The Bum's National Basketball League December Picks/Trends/News !!

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bucks (7-11) at Spurs (14-4)
Date: December 02, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Gregg Popovich isn't happy with how his team is performing on offense. Conversely, Jason Kidd likes his team's progress on defense.

That still doesn't mean anyone should expect Milwaukee to win in San Antonio on Wednesday night. Popovich's Spurs haven't lost a regular-season game there in nearly nine months, and Kidd's Bucks enter with six-game losing streaks on the road and in this series.

Kidd, though, does have a coaching win in San Antonio from his lone season with Brooklyn in 2013-14, and the Bucks did come close Jan. 25 before losing 101-95. The teams' last matchup wasn't as tight, with Milwaukee losing 114-103 at home March 18.

The Bucks (7-11) haven't won in San Antonio since 2008, and the Spurs (14-4) have won 18 consecutive regular-season games there since losing to Cleveland in overtime March 12. They've yet to give up 100 points in nine home games this season, winning by an average of 14.4.

Scoring 100, though, has been tough to do recently. San Antonio has been held to an average of 93.7 points in its last seven games and ranks in the bottom third of the NBA (98.8 per game) after finishing seventh last season (103.2). The Spurs are last in the league with 17.6 free-throw attempts per game.

They had a five-game winning streak halted with a 92-88 loss in Chicago on Monday.

"We are not good offensively, and may not be until March," Popovich said. "Offense will take a while. We have a lot of guys getting used to each other, and how to play together."

Among them is newcomer LaMarcus Aldridge, though he had one of his best performances in a Spurs uniform with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He's averaged 25.4 points in his last nine games against the Bucks.

Manu Ginobili has been struggling, shooting 25.0 percent in his last three games while missing all 11 3-point tries. Tim Duncan has averaged 6.3 points in his last four, attempting just 26 field goals (making 11), and has failed to get to the foul line in three straight.

Duncan has been tough on the Bucks even as he's aged, averaging 19.3 points and 11.3 rebounds during San Antonio's current win streak in the series. The Spurs have averaged 110.2 points in those six games.

It's been a similar story for Milwaukee lately on the road, losing six straight while allowing 109.5 points per game on 50.3 percent shooting.

However, Kidd liked what he saw on defense in Sunday's 87-82 defeat at Charlotte and the following night in a 92-74 win over Denver.

"I think you can see the guys are turning the page and understand what we're trying to get done defensively," he said. "The last two games, they're getting better. So now we get back out on the road against a very talented team in San Antonio, so we're gonna need that defense to compete and win on the road."

Kidd specifically mentioned Jabari Parker's strong defense Monday, when he had two blocks and two steals along with 16 points.

"We just gotta keep locking in (on defense)," Parker said. "Myself, gotta keep playing good defense and help contribute."

Last year's No. 2 overall pick and 2013 lottery selection Michael Carter-Williams have come off the bench in the last two games. Carter-Williams had one of his best games of the season Monday with 12 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (11-5) at Clippers (10-8)
Date: December 02, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Paul George has carried the Indiana Pacers during their hot stretch. Blake Griffin may have to do the same for the Los Angeles Clippers to maintain theirs.

The Clippers host the red-hot Pacers on Wednesday night possibly without Chris Paul after the point guard strained his rib cage Monday.

Paul did not return after exiting a 102-87 win over Portland midway through the third quarter. The Clippers will re-evaluate his status prior to Wednesday's game while bracing for an absence of some sort.

"You can't replace Chris, obviously," center DeAndre Jordan said. "But we have to learn to play with somebody down. I may be down a game, Blake might be out. Injuries happen, things happen, and we want to be able to fill that void."

Los Angeles (10-8) lost two of the three games Paul missed earlier this season with a groin strain. It was able to overcome his departure against a Trail Blazers team that played most of the second half without Damian Lillard.

Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin will handle the ball more if the All-Star guard again misses time.

"Whenever Chris is out, Blake and the point guard do the ball-handling duties," Rivers said. "It's nice when you have a guy like Blake that can do stuff like that."

Griffin had a season-high nine assists with Paul sidelined for a 101-96 win over Detroit on Nov. 14 and has averaged 6.7 in the last three games - all wins. The Clippers had previously lost eight of 11.

He's averaging 27.3 points on 57.5 percent shooting over his last four and now has 450 points this season, the most through 18 games since the franchise moved from San Diego in 1984-85.

George enters on an even more impressive roll. The versatile forward has gone 16 of 28 from 3-point range while averaging 37.3 points over the last three games and has totaled 20 or more in 12 straight.

Indiana (11-5) has won five in a row and 11 of 13 after beginning this four-game western trip with a 107-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at an emotionally charged Staples Center. George scored 11 of his 39 points in the final 1:27 to keep Indiana in front in the Lakers' first game since Kobe Bryant announced he will retire at the season's end.

"I had the utmost confidence to put this game in my hands," George told the team's official website.

With George and C.J. Miles leading the way, the Pacers are averaging 113.8 points and shooting 45.7 percent on 3-pointers in winning their last five by an average of 19.4 points. Miles is 25 of 50 from beyond the arc while averaging 19.5 points over his last six.

Indiana was swept in last season's two meetings with the Clippers as George missed both. Griffin averaged 24.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists while Jordan grabbed a combined 42 boards.

Jordan had a season-high 24 rebounds Monday along with 18 points, but he also missed 22 free throws to tie Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record and set a franchise record with 34 attempts. Jordan's 153 attempts are third-most in the league and his 37.9 free-throw percentage is the worst.

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Toronto Raptors 11 7 0.611 0 4-2 7-5 6-3 6-4 L-1
Boston Celtics 10 8 0.556 1 6-4 4-4 8-6 6-4 W-1
New York Knicks 8 10 0.444 3 3-6 5-4 4-8 4-6 L-4
Brooklyn Nets 5 13 0.278 6 4-3 1-10 3-7 4-6 W-2
Philadelphia 76ers 1 18 0.053 10 1-7 0-11 0-11 1-9 W-1

EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Cleveland Cavaliers 13 5 0.722 0 9-1 4-4 11-5 6-4 L-1
Indiana Pacers 11 5 0.688 1 6-2 5-3 9-3 8-2 W-5
Chicago Bulls 10 5 0.667 1 6-1 4-4 6-3 7-3 W-1
Detroit Pistons 9 9 0.500 4 5-2 4-7 4-4 4-6 W-1
Milwaukee Bucks 7 11 0.389 6 5-4 2-7 6-9 3-7 W-1

EASTERN CONFERENCE - SOUTHEAST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Miami Heat 10 6 0.625 0 8-3 2-3 5-5 7-3 L-1
Atlanta Hawks 12 8 0.600 0 7-3 5-5 7-4 4-6 W-1
Charlotte Hornets 10 7 0.588 0 8-2 2-5 6-6 7-3 W-1
Orlando Magic 10 8 0.556 1 7-3 3-5 5-5 7-3 W-4
Washington Wizards 7 8 0.467 2 3-4 4-4 6-7 4-6 W-1

WESTERN CONFERENCE - SOUTHWEST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

San Antonio Spurs 14 4 0.778 0 9-0 5-4 8-2 8-2 L-1
Memphis Grizzlies 11 8 0.579 3 6-3 5-5 8-6 8-2 W-2
Dallas Mavericks 11 8 0.579 3 5-2 6-6 9-6 6-4 W-1
Houston Rockets 7 11 0.389 7 4-7 3-4 4-6 3-7 L-1
New Orleans Pelicans 4 14 0.222 10 3-5 1-9 4-9 3-7 L-3

WESTERN CONFERENCE - NORTHWEST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Oklahoma City Thunder 11 7 0.611 0 8-3 3-4 6-2 6-4 L-1
Utah Jazz 8 8 0.500 2 3-3 5-5 4-4 4-6 L-1
Minnesota Timberwolves 8 10 0.444 3 2-7 6-3 3-4 4-6 L-2
Portland Trail Blazers 7 12 0.368 4 4-5 3-7 7-9 3-7 L-2
Denver Nuggets 6 12 0.333 5 3-6 3-6 5-11 2-8 L-7

WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Golden State Warriors 19 0 1.000 0 10-0 9-0 15-0 10-0 W-19
Los Angeles Clippers 10 8 0.556 8 8-4 2-4 9-7 5-5 W-3
Phoenix Suns 8 10 0.444 10 5-5 3-5 7-7 4-6 L-1
Sacramento Kings 7 12 0.368 12 5-6 2-6 2-9 5-5 W-1
Los Angeles Lakers 2 15 0.118 16 1-6 1-9 0-9 1-9 L-7

Updated Wed Dec 2 12:04 PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Conference championship games this weekend..........

-- MAC-- Bowling Green (-11.5) vs Northern Illinois

-- C-USA-- Western Kentucky (-7) vs Southern Mississippi

-- AAC-- Houston (-6) vs Temple

-- Pac-12-- Stanford (-4.5) vs USC

-- SEC-- Alabama (-17.5) vs Florida

-- MW-- San Diego State (-3.5) vs Air Force

-- ACC-- Clemson (-5.5) vs North Carolina

-- Big 14-- Michigan State (-3.5) vs Iowa

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud......

13) First of all, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in San Bernadino after yesterday's killings at a county office complex. It is just very sad; I'm not going to go on a rant here about guns or anything, but stuff like this needs to stop.

12) It is interesting how CNN brings in experts in to talk about these situations as cameras from helicopters show police activity. Former CIA people, police offficers, military experts- they all speculate on a fluid situation-- live TV is very interesting.

On to more pleasant subjects........
11) There is an interesting article in ESPN the Magazine on agent Jimmy Sexton, who is one of the major power brokers in college football- he represents fifty college coaches, and NFL players like Philip Rivers and Julio Jones.

Put it this way: last week, Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Florida State, USC-UCLA all played rivalry games. Sexton represents the head coach from all six of those schools.

10) David Price got $31M a year from the Red Sox; he's a damn good pitcher, but his 0-7, 5.27 career postseason record has to raise eyebrows. He is also 30 years old, so he will be 37 when his contract runs out. Lot of $$$ to commit to one player.

Price is 104-56, 3.09 in 213 career regular season starts; he was 18-5, 2.45 in 2015.

9) Miami Marlins are really going to hire Barry Bonds as a hitting coach? Does that mean he has to talk to the media? Don Mattingly as a manager, Bonds as hitting coach would put a lot of hitting expertise in Miami's dugout.

Mark McGwire is going to be the Padres' bench coach; interesting times we live in.

8) Mark Richt is the new football coach at Miami, his alma mater, where he backed up Jim Kelly in the early 80's. Richt is highly regarded as a person, averaged 9.6 wins a year at Georgia. I am very, very curious what Michael Irvin says about this hire.

7) Interesting development: Ivy League is considering having a postseason hoop tournament, starting in 2016-17. Guess they've finally seen the light that getting the whole league together for a weekend would be a money maker, plus it would give the league's basketball programs some national publicity. Right now, Ivy League is the only Division I league that doesn't have a postseason tournament.

6) 76ers suspended Jahlil Okafor for two games; they can't do anything right. This is why teams do exhaustive research on draft prospects and still, problems pop up and screw things up. I mean, the season is five weeks old and he's already had incidents involving the police three times. No bueno.

Meanwhile, Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis says the 76ers never worked him out before the draft. Seriously? The NBA should make these idiots sell the team, or hire a new GM, at the least. The guy running things now is an imbecile.

5) San Diego State-San Diego are playing basketball outdoors at Petco Park Sunday, just before the Chargers play Denver at Qualcomm. Interesting concept; Toreros have a new coach, Aztecs are offensively challenged. Big sports day in San Diego.

4) ESPN's Dan Dakich last night said that he's always thought Rick Pitino is the best coach in the country at player development. Interesting comment coming from a guy who both played and coached at Indiana.

3) Basketball scheduling note: Duke doesn't play a true road game until their ACC slate starts January 2 at Boston College. Until then, Blue Devils play nine home tilts, only one of which (vs Indiana, ACC-Big 14 challenge) is against a team in top 100.

They're also playing four neutral court games, all in New York City, all against top 50 opponents, all on national TV. Interesting how different teams schedule.

2) Central Florida signed Oregon OC Scott Frost as its new coach; UCF is a really big school, a sleeping giant athletically. Frost played at both Nebraska/Stanford, then played in NFL for six years with four different teams.

1) Michigan State 71, Louisville 67-- Funny how the new rule, really going back to an old rule, how coaches can't call timeouts while the clock is running, has created a few problems early on-- players haven't adjusted to calling timeouts yet.

Wisconsin 66, Syracuse 58, OT-- Jim Calhoun is worth listening to on TV; he talks lot slower than he did when he was coaching, he obviously knows a ton and gives out good basic basketball knowledge.

I have to look this up; teams that win these Thanksgiving tournaments at fun places tend to let down in their first game back on campus. Something I sense, have to find out for sure. There are peaks and valleys to every season.

Butler 78, Cincinnati 76-- You have to be damn good to score 78 on Cincy.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, December 3

Hot teams
-- Thunder won four of last five games (1-3AF). Miami won four of its last six games (0-0HU).
-- Toronto won five of its last six games (3-3HF).
-- Magic won their last four games (1-1AU).
-- Spurs won six of their last seven games (5-3AF). Memphis won four of its last five games (0-1HU).
-- Celtics won three of their last four games (1-3AF). Kings won three of last four home games (1-3 last four HU).
-- Indiana won its last five games (1-1AF).

Cold teams
-- Denver lost its last seven games (0-6 vs spread in last six0.
-- Utah lost six of its last ten games (2-3HF).
-- Portland lost three of its last four games (2-2HU).

Series records
-- Thunder won three of last four games with Miami.
-- Raptors won four of last five games with Denver.
-- Jazz won eight of last ten games with Orlando.
-- Spurs won eight of last ten games with Memphis.
-- Home side won last seven Boston-Sacramento games.
-- Pacers lost four of last five games with Portland.

Totals
-- Five of last six Okahoma City games stayed under.
-- Last four Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Boston games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Indiana games went over the total.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Thursday, December 3

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Miami
Oklahoma City is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Miami is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Oklahoma City

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 7:30 PM
DENVER vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games on the road
Denver is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Toronto is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Denver
Toronto is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing Denver

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 9:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 9:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MEMPHIS
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Memphis's last 13 games when playing San Antonio

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 10:00 PM
INDIANA vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games when playing Indiana

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 10:00 PM
BOSTON vs. SACRAMENTO
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Sacramento is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Boston

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, December 3

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OKLAHOMA CITY (11 - 7) at MIAMI (10 - 6) - 12/3/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 68-41 ATS (+22.9 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
MIAMI is 115-154 ATS (-54.4 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
MIAMI is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 40-57 ATS (-22.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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DENVER (6 - 13) at TORONTO (12 - 7) - 12/3/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 156-206 ATS (-70.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
TORONTO is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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ORLANDO (10 - 8) at UTAH (8 - 8) - 12/3/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 55-40 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 43-14 ATS (+27.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 3-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 3-2 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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SAN ANTONIO (15 - 4) at MEMPHIS (11 - 8) - 12/3/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 113-82 ATS (+22.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 70-42 ATS (+23.8 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 917-797 ATS (+40.3 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 727-615 ATS (+50.5 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 308-243 ATS (+40.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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BOSTON (10 - 8) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 12) - 12/3/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 32-52 ATS (-25.2 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1996.
BOSTON is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 40-56 ATS (-21.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 37-54 ATS (-22.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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INDIANA (12 - 5) at PORTLAND (7 - 12) - 12/3/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 52-32 ATS (+16.8 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
INDIANA is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Thursday, December 3


NBA roundup: Bryant scores 31 as Lakers end skid

WASHINGTON -- Guard Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 31 points including the go-ahead jumper with 30.8 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 108-104 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Bryant, who announced his retirement Sunday, scored 18 points in the first half and 12 in the fourth quarter for the Lakers (3-15). Displaying vintage moves with pull-up and fadeaway jumpers before a crowd roaring his every move with approval, the 20-year veteran efficiently scored in the first half while leaving enough energy left for the fourth quarter.

After the lead switched sides eight times in the fourth quarter, Bryant drained his fourth 3-pointer for a 101-99 lead. Washington center Marcin Gortat's layup tied the game on the next possession, but Bryant put Los Angeles ahead with a long jumper, his fifth basket of the period.

Guard John Wall had 34 points and 11 assists for the Wizards (7-9). Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 18 for the Lakers. Forward Julius Randle had 15 points and 19 rebounds.

Warriors 116, Hornets 99

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Stephen Curry erupted for 40 points in his annual homecoming, scoring the final 24 points of the third quarter, and Golden State remained perfect with a victory over Charlotte.

The Warriors were in control throughout, racing to a 28-13 lead midway through the first quarter and building the lead to as many as 26 in the second half.

Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and played collegiately at nearby Davidson, finished 14 of 18 from the field and eight of 11 from 3-point range. He had just 12 points at halftime, and then exploded for 28 third-quarter points, including the Warriors' last 24 over the final 4:55 of the period. He hit four 3-pointers in the final 1:53 of the third. He then sat out the entire fourth quarter with the game well in hand.

Knicks 99, 76ers 87

NEW YORK -- New York snapped a four-game losing streak, turning back Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden.

Rookie Kristaps Porzingis registered his ninth double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Arron Afflalo added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Carmelo Anthony returned after missing one game due to illness, scoring 12 points in the wire-to-wire win.

Philadelphia, which ended its 18-game losing streak at the start of the season with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, was without Jahlil Okafor, who was suspended for two games earlier on Wednesday. Okafor, the third pick in the NBA draft out of Duke, will also miss Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

Raptors 96, Hawks 86

ATLANTA -- Kyle Lowry shook off flu-like symptoms to score 31 points and help Toronto overcome a 17-point deficit en route to defeating Atlanta.

Lowry actually left the court with 4:11 in the first half when he felt sick to his stomach. He returned in the second half and scored 16 of the team’s points during an 18-4 run in the fourth quarter, when the Raptors went from seven points behind to seven points ahead. He scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Lowry shot 9-for-17 from the field and was 11-for-12 from the line. He added five rebounds and five assists. DeMar DeRozan added 17 points and guard Cory Joseph added 10 points for the Raptors.

Pistons 127, Suns 122 (OT)

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Reggie Jackson scored 18 of his game-high 34 points after the third quarter to help Detroit rally from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to earn an overtime win over Phoenix at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons (10-9) trailed 102-86 with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, but rallied with a 21-2 run to take a 107-104 lead with 1:47 left in the fourth after a layup by Jackson, a guard.

Phoenix answered and took a 112-110 lead with 30.7 seconds left in the fourth on a 3-pointer by Brandon Knight, but the Pistons tied the game with 14.3 seconds to go on two free throws by Andre Drummond, who was fouled at midcourt unintentionally by P.J. Tucker of the Suns.

Bulls 99, Nuggets 90

CHICAGO -- Pau Gasol had 26 points and 19 rebounds to lead Chicago to a comeback win over Denver at the United Center.

The Bulls trailed the Nuggets by four points entering the fourth quarter and outscored them 31-18 in the final 12 minutes. The Nuggets were ahead 79-77 when the Bulls went on a 12-2 run. Gasol had six points during the run.

The Bulls won their fourth consecutive home game and improved to 7-1 at the United Center this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only other team in the Eastern Conference with just one home loss.

Spurs 95, Bucks 70

SAN ANTONIO -- Tim Duncan scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds despite not playing in the fourth quarter as San Antonio shrugged off some early ragged play and defeated Milwaukee to remain undefeated at home.

San Antonio substituted liberally beginning in the first two minutes and kept running fresh players at the young Bucks, whose starting five combined have the number of years in the league as Duncan, who is in his 18th year in the NBA.

The Spurs trailed by three points in the game's first two minutes but reeled off a 14-4 run and never looked back. San Antonio rested most of its starters the entire fourth quarter but still outscored the Bucks 19-15 in the period.

Rockets 108, Pelicans 101

HOUSTON -- James Harden posted a double-double, and three Houston reserves scored in double figures for the first time this season as Houston clawed out a win over New Orleans at Toyota Center.

Harden finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds while adding six assists. He didn't hit his first 3-pointer until the 3:15 mark of the fourth quarter, a huge basket that pushed the Rockets to a 99-92 lead.

Terrence Jones (15 points), Corey Brewer (14) and Ty Lawson (12 points and six assists) delivered off the Houston bench. Trevor Ariza added 13 points and Patrick Beverley had 10 for Houston.

Pacers 103, Clippers 91

LOS ANGELES -- Paul George scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Indiana won its sixth in a row with a victory over short-handed Los Angeles at Staples Center.

Reserve Rodney Stuckey added 18 points, Ian Mahinmi chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Hill contributed 13 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who have captured 12 of 14 after an 0-3 start.

Blake Griffin and reserve Lance Stephenson, the former Pacer, scored 19 points apiece for the Clippers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Jamal Crawford finished with 16 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Thursday
December 3, 2015


Thursday’s six-game slate in the Association features five non-conference games plus a quality matchup in the Western Conference between the Grizzlies and Spurs.

It’s been a great back-and-forth week at the betting counter so far, with favorites going 13-10 straight and the underdogs producing a 13-10 against the spread mark.

For tonight’s action, it’s all about picking the winner with five of the games featuring point-spreads at 3 ½ or less.

Let’s break down the action.

Oklahoma City at Miami (TNT, 7:00 p.m. ET): This is a great matchup but certainly not an easy one to handicap. Oklahoma City is an elite team but it’s struggled on the road (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS) and it’s been real mediocre against the Eastern Conference (5-5) this season.

Miami has gone 8-3 SU (5-6 ATS) at home this season but the effort has been lackluster at times and it’s certainly been caught napping in losses to the Timberwolves and Celtics.

I believe the Heat have only been tested five times this season against what I consider legit playoff opponents (Cavs, Hawks, Pacers, Raptors, Rockets). In those games, they’ve gone 2-3 and some would say that I’m giving too much credit to Houston.

The Thunder have been installed as short road favorites (-2) for this game and Miami has only been catching points twice this season, in road games versus the Cavaliers and Pistons. The Heat lost both those games by double digits.

Oklahoma City has won and covered three of the last four meetings against the Heat and that includes two straight victories (94-86, 112-95) at American Airlines Arena. Miami is 5-1 versus the Western Conference this season, 4-1 at home.

Denver at Toronto: The Raptors opened as 10 ½-point favorites for this game and this is the highest spread that they’ve given all season. The number seems a bit inflated but both clubs are going in opposite directions right now. Toronto captured a solid 96-86 road win at Atlanta last night and has won five of its last six after fighting through a 2-6 struggle. The Raptors have only played six home games and they’re a respectable 4-2 both SU and ATS, with the two losses coming by a combined seven points.

Including last night’s loss at Chicago, the Nuggets have dropped eight straight games. More importantly, they’ve gone 2-6 ATS during this run and are only averaging 91.2 PPG during this skid. On the road, Mike Malone’s team is 3-7 SU and 5-5 ATS.

The Raptors swept the season series (1-1 ATS) against the Nuggets last season while scoring 112 and 116 points. The ‘over’ cashed in both game and is 5-1 in the last six meetings between the pair. However, Denver enters this game on a 4-0 ‘under’ run.

The Nuggets have struggled on zero days rest (0-4 SU, 2-2 ATS) this season and Toronto (2-2 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) hasn’t been much better.

Orlando at Utah: These teams met in early November at Orlando ran past Utah 102-93 as a 1 ½-point home underdog. The Jazz didn’t have center Rudy Gobert in the lineup and the big man will be ‘out’ against tonight due to a knee injury. Utah has gone 0-2 in his absence this season and will certainly miss his size (10.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG) in the middle.

Orlando (10-8 SU, 12-6 ATS) has been very competitive this season, especially on the road for bettors (3-5 SU, 5-3 ATS). Scott Skiles and his troops come into this game with a four-game winning streak and that confidence should help at this venue. The Magic captured a 98-93 road victory last season at Utah but was 0-5 (2-3 ATS) in its previous five trips to Salt Lake City.

Utah has had a difficult schedule thus far and only played six games at home. The Jazz are 3-3 both SU and ATS from Salt Lake City but two of the losses came to the Thunder and Warriors. The Magic are decent but certainly not in the class of those teams.

San Antonio at Memphis (TNT, 9:30 p.m. ET): The Grizzlies opened as 1 ½-point home underdogs and as of Thursday morning, the number is up to 3 ½ at most betting shops. Memphis has gone 6-3 SU but 3-6 ATS at home this season and San Antonio hasn’t been spectacular on the road (5-4 SU, 5-4 ATS) this season.

The Grizzlies are 0-1 as home ‘dogs this season and dating back to last season, they’re 3-7 in their last 10 when facing this situation, which tells you that it’s rare to see them win big games at home versus top-tier opponents.

The Spurs have won eight of 10 against the Grizzlies, which includes a 92-82 victory on Nov. 21 as eight-point favorites. The ‘under’ is on a 3-0 but the ‘over’ is 6-4 during this span.

San Antonio ripped Milwaukee last night and has only played two back-to-back games this season. They won and covered both contests, one of them being the aforementioned win over Memphis.

Boston at Sacramento: The Association heads to Mexico City on Thursday as the Celtics (-2) meet the Kings in a neutral game. Boston continues to improve under head coach Brad Stevens, who has received a great effort from a lot of good NBA players and when they make shots, they can beat anybody. Boston just knocked off Miami 105-95 on the road this past Monday and this travel spot seems difficult but it would be worse if the game was in Northern California.

The Kings (7-12 SU, 9-10 ATS) are still finding their way under George Karl and they’ve been okay at home for their standards (5-6 SU, 5-6 ATS). The tempo has been fast and that’s resulted in a 10-8-1 ‘over’ record. Tonight’s total is 215 and the pace will from both teams will get close to that number.

Bettors have seen this series split the last three seasons and the home teams have won all six of those games. The total has gone 3-3 during this run but the ‘over’ has cashed in all three of the games played at Sleep Train Arena.

Indiana at Portland: It’s hard to go against the Pacers, who have won six straight and 12 of their last 14 games after starting the season 0-3. During this span, Indiana has produced a 12-2 ATS mark and the two losses came on the road by a combined six points to quality opponents in the Cavaliers (101-97) and Bulls (96-95).

This could be a spot they get tripped up after beating the Chris Paul-less Clippers 103-91 last night at the Staples Center. The Pacers have gone 2-1 both SU and ATS on zero days rest this season and the ‘under’ is 2-1 in these games as well.

If you’re leaning to the Trail Blazers (7-12 SU, 9-10 ATS), then you need them to score. In all of their seven wins, they break the century mark. Knowing Indiana is ranked fourth in defensive scoring (95.3 PPG) could have you backing away.

Portland took both regular season affairs against Indiana last season and has won and covered four of the last five games. The Pacers haven’t won at Portland since the 2007 season. The Blazers are 4-5 both SU and ATS at home this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Thunder (11-7) at Heat (10-6)
Date: December 03, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

It seems clear the Oklahoma City Thunder need offensive contributions from others besides Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to be successful.

It's the defensive end where the Miami Heat need to keep having everyone help.

The league's No. 2 scoring offense takes on the No. 2 scoring defense as the Thunder visit the Heat on Thursday night.

"We're not gonna shut Kevin Durant down, you're not gonna shut Russell Westbrook down, only thing we can hope for is they have bad shooting nights," Dwayne Wade said. "... It's our job to make sure that we make it as tough as possible, play our defensive concepts and don't give them too many easy baskets and play the way we play."

Both teams have had two days off following disappointing losses.

Oklahoma City (11-7) overcame a 16-point deficit in Atlanta to take a four-point lead on Westbrook's back-to-back baskets with 2 1/2 minutes left, but he was 0 for 2 with a turnover down the stretch in a 106-100 loss. The Thunder, who average 108.9 points, fell to 0-5 when failing to top 100.

Westbrook scored half of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out seven assists, but Oklahoma City had a four-game winning streak snapped. Durant had 25 points, including the Thunder's only four in the final two minutes, but felt he "could've been a lot better."

Oklahoma City's reserves certainly could have been, matching a season low with 19 points on 7-of-31 shooting. The Thunder are 11-1 when their bench scores at least 30 and 0-6 when they don't.

Dion Waiters averaged 13.5 points in the previous 11 games as Oklahoma City went 8-3, but he was 0 of 7 from the field and had one point Monday. Fellow reserve Anthony Morrow hit three 3-pointers but missed his other nine shots. The Thunder are 6-0 when Morrow hits at least 40.0 percent from the field.

"Every game is different and every day is different," Morrow told the team's official website. "It's about keeping that same steady work ethic and mentality."

Those areas have pleased first-year coach Billy Donovan.

"These guys are really committed to the game," he said after Tuesday's practice in Miami. "They're committed to their personal development. They get in the gym and they work."

Heat veteran Chris Bosh sounds similarly pleased despite Monday's 105-95 home loss to Boston. It was the third defeat in 10 games for Miami (10-6), which leads the Southeast Division after failing to make the playoffs last season.

"Before the season started, if you would've told me your team would be 10-6 in the first 16, I'm gonna take that," said Bosh, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds Monday playing through an illness. "... We're better than I thought we would be. That's one thing that we understand. We do wanna win and can win ball games, but we're an inexperienced group as far as together is concerned."

The Heat are giving up 96.3 points per game and are 9-1 when holding opponents under that mark.

Wade had a season-high 30 points Monday but also committed six turnovers. He was held to a combined 30 points in two meetings with the Thunder last season as the Heat lost both despite Westbrook totaling 31 points and Durant scoring 19 in the only one he played.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nuggets (6-13) at Raptors (12-7)
Date: December 03, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Kyle Lowry's offensive spark may have closed Toronto's latest road win, but it was the Raptors' defense that opened the door.

The Raptors hope to carry the momentum from both back home when the Denver Nuggets visit Thursday night.

Lowry scored a franchise-record 22 points in the fourth quarter during Wednesday's 96-86 victory at Atlanta, helping the Raptors rally from a 17-point deficit in the second half.

Toronto (12-7) trailed by 14 at halftime after scoring just 16 points in each of the opening two quarters. Lowry, though, made 7 of 8 shots in the final frame to finish with a season-high 31 points.

'I told him, `Win the game for us,'" said DeMar DeRozan, who added 17 points. 'That's what he did.'

And he did it through flu-like symptoms. Lowry needed to leave the game in the second quarter but returned to begin the third. He caught a rhythm in the final 12 minutes to ignite the comeback.

"The thing about Kyle is he's so quick and he's so strong," coach Dwane Casey said. "He goes in there and drives into the bodies of the big guys and initiates contact. He's almost like a little mouse. He gets in there and finds a hole and gets through there... He knows when to do it. He knows how to do it."

He did it in his last meeting against the Nuggets, too, scoring 30 points to go with 11 assists and seven rebounds during a 116-102 win on Dec. 28. He made 12 of 20 shots and 3 of 5 from 3-point range.

Lowry finished 9 of 17 from the field against the Hawks while making 11 of 12 free throws. He chipped in five rebounds and five assists.

Toronto's defense set the stage for his big fourth quarter, limiting the Hawks to 20 points in both the third and fourth and holding them to 36.7 percent shooting, including 29.6 on 3-pointers.

The Raptors, who have won five of six, improved to 7-0 when holding teams under 40 percent shooting with five of those wins coming on the road.

Toronto won its last four road games to close a daunting stretch of 13 of 19 away from home to open the season. The Raptors get some relief, though, by starting a six-game homestand against reeling Denver.

The Nuggets (6-13) have lost eight straight including three to open their current five-game road trip. They haven't lost nine in a row since a 14-game skid in the 2002-03 season.

Denver struggled to defend during the first four losses of its streak, allowing 113.0 points per game, but an offense that's averaged just 81.3 in the past four has been the biggest issue lately.

The Nuggets made 38.7 percent of their shots during Wednesday's 99-90 loss at Chicago, slightly better than the 37.3 they posted in Monday's 92-74 loss at Milwaukee. Denver was outrebounded by the Bulls 62-49, while allowing 30 second-chance points and making just 13 of 22 free throws.

'You give a team 30 points off offensive rebounds then you miss nine free throws in a close game, you're going to make it hard on yourself to pull that game out,' coach Michael Malone said.

Gary Harris missed his third straight contest, but he cleared the NBA's concussion protocol on Wednesday and should start against the Raptors. He averaged 13.7 points in six games before his injury.

The Raptors have won the last three in this series and three of four in Toronto.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Magic (10-8) at Jazz (8-8)
Date: December 03, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Orlando Magic had a hard enough time holding off Utah three weeks ago, and that was with the Jazz missing two starters.

Looking to win five straight games for the first time in nearly four years, the visiting Magic expect a much tougher test Thursday night against a Jazz team that nearly handed Golden State its first loss.

Orlando (10-8) looked like it would cruise to an easy win over a Utah team playing without Rodney Hood (right foot soreness) and Rudy Gobert (left ankle sprain) on Nov. 13. The Magic led by 22 in the second quarter and were up by 23 in the fourth before letting the Jazz pull within seven with 1:10 to go. Utah couldn't get any closer, however, and Orlando won 102-93 as Evan Fournier had a game-high 21 points.

The Magic had a similar fast start and late letdown Tuesday against Minnesota to open a five-game road trip. They led by 17 in the third quarter before allowing the Timberwolves to tie the score with 4:30 to play. They then clamped down defensively, as Minnesota missed six of its final seven shots and won 96-93 for a fourth straight victory. They haven't won five in a row since January 2012.

"We have a pretty nice streak going, but we have to keep it up," Nikola Vucevic said. "We have a tough one against Utah coming up. They have a good team. Gobert is going to be playing and he changes the look of their team."

The Magic, however, have gotten a reprieve of sorts since the Jazz ruled out Gobert indefinitely Wednesday night due to a sprained MCL in his left knee. The 7-foot-1 center helped limit Utah's opponents to 35.7 percent shooting - the lowest mark by an player who averages at least 30 minutes.

Though the Magic don't have to worry about Gobert patrolling the paint, they'll also have to contend with Hood's offense. Fourth on the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game, Hood had a chance to put the Jazz (8-8) ahead of the Warriors by two on Monday but missed a 3 with five seconds left in a 106-103 loss.

'We competed against the best team in the league and gave ourselves a chance to win,' said Gordon Hayward, who is averaging 24.7 points and has made 8 of 15 3-pointers in the last three games. 'Had a shot at the end. Couple mistakes here and there. ... And maybe it's a different outcome, but can't complain."

The Magic will also have one of their top players available this time that didn't play last month. Victor Oladipo sat out under the league's concussion protocol and his shift from starter to reserve has coincided with the Magic's winning streak. He is providing a spark off the bench, averaging a team-best 18.3 points in the last four games.

Fournier is averaging 10.3 points in the last four - 6.6 below his team-leading average.

Defense has keyed the winning streak, as the Magic are allowing 91.3 points and 39.4 percent shooting in the last four after giving up an average of 105.8 points in dropping three of the previous four.

'The only way to be a winning team is by defending,' Vucevic said. 'Some games we might go out there and outscore people, but we know that for us to be consistently winning we have to defend.'

Orlando's 98-93 win at Utah last December snapped a five-game losing streak in Salt Lake City.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Spurs (15-4) at Grizzlies (11-8)
Date: December 03, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

Although they continue to be a work in progress offensively, the San Antonio Spurs have excelled on the other end while piling up the NBA's second-best record.

The visiting Spurs may have to find a way to contain Marc Gasol on Thursday night when they go after their 12th win in the past 14 meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has voiced his displeasure with his team's scoring woes during an eight-game stretch in which it has averaged just 93.9 points.

The Spurs shot 41.1 percent for the second straight game Wednesday, but bounced back from Monday's 92-89 loss at Chicago with a 95-70 rout of Milwaukee. Tim Duncan led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds as San Antonio improved to 10-0 at home.

Kawhi Leonard, however, had a season-low 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting after scoring 24.4 per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field in his previous five. LaMarcus Aldridge also struggled with six points on 3-of-10 shooting after scoring 21 against the Bulls.

San Antonio, though, continues to shine with an 88.8 defensive scoring average that easily leads the NBA. It limited the Bucks to a season low point total and shooting percentage (33.8).

"It's coming around. We continue to improve (defensively),' Duncan said. 'It's what we want to do. A great effort all around. Pop is still on us about the mistakes we made, but you look up at the scoreboard and they score 70 in a night."

The Spurs (15-4) held Memphis (11-8) to 43.2 percent shooting - including 1 of 9 from 3-point range - in a 92-82 home win Nov. 21. Gasol finished with just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting as the Grizzlies lost for the 11th time in the past 13 meetings in this series, including a four-game sweep in the 2013 Western Conference finals.

The All-Star center had averaged 11.2 points over his previous five games before breaking out with a career-high 38 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in Tuesday's 113-104 win at New Orleans. He also went a career-best 16 for 16 from the free-throw line.

"It's been a tough week to 10 days as far as me playing and I wanted to take a different approach to the game and it worked," Gasol said. "I imposed a little bit my will. ... Instead of trying to get somebody else going or trying to read and see what was in front of me, I just went ahead and tried to be a little more aggressive."

Mike Conley had 11 points Tuesday after averaging 20.0 over his previous eight games. He's scored 27.8 while hitting 10 for 16 from long range in his last four at home versus San Antonio.

The Grizzlies, who have won five of their last six at home, have found the defensive form that has keyed their success in recent seasons. They're allowing an average of 95.6 points over their last seven games after giving up 102.2 in their first 12.

'We cannot keep trading baskets because we're just not that good at it,' Gasol said.

Memphis snapped a five-game home losing streak to the Spurs that included the playoffs with a 95-87 victory Dec. 30 in the most recent matchup at the FedExForum.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (12-5) at Trail Blazers (7-12)
Date: December 03, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

When Portland beat Indiana for the second time in 10 days last December, it became one of four teams to start the season with a winning percentage of .750 or greater and put the finishing touches on the season-worst eight-game losing streak of a team in pieces.

When the Pacers visit Portland on Thursday night, roles will be reversed with rejuvenated Indiana seeking a seventh straight win and a share of first place, while the Trail Blazers will try to avoid a three-game skid and the Northwest Division cellar.

Portland improved to 18-6 and dropped the Pacers to 7-17 on Dec. 13 with a 95-85 win in Indiana following an 88-82 home win Dec. 4. The Blazers have won four of the last five meetings and the previous six at home, but this Pacers team is leaving all that in the dust as they make their way up the West Coast.

Indiana (12-5), playing the third of a four-game trip, can match its best winning streak from last season after beginning the swing with a Staples Center sweep following Wednesday's 103-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pacers are also after their first five-game road streak since closing 2011-12 with one.

Paul George had 31 points and 10 rebounds for what was actually his worst offensive game in his last four. He's averaging 35.8 points and shooting 50.6 percent in that time, despite going 9 of 23 against the Clippers.

"This is definitely the best stretch I've had," he said. "I really put a lot of work in this summer to be ready night in and night out."

A shooting night like that is holding up just fine with what's happening on the other end. The Pacers have held their last three opponents to 37.0 percent, and their only losses following a 0-3 start were by four points at Cleveland and one at Chicago. Their scoring differential of 10.6 in that span trails only Golden State.

"We know what we're doing with this group," coach Frank Vogel told the team's official website. "We are still finding our way a little bit. We are just playing with confidence."

The Trail Blazers (7-12) suffered a sweep in a back-to-back set to start the week, falling 115-112 in overtime to Dallas on Tuesday at home a night after a 102-87 loss at the Clippers. The latest defeat came after leading 96-89 with 1:40 remaining.

"That's a tough loss to swallow. This is one we have to get," said Meyers Leonard after scoring a season-high 23 points. "We should have had this win flat-out tonight, however we didn't. Now we need to study the film and find out what we can do better, especially in late-game situations."

After starting 4-2 with a new-look lineup, the reality of being without LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews has set in over a 3-10 span.

Damian Lillard had 25 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against the Mavericks, giving him five double-doubles after never topping seven in 82 games over each of his first three seasons.

However, he was 10 of 24 and is averaging 20.4 shots per game - easily a career high and more than everyone in the league other than James Harden. The result is the worst shooting percentage of his career (41.9) and he's also turning the ball over more (3.5).

To be fair, he's not getting much help from anyone else the Blazers rely on. No. 2 scorer C.J. McCollum has been held to 11.5 points on 8-of-36 shooting in the last two games, while No. 3 scorer Al-Farouq Aminu is at 4.3 and 6 of 32 in his last four.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Celtics (10-8) at Kings (7-12)
Date: December 03, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics have been long rumored to have an interest in acquiring DeMarcus Cousins.

With performances like he had in his return to the Sacramento Kings, it's easy to see why.

The Kings will try to continue their success this season with Cousins in the lineup Thursday night when they take on Boston in Mexico City as part of the league's Global Games events.

Trade rumors began to swirl concerning Boston's interest in Cousins ahead of their most recent meeting last February. General manager Danny Ainge was then reportedly pushing to get a deal done during the offseason after it seemed coach George Karl and Cousins couldn't co-exist.

The Celtics weren't able to pull it off and the All-Star center remains with Sacramento, though he, Rajon Rondo and Karl are still trying to work out their differences. Cousins had a verbal tirade on his coach earlier in the season, but the three had a productive meeting near the end of a 2-3 trip.

Cousins missed the finale of that road swing and the next two games with a lower back strain before finishing with 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Monday's 112-98 win over Dallas. Rondo had 21 points and Rudy Gay added 20 as Sacramento avoided a third straight loss.

Cousins is averaging career highs of 28.2 points while leading the Kings to a 6-5 record in the games he's played. They haven't been the same without him, dropping seven of eight.

"I hate being out and I hate having to sit to watch my team going to battle without me when you know you could be in helping them,' Cousins said. 'It's a terrible feeling to be sitting out. But you have to put those games behind you and move forward.'

Rondo hopes to put up a similar performance to the first time he faced Celtics after getting traded to Dallas in the middle of last season. The All-Star, who spent his first eight-plus seasons in Boston, had 29 points and hit 5 of 7 from 3-point range in Dallas' road win Jan. 2.

Sacramento and Boston have split the season series in each of the past three seasons, with the home team winning each time. That won't be the deciding factor at Mexico City Arena.

"We're thrilled to participate in this game here," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told the team's official website. "As much as we're focused on this task and focused on the game itself, I think we recognize how blessed we are to get a chance to play all around the world, and certainly here in Mexico City."

Stevens' club is seeking some consistency on the defensive end after splitting the Florida portion of its five-game trip with Monday's 105-95 win at Miami. The Celtics have limited opponents to an average of 89.7 points in 10 victories but have surrendered 107.3 in eight defeats.

Avery Bradley led six double-digit scorers with 25 points Monday, while Jared Sullinger added 17. Isaiah Thomas scored 16 with nine assists but shot 5 of 17 from the field.

Thomas, averaging a team-high 20.8 points, has scored a combined 43 in his two trips back to Sacramento after spending his first three seasons with the Kings.

Sullinger has only played in two of the past four meetings but has totaled 51 points and 27 boards.