Wednesday 12/16/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Wizards (10-13) at Spurs (21-5)

Date: December 16, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Only five teams have knocked off the San Antonio Spurs, and one of them is the Washington Wizards.

It's hard to imagine them pulling off the season sweep.

A short-handed, last-place Washington team that hasn't won in San Antonio since the 1990s is all that stands in the way of the Spurs notching the longest home winning streak in franchise history Wednesday night.

San Antonio's run of 22 straight regular-season home wins includes a 13-0 record this season and dates back to an overtime loss to Cleveland on March 12. The Spurs (21-5) have matched the franchise record set during the 2010-11 season.

Four of the last five opponents to visit San Antonio lost by at least 20 points, and it seems Washington could be headed for a similar fate with leading scorer Bradley Beal sidelined while the Spurs are at full strength and pretty fresh.

All of their starters were rested for the final 16 minutes of a 118-81 drubbing of Utah on Monday.

"It's always great because it adds up," said Tony Parker, who had 18 points in 21 minutes. "All the rest that we're getting right now will help come playoff time."

The Spurs have won three straight by an average of 28.0 points, and Washington has often been blown out during a 15-game losing streak in San Antonio which dates back to Dec. 11, 1999.

Last season's trip was among the closest as the Wizards lost 101-92 after being within three points with five minutes to play. However, the Spurs were without Parker and Kawhi Leonard.

This time it's Washington (10-13) missing a top player with Beal (leg) out at least another 10 days. The Wizards wouldn't have beaten the Spurs without him when the teams met Nov. 4, as Beal had a game-high 25 points and hit the deciding 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining in a 102-99 victory.

When asked about that loss Monday, Parker said "we felt like we had the game and we let it slip at the end," but added that his team is playing much better going into the rematch.

"I feel like we're improving a lot," he said. "I feel like we're a different team, so we're going in the right direction."

The first meeting was one of five games the Spurs have allowed 100 points. They've done that once in the past 14 games and are now allowing a league-low 87.9 per game.

"We're playing great defense," Parker said. "Every time you play great defense, it gives you opportunities to win games."

The Wizards' defense has left a lot to be desired.

While going 1-2 on a four-game trip which has coincided with Beal's absence, Washington is allowing averages of 110.0 points and 53.3 percent from 3-point range (40 for 75).

'Until we get a commitment to defend ... we're going to be on this roller coaster,' coach Randy Wittman said.

The Wizards are allowing an Eastern Conference-worst 105.6 points per game, including 100-plus in eight straight.

'Right now, our mindset is to outscore people," Wittman said. "Our team isn't made that way."

While Washington is the NBA's worst at defending the 3, allowing 41.1 percent, San Antonio is No. 1 at 30.6.

John Wall is 1 for 8 on 3-pointers in five games at San Antonio while getting held to an average of 13.2 points.

His two 3-pointers Monday were his only points in a 112-95 loss at Memphis. The Wizards are 1-5 when he fails to score at least 15.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pelicans (6-18) at Jazz (10-13)

Date: December 16, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Utah Jazz have struggled to get into a groove since last month's decisive victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and are entering the next matchup on the verge of a season-high skid.

Another visit from one of the NBA's worst road teams might allow them to avoid that Wednesday night.

Utah (10-13) took advantage of short-handed New Orleans in a 101-87 victory Nov. 28. Among the missing for the Pelicans (6-18) were Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans and Kendrick Perkins.

The Jazz have dropped six of eight since, and a 118-81 drubbing in San Antonio on Monday was their third consecutive loss. Utah had its fewest points this season and shot 40.5 percent in the second of back-to-back games, while the Spurs' 56.0 percent shooting was the best mark by a Jazz opponent.

"The sky kind of fell, but it happens," coach Quin Snyder said. "We had no juice, but that's the wrong team to play when you're out of gas. Their defense is terrific and they are a championship-level program."

The Jazz will seek their third win in four home games while trying to avoid their first four-game skid since March 21-27. In the opener of a three-game homestand, they'll face a Pelicans team that's 1-12 on the road even with a healthier lineup.

Evans and Cole have played in all seven games this month. Perkins appeared in his first game since Oct. 31 in a 98-94 loss to Chicago on Saturday, the start of a five-game road trip, but sat out a 105-101 defeat to Portland on Monday.

New Orleans couldn't maintain a 14-point lead against the Bulls and failed to get closer than four points after trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter versus the Trail Blazers.

"(The mistakes) we made are the ones we've been talking about for the last month. Until we get that get cured, we're not going to win a game. We're not going to be able to beat teams when we do silly things," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We're playing hard and competing like crazy. But it takes more than that to win games. You've got to play smart basketball."

Anthony Davis' 28 points against Portland were his most in his last four games. Evans had 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Evans is averaging 22.7 points in his last three games and 18.5 in his past two against Utah.

Davis had 36 points in last month's meeting and is averaging 36.7 on 71.4 percent shooting in his last three matchups.

He scored a career-high 43 in Utah on Nov. 22, 2014, and has matched that performance two times.

Utah's Gordon Hayward is averaging 23.2 points in his last six meetings with New Orleans and 23.8 in the last five at home.

He was held to a season-low four points on 1-of-5 shooting in San Antonio. Hayward was averaging 22.6 points while shooting 54.0 percent from 3-point range in his previous nine games.

Utah has won 14 of the past 17 home matchups with New Orleans and is seeking its third consecutive overall win in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bucks (10-16) at Clippers (15-10)

Date: December 16, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

After a loss to the worst team in the Western Conference, it's already clear what should be made of the Milwaukee Bucks' win over the best team of basketball.

It might still be too early to draw many conclusions from the Los Angeles Clippers' recent success given the level of competition.

The only of their last six games to be decided by more than five points was a win in Milwaukee, and the Clippers can do it again Wednesday night to hand the Bucks a deflating Staples Center sweep and 11th straight road loss.

The Clippers (15-10) have won five of their last six with the blemish an 83-80 defeat in Chicago, while the handful of wins came by a total of 27 points. A 109-95 victory over the Bucks last Wednesday accounted for more than half that, and Los Angeles concluded the five-game road trip with Monday's 105-103 overtime win against Detroit. It was its eighth in 10 games after a 3-8 span.

Blake Griffin had 34 points, J.J. Redick added 24 and the Clippers won despite trailing by six with under two minutes remaining.

"I think a win like this can go a long ways," Jamal Crawford told the team's official website. "We handled adversity again. I think we were down three with a minute to go in Minnesota. This game, we're down 86-81, a minute and a half, two minutes (left), and we found a way to win."

Redick has been a bigger part of the offense in the last four games, averaging 21.0 points on 50.9 percent shooting while hitting 14 of 25 from 3-point range. That follows a 13.4-point average in his first 17 games, and he drained a 3 in the final seconds of regulation against the Pistons to tie it.

"The shot J.J. made, we're all going crazy," said Crawford, who hit a 3 with 12 seconds left in overtime. "We play for each other, and we're really figuring it out."

The Bucks (10-16) present little mystery. The 14-point win last week came with Redick scoring a season-high 31 points, which is two shy of his career best. He's averaging 26.3 with a 16-of-24 mark from 3-point range in the last three meetings.

The teams split two games last season, but Los Angeles has won seven of the last eight and 14 of the last 15 at home, including seven straight.

Few if any of those defeats figure to have been as painful for the Bucks as Tuesday's 113-95 loss to the 4-21 Lakers, representing the ultimate regression after Saturday's 108-95 home win over Golden State.

"This is the NBA," coach Jason Kidd said. "Anybody can be beaten on any given night. If you don't bring energy and effort, you can find yourself on the losing end, and that's what happened tonight."

Greg Monroe was a late scratch with a sore left knee after someone fell into him in the morning shootaround, and he'll be evaluated again Wednesday. Milwaukee remains short at guard with Jerryd Bayless missing the trip due to a sprained ankle, and the team learned Tuesday that Greivis Vasquez will be out three to four months after having knee surgery.

Those injuries have allowed Michael Carter-Williams to step back into a larger role. He's averaged 18.0 points and shot 57.1 percent in the last two games, albeit as a reserve.

Dating to the loss to the Clippers, Milwaukee has dropped three of four. That could quickly grow to five of six with a stop in Oakland coming Friday for the rematch with the Warriors, and its road skid is already in danger of matching a recent 11-gamer from Feb. 6-March 30.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (11-15) at Warriors (24-1)

Date: December 16, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

(AP) - The Golden State Warriors did something for the first time this season: practice following a loss.

After returning home from a grueling two-week road trip that started with six straight wins to extend their record start to the season to 24-0 before finally losing in Milwaukee on Saturday, the Warriors have a chance to catch their breath.

They took a needed day off Sunday before returning to a light practice Monday as they gear up for their next game at home Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns.

'The perspective of being 24-1 is a little different than undefeated,' star guard Stephen Curry said. 'You don't have to answer questions about it, hopefully no more creative shirts in the stands and stuff like that. We can just play basketball. It is just about how we're playing. Obviously we want to continue to win games. We have to take our game to the next level.'

The road trip featured circuslike levels of attention with Cam Newton and several Carolina Panthers coming out for Curry's homecoming in Charlotte, a live feed of Curry's pregame warmup in Boston and an almost college-style atmosphere in Milwaukee with fans wearing T-shirts with '24-1' on the front.

But the streak also overshadowed parts of Golden State's game that had been slipping of late, including defensive rotations, stagnation on offense and too many sloppy turnovers.

'There was a lot of talk obviously with the streak and all that,' Curry said. 'At a certain point it kind of became about just winning the game. ... We didn't play our best for probably about three straight games. With the streak over and all that, hopefully we can get another one going, we can focus on the details of how we're playing and continue to get better and focus on the things that will help us win a championship let alone regular-season games.'

Now with just five games - all at home - in the next two weeks, the Warriors will have the time at practice to work on those little parts of their game.

'We're continuing to work toward being a championship team and that requires us getting better than we were last year,' interim coach Luke Walton said. 'We know that, our guys know that and we'll keep working at it. It's harder on the road and when you're constantly winning to focus on the little details. Now that we're back home I think we'll have the chance to clean some things up.'

That was tough to do on a trip that included two sets of back-to-backs, including the game against the Bucks a night after winning a double-overtime thriller against the Celtics.

The Warriors didn't make it to Milwaukee until 3 a.m. Saturday and just ran out of energy in the loss that ended the streak as they came just short of becoming the first team in NBA history to have a perfect trip of at least seven games.

'That's why it's so hard and nobody has ever won seven straight in a road trip before,' Walton said. 'It's a difficult thing to do, especially coming off that back-to-back. We just ran out of gas.'

While Golden State's streak reached 28 regular-season games, dating to last season, it fell five games short of the record set by the Lakers in 1971-72. There are still other marks to chase. The Warriors have won 28 straight home games in the regular season since losing to Chicago on Jan. 27 - 16 shy of the mark set by the Bulls in 1995-96. Golden State is also chasing the single-season wins mark set by those Bulls with 72.

The Warriors hope to get a boost sometime soon with the return of forward Harrison Barnes, who has missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle. Walton said Barnes will miss both games this week before being re-evaluated.

But Klay Thompson reported his sprained ankle that kept him out of Friday's game in Boston and seemed to hamper him a bit in Milwaukee is much better and shouldn't be a factor Wednesday.

The Warriors rolled past Phoenix (11-15) in the first meeting as Curry scored 41 in a 135-116 rout Nov. 27. That matchup was on the road, and the Suns enter this one having dropped seven straight in Oakland.

Phoenix lost for the second time in three games Monday, 104-94 at Dallas. Eric Bledsoe had 23 points and seven assists for the Suns, who shot 41.3 percent in falling to 0-9 when being held under 100 points.

'We didn't convert some of our layups,' coach Jeff Hornacek told the team's official website. 'The 3-pointers we did OK; we had some good looks that we didn't make.'

Reserve forward T.J. Warren had a career-best 28 points in November against the Warriors, with Bledsoe and Brandon Knight adding 21 apiece.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Wednesday, December 16 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

A Timberwolves-Knicks matchup last year would have been quite hard to watch because both teams were so terrible. This season, however, both are much improved and that's due largely to a couple of terrific rookies in Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick, and New York's Kristaps Porzingis, who went No. 4. They share the court as professionals for the first time Wednesday night. I would say they are also the two leading candidates thus far for NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Towns and Porzingis were their respective conference's Rookie of the Month awards in November. Porzingis might be hitting a slight rookie wall as he was scoreless in Portland on Saturday. And the Knicks' just completed three-game road trip, Porzingis scored 17 points on 6-for-25 shooting.

Mavericks at Pacers (-4.5, 204)

Dallas beat Phoenix 104-94 on Monday to end a two-game losing streak. Chandler Parsons played a season-high 28 minutes off knee surgery and had 17 points. Indiana routed visiting Toronto 106-90 on Monday. George Hill had season highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds. Indiana used a 39-4 run in the first half to climb out of a 21-point deficit. Indiana swept Dallas last season and has won five of the past seven in the series. Pacers guard Monta Ellis played with Dallas the previous two seasons. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle coached the Pacers for three seasons from 2003-07.

Key trends: The underdog is 4-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" is 7-1 in Indiana's past eight following an ATS win.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Hornets at Magic (pick'em, 197.5)

Charlotte's four-game winning streak ended with a 98-93 home loss to Boston on Saturday. Nic Batum led the Hornets with 21 points and eight rebounds but missed a late tying 3-pointer badly. Orlando ended a two-game slide with a 105-82 victory in Brooklyn on Monday. It was the Magic's first-ever win there. These teams split four games last year, with Orlando winning both at home in low-scoring affairs.

Key trends: The Hornets are 8-1 ATS in their past nine in Orlando. The over is 5-2 in the past seven meetings.

Early lean: Magic and under.

Heat at Nets (+4.5, 191.5)

Miami won in Atlanta 100-88 on Monday for its second win in a row. Chris Bosh led the Heat with 24 points. Goran Dragic had a tooth knocked out by Al Horford but played through it after getting quick treatment. Heat forward Josh McRoberts sat out his third straight game with a bruised right knee. Brooklyn was pounded by Orlando at home on Monday for its second loss in a row. Brook Lopez shot 4-for-15 for just 11 points. Brooklyn has lost two straight at home to Miami and four in a row overall.

Key trends: The Heat are 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 6-0 in the Nets' past six at home vs. teams with a losing road record.

Early lean: Heat and under.

Celtics at Pistons (-2.5, 201.5)

Boston hosted Cleveland on Tuesday. Detroit lost at home to the Clippers on Monday, 105-103, in overtime. Pistons guard Reggie Jackson missed at the regulation buzzer to win it and at the overtime buzzer. He finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Detroit went 1-2 against Boston last season, but the Pistons have won five of their past six meetings at home.

Key trends: Boston is 2-5 ATS in its past seven in Detroit. The over is 6-0 in the previous six meetings.

Early lean: Detroit and over.

Timberwolves at Knicks (-2, 200)

Minnesota hosted Denver on Tuesday. New York ended a four-game losing streak with a 112-110 win in Portland on Saturday despite Porzingis putting up a goose egg. Carmelo Anthony tied a season-high with 37 points as New York rallied from a 10-point hole in the fourth quarter. New York lost the season series versus Minnesota last season, the first time the Knicks lost the season series since 2006-07.

Key trends: The Wolves are 7-2 ATS in their past nine in New York. The under is 5-0 in New York's past five on Wednesday.

Early lean: Knicks and under.

76ers at Hawks (-13.5, 196.5)

Philadelphia lost a seventh straight Monday, 115-96 at Chicago despite leading at halftime. Rookie Jahlil Okafor had 22 points in his first game as a professional in his hometown. The Sixers are now 0-15 on the road. Nerlens Noel missed the game with an eye injury and isn't expected here. Atlanta lost a third in a row Monday, 100-88 to visiting Miami. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver both made just 2-for-12 from the field each. Since a 7-1 start, the Hawks have lost 11 of 18 games. Atlanta won three of four meetings with Philly last year. That lone Sixers win came when the Hawks rested three starters.

Key trends: The under is 7-0 in Atlanta's past seven overall. Philly has failed to cover its past seven games.

Early lean: Sixers and under.

Grizzlies at Bulls (-4.5, 192.5)

This is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader and will feature live betting at sportsbooks. Chicago won a third in a row Monday, beating Philly by 19 after trailing by five at the half. Derrick Rose played through an illness and had only six points in 26 minutes. Memphis might have temporarily saved Coach Dave Joerger's job with a 112-95 win over Washington on Monday. Marc Gasol had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Of course, it will be brother vs. brother in the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol and Bulls' Pau, who is still the Grizzlies' all‐time leader in several statistical categories, including points (8,966) and blocks (877), and was the franchise's first‐ever All‐Star (2006). The Grizzlies have won three straight games in Chicago.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their past six in Chicago. The under is 5-2 in the previous seven meetings there.

Early lean: Grizzlies and under.

Trail Blazers at Thunder (-10.5, 212)

Portland won 105-101 vs. New Orleans on Monday; this starts a five-game road trip. Damian Lillard had 30 points vs. the Pelicans. It was the 30th game of Lillard's career that he's scored 30 points. Oklahoma City won a fifth straight Sunday, 104-98 in OT over Utah. The Thunder rallied from a 16-point hole. Kevin Durant had just two first-half points but finished with 31. The Thunder have held their opponent under 100 points for six straight games. Portland won three of its four games against Oklahoma City in 2014-15, marking the first time that the Trail Blazers took a season series over the Thunder since 2009-10. Portland has won one road game against the Thunder in each of the past two seasons.

Key trends: The Blazers are 2-5 ATS in their past seven in OKC. The under is 9-3 in the past 12 meetings.

Early lean: Thunder and over.

Wizards at Spurs (-12, 197.5)

Washington was routed in Memphis on Monday. Bradley Beal missed his third game with stress reaction in right leg. John Wall had just six points, none after the first quarter. San Antonio routed the Jazz on Monday for its third win in a row and to improve to 13-0 at home. The Spurs led by as many as 46 points, so the starters didn't play heavy minutes. The first Warriors-Spurs game can't get here soon enough! Washington beat the Spurs 102-99 on Nov. 4 despite the Spurs leading at the end of each of the first three quarters. Beal hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under has hit in four of the past six between the clubs.

Early lean: Spurs and under.

Pelicans at Jazz (-4.5, 201)

New Orleans lost a second straight Monday, 105-101 to Phoenix. The Pelicans have a single road win on the season. Utah is really starting to miss the injured Rudy Gobert as it lost a third straight Monday, 118-81 in San Antonio. The Jazz are now 2-5 without Gobert, and he's not going to be back soon. Utah won the first meeting with New Orleans 101-87 in Salt Lake City on Nov. 28 despite 36 points and 11 rebounds from Anthony Davis. Trevor Booker had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz.

Key trends: The Pelicans have covered just one of the past nine meetings. The over is 7-1 in the previous eight.

Early lean: Pelicans and over.

Suns at Warriors (-12, 220.5)

This is the ESPN nightcap game. Phoenix lost by 10 in Dallas on Monday. Eric Bledsoe led the Suns with 23 points and seven assists. The Suns fell to 0-9 when held under 100 points. Golden State was stunned in Milwaukee on Saturday 108-95 for its first loss of the season and first time being held under 100 points. You could tell the Warriors were tired in the finale of their seven-game road trip. They also were dragged to double overtime the night before in Boston. The Warriors still can be the only team in league history with just one loss at Christmas. Golden State beat the Suns 135-116 on Nov. 27 in Phoenix behind 41 points from Steph Curry. The Warriors hit an NBA record 15 three-pointers in the first half and hit a franchise-record 22 3-pointers in the game.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 12-5 in the previous 17 in Oakland.

Early lean: Warriors and over.

Bucks at Clippers (-10, 204.5)

Milwaukee was at the L.A. Lakers on Tuesday. The Clippers closed a five-game trip at 4-1 with a 105-103 OT win in Detroit on Monday. J.J. Redick hit a tying 3-pointer with 19.6 left in OT and then Jamal Crawford the winner with 12.4 seconds left. Blake Griffin finished with 34 points for the Clippers. L.A. won in Milwaukee 109-95 last Wednesday. Redick had a season-high 31 points. Griffin had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 18 points and 18 assists for the Clippers.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 6-1 in the Clippers' past seven at home vs. teams with a losing road record.

Early lean: Clippers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Mavericks won last three road games (9-5A).
-- Charlotte won four of its last five games (5-3AU).
-- Detroit won five of its last six home games (6-1 last seven HF). Celtics are 5-3 in their last eight games (5-1AU).
-- Oklahoma City won its last five games (2-7 last nine HF).
-- Bulls won their last three games (3-10HF).
-- Spurs won seven of last eight games (9-4HF).
-- Clippers won eight of last ten games (4-8HF).
-- 24-1 Warriors are 6-4 vs spread as home favorites.

Cold teams
-- Indiana lost four of its last six games (7-4H).
-- Orlando lost three of its last five games (2-3HF).
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last eight games (9-1AU). Knicks lost four of their last five games (3-2HF).
-- Miami lost three of its last five games (2-2AF). Brooklyn lost four of its last six games (6-3HU).
-- 1-25 Sixers failed to cover their last four road games. Atlanta lost last three games (3-1 last four HF).
-- Portland lost three of its last five games (4-1 last five AU).
-- Grizzlies lost three of their last five games (4-0 last four AU).
-- Washington lost three of its last four games (4-1 last five AU).
-- New Orleans lost seven of its last nine games (1-4 last five AU). Jazz lost six of its last eight games (3-4HF).
-- Bucks won three of last four games, losing to Lakers after beating the Warriors over weekend (2-6 last eight AU).
-- Suns lost six of their last nine games (3-5 last eight AU).

Series records
-- Pacers won five of their last seven games with Dallas.
-- Visiting team won last four Charlotte-Orlando games.
-- Knicks lost three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Nets lost eight of last nine games with Miami.
-- Celtics lost four of last five visits to Detroit.
-- 76ers lost seven of last eight games with Atlanta.
-- Thunder lost three of last four games with Portland.
-- Grizzlies won five of last seven games with Chicago.
-- Wizards won last two games with San Antonio, after losing eight in row to Spurs before that.
-- Pelicans lost five of last six visits to Utah.
-- Clippers won seven of last eight games with Milwaukee.
-- Warriors won their last four games with Phoenix.

Totals
-- Last three Dallas-Indiana games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Charlotte-Orlando games went over.
-- Five of last six Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Miami games stayed under total.
-- Last six Boston-Detroit games went over the total.
-- Last five Philly-Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Nine of last ten Thunder games stayed under total.
-- Six of last eight Memphis games went over total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Washington games.
-- Seven of last eight New Orleans-Utah games went over.
-- Four of last six Clipper games went over the total.
-- Last three Phoenix games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Minnesota is 2-0 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Boston ia 3-0 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Milwaukee is 6-0 vs spread if it played the night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Betting December 2015

One and a half months into the 2013-14 NBA season a few notable trends are taking shape. Teams wearing road jersey's have cashed tickets at a 54.2% clip (193-157-6 ATS) split between 61-55-4 ATS (50.8%) as chalk, 132-102-2 ATS (55.9%) when underdogs. Warriors (10-4-1), Spurs (8-4) have been best bets as road favorites with Cavaliers the worst at 2-6 ATS. As for road underdogs, Twolves have cashed at an astounding 81.8% rate to-date away from Target Center (9-2) with Raptors (6-1), Celtics (5-1) solid choices when taking points on the road.

'Under' gamblers have won the money 53.8% of the time (189-163-4) with Heat (17-5), Bulls (14-6-1) leading the way. Honorable mention goes to Spurs at 15-9-1 'Under' with its league best 88.2 points/game allowed.

Another situation taking shape. The Western Conference has usually held the upper hand facing the East in regular season. At this stage, the tide may be turning. The East is holding its own at 72-70 SU but more importantaly have cashed at a profitable 54.9% clip (78-60-4 ATS) including 35-11-1 ATS taking points on Western hardwood. The best in this roll Magic (5-0), Raptors (4-0), Nets (5-1).

It's still early in NBA season and these trend will eventually fade away, but for the time being, keeping them in mind can lead to profits.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Green Wave (6-4) at Tar Heels (7-2)

Date: December 16, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Just as it was getting accustomed to a healthy lineup, North Carolina will once again have to play without one of its starters.

Kennedy Meeks is expected to miss at least three games and likely more for the 11th-ranked Tar Heels, beginning with Wednesday night's visit from Tulane.

North Carolina (7-2) was forced to play without its top scorer from each of the last two seasons, Marcus Paige, until this month because of his fractured right hand.

The Tar Heels beat then-No. 2 Maryland in his return Dec. 1 and extended their win streak to four on Dec. 6 with a 98-65 rout of Davidson. That run ended when Texas' Javan Felix hit a buzzer beater Saturday to send them to an 84-82 road defeat.

The school took another loss Monday when it announced Meeks had a bone bruise in his left knee and would miss at least two weeks, possibly "several weeks." The junior forward was averaging 12.3 points on 59.5 percent shooting and was the team's second-leading rebounder at 7.4 per game.

Coach Roy Williams indicated he might "shift Justin Jackson down and play him at the four and go (with a smaller lineup)," the school's official website reported. Isaiah Hicks, who scored a season-high 14 points Saturday, might get his first starts of this campaign.

The Tar Heels, one of the nation's top shooting teams at 49.5 percent, will likely get by without Meeks in most of their remaining four nonconference games with their only high-profile matchup Saturday against No. 22 UCLA in Brooklyn.

Tulane (6-4) has faced one major conference opponent this season, losing 76-68 to Georgia Tech on Dec. 5, and has dropped 30 consecutive games against ranked teams. The Green Wave have also lost 17 straight road contests versus Top 25 opponents.

They've lost 13 of 14 all-time matchups with North Carolina and are playing their first since an 89-71 loss in Charlotte on Dec. 1, 1995.

Tulane's leading scorer, senior guard Louis Dabney (14.1 points per game), had a season-high 24 in a 63-49 win over Prairie View A&M on Monday.

Junior guard Malik Morgan, a transfer from LSU, is the team's only other player averaging in double figures (10.7). Dylan Osetkowski is one of the American Athletic Conference's leading rebounders with 9.6 per game, including 11 in each of the last three games.

"(Facing North Carolina) is a good opportunity for our program and these guys," coach Ed Conroy said. "In my mind, they may be the best team in the country when it's all said and done. We get a chance to go on their floor and gauge where we're at before heading into conference play."

Tulane lost 90-82 to Southern on Nov. 19 in its only other road game this season. The Green Wave are facing a Top 25 team for the first time since an 82-57 loss to No. 17 St. John's on Dec. 28 in Brooklyn.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kennesaw St Owls (3-8) at Louisville Cardinals (7-1)

Date: December 16, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

While maintaining its defensive prowess from past seasons, Louisville has also shown off a dynamic offense in this one.

The 19th-ranked Cardinals should have no problem continuing to roll through their homestand Wednesday night against Kennesaw State.

Louisville (7-1) has yielded 55.4 points per game on 33.9 percent shooting and let Eastern Michigan connect at just 29.7 percent Saturday, including 4 for 26 from 3-point range.

The Cardinals converted at 53.4 percent at the other end in an 86-53 rout, topping 53.0 for the fifth time. Louisville accomplished that feat three times last season while averaging 69.0 points on 42.9 percent shooting.

"If we cut down from our mistakes of getting too deep or trying to make a certain type of pass, our shooting percentage could even be higher," guard Damion Lee said. "Fifty percent shooting as a team, you don't see that too often."

The Cardinals are at 51.6 percent from the field and putting up 86.0 points per game, with a pair of transfers leading the way.

Lee, who played at Drexel in 2014-15, is averaging a team-best 18.8 points while shooting 53.7 percent. Trey Lewis, a Cleveland State transfer who is at his third school, is averaging 13.8 points. That duo has combined to make 31 of the team's 50 3-pointers.

The early portion of the Cardinals' six-game homestand has allowed other players to hone their offensive games before a trip to No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 26. Louisville has beaten the first two opponents by a combined 81 points with five players scoring in double figures in each game.

Quentin Snyder, averaging 9.9 points, had a combined 25 in those two contests while dishing out 12 assists.

"Let's face it," coach Rick Pitino said. "Although our defensive numbers are good, we're winning with offense."

Kennesaw State (3-8) is averaging 63.9 points and shooting 39.5 percent heading into its first meeting with Louisville and third game against a ranked opponent this season.

The Owls lost 91-69 at then-No. 23 LSU on Nov. 16 and 87-54 at then-No. 20 West Virginia on Dec. 5, dropping to 0-10 versus Top 25 teams since joining Division I in 2005-06. Their only wins over Division I teams this season came against sub-.500, small-conference schools IUPUI and Florida A&M.

Guards Kendrick Ray (16.1 points per game) and Yonel Brown (16.0) have accounted for about half of their scoring, but the two have headed in different directions lately. While Ray is averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in the last four games, Brown is averaging 10.3 points and shooting 25.7 percent in three games this month.

Brown missed six of seven shots and scored seven points in a 69-59 win over NAIA opponent Thomas University on Dec. 7 in the Owls' last game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lumberjacks (2-6) at Wildcats (9-1)

Date: December 16, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Watching his team execute sporadically over the last three weeks has given Arizona coach Sean Miller plenty of headaches.

It was nothing a much-needed rout couldn't cure - at least for now.

The 13th-ranked Wildcats look to build on one of their most complete performances of the season Wednesday night when they host a Northern Arizona team that has yet to beat a Division I school.

Arizona (9-1) won its first four games by an average of 19.8 points before heading to California for the Wooden Legacy tournament over Thanksgiving. There, it needed overtime to beat then-winless Santa Clara, lost to now-No. 14 Providence and kept just enough distance to pull out a win over Boise State.

Things didn't get any easier when the Wildcats left. They faced a 10-point halftime deficit at then-No. 13 Gonzaga before winning 68-63 on Dec. 5 and trailed Fresno State by three at the half of an 85-72 home win last Wednesday.

Miller finally could relax for the majority of Sunday's 88-52 drubbing of Missouri, as Mark Tollefsen's 17 points and Gabe York's 16 led six players in double figures.

Pac-12 player of the week Allonzo Trier finished with 15. The freshman is averaging 17.3 points while shooting 72.7 percent from the field - including 5 of 9 from 3-point range - during the Wildcats' four-game winning streak.

'We strung two halves together, which in the past two games we really haven't been able to do that,' Miller said. 'It's not necessarily who we were playing, but who we were.'

The Wildcats shot a season-high 56.4 percent and held a 44-27 advantage on the boards despite not having 7-foot center Kaleb Tarczewski for a fifth straight game because of a foot injury. They held the Tigers to 30.4 percent from the field, the worst shooting performance for an opponent on the year.

That all-around effort extended Arizona's home winning streak to 44, the longest in the nation.

'I've been waiting for that (type of performance) for a long time,' York said.

There's little reason to believe the Wildcats won't continue rolling against Northern Arizona (2-6). The Wildcats have won the past 30 meetings, with the last two being decided by a combined 76 points.

The Lumberjacks haven't won in Tucson since 1966 and are 0-4 in true road games after falling 72-55 to Bakersfield on Dec. 5 when they shot 28.1 percent - their worst performance since shooting 25.0 percent in a loss to UNLV in 2012.

NAU had two assists, becoming only the third Division I team to finish with fewer than three in a game this season. Leading scorer Kris Yanku was the only player in double figures with 13 points.

The Lumberjacks played much better in their previous two, losing by four to Norfolk State on Nov. 30 before dropping a 98-94 double-overtime thriller to Hampton on Dec. 2.

"We have to continue to get better," coach Jack Murphy told the team's official website. "These games right now are about learning and toughness. The games come January are about heart.

"Two assists and 13 turnovers are not the stats we're trying to produce. There are positives to take from it, but we still have a lot of learning to do."

Northern Arizona's victories this season have come against Division II Embry-Riddle and NAIA's San Diego Christian.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Notes for Wednesday's games..........

Florida Atlantic is 1-6 vs D-I teams; its only win was 75-69 at Miami O Nov 21; Owls are shooting 26.2% on arc (#339)- they lost 80-73 last nite at Eastern Kentucky- only one guy played more than 23:00. Tennessee lost last three games, allowing 83 ppg; their best win was by 13 vs #113 Army. C-USA road dogs are 15-27 vs spread. SEC home faves are 20-11.

Old Dominion lost five of last six games, with last four losses all by 9 or less points; Monarchs are 4-5 in their last nine games with Richmond; LY ODU beat Spiders 63-57 at home. Richmond is #52 in experience, 3-2 vs top 100 teams; they're making 38.8% on arc, have #33 eFG%. A-14 home favorites are 19-15 against the spread; C-USA road dogs are 15-27.

NC-Wilmington is 3-1 vs D-I teams, losing 87-82 at Georgetown in last game after being down 25 at one point; Seahawks play like Louisville, are forcing turnovers 24% of time (#12)- their best win is #156 E. Michigan by 4. East Carolina won four of last five but they've played bunch of bad teams (schedule #326)- they're 0-4 vs teams ranked above #272.

Northern Illinois is 7-1 vs schedule #347; its only loss was at Missouri by 7 in last game 12 days ago, its only top 200 game. Huskies force TOs 20.8% of time, shoot 37.7% from arc. MAC road underdogs are 6-14 vs spread; Big 14 home favorites are 23-22. Ohio State lost five of last seven games; their best win this season was 76-54 over #222 Mt St Mary's.

Cleveland State has been crippled by graduate transfers; they're #315 in experience playing #22 schedule- they're 1-7 vs D-I teams, turning ball over 21% of time- their only win was 57-52 over #227 Rider. Loyola lost three of last four games but did upset Creighton; Ramblers turn ball over 20.4% of time despite being #61 in experience. Horizon road dogs: 13-16.

Illinois State is 3-6 vs schedule #51, losing road games at San Diego State by 11, Kentucky by 12; Redbirds force turnovers 24% of time (#13) but shoot just 29.4% on arc, 58.4% on line (#345)- their eFG% is #302. UIC is #326 in experience, has new coach; they're 0-6 vs D-I teams, losing by 21+ four times; they're turning ball over 21.6% of time (#314), shooting 36.7% inside arc (#3480, have #346 eFG%.

Mississippi State can't play man/man defense; they're 4-4 vs schedule #254, with best win over #216 Missouri State; Bulldogs' eFG% defense is #268- they lost last game to #190 UMKC, Florida State is 3rd-tallest team in country; they're 6-2 vs schedule #234, forcing turnovers 21.2% of time while shooting 55.5% inside arc. ACC home favorites are 29-17.

UNLV lost to Arizona State by 6-22 points last two years; 8-2 Rebels have played #102 schedule- they force turnovers 23.5% of time (#17). ASU won by 2 at Creighton, lost by 12 at Kentucky; they're #188 in ball security, shoot just 29.3% on arc. Goodman (12.5 ppg) is transfer from UNLV. Mountain West home favorites are 11-12 vs spread; Pac-12 road underdogs are 6-4.

Oral Roberts is 6-3 vs D-I teams (schedule #26); they're shooting 40.4% on arc, with best win by hoop at #55 Tulsa. Eagles allowed 84+ points in all three of their losses. Missouri State just lost by 9 at home to Tulsa; Bears are 2-6 vs schedule #85- they're shooting 44.5% inside arc, 30.1% on arc. Summit teams won two of three against MVC teams this fall.

North Dakota State made 11-23 on arc in 72-51 win at Montana St last year; Bison are 2-0 at home, winning by 20-21 points. Bobcats are 4-4 vs schedule #280; they're making 39.9% on arc, but their eFG% defense is #305. MSU won its last two road games, at Utah Valley/San Jose State. Summit home favorites are 9-7 vs spread; Big Sky road dogs are 15-20.

Saint Louis is 5-3 vs schedule #278, with best win over #117 No Florida; Billikens lost three of last four games, are turning ball over 21.4% of time. UT-Martin is #25 in experience but is 2-7 vs schedule #153; they've only played one D-I home game. Skyhawks' eFG% defense is #299. A-14 home favorites are 19-15 vs spread; OVC road underdogs are 20-20.

Denver is 7-2 vs schedule #339; they run Princeton offense, shoot 58% inside arc, 37.4% outside it. Pioneers allowed 40 ppg in winning its two road games, by 22 at Santa Clara, 12 at San Diego. Northern Colorado is 1-6 vs D-I teams after upsetting Colorado State in last game; UNC has #341 eFG% defense. Summit League road favorites are 5-4 vs spread.

Northern Arizona is coached by former Wildcat manager Murphy; they are 0-6 vs D-I teams, losing at Gonzaga by 39, Boise by 20, Wazzu by 12. Lumberjacks are making 38.7% inside arc, have #332 eFG%. Arizona is 9-1 with seven of nine wins by 19 or less points. Pac-12 teams are 5-4 vs spread when playing Big Sky team this fall. Wildcats play UNLV on Saturday, figure to take this game lightly.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'College Hoops'

UNLV Runnin' Rebels (8-2, 7-2 ATS) welcome the Arizona Sun Devils (6-3, 5-4 ATS) to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Wednesday night. Runnin' Rebels are coming off 73-62 victory at UC Riverside with Patrick McCaw (17) leading four players in double digits. UNLV should be feeling pretty good about their chances, Runnin' Rebels have won eleven straight non-conference home games. However, Runnin' Rebels had a hard time beating the spread posting a 4-5 ATS record in lined games.

On the other side, Bobby Hurley's troops unable to solve Kentucky at Rupp Arena Saturday lost 72-58. Tra Holder (15), Kodi Justice (12) were the only players to drop double digits in the loss. With the defeat, Sun Devils are now 4-13 (6-11 ATS) the last 17 regular season road/neutral site games including 1-5 SU/ATS in the second half of back-2-back away games. On a positive note, Sun Devils won/covered last year's meeting in Tempe and won/covered at Las Vegas back in 2013. Sun Devils have also covered 7-of-9 after a loss.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Flamboro Downs

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Post: 6:00 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 61 - Purse:$6600 - FILLIES & MARES - N/W $7000. LIFETIME


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 4 HOOSIER LUCKY LADY 5/2


# 7 CRACKED GLASS 6/1



# 3 BUTTON GIRL 8/5


HOOSIER LUCKY LADY should be supported as our best wagering option in this race. That 65 TrackMaster SR clocked in the most recent contest puts this race horse in the mix for this one. The consortium will always throw in a nice horse from the 4 position here at Flamboro Downs, always worth a look. CRACKED GLASS - Has been running very well lately and her style of running should result in a very strong performance. BUTTON GIRL - Achieved a 65 speed figure in last race. A duplicate affair here should get the victory today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at The Meadows

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 10 - Post: 3:55 - 1 mile. TROT - Class Rating: 74 - Purse:$6200 - CD CLAIM 3-5YO S& G WINNERS OF 1 BUT NOT MORE THAN 3 EXT PM RACES OR $12,500 LIFE CLAIM PRICE $14,000 W/A


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 2 SS RC CR 12/1


# 5 CHARMING CHARLIE 4/1


# 1 MANCE HANOVER 3/1


SS RC CR has a very good shot to take this race look at that fine price on the line. If effort in the most recent race is any indication, this solid standardbred will have a very respectable shot for this one. High last race speed rating. Very high winning rate makes this solid standardbred an excellent selection to take home the dough. Some drivers just ride better with certain solid standardbreds. That seems to be the case here with Wilder. A nice bet. CHARMING CHARLIE - Seems to have a very good class advantage based on the competitors he has faced. Palone will be looking to dominate for this one, has been hot these days. Win percentage the last 30 days is a sparkling 23. MANCE HANOVER - Don't count out this solid standardbred, especially with Stillings as the trainer. In the money percentage is tremendous. This solid standardbred will be greatly helped with Hall driving. 20 percent winners this last month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Camarero Race Track

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 5 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $5750 Class Rating: 69

FOR NATIVE FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE JUNE 16, 2015 AND WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $5,000 OR LESS. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 120 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 1 ALLOWED 1 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 16 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE OCTOBER 16 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 9 GALERISTA 9/5


# 2 SAMANA 10/1


# 1 GARANTIA 3/1


GALERISTA looks respectable to best this field. Is worth a look and may be a bet - strong Equibase Speed Figs (68 average) at today's distance and surface lately. Is a definite contender - given the 64 Equibase Speed Figure from her most recent race. A solid 79 avg class fig may give this filly a distinct class edge versus this field. SAMANA - Had one of the top speed figs of this group of horses in her last contest. Has decent Equibase Class Figures relative to this group of horses in this race - worth a look. GARANTIA - She has been running well and the Equibase Speed Figs are among the strongest in this field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turf Paradise

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 3 - Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $7000 Class Rating: 68

FOR CERTIFIED ARIZONA BREDS) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2015. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 7 KEY AFFAIR 6/1


# 5 ELUSIVE LILY 10/1


# 4 UP YOUR PLAN 5/1


KEY AFFAIR looks to be a solid contender. Her chances to score are much better today facing this softer lot. Trainers don't bring horses back this soon without any reason. This horse has some longshot handicapping angles going for her. ELUSIVE LILY - Hall has shown excellent profits (+10 return on investment ) at this distance/surface. Could provide positive gains based on very strong recent speed figures with an average of 61. UP YOUR PLAN - Has to be carefully examined versus this group displaying competitive figs lately and an average speed figure of 68 under similar conditions. Treasure has one of the top winning percentages in this field with entries running at this distance and surface.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #8 - Post: 9:10pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,400 Class Rating: 79

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 CAT NIP ALLY (ML=8/1)
#3 NAIL OF HONOR (ML=4/1)
#8 BATTLESHIP GRAY (ML=5/2)
#5 INDIGO ISLAND (ML=12/1)


CAT NIP ALLY - My experienced judgement tells me to be on the alert for this horse in this race NAIL OF HONOR - This rider and trainer have a positive ROI when they team up. The outside post position didn't help this horse's chances in the last race at Penn National. Today's inside post position should be just fine. BATTLESHIP GRAY - Manchio brings him back again. I advise you stick with this hot gelding. INDIGO ISLAND - Don't often see a profitable return on investment like +41. This jock/handler pair has done well together over the last year. Taking a trip to a lower class rank; has the capability to make his presence felt. Dropping 5 lbs from last race. Could be a deciding factor today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #9 TOWN CALLED MALICE (ML=3/1), #4 STREET TIME (ML=5/1),

TOWN CALLED MALICE - Finished third in his most recent performance with a common speed figure. When I look at today's class rating, it would take an improved performance to triumph after that in this group. STREET TIME - 5/1 odds isn't enough for this horse when scrutinizing the most recent efforts. The speed fig in the last race doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the Equibase class figure of today's event. Mark this mount as a possibly overvalued equine.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #7 CAT NIP ALLY on the nose if you can get odds of 7/2 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,7,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[3,7,8] with [3,7,8] with [3,5,6,7,8] with [3,5,6,7,8] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #1 - Post: 12:27pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,500 Class Rating: 73

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 OVER THE CLIFF (ML=2/1)


OVER THE CLIFF - Ran last time around the track against a tougher field at Delaware Park. The move down in class should suit her well. This filly likes to be near the lead. Today's affair is a shorter distance and should enhance her chances of winning. Is ranked number one in earnings per race. A strong outing in this field will add to the lifetime bankroll.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 BENNE FIRST BABY (ML=9/5), #2 SKIPPY IS BACK (ML=5/2),

BENNE FIRST BABY - Hard to keep following this kind of 'hanger' horse. This racer just hasn't been winning as the favorite. SKIPPY IS BACK - Should have at least hit the board in the last two months in a short distance race to be worth the risk at minimal odds in a sprint. This entrant just hasn't looked sharp lately.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #7 OVER THE CLIFF to win if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
Skip

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #4 - AQUEDUCT - 1:50 PM EASTERN POST

8½ FURLONGS WINTERIZED INNER DIRT TRACK MAIDENS THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $16,000.00 CLAIMING $25,000.00 PURSE

#5 UNCLE DUNCAN
#6 GUNLOCK
#4 GREYJOY
#2 HARLAN'S GLORY

#5 UNCLE DUNCAN is the overall speed and pace profile leader in this claiming field racing at or about, today's distance of 8½ furlongs on the dirt, and has recorded "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in each of his last five outings, hitting the board in three of those "adventures." Jockey Cornelio Velasquez and Trainer Linda Rice send him to the post ... they've hit the board with an even, 50% of more than 130 entries saddled as a team to date. #6 GUNLOCK takes a class drop (-8), and has posted "POWER RUNS" facing better company in both of his two career starts to date.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 12/16 Analysis + Pick Four ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

2,5 / 4 / 1,2,3,7 / 3,4,6,9 = $32


Best Bet: BEAUTIFUL RED (2nd)

Spot Play: FLUKY’S GIRL (7th)


Race 1

(4) CADILLAC KID will offer the right price and finds a weak and inconsistent field. (6) WILD NORDIC was empty last out off a perfect trip; command a price. (2) JJ ALCATRAZ lightly raced trotter has some upside but needs to mind his manners.

Race 2

(9) BEAUTIFUL RED filly has turned it around in a new barn and looks to have more to offer. (6) STRONG PLAYIN KING pacer has ability but a mind of his own on the track; threat. (3) DJANGO owns the fastest win in the field by far but has some question marks coming off a scratch.

Race 3

(6) MONARCH BLUECHIP drew off impressively in his last effort against similar. (4) ERISTER HANOVER gets sent out second start for proven connections off an easy victory. (1) KAPTAIN JON BOY has burned cash in two straight from this same spot; use underneath.

Race 4

(7) Q COBRA JET turned it around in a big way last race; driver's choice. (6) ROYAL FINALE picks up the top driver off a game effort. (4) FLYING SOUTH fits in with this group nicely but was no match for the top choice last start; command a price.

Race 5

(4) UPLAND HANOVER had some sneaky late pace last week and finds a field full of question marks. (3) GRACIE GRACIE needed her last race coming off a layoff and takes a significant drop in class (7) WOODMERE SPEEDBALL looks terrible on paper but will offer a huge price in a field full of question marks; use underneath.

Race 6

(1) BLUE JACKET LUKE will offer the better price of the contenders and picks up a good driver change. (6) WATCHA GOT ABBY filly was the driver's choice and just needs to ration out her speed a bit better this week. (2) SARKIN HANOVER is just now back in racing shape and could have more to offer.

Race 7

(2) FLUKY'S GIRL filly makes her first start in a new barn and could be ready for a big effort. (4) CAMMILICOUS went a very tough trip last week. The pacer can rebound with an easy early lead. (6) ADDIE PIE pacing mare is the sleeper in the race coming off a solid effort showing nice closing ability.

Race 8

In a weak and inconsistent field, (2) SOUTHWIND MIAMI is one of few in the race that actually owns a win this season. (5) SILVERHILL PRINCESS has yet to win in twenty starts this year but has been competitive against better; threat. (1) MISS ARIEL gets a good starting post against a suspect bunch.

Race 9

(4) JOHNNYBANANAS was an easy winner last week in this same class; short price. (1) SOUTHSIDE CHRIS also owns a win at this level and gets the best post. (5) TOPVILLE CORVETTE could hit the ticket underneath at a price with a good setup.

Race 10

(1) NEELY SPRING picks up a big driver change with the best post. (3) LINDY'S BEST YET well bred trotter makes his first start off a long layoff but did put in a nice qualifier; threat. (2) SENATOR SAM should be in line for a ground saving trip up close; use underneath.

Race 11

(6) ROSSRIDGE HANDSOME has been pacing some decent miles and finds a soft field. (3) ISLAND CELEBRATION just missed going wire to wire last week at this level; fires early. (4) CARD DEALER veteran pacer has just been racing evenly; use caution.

Race 12

(8) CADIE'S GOTTA GUN will need a lot of racing luck from the outside but is one of few in the race that's been competitive at this level. (4) UMYGEORGIA HANOVER should be much closer turning for home this week; threat. (1) KAYLEIGH'S FUTURE didn't miss by much last start and gets the best starting post.

Race 13

(9) OUR MCLOVIN should offer good value and has beaten better on the year. (1) RIGHT ON TIME last time at this level was a game winner and picks back up the top driver. (2) TIDEWATER TOMCAT dropped and popped last week down in class but is best used underneath.

Race 14

(3) JIMMY RIP is very inconsistent from week to week but a good effort gets it done. (5) PROFESSOR RAY J is just now back in racing shape and should be ready for an improved effort. (7) FOX VALLEY NORMAN makes his first start for new connections and owns a lot of gate speed.

Race 15

(9) NOAH'S SHARK showed a good burst of speed last week racing gamely. (7) TOBINS FORTUNE owns a win and a third in his last two efforts at this level. (6) BET ON ART rarely wins but is capable of pacing a good mile from time to time; command a price.