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ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 |
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NBA |
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2/22/2019 |
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FOUND
9
GAMES |
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+190
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+5 (-101)
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Over 230.5 (-105)
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-210
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-5 (-109)
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Under 230.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The city of Charlotte hosted All-Star Weekend. The Hornets now will host a bunch of basketball games that actually count in the standings.Charlotte (27-30) begins its post-break stretch in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, in a tight race for one of the eight playoff spots, 3 1/2 games ahead of the 11th-place Washington Wizards (24-34).The Hornets open a four-game homestand against the Wizards on Friday, the first of seven contests in an eight-game stretch at Spectrum Center."We have a lot of games here at home. We've played well against some of the teams we're going to be facing," forward Marvin Williams said. "They're going to be just as hungry as we are. They might have even more of an edge because they do have to come here."The games that we do have to play here at home, we really have to take care of business, and we have to find a way to get a couple out there on the road." The Hornets are 19-9 at home. The Wizards are 7-23 on the road, the third-worst mark in the East.Charlotte is expecting to get back veteran point guard Tony Parker, who missed four games before the break because of back soreness. He was able to practice Wednesday."We've really missed him in a tremendous way," coach James Borrego told reporters after practice. "He looks good. He did every bit of practice. ... I think we're trending the right way with him physically, and we're going to need him." Charlotte is 1-9 this season when Parker doesn't play.All-Star Kemba Walker has led the way, averaging 24.9 points and 5.6 assists this season.Washington is trying to make a playoff push without John Wall (out since late December because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon), with All-Star guard Bradley Beal taking the lead role."I'm locked in. I'm beyond locked in," Beal said on NBA.com after the All-Star Game. "Hopefully my teammates will be the same way, because we got a lot of games that we need."These are games are imperative and important that we get them. I'm going to make sure that everybody's locked in. I feel good. My body feels good. We're going to hit the ground running." Forward Trevor Ariza has averaged 15.4 points per game in 28 games for the Wizards after arriving via a trade with the Phoenix Suns.Washington is hoping to be more cohesive down the stretch after adding Bobby Portis, Jabari Parker and Wesley Johnson before the trade deadline earlier this month. They have each played four games with the Wizards.Washington will get back point guard Tomas Satoransky, who missed the final two games before the break due to the birth of his and his wife's first child."It was great timing," Satoransky told reporters Wednesday. "I could spend all the time with my family. I mean, words can't describe the feeling. ... But I'm looking forward to getting back to work and finishing the season strong." This is the first of three games between Charlotte and Washington in a three-week span. They play again in Charlotte on March 8 and wrap up the four-game season series at Washington on March 15.The Wizards won 130-126 at home on Dec. 29, despite 47 points from Walker, who made 18 of 29 shots from the field.--Field Level Media
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+215
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+6 (-109)
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Over 220.5 (-105)
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-235
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-6 (-101)
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Under 220.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019Two teams that have dealt with adversity centered on their star player begin the NBA's second half seeking to prove they can still be contenders, as the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis on Friday night.Both teams got an additional day off for their All-Star break when the NBA scheduled only six games Thursday on the league's first night of action, after taking six nights off from regular-season play sandwiching the annual showcase game on Sunday.Pelicans star Anthony Davis played only five minutes in that game after having left New Orleans' previous game three days earlier with a bruised left shoulder.He is expected to play against the Pacers, following a proclamation by Pelicans owner Gayle Benson that she expects her team to "compete at a high level for the remainder of the season." That expectation was part of Benson's written statement regarding the firing of general manager Dell Demps on the day after the Pelicans finished the first half with a 131-122 win over Oklahoma City, a victory that nonetheless left New Orleans (26-33) six games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference."As difficult as these decisions are," Benson wrote, "my responsibility is to provide the leadership and resources necessary to deliver a winning team to our fans and community. I take that responsibility seriously and would like to assure our fans that I am prepared to provide any, and all, resources required to compete for championships."My expectations, and the expectations of our fans, are that this team will compete at a high level for the remainder of the season. While we still have many more critical decisions to make when this season comes to an end, I am focused on making sure we are properly positioned to succeed and that we are headed in the right direction." Benson selected Danny Ferry to serve as the interim general manager for what most expect to be the final 23 games of Davis' playing days in New Orleans. He has expressed a desire to be traded, though no such deal materialized before the deadline earlier this month.Davis was out of the lineup, one of his 14 absences in the first 59 games, when the Pelicans were beaten 109-107 at home by the Pacers on Feb. 4.That win was early in a six-game Indiana winning streak that came shortly after the club lost its top player, Victor Oladipo, for the season with a ruptured quad tendon.The winning streak began in the wake of a four-game losing skid that immediately followed the injury.The Pacers' sudden reversal surprised many NBA observers, but not veteran Thaddeus Young."We cover for our brother," Young insisted to reporters during the winning streak. "That's one of the biggest things: The brotherhood in this locker room. None of us wants to let anyone down." The Pacers (38-20) begin the second half with the third-best record in the East, but with the eighth-hardest remaining schedule in the NBA in terms of cumulative winning percentage of opponents (.522).Most of the meat of that schedule comes in March, as Indiana is slated to face only one team currently residing in playoff position (Detroit) among its first seven opponents coming out of the All-Star break.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+295
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+8 (-102)
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Over 217.5 (-103)
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-325
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-8 (-108)
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Under 217.5 (-107)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The Orlando Magic are hoping the All-Star break didn't squash their momentum.Thanks to a five-game winning streak, Orlando is in rare position for this stage of the season -- competing for a playoff berth -- as it resumes play Friday night at home against the Chicago Bulls.At the break, teams six through 10 in the Eastern Conference were separated by just three games. The Magic (27-32) were at the back of the line among that group but charging fast in an effort to grab one of the eight playoff spots."We feel good about ourselves, and we want to do this, and we feel that we have a good chance to do it. But it's on us to do it," All-Star center Nikola Vucevic said on NBA.com. "If we do the right things and play the same way that we did over the last eight games -- obviously we're not going to blow people out by 20 or 30 -- but if we bring that same mindset and attitude, we'll have a chance against these teams."But it's got to start on Friday, and from now on, we can't have any bad nights." In the past six seasons, Orlando has usually been out of contention at the All-Star break, including being 18-39 last season and 21-37 in 2017."It's totally different and a totally different mindset now," said guard Evan Fournier, in his fifth season with the Magic. "For me, personally, it's the first time (being in the playoff race) since being with the Magic. ... I missed it, and it's a fun part of the year, so we should all be excited now." The Bulls have a different mindset. At 14-44, they have the fourth-worst record in the league and are focused on building something for next season while dreaming of perhaps landing the No. 1 pick in the draft.Guard Kris Dunn, who missed the final game before the break because of a back bruise, practiced Wednesday and should play against Orlando. And the Bulls are still working in forward Otto Porter Jr., who is averaging 22.5 points in four games for the Bulls since being acquired in a trade that sent Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis to Washington."My marching orders are to continue to coach and develop and demand good basketball and better play and honor the things we've talked about -- playing for Bulls across their chest, competing at a high level, playing the right way," Bulls coach Jim Boylen said on NBA.com."As far as the other stuff, I'm worried about our guys learning, growing and every day getting better. Continue to build our culture of competitiveness and that the team is first and we care for each other and the franchise." Orlando has won seven of its past eight games, including victories over two of the best teams in the East, Milwaukee and Indiana. The active five-game winning streak is the team's longest since December 2015. Its last six-game streak came early in the 2010 season.The Magic are averaging 118.8 points per game during their streak.Vucevic is having the best season of his eight-year career, averaging 20.5 points and 12.1 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+270
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+7 (-102)
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Over 227 (-108)
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-300
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-7 (-108)
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Under 227 (-102)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019DeMar DeRozan will be going home Friday night when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Toronto Raptors.It will be the second meeting between the teams since the offseason deal that sent DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected first-round pick to the Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.The Spurs won the first meeting Jan. 3 in San Antonio, 125-107, with DeRozan producing his first career triple-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.Leonard scored 21 points as the Spurs thoroughly dominated the game. He was also booed by the home crowd, fallout from his request to be traded following a season in which played only nine games because of a quadriceps injury.It should be a different story for DeRozan, who wanted to be a career-long Raptor and was disappointed by the trade. He had re-signed with the Raptors in July of 2016 when he could have gone elsewhere for more money. "I am Toronto," he had said.Friday's game will also feature a matchup of the Gasol brothers -- Pau, 38, with San Antonio and Marc, 34, with Toronto."The older you get, the more you cherish it," said Marc Gasol, who be playing his fourth game for the Raptors after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies. "To me, you value it more. You understand how hard it is to play against your brother, and do it at this stage and for that long." Despite his great game against the Raptors, DeRozan struggled in January and was not named an All-Star for just the second time in six years.The Spurs hope the rest helped clear up knee and ankle injuries that have hampered him. DeRozan is leading the Spurs with 21.4 points despite averaging 16.3 points and shooting 40.9 percent in January. He improved slightly in February, including a 35-point game on Feb. 7 at Portland.DeRozan is the Raptors' all-time leader in points (13,296), field goals (4,716), free throws (3,539), games (675) and wins (353).All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 23 points against Toronto in San Antonio, has been the key for the Spurs."He's been our rock, a beast," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "With all the turmoil last year (with Leonard's situation) and this year losing Dejounte Murray (to a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason) and then losing Derrick White (for several games to injuries), he's been the one consistent factor. He's played night after night. He's been fantastic." With the arrival of Gasol and guard Jeremy Lin, Raptors coach Nick Nurse feels his team is more versatile."I think we can go a little bigger if we want to," Nurse said. "We can go a lot bigger. We played Serge (Ibaka) and Marc (Gasol) together, and Pascal (Siakam). That gave us a third thing to do. We may have found something there that is maybe advantageous to our team as a whole."I could see us being able to play really big, and then at times putting all of our little penetrators out there and playing small and fast, which is what I want to do." The Raptors signed shooting guard Jodie Meeks to a 10-day contract on Wednesday. Meeks has not played in the NBA since April when, as a Washington Wizard, he was suspended for violating terms of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program. He is a career 37.2 percent shooter from 3-point range.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-160
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-3.5 (-105)
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Over 222.5 (-105)
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+150
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+3.5 (-105)
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Under 222.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The Detroit Pistons will begin their chase for one of the Eastern Conference playoff spots Friday on the road against a young, rebuilding Atlanta Hawks club that staggered into the All-Star break.The Pistons (26-30) open the second half of the season tied with the Miami Heat for the eighth playoff position in the East. Detroit is only a half-game behind seventh-place Charlotte and only a half-game ahead of 10th place Orlando.The Pistons had their four-game winning streak snapped by Boston just before the break. They now play four of their next five on the road."I think we played really, really good basketball," center Andre Drummond said of the final stretch before the layoff. "We set a goal to go 5-2 and we succeeded with that. Got a week off, take a break, come back and it's off to the races from there." Drummond averages 17.4 points and 15 rebounds per game, the latter figure tops in the NBA by 1.5. He has 45 double-doubles, three off the NBA lead, and has posted more than 15 rebounds in 29 games, six more than anyone else.Blake Griffin, who has 18 double-doubles and surpassed 20 points in 42 games, is averaging 26.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He was named an NBA All-Star for the sixth time in his career and the first time since 2014-15.The Hawks (19-39), who typically start two rookies, are in 12th place in the East and eight games ahead of the last-place New York Knicks. But Atlanta dropped four of five home games before the break, including an embarrassing 106-91 drubbing at home against the Knicks, who had lost 18 straight games.A big question is how the Hawks will fare without veteran backup point guard Jeremy Lin, who was bought out before the break. Lin had been a positive influence on rookie point guard Trae Young and produced in some disquieting circumstances. Atlanta did address the situation by signing Jaylen Adams to a multi-year deal on Wednesday; he had been with the team on a two-way contract.Young, although inconsistent, has played well. He's averaging 16.9 points and 7.6 assists and has already shattered the franchise record for assists by a rookie. Since 1997-98, only Chris Paul (2005-06) and John Wall (2010-11) averaged at least 16 points and seven assists as a rookie.The most consistent Hawk has been second-year forward John Collins, who is averaging 19.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in his second season.The hottest player has been forward Taurean Prince, who was shooting .547 percent from the field over an eight-game span before the loss to the Knicks. Prince, who missed 15 games from December to January with an ankle injury, is averaging 13.4 points and shooting 38.1 percent on 3 pointers this season."I like where we're headed," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce said. "As a first-time coach, I didn't know if I'd be fighting players every day or disgruntled guys or guys not buying into it, but I think the guys buy into it and they enjoy each other. They enjoy my staff, which is very important." This will be the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Pistons won the first game 124-109 on Nov. 9 in Atlanta, but the Hawks won 98-95 in Detroit on Dec. 23. The Pistons are 6-3 against the Hawks since the 2016-17 season.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-225
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-6 (-101)
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Over 220.5 (-102)
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+205
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+6 (-109)
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Under 220.5 (-108)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the outside looking in amid a crowded Western Conference playoff race, and their performances in road games can be viewed as a reason.The next few weeks could be the determining factor if the Timberwolves (27-30) remain in the race.The Timberwolves are 8-20 on the road, and starting with Friday's visit to the New York Knicks, they will play 11 of their next 16 games on the road.Minnesota's eight road wins are the third-fewest in the West, behind only Dallas and Phoenix. Friday's visit to the league's worst home team is the front end of a back-to-back that concludes Saturday in Milwaukee.The Wolves enter Friday coming off two straight home wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. They are attempting to win three straight for the fifth time this season.Minnesota's last three-game winning streak was Jan. 20-24, but the Timberwolves are 3-6 since. Before the break, they overcame 42 points by James Harden and recorded a 121-111 win over Houston on Feb. 13."One of the things over the last month we've talked about as a group is that when we hit some adversity or you lose a tough game, something like that, it's only a lesson if you learn from it," Minnesota interim coach Ryan Saunders said. "The same thing goes for a win. It's only something you can build on if you continue to build. We need to use this to propel ourselves and we feel good." Jeff Teague scored 27 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 and nine rebounds before heading to the All-Star game.Teague is averaging 19.3 points in his last three games on 60.5 percent shooting since returning from a sore left foot, while Towns is averaging 27.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and shooting 63.3 percent in his last six games.Minnesota could be getting healthier when it returns from the break. Tyus Jones may return from missing 13 games with a sprained left ankle, and Andrew Wiggins could return from missing the last two games with an illness."I think we want to come out of the break and go on a run," Jones told reporters. "I think the team is at a good place mentally. We're together, and that's what you need." New York enters with 17 straight home losses since an overtime win against Milwaukee on Dec. 1. It is the third-longest home losing streak in NBA history behind only Philadelphia's 18-game skid from Jan. 17-March 21, 2014 and Dallas' 19-game skid from Nov. 6, 1993-Jan. 21, 1994.The Knicks will be attempting to win consecutive games for just the second time this season. New York headed into the break by halting its team-record 18-game losing streak with a 106-91 win at Atlanta on Feb. 14."I keep talking about this team's character," New York coach David Fizdale said. "It would've been very easy for us to check out and get on to wherever we're going to go, but we were desperate men. Those guys wanted this game really badly, and they came out and showed it." Dennis Smith Jr. scored 18 points, while Kadeem Allen and John Jenkins added 14 points apiece. Smith and Allen weren't on the Knicks when they last won a home game, and each figures to see significant playing time the rest of the season.Another player the Knicks will be incorporating into their rotation is Emmanuel Mudiay, who is expected to return from missing nearly a month with a left shoulder injury. Mudiay started 32 straight games before getting hurt Jan. 23 against Houston and is averaging a career-high 14.7 points while shooting 45.3 percent."Same way I was doing it with Kadeem and Dennis, mixing and matching different guys, and that's the way I'll probably get to a place with them," Fizdale told reporters Wednesday following the team's first practice out of the All-Star break. "It's been kind of that 1/8way 3/8 all year with different positions and different situations so we'll figure it out." --Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:05 PM EST |
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2/22/2019 8:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-125
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-2 (-102)
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Over 214 (-105)
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+115
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+2 (-108)
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Under 214 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The Los Angeles Clippers' chemistry experiment will continue in earnest Friday when they take the court for the first time after the All-Star break with a road test against the Memphis Grizzlies.While the Grizzlies (23-36) are facing changes of their own, after trading team cornerstone Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors with an eye toward the future, the Clippers (32-27) altered their core, while giving every indication that a playoff push is still attainable.Helping that push for the Clippers will be a pair of Grizzlies. Amid a flurry of trade-deadline deals, Memphis sent JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple to Los Angeles, who sent Avery Bradley in return.While none of those players is expected to remain with his new team next year, in the case of Green and Temple, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers will tap into their abilities to help in order to have his team playing beyond the end of the regular season.The playoffs sound like a tall order for the Clippers after leading scorer Tobias Harris was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles landed with a thud in a 116-92 defeat at Indianapolis after the deal went down.But the Clippers went 2-1 immediately before the break, including a 123-112 victory at Boston on Feb. 9 that was marked their third victory when rallying from at least a 20-point deficit on a six-game road trip. The 28-point rally against the Celtics was the largest in Clippers franchise history.Other new additions like Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet are being added to the mix. Wilson Chandler (quad) is expected to join them soon, although he is reportedly at least two games away from his Clippers debut.Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams will be leaned on for scoring punch, while emerging rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been running the show effectively from the point-guard spot, seemingly showing growth every game.Entering the break, the Clippers were in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and they intend to move even higher. They were just three games out of the fourth spot in the conference."Our mindset doesn't change," Clippers guard Patrick Beverley said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Still trying to be a higher seed in the playoffs than we're in right now." The Grizzlies are nine games out of the last playoff spot in the conference and would have to leapfrog five teams to get into the playoffs. They lead only the Phoenix Suns in the West.The Grizzlies' dramatic fall from Western Conference leaders early in the season to sellers at the trade deadline leaves them to pick up the pieces now that Gasol is gone. Guard Mike Conley remained, so it was not a complete roster teardown.Conley is averaging 19.9 points per game, just off his career best set in 2016-17, with 6.4 assists, more than a half an assist above his career average.Conley has not scored more than 15 points in the three games since the deadline passed, but he figures to be properly motivated, after yet another All-Star Game snub. He is playing some of his best basketball after Achilles surgery and continues to be inspired to prove himself."I think people have no idea what I went through and am still kind of going through," Conley said, according to The Commercial Appeal. "Just the challenges of getting back into game shape, defeating the odds of an Achilles surgery, being as healthy as I feel and being able to perform."Not even just performing but being able to exert as much energy and play as many minutes and do it back-to-back-to-back nights and not miss a beat. People overlook that a lot." While Conley's health is fine, forward Kyle Anderson (shoulder) is day-to-day and will not play. Forward Dillon Brooks (toe) was already lost for the season, but Chandler Parsons (knee) is expected to play for the first time since Oct. 22.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:35 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 8:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-160
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-3.5 (-108)
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Over 219.5 (-105)
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+150
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+3.5 (-102)
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Under 219.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019The Denver Nuggets begin the season's post-All-Star stretch run with momentum at their backs and with visions of challenging the defending champion Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference.It starts Friday night in Dallas against the retooling Dallas Mavericks, an important matchup for the surprisingly steady Nuggets (39-18) -- who went into the break winners of two straight and 10 of 14 -- because the schedule's degree of difficulty quickly ramps up.After Friday's game, the Nuggets return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans. Then come three road tests at the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and the Warriors.At least Denver, dogged relentlessly by injuries this season, heads into the teeth of its schedule with the rarity of a roster close to full strength. Forward Paul Millsap and off-guard Gary Harris, who missed the last seven games before the break and was even thought to be possibly shut down for the remainder of the season, will be in the lineup Friday, coach Michael Malone told reporters following the team's first practice back from the All-Star break Wednesday.However, forward Trey Lyles injured his hamstring in practice, and the team ruled him out Thursday to face the Mavericks. He could reportedly miss two weeks."We were healthy for 50 minutes coming out of the break," Malone said Wednesday. "Which was great while it lasted." Rookie first-round pick Michael Porter Jr. also continues to progress, participating some on Thursday, though he isn't yet in full-contact drills and still remains without a timeline to debut.The Mavs will provide a solid road test for Denver in their first game in more than a week. Dallas has put the season in the hands of Rookie of the Year frontrunner Luka Doncic after trading away its other four starters to obtain Kristaps Porzingis -- who continues to recover from knee surgery -- and to acquire salary cap space to build around Doncic and Porzingis for next season.Doncic, the youngest player in NBA history to record three triple-doubles, is playing with a team full of elevated reserves. Still, the Mavericks have been competitive, especially at home, where they're 20-9 and knocked off the Trail Blazers prior to the break.The rookie sensation, closing in on his 20th birthday on Feb. 28, is averaging team highs in points per game (20.7), assists (5.6) and rebounds (7.2), now that center DeAndre Jordan is suiting up for the Knicks as part of the trade for Porzingis.Tim Hardaway Jr., who also came over from New York in the trade, has provided consistent firepower for a team that has averaged just 102.6 points per game in five contests since since shaking up the roster.That extra burden and increased defensive attention on Doncic, plus the toll of his first NBA season, might be having an effect on his play of late. In the last three games, the Mavs have been outscored by 50 points with Doncic on the floor. They went 1-3 in those games."I have the trust of my teammates,'' Doncic said at the All-Star Game. "So, it's going great, but always it can be better.'' --Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
9:35 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 9:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+165
|
+4.5 (-107)
|
Over 226 (-105)
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|
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-175
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-4.5 (-103)
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Under 226 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019Rudy Gobert didn't hide his disappointment at not making the NBA All-Star Game for the first time despite averaging 15.2 points and 12.9 rebounds while leading the league in field-goal percentage.But coming off the 10-day break, the Utah Jazz center says he's re-energized heading into Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder."Just recharge, completely -- mentally, physically," Gobert said. "For me, I was able to get a little bit of sun and feel a lot better when I get back."The next two months, I feel like, will be a lot better." The Jazz, who have won 13 of their last 16 games, come out of the break sixth in the Western Conference but with one of the NBA's easiest schedules down the stretch.Utah plays just eight of its final 25 games against teams that are above .500.One of those, though, is Friday night's game in Oklahoma City, which sits third in the West after winning 11 of 13 before the break.The Thunder, on the other hand, have one of the league's most challenging schedules moving forward. Oklahoma City plays 17 of its remaining 25 games against teams above .500 including each of the first five out of the break.The Thunder have won the first two meetings between the teams, including a 122-113 win on Dec. 10 in Oklahoma City.An Oklahoma City win would clinch the season series for the Thunder after Utah eliminated Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs last season.The Thunder's Russell Westbrook has a streak of 10 consecutive triple-doubles. During that stretch, he's averaged 21.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 13.5 assists.Utah is hopeful backup point guard Dante Exum, who has missed the last 17 games with a left ankle sprain, will be able to return against the Thunder."I think when he's playing well, he can have a big impact for us and having him back soon is going to help us a lot," Gobert said.The Thunder could have forward Markieff Morris available for the first time. Morris signed with Oklahoma City over the All-Star break after being waived by New Orleans following his trade from Washington on Feb. 7.Morris was averaging 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Wizards this season before suffering a neck injury in late December that has kept him out since. Morris was cleared to play two weeks ago."We got a big piece in Markieff that we're excited for, and we're going to be ready for the second half after this break," Oklahoma City's Paul George said.Thunder coach Billy Donovan said, "We'll see," when asked Thursday if Morris would play against the Jazz.The Thunder also figure to have both starting forward Jerami Grant and backup point guard Dennis Schroder back after each missed the last two games before the break, Grant with an ankle injury and Schroder after the birth of his child.Friday's game is the start of a back-to-back for both teams, with the Jazz hosting Dallas on Saturday and Oklahoma City hosting Sacramento.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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NCAAB |
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2/22/2019 |
|
FOUND
14
GAMES |
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
6:30 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 6:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-190
|
-4.5 (-103)
|
Over 143.5 (-105)
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|
|
+165
|
+4.5 (-107)
|
Under 143.5 (-105)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-135
|
-2 (-107)
|
Over 136.5 (-105)
|
|
|
+115
|
+2 (-103)
|
Under 136.5 (-105)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+400
|
+9.5 (-105)
|
Over 146.5 (-105)
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|
|
-500
|
-9.5 (-105)
|
Under 146.5 (-105)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+1150
|
+15.5 (-105)
|
Over 159.5 (-103)
|
|
|
-1450
|
-15.5 (-105)
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Under 159.5 (-107)
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GAME PREVIEW
Feb 21, 2019Buffalo broke some scoring records in its last game. What it hasn't been able to do is break away from Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference East Division.The 25th-ranked Bulls (23-3 overall, 11-2 MAC) are tied with the Falcons in the conference standings. Buffalo will try to at least keep pace with Bowling Green when it hosts Kent State on Friday. The Falcons will play at Ohio.Buffalo set a program record for points against a Division I opponent by thumping Ohio 114-67 on at home Tuesday. It set another program record by making 19 3-pointers.Barring a late collapse, the Bulls will make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team even if they don't win the MAC tournament. Their game against the Golden Flashes is one of five remaining regular-season contests."Our next 2 1/2 weeks is a huge stretch for us," coach Nate Oats told the Buffalo News after beating the Bobcats. "We're going to show people we're worthy of maybe a 6 or a 5 (seed). At one point, people had us as a 5 seed or a 6 seed. At one point we were 14th in the polls as a 4 seed. If we're going to get back into those conversations, we're going to have to have multiple wins like this. Not just one." The Bulls have won four straight, but their previous two victories were by six points apiece, at Akron and Toledo."People are noticing our wins and what's supposed to be a dominating win, and we're escaping by six or four points," senior guard CJ Massinburg told the News. "The committee is looking at that type of stuff. So we're trying to take it possession by possession, and give a max effort. We can show the world we can get a very convincing win. What we've been doing hasn't been working. We didn't move at all in the AP rankings." Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves erupted for a career-high 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, against Ohio after scoring a combined 25 points in the Bulls' previous four outings."I was struggling the last few games," Graves said. "I had to get comfortable playing the game." Kent State gave Buffalo a tough battle in the teams' first meeting on Jan. 25 in Kent, Ohio. The Golden Flashes trailed by just three points with under three minutes to play before the Bulls finished the game with a 10-4 spurt to capture an 88-79 win.Kent State (19-7, 8-5) holds the third spot in the MAC East. It lost at Central Michigan 84-74 on Tuesday, getting outscored by 15 points in the last 8:33."Obviously a disappointing loss," coach Rob Senderoff told the Kent Record-Courier. "Give Central Michigan credit, they made plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor. We've got to bounce back from this quickly." Senior point guard Jalen Avery has missed the last three games with an ankle sprain, and his absence has disrupted the offense. Kent State is hopeful he can return for Friday's game.Avery is the team's second-leading scorer (11.9) behind another senior guard, Jaylin Walker, who averages 21.8 points per game. Walker scored 21 against the Bulls in the first meeting but has been held below the 20-point mark in four of the six games since.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-173
|
-4 (-105)
|
Over 134 (-105)
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|
|
+163
|
+4 (-105)
|
Under 134 (-105)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+240
|
+6 (-105)
|
Over 125 (-105)
|
|
|
-260
|
-6 (-105)
|
Under 125 (-105)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+140
|
+3 (-101)
|
Over 136.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-160
|
-3 (-109)
|
Under 136.5 (-105)
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+380
|
+9 (-101)
|
Over 156 (-105)
|
|
|
-475
|
-9 (-109)
|
Under 156 (-105)
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|
|
|
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|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+400
|
+9.5 (-105)
|
Over 149 (-105)
|
|
|
-500
|
-9.5 (-105)
|
Under 149 (-105)
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
8:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 8:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+290
|
+7.5 (-103)
|
Over 141 (-105)
|
|
|
-320
|
-7.5 (-107)
|
Under 141 (-105)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
8:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 8:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+248
|
+6.5 (-103)
|
Over 136.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-270
|
-6.5 (-107)
|
Under 136.5 (-105)
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|
COMING
UP
9:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 9:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+175
|
+4.5 (-102)
|
Over 158.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-190
|
-4.5 (-108)
|
Under 158.5 (-105)
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
COMING
UP
9:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 9:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+255
|
+7 (-102)
|
Over 145.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-310
|
-7 (-108)
|
Under 145.5 (-105)
|
|
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|
|
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|
COMING
UP
9:00 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 9:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-113
|
-1 (-105)
|
Over 131.5 (-107)
|
|
|
+103
|
+1 (-105)
|
Under 131.5 (-103)
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|
NHL |
|
|
2/22/2019 |
|
FOUND
5
GAMES |
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-185
|
-1.5 (+155)
|
Over 6.5 (-110)
|
|
|
+160
|
+1.5 (-175)
|
Under 6.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Time: 7:00 PM EST Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata, ON, Canada, K2V 1AS / Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella painted a graphic picture in detailing why star forward Artemi Panarin was unable to play in the team's last game. Presumably over his illness, Panarin was spotted at Thursday's practice and is expected to play in his 300th NHL contest the following night as the Blue Jackets bid to end a two-game skid against the host Ottawa Senators. Panarin, whose name is a popular one as the NHL trade deadline draws near, leads the team in assists (43) and points (67). The 27-year-old Russian has scored four goals and set up three others in a four-game stretch before being held off the scoresheet in Monday's 5-1 setback versus Tampa Bay. Tortorella ventured into "TMI" territory in describing the ins and outs of Panarin's illness the following day, and Columbus was left feeling ill after a 3-2 loss in Montreal." It's two games now where I felt like we played well and got nothing to show for it," captain Nick Foligno said. "We have to find a way to play the full game. These little blips in the game are what's costing us." Josh Anderson recorded his fifth multi-point performance of the season and second in the last seven games with a goal and an assist against the Canadiens. Anderson's career-high 21st goal in the second period accounted for his sixth in the last 10 contests and his 22:27 of ice time was the most among forwards." I feel pretty good," the 24-year-old Ontario native said. "I think I'm getting scoring chances and playing the game I need to play to be successful. I'm pretty confident right now." Two-time Vezina Trophy recipient Sergei Bobrovsky appears to have regained his confidence, answering his 2-5-0 mark with a bloated 4.18 goals-against average and pedestrian .858 save percentage in January with a 5-2-0 record to go along with a 2.30 GAA and .922 save percentage this month. Bobrovsky, who is also rumored to be swapped prior to the trade deadline, improved to 7-5-1 in 13 encounters with the Senators after turning aside 22 shots in a 6-3 win on New Year's Eve. While Columbus sits one point out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, Ottawa resides significantly lower in the standings. The Senators fell for the ninth time in 12 contests after concluding their four-game road trip with Thursday's 4-0 setback against New Jersey. Ottawa reportedly is entertaining trade talks with unrestricted free-agent forwards Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and former Ohio State star Ryan Dzingel ahead of the deadline. All three players were scratched prior to Thursday's contest for precautionary reasons, according to the team." You don't really have a choice, so it doesn't really matter to me," Dzingel said of the constant trade talk. "If it happens, you pack your stuff up and move on. It's a business and my fiancee and family know that, so it's pretty much that simple." Craig Anderson will look to pick up his first win since Dec. 17 when he mans the crease on Friday. The 37-year-old Anderson, who has allowed nine goals in his last two outings, boasts a 12-6-0 record with two shutouts, a 2.47 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 18 career encounters with Columbus.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-110
|
-1.5 (+225)
|
Over 7 (+115)
|
|
|
+100
|
+1.5 (-245)
|
Under 7 (-125)
|
|
|
|
|
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|
GAME PREVIEW
Time: 7:30 PM EST Venue: United Center, Chicago, Ill., 60612 / The Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks each will go for their third consecutive victory when they face off Friday night on the Blackhawks' home ice. Both teams are tied with 61 points in the Western Conference standings, although Colorado has a game in hand. Players from both sides know the matchup can affect the playoff picture with one-quarter of the regular season to go. Colorado (25-24-11) is coming off back-to-back wins over the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche have bounced back from an eight-game winless streak to collect six of eight possible points since Feb. 14. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov has been instrumental to the turnaround. The 30-year-old Russian has allowed only four goals in his past four starts, stopping 120 of 124 shots (.968 save percentage) in the process. For the season, Varlamov is 16-15-8 with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage." When you know you're getting that type of goaltending, it just allows your team to play and play confident and aggressive," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said to the Denver Post. "It's a huge difference in our hockey team over the last couple weeks, knowing we're getting that goaltending." Chicago (26-26-9) also believes it has a realistic shot at the postseason thanks to a remarkable second-half surge. The Blackhawks are coming off back-to-back wins against the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings, giving them 10 wins in 12 games. If anyone can challenge Varlamov's recent hot streak, it is Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. The 12th-year veteran has a 19-game point streak, which is the longest in the NHL this season. He now has the two longest point streaks ever by a U. S.-born player, including his career-high, 26-game point streak during the 2015-16 campaign. Kane did not record an assist, ending his 17-game assist streak, which is tied for the third-longest in NHL history. But he did score twice, including the game-winner in overtime. The Avalanche counter with a couple of top scorers in Gabriel Landeskog (31 goals) and Nathan MacKinnon (30). MacKinnon reached the 30-goal milestone for the second straight season Wednesday against Winnipeg. That made him only the third Avalanche player to post back-to-back, 30-goal campaigns since the franchise moved to Colorado for the 1995-96 season, joining Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk. The Blackhawks have two options in net: Cam Ward (14-9-4, 3.69 GAA, .894 save percentage) and Collin Delia (6-3-3, 3.43 GAA, .912 save percentage). Both netminders have split time with Corey Crawford sidelined by a concussion. First-year coach Jeremy Colliton said his players could not afford to relax because of their recent success." Still need to work on our game," Colliton said to the Chicago Tribune. "(Our) game isn't where it needs to be for us to compete in the playoffs, and we're going to have to play better to get the points we need coming down the stretch. We keep finding a way to do it, and that's a credit to the character we have in our group that they find ways to do it no matter what." This is the third of five regular-season meetings between the Blackhawks and Avalanche this year. Chicago has won each of the first two contests, a 2-1 victory Dec. 21 and a 3-2 victory in overtime Dec. 29. Both of those games took place in Denver.--Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-110
|
+1.5 (-300)
|
Over 5.5 (-120)
|
|
|
-110
|
-1.5 (+250)
|
Under 5.5 (+100)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Time: 7:30 PM EST Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI, 48201 / The Detroit Red Wings have made some impressive third-period comebacks in the past week. Wins remain hard to come by. Detroit rallied from four goals down in the third period at Philadelphia on Saturday. The Wings also erased a three-goal deficit against Chicago on Wednesday. In both instances, they lost in overtime. They'll try to snap their three-game skid when they host the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha were the catalysts in the latest comeback. Larkin and Athanasiou scored two goals apiece and Mantha assisted on all of them, but Detroit lost 5-4 to the Blackhawks. Larkin, 22, has scored eight goals in his last 12 games. He leads the team in goals (26) and points (58)." I felt like I had the puck in good spots and moving my feet up ice. I think anyone who's skating fast with the puck and looking to make plays can change the game," Larkin told the team's website. "I guess that's what I try to do every night. Sometimes it doesn't happen, but I thought (Wednesday) I was getting pucks in good spots." Athanasiou has five goals in his last five games following an 11-game scoreless drought. He's scored 22 for the season." I always do a pretty good job of producing opportunities," Athanasiou said. "I think every time you play a game in this league you get better as a player and mature as a player. I'm just always trying to take steps forward and learn from different situations that I get put in." Mantha has eight points in the last five games." I thought he was the second-best player on the ice (behind Larkin)," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "So, when he moves his feet, he's 6-foot-5, he's got great hands, got great release, can make plays and he's a horse. It's just a continued process. I think some of that's confidence." Jimmy Howard's confidence might be shaken a little bit. The All-Star goaltender was pulled early in both of the overtime losses after giving up a combined nine goals. Detroit, which has also lost six of its last eight, will be playing the third of five consecutive home games. Minnesota has also struggled this month and on Wednesday dealt forward Charlie Coyle to the Boston Bruins for 22-year-old forward Ryan Donato and a conditional 2019 fifth-round draft pick. That could be part of a selloff for the Wild, who snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 on Thursday. Donato made his Minnesota debut and contributed two assists." He'll bring a different dynamic for us and a lot of energy," Wild forward Jordan Greenway told the team's website. "On the ice, he's a big threat. He's just kind of starting his career, but he can score goals and he's very skilled. There's a lot of good attributes he's going to bring for us." Donato had nine points in 34 games with the Bruins." He can score goals really well," Greenway said. "He brings a lot offensively and I think him being a younger guy, it'll be good for our team. It'll be great getting another young guy and bringing that aspect to the team for us." --Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
9:05 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 9:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+220
|
+1.5 (-125)
|
Over 6 (+101)
|
|
|
-240
|
-1.5 (+115)
|
Under 6 (-111)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Time: 9:00 PM EST Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Canada, T2G 2W1 / If any team can sum up the absurdity of the turtle derby that is the Western Conference wild-card playoff race, it's the Anaheim Ducks. Somehow, the Ducks are still in the chase, despite losing seven straight games in regulation from Jan. 20 to Feb. 9, capping a horrific 2-15-4 run, after which head coach Randy Carlyle was fired on Feb. 10. Thanks to a two-game winning streak and victories in three of four outings since general manager Bob Murray added interim head coach to his title, the Ducks are within striking distance of a postseason spot with one-quarter of the season remaining." I'm just happy the guys are competing and working again and having some fun," Murray told the Orange County Register. "I'm glad we're having some success. We're competing for pucks. It's not one-and-done anymore. We're competing, and we're keeping pucks alive." The Ducks (24-27-9, 57 points) will look to pull a little closer on Friday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Anaheim is coming off a workmanlike 4-0 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday to kick off a four-game road swing." This is kind of a year when teams are clumped together and not reaching out and taking hold of a position," goalie Ryan Miller said. "We didn't do a very good job in the last month and a half, two months. Luckily, there's a lot of hockey to be played... and we have to keep building when we can." The Ducks certainly have veteran savvy to help amid the slow-speed playoff chase. Their core has been part of plenty of success over the years, including five consecutive Pacific Division titles through to 2016-17 and a second-place finish last season. They also have a solid sense of confidence now that leading goal scorer Jakob Silfverberg has reportedly inked a five-year contract extension worth $5.25 million annually that will kick in next season -- a deal which can't be officially signed until after Monday's NHL trade deadline. Silfverberg has elevated his game of late, scoring four times in as many games." I don't think it's just me, but it's the whole team," Silfverberg said. "I think we're all playing with a lot more energy. We've got some extra jump in our legs. I think we're playing with more confidence. I don't think it's just me who feels that, but I think it's the whole team." The Ducks will face a Flames squad that appears to have regained its mojo. Calgary has won three straight, the latest a 4-2 victory over the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Islanders -- a score that flattered the Islanders, who were outshot 32-19. More importantly, the Flames (37-16-7, 81 points) are showing more of the form they had in December and January, as they rocketed to the top of the Western Conference." Even in that span where we weren't playing our best -- and I'm always one to look on the bright side of things -- we were still collecting points," defenseman Travis Hamonic said after beating the Islanders. "We felt like we were doing some good things, but some of the results weren't there. I think we've done well all season with that. Win, loss, we reset and reboot." Still, as the Flames ready to punch their playoff ticket, the message will be to firm up their defensive play." We're going to have to be that airtight going forward," coach Bill Peters said. "We're capable of it and we're capable of still being dangerous offensively at the same time as being sound defensively." --Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:05 PM EST |
|
2/22/2019 10:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+140
|
+1.5 (-180)
|
Over 6 (-115)
|
|
|
-150
|
-1.5 (+168)
|
Under 6 (+105)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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GAME PREVIEW
Time: 10:00 PM EST Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV, 89119 / As NHL teams approach the three-quarter pole of their seasons, they're looking hit their stride for the homestretch. It appears the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights might need to take to the whip. The teams, who will meet Friday night in Las Vegas, are both solidly in the playoff race, but haven't been playing their best recently. The Central Division-leading Jets (36-20-4, 76 points) are 2-4-2 in their past eight games, including an embarrassing 7-1 defeat Wednesday night at Colorado in the opener of a three-game trip." You know what, fellas, you're not getting much from me tonight," Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters after the game. "We weren't very good. We weren't very good. I'll fix it tomorrow. You guys have a wonderful day." Jets forward Adam Lowry called the effort "unacceptable." "We were terrible," Lowry told NHL.com. "I'm surprised. We knew they'd be hungry. They're fighting for a playoff spot. I guess we're fat and comfortable where we're at, because the effort wasn't there." Forward Blake Wheeler, the Jets' captain, also questioned the team's effort." It looked like we kind of gave up, so that's disappointing," Wheeler told NHL.com. "Even when we were out of the playoffs (in previous seasons) and there was nothing to play for, we had a group that played hard. We didn't do that tonight." It's a good time for an awakening. If we have a bunch of guys that want to look in the mirror instead of point fingers, we'll be alright." The Jets played without standout defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for the second consecutive game because of a lower-body injury, and he'll miss at least the rest of the road trip. The Golden Knights (32-25-5, 69 points) are 3-8-1 over the past month, during which they've been outscored 40-27. They have won just one of their past seven home games (1-5-1) after dropping a 3-2 decision to Boston in a shootout Wednesday night. Vegas coach Gerard Gallant did see plenty of positives against Boston, as the Golden Knights twice rallied from a one-goal deficit. But they were unable to score on a power play in overtime after the Bruins were whistled for too many men on the ice." We got one point and played a great game," Gallant said. "I'm tired of saying the (other team's) goalie was the first star, but (Boston's Jaroslav Halak) played great, and we hit a couple posts. I think if we played the game over, we'd probably win it." But it was a great hockey game. I thought it was a playoff atmosphere against a great team. Were we disappointed we didn't get two points? Definitely. But I'm not going to fault our group for that effort. They played real well and worked hard. They did exactly what I wanted." Reilly Smith and Nate Schmidt scored for Vegas, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves. Fleury has lost four in a row and seven of his past nine starts, allowing 19 goals over his past five." There's no such thing as a good loss, right? But at the same time, I thought our guys played hard tonight," Schmidt told NHL.com. "I wish the game would have kept going. It was one of those nights." --Field Level Media
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2019 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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SOCCER |
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2/22/2019 |
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FOUND
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TENNIS |
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| 2/22/2019 |
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FOUND 4 PICKS |
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