Sunday 1-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:09 AM

Sacramento Kings vs. LA Clippers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Los Angeles Clippers did not have much success the last time they were at home but raised their level of play on the road and are ready to bring the wins back to the home fans. The Clippers will try to post their third consecutive win when they host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday in the opener of a three-game homestand.

Los Angeles was swept on a four-game homestand before hitting the road and winning three of four, capped by a 106-101 triumph at Chicago on Friday that included a triple-double off the bench from guard Lou Williams. Williams, several teammates and coach Doc Rivers didn't arrive at the arena until a half hour before tipoff due to snow and traffic in Chicago that delayed the team's second bus but proved they didn't need pregame warm-ups to execute down the stretch. The Kings are at the end of a six-game road trip and gave themselves a chance to split the excursion when they snapped a two-game slide with a 99-96 triumph at Memphis on Friday. "We definitely needed this win to stay in the playoff hunt, especially in the west," point guard De'Aaron Fox told reporters. "Now we've just got to try to build off this."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE KINGS (25-24): Sacramento is surprising people with its run at a spot in the top eight in the West and is trying to get the better of opponents by moving at a faster pace. Friday marked just the second time this season that the Kings won when scoring fewer than 100 points, and opponents are making a concerted effort to slow down the young team. "The scouting report on us is to stop us from running," Fox told reporters. "Everybody has a scouting report and (against) the good teams, it doesn't matter what you're trying to do, they're going to do what their identity is, what they plan on doing, and we have to be able to get to that level."

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (27-22): Los Angeles occupies the No. 8 spot in the West, one ahead of the Kings, and needed strong performances from Williams and starting small forward Tobias Harris to squeeze past the Bulls. Harris poured in 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting Friday and averaged 30 points on 22-of-34 over the last two contests - both wins - after being held to nine points on 1-of-9 shooting at Dallas on Tuesday. Williams, 32, logged his first career triple-double on Friday in his 14th season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clippers SF Danilo Gallinari (back) is expected to miss his fifth straight game on Sunday.

2. Kings PF Nemanja Bjelica recorded his fifth double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds on Friday.

3. Los Angeles took the first two meetings this season, including a 127-118 home win on Dec. 26.

PREDICTION: Kings 121, Clippers 116

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:09 AM

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

Three of the Chicago Bulls' 11 wins this year have come against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Bulls will try to make it a clean sweep of the season series when the teams meet Sunday afternoon in the Windy City. The Bulls held the last-place Cavaliers to an average of 92.7 points on 41.2 percent shooting in taking the first three encounters.

Included in that set is a 104-88 triumph in Cleveland on Monday that stands as Chicago's lone victory in its last 13 games overall. "I stay positive. I know what we're going through," Bulls guard Kris Dunn told reporters after Friday's 106-101 loss at home to the Los Angeles Clippers. "It's adversity. It definitely hit this team. It shows your true character when adversity hits." The Cavaliers know all about it as they plummet through a 1-18 stretch. The slide includes four straight road losses and 10 consecutive defeats against Eastern Conference opponents.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), WGN-TV (Chicago)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (9-41): Forward Cedi Osman's emergence as an offensive threat continues to be one of the positives during Cleveland's rebuild. The 23-year-old set a career high in scoring in consecutive games, first posting a 25-point effort in Wednesday's loss at Boston and then eclipsing that mark with 29 in the 100-94 setback against Miami at home Friday night. "I think it's just experience," Osman told reporters of his hot stretch. "Through the season, there's a lot of up and downs, and I was able to see what is my strongest part and what is not. So I think I just started to figure out what is going on right now. I feel it's easier, more me and I'm confident with my shots and all of it."

ABOUT THE BULLS (11-38): Chicago was outscored 26-19 in the fourth quarter Friday as it tightened up down the stretch and lost its sixth in a row at home. "We have to finish possessions better," coach Jim Boylen told reporters, "Whether it's a defensive possession on a rotation or an offensive possession where we have an open look. We have to take it within the rhythm of the offense." Zach LaVine scored 29 points while Bobby Portis had 18 points and a season high-tying 14 rebounds in a rare start.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls rookie SF Chandler Hutchison notched his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 boards versus the Clippers.

2. Cavaliers PG Jordan Clarkson averages 16.5 points per game but has been held under that mark in five straight contests and is 2-for-17 from 3-point range over the last three.

3. Dunn averaged 15 points on 61.9 percent shooting and eight assists in his first two games against Cleveland.

PREDICTION: Bulls 108, Cavaliers 99

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:09 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
Bucks vs. Thunder Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Milwaukee Bucks pushed their latest winning streak to six straight behind another MVP-like effort from superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday and own the fewest losses in the NBA as they get set to embark on a five-game road trip. Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will kick things off by visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

The Bucks trailed 87-76 entering the fourth quarter on Friday and were down 12 with under 10 minutes to play before Antetokounmpo took over, scoring 14 of his 34 points in the final period and outscoring the Hornets himself in the fourth, 14-12. "It gives us momentum," Antetokounmpo told reporters of the win. "We sat for three days, we didn't have a game and this game just is something we're going to build on. Hopefully, we'll go to this five-game road trip and try to get as many wins as we can." The Thunder come into the matchup with some momentum as well after winning their last four games and averaging 122.3 points during that stretch. Oklahoma City improved to 16-7 at home with a 122-116 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday and is wrapping up a three-game homestand with Milwaukee.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE BUCKS (35-12): One of the keys to Milwaukee's fourth-quarter surge on Friday was a defensive change that left Antetokounmpo at center and moved seldom-used reserve Pat Connaughton into the lineup, allowing the team to switch at every spot. "It allows me to be up and take pride in my defense, try to play the guys one-on-one," Antetokounmpo told reporters of the setup. "Usually, we play back in the pick and roll, so we let the guy come downhill and try to shoot a floater or shoot the tough two, but sometimes I feel like it's nice to take a step or two up and try to defend those guards and take pride in helping the team." Antetokounmpo added three blocks and three steals to his 34 points and 14 rebounds in the victory.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (30-18): Star point guard Russell Westbrook is shooting 41.8 percent from the floor - the lowest mark since his 2008-09 rookie season - and 24.3 from beyond the arc but is still finding ways to impact the game. Westbrook is trying to average a triple-double for the third consecutive season and piled up 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 assists on Friday. "(Westbrook) is a once in a generation kind of guy," forward Abdel Nader told the team's website. "He's special on both ends. He plays with the energy level that some guys wish they could play with. He's a hell of a leader and a hell of a player."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder All-Star SF Paul George went 6-of-10 from 3-point range on Friday and knocked down at least three from beyond the arc in each of the last six contests.

2. Bucks C Thon Maker, who is averaging 4.7 points in 11.7 minutes but recently fell out of the team's rotation, reportedly requested a trade.

3. The road team took each of the two meetings last season, with Milwaukee earning a 97-95 triumph at Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Bucks 126, Thunder 123

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:09 AM

Washington Wizards vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
Wizards vs. Spurs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Washington Wizards have done well to climb back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, but they're about to play in a place that has delivered nothing but disappointment for them over the years. The Wizards will visit the Spurs on Sunday trying to snap an 18-game losing streak in San Antonio.

Washington enters the contest on a bit of a high note after securing its eighth win in the last 12 games with a 95-91 triumph at Orlando on Friday. "We gutted this one out," forward Jeff Green told reporters after he scored a season-high 24 points in the victory. "We fought through the lapses we had and found a way to win." The Spurs gained a split of a two-game road trip with a 126-114 win at New Orleans on Saturday night. Leading scorer DeMar DeRozan missed the contest with a sore knee while LaMarcus Aldridge, who was questionable with a wrist ailment, gave it a go and finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for San Antonio.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (21-27): Green hit six 3-pointers - two more than his previous season high - in nine attempts in the win over the Magic as part of Washington's 15-of-27 effort as a team. "He had his 3 game going tonight," coach Scott Brooks told the media. "Jeff gave us some opportunities with shooting the 3s, spacing the floor. And if you don't guard him, he's great with the ball." Bradley Beal finished 5-of-7 from behind the arc en route to 27 points and he is averaging 28.2 in January.

ABOUT THE SPURS (28-22): Veteran center Pau Gasol has played sparingly since his return from a foot injury earlier this month, but he was hoping that Saturday would be an audition for an increased role and he made it count with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes. Aldridge, meanwhile, reached the 25-point mark for the third time in his last four outings and in a game when his team really needed it. "He showed a lot of heart," coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "LaMarcus took one for the team tonight, sort of. I really wanted to sit him, but he was adamant about playing tonight, so we let him go."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Washington's last win in San Antonio was on Dec. 11, 1999.

2. Spurs SF Rudy Gay had 22 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday's win before exiting with a leg injury.

3. Wizards SF Trevor Ariza is 9-for-41 from the floor over his last four road games.

PREDICTION: Spurs 116, Wizards 111

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:09 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The road has not been kind of late to the Toronto Raptors, who will try to snap a three-game road skid when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The Raptors, who sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, fell at Indiana and Houston to begin the current three-game trek.

Toronto welcomed back superstar Kawhi Leonard on Friday after he was given four games off to rest and he looked refreshed while scoring 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting but missed a 3-point attempt on the final possession of a 121-119 setback at the Rockets. "We still have a lot of things to work on, to look at, get back to the drawing board, watch some film, make some adjustments and play better next game," veteran shooting guard Danny Green told reporters. The Mavericks got a boost in their last two games - both wins - from point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who returned to the team after being away for the previous six games and averaged 18 points in the victories. "He's back (and) we got two wins," star rookie Luka Doncic told reporters of Smith. "He helps us a lot, not just in attacks. Obviously, he can do a lot of things. But on defense he's aggressively fast, so he helps us a lot."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (36-15): Power forward Pascal Siakam stepped up with 22 points and 12 rebounds in Friday's setback, giving him six double-doubles in 13 games this month and marking his highest scoring effort since he poured in 24 in a win at Washington on Jan. 13. The 24-year-old is one of several players picking up the scoring slack for point guard Kyle Lowry, who slumped to nine points on 2-of-9 shooting at Houston. Lowry last hit 50 percent or better from the floor in a game at Golden State on Dec. 12 and is shooting 31.6 percent from beyond the arc on the season.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-26): One of Smith's issues while he was away was his role within the offense now that Doncic is running things, and coach Rick Carlisle is making some changes to let both talented young players have some control. "Look, those guys can play, there's no doubt in my mind about it," Carlisle told reporters. "And I like staggering them because it creates a different look. The important thing is to win games, and that is what we are trying to do." Doncic collected 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the 106-101 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday while Smith scored 19.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Green (left hand) is probable for Sunday.

2. Mavericks SF Harrison Barnes, who averages 17.7 points, scored in single digits in two of the last three games.

3. Toronto earned a 116-107 home win over Dallas on Oct. 26 behind 20 points and 12 assists from Lowry.

PREDICTION: Raptors 113, Mavericks 108

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:10 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Utah Jazz finished a successful homestand with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and they look to begin a road trip with a similar result when the teams complete their home-and-home set in Minneapolis on Sunday. Behind 24 points and a career-high 11 assists from Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz topped the Timberwolves 106-102 to win for the eighth time in their last nine games.

The second-year star scored at least 24 points in 11 consecutive contests and has improved his playmaking abilities in the wake of a handful of injuries to his fellow guards. "I'm just making good reads and having confidence in my passes," Mitchell told reporters after his first career double-double. "When we had three point guards out, you got to be able to make those plays, that's where it started. I had no choice." Minnesota is enduring a similar trial with three guards - Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones - each missing Friday's loss due to foot or ankle injuries. As usual, they leaned heavily on center Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting while his teammates combined to finish 36.6 percent from the floor.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (28-22): Mitchell's teammates are taking note of the 22-year-old's improved distribution, which has enabled him to average 5.4 assists in January after posting a 2.9 average in December. "At this time last year, he wasn't even throwing those passes to the corner and now he's throwing left hand, right hand, one, two, whatever he needs to do to get it there," teammate Joe Ingles told reporters. Center Rudy Gobert was questionable Friday with a sore hamstring but gutted it out to finish with 18 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (24-25): Minnesota outscored Utah 33-16 in the fourth quarter Friday, giving it perhaps some momentum heading into the rematch, and Towns was the catalyst. "Fourth quarter, I'm trying to take over the game and dominate," he told reporters. "I'm trying to give us a chance to win. I was just being a little aggressive all around and trying to make plays everywhere." Towns is averaging 28.8 points and 13 boards during his string of four straight double-doubles.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves SF Andrew Wiggins tied a career-high with 11 rebounds Friday.

2. Jazz SG Kyle Korver is 10-for-18 from 3-point range in three games against Minnesota this season, the first two of which came while he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

3. Timberwolves PF Dario Saric is 3-for-15 from the floor over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 108, Jazz 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:10 AM

Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Houston Rockets look to avoid a letdown after a confidence-building win and get another big performance from red-hot James Harden when they host the struggling Orlando Magic on Sunday night. Harden, who scored 38 points in a 116-109 setback at Orlando on Jan. 13 despite missing 16 of his 17 attempts from 3-point range, recorded 35 points for his 22nd straight with at least 30 as the Rockets edged Toronto 121-119 on Friday.

Houston is 17-6 over the last 23 games, winning four of six since the loss to the Magic, and is expected to have a big addition to the lineup Sunday as All-Star point guard Chris Paul appears ready to go after missing 17 games with a hamstring injury. "It'll be great," Harden told the Houston Chronicle of Paul's return. "We've been missing him, missing his leadership, his playmaking ability and his presence on the court." Orlando has lost five of six contests since the victory over the Rockets and dropped the past two against teams they are fighting for the final playoff spots (Brooklyn, Washington) in the Eastern Conference by a combined eight points. The Magic allowed Washington to drain 15-of-27 from 3-point range and made just 7-of-33 from behind the arc in Friday's 95-91 loss, causing center Nikola Vucevic to tell reporters: "It's tough when you can't get anything going from the outside. We've been getting good looks the last few games, we just haven't made them."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (20-29): Guard Evan Fournier, the team's third-leading scorer (14.8), was 1-of-10 from the field against Washington and missed all nine of his 3-point attempts in the past two contests. "I have open shots. I should make it, period," Fournier told reporters. "I'm just very inconsistent this year for some reason. I'm kind of struggling with my shot. So there's not much to say." Vucevic is making a strong case for his first All-Star Game appearance, averaging 20.6 points (26.2 the last four contests) along with 11.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 52.1 percent from the field.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (28-20): Forward Kenneth Faried has made quite an impression in his first three games with the club after being signed as a free agent, averaging 15 points and 9.3 rebounds - 21 and 14, respectively, against Toronto. "I love playing basketball, so for me just to be out there with those guys helping out any way I can, rebounding, defense, blocks, just being out there giving my all," Faried, who averaged 5.1 points in 12 games with Brooklyn earlier this season, told reporters. Harden is averaging 44.4 points in 12 January games, scoring at least 50 three times.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando F Aaron Gordon notched his 12th double-double of the season Friday with 22 points and 11 boards.

2. Houston G Eric Gordon averaged 22 points the last two games, but is just 7-of-25 from behind the arc the past three contests.

3. Magic PG D.J. Augustin had just five points against Washington after averaging 15.6 the previous five games.

PREDICTION: Rockets 116, Magic 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:10 AM

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

The Miami Heat got past the worst team in the NBA on Friday and aim for a perfect two-game road trip when they take on the second-worst squad with a visit to the New York Knicks on Sunday. Justise Winslow scored 27 points to lead the Heat to a 100-94 win at the Cleveland Cavaliers, just their second victory in the last six games.

"Everything wasn't perfect, but we were just playing the game hard," veteran guard Dwyane Wade told reporters after his final game in Cleveland. "We did a great job coming out of the break for the second half." Friday's game was part of a stretch that will see Miami play 12 of 16 games on the road and it has lost its last two games at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have been offering very little resistance on their home floor, however, dropping 10 in a row in Manhattan. They've also lost eight straight overall after Friday's 109-99 setback at the Brooklyn Nets.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE HEAT (23-24): Miami was down five points at halftime at Cleveland before posting a 32-17 advantage in the third quarter, when Winslow went off for 13 points. "Justise was obviously great on the stat sheet and you can feel his presence all over the court," coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. Hassan Whiteside chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds for his second straight double-double and the seven-footer has made 34-of-48 shots over a six-game span.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-37): The Enes Kanter saga dragged on during Friday's loss as the disgruntled center received no playing time for the second straight game and continued a stalemate with coach David Fizdale. "I wish he'd communicate with me," Kanter told reporters of Fizdale. "I see him every day. He hasn't said a word to me. We're grown men. He could've just come to me and said you're not fitting what we're doing. I'll say OK I'll just try to get better and make my teammates better. He has not communicated with me about anything yet." In his postgame press conference, Fizdale defended his use of guard Tim Hardaway Jr. due to the player's high salary and future with the team, but it was a bit awkward in the wake of Hardaway's 2-for-14 shooting night.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Whiteside recorded 22 points and 14 boards to lead Miami to a 110-87 win over New York at home earlier this season.

2. Knicks PF Noah Vonleh posted a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds in the loss at Brooklyn.

3. Heat SG Dion Waiters (migraine) missed the win in Cleveland and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Heat 109, Knicks 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:10 AM

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NBA Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
Suns vs. Lakers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James still won't be ready to play when his team hosts the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, but he is getting close. James, who has been out over a month with a strained groin, began participating in contact drills at practice on Saturday for the first time since suffering the injury.

"He was a full participant in that, so it was good to see," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters of James. "He looked good. He's still really good at basketball, in case you guys were wondering." The Lakers are 5-10 since James went down and slipped into ninth place in the Western Conference while dropping their last three games, including the first two of a four-game homestand. The Suns seem like the perfect opponent against which to snap a slide as they enter Sunday's matchup losers of seven in a row and owning the worst record in the West. Phoenix was crushed 132-95 in the opener of its three-game trip at Denver on Friday, leading to a closed-door team meeting that lasted nearly an hour.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-40): Phoenix's players were reluctant to tell the media what was discussed during the meeting when the doors to the locker room finally opened on Friday, instead insisting that they all just took long showers to wash away the poor performance. "I feel like we've seen the problems that we've had long enough," small forward Josh Jackson told reporters. "I feel like at any moment, each guy here, we all like each other enough and are comfortable with each other enough that any one guy can call somebody out just say what they think and how they feel. Definitely don't need to wait till after any game." The Suns are losing by an average of 19.4 points during the current slide and have not won on the road since outlasting Orlando 122-120 in overtime on Dec. 26.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (25-24): James is just one of several injured players for Los Angeles, which will also be without point guard Lonzo Ball (ankle) on Sunday while forward Kyle Kuzma (hip) and guard Josh Hart (knee) are day-to-day. The Lakers were outscored 36-23 in the fourth quarter at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday and ended up losing the game 120-105, marking a second consecutive double-digit home setback. "We had a challenge tonight and that was to be more physical," Walton told reporters after the loss. "And that was going to be a lot of work. It was going to be something that was going to take all five guys. And we know that Minnesota is a bigger team than us, or a stronger team than us with what we have right now. The only way to win that physicality battle is to just bring it and out work them. Unfortunately, we did not do that tonight."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns PG De'Anthony Melton (ankle) is not expected to play Sunday while C Deandre Ayton (ankle) is questionable.

2. Lakers PG Rajon Rondo (finger) returned from a 14-game absence on Friday and collected 15 points and 13 assists in 37 minutes.

3. Los Angeles took the first two meetings this season by an average of 21 points.

PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Suns 103

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:10 AM

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Temple Owls Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NCAAB Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

Cincinnati and Temple have emerged as two of the top contenders in the American Athletic Conference. They match up Sunday afternoon on Temple's home court, where the Owls will be looking to slow Bearcats guard Jarron Cumberland.

There are four one-loss teams in league play with Cincinnati having won five games in a row, including a 24-point win over Tulsa its last time out. Bearcats coach Mick Cronin knows that the game against the Owls is a big one for his team, saying: "You've got to win certain kinds of games if you want respect. Our schedule's back-loaded. We've got a lot of tough games." Temple has won its last five league games, suffering only a surprising home loss to Ivy League foe Pennsylvania during that stretch. The Owls topped Memphis in their last outing, posting an 85-76 triumph behind Quinton Rose's 26 points.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network

ABOUT CINCINNATI (17-3, 6-1 American): The Bearcats rely heavily on Cumberland (18.1 points per game), who has attempted 97 more shots than anyone else on the team. The junior guard was 5-of-10 from 3-point range against Tulsa and is averaging 24.3 points over the last four outings. Justin Jenifer made six 3-pointers against Tulsa and has only committed 13 turnovers in 485 minutes this season, less than one per game.

ABOUT TEMPLE (15-4, 5-1): The Owls had to be delighted to see Rose go 5-of-9 from 3-point range against Memphis after he entered the game just 15-of-77 from beyond the arc. Shizz Alston Jr. was only 2-of-13 from the floor against Memphis and is 7-of-31 over the last two games. Nate Pierre-Louis continued his solid play of late with 15 points, giving him eight straight games in which he has scored between 13 and 22 points.

TIP-INS

1. Temple C Ernest Aflakpui (6.7 points, 7.5 rebounds) is averaging 13.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the last three games.

2. The Bearcats only have two primary threats from 3-point range - Cumberland (49 makes) and Jenifer (35).

3. Cincinnati won both meetings with Temple last season, including a buzzer-beating win in Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 70, Temple 62

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:11 AM

Georgetown Hoyas vs. St. John's Red Storm Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NCAAB Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

With three difficult road games looming on the horizon, St. John's faces a pivotal Big East game Sunday afternoon against visiting Georgetown at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm, whose last road win came Jan. 5 against the Hoyas, can sweep the regular season series against their longtime rivals for the first time since their Elite Eight season of 1998-99.

Chris Mullin's team, which has dropped three of its last four contests, including road games at No. 18 Villanova and Butler, will play at Creighton to close out January before taking on a pair of ranked teams in No. 2 Duke and No. 11 Marquette. "We're just really focused on playing well Sunday, that's what it comes down to," Mullin told the media when asked about the upcoming road trip, which will be followed by three straight games at home. "We've had a few tough losses, but even our wins, we've had some very close wins. It's a very small difference in winning and losing." The Hoyas know this well as their last five games - four of them losses - have been decided by six points or fewer, including a 97-94 overtime defeat to the Red Storm in a game they led by four points with 17 seconds left in regulation. St. John's junior Shamorie Ponds equaled his season-high with 37 points to outduel Georgetown senior Jessie Govan, who put up 25 points and 10 rebounds, as the Red Storm snapped a 13-game losing streak in Washington, D.C.

TV: Noon ET, FOX

ABOUT GEORGETOWN (12-7, 2-4 Big East): James Akinjo wasn't in the starting lineup for the first time this season in the Hoyas loss to Creighton on Monday, but still logged 30 minutes - second-most on the team. The freshman, who finished with a career-high 11 assists against only one turnover, struggled with his shot once again, going 2-of-11 from the field and scoring six points for his fewest in a Big East game. The guard is 3-of-21 over the last two games and is shooting below 30 percent in league games, but has made up for it by going 33-of-40 from the foul line and by averaging seven assists in the conference - second to Ponds.

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S (15-4, 3-4): LJ Figueroa saw his streak of five straight games of shooting better than 50 percent come to a end in the loss to Butler. The sophomore, who leads all first-year Big East players in scoring at 14.6 points per game, went 30-of-52 while averaging an even 15 points in the last five games. Figueroa ranks in the top 15 in the Big East in scoring, rebounds per game (6.9), field goal percentage (54.4), steals (1.7), 3-point shooting (41.1) and defensive rebounds per game (5.4) for the Red Storm, who are 4-5 against the Hoyas under Mullin.

TIP-INS

1. Over the last two seasons, Govan is tops among active Division I centers in scoring (18.6 points per game), rebounding (9.3) and in double-doubles (22).

2. St. John's is 12-0 when it scores 80 or more points.

3. The Red Storm own a 59-51 advantage in the series with the Hoyas and have won five of the last seven meetings at Madison Square Garden.

PREDICTION: St. John's 86, Georgetown 80

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:11 AM

DePaul Blue Demons vs. Providence Friars Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NCAAB Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

By already matching last season's win total of 11, its most since winning 12 in 2014-15, DePaul is fighting to regain respectability in the Big East. The Blue Demons will visit a Providence squad on Sunday that is trying to recapture its form as well, one that had the Friars playing in the NCAA Tournament each of the last five seasons.

Providence got out of the Big East basement in conference play with a 64-62 win at Xavier on Wednesday but almost blew a 10-point lead with 3:44 left as the Musketeers had a chance to score three times in the final 30 seconds before committing two turnovers and missing a jumper from just inside the arc at the buzzer. "Just another Big East war," Friars coach Ed Cooley told reporters. "All these games are coming down to two or three possessions. Both teams kept giving it back to one another with turnovers, but I'm really proud of our group because we haven't been able to execute down the stretch." DePaul, which just needs four more wins to post a winning record for the first time since 2006-07, dropped a 79-69 decision against No. 11 Marquette on Wednesday but had previously won three of four games, knocking off Seton Hall twice as well as St. John's. The Blue Demons, who trailed by 14 in the first half against the Golden Eagles, pulled within 56-52 on Max Strus' layup with 7:31 remaining, but Marquette scored 11 straight to put the game away.

TV: Noon, ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT DEPAUL (11-7, 3-4 Big East): Sophomore forward Paul Reed (11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds) scored 18 points, while senior forward Femi Olujobi (12.8, 5.4) added 15 points and 11 rebounds against Marquette. Strus leads four players in double figures at 17.9 points on 41.4 percent shooting, including 35.8 percent beyond the arc, but he's averaging just 15.3 points on 37.4 percent shooting in conference games. The 6-9 Reed (16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 56.4 field-goal percentage) and 6-8 Olujobi (16.1 points, 6.0, 59.7) have been the two best Demon players in conference action.

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (12-7, 2-4): Senior guard Isaiah Jackson (9.6 points) scored 13 points, while sophomore Nate Watson (11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds) added 11 points as the Friars snapped a seven-game losing streak at the Cintas Center. Junior forward Alpha Diallo had 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting in the game and is 68 points shy of becoming the 50th Friar all-time to amass 1,000 career points. Diallo has been pretty much a one-man show since freshman guard A.J. Reeves (14.2 points, 45.3 percent 3-point shooter) went down with an injury, leading the team in scoring (16.8 points), rebounding (Big-East leading 8.4), assists (3.4), steals (1.8 - tied for second) and 3-pointers (28).

TIP-INS

1. Providence leads the all-time series 29-11. The teams split the series last season with each winning on the other's homecourt.

2. Reeves missed his ninth game with a foot injury but is expected back soon, maybe even Sunday. He was the Big East's Freshman of the Week three times before going down.

3. Diallo is one of six players in the country, and three in power conferences - to be averaging at least 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.

PREDICTION: Providence 81, DePaul 72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:11 AM

Michigan St Spartans vs. Purdue Boilermakers Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NCAAB Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

Michigan State will try for its 14th straight victory when it travels to face Purdue in a Big Ten Conference matchup Sunday afternoon. The No. 5 Spartans staged a second-half rally on the road to defeat No. 21 Iowa on Thursday, while the Boilermakers have won four straight, including a 79-67 victory at Ohio State on Wednesday.

Point guard Cassius Winston is the key for coach Tom Izzo's offense as he leads the Spartans in scoring (18.3 points) and assists (conference-high 7.3), seeming to come up with big shots whenever needed. Junior forward Nick Ward bounced back from his first scoreless game with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Iowa, and ranks second on the team in scoring (16 points) and 17th in the nation in field-goal percentage (63.2 percent). Purdue junior guard Carsen Edwards is coach Matt Painter's main offensive weapon, scoring 24.7 points per contest (fourth nationally through Friday's games), but had a season-low 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting - including 2-of-13 from 3-point range - in the Boilermakers' loss to Michigan State earlier this month. Players such as senior guard Ryan Cline (12.4 points, 59 3-pointers) and 7-3 sophomore center Matt Haarms (7.7 points, 61.5 percent shooting) must come up with big efforts to take some of the Spartans' defensive attention off stopping Edwards.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (18-2, 9-0 Big Ten): The lingering question over Michigan State's current successful run is the status of junior guard Joshua Langford, who will miss his eighth straight contest with an ankle injury. Langford has been another coach for Izzo during his time on the sideline, though, helping mentor the team's freshman wing players, Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown, and senior Matt McQuaid has taken up the mantle of the team's best one-on-one defender on the perimeter in Langford's absence. McQuaid was the main defender when the Spartans held Edwards in check in their first meeting this season, and will try to stick to Edwards throughout Sunday's contest, a role Langford would be playing if he was available.

ABOUT PURDUE (13-6, 6-2): Turnovers - or a lack of them - has been a key to the Boilermakers' current run of seven wins in their last eight outings, with the team taking better care of the basketball. Purdue is averaging 11.1 turnovers, which would rank as the sixth-lowest average in school history, but that number has dropped to 9.4 over the last 10 games, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.61. The Boilermakers have also been forcing turnovers, with a plus-5.00 turnover margin over those 10 contests, and Painter is hoping his team can get the Spartans to turn the ball over like they did in the first meeting, when Purdue caused 14 miscues.

TIP-INS

1. Senior F Kenny Goins leads Michigan State and was ranked 31st nationally with 9.6 rebounds per contest.

2. Edwards is four rebounds away from 300 in his career, which would make him the sixth player in school history with at least 1,500 points, 300 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals.

3. Michigan State (60-21) and Purdue (59-21) own the Big Ten's best records over the last five seasons.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 79, Purdue 68

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-27-2019, 01:12 AM

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Villanova Wildcats Preview and Predictions 2019-01-27

NCAAB Predictions 26th January 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 01/26/2019

No. 18 Villanova has a terrific track record when it comes to hosting Seton Hall, but Jay Wright isn't taking the Pirates lightly this time around. The Wildcats' coach hopes his team can continue its dominance of Seton Hall when the teams match up Sunday in Philadelphia.

"Their physicality and toughness have been a challenge for us," Wright told reporters. "Seton Hall is always a difficult opponent for us." Wright is trying to keep his team focused even though Villanova has won 16 straight home games against Seton Hall, and hasn't lost at home to the Pirates in 25 years. Villanova is the only undefeated team in Big East play and enters this matchup having won seven games in a row. Seton Hall has lost three in a row and four of its last five, managing only a one-point win over Butler during that stretch.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, Fox

ABOUT SETON HALL (12-7, 3-4 Big East): Six of the Pirates' losses have come by fewer than 10 points, and their 97-93 defeat against DePaul the last time out was deeply disappointing considering Seton Hall shot over 54 percent from the field and from behind the 3-point line. Quincy McKnight had 25 points - a season high, by far - and also dished out a season-best nine assists while shooting 9-of-11 from the field. Leading scorer Myles Powell (22.2) registered 24 points versus DePaul - the 11th time this season he has exceeded 20 points in a game.

ABOUT VILLANOVA (15-4, 6-0): Villanova topped Butler 80-72 on Tuesday as seniors Eric Paschall and Phil Booth combined for 40 points while three of their teammates chipped in double-digit points, as well. Booth (4-of-12) had an off-shooting night but contributed five assists with only one turnover while playing 39 of 40 minutes. Sophomore Collin Gillespie is averaging 14.3 points in the last three outings and is 13-of-22 from 3-point range during that span.

TIP-INS

1. Powell (56) is the only Seton Hall player with more than 25 made 3-pointers in the team's first 19 games.

2. Villanova F Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree has 21 points in the last two games after going scoreless in the previous two outings.

3. Booth went 1-of-5 from 3-point range against Butler after making 15 shots from behind the arc in his previous three games.

PREDICTION: Villanova 69, Seton Hall 66

Sunday 1-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Sunday 1-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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