Friday 12-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:23 AM

New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Charlotte Hornets look to record their ninth consecutive home win over New York when they host the Knicks on Friday. Charlotte enters the contest with a season-high three-game winning streak after edging the Detroit Pistons 108-107 on Wednesday.

Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb made the decisive jumper in the win over the Pistons on a night in which he was just 4-of-13 shooting while scoring 13 points as Detroit clearly felt it would be Kemba Walker firing away. "I felt like I couldn't hit anything," Lamb told reporters. "Kemba trusted me with the last shot. I'm just happy it went in." The Knicks have lost five straight games, including Wednesday's 113-106 setback against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "The game was lost in the first quarter, but I am happy with the way we fought back," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters of a 39-23 deficit. "These guys never stop fighting."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (8-21): Rookie forward Kevin Knox was inserted into the starting lineup against Cleveland and had 19 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes. "Every game, you're seeing him get a little bit better, doing more things out there for us," Fizdale said afterward. The Hornets saw more than they wanted of Knox while New York posted a 119-107 win on Sunday as the No. 9 overall pick matched his season best of 26 points and collected a season-high 15 rebounds.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (14-13): Walker recorded 31 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the win over Detroit with his biggest feed being the one to Lamb in the final seconds. "Everybody was expecting me to take that shot. Even my teammates, probably," Walker told reporters afterward. "But I just wanted to try to get to the lane and draw another defender, that's what I did. He made an unbelievable, unbelievable shot. It wasn't the greatest pass but he made me look good on that." Walker, who was just 8-of-25 from the field against the Pistons, is averaging 25.7 points over the past three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Walker scored 25 points in Sunday's win in New York.

2. New York SG Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points against the Cavaliers for his fifth 20-point effort in the past six games.

3. Charlotte F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (personal reasons) is expected back after missing Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: Hornets 114, Knicks 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:23 AM

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

Even a depleted lineup cannot slow down the red-hot Boston Celtics, who have won seven in a row entering Friday's home contest against the Atlanta Hawks. The streaking Celtics needed overtime in Wednesday's 130-125 victory at Washington, and while playing without three key players Boston saw guard Kyrie Irving score its final 12 points - including two critical 3-pointers late in extra time - en route to a 38-point performance.

Boston won despite not having Al Horford, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown, who combined contribute 35.7 points, 16.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists per contest, but Irving returned after missing one game with a shoulder injury to hit 12-of-28 shots from the field. "The hallmark of this group has been whoever's available plays and is counted on to do what they're supposed to do," Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters afterward. "Not everybody had their best night, but everybody did their jobs and kept adding value when they checked in." The Celtics winning streak surpasses Atlanta's total of victories on the season, and the Hawks kicked off a stretch of nine-of-12 games on the road with a 114-107 loss Wednesday at Dallas. "I think our turnovers impacted the game more than anything in that stretch where it got away from us," Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce told the media after the Hawks finished with 21 turnovers.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-21): Forward John Collins recorded his fifth consecutive double-double Wednesday, pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 20 points on 10-of-22 shooting. Rookie Trae Young ranks 10th in the league in assists per game (7.3) and is second on the team in scoring (15.7 per game) to Collins' 18.3 per contest. Atlanta is 2-12 away from home, matching the lowest road win total in the Eastern Conference.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (17-10): Irving is one of 10 players in the NBA to average 21-plus points (22.5) and six-plus assists (6.4) per game, and his 38 points Wednesday is the third-most he's scored this season. Forward Marcus Morris added 27 points against Washington and in his past two games has scored 58 points on 21-of-36 shooting. Boston hopes Brown and Hayward, both sidelined with illness, can return Friday but expect Horford (left knee pain) to miss a few more games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Boston, which is eighth in the NBA in free-throw percentage (79.5 percent), made all 25 of its attempts Wednesday.

2. Hawks rookie G Kevin Huerter scored a season-high 19 points Wednesday, hitting four 3-pointers.

3. The Celtics rode a 45-point first quarter to a 114-96 victory in Atlanta on Nov. 23, as Aron Baynes scored 16 points with nine rebounds and four assists.

PREDICTION: Celtics 118, Hawks 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:23 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Milwaukee Bucks are just a .500 team over their past 10 games after getting off to a torrid 13-4 start. The Bucks attempt to rediscover their early season form when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday in the middle contest of a three-game road trip.

Milwaukee was outclassed 113-97 by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday to mark its third setback in its past four road games. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-low 12 points and took only seven shots in his return from a neck injury that forced him to miss one game. Cleveland is 3-3 over its past six games after notching a 113-106 home win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 28 points off the bench for his third 20-point effort in the past six games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE BUCKS (18-9): Forward Khris Middleton (10 points on 4-of-18 shooting) and center Brook Lopez (15 points on 5-of-16) both had poor shooting nights against the Pacers. Meanwhile, guard Eric Bledsoe was superb with 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting and he scored 20 or more points in four of the past six games. Antetokounmpo has just one 20-point outing over his last four games played with an average of 17 points during the stretch.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (7-21): Fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova scored a season-high 15 points Wednesday in his first home game since being reacquired from Milwaukee last Friday. Dellavedova is averaging 13 points in first two games -- "big rims here," he said after Wednesday's game - and coach Larry Drew appreciates the energy the 28-year-old guard brings to the team. "He did a terrific job," Drew told reporters. "He really hasn't been playing so we don't want to burn him out early. He brings so many intangibles and things we need as a team."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Bucks never trailed while recording a 108-92 victory over the Cavaliers on Monday.

2. Cleveland won its past six home games against Milwaukee.

3. Cavaliers rookie PG Collin Sexton is averaging 21.4 points over the past five games with his low outing during the span being when he had 15 on 5-of-18 shooting against the Bucks on Monday.

PREDICTION: Bucks 104, Cavaliers 97

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:24 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
Pacers vs. 76ers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP candidate again with Jimmy Butler out of the lineup, but the Philadelphia 76ers are missing their closer. The 76ers hope to have Butler back from a groin injury when they host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Butler, who was injured in Monday's win over Detroit and is considered day-to-day, sat out Wednesday and watched Philadelphia send the Brooklyn Nets to the free-throw line 43 times in a 127-124 setback. "I think it's just communication on our end," point guard Ben Simmons told reporters of the team's defensive effort against Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who knocked down 13 free throws en route to a career-high 39 points. "I think we just need to communicate more (when playing) that team. It's the same thing every time we play them." The Pacers are familiar with playing without a star but got Victor Oladipo (knee) back from an 11-game absence on Wednesday and fit him in seamlessly while cruising to a 113-97 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, pushing their winning streak to five straight. "I thought he was perfect," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters of Oladipo. "You know, when you've been off for a long time like that, you focus on the defensive end of the floor ... you get your wind that way offensively and just allow the game to come to you. He's been watching us for the last couple of weeks and I thought he did a good job of moving the ball and getting guys involved."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Indiana, NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE PACERS (18-10): Indiana is allowing an average of 95 points during its winning streak and limited Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo to 12 points on Wednesday. "It was a team effort, but we did talk about (power forward Thaddeus Young) doing a good job of keeping Antetokounmpo in front of him and keeping him off the boards," McMillan told reporters. "With Thad doing such a good job of containing him, our defense didn't have to collapse and give them open 3's from the perimeter. That's where is starts for us, it's got to be a team effort ... tonight, our guys were connected on the defensive end of the floor." Young finished with a team-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and four assists in the victory.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (19-10): Philadelphia was also missing reserve power forward Mike Muscala (illness) on Wednesday, and the absence of the two key rotation pieces was noted by the rest of the team. "It's hard," Simmons told reporters. "I mean, you get used to a guy being there. Then two guys are out that you are used to having in there, which means other guys have to step up and fill that role, come in and play defense, rebounding." Embiid recorded his 25th double-double with 33 points and 17 rebounds but attempted only three shots in the second half.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. 76ers SG Furkan Korkmaz scored 18 points in each of the last two games, raising his season average to 5.8 points.

2. Indiana C Myles Turner is averaging 24.5 points over the last two games.

3. Philadelphia took the first meeting 100-94 at Indiana on Nov. 7 as Simmons and Embiid each recorded a double-double.

PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Pacers 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:24 AM

Washington Wizards vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
Wizards vs. Nets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Brooklyn Nets are turning some heads with their play of late, which includes a pair of wins over Eastern Conference contenders during a three-game streak. The Nets will try to push it to four in a row on Friday when they host the slumping Washington Wizards, who dropped their last three games.

Brooklyn sandwiched a win over New York around victories over Toronto and Philadelphia, outlasting the 76ers 127-124 on the road Wednesday to keep the winning streak alive. "We finished the game, we had sound control, we literally played 47 minutes of the game," Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who scored a career-high 39 points, told reporters. "We really finished the game for all intents and purposes except for 50 seconds, which we need to get better at." The Wizards dropped the final two on a four-game road trip before coming home on Wednesday and suffering a 130-125 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. "We were frustrated. I thought we played hard, hard enough to win, but sometimes those things happen," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "You got to play through everything and we did our best and we came up a bucket or two short."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington-Plus, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (11-17): Washington was whistled for 27 personal fouls on Wednesday, and the Celtics took advantage by going 25-of-25 from the free-throw line. "I kind of think that the end of the fourth quarter, you get so many hand-check calls and put those guys on the free throw line," Wizards point guard John Wall told reporters. "Let guys make plays. I mean, we drive to the basket and get fouled and we not getting it, but a guy gets a little bump and you want to call those type calls. It's not the same. Let us players make those plays at the end of the game." Wall enjoyed one of his best games in the loss, returning from a one-game absence due to a heel injury and collecting 34 points, 13 assists and six rebounds in 41 minutes.

ABOUT THE NETS (11-18): Brooklyn's winning streak is being sparked by Dinwiddie, who is averaging 27 points on 53.8 percent shooting over the last three games. "Spencer got hot," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters of Wednesday's win. "That probably was the big number one thing. ... It's just so evident. You can't take him out, and he's playing great basketball. Obviously, he's our engine right now, especially in the second half." Dinwiddie knocked down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the latest victory and attacked the basket, finishing 13-of-14 from the free-throw line.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards SF Otto Porter Jr. (knee) sat out Wednesday and is questionable for Friday.

2. Brooklyn SF Joe Harris is 8-of-14 from 3-point range in four games since returning from a hip injury.

3. The teams split the first two meetings this season - both in Washington.

PREDICTION: Nets 125, Wizards 122

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:24 AM

Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Memphis Grizzlies are fresh off their top defensive performance of the season as they prepare to host the Miami Heat on Friday. Memphis allowed its fewest points of the season while notching a 92-83 win over Portland on Wednesday and held the Trail Blazers to 36.6 percent shooting from the field.

Miami has lost its last two games and established a season low for points when it was ambushed 111-84 by the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. "They jumped on us from an effort and energy standpoint," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters of his club's 40-15 deficit after one quarter. "We were bobbling passes, traveling, missing catches, and then it became a domino going down the wrong way. We just couldn't get it back." The Grizzlies have now held six teams under 90 points as their grit and grind style has been flourishing. "We're not the type of team who comes out and gives you an uppercut and knocks you out in the first quarter," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "We understand that. But we feel like we can punch you enough in the gut, that by the time the fourth quarter comes, those legs might be a little weary."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE HEAT (11-16): Point guard Goran Dragic (knee) was held out against Utah but is expected to play against the Grizzlies and center Hassan Whiteside (birth of child) is also expected back after missing four games. Forward Justise Winslow struggled to just nine points on 4-of-12 shooting against the Jazz after averaging 23 points over the previous three games, including a career-best 28-point effort against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Guard Dwyane Wade tallied just six points in 19 minutes against Utah for his second single-digit outing in a four-game span.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (16-11): Point guard Mike Conley scored 23 points against Portland for his 14th 20-point effort of the campaign while playing on a tender left hamstring. "I don't want to full-on sprint out of nowhere, cause any further damage," Conley told reporters afterward. "So I've just been trying to play at a nice pace and save it for more half court. I'm not trying to get up and down and outrun you as much as I might want to." Center Marc Gasol had a season-best six blocked shots - Memphis had 10 as a team - but scored just nine points as he failed to reach double digits for the third time in the past five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Heat won last season's two meetings by an average of 25.5 points.

2. Memphis SF Kyle Anderson collected 12 rebounds against Portland for his fifth double-digit effort of the season.

3. Miami SG Josh Richardson is shooting just 30.3 percent from the field in his past eight games and shot below 40 percent in each contest.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 95, Heat 90

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:24 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Toronto Raptors are not just contenders to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, they are announcing themselves as a team capable of winning an NBA championship. The Raptors will try to avoid a letdown after a big victory over Golden State when they continue the road trip by visiting the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Toronto dominated the two-time defending champions in a 113-93 road win on Wednesday despite being without star Kawhi Leonard (hip), but some Raptors managed to retain the chip on their shoulder. "I'm sure we could have done better," point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. "I'm always holding my team to a higher standard and holding myself to a higher standard. We had some breakdowns. We just have to continue to get better." The Trail Blazers are returning home after an unsuccessful two-game road trip that included losses at Houston and Memphis. Shooting guard CJ McCollum scored 40 points on 16-of-27 shooting in Wednesday's 92-83 loss to the Grizzlies but the rest of the team went 16-of-60 from the floor.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (23-7): Lowry went 4-of-28 from the floor over a four-game span before rediscovering his stroke and knocking down 17-of-31 in the first two games of the road trip - both wins. "It's unusual to see a guy who plays at a high level like that go through slumps," point guard Fred VanVleet told ESPN of Lowry. "But it comes and goes. It was just shot-making, really. It wasn't like he wasn't showing effort. He was probably frustrated he wasn't making shots, but that comes and goes, and he's right back where we want him, and where we need him to be." Leonard sat out the first two games of the trip and remains day-to-day.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (15-13): Point guard Damian Lillard (4-of-18) and center Jusuf Nurkic (1-of-15) endured the toughest nights on Wednesday, and Lillard finished with 14 points to end a string of five straight games scoring at least 25 points. "As the game went along, I thought we still did a pretty good job defending, but the ball didn't go in for us," Lillard told reporters. "CJ was the only person making shots." Nurkic did manage to pull down 10 rebounds in the loss, giving him double-digit boards in five consecutive games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas left Wednesday's game with a dislocated thumb and is day-to-day.

2. McCollum is averaging 28 points in three games since returning from an ankle injury.

3. Toronto swept the two-game series in each of the last three seasons.

PREDICTION: Raptors 116, Trail Blazers 115

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:24 AM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Denver Nuggets are atop the Western Conference standings but four other teams are within one game. One of those squads are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who visit Denver on Friday and trail the Nuggets by a half-game.

The Nuggets recently lost starting shooting guard Gary Harris (hip) and starting power forward Paul Millsap (broken toe) to injuries so they are relying more on center Nikola Jokic. The 23-year-old Serbian had 27 points and 12 rebounds in Monday's 105-99 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies and has four double-doubles over the past five games while averaging 20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists during the stretch. The Thunder dropped a 118-114 decision to the host New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday to lose for just the fifth time in the past 22 games. "We got stops on demand, we got stops when we needed to, we just weren't able to close it out," Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook told reporters. "It happens like that sometimes. We still gave ourselves a chance to win the game."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Oklahoma, Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (17-9): Small forward Paul George is averaging 30.5 points over the last four contests and he had 25 points and 11 rebounds against the Pelicans for his ninth double-double of the season. Similar to Westbrook, George was upbeat about a setback that came against a New Orleans squad that received 44 points from star Anthony Davis. "We played, really, really together. We were connected, offense and defense," George told reporters. "On defense, we swarmed. We did everything we could to get the extra 50-50 balls or get the rebound. Offensively we shared it and got the ball to the open man."

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (18-9): Backup point guard Monte Morris excelled against Memphis by matching his career best of 20 points and also contributing six rebounds and five assists. Coach Michael Malone was among the impressed as he said "we don't not win that game without Monte," while Morris is looking for his shot more with Harris out and has strung together four straight double-figure outings. "I have to change my mindset from being that facilitator and scoring here and there to being more in attack mode for the team," Morris said. "Especially with guys out."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nuggets won the past three meetings, including a 105-98 victory on Nov. 24.

2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams scored 20 points against New Orleans and posted four 20-point efforts in the past five games.

3. Denver PG Jamal Murray is averaging 10 points over the past two games after scoring at least 20 in five of the previous six games.

PREDICTION: Thunder 113, Nuggets 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NBA Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
Warriors vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Sacramento Kings are a team on the rise, one of several young teams pushing to become like the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, who visit the Kings on Friday, are coming off a rare off night but still look poised to contend for their third consecutive NBA title and fourth in five years.

Golden State had a four-game winning streak come to an end in a 113-93 home loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and admitted to struggling to find the intensity on a nightly basis. "We're now in a place where we're defending a title and defending sort of a mantle that we've had for several years, and it's a different vibe," Kerr told reporters. "It's a different feeling than when you're on the climb like Toronto is, like Milwaukee is, like we were a few years ago. It's a different feeling, it's a different vibe. It's harder to get up for each game, and so there are certain nights where you can just feel it, you don't have that energy, and if you played in the NBA, you've coached in this league, you understand it." The Kings seem to have endless energy and shot 58.1 percent from the floor while turning away the Minnesota Timberwolves 141-130 on Wednesday. Sacramento knocked down a franchise-record 19 3-pointers in the win, led by shooting guard Buddy Hield's five.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (19-10): Golden State is considering its place in history and star guard Stephen Curry got caught up defending his team against former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, who suggested his Los Angeles squad could beat the Warriors. "For me, I think it's a tough conversation because I've always found it hard to compare eras to each other," Curry told ESPN. "But in terms of having three banners up there and create parallels and comparisons to how they dominated the league through their run to what we're doing now, I think that speaks a lot on its own. Just in terms of us accomplishing the goal and fulfilling the potential that we have." Curry averaged 32.5 points during a four-game winning streak but slumped to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE KINGS (15-12): Sacramento reached deep into its well of solid young guards and plucked out Yogi Ferrell on Wednesday, watching him score 17 points in 16 minutes off the bench. Ferrell went 4-of-4 from 3-point range after totaling 13 points in the previous 14 contests. "Hats off to Yogi Ferrell about being a professional and being ready for an opportunity," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "We preach that with our young guys - staying ready, staying ready, staying ready. Heck of a game."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Kings PF Nemanja Bjelica scored a season-high 25 points on Wednesday.

2. Warriors SF Andre Iguodala (hip) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

3. Kevin Durant scored 44 points as Golden State held off Sacramento 117-116 at home on Nov. 24.

PREDICTION: Warriors 135, Kings 128

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NHL Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Boston Bruins answered a three-game slide by rattling off three straight victories and can match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. The home team has won eight in a row during the rivalry and the Bruins are riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1) against the Penguins, including a 2-1 overtime victory Nov. 23.

Boston's potent top line took a huge hit when center Patrice Bergeron suffered a chest injury a month ago, but David Krejci is settling in with the No. 1 unit, collecting three assists in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Arizona to extend his point streak to four games. "It's been fun," Krejci said of playing with linemates Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. "Those are two world-class players, so I'm just happy to be on that line and happy to help the team win games." After an ugly stretch in which they lost nine of 10, the Penguins had turned things around and were on a 6-2-2 run before absorbing a 6-3 drubbing at Chicago on Wednesday. "We've played a lot of good hockey over the last three or four weeks," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "We're trying to string some wins together and points together and momentum. When you have a night like (Wednesday), it sets you back."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVAS, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, NESN (Boston), AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE BRUINS (17-10-4): Some of Boston's walking wounded were on the ice before Thursday's practice as Bergeron and injured defensemen Zdeno Chara and Kevin Miller all skated and "are getting closer to joining practice," coach Bruce Cassidy said. Forward Jake DeBrusk did not skate Thursday and will sit out his fourth consecutive game because of a concussion, although Cassidy said he was "going in the right direction." Forward David Backes averted joining the injured players on the sideline after taking a skate to the face Tuesday but returned to the lineup after receiving a few stitches.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (13-11-6): Matt Murray, activated off injured reserve Wednesday, appears in line to make his first start since he suffered a lower-body injury Nov. 17 at Ottawa. The two-time Stanley Cup champion is off to a rough start this season with a 4-5-1 record and a ghastly 4.08 goals-against average, and is winless in his last six appearances (0-5-1). "I was playing with it for a few weeks and it was fine," said Murray, who said the injury did not affect his play. "I just tweaked it one day. It didn't hinder many parts of my game. It's a specific place. Just giving it time to heal is the biggest thing."

OVERTIME

1. Penguins F Bryan Rust had the team's fourth hat trick in the past nine games against Chicago.

2. Pastrnak has six goals and 14 points in 10 games against Pittsburgh.

3. Murray is 3-2-0 with a 2.73 GAA against Boston.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Arizona Coyotes vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NHL Predictions 14th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/14/2018

The New York Rangers will be without one of its top defensemen on Friday as it seeks a rare regulation victory when it hosts the Arizona Coyotes. Kevin Shattenkirk is expected to miss two-to-four weeks after suffering a separated shoulder in Monday's 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay.

The setback dropped New York to 1-3-1 in its last five contests, with the lone triumph coming in a shootout at Florida on Saturday. Shattenkirk was limited to 46 games last season - his first with the Rangers after signing a four-year, $26.6 million contract as a free agent - due to a torn meniscus in his left knee but appeared in 29 of the team's first 30 contests this campaign. Arizona has lost four straight contests, including the first two of its four-game road trip after dropping a 3-1 decision in Buffalo on Thursday. Clayton Keller failed to notch a point in the setback, marking just the second time in seven contests he has been kept off the scoresheet.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, MSG2 (New York)

ABOUT THE COYOTES (13-15-2): Keller tops the club with 21 points and shares the team lead with eight goals but has gone five games without a tally. Half of the 20-year-old's goals have been game-winners, but he has yet to score on the power play in 2018-19 after netting six man-advantage tallies last campaign. Arizona, which leads the league in penalty-killing, has allowed only eight power-play goals this season and none in its last seven games.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (14-13-3): While it will be without Shattenkirk, New York could regain the services of some other injured players as Mats Zuccarello, Pavel Buchnevich and defenseman Adam McQuaid were full participants in Wednesday's practice. Zuccarello has missed 13 of the last 15 games with a groin injury and Buchnevich has been sidelined since suffering a broken thumb on Nov. 10 while McQuaid last played on Oct. 25 due to a lower-body ailment. Kevin Hayes has posted back-to-back two-point performances after scoring a pair of goals versus the Lightning to end his seven-game drought.

OVERTIME

1. Hayes is third on the Rangers with 21 points and needs five to reach 200 for his career.

2. Arizona F Alex Galchenyuk has missed two games with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day.

3. New York's Filip Chytil, a 19-year-old C from the Czech Republic, is the third teenager in franchise history to play all of the team's first 30 games of a season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Coyotes 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NHL Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Vegas Golden Knights and New Jersey Devils are headed in opposite directions, although the clubs are similar in one respect - enjoying success at home while struggling on the road. However, while the Golden Knights have shown improvement on all fronts in the past month, New Jersey has regressed and looks to avoid a ninth loss in 10 games against visiting Vegas on Friday night.

The Golden Knights kicked off a four-game road trip with a 3-2 victory at the New York Islanders on Wednesday night to win for the ninth time in their last 11 contests. "We come out to get two points. We don't come out to put a show on the road," Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said after his team notched a season-low 17 shots. "It's a big win for us, but now we've got three more tough games." The Devils concluded a 1-1-1 road trip with a 5-2 loss at San Jose - their 19th defeat in 25 games (6-13-6) since a 4-0-0 start to the season. "It's tough to win when you keep finding ways to beat yourselves," New Jersey center center Travis Zajac said. "We can't consistently string together any momentum."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Las Vegas), MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (18-14-1): Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been in net for each start during the team's current 9-2-0 run, but had a forgettable performance in a home loss to New Jersey last March when he was yanked after allowing four goals on 11 shots. William Karlsson, who led the team in goals (43) and points (78) in the franchise's inaugural season in 2017-18, is heating up after a slow start and has scored in back-to-back games, giving him six tallies over the last nine contests and a club high-tying 24 points. The Golden Knights are 9-for-34 on the power play over the last 10 games.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (10-13-6): New Jersey could be without leading scorer Taylor Hall, who twice skated off the ice during Thursday's practice with an apparent injury, although coach John Hynes shed little light on what was bothering the reigning league MVP. "I don't have much for you yet," Hynes told reporters afterward. "I just know they pulled him off for precautionary reasons." Hall, who has collected three goals and nine assists in the past 10 games to give him a team-high 31 points, did not have an injury issue entering practice, according to Hynes, and has not missed a game this season.

OVERTIME

1. Devils G Keith Kinkaid has allowed at least four goals in six of his last seven starts.

2. Vegas F Jonathan Marchessault has a team-high 12 goals but has scored once in six games against New Jersey.

3. Devils D Damon Severson picked up his 14th assist Monday, one fewer than his total in 76 games last season.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Devils 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NHL Predictions 14th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/14/2018

Captain Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have been on quite the roll of late and hope it continues when they visit the slumping Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The reigning Stanley Cup-champion Capitals are riding a three-game winning streak during which they've outscored their opponents 14-4, giving them 10 victories in their last 12 contests.

Ovechkin is in the midst of a 12-game point streak - one shy of his career best - during which he has collected 13 goals and six assists after registering his 21st career hat trick in Tuesday's 6-2 home triumph over Detroit. The 33-year-old Russian leads the NHL with 25 goals as he seeks his sixth Maurice Richard Trophy in seven seasons and eighth overall. Carolina is coming off a 6-4 setback at Montreal on Thursday that dropped it to 1-4-1 in its last six contests. Teenager Andrei Svechnikov scored twice in the loss for the Hurricanes, who recorded fewer than two goals in each of their previous six defeats.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (18-9-3): T.J. Oshie made a successful return to the lineup Tuesday as he tallied to become the third member of the team to reach double digits in goals. The 31-year-old, who is three tallies away from 200 for his career, had missed 11 games with a concussion. Ovechkin is deadlocked with Glenn Anderson and Rick Martin for 12th place on the all-time list for most hat tricks and ranks 11th in NHL history with 126 multi-goal performances after breaking a tie with Dino Ciccarelli on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (13-13-4): Svechnikov's two-goal performance against the Canadiens was the first of his career as he matched the output from his previous 13 contests. The 18-year-old rookie, who was selected with the second overall pick in this year's draft, ranks third on the team with eight tallies - three behind leader Micheal Ferland. Sebastian Aho is one goal ahead of Svechnikov after scoring on Thursday to increase his team-leading point total to 29.

OVERTIME

1. Capitals C Evgeny Kuznetsov has registered a goal and seven assists during his six-game point streak.

2. Ferland missed Carolina's contest on Thursday - two days after returning from a concussion.

3. Washington has won six of its last seven games on the road.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Hurricanes 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2018-12-14

NHL Predictions 13th December 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 12/13/2018

The Detroit Red Wings have staggered a bit since their sizzling 9-2-0 stretch and look to begin moving in a positive direction again when they host the injury-plagued Ottawa Senators on Friday night. The Red Wings are 4-5-2 over the last 11 games after a 6-2 loss at Washington on Tuesday and will start a run of six road games in the next seven outings following the matchup against the Senators.

"Certainly, we've given up way too many chances the last couple games," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. "You're not going to survive giving up those kinds of chances, so we need to make sure we get back to making teams earn their offense." A 2-1 setback at Ottawa on Nov. 15 was one of the two losses for the Red Wings during their hot streak, but the Senators have dropped four of the last five (1-3-1) and scored just eight times in the process. Second-leading scorer Matt Duchene, who had two assists in the win over Detroit last month, is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a groin injury and Ottawa has dropped six of the last seven on the road after a 3-1 loss at Nashville on Tuesday. "We're missing six guys and I thought the guys gave everything they had," Senators coach Guy Boucher told reporters after the latest setback. "You could see that they were the older, more mature team, and when they got their push it was hard for us to keep up with that push."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN5 (Ottawa), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE SENATORS (13-15-4): Defensemen Mark Borowiecki (upper body), Christian Jaros (lower body) and Dylan DeMelo (upper body), along with forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Achilles), are out while right wing Bobby Ryan could return from a concussion Friday. "Every guy that comes back makes a huge difference. If you get one back or two back or three back. ... we've got six guys missing here," Boucher told reporters. "What it does in the short term is it really pushes everybody else to get better." Thomas Chabot, who is expected to play despite suffering a hand injury Tuesday, entered Thursday tied for the league lead among defensemen with 33 points.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (14-14-4): Detroit was in the top 10 of the league on the power play at 24.1 percent through 18 games, but is just 2-of-31 in the last 14 and are scoreless on 11 tries in the past six contests while going 2-3-1. "We are not getting pucks around the net as much as we were," leading scorer Dylan Larkin (30 points) told the Detroit Free Press. "We're trying to set up the pretty play. There's a lot of one-and-dones and we're aware of that. We're trying to minimize that. We need to create chaos around the net more and bang in a rebound." Larkin is riding a five-game point streak and fellow forward Gustav Nyquist has 13 of his 29 points in the last nine games.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa RW Mark Stone boasts four goals and three assists in the last six games to lead the team with 15 tallies and 35 points.

2. Detroit D Mike Green reportedly missed practice Thursday with a lower-body injury and his status is uncertain.

3. The Senators are 3-for-23 on the power play over the last nine games and killed 20-of-22 in the past 10 contests.

PREDICTION: Red Wings 4, Senators 3

Friday 12-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 12-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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