Announcement

**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 09:34 AM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- Cavaliers 106, Bulls 101-- Cleveland is now up 3-2 in series.

-- Rockets 124, Clippers 103-- 4 of 5 series games were decided by 16+ points.

-- Lightning 4, Canadiens 1-- Tampa Bay advances to Eastern finals.

-- Cubs 5, Mets 1-- 25th game this year that was 0-0 after fifth inning. Good debut for Noah Syndergaard, who wound up with the loss.

-- Joc Pederson has struck out 43 times this season; his manager (Don Mattingly) never struck more than 43 times in any season.

-- Aaron Rodgers won $50,000 for charity on Celebrity Jeopardy this week.

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

13) First of all, our thoughts/prayers go out to anyone affected by the train derailment in Philadelphia last night; life is short, we have to enjoy it as much as we can for as long as we can.

12) Giancarlo Stanton hit a baseball out of Dodger Stadium last night, over the roof behind the left field pavilion- it was the slumping Marlins' only run in an ugly 11-1 loss, but it came in the first inning and it was a titanic blast.

11) I have Stanton and Marcell Ozuna on my fantasy team, so I watch most every Marlin game, but also because Rich Waltz/Tommy Hutton are so much fun to listen to, even in bad games, maybe moreso in bad games. Waltz does a lot of Mountain West basketball in the winter; he is very good. Hutton seems like a terrific guy- they're a good team.

10) Mitch Kupchak's son Maxwell will play college basketball at UCSB starting in the fall; he will redshirt the first year, then have four years left to play for Bob Williams and the Gauchos.

When the Lakers' GM sends his son to play for your team, that is quite the endorsement that should help Santa Barbara on the recruiting trail.

9) American Idol is getting cancelled after 14 years; thought they should have had one year where they only had singers who were 40+ years old, just to mix it up a little. Think it would've been a big hit.

8) A's have used four CFs this year; two of them, Craig Gentry and Coco Crisp, are a combined 3-60 this season. Gentry is back in AAA; Crisp is 0-25 since he came off the DL. Outfielders have to hit to be useful players.

7) Boston pitcher Stephen Wright threw 110 pitches in 5.2 IP last nite, saving the Red Sox bullpen a lot of wear and tear in a game they trailed 7-0 early. It is not often a relief pitcher throws 100+ pitches in a game.

6) Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn threw six shutout innings, beat the Indians on his birthday, but he needed 118 pitches to finish the six innings. He threw six shutout innings but had eight baserunners and nine strikeouts- threw 51 balls and 67 strikes-- lot of deep counts.

5) Serious question: Would you vote for a DH for the Hall of Fame?

4) Umpire Kerwin Danley got drilled point blank in the mask with a foul ball and left the Washington-Arizona game early last night. Danley played college ball with Tony Gwynn at San Diego State.

3) Speaking of the Nationals, something is amiss with Stephen Strasburg; he gave up eight runs in 3.1 IP last night and has an ERA of 6.06 this year.

2) Still think Tom Brady's suspension has as much to do with SpyGate as the deflated footballs; the cumulative effect of constantly skirting league rules.

1) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame at Wrigley Field last night; I wonder if professional singers get nervous when they sing, or if they're so good at it that it is just second nature to them.

**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 09:35 AM

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

Letdown spot

Hopes are high in Big D this season. The Cowboys scored a bumper crop of talented – yet controversial – players in the draft (and after it) and are coming off a 2014 campaign in which they were one tough call away from the NFC Championship Game. Dallas gets put to the test in Weeks 8 and 9, hosting the Seattle Seahawks in a massive revenge game for Seattle and the Philadelphia Eagles and former RB DeMarco Murray in consecutive weeks.

Following that grueling stretch of sked, the Cowboys go to the Gulf Coast for a meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and new QB Jameis Winston. The Bucs appear set for leaps and bounds in Year 2 under Lovie Smith and are getting just 4.5-point from oddsmakers for this Week 10 matchup – a line that stinks of letdown for Dallas.

Schedule spot

The Toronto Blue Jays have a hectic schedule on the go, playing three games in Baltimore this week before flying from the East Coast to Houston for four games starting Thursday. Toronto wraps in Baltimore Wednesday following a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch and must fly overnight and be on the field at Minute Maid Park for an 8:10 p.m. ET start time Thursday.

The Jays are bad enough away from home without having to jump a red-eye across most of the continent. Toronto is 3-8 in its last 11 road games heading into Tuesday’s Game 2 with the Orioles, and hitting .243 BA with a MLB-high 152 strikeouts away from the Rogers Centre. The Jays went 1-3 in their last four-game trip to Houston, getting outscored 17-4 in those losses.

Lookahead spot

The Los Angeles Angels make their first real road trip this week when they head out on a 10-game trek that has them in Baltimore Friday, then Toronto and eventually Boston – a trip that finishes on May 24. The Halos have been on the road plenty this season, going 7-8 as visitors, but haven’t ventured too far from home.

The Angels have stayed within their division - at Seattle, Texas, Houston and Oakland - and played an interleague set against the San Francisco Giants. With this cross-country hike on deck, we are wary of a possible lookahead to this trip as Los Angeles’ players ready their off-field affairs ahead of Wednesday’s series finale at home against the Colorado Rockies. The Halos haven’t been great on getaway days this season, losing both home stands before hitting the highway the following game.

**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 09:45 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, May 13

Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks

Game 737-738
May 13, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington Wizard
121.565
Atlanta Hawks
127.036
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta Hawks
by 5 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta Hawks
by 8
199 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington Wizard
(+8); Over

Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors

Game 739-740
May 13, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis Grizzlies
123.665
Golden State Warr
130.766
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State Warr
by 7
203
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State Warr
by 9 1/2
195
Dunkel Pick:
Memphis Grizzlies
(+9 1/2); Over

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 13

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WASHINGTON (52 - 38) at ATLANTA (66 - 26) - 5/13/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 157-202 ATS (-65.2 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
ATLANTA is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
ATLANTA is 28-18 ATS (+8.2 Units) in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
ATLANTA is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ATLANTA is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
WASHINGTON is 83-57 ATS (+20.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games in all playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 6-20 ATS (-16.0 Units) in the second round of the playoffs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 8-6 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 9-7 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
13 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MEMPHIS (61 - 30) at GOLDEN STATE (73 - 17) - 5/13/2015, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-37 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-31 ATS (+10.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-16 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-16 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 90-70 ATS (+13.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 65-97 ATS (-41.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 9-5 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 8-6 straight up against GOLDEN STATE 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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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 13

Hawks bench shot 30-56 in Games 3-4 after going 14-35 in first two series games; Atlanta's 47.1% from floor in Game 4 was their best of the series so far. Washington's starting guards shot 24-64 from floor in last two games. Wizards are 3-5 in their last eight games vs Atlanta; ten of last 12 series games went over total. Nine of last 11 Wizard games also went over total. Korver hasn't done much, but his threat from arc has opened stuff for other guys.

Winning side has been up by 9+ points at half in all four series games, as only one of four games was decided by less than 10 points. Warriors scored under 40 points in first half in both series losses- they scored less than 40 in first half once during regular season. Golden State was 14-33 from arc in Game 4, after going 12-54 in Games 2-3. Warriors are 3-8 vs spread in last 11 games. Memphis is 6-3 SU in playoffs. Eight of last ten series games stayed under the total, including all four in this series.

2015 playoffs

Chicago vs Cleveland
Chi 99-92, +4.5, U195
Clev 106-91, -5.5, O195.5
Chi 99-96, -3, O194.5
Clev 86-84, -3 U194
Clev 106-101, -5.5, O190.5

Washington vs Atlanta
Wash 104-98, +5.5, O197
Atl 106-90, -9, U199
Wash 103-101, +4, O196.5
Atl 106-101, -4.5, O198

GSt 101-86, -10.5, U196
Mem 101-86, +10.5, U198.5
Mem 99-89, +4.5, U196.5
GSt 101-84, -3.5, U196

LA Clippers vs Houston
LAC 117-101, +7.5, O212
Hst 115-109, -8, O214.5
LAC 124-99, -6, O214.5
LAC 128-95, -6.5 O217.5
Hst 124-103, +3, O219

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Atlanta is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Washington

10:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. GOLDEN STATE
Memphis is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Memphis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Golden State is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing Memphis

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**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 09:52 AM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

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Game of the Day: NBA Wednesday playoff matchups
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Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks (-8, 199.5)
Series tied 2-2

The Atlanta Hawks might be the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference but they haven’t been displaying it in the semifinal series against Washington. Atlanta rebounded to even the series and now has an opportunity to take a 3-2 edge when it host the Wizards on Wednesday.

The Hawks regained their form in Game 4 but still had to survive a late miss by Paul Pierce to seal the victory. “Now we got to go back home and take care of business,” point guard Jeff Teague told reporters. “They beat us once on our home floor, so they’re comfortable playing there, but we got to make it a hostile environment.” There is a slim chance Washington point guard John Wall can return from a hand injury that has sidelined him the past three games. The Wizards would like to see him on the court as they are 5-0 when Wall has played in this season’s playoffs and 1-2 – all against the Hawks – when he doesn’t.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Hawks -9 but have since adjusted that number to -8.

INJURY REPORT: Wizards - G John Wall (Ques-Wrist) Hawks - F DeMarre Carroll (Prob-Hip)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS: Wall tested his injured left hand by dribbling a basketball for the first time since last Thursday’s diagnosis of five non-displaced fractures in the hand and wrist. He is scheduled to again be examined by doctors and the team listed him as questionable for Game 5 event though it has never revealed a firm timetable for his return. “He’s again moving in the right direction,” Washington coach Randy Wittman told reporters. “Swelling is down again – minimal swelling. He wanted to dribble the ball a little bit and get the feel of it first. This is what of what he did.”

ABOUT THE HAWKS: Teague had his best showing in the series by contributing 26 points and eight assists in Game 4 after shooting just 12-of-41 from the field over the first three games. Power forward Paul Millsap also bounced back with a 19-point effort after having just eight in Game 3 due to illness and shooting 14-of-39 over the first three games. “That’s how we play,” Millsap told reporters about Atlanta’s performance in Game 4. “That’s how we’ve been playing all year. Things we didn’t do pretty much all series, we did (Monday).”

TRENDS:

*Wizards are 2-6-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
*Hawks are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win.
*Over is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.
*Over is 6-1 in Wizards last 7 overall.

CONSENSUS: Sixty-four percent of Consensus users are siding with the Wizards.

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (-9.5, 195.5)
Series tied 2-2

The Golden State Warriors temporarily solved the tactics of Memphis and are locked in a 2-2 series tie with the visiting Grizzlies entering Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. Golden State played at a pace Memphis couldn’t match to post a 101-84 win on Monday as league MVP Stephen Curry erupted for 33 points.

The Warriors were facing the possibility of returning home in a big hole before rising to the challenge in Game 4. “This series could have been close to over if we hadn’t come out like we were supposed to,” Golden State center Andrew Bogut told reporters. “You know it’s never over until the end, but being down 3-1 going home is a pretty tough task so 2-2 right now in a three-game series and we like our chances.” Memphis might have squandered a big opportunity but the squad isn’t lacking in confidence. “We don’t panic, we don’t forget who we are or what we are supposed to do as a team,” center Marc Gasol told reporters. “We’ve been together long enough to know how to work ourselves out of a tough situation and just keep playing no matter what. We know we’re playing a very good team and nothing will be easy.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Most books opened the Dubs as 10-point home faves but have dropped that number to -9.5 as of this writing.

INJURY REPORT: Grizzlies - N/A Warriors - C Ognjen Kuzmic (Ques-Ankle)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Memphis held Golden State to an average of 89.5 points in its two victories and gave up 101 in both of the losses but its own lack of offensive production (91.5) is becoming a hindrance. “At some point we’re going to have to score 100 points to win a game against them,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told reporters. “You can’t just keep running your defense at them.” Power forward Zach Randolph had 12 points and 11 rebounds in Game 4 but it was his lowest scoring output of the series after posting three straight games of 20 or more points.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry had his best performance of the series in Game 4 with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists after averaging 21.3 points through the first three games. It marked the ninth time in his career he scored 30 points in a playoff game and his 21 first-half points set the tone for the much-improved effort. “We took a step towards understanding that sense of urgency and kind of competitiveness and physicality to the game,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters. “It was probably our most competitive effort, definitely of the series, but probably of the playoffs just in terms of understanding you got to play every second.”

TRENDS:

*Grizzlies are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Golden State.
*Warriors are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
*Under is 6-1 in Grizzlies last 7 games following a ATS loss.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 56 percent of users are on the Grizz.

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**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 10:02 AM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

Carroll expected to start for Hawks in Game 5

Atlanta Hawks small forward DeMarre Carroll is expected to be in the starting lineup of Game 4 against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

Carroll suffered a hip pointer at the end of the game, but the injury doesn't appear to be too serious.

"He's doing good," Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters via a conference call Tuesday. "We expect him to play."

The Hawks are presently -8.5 for Game 5.

**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 06:44 PM

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, May 13

Eastern Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 5,

Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks, 8:05 ET
Washington: 1-9 ATS after a home game where both teams score 100 or more points
Atlanta: 19-7 ATS off a road win

Western Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 5,

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State, 10:35 ET
Memphis: 52-34 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
Golden State: 65-97 ATS after 3 or more consecutive unders

**Udog** · 05-13-2015, 06:58 PM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

Pau Gasol, Chicago - Prob Wed

Gasol has missed the last two games with a strained left hamstring but is expected to return for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cavaliers.

Bettors loving the Over in both NBA games Wednesday

A pair of Game 5's are on the NBA board Wednesday as the Eastern Conference series shifts to Atlanta and the series out West moves to California.

The Hawks and Washington Wizards are knotted at two games apiece with Atlanta coming off a 106-101 victory in Game 4.

According to Michael Stewart of online book CarbonSports.ag, the Hawks are a popular moneyline play, but spread action is coming in on the visiting team.

"Series tied at two and back in Atlanta for Game 5, the Hawks are getting 80 percent of the action on the moneyline," Stewart tells Covers. "With the possibility of (Wizards point guard) John Wall playing tonight, the line on this game has moved from Hawks -9 to -7.5 with 68 percent of the action coming in on the Wizards to cover."

The Over/Under count in the series stands at 3-1 heading into Game 5 and bettors like that trend to continue.

"As for the total, it is set at 200 points and it has seen a steady diet of over action accounting for 66 percent of the action on the total," Stewart says.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors posted a big win in Game 4 and head home to host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Much like the early game, moneyline action is backing the home team, but spread money is all about the dog.

"This series is also tied at two games apiece with the Warriors gaining some momentum and getting 77 percent of the action on the moneyline with the Grizzlies getting 61 percent of the action to cover the +9.5 spread," Stewart says.

Scorelines have resulted in cashed under bets in each game so far in this series, but that isn't stopping bettors from hammering the Over as the series moves back to Oakland.

"With each game of this series landing on the under, we have set the total for Game 5 at 196 points with a whopping 81 percent of the action coming in on the over," Stewart tells us

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Announcement

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/13

Wednesday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 5/13

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