Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 12/1/18
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 30th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/30/2018
The Milwaukee Bucks are more than just Giannis Antetokounmpo, and when the supporting cast steps up, the team is very dangerous. The Bucks will try to pull off consecutive wins when they visit the New York Knicks for a brief one-game road trip.
Antetokounmpo collected 36 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday but the biggest shot of the game belonged to swingman Khris Middleton, who drained a 3-pointer in the final seconds to give Milwaukee a 116-113 victory. "That's a big shot," Middleton told reporters. "You dream about that. You work on that as a kid growing up, and in the moment, you just live for it. And then sometimes you miss, sometimes you make it. You just have to shoot it." The Knicks are sliding again with losses to Detroit and Philadelphia following a season-best three-game winning streak. "All of it is a learning process for them," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters after a 117-91 loss to the 76ers on Wednesday. "Coming off a tough loss against Detroit ... then coming in here and you're playing against, quite arguably, a contender. This team is knocking on that door, especially with Jimmy (Butler) now. The Sixers came out with the right mentality. They weren't going to mess around with us."
TV: 5 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (15-6): Point guard Malcolm Brogdon went 4-of-16 from the floor in a 110-107 loss at Charlotte on Monday but bounced back with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting Wednesday. Brogdon buried all six of his 3-point attempts in the win and is shooting 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. "Just being aggressive where I can," Brogdon told reporters. "It's different every night for me. Some nights I'm going to drive the whole night, some nights it's going to be a mixture, some nights like tonight I'm going to shoot the whole night. It's just really making mental adjustments based on how your teammates are playing and how the other team's playing."
ABOUT THE KNICKS (7-16): New York is trying to develop young talent and is still waiting for 2017 first-round pick Frank Ntilikina to blossom into a scoring threat. The former No. 8 overall pick went scoreless in each of the last two games on a combined 0-of-8 shooting off the bench. "(I make) the easy play, getting teammates involved," Ntilikina, who averages 2.7 assists, told reporters. "It's not always about scoring. I'm going to do what I do to bring the most to the team. If I'm not scoring, I'll try to do something else."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bucks C Brook Lopez is 4-of-27 from 3-point range over the last four games.
2. Knicks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. went 1-of-11 from the floor on Wednesday and is shooting 24.6 percent over the last four contests.
3. Milwaukee took the last six in the series, including a 124-113 home win on Oct. 22.
PREDICTION: Bucks 116, Knicks 106
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Golden State Warriors vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 30th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/30/2018
Point guard Stephen Curry returns from an 11-game absence when the Golden State Warriors attempt to end their recent road woes with a game against the host Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Curry was sidelined with a strained left groin injury and he will look to help the Warriors halt a five-game road losing streak.
Golden State has badly missed Curry since he was hurt on Nov. 8 and coach Steve Kerr is eager to see the two-time MVP on the court. "Everything gets better," Kerr told reporters of having Curry back. "Food tastes better. Your guys' questions get better. Obviously we've been looking forward to getting him back, but again I'm proud of the way the guys have fought without him and hopefully Draymond (Green) won't be too far behind him and we'll have a better flow, better feel for who our team really is." Green (toe) will miss his eighth straight contest on Saturday as the Warriors try to tame a hot Detroit squad that posted a 107-88 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday for its fourth straight win and eighth in the past 10 games. "It is an opportunity. It's not going to make or break our year," Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters in his postgame press conference of facing the Warriors. "It is an opportunity to compete against one of the best teams in our league and I don't have any doubt that our guys will come compete and play hard."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS Detroit
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (15-8): Star forward Kevin Durant is on an incredible roll in which he has topped 40 points in three straight games and is averaging 48 points during the stretch. Durant had 51 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's 131-128 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors, marking the second time in his career he has had at least 50 points and 10 rebounds in a contest. "My only focus is being the best version of me that I can each possession on both ends," Durant told reporters of his strong stretch. "Once you just focus on that, you get lost in the game. Makes or misses or turnovers or mistakes really don't matter. Just move onto the next play. Try not to have a lot of mistakes, but if you do have one, just move on."
ABOUT THE PISTONS (12-7): Guard Reggie Jackson was solid against the Bulls with 20 points and he knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers in eight attempts. "Reggie was special. His play was unselfish," Detroit point guard Ish Smith told reporters afterward. "If they brought the double (team), he kicked it out. Reggie was on automatic. He got us off to a good start and we just played off that." Jackson has scored 20 or more points in three of the past four games and is averaging 20.5 points during the stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors have won 12 of the past 14 meetings.
2. Detroit C Andre Drummond had 19 points and 20 rebounds against the Bulls and he has seven outings of 20 or more rebounds this season.
3. Golden State F Jonas Jerebko - formerly of Detroit - scored a season-best 20 points against Toronto.
PREDICTION: Warriors 118, Pistons 114
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Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 1st December 2018 by Gracenote
Nets vs. Wizards Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 12/01/2018
The Brooklyn Nets attempt to bounce back from their fifth consecutive setback when they visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Brooklyn nearly ended its skid on Friday but ultimately fell 131-125 in double-overtime against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
The game at Washington is the only one on the road in an eight-game stretch for the Nets but they didn't take advantage of the first segment by losing all four games. Guard D'Angelo Russell recorded 26 points for his 10th 20-point effort of the season against the Grizzlies, while small forward DeMarre Carroll had his best performance of the campaign with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Wizards are also struggling by dropping back-to-back contests by an average of 23 points, including getting routed 123-98 by the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Small forward Otto Porter Jr. missed the game for personal reasons but will likely return to play against the Nets.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE NETS (8-15): Backup guard Spencer Dinwiddie scored 15 points against Memphis for his 19th straight double-digit outing as a crucial deadline nears. Brooklyn has until Dec. 8 to offer Dinwiddie a four-year, $47.5 million extension and the fifth-year pro told reporters that he hopes the organization offers the deal, even if it might be less than what he could land in free agency. "I'd love to have an extension. I'd love to be here for a long time," Dinwiddie told reporters. "If I don't get an extension, I'll be looking forward to unrestricted free agency and going through the season trying to help the Nets win games as much as possible. Either I'm going to sign an extension or I'm going to be an unrestricted free agent, simple as that. The ball is very much in (general manager) Sean Marks and the Nets' court."
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (8-14): Veteran center Dwight Howard underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy on Friday in hopes of solving his issues with gluteal pain and nerve issues that have left him in pain when he sits down. Doctors believe a herniated disc in the L4/L5 area of the spine was causing the intense pain and Howard - who has played in just nine games - will miss two to three more months. "We had a game plan with Dwight being in the mix and shoring up our rim protection and rebounding issues," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters in assessing how the absence of Howard affects the club. "We struggle rebounding the ball. We just have to keep rebounding by committee."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Dinwiddie had 25 points and eight assists as the Nets posted a 115-104 win over the host Wizards on Nov. 16.
2. Washington PG John Wall (11 points on 4-of-15 shooting) and SF Markieff Morris (two points, 1-of-10) were a combined 5-of-25 against Philadelphia.
3. Nets F Joe Harris (hip/groin) sat out against Memphis and is unlikely to play Saturday.
PREDICTION: Wizards 111, Nets 107
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Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 1st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/01/2018
The Minnesota Timberwolves have done well to recover from the Jimmy Butler saga and can move above .500 for the first time this season when they host the Boston Celtics on Saturday. A 128-89 rout of the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday gave the Timberwolves four straight wins and seven in nine games since they traded away Butler.
Robert Covington, one the players who came over from Philadelphia in that blockbuster deal, led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds as Minnesota improved to 9-3 at home while holding its opponent under 100 points for the third straight time. "It's big time when you get a team like that and play an organization like that, and we come out and play defense the way we did," center Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters after Wednesday's win. "It's a wonderful sight and it shows the hard work we're putting in day-in and day-out." The Celtics are also coming off a lopsided win after toppling Cleveland 128-95 on Friday. Kyrie Irving scored 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting as Boston shot a season-high 53.3 percent in its best offensive effort of the season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV, NBCS Boston, FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (12-10): Boston has averaged 126 points in its two straight wins, which happens to coincide with Marcus Smart stepping into the starting lineup in place of the injured Jaylen Brown (back). Smart had 12 points and team highs of seven assists and three steals in the win over the Cavaliers and his play has left Brown wondering if he'll be forced to return to a bench role. "Possibly," Brown told reporters when asked about playing as a reserve when he comes back. "Especially if we are winning. Whatever it is that needs to be done to figure it out. Everybody has talent, everybody has ability, but obviously we have to make something work here. ... If we're winning, everything else will be fine."
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (11-11): Covington is averaging 22.5 points in two games since a 1-for-18 shooting effort against Chicago, but he is being lauded for his impact on the defensive end. "Overall just bringing that defensive mindset here is very contagious and a lot of people are picking up on it," Covington told reporters. "That's part of my character. I'm very approachable and I talk to guys in a way that I know how the game is going." Towns and Derrick Rose added 16 points apiece in the win over the Spurs while rookie Josh Okogie chipped in 12 in only 10 minutes.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Brown told reporters he hopes to return for this one.
2. Rose hit 4-of-5 3-pointers Wednesday and is shooting 48.6 percent from beyond the arc.
3. The Celtics have won each of the last four meetings.
PREDICTION: Timberwolves 104, Celtics 101
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Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 1st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/01/2018
The Houston Rockets look to follow up their best performance of the campaign when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Houston halted a four-game slide with a convincing 136-105 rout of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and faces a Chicago squad that has dropped a season-worst five straight games.
The Rockets were big disappointments over the first 20 games of the season but were outstanding in contest No. 21 while establishing season bests for points and 3-point baskets (22). "We have to build on this victory," Rockets center Clint Capela said during a postgame television interview. "We just have to stay locked in and remember what we did (Friday) and re-produce it (Saturday) night and we'll be OK." There certainly is a chance for another strong showing against Chicago, which has lost six consecutive road games after Friday's 107-88 setback against the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls are 2-9 on the road as they make their third stop on a four-game excursion.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE BULLS (5-18): Rookie forward Wendell Carter Jr. was the bright spot against Detroit as he scored a season-high 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting. It was the second time Carter - the seventh overall pick - topped 20 points, the other being a 25-point effort against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 31. "Wendell was hot, so I had to get him the ball," Chicago shooting guard Zach LaVine (season-low eight points) told reporters. "He had a career night with all those points and with good defense, but the rest of us didn't play well enough to win."
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (10-11): Point guard Chris Paul (hamstring) returned from a three-absence and contributed 14 points and 10 assists in the dismantling of the Spurs. "When I'm out, we're a different team," Paul told reporters afterward. "When James (Harden) is out, Eric (Gordon) is out, any of us are out, we're a different team. I think we get a chance to alleviate a little bit of pressure on each other, and we played the right way." Harden recorded 23 points and 10 assists while the red-hot Gordon made seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points, and is averaging 26.8 points and connected on 23-of-48 3-point attempts over the past four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Rockets have won the past five meetings, including 96-88 on the road Nov. 3.
2. Houston backup C-PF Nene (calf) is slated to make his season debut Saturday.
3. Chicago PF Lauri Markkanen (elbow) took part in Friday's mid-day shootaround and is expected to make his season debut sometime next week.
PREDICTION: Rockets 125, Bulls 94
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Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 1st December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/01/2018
The Toronto Raptors will hope to avoid a letdown when they follow up a dramatic home win against the defending champs with a visit to the sinking Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. The Raptors have won a season-high seven in a row, including Thursday's 131-128 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Kawhi Leonoard scored a season-high 37 points and two others had at least 20 as Toronto boosted its NBA-best record to 19-4. "We were able to make shots, we were able to get some stops in overtime," Leonard told reporters after the win. "It's a building block for us, and I'm happy we got the win." The Cavaliers have dropped three in a row, including Friday's 128-95 loss at Boston. Rookie Collin Sexton made 6-of-18 shots from the floor in the defeat but he still managed to hit the 15-point mark for the ninth time in his last 11 games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (19-4): Paskal Siakam emerged as a significant scoring threat in November, averaging 16.9 points on 65.8 percent shooting during the month. "His confidence is very high," coach Nick Nurse told the media of Siakam. "It just keeps inching along." Kyle Lowry shook off a rough shooting night (4-for-14) to produce 12 assists against the Warriors and he continues to lead the league in that category with 10.3 per game.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (4-17): Friday saw the team debut of guard Alec Burks, who was acquired in Wednesday's deal that sent veteran Kyle Korver to Utah, and he finished with 15 points, six assists and four rebounds off the bench. Cleveland is still operating without Sam Dekker (ankle) George Hill (shoulder) and Davis Nwaba (knee). Guard Jordan Clarkson is averaging 20.5 points over his last two games and has a total of one turnover in 54 minutes during that stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Lowry had 27 points in a 116-104 victory over Cleveland at home earlier this season.
2. Cavaliers C Tristan Thompson recorded his ninth double-double in a span of 12 games with 13 points and 12 rebounds at Boston.
3. Toronto is averaging 120.3 points during its seven-game winning streak.
PREDICTION: Raptors 114, Cavaliers 105
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Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 12-01-2018
NBA Predictions 30th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/30/2018
The Sacramento Kings are beginning to fade after a hot start and dropped the first two of a three-game homestand to fall a game under .500. The Kings will try to avoid a winless homestand and get back to even when they host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Sacramento, which embarks on a four-game road trip beginning Tuesday that includes a stop in Indiana, surrendered 133 points each to the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in the first two games of the homestand to watch the overall slide reach three in a row. "For us this year, it's been defense," Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox told reporters. "That's the end of the court that we have to be able to get better at. If we do, I think it will be a surge in the team. When our defense is up, our offense picks up even more." The Pacers took the first two stops on their four-game west coast trip at Utah and Phoenix before dropping a 104-96 decision at the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. "Three and one (on a road trip) is really good, especially on the West Coast," Indiana point guard Darren Collison told reporters. "It would be our fault if we lose our minds and don't get the next game (at Sacramento). Let's focus on the next game. We know we didn't play our best basketball (at Los Angeles). Neither one of us shot the ball well. The NBA is about bouncing back. Let's see what we do next game."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE PACERS (13-9): Indiana power forward Domantas Sabonis is enjoying a solid road trip and collected 20 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes on Thursday to notch his fourth straight double-double and second consecutive game with at least 20 points and 15 boards. "He's playing really good basketball," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters of Sabonis. "(We) tried to play him pretty much that whole second half. He's doing some good things for us, but we need (it to be) collectively. As a unit, (we) need to be collective out there and play good basketball." Sabonis leads the team in shooting percentage (65.2) and is averaging 15 points and 10.2 rebounds in just 24.8 minutes off the bench.
ABOUT THE KINGS (10-11): Sacramento's offense is led by Fox, but a host of young players are getting involved and are enjoying success along with the team. Shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, 26, scored a team-high 26 points in 35 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 133-121 loss to the Clippers for his second straight 20-point outburst and third in 10 games this season. Rookie power forward Marvin Bagley III collected 18 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday for his third double-double in five games before leaving with back tightness.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Kings PF Nemanja Bjelica went 8-of-9 from the floor in the last two games and is shooting 54.3 percent on the season.
2. Pacers All-Star SG Victor Oladipo (knee) sat out the last six games and is questionable for Saturday.
3. Indiana took the last four in the series and scored 106 points in each of its last two trips to Sacramento.
PREDICTION: Pacers 126, Kings 122
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