Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Tuesday 12/11/18
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-11
The first 25 games of the season have been a disaster for the Houston Rockets, who look nothing like the squad that reached the Western Conference finals last campaign. The struggling Rockets aim to halt a three-game slide on Tuesday, when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Houston has lost seven of its last nine games and is just three setbacks shy of matching last season's total, but coach Mike D'Antoni feels the team is close to turning things around. "There is no other alternative," D'Antoni told reporters. "There are a bunch of professional guys in there, and they are trying to figure it out." Portland hopes it is back on the upswing after posting back-to-back wins following a stretch during which it dropped six of seven games. "We've had some bad stretches and we lost some games, trying to fight back and be better," Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic told reporters. "We showed at the start of the season we can be a lot better than that. And when we play defense and play with edge, we're a pretty good team."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV, NBCS Northwest (Portland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (15-11): Nurkic is coming off a strong all-around performance in Saturday's 113-105 win over Minnesota as he matched his season high of 22 points and also recorded 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocked shots and three steals. Star point guard Damian Lillard, who ranks fourth in the NBA with a 27.2-point scoring average, also is on a roll as he is averaging 30.8, eight assists and 5.8 rebounds over his last four games. Lillard has made multiple 3-pointers in eight straight contests, including a franchise-record 10 on Nov. 28 against Orlando.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (11-14): Houston quickly parted ways with forward Carmelo Anthony when it was clear he didn't fit and shooting guard Eric Gordon could be the next player shipped out of town. Gordon, who is averaging 15.7 points and shooting a woeful 36.6 percent, made critical comments about the team and expressed that he isn't enjoying this season at all. "I'm just not having fun, man," Gordon told The Athletic. "I'm just not. This sucks. Even the times where I have good games. We're just not using some guys the right way. Are we gonna make the right sacrifices? Do we have the right attitude? Last year was the best year I've ever had being a part of a team. We just never had a bad moment."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Rockets have won seven of the last nine meetings, but the Trail Blazers never trailed en route to a 104-85 triumph on Oct. 30.
2. Houston G James Harden is averaging a league-best 30 points and has scored 30 or more in seven of his last 11 games.
3. Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu has scored in double figures in four of his last five contests and is averaging 14.8 points during that stretch.
PREDICTION: Rockets 113, Trail Blazers 111
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Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2018-12-11
Gregg Popovich looks to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time coaching victories list when the San Antonio Spurs host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Popovich's 1,210 career wins tie him for fourth with Pat Riley, and he is just 11 triumphs behind Jerry Sloan for third place.
San Antonio has won consecutive games and is aiming to get back to .500 against a lowly Phoenix team that has split this season's two meetings. "We just need to keep building on the last two games no matter who the next opponent is," Spurs guard Patty Mills told reporters. "This time, it just happens to be Phoenix, but our focus has to be on continuing to build on the way that we are playing." The Suns have dropped nine straight games after suffering a 123-119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and are a porous 1-12 on the road. Shooting guard Devin Booker will sit out his fifth consecutive contest due to a hamstring injury.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE SUNS (4-23): Rookie center Deandre Ayton, who has been a bright spot during a miserable start to the campaign, recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to the Clippers. The double-double was the 15th of the season for the No. 1 overall draft pick, who has made 17-of-25 shots over his last two games. Rookie forward Mikal Bridges scored a season-high 19 points on Monday for his second straight double-digit effort since the infamous incident on Thursday, when he tried to avoid Igor Kokoskov as the coach attempted to provide feedback during a loss to Portland.
ABOUT THE SPURS (13-14): San Antonio is playing the third contest of its six-game homestand and was sharp while winning each of the first two contests - against the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah - by 13 points. The strong performances followed a stretch during which the Spurs dropped four of five games, with three of the losses being by more than 30 points. "The last couple of games, we looked better at the defensive end," Popovich told reporters. "More communication, a little more understanding. Guys get used to playing with each other and understanding what the process is for the way we want to play. I think it's sinking in, so we'll see if it continues."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Suns have lost their last nine visits to San Antonio.
2. Spurs backup F Davis Bertans (personal reasons) likely will miss his second straight game.
3. Phoenix SF T.J. Warren (ankle) returned from a five-game absence against the Clippers but played just 12 minutes before being ejected, while backup SG Jamal Crawford (knee) probably will sit out his second consecutive contest.
PREDICTION: Spurs 113, Suns 89
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Toronto Raptors vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-11
The Toronto Raptors own the best record in the NBA, but they are in a bit of a rut as they open a four-game road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto has dropped three of its last four games, and Sunday's 104-99 loss to Milwaukee marked the second time it scored fewer than 100 points this season.
Kawhi Leonard is on a roll with six consecutive 20-point peformances and is averaging 31 points while knocking down 18 3-pointers during that stretch. Leonard's appearance against the Clippers is highly anticipated in Southern California as Los Angeles is expected to make a major run for his services should he become a free agent. The Clippers had to rally for a 123-119 road overtime win over NBA-worst Phoenix on Monday after losing three of their previous four games. Coach Doc Rivers said his team didn't overlook the Suns despite the fact they were down eight points with just over four minutes left in regulation before feeling the urgency.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, Sportsnet One (Toronto), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (21-7): Kyle Lowry is in a major slump and went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in Sunday's game against Milwaukee. The four-time All-Star is averaging just five points on 8-of-42 shooting over his last five games and has attempted just four free throws during the funk. "I feel like he should be a little bit more aggressive," Leonard told reporters of Lowry. "Our offense kind of allows everybody to be themselves and take their shots. It's a lot of freedom. With that said, he's going to have some big games coming up."
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (17-9): Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points against Phoenix for his fifth 20-point effort in nine games as he continues his resurgence from an injury-plagued campaign in 2017-18. "He's been the key for us," Rivers told reporters after the victory over Phoenix. "Gall, just how calm he is and just the way he plays. He's been really important for us." Tobias Harris also is playing well as his 33-point performance against the Suns was his second-highest output of the season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won three of the last four meetings.
2. Los Angeles reserve SG Lou Williams (hamstring) departed the game against Phoenix and is doubtful for Tuesday.
3. Toronto backup PG Fred VanVleet made a season-high five 3-pointers in seven attempts against the Bucks after being 4-for-21 from beyond the arc over his previous five contests.
PREDICTION: Clippers 109, Raptors 107
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NBA
Tuesday, December 11
Trend Report
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
Portland is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Portland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games on the road
Portland is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Portland's last 25 games when playing Houston
Portland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Portland is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Portland's last 19 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
Houston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 11 games
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games at home
Houston is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Houston's last 25 games when playing Portland
Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Portland
Houston is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Houston's last 19 games when playing at home against Portland
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing San Antonio
Phoenix is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing San Antonio
Phoenix is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games
San Antonio is 18-7 ATS in its last 25 games at home
San Antonio is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Phoenix
San Antonio is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
San Antonio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Clippers is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of LA Clippers's last 15 games
LA Clippers is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
LA Clippers is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 6 games at home
LA Clippers is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
LA Clippers is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of LA Clippers's last 15 games when playing at home against Toronto
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NBA
Long Sheet
Tuesday, December 11
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PORTLAND (15 - 11) at HOUSTON (11 - 14) - 12/11/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHOENIX (4 - 23) at SAN ANTONIO (13 - 14) - 12/11/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in the first half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 1060-932 ATS (+34.8 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 840-718 ATS (+50.2 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in home games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 158-114 ATS (+32.6 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 216-165 ATS (+34.5 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 426-349 ATS (+42.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
PHOENIX is 179-140 ATS (+25.0 Units) after allowing 115 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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TORONTO (21 - 7) at LA CLIPPERS (17 - 9) - 12/11/2018, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 2-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 3-1 straight up against TORONTO 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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