SB51 NHL Cross-Sport Props
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has released hundreds of proposition wagers for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons for Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.
Included in that mix are “Cross-Sport” prop wagers, which allow bettors to focus on pro football and other sports, one of them pro hockey.
Listed below are opening props from the SuperBook for selected NHL games to be played on Sunday. Plus the SuperBook included two propositions tied into the Las Vegas NHL franchise, which begins play next season (2017-18).
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017
Los Angeles Kings at Washington Capitals (9:00 a.m. PT)
Edmonton Oilers at Montreal Canadiens (10:00 a.m. PT)
Calgary Flrames at N.Y. Rangers (11:00 a.m. PT)
Be sure to check the times and rules for each prop.
PRO HOCKEY CROSS-SPORT PROPS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10571 Nicklas BACKSTROM* (WAS) +120 POINTS
10572 PATRIOTS + FALCONS PK - 140 FUMBLES LOST
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
10573 Alexander OVECHKIN* (WAS) - ½ - 160 SHOTS ON GOAL
10574 Matt RYAN* (ATL) +140 TD PASSES + INTERCEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10575 Dustin BROWN* (LA) +115 POINTS
10576 Tom BRADY* (NE) PK - 135 INTERCEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10577 Connor McDAVID* (EDM) - 110 POINTS
10578 Stephen GOSTKOWSKI* (NE) - ½ - 110 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
10579 Shea WEBER* (MON) EVEN SHOTS ON GOAL
10580 Tom BRADY* (NE) PK - 120 TOUCHDOWN PASSES
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10581 CANADIENS GOALS - 150
10582 Marcellus BENNETT* (NE) - ½ +130 RECEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
FLAMES/RANGERS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10583 RANGERS GOALS - 150
10584 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - ½ +130 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
FLAMES/RANGERS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST
10585 FLAMES + RANGERS - 110 1ST PERIOD GOALS
10586 Matt BRYANT* (ATL) PK - 110 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2017-18 NHL REGULAR SEASON
MUST PLAY 82 REGULAR SEASON GAMES FOR ACTION
10587 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS - 20½ - 110 2017-18 POINTS
10588 Devonta FREEMAN* (ATL) - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2017-18 1ST NHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10589 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS GOALS - ½ - 130 IN 1ST NHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
10590 TOTAL FIELD GOALS MADE +110 IN THE 1ST HALF OF SB LI
Odds Subject to Change
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has released hundreds of proposition wagers for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons for Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.
Included in that mix are “Cross-Sport” prop wagers, which allow bettors to focus on pro football and other sports, one of them pro hockey.
Listed below are opening props from the SuperBook for selected NHL games to be played on Sunday. Plus the SuperBook included two propositions tied into the Las Vegas NHL franchise, which begins play next season (2017-18).
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017
Los Angeles Kings at Washington Capitals (9:00 a.m. PT)
Edmonton Oilers at Montreal Canadiens (10:00 a.m. PT)
Calgary Flrames at N.Y. Rangers (11:00 a.m. PT)
Be sure to check the times and rules for each prop.
PRO HOCKEY CROSS-SPORT PROPS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10571 Nicklas BACKSTROM* (WAS) +120 POINTS
10572 PATRIOTS + FALCONS PK - 140 FUMBLES LOST
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
10573 Alexander OVECHKIN* (WAS) - ½ - 160 SHOTS ON GOAL
10574 Matt RYAN* (ATL) +140 TD PASSES + INTERCEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
KINGS/CAPITALS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10575 Dustin BROWN* (LA) +115 POINTS
10576 Tom BRADY* (NE) PK - 135 INTERCEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
POINTS = GOALS + ASSISTS SHOOTOUT GOALS EXCLUDED
10577 Connor McDAVID* (EDM) - 110 POINTS
10578 Stephen GOSTKOWSKI* (NE) - ½ - 110 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
10579 Shea WEBER* (MON) EVEN SHOTS ON GOAL
10580 Tom BRADY* (NE) PK - 120 TOUCHDOWN PASSES
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
OILERS/CANADIENS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 10:05 AM PST
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10581 CANADIENS GOALS - 150
10582 Marcellus BENNETT* (NE) - ½ +130 RECEPTIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
FLAMES/RANGERS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10583 RANGERS GOALS - 150
10584 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - ½ +130 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
FLAMES/RANGERS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST
10585 FLAMES + RANGERS - 110 1ST PERIOD GOALS
10586 Matt BRYANT* (ATL) PK - 110 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2017-18 NHL REGULAR SEASON
MUST PLAY 82 REGULAR SEASON GAMES FOR ACTION
10587 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS - 20½ - 110 2017-18 POINTS
10588 Devonta FREEMAN* (ATL) - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2017-18 1ST NHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
IN CASE OF SHOOTOUT, ONLY 1 GOAL ADDED TO THE WINNERS SCORE
10589 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS GOALS - ½ - 130 IN 1ST NHL REGULAR SEASON GAME
10590 TOTAL FIELD GOALS MADE +110 IN THE 1ST HALF OF SB LI
Odds Subject to Change
NHL
Tuesday’s games
Rangers won nine of last ten games with Columbus, winning last four series games here by a combined score of 15-9. Over is 7-1 in last eight series games. Columbus is 4-5 in its last nine games, losing three of last four road games- their last three games went over total. New York won three of last four games overall but lost four of last five at home; their last three games stayed under.
Penguins won seven of last nine games with Nashville, three of last four played here. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Predators won seven of last nine games, including last three on road; four of their last five games went over. Pittsburgh lost last two games 4-3/3-0 but won three of last four home games. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Islanders lost six of last nine games with Washington; Caps won three of last four visits to Barclays Center. Under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Washington won eight of last ten games, three of last four on road- over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Islanders won five of their last six games (four of last five at home); four of their last six games stayed under.
Flyers won five of last six games with Carolina, but lost four of last six visits to Raleigh; three of last four series games went over. Philly won last three games, outscoring foes 7-3; their last three games all stayed under. Hurricanes were outscored 23-5 in losing their last five games; six of their last nine games went over the total.
Devils lost six of last eight games with Detroit; New Jersey lost three of last four visits to Motor City. Over is 6-2-1 in last nine series games. Devils lost three of last four games but won last four on road- visitors won their last seven games. Under is 6-2-2 in their last eight games. Red Wings lost last four games, three in OT, scoring five goals; three of their last four games stayed under the total.
Bruins won last three games with Tampa Bay, holding Lightning to four goals; Boston won last three games in this building. Under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Bruins lost four of last five road games but won 4-3/4-3 in last two games overall; Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Tampa Bay lost four of last five games; this is their first home game in 18 days. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Road team won seven of last nine Buffalo-Montreal games; Sabres won four of last five games in Montreal. Over is 4-1-4 in last nine series games. Buffalo won three of its last four games, with all three wins in OT; they’re 2-4 in last six road games. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Canadiens lost four of last six games; they’re 2-3 in last five home tilts. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games.
Panthers won four of last six games with Ottawa, winning 2-1/6-2 in last two played here; under is 4-1-1 in last six series games. Senators won last three road games, won four of last six games overall. Four of their last five games stayed under. Florida lost four of last five games; they split last four home games. Under is 2-0-1 in their last three games.
Winnipeg won its last three games with St Louis; two of them were in OT/SO. Jets won three of last four visits to Manitoba- last three of those went over total. Winnipeg lost six of last nine games, three of last four on road; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. St Louis lost four of last five games, including last three at home. Four of their last five games went over the total.
Toronto won seven of its last eight games with Dallas, winning 4-0/3-2 in last two visits to Texas. Last three series games stayed under total. Maple Leafs won four of last five road games; they are 5-3 in last eight games overall. Last four Toronto games stayed under total. Dallas Stars are 2-5 in last seven games, losing three of last four at home. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games.
Minnesota won six of last eight games with Edmonton, winning last five visits here by combined score of 16-4. Road team won eight of last ten series games. Under is 5-2-1 in last eight series games. Wild won eight of last ten games, including last four on road; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Oilers won seven of last eight games, four of last five at home; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Road team won five of last six LA-Arizona games; Kings won four of last five visits to the desert. Over is 3-0-1 in last four series games. Los Angeles its last two games 3-1/3-0; they’re 4-7 in last 11 road games- under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Coyotes won their last three games, allowing total of five goals- they won five of last six home games. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.
Ducks won their last three games with Colorado, allowing total of five goals; Avalanche lost three of last five visits to Anaheim. Under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Colorado lost its last seven games, scoring total of seven goals in last four games- under is 3-0-1 in their last four road games. Ducks won six of their last nine games but split last six at home. Under is 8-1-1 in their last ten games.
Chicago won four of its last six games with San Jose, but is 2-3 in last five games in Shark Tank. Under is 2-0-1 in last three series games. Blackhawks lost 5-2/5-3 in last two games; they’re 3-4 in last seven games overall. Sharks won six of last seven games overall, three of last four at home. Under is 3-1-1 in their last five home games.
Tuesday’s games
Rangers won nine of last ten games with Columbus, winning last four series games here by a combined score of 15-9. Over is 7-1 in last eight series games. Columbus is 4-5 in its last nine games, losing three of last four road games- their last three games went over total. New York won three of last four games overall but lost four of last five at home; their last three games stayed under.
Penguins won seven of last nine games with Nashville, three of last four played here. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Predators won seven of last nine games, including last three on road; four of their last five games went over. Pittsburgh lost last two games 4-3/3-0 but won three of last four home games. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Islanders lost six of last nine games with Washington; Caps won three of last four visits to Barclays Center. Under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Washington won eight of last ten games, three of last four on road- over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Islanders won five of their last six games (four of last five at home); four of their last six games stayed under.
Flyers won five of last six games with Carolina, but lost four of last six visits to Raleigh; three of last four series games went over. Philly won last three games, outscoring foes 7-3; their last three games all stayed under. Hurricanes were outscored 23-5 in losing their last five games; six of their last nine games went over the total.
Devils lost six of last eight games with Detroit; New Jersey lost three of last four visits to Motor City. Over is 6-2-1 in last nine series games. Devils lost three of last four games but won last four on road- visitors won their last seven games. Under is 6-2-2 in their last eight games. Red Wings lost last four games, three in OT, scoring five goals; three of their last four games stayed under the total.
Bruins won last three games with Tampa Bay, holding Lightning to four goals; Boston won last three games in this building. Under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Bruins lost four of last five road games but won 4-3/4-3 in last two games overall; Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Tampa Bay lost four of last five games; this is their first home game in 18 days. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Road team won seven of last nine Buffalo-Montreal games; Sabres won four of last five games in Montreal. Over is 4-1-4 in last nine series games. Buffalo won three of its last four games, with all three wins in OT; they’re 2-4 in last six road games. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Canadiens lost four of last six games; they’re 2-3 in last five home tilts. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games.
Panthers won four of last six games with Ottawa, winning 2-1/6-2 in last two played here; under is 4-1-1 in last six series games. Senators won last three road games, won four of last six games overall. Four of their last five games stayed under. Florida lost four of last five games; they split last four home games. Under is 2-0-1 in their last three games.
Winnipeg won its last three games with St Louis; two of them were in OT/SO. Jets won three of last four visits to Manitoba- last three of those went over total. Winnipeg lost six of last nine games, three of last four on road; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. St Louis lost four of last five games, including last three at home. Four of their last five games went over the total.
Toronto won seven of its last eight games with Dallas, winning 4-0/3-2 in last two visits to Texas. Last three series games stayed under total. Maple Leafs won four of last five road games; they are 5-3 in last eight games overall. Last four Toronto games stayed under total. Dallas Stars are 2-5 in last seven games, losing three of last four at home. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games.
Minnesota won six of last eight games with Edmonton, winning last five visits here by combined score of 16-4. Road team won eight of last ten series games. Under is 5-2-1 in last eight series games. Wild won eight of last ten games, including last four on road; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Oilers won seven of last eight games, four of last five at home; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Road team won five of last six LA-Arizona games; Kings won four of last five visits to the desert. Over is 3-0-1 in last four series games. Los Angeles its last two games 3-1/3-0; they’re 4-7 in last 11 road games- under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Coyotes won their last three games, allowing total of five goals- they won five of last six home games. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.
Ducks won their last three games with Colorado, allowing total of five goals; Avalanche lost three of last five visits to Anaheim. Under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Colorado lost its last seven games, scoring total of seven goals in last four games- under is 3-0-1 in their last four road games. Ducks won six of their last nine games but split last six at home. Under is 8-1-1 in their last ten games.
Chicago won four of its last six games with San Jose, but is 2-3 in last five games in Shark Tank. Under is 2-0-1 in last three series games. Blackhawks lost 5-2/5-3 in last two games; they’re 3-4 in last seven games overall. Sharks won six of last seven games overall, three of last four at home. Under is 3-1-1 in their last five home games.
Grand Salami - January
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
1/1 3 16 19 OVER
1/2 3 15.5 13 UNDER
1/3 7 37.5 40 OVER
1/4 6 33.5 29 UNDER
1/5 7 37.5 45 OVER
1/6 6 32.5 26 UNDER
1/7 12 64.5 68 OVER
1/8 6 31.5 36 OVER
1/9 4 21 20 UNDER
1/10 7 37.5 41 OVER
1/11 4 21.5 26 OVER
1/12 9 48.5 54 OVER
1/13 7 37 40 OVER
1/14 12 64 80 OVER
1/15 4 20.5 16 UNDER
1/16 7 38.5 39 OVER
1/17 9 49.5 63 OVER
1/18 5 27.5 37 OVER
1/19 8 44.5 42 UNDER
1/20 6 32.5 26 UNDER
1/21 11 58 72 OVER
1/22 6 32.5 37 OVER
1/23 6 31.5 33 OVER
1/24 10 54.5 57 OVER
1/25 4 22.5 15 UNDER
1/26 13 71.5 68 UNDER
1/27 No games scheduled - - -
1/28 No games scheduled - - -
1/29 No games scheduled - - -
1/30 No games scheduled - - -
1/31 14 - - -
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
1/1 3 16 19 OVER
1/2 3 15.5 13 UNDER
1/3 7 37.5 40 OVER
1/4 6 33.5 29 UNDER
1/5 7 37.5 45 OVER
1/6 6 32.5 26 UNDER
1/7 12 64.5 68 OVER
1/8 6 31.5 36 OVER
1/9 4 21 20 UNDER
1/10 7 37.5 41 OVER
1/11 4 21.5 26 OVER
1/12 9 48.5 54 OVER
1/13 7 37 40 OVER
1/14 12 64 80 OVER
1/15 4 20.5 16 UNDER
1/16 7 38.5 39 OVER
1/17 9 49.5 63 OVER
1/18 5 27.5 37 OVER
1/19 8 44.5 42 UNDER
1/20 6 32.5 26 UNDER
1/21 11 58 72 OVER
1/22 6 32.5 37 OVER
1/23 6 31.5 33 OVER
1/24 10 54.5 57 OVER
1/25 4 22.5 15 UNDER
1/26 13 71.5 68 UNDER
1/27 No games scheduled - - -
1/28 No games scheduled - - -
1/29 No games scheduled - - -
1/30 No games scheduled - - -
1/31 14 - - -
NBA roundup: Eighth straight win for hot Heat
By The Sports Xchange
MIAMI -- Led by James Johnson's spectacular last-minute dunk, the Miami Heat won their eighth straight game, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 on Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
After a missed jumper by Rodney McGruder, Johnson soared, grabbed the rebound with his left hand and dunked all in one motion, giving Miami a 101-93 lead with 57 seconds left.
The Heat, who have the longest active win streak in the NBA, got balanced scoring. Goran Dragic had 20 points and eight assists. Dion Waiters had 19 points and a season-high nine assists, and Johnson added 17 points.
Johnson, though, appeared to hurt his right shoulder on the final play of the game.
Celtics 113, Pistons 109
BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas performed more of his fourth-quarter magic and Boston blew an 11-point lead but held off Detroit for its fourth straight victory.
Thomas, who entered the game averaging a league-best and record-pace 10.0 points per game in the fourth quarter, scored 24 of his 41 points in the final 12 minutes. He scored on a three-point play to put the Celtics ahead to stay with 4:13 left in the game. Earlier in the quarter, Boston's little big man scored 11 straight Celtics points.
It was his 32nd straight game with at least 20 points as he closes in on John Havlicek's club record of 40. He has scored under 20 just once this season and had 18 in that game. He has scored at least 20 points in the fourth quarter four times this season; while no one else in the league has done it more than once. He has also had nine 15-point fourth quarters.
Mavericks 104, Cavaliers 97
DALLAS -- Maybe LeBron James and Kyrie Irving should have just stayed in Cleveland after all. Wanting to build on the momentum of Sunday's win, Cleveland stars decided they wanted to make the trip to Dallas and play on the second night of a back-to-back.
But the Cavs were by far the more listless team Monday night and were ultimately blown out by hustling Dallas. For Dallas, the win completed a surprising two-night sweep of the San Antonio Spurs on the road and then the reigning NBA champions in front of a sellout crowd at the American Airlines Arena.
Cleveland, which played without forward Kevin Love, dropped to 2-6 on the road against teams from the Western Conference.
Timberwolves 111, Magic 105 (OT)
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota withstood a fourth-quarter rally from Orlando to escape with an overtime victory at Target Center.
Andrew Wiggins led Minnesota with a game-high 27 points, including a game-tying jumper with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Wiggins was big in overtime for Minnesota, scoring six points in the extra session. He also had a key block on defense, one of several blocks by the Timberwolves in overtime.
Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points -- his 30th 20-point game of the season -- and 12 rebounds, while point guard Ricky Rubio added 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
76ers 122, Kings 119
PHILADELPHIA -- Robert Covington had 23 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia, playing without rookie center Joel Embiid, beat Sacramento.
Dario Saric contributed 17 points off the bench for the Sixers, who rallied from a 16-point, second-quarter deficit and withstood the 46-point, 15-rebound, five-assist effort of Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins.
Ex-King Nik Stauskas had 16 points, and Gerald Henderson and Jahlil Okafor chipped in 15 each for Philadelphia.
Grizzlies 115, Suns 96
PHOENIX -- Mike Conley scored a career-high 38 points, and Memphis hit 16 3-pointers while rolling to a win over Phoenix.
Conley tied a career high by hitting seven 3-pointers (on 10 attempts) and had nine assists for Memphis, which led by as many as 30 points and won back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 6-8.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph added 18 points each for the Grizzlies, who sank 10 or more 3-pointers for the 24th time this season. Devin Booker had 22 points to lead the Suns, and Marquese Chriss had a career-high 20 points.
By The Sports Xchange
MIAMI -- Led by James Johnson's spectacular last-minute dunk, the Miami Heat won their eighth straight game, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 on Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
After a missed jumper by Rodney McGruder, Johnson soared, grabbed the rebound with his left hand and dunked all in one motion, giving Miami a 101-93 lead with 57 seconds left.
The Heat, who have the longest active win streak in the NBA, got balanced scoring. Goran Dragic had 20 points and eight assists. Dion Waiters had 19 points and a season-high nine assists, and Johnson added 17 points.
Johnson, though, appeared to hurt his right shoulder on the final play of the game.
Celtics 113, Pistons 109
BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas performed more of his fourth-quarter magic and Boston blew an 11-point lead but held off Detroit for its fourth straight victory.
Thomas, who entered the game averaging a league-best and record-pace 10.0 points per game in the fourth quarter, scored 24 of his 41 points in the final 12 minutes. He scored on a three-point play to put the Celtics ahead to stay with 4:13 left in the game. Earlier in the quarter, Boston's little big man scored 11 straight Celtics points.
It was his 32nd straight game with at least 20 points as he closes in on John Havlicek's club record of 40. He has scored under 20 just once this season and had 18 in that game. He has scored at least 20 points in the fourth quarter four times this season; while no one else in the league has done it more than once. He has also had nine 15-point fourth quarters.
Mavericks 104, Cavaliers 97
DALLAS -- Maybe LeBron James and Kyrie Irving should have just stayed in Cleveland after all. Wanting to build on the momentum of Sunday's win, Cleveland stars decided they wanted to make the trip to Dallas and play on the second night of a back-to-back.
But the Cavs were by far the more listless team Monday night and were ultimately blown out by hustling Dallas. For Dallas, the win completed a surprising two-night sweep of the San Antonio Spurs on the road and then the reigning NBA champions in front of a sellout crowd at the American Airlines Arena.
Cleveland, which played without forward Kevin Love, dropped to 2-6 on the road against teams from the Western Conference.
Timberwolves 111, Magic 105 (OT)
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota withstood a fourth-quarter rally from Orlando to escape with an overtime victory at Target Center.
Andrew Wiggins led Minnesota with a game-high 27 points, including a game-tying jumper with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Wiggins was big in overtime for Minnesota, scoring six points in the extra session. He also had a key block on defense, one of several blocks by the Timberwolves in overtime.
Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points -- his 30th 20-point game of the season -- and 12 rebounds, while point guard Ricky Rubio added 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
76ers 122, Kings 119
PHILADELPHIA -- Robert Covington had 23 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia, playing without rookie center Joel Embiid, beat Sacramento.
Dario Saric contributed 17 points off the bench for the Sixers, who rallied from a 16-point, second-quarter deficit and withstood the 46-point, 15-rebound, five-assist effort of Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins.
Ex-King Nik Stauskas had 16 points, and Gerald Henderson and Jahlil Okafor chipped in 15 each for Philadelphia.
Grizzlies 115, Suns 96
PHOENIX -- Mike Conley scored a career-high 38 points, and Memphis hit 16 3-pointers while rolling to a win over Phoenix.
Conley tied a career high by hitting seven 3-pointers (on 10 attempts) and had nine assists for Memphis, which led by as many as 30 points and won back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 6-8.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph added 18 points each for the Grizzlies, who sank 10 or more 3-pointers for the 24th time this season. Devin Booker had 22 points to lead the Suns, and Marquese Chriss had a career-high 20 points.
NBA teams are cashing at an alarming rate to close out road trips
By JOE FORTENBAUGH
Your brow is drenched in tiny beads of sweat yet, no matter the amount of effort put forth, you can’t seem to shake the chills that are sprinting up and down your spine. You press the call button and ask the flight attendant for a blanket, and perhaps some ginger ale, in an effort to settle an unruly stomach. Dehydration has set in. Your pockets are light, your mental state is one of utter fragility, your emotions range from a state of disarray to discombobulated and back again. You mutter to yourself, “All I need to do is survive this flight and then I’m off to bed for 48 hours.”
You ease back into your seat ever so delicately and hope, pray even, for the best.
It doesn’t take a world traveler to comprehend that what I’m talking about is that infamous flight home from the great city of Las Vegas, because we’ve all been there before. Sin City is the ultimate road trip, one that is specifically designed to break you at the tables and slots and sportsbooks. And should you somehow manage to survive from a financial perspective, the city will no doubt emerge victorious when it comes to exacting a toll on your mental and physical health.
That’s preciously why I made the pledge more than five years ago to never spend more than three consecutive days on the Las Vegas Strip. Not because I don’t enjoy it. Oh, God, do I enjoy it! It’s because I simply lack the discipline necessary to survive anything greater than a 72-hour run through the Entertainment Capital of the World. I forget to sleep, forget to hydrate, forget to eat. And during that 72-hour stretch, I really don’t even care about rest or water or food.
It’s that damn flight home where I suffer the consequences and commence discussions with a Higher Power.
This, of course, is the most dramatic example of what can happen on a road trip. But we’ve all experienced the natural wear and tear that comes from a four, five or even week-long trek to another part of the country or world for business. By the end, we just want to sleep in our own beds and watch the latest binge craze courtesy of Netflix - no matter how much fun we had. That’s because no matter what new and exciting pleasures the road has to offer, there’s just no substitute for the tranquility and peace that comes from the home.
Professional athletes are not immune to the distractions inherent on any road trip. Look no further than Staples Center during a Sunday matinee for proof. In most instances, the Lakers’ opponent enjoys itself a tad too much the night before in the City of Angles while rubbing elbows with some combination of actors, musicians and models and shows up flat for an early start time the next afternoon.
These are preciously the situations that we are looking to exploit.
There is a long-standing belief in the National Basketball Association that clubs generally fall flat on their respective faces during the last game of a lengthy road trip. Fatigue, long travel, late nights, uncomfortable hotel beds - you name it. Any combination of the aforementioned, and beyond, play a role in wearing down even the best in the business. Hell, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got smoked by 35 points at Golden State on January 16 in what was the final contest of a six-game road trip.
But I’m here to tell you that, at least as far as the 2016-2017 NBA campaign is concerned, something very intriguing has developed in regards to lengthy road trips. Specifically, what takes place from a betting perspective in the final game of said road trips.
Let’s take a look:
2016-2017 NBA SU & ATS Road Records In Final Game Of Road Trip
Final game of 3-game road trip: 19-19 SU, 24-14 ATS
Final game of 4-game road trip: 12-3 SU, 12-3 ATS
Final game of 5-game road trip: 10-10 SU, 12-8 ATS
Final game of 6-game road trip: 4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS
Final game of 7-game road trip: 0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS
All previous theories be damned! What the information above tells us is that NBA road teams are actually thriving in the final game of their road trips this season, not faltering. So much so, in fact, that you would be turning an insane profit (.800 winning percentage) had you only wagered in situations in which a road team was playing its final contest of a four-game road trip. In fact, you’d be turning a profit in every road game situation this season outside of the final game of a six or seven-game roadie.
If nothing else, the above intelligence is more than worthy of consideration for the remainder of the NBA season. And because I love ya, I’ve gone ahead and taken the liberty of listing below all of the final-road-game situations that are coming up in the immediate future.
Best of luck!
*Number in parenthesis indicates length of road trip.
1/27: Spurs at Pelicans (4)
1/29: Rockets at Pacers (5)
1/30: Magic at Timberwolves (3)
1/30: Nets at Heat (3)
1/31: Kings at Rockets (8)
2/1: Knicks at Nets (3)
2/1: Clippers at Suns (5)
2/4: Hornets at Jazz (3)
2/4: Bucks at Suns (3)
2/4: Grizzlies at Timberwolves (6)
2/5: Raptors at Nets (3)
2/6: 76ers at Pistons (4)
2/9: Cavaliers at Thunder (4)
2/9: Jazz at Mavericks (3)
2/10: Lakers at Bucks (5)
2/11: Heat at 76ers (4)
2/11: Nuggets at Cavaliers (3)
2/12: Bulls at Timberwolves (6)
2/13: Celtics at Mavericks (4)
2/13: Warriors at Nuggets (3)
2/13: Clippers at Jazz (5)
2/15: Pelicans at Grizzlies (4)
2/26: Spurs at Lakers (8)
2/28: Trail Blazers at Pistons (4)
By JOE FORTENBAUGH
Your brow is drenched in tiny beads of sweat yet, no matter the amount of effort put forth, you can’t seem to shake the chills that are sprinting up and down your spine. You press the call button and ask the flight attendant for a blanket, and perhaps some ginger ale, in an effort to settle an unruly stomach. Dehydration has set in. Your pockets are light, your mental state is one of utter fragility, your emotions range from a state of disarray to discombobulated and back again. You mutter to yourself, “All I need to do is survive this flight and then I’m off to bed for 48 hours.”
You ease back into your seat ever so delicately and hope, pray even, for the best.
It doesn’t take a world traveler to comprehend that what I’m talking about is that infamous flight home from the great city of Las Vegas, because we’ve all been there before. Sin City is the ultimate road trip, one that is specifically designed to break you at the tables and slots and sportsbooks. And should you somehow manage to survive from a financial perspective, the city will no doubt emerge victorious when it comes to exacting a toll on your mental and physical health.
That’s preciously why I made the pledge more than five years ago to never spend more than three consecutive days on the Las Vegas Strip. Not because I don’t enjoy it. Oh, God, do I enjoy it! It’s because I simply lack the discipline necessary to survive anything greater than a 72-hour run through the Entertainment Capital of the World. I forget to sleep, forget to hydrate, forget to eat. And during that 72-hour stretch, I really don’t even care about rest or water or food.
It’s that damn flight home where I suffer the consequences and commence discussions with a Higher Power.
This, of course, is the most dramatic example of what can happen on a road trip. But we’ve all experienced the natural wear and tear that comes from a four, five or even week-long trek to another part of the country or world for business. By the end, we just want to sleep in our own beds and watch the latest binge craze courtesy of Netflix - no matter how much fun we had. That’s because no matter what new and exciting pleasures the road has to offer, there’s just no substitute for the tranquility and peace that comes from the home.
Professional athletes are not immune to the distractions inherent on any road trip. Look no further than Staples Center during a Sunday matinee for proof. In most instances, the Lakers’ opponent enjoys itself a tad too much the night before in the City of Angles while rubbing elbows with some combination of actors, musicians and models and shows up flat for an early start time the next afternoon.
These are preciously the situations that we are looking to exploit.
There is a long-standing belief in the National Basketball Association that clubs generally fall flat on their respective faces during the last game of a lengthy road trip. Fatigue, long travel, late nights, uncomfortable hotel beds - you name it. Any combination of the aforementioned, and beyond, play a role in wearing down even the best in the business. Hell, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got smoked by 35 points at Golden State on January 16 in what was the final contest of a six-game road trip.
But I’m here to tell you that, at least as far as the 2016-2017 NBA campaign is concerned, something very intriguing has developed in regards to lengthy road trips. Specifically, what takes place from a betting perspective in the final game of said road trips.
Let’s take a look:
2016-2017 NBA SU & ATS Road Records In Final Game Of Road Trip
Final game of 3-game road trip: 19-19 SU, 24-14 ATS
Final game of 4-game road trip: 12-3 SU, 12-3 ATS
Final game of 5-game road trip: 10-10 SU, 12-8 ATS
Final game of 6-game road trip: 4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS
Final game of 7-game road trip: 0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS
All previous theories be damned! What the information above tells us is that NBA road teams are actually thriving in the final game of their road trips this season, not faltering. So much so, in fact, that you would be turning an insane profit (.800 winning percentage) had you only wagered in situations in which a road team was playing its final contest of a four-game road trip. In fact, you’d be turning a profit in every road game situation this season outside of the final game of a six or seven-game roadie.
If nothing else, the above intelligence is more than worthy of consideration for the remainder of the NBA season. And because I love ya, I’ve gone ahead and taken the liberty of listing below all of the final-road-game situations that are coming up in the immediate future.
Best of luck!
*Number in parenthesis indicates length of road trip.
1/27: Spurs at Pelicans (4)
1/29: Rockets at Pacers (5)
1/30: Magic at Timberwolves (3)
1/30: Nets at Heat (3)
1/31: Kings at Rockets (8)
2/1: Knicks at Nets (3)
2/1: Clippers at Suns (5)
2/4: Hornets at Jazz (3)
2/4: Bucks at Suns (3)
2/4: Grizzlies at Timberwolves (6)
2/5: Raptors at Nets (3)
2/6: 76ers at Pistons (4)
2/9: Cavaliers at Thunder (4)
2/9: Jazz at Mavericks (3)
2/10: Lakers at Bucks (5)
2/11: Heat at 76ers (4)
2/11: Nuggets at Cavaliers (3)
2/12: Bulls at Timberwolves (6)
2/13: Celtics at Mavericks (4)
2/13: Warriors at Nuggets (3)
2/13: Clippers at Jazz (5)
2/15: Pelicans at Grizzlies (4)
2/26: Spurs at Lakers (8)
2/28: Trail Blazers at Pistons (4)
'NBA Underdogs'
NBA Underdogs were the right choice this past week. Heading into Monday action, Underdogs had cashed a whopping 62.9% of tickets posting a 34-19-1 record against the betting line. For sports bettors focusing strickly on double digit K9's it was almost automatic money with the Big Dogs going 8-2 against the betting line. It does take a firm determination to 'Play-On weaker teams in the Association. But, those with resolve were rewarded in kind.
It started Monday (1/23) when Warriors were upended in Miami laying 11.5 and Cavaliers losing to Pelicans as 10.0 point road favorites. Then Wednesday, Cavaliers dropped its second of the week against Kings handing Sacramento 11.0 points of offense while Sixers knocked off Bucks as 11.0 point road dogs.
The winning ways for double digit dogs continued Thursday as Jazz were unable to cover the 14.0 point spot against visiting Lakers. Friday, King-James and his Cavaliers were at it against, although they defeated lowly Nets, covering the massive 17.0 point was simply not in the cards.
By Saturday, DD Dogs were all bark no bite as both Warriors (-13), Twolves (-11.0) covered respective games. Sunday, Big Dogs were howling once again as Orlando pulled a trick out of its magic bag nipping Raptors as 11.0 point road underdogs. The week ended with Mavericks outlasting Spurs in San Antonio as 12.5 point road dogs.
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, there hasn't been much difference between Underdogs and Favorites. Pooches have sqeeked out a 356-352-9 (49.6%) mark at the betting window. Dogs with lot's of bite (Double Digits) have cashed at a 53.2% clip (65-57) with those protecting their own back yard a sparkling 17-6 ATS (73.9%).
NBA Underdogs were the right choice this past week. Heading into Monday action, Underdogs had cashed a whopping 62.9% of tickets posting a 34-19-1 record against the betting line. For sports bettors focusing strickly on double digit K9's it was almost automatic money with the Big Dogs going 8-2 against the betting line. It does take a firm determination to 'Play-On weaker teams in the Association. But, those with resolve were rewarded in kind.
It started Monday (1/23) when Warriors were upended in Miami laying 11.5 and Cavaliers losing to Pelicans as 10.0 point road favorites. Then Wednesday, Cavaliers dropped its second of the week against Kings handing Sacramento 11.0 points of offense while Sixers knocked off Bucks as 11.0 point road dogs.
The winning ways for double digit dogs continued Thursday as Jazz were unable to cover the 14.0 point spot against visiting Lakers. Friday, King-James and his Cavaliers were at it against, although they defeated lowly Nets, covering the massive 17.0 point was simply not in the cards.
By Saturday, DD Dogs were all bark no bite as both Warriors (-13), Twolves (-11.0) covered respective games. Sunday, Big Dogs were howling once again as Orlando pulled a trick out of its magic bag nipping Raptors as 11.0 point road underdogs. The week ended with Mavericks outlasting Spurs in San Antonio as 12.5 point road dogs.
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, there hasn't been much difference between Underdogs and Favorites. Pooches have sqeeked out a 356-352-9 (49.6%) mark at the betting window. Dogs with lot's of bite (Double Digits) have cashed at a 53.2% clip (65-57) with those protecting their own back yard a sparkling 17-6 ATS (73.9%).
NBA betting road map: Wizards continue to build bankrolls for backers
By BIG AL MCMORDIE
Underdogs barked loudly in the NBA last week, and especially at +2.5 (or higher) where they cashed 33 of 45 games. For the season, however, the split between underdogs and favorites has been right down the middle, with dogs showing a scant 357-350-10 ATS edge.
Let's look at the upcoming week to try to find some profitable situations.
Spread Watch
The Washington Wizards are 9-0 ATS their last nine, and 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games - they've also won their last four by double-digits. Their latest victim was the New Orleans Pelicans, who came into the game off a 119-103 rout of the San Antonio Spurs.
This week, the Wizards will be back home at the Verizon Center for three games, against the Knicks, Lakers and Pelicans, before finishing up their four-game home stand with a tilt against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers next Monday.
One reason for Washington's resurgence after a 7-13 SU/ATS start is the play of Markieff Morris. Morris had 21 points and eight rebounds vs. the Pelicans, and has four double-doubles in Washington's last 15 games (compared to just one in their first 32 games).
Washington has also topped 100 points in their last 14 games, and will be worth a look Tuesday versus the New York Knicks. The Wizards are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 versus the Knicks. Additionally, since 1990, NBA teams are 162-113 ATS coming off three SU/ATS double-digit wins in which they scored 105+ points, if they're not favored by more than 11 points. And if they're at home vs. an opponent off a SU loss, our 162-113 stat zooms to 30-14 ATS.
Totals Watch
For all of LeBron James' belly-aching about his team not having a third playmaker (after himself and Kyrie Irving), the real problem for the Cavs has been their defense. Until Sunday's 107-91 win versus Oklahoma City, Cleveland had allowed 12 straight opponents to reach 100 points. Not surprisingly, the Cavs had played five straight 'overs' (and eight of 12 'over') in those games.
In contrast, when the Cavaliers played their best basketball of the season (Dec 5 through Dec 25), they went 10-1 primarily because they defended extremely well and allowed just six opponents in that stretch to reach 100 points.
This week, Cleveland will have games against three bottom-feeders (Dallas, Minnesota and New York). If the Cavaliers decide to bring the effort and energy they showed Sunday versus the Thunder, all three games could sail 'under' the total. The game at New York on Saturday has all the earmarks of a low-scoring affair as these two teams have gone 'under' in eight of the last nine meetings.
Injury Watch
The injury bug has bit the Los Angeles Lakers once again. Starting point guard D'Angelo Russell has missed the last three games (all losses) with a sprained MCL in his right knee and a strained right calf muscle, and should be out at least another week. Meanwhile, Julius Randle is also now on the shelf with pneumonia. The Lakers are 1-5 this season without Randle in the lineup, so his absence in worth keeping an eye on.
This week, the Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets, who are suffering their own spate of injuries (Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic), before hitting the road to play the red-hot Celtics and Wizards. The Lakers will actually be worth taking a look at versus the Nuggets, and especially if Jokic doesn't play (Mudiay has already been ruled out). This month, Jokic has taken a great leap forward, as he's averaging All-Star caliber numbers (23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals). The Lakers lost the first meeting versus the Nuggets two weeks ago, 127-121, but NBA revenge-minded teams off 3+ losses are 38-18 ATS this season.
Schedule Watch
With their win at Portland on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors moved their record to 41-7 this season (23-24-1 ATS) and they're now 181-31 (115-92-5 ATS) in the regular season since Steve Kerr was hired as coach. Golden State is currently on a 7-2 ATS run, and by far its best pointspread role is at home versus foes off a straight-up win. The Warriors are an eye-popping 47-1 straight-up and 37-10-1 ATS in this situation the past three seasons. Even in the Playoffs, there's not much of a drop-off, as Kerr's men are 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS at home versus foes off a win.
This week, the Warriors will host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday - one day after the Hornets play the Trail Blazers in Portland. If Charlotte bests the Blazers on Tuesday, look for the Warriors to take care of business at home the next night.
By BIG AL MCMORDIE
Underdogs barked loudly in the NBA last week, and especially at +2.5 (or higher) where they cashed 33 of 45 games. For the season, however, the split between underdogs and favorites has been right down the middle, with dogs showing a scant 357-350-10 ATS edge.
Let's look at the upcoming week to try to find some profitable situations.
Spread Watch
The Washington Wizards are 9-0 ATS their last nine, and 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games - they've also won their last four by double-digits. Their latest victim was the New Orleans Pelicans, who came into the game off a 119-103 rout of the San Antonio Spurs.
This week, the Wizards will be back home at the Verizon Center for three games, against the Knicks, Lakers and Pelicans, before finishing up their four-game home stand with a tilt against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers next Monday.
One reason for Washington's resurgence after a 7-13 SU/ATS start is the play of Markieff Morris. Morris had 21 points and eight rebounds vs. the Pelicans, and has four double-doubles in Washington's last 15 games (compared to just one in their first 32 games).
Washington has also topped 100 points in their last 14 games, and will be worth a look Tuesday versus the New York Knicks. The Wizards are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 versus the Knicks. Additionally, since 1990, NBA teams are 162-113 ATS coming off three SU/ATS double-digit wins in which they scored 105+ points, if they're not favored by more than 11 points. And if they're at home vs. an opponent off a SU loss, our 162-113 stat zooms to 30-14 ATS.
Totals Watch
For all of LeBron James' belly-aching about his team not having a third playmaker (after himself and Kyrie Irving), the real problem for the Cavs has been their defense. Until Sunday's 107-91 win versus Oklahoma City, Cleveland had allowed 12 straight opponents to reach 100 points. Not surprisingly, the Cavs had played five straight 'overs' (and eight of 12 'over') in those games.
In contrast, when the Cavaliers played their best basketball of the season (Dec 5 through Dec 25), they went 10-1 primarily because they defended extremely well and allowed just six opponents in that stretch to reach 100 points.
This week, Cleveland will have games against three bottom-feeders (Dallas, Minnesota and New York). If the Cavaliers decide to bring the effort and energy they showed Sunday versus the Thunder, all three games could sail 'under' the total. The game at New York on Saturday has all the earmarks of a low-scoring affair as these two teams have gone 'under' in eight of the last nine meetings.
Injury Watch
The injury bug has bit the Los Angeles Lakers once again. Starting point guard D'Angelo Russell has missed the last three games (all losses) with a sprained MCL in his right knee and a strained right calf muscle, and should be out at least another week. Meanwhile, Julius Randle is also now on the shelf with pneumonia. The Lakers are 1-5 this season without Randle in the lineup, so his absence in worth keeping an eye on.
This week, the Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets, who are suffering their own spate of injuries (Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic), before hitting the road to play the red-hot Celtics and Wizards. The Lakers will actually be worth taking a look at versus the Nuggets, and especially if Jokic doesn't play (Mudiay has already been ruled out). This month, Jokic has taken a great leap forward, as he's averaging All-Star caliber numbers (23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals). The Lakers lost the first meeting versus the Nuggets two weeks ago, 127-121, but NBA revenge-minded teams off 3+ losses are 38-18 ATS this season.
Schedule Watch
With their win at Portland on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors moved their record to 41-7 this season (23-24-1 ATS) and they're now 181-31 (115-92-5 ATS) in the regular season since Steve Kerr was hired as coach. Golden State is currently on a 7-2 ATS run, and by far its best pointspread role is at home versus foes off a straight-up win. The Warriors are an eye-popping 47-1 straight-up and 37-10-1 ATS in this situation the past three seasons. Even in the Playoffs, there's not much of a drop-off, as Kerr's men are 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS at home versus foes off a win.
This week, the Warriors will host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday - one day after the Hornets play the Trail Blazers in Portland. If Charlotte bests the Blazers on Tuesday, look for the Warriors to take care of business at home the next night.
SB51 NBA Cross-Sport Props
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has released hundreds of proposition wagers for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons for Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.
Included in that mix are “Cross-Sport” prop wagers, which allow bettors to focus on pro football and other sports, one of them pro basketball.
Listed below are opening props from the SuperBook for selected NBA games to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
Be sure to check the times and rules for each prop.
PRO BASKETBALL CROSS-SPORT PROPS
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
New Orleans Pelicans at Washington Wizards (4:05 p.m PT)
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (4:35 p.m. PT)
Cleveland Cavaliers at N.Y. Knicks (5:30 p.m. PT)
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings (7:30 p.m. PT)
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017
Toronto at Brooklyn (9:00 a.m. PT)
L.A. Clippers at Boston (11:00 a.m. PT)
Portland at Oklahoma City (12:00 p.m. PT)
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
PELICANS/WIZARDS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:10 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10467 Bradley BEAL* (WAS) POINTS - 110
10468 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 4½ - 110 COMPLETIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
PELICANS/WIZARDS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:10 PM PST ON 2/4/17
*IF NO TD PASS - ALL BETS REFUNDED*
10469 John WALL* (WAS) POINTS - 9½ - 110
10470 DISTANCE OF FIRST - 110 Matt RYAN* (ATL) TD PASS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
76ERS/HEAT - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
IF NO FG IS MADE - ALL BETS REFUNDED
10471 Joel EMBIID* (PHI) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10472 DISTANCE OF FIRST MADE - 6½ - 110 FIELD GOAL OF SB LI
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10473 LeBron JAMES* (CLE) POINTS - 110
10474 Matt RYAN* (ATL) PK - 110 COMPLETIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10475 Kyrie IRVING* (CLE) POINTS - 110
10476 Atlanta FALCONS POINTS - 3½ - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10477 New York KNICKS POINTS - 9½ - 110
10478 Julio JONES* (ATL) - 110 RECEIVING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10479 Kevin DURANT* (GS) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10480 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 3½ - 110 TOTAL PASS ATTEMPTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10481 Stephen CURRY* (GS) - 2½ - 110 POINTS + ASSISTS
10482 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 110 1ST HALF POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10483 Golden State WARRIORS POINTS - 4½ - 110
10484 PATRIOTS RUSHING YARDS - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10485 DeMarcus COUSINS* (SAC) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10486 Taylor GABRIEL* (ATL) - 11½ - 110 RECEIVING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
RAPTORS/NETS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:10 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10487 RAPTORS + NETS - 17½ - 110 1ST QUARTER POINTS
10488 Tevin COLEMAN* (ATL) - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
RAPTORS/NETS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:10 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10489 Brooklyn NETS POINTS - 9½ - 110
10490 FALCONS RUSHING YARDS - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10491 DeAndre JORDAN* (LAC) - ½ - 110 POINTS
10492 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 110 1ST QUARTER POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10493 Isaiah THOMAS* (BOS) POINTS - 110
10494 PATRIOTS POINTS - 2½ - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10495 Isaiah THOMAS* (BOS) - 1½ +130 3PT FGS MADE
10496 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 150 TOUCHDOWN PASSES
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10497 Boston CELTICS - 110 1ST HALF POINTS
10498 Legarrette BLOUNT* (NE) - 1½ - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10499 Damian LILLARD* (POR) - ½ - 110 POINTS
10500 Julio JONES* (ATL) - 110 LONGEST RECEPTION
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10501 C.J. McCOLLUM* (POR) +110 3PT FGS MADE
10502 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - ½ - 130 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10503 Russell WESTBROOK* (OKC) - 110 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS
10504 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 5½ - 110 POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10505 Russell WESTBROOK* (OKC) - 1½ - 110 FREE THROWS MADE
10506 Julian EDELMAN* (NE) - 110 RECEPTIONS
Odds Subject to Change
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has released hundreds of proposition wagers for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons for Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.
Included in that mix are “Cross-Sport” prop wagers, which allow bettors to focus on pro football and other sports, one of them pro basketball.
Listed below are opening props from the SuperBook for selected NBA games to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
Be sure to check the times and rules for each prop.
PRO BASKETBALL CROSS-SPORT PROPS
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
New Orleans Pelicans at Washington Wizards (4:05 p.m PT)
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (4:35 p.m. PT)
Cleveland Cavaliers at N.Y. Knicks (5:30 p.m. PT)
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings (7:30 p.m. PT)
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017
Toronto at Brooklyn (9:00 a.m. PT)
L.A. Clippers at Boston (11:00 a.m. PT)
Portland at Oklahoma City (12:00 p.m. PT)
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
PELICANS/WIZARDS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:10 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10467 Bradley BEAL* (WAS) POINTS - 110
10468 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 4½ - 110 COMPLETIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
PELICANS/WIZARDS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:10 PM PST ON 2/4/17
*IF NO TD PASS - ALL BETS REFUNDED*
10469 John WALL* (WAS) POINTS - 9½ - 110
10470 DISTANCE OF FIRST - 110 Matt RYAN* (ATL) TD PASS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
76ERS/HEAT - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 4:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
IF NO FG IS MADE - ALL BETS REFUNDED
10471 Joel EMBIID* (PHI) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10472 DISTANCE OF FIRST MADE - 6½ - 110 FIELD GOAL OF SB LI
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10473 LeBron JAMES* (CLE) POINTS - 110
10474 Matt RYAN* (ATL) PK - 110 COMPLETIONS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10475 Kyrie IRVING* (CLE) POINTS - 110
10476 Atlanta FALCONS POINTS - 3½ - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CAVALIERS/KNICKS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 5:35 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10477 New York KNICKS POINTS - 9½ - 110
10478 Julio JONES* (ATL) - 110 RECEIVING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10479 Kevin DURANT* (GS) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10480 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 3½ - 110 TOTAL PASS ATTEMPTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10481 Stephen CURRY* (GS) - 2½ - 110 POINTS + ASSISTS
10482 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 110 1ST HALF POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10483 Golden State WARRIORS POINTS - 4½ - 110
10484 PATRIOTS RUSHING YARDS - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
WARRIORS/KINGS - 2/4/17 - CLOSES AT 7:40 PM PST ON 2/4/17
10485 DeMarcus COUSINS* (SAC) - 110 POINTS + REBOUNDS
10486 Taylor GABRIEL* (ATL) - 11½ - 110 RECEIVING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
RAPTORS/NETS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:10 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10487 RAPTORS + NETS - 17½ - 110 1ST QUARTER POINTS
10488 Tevin COLEMAN* (ATL) - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
RAPTORS/NETS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 9:10 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10489 Brooklyn NETS POINTS - 9½ - 110
10490 FALCONS RUSHING YARDS - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10491 DeAndre JORDAN* (LAC) - ½ - 110 POINTS
10492 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 110 1ST QUARTER POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10493 Isaiah THOMAS* (BOS) POINTS - 110
10494 PATRIOTS POINTS - 2½ - 110
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10495 Isaiah THOMAS* (BOS) - 1½ +130 3PT FGS MADE
10496 Tom BRADY* (NE) - 150 TOUCHDOWN PASSES
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
CLIPPERS/CELTICS - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 11:05 AM PST ON 2/5/17
10497 Boston CELTICS - 110 1ST HALF POINTS
10498 Legarrette BLOUNT* (NE) - 1½ - 110 RUSHING YARDS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10499 Damian LILLARD* (POR) - ½ - 110 POINTS
10500 Julio JONES* (ATL) - 110 LONGEST RECEPTION
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10501 C.J. McCOLLUM* (POR) +110 3PT FGS MADE
10502 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - ½ - 130 FIELD GOALS MADE
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10503 Russell WESTBROOK* (OKC) - 110 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS
10504 PATRIOTS + FALCONS - 5½ - 110 POINTS
WHO WILL HAVE MORE?
BLAZERS/THUNDER - 2/5/17 - CLOSES AT 12:10 PM PST ON 2/5/17
10505 Russell WESTBROOK* (OKC) - 1½ - 110 FREE THROWS MADE
10506 Julian EDELMAN* (NE) - 110 RECEPTIONS
Odds Subject to Change
Preview: Knicks (21-28) at Wizards (27-20)
Date: January 31, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- Two months is no small sample size and what the Washington Wizards have done over that span turned them from a struggling team into an Eastern Conference contender. What the New York Knicks do with Carmelo Anthony over the next two to three weeks could impact the entire NBA.
The Wizards (27-20) enter their third meeting of the season with the Knicks (21-28) Tuesday night riding a four-game winning streak, a stat that doesn't begin to express the enormity of Washington's turnaround.
Since Dec. 1, the Wizards are an Eastern Conference-best 21-9. They have won 11 of their last 13 games, including Sunday's 107-94 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans. Washington also topped three fellow East playoff hopefuls last week. The 123-108 rout over the Boston Celtics, the current No. 2 seed, on Jan. 24 extended the Wizards' home win streak to 14 games.
"I would say this has been our best week of the season," said All-Star guard John Wall after he had 18 points and 19 assists against the Pelicans. "The biggest thing is we've been able to win on the road and that's the biggest thing. We're on our way back home and hope we can keep it going."
The Wizards are 2-0 against the Knicks this season. Anthony scored 34 points in the previous meeting, but Wall made big buckets late and Otto Porter sank six 3-pointers in the 113-110 win.
Despite constant rumors about his days in New York possibly ending before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline -- or perhaps fueled by them -- Anthony is thriving offensively. Including the meeting against the Wizards, he has scored at least 30 points in four of his last six games topped by his season-high 45 before fouling out of New York's 142-139 quadruple-OT loss at the Atlanta Hawks.
"That's when I have to focus in," Anthony told Newsday. "When you get off the court, you got to start dealing with all of that. When you're in between those lines, it's all about basketball, all about the game of basketball."
New York, 25th in the NBA in scoring defense, has lost six of nine, falling to 11th in the East.
"A lot of adversity," guard Courtney Lee said. "The good teams, the strong players, will get through it. I have no doubt in my mind that this team has good chemistry, good poise, good togetherness, good individuals and tough individuals that we'll pull through it."
There were questions if the Wizards would pull through following a 3-9 start. Beyond Wall, backcourt partner Bradley Beal and coach Scott Brooks, credit Washington's frontcourt for helping fuel the surge.
Center Marcin Gortat remains a constant double-double threat while Porter leads the NBA in 3-point shooting at 46.8 percent. Markieff Morris, acquired at the 2016 NBA trade deadline, is turning in one of the better months of his career.
Washington's starting power forward is averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in January while hitting 41 percent of his 3-point attempts. He had 21 points and eight rebounds against New Orleans while sinking all three of his 3-point attempts.
"I thought Kieff was huge in that second half, especially in that fourth quarter when we were not playing well," Brooks said. "He came in and gave us some buckets and gave us some rebounds. He just gave us a confidence that we can get back to how we were playing."
Date: January 31, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- Two months is no small sample size and what the Washington Wizards have done over that span turned them from a struggling team into an Eastern Conference contender. What the New York Knicks do with Carmelo Anthony over the next two to three weeks could impact the entire NBA.
The Wizards (27-20) enter their third meeting of the season with the Knicks (21-28) Tuesday night riding a four-game winning streak, a stat that doesn't begin to express the enormity of Washington's turnaround.
Since Dec. 1, the Wizards are an Eastern Conference-best 21-9. They have won 11 of their last 13 games, including Sunday's 107-94 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans. Washington also topped three fellow East playoff hopefuls last week. The 123-108 rout over the Boston Celtics, the current No. 2 seed, on Jan. 24 extended the Wizards' home win streak to 14 games.
"I would say this has been our best week of the season," said All-Star guard John Wall after he had 18 points and 19 assists against the Pelicans. "The biggest thing is we've been able to win on the road and that's the biggest thing. We're on our way back home and hope we can keep it going."
The Wizards are 2-0 against the Knicks this season. Anthony scored 34 points in the previous meeting, but Wall made big buckets late and Otto Porter sank six 3-pointers in the 113-110 win.
Despite constant rumors about his days in New York possibly ending before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline -- or perhaps fueled by them -- Anthony is thriving offensively. Including the meeting against the Wizards, he has scored at least 30 points in four of his last six games topped by his season-high 45 before fouling out of New York's 142-139 quadruple-OT loss at the Atlanta Hawks.
"That's when I have to focus in," Anthony told Newsday. "When you get off the court, you got to start dealing with all of that. When you're in between those lines, it's all about basketball, all about the game of basketball."
New York, 25th in the NBA in scoring defense, has lost six of nine, falling to 11th in the East.
"A lot of adversity," guard Courtney Lee said. "The good teams, the strong players, will get through it. I have no doubt in my mind that this team has good chemistry, good poise, good togetherness, good individuals and tough individuals that we'll pull through it."
There were questions if the Wizards would pull through following a 3-9 start. Beyond Wall, backcourt partner Bradley Beal and coach Scott Brooks, credit Washington's frontcourt for helping fuel the surge.
Center Marcin Gortat remains a constant double-double threat while Porter leads the NBA in 3-point shooting at 46.8 percent. Markieff Morris, acquired at the 2016 NBA trade deadline, is turning in one of the better months of his career.
Washington's starting power forward is averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in January while hitting 41 percent of his 3-point attempts. He had 21 points and eight rebounds against New Orleans while sinking all three of his 3-point attempts.
"I thought Kieff was huge in that second half, especially in that fourth quarter when we were not playing well," Brooks said. "He came in and gave us some buckets and gave us some rebounds. He just gave us a confidence that we can get back to how we were playing."
Preview: Pelicans (19-29) at Raptors (29-19)
Date: January 31, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
TORONTO -- The New Orleans Pelicans need to learn how to play on the road.
The Toronto Raptors need to learn how to play defense wherever they play.
A good place to start for both would be Tuesday night when they meet at the Air Canada Centre.
The Pelicans (19-29) are coming off a 3-3 homestand that included victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs before a 107-94 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
"We proved that we can play with anybody if we play the right way," Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said. "We've got to come out and play desperate, each and every game.
"Even though we proved something on this homestand, we don't have that much room for error, especially battling for the eighth spot (in the Western Conference playoffs). There are a lot of other teams battling as well. We've got to do a little bit more."
The Pelicans now begin a stretch of nine of 12 on the road. They are 6-15 away from the Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans' next three games are on the road before the team returns home for two games.
"We've got to try to get these three on the road." Davis said. "It's tough on the road, but that's when we have to stay together the most. It's going to be tough. ... We've got to try to come out with a positive road trip."
Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday said, "If we start off playing hard and playing with pace and being consistent throughout that (game), we're a pretty good team."
The Pelicans have won only three of their past 13 meetings against the Raptors, who were 2-0 against New Orleans last season.
Favorable matchups do not seem to matter to the current Raptors, who have lost six of their past seven games after dropping a 114-113 verdict to the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday.
The Raptors, who are 7-9 in January, had won their previous seven home games against the Magic and 14 of the previous 15 meetings overall.
The problem for the Raptors (29-19) was again defense on Sunday. After seeming to find their defense in a 102-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, they fell apart during second quarter on Sunday when Orlando went on a 19-0 run to take the lead.
"It's everybody, and that is what I told the team," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said when questioned about the lack of defense. "Everybody is involved, the whole group in this room, we're all accountable for this.
"It's a little bit of everything. Stopping the ball, transition defense, communication. You can go right down the line, we have almost every breakdown."
The Raptors will finish January with a below .500 record. It will be their first losing month since March 2015.
"We can't rely on the offense, because we always have a great quarter or two quarters offensively," said DeMar DeRozan, who scored 22 points Sunday after missing the previous three games with a sprained ankle. "But we can't rely on that to win us the game. We have to rely on four quarters defensively to get us through the game and let the offense take care of itself."
DeRozan agreed that this is the low point of the Raptors' season.
"Yes, it is," he said. "But it's all about how we bounce back and get out of it. We have a lot more basketball to play, a lot more, and we haven't even made it to the (All-Star) break yet. Before that, we have to figure it out and get it going. I'd rather now than later."
Date: January 31, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
TORONTO -- The New Orleans Pelicans need to learn how to play on the road.
The Toronto Raptors need to learn how to play defense wherever they play.
A good place to start for both would be Tuesday night when they meet at the Air Canada Centre.
The Pelicans (19-29) are coming off a 3-3 homestand that included victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs before a 107-94 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
"We proved that we can play with anybody if we play the right way," Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said. "We've got to come out and play desperate, each and every game.
"Even though we proved something on this homestand, we don't have that much room for error, especially battling for the eighth spot (in the Western Conference playoffs). There are a lot of other teams battling as well. We've got to do a little bit more."
The Pelicans now begin a stretch of nine of 12 on the road. They are 6-15 away from the Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans' next three games are on the road before the team returns home for two games.
"We've got to try to get these three on the road." Davis said. "It's tough on the road, but that's when we have to stay together the most. It's going to be tough. ... We've got to try to come out with a positive road trip."
Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday said, "If we start off playing hard and playing with pace and being consistent throughout that (game), we're a pretty good team."
The Pelicans have won only three of their past 13 meetings against the Raptors, who were 2-0 against New Orleans last season.
Favorable matchups do not seem to matter to the current Raptors, who have lost six of their past seven games after dropping a 114-113 verdict to the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday.
The Raptors, who are 7-9 in January, had won their previous seven home games against the Magic and 14 of the previous 15 meetings overall.
The problem for the Raptors (29-19) was again defense on Sunday. After seeming to find their defense in a 102-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, they fell apart during second quarter on Sunday when Orlando went on a 19-0 run to take the lead.
"It's everybody, and that is what I told the team," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said when questioned about the lack of defense. "Everybody is involved, the whole group in this room, we're all accountable for this.
"It's a little bit of everything. Stopping the ball, transition defense, communication. You can go right down the line, we have almost every breakdown."
The Raptors will finish January with a below .500 record. It will be their first losing month since March 2015.
"We can't rely on the offense, because we always have a great quarter or two quarters offensively," said DeMar DeRozan, who scored 22 points Sunday after missing the previous three games with a sprained ankle. "But we can't rely on that to win us the game. We have to rely on four quarters defensively to get us through the game and let the offense take care of itself."
DeRozan agreed that this is the low point of the Raptors' season.
"Yes, it is," he said. "But it's all about how we bounce back and get out of it. We have a lot more basketball to play, a lot more, and we haven't even made it to the (All-Star) break yet. Before that, we have to figure it out and get it going. I'd rather now than later."
Preview: Kings (19-29) at Rockets (35-16)
Date: January 31, 2017 8:00 PM EDT
HOUSTON -- Two nights after becoming the first player in league history to post a second 50-point triple-double in one season, Rockets guard James Harden appeared to be running in mud, seemingly the victim of the finale of Houston's third five-game road trip this season.
The Rockets (35-16) closed a 120-101 loss at Indiana on Sunday having played more games than any Western Conference team this season. Next up is a Tuesday night game against the Sacramento Kings (19-29) at Toyota Center, the opener of a four-game homestand.
After posting winning records in each of their first two five-game roadies this season, including a 4-1 mark during the trip that bridged November and December, Houston finished 2-3 on its swing through Memphis, Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia while looking flat throughout against the Pacers. The Rockets fell to 18-11 on the road.
"We looked like a tired team, played like a tired team, and now we've got to get home and recover," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"We've been a little short-handed, and it finally caught up with Trevor (Ariza) and caught up with James. It'll be that way, and we're going to turn the page on this one and get back home and try to take care of business there."
Harden and Ariza are ranked first and third, respectively, in minutes played in the NBA with 1,863 and 1,762. The good news for Houston is that its schedule finally eases up.
The Rockets will contest just 12 of their final 31 games on the road and have just one road trip of longer than two games remaining: a three-game swing through Phoenix, Golden State and Portland starting March 30. That roadie will follow another four-game homestand all against Western Conference opponents.
"We've played the most road games so far in the league," Harden said. "We'll get back home, get some rest, prepare our minds, and go out there and play well the next game."
In the Kings, the Rockets will host a team that can't seem to find its footing. Sacramento had won three of four before falling 122-119 to the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night in the makeup of a game postponed from Nov. 30.
The Kings clawed to within three games of .500 with a home win over the 76ers on Dec. 26 before proceeding to lose 10 of 12 games. Then came road victories over the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets, and with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins excelling, the hope was that Sacramento could maintain its winning ways.
Cousins recorded his ninth consecutive double-digit rebound game on Monday night, finishing with 46 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. He is averaging 30.4 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the nine-game stretch. Yet despite his singular brilliance, the Kings continue to spin their rickety wheels.
"We have to win some games nobody expects us to, like the one in Cleveland," Kings forward Anthony Tolliver told the Sacramento Bee. "That was a big one, and hopefully we can get another one in Houston. We definitely have to do better at closing out games and being smart to finish out games and get W's."
Date: January 31, 2017 8:00 PM EDT
HOUSTON -- Two nights after becoming the first player in league history to post a second 50-point triple-double in one season, Rockets guard James Harden appeared to be running in mud, seemingly the victim of the finale of Houston's third five-game road trip this season.
The Rockets (35-16) closed a 120-101 loss at Indiana on Sunday having played more games than any Western Conference team this season. Next up is a Tuesday night game against the Sacramento Kings (19-29) at Toyota Center, the opener of a four-game homestand.
After posting winning records in each of their first two five-game roadies this season, including a 4-1 mark during the trip that bridged November and December, Houston finished 2-3 on its swing through Memphis, Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia while looking flat throughout against the Pacers. The Rockets fell to 18-11 on the road.
"We looked like a tired team, played like a tired team, and now we've got to get home and recover," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"We've been a little short-handed, and it finally caught up with Trevor (Ariza) and caught up with James. It'll be that way, and we're going to turn the page on this one and get back home and try to take care of business there."
Harden and Ariza are ranked first and third, respectively, in minutes played in the NBA with 1,863 and 1,762. The good news for Houston is that its schedule finally eases up.
The Rockets will contest just 12 of their final 31 games on the road and have just one road trip of longer than two games remaining: a three-game swing through Phoenix, Golden State and Portland starting March 30. That roadie will follow another four-game homestand all against Western Conference opponents.
"We've played the most road games so far in the league," Harden said. "We'll get back home, get some rest, prepare our minds, and go out there and play well the next game."
In the Kings, the Rockets will host a team that can't seem to find its footing. Sacramento had won three of four before falling 122-119 to the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night in the makeup of a game postponed from Nov. 30.
The Kings clawed to within three games of .500 with a home win over the 76ers on Dec. 26 before proceeding to lose 10 of 12 games. Then came road victories over the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets, and with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins excelling, the hope was that Sacramento could maintain its winning ways.
Cousins recorded his ninth consecutive double-digit rebound game on Monday night, finishing with 46 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. He is averaging 30.4 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the nine-game stretch. Yet despite his singular brilliance, the Kings continue to spin their rickety wheels.
"We have to win some games nobody expects us to, like the one in Cleveland," Kings forward Anthony Tolliver told the Sacramento Bee. "That was a big one, and hopefully we can get another one in Houston. We definitely have to do better at closing out games and being smart to finish out games and get W's."
Preview: Thunder (28-20) at Spurs (36-11)
Date: January 31, 2017 8:30 PM EDT
SAN ANTONIO -- After back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans on the road and to the Dallas Mavericks at home, the San Antonio Spurs knows they need to get back to playing the fundamental defense that has made them one of the NBA's elite teams.
That task won't be easy Tuesday when the Oklahoma City Thunder and dynamic point guard Russell Westbrook visit the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The Spurs and Thunder will meet for the first time this season. The last time the teams faced off was in the 2016 playoffs, where the Thunder beat San Antonio twice in the Alamo City to capture a Western Conference semifinal series.
San Antonio (36-11) have lost back-to-back games for the first time since falling to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 5 and to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 9. The 105-101 setback to Dallas on Sunday was San Antonio's sixth loss to a team with a sub-.500 record. The Spurs have lost only five times to opponents with winning records.
"Our defense was pretty poor -- we were always late on the switches and we were not as attentive as in previous games," Spurs veteran guard Manu Ginobili said against the Mavericks game. "We were a little flat in the third quarter -- it's exactly the same thing that happened in New Orleans (a 119-103 loss on Friday). We have to figure it out."
And they also must worry about stopping Westbrook, who leads Oklahoma City with 30.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. Westbrook is trying to become the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season.
"He's a great player, and we have try our best to limit his touches and his catches and looks," said San Antonio guard Danny Green, who likely will get the defensive assignment on Tuesday. "We need to try to make one of their other players beat us."
Oklahoma City (28-20) heads into San Antonio off a 107-91 loss at Cleveland on Sunday, when Westbrook had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 24th triple-double of the season. However, he shot just 7 of 26 from the floor and committed four turnovers.
The Thunder missed their first 12 3-point attempts, shot 6 of 25 from long range in the defeat and made just 37 percent overall from the floor.
"We missed some (layups) around the basket that could have helped us out a little bit," Westbrook said. "Early in the game, it's key that we make those, especially on the road. You've got to be able to make easy baskets."
The Thunder were obviously affected by the absence of reserve forward Enes Kanter, who could miss two months after breaking his right forearm by punching a chair during a timeout in a win over Dallas on Friday.
"(Kanter) generated offense himself by low-post scoring," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "He could make a jump shot. He created floor spacing sometimes where we could have him shoot threes. As time goes on, we'll find out more about our team and different things we need to do."
Date: January 31, 2017 8:30 PM EDT
SAN ANTONIO -- After back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans on the road and to the Dallas Mavericks at home, the San Antonio Spurs knows they need to get back to playing the fundamental defense that has made them one of the NBA's elite teams.
That task won't be easy Tuesday when the Oklahoma City Thunder and dynamic point guard Russell Westbrook visit the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The Spurs and Thunder will meet for the first time this season. The last time the teams faced off was in the 2016 playoffs, where the Thunder beat San Antonio twice in the Alamo City to capture a Western Conference semifinal series.
San Antonio (36-11) have lost back-to-back games for the first time since falling to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 5 and to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 9. The 105-101 setback to Dallas on Sunday was San Antonio's sixth loss to a team with a sub-.500 record. The Spurs have lost only five times to opponents with winning records.
"Our defense was pretty poor -- we were always late on the switches and we were not as attentive as in previous games," Spurs veteran guard Manu Ginobili said against the Mavericks game. "We were a little flat in the third quarter -- it's exactly the same thing that happened in New Orleans (a 119-103 loss on Friday). We have to figure it out."
And they also must worry about stopping Westbrook, who leads Oklahoma City with 30.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. Westbrook is trying to become the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season.
"He's a great player, and we have try our best to limit his touches and his catches and looks," said San Antonio guard Danny Green, who likely will get the defensive assignment on Tuesday. "We need to try to make one of their other players beat us."
Oklahoma City (28-20) heads into San Antonio off a 107-91 loss at Cleveland on Sunday, when Westbrook had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 24th triple-double of the season. However, he shot just 7 of 26 from the floor and committed four turnovers.
The Thunder missed their first 12 3-point attempts, shot 6 of 25 from long range in the defeat and made just 37 percent overall from the floor.
"We missed some (layups) around the basket that could have helped us out a little bit," Westbrook said. "Early in the game, it's key that we make those, especially on the road. You've got to be able to make easy baskets."
The Thunder were obviously affected by the absence of reserve forward Enes Kanter, who could miss two months after breaking his right forearm by punching a chair during a timeout in a win over Dallas on Friday.
"(Kanter) generated offense himself by low-post scoring," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "He could make a jump shot. He created floor spacing sometimes where we could have him shoot threes. As time goes on, we'll find out more about our team and different things we need to do."
Preview: Hornets (23-25) at Trail Blazers (21-28)
Date: January 31, 2017 10:00 PM EDT
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nicolas Batum would love for the Charlotte Hornets to start their three-game road trip with a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Moda Center.
Batum played the first seven seasons of his NBA career with Portland, and beating your former team never gets old.
In addition, the Hornets (23-25) have lost four straight games and need to get things back on the winning track.
"We have to play a 48-minute game," Batum said after Monday's practice session at Moda Center. "We've lost all four games (to Sacramento, New York, Golden State and Washington) by 10 points or less. We've had good stretches and bad stretches. We have to eliminate those bad stretches. The mistakes we've been making have really hurt us."
Batum has played well of late, averaging 16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in the past three games. When the 6-foot-8 swingman and point guard Kemba Walker both score 20 points, the Hornets are 6-0.
"I don't know if we both need to score 20 (Tuesday night)," Batum said, "but we need to get the win."
Batum said it is special to face the Trail Blazers.
"That's the team that drafted me," he said. "I played here my first seven years. I have good memories. I had a great time here. But it's over now. I've moved to Charlotte, I'm in a great situation, and it's about winning games with the Hornets."
The game against Portland (21-28) is a priority, since the other two stops are at Golden State (41-7) and Utah (30-19), two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Charlotte may have to do it without starting center Cody Zeller, who is doubtful with a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last three games. The Hornets are 1-9 without the services of Zeller this season. Reserve guard Jeremy Lamb (foot) is probable.
The Trail Blazers will be look to start a new winning streak after their three-game run was snapped with a 113-111 loss to Golden State Sunday night at Moda.
When Golden State opened a 51-30 lead midway through the second quarter, it appeared the rout was on. Instead, Portland closed with a 20-2 run to go into the half trailing only 53-50. The Blazers wound up with a shot to win at the end, with Evan Turner's 3-point attempt bouncing off the front rim as time expired.
"I really liked the way we competed," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "We got down a few times, but we battled back. It's disappointing to come up empty, but to get an open 3 at the end to win the game? I'll take that any day."
Portland was last in the NBA in defensive efficiency through the first 35 games of the season. Through that span, they were giving up 111.5 points -- including 120 or more 10 times -- and allowed opponents to shoot 48 percent or better in 17 games.
In the 14 games in January, the Blazers have been better defensively. Opponents have averaged 107.1 points and have scored 120 or more only three times. Only five foes have shots better than 48 percent.
"There's always been an emphasis on that, but we've put action to it," point guard Damian Lillard said. "We knew we weren't going to make one big jump. Over time, we wanted to better in that area, and we have been."
The Blazers are now ranked 26th in defensive efficiency. The teams below them are Sacramento, Brooklyn, Denver and the L.A. Lakers. The top eight teams in defensive efficiency are Golden State, Utah, San Antonio, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Charlotte. The only elite team not in the top eight is Cleveland, a surprising 18th at this point.
Date: January 31, 2017 10:00 PM EDT
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nicolas Batum would love for the Charlotte Hornets to start their three-game road trip with a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Moda Center.
Batum played the first seven seasons of his NBA career with Portland, and beating your former team never gets old.
In addition, the Hornets (23-25) have lost four straight games and need to get things back on the winning track.
"We have to play a 48-minute game," Batum said after Monday's practice session at Moda Center. "We've lost all four games (to Sacramento, New York, Golden State and Washington) by 10 points or less. We've had good stretches and bad stretches. We have to eliminate those bad stretches. The mistakes we've been making have really hurt us."
Batum has played well of late, averaging 16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in the past three games. When the 6-foot-8 swingman and point guard Kemba Walker both score 20 points, the Hornets are 6-0.
"I don't know if we both need to score 20 (Tuesday night)," Batum said, "but we need to get the win."
Batum said it is special to face the Trail Blazers.
"That's the team that drafted me," he said. "I played here my first seven years. I have good memories. I had a great time here. But it's over now. I've moved to Charlotte, I'm in a great situation, and it's about winning games with the Hornets."
The game against Portland (21-28) is a priority, since the other two stops are at Golden State (41-7) and Utah (30-19), two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Charlotte may have to do it without starting center Cody Zeller, who is doubtful with a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last three games. The Hornets are 1-9 without the services of Zeller this season. Reserve guard Jeremy Lamb (foot) is probable.
The Trail Blazers will be look to start a new winning streak after their three-game run was snapped with a 113-111 loss to Golden State Sunday night at Moda.
When Golden State opened a 51-30 lead midway through the second quarter, it appeared the rout was on. Instead, Portland closed with a 20-2 run to go into the half trailing only 53-50. The Blazers wound up with a shot to win at the end, with Evan Turner's 3-point attempt bouncing off the front rim as time expired.
"I really liked the way we competed," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "We got down a few times, but we battled back. It's disappointing to come up empty, but to get an open 3 at the end to win the game? I'll take that any day."
Portland was last in the NBA in defensive efficiency through the first 35 games of the season. Through that span, they were giving up 111.5 points -- including 120 or more 10 times -- and allowed opponents to shoot 48 percent or better in 17 games.
In the 14 games in January, the Blazers have been better defensively. Opponents have averaged 107.1 points and have scored 120 or more only three times. Only five foes have shots better than 48 percent.
"There's always been an emphasis on that, but we've put action to it," point guard Damian Lillard said. "We knew we weren't going to make one big jump. Over time, we wanted to better in that area, and we have been."
The Blazers are now ranked 26th in defensive efficiency. The teams below them are Sacramento, Brooklyn, Denver and the L.A. Lakers. The top eight teams in defensive efficiency are Golden State, Utah, San Antonio, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Charlotte. The only elite team not in the top eight is Cleveland, a surprising 18th at this point.
Preview: Nuggets (21-25) at Lakers (16-34)
Date: January 31, 2017 10:30 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES -- The Denver Nuggets have put together one of their best stretches of basketball this season. The Nuggets will attempt to continue their solid play when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
The Nuggets (21-25) are riding a three-game winning streak after a 123-112 win over the Phoenix Suns in their last outing Saturday despite playing without star forward Nikola Jokic. Jokic sustained a strained hip flexor in Thursday's 127-120 victory over the Suns. He is listed as day-to-day.
Jokic had been on a roll recently until coming up lame. He is averaging 23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in January. Jokic is shooting 60.6 percent from the floor. He is one of the reasons the Nuggets have captured seven of their past nine contests.
In his absence, though, the Nuggets relied on the hot hand of forward Danilo Gallinari, who scored a season-high 32 points against the Suns.
"So without Nikola Jokic, who we put the ball in his hands so much, who's hands are you going to put the ball in? That's Gallo," Nuggets coach Mike Malone told the Denver Post. "Gallo has been a go-to player for most of his career, and he showed you that he's still a heck of a player."
Gallinari took the praise in stride.
"The focus was to get a win," Gallinari told the Post. "I have to be, to bring it every night like this, be aggressive and try to open up space for my teammates and go to the free throw line. I thought I was able to do that pretty well."
The Lakers are mired in a three-game skid after a 96-88 setback Saturday at the Utah Jazz. That win allowed the Jazz to sweep the season series between the two for the first time.
Los Angeles (16-34) has dropped eight of its last nine contests and can't find any consistency, particularly on defense where they rank among the NBA's worse clubs.
However, the Lakers remain upbeat.
"Even when we got down by 10, we still felt like we were in the game," Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson said after the loss to the Jazz, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Last year we used to get down by 10, 20 we thought we were going to get our (butt) whooped. But now we know we're back in here competing. We're still competing, most times we're in games to win. We just gotta figure out how to finish games."
Against Utah, the Lakers played without forward Julius Randle, who was diagnosed with pneumonia. Randle is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game.
Point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has missed the last three games with a mild MCL sprain of his right knee and a strained right calf, also is listed as questionable.
This is the second of three meetings between the clubs. Denver earned a 127-121 decision over the Lakers on Jan. 17, the last time they faced each other at Staples. A strong second-half performance by the Nuggets helped them bolt to a double-digit advantage before holding off a late Lakers' run.
The Nuggets have won three straight over Los Angeles.
Date: January 31, 2017 10:30 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES -- The Denver Nuggets have put together one of their best stretches of basketball this season. The Nuggets will attempt to continue their solid play when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
The Nuggets (21-25) are riding a three-game winning streak after a 123-112 win over the Phoenix Suns in their last outing Saturday despite playing without star forward Nikola Jokic. Jokic sustained a strained hip flexor in Thursday's 127-120 victory over the Suns. He is listed as day-to-day.
Jokic had been on a roll recently until coming up lame. He is averaging 23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in January. Jokic is shooting 60.6 percent from the floor. He is one of the reasons the Nuggets have captured seven of their past nine contests.
In his absence, though, the Nuggets relied on the hot hand of forward Danilo Gallinari, who scored a season-high 32 points against the Suns.
"So without Nikola Jokic, who we put the ball in his hands so much, who's hands are you going to put the ball in? That's Gallo," Nuggets coach Mike Malone told the Denver Post. "Gallo has been a go-to player for most of his career, and he showed you that he's still a heck of a player."
Gallinari took the praise in stride.
"The focus was to get a win," Gallinari told the Post. "I have to be, to bring it every night like this, be aggressive and try to open up space for my teammates and go to the free throw line. I thought I was able to do that pretty well."
The Lakers are mired in a three-game skid after a 96-88 setback Saturday at the Utah Jazz. That win allowed the Jazz to sweep the season series between the two for the first time.
Los Angeles (16-34) has dropped eight of its last nine contests and can't find any consistency, particularly on defense where they rank among the NBA's worse clubs.
However, the Lakers remain upbeat.
"Even when we got down by 10, we still felt like we were in the game," Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson said after the loss to the Jazz, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Last year we used to get down by 10, 20 we thought we were going to get our (butt) whooped. But now we know we're back in here competing. We're still competing, most times we're in games to win. We just gotta figure out how to finish games."
Against Utah, the Lakers played without forward Julius Randle, who was diagnosed with pneumonia. Randle is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game.
Point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has missed the last three games with a mild MCL sprain of his right knee and a strained right calf, also is listed as questionable.
This is the second of three meetings between the clubs. Denver earned a 127-121 decision over the Lakers on Jan. 17, the last time they faced each other at Staples. A strong second-half performance by the Nuggets helped them bolt to a double-digit advantage before holding off a late Lakers' run.
The Nuggets have won three straight over Los Angeles.
