Tuesday 3/22/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Flyers won six of their last eight games.
-- Senators won three of their last four games.
-- Detroit won four of its last six games.
-- Anaheim won three of its last four games.
-- Los Angeles won six of its last eight games. Minnesota is 6-4 in its last ten games.
-- Dallas Stars won five of their last eight games.
-- Edmonton won three of its last four road games.
-- St Louis won seven of its last nine games. Sharks won six of their last eight.

Cold teams
-- Columbus lost four of its last five games.
-- Carolina lost last four games, three in OT/SO. Sabres lost four of their last six games.
-- Washington lost its last three road games.
-- Lightning lost five of their last seven games.
-- Montreal lost four of its last five games.
-- Canucks lost four in a row, outscored 13-3. Winnipeg lost six of its last eight games.
-- Chicago lost five of its last six games.
-- Arizona is 4-6 in its last ten games.

Series records
-- Flyers lost five of last six games with Columbus.
-- Sabres won four of last five games with Carolina.
-- Washington won four of last five games with Ottawa.
-- Red Wings lost three of last four visits to Tampa Bay.
-- Ducks won five of last seven games with Montreal.
-- Jets won their last three games with Vancouver.
-- Minnesota-Los Angeles split their last ten games.
-- Dallas Stars won five of last six games with Chicago.
-- Arizona won eight of its last nine games with Edmonton.
-- Sharks won six of their last eight games with St Louis.

Totals
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Philly-Columbus games.
-- Over is 6-0-3 in last nine Buffalo-Carolina games.
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Washington-Ottawa games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Tampa Bay-Detroit games.
-- Five of last six Anaheim-Montreal games stayed under.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Winnipeg games.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five LA-Minnesota games.
-- Six of last eight Dallas-Chicago games went over total.
-- Under is 6-0-1 in last seven Arizona games.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten St Louis-San Jose games.

Back-to-backs
-- Flyers are 4-6 if they played the night before.
-- Los Angeles is 8-2 if it played the night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Inconsistent Cavs could turn things around for NBA bettors this week
By BIG AL MCMORDIE

The Game of the Century Part II lived up to expectations (unlike the first meeting), as San Antonio won a thriller, 87-79, against Golden State. The Spurs hounded Stephen Curry by switching on defense, and effectively took away his biggest weapon - the 3-point shot. San Antonio also controlled the pace. The game had just 90 possessions, 12 less than the Warriors' season average.

The result was that the Warriors scored just 79 points, their lowest output in 212 games. More importantly, it moved the Spurs to within three games of the Warriors, with two more meetings to go, so the no. 1 seed is still up for grabs. The games this week won't have the stature of Spurs vs. Warriors, but there's still money to be made. Let's take a look.

Spread Watch

The maddeningly inconsistent (or consistently maddening) Cavaliers failed to cover the spread in each of their four games last week, and it was capped off by a 122-101 blowout loss in Miami as a 4-point favorite. For all of Tyronn Lue's bluster, in his first press conference as coach, about doing things "better" than David Blatt, he hasn't.

Cleveland was 30-11 SU and 19-21-1 ATS under Blatt this season. They gave up just 95.7 ppg and outscored their foes by 5.65 ppg. With Lue at the helm, the Cavs are 19-9 SU and 12-15-1 ATS. One of Lue's goals was to increase his team's pace of play. Understandably, the Cavs are now giving up more points per game (101.0). But, importantly, their defensive field-goal percentage has significantly declined. Under Blatt, the Cavs ranked in the Top 10 (44 percent), but they rank in the bottom half (46 percent) since the coaching change.

This week, Cleveland has games against four really bad teams (Denver, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and New York), each at least 10 games below .500. I like Cleveland to find success this week, as it has won nine straight games versus foes that were at least 10 games under .500 (6-3 ATS), and is 27-6 SU and 20-13 ATS the past two seasons against such cupcakes (including 11-5 ATS if the Cavs were off an ATS loss).

Total watch

When the Miami Heat signed Joe Johnson, they were 29th in points per game (96.9), ahead of just the Philadelphia 76ers (95.8 ppg), and they were 36-21-1 Under the total. Since picking up the veteran sharp shooter, the Heat's offense has taken off.

It's averaged 112.0 ppg, better than any team in the league except for Golden State (115.0). Not surprisingly, the Heat have gone Over the total in eight of 11, including each of their last six games. Can their high-scoring games continue?

Miami's first game this week will be at New Orleans Tuesday. New Orleans just decided to shut down its best defensive player, Anthony Davis, for the season and the Pelicans have also been giving up a ridiculous amount of points. Since March 5, the Pelicans have surrendered 113.2 ppg, and have gone Over the total in eight of nine games. Moreover, six of the last nine meetings between Miami and New Orleans have sailed Over the total. Tuesday's game seems to be a great candidate for a high-scoring contest.

Injury watch

Houston lost its third straight game against the spread when it fell, 109-97, to the Hawks Saturday. But more worrisome is that James Harden (28.6 ppg; 7.2 apg) injured his foot when he landed on Thabo Sefolosha in the third quarter. Harden continued to play but failed to register a point or assist the remainder of the game.

Harden is questionable to play at Oklahoma City Tuesday. Wednesday looms a huge game versus Utah which sits just one game behind Houston in the battle for the playoffs, but if there is a silver lining it's that Houston has gone 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS since November 23, 2013 without Harden in the lineup. So, even if Harden doesn't play against OKC, bettors might want to take a shot with the Rockets. More ammunition for Houston Tuesday: the Rockets are 64-36-3 ATS on the road off three pointspread losses.

Schedule watch

The Spurs and Warriors are a combined 67-0 SU at home this season (39-27-1 ATS). This week, the Spurs will try to stretch their season record to 37-0 with home games versus Miami and Memphis. Meanwhile, the Warriors can move to 35-0 at home by besting the Clippers, Mavericks and Sixers.

The oddsmakers have certainly made adjustments so it hasn't been profitable to play on these two juggernauts at home since February 1 (combined 10-10 ATS), but the one spot which has been lining bettors' pockets all season has been to play on these two teams at home off an ATS defeat. They're 22-7 ATS in this situation.

Of the five Spurs or Warriors home games this week, the one which stands out is Golden State's game versus the Clippers Wednesday. If the Warriors happen to lose ATS at Minnesota Monday then they would be a solid play against the Clippers, especially since L.A. is an awful 12-33-1 ATS since December 13, 2005 versus foes with an .857 (or better) home win percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hornets (40-30) at Nets (19-50)

Date: March 22, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The Charlotte Hornets pulled off one of their biggest wins of the season despite Kemba Walker being mostly off target.

The Bronx native had his shares of struggles in Brooklyn until he finally broke out the last time he visited the borough.

Walker and the Hornets begin a four-game trip Tuesday night against a Nets team expected to have leading scorer Brook Lopez back in the lineup.

Charlotte (40-30) trailed 30-7 early in the second quarter Monday before rallying for a stunning 91-88 victory over a powerhouse San Antonio team seeking its 60th win. It came even though Walker made 2 of 11 shots for six points for his second-lowest output.

The Hornets overcame his woes because Jeremy Lin was spectacular with 15 of his 29 points in a fourth quarter in which Charlotte outscored San Antonio 24-16.

'We just turned it up,' Lin said. 'We just played hard. I'm so thankful to God because I've been struggling so much. We lost one the other night we felt like we shouldn't have lost. So to come out here and get this win is a huge boost for us.'

Lin was referring to Saturday's 101-93 home defeat to Denver that came two days after a huge 109-106 win in Miami. The Hornets are trying to avoid a similar outcome versus the lowly Nets.

"Last time we beat Miami, we had a great game against Miami, we had a letdown against Denver so gotta learn from it," guard Nicolas Batum said. "So tomorrow we've gotta be ready right from the start and beat this team."

Charlotte, which trails the Heat and Atlanta by one-half game in the Southeast Division, has won seven of nine on the road. Its 10-2 record this month matches Golden State for the NBA's best.

The Hornets, who play nine of their final 12 away from Charlotte, had been 0-6 in road games against the Nets (19-50) that Walker played in, including a 0-4 mark in Brooklyn before he scored 28 on 11-of-18 shooting in a 104-96 victory Feb. 21. Walker averaged 8.8 points on 29.5 percent shooting in his first four games at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn has dropped six of seven, but should receive a boost since Lopez is expected back after he sat out Saturday's 115-103 loss at Detroit with a virus.

The Nets have received some solid recent performances from unheralded guards Bojan Bogdanovic and Sean Kilpatrick. Bogdanovic is averaging 29.7 points on 56.7 percent shooting in his last three games and Kilpatrick is averaging 16.3 and shooting 59.5 in his last four.

"They're both in a great place as far as reading things, when to shoot, when not to and moving the basketball and being able to drive it when that presents itself," interim coach Tony Brown said. "Both guys are in a great comfort zone right now and that's why you see the production that they're giving."

Charlotte has drilled 21 3-pointers in two wins over Brooklyn this season. The Hornets average 29.3 attempts to top the Eastern Conference while the Nets have the league's third-lowest mark at 17.8.

The Hornets' 8-4 record in the second half of back-to-backs is the East's best winning percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (35-35) at Thunder (48-22)

Date: March 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

With a chance to move up in the playoff race, the Houston Rockets face a steep climb on the road with their star's status uncertain against the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder.

Things could get worse depending how a sticky situation plays out involving Dwight Howard.

James Harden will likely do all he can to avoid missing his first game due to injury in two seasons Tuesday night when Houston tries to snap Oklahoma City's four-game winning streak.

Harden, second in the NBA with 28.6 points per game, twisted his ankle Saturday when he stepped on a teammate's foot in the third quarter of a 109-97 loss at Atlanta. He struggled through only about seven minutes of playing time in the fourth and wasn't able to practice Monday.

While the All-Star guard is questionable to face his former team, he hasn't been one to sit often. The only game he's missed over the past two seasons was because of a suspension last March.

Harden has averaged 35.5 points over his last four meetings with Oklahoma City, and the Rockets (35-35) don't have much room for error with 12 games remaining. They have an opportunity to move into a tie for sixth in the Western Conference with a win or fall to eighth with a loss.

"We've got to win some games - it's that simple," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Obviously, winning them all is the objective and is the goal. (This) will be a big game."

Bickerstaff said he hasn't been notified of any disciplinary action after Howard was caught using a sticky substance on his hands Saturday. The NBA is reviewing the matter after Atlanta's Paul Millsap complained about the ball while shooting free throws in the first quarter.

'I just think that it's getting overblown, like I'm doing something crazy,' said Howard, who admits he's used a sticky spray the past five years. 'I've never been a cheater, never been the type of player that has to do something illegal to win. It's upsetting, but I can't control it now.'

The Thunder (48-22) had their own problems during a recent 4-8 stretch, but they've come together to win their last four to solidify their hold on the West's third seed. Kevin Durant led the way with 33 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Saturday's 115-111 win at Indiana.

'It feels like we're getting into a good groove,' the All-Star forward said.

Durant, third in the league with 28.0 points per game, has been doing it all by averaging 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists over his past 13. He's certainly played well against Houston, averaging 32.1 points while hitting 23 for 47 from 3-point range in his last seven meetings.

Russell Westbrook had his second straight triple-double Saturday with 14 points, 14 assists and 11 boards despite missing 13 of 17 shots. His 14 triple-doubles are the most in one season since Magic Johnson had 17 in 1988-89.

The star guard had 26, 14 and 10 against the Rockets on Jan. 29 when Durant scored 33 in a 116-108 home win that snapped a five-game slide in the series.

Oklahoma City has averaged 121.0 points on 52.6 percent shooting during its run. That doesn't bode well for Houston, which has allowed 114.0 points per game and a 52.2 field-goal percentage in its last three.

Michael Beasley has provided a spark for the Rockets, averaging 17.8 points on 57.5 percent shooting in his last six games. He finished with 30 points and nine rebounds against Atlanta.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Heat (40-29) at Pelicans (26-43)

Date: March 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Anthony Davis and Chris Bosh turned in big performances as the Miami Heat downed the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Christmas Day.

Neither will take the court in a rematch that will look far different as the Heat continue to push for a division title when they visit the all-but-eliminated Pelicans on Tuesday night.

While Bosh is sidelined without a timetable to return for Miami (40-29) after blood clots in his leg were discovered at the All-Star break, New Orleans (26-43) just decided to shut Davis down for the season as it's faded from contention.

Sitting 8 1/2 games out of the eighth seed and with four teams to leapfrog, the Pelicans announced Monday that their All-Star forward will undergo procedures to repair a recent knee injury along with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Davis had been burdened by his ailing shoulder most of the season, and he left Friday's 117-112 loss to Portland before halftime with an unspecified knee problem after a collision while setting a screen.

The fourth-year pro averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 61 games, and his availability to play for the U.S. Olympic team this summer is in question.

Although the most prominent, it's just the most recent in a long list of injuries for the Pelicans. Key contributors Tyreke Evans (knee), Eric Gordon (broken finger), Quincy Pondexter (knee), Omer Asik (various) and Norris Cole (various) have missed extended time.

'This is the most frustrating season I've ever been through,' said first-year coach Alvin Gentry, a top assistant for Golden State's championship team in 2014-15. 'When I left Golden State to come here, I thought it was the best job available."

New Orleans beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-105 on Sunday in its first game without Davis while also resting second-leading scorer Ryan Anderson. Jrue Holiday scored 22 points while Asik set a season high with 15 and matched another with 14 rebounds.

Dante Cunningham and Tim Frazier added season highs with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

Davis had 29 points, 15 boards and three blocks against the Heat in December, but the rest of the team shot 37.7 percent in a 94-88 overtime loss that snapped the Pelicans' three-game win streak in the series.

Bosh finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, but his teammates shot 38 percent. The Heat, however, are 11-5 without Bosh and have shot better than 50 percent in seven of those games to challenge Atlanta in the Southeast Division.

They made 55.9 percent from the field on a 2-1 homestand, hitting 54.8 in Saturday's 122-101 win over Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland. Miami made 11 of 19 3-pointers and have hit 47.2 percent from behind the arc over the last seven games.

It was the Heat's 10th straight 100-point effort, their longest such run since 1994.

Late February acquisition Joe Johnson continued to pay dividends in filling the void left by Bosh - who has been working out with the Heat coaching staff but isn't close to a return. Johnson went 4 of 6 on 3s and scored 18 to raise his average to 15.7 in 11 games with Miami. He has gone 23 of 39 from beyond the arc since arriving from Brooklyn.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 24 points and rookie Josh Richardson added 19. Wade became the 41st player to reach 20,000 points and the ninth active one.

'It was great to see,' coach Erik Spoelstra said. 'Dwyane's the face of the franchise.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Grizzlies (41-30) at Lakers (14-55)

Date: March 22, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

It's become a guessing game whether Kobe Bryant will play on a given night for the Los Angeles Lakers, and there are signs pointing to him sitting out again Tuesday night.

The Memphis Grizzlies probably wouldn't mind seeing the NBA's worst shooter on the court since Tony Allen has been tough on Bryant in the past.

The Grizzlies have beaten the Lakers nine straight times and have shredded their defense in three victories this season heading into this matchup at Staples Center.

Bryant has sat out the last two games due to his ongoing shoulder problems and coach Byron Scott continues to say that the retiring superstar is 50-50 for each contest.

"I don't mind it, I just don't have answers for you guys," Scott told the media at Monday's practice. "I wish I did. I don't know sometimes until game day. Or game time, really."

Bryant has sat out six of the last nine home games while playing in the Lakers' last eight on the road. Los Angeles (14-55) is starting a back-to-back set with Wednesday's game in Phoenix representing Bryant's last game in the desert.

The guard is shooting 35.6 percent - the worst mark in a single season by a qualifying player since Hot Rod Hundley shot 35.1 percent in 1960-61.

Bryant said earlier this season that Allen was the toughest defender he has faced so it would make even more sense to sit this one out.

"I'd love for him to play in all the games, just like you guys would and just like I know the fans would, but sometimes I don't think that's possible," Scott said.

The Grizzlies have shot 54.4 percent against the Lakers this season for their best mark against anyone. They've outscored Los Angeles by an average of 14.0 points and posted 67-point first halves in two February wins.

Memphis (41-30) is getting healthier with consecutive victories since veterans Zach Randolph and Vince Carter returned Saturday after a four-game slide. Point guard Mike Conley is expected to miss his 10th consecutive game with tendinitis.

The Grizzlies trailed by as many as 13 in Monday's 103-97 victory over Phoenix. Lance Stephenson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead basket with 31 seconds left as part of an 8-0 closing run.

'It was defense,' Stephenson said. 'Tony Allen came in and we got incredible stops. We were playing together defensively. We were aware."

Randolph had 14 points and 13 boards while former Lakers guard Jordan Farmar scored 12 off the bench in his club debut after signing a 10-day contract earlier in the day.

Farmar played the entire fourth quarter over Ray McCallum, who has started the last two games at point guard.

They will match up with struggling Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell, averaging 9.0 points on 26.9 percent shooting in his last three games while sitting out the entire fourth quarter twice.

"In this league, a lot goes on with no explanation," Russell said. "And there will probably never be any explanation, especially for a rookie. When things like that go on, you've just gotta stick to your craft and trust the process."

Memphis has lost four of its last five in the second half of a back-to-back set.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the Day: Rockets at Thunder

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (OFF)

The Houston Rockets are clinging to a playoff spot in the Western Conference as four teams battle for the final three slots. The Rockets aren’t getting much help from the schedule in their quest to move up the standings and will visit Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Houston fell at the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and is one game ahead of the ninth-place Utah Jazz, who visit the Rockets on Wednesday. Starting with the loss to Atlanta on Saturday, Houston is playing a stretch of nine straight games against teams currently in the top eight of their respective conferences. The Thunder sit comfortably in third place in the West thanks to the heroics of Kevin Durant and Westbrook, who would likely be the leading MVP candidate if Golden State’s Stephen Curry weren’t enjoying a historic season. Westbrook picked up his 14th triple-double of the season with 14 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 115-111 win at Indiana on Saturday and has recorded five triple-doubles in the last eight games to help Oklahoma City gain some separation from the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers in the standings.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: n/a

INJURY REPORT:

Rockets - SG J. Harden (Questionable Tuesday, ankle)

Thunder - SF K. Durant (Probable Tuesday, elbow)
C S. Adams (Probable Tuesday, elbow)
SF K. Singler (Questionable Tuesday, back)

POWER RANKINGS: Rockets (-2) - Thunder (-9.8) + home court (-3) = Thunder -10.8

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (35-35): Houston is tied with the Dallas Mavericks for seventh place in the West, one game ahead of the Jazz and a half-game behind the sixth-place Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets not only suffered a 109-97 loss to the Hawks on Saturday but also got involved in some controversy when center Dwight Howard was caught putting stickum on the basketball, and they were dealt a blow when James Harden sprained his ankle in the third quarter. Harden, who averages 28.6 points, reportedly could sit out practice on Monday and is day-to-day.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (48-22): Oklahoma City already clinched its playoff spot and is in tune-up mode with a 4 1/2-game lead over the Clippers for the No. 3 spot. Westbrook is in a bit of a shooting slump and went 4-of-17 from the field on Saturday, but keeps finding ways to help the team win. “I’m just trying to insert myself into the game,” Westbrook told reporters. “I know some nights shots won’t fall for me. I’m one of the only guys who can do different things on the floor - rebound, pass or defend – on a night-in, night-out basis. That’s what I try to do.”

TRENDS:

* Rockets are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
* Thunder are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Over is 7-0 in Rockets last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
* Under is 5-0 in Thunder last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

CONSENSUS: n/a

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Tuesday, March 22 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Smart move, I think, of the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday to make the decision to shut down young superstar Anthony Davis for the rest of the season. With the playoffs a pipe dream and Davis needing surgery on his left knee and let shoulder, the Pelicans decided to do it now rather than him play the final 14 games. Davis, who now will miss the Olympics, is one of my favorite players in the NBA, but I'm starting to worry he's too brittle to go down as an all-time great. This is his fourth season in the league, and he has yet to play more than 68 games. New Orleans, which has been more injury-ravaged than any club this season, is 2-6 without Davis this year and I'm certainly planning on betting against it most of the rest of the way. This decision also could cost Davis $24 million on his new contract, which kicks in next season. It had the potential to be a five-year $145 million extension but now likely will total $121 million.

The "Derrick Rose" rule for extensions states a player with zero to six years of experience (eligible for a maximum salary worth 25 percent of the cap) such as Davis can earn the salary of a player with seven to nine years of experience (30 percent of the cap) by meeting any one of these criteria ahead of the extension: the player is designated once as NBA MVP; the player is voted twice as an All-Star starter; the player is named twice to the All-NBA first, second or third team. Davis obviously isn't going to win MVP. He was an All-Star starter last year but not this. He was All-NBA last year, but I doubt he's named even third team this season by playing in only 61 games. Sitting Davis now also helps the Pelicans' draft lottery chances. They currently have the sixth-worst record. They likely won't slide down any lower, but with no Davis teams like the Knicks and Kings should stay ahead of them.

Hornets at Nets (TBA)

Charlotte hosted the Spurs on Monday, so the Hornets seem poised for a major letdown here regardless of what happens in that game. Brooklyn lost a second in a row Saturday, 115-103 in Detroit. Center Brook Lopez was a late scratch due to an illness but is likely back here. Willie Reed presumably would start again if Lopez isn't up to it. Charlotte is 2-0 against the Nets this season, winning the most recent 104-96 in Brooklyn on Feb. 21.

Key trends: The road team is 5-0 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" is 6-2-2 in the past 10.

Early lean: If Lopez plays, I'd take whatever points the Nets will get.

Heat at Pelicans (TBA)

Miami played one of its best games of the year Saturday in crushing visiting Cleveland 122-101. Dwyane Wade had 24 points and became the 41st player in league history with at least 20,000. He did it in his 844th game, the 21st quickest to the mark. Wade's career average of 23.7 points is fifth best among active players. The Heat led by as many as 33 points, their biggest margin against anyone this season. Miami has scored at least 100 points in 10 consecutive games, its longest such streak since 1994. New Orleans won its first game Sunday without Davis, 109-105 over the visiting Clippers. Jrue Holiday had 22 points. He'll be the main man now. Ryan Anderson got the game off with groin strains. New Orleans lost in Miami 94-88 in overtime on Christmas. Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds. Chris Bosh led the heat with 30 points; he remains out with his blood clot problem.

Key trends: The home team is 9-2 ATS in the past 11 meetings. The over is 6-2 in the previous eight.

Early lean: Heat win comfortably.

Rockets at Thunder (TBA)

First of a TNT doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Houston lost 109-97 in Atlanta on Saturday. Michael Beasley, who was playing in China last month, had 30 points in the defeat. James Harden twisted his left ankle in the third quarter but kept playing. Still, monitor that. There's an outside chance Dwight Howard could be suspended here as he admitted after Saturday's game that he was using Stickum spray. The NBA's rule regarding something like that is: "All equipment used must be appropriate for basketball. Equipment that is unnatural and designed to increase a player's height or reach, or to gain an advantage, shall not be used." Oklahoma City won a fourth straight Saturday, 115-111 in Indiana. Russell Westbrook had his 14th triple-double of the season with 14 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. That's the most triple-doubles by any player in a season since Magic Johnson had 17 in 1988-89. Kevin Durant added 33 points, his 55th straight game with at least 20. His personal record is 56 in a row. The Rockets and Thunder have split two meetings, each winning at home.

Key trends: The home team is 5-2 ATS in the past seven. The under is 6-2 in the previous eight in OKC.

Early lean: TBA for Harden, who didn't practice Tuesday and maybe Kevin Durant, who has a minor elbow problem but expected to go. So clearly wait on those guys.

Grizzlies at Lakers (TBA)

Second TNT game with live betting. Memphis was in Phoenix on Monday. The Lakers dropped a fourth in a row Friday, 95-90 to Phoenix. That was one of those good losses from a ping-pong ball perspective. Kobe Bryant sat out again with a sore shoulder and is 50/50 to play Tuesday. The Lakers are 4-12 when he's out of the lineup this season. Memphis is 3-0 against the Lakers in 2015-16 and has nine straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their past four at home. The under is 5-1 in the past six meetings in L.A.

Early lean: Like the Lakers whether Kobe plays or not.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Tuesday's hot teams
-- Hornets won 10 of last 12 games; they upset the Spurs last nite at home (4-0 last 4AF).
-- Thunder won six of their last eight games (10-3 last 13HF).
-- Miami won seven of its last ten games (7-3 last 10AF).

Cold teams
-- Brooklyn lost six of its last seven games (6-12 last 18HU).
-- Rockets lost three of their last five games (8-12AU).
-- Pelicans lost five of last seven games; star Davis is now out for year (6-3 last 9HU).
-- Lakers lost six of their last eight games (3-2HF). Grizzlies lost four of their last six games (8-8AU).

Series records
-- Nets lost three of last four games with Charlotte.
-- Thunder lost five of last six games with Houston.
-- Pelicans won three of last four games with Miami.
-- Lakers lost their last nine games with Memphis.

Totals
-- Five of last seven Charlotte-Brooklyn games went over.
-- Six of last eight Houston games went over the total.
-- Last six Miami games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Laker games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Charlotte covered three of last four if it played night before.
-- Grizzlies are 10-4 vs spread if they played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAA Tournament

Other Tournaments

We'll do what we can with these minor tournaments; impossible to determine how interested players on these teams will be........

NIT
St Mary's won 10 of last 11 games, losing to Gonzaga in WCC finals in Las Vegas; Gaels won last four true road games- this is their first away game in 24 days. St Mary's is #331 experience team with lot of kids from Australia- probably not as disappointed to not be in NCAAs. Valpo is #31 in experience; they've won 13 of last 15 games. Horizon is 2-1 vs WCC this year; all three games were decided by 6 or less points.

BYU won eight of last ten games, with both losses to Gonzaga; they've scored 87.5 ppg in winning first two NIT games, by 18-3. Cougars are making 38.5% on arc (#24)- they start two seniors. Creighton lost three true road games in row by 13-4-5 points; they're 3-5 in last eight games overall. Bluejays went 0-3 in non-conference road games, losing by 21-3-13 points at Indiana-Loyola Chi-Oklahoma. This should be a fast game, as in lot of up-and-down play.


CBI


CIT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Tuesday 3/22 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 77 - 249 / $425.10

BEST BETS: 10 - 21 / $36.30

Best Bet: DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS (7th)

Spot Play: BB’S HARLEY (6th)


Race 1

(1) SOHO HIGHROLLER A returns from Florida for Allard off an improved effort and should be live at this basement level. (3) LENNON BLUE CHIP ships back from The Meadowlands and picks up leading driver Bartlett. (2) I LIKE DREAMIN drops, gets needed post relief and did close well last week.

Race 2

(5) ARMOR HANOVER is back at the flat mile distance today and should be forwardly placed off the gate. (1) CAPTURETHEMEMORY qualified safely at Pocono and obviously the talent is there but it's hard to ignore all those breaks. (4) ELIAS JOY is capable on his best day and he picks up a more aggressive driver.

Race 3

(7) ROYAL OUTLOOK ships in from The Meadowlands for the sizzling Harris barn and he may be the one to beat despite the poor post. (1) ADDWATER just missed on the engine last week, now draws best and Bartlett drives again; certainly logical. (2) LITTLE MICHAEL B seems to be better than he's been showing recently.

Race 4

(2) P L INDYANACA took care of business on the front end over the longer distance in her second start for Banca; she can repeat with the post edge on her rivals. (8) DOMINUS HANOVER has been razor sharp in all recent but he's stuck outside and Bartlett opted off. (6) CLIFTON BEACH gets Stratton back in the bike off a decent effort last week.

Race 5

(3) SPORTS BETTOR couldn't last the duration last week after rating the pace; one more chance. (1) PISTOPACKINPIPER draws best off last week's upset win; threat. (2) KILLER MARTINI was never a threat last out but he paced a decent back half.

Race 6

(2) BB'S HARLEY ripped out of the pocket and won going away last week; he faces a more competitive group today but seems sharp enough to repeat. (5) SOME POWER lures Bartlett back for Banca and he'll be leaving the gate. (1) SHANE ADAM just missed in his last two, draws another good post.

Race 7

(2) DON'TCALLMEFRANCIS has come back sharp for his 3-year-old campaign and clearly is the one to beat from this inside spot. (3) OPENING NIGHT GEM has shown some versatility and the Burke trainee should be a player from this spot. (4) ARROW rolled off good cover to score in round one, but didn't race last week; is that good or bad?

Race 8

(7) RODEO ROMEO has cruised in the first two legs of this series and he seems best here despite the poor post. (1) B WELL was a big upset winner last week and he draws best again; gelding may still offer some value. (5) J T couldn't hack it uncovered last week; Brennan may be firing early today.

Race 9

(2) KEYSTONE BODACIOUS gets needed post relief and just missed two back from a similar spot. (5) APOSTLES CREED ships from The Meadows off some aggressive efforts and he could fit well here. (1) FOREVER ROYAL comes in from Northfield and his connections must think he's decent to ship him away from his home base.

Race 10

(3) STOMPIN TOM CREEK returns locally off a game score up at Saratoga and the Robertson barn has had some live ones recently. (1) ANNUNITY may be tailing off but he drops in class again and must be considered. (5) ROETHBLISSBERGER is up a notch in class after getting his confidence back.

Race 11

(1) COVERT OPERATIVE has burned serious money in his last two; Allard trainee gets one final chance. (4) GABE THE BEAR DEAN went the distance last week in an added-distance event and the Schnittker trainee can certainly repeat. (3) MILITARY BLUE needed that last start and he gets post relief.

Race 12

(4) FIRSTCLASSALLTHEWAY ships in from Ohio and debuts for Burke; veteran has back class and seems like pretty logical selecting. (5) MATT MAJOR couldn't sustain two moves last out in his debut for new connections; we'll see if he's better today. (1) HIGH OCTANE N just missed versus similar last out and draws best.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Mahoning Valley (3rd) Forest Mist, 4-1
(7th) Richard's Tune, 7-2


Parx Racing (3rd) El Oh El, 3-1
(7th) Desert Notion, 4-1


Sunland Park (3rd) Setting Star, 5-1
(9th) Punkin Roll, 3-1


Turf Paradise (4th) Ruling Heart, 3-1
(7th) Hidden Demon, 5-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's six-pack

-- Last 10 years, #1 seeds are 16-19 vs spread in regional semifinal round.

-- Wisconsin-Notre Dame is first 6-7 seed game in this round since 2005.

-- Gonzaga-Syracuse is only third 10-11 seed game ever; one of them was couple of years ago, when Dayton upset Stanford 82-72.

-- Since '05, when 2-3 seeds meet in regional semis, the underdog is 8-6 vs spread.

-- Golden State has lost 33 regular season games in a row at San Antonio- last time they won there in the regular season was 1997.

-- Mike Trout bunted for a hit Monday; his last bunt hit in regular season was way back in 2012.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

High Stakes Syndicate

Free Selection for Tuesday: Winnipeg Jets - 145

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sharp Bettor

Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Tuesday, March 22, 2016, NBA.

Memphis is on a 17-9 spread run and the Lakers are 22-45-1 ATS in their last 68 vs. Western Conference.

Play Memphis.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Roz Wins

Roz's Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Free NBA Pick:

Memphis at LA Lakers. The Lakers are 19-7 under the total at home and face a banged up Memphis team.

Play Memphis/LA under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Tuesday

659 SAINT MARY’S @ 660 VALPARAISO 7:00 PM

Take: 660 VALPARAISO -4.5

A pair of teams who might well feel as though they’re participating in the wrong tournament do battle tonight as Saint Mary’s travels to Valparaiso. Both the Gaels and Crusaders have strong cases to be made that they each should have gotten a Big Dance invite. Instead, they’re both now trying to get to New York City in the NIT.

This is really a big chance for the Gaels to make a statement. I don’t think there’s a shred of doubt that the main reason they didn’t get the NCAA bid was their schedule, and I really can’t argue with that being the culprit. Saint Mary’s played only one non-conference road game, and that was a loss at California. Plus, it’s not like the Gaels were beating up powerhouse entries at home, either. Their longest trip of the entire season was to BYU. Simply stated, if you’re a mid-major and you want to insure at-large consideration, the non-league slate has to be tougher than the one the Gaels enjoyed this season.

That lack of experience on the non-conference road is one reason I will be against them tonight. But there are a couple more worth noting. First off, Valparaiso could be the fresher team tonight. They’ve been off since Thursday. The Gaels had to get past Georgia on Sunday and will have to endure a much quicker turnaround here in addition to having to finally log some miles.

I also see the matchup being a potential problem for the visitors. Saint Mary’s is a very selective team when it comes to shooting the basketball. They’re extremely efficient, not a doubt about that. But they tend to milk the shot clock while searching for that good look, and Valpo has been very adept at forcing bad shots, or sometimes no shot at all when that shot clock approaches zero.

This is one of those games where for virtually every strength on Saint Mary’s, there’s a solid offset on the Crusaders side nearly right down the line. In terms of overall power ratings, it’s clearly a very close call. But for me it’s more about category duels and what Valpo does tends to nullify the Saint Mary’s assets. Add in the scheduling dynamics and I see enough of an edge to warrant a play on Valparaiso minus the reasonable number.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Tuesday, March 22, 2016 8:05 PM ET

(655) MIAMI HEAT VS (656) NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Take: OVER

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Tuesday, March 22, 2016 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans. Miami has found the scoring touch of late, posting well over 100 points in each of their last 10 games. Not surprisingly, the Heat have gone OVER in six straight games. Surprisingly, New Orleans has also been a good over team of late. The Pelicans have gone over in four straight games and eight of the last 10. Moreover, the team is 23-7-1 O/U their last 31 overall. The Pelicans have been a very good over bet at home, posting a 39-17 O/U mark in their last 56 home games. These clubs have gone over in six of the last eight meetings and the last four in New Orleans. I'm sticking OVER here tonight.

 

[iwmore]

Sam casey?tia