Announcement

**Udog** · 05-06-2015, 02:41 PM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- Angels' attendance is down 3,600 a game from last year; thats what happens when you don't make the playoffs.

-- Calgary 4, Anaheim 3 OT-- Flames tied game with 0:19 left, handed Ducks their first playoff loss 4:24 into OT. Each team had only 21 shots on goal.

-- Memphis 97, Golden State 90-- Steph Curry got his MVP trophy, then got his butt kicked by the Grizzlies.

-- Hawks 106, Wizards 90-- How do star players sit out playoff games, unless they are badly hurt? John Wall couldn't play in this game?

-- Red Sox 2, Rays 0-- This was the 21st big league game this season that was 0-0 after the fifth inning.

-- Angels 5, Mariners 4-- Only game of night where winning run scored after the 6th inning. 24 of 28 starting pitchers got decisions last night, an unusually high number.

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Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Random mid-week thoughts.....

13) Mike Conley is a tough dude; he scored 22 points in 27:00 despite playing with a broken face as Memphis upset the Warriors 97-90. Conley missed three games after suffering multiple facial fractures in the Portland series.

12) There was some back/forth between Steph Curry and Virginia Tech this week, about whether the Hokies had offered Dell Curry's son a scholarship in his senior year of high school. It got to the point where Seth Greenberg, who works for ESPN now but was Tech's coach back then, issued a statement on the subject.

Tech offered Steph Curry a 4-year scholarship, but after he spent his first year as a walk-on, since they had a scholarship logjam that year. Dell Curry, one of Tech's best-ever players, understood, but apparently Mrs Curry put the kibosh on the deal and her son went to Davidson.

11) Bartolo Colon has beaten the Orioles while pitching for seven different teams, the first major league pitcher ever to do that.

10) Getting a batter to swing/miss is a basic element of pitching; the pitchers this season who have produced the highest pecentage of misses on batters' swings against them are:
1) James Shields, San Diego 32.8%
2) Danny Salazar, Cleveland 32.5%
3) Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh 31.8%
4) Tyson Ross, San Diego 30.9%

9) There will be 42 college football bowl games this coming fall; two teams will play two games, with the playoff system, so that means 82 teams out of 127 are going to go bowling this season. Three short words: too many bowls.

8) Read this week that of all the NFL teams, Cincinnati Bengal coaches have the most input of any coaches on their team's draft decisions.

7) Giants' #1 draft pick Ereck Flowers will negotiate his own rookie contract, with help from his father.

6) Why don't media outlets analyze drafts from 3-4 years ago, when you can actually tell everything that happened, rather than this year's draft, when no one really knows who did the best/worst?

5) Arizona tight end John Carlson retired this week at age 30, odd timing; you would think the Cardinals would've wanted to know that before the draft, not three days after the draft.

4) Road team is 7-5 in NHL overtime playoff games this spring.

3) 1960 Philadelphia Phillies are last team to lose three straight games, all by a 1-0 score.

2) Left field bleachers at Wrigley Field are opening Monday; the ones in right field may not open until after the All-Star break, as Wrigley Field is undergoing renovations that will take a long time to finish.

1) Quite a night in Anaheim for rookie catcher Carlos Perez, who hit a walk-off homer in his first major league game, as the Angels beat Seattle 5-4.

**Udog** · 05-06-2015, 02:41 PM

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

Letdown spot

The names have changed, with Rex Ryan sporting the blue and red of the Buffalo Bills, but the disdain is the same. Ryan and his new team will host rivals and defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots in Week 2. The game will serve as a litmus test for Buffalo and its place in the AFC East. The Bills made some noise this offseason and a lot of those transaction were with this game in mind.

That massive matchup with the hated Pats, leaves Buffalo vulnerable to a letdown spot in Week 3. It travels to South Beach for a standoff against the Miami Dolphins, who opened as 2-point favorites versus Buffalo. Win or loss against New England, the Bills are ripe for the letdown in this Week 3 road game.

Lookahead spot

The Oakland A’s are longing for the crisp air of the San Francisco Bay, and will have been on the road for 11 days spanning 10 games when this current stretch of schedule closes in Seattle this coming Sunday. Oakland is off to a rough start on this current trip, splitting wins and losses against sub-par competition in Texas and Minnesota.

The Athletics have had trouble taming the home side to open this road trip, giving up a combined 22 runs through the first four games heading into Tuesday night. Oakland dropped two of three home meetings with Seattle last month and could get caught looking ahead to the friendly confines of the O.co Coliseum in the series finale at Safeco Sunday.

Schedule spot

The Miami Marlins are having a hard enough time battling foes on Eastern standard time. Now, Miami hops the country for a four-game set on the other side of the planet with the San Francisco Giants, starting Thursday in AT&T Park.

The Marlins are in Washington right now, finishing up in DC with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch Wednesday. Then, the Fish hop a plane for the West Coast and throw out the first pitch in the Bay Area at 10:15 p.m. ET Thursday. Miami went on an 11-game trek to the left side of the country last May, finishing 4-7 during that stretch.

**Udog** · 05-06-2015, 02:45 PM

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, May 6

Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Game 713-714
May 6, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Bulls
125.343
Cleveland Cavalie
127.463
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland Cavalie
by 2
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland Cavalie
by 6
194 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Bulls
(+6); Under

Los Angeles Clippers @ Houston Rockets

Game 715-716
May 6, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles Clipp
129.455
Houston Rockets
125.812
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles Clipp
by 3 1/2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston Rockets
by 7
214
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles Clipp
(+7); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 6

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CHICAGO (55 - 34) at CLEVELAND (57 - 30) - 5/6/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 8-5 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA CLIPPERS (61 - 29) at HOUSTON (60 - 28) - 5/6/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 174-238 ATS (-87.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 133-173 ATS (-57.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 52-35 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
HOUSTON is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 12-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite this season.
HOUSTON is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
HOUSTON is 31-20 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 30-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 90-125 ATS (-47.5 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 8-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 9-3 straight up against HOUSTON 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

Wednesday, May 6

Cavaliers missed Love/Smith in Game 1 home loss to Chicago; Cleveland was just 7-26 from arc, got only nine points from bench- two of their normal subs started. Cavs won/covered three of five games with Chicago this year, with Cleveland winning by 14-5 points in other games played here. Bulls won nine of last 11 games with five of last six staying under total; Chicago made 10-18 from arc in Game 1 and shot 50% from floor.

Chris Paul (hamstring) is game-time decision after Clippers won easily in Game 1 without him; they've now won seven of last nine games against Houston, winning four of last five visits here. Clippers won four of last five road games; four of their last five games went over the total. Rockets won/covered five of last six home games, but turned ball over 23 times in dismal Game 1 loss- they were 14-24 on foul line, 11-33 on arc.

2015 playoffs
Chicago vs Cleveland
Chi 99-92, +4.5, U195

Washington vs Atlanta
Wash 104-98, +5.5, O197
Atl 106-90, -9, U199

Memphis vs Golden State
GSt 101-86, -10.5, U196
Mem 101-86, +10.5, U198.5

LA Clippers vs Houston
LAC 117-101, +7.5, O212

NBA

Wednesday, May 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing Chicago

9:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. HOUSTON
LA Clippers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing Houston
Houston is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Houston's last 12 games

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**Udog** · 05-06-2015, 02:48 PM

NBA

Wednesday, May 6

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Game of the Day: NBA Wednesday playoff matchups
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Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6, 194)

Bulls lead series 1-0

The Chicago Bulls pilfered homecourt advantage away from second-seeded Cleveland and look to take a 2-0 series lead when they visit the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Chicago posted a 99-92 victory in the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals by outplaying shorthanded Cleveland, which was missing injured forward Kevin Love (shoulder) and suspended guard J.R. Smith.

Smith will also sit out Game 2 while Love is gone for the postseason and the adjustments made by Cavaliers coach David Blatt didn’t work as third-seeded Chicago controlled the opener. “We were just a little bit off in a lot of things, a lot of little things that were important,” Blatt told reporters. “We’ve got to turn it around and make up for that a little bit because that’s the way for us to beat this team.” The Bulls didn’t show any fear of Cleveland while delivering an impressive opening salvo. “We must have confidence going into a series against anyone, no matter who the opponent is,” Chicago power forward Pau Gasol told reporters. “I think we came in with the right mindset and attitude, not really easing into the series but really going after it.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Cavs as 6-point faves and the total at 194.

INJURY REPORT: Bulls - G Derrick Rose (Probable, shoulder). Cavs - G J.R. Smith (Out, suspended), F Kevin Love (Out for season, shoulder).

ABOUT THE BULLS: Shooting guard Jimmy Butler had 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in the opener and also fared well while guarding James. “I feel like we’re both two NBA players,” Butler told reporters. “His name might be more well-known than mine but I’m just here to compete. I’m here to play. Everybody knows that LeBron is a hell of a player, I’m not knocking that, but I think I’m a decent player. I think I can hang with the best of them.” Point guard Derrick Rose also excelled with 25 points in the opener.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James had 19 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three steals in the opener but his 9-of-22 shooting and subpar defensive effort stood out more than the numbers. “I have to be better, I wasn’t that good,” James said. “I have to be much better.” Point guard Kyrie Irving was solid with 30 points – matching his career playoff high – and shooting guard Iman Shumpert surprised by posting a career playoff-best 22 points and making four 3-pointers.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Cleveland.
* Bulls are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Cleveland.
* Under is 4-0 in Bulls last four overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last four overall.

CONSENSUS: According toConsensus, 60 percent of bettors are backing the Bulls.

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets (-7, 213)

Clippers lead series 1-0

The Los Angeles Clippers won the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals without Chris Paul and may again be without the standout point guard when they visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Paul suffered a hamstring injury in Game 7 of the first-round series against San Antonio and his status for Game 2 will be decided in the hours leading up to game time.

Austin Rivers started in place of Paul and had 17 points in 28 minutes as Los Angeles registered a 117-101 win in the opener. Rockets star James Harden finished second in the MVP voting to Golden State’s Stephen Curry but his quiet 20-point performance was made worse by nine turnovers. Houston allowed 71 second-half points and committed 24 miscues and coach Kevin McHale was highly disturbed with the latter. “These are professional athletes and some of the turnovers we have were seventh and eighth grade,” McHale told reporters. “We just jumped in the air and with no one to throw it to, so we threw it in the air. We got to be better, that’s the bottom line.”

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Rockets as 6.5-point favorites and the total at 213.

INJURY REPORT: Clippers - G Chris Paul (Questionable, hamstring).

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Power forward Blake Griffin is playing spectacular and had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in the opener for his third triple-double of the postseason. “We’ve always had a lot of trust in Blake,” backup guard Jamal Crawford told reporters. “If we could draw anything from C.P. going down, it was that Blake had grown as a playmaker and a guy that we could obviously play through. He knows when to score, he knows when to set his teammates up and that’s why he’s one of the best players in the league.”

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Harden had 12 assists but his off-night as a scorer to go along with the ball-handling miscues sabotaged Houston’s chances of winning the opener. “I’m the catalyst, especially on the offensive end, and I’ve got to do a better job,” Harden told reporters. “Nine turnovers against this team is not to going to cut it. I think they had maybe (34) points off our turnovers – that’s giving them easy points.” Center Dwight Howard, who had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots, said the Rockets didn’t have their usual level of energy.

TRENDS:

* Clippers are 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Rockets are 24-6 ATS in their last 30 games following a ATS loss.
* Over is 4-1 in Clippers last five vs. Western Conference.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 61 percent of bettors are backing the Clippers.

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Announcement

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/6

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/6

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