Announcement

**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 08:58 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Updated odds to win NBA title:
2-1— Lakers
7-2— Brooklyn
8-1— Clippers, Milwaukee
20-1— Boston, Miami
30-1— Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Utah
60-1— Golden State, Toronto

Americans who have died from COVID-19: 381,116
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.

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Armadillo: Thursday's Den: Doing some thinking out loud…….

13) Brooklyn Nets grabbed the headlines Wednesday when they traded for James Harden, in a 4-way deal that had to have the salary cap guys recharging their iPhones a couple times.

— Nets get James Harden
— Pacers get Caris LaVert and a 2nd round pick
— Cavaliers get Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince
— Rockets got four 1st round draft picks, four pick swaps with Brooklyn, plus:
Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurcus

Very unusual for a blockbuster like this to happen during the season.

12) Harden and Kevin Durant have won 7 of the last 11 NBA scoring titles; Nets become the first team ever with two players who have won 3+ scoring titles each.

Why is that? Because there is only one basketball in a game; to win a scoring title, you have to have that ball a great deal of the time. It is going to take a lot of cooperation for this to work.

11) Put yourself in Steve Nash’s shoes; after a Hall of Fame playing career, Nash is a rookie head coach at age 46, charged with coaching a team with:
— 32-year old Kevin Durant coming off an achilles injury
— 31-year old Kyrie Irving, who missed the last two weeks for personal issues
— and now a thinned-out roster after acquiring the prolific Harden, who is 31.

Nets need to add three more players before the playoffs start, in order to contend for a title. One has to be a backup center.

10) Wednesday morning, Nets were +$550 to win the NBA title; now they’re +$300.

9) Texas Tech 79, Texas 77:
— High-level game, could’ve been an Elite 8 or Final Four game.
— Tech was 22-28 on foul line, Texas 18-31
— Longhorns led 48-38 at halftime.
— Texas had 15 turnovers, Red Raiders 7
— Teams meet again in the last regular season game, February 27

8) Saw something in that game I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a real game before; have seen it on the playground a few times, but never in a serious game.

Tech’s Mac McClung, who transferred to Tech from Georgetown, was driving towards the hoop, about 12 feet from the basket on the left side of the lane and he leaves his feet while throwing the ball off the backboard- to himself, where he grabbed it and got fouled trying to score.

You have to be pretty damn sure you’re not getting taken out of the game if you do stuff like that; McClung scored 22 points for the 11-3 Red Raiders, playing 36:00. He doesn’t come out often.

7) UConn star James Bouknight is out indefinitely after having surgery on his left elbow; he hurt the elbow diving for a loose ball the other night. Bouknight is averaging 20.3 ppg.

6) How are NBA teams on the second night of back/backs?
— Road team that played at home night before: 4-4-1 ATS
— Road team that also played on road night before: 11-8 ATS
— Home team that played at home night before: 10-6 ATS
— Home team that also played on road night before: 5-4 ATS

That adds up to 30-22-1 ATS, surprisingly good.

5) JaKarr Sampson is a forward for the Indiana Pacers; at age 27, he is already on his fifth NBA team. This is another guy who must be good at packing:

2014-16: played 121 games for the 76ers, scored 5.2 ppg in 15.1 mpg.
2016: finished that season playing 26 games for Denver, scoring 5.2 ppg in 18 mpg
2016-17: Played in the G-League.
2017-18: Scored 4.7 ppg in 15.6 mpg in 22 games for Sacramento.
2018-19: Played only four games for Chicago.
2019-20: Scored 4.9 ppg in 13.6 mpg in 34 games for Indiana
2020-21: Is scoring 2.5 ppg in 6.7 mpg for Indiana.

Sampson played two years at St John’s, scoring 13.9 ppg; he played in the Chinese league a couple times too, for a team in Shandong. He is on his way to writing an interesting book.

4) Dallas 104, Charlotte 93:
— Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut, scoring 16 points in 21:00.
— Charlotte’s Gordon Hayward strained his hip, left the game early.

3) Florida State 105, NC State 73:
— Seminoles hadn’t played in 15 days; they played really, really well.
— FSU shot 72.5% inside the arc, made 12-18 shots on the arc.
— Seminoles’ 1.52 ppp is highest ppp I’ve ever seen.

2) Why do people wear watches? Everyone carries cellphones, which obviously have clocks in them. Seems like a waste of money to buy a watch.

1) If you’re a football coach for the Cal Bears, I’m guessing you’ll be on the phone making recruiting calls Saturday afternoon, seeing how the Rams-Packers playoff game has couple of Cal Bears playing quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff. Good advertising for the program.

**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 09:11 AM

51BOSTON -52 NEW JERSEY
BOSTON is 226-176 ATS (32.4 Units) at home when the total is 5.5 since 1996.

53WASHINGTON -54 BUFFALO
BUFFALO is 309-295 ATS (-15.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.

55NY ISLANDERS -56 NY RANGERS
NY ISLANDERS are 28-12 ATS (14.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents in the last 3 seasons.

59CAROLINA -60 DETROIT
DETROIT is 12-35 ATS (-26.5 Units) in home games at home when the total is >=6 in the last 3 seasons.

67VANCOUVER -68 EDMONTON
EDMONTON is 7-1 ATS (5.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.

67VANCOUVER -68 EDMONTON
DAVE TIPPETT is 7-1 ATS (5.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days (Coach of EDMONTON)

69MINNESOTA -70 LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES are 177-182 ATS (-23.2 Units) in home games at home when the total is 5.5 since 1996.

**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 09:13 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, January 14

**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 09:14 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, January 14

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BOSTON (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at NEW JERSEY (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 226-176 ATS (+46.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-2 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-2-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

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WASHINGTON (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at BUFFALO (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 12-19 ATS (-16.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-2 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 3-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.0 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at NY RANGERS (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 15-7 ATS (+22.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 158-155 ATS (-72.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 5-3 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 5-3-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.7 Units)

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CAROLINA (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at DETROIT (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 12-35 ATS (+73.1 Units) in a home game where the total is 6 or more over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 326-308 ATS (-283.8 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-4 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 4-2-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

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CALGARY (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at WINNIPEG (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 5-3 (+1.3 Units) against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 5-3-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.7 Units)

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COLUMBUS (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at NASHVILLE (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBUS is 2-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.0 Units)

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SAN JOSE (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at ARIZONA (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 4-3 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 4-3-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.9 Units)

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VANCOUVER (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at EDMONTON (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 46-40 ATS (+95.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 4-4 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 4-4-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.9 Units)

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MINNESOTA (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 177-182 ATS (-16.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-2 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-2-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)

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ANAHEIM (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) at VEGAS (0-0-0-0, 0 pts.) - 1/14/2021, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VEGAS is 97-83 ATS (+193.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VEGAS is 7-1 (+5.5 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
VEGAS is 7-1-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.0 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

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**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 09:17 AM

NHL

Thursday, January 14

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Trend Report
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Washington @ Buffalo
Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Buffalo is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

Boston @ New Jersey
Boston
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
New Jersey is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games

NY Islanders @ NY Rangers
NY Islanders
NY Islanders is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
NY Islanders is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Rangers's last 5 games

Carolina @ Detroit
Carolina
Carolina is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Carolina
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

Columbus @ Nashville
Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Columbus is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Nashville's last 8 games when playing Columbus

Calgary @ Winnipeg
Calgary
Calgary is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Winnipeg's last 9 games when playing at home against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Calgary

San Jose @ Arizona
San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of San Jose's last 19 games on the road
Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing at home against San Jose
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Vancouver @ Edmonton
Vancouver
Vancouver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Vancouver is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games at home

Minnesota @ Los Angeles
Minnesota
Minnesota is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Minnesota is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Los Angeles is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Anaheim @ Vegas
Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
Anaheim is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Vegas
Vegas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vegas's last 8 games

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**Udog** · 01-14-2021, 09:37 AM

Best Bets, Score Predictions for Thursday Jan. 14
Matt Blunt

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators

Money-Line Odds: Columbus +104; Nashville -120
Total (Over-Under): 5.5

Score Prediction: Nashville 4 Columbus 2
Best Bet: Predators ML

It appears I'm not starting nearly as high on Columbus or possibly as low on Nashville as the market suggests for this game, as the Predators are a team I do believe can be more of a player in the Central Division than their +800 price tag suggests.

The Blue Jackets are right behind them at +900, but I would have had Nashville be listed as a slightly bigger favorite than this.

The Predators have won six of the past eight meetings between the two clubs for what that's worth, but I view this as a short price on Nashville regardless. That info definitely doesn't hurt that position.

San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes

Money-Line Odds: San Jose +108; Arizona -125
Total (Over-Under): 5.5

Score Prediction: San Jose 3 Arizona 2

Best Bet: Sharks ML

Maybe it's starting to show up as a theme, but San Jose is another team I'm not in a hurry to completely give up on this season, as I'm not sure they will be as bad as expected in the West.

It will be an uphill climb to compete for a playoff spot for the Sharks for sure, but they've been where Arizona is trying to build up too, and understand what type of team will be coming for them.

Also, an older team like the Sharks would do itself a great help by starting out hot and piling together wins while they are fresh and haven't been bogged down by some brutal travel or back-to-back spots.

Arizona is another one of those teams that I still prefer to treat as a “prove it to me first” team, similar to my thoughts on Montreal yesterday. These are the games the Coyotes are supposed to win if they want to make that next leap, but sight unseen, the prove it first idea is worthy of a fade.

Announcement

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 1/14

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 1/14

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