Thanksgiving is over folks, which means the NHL and the NBA are both set to resume action. We begin with the NHL, where the Vancouver Canucks look to punctuate their eight-game losing streak to the Dallas Stars. Over at the NBA, the Golden State Warriors travel to Arizona, where the Phoenix Suns await their turn to try and become the first team to deal the Warriors a loss this season.
For more of Thursday’s top hockey and hoops action, check out our previews of the Blackhawks vs. Ducks and Pistons vs. Thunder.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars (7:30 PM ET)
Line: Vancouver Canucks (+150) vs. Dallas Stars (-125); total: 5.5 – view all NHL lines
[sc:NHL240 ]No one from Vancouver will look back at November and say “man, those were the good days.” The Canucks have been rolling in the mud, winning just four of their 12 November games thus far. Vancouver did have a good start to its three-game road trip to end the month, though, as they beat Minnesota on Wednesday, 3-2.
The Canucks have been showing some teeth of late, as they’ve also defeated Chicago last Saturday, 6-3. Hopefully for the Canucks, their luck against above-.500 teams will continue in Dallas later tonight. Vancouver is eighth in the league in scoring (2.9 goals per game) and 19th in goals against (2.7).
The Stars, meanwhile, is aiming to bounce back following a minor hiccup at home against Ottawa on November 24. Dallas’s normally dependable defense was mocked by the Sens in that game, as the Stars allowed the most goals thus far this season in a 7-4 loss. As reflected by the score, though, the Stars’ offense remains lethal. They’re ranked second in the league with 3.5 goals per game and second in converting power plays with a 26.9 percent success rate.
Vancouver is just 3-7 in its last 10 road games, while Dallas is 8-0 in its last 10 against the Canucks.
Writer’s Prediction
Dallas (-125) wins, 4-2.
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns (9:30 PM ET)
Line: Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns – view all NBA lines
What NBA title hangover? In spite of Luke Walton coaching the team in lieu of the “injured” Steve Kerr, the Warriors are still rolling, still undefeated, and still blasting each opponent that crosses their path. After annihilating the LA Lakers on Tuesday, 111-77, the Warriors begin a lengthy eight-game road trip, starting tonight in Phoenix. Led by Stephen Curry (32.1 PPG), the Warriors are the highest-scoring team in the NBA, averaging 114.3 PPG.
Scoring may not be hard to come by again later tonight for Golden State, considering the Suns’ so-so defense that allows 103.5 PPG. The Suns are on a three-game skid, most recently losing to New Orleans on Monday, 120-114. Still, the Suns are a tricky team to face for Golden State, which will have to find a way to lock down the Suns’ tandem of Brandon Knight (21.9 PPG) and Eric Bledsoe (22.9 PPG). The Warriors are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four road games, while the Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games against Golden State.
Writer’s Prediction
Phoenix wins, 116-112.
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