussion)
--Doubtful: S Jahleel Addae (collarbone), LB Jeremiah Attaochu (ankle), LB Denzel Perryman (hamstring)
--Questionable: WR Travis Benjamin (knee), Tyrell Williams (knee)

DENVER BRONCOS at OAKLAND RAIDERS on Sunday night
DENVER BRONCOS
--Out: CB Aqib Talib (back)
--Questionable: LB Brandon Marshall (hamstring), C Matt Paradis (hip), CB Kayvon Webster (hamstring)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
--Out: DT Stacy McGee (ankle)
--Questionable: G Vadal Alexander (ankle), WR Amari Cooper (back), C Rodney Hudson (knee), RB Taiwan Jones (knee), RB Jamize Olawale (ankle), G Kelechi Osemele (knee), CB Sean Smith (shoulder), T Menelik Watson (calf)

Monday's game

BUFFALO BILLS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
BUFFALO BILLS
--Out: DT Marcell Dareus (groin), DT Corbin Bryant (shoulder), WR man Brandon Tate (concussion)
--Questionable: TE Charles Clay (knee), OT Cordy Glenn (ankle), RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring), LB Lorenzo Alexander (hamstring), RB Reggie Bush (groin), LB Lerentee McCray (knee), WR Robert Woods (foot), LB Jerry Hughes (hand)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
--Out: RB Thomas Rawls (fibula), TE Luke Willson (knee), DE Michael Bennett (knee), S Kam Chancellor (groin), DeAndre Elliott (hamstring)
--Questionable: OT Bradley Sowell (knee)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 9 lines that make you go hmmm...
By PETER KORNER

Longtime Las Vegas oddsmaker Peter Korner sizes up this week’s NFL schedule and picks out some of the lines making him go “hmmmm…” in Week 9:

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers (+3.5, 51)

I was somewhat surprised at the opening line for the New Orleans at San Francisco game. The Saints are but a mere 3-4 but those four wins have come in the last four weeks of play. New Orleans has played a really tough schedule to date and only sitting a game or so from being inside the bubble, they have to be thinking this game at San Francisco is a “must-win” in order to keep those playoff hopes alive.

I made this game closer to -6 so I see tremendous value at this level. The 49ers are now losers of six in a row and have allowed point totals of 46, 37, 24, 33, 45 and 34 in those games. They’ve scored 27, 18, 17, 21, 16 and 17 points for respectively. With the added information that RB Carlos Hyde is questionable for San Francisco, I just don’t see the Niners keeping up to the Saints’ offensive potential.

All the incentive lies with New Orleans as San Francisco appears to be a stumbling mess of limited talents and off-the-field issues. I don’t see where the San Francisco money will be coming from, so take the Saints early in the week before this climbs too high on game day.

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks (-7, 44)

I will always be a Buffalo backer but we were too smart this past week to let the game versus New England go by without that being a take for the favorite. Unfortunately, Buffalo’s ill-fated results are not based on lack of talent but the talent it does have not suiting up to play. Buffalo is at Seattle in what appears to be a slaughter waiting to happen.

Again, the Bills will be without a host of starting players this week both on the offensive and defensive sides at Seattle, which will prove to be their demise once again. Buffalo is a team sinking fast after such high expectations at the start of the season and can’t possibly be thinking it can compete at Seattle’s level. The Seahawks were one foot inbounds away from continuing their climb in the NFC and have to be thinking this game versus Buffalo is important to have one week before their big showdown at New England.

The incentive is with Seattle and it has the dominant defense that will assuredly silence any notions the Buffalo offense has of being effective. After two tough games on the road, Seattle should be licking its chops at the site of a weakened herd limping into their home field.

At -7, the number is saying Seattle would be a PK or 1-point favorite at Buffalo, which would be absurd. I had this in the -9 range hoping I wasn’t too low. If Buffalo was healthy, that’s another story. But it isn’t, so this leaves this game as one-sided as it can get.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (+7.5, 47)

Dallas is at Cleveland and although Cleveland may be up for the game, the 0-8 team may lack the firepower to stay up with the NFC’s best team. This is another game where I had a disparity in the opening line. I have no less than -9 here.

Dallas is a proven winner on the road with victories in Washington, San Francisco and at Green Bay. The Cowboys are playing great defense in holding four of their past five opponents to less than 20 points.

The Browns have played six different quarterbacks this season. It’s kind of tough to get any continuity with a key position like that up in the air. There’s no larger disparity of incentive than between these two teams this week. Dallas doesn’t want to be the first team to lose to Cleveland and that’s probably the weakest argument among the 100 other reasons why they should take this contest handily.

Dak Prescott is hitting his stride and with the continuing shadow of Tony Romo’s return, he has the incentive to make every game a solid one. It’s very hard to come up with anything for Cleveland, outside of a freak breakout on an arbitrary week playing one of the best teams in the NFL. We have our doubts on that. Another game to hit up the favorite early in the week as there is no running to the counter to play Cleveland this week.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-5, 47)

Tennessee is at San Diego and the new-look Titans, winners of three of their last four games have been scoring at a high rate. This matches well with San Diego which has been an Over team for pretty much the entire year.

San Diego totals have been 60, 52, 48, 69, 65, 63 and 46 with one 34 sprinkled in the mix. The Titans have not been below 47 the past five games. With the current total at 47, I’m thinking this may be an easy target to reach.

Both teams have hot quarterbacks with ratings in the mid 90’s. They’ve combined for over 4,000 yards in the air already and both have at least twice as many TDs thrown as interceptions. Playing in San Diego, we’re going to assume the weather will be ideal and the track will be fast. I don’t see much reason to believe this will be a slowdown game, so let’s get this one Over the 47 and take the easy way to the cashier.