Thursday 11/3/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Flames (4-6) at Sharks (6-4)

Date: November 03, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Last season, it took 2 1/2 months for the San Jose Sharks to earn their fifth home win.

It would take a losing streak of epic proportion at the SAP Center at San Jose for that to happen in 2016-17.

The Sharks will try to remain perfect at home Thursday night when they face the Calgary Flames, who hope to regain some scoring touch and avoid a season-worst third consecutive loss.

San Jose is the only team in the Western Conference yet to lose on home ice this season, posting a 4-0-0 record. The Sharks dropped to 2-4-0 on the road with a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.

"I loved our start," said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, whose team led 1-0 after 20 minutes. "But that's the thing we need to work most at: When we're on top of teams, instead of getting an extra goal and putting them away, we let them hang around."

The Sharks have trailed once at home in 2016-17. San Jose allowed a goal 82 seconds into its matchup with the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 12 before rallying for a 2-1 win.

A stout defense, led by Brent Burns and goaltender Martin Jones, has been the backbone of the team's success in San Jose. Last season, the Sharks didn't notch their fifth home win until their 15th game, beating Philadelphia on Dec. 30.

Coming off a campaign in which he set career-bests for goals (27), assists (48) and points (75), Burns hasn't slowed down in his 13th NHL season. In 10 games, the 31-year-old has 10 points (three goals, seven assists), tying him with Minnesota's Ryan Suter and Montreal's Shea Weber for the most among defensemen.

In five games against the Flames last season, Burns was the Sharks' leader with five assists and seven points. He will be looking for his fourth straight multi-point game against Calgary.

Jones has been in net for all four wins in front of the home crowd this season, allowing just four goals on 95 total shots. Overall, Jones is 4-1-0 with a 2.73 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in his career against Calgary. In his only career start against the Flames in San Jose, he surrendered two third-period goals en route to a 5-2 victory on Nov. 28, 2015.

After scoring 11 goals during a three-game winning streak from Oct. 24-28, the Flames (4-6-1) have been limited to one goal in a home loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday and again at Chicago on Tuesday in the opener of four-game road trip. The trek includes matchups with all three California teams.

"We need to stick to our system here," Flames forward Alex Chiasson said following a 5-1 loss to the Blackhawks. "We can't fall behind. We've got to regroup here. We're playing three teams in our division, so we're going to have to look at what we did ... and fix a couple things."

One part of the game Calgary needs to fix is special teams. The Flames are 4-for-41 with the man advantage this season, and they have surrendered at least one power-play goal in four straight games.

"We have to shoot the puck more, and we've got to execute," Flames coach Glen Gulutzan said Tuesday. "We can't be fumbling around and think we're going to have a good power play. We've got to get a little more fluid."

Michael Frolik scored short-handed against one of his former teams Tuesday. Frolik leads the Flames with five goals and is tied with Mikael Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau for the team lead with seven points.

Mark Giordano was the top scorer for Calgary against San Jose last season with a goal and five assists in five contests. He has failed to register a point in four straight games, and he has just one goal and four assists in 11 games so far.

If Brian Elliott gets the start in goal for Calgary, he will be looking for his third straight win in San Jose. In his only game at the "Shark Tank" last season while with the St. Louis Blues, Elliott turned away all 37 shots faced in a 1-0 victory on March 22.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (4-2) at Panthers (4-5)

Date: November 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Dave Barr can't be happy.

Barr is the assistant coach who came over from the Buffalo Sabres this year to fix the Florida Panthers' power play.

The Panthers (4-5-1) enter Thursday's home game against the well-rested New Jersey Devils (4-2-2) at BB&T Center with a power play that is sputtering.

In a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, the Panthers had seven man-advantage situations and still managed to get outscored 1-0 in those instances.

Yes, that's right: Florida went 0-for-7 on the power play while also allowing one short-handed goal. And now they face a Devils team that hasn't played since Saturday.

"We've got to work on our power play -- that's the bottom line," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "When you stand around and try to make cute plays like we did, it's not going to work."

The Panthers will face another good penalty-killing team on Thursday in the Devils, who are at 86 percent on their PK unit.

The Panthers have other issues as well.

Goalie Roberto Luongo, who has not played poorly, did give up a bad-angle shot on Tuesday and is now on a personal three-game losing streak.

In addition, the Panthers, who won the Atlantic Division last season, are without three of their top six forwards: Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad and Jussi Jokinen. The return of Huberdeau is still at least a couple months away, but Bjugstad and Jokinen could be back in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, the Devils, who have missed the playoffs in each of the past four years, have been encouraged by their start. The team is largely predicated on the play of their two biggest stars, goalie Cory Schneider and left wing Taylor Hall.

Schneider, 30, is off to a great start, with a 4-2-1 record and a 1.86 goals-against average. He has stopped 94.1 percent of the shots he has faced. His GAA and save percentage would be career highs -- including the minor leagues -- if they were to hold up at those rates.

Hall, acquired in an offseason trade with the Edmonton Oilers, has been outstanding, with five goals and two assists -- sparking what had been a weak attack. Hall also had an overtime game-winner against the Minnesota Wild.

The 24-year-old Hall, who was the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, has been the spark the Devils wanted when they traded defenseman Adam Larsson.

"When he gets going, it's good for our whole team," Schneider said.

Devils general manager Ray Shero, who is in his second year running New Jersey's hockey operation, added Hall to a forward group that includes Adam Henrique and Kyle Palmieri, who both scored 30 goals last season.

The Devils also have high hopes for Pavel Zacha, their first-round pick (sixth overall) in 2015. The 19-year-old has three assists in eight games but is still looking for his first NHL goal.

Florida has its own 19-year-old rookie forward in Denis Malgin, who came through with his first NHL goal in Tuesday's loss to the Bruins.

Amid their current funk of four losses in five games, the most positive Panthers storyline has been the play of two free-agent signings: right wingers Jonathan Marchessault and Colton Sceviour.

The Panthers gave each of those lightly tested wingers two-year contracts on July 1 -- moves that look wise, at least for the moment.

Marchessault, 25, had seven goals and 11 assists in 45 games last season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. On Tuesday, he was named the NHL's Third Star for October, tying for the league lead with six goals and adding five assists in nine games.

Sceviour, 27, has five goals and two assists. He had 11 goals and 12 assists in 71 games last season for the Dallas Stars.

They have joined forces with Panthers veterans such as right winger Jaromir Jagr, who on Thursday is expected to play in his 1,640th NHL game, moving him into sole possession of sixth place in league history.

The Panthers also have young star center Aleksander Barkov, who is probably their best all-around forward, emerging center Vincent Trocheck and veteran center Derek Mackenzie, who is the team captain.

It's an interesting blend of young and old, from 44-year-old Jagr to the teenage Malgin. When they are right, the Panthers are a speedy team with stellar goaltending and a defense that includes young All-Star Aaron Ekblad and power-play quarterback Keith Yandle.

But when they are not right, you get what happened on Tuesday: seven power plays, no goals and a short-hander allowed.

"The power play will be fine," Luongo insisted late Tuesday night. "But I've got to be better."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Penguins (7-2) at Kings (4-6)

Date: November 03, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins were among the newcomers when the NHL doubled to 12 teams in 1967.

Fast forward to their 50th anniversary seasons: One is the defending Stanley Cup champion, and is playing like it, while the other is struggling like an expansion team.

The Kings will try to end a lengthy scoreless drought Thursday night when they take on the Penguins, who go for their third consecutive road win and fifth in a row overall.

Los Angeles (4-6-0) won four straight one-goal games, including three on home ice, from Oct. 20-27. In three games since, the Kings haven't posted a victory -- or a goal.

After being blanked in weekend contests at St. Louis and Chicago, the Kings fell 4-0 to the rival Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center on Tuesday. Los Angeles' last goal came from Jeff Carter deep into overtime of a 3-2 home win over the Nashville Predators on Oct. 27.

The club is dealing with a rash of injuries to several key players, including starting goaltender Jonathan Quick (lower body), backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff (groin), defenseman Brayden McNabb (arm) and high-scoring forward Marian Gaborik (foot). Left wingers Andy Andreoff and Teddy Purcell are also day-to-day.

Los Angeles also could be without defenseman Tom Gilbert (no goals, three assists in eight games) due to a suspension. Gilbert faces a hearing from the league Thursday for a charging hit on Anaheim's Nick Ritchie.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who is still in search of career win No. 600, said it is up to the players to power their way through the slump.

"Our game plan, it's not going to change," he said. "There's nobody coming in on a white horse to play goal for us or score goals or to come up from Ontario (of the American Hockey League). This is our team. I've said it early, meaning two or three games ago, and I'll say it again. Our responsibility is not to use the injuries as an excuse."

Anze Kopitar doesn't appear to be injured, but he clearly is not producing like a player who has averaged better than 24 goals and 44 assists over the past 10 seasons for Los Angeles. He has four goals and two assists in six career home games versus Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh (7-2-1) extended its winning streaks with a 5-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday night in goaltender Matt Murray's season debut.

"That was probably our most complete, solid game," said Penguins center Matt Cullen, who scored on his 40th birthday. "Over the last few games, we weren't playing as well as we should be and as well as we can, but we were finding ways to win. Tonight was more of a team game. This is how we need to play."

Murray, who stopped 32 shots, won 15 postseason games to help the Penguins secure their third Stanley Cup last spring. He sustained a broken hand Sept. 19 during the World Cup of Hockey.

Despite the solid debut, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said after the Wednesday win that Marc-Andre Fleury would start in net against the Kings. Fleury is 6-2-1 with 3.09 goals-against average this season but just 3-2-0 with a 2.73 GAA, .908 save percentage and a shutout in five career games in Los Angeles.

Sidney Crosby registered an assist against the Ducks, giving him four goals and two helpers in a four-game points streak after missing the first six games with a concussion. Now in his 12th season, Crosby has appeared in just five career games at Staples Center, picking up a goal and five assists.

Two Penguins whom Sutter may want to have his defense swarm are Evgeni Malkin, who has three goals and an assist in five career games in Los Angeles, and Chris Kunitz, who scored four times with two assists over the same number of games at Staples Center.

Malkin scored Wednesday, giving him four goals in a three-game streak, while Kunitz has tallied one assist in each of his past three games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bruins (5-4) at Lightning (6-4)

Date: November 03, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. -- After a roller coaster road trip, the Tampa Bay Lightning return home hoping to continue an upward climb.

The high-scoring Lightning offense faces a potential pitfall in Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask.

The Lightning are coming off a six-game road trip in which they won the first two, then lost three consecutive -- including an embarrassing blowout defeat to the New York Rangers -- before ending the trip on a high note with 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders.

"I thought it was just a complete effort," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after the win against the Islanders at Barclays Center. "Compare and contrast to the Rangers game where it was just odd-man rush after odd-man rush, we were a really responsible team tonight, and we ended up getting the lead and then held on from there."

Getting a lead against the Bruins might prove a more difficult task for Tampa Bay while facing a rejuvenated Rask.

The Bruins netminder, who missed three games due to injury, has allowed one goal in his two games since returning to the lineup. In his past four starts, Rask has allowed a total of three goals, including a shutout of the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 29.

Rask has won all five of his starts to date this season, allowing one or fewer goals in all but one of those starts. He posted a 2-1 victory at Florida on Tuesday, keeping the Bruins in the game in the opening period by stopping all 13 shots he faced. He had to be sharp as Boston killed off seven Panthers power-play chances as well.

"The way we played the (first period), we probably didn't deserve the lead," Rask said, "but we got better. Our (penalty kill) was good all night."

Bruins coach Claude Julien said, "We had great goaltending, especially in the first period. We had a goaltender who was ready to play and kept us in it."

While the Bruins are 5-0-0 with Rask playing, they are 0-4-0 in the games he sat out, so the best bet for the up-and-down Lightning offense might be to root for Rask to take a night off.

Tampa Bay (6-4-0) enters the game averaging 3.2 goals per game, ranked sixth in the league. The power play has clicked at a 24.4 percent success rate in the first 10 games of the season, while the 10 goals the Lightning have scored with the man advantage are tied for third most in the league.

Despite the high-octane attack, the goals dried up during Tampa Bay's three-game losing streak -- producing a combined three goals in those games.

The Lightning want to find a more consistent balance.

"We got challenged internally in this room," Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. "We got challenged by the coaching staff to respond, and I thought we did a great job of just playing the right way. We learned that what made us successful was just defend first and let the skill take over after that."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blues (5-3) at Stars (3-4)

Date: November 03, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

DALLAS -- The last time the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars met on the ice was in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series last spring.

The Blues left American Airlines Center with a 6-1 victory and their first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2001.

Dallas, which was the West's top seed, was left to ponder what could have been in its first trip to the second round since 2008.

These teams will renew their Central Division rivalry on Thursday night in downtown Dallas, but neither club is fixated on what happened just over six months ago. Instead, the Blues and Stars are focused on simply winning a game.

St. Louis (5-3-2) lost 5-0 to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Aside from a 6-4 win at Calgary on Oct. 22, the Blues have scored just five goals over the last 366:40, a sure sign they have deviated from their formula for recent success.

"We got to kind of stop the bleeding and get back to what works," Blues forward Paul Stastny said after the loss in New York. "And we know what works for us, it's playing that grind game, that puck-possession game. When we do that, we're supporting each other, we're all playing together and when we're not, we're trying to make too many fancy plays and we get caught on our heels and put too much pressure on our goalies to bail us out."

The Blues might be without captain Alex Pietrangelo, who sustained a lower-body injury against the Rangers. Pietrangelo did not skate on Wednesday morning but St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said after practice that Pietrangelo would be further evaluated at morning skate on Thursday in Dallas.

St. Louis has lost three of its last four games and the Blues are 2-2-1 on the road this season.

Dallas (3-4-2), on the other hand, heads into this contest on a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) after a 3-2 overtime loss at Columbus on Tuesday. The Stars started their three-game road trip with a 4-1 loss at Winnipeg last Thursday followed by a 4-0 loss at Minnesota two days later.

But despite seeing his team winless since a 3-2 home win against Winnipeg last Tuesday, Stars coach Lindy Ruff feels Dallas has been playing well recently, final scores notwithstanding.

"I think we're looking at a game (against St. Louis) where they're going to be an extremely desperate team. They lost a big one last night (Tuesday) and we've lost three in a row now," Ruff said. "I think our last two games are really close to where we need to be. I thought we beat ourselves at the end (against Columbus), we didn't do that last year."

Ruff said any lingering ill will or bad taste from that seven-game playoff defeat to the Blues last spring is long gone.

Gritty Stars forward Antoine Roussel disagrees, however.

"Well, I'm pretty excited. It's been a long summer," Roussel said. "They stuck it to us last year, we're still pretty (angry) about that. They are a good team. It's going to be a battle. We need those points more than they do."

Ruff might be happy from a big-picture standpoint about how the Stars are playing right now, but there is one area he knows has to be a lot better: goaltending.

Dallas' veteran Finnish tandem of Kari Lehtonen (1-3-1, .900 save percentage, 2.65 GAA) and Antti Niemi (2-1-1, .893, 3.65) have both endured their share of struggles.

But Ruff knows that if the Stars are to again be a factor in the West, Lehtonen and Niemi both need to step up their game and start making big saves.

"We need our goaltending to be better. Those two guys know they need to be better," Ruff said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (3-5) at Coyotes (3-6)

Date: November 03, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Neither Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett nor Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette are willing to pin their teams' early-season struggles entirely on goaltending. There are myriad issues facing each team as they muddle through sluggish starts.

That said, Tippett noted that his team's win over San Jose on Tuesday marked the first game this season in which a Coyotes goalie had posted a save percentage above the league average.

"A save here or there would make a big difference in how we're looking at things right now," said Tippett, who got a career-high 39 saves from backup Louis Domingue against the Sharks. "It can clean up a lot of other mistakes."

The Coyotes at least have a fair excuse in net. Starter Mike Smith has been out since suffering a left leg injury in the second game of the season at Ottawa that still has him listed as week-to-week. That has forced Domingue and third-string goalie Justin Peters to fill in.

For Nashville, the goaltending struggles have come down to a once-elite player underperforming. Entering Thursday's game against the Coyotes at Gila River Arena, Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (2-4-1) is tied for 22nd in NHL save percentage at .914 and owns a 2.88 goals-against average, which ranks 31st.

"It's a team sport. But, inside a team sport, it's an individual position," Rinne told the Tennessean on Thursday. "Every single goal you give up matters and it shows in your statistics, so it's easy to look at those statistics and let that show you how you're playing.

"I've learned not to look at those numbers. Eventually, if you keep doing the right thing, playing well and working hard, those things are going to take care of (themselves)."

Rinne's season has been a story of inconsistency. He has posted a save percentage at or above .917 four times. In the three other games, his numbers were .905, .765 and .885. He stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 5-1 win at Colorado on Tuesday -- a performance the Predators hope will spark a good run.

"We need and he needs to be part of the solution to get us out of this," GM David Poile told the Tennessean. "Higher save percentage, the save at the right time. Do I think he's playing good? Yes, I do. Do I think he can play better? We need him to play better, just like the same thing I'd say with the forwards and defensemen. Everybody's got to take their game up a notch."

For the Coyotes, Smith skated for the first time in equipment on Wednesday, but he is still at least a week away from returning to game action. That means Domingue will shoulder the brunt of the load, including Thursday's game. Domingue has been plagued by soft goals this season, but he is hoping Tuesday's performance against the Sharks will get him back to the form he displayed last season when Smith missed three months for surgery on a core muscle.

"I was feeling good, but I've been feeling good almost all year," Domingue said. "It was just a matter of being focused for 60 minutes and getting the job done."

Tippett said Wednesday that center Martin Hanzal was going for more tests after leaving Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury. He is questionable for the Predators' game. Left winger Tobias Rieder (left leg) is probable after leaving Tuesday's game following a shot block. Defenseman Michael Stone (upper body) will miss his third straight game and sixth of the season.

For the Predators, center Mike Fisher (upper body) is day-to-day and could play, while left winger Miikka Salomaki (upper body) and defenseman Anthony Bitetto (upper body) are out.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA roundup: Bulls suffer first loss of season
By The Sports Xchange

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter but held on for a 107-100 victory over the previously undefeated Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
The Bulls (3-1) tied the score at 100 with a late 6-0 run but were shut out in the final 1:57.
One free throw by Amir Johnson and -- after Nikola Mirotic missed two free throws with 1:36 left -- a circus drive by Isaiah Thomas gave Boston (3-1) a three-point lead.
After former Celtics guard Rajon Rondo shot as airball on one end for the Bulls, the Celtics used an Avery Bradley offensive rebound and a runner by Marcus Smart to put the game away.
Johnson, a veteran who has made his living near the basket, hit his first four 3-pointers of the season in a 16-point third quarter that seemingly put Boston in control. He finished with 23 points and six rebounds.

Thunder 85, Clippers 83
LOS ANGELES -- Russell Westbrook scored 35 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists, leading Oklahoma City to a victory over Los Angeles at Staples Center.
Westbrook was the lone Thunder player to score in double digits. Westbrook, who committed 10 turnovers, converted 14 of 30 shots but missed all seven of his 3-point attempts for the Thunder, the only unbeaten Western Conference team.
Chris Paul finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and six steals for the Clippers (3-1). Blake Griffin added 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marreese Speights also scored 14.

Raptors 113, Wizards 103
WASHINGTON -- DeMar DeRozan continued his season-opening scoring surge with 40 points and Toronto continued its regular-season dominance over Washington.
The Olympian had 28 points in the second half and eight of the final 11 for the Raptors. DeRozan also scored 40 in the season opener and has at least 30 points in all four games.
Kyle Lowry scored 18 points and Terrance Ross had 15 in Toronto's first road game.
John Wall had 33 points and 11 assists for the Wizards (0-3), but mistakes -- and DeRozan -- ruined their home opener. Toronto converted 21 turnovers by Washington into 30 points.

Rockets 118, Knicks 99
NEW YORK -- James Harden recorded his second double-double in as many nights, scoring 30 points with 15 assists to lead Houston to a win over New York at Madison Square Garden.
Harden scored 41 points to go along with 15 assists in a 128-120 loss at Cleveland on Tuesday.
The All-Star guard connected on 5-of-12 3-pointers as Houston shot 39.5 percent (15-of-38) from beyond the arc. Eric Gordon added 21 points and second-year pro Montrezl Harrell matched his career high with 17 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
The Knicks have given up at least 30 points in eight of their 16 quarters this season. The Rockets scored 33, 35 and 32 points in the first three quarters.

Nets 109, Pistons 101
NEW YORK -- Brook Lopez collected 34 points and 11 rebounds as Brooklyn rebounded from their worst loss of the young season by taking control in the first half before holding on for a victory over Detroit.
Lopez made his first six shots, 12 of 21 shots overall and 4 of 8 3-pointers. Before Wednesday, he had made 4 of 38 3-pointers in his first 491 regular-season games, but with the Nets looking to shoot more from the arc, Lopez has been encouraged to take long-distance shots.
Reserve Sean Kilpatrick added 24 points for the Nets, who scored 71 points in the first half but only 38 in the second half. Brooklyn shot 71 percent in the first half and 53.9 percent overall.

Lakers 123, Hawks 116
ATLANTA -- Lou Williams, a former Atlanta Hawks player returning to his hometown, was no factor until the fourth quarter for the Los Angeles Lakers and then the veteran guard couldn't be stopped.
Williams scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and the Lakers handed the Hawks their first loss after three wins with a comeback victory.
D�Angelo Russell scored 23 points for the Lakers (2-3) and Nick Young had 17 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 17.9 seconds remaining.

Hornets 109, 76ers 93
CHARLOTTE, N.C. � Kemba Walker scored 22 points and the Charlotte Hornets came alive in the second half to beat Philadelphia the Spectrum Center.
The Hornets trailed by 13 points in the first half and were down 53-46 at halftime, but they scored the first 13 points of the third quarter and remained in control from there. They eventually led by as many as 18 points.
The Hornets were playing on three days' rest and the Sixers were on the second night of their first back-to-back of the season.

Grizzlies 89, Pelicans 83
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- JaMychal Green scored 21 points, Mike Conley added 20 and Marc Gasol, who had struggled throughout the game, dropped in a key 3-pointer in overtime to lead Memphis past New Orleans at FedExForum.
Gasol's 3-pointer came with 2:39 left in overtime and gave the Grizzlies an 84-76 lead. Conley followed with another 3-pointer for a 10-point advantage less than a minute later.
The Pelicans, winless in five games, were led by reserve Lance Stephenson, who scored 21 points. Langston Galloway and Buddy Hield, also reserves, scored 18 points apiece.

Jazz 97, Mavericks 81
SALT LAKE CITY -- George Hill scored 25 points and Rodney Hood added 22 to keep Utah unbeaten at home with a victory over Dallas.
Joe Johnson chipped in 13 points and Rudy Gobert totaled 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz. Utah held their opponent under 90 points for the third time in five games. The Jazz were also dominant on the offensive end, shooting 48 percent (12-of-25) from the perimeter.
Harrison Barnes scored 14 points to lead Dallas while Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews added 12 apiece. The Mavericks remained winless despite Dirk Nowitzki returning after a two-game absence.

Suns 118, Trail Blazers 115
PHOENIX -- Eric Bledsoe hit a 25-foot, 3-point shot as time expired in overtime to give Phoenix its first win of the season against Portland.
The Suns led by six with 38.5 seconds left in overtime, but couldn't hold the lead. Maurice Harkness was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three free throws with 36.5 seconds left, and Damian Lillard converted a 3-point play on a driving layup and free throw with 6.4 second left to tie the game again at 115.
But Bledsoe went up against Lillard and stepped back for his winning shot as the buzzer sounded.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (2-3) at Magic (1-3)

Date: November 03, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Sacramento Kings (2-3) go as their sometimes moody All-Star center goes.

In the span of a week, DeMarcus Cousins has picked up the first of what will surely be many technical fouls, has gotten fined for throwing his mouthpiece halfway into the stands at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center and walking into the bleachers to retrieve it and, probably most damaging to his team, picked up six fouls in the fourth quarter of Sacramento's overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday, sitting out the final five minutes of the 108-96 loss.

Cousins can produce. Even in defeat and without the overtime, Cousins scored 30 points, putting shot blocker Hassan Whiteside on his heels and in foul trouble on his way to 18 free throw attempts. He is averaging 26.8 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game.

For all of Cousins' gaudy statistics, his emotions still get the best of him at times. And the Sacramento Kings suffer for their star player's still inconsistent demeanor.

For the Kings to take the next step after their first 30-win season since 2008 last year, Cousins is going to have to carry the load on his broad shoulders.

It is why incidents like the Saturday's mouthpiece toss and Tuesday's fouling out in all of 12 minutes seem to hurt his team even more these days.

Cousins is too important to be on the sideline.

The Kings are 4.6 points per 100 possessions better with Cousins on the floor than their opponents, according to NBA.com's stats database. They score a team-best 109.9 points per 100 possessions with Cousins on the floor. Their season average is 100.9.

His over aggression and physicality can sometimes cost him -- he committed three offensive fouls in the fourth quarter including the dubious push off with 30 seconds that left him out for the overtime.

But Cousins is the offensive player everyone has to prepare for and focus on.

"He's a very good player," Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic said Wednesday. "Probably the best big man we have in the NBA right now. He's very dominant. Playing really great for the past few seasons. Obviously a big load down there. We'll have to do our best to limit him as best we can."

Vucevic will draw the primary responsibility on Cousins when the Magic (1-3) take on the Kings at the Amway Center in Orlando on Thursday. Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo will surely get their turns too.

The Magic's front court combination has not quite delivered results for them. The team's summer transformation was supposed to bring with it a stronger interior defense. So far, the Magic are giving up 106.6 points per 100 possessions, sixth worst in the NBA.

Orlando scraped out its first win of the season Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, leading for less than 25 seconds in a 103-101 win after Ibaka hit a pair of free throws with one second left.

The Magic now face a tougher task dealing with Cousins.

The question as always when the Kings roll into town is which Cousins will they and their opponents get? Is it the one that is a focused, dominant low post scorer that sucks up energy and frees up shooters? Or is it the one that loses his cool and costs his team in important moments?

The Kings go as their All Star DeMarcus Cousins goes so far this season.

 

[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 - - -
11/4 3 - - -
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]

NHL

Thursday’s games

Edmonton-Rangers split their last 10 games; under is 4-2-1 in last seven. Oilers are 3-2 in last five visits to Manhattan (under 3-2). Edmonton lost 3-2/2-0 in last two games; they’ve won three of last four road games. Oilers’ last seven games stayed under the total. Rangers won five of their last six games, allowing 12 goals. Over is 4-3 in their last seven home games.

Home side won five of last six Winnipeg-Washington games; Jets were outscored 19-9 in losing last four visits here (over 4-0). Winnipeg lost six of last nine games; under is 5-0-1 in their last six- they scored only 10 goals in last six games. Washington won its last three games, all on road; they’re 2-1 at home (under 2-1).

Sabres won four of last five games with Toronto; over is 6-2-2 in last ten series games. Maple Leafs were outscored 16-7 in losing last four visits to Buffalo. Toronto lost six of last eight games; they’re 0-6 on road- three of their last four games stayed under. Buffalo won its last three games, outscoring foes 8-2; five of its last six games stayed under.

Islanders were outscored 13-3 in losing last three games with Philly; over is 3-2-1 in Flyers’ last four visits to Brooklyn. Philly is 4-3 in its last seven games, losing three of last five on the road; over is 9-1-1 in Flyers’ last 11 games. Islanders lost three of last four games; over is 4-0-1 in their last five games.

Ottawa won three of last four games with Vancouver; over is 5-2 in last seven series games. Canucks lost 4-3ot/3-2 in last two visits here. Vancouver lost its last six games, getting shut out in three of last four; three of its last four games stayed under. Senators won three of last four games, scoring nine goals; four of their last five games stayed under total.

Florida won its last three games with New Jersey, outscoring the Devils 10-4; over is 5-2-2 in last nine series games. Devils lost last three visits here, all by one goal. New Jersey won three of last four games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six. Panthers lost four of their last five games, with three of last four staying under the total.

Road team won last four Boston-Tampa Bay games; Bruins won 3-1/1-0ot in their last two visits here. Boston is 4-2 on road this season, winning last two games 1-0/2-1; six of their eight games stayed under the total. Lightning lost three of last four games, all on road; they’re 3-1 at home (over 2-1-1).

Road team won last four St Louis-Dallas games; Blues are 6-3 in last nine series games, with over 3-0-3 in last six. Blues lost five of last seven games (under 6-1); they lost three of last four road games. Dallas Stars lost five of last six games- they scored six goals in last five games, with all five of those staying under the total.

Chicago won its last three games with Colorado, scoring 13 goals; Avalanche won three of last four visits to Windy City, in series where visitor won seven of last nine games. Colorado lost three of last four games, scoring total of six goals- four of their last six games stayed under. Blackhawks won last three games, outscoring foes 11-3; over is 5-2 in their home games.

Nashville won seven of last eight games with Arizona; three of last four series games stayed under total. Predators split their last four visits to the desert. Nashville lost six of its last eight games; they’re 1-5 on road. Four of last six Nashville games went over. Coyotes lost six of last eight games but are 2-1 at home; four of their last six games stayed under.

Kings won last two games with Pittsburgh after losing five of previous six series games; under is 3-1-4 in last eight series games. Penguins won three of last four games in Staples Center, in a series where visitor won five of last seven series games. Pittsburgh won five*of last six*games; over is 4-0-1 in their last five. LA has been shut out three games in a row; 1-0/3-0/4-0. Kings’ last five games stayed under the total.

Calgary is 5-3 in its last eight games with San Jose; four of last five series games went over the total. Road team won seven of last ten series games; Calgary won four of last five visits to the Shark Tank. San Jose is 4-0 at home, won three of last four games overall; under is 9-1 in their games this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (4-0) at Warriors (3-1)

Date: November 03, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Russell Westbrook says he didn't watch Kevin Durant's debut for the Golden State Warriors.

Draymond Green assures the Warriors want to beat Durant's former team "really bad."

The 2016 Western Conference Finals combatants haven't seen each other in more than five months and already sparks are flying in anticipation of Thursday's nationally televised game in Oakland.

The game not only will be the first between former teammates Westbrook and Durant, but also a rematch of Golden State's rally from a 3-1 deficit in last year's playoffs to deny the Thunder a spot in the NBA Finals.

"They're going to want to beat him really bad. He's going to want to beat them really bad," Green said of the Durant and his old mates, who were formally split in July by the Warriors' two-year, $54.3 million offer to the seven-time All-Star. "In turn, we're going to want to beat them really bad because we want him to beat them really bad.

"It'll be a lot of emotions, but it'll be a fun game to play in. It's always a high-intensity game against them, and I expect nothing less."

As expected, the matchup pits the top team in the West against one of its chief rivals.

But four games into the new-look season, it's the Thunder (4-0) that's sitting atop the Western standings, with the Warriors (3-1) a win away from evening that score.

The Thunder will be playing its second game in two nights, having been taken to the limit in an 85-83 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Westbrook recorded a different type of double-double in the win, countering 35 points with 10 turnovers.

Shortly thereafter, he was on a plane making the 60-minute flight north.

"I play every game like it's my last," Westbrook said of his mindset on the eve of the duel with Durant. "Regardless of who we play, I'm going to play the same way."

Even with the World Series on a different channel, Durant assured earlier this week he'd be tuned into the Thunder on television on his night off.

"I'm definitely watching," he said of the Warriors' night off. "The stuff that I've been through with that team and that organization, that stuff doesn't just go away.

"I've got nothing but love for everybody there. Everybody. No matter how they feel about me, everybody on Oklahoma City, on that team, of course ... I support them. I want them to do well."

Durant has helped the Warriors do well by most teams' standards, opening the season with four consecutive 20-point games. He complemented the points with 10 and 17 rebounds in Golden State's first two games, then with a pair of four-steal outings in the Warriors' most recent efforts.

The run of 20-point games is nothing new to the Most Valuable Player candidate. He finished his Thunder career with 12 straight at the end of last year's regular season.

Westbrook, meanwhile, had a more conventional double-double with 32 points and 12 rebounds in the Thunder's opener, which he followed up with consecutive triple-doubles before Wednesday's debacle.

He's already had 2-for-10 and 0-for-7 shooting efforts from 3-point range in the early going.

Both teams will take the court Thursday on a remarkably poor run of 3-point shooting. Golden State (29.3 percent) and Oklahoma City (28.1) both rank among the bottom nine in shooting percentage from beyond the arc.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pacers (2-2) at Bucks (2-2)

Date: November 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- Jeff Teague has gotten off to a slow start this season, his first with the Indiana Pacers, but he'll try to take another step forward Thursday as the Pacers try to move above .500 for the first time this season when they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee.

Acquired in a summer trade with Atlanta, Teague is averaging just 8.3 points per game, well below the 15.1 points per game he averaged in his previous five seasons with the Hawks. But the most glaring item in Teague's stat line so far: a 22 percent shooting percentage, including a 0.67 percent mark from beyond the 3-point arc through his first four games with the Pacers.

"It's been tough," Teague told the Indianapolis Star earlier this week.

"It's way different than any team I've played on in the past," Teague said. "We've got a lot of talent, but it's just different. It just is. Everything is different, the concepts; everything is totally different. I'm just trying to get used to it."

Teague has been making up for his poor shooting with other parts of his game. He's averaging 7.2 assists with 3.8 rebounds per game and his teammates are confident that the seven-year veteran will find a comfort level in Indiana and start to revert to form.

"He's been an All-Star," Paul George said of Teague. "He'll fight through it. He'll get an understanding of how our offense is and what shots he'll get. He'll be better. We're not worried about that."

Milwaukee, meanwhile, is getting an unexpected boost from rookie point guard Malcom Brodgon.

A second-round pick out of Virginia in this summer's draft, Brogdon has quickly developed into a vital part of the Bucks' rotation early in the season, scoring 7.5 points with 2.5 assists in 18.1 minutes through Milwaukee's first four games.

"He's not really like a rookie," guard Matthew Dellavedova told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after Milwaukee's 117-113 victory at New Orleans Tuesday night. "He's very mature. He knows how to play the game; he works hard every day."

Brodgon's potential playing time increased when Michael Carter-Williams was traded to Chicago late in the exhibition season. He played 23 minutes against Indiana in the preseason finale and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Tuesday night at New Orleans, Brogdon scored 14 in 23 minutes and was on the floor down the stretch as the Bucks closed out the Pelicans to move to .500 for the first time this season.

"I'm more and more comfortable, for sure," Brogdon said. "I think it's all about experience. It's about time on the floor.

"And then I think it's once you get on the floor, it's having the confidence to make shots and execute the right way. I have a lot of trust from coach Kidd. He believes in me and so do my teammates.

"We have great vets -- Jet (Jason Terry) and Steve Novak. They're always talking to me. It's very helpful when you have people that believe in you and want you to do well."

The Pacers won the season series with Milwaukee, 3-1, last season with Paul George averaging 22.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in those meetings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with 23.3 points per game in 2016-17 and averaged 16.0 points and 6.5 boards against the Pacers last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free NBA Picks: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

I've obviously never played professional sports, but I feel like that even if I hated a teammate and assuming the money was equal, I would want to stay where I'm comfortable and have a chance to win a championship. I bring this up because of Thursday's epic showdown between Oklahoma City and Golden State. It's now pretty clear that Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant weren't exactly best pals in the wake of Durant leaving for the Warriors. You never heard they didn't like each other while playing together -- unlike Shaq and Kobe with the Lakers, for example; most teammates hated Michael Jordan -- but their comments since the move have been pretty clear about their true feelings for one another. I absolutely can't wait for their first meeting as opponents. It won't be quite as dramatic as when Durant returns to Oklahoma City after the New Year, but it's must-see TV because Westbrook is going to play like a psychopath, and I mean that in a good way, to stick it to his former superstar teammate. Quadruple-double for Russ coming?

Kings at Magic (-3, 203)

Sacramento lost a second straight game Tuesday, 108-96 in overtime at Miami in the second of a back-to-back. Somehow, DeMarcus Cousins entered the fourth quarter without a foul but got sixth of them in the fourth to foul out. Thus, the Kings were then dominated in the extra session without him. Cousins finished with 30 points and seven rebounds, while Rudy Gay also had 30. Orlando got its first win of the season Tuesday, 103-101 in Philadelphia. Serge Ibaka's two free throws with 1.4 seconds to go won it as the Magic rallied from an 18-point hole. Orlando has won three of the last four meetings with the Kings but has split the past 12 at home.

Key trends: The Kings are 4-1 against the spread in the past five trips to Orlando. The "over/under" is 4-1 in those five.

Early lean: Kings and over.

Pacers at Bucks (+3, 207)

Indiana ended a two-game losing streak with a 115-108 home win over the Lakers on Tuesday. Paul George had 30 points, including his team's final 12. But new addition Jeff Teague continues to struggle from the field as he was just 4-for-15 and is hitting only 22 percent overall. Milwaukee won at New Orleans 117-113 on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 10 rebounds. Tony Snell came out of nowhere with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers took three of the four regular-season matchups over the Bucks last season, including both meetings in Milwaukee. Since the beginning of the 2013-14 regular season, Indiana holds a 9-3 record over Milwaukee.

Key trends: The road team is 8-2 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The under is 6-1 in Indiana's past seven after a win.

Early lean: Pacers and under.

Nuggets at Timberwolves (-4, 205)

Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio left Saturday's game at Sacramento in the fourth quarter with a sprained right elbow and is out indefinitely. That hugely boosts Kris Dunn's Rookie of the Year chances. The Wolves got their first win Tuesday, 116-80 over visiting Memphis. Zach LaVine had 31 points. Dunn had 10 points, six assists and five steals in his first career start. Denver lost 105-102 in Toronto on Monday. Jusuf Nurkic had 13 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in the loss. Will Barton hurt his ankle in the game and had to leave. He's not likely to play here. Barton has been starting with Gary Harris out. Denver claimed last year's series 3-1 and has won its past four visits to Target Center.

Key trends: The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 7-3 in the previous 10 in Minnesota.

Early lean: Wolves and under.

Celtics at Cavaliers (TBA)

Pretty darn good TNT opener between most likely the two best teams in the East, although I believe there's still quite a gap that Boston has to close. It's the second of a back-to-back for Boston as it hosted Chicago on Wednesday. Al Horford was a surprise scratch with a concussion and not expected to play here, either. Truly came out of nowhere. The Cavs improved to 4-0 with a 128-120 home win over Houston on Tuesday. Kyrie Irving had a season-high 32 points and LeBron James 19 points and 13 rebounds. Then most of the Cavs went to the Indians game. Cleveland won two of three meetings last year but lost one at home on an Avery Bradley 3-point buzzer-beater.

Key trends: The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: TBA for Horford and a few Celtics apparently battling an illness.

Thunder at Warriors (-10.5, 223)

The second TNT game and obviously a rematch of last season's terrific Western Conference Finals. I still say that if OKC finishes things off in Game 6 at home as it nearly did, then Durant is still a member of the Thunder. Oklahoma City is in the second of a back-to-back after visiting the Clippers on Wednesday. That's a shame really. Maybe Billy Donovan rests Westbrook here? Yeah, don't think so. Golden State played its best game of the early season with a 127-104 victory in Portland on Tuesday. Steph Curry had 28 points and Durant 20. The Warriors swept the 2015-16 regular-season series against the Thunder (3-0) for the first time in franchise history.

Key trends: The Thunder are 1-7 ATS in the past eight at Golden State. The under is 6-2 in the previous eight meetings.

Early lean: Warriors and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Thursday’s games

Orlando won three of last four games with Sacramento; over is 6-4 in last ten series games. Road team is 7-3 in last ten series games; Kings won three of last four visits to Orlando (over 3-1). Sacramento lost three of last four games, losing OT game in Miami Tuesday; they’re 1-2 as road underdogs. Under is 3-2 in Kings’ games. Orlando is off to a 1-3 start (over 2-2); they lost only home game, to Miami.

Cavaliers won six of last seven games with Boston (5-2 vs spread); under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Celtics lost three of last four visits here; they’re 3-3 vs spread in last six visits to Cleveland. Cavaliers are off to a 4-0 start, winning home games by 29-6-8 points (1-2 as home favorite). Boston beat the Bulls by 7 last night; they’re off to a 3-1 start (over 2-2).

Road team won six of last seven Denver-Minnesota games; Nuggets won last three meetings, by 3-12-4 points. Denver won its last five visits here (under 3-2). Timberwolves are 1-2 (over 2-1), winning only home game by 36 over Memphis. Nuggets lost their last two games by total of five points; all three of their games (1-2) went over the total.

Road team won six of last nine Indiana-Milwaukee games; Pacers won four of last five visits here, with three of last four staying under the total. Indiana split its first four games (over 3-1), losing first two road games by 9-17 points. Bucks also split their first four games (over 3-1); they’re 0-2 vs spread at home (1-1 SU) this season.

Golden State rallied from down 3-1 to nip Thunder in 7 games in playoffs last spring; now Durant is on Warriors, facing his old team for first time. Thunder won/covered once in last six visits to Oakland; under is 7-3 in last ten series games. Golden State won its last three games, all on road, by 8-6-23 points (over 3-1). They lost only home game, to San Antonio. Thunder had tough game vs Clippers in LA last night; they’re 4-0, with three wins by 6 or less points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'NBA: Double Disadvantage'

It's understood that NBA teams play a lot of back-to-back games and are at a disadvantage when facing a rested team. Playing a game the next night after taking part in an NBA overtime contest along with facing a rested team is an even bigger disadvantage.

This NBA hoops double disadvantage is clearly noted by the fact that since the start of the 2012-13 season unrested teams after an overtime effort the previous night facing a rested team win at a lowly 38.3% clip (31-50 SU). Even adding the great equalizer (spread) teams in the situation are not the best bets (39-42 ATS, 48.1%).

As you see, a team playing without rest after an overtime game the previous night then facing a rested team is something that raises a red flag for sports bettors.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Celtics (3-1) at Cavaliers (4-0)

Date: November 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The only time LeBron James started a season 5-0 in his decorated career, the year ended with James hoisting both his first Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Finals MVP award. James would be just fine if history repeated itself this year.

The Cavs are 4-0 for the first time since 2000, when James was a sophomore in high school and not yet driving. The only other time he has been 5-0 was 2011-12 when the Heat went on to sweep the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals.

The Cavs have the chance to move to 5-0 Thursday for the first time since the 1976-77 season when they started 8-0. That season ended with a first-round exit in the playoffs. The defending NBA champs are aiming much higher.

The Cavs are one of five unbeaten teams remaining despite not playing well for a full four quarters yet. Their defense abandoned them in Tuesday's 128-120 win over the Houston Rockets, something coach Tyronn Lue said he didn't mind because of the frenetic pace at which the Rockets play.

Veteran wing Mike Dunleavy broke out a little bit against the Rockets with a pair of 3-pointers after he struggled to make open 3s through the first few games. Dunleavy missed six of his first eight 3-pointers through the Cavs' first three games.

"It's a long season. It's just been a few games," said Dunleavy, who was acquired from Chicago over the summer when the Bulls needed to clear cap space to sign Dwyane Wade. "You always feel better when you're knocking down shots, especially with this group. It's a long year. There will be some ups and downs, some nights where you make everything and some nights you can't make anything. Just gotta roll with it."

The Celtics are battling a slew of early-season injuries. They could be without Al Horford and Jae Crowder Thursday in what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals. Horford's arrival in Boston is expected to push the Celtics into the conference's elite, but he entered the league's concussion protocol Wednesday and missed the Celtics' win against the Chicago Bulls after he was hit in the head during Monday's practice. Symptoms of a concussion didn't present until Tuesday practice.

Crowder sprained his ankle in the second quarter of Wednesday's win and did not return. His status for Thursday remains unclear. But the Celtics received a boost with the return of Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley, who is battling shoulder problems and wasn't expected to play against the Bulls. But he returned after receiving a cortisone shot, while Smart had seven points and six turnovers in his season debut after missing the first three games to an ankle injury.

Amir Johnson scored 23 points to beat the Bulls, including his first four 3-pointers of the season.

"I was going crazy," Smart said of watching Johnson. "Whatever he ate or drank (Tuesday) night, whatever he did, I want some of it."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nuggets (1-2) at Timberwolves (1-2)

Date: November 03, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The 2016-17 NBA season is still very young, but both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are already dealing with injuries.

Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio was sidelined Tuesday against Memphis with an elbow injury, giving way to rookie Kris Dunn. Minnesota was able to withstand Rubio's absence in a rout of the Grizzlies.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, have been decimated by injury at shooting guard. Gary Harris won't play Thursday against Minnesota due to a groin injury, and an ankle injury will keep guard Will Barton on the bench in Minneapolis. Barton had been Denver's leading scorer in the early going, averaging 18 points per game.

Despite two days off, Denver's lineup still won't be all too healthy when the 1-2 Nuggets face the 1-2 Timberwolves.

"We need everybody," Nuggets coach Mike Malone told the Denver Post. "Gary Harris out, Will Barton is out now, Darrell Arthur is out. That's one of the things about having a deep team. Everybody's got to be ready to play."

Arthur, a 6-foot-9 forward, has yet to play this season due to a knee injury but practiced in advance of Thursday's contest. Denver will need to get healthy in a hurry in order to have enough fresh bodies to compete against a Wolves squad far less banged up.

Rubio has been the only injury of note for Minnesota through three games. The veteran point guard went down late in the Timberwolves' road loss to Sacramento and has since been ruled out indefinitely with a sprained right elbow.

In stepped Dunn, the fifth overall pick from Providence, for his first NBA start. Dunn notched 10 points and added six assists and five steals in 29 minutes of action.

"It's not college or high school where I was the main focus," Dunn said after Tuesday's win. "There's other players. I like distributing the ball. I like when my teammates are scoring, because it helps everybody out."

Minnesota secured its first win by finally holding onto a double-digit lead, thanks in large part to a 31-point effort from guard Zach LaVine. The Wolves led by 15 or more in each of their first two games but lost both road contests.

After leading by as much as 40 on Tuesday, Minnesota made sure the Grizzlies never had a chance. Memphis was playing without two of its top players, but the Wolves kept the throttle down regardless.

Denver enters Thursday's matchup after two straight losses by three points or less. The Nuggets lost by two at home to Portland before a three-point road loss against Toronto.

In order to leave Minneapolis with a win, several players will have to step up for Denver in the absence of the Nuggets' injured guards. One player who should see extended minutes is Jamal Murray, the rookie from Kentucky who has yet to hit a field goal for Denver.

"It's a good opportunity for me to get used to this team and be on the court," Murray told the Denver Post. "It's going to be good."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Thursday’s games

Orlando won three of last four games with Sacramento; over is 6-4 in last ten series games. Road team is 7-3 in last ten series games; Kings won three of last four visits to Orlando (over 3-1). Sacramento lost three of last four games, losing OT game in Miami Tuesday; they’re 1-2 as road underdogs. Under is 3-2 in Kings’ games. Orlando is off to a 1-3 start (over 2-2); they lost only home game, to Miami.

Cavaliers won six of last seven games with Boston (5-2 vs spread); under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Celtics lost three of last four visits here; they’re 3-3 vs spread in last six visits to Cleveland. Cavaliers are off to a 4-0 start, winning home games by 29-6-8 points (1-2 as home favorite). Boston beat the Bulls by 7 last night; they’re off to a 3-1 start (over 2-2).

Road team won six of last seven Denver-Minnesota games; Nuggets won last three meetings, by 3-12-4 points. Denver won its last five visits here (under 3-2). Timberwolves are 1-2 (over 2-1), winning only home game by 36 over Memphis. Nuggets lost their last two games by total of five points; all three of their games (1-2) went over the total.

Road team won six of last nine Indiana-Milwaukee games; Pacers won four of last five visits here, with three of last four staying under the total. Indiana split its first four games (over 3-1), losing first two road games by 9-17 points. Bucks also split their first four games (over 3-1); they’re 0-2 vs spread at home (1-1 SU) this season.

Golden State rallied from down 3-1 to nip Thunder in 7 games in playoffs last spring; now Durant is on Warriors, facing his old team for first time. Thunder won/covered once in last six visits to Oakland; under is 7-3 in last ten series games. Golden State won its last three games, all on road, by 8-6-23 points (over 3-1). They lost only home game, to San Antonio. Thunder had tough game vs Clippers in LA last night; they’re 4-0, with three wins by 6 or less points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big 12 Report - Week 10
By Joe Williams

2016 BIG 12 STANDINGS
Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under
Baylor 6-1 3-1 2-5 1-6
Iowa State 1-7 0-5 5-3 5-3
Kansas 1-7 0-5 2-6 2-6
Kansas State 5-3 3-2 3-5 3-5
Oklahoma 6-2 5-0 3-5 5-3
Oklahoma State 6-2 4-1 5-3 5-3
Texas 4-4 2-3 5-3 4-4
Texas Christian 4-4 2-3 1-7 4-4
Texas Tech 4-4 2-3 6-2 4-4
West Virginia 6-1 3-1 3-4 2-5


Oklahoma at Iowa State (Thurs. - ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET)
The Sooners are the only remaining unbeaten Big 12 team in conference play after Baylor and West Virginia suffered setbacks in league play last week. Oklahoma will look to keep it cooking against a bad Iowa State team which is already eliminated from bowl contention. Thursday football hasn't been kind to OU, as they're 1-4 ATS in their past five Thursday games. However, Oklahoma is 9-3 ATS in their past 12 conference tilts and 5-2 ATS in their past seven road outings against a team with a losing home record. Iowa State has been competitive despite their poor overall record, going 5-1 ATS in their past six home games and 4-1 ATS in their past Big 12 battles. They're also 4-0 ATS in their past four games on a Thursday. However, the favorite has covered each of the past four, Oklahoma is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings and the Sooners are 1-4 ATS in their past five trips to Ames.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pac-12 Report - Week 10
By Joe Williams

2016 PAC-12 STANDINGS
Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under
Arizona 2-6 0-5 1-7 4-4
Arizona State 5-4 2-4 5-4 5-4
California 4-4 2-3 4-4 6-2
Colorado 6-2 4-1 8-0 3-5
Oregon 3-5 1-4 1-6-1 6-2
Oregon State 2-6 1-4 6-2 4-4
Southern California 5-3 4-2 4-4 2-6
Stanford 5-3 3-3 5-3 2-6
UCLA 3-5 1-4 2-6 3-4-1
Utah 7-2 4-2 5-4 5-4
Washington 8-0 5-0 4-4 7-1
Washington State 6-2 5-0 4-4 5-3

UCLA at Colorado (Thu. - FOX Sports 1, 9:00 p.m. ET)
The Bruins head to Folsom Field in Boulder looking to salvage their season, as they hit November with five losses already. The Buffaloes are coming off a bye and looking to move to 9-0 ATS on the season. UCLA is just 2-8 ATS in their past 10 games overall, and 1-5 ATS in their past six against a team with a winning record. UCLA is also 1-5 ATS in their past six games on the road. Colorado has covered six straight games inside the league, 5-0 ATS in their past five home games and 4-1 ATS in their past five against a team with a losing overall record. Colorado is holding steady as an 11-point favorite and the total has been pushed up from 55 to 58. That's interesting with the 'under' 3-0-1 in UCLA's past four road games, 6-2-1 in their past nine conference tilts and 6-2-1 in their past nine against winning teams. The under is 4-0 in Colorado's past four, 5-0 in their past five against losing teams and 4-0 in their past four conference battles. The under is also 5-1 in Colorado's past six at home.