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**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 07:24 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Davidson College is selling season ticket packages using their #1 alum to draw fans, six years after Stephen Curry graduated. Get t-shirts that look like his old Davidson uniform, enter a drawing for a signed stadium chair, stuff like that.

-- 50 NBA players make more $$$ than Curry; three of them play for the Warriors, which is unfathomable.

-- Someone stole $40K worth of stuff from NBA Entertainment before the game last night in Oakland. Bunch of cameras, five laptops.

-- Warriors 108, Cavaliers 100 OT-- James/Irving took 60 of Cleveland's 94 shots in this game, then Irving got hurt. Cavs scored two points in OT. Very seldom does an NBA team play only eight guys in a game, when they have a full roster.

-- JR Smith was 3-13; Klay Thompson did a good job on him; if Smith doesn't score 15+ points a game, this could be a very short series.

-- This game was entertaining to watch, for sure; three of the non-Lebron Cavaliers are castoffs from the Knicks, he is one of the five greatest players all-time and he is proving it by dragging this cast of ragtag misfits to the Finals.

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with the weekend here........

13) Golden State is the first NBA Finals team that had no players with previous Finals experience since Utah in 1997.

12) Its weird to me how close some fans are to the head coaches on NBA sidelines; its a matter of time before there's an incident, right? Some coaches have onversations with Jack Nicholson when they play the Lakers in Staples Center.

11) Some major league teams, Texas being one, give computer printouts to the starting pitcher of what pitches the home plate umpire called strikes in his recent games behind the plate. Wonder how much that helps and if there are pitchers who don't want info like that. Some athletes don't like too much information.

10) Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com wrote that people in Chapel Hill are relievedthat the NCAA's findings weren't a little more harsh than they are, as far as North Carolina's problems with the NCAA. Still not good, but Dodd writes that things could've been a lot worse for the Tar Heels.

9) Cubs 2, Nationals 1-- Washington had two on, two out in 9th inning, when the guy on first got picked off first to tend the game. A walk-off pickoff.

8) A's are 9-3 in last 12 games; they caught Detroit at the perfect time. Tigers have ton of injuries and played terrible baseball this week. Cespedes left the game early on Thursday; if they don't get healthy soon it could be a long summer.

7) Josh Hamilton (hamstring) is on the DL already; Arte Moreno had to eat a lot of money when he got rid of the troubled outfielder, but he's going to wind up being right about cutting bait with Hamilton and admitting an expensive mistake.

6) Rangers' TV had a couple cool video clips last night; they had film of the ill-fated Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in 1977, when they blew up a ton of disco records in centerfield in between games of a doubleheader, but in process they set the grass in centerfield on fire and incited a riot that caused the White Sox to forfeit the nightcap when they were still in the pennant race. An unfortunate night.

They also had a clip from the Washington Senators' last home game in 1971; that team moved to Arlington the next year and became the Texas Rangers.

5) Exactly how many people are running for President? If many more people get in the race, they can bracket it like the NCAA tournament and have elimination debates all next year. A lot of these people I've never heard of.

4) Mets are 23-3 when they score 4+ runs, 7-22 when they do not.

3) White Sox have been outscored 46-14 in the first inning this year. 46 to 14.

2) I like seeing starting pitchers hanging out together in the dugout during games; its almost like a team within a team, they support that night's pitcher, then the next night that guy is rooting for his teammate who is on the mound that night.

1) Today is National Doughnut Day; have one for me!!!!

**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 07:26 AM

Three reasons why you should be betting the WNBA

The WNBA opens its 19th season to thunderous applause this Friday. Well, maybe not thunderous. And, maybe not applause. More like a slow sarcastic clap.

Most often, the league serves as a better punchline than entertainment but like all sports – popular or not – a little wager can quickly make you a die-hard fan. And as ridiculed as the WNBA is, it has quietly become the secret weapon of sharp bettors each summer.

Due to the lack of exposure and coverage, plenty of WNBA news, trends and tidbits fall on deaf ears, which means those with their head to the women’s hardwood have a distinct advantage over the public and even the sportsbooks.

We asked some of our sharpest minds – those that actually admit to betting on the WNBA – why they love the “Dub” and what they look for when handicapping lady hoops.

Study pays off

“The sportsbooks delegate their resources to the sports that generate the most betting. WNBA lines are generally softer than you will find in, say, college and NBA basketball,” says a handicapper for Doc’s Sports. “As a result, someone that invests the time and effort into their research can have a strong advantage betting on a sport that is off most people's radar. The bottom line is that the cold, hard cash won betting on the WNBA is worth the same as money won betting on any other sport.”

Lack of depth

“I essentially handicap the games same as I would any other sport, but find that because the public and oddsmakers aren't as up on it, that you can often find very advantageous lines,” says Bryan Power. “One key difference between it and most men's leagues is that there is a real lack of depth as far as talent goes, so the top two and three teams end up being much better than the rest of the field.”

Value on the dogs

“I generally look to go against the public and stick mostly to underdogs and totals, usually Unders,” says Sean Murphy. “That's where I've found the most value, particularly in the summer when a lot of recreational bettors and action junkies come out of the woodwork and pound the favorites. The lines certainly aren't as sharp as we're accustomed to seeing in the other major sports, at least in my opinion.”

Here’s a look at the WNBA futures heading into Friday’s season opener:

Minnesota Lynx +188
Phoenix Mercury +200
Atlanta Dream +700
Chicago Sky +800
Indiana Fever +1,600
Los Angeles Sparks +1,600
Washington Mystics +1,600
New York Liberty +1,800
San Antonio Silver Stars +2,200
Connecticut Sun +3,300
Seattle Storm +3,300
Tulsa Shock +5,000

**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 07:27 AM

WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, June 5

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WASHINGTON (16 - 20) at CONNECTICUT (13 - 21) - 6/5/2015, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 260-316 ATS (-87.6 Units) in all games since 1997. WASHINGTON is 164-207 ATS (-63.7 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-3 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons WASHINGTON is 7-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons 7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (20 - 17) at NEW YORK (15 - 19) - 6/5/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons. ATLANTA is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) in road games on Friday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-3 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons NEW YORK is 5-3 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons 5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TULSA (12 - 22) at MINNESOTA (28 - 11) - 6/5/2015, 8:00 PM

Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 47-32 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons. MINNESOTA is 43-26 ATS (+14.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons. MINNESOTA is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons. MINNESOTA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons. TULSA is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-4 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons MINNESOTA is 8-1 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons 6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (19 - 20) at CHICAGO (19 - 24) - 6/5/2015, 8:30 PM

Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons. INDIANA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 10-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons INDIANA is 9-5 straight up against CHICAGO 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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SAN ANTONIO (16 - 20) at PHOENIX (36 - 6) - 6/5/2015, 10:00 PM

Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons. PHOENIX is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. PHOENIX is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons PHOENIX is 6-3 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons 5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Friday, June 5

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Trend Report

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7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CONNECTICUT
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Washington is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 6 games
See more trends!

7:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. NEW YORK
Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games on the road
New York is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 7 games at home

8:00 PM
TULSA vs. MINNESOTA
Tulsa is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulsa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tulsa
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Tulsa

8:30 PM
INDIANA vs. CHICAGO
Indiana is 11-3-1 ATS in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Indiana
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

10:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Phoenix is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio

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**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 09:26 AM

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, June 5

Washington @ Connecticut

Game 601-602
June 5, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
115.511
Connecticut
107.492
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
152
by 8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 5 1/2
146 1/22
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-5 1/2); Over

Atlanta @ New York

Game 603-604
June 5, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
114.290
New York
106.333
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
156
by 8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 5 1/2
151 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(-5 1/2); Over

Tulsa @ Minnesota

Game 605-606
June 5, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tulsa
105.777
Minnesota
114.838
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
154
by 9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 12 1/2
163
Dunkel Pick:
Tulsa
(+12 1/2); Under

Indiana @ Chicago

Game 607-608
June 5, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
108.545
Chicago
112.425
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
147
by 4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 7 1/2
150
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+7 1/2); Under

San Antonio @ Phoenix

Game 609-610
June 5, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
108.668
Phoenix
112.709
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
163
by 4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 6 1/2
157 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+6 1/2); Over

**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 09:29 AM

NBA

Friday, June 5

Cavs' Irving to have MRI on knee Friday

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a bigger worry beyond losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in overtime.

Midway through OT in Thursday's game, Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving went down awkwardly while trying to make an offensive move. Irving left the court to be examined and did not return.

After the game, the Cavaliers issued a statement that said Irving hurt his left knee and would undergo an MRI exam Friday.

Irving has been bothered throughout the playoffs by tendinitis in his left knee and a sprained right foot.

In 44 minutes of action Thursday, Irving finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. He is averaging 18.7 points and 3.7 assists in the postseason after averaging 21.7 points and 5.2 assists in the regular season.

Warriors open as slightly bigger faves in Game 2

After completely stymieing the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime and winning Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors have opened as 6.5-point favorites for Game 2 at several online books.

The Game 1 line closed at Golden State -6, with the Warriors taking away the win for themselves and bettors with a 108-100 victory Thursday.

**Udog** · 06-05-2015, 05:57 PM

NBA

Friday, June 5

Historically, Game 1 home winners are lights out

In NBA history, home teams that have won Game 1 of the NBA Finals have gone on to win the series 78 percent of the time.

That's a trend backers of the Golden State Warriors will enjoy in the wake of the Dubs' 108-100 overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening game of the series Friday.

Stephen Curry and company have been tabbed with a -460 series price at offshore shop CarbonSports.ag.

Warriors move to -7.5 for Game 2

After opening the Golden State Warriors as 6.5-point home favorites for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, online book Pinnacle Sports has shifted the Dubs to -7.5.

Star point guard Kyrie Irving's status is in question which is surely having an impact on the betting action. Irving suffered a knee injury late in Game 1 but tests have shown there is no damage to his ACL or MCL.

The opening total has held steady at 201.5 as of this writing.

WNBA

Friday, June 5

Big move in Shock-Lynx matchup

On the first day of the WNBA season, bettors are clearly believing in the underdog Tulsa Shock's ability to cover the spread versus the Minnesota Lynx.

Sports Interaction opened the Shock +15.5 but have dropped them all the way down to +11.5 as of 1:30 p.m. ET Friday.

The Over/Under is presently sitting at 163.

Announcement

Friday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 6/5

Friday's NBA and WNBA Trends and Indexes - 6/5

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