NBA Betting News and Trends For Monday, April 9, 2018

Monday’s NBA games

Toronto won its last five games with Detroit; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Over is 3-1 in last four series games played here. Raptors won their last three games; they are 3-4 vs spread in last seven games as road favorites. Three of their last four games stayed under. Pistons won eight of their last 11 games; they’re 6-6 as home underdogs. Over is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Cavaliers won nine of last ten games with New York, are 5-2 vs spread in last seven; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Manhattan. Under is 7-2-1 in last ten series games. Cleveland won eight of its last ten games; they’re 2-4 in last six games as road favorites. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Knicks lost five of their last six games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as home underdogs. Three of their last four games went over.

Nets won three of last four games with the Bulls; they just beat ‘em by 28 in Chicago Saturday. Bulls are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Brooklyn. Last six series games stayed under total. Chicago lost seven of its last ten games; they’re 4-12 in last 16 games as road underdogs. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Brooklyn won of its last six games; they’re 5-7 as home favorites this year. Three of their last four games stayed under.

Thunder won their last four games with Miami; they covered three of last four visits to South Beach. Last eight series games stayed under the total. Oklahoma City lost four of its last six games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as road favorites. Seven of their last eight games stayed under total. Heat won four of their last six games; they covered last three games as a home underdog. Four of their last six games stayed under.

Grizzlies won their last four games with Minnesota; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Twin Cities. Four of last five series games stayed under the total. Memphis lost four of its last five games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as road underdogs. Four of their last five games went over total. Timberwolves are 3-4 in their last seven games; they’re 6-3-1 in last 10 games as a home favorite. Three of their last four games stayed under.

Bucks won six of last nine games with Orlando; over is 6-4 in last ten series games. Magic is 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Wisconsin. Orlando lost five of its last seven games; they’re 3-5-1 in last nine games as road underdogs. Last three Magic games went over total. Milwaukee won six of its last nine games; they’re 1-10 vs spread in last 11 games as home favorites. Over is 9-1 in their last ten games.

Spurs won their last 10 games with Sacramento, covered last four; Kings are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to the Alamo. Last six series games went over the total. Sacramento lost five of its last seven games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as road underdogs. Eight of their last nine games stayed under. San Antonio won/covered its last six home games. Six of their last eight games went over the total.

Trailblazers won seven of last ten games with the Nuggets; they’re 2-1-1 vs spread in last four visits to Denver. Last three series games stayed under. Portland lost its last three games; they covered their last six tries as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went over. Denver won its last five games; they’re 2-7 in last nine games as home favorites. Four of their last six games went over.

New Orleans won three of last four games with the Clippers; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four series games played here. Three of last four series games stayed under. Pelicans won their last three games; they covered their last five games as road favorites. Last three New Orleans games went over total. Clippers lost four of their last five games; they’re 4-5 as home underdogs this season. LA’s last four games all went over.

Game of the Night - Portland at Denver (-4, 218), Altitude, 9:05 ET

Games like these are what make the 82-game marathon worth it. It checks all boxes, featuring division rivals with plenty of history while carrying stakes that are through the roof. The course of the season for both teams is on the line.

The Nuggets just want to be playing when the playoffs begin this weekend. For the visitors, it's a bit more complicated.

After being soundly outplayed in the second half of a Saturday night loss in San Antonio, the Trail Blazers are suddenly in danger of losing a Northwest Division that they’ve been in control of since firing off 13 straight wins from Feb. 14-March 18. They’re in danger of losing four straight if they fail to win on the road in Denver, which would put them in jeopardy of collapsing down the stretch since the Jazz are scheduled to come into town on Wednesday to close out the regular season.

Portland would love nothing more than to treat its fans to a boring regular-season finale that night, complete with Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic suiting up for abbreviated stints if they’re in the mix at all. To get that accomplished, it will have to deal the Nuggets a serious blow to their postseason chances, which have improved thanks to a well-timed five-game winning streak.

If the Trail Blazers fail to end that tonight and Utah extends its own prosperous run to six games by defeating Golden State on Tuesday, the No. 3 seed could switch hands with a loss in Game No. 82, potentially resulting in the Blazers winding up on the road to open the playoffs. Given the strides they’ve made over the next two months, that would be a disaster.

The Nuggets eliminated the Clippers from playoff contention on Saturday afternoon with an impressive 134-115 win and hope to reach the final night of the regular-season with a chance at finishing top-eight by winning at Minnesota. Head coach Michael Malone told reporters his team is playing “get-it-done basketball” at the moment, having raised their level when it has mattered most. Following losses on consecutive nights in Philadelphia and Toronto, Denver closed out a season-long seven-game road trip with a resilient 126-125 victory in Oklahoma City and has yet to lose in April, claiming home wins over the Bucks, Pacers and Timberwolves prior to their rout in L.A.

Portland hasn’t been getting it done, but a part of that has had to do with injury concerns. Not only did they lose starting wing Moe Harkless to a knee surgery that he’s hoping to return from later this month, but Damian Lillard has been playing through significant ankle soreness that the team had hoped rest would alleviate, giving him a night off even after he returned from paternity leave. Now Lillard doesn’t feel he can rest, though it’s likely he’d be absent on Wednesday if his team leaves Pepsi Center victorious.

The Nuggets have been without one of their top two-way players, Gary Harris, for the last 11 games and have upgraded him to “doubtful” for this one. Jamal Murray has emerged in his absence and has scored in double-figures in 16 straight, averaging 18.9 points in that span. He’s at a 20-points-per-game clip in April and has become Denver’s most reliable shooter, regularly playing 35-plus minutes.

Guard Will Barton has also continued to thrive, excelling in his playmaker role on the wing and keying the Clippers blowout with a season-high 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting. He’s connected on five 3-pointers in three of his last eight games and opened the month with his first two 10-rebound nights of the season, so he’s clearly stepped things up. The former Blazers second-round find has really come into his own in his seventh year as a pro and is poised to make a large impact here.

Nurkic, who Denver acquired from the Bulls on a draft night deal back in 2014, is wrapping up his first full season with the Trail Blazers and probably has a little extra invested in this one too. The 7-foot center is also playing his best down the stretch and is poised to have a big influence on a playoff team for the first time. He was able to play in only one postseason game last year after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his right leg just before April. The 33 points he scored against his former team just days before that bad break remain his career-high, but he’s had success against Jokic, who essentially beat him out in Denver, rendering him a disposable backup ultimately dealt away because Mason Plumlee was deemed to be a better fit.

Nurkic has averaged 15.3 points in the three meetings with his former team this season, but Denver has emerged with victories twice. Since March 5, he’s come up with 11 double-doubles in 17 games, including three straight despite back issues.

Jokic has averaged 26 points, 12.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists over his last six games, shooting 50 percent or better five times. He’s averaged just 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting just 40 percent, all figures below his usual production, in the three games against Portland. Paul Millsap looked like a shell of himself upon returning on Feb. 27, but has worked the rust off, making life easier on Jokic by commanding attention while working at least 30 minutes in each of the last seven games, averaging 19.9 points and 7.3 boards. He’s only faced the Blazers once with his new team, shooting just 6-for-16 in a 99-82 road loss back on Nov. 13.

Another of the x-factors here will be Blazers guard C.J. McCollum snapping out of a slump that has seen him shoot under 40 percent over his last five games, averaging just 16.4 points, including just 5-for-28 from 3-point range. Denver isn’t the ideal team to rebound against given that he’s averaged 14.7 points in three meetings against him, his lowest output against any NBA team this season. He’s shot 39.5 percent from the field. If that doesn’t change, Portland may be facing the daunting prospect of being involved in Wednesday’s most attractive clash as well. You’ll understand the Trail Blazers feeling that it’s a little too early for all that drama.

Portland will look to split its four meetings with Denver this season but are in danger of losing the season series for the first time since 2012-13. The Blazers have won 15 of the last 19 between the division rivals but haven't won in the Mile High City since Oct. 2016. The Nuggets have surrendered 100 or more points in 30 of their last 31 games but have scored at least 103 in 29 of those. The ‘over’ is 22-8-1 in Denver games since Jan. 29.

Game of the Night Too - Oklahoma City (-3, 214) at Miami, Fox Sports OK/FL, 9:05 ET

There’s only one other game on Monday’s schedule where both teams are invested in the result for playoff purposes. That statement wouldn’t be accurate if we were talking tanking, but we’ll keep it simple by telling you that Thunder-Heat is definitely the game most worth keeping an eye on in the early block.

The Heat own the No. 6 seed and would play Philadelphia if the current playoff standings hold. Like everyone else in the East, their preference would be to finish 7th in order to open the playoffs against depleted Boston, but both Washington and Milwaukee are better-positioned to make that happen. A Southeast Division title may wind up being their consolation prize, which can be secured by ruining Oklahoma City’s trip to South Florida.

The Thunder are still in danger of missing the playoffs altogether but would be in position to potentially finish top-four and secure homecourt advantage in the first round since Memphis comes to town on Wednesday. In order to make that happen, they’ll need to follow up an impressive upset of Houston with a big win in Miami.

Oklahoma City won at home 105-99 on March 23 in the only other meeting this season, rallying to win thanks to a 41-point fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook was dominant with 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists while Steven Adams added 24 points and 12 boards. The Thunder won despite Paul George and Carmelo Anthony combining to shoot 5-for-24, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range.

With center Hassan Whiteside back, the Heat should be better able to match up with Adams in the paint and will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak at the hands of OKC. Miami has won its last two games as a home underdog, impressively crushing Cleveland and Philadelphia.

Both teams are healthy enough that only shooting guards, Andre Roberson and Dion Waiters, each out for the season, are on the injury report. The under has prevailed in seven of the last eight Heat games.

By Tony Mejia

Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for what they hope is a long playoff run by giving some of their key players a little rest down the stretch, but the wins keep coming. The Raptors aim for their fourth consecutive win when they open a regular season-ending two-game road trip against the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

With leading scorer DeMar DeRozan and starting center Jonas Valanciunas resting in the first half of a back-to-back, Toronto finished its home slate with a 112-101 win over Orlando on Sunday. "Just execution, attention to detail," coach Dwane Casey told reporters of what he's looking for in the final few games. "You've got examples all around the league where teams underestimate teams around the league that are so-called playing for the lottery, whatever they're playing for, a rebuild, playing young players, giving young players minutes. We want to work on some little things. We'll sprinkle some things that we want to use next week every now and then in." The Pistons had won eight of 10 games and had a chance to finish at .500 before falling 130-117 at Memphis on Sunday. Detroit allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 57.8 percent from the floor while giving up 130 points in a regulation game for the first time since March 12, 2011.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (58-22): Casey indicated he would give another starter the night off in Detroit but seems intent on playing everyone in the finale of the regular season at Miami on Wednesday. He was unable to dodge any bullets in Sunday's affair as three players - center Lucas Nogueira (hamstring), guard Fred VanVleet (back) and forward Norman Powell (ankle) - each suffered injuries, although Powell returned to the court following his. C.J. Miles led the way with 22 points and OG Anunoby added 21 points after posting 21 straight single-digit scoring efforts.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (38-42): Henry Ellenson provided one of the few positives in Sunday's loss with a career-high 17 points while making 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Luke Kennard was 4-for-4 from beyond the arc as Detroit hit a season-high 23 triples in 47 attempts, but it was all for naught in the face of a poor effort on the other end of the floor. "Our defense was horrendous," coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "They're the next to worst offense in the league and they scored at least 30 in each quarter. There's nothing to be happy about there."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons PF Blake Griffin (ankle) missed his sixth straight game Sunday and PG Reggie Jackson (illness) did not play in the fourth quarter.

2. The Raptors finished with a 34-7 home record, tied with Houston for the best mark in the NBA.

3. Toronto took the first three meetings this season and has won five in a row overall against Detroit.

PREDICTION: Raptors 109, Pistons 104

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Oklahoma City Thunder earned a huge win in their bid for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs by knocking off the top-seeded Houston Rockets on Saturday, but there is still work to be done. The Thunder will try to get a step closer to the postseason and post back-to-back wins when they visit the Miami Heat on Monday.

Oklahoma City is in a three-way tie for the No. 5 spot in the West entering play on Sunday but is just one game ahead of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets with two games left in the regular season. "Just better not lose," All-Star forward Paul George told reporters. "That's what it comes down to. We better not lose. We control our destiny at this point, but we've got to have the mindset that we need these wins. We've got to come out and play our game, and that's always been good enough for us." The Thunder get lowly Memphis at home in the season finale on Wednesday but could get a challenge from the Heat, who are among three teams that seem to be fighting over the No. 7 spot in the East and the right to face the injury-depleted Boston Celtics in the first round. "You want to go into the playoffs on a high note, you don't want to be losing three in a row," Miami guard Dwyane Wade told reporters after a 122-98 loss to the lowly New York Knicks on Friday. "You want to definitely go in winning and feeling good about yourself. The seeds, whatever happens at the end of the day from seeds standpoint, is what it is. We're at the bottom we're going to play a Goliath team anyway. It really doesn't matter. We want to continue to play good basketball."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (46-34): Oklahoma City outscored Houston 28-19 in the fourth quarter on Saturday as Russell Westbrook led a strong defensive effort by locking down MVP candidate James Harden. "Our communication was at an all-time high tonight, throughout the whole game and especially throughout that fourth quarter when it was time to get stops and make plays," forward Carmelo Anthony told reporters. "We competed, we talked it out and we made plays when we had to." Anthony contributed 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the win after going 4-of-16 in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE HEAT (43-37): Miami coach Erik Spoelstra would like to see his team playing well as they head into the playoffs and was not pleased with the effort against the Knicks. "I don't want to take away from what they did. They played a great game," Spoelstra told reporters of New York. "But the best way to say it is all across the board we were a no-show. I hardly recognized our team tonight compared to who we've been and how we've been playing." The Heat, who allowed the Knicks to knock down 18 3-pointers on Friday, finish up the regular season by hosting the East-best Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder PF Jerami Grant is 15-of-21 from the floor over the last four contests.

2. Heat PG Goran Dragic is shooting 53.3 percent from the field over his last five games.

3. Oklahoma City took the last four in the series, including a 105-99 home win on March 23.

PREDICTION: Thunder 120, Heat 109
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Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
When the Brooklyn Nets visited the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, it was clear which of the two teams playing out the string was more interested in performing well. The Nets will try to follow up a record-setting performance in a rout of the Bulls when the teams meet again Monday in Brooklyn in the second-to-last game of the regular season for both squads.

Quincy Acy had six of the Nets' franchise-record 24 made 3-pointers en route to a career-high 21 points in the 124-96 victory in the Windy City, Brooklyn's fourth win in the last six games. "When we're hot, I feel like we can run with anybody in the gym," Acy told reporters. "And tonight, we got hot." Allen Crabbe hit 5-of-13 3s and Joe Harris was 4-of-5 from long range for the Nets, who bring a 14-26 home record into their finale at the Barclays Center. The Bulls had won three straight before their current two-game slide and will be playing their last road game before hosting Detroit on Wednesday to finish the season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE BULLS (27-53): Chicago could use another loss or two in order to improve its draft lottery odds but it was not prepared for the embarrassment of Saturday's result. "Tonight was obviously a debacle," coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "We were stuck in mud from the beginning of that game." Sean Kilpatrick, who was waived by the Nets in December, posted his third straight game of at least 20 points and is averaging 21.7 on 50 percent shooting in that span.

ABOUT THE NETS (27-53): Only Houston attempts more 3-pointers per game than Brooklyn (35.5) and Acy fits well in their long-range attack, having taken 285 of his 355 shots this season from beyond the arc. "He's our bench leader, a great guy," coach Kenny Atkinson told the media of Acy, who had offseason ankle surgery and has played through groin and finger injuries as well. "I think he hasn't been fully healthy and he's played through a lot." The Nets also did some nice things on the defensive end and recorded their first game all season in which they had double digits in both blocks and steals.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PF Bobby Portis averages 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals as a starter.

2. Crabbe needs 12 made 3-pointers in the final two games to become the first Net to hit 200 in a season.

3. Brooklyn's average margin of victory in the first two meetings is 22.5.

PREDICTION: Nets 112, Bulls 102

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Cleveland Cavaliers get to finish out the regular season with a pair of games against the lowly New York Knicks, beginning with a matchup in Madison Square Garden on Monday. The Cavaliers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, a game behind the Philadelphia 76ers, who knocked off Cleveland 132-130 in a dramatic affair Friday night.

Despite the setback, the Cavaliers need just one win to clinch the Central Division, which would give them the edge in a potential tiebreaker with the Sixers, although finishing third or fourth may not matter much to the players. "I want to go into the postseason healthy," LeBron James told reporters after posting a triple-double of 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Philadelphia. "Get our team healthy. That's the only thing that matters to me." The Knicks, who visit Cleveland on Wednesday, have not been healthy much of the season and were without their top three scorers in a 115-102 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday. New York enters its finale at Madison Square Garden with a 19-21 record at home.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Ohio (Cleveland), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (49-31): James certainly seems to be in great health as he continues one of his finest seasons ever, but there are other physical concerns on the team and guard Rodney Hood was added to the list by leaving Friday's loss with a sore Achilles tendon. George Hill (ankle) has missed four straight games and fellow point guard Jose Calderon (hamstring) sat out the last two contests. Jeff Green stepped up with a season-high 33 points in the loss to the Sixers and is averaging 27 points on 18-of-22 shooting over the last two contests.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (28-52): Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle), Enes Kanter (back, wrist) and Emmanuel Mudiay (concussion) missed the loss to Milwaukee, as veteran guard Jarrett Jack got a rare opportunity to carry the load. "The job is 82 games," Jack - who scored 18 points after seeing very limited action since the All-Star break - told the media. "If you're not in, you cheer for everybody else. But if he calls your number, be ready to come in there and contribute as best you can." Kyle O'Quinn collected 15 points and a career high-tying 16 rebounds for his third straight double-double.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Green is 7-of-9 from 3-point range and 11-of-11 from the foul line in his last two games.

2. Cleveland needs one victory to record its fourth straight 50-win season.

3. The road team won the first two matchups.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 110, Knicks 101

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Timberwolves can ill afford a letdown Monday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies as they fight to end a lengthy playoff drought. The Timberwolves pulled into Sunday holding down the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference with two games to play, including a finale at home against the ninth-place Denver Nuggets.

With Jimmy Butler back in the fold following a six-week layoff due to a knee injury, Minnesota snapped a two-game slide with a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. "Probably the biggest thing is the toughness," coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters of Butler's presence. "When you look at plays at the end of games, those are his plays. He's the guy that is coming up with every big rebound, loose ball, whatever the game needs he provides." The Grizzlies ended their home schedule in impressive fashion with a 130-117 win over Detroit on Sunday. MarShon Brooks scored 25 points and has at least 21 in all five of his games since joining Memphis.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS North Plus (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (22-58): Dillon Brooks chipped in 22 points and Memphis shot a season-high 57.8 percent from the floor in the win over Detroit, which came on the heels of a four-game slide in which the Grizzlies scored 98 points or fewer. "It feels good," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "The guys are deserving but our fans are deserving too and I think our guys understood that from the beginning of the game. ... They deserved a performance like the one the guys gave tonight." Memphis plays its final two games on the road, where it is an NBA-worst 6-33.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (45-35): Butler displayed no rust in scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and chipping in four steals in 23 minutes against the Lakers. "We need them all," Butler told reporters. "We need them all. We are not satisfied with just this one. We got a team that we haven't beaten this year on Monday in Memphis. They have been whupping our tail all year long." Butler's return also seemed to spark point guard Jeff Teague, who finished with 25 points and eight assists against the Lakers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies PG Kobi Simmons produced career highs with 20 points and seven assists in Sunday's win.

2. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns averages 22.9 points and 12.7 rebounds at home.

3. Memphis has won the last four meetings, including the first two this season.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 112, Grizzlies 100

Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Milwaukee Bucks continue to prepare themselves for the playoffs mentally and physically when they host the disappointing Orlando Magic on Monday night in their regular-season home finale. The Bucks are tied with Miami for sixth in the Eastern Conference and one ahead of Washington with two games to go after knocking off the New York Knicks 115-102 on Saturday.

Milwaukee's leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.1) sat out Saturday's victory with right ankle soreness and could be rested again, but guard Malcolm Brogdon (quad) may return from a 30-game absence Monday or in Wednesday's contest at Philadelphia. Milwaukee has won six of its last nine contests and boasts 43 victories - its most since 2009-2010 when it won 46 - but coach Joe Prunty is looking for a consistent effort. "We know how good we can be and we've shown it," Prunty told reporters. "We've shown it in games and over stretches of games, but. ... we have lulls or games where we haven't played as well as we'd like to or need to, and that's what we're trying to build on every day." The Magic, who are 8-32 on the road, have been out of the playoff race for quite a while and come in off a 112-101 loss at Eastern Conference-leading Toronto on Sunday night when they allowed 17 makes from 3-point range.

TV: 8 p,m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Wisconsin (MIlwaukee)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (24-56): Leading scorer Aaron Gordon came back after a one-game absence due to a calf injury to score 16 on Sunday while center Nikola Vucevic scored 10 and grabbed nine rebounds after missing two contests with a sore back. Rookies Jamel Artis and Khem Birch have taken advantage of opportunities with playing time down the stretch and are averaging 13.3 and 11.3 points, respectively, the last four games. Swingman Mario Hezonja, a former fifth overall draft pick, is averaging 14 points over the last five contests - more than four above his season mark.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (43-37): Guard Eric Bledsoe registered his second double-double since being acquired by Milwaukee on Saturday as he recorded 22 points along with 10 assists and is scoring 25.6 per game over the last five. "He was huge (Saturday), he controlled the game, especially in that second half," forward Khris Middleton told reporters of Bledsoe. "He found guys, got guys in the right spots and also got himself going, which is what we needed." Middleton has also been more productive of late, averaging 23 points over the last seven contests - 2.6 above his season mark.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando G Terrence Ross (knee, leg) returned to the lineup for the first time since late November and scored three points in 10 minutes against Toronto.

2. Milwaukee SG Shabazz Muhammad and SG Tony Snell are also questionable with ankle injuries.

3. The Bucks lead the season series two games to one, but dropped a 126-117 decision at Orlando on March 14.

PREDICTION: Bucks 112, Magic 100

Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The San Antonio Spurs are heading into the final three days of the regular season without a playoff berth sewn up but found some momentum with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. The Spurs will try not to overlook the visiting Sacramento Kings on Monday with a potentially key trip to New Orleans for the regular season finale looming on Wednesday.

San Antonio dropped back-to-back games in Los Angeles last week to fall back into the mess of six teams fighting for five playoffs spots but stayed a game ahead of ninth-place Denver by riding a throwback performance from Manu Ginobili to a 116-105 win over Portland. "Every win is huge and we have to fight really hard to get them," Ginobili told reporters. "It's fun, too. It's making us better. It's making us grow and stick together." The Spurs can clinch a postseason spot with a win over the Kings, who are giving young players as many minutes as possible while playing out the string. Sacramento has not beaten a team with a winning record since March 16 but is 2-1 on its four-game road trip after edging Memphis 94-93 on Friday.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE KINGS (26-54): Rookie guard Bogdan Bogdanovic hit the go-ahead jumper with 1.1 seconds left and stole the ensuing inbounds pass to seal the win over the Grizzlies. The Serbia native went 0-of-5 from 3-point range in the win and is just trying to stay sharp at the end of a long season. "It's more mental because we're out of the playoffs and these games don't give you the same feedback at the end of the game," Bogdanovic told the Sacramento Bee. "But we're still trying to win and still trying to play the right way. It's tough but we'll figure it out, and as I said we want to finish the season strong."

ABOUT THE SPURS (46-34): Ginobili, 40, scored eight straight points during a decisive run in the fourth quarter on Saturday with a pair of 3-pointers and a finger roll. "I truly don't know. I was just feeling good," Ginobili told reporters. "A couple of shots went in. I was feeling that type of rush, and that type of excitement, flow. I was trying to use it. I'm very happy that happened in a game like today, in an important moment. Made me feel good. It helped the team get a lead." Ginobili finished with 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting after sitting out the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday and going 0-of-6 from the field on Tuesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Kings rookie SF Justin Jackson is 12-of-21 from the floor in the last two games after going 3-of-16 in the previous two contests.

2. Spurs PF LaMarcus Aldridge scored at least 28 points in each of the last three contests.

3. San Antonio won the last 13 meetings, including a 113-98 home victory in the most recent matchup on Jan. 28.

PREDICTION: Spurs 109, Kings 92

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Denver Nuggets are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference but would lose a tiebreaker and miss out on the postseason with the way things stand now. The Nuggets can make it easy on themselves by winning their final two regular season games, starting with the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

Denver visits Minnesota in the regular season finale on Wednesday and is playing some of its best basketball after crushing the Los Angeles Clippers 134-115 on Saturday. "I think overall, offensively, defensively, controlling our turnovers, I think it's our best overall basketball," power forward Paul Millsap told reporters. "Not necessarily the best offense that we've played all year. Not necessarily the best defense. But to be a really good team you have to have good balance. And I think, especially coming down the stretch, we have good balance on offense and defense. And that's what we need." The Nuggets stretched their winning streak to five straight with the rout, and all five of those victories came against teams with winning records. The Trail Blazers are still in the driver's seat for the No. 3 spot in the West but dropped their last three while tuning up for the playoffs.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (48-32): Portland could not find a win in Texas over the first three games of its road trip but finishes out the trip in Denver before ending the regular season at home against fourth-place Utah. "We've got two games left, one on the road and one at home," All-Star point guard Damian Lillard told reporters after a 116-105 setback in San Antonio on Saturday. "One gives us home court for sure, and if you win these last two -- 50 wins and the three seed. It is getting tight because we have things we can still get done, but for us it's more about how we're playing." Lillard scored 33 points in the latest setback after sitting out at Houston on Thursday to rest an ankle injury.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (45-35): Denver small forward Will Barton led the way with 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting in Saturday's win and is stepping up down the stretch. "I just wanted to be aggressive from the start and put pressure on their defense," Barton told reporters. "Once I did that, I figured out what I could get, whether I was getting to the rim, pull-up jumpers and pull-up threes. Once I got into a rhythm, I just figured out what they were trying to do and tried to exploit it." Barton is averaging 20 points on 51.4 percent shooting, seven rebounds and 4.6 assists during the five-game winning streak.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic recorded a double-double in each of the last three games.

2. Nuggets SG Gary Harris (knee) missed the last 11 games but is coming close to a return.

3. Denver took the last two meetings, edging Portland 104-101 at home in the most recent matchup on Jan. 22.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 113, Trail Blazers 106

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Predictions 04-09-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Los Angeles Clippers made a spirited run at a playoff spot in the Western Conference but were finally eliminated from the race on Saturday. The New Orleans Pelicans, who visit the Clippers on Monday, do not yet have their spot in the playoffs secured but are playing well with wins in three straight.

The Pelicans entered play on Sunday fifth in the West but just one game ahead of ninth-place Denver with two games remaining. New Orleans began its winning streak by picking off the lowly Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns but worked hard on Saturday and ended a 14-game losing streak to the defending champion Warriors with a 126-120 victory at Golden State. "It's a big win for us," All-Star forward Anthony Davis told reporters. "It's a tough place to play. They go on runs all the time. You just have to be able to withstand that run and make a run of your own. Kind of even it out. When we got out to that lead, instead of us making a run to catch back up we kind of made a run to separate. They're the defending champions. The position that we're in, we just wanted to come out and do anything to win." The Clippers did not put up much of a fight on the defensive end in a 134-115 loss to the Nuggets on Saturday and dropped four of their last five.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (46-34): New Orleans point guard Rajon Rondo handed out 17 assists in Saturday's win and is taking on a leadership role with the team. "We are hungry, and the guy who is really leading is (Rajon) Rondo," Davis told reporters. "He's telling us how good we are and how good we can be. Where we are and everything. He's coming in with a new stat about if we don't win tonight and somebody else win. Or if we win, and all this stuff. He's been through all this before and won a championship. He's kind of been the leader of the team as far as this playoff race has gone." Davis is leading on the court as well and posted his fourth straight double-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks on Saturday.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (42-38): Los Angeles may have been eliminated from contention with Saturday's loss, but that doesn't mean it plans on laying down for the last two games. "I think I have to play the (starters) against New Orleans, honestly," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "I think we have to really go after that game. I think it's the - I just believe in protecting the league. You know what I'm saying? I just think that's what we should do, and I hope we do that." Leading scorer Lou Williams seems like he could use a break after going a combined 9-of-27 from the floor over the last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers C DeAndre Jordan ranks second in the NBA in rebounding (15.3), three spots ahead of Davis (11.1).

2. Pelicans SG Ian Clark (ankle) sat out the last two games and is doubtful for Monday.

3. New Orleans earned a 121-116 win at Los Angeles on March 6 behind 41 points from Davis.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 125, Clippers 113