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**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:12 PM

Hoop Trends - Friday

March 16, 2012

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Knicks are 0-12-1 ATS (-7.6 ppg) since February 22, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a home win in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Hawks are 0-15 OU (-14.9 ppg) since November 19, 2008 at home with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.

PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:

The Grizzlies are 0-10-1 OU (-14.5 ppg) since November 06, 2010 after a loss in which Mike Conley played more than 40 minutes.

CHOICE TREND:

The Raptors are 0-10 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since March 12, 2008 on the road when facing a non-conference team they lost to in their first match-up of the season.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Warriors are 10-0 ATS (10.8 ppg) since January 16, 2009 at home with at most one day of rest after a game at home after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent.The Pistons are 10-0 ATS (14.4 ppg) since May 10, 2007 on the road with at least one day of rest after a win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:15 PM

Preview: Nets (15-29) at Magic (28-16)

Date: March 16, 2012 7:00 PM EDT

The New Jersey Nets acquired a front-line player at Thursday's trade deadline, though not the one most thought it would be.

Now they'll get another up-close look at the one that got away.

After months of back-and-forth deliberation, Dwight Howard has decided to stay with the Orlando Magic - at least through next season - and his quest for a championship continues when Orlando seeks its 10th straight win over visiting New Jersey on Friday night.

While Magic executives were weighing the team's options after Howard scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 122-111 loss at San Antonio on Wednesday, the face of the franchise decided he was best suited to remain with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall out of high school in 2004.

Howard signed a waiver in the early morning hours Thursday, taking away his right to opt out of his contract following this season.

It took longer than the Magic may have wanted, but Howard will be under contract through the 2012-13 season.

"I'm glad this is finally over," Howard said. "It's not as easy as some people think. It's been very hard. We're talking a career-changing event. Most people don't see that.

"I'm very loyal and I've always put loyalty above anything."

After watching Shaquille O'Neal sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 without any compensation, Orlando wasn't about to let another star player leave without getting something in return.

"It was real," general manager Otis Smith said of the possibility of trading Howard. "We weren't rolling the dice."

There won't be any more questions regarding Howard's status - much to the delight of coach Stan Van Gundy - and the perennial All-Star just wants to focus on the task at hand.

"Now we can get back to playing basketball and having some peace and trying to win a championship," Howard said. "I feel like we have a chance to win and I didn't feel like either one of us (he or the organization) should give that up."

The last time the Magic (28-16) faced the Nets, Howard had 20 points and 17 rebounds in a 108-91 victory Feb. 22, though the New Jersey fans continuously chanted his name due to Howard reportedly listing the Nets as one of his preferred destinations in his preseason trade demand.

Howard is likely to receive a loud ovation when he's announced in Orlando in this contest, and the Nets (15-29) now can only wonder what might have been.

With Howard off the table, New Jersey traded Mehmet Okur's expiring contract, Shawne Williams and a protected first-round draft pick to Portland for swingman Gerald Wallace on Thursday.

"We were involved in a lot of things, some things didn't work out, but the thing we did, did," general manager Billy King said. "I am always one who has the glass half full. We're moving on. We have a starting small forward who is a great fit for us, and that's all I can focus on."

The trade may not be enough to keep star point guard Deron Williams from opting out of his contract following the season, but Wallace provides another threat at both ends of the court as the Nets attempt to salvage what's left of their season.

Wallace is averaging 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds and also is known as a stingy defender and hard worker. It's unclear if he'll be in uniform for this matchup.

Williams missed his third straight game with a strained left calf Wednesday, but Gerald Green - playing on his second 10-day contract - scored 26 points off the bench in a 98-84 victory over Toronto.

Kris Humphries had 16 points and a career-high 21 rebounds as New Jersey ended a two-game skid. Brook Lopez also missed his sixth straight game with a sprained right ankle.

"With Deron out and Brook out, there is a huge void in every category when those two guys miss," Humphries said. "It's not just me though. Gerald has come in on a 10-day and, look it up, I don't know if anybody has played that well ever. He is playing great. We are all picking up the slack."

New Jersey has lost seven straight meetings in Orlando, including 94-78 on Dec. 29 when Howard scored 16 points and grabbed 24 rebounds.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:16 PM

Preview: Heat (31-11) at 76ers (25-18)

Date: March 16, 2012 7:00 PM EDT

Though things haven't gone well lately for the Miami Heat, especially on the road, visiting Philadelphia might be a welcome sight.

The Heat go for a 10th straight regular-season win over the 76ers - a team they have really dominated in 2012 - and enter Friday night trying to avoid their longest road losing streak in nearly four years.

This matchup caps a three-game trip for Miami (31-11), and the first two did not go well. One night after blowing a 14-point lead in an overtime loss to Orlando, the Heat couldn't take advantage of Derrick Rose's absence and fell 106-102 to Chicago on Wednesday after failing to make up a 17-point deficit.

Dwyane Wade had 36 points and is averaging 30.7 over the past three games. LeBron James scored 35, but for the second straight game just two of his points came after the third quarter.

A victory at Portland in its return from the All-Star break gave Miami 20 wins in 23 games, but the Heat have since gone 3-4 with each loss coming on the road.

"We had to break like everybody else and that's how fragile things are in this league," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But the character and the makeup of our group, we'll work together to find a way to get back to where we were. We were playing excellent basketball three weeks ago, but that's in the past."

The Heat are at risk of their worst road losing streak since the season before Spoelstra took over. They haven't dropped five consecutive games away from home since losing their final nine of 2007-08.

One of the Heat's biggest problems on the road has been clearing the glass. They've been outrebounded by an average of 13.2 in the last four road games, giving up 61 offensive boards.

"We've been playing some big teams to start the second half of the season," said James, who was averaging 10.4 rebounds this month before having five Wednesday. "... We're undersized, but we just gotta figure it out. We gotta put more bodies on guys."

Miami has had no such trouble in two matchups with the 76ers (25-18) this year, outrebounding them 99-69 while winning each game by at least 20 points.

The Heat have won the last nine regular-season meetings, and their only loss in the past 14 overall against Philadelphia came during the first round of last year's playoffs.

The 76ers had won three in a row before losing 111-94 at Indiana on Wednesday. They forced eight turnovers, one off a season low, and let the Pacers shoot 56.6 percent - the best by a Philadelphia opponent in more than a year.

"I thought this was our poorest defensive game all season," said coach Doug Collins, whose team leads the NBA in points allowed (87.9 ppg) and field-goal percentage defense (41.8).

The Sixers haven't allowed 100 points in back-to-back games all season but now face a Miami team that leads the Eastern Conference in scoring at 102.5 per game.

However, the Heat would have failed to reach 100 for the fourth straight game Wednesday if not for two late 3-pointers by James Jones. Chris Bosh has averaged 14.3 points on 37.5 percent shooting in those contests, while Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers have combined to go 3 for 26 from 3-point range.

Evan Turner has averaged 21.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in the past four games for Philadelphia, which has won its last two home games after losing five of six.

The 76ers could have a new player in uniform, having acquired swingman Sam Young from Memphis shortly before Thursday's trade deadline.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:18 PM

Preview: Pacers (25-16) at Knicks (19-24)

Date: March 16, 2012 7:30 PM EDT

With Linsanity fading and the New York Knicks reeling, coach Mike D'Antoni had finally seen enough - and his departure may have unintentionally sparked his former team.

Coming off their most lopsided win of the season, the Knicks seek consecutive victories for the first time in more than a month when they open a home-and-home series with the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

D'Antoni abruptly resigned Wednesday - reports say it was a mutual decision with management - with New York mired in a six-game losing streak, and the seven-game winning streak sparked by Jeremy Lin's emergence becoming an increasingly distant memory.

Interim coach Mike Woodson had little time to prepare for his debut at the helm, but New York (19-24) responded Wednesday night with a 121-79 home drubbing of Portland to end the skid.

"When you look into their eyes after something like this has happened, you know, you wonder as a coach are they mentally there,' said Woodson, whose team hasn't won consecutive games since the Lin-fueled run Feb. 4-15. "I just told them to take a deep breath and relax and let's go out and have fun and play basketball the way I think we're capable of doing it, and I think they responded.'

J.R. Smith scored 23 points and Steve Novak added 20 as reserves, while Amare Stoudemire finished with 17 and Carmelo Anthony chipped in 16.

Lin, who flourished under D'Antoni's pick-and-roll, faced-paced offense, had six points, six assists and six turnovers.

"It's going to be a different style, a different rhythm, but we still need to figure it out because we don't all have it figured out just yet right now,' Lin said of playing under Woodson.

Stoudemire, meanwhile, believes he and Anthony will benefit from the change.

"I just think he's just going to utilize his leading scorers,' Stoudemire said. "With myself and Carmelo, he's going to utilize us to make sure that we take advantage of our every opportunity out there on the court. We've been profound scorers all our career, so we're going to make sure we take advantage of it.'

Anthony took advantage of the Pacers when these teams last met, scoring 34 points including a 19-foot jumper with four seconds remaining to lift New York to a 110-109 win at Indiana last April 10.

The Knicks had lost three of their previous four meetings with the Pacers (25-16), who set a season high Wednesday by shooting 56.6 percent in a 111-94 home win over Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia.

"It helps a lot,' Danny Granger, who scored a team-high 20 points, said of defeating a division leader. "This game had more meaning than probably most people realized.'

The Pacers made a meaningful trade Thursday, dealing a second-round pick to Toronto for veteran guard Leandro Barbosa. Barbosa averaged 12.2 points in 42 games this season with the Raptors, all coming in a reserve role

"He gives us added depth and scoring off the bench and will help us as we make our run to the playoffs,' Indiana team president Larry Bird said.

Tyler Hansbrough's 29 points trumped 28 from Stoudemire and 25 from Anthony as the Pacers beat the Knicks 106-93 without Granger on March 13, 2011, in their last visit to MSG.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:19 PM

Preview: Wizards (10-32) at Hawks (24-19)

Date: March 16, 2012 7:30 PM EDT

A disappointing road trip didn't lessen the resolve of the Atlanta Hawks not to make any moves at the trade deadline.

The Hawks will try to avoid a third straight loss Friday night when they host the Washington Wizards.

Atlanta's hold on sixth place in the Eastern Conference became a little more tenuous after it completed a 2-4 road trip with a 96-82 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

As expected, Atlanta (24-19) stayed quiet at the deadline, choosing not to appease Josh Smith's request for a trade.

General manager Rick Sund had said what the team needs is for everyone to get healthy. Al Horford is out for the season with a torn left pectoral muscle while leading scorer Joe Johnson returned last week after missing six of the previous seven games with tendinitis in his left knee.

The Hawks haven't shown much offensive power without Horford and that was particularly evident on the trip. They were held to 86 or fewer points in three of the four losses on the trek.

Johnson had 19 points and Smith 18 against the Clippers. Atlanta shot 34.6 percent and allowed the Clippers to connect on 54.3 percent overall while hitting 10 of 20 from 3-point range.

Smith, who went 1 of 8 from the field for seven points in the second half, scored his fewest points in eight games after averaging 26.6 points during the previous seven.

Points weren't nearly as difficult to come by in the Hawks' lone meeting this season with Washington (10-32) - a 101-83 victory on Dec. 28. Johnson led six players in double figures with 18 points.

Atlanta has won seven in a row at home against Washington and 13 of 14 overall.

The Wizards continue a six-game trip after ending a three-game losing streak with a 99-89 victory over Western Conference-worst New Orleans on Thursday.

They had dropped the first two games of the trip versus San Antonio and Dallas, but shot 52.0 percent against the Hornets and outscored them 27-6 on the fast break.

John Wall scored 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting and handed out 12 assists. Washington led by as many as 16 points, but needed a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to seal its first road win in seven games.

``Everybody stepped up and we got a good team win,' Wall said. ``Lately, we've been playing as a team and playing hard. When (we) do that, we give ourselves a chance.'

Washington traded guard Nick Young and centers JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to Denver as part of a three-team deal on Thursday. The Wizards acquired talented, but oft-injured big man Nene from Denver as well as Brian Cook from the Clippers.

Nene was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season.

"Nene is a versatile player who will bring experience and a physical presence to our frontcourt,' Washington general manager Ernie Grunfeld said. "His veteran leadership and postseason experience will be a positive influence in our locker room."

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:21 PM

Preview: Trail Blazers (20-23) at Bulls (36-9)

Date: March 16, 2012 8:00 PM EDT

The Chicago Bulls credit their ability to play through adversity for making them stronger.

For the Portland Trail Blazers, continued problems cost coach Nate McMillan his job as the franchise underwent some big changes.

The Bulls aren't certain if they'll have star guard Derrick Rose available Friday night when they host the reeling Trail Blazers, who play their first game under interim coach Kaleb Canales.

Portland (20-23) has dropped to last place in the Northwest Division with seven losses in nine games, with all six defeats in March by double digits.

The Trail Blazers put up little resistance and were embarrassed with a 121-79 loss at New York on Wednesday to a Knicks team that had lost six straight.

The 42-point defeat was the last straw for management, which fired McMillan on Thursday after six seasons, during which he guided the team to three playoff berths. Canales was promoted from assistant to interim coach.

"Clearly the season to this point has not gone the way we had hoped it would and after talking with Nate we decided it was best to part ways," Blazers President Larry Miller said in a statement issued by the team.

Thursday's moves also included trading veteran center Marcus Camby to Houston and forward Gerald Wallace to New Jersey. The Trail Blazers acquired guard Jonny Flynn and the expiring contracts of Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and Hasheem Thabeet as well as draft picks.

To make room for the new additions, Portland waived former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden, who was limited to 82 games by injuries since the Blazers took him over Kevin Durant with the first selection in the 2007 draft. Oden recently underwent his third microfracture knee surgery.

With Portland in flux and struggling, a visit to Chicago isn't likely to help. The Bulls (36-9) have the NBA's best record and have won three straight, including a 106-102 victory over Southeast Division-leading Miami on Wednesday without Rose.

The reigning MVP sat out with a strained groin - the 11th game he's missed this season. A day earlier, he was fined $25,000 by the league for criticizing officiating in a win over the Knicks and he was involved in a minor car accident, although he wasn't injured.

While Rose and Richard Hamilton (shoulder) were out, Luol Deng returned after missing two games because of pain in his injured left wrist and had 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

Despite Deng's poor shooting and a season-low two points from Carlos Boozer, the Bulls prevailed behind 24 points from John Lucas III - one of six players in double figures.

"We're like a brotherhood," said Lucas, who hit 9 of 12 shots and 3 of 5 3-pointers. "When one brother goes down, we have their back."

Chicago outrebounded the Heat 50-34 and has a 15.0 boards per game edge over its last three opponents. Taj Gibson has averaged 8.7 rebounds off the bench during that stretch, grabbing a season-high 13 against the Knicks.

"The guys we have on our team are the right guys," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They have the right attitude, approach and there's the belief we can win."

It's not certain if Rose or Hamilton will play Friday. Rose has two 30-point games in his last three meetings with Portland.

Chicago has won two straight at home against the Blazers, but has lost six of the last eight meetings overall.

LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged 35.7 points in his last three games against the Bulls, scoring 42 in Portland's 109-103 victory on Feb. 7, 2011.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:25 PM

Preview: Raptors (14-29) at Grizzlies (24-17)

Date: March 16, 2012 8:00 PM EDT

Despite missing two key players, the Memphis Grizzlies managed to remain competitive in losing to one of the perennial contenders in the Western Conference the last time they took the court.

The Grizzlies might have a chance to improve their record over the next few games beginning with a visit from the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

They might also get some help during that stretch with Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay possibly returning from their injuries.

Randolph hasn't been in the lineup for Memphis (24-17) since tearing his right MCL during a 104-64 loss in Chicago on Jan. 1. He said he hopes to return shortly and didn't rule out playing in the Grizzlies' two games this weekend.

Memphis was also missing Gay, its top scorer, during a visit from the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Gay was dealing with a mild concussion that he suffered two days earlier during a 94-91 win in Denver.

Even with those two players out, the Grizzlies managed to take the Lakers into double overtime before falling 116-111.

Marreese Speights, who has started during Randolph's absence, had a season-high 25 points and seven rebounds. Marc Gasol had 20 points and was one of six players in double figures.

"I've got no problem with my team. Our guys played hard. They played with a lot of energy and a lot of heart. We lost to a team that played better," coach Lionel Hollins said. "We've got to give them their due, and we've just got to get ready to come back on Friday."

Hollins' team will begin a stretch of four consecutive games against sub-.500 teams. That could help the Grizzlies bounce back after losing two of three following an 11-2 stretch.

Memphis has won six straight over Toronto (14-29) and seven of eight home meetings, including three in a row. The Grizzlies, though, needed late baskets from Gay and Tony Allen to secure a 102-99 victory at the Air Canada Centre on March 2.

The Raptors scored one point over the final 1:06 of that defeat and struggled throughout much of the second half during a 98-84 loss at New Jersey on Wednesday. Toronto was outscored 57-38 over those final 24 minutes and made 12 of 35 shots (34.3 percent) to finish at 38.3 percent.

Dwane Casey's team was playing its fourth game in five days, but he refused to use that as an excuse.

"We're in the NBA and that is what we are paid to do, perform each and every night. I just didn't see that," Casey said. "In the first half we competed. We wanted to belong. In the second half we didn't meet their toughness."

Each team won't have one player on its roster following Thursday's trade deadline. The Raptors shipped guard Leandro Barbosa to Indiana for a second-round pick and cash, while the Grizzlies sent swingman Sam Young to Philadelphia for the draft rights to Ricky Sanchez.

While they won't have Young, they probably would like Randolph back for this game. He's averaged 25.5 points on 61.8 percent shooting in two home matchups with Toronto over his three seasons in Memphis.

Gay, who reportedly practiced Thursday, has averaged 22.8 points over his last four games against the Raptors.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:27 PM

Preview: Pistons (16-27) at Suns (21-22)

Date: March 16, 2012 10:00 PM EDT

The Phoenix Suns are trying to get back to .500 for the first time in more than two months.

Returning home and having Steve Nash and Grant Hill back in uniform should improve those chances greatly.

After being rested for one game, Nash and Hill are scheduled to return to the lineup and try to keep the Suns surging as they attempt to sweep a back-to-back-to-back stretch of games Friday night when they host the Detroit Pistons.

Phoenix (21-22) hasn't held a .500 record since it was 4-4 on Jan. 8, but a 9-3 surge has it on the brink of returning to the break-even point.

The Suns posted a 91-87 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, one night after they shot 56.4 percent en route to a 120-111 home win over Utah.

Now, looking to win for a third straight night, barring any unforeseen circumstances coach Alvin Gentry will have Nash and Hill back.

Gentry opted to rest the veteran duo against the Clippers, and reserve Shannon Brown made the most of his opportunity with a season-high 21 points. Sebastian Telfair, filling in for Nash at the point, had seven points and eight assists.

"I think it was satisfying for the guys in the locker room, because I think they wanted to prove that we are a good team all around and that we can win games without Steve or Grant," Gentry said. "We didn't have the guy who is the engine to our whole team."

The Suns may also benefit from a return to US Airways Center, where they've won eight of their last 10 games while averaging 102.9 points.

Nash leads the NBA with 11.1 assists per game and is averaging 13.9 points, while Hill is averaging 13.6 points over his last eight at home.

Hill was held to eight points while shooting 4 of 14 in a 75-74 loss at Detroit (16-27) on Jan, 22, 2011, the last time these teams met. Phoenix, though, has won three in a row over the Pistons at home including a 92-75 victory Dec. 31, 2010.

The Pistons have put together a solid 4-1 stretch after dropping four of their previous five. They turned in their best offensive effort of the season Wednesday, shooting 58.1 percent from the field - 8 for 13 from 3-point range - to win 124-112 at Sacramento.

"We've been coming together as a team," coach Lawrence Frank said. "It's a collaboration in a lot of different areas at both ends of the floor. It's not one thing or one player, it's many different things."

One reason for the recent surge has been the play of Rodney Stuckey, who had 35 points, six assists and five rebounds against the Kings. Stuckey is averaging 25.8 points and shooting 60.8 percent over his last five games.

Stuckey has struggled in his career versus Phoenix, averaging 9.4 points in seven meetings.

Tayshaun Prince had 17 points and 13 rebounds in last season's victory over the Suns, and enters this contest on the heels of a 28-point performance in Sacramento.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:29 PM

Preview: Celtics (23-19) at Kings (14-29)

Date: March 16, 2012 10:00 PM EDT

Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics had been playing well even with the distraction of the trade deadline looming.

Now that it's come and gone with his team still intact, Garnett will try to lead the Celtics to another win over the struggling Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

After scoring 21 points in a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, Garnett had a team-leading 24 in a 105-103 win over Golden State on Wednesday, including the tiebreaking jumper with 5.1 seconds left.

Brandon Bass added a season-high 22 points as the Celtics improved to 2-1 on their eight-game road trip, which ends March 23 in Philadelphia.

Garnett scored 12 in the fourth quarter while finishing one shy of his season high. He's averaged 17.6 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 56.4 percent in 11 games since taking over as the starting center for the injured Jermaine O'Neal.

"He's been unbelievable this run," coach Doc Rivers told the league's official website. "Since he's been at the 5, he's been absolutely sensational for us."

Rivers' team overcame 18 turnovers and a 52.6-percent shooting performance from the Warriors on Wednesday to win for the eighth time in 10 games.

"It's good for the team. It's good for our confidence," forward Paul Pierce said. "It shows we can win when we don't play well. We played defense when it mattered. That's what was most important."

Boston (23-19) will get to build on that effort with its top players still on the team after the team stayed quiet at Thursday's trade deadline. Point guard Rajon Rondo was one of those who was in trade rumors, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rondo has averaged 11.3 assists over his past 10 games and has totaled 41 in the last three meetings with Sacramento, loser of three in a row after a 2-0 start to its nine-game homestand.

Boston has prevailed in eight consecutive matchups with the Kings, winning by an average of 17.0 points, but the past two in Sacramento were decided by a combined eight.

The Kings (14-29), though, were beaten by a combined 38 points in their last two games. They gave up 40 in the third quarter during a 124-112 loss to Detroit on Wednesday, the most in any period this season.

"You're not going to win a game if you give up 40 points," rookie guard Isaiah Thomas said.

Three Sacramento players topped 20 points in that defeat, including Jason Thompson with a season-best 21 and 15 rebounds. Thomas also scored 21, three shy of his career high.

Tyreke Evans had a team-best 23 points but left in the fourth quarter after injuring his ankle on a hard fall. He's listed as day-to-day.

His potential absence could be a big problem for a Sacramento team which has averaged just 84.1 points in the last eight meetings with Boston.

The Kings have allowed an average of 115.0 points during their three-game skid after giving up 98 or fewer during wins over New Orleans and Dallas to start their homestand.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:30 PM

Preview: Bucks (19-24) at Warriors (18-22)

Date: March 16, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

On the verge of their longest winning streak in two years, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to have hit their stride.

They could become even more formidable with their new acquisitions in uniform.

With Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh hoping to suit up versus their former team, the Bucks kick off a two-game road swing against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night seeking a fifth consecutive victory.

In an attempt to bolster its postseason push, Milwaukee (19-24) sent Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to Golden State (18-22) on Tuesday in exchange for Ellis, Udoh and Kwame Brown. While Bogut (fractured ankle) and Brown (chest) are both uncertain to return this season, the Warriors traded Jackson to San Antonio on Thursday for Richard Jefferson.

Ellis and Udoh, meanwhile, can't play for the Bucks until Bogut completes his physical with the Warriors, and were held out of Wednesday's 115-105 win over Cleveland. Despite being short-handed, Milwaukee was able to pull away behind Drew Gooden's 15 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists and a combined 43 points from Ersan Ilyasova and Mike Dunleavy.

The Bucks' lone loss in their past six games was a 106-104 defeat to NBA-best Chicago on March 7, and they've since won four in a row to move into a tie with New York for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They haven't won five straight since a six-game run March 3-14, 2010.

Adding the speedy Ellis and his 21.9 points per game to the mix could further boost the Bucks' playoff hopes.

"Hopefully, we might even get a little bit quicker," coach Scott Skiles said. "Certainly Monta's quick - very quick. And hopefully we'll continue to kind of play in that style and move the ball around and cause people problems."

Udoh can cause problems at the defensive end, ranking among the league leaders with 1.7 blocks per game.

The Warriors did well in their first game without Ellis, winning 115-89 at Sacramento on Tuesday, but the next night they lost 105-103 to Boston. After Kevin Garnett hit the go-ahead jumper with 5.1 seconds remaining, Nate Robinson missed a 3-point attempt with a second left.

Robinson made his second consecutive start in place of Stephen Curry (sprained ankle), finishing with 20 points and a season-high 11 assists. Rookie Klay Thompson scored a season-best 26 and is expected to remain in the starting five with Ellis no longer around.

"We can't give up easy buckets because we don't have Monta to bail us out and score 40 a game," said Thompson, averaging 16.3 points over the last six games. "We just have to band together. We have done a great job at that the past two games and we have to do that Friday as well."

While Golden State's three-game win streak came to an end Wednesday, coach Mark Jackson was pleased with his team's effort. The Warriors shot 52.6 percent from the field and outscored the Celtics 60-42 in the paint.

"I could not be more satisfied with the energy, the effort, the commitment from my guys," Jackson said. "Now, we're not jumping up and down, but we certainly are not discouraged by what took place tonight. This is the type of performance to build on."

His team has played well on both ends of the court in the past four games, shooting a combined 52.1 percent from the field and holding opponents to an average of 93.5 points.

The Warriors had dropped four straight in this series before posting a 100-94 win Feb. 3, 2011, in the most recent meeting.

Curry is expected to be held out for the sixth time in 11 games.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:32 PM

Preview: Timberwolves (22-22) at Lakers (27-16)

Date: March 16, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of matching their longest winning streak of the season, yet general manager Mitch Kupchak couldn't ignore the lack of production from the point guard position any longer.

Whether team chemistry will suffer remains to be seen.

Pau Gasol is still a Laker after Thursday's trade deadline, but Los Angeles must overcome the emotional trade of veteran Derek Fisher when it seeks its 18th consecutive victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and fifth straight win overall Friday night at Staples Center.

The Pacific Division-leading Lakers (27-16) beat New Orleans 107-101 in overtime Wednesday behind 33 points from Kobe Bryant and 25 points and 18 rebounds from Andrew Bynum.

Los Angeles overcame a 14-point deficit to earn the victory and complete a 2-0 road trip, and with a win Friday they would match their season-high five-game overall winning streak from Jan. 6-13.

"We don't get down whenever we trail by 14, 15, whatever points. We don't get discouraged,' Bryant said. "We've been through it before. We've been down big in Game 7 of an NBA finals, so this is really nothing to us to maintain our composure.'

Gasol was the player most mentioned in trade speculation approaching the deadline, but it was Fisher whom the Lakers sent to Houston for center Jordan Hill.

The deal came shortly after Los Angeles traded Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a first-round pick to Cleveland for Ramon Sessions and little-used guard Christian Eyenga.

Fisher was part of five NBA championship teams with the Lakers, but Kupchak said the deal - though difficult to make - was necessary.

"It's hard to put into words what (Fisher's) meant to this organization, on the court and off the court,' Kupchak said. "It's one of the hardest parts of the job that a general manager has, separating the emotions of a relationship you've had.

"We think Ramon will make an immediate impact. Despite Derek's presence, we felt that we needed more speed and more quickness in the backcourt.'

It's unclear if Sessions will be join the Lakers in time for Friday's contest, though it may not matter given the team's recent history against Minnesota (22-22).

Bryant scored 34 points in a 105-102 road win last Friday, giving Los Angeles its 17th straight victory over the Timberwolves - the longest active streak in the league by one team over another.

Minnesota lost rookie point guard Ricky Rubio to a torn ACL toward the end of that contest, which began the club's current stretch of three losses in four games including a 111-105 overtime defeat at Utah on Thursday.

Kevin Love, who sat out last week's loss to the Lakers because of back spasms, had 25 points and 16 rebounds in the loss to the Jazz to continue his recent torrid play. He's averaged 32.7 points and 13.7 rebounds in the last six games he's played.

The Wolves, who have split the first two contests on their season-high seven-game road trip, remained two games back of the Western Conference's final playoff spot Thursday night after eighth-place Denver fell to Oklahoma City.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:34 PM

Thunder go for rare win over Spurs Friday

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (28-13)

at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (33-10)

Tip-off: Friday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Line: Oklahoma City -4½, Total: 206½

The Thunder will once again try to figure out the Spurs when they host San Antonio on Friday night.

For all of OKC’s recent success, the Spurs simply have their number. They have won seven of eight SU and six of eight ATS against the Thunder, and four of five SU and ATS at Oklahoma City. Can the Thunder score a rare win over the Spurs? For the answer, connect to the NBA Weekday Pass for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each day. NBA Pass was a perfect 3-0 ATS on Wednesday.

The Spurs have gone 16-2 SU and 14-3-1 ATS with PG Tony Parker in the lineup since Jan. 30. Parker (20.1 PPG, 8.0 APG) has simply been on a tear of late. He sat out a loss to the Clippers last Friday, but in five March games, he’s averaging 26.8 PPG on 63.5% FG and 7.2 APG. He’s also gotten the better of Thunder PG Russell Westbrook (23.6 PPG, 5.5 APG) in most of their head-to-head matchups. Westbrook has averaged 17.3 PPG, but hit just 37.5% of his field goals against the Spurs the past three years.

Along with Parker’s strong play, PF Tim Duncan (14.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG) has looked more like his old self of late. Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging 16.4 PPG and 8.7 RPG. And SG Manu Ginobili (12.7 PPG) continues to round into form since returning from an oblique injury. He tweaked a hamstring injury and came off the bench in Wednesday’s win over Orlando, scoring 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting (4-for-7 from three) while posting a plus/minus of +11 in 23 minutes.

The Spurs dealt SF Richard Jefferson in exchange for SF Stephen Jackson, who may not be in uniform in time for Friday. That would mean more minutes for SF Kawhi Leonard (7.5 PPG), who has been solid in March, averaging 10.3 PPG on 61.3% FG. The FoxSheets show a two-star trend siding with the Spurs:

SAN ANTONIO is 42-21 ATS (66.7%, +18.9 Units) versus teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN ANTONIO 103.6, OPPONENT 99.1 - (Rating = 2*).

The Thunder scored a big win in Denver on Thursday night, pulling away from the Nuggets in the third quarter in a 103-90 victory. Not surprisingly, SF Kevin Durant (27.8 PPG) and Westbrook continue to carry them on the offensive end. But the Thunder also got a key role player back on Thursday, as defensive specialist SG Thabo Sefolosha (5.1 PPG) returned from a foot injury and played for the first time since January. He logged just 12 minutes and scored three points, but also had a plus/minus of +15 in his minutes. The Thunder are 17-1 SU this year when Sefolosha plays 10 minutes or more. This strong FoxSheets trend supports picking the Thunder:

Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (OKLAHOMA CITY) - after being beaten by the spread by 18 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going over the total by 30 or more points total in their last three games. (54-25 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.4%, +26.5 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:36 PM

Slumping Heat travel to Philly Friday

MIAMI HEAT (31-11)

at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (25-18)

Tip-off: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -3½, Total: 190½

The suddenly slumping Heat look to turn things around when they travel to Philadelphia on Friday night.

After looking invincible for a while, Miami has dropped two in a row SU and four straight ATS, including a road loss to the Derrick Rose-less Bulls on Wednesday night. The good news is that it may have served as a wake-up call for a team that looked unbeatable going into the All-Star break. The Heat have simply crushed the 76ers twice this year, including a 20-point win in Philadelphia in early February. Can the Sixers take advantage of slumping Heat team? For the answer, connect to the NBA Weekday Pass for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each day. NBA Pass was a perfect 3-0 ATS on Wednesday.

After a tough overtime loss in Orlando on Tuesday, the Heat had to fly to Chicago for a Wednesday night game. Nonetheless, their 106-102 loss to the Bulls, who were without Rose, was stunning. James (27.7 PPG on 54.7% FG, 8.4 RPG, 6.6 APG) and SG Dwyane Wade (23.1 PPG on 51.1% FG) once again carried a big offensive load, with James scoring 35 on 14-for-25 shooting and Wade 36 and hitting 16-of-26 FG. But PF Chris Bosh (18.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG) had a miserable game, going 3-for-15 from the field and scoring only 12 points. And Miami’s point guards continue to struggle. Mario Chalmers (10.4 PPG) was serviceable on the defensive end, but scored just four points on 1-for-5 shooting. He’s now shooting 33.3% FG (32.4% from three) since the All-Star break. Rookie Norris Cole (7.9 PPG) really had a bad night, scoring three points on 1-for-4 shooting and getting absolutely torched by journeyman PG John Lucas, who erupted for 24 points on 9-for-12 FG to key the upset. The FoxSheets have a strong trend working for the Heat:

Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MIAMI) - after being beaten by the spread by 18 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going over the total by 30 or more points total in their last three games. (54-25 over the last 5 seasons, 68.4%, +26.5 units. Rating = 2*).

The 76ers have been excellent at home this season, where they’re 16-8 SU and 15-9 ATS. But they looked awfully rusty in getting pushed around in Indiana on Wednesday night, a 111-94 loss. C Spencer Hawes (10.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG) played for the first time since Feb. 6 and wasn’t sharp, going for six points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. The surprising part of the loss was Philly’s defensive effort, as it gave up 111 points on 56.6% FG to the Pacers, and were outrebounded 37-26. For the season, Philly allows just 87.9 PPG on 41.8% FG.

The Sixers did get another strong offensive effort from SG Evan Turner (9.0 PPG). Turner moved into the starting lineup on March 5 and, after a disastrous two points on 1-for-12 shooting night in Milwaukee, has bounced back to average 21.8 PPG on 64.3% FG and 10.3 RPG in his past four games. PG Jrue Holiday (13.5 PPG, 4.4 APG) bounced back from a miserable 2-for-14 day in New York on Sunday to score 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting. He could have a big night against Chalmers, who’s struggling on both ends of the floor right now. This three-star FoxSheets trend sides with Philly:

MIAMI is 4-18 ATS (18.2%, -15.8 Units) after a loss by 6 points or less over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MIAMI 99.3, OPPONENT 101.7 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 03-16-2012, 12:38 PM

Rose questionable as Bulls host Blazers Friday

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (20-23)

at CHICAGO BULLS (36-9)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -9, Total: 191½

Derrick Rose or not, the Bulls have an excellent chance to keep the wins coming when they host Portland on Friday night.

Chicago is coming off a stunning home win over the Heat without Rose on Wednesday, pushing its second-half record to 9-1 SU (6-4 ATS). But more importantly, on Friday the Bulls will be hosting a Blazers team that time and time again has been embarrassed away from home and are in the middle of a house cleaning. Portland has lost six of seven SU and ATS on the road. Can the Bulls cover such a hefty spread? For the answer, connect to the NBA Weekday Pass for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each day. NBA Pass was a perfect 3-0 ATS on Wednesday.

The Blazers have been just awful so far on a seven-game road trip. PF LaMarcus Aldridge (21.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG) has looked like the only NBA-caliber player they have through the first five games of the trip, averaging 21.2 PPG on 54.1% shooting and 6.6 RPG. PG Raymond Felton (10.1 PPG, 6.0 APG), has assumed the starting point guard role by default despite his many shortcomings, as Jamal Crawford has reportedly played his last game in a Blazers uniform. Felton has averaged 13.2 PPG on 41.8% FG and 4.6 APG, but has gone a nice job getting to, and converting, at the free throw line (17-for-19).

The bigger problem right now has been the shooting slumps of SF Nicolas Batum (13.8 PPG, 39.9% from three) and SG Wesley Matthews (11.9 PPG). The two of them are set to assume bigger roles now that Wallace has been traded to New Jersey (for a first-round pick and two injured players, C Mehmet Okur and SF Shawne Williams). But Batum is shooting 37.5% from the field and 23.5% from three so far on the road trip, and Matthews is at 33.3% FG and 14.3% from three. As a team on the year, the Blazers average 103.6 PPG on 47.1% FG and 36.7% 3-pt FG at home, and 90.9 PPG on 42.0% FG and 28.9% 3-pt FG on the road. That’s why they’re 6-16 SU and 7-15 ATS on the road this season.

Portland also sent C Marcus Camby to Houston for project C Hasheem Thabeet and PG Jonny Flynn, neither of whom will help immediately. With McMillan out, assistant Kaleb Canales will fill in as interim head coach. The FoxSheets show this trend expecting the Blazers to keep the final score within single-digits:

Play On - Road teams (PORTLAND) - after being beaten by the spread by 30 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going over the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games. (46-21 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.7%, +22.9 units. Rating = 2*).

Rose (22.8 PPG, 8.0 APG) is questionable because of a groin injury. Without him, the Bulls got a career night from third string PG John Lucas (6.0 PPG) in Wednesday’s upset of Miami. Lucas came off the bench to score a team-high 24 on 9-for-12 shooting (3-for-5 from three). It was a balanced attack with Rose out, as six players scored in double-figures in the 106-102 win. Chicago also got a boost from the return of SF Luol Deng (15.2 PPG) and his always outstanding defense. PF Carlos Boozer (15.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG) had another shaky game, scoring just two points in 27 minutes. He’s averaging just 13.7 PPG and 7.7 RPG since the All-Star break and has been held in single-digits three times in 10 games, not good for a player who is a liability on the defensive end of the court.

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