Announcement

**Udog** · 04-23-2015, 08:27 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Six batters who have come to plate with most men on base this season:

T5) Kevin Pillar, Tor-- 48-- Knocked in only five of the 48 runners.
T5) JD Martinez, Det-- 48-- Helps to bat behind Miggy and Victor.

4) Ian Kinsler, Det-- 49-- Knocked in 16.3% of runners, best of six on this list.

3) Eric Hosmer, KC-- 51-- Knocked in four of 18 guys from second base.

2) Kendrys Morales, KC-- 52-- Knocked in four of eight guys from third base.

1) Marcus Semien, Oak-- 54-- Weird; he bats at bottom of Oakland lineup.

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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

13) Scott Brooks went 338-207 as head coach in Oklahoma City, but he didn't win a championship, so he got fired yesterday-- it is impossible not to blame this on Kevin Durant/Russell Westbrook, because all they had to do was say one sentence and it all would've stopped.

"We want Scott Brooks to be our coach." They say that and Brooks stays. It was never said; in fact, Durant "supports the decision 100%". Great guy.

12) Not all change is positive; GM Sam Presti, the genius who traded James Harden to rival Houston for three draft picks, one of whom became Steven Adams, now has to hire a coach who is better than Brooks, one that will keep Durant happy so he doesn't bolt in free agency.

In the NBA, the inmates often run the asylum.

11) Six of the 49ers' eight road games this year are east of the Mississippi.

Four of the Ravens' first seven games are in Denver or further west.

10) Scott Brooks got fired; in the NFL, Marvin Lewis got a contract extension; he is one of two NFL coaches (Jim Mora Sr is the other) who lost his first six playoff games. Lewis is a good coach who deserves an extension; the Bengals were hideous before he coached them, but the contrast is striking.

9) Chicago Cubs are 8-6, but a note of caution; in six of the eight wins, they scored the winning run in the 7th inning or later.

8) Milwaukee Brewers are a 2-13 mess; they've lost eight games in a row, their leadoff hitter has a hamstring pull, their catcher has a broken toe. Oy.

7) The Statue of Liberty's nose is 4.5 feet long.

6) In the first two games of its series with New Orleans, Golden State is +47 with Draymond Green on the court, -30 when he is off the court and that is in only 12:00.

5) So you bet the under in Bronx-Detroit game last night; no bueno. Game went over the total in a wild first inning. David Price threw 51 pitches in the snowy first inning that saw Bronx score six runs off him- it was 6-4 after one inning.

4) College hoop transfers: Jaren Sina from Seton Hall to George Washington, and Marcus Marshall from Missouri State to Nevada.

3) Atlanta Hawks were sold for $850M; weird time to sell the team, as Hawks having their best chance to win a title since they've been in Atlanta.

2) Reds manager Bryan Bleepin' Price kept ace Johnny Cueto in the game for 125 pitches last night, as Cincinnati won its third game in a row, 2-1 over the Brewers. Cueto is a free agent this winter; if the Reds aren't going to re-sign him, makes sense to use him up as much as they can before trading him off.

1) Siena plays Georgetown to start the season in November; they'll play VCU or Duke the next night. Good for their strength of schedule, but its probably also an 0-2 start. At least they'll have a good cover for their game programs.

**Udog** · 04-23-2015, 08:28 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, April 23

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CLEVELAND (55 - 29) at BOSTON (40 - 44) - 4/23/2015, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-6 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-6 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHICAGO (52 - 32) at MILWAUKEE (41 - 43) - 4/23/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 17-26 ATS (-11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 45-36 ATS (+5.4 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 29-20 ATS (+7.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MILWAUKEE is 136-101 ATS (+24.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 50-71 ATS (-28.1 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 13-22 ATS (-11.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
MILWAUKEE is 46-64 ATS (-24.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-5 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 10-4 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (69 - 15) at NEW ORLEANS (45 - 39) - 4/23/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 47-35 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 46-34 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 8-4 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 12-1 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, April 23

Lebron James is 39-7 in first round games in his career; Cleveland won eight of last ten games overall, covering two of its last eight; they were 20-59 on arc, 50-59 on line in first two wins, as Irving was on court for 80 minutes, James 84. Boston covered nine of its last eleven games overall; they had only 13 fast break points in first two games, were -20 on the boards. Smart/Turner are 15-38 combined from floor in first two series games.

Chicago made 24-65 from arc in first two series wins- they held the Bucks to 39%/36% from floor. Bulls won eight of last nine games with Milwaukee (7-1 vs spread in last eight)-- seven of last ten games stayed under total. Chicago won last five games. Bucks are 8-33 from arc in two games; they've only turned ball over 12 times in two games, but also have only 21 fast break points in the two games. Five of last seven Milwaukee games went over the total.

New Orleans lost 10 of last 12 games with Golden State, losing by 7-10 in first two games- they were down only 55-52 at half in last game, after being down 18 in Game 1. Golden State won ten of last twelve games, but covered only one of last eight- they got to line 34 times in Game 1, but only 19 last game. Davis had 61 points for New Orleans in first two games, but other starters went 27-74 from floor, even with Evans back in lineup (41:00) in Game 2.

Home favorites are 8-8 in this round; home teams are 13-3 SU, with two of three road wins in OT-- over is 5-11.

2015 playoffs
Brooklyn vs Atlanta
Atl 99-92, -10, U201.5
Atl 96-91, -9.5, U202

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
LAC 107-92, -1.5, U207
SA 111-107 OT, +1.5, O207.5

Portland vs Memphis
Mem 100-86, -5.5, U188.5
Mem 97-82, -6, U189

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

Thursday, April 23

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games on the road
Boston is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games

8:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. MILWAUKEE
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games

9:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. NEW ORLEANS
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State

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**Udog** · 04-23-2015, 08:30 AM

NBA

Wednesday, April 22

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Game of the Day: Thursday's NBA Playoffs matchups
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Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (+4, 203.5)
Cavaliers lead the series 2-0

The Cleveland Cavaliers are two wins away from a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals and appear to have the Boston Celtics on the ropes. The Celtics will try to steal a game in the best-of-seven series when they host the Cavaliers in Game 3 on Thursday.

Boston showed flashes of being able to keep up with No. 2 seed Cleveland in the first two games but has had no answer for LeBron James and Kyrie Irving down the stretch. “I’ve been in this moment before and a lot of our guys haven’t, so I felt like it was important for me to just try to put a staple on the game the best way I know how and that’s by being aggressive,” James told reporters. “I was able to make a few plays to help our team get the win and that’s what’s very important for me – just to be there for my team when they need it.” James and Irving combined to score all of the Cavaliers’ 24 fourth-quarter points in Game 2. The Celtics were 21-20 at home during the regular season, including a 117-78 win over Cleveland on Apr. 12 in which the Cavaliers rested their starters.

TRENDS:

*Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
*Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Central.
*Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
*Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks (+2.5, 187)
Bulls lead series 2-0

Jimmy Butler is terrorizing Milwaukee and looks for a third consecutive strong game when the Chicago Bulls visit the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Thursday. Butler is averaging 28 points while lifting Chicago to a 2-0 lead and he set a personal playoff high with 31 points in Monday’s 91-82 win.

Butler was at his best in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game as he scored 14 points in the final stanza. Milwaukee knows it faces a near must-win situation but remains confident it can get back into the series. “We lose these two but we are going to fight to get his series back,” shooting guard Khris Middleton told reporters. “We are going to defend our home court Thursday.” Middleton averaged 20 points in the first two games but the Bucks averaged just 86.5 as a team.

TRENDS:

*Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
*Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
*Under is 8-2 in Bulls last 10 vs. NBA Central
*Under is 5-1 in Bucks last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record

Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans (+5, 203)
Warriors lead series 2-0

The Golden State Warriors put up the best road record in the NBA this season at 28-13, but the most recent of those 13 setbacks came at New Orleans on Apr. 7. The Pelicans will try to turn that trick again and climb back in the series when they host the top-seeded Warriors in Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference series on Thursday.

New Orleans was surprisingly pesky in the first two games of the series but did not have quite enough to get over the hump in the fourth quarter of either contest and heads home in an 0-2 hole. “Hopefully for the fans watching (Game 2), our crowd can be like (the boisterous Warriors home crowd),” Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans told reporters. “When we’ve got our crowd behind us, we’re going to perform, play hard and do a good job.” New Orleans went 28-13 in its own arena during the regular season but Golden State won’t be intimidated. Warriors star Stephen Curry poured in 56 points in the first two games and averaged 25.5 points on the road in the regular season.

TRENDS:

*Warriors are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win.
*Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
*Under is 5-1 in Warriors last 6 road games.
*Under is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings.

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**Udog** · 04-23-2015, 08:30 AM

NBA

Thursday, April 23

Warriors' success on the court, not helping bettors

The Golden State Warriors have won six consecutive games, including both of their playoff games so far, but are just 1-5 against the spread during that time. The Warriors have won each of those games by an average of eight points, but have been facing an average spread of -12.5.

Each of those six games were at Oracle Arena, but with the playoff series flipping to New Orleans ATS issues may become even more prevalent. Golden State was just 21-20 ATS on the road this year, as they were commonly road faves.

The Warriors are currently -5 for Game 3 against the Pelicans Thursday.

NBA roundup: Spurs even series with Clippers

LOS ANGELES -- Forward Tim Duncan scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and forward Kawhi Leonard added 21 points and nine boards, lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-107 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Wednesday night at Staples Center.

The Spurs never trailed in the extra session. Forward Danny Green's corner 3-pointer 46 seconds into overtime gave San Antonio a 97-94 lead. Los Angeles tied the score at 101 on a 3-pointer by guard J.J. Redick, but a 6-0 Spurs surge gave them a 107-101 advantage.

Paul's 3-pointer cut the deficit to 107-104, but Redick missed a wide-open trey with 13.9 seconds remaining. Point guard Patty Mills, who finished with 18 points, hit two foul shots with 11 seconds remaining, which turned out to be the difference. After Redick's 3-pointer sliced the gap to 109-107, Mills added two more with four seconds left to cap the scoring and even the series at 1-1.

Grizzlies 97, Trail Blazers 82

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The starting backcourt of Mike Conley and Courtney Lee combined for 36 points and Memphis defeated Portland at FedExForum to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Trail Blazers, who lost Game 1 by 14 points, were never closer than nine points in the fourth quarter.

Memphis also swept the regular-season series 4-0.

Conley scored 18 points with six assists and Lee had 18 points and three steals. Memphis center Marc Gasol finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Power forward Zach Randolph scored 10 points with 10 rebounds. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge led the Trail Blazers with 24 points and 14 rebounds. He also had four blocks and two steals. Point guard Damian Lillard scored 18 points.

Hawks 96, Nets 91

ATLANTA -- All-Star forward Paul Millsap shed some protective padding and found his shooting touch.

Millsap scored 19 points, helping the Hawks stave off a late rally by the Nets and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Games 3 and 4 are Saturday and Monday at Brooklyn.

Millsap ditched the pad that had been protecting his injured shoulder Wednesday and returned to form, connecting on seven of 11 field-goal tries, including all four of his 3-point attempts.

Guard Jarrett Jack led Brooklyn with 23 points. The Nets got within one point with 45 seconds left and were down by two when guard Deron Williams missed a 13-foot shot with eight seconds left that would have tied it.

**Udog** · 04-23-2015, 10:14 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, April 23

Golden State Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans

Game 737-738
April 23, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State Warr
129.927
New Orleans Pelic
120.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State Warr
by 9
198
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State Warr
by 5
204
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State Warr
(-5); Under

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics

Game 733-734
April 23, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland Cavalie
123.605
Boston Celtics
125.091
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston Celtics
by 1 1/2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland Cavalie
by 5
203 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston Celtics
(+5); Over

Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks

Game 735-736
April 23, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Bulls
122.048
Milwaukee Bucks
123.470
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee Bucks
by 1 1/2
191
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Bulls
by 3
187
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee Bucks
(+3); Over

Announcement

Thursday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/23

Thursday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/23

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