Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Monday, March 26, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Monday’s NBA
Lakers lost three of last four games with Detroit; they’re 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Lakers lost four of their last five games; they’re 0-4 in last four games as road underdogs. Five of their last six games stayed under the total. Pistons won three of their last four games; they’re 4-3 in last seven games as home faves. Six of their last eight games stayed under.
Home side won nine of last ten Knick-Hornet games; New York is 2-2 vs spread in last four trips to Charlotte. Six of last seven series games went over. Knicks won three of last five games; they are 3-6 vs spread in last nine games as road underdogs. Under is 3-0-1 in their last four games. Charlotte won/covered its last three games; they’re 6-2 in last eight games as home favorites. Three of their last four games stayed under.
Road team won seven of last nine Denver-Philly games; Nuggets are 2-1-1 vs spread in last four visits to Philly. Three of last four series games stayed under. Denver is 5-3 in its last eight games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as road underdogs. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games. 76ers won last six games, covered last four; they’re 5-2 in last seven games as home favorites. Five of their last six games went over.
Grizzlies won four of last five games with Minnesota; Memphis is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Twin Cities. Three of last four series games stayed under. Grizzlies lost 23 of their last 24 games; they’re 1-4 in last five games as road underdogs. Five of their last seven games went over total. Timberwolves lost three of their last five games; they’re 10-2 in last dozen games as a home favorite. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Celtics won five of their last six games with Phoenix; they’re 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to the desert. Five of last seven series games went over. Boston won four of its last five games; they covered last six games as road favorites. Three of their last four games stayed under. Suns lost their last ten games; they’re 2-10 in last 12 games as a home underdog. Four of their last five games stayed under.
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Game of the Night - Boston at Phoenix, NBA TV 10:05 ET
The Celtics were down at halftime in Sacramento on Sunday, surrendering 60 points against a Kings team missing leading scorer Zach Randolph. On the heels of announcing that Kyrie Irving would miss at least three weeks after undergoing “minor” knee surgery on Saturday, Boston wasn’t putting together a reassuring performance through 24 minutes against one of the league’s worst teams.
That Brad Stevens got everyone to buy in on clamping down defensively in what ended up being a 104-93 victory where the Celtics gave up just 33 second-half points is a great sign, because they’re no longer going to have one of the game’s top closers to pull games out down the stretch.
The NBA schedule stops for no one, and it is looking increasingly likely that Boston will tip off Game 1 of the playoffs at home without its top two offseason acquisitions, Irving and Gordon Hayward, who went down in the regular-season’s opening minute.
Boston has been cursed by injuries this month, the latest of which is the most significant since the team was counting on Irving’s championship pedigree to help serve as the stabilizing force for a young roster. Al Horford is capable of leading the group in that capacity, while Marcus Smart’s return from a broken thumb should help the team get out of a first round where they likely won’t be able to count on Irving’s contributions until late in a series.
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“We hope. Who knows? Marcus was six to eight weeks before basketball activity and Kyrie is three to six before basketball activity,” Stevens told the Boston Herald prior to Sunday’s game in Sacramento. “Again, that’s basketball activity. There’s a big difference between that and playing, so we don’t know when we’re going to have those guys back.
“I’ve texted with him. Left him a message this morning and haven’t heard back. But the timeline will be determined on how he feels and how quickly he can get back out on the court and everything else. There’s still a process after that, too, to be ready to play in a game.”
Smart tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right shooting hand upon diving for a loose ball against the Pacers on March 11. Second-year wing Jaylen Brown has missed time due to a concussion and is just getting back in a rhythm. Promising German big man Daniel Theis after undergoing knee surgery early in the month. After coming out of the All-Star break with four straight wins, bad breaks have put a major damper on their aspirations of winning another Eastern Conference title.
Considering they’ll be shorthanded throughout April, it’s unlikely that Boston will be able to catch Toronto for the top record in the East. The teams will meet at TD Garden on March 31 and at the Air Canada Centre on April 4, so they will decide things on the floor. The Raptors appear to have a significant edge, carrying a 3.5-game cushion into the week in addition to a completely healthy roster despite losing at home against the Clippers.
Toronto will also have three full days without action to prepare for the Celtics, who are continuing a four-game road trip with tonight’s second of a back-to-back against depleted Phoenix. Boston will face Utah on Wednesday and is currently in a stretch where it is playing eight of 10 games away from home, so we’ll see how resilient they are after coming up with a big second half in California’s capital city.
Terry Rozier has been handed the reins to the Celtics’ offense and should be the primary catalyst at both ends of the floor. He went 12-for-16 from the floor against the Kings, hitting eight 3-pointers to score a career-high 33 points. He was one 3-pointer shy of tying Boston’s all-time record for single-game makes from beyond the arc.
Brown contributed 19 points in his return from the NBA’s concussion protocol, so it remains to be seen whether the Celtics are cautious with him tonight in spite of their lack of depth. Marcus Morris sat in Sacramento after spraining an ankle in Friday’s win in Portland, so winning in Phoenix is likely to hinge on getting production from Greg Monroe, Semi Ojeleye and Abdel Nader off the bench.
The Suns could provide a stiffer challenge if Devin Booker is able to return from a hand sprain that has sidelined him the last few games, but his status is currently up in the air. There’s no line on this one yet as a result. Forward T.J. Warren is doubtful due to a knee injury that has kept him out of the mix, allowing rookie Josh Jackson to get more touches in the offense.
Phoenix has lost a league-worst 11 straight games and enters this game with the NBA’s worst record, a half-game back of Memphis. The Suns are 1-21 since Feb. 2, defeating only the Grizzlies. They’ve beaten only two teams with winning records since mid-December, so this is a game the Celtics should be able to claim despite their injury woes.
Boston won its 50th game of the season against Sacramento and is closing in on its projected win total (53.5) in spite of March’s attrition. Even if they collapse in April, the Celtics are unlikely to finish any lower than second in the East, which would currently draw Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee. Miami, who is 2-1 against the Celtics and have received a boost from Kelly Olynyk of late, is another potential first-round foe, sitting in eighth place as the week begins.
The Westgate Superbook gave Boston 4-to-1 odds to get out of the Eastern Conference when updating their numbers last Monday, ranking it behind the Raptors (5/6) and Cavs (7/4). Irving’s knee surgery won’t help matters, but he’s expected to make a full recovery so I don’t anticipate anyone overreacting to his absence. It will be interesting to see what happens with Golden State considering Stephen Curry is expected to miss the first round of the Western Conference playoffs following his own knee trouble.
The Celtics are playing only their second back-to-back since the All-Star break -- their first this entire month. They won a road back-to-back at Detroit and New York on Feb. 23-24 to improve to 7-4 on the second night of such situations this season. They've got two more remaining in April, with the next one coming in Milwaukee and Toronto next week, making it the most important of the season.
Injury Report
The Pistons and Hornets probably have to realistically win out in order to make the playoffs, so both take the court as home favorites in must-win situations.
The Lakers are making their first trip into Detroit's new Little Caesar's Arena and should have Julius Randle available despite an ankle tweak suffered in Saturday's win in Memphis. He's shot nearly 58 percent from the field this month, averagaing 22.8 points and 9.8 rebounds and should again be the team's primary catalyst with Brandon Ingram still out due to a hip injury. He's listed as doubtful, while Isaiah Thomas has been ruled out due to a sore hip.
Detroit may be without Stanley Johnson, who left Saturday's game against the Bulls with a right glute injury.
Nicolas Batum has been out with an achilles injury that the Hornets have persevered through, but he's been upgraded to questionable and may participate against the visiting Knicks. Cody Zeller (knee) remains out, while New York big man Kyle O'Quinn is questionable with a hip strain.
The Nuggets won't have shooting guard Gary Harris against the 76ers since he's targeting a Friday return from a knee injury that's cost him the last few games. Denver has won consecutive games but remains in last place in the Northwest Division, 1.5 games behind Utah and Minnesota in the race for the final few playoff spots available in the West.
The Timberwolves are getting closer to getting Jimmy Bulter back from a knee injury, but will have to make due without him tonight against Memphis. Derrick Rose has provided a boost, but is dealing with an ankle issue and may not be available against Memphis.
The Grizzlies won't have Tyreke Evans available again and list Chandler Parsons as questionable due to knee soreness.
By Tony Mejia
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 03-26-2018
25th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to split a four-game road trip when they visit the Detroit Pistons in the finale on Monday. The Lakers dropped the first two stops at Indiana and New Orleans before snapping a four-game slide with a 100-93 win at Memphis on Saturday.
Los Angeles coach Luke Walton got on his team about the defensive effort after a 128-125 loss to the Pelicans, and the Lakers responded by holding the Grizzlies to 36 points in the second half on Saturday. "We were more physical, we were engaged, we were communicating," Walton told reporters. "There's no secret to playing good defense, it's communication, it's effort, and we did. It's ultimately why we gave ourselves a chance to win, was because of the way we started playing defense." The Pistons already played their way out of a realistic shot at an Eastern Conference playoff spot but are winners of three of their last four as they try to build some momentum. "We're giving it our all when stepping on the floor," Detroit small forward James Ennis III told reporters. "We have a goal right now and we have, like, nine games left, so we've got to finish strong."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Detroit
ABOUT THE LAKERS (32-40): Los Angeles is missing Isaiah Thomas (hip) and Brandon Ingram (hip flexor), but rookie forward Kyle Kuzma stepped up with 25 points and 10 rebounds at Memphis. Kuzma, who is enjoying a run of three straight 20-plus scoring performances, scored seven straight points for the Lakers during a key run in the fourth quarter on Saturday. "I'm very competitive," Kuzma told reporters. "Those first three quarters I really didn't shoot the ball pretty well. Just told myself I wasn't going to lose this game and I just really tried to lock in."
ABOUT THE PISTONS (33-40): Detroit took advantage of the depleted Chicago Bulls on Saturday and set a franchise record with 13 3-pointers in the first half in a 117-95 rout. Anthony Tolliver scored a season-high 25 points and went 6-of-12 from 3-point range to lead the way, and the Pistons handed out 33 assists. "He had it rolling there, that's for sure," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters of Tolliver. "He made a lot of shots. The eight guys who all played at least 20 minutes (were) all in double figures; 33 assists, it was a good night, the ball moved, we didn't even have to play Blake (Griffin) in the fourth quarter. It was a good night."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Lakers PG Lonzo Ball is 8-of-54 from 3-point range over the last eight games.
2. Pistons SF Stanley Johnson (right glute strain) left Saturday's game and is day-to-day.
3. Los Angeles earned a 113-93 home win over Detroit on Oct. 31, snapping a three-game losing streak in the series.
PREDICTION: Lakers 116, Pistons 115
Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 03-26-2018
25th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Denver Nuggets are finally learning how to win on the road, just in time to stay in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are 2-2 on their seven-game trip, but the road gets tougher when they visit the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
Denver entered play on Sunday one game behind the Utah Jazz for the No. 8 spot in the West and dropped the first two games of the road trip before winning at Chicago and Washington to improve to 13-23 away from the Mile High City. The final three opponents on the trip -- Philadelphia, Toronto and Oklahoma City -- are all in the top four of their respective conferences and the Nuggets are just trying to stay in the race before finishing up the regular season with four of six at home. The 76ers are on the verge of clinching their first playoff berth since 2011-12 and are sitting in the No. 4 spot in the East after breezing past the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-108 on Saturday. Philadelphia is just 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 3 spot and will face five straight opponents with losing records after finishing up with the Nuggets.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, Altitude (Denver), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (40-33): Will Barton scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter at Washington on Friday, including four free throws in the final 26 seconds to clinch it. Barton is seeing his role increase with fellow shooting guard Gary Harris (knee) out and is averaging 20.3 points over the last three contests. "I think people criticize Will because he's not the most efficient player at times," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "And I understand that. But Will Barton is a guy that has tremendous self-belief. He's never afraid of the moment. He wants to be in that moment. He wants the challenge. He has the courage, if you will. The greatest thing about these last two wins is Will has been a big part of them."
ABOUT THE 76ERS (42-30): Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons is leading the team and trying to lock up the Rookie of the Year Award, and he collected 15 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds on Saturday for his 10th triple-double. "The play I had over the season has been pretty consistent," Simmons told reporters. "I'm doing some things that haven't been done in a while." Simmons isn't the only young star making a major impact down the stretch, and Joel Embiid needed only 24 minutes to collect 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks on Saturday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nuggets PG Jamal Murray is averaging 20.8 points over the last eight games to lift his season mark to 16.6.
2. 76ers SG Marco Belinelli is averaging 17 points on 60 percent shooting in the last four games.
3. Philadelphia earned a 107-102 win at Denver on Dec. 30.
PREDICTION: 76ers 113, Nuggets 111
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 03-26-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Charlotte Hornets are taking advantage of a string of games against lesser opponents and look to make it four wins in a row when they host the New York Knicks on Monday. After sitting out the Hornets' record-setting 140-79 pasting of Memphis, Dwight Howard returned Saturday to help Charlotte post a 102-98 victory at Dallas.
Howard finished with 23 rebounds while establishing a franchise single-season mark in that category and Kemba Walker scored 24 points for the Hornets. "I was just trying to get as many rebounds as I can," Howard - who grabbed a career-high 30 boards against Brooklyn on Wednesday - told reporters. "Dominate the paint, set some screens for Kemba and the rest of the guys to open up everything else in the paint." Charlotte finished 14-16 versus Western Conference opponents and plays its final eight games against the East. The Knicks, who begin that stretch, are coming off their third win in five contests - a 101-97 victory at Washington on Sunday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (27-47): Trey Burke has been the best of New York's group of young guards and made the most of his first start in three years with 19 points in Sunday's win. "It was kind of a statement game for him," Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal told reporters regarding Burke, who appeared in 57 games for Washington last season. "He made it personal." Burke is averaging 16.7 points over his last three games and has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in four straight.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (33-41): Although Charlotte needs a miracle to make the playoffs, it is taking some comfort in its solid play of late, and Howard is just happy he's still going strong. "I just thank God for allowing me to have good health. My body feels good, so I'm going to give everything I've got to this game," he told reporters after Saturday's win. "You never know how life is, so you have to take every moment and try to seize that moment. As long as I still have my health and the opportunity to play this game, I'm going to go out here and do everything I can to help this team win." Now in his 14th season, Howard is averaging 16.6 points - his best mark since 2013-14 - and has a chance to appear in 80 games for the first time since 2009-10 with Orlando.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Walker is 14-for-22 from 3-point range over his last two games after going 2-for-14 in his previous two.
2. Knicks C Enes Kanter has recorded eight double-doubles in 11 games this month.
3. The home team has won each of the first three meetings this season.
PREDICTION: Hornets 108, Knicks 99
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 03-26-2018
25th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Timberwolves are fighting to stay in the top eight in the Western Conference and trying to move up at the same time and get the luxury of playing the next three games against teams at the bottom of the standings. The Timberwolves begin that stretch by hosting the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
Minnesota enters play on Sunday seventh in the West, 1 1/2 games ahead of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets and two games behind the fourth-place Oklahoma City Thunder after dropping a 120-108 decision at the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday on the second night of a back-to-back following travel issues. "In the NBA there's an excuse every night if you choose to use that," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "You want to build a mental toughness that you can overcome whatever is in front of you. That's what we have to do. If we want to do all the things we say we want to do, we have to be mentally tough." The Grizzlies are trying to build some mental toughness and bounced back from the worst loss in franchise history at Charlotte on Thursday by battling the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch in a 100-93 loss on Saturday. "Our guys are a prideful group," Memphis interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "Again, at the worst of times, you still need to be held accountable. We had a meeting this morning. We watched the film. We coached them. We showed it to them. And they responded like they always have. I never doubt these guys' character."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-54): Memphis insists it's not quitting with the season drawing to a close and a roster full of young players trying to prove themselves. "We have a responsibility to one another, and we won't do that," Bickerstaff told reporters. "We'll compete, we'll show up, we'll continue to try to get better. The only way that you get better is by playing, and playing at an NBA level. Whether it's this year or guys' future, this is an opportunity for them, and we'll take advantage of this opportunity." Power forward JaMychal Green is earning himself a spot in the team's future and collected 17 points and 16 rebounds in Saturday's loss.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (42-32): Minnesota made a late run in Saturday's loss behind the reserves and is beginning to get consistent production from the bench. Gorgui Dieng led four reserves in double figures with 15 points and added 11 rebounds in the setback while shooting guard Jamal Crawford scored 13 points. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns turned in his usual double-double in the loss with 15 points and 11 rebounds but was just 3-of-15 from the floor.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Grizzlies SG Andrew Harrison (wrist) returned from a one-game absence on Saturday and collected 20 points and nine assists.
2. Timberwolves PG Derrick Rose (ankle) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.
3. Memphis took the last three in the series, including a 95-92 home win in the last meeting on Dec. 4.
PREDICTION: Timberwolves 120, Grizzlies 100
Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Preview and Predictions 03-26-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
Despite a rash of injuries, the Boston Celtics still have life in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics look to remain perfect on their four-game road trip and win their fourth straight overall contest when they visit the league-worst Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Behind a career-high 33 points on 12-of-16 shooting by Terry Rozier, Boston rolled to a 104-93 victory - its 50th of the season - at Sacramento on Sunday and pulled within 3 1/2 games of first-place Toronto, which faces the Celtics twice in its next four contests. "When the pieces start coming back and the puzzle comes together, hopefully we can make a really deep run and try to get to the finals," guard Jaylen Brown told reporters after Boston improved to 26-10 on the road. The Suns have lost 11 in a row and are the only team with fewer wins at home (nine) than on the road (10). They are sitting in the NBA basement, one-half game behind Memphis with eight to play.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Boston, FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (50-23): Rozier made eight 3-pointers - one shy of matching the franchise record - on 12 attempts Sunday while recording a career-high five steals. "Once you hit a couple, it looks like an ocean," Rozier told reporters of his hot shooting, which gave him a 43.2 percent mark from long range this month. Boston also was bolstered by the return of Brown, who had missed his previous six games due to a concussion before recording 19 points in 25 minutes against the Kings.
ABOUT THE SUNS (19-55): Phoenix has been held under 100 points in four of its last five games, the last three of which were played without leading scorer Devin Booker (hand). The 21-year-old star is expected to return Monday and face the Celtics, against whom he scored 70 points in a road contest last season and piled up 38 in the first meeting this campaign. The Suns play six of their final eight games against teams with winning records.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics PF Al Horford is 3-for-3 from beyond the arc over his last two games after going 3-for-13 in his previous seven contests.
2. Suns SF TJ Warren (knee) has missed the last three games and is day-to-day.
3. Six Boston players scored at least 13 points in a 116-111 home win over Phoenix earlier this season.
PREDICTION: Celtics 105, Suns 102