Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 10/26/18
NBA
Long Sheet
Friday, October 26
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CHICAGO (1 - 3) at CHARLOTTE (2 - 3) - 10/26/2018, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) against Southeast division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 71-91 ATS (-29.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-2 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DALLAS (2 - 2) at TORONTO (5 - 0) - 10/26/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 43-27 ATS (+13.3 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 412-337 ATS (+41.3 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 503-426 ATS (+34.4 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 186-141 ATS (+30.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (4 - 1) at NEW YORK (1 - 4) - 10/26/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in home games in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 111-81 ATS (+21.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 3-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-0 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BROOKLYN (2 - 2) at NEW ORLEANS (3 - 0) - 10/26/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 55-38 ATS (+13.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) after allowing 90 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 3-1 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 3-1 straight up against BROOKLYN 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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LA CLIPPERS (2 - 2) at HOUSTON (1 - 3) - 10/26/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 109-144 ATS (-49.4 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 5-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 4-4 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (4 - 0) at MINNESOTA (2 - 3) - 10/26/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 24-42 ATS (-22.2 Units) in road games against Northwest division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 268-323 ATS (-87.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 135-173 ATS (-55.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 54-100 ATS (-56.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 48-28 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 44-24 ATS (+17.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-2 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 2-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (1 - 3) at SACRAMENTO (2 - 3) - 10/26/2018, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 153-202 ATS (-69.2 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-44 ATS (-25.4 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 54-78 ATS (-31.8 Units) against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 60-87 ATS (-35.7 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-0 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 4-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NBA
Friday, October 26
Home side won seven of last nine Bull-Hornet games; Charlotte lost by a hoop in Chicago two nites ago. Bulls lost three of first four games (over 2-2); they’re 0-2 as road underdogs, losing by 19-6 points on road. Charlotte lost its two home games by total of three points; over is 3-2 in their games. Bulls are 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits here. Over is 6-1 in last seven series games.
Dallas split its first four games, losing road games (favored in both) by 21-7 points (over 2-2); they scored 115+ in their wins, 100-104 in losses. Toronto is off to a 5-0 start (over 3-1-1); they’re 3-1 as home favorites. Raptors won five of last six games with Dallas; under is 5-2 in last seven games. Mavericks covered three of last four visits to Canada.
Warriors are off to a 4-1 start, splitting two road games that were decided by total of 3 points (0-2 as AF). Under is 3-2 in their games. New York lost its last four games but covered three of them; under is 3-1 in their last four games. Golden State won its last eight games with the Knicks, but NY covered three of last four. Under is 6-3 in last nine series games. Warriors are 3-2 vs spread in their last five visits to Manhattan.
New Orleans won/covered its first three games, scoring scoring 132 ppg (over 3-0); winning their home games by 20-7 points. Brooklyn split its first four games (under 3-1); they’re 2-1 as road underdogs, losing road games by 3-20, with win in Cleveland. Pelicans won eight of last nine games with Brooklyn (7-2 vs spread, over 7-2). Nets are 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits to Bourbon Street.
Rockets star Harden (hamstring is probably out; Chris Paul returns). Clippers split their first four games (under 3-1), losing by 7 in New Orleans in their only road game. Houston lost three of its first four games (over 3-1), losing both home games, by 19-11 points. Clippers won four of last six games with Houston (5-1 vs spread); they covered three of last four visits here. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games.
Milwaukee is off to a 4-0 start (over 4-0), winning only road game by point in Charlotte. Minnesota is off to a 2-3 start (over 4-1); they won both their home games. Home side won last five Milwaukee-Minnesota games; Bucks lost by 17-19 points in their last two visits to Minnesota. Under is 7-2 in last nine series games.
Washington lost three of its first four games (over 4-0); they split two road games, with totals of 249-266. Sacramento is off to a 2-3 start (over 4-1), splitting pair of home games (2-0 as HU). Wizards won their last four games with Sacramento; they’re 1-3-1 vs spread in their last five visits here. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games.
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NBA
Friday, October 26
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Trend Report
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Chicago Bulls
Chicago is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Chicago is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Chicago is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Charlotte is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 9 games
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 7 games when playing Chicago
Charlotte is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 9 games
Dallas is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas's last 9 games when playing Toronto
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Dallas's last 12 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Toronto is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games at home
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing Dallas
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing at home against Dallas
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Golden State's last 19 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games when playing New York
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing New York
Golden State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against New York
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
New York Knicks
New York is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games
New York is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games at home
New York is 5-18 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games at home
New York is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Golden State
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing Golden State
New York is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Golden State
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 4-7-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 10 games on the road
Milwaukee is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Milwaukee is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
Minnesota is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
LA Clippers is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games
LA Clippers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
LA Clippers is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 7 games when playing Houston
LA Clippers is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Clippers's last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games
Houston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Houston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Houston's last 22 games at home
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing LA Clippers
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
Brooklyn is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Brooklyn is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Brooklyn is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Brooklyn's last 15 games when playing New Orleans
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 15-2 ATS in its last 17 games
New Orleans is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games
New Orleans is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
New Orleans is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
New Orleans is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 12 of New Orleans's last 15 games when playing Brooklyn
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Washington Wizards
Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
Washington is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Sacramento
Washington is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 11 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Sacramento's last 16 games
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Sacramento is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Sacramento's last 14 games at home
Sacramento is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Sacramento is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing Washington
Sacramento is 4-7-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Washington
Sacramento is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Sacramento's last 11 games when playing at home against Washington
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Preview: Bulls at Hornets
The Chicago Bulls earned their first win of the season behind a career night from Cameron Payne and a pair of clutch free throws from Zach LaVine on Wednesday. The Bulls will try to make it two straight over the same opponent when they hit the road to visit the Charlotte Hornets in the conclusion of the home-and-home set.
Payne drew a rare start in place of point guard Kris Dunn (knee) on Wednesday and went 7-of-11 from 3-point range en route to 21 points while adding five rebounds and four assists. "Zach kept finding me and it kept going in," Payne told reporters. "So, I had to keep being aggressive. Zach found me on that first one, found me again, went in again. So, all they could say was keep shooting and they kept going to me." The Hornets should be happy to be heading home after a four-game road trip that didn't end quite as well as it started. Charlotte dominated the Orlando Magic to begin the trip and earned a one-point win at Miami before falling at Toronto and Chicago to drop below .500 at 2-3.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE BULLS (1-3): LaVine became the first Chicago player since Michael Jordan to score at least 30 points in each of the team's first four games when he went off for 32 on Wednesday. "I’ve been good," LaVine told reporters. "But the thing (Wednesday) was my teammates allowed me to get to the spots I had to. The whole team played well off each other and we made the right plays at the right time. We don’t have a big margin of error, and I think we played almost a complete game." LaVine is shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and added solid work at the defensive end on Wednesday by holding Charlotte star Kemba Walker to 5-of-14.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (2-3): Charlotte allowed the Raptors to shoot 57.5 percent in Monday's 127-106 loss and let the Bulls connect at 48.1 percent from the floor, and first-year coach James Borrego was not pleased with the effort. "Defense is where the game starts for us," Borrego told reporters after Wednesday's setback. "We just did not defend well enough in the first half. That was unacceptable defense. Especially when shots aren’t falling, you have to rely on your defense. We just didn’t get it done on the defensive end, especially in the first half." Walker ended up with 23 points at Chicago and is averaging 31.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Hornets PG Tony Parker reached double figures for the first time this season with 10 points on Wednesday - four more than his total from the three previous games.
2. Bulls PF Bobby Portis left Wednesday's game with a right knee injury and will miss four to six weeks after an MRI exam displayed a sprained MCL..
3. Dunn is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering an MCL sprain in his season debut at Dallas on Monday.
PREDICTION: Hornets 106, Bulls 102
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Preview: Warriors at Knicks
Stephen Curry has settled into a consistently excellent level of play over the last several years and is capable of looking like the best player on the planet on any given night. Curry will try to follow up a 51-point effort when the Golden State Warriors begin a three-game road trip by visiting the New York Knicks on Friday.
Curry sat out the entire fourth quarter and ended up 11-of-16 from 3-point range in a 144-122 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. "Everything felt in rhythm," Curry told reporters. "You start to get good looks, you don't have to force anything to find them and you can just repeat that same motion and it's going in. The crowd gets into it, my teammates are encouraging me." The Knicks are losers of four straight and did not look like a team that could keep pace with the Warriors while getting crushed 110-87 at Miami on Wednesday. “It was just so many holes in that dam," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters. "We just, we let go of the rope tonight. This is the first time I felt like we let go and it got to us mentally and broke us in the third (quarter)."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (4-1): Curry's big night on Wednesday overshadowed another stellar effort from Kevin Durant (30 points on 13-of-18 shooting, eight rebounds, seven assists), who was happy to let Curry keep shooting. "A professional scorer like that, you're just kind of in the zone at that point," Durant told reporters. "You know exactly where your points need to come from. It was a joy to be on the same court with that. That was sick." Golden State shot 57.6 percent from the floor in the win and is averaging 119.4 points.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (1-4): Center Enes Kanter had a streak of four straight double-doubles to begin the season come to an end when he was held to eight points and five rebounds on Wednesday, and he was not happy with his team's effort. "We just put our head down and we stopped competing," Kanter told reporters. "Especially on the road it doesn’t matter if you’re down 15, up by 20, whatever. You just have to stay competing and just stay together, that’s the most important thing." The bright spot came from second-year guard Damyean Dotson, who scored a season-high 20 points off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Knicks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. was held to a season-low 14 points on Wednesday and is shooting 41.6 percent from the floor.
2. Warriors SG Klay Thompson is off to a slow start at 4-of-27 from 3-point range.
3. Golden State took the last eight in the series and won the two meetings last season by an average of 13 points.
PREDICTION: Warriors 128, Knicks 109
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Preview: Mavericks at Raptors
The Toronto Raptors look like an unstoppable force with Kawhi Leonard joining Kyle Lowry and will try to begin the season with a sixth consecutive victory when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The Raptors won their first five games by an average of 11.2 points despite adjusting to a new head coach and integrating Leonard into the lineup.
Leonard, who came over from the San Antonio Spurs in a trade that sent All-Star DeMar DeRozan away over the summer, is quickly developing a connection with Lowry that is confusing other teams. "Thinking about Kyle Lowry, the way he can run a team," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters after his team lost to Toronto on Wednesday. "He creates a lot of opportunities for people, he reads the game well. They have great versatility. Kawhi, he can hurt you in the post, he can hurt you off the dribble. They put you in situations in which there’s going to be switching involved and you have to react accordingly." The Mavericks squandered a 26-point lead to the Atlanta Hawks in a 111-104 setback on Wednesday and coach Rick Carlisle was succinct in his assessment. "We fell in love with one pass shots, which was something that we said we couldn’t be seduced into in this game, and our defense eroded," Carlisle told reporters. "It opened the floodgates."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (2-2): Dallas has yet to win on the road and knows it will take a better effort Friday than the one the team showed in Atlanta. "We conversed about it with the players," point guard Dennis Smith Jr. told reporters. "We know we've got Toronto ahead of us, we know they've been playing really well. We'll just go out there and compete on both ends." The loss overshadowed another strong effort from rookie forward Luka Doncic, who contributed 21 points and nine rebounds and is averaging 19 points and 6.5 boards.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (5-0): Center Jonas Valanciunas is coming off the bench as first-year coach Nick Nurse experiments with a smaller lineup but is still finding ways to contribute. Valanciunas collected 19 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes in a 112-105 win over Minnesota on Wednesday and knocked down 2-of-3 from 3-point range. "I've been working a lot on finding the spacing," Valanciunas told reporters. "It's big guy's job to roll and open up the lanes, but sometimes we try to squeeze in a couple pops. I see an opportunity where I can pop, and there you go, you find some."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors PG Fred VanVleet (toe) sat out Wednesday and is questionable for Friday.
2. Mavericks SF Harrison Barnes (hamstring) has yet to make his season debut and remains day-to-day.
3. Toronto took five of the last six meetings but needed overtime to beat Dallas at home last season.
PREDICTION: Raptors 116, Mavericks 108
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Preview: Clippers at Rockets
The Houston Rockets will be without star guard James Harden when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Harden will miss at least two games after suffering a strained left hamstring during Wednesday's 100-89 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Harden sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the game against the Jazz and an MRI exam performed on Thursday pinpointed the damage. The reigning MVP will also miss Tuesday's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers before being re-examined next week prior to the Rockets beginning a five-game road trip. The Clippers are coming off a 116-109 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday in the first game of a stretch in which five of six are on the road. Los Angeles recorded a 115-112 home win over the Rockets last Sunday when forwards Tobias Harris (23) and Danilo Gallinari (20) combined for 43 points.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (2-2): Harris is leading Los Angeles with a 23.5 average and Gallinari is right behind at 21.5 and both players have scored 20 or more in each of the past three games. The Clippers are receiving poor production from shooting guard Avery Bradley, who is averaging 4.3 points on 8-of-31 shooting, including two 1-for-8 efforts. Potent reserve guard Lou Williams is shooting just 35.8 percent from the field while averaging 15 points and has yet to record his first 20-point outing of the campaign.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (1-3): Houston will have point guard Chris Paul back in the lineup after he served a two-game suspension for his recent scrap with Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers. "Obviously, we'd love to have the team full strength, but right now we're sort of dealing with the injury bug," Paul told reporters Thursday while referencing Harden's injury. "We just need to get past it and just hoop, pile up some wins. We'll just try to weather the storm. I'd rather it be now than April or something like that. We'll just try to figure it out." The Rockets went 65-17 last season, so the slow start is surprising but not worrisome to coach Mike D'Antoni, who said "this team to going to be really good. We just got to hang in there for a little bit and go through some growing pains."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Harden had 31 points and 14 assists in the recent loss to the Clippers.
2. Los Angeles PF Montrezl Harrell recorded 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds in the game against the Rockets.
3. Houston SF James Ennis (hamstring) will miss his second straight game, while C Nene (calf) suffered a setback and will miss at least two more weeks.
PREDICTION: Rockets 107, Clippers 102
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Preview: Bucks at Timberwolves
The Milwaukee Bucks look to extend their hot start when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Milwaukee is 4-0 for just the third time in franchise history and hopes to make a run at the franchise-best 7-0 start engineered by the 1971-72 team led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Bucks' other 4-0 start occurred 17 years ago and the latest strong opening included Wednesday's 123-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 32 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for his 10th career triple-double and owns season averages of 28.5 points, a league-leading 16.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Minnesota is going through an uneven start after standout guard Jimmy Butler returned to the mix after staying away from the team until just prior to the season opener. Butler, who is averaging 24.8 points, scored 23 in Wednesday's 112-105 road loss to the Toronto Raptors and scored at least 20 in all four games in which he has played.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (4-0): Center Brook Lopez made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points against the 76ers after opening the contest by missing his four attempts from behind the arc. "Keep shooting. That's what I told him, personally," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "I heard everybody tell him to keep shooting. We don't want (Philadelphia's Joel) Embiid staying in the paint all night. ... He made some shots and the paint opened up." Lopez, an offseason addition, is averaging 14 points and has made 11-of-29 3-point attempts.
ABOUT THE TIMERBWOLVES (2-3): Small forward Andrew Wiggins (quadriceps) might miss his second straight game while center Karl-Anthony Towns has often been missing in action over the first five games. Towns scored 14 points on porous 5-of-17 shooting in the loss to Toronto and has reached the 20-point mark just once this season while shooting 42.6 percent, well below last season's 54.5 success rate. "A loss is a loss," Towns told reporters while downplaying his stats. "It's about winning. It's not about the statistical achievements, doing this or that for whoever my fantasy owner is."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bucks won six of the past eight meetings.
2. Minnesota rookie SG Josh Okogie started against Toronto with Wiggins out and recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds.
3. Milwaukee SF Khris Middleton scored 25 points against Philadelphia and has topped 20 in three straight games.
PREDICTION: Timberwolves 106, Bucks 103
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Preview: Nets at Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans look to remain unbeaten when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. New Orleans averaged an NBA-best 132 points during its first three games and will try to keep the offense moving against a Brooklyn team that held Cleveland to 86 in Wednesday's victory.
New Orleans recorded a season low for points in Tuesday's 116-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers and went 6-for-24 from 3-point range after being a combined 26-of-56 from long range over its first two games. "We know that it's not going to fall as much as we like every night," star big man Anthony Davis told reporters. "But during the game where you have to go and rely on defense, we were able to do that." The Nets rolled to a 102-86 win over the Cavaliers and they turned the game into the blowout by making 16-of-22 shots in the third quarter, when they outscored Cleveland 38-17. "Just by moving the basketball, we went from getting good shots to great shots," forward Joe Harris told reporters. "As long as you're doing that, the shots are going to start falling. We're trying to build on games like this. Hopefully, we can keep it going."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS New Orleans
ABOUT THE NETS (2-2): Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made his season debut against Cleveland and contributed eight points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes. Hollis-Jefferson suffered an adductor strain in early August and missed the preseason and the season opener before missing the following two games due to the birth of his son. "My energy level was good," Hollis-Jefferson told reporters after the victory over the Cavaliers. "Defensively, making the simple plays. Just being smart and conscious. Your rhythm offensively may not be there. You may miss some shots. But just keep playing, keep rebounding, keep playing defense."
ABOUT THE PELICANS (3-0): Davis is averaging 30.3 points and 13 rebounds and forward Nikola Mirotic is averaging 28 points to lead an attack that features six double-digit scorers. “It speaks a lot for the talent on this team," point guard Elfrid Payton told reporters. "It makes it hard to game plan against us when you have so many guys that can go get 20 points on any given night. It speaks for the talent that we have here.” Mirotic missed all six 3-point attempts in the win over the Clippers after being 11-of-17 over the first two games but still contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis averaged 38.5 points and 14 rebounds and the Pelicans averaged 133 points while winning both of last season's meetings.
2. New Orleans F Julius Randle has scored 18 or more points in two of his first three games with the team.
3. Brooklyn SG Caris LeVert scored just 10 points against Cleveland to drop his team-leading average to 21 per game.
PREDICTION: Pelicans 123, Nets 113
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Preview: Wizards at Kings
The Washington Wizards possess the second-worst defense in the NBA and will strive to show improvements when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Washington is allowing an average of 124.5 points after being routed 144-122 by the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
The Wizards watched Golden State star Stephen Curry make 11 3-pointers while scoring 51 points and coach Scott Brooks chalked it up as one of those nights in which you tip your hat to a hot player. "Some of the shots that he was making, you don't ever see that," Brooks told reporters afterward. "He is a special player, special scorer, special shooter. He was taking 35-foot shots and it is hard to double-team a guy that is that far out. He makes them like they are layups. You never see anything like it." Sacramento is coming off a 97-92 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies and the defensive performance was welcome after the team allowed an average of 129.5 points over the first four games. "I think we're willing learners," Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein told reporters. "Our ability to learn on the fly is pretty impressive for how young we are."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (1-3): Shooting guard Bradley Beal scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting against the Warriors for his fourth straight 20-point outing and is averaging 25 points per game. Beal took an elbow from Golden State's Kevin Durant and encountered some breathing problems but X-rays on his sternum were negative and he insisted he will play on Friday. Star point guard John Wall had just 13 points against the Warriors and is 10-of-31 shooting over the past two games.
ABOUT THE KINGS (2-3): Sacramento's victory over Memphis wasn't particularly impressive and its 17 turnovers included two in the final minute to help Memphis hang around. "We made a lot of mistakes, but we just kept coming and coming and coming," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters afterward. "We overcame those mistakes with our effort. They believe that if we play fast we have a chance." Shooting guard Buddy Hield had his best showing of the season with 23 points and seven rebounds, while point guard De'Aaron Fox continued his strong start with 21 points for his third 20-point effort of the campaign.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Wizards won last season's two meetings by an average of 22.5 points and have won the past four meetings.
2. Sacramento G Iman Shumpert (hip) will likely miss his second straight game.
3. Washington C Ian Mahinmi (back) could sit out for the second consecutive contest.
PREDICTION: Wizards 116, Kings 108
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