Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Sunday, March 11, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Sunday’s NBA
Knicks lost nine of last ten games with Toronto; five of last six series games stayed under. Raptors are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Manhattan. Toronto won its last seven games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven games as road favorites. Five of their last six games went under the total. New York lost its last six games; they’re 0-6 in last six games as a home underdog. Six of their last eight games went over.
Bulls won their last three games with the Hawks; they’re 1-4 vs spread in last five visits to Atlanta. Six of their last nine games stayed under. Chicago lost seven of its last nine games; they’re 0-8 in last eight tries as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went under the total. Hawks lost seven of their last nine games; they’re 3-4 as home favorites. Eight of their last nine games stayed under.
Golden State won eight of its last ten games with Minnesota, but are 2-5-1 vs spread in last eight series games. Four of last six series games stayed under. Warriors won seven of their last eight games; they’re 2-8 vs spread in last ten road games. Four of their last five games stayed under. Timberwolves lost their last three games; they’re 2-1 as home underdogs. Eight of their last ten games went over.
Jazz won six of their last seven games with the Pelicans; they covered three of last four visits to Bourbon Street. Six of last eight series games went over. Utah won its last five games; they’re 8-2 vs spread in last ten road games. Eight of their last nine games stayed under. New Orleans won nine of its last ten games; check status of Davis (ankle). Pelicans are 2-2 vs spread in last four home games. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Nuggets won four of last five games with Sacramento; five of last six series games stayed under the total. Kings are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Denver. Sacramento is 3-2 in its last five games; they’re 7-3 vs spread in last ten road games. Kings’ last four games stayed under total. Denver is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 4-7 in last 11 games as home favorites. Eight of their last ten games went over.
Rockets won their last seven games with Dallas; they’re 4-1 vs spread in last five games in this arena. Seven of last eight series games stayed under. Houston had their 17-game win streak snapped Friday; they’re 9-2 vs spread in last 11 road games. Six of their last nine games went under the total. Mavericks lost seven of their last nine games; they’re 7-4 in last 11 games as home underdogs. Six of their last eight games went over.
Celtics won five of last six games with Indiana; four of last five series games went over the total. Pacers are 2-2 vs spread in their last four visits to Benton. Indiana won four of its last five games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as road underdogs. Eight of last nine Pacer games stayed under the total. Celtics won six of their last seven games; they’re 1-6 in last seven games as a home favorite. Over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.
76ers/Nets split their last ten games; Philly is 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Brooklyn. Under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Sixers are 3-4 in their last seven games; they’re 1-5 in last six games as road favorites. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Brooklyn lost eight of its last ten games; they’re 1-4 in last five games as home underdogs. Four of their last five games went over.
Lakers lost their last seven games with Cleveland; last nine series games went over. Cavaliers are 2-3 vs spread in last five series games played in Staples. Cleveland is 4-5 in its last nine games; they’re 2-11 in last 13 games as road favorites. Seven of their last nine games stayed under total. Lakers won six of their last eight games; they’re 5-2 in last seven games as home underdogs. Over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
If there were any lingering doubts as to whether the Toronto Raptors were true NBA title contenders, they should be eliminated by now. The Raptors snapped the mighty Houston Rockets' winning streak at 17 games in a Friday night thriller and look to extend their own run to eight when they visit the stumbling New York Knicks for a Sunday matinee.
"They've been playing exceptionally well of late," All-Star DeMar DeRozan told reporters of the Rockets, "so for us to come in here and protect home court is big." DeRozan's team has been exceptional as well, winning 14 of its last 15 to open a 2 1/2-game lead over Boston in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Toronto now looks to take advantage of a Knicks team that it defeated by 25 points just over a month ago and has dropped six in a row overall. At the very least, New York has finally come to the end of a brutal stretch in which it played 24 of 33 games on a road (7-26) and can look forward to five straight at Madison Square Garden.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (48-17): One part of the winning formula in Toronto has been an ability to limit opponents' production from the perimeter, as the Raptors allow an NBA-low 8.8 3-pointers per game, and they held the most prolific 3-point shooting team in the league to a season low-tying nine made triples on Friday. "That was our game plan, to keep them inside the 3," guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. "We tried to take away one of their strengths." Lowry also carried the load offensively with 30 points while DeRozan chipped in 23 for Toronto, which improved to 28-5 at home.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (24-42): New York allowed an average of 117.8 points during its six-game slide and it saw Milwaukee shoot 56.2 percent from the field in Friday's loss to cap an 0-4 road trip. There were plenty of positives on the offensive end as Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 26 points, Emmanuel Mudiay added 19 to break out of a brutal slump and Troy Williams - playing on his second 10-day contract - produced a season-high 18 in 26 minutes off the bench. "He's been great," coach Jeff Hornacek said of Williams. "He has that athleticism to go for an [offensive] rebound and still get back on defense. He's earned it [sticking for the season]."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors SF OG Anunoby (ankle) missed his fifth straight game and PG Delon Wright (toe) also sat Friday night.
2. Hardaway is averaging 21.5 points on 50 percent shooting in March after producing 14.9 while shooting 37.3 percent in February.
3. New York lost nine of its last 10 at home after opening 15-5 at Madison Square Garden.
PREDICTION: Raptors 118, Knicks 107
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Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Bulls visit the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in a matchup of two teams who are trying to avoid finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, and both squads come in after disappointing road losses Friday. Chicago led Detroit by 10 points in the second quarter before scoring just 36 points after halftime of a 99-83 defeat, while Atlanta found itself down 19 points after one quarter of a 112-87 loss at Indiana.
At least the Hawks are at home, where they are a somewhat-respectable 15-19 compared to a NBA-worst 5-27 road mark, but Atlanta put forth one of its more lackluster efforts of the season Friday. "They started well and we didn't," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told the media after the Indiana loss, the Hawks' ninth defeat in their past 12 games. "But I thought it was 48 minutes of that." Chicago could not sustain its strong start against the Pistons, dropping its ninth consecutive road game. "I thought we came out really well, but we missed a lot of shots," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after Chicago shot 35.5 percent from the field.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE BULLS (22-43): Guard Cameron Payne matched a career high with 17 points against Detroit, hitting a career-high tying four 3-pointers. Forward Lauri Markkanen, who has averaged 16.5 points and eight rebounds in two games against Atlanta this season, led Chicago with 22 points Wednesday against Memphis. Chicago made nine 3-pointers Friday and has hit 708 3-pointers this season, a franchise record.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (20-46): Atlanta guard Tyler Dorsey came off the bench to score all 18 of his points in the second half Friday, setting a career high, while fellow rookie guard Josh Magette recorded six assists in 15 minutes. Guard Dennis Schroder, who averages a team-high 19.2 points per game, was the only Atlanta starter to reach double figures Friday (15 points). The Hawks entered Saturday ninth in the league in steals per game (8.2) and tied for ninth in assists per contest (23.5).
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Chicago G Zach Lavine, averaging 16.7 points per game, scored just eight points Friday and is shooting 34.2 percent from the field in his past five games.
2. The Hawks are sixth in the NBA in free-throw shooting (79.4 percent) after hitting 9-of-10 attempts Friday.
3. Chicago's last road win came in Atlanta, a 113-97 triumph on Jan. 20, gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead in the season series.
PREDICTION: Bulls 107, Hawks 101
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Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Timberwolves are closer to 10th in the Western Conference than they are to third, and a recent slide is to blame. The Timberwolves will try to avoid a fourth consecutive setback when they host the depleted Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Minnesota looked like a safe bet for the No. 3 spot when Jimmy Butler was in the lineup but are 2-3 since their All-Star swingman went down with a knee injury that will keep him out until next month, and a 117-109 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday highlighted some of the problems with the defense in Butler's absence. "We have to understand how hard and physical you have to play," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "That's the difference right now in us being a really good team and a good team. I looked at them and the physicality with which they play, it's the difference. We can score. We score plenty. It's the defense. Until we get figured out, it's going to be tough." The Warriors didn't look great on the defensive end either in falling for the first time since the All-Star break with a 125-108 loss at Portland on Friday. The defending champions were playing the second night of a back-to-back against the Blazers without star Stephen Curry (ankle), who is also not making the trip to Minnesota.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (51-15): Golden State is battling the Houston Rockets for the top seed in the West and sits a half-game back after both teams fell on Friday. All-Star Kevin Durant is trying to carry the team in Curry's absence and followed up a 37-point effort in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday with 40 on 12-of-21 shooting in Portland. "They called my number tonight and I just tried to make the right play," Durant, who recorded a triple-double in a win over the Timberwolves in the last meeting on Jan. 25, told reporters after Friday's setback.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (38-29): Minnesota isn't missing much offensively in Butler's absence thanks to the continued progression of forward Nemanja Bjelica. The 29-year-old scored a career-high 30 points in Thursday's setback while going 11-of-16 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. "I opened the game in a good rhythm," Bjelica told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I scored a couple of threes, and my teammates were looking for me. Obviously, I'm playing more and more, spending more time on the court. I'm trying to be aggressive. I have more opportunity to score."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Warriors SF Andre Iguodala (wrist), PF David West (arm) and PF Jordan Bell (ankle) sat out Friday and are all day-to-day.
2. Timberwolves SG Jamal Crawford is 1-of-14 from 3-point range over the last three games.
3. Golden State averaged 125.5 points in a pair of wins over Minnesota earlier this season.
PREDICTION: Warriors 120, Timberwolves 116
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Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
A 10-game winning streak didn't provide much separation from the rest of the pack in the Western Conference for the New Orleans Pelicans, who badly missed star forward Anthony Davis while watching that winning streak come to an end on Friday. The Pelicans hope to have Davis back in the lineup when they host the hard-charging Utah Jazz on Sunday.
Davis suffered a sprained ankle in a 114-101 win at Sacramento on Wednesday and sat out Friday as New Orleans returned home and watched their winning streak disappear in a 116-97 loss to the Washington Wizards. "We are fine, first of all, because we knew we didn't play with AD, which is our best player, so hopefully he'll be back (for the) next one, and we just need to stick together," Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic told reporters of the team's mental state after watching the winning streak come to an end. "We know that what we've been doing so far has been doing great, playing together. And defensively, I think we need to step up a little bit more, especially defensive transition." The Jazz entered play on Saturday in a virtual three-way tie for the No. 8 spot in the West, 2 1/2 games behind fourth-place New Orleans. Utah took the first two of its three-game trip by a total of 37 points and has won five straight and 17 of its last 19 contests.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS New Orleans
ABOUT THE JAZZ (36-30): Utah picked up its 10th consecutive road win with a 95-78 triumph at Memphis on Friday in which it held the Grizzlies to 37.3 percent shooting. "Not every game is pretty," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "There were stretches where we weren't playing well offensively, but our defense held strong. If we can do that, we can survive." Utah managed to find enough offense against Memphis despite star rookie Donovan Mitchell slumping to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting -- just the third time in the last 12 games that he failed to reach 20 points.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (38-27): Guard Jrue Holiday emerged as a second scoring option behind Davis during the winning streak but was held to four points on 2-of-8 shooting without Davis around to draw the defense on Friday. "He just struggled," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters of Holiday. "They did a good job of walling in and not letting him have the usual drives that he had. As I said, we didn't get into that flow where he can catch the ball and do some things with it. We just got to find a way to do it." Holiday averaged 24.9 points on 52.1 percent shooting and 8.5 assists during the winning streak.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Mitchell reached 150 3-pointers in 63 games on Friday, beating the previous rookie record set by Portland's Damian Lillard (68) in 2012-13.
2. Pelicans SF Darius Miller scored 20 points on Friday after totaling eight in the previous three games.
3. Utah took six of the last seven meetings, including a 133-109 triumph at New Orleans on Feb. 5.
PREDICTION: Jazz 109, Pelicans 105
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Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Denver Nuggets are fighting for postseason position in the Western Conference and are getting a little feisty at the end of games, especially guard Jamal Murray. Murray and company will try to keep their emotions in check and earn a fourth win in six games when they host the lowly Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Murray drew the ire of Los Angeles Lakers players and coaches for his trash talk at the end of a 125-116 victory on Friday -- a win that left Denver in a virtual three-way tie for eighth place in the West heading into play on Saturday. "I just like competing," Murray, who led the Nuggets with 22 points in the win, told reporters. "You know, we are playing for a playoff spot. We just came off two bad losses and we had to go out there and play with a little fire, and I guess the other team took it to heart. But I can't do anything about that but just keep playing my game and accept the challenges." The challenge for Denver on Sunday will be to avoid overlooking the Kings with a stretch of eight of nine on the road beginning on Tuesday at the Lakers. Sacramento is already eliminated from postseason contention but is not laying down as it attempts to get young players experience and earned wins in three of its last five games.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE KINGS (21-45): Injuries forced Sacramento to lean more on veterans Garrett Temple and Kosta Koufos on Friday, and the two combined for 41 points to help lead coach Dave Joerger to his 200th win. "He's one of those that believes in the young guys and continues to instill confidence in the young guys," Koufos told the Sacramento Bee of Joerger. "And that's what you need, especially being a young guy trying to come into the NBA and having the opportunity to play. It's OK if you mess up, as long as you're playing hard, that's the biggest thing." One of those young guys is rookie guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who handed out a season-high 10 assists on Friday.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (36-30): Reintegrating Paul Millsap back into the rotation after three months away recovering from a wrist injury has been a challenge for Denver, but he appears to be getting more comfortable. Millsap delivered 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting on Friday -- his first 20-plus effort since Nov. 17. "Our guys understand, when Paul's got a mismatch, we have to take advantage of it," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters after Friday's win. "I think we did a pretty good job of that tonight."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Kings C Willie Cauley-Stein and PG De'Aaron Fox are both questionable for Sunday due to back issues.
2. Nuggets SF Wilson Chandler (hip) sat out Friday and is day-to-day.
3. Sacramento snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with a 106-98 home win over Denver on Jan. 6.
PREDICTION: Nuggets 118, Kings 103
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Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
11th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Houston Rockets have tasted defeat for the first time since late January and could be without their MVP candidate when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. James Harden is considered questionable for the matchup because of a sore knee that didn't seem to bother him Friday at Toronto, when the Rockets saw their 17-game winning streak come to an end.
Harden scored 40 points on 15-of-22 shooting in the 108-105 loss, which left Houston clinging to a half-game lead over Golden State in the race for first place in the Western Conference. "I don't even feel like we lost," Harden told reporters after the team's first setback since Jan. 26. "Same swagger. Nothing changed. It's one game." After finishing up in Dallas, the Rockets will play 10 of their next 14 at home but first must contend with a Mavericks crew that is aiming for its first three-game winning streak since December. Harrison Barnes was one of three Dallas players to score at least 20 points in Saturday's 114-80 victory over Memphis at home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (51-14): Houston went 4-3 when Harden was sidelined with a hamstring strain to begin January. Eric Gordon, who was limited to 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting against the Raptors, averaged 21.3 points while starting in place of Harden during that stretch. Center Clint Capela has made at least half of his field-goal attempts in 15 consecutive games and has nine double-doubles in that span, including one in a 104-97 victory over Dallas at home Feb. 11.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (21-45): Dallas' 34-point win over the Grizzlies represents its widest margin of victory of the season, and the squad had season highs in foul shots made (30) and attempted (35). The effort came without standout rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who was out with a quadriceps injury but is hoping to return Sunday. J.J. Barea stepped up with 20 points - one shy of his season high - in 23 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting in a rare start.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Rockets SF Trevor Ariza is 0-for-7 from 3-point range over his last two games after making at least three from beyond the arc in his previous six contests.
2. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki had two points on 1-of-9 shooting against Memphis after hitting 25-of-43 shots over his previous four contests.
3. Houston has won seven straight meetings and is looking to sweep the season series for the second time in a row.
PREDICTION: Rockets 110, Mavericks 101
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Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Celtics have suffered only a three-point loss at Western Conference-leading Houston since the All-Star break, winning their other six games in that stretch by an average of 14 points. They will look to stay hot and keep close in the race for the top spot in the East when they host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
In a game marred by the scary incident with Celtics guard Jaylen Brown - who is sidelined while in concussion protocol after falling on his head at the tail end of a dunk - Boston got past Minnesota on the road 117-109 on Thursday to clinch a playoff spot. "That's one of the goals," guard Kyrie Irving - who returned from a one-game absence to score 23 points - told reporters. "Just glad we got it out of the way pretty early." Boston is 2 1/2 games behind first-place Toronto and comfortably ahead of a six-team pack fighting for the rest of the playoff spots, a group that includes the Pacers, who have their sights set on the No. 3 seed. After a 112-87 rout of Atlanta on Friday at home, Indiana sat a half-game behind the third-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, NBCS Boston
ABOUT THE PACERS (38-28): Indiana plays 10 of its final 16 games on the road and the remaining home games include dates with Toronto and Golden State, both of whom also pop up on the road slate. They've solidified the point guard position ahead of the brutal stretch run, as Cory Joseph (18 points, seven rebounds against the Hawks) has played well of late filling in for Darren Collison, who returned Friday after missing 11 games due to knee surgery to produce 17 points in 21 minutes. "If you hope for something, you hope for what he did tonight," coach Nate McMillan told reporters of Collison. "He didn't miss a beat coming back. It was good to have him on the floor."
ABOUT THE CELTICS (46-20): Boston's campaign began with Gordon Hayward crippled in the lane early in the season-opener at Cleveland, and many members of the team had to have some flashbacks after Brown's frightening fall. "It was a nasty, scary fall," Hayward told reporters Friday. "I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet -- he didn't come into the facility this morning -- but very blessed that nothing happened so far. It seems like he thinks he's OK; he was able to walk off. You have scary moments like that when you're in the air." Marcus Smart started in place of Brown five times throughout the season, including Nov. 25 at Indiana, when he scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pacers SG Victor Oladipo has been held under 20 points for a season-high three straight games, although he shot 7-of-9 from the floor in a 17-point effort against Atlanta.
2. Irving averages 24.8 points on 54.5 percent shooting, 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds since the All-Star break.
3. The road team won each of the first three meetings, with Oladipo going for 35 points and 10 boards in a 97-91 victory at Boston last month.
PREDICTION: Celtics 111, Pacers 105
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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets will become very familiar with one another with three more meetings down the stretch, beginning with a matchup in New York City on Sunday. The Sixers dropped four of their last seven games after a seven-game winning streak and sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia shot 39.5 percent and turned it over 18 times in a 108-99 loss at Miami on Thursday to fall to 1-2 on the four-game road trip. "The first quarter, we looked like we were ready to come out and play," rookie guard Ben Simmons told reporters after his team faded down the stretch. "Then, we just showed lack of composure, and didn't stay with it." The Nets have been sinking down the East standings but snapped a four-game slide with a 125-111 win at Charlotte on Thursday. Allen Crabbe started 6-for-6 from 3-point range en route to 29 points for Brooklyn, which is beginning a stretch in which it plays five of six at home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, YES (Brooklyn)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (35-29): All-Star Joel Embiid shot 5-for-18 in the loss to Miami and he's been held under 20 points in a season high-tying three straight games. "I took too many jump shots, missed a lot of them," Embiid told the media. "I just was trying to do everything to help the team win, but obviously, it wasn't enough." Dario Saric finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss and is averaging 21.3 points on 65.6 percent shooting over his last three games.
ABOUT THE NETS (21-45): Crabbe is closing in on the team record for made 3-pointers in a season, needing just 10 to tie Deron Williams' mark of 169 set in 2012-13. "I think it's cool, but the bigger picture for us is to develop as a team and that's all it's about, and it wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for my teammates, and everyone played a part in helping me get there," Crabbe told reporters Thursday. Caris LeVert scored 16 of his 22 points after halftime against Charlotte and the 23-year-old guard is averaging 19.7 points over his last three contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams meet Friday and again on April 3 - both times in Philadelphia.
2. Sixers SG JJ Redick is 17-for-28 from 3-point range this month.
3. Nets PG D'Angelo Russell scored 22 points in 17 minutes to lead Brooklyn to a 116-108 home win in the first matchup Jan. 31.
PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Nets 104
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 03-11-2018
10th March 2018 by Gracenote
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James should expect to be showered with love from the fans when his team visits the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. James, who can become a free agent after the season, has been hearing recruiting pitches from fans and billboards are already up in Los Angeles trying to recruit him to the Lakers.
"I understand that I'm a free agent at the end of the summer, so I understand the frenzy that comes with it," James told reporters before hearing it from Clippers fans during a 116-102 loss on Friday. "It's not my first rodeo, but I don't, it doesn't bother me. I don't talk about it too much. Like I said, I'll handle that whenever it comes." In the meantime, James is trying to keep the Cavaliers in the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, and they are just a half-game up on the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers entering play on Saturday. The Lakers aren't in a playoff battle but are proving to be a difficult opponent and earned wins in six of their last eight games. Los Angeles tried to throw a wrench into the Western Conference race but couldn't quite find its way around the Denver Nuggets in a testy 125-116 loss on Friday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Ohio (Cleveland), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (38-27): Cleveland is operating without All-Star forward Kevin Love (broken hand) and lost small forwards Rodney Hood (back) and Cedi Osman (groin) during Friday's setback. "A lot of teams are hurt," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "It's tough when you're missing guys, but tonight we could've used Kevin. Space (Clippers center) DeAndre (Jordan) out a little bit at the 5. Get him out of the paint, protecting the paint. But, you know, next man up -- got to be ready to play." James has yet to miss a game this season and contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals on Friday.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (29-36): Los Angeles will have to avoid overlooking the Cavaliers with another showdown against the Nuggets looming on Tuesday. Twice this season Denver guard Jamal Murray has drawn the ire of Lakers players and coaches for his antics at the end of games, and Friday's setback ended with coach Luke Walton yelling at Murray and being held back by his fellow coaches. "It is what it is, that's the type of player he is," Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma told reporters of Murray. "But we've got another shot at it Tuesday, so looking forward to it."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr., who was acquired from Los Angeles at the trade deadline along with SG Jordan Clarkson, recorded a double-double in each of the last three games.
2. Lakers C Brook Lopez is averaging 28 points on 24-of-36 shooting over the last two games.
3. Cleveland took the last seven in the series, including a 121-112 home win on Dec. 14.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 126, Lakers 115
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NBA
Long Sheet
Sunday, March 11
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TORONTO (48 - 17) at NEW YORK (24 - 42) - 3/11/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 37-28 ATS (+6.2 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NEW YORK is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW YORK is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 9-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (22 - 43) at ATLANTA (20 - 46) - 3/11/2018, 3:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 7-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 7-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (51 - 15) at MINNESOTA (38 - 29) - 3/11/2018, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-36 ATS (-12.6 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-33 ATS (+22.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 364-429 ATS (-107.9 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (36 - 30) at NEW ORLEANS (38 - 27) - 3/11/2018, 4:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 6-3 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-3 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SACRAMENTO (21 - 45) at DENVER (36 - 30) - 3/11/2018, 5:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-4 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 6-4 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (51 - 14) at DALLAS (21 - 45) - 3/11/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 406-330 ATS (+43.0 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 252-202 ATS (+29.8 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
HOUSTON is 101-64 ATS (+30.6 Units) in road games off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
HOUSTON is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 9-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (38 - 28) at BOSTON (46 - 20) - 3/11/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 45-31 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
INDIANA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 66-47 ATS (+14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-5 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (35 - 29) at BROOKLYN (21 - 45) - 3/11/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 38-27 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games this season.
BROOKLYN is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
BROOKLYN is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
BROOKLYN is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BROOKLYN is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 85-60 ATS (+19.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 57-40 ATS (+13.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 38-25 ATS (+10.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 21-5 ATS (+15.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 4-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEVELAND (38 - 27) at LA LAKERS (29 - 36) - 3/11/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 21-43 ATS (-26.3 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-38 ATS (-30.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in non-conference games this season.
CLEVELAND is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CLEVELAND is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
CLEVELAND is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 4-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-0 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NBA
Sunday, March 11
Trend Report
TORONTO @ NEW YORK
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing Toronto
New York is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Toronto
CHICAGO @ ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chicago's last 22 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
GOLDEN STATE @ MINNESOTA
Golden State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home
UTAH @ NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
New Orleans is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
SACRAMENTO @ DENVER
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Denver's last 13 games
HOUSTON @ DALLAS
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Houston is 17-1 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games at home
INDIANA @ BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games on the road
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
PHILADELPHIA @ BROOKLYN
Philadelphia is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
Brooklyn is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games
CLEVELAND @ LA LAKERS
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Lakers's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
LA Lakers is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
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