Announcement

**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 08:51 AM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

Pointspreads for Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season

-- Steelers @ Patriots -6
-- Packers -4 @ Bears
-- Chiefs @ Texans -1.5
-- Browns @ Jets -1
-- Colts -3 @ Bills
-- Dolphins -2.5 @ Redskins
-- Panthers -4 @ Jaguars
-- Seahawks -3.5 @ Rams
-- Saints @ Cardinals -2.5
-- Lions @ Chargers -2
-- Titans @ Buccaneers -3
-- Bengals -3 @ Raiders
-- Ravens @ Broncos -4
-- Giants @ Cowboys -5.5
-- Eagles @ Falcons -1.5
-- Vikings @ 49ers -3.5

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Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Initial thoughts on the '15 NFL schedule

13) Week 1 Thursday night game: Steelers @ Patriots. New England doesn't have lot of strong opponents on its '15 schedule; with this game on NBC, the opponent had to be a good team, and Pittsburgh fits that bill.

12) Eagles have five primetime games, plus Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, so the league is saying they like what Chip Kelly is doing. Weeks 6-7-9, Philly is on in primetime all three weeks, with a bye in Week 8.

11) Four of the Giants' first six games are night games, with three of the four divisional games.

10) Week 1: Ravens @ Broncos-- Gary Kubiak against team he worked for last year. Week 11: Broncos @ Bears-- John Fox against team he worked for LY.

9) Week 6: Cardinals @ Steelers-- Ben Roethlisberger wasn't happy when the Steelers let Bruce Arians go as OC; Arians returns here as a very successful head coach of the Cardinals-- he spent eight years in Pittsburgh.

8) Rex Ryan faces his old team in Week 10 when the Bills visit Swamp Stadium; they meet again January 3 in Orchard Park. Starting in Week 10, Buffalo plays five of six games on the road, including three in row in Weeks 10-12.

7) Week 1: Packers @ Bears-- Last three years, the team Green Bay opened the season with eliminated the Packers in the playoffs that year.

6) Andre Johnson catches passes for the Colts now; the longtime Texan WR will see his former team in Weeks 5 and 15, with Week 5 in Houston.

5) Week 1: Titans @ Bucs-- If Winston/Mariota are the first two picks in the draft next week, they could face each other in the first game of their careers.

4) Week 2: Seahawks @ Packers-- If Seattle kicks off to start the game, they have to onside kick, right?

3) Thanksgiving tripleheader:
-- Eagles-Lions, Panthers-Cowboys, Bears-Packers. Green Bay will retire #4 that night, as Brett Favre returns to the frozen tundra.

2) Jerry Jones better order some warm parkas for his team; their last three road games are in Washington (Dec 7 night game), Green Bay six days later, then in Buffalo on Dec 27. Something to ponder when you draft your fantasy team.

1) Oh yeah, DeMarco Murray is an Eagle now; Philly-Dallas games are Week 2, a 4:25 (presumably national) game, then a Week 9 Sunday night game.

**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 08:52 AM

See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Schedule spot

The Pittsburgh Pirates blow the dust off the suitcases this week, flying cross country for a date with the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Friday. The Bucs don’t have much down time to get their travel plans or home life in order before this nine-game road run that takes them into May. They host the Chicago Cubs for a day game Thursday, then immediately rush to the airport to catch their flight to Phoenix.

Last season, the Pirates avoided a situation like this, with at least a day between cross-country hikes. In 2013, the Bucs kicked off the season with a three-game home stand versus the Cubs that finished on a Friday and traveled overnight to play the L.A. Dodgers that Saturday, losing the opener 3-0 and getting swept in that three-game set, outscored 10-2.

Letdown spot

Gas was thrown on the Giants-Dodgers rivalry last October when San Francisco won its third championship in five years. The Giants continue to come through in October while Los Angeles spends millions on talent every offseason only to come up short. These National League West members picked up that rivalry this week with a three-game set in the Bay Area, and San Fran could be ripe for a letdown in the game immediately following the series finale Thursday.

San Francisco heads to Coors Field Friday, where letdown games usually involve the hometown Rockies sending a few balls over the fences at the homer-friendly park. The Giants were already swept by Colorado at home, getting outscored 10-3 in that series. San Fran has a 3.92 ERA on the road to start this season and the last time they went mile high, the Giants gave up 26 runs in three games to the Rockies.

Lookahead spot

The Golden State Warriors have cruised to two easy victories to open their first round NBA Playoffs series against the New Orleans Pelicans, winning 106-99 in Game 1 and 97-87 in Game 2 Monday. But while those games were rarely in doubt, outside of a slow start in Game 2, Golden State has burned backers who gladly gave the big points in those contests.

The Warriors are 0-2 ATS versus spreads of 12.5 and 13.5 points in the postseason and have actually struggled against double-digit chalk in recent weeks (1-6 ATS last seven). The Warriors are giving five points with the series swinging to New Orleans in Game 1 but bettors should beware over these next two games, especially if Golden State takes Game 3. They could start looking ahead to their possible Round 2 matchup, extending a 1-7 ATS record in their last eight overall.

**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 08:53 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 22

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BROOKLYN (38 - 45) at ATLANTA (61 - 22) - 4/22/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 36-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
ATLANTA is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) in home games this season.
BROOKLYN is 53-37 ATS (+12.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 7-5 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 8-4 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (51 - 32) at MEMPHIS (56 - 27) - 4/22/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 25-40 ATS (-19.0 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PORTLAND is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 142-105 ATS (+26.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 9-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 10-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (55 - 28) at LA CLIPPERS (57 - 26) - 4/22/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 901-788 ATS (+34.2 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 405-341 ATS (+29.9 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 127-90 ATS (+28.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 323-270 ATS (+26.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 171-234 ATS (-86.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 130-169 ATS (-55.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 7-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 6-6 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, April 22

Brooklyn lost last six games with Atlanta, losing by seven in Game 1 as Atlanta's starters took 11-12-12-12-12 shots. Hawks made 10 of 30 from arc, 21-22 on line. Nets had only four fast break points. Brooklyn lost last three road games by 32-23-7 points. Hawks' C Horford hurt his finger in Game 1, but he came back in game later. Johnson was just 6-17 for Nets; he'll have to do better.

Memphis held Portland to 33.7% from floor in 100-86 Game 1 win; they were up 19 at half. Grizzlies won five in row, 10 of its last 11 games with Portland, covering nine of last ten. Memphis held the Blazers to six fast break points. Portland covered six of last nine games, lost four of last five on road, losing by 4-8-14-14- its subs made final score more respectable- starters were combined -71.

Defending champ Spurs are 12-2 in last 14 first round series, 3-1 in years after they won a title. SA lost last three games with Clipper, losing 107-92 in Game 1- Spurs' starting G's shot combined 6-22 from floor. LA won its last seven games overall, winning four in row at home by 5-8-7-5 points. Spurs won 11 of last 13 games; they lost first playoff game in three of four championship seasons.

Home favorites are 7-6 in this round; home teams are 11-2 SU, with Washington getting both road wins-- over is 4-9.

2015 playoffs

Brooklyn vs Atlanta
Atl 99-92, -10, U201.5

Boston vs Cleveland
Clev 113-100, -11.5, O203
Clev 99-91, -11, U206

Milwaukee vs Chicago
Chi 103-91, -8, O186
Chi 91-82, -8, U190.5

Washington vs Toronto
Wash 93-86 OT, +4, U194.5
Wash 117-106, +5, O193.5

New Orleans vs Golden State
GSt 106-99, -12, U205
GSt 97-87, -13, U206.5

Dallas vs Houston
Hst 118-108, -5.5, O212.5
Hst 111-99, -6.5, U214

San Antonio vs LA Clippers
LA 107-92, -1.5, U207
Portland vs Memphis
Mem 100-86, -5.5, U188.5

East vs West
SU: West 242-177 ATS: West 214-202-3
East teams HF vs West: 56-57
East teams HU vs West: 46-52
West teams HF vs East: 81-79-3
West teams HU vs East: 24-21

NBA

Wednesday, April 22

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. ATLANTA
Brooklyn is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Brooklyn is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Atlanta's last 16 games when playing at home against Brooklyn

8:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. MEMPHIS
Portland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 15 games when playing Portland

10:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. LA CLIPPERS
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 08:54 AM

NBA

Wednesday, April 22

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Game of the Day: Wednesday's NBA Playoffs matchups
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Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks (-9.5, 202)

Hawks lead series 1-0.

The Brooklyn Nets dropped Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks but have plenty of time to correct some mistakes. The Nets will try to even the series when they visit the Hawks for Game 2 on Wednesday.

The series got a long break after beginning with Atlanta’s 99-92 win on Sunday, and Brooklyn is working on small fixes. “We played hard,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins told reporters of Game 1. “I had no fault with the effort of our guys. We just have to be smarter and execute better.” Atlanta went 21-of-22 from the free-throw line in the win to help survive a subpar effort from Paul Millsap but could have a tougher challenge in Game 2. Center Al Horford is questionable for the contest after suffering a dislocated finger in the opener.

TRENDS:

* Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Atlanta.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Underdog is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies (-6, 189)

Grizzlies lead series 1-0.

The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a series-opening blow and hope to return with an uppercut when they host the Portland Trail Blazers in Wednesday’s Game 2 of the first-round Western Conference series. Memphis led by as many as 29 points while cruising to a 100-84 victory in Game 1 to defeat Portland for the fifth straight time this season.

The aftermath wasn’t much better for the Trail Blazers as their locker room motivation card became public and included the phrase “We don’t lose to Spanish players,” and Grizzlies star Marc Gasol, who is from Barcelona, Spain, was miffed about the meaning. “I don’t know where it comes from and I don’t know what it means,” Gasol told reporters. “I have better things to think about than what they’re writing on the wall.” Memphis’ domination in the opener marked its third double-digit victory over Portland this season and also handed the Trail Blazers their fifth straight loss overall dating back to the regular season. “Nobody is giving us a shot,” Portland point guard Damian Lillard told reporters. “Nobody is saying, ‘Portland is going to come in here and win the series.’ If anything, they’re doubting us.”

TRENDS:

* Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Memphis.
* Trail Blazers are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Memphis.

San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5, 207.5)

Clippers lead series 1-0.

The San Antonio Spurs were thrashed by the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 and look to even up the Western Conference series when the teams clash in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Clippers have won 15 of their last 16 games counting the regular season and controlled the flow in the opener.

Sixth-seeded San Antonio was outclassed by third-seed Los Angeles and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was surprised at the level in which his club was dominated. “The game was their defense was better than our offense; that’s the bottom line,” Popovich told reporters. “Their aggressiveness, their physicality, their athleticism really hurt us offensively.” Point guard Chris Paul (32 points) and power forward Blake Griffin (26) combined for 58 points in the 107-92 victory but Clippers coach Doc Rivers expects a tougher challenge from the Spurs in Game 2. “They’re still the defending champs, and they’re going to be the defending champs every night,” Rivers told reporters. “We have a lot of confidence in our team but you just have to stay humble and respect who you’re playing.”

TRENDS:

* Spurs are 1-7 ATS in their last eight Western Conference quarterfinal games.
* Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
* Under is 6-1 in the Clippers last seven games overall.

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**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 08:54 AM

NBA

Wednesday, April 22

NBA roundup: Wizards win at Toronto again

TORONTO -- Guard Bradley Beal scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed five rebounds, and the Washington Wizards took a 2-0 series lead with a 117-106 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night at Air Canada Center.

Washington became the fifth team to go up 2-0 on the road since the first round expanded to best-of-seven in 2003.

Wizards point guard John Wall added 26 points while setting a franchise playoff record with 17 assists. Center Marcin Gortat had 16 points and eight rebounds, while forward Otter Porter added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The Raptors, who got 20 points apiece from guard Lou Williams and DeMar DeRozan, face a tough road. Only three teams in NBA history won a best-of-seven series after falling behind 0-2 at home.

Cavaliers 99, Celtics 91

CLEVELAND -- Forward LeBron James and guard Kyrie Irving combined to score all 24 of Cleveland's fourth-quarter points, and the Cavaliers survived a scare from Boston to grab a 2-0 lead in their opening-round playoff series.

James scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth, and Irving added nine of his 26 points in the fourth. James also had nine rebounds and seven assists, while Irving had five rebounds and six assists.

Boston guard Isaiah Thomas, who finished second this week in Sixth Man of the Year balloting, finished with 22 points, including 10-of-10 shooting at the free-throw line on a night the Celtics' bench outscored the Cavs' reserves 51-7.

Rockets 111, Mavericks 99

HOUSTON -- With Josh Smith producing a crowd-pleasing passing exhibition, one that led to several rim-rattling dunks from Dwight Howard, Houston pulled away from Dallas and took Game 2 of its Western Conference first-round series at Toyota Center.

Smith finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, recording seven assists in the fourth quarter. During one decisive stretch, he fed Howard (28 points, 12 rebounds) on four alley-oop dunks, turning a three-point deficit into a 94-86 lead with 7:39 left.

During that stretch, Smith also converted a driving layup, and he tallied the final basket for the Rockets with a thunderous dunk working the pick-and-roll with guard James Harden (24 points, six assists).

The Rockets grabbed a 2-0 series lead by scoring 60 points in the paint. Reserve forward Corey Brewer added 15 points for Houston.

**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 12:26 PM

NBA

Wednesday, April 22

Grizzlies' PG Mike Conley, probable Wednesday

Conley is expected to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Trail Blazers despite a foot injury.

Double-digit dogs providing value in playoffs

As tweeted by Sports Insights (@SportsInsights), double-digit underdogs have recorded a 4-1 record against the spread (0-5 straight up) thus far in the 2015 post season.

The only double-digit dog that did not cover the spread was the Boston Celtics, who were 11.5-point road dogs at the Cleveland Cavs in Game 1 Sunday.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been productive as dogs of 10-points more as they are 2-0 ATS against the Golden State Warriors.

The Brooklyn Nets could very well be double-digit road dogs at the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday evening. Most shops opened the Nets as 10-point dogs, but that is currently +9.5.

**Udog** · 04-22-2015, 06:31 PM

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, April 22

Eastern Conference - Rd 1 - Best of 7 - Game 2

Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks, 7:05 ET
Brooklyn: 32-18 ATS off a road loss
Atlanta: 1-9 ATS after 2 straight games where they had 10 or more steals

Western Conference - Rd 1 - Best of 7 - Game 2

Portland Trailblazers at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:05 ET
Portland: 19-33 ATS after allowing 100 points or more 2 straight games
Memphis: 142-105 ATS after a win by 10 points or more

Western Conference - Rd 1 - Best of 7 - Game 2

San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:35 ET
San Antonio: 13-3 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more
Los Angeles: 9-20 ATS in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins

Announcement

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/22

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/22

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