Announcement

**Udog** · 05-04-2015, 08:09 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

-- Astros have won 10 games in a row, have a 7-game lead in AL West.

-- Brewers fired manager Ron Roenicke, replaced him with Craig Counsell.

-- Chris Paul (hamstring) probably won't play in Game 1 tonite in Houston.

-- A's are 10-5 in games decided by 3+ runs, 1-10 in games decided by 1-2 runs.

-- Golden State hasn't lost at home since January 27 (Bulls).

-- Wizards won their last four Game 1's that were on road; they're first NBA team ever to do that, win four straight Game 1 road games.

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Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a busy weekend..........

13) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has apparently gotten a lot of notes from youth basketball coaches asking him not to outlaw "Hack-a-Shaq" (fouling bad foul shooters intentionally) because they want to show kids that not making your foul shots can negatively affect your playing time.

12) Astros have won ten games in a row, lead AL West by seven games; how long before they get a game on ESPN?

11) Speaking of Houston, they opened at -$205 against Texas Monday, the first time they've been that big a favorite in any game since 2008.

10) Florida State had 29 football players drafted the last three years, coming up two short of the record (Texas had 31 drafted from 1982-84).

9) Mets lost 1-0 the last two days, first time since 1990 they lost to the same team 1-0 on consecutive days- last time it happened at home was 1973. Mets are 3-7 since their 11-game winning streak ended- they're also playing without their third baseman and catcher, who are on the DL.

8) Heard this a while ago, then again this weekend; it is bad form for catchers to yap at umpires about called strikes when they're batting, since they want those pitches called strikes when they're behind the plate.

7) Gonzaga lands Nigel-Williams Goss, a Pac-12 level PG who transferred out of Washington and will have two years left to play. Great get.

6) Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze, who uses NASCAR terms to describe the paces of his offense, drove the pace car at Talledega Sunday.

5) Texas Rangers have to be concerned with P Yovani Gallardo, who induced zero misses on 38 swings Sunday against Oakland; it is very rare for a pitcher to pitch 6.2 innings and not get a single swing/miss. The 30 starting pitchers Sunday averaged 7.8 swing/misses.

4) Lot of people grade the NFL Draft the day after it happens, which creates a lot of page visits I guess, but draft grades don't mean squat for 3-4 years, when you evaluate everything that actually happened.

3) Great clutch shot by Chris Paul Saturday nite to win Game 7, but my lasting impression of Paul will always be this: he was very close to his granddad, who was murdered at age 61 the day after Paul declared to go to college at Wake Forest partially because his granddad loved the Deacons- the cap he put on at his news conference was his granddad's Wake Forest cap.

A few days later, Chris Paul scored 61 points to honor his granddad, then he collapsed on the sideline in inconsolable grief when he was taken out of the game. It is one of the saddest and heart-wrenching things I've ever seen.

2) Classy of San Antonio fans to greet the Spurs at the airport when they came home after losing a great Game 7 Saturday night.

1) Many thanks to the fine people at VA Hospital in Albany; my dad just spent four weeks there-- the kindness and professionalism of the workers will never be forgotten. My dad is in a rehabilitation place now, trying to get back on his feet-- any prayers you could offer him would be appreciated.

**Udog** · 05-04-2015, 08:10 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, May 4

Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Game 703-704
May 4, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Bulls
124.063
Cleveland Cavalie
126.644
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland Cavalie
by 2 1/2
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland Cavalie
by 5
194
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Bulls
(+5); Over

Los Angeles Clippers @ Houston Rockets

Game 707-708
May 4, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles Clipp
128.169
Houston Rockets
127.098
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles Clipp
by 1
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston Rockets
by 6
212
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles Clipp
(+6); Over

NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, May 4

Eastern Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 1

Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:05 ET
Chicago: 7-17 ATS after playing a game as a road favorite
Cleveland: 38-18 ATS in home games after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite

Western Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 1

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets, 9:35 ET
Los Angeles: 18-31 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers
Houston: 26-16 ATS after playing a home game

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, May 4

Cavaliers won/covered three of four games with Chicago this year, with Cleveland winning by 14-5 points in games played here. Four of last six series games stayed under the total. Bulls won eight of last ten games with four of last five staying under total; they lost twice to Milwaukee so series didn't end until Thursday, while Cleveland hasn't played in eight days since sweeping Boston. Cavaliers covered four of last six games as a favorite- they won last six ganes SU.

Chris Paul (hamstring) isn't expected to play here after his dramatic shot won Game 7 at hone late Saturday night. Houston won its last two games vs LA after losing previous six to the Clippers, who won three of last four visits here. Clippers won three of last four road games, winning its last two games in San Antonio; three of their last four games overall went over total. Rockets haven't played in six days since beating Dallas in five games- they won/covered their last five home games.

2015 playoffs
Chicago vs Cleveland

Washington vs Atlanta
Wash 104-98, +5.5, O197

Memphis vs Golden State
GSt 101-86, -10.5, U196

LA Clippers vs Houston

NBA

Monday, May 4

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Chicago is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

9:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. HOUSTON
LA Clippers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 3-11 SU in their last 14 games when playing LA Clippers
Houston is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

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**Udog** · 05-04-2015, 08:10 AM

NBA

Monday, May 4

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Game of the Day: NBA Monday playoff matchups
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Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers (-5, 194)

Power forward Pau Gasol had five double-doubles in the six-game, first-round series win over the Milwaukee Bucks while averaging 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds. He’ll look to control play in the interior while Chicago hopes Rose – four games of 15 or fewer points versus the Bucks – can match the caliber of play delivered by backcourt mate Jimmy Butler (24.8 average, five games of 20 or more points). “You to have to remember: This is his first time in the postseason in a long time for him,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters of Rose. “He feels real good, feels strong. He has to get ready for the next challenge.”

Kevin Love’s injury thrusts afterthought reserve Tristan Thompson into a key role in the series as the Cavaliers attempt to slow down Gasol. “Everyone still has to do more and has to get adjusted to whether they’re starting of coming off the bench,” Thompson told reporters. “We got to be able to still do our roles.” Thompson averaged 7.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in the first-round sweep of the Celtics after averaging 8.5 points and eight boards during the regular season.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cavs a 5.5-point home faves and the total at 194.5.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Cleveland.
* Bulls are 12-4 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
* Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last eight vs. Eastern Conference.
* Cavaliers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Central.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 51 percent of bettors are backing the Bulls.

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets (-6, 212)

Chris Paul scored 27 points in the finale against the Spurs and averaged 22.7 points and 7.9 assists in the series. Power forward Blake Griffin was terrific in Game 7 with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists and had a dominant series with seven straight double-doubles while averaging 24.1 points, 13.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the series. Center DeAndre Jordan averaged 14.5 points and 18 rebounds in four regular-season games against Houston but Rockets center Dwight Howard missed all four of those games.

Having Howard back healthy from knee woes and playing at a high level has Houston feeling like it can reach the Western Conference finals. Howard averaged 16.6 points and 13.8 rebounds against the Mavericks and scored 28 points in Game 2 and collected 26 rebounds in Game 3. Harden was on the mark with at least 24 points in each game and averaged 28.4 points and 7.8 assists in the opening round.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Rockets as 5-point faves, but that has moved to -6.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Clippers are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
* Clippers are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 road games.
* Rockets are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 home games.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 52 percent of bettors are backing the Clippers.

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**Udog** · 05-04-2015, 08:11 AM

NBA

Monday, May 4

Wizards score upset, remain perfect ATS

The Washington Wizards outscored the Atlanta Hawks 51-35 in the second half to win Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series 104-98, covering as 5.5-point road dogs and remaining perfect against the spread in the postseason.

The Wiz, now 5-0 ATS in the playoffs, breezed through the Toronto Raptors in the opening round, easily dispatching of closing pointspreads en route to the sweep.

Game 2 against Atlanta is scheduled for Tuesday and books have opened the Hawks as 6.5-point home faves.

**Udog** · 05-04-2015, 09:26 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, May 4

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CHICAGO (54 - 34) at CLEVELAND (57 - 29) - 5/4/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 48-31 ATS (+13.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 8-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-5 straight up against CLEVELAND 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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LA CLIPPERS (60 - 29) at HOUSTON (60 - 27) - 5/4/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 40-48 ATS (-12.8 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 226-279 ATS (-80.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 173-238 ATS (-88.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 24-33 ATS (-12.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 132-173 ATS (-58.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 52-34 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
HOUSTON is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
HOUSTON is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 33-24 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 90-124 ATS (-46.4 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 7-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 8-3 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Announcement

Monday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/4

Monday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/4

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