Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Tuesday’s NBA
Spurs won their last four games with the Wizards; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Washington. Three of last four series games went over. San Antonio won six of last seven games overall, but they lost eight of last nine road games. Spurs are 8-11-1 as road favorites. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Wizards lost their last three games; they’re 2-1 as home underdogs this season. Last three Washington games stayed under.
Toronto is 5-3 in its last eight games with Denver; Nuggets covered their last five visits north of the border. Over is 8-1-1 in last ten series games. Denver is 3-4 in its last seven games; they’re 4-7-1 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 5-4 on road if they played night before. Three of their last four games went over. Raptors lost three of their last five games; they’re 2-7 in last nine games as home favorites. Four of their last six games went over.
Pelicans won four of last five games with Portland; over is 5-3-1 in last eight series games. Blazers are 1-4 vs spread in last five visits to Oregon. Portland won 14 of its last 16 games; they’re 5-1 in last six games as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went over total. New Orleans won four of its last five games; they’re 5-1 in last six games as home favorites. Five of their last seven games stayed under.
Rockets won last three games with Chicago; four of last six series games stayed under. Bulls are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Houston. Chicago lost its last five games; they’re 2-11 in last 13 games as road underdogs. Five of their last six games went over. Houston won 26 of its last 27 games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven games home favorites. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Home side won nine of last ten Cleveland-Miami games; Cavaliers are 1-3 vs spread in last four visits to South Beach. Three of last four series games stayed under. Cavaliers won their last five games, covered last four; they’re 3-12 in last 15 games as road favorites. Six of their last eight games went over. Miami won its last six home games; they’re 4-5 as home underdogs this year. Over is 7-3-1 in their last eleven games.
Kings won six of last eight games with Dallas; over is 5-5 in last ten series games. Mavericks are 1-3 vs spread in last four visits to Sacramento. Dallas lost its last five games; they’re 2-6 in last eight games as road underdogs. Four of their last five games went over the total. Sacramento lost three of its last four games; they’re 3-4 vs spread as home favorites. Four of their last five games stayed under.
Clippers won seven of last ten games with Milwaukee; Bucks are 3-2 vs spread in last five series games played in Staples, with last four of those staying under the total. Milwaukee is 5-3 in tis last eight games; they’re 3-7 in last ten games as road underdogs. Bucks’ last eight games all went over. Clippers lost five of their last seven games; they’re 4-7 in last 11 games as home favorites. Four of their last six games went over.
Warriors won six of last seven games with Indiana; three of last four series games went over the total. Pacers are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Oakland. Indiana won three of its last four games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven games as road underdogs. Under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Golden State is 3-5 in its last eight games SU, 6-4 in last ten games as a home favorite. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Game of the Night: Cavaliers at Heat – 8:05 PM EST
There’s plenty of history between good friends and former running mates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The two of them were drafted in 2003, captured a pair of titles in Miami, and were teammates in Cleveland for the first half of the season. Wade returned to the Heat in a February deadline deal following a year away from Miami, while James and the Cavaliers are trying to move forward with its revamped roster.
Cleveland (44-29 SU, 26-46-1 ATS) closed the first half with four straight wins, but lost seven of its next 12 games. The Cavaliers are back on track by winning five consecutive contests, including each of the past four with Kevin Love back in the lineup. Love missed 20 games with a hand injury, but the forward is back to performing at an All-Star level by producing a pair of double-doubles and averaging 20.2 points per game in the last four contests.
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Miami (39-35 SU, 37-31-6 ATS) returns home following a pair of road defeats at Oklahoma City and Indiana. The Heat played in their third overtime game in a 12-day span in Sunday’s 113-107 setback to the Pacers, as Indiana picked up the front-door cover as 3 ½-point favorites. Returning home will benefit the Heat, who have won nine of their last 10 games at American Airlines Arena, while compiling an 8-1-1 ATS mark.
The Cavaliers have captured the first two meetings with the Heat this season, both at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland held off Miami in the first matchup in late November, 108-97 as the Cavs built a 75-49 halftime lead. The Heat fell by two in the next meeting in January, 91-89, but cashed as 2 ½-point underdogs. Miami has won 13 consecutive home matchups with Cleveland dating back to December 2010, while the Heat own a 5-1 ATS mark in the last six meetings in south Florida.
Disappearing Act
The lead in the Southeast division is quickly slipping through Washington’s hands as the Wizards (40-33 SU, 33-39-1 ATS) own a one-game lead over the Heat. Washington looks to end a three-game skid, capped off by a surprising 101-97 home setback to New York on Saturday as 10 ½-point favorites. The first loss in this stretch came at San Antonio last Wednesday, 98-90 as 5 ½-point underdogs, the fourth consecutive loss to the Spurs since December 2015.
San Antonio (43-31 SU, 39-33-2 ATS) swept its six-game homestand prior to Sunday’s 106-103 defeat at Milwaukee as two-point favorites. That loss marked the eighth setback in the last nine road games for the Spurs, while San Antonio has allowed at least 104 points in each of its past four contests away from AT&T Center. In last Wednesday’s victory over the Wizards, LaMarcus Aldridge led San Antonio with 27 points, while the Spurs limited Washington to 42% shooting from the floor.
Golden Wait
The Warriors (54-19 SU, 31-41-1 ATS) are the epitome of the walking wound as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are all sidelined. Golden State fell on Sunday night to Utah as a lengthy 8 ½-point home underdogs, 110-91 without the aforementioned four stars in the lineups. The Warriors look to avoid consecutive losses for the third time this season as they face the Pacers for the first time in 2017-18.
Indiana (43-31 SU, 42-32 ATS) is fresh off a pair of close home wins over the Clippers and Heat to clinch a playoff berth for the third straight season. The Pacers on a late-season four-game west coast swing which continues against the Kings, Clippers, and Nuggets, while returning home to face the Warriors on April 5. Indiana has dropped four consecutive matchups with Golden State, including a 37-point setback in Indianapolis and a 36-point drubbing in Oakland last season.
Quick Return
Following a 2-2 road swing capped off by a comeback victory at Toronto on Sunday, the Clippers (39-34 SU, 39-33-1 ATS) face the Bucks for the second time in less than a week. Los Angeles outlasted Milwaukee last Wednesday, 127-120 as 5 ½-point underdogs, led by DeAndre Jordan’s 25-point and 22-rebound effort. The Clippers hit the road immediately following the game for two more on the highway at Phoenix on Wednesday and Portland on Friday.
The Bucks (39-34 SU, 29-39-5 ATS) venture to the west coast for four contests, looking to capitalize off Sunday’s home victory over the Spurs. Milwaukee is riding an eight-game OVER streak, while topping the 117-point mark in seven of those contests. Since late January, the Bucks own a 2-6 SU/ATS record as a road underdog, but managed to pull out a 97-96 triumph at Staples Center over the Clippers last March as 7 ½-point ‘dogs.
Playoff Preview?
Entering Tuesday’s action, the Blazers (45-28 SU, 41-27-5 ATS) own a two-game edge over the Thunder for the third playoff position in the Western Conference. New Orleans and San Antonio are tied for fifth as the Blazers and Pelicans could meet in a potential 3/6 matchup in the opening round of the playoffs. Portland dropped two straight following a 13-game winning streak, but the Blazers bounced back from their recent cold spell to hold off Oklahoma City on Sunday, 108-105, while improving to 14-2 ATS in the last 16 contests.
A tired Pelicans (43-31 SU, 40-33-1 ATS) squad saw its four-game winning streak go up in smoke in Saturday’s 114-91 drubbing at Houston. New Orleans had finished off three wins in three nights from Tuesday through Thursday last week prior to Saturday’s 23-point defeat. The Pelicans have won eight of their last nine in the role of a home favorite, while topping the Blazers in two of the first three matchups this season.
By Kevin Rogers
San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Wizards are slumping with losses in three straight but at least have their star player back at practice and nearing a return from injury. The San Antonio Spurs, who visit the Wizards on Tuesday, can't say the same about their star player and will be trying to snap a four-game road losing streak.
Washington point guard John Wall, who underwent knee surgery on Jan. 31, participated in his second full-contact practice on Monday, but there is still no firm timetable for his return. "It's getting close," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters of Wall's return. "He's had two really, really good days. His energy level is high. He's anxious. You can tell. He wants to get out there. We still want to be patient." The Spurs swept a six-game homestand to put a little space between themselves and ninth-place Denver in the Western Conference but dropped the opener of a two-game trip 106-103 on Sunday, and star small forward Kawhi Leonard (quad) reportedly has yet to return to practice. San Antonio is instead leaning on All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge as it lingers a half-game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 4 spot in the West.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE SPURS (43-31): Aldridge was named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 34.8 points and 9.3 rebounds in four games last week, including 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting in Sunday's setback. The only time in the last five games that Aldridge failed to score at least 33 points came against Washington at home on Wednesday, when he was held to 27 points on 12-of-23 shooting and nine boards in a 98-90 San Antonio win. Leonard might not be around to help but Aldridge got some support on Sunday from veteran center Pau Gasol, who collected 22 points and 13 rebounds off the bench after scoring in single digits in each of the previous three games.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (40-33): Washington got blindsided by the lowly New York Knicks in a 101-97 loss on Sunday and is 2-6 in its last eight home games while dropping into sixth place in the East, one game ahead of seventh-place Milwaukee. "We thought that we could just show up and play because they don't have anything to play for," All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal told reporters after the latest setback. "We just thought it was going to be a cake walk and they just smacked us in the mouth." Beal, who leads the team in scoring at an average of 23.1 points, was held to 14 on 5-of-17 shooting in the loss, including 1-of-6 from 3-point range.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards C Marcin Gortat went 2-of-9 from the floor on Sunday after going a combined 12-of-15 in the previous three contests.
2. Spurs PG Tony Parker totaled five points on 2-of-11 shooting over the last four games.
3. San Antonio took the last four in the series, including a 112-100 victory in the visit to Washington last season.
PREDICTION: Spurs 102, Wizards 95
Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
27th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Denver Nuggets are running out of time if they want to capture a playoff spot and they face a tough assignment when they visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Denver sits 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Western Conference as it looks to upset the top team in the East.
The Nuggets hurt their chances Monday, when they were routed 123-104 by Philadelphia, and coach Michael Malone was highly disappointed in the performance. "The one thing that stood out to me was that we had no discipline," Malone told reporters. "Zero discipline in terms of who we are guarding personnel-wise and how we are guarding certain actions." Toronto is on its way to claiming the top seed in the East and is two victories away from matching the single-season franchise record of 56 set in 2015-16. The Raptors split the first two contests of their three-game string at Air Canada Centre and possess the second-best home record in the NBA at 30-7.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), TSN (Toronto)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (40-34): Denver misses the firepower Gary Harris (knee) provides, and the shooting guard who is averaging 17.7 points will miss his sixth straight game on Tuesday. Harris is making progress from the injury he suffered on March 15, and the club is hoping he might be ready when it finishes a seven-game road trip in Oklahoma City on Friday. Will Barton, who has been starting in Harris' place, made five 3-pointers for the second straight game while scoring 25 points against the 76ers.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (54-20): Toronto's success the past few seasons typically is due its star-studded backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, but the duo also stood atop the blame list in Sunday's 117-106 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Both players scored just 11 points in the setback, and DeRozan was just 3-of-12 shooting while suffering through his second-worst performance of the month. "Just one of those nights," DeRozan told reporters. "You can't play how you want to play every single night."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nuggets G Jamal Murray scored 24 points as the team recorded a 129-111 home win over the Raptors on Nov. 1.
2. Denver PF Paul Millsap recorded 16 points and nine rebounds against the 76ers after registering just two and one in 25 minutes versus Washington on Friday.
3. Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas posted 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Clippers for his seventh double-double of the month and 24th of the season.
PREDICTION: Raptors 115, Nuggets 107
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Cleveland Cavaliers take another swing at breaking their eight-year losing streak in Miami when they visit the Heat on Tuesday. Cleveland has dropped 13 straight games in South Beach dating back to a victory on Jan. 25, 2010, when LeBron James was in the final season of his first tour of duty with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers arrive on a hot streak after winning five straight games, topping 120 points in each of the past four, and intend to finish the regular season strong. "It feels like we're feeling the fact that this thing is winding down," Cavaliers interim coach Larry Drew told reporters. "We know what the race is in the East. But the focus is just to play these (nine) games and develop some kind of rhythm." Miami opens a four-game homestand after dropping its last two games and currently holds the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference race. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will return Tuesday after missing the first game of his 10-year head coaching career in Sunday's 113-107 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers due to the birth of his son.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (44-29): James rolled up 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds and eight assists in Sunday's 121-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets to reach 2,000 points in a season for the 10th time and Drew doesn't understand why James isn't the favorite for the MVP award. "You just look at the stat sheet," Drew told reporters of James' averages of 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds, "and it's just not about points, it's what he's doing on the boards, it's what he's doing from an assists standpoint. He's just a force. He's a force and I mean he has put up MVP numbers without a doubt." All-Star power forward Kevin Love is faring well since returning from a broken hand by averaging 20.3 points and 10 rebounds in four games.
ABOUT THE HEAT (39-35): Franchise icon Dwyane Wade began the season with Cleveland before being dealt to Miami and he has publicly expressed that he may consider retirement after the season. If so, this could be the last time he plays against his long-time friend James, and Wade is looking forward to the contest. "Yeah, it's going to be a great atmosphere on Tuesday," Wade told reporters after Sunday's game. "Our arena is going to be excited for this game. I'm sure they want to continue to play well. Our team will be excited for it. And I always look forward to the matchups."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Cavaliers won two home games against the Heat this season by margins of 11 and two points.
2. Miami C Hassan Whiteside (hip) is expected to miss his ninth straight game.
3. Cleveland F Jeff Green (flu) should be back after a one-game absence, while swingman Kyle Korver will miss his fourth straight game after the death of younger brother Kirk (age 27).
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 110, Heat 107
Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Portland Trail Blazers look to record their 15th victory in the past 17 games when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Portland's hot run allowed it to move into third place in the Western Conference, two games ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New Orleans is tied for fifth place in the Western Conference with the San Antonio Spurs, just a half-game behind fourth-place Oklahoma City in the jam-packed playoff race. The Pelicans are fresh off two complete days of rest after a postponement makeup caused them to play six games in eight nights, including games on three consecutive nights. "We're pros, but it was tough and that part of the season is behind us and I think we have three games in 10 days now," New Orleans point guard Rajon Rondo said after Saturday's 114-91 loss to the Houston Rockets. "So hopefully the guys will get a chance to rest their bodies and get back to normal." Portland opened a three-game road trip on Sunday with a 108-105 win over the Thunder behind 34 points from shooting guard CJ McCollum.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS New Orleans
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (45-28): All-Star point Damian Lillard has scored 20 or more points in a career-best 18 consecutive games, the fourth-longest such streak in franchise history. Lillard went 11-of-11 from the free-throw line while scoring 24 points on Sunday to set a franchise mark with 60 consecutive made free throws, surpassing the record set by Damon Stoudamire (57 in 2005). Meanwhile, McCollum has been superb by averaging 30 points on 26-of-46 shooting over the past two contests.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-31): New Orleans won four consecutive games before having nothing left in the tank against Houston, but the players are well aware of the need to bounce back due to the situation. "We control our own destiny and we're fine," All-Star power forward Anthony Davis told reporters. "It's just one game, we have a couple of days off and then play Tuesday against somebody we're in a race with (in) Portland." Davis topped 20 points in nine consecutive games and the stretch of strong performances include his lone career triple-double when he had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots against the Utah Jazz on March 11.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans are 2-1 against the Trail Blazers this season and have won four of the past five meetings.
2. Portland C Jusuf Nurkic recorded three double-doubles over the past four games and 21 on the season.
3. Rondo (wrist) and F Nikola Mirotic (hip) are both expected back after sitting out against Houston.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 111, Trail Blazers 107
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Houston Rockets are close to clinching the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs and already set a franchise record for wins, but that doesn't mean they plan on taking their foot off the gas. The Rockets will try to run their latest winning streak to double digits when they host the lowly Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Houston star James Harden bolstered his MVP credentials with a triple-double on Sunday in a 118-99 rout of the Atlanta Hawks that cliched the team's first 60-win campaign. The Rockets, who own a 5 1/2-game lead over the injury-depleted Golden State Warriors, are winners of 26 of their last 27 games -- with the lone loss in that span coming by three points at East-best Toronto on March 9 -- and will play five of their final eight games at home. The Bulls are losers of five in a row and aren't even getting a chance to look at their three best young players as Lauri Markkanen (back), Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) sit out. "One thing we talked about after the game, stay with it, stay together and keep going out there and battling every time we step on the floor and do it with chemistry and as a unit," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after Saturday's 117-95 loss at Detroit. "That's all you can do at this point."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE BULLS (24-49): Markkanen and Dunn are both questionable for Tuesday while LaVine is expected to be out until early April, and other young players are trying to step up. Small forward Denzel Valentine averaged 19 points while going 14-of-27 from the floor in the last two games, including 8-of-14 from beyond the arc. Cameron Payne is starting at point guard in place of Dunn and scored in double figures in each of the last three games -- his longest run of the season.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (60-14): Harden collected 18 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in Sunday's win but is expected to sit out on Tuesday to rest. Point guard Chris Paul, who sat out the last three games with a sore hamstring, is expected to return and will share backcourt duties with Eric Gordon, who is averaging 20.3 points over the last four contests. Reserve shooting guard Gerald Green is another candidate to see more playing time after he went off for 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 32 minutes against Atlanta.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bulls SG Justin Holiday is 3-of-21 from 3-point range over the last five games.
2. Rockets PF Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) sat out the last two games and is expected to miss at least one more.
3. Paul and Gordon scored 24 points apiece in Houston's 116-107 win at Chicago on Jan. 8.
PREDICTION: Rockets 116, Bulls 92
Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
Two of the worst teams in the NBA square off on Tuesday when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Sacramento Kings. The squads are a combined 55 games below .500 and were never a factor in the Western Conference playoff race this season.
The Mavericks will miss the playoffs for the second straight season and also have lost 50 games for the first time since experiencing a dreadful 20-62 campaign in 1997-98. Sacramento's plight is certainly worse as Sunday's 104-93 loss to the Boston Celtics clinched its eighth 50-loss season in the past 10 campaigns. "It's tough," rookie guard Bogdan Bogdanovic told reporters after the loss to Boston. "No matter you win, you lose, nothing changes, you're out of the playoffs. It's not like you don't have motivation, but when you win you don't feel that feeling of an important win." Dallas limps into Sacramento on a five-game losing streak after falling 102-98 to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-51): Rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is undergoing growing pains and he experienced a tough one on Saturday when a late game-tying or game-winning shot was called for him. As Smith got sloppy with his ball-handling, Charlotte All-Star Kemba Walker poked the ball away and won the wrestling match for the ball with 5.6 seconds left as the Hornets prevailed. "I feel like I've made strides, but there's always room for improvement," the 20-year-old Smith, who is averaging 15.1 points and 4.9 assists, told reporters. "It's a process and I'm trusting it. I'm going to keep doing my work. The progress is going to show."
ABOUT THE KINGS (24-50): Bogdanovic came to the NBA from the Turkish League and has split time with Buddy Hield this season, but his shooting has been streaky and he is just 30-of-96 from the field over the past nine games. "I can feel I'm a little bit tired, maybe more tired than other players," the 25-year-old Bogdanovic told reporters. "For sure I will be more ready next season and this summer will help me for sure." Hield poured in 24 points off the bench in the loss to Boston and is averaging 21 over the past six games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings are 2-1 against the Mavericks this season and won six of the past eight meetings.
2. Dallas PF/C Dirk Nowitzki is averaging four points on 4-of-15 shooting over the past two games and is doubtful for Tuesday due to knee tendonitis.
3. Sacramento PF Zach Randolph (stomach illness) and G Garrett Temple (ankle) could each miss their third straight game.
PREDICTION: Mavericks 95, Kings 94
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
The Los Angeles Clippers will throw together a performance every few games that makes them look like a dangerous team in a first-round playoff series, but they still have to get to the postseason. The Clippers will try to take advantage of a rare home game when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
Los Angeles is making a brief stop at home before hitting the road for two more games and finished up a 2-2 trip on Sunday by overcoming an 18-point deficit and knocking off the East-leading Toronto Raptors 117-106. The Clippers are running out of time to make up ground in the playoff race and sit two games behind the eighth-place Minnesota Timberwolves with the Denver Nuggets in between. Los Angeles' other win on the road trip came at Milwaukee on Wednesday, a game during which Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo left in the first half due to an ankle injury. Antetokounmpo sat out the next game but returned on Sunday and scored 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting while adding 10 rebounds in a 106-103 win over the San Antonio Spurs despite not being 100 percent.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (39-34): Milwaukee is occupying the No. 7 spot in the East and is one game behind the Washington Wizards for the No. 6 slot as it embarks on a four-game west coast trip. The Bucks offered Antetokounmpo plenty of help on Sunday as Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe combined for 42 points on 17-of-30 shooting and nine assists in the win. Middleton is quietly one of the most consistent scorers in the East this season and is averaging 23.4 points over the last eight games to push his season mark to 20.1.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (39-34): Los Angeles put on a love fest at Toronto as the whole bench got involved and offered up hugs and high-fives as encouragement on Sunday. Plenty of that love was directed at shooting guard Lou Williams, who scored 12 straight points during a key stretch in the fourth quarter and finished with 26. "We've had so much adversity, I think it's brought us closer," Williams told reporters. "I think that's just the personalities that we have. We congratulate each other when we do special things. We don't have any disconnects when it comes to relationships. So, when we accomplish things, I think it's important for everybody to be on the same accord. So that felt good. We got a lift from everybody."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers SF Danilo Gallinari (hand) sat out the last 16 games but is expected to return this week.
2. Bucks C John Henson is 14-of-23 from the floor over the last three games.
3. Los Angeles C DeAndre Jordan collected 25 points and 22 rebounds in last week's win at Milwaukee.
PREDICTION: Clippers 116, Bucks 111
Indiana Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 03-27-2018
26th March 2018 by Gracenote
It seemed like good news when Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee instead of something more serious, but the team is tempering any enthusiasm. The Warriors won't have Curry and at least two other All-Stars available when they host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Curry is expected to have the injury re-evaluated on April 14, right at the beginning of a first-round playoff series, but coach Steve Kerr was not willing to commit to his point guard playing when he spoke to reporters before Sunday's loss to the Utah Jazz. "Oh, there's no way he's playing in the first round," Kerr said. "There's no way. He's being re-evaluated in three weeks, so we've got to be ready for playing without him." The Pacers clinched a playoff berth with a 113-107 overtime triumph over Miami on Sunday. "Congratulations to this group, I'm proud of what they've done," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "I love the fact that we earned the right to be there. We didn't have to depend or have help from another team in getting there. Tonight, they just showed they wanted it."
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)
ABOUT THE PACERS (43-31): Indiana is still fighting for positioning in the East and is 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 3 spot. Victor Oladipo and Thaddeus Young combined for 45 points in Sunday's clinching win, and Young believes the team is special. "This is one of the most unique teams I've ever been around, especially with the guys we have," Young told reporters. "Everybody is kind of chipping in and doing their part. There are no egos in the locker room, everybody just goes out there and does their job and we try to win as many games as possible. The biggest thing for us is to continue to believe in what we have in this room. We've done it all season long."
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (54-19): Curry is joined by Kevin Durant (ribs) and Klay Thompson (hand) as All-Stars unavailable for Tuesday while Draymond Green (pelvis, illness) is questionable. "It's tough being without players," Golden State guard Patrick McCaw told reporters. "The biggest thing that coach is preaching is going out and giving it all we have. I think guys go out there and play extremely hard. I think that's the biggest thing right now. Not about win or lose, but giving it the maximum effort each time we step on the floor." The Warriors are likely locked into the No. 2 spot in the West as they sit 5 1/2 games behind the Houston Rockets and nine in front of third-place Portland.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Warriors PG Quinn Cook is averaging 20.6 points over the last five games, raising his season mark to 7.3.
2. Pacers C Domantas Sabonis (ankle) sat out the last six games and remains questionable for Tuesday.
3. Golden State took the two meetings last season by a combined 73 points.
PREDICTION: Pacers 121, Warriors 108
NBA
Tuesday, March 27
Trend Report
SAN ANTONIO @ WASHINGTON
San Antonio is 21-2 SU in its last 23 games when playing Washington
San Antonio is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games at home
DENVER @ TORONTO
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing Denver
CHICAGO @ HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Chicago's last 18 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
CLEVELAND @ MIAMI
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
PORTLAND @ NEW ORLEANS
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
DALLAS @ SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Sacramento's last 8 games at home
Sacramento is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Dallas
INDIANA @ GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Indiana's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games at home
Golden State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
MILWAUKEE @ LA CLIPPERS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
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NBA
Long Sheet
Tuesday, March 27
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SAN ANTONIO (43 - 31) at WASHINGTON (40 - 33) - 3/27/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1042-911 ATS (+39.9 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 832-707 ATS (+54.3 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 193-148 ATS (+30.2 Units) in March games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 157-111 ATS (+34.9 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 93-53 ATS (+34.7 Units) against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 52-34 ATS (+14.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 348-285 ATS (+34.5 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 215-150 ATS (+50.0 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (40 - 34) at TORONTO (54 - 20) - 3/27/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 177-225 ATS (-70.5 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
TORONTO is 186-229 ATS (-65.9 Units) in home games in the second half of the season since 1996.
TORONTO is 34-55 ATS (-26.5 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
TORONTO is 193-243 ATS (-74.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 5-0 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 3-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PORTLAND (45 - 28) at NEW ORLEANS (43 - 31) - 3/27/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 40-26 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all games this season.
PORTLAND is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in March games this season.
PORTLAND is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 48-31 ATS (+13.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-5 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 6-5 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (24 - 49) at HOUSTON (60 - 14) - 3/27/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
HOUSTON is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points this season.
HOUSTON is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points this season.
HOUSTON is 53-72 ATS (-26.2 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season.
HOUSTON is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEVELAND (44 - 29) at MIAMI (39 - 35) - 3/27/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 26-46 ATS (-24.6 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 15-40 ATS (-29.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
MIAMI is 87-65 ATS (+15.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 53-34 ATS (+15.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games in March games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 5-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 5-4 straight up against CLEVELAND 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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DALLAS (22 - 51) at SACRAMENTO (24 - 50) - 3/27/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DALLAS is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 408-334 ATS (+40.6 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 501-421 ATS (+37.9 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 184-140 ATS (+30.0 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 8-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 7-3 straight up against DALLAS 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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MILWAUKEE (39 - 34) at LA CLIPPERS (39 - 34) - 3/27/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 69-87 ATS (-26.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 371-452 ATS (-126.2 Units) in the second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 265-322 ATS (-89.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MILWAUKEE is 199-244 ATS (-69.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 76-48 ATS (+23.2 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 41-22 ATS (+16.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 166-210 ATS (-65.0 Units) in home games in the second half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 219-274 ATS (-82.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 3-2 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 3-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (43 - 31) at GOLDEN STATE (54 - 19) - 3/27/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-0 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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