The Bum's National Basketball League December Picks/Trends/News !!

[StarDust Bum]

Which spot bets are the wiseguys looking to wager this week?

After giving safety Charles Woodson a storybook ending on Xmas Eve, the Raiders could be open for a letdown at Kansas City in the season finale.

Letdown spot

The Oakland Raiders have already exceeded expectations this NFL season. The Silver & Black, at 7-8 SU, entered the year with a season win total of 5.5 and has showed glimpses of a young promising team about to make a move in the aging AFC West. Last week, Oakland bid farewell to veteran safety Charles Woodson in the Raiders’ final home game of the schedule, edging San Diego in overtime.

That storybook ending on Christmas Eve leaves Oakland open for a letdown in the season finale at Kansas City. While Oakland could enjoy playing the role of spoiler to another divisional foe, it will be tough to top the emotion of last Thursday. Don’t be surprised if the Raiders come out flat as touchdown dogs at Arrowhead.

Lookahead spot

The Toronto Raptors are battling to stay atop of the Atlantic Division while also holding on to their spot among the NBA’s upper echelon. Toronto has wins over heavyweights like Cleveland and San Antonio this season, but have struggled against mid-to-lower tier teams.

The Raptors can add another big win to their resume when they face LeBron James and the Cavs Monday, however, run the risk of looking ahead to that matchup when they play the Chicago Bulls Sunday. Toronto dropped a 104-97 loss to the Bulls Monday and have a busy schedule before playing Cleveland, hosting Washington, Charlotte and Chicago from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3.

Schedule spot

The Winnipeg Jets embark on the five-game road trip this week, opening in Arizona on New Year’s Eve. The Jets will play three games in four nights when they visit San Jose and Anaheim on Jan. 2 and 3, and finish this stretch with games at Nashville and Dallas.

Winnipeg is among the worst road teams in hockey, owning a 6-12-1 record as a visitor. The Jets average only 2.37 goals per away game while giving up 3.32 goals against to home teams – tied for second worst in the NHL. Winnipeg has dropped five straight road games and has only one win away from home in its last dozen tilts on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, December 30

Hot teams
-- Orlando won six of its last eight games (4-10 last 14HF).
-- Clippers won their last three games (5-6-1AF).
-- Boston won/covered its last four games.
-- Washington won four of its last five games (5-6AU). Raptors won five of last six home games (1-7 last 8 HF).
-- Warriors won last five games, but Curry may not play this game (10-4-1AF). Dallas won four of last five games (1-2HU).
-- Spurs won nine of their last ten games (13-5HF).
-- Portland won last two games, covered three of last four (3-4HF).

Cold teams
-- Nets lost six of their last eight games (9-2 last 11AU).
-- Hornets lost five of their last eight games (3-1-1HU).
-- Lakers lost six of last seven games, covered three of last five.
-- Indiana lost five of last six road games (5-3AU). Chicago is 2-4 in its last six games (5-12HF).
-- Utah lost six of its last nine games (6-4AU). Minnesota lost last four games (0-5HF).
-- Suns lost their last five games (5-7AU).
-- Nuggets lost six of their last seven games (9-6AU).
-- 76ers lost 13 of last 14 games (10-10AU). Sacramento lost three if its last four games (4-4HF).

Series records
-- Nets won four of last five games with Orlando.
-- Clippers won eight of last nine games with Charlotte.
-- Lakers won seven of last nine games with Boston.
-- Wizards won four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Pacers covered five of last six games with Chic ago.
-- Jazz won four of last five games with Minnesota.
-- Warriors won their last seven games with Dallas.
-- Spurs won seven of last nine games with Phoenix.
-- Trailblazers won eight of last nine games with Denver.
-- 76ers won five of last seven games with Sacramento.

Totals
-- Last four Brooklyn games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper games stayed under.
-- Last three Boston games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six Toronto games went over total.
-- Last eight Indiana games stayed under total.
-- Four of last six Utah games stayed under total.
-- Over is 11-3 in Golden State's last 14 games.
-- Seven of last ten Phoenix games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Denver games stayed under.
-- Six of Philly's last eight games went over total; seven of Kings' last eight games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Denver is 4-3 vs spread if it played night before.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Wednesday, December 30

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Brooklyn's last 13 games when playing Orlando
Brooklyn is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Orlando is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn

7:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. CHARLOTTE
LA Clippers are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games on the road
LA Clippers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games on the road
Charlotte is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games when playing LA Clippers
Charlotte is 1-8 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Clippers

7:30 PM
LA LAKERS vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. TORONTO
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
UTAH vs. MINNESOTA
Utah is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Utah's last 25 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana's last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Indiana is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
Chicago is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana

8:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Phoenix is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
San Antonio is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
San Antonio is 2-3-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix

8:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. DALLAS
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Golden State is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Dallas's last 10 games at home

10:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. SACRAMENTO
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Philadelphia is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Sacramento is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

10:00 PM
DENVER vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 9 games when playing on the road against Portland
Denver is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Denver
Portland is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Denver

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, December 30

Golden State @ Dallas

Game 713-714
December 30, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
129.427
Dallas
118.512
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 11
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 8 1/2
212
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-8 1/2); Over

Phoenix @ San Antonio

Game 715-716
December 30, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
109.783
San Antonio
133.167
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 23 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 14 1/2
196
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-14 1/2); Over

Denver @ Portland

Game 717-718
December 30, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
113.877
Portland
119.868
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 6
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
N/A

Philadelphia @ Sacramento

Game 719-720
December 30, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
106.821
Sacramento
119.698
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 13
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
N/A

Brooklyn @ Orlando

Game 701-702
December 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Brooklyn
114.875
Orlando
124.956
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 10
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 7 1/2
200 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-7 1/2); Under

LA Clippers @ Charlotte

Game 703-704
December 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Clippers
122.324
Charlotte
117.765
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 4 1/2
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 2
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-2); N/A

LA Lakers @ Boston

Game 705-706
December 30, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
110.201
Boston
120.312
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 10
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 12 1/2
205
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+12 1/2); Over

Washington @ Toronto

Game 707-708
December 30, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
117.871
Toronto
120.433
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2 1/2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 6
202 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+6); Over

Indiana @ Chicago

Game 709-710
December 30, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
123.344
Chicago
121.425
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 2
196
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 3
201
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+3); Under

Utah @ Minnesota

Game 711-712
December 30, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
117.343
Minnesota
116.329
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 1
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 1
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+1); N/A

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, December 30

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BROOKLYN (9 - 22) at ORLANDO (18 - 13) - 12/30/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) first half of the season this season.
BROOKLYN is 63-45 ATS (+13.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-2 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 5-3 straight up against ORLANDO 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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LA CLIPPERS (19 - 13) at CHARLOTTE (17 - 13) - 12/30/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 32-53 ATS (-26.3 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 34-47 ATS (-17.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 141-179 ATS (-55.9 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 2-2 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 3-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA LAKERS (5 - 27) at BOSTON (18 - 13) - 12/30/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 45-63 ATS (-24.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 67-48 ATS (+14.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 115-149 ATS (-48.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 3-1 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 3-1 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (14 - 15) at TORONTO (19 - 13) - 12/30/2015, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-5 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-5 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (18 - 12) at CHICAGO (17 - 12) - 12/30/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 58-33 ATS (+21.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 37-54 ATS (-22.4 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 7-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-5 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (13 - 16) at MINNESOTA (11 - 20) - 12/30/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 41-28 ATS (+10.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 47-63 ATS (-22.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) in home games first half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 5-20 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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GOLDEN STATE (29 - 1) at DALLAS (18 - 13) - 12/30/2015, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 331-265 ATS (+39.5 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 297-242 ATS (+30.8 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) first half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 44-26 ATS (+15.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 50-37 ATS (+9.3 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-26 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 75-56 ATS (+13.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 47-28 ATS (+16.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-1 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-1 straight up against DALLAS 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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PHOENIX (12 - 21) at SAN ANTONIO (27 - 6) - 12/30/2015, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) first half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 straight up against PHOENIX 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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DENVER (12 - 20) at PORTLAND (13 - 20) - 12/30/2015, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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PHILADELPHIA (2 - 31) at SACRAMENTO (12 - 19) - 12/30/2015, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Capsules
December 29, 2015

HOUSTON (AP) Al Horford had 30 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 121-115 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

Atlanta trailed by 19 early in the game before rallying for the victory. Kent Bazemore added 26 points and Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague both had 22 as the Hawks won for the seventh time in eight games.

Dwight Howard led Houston with 30 points and 16 rebounds, while James Harden had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Atlanta took a lead late in the fourth quarter and employed the hack-a strategy, intentionally fouling Howard and Clint Capela repeatedly. The strategy was largely successful until Howard made a free throw to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining.

Atlanta then scored the final nine points of the game to steal the road victory.

THUNDER 131, BUCKS 123

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Russell Westbrook scored 27 points and Kevin Durant added 26 to lead the Thunder to a win over the Bucks.

Enes Kanter added 23 while rookie Cameron Payne had a career-high 16 for the Thunder.

Westbrook and Durant both scored more than 20 points for the 25th time this season as Oklahoma City overcame an early eight-point deficit to win for the 11th time in its last 14 games.

Khris Middleton scored a career-best 36 points to lead Milwaukee.

KNICKS 108, PISTONS 96

NEW YORK (AP) - Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and Derrick Williams added 18 to lead six Knicks in double figures as New York snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over the Pistons.

Jose Calderon added 15 points, Kyle O'Quinn had 12, Robin Lopez scored 11, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 10.

Ersan Ilyasova led the Pistons with 19 points. Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson each had 17.

The Knicks led by only four points, 80-76, early in the fourth quarter, but went on a 25-11 run to take an 18-point lead on Williams' long jumper with 1:42 left in the game.

Williams scored 16 of his points in the final quarter, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the field.

GRIZZLIES 99, HEAT 90, OT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Marc Gasol scored seven of his 23 points in overtime to help the Grizzlies pull away in the extra period for a victory over the Heat.

Zach Randolph added 17 points for Memphis. Mike Conley and Jeff Green had 16 apiece, and Mario Chalmers scored 12 points. Gasol would add eight rebounds, six assists and four blocks, including a pair of rejections in the closing minutes.

Gasol's overtime performance included a stumbling move in the lane where he flipped the ball to the basket as he was fouled. The shot bounced through, Gasol converted the ensuing free throw and the Grizzlies were up 96-88 with 1:22 left - a lead Memphis would not relinquish.

Chris Bosh led Miami with 22 points, while Dwyane Wade finished with 19. Goran Dragic had 16 points.

The teams were tied at 83 at the end of regulation.

CAVALIERS 93, NUGGETS 87

DENVER (AP) - LeBron James scored 34 points on the eve of his 31st birthday, Iman Shumpert added a season-high 16 and the Cavaliers beat the Nuggets.

Kevin Love had eight points and 14 rebounds to help Cleveland finish off a four-game West Coast swing with a 2-2 mark. The Cavaliers rested Kyrie Irving on the second night of a back-to-back as he works his way back from a fractured left kneecap.

Reserve Will Barton had 29 for the injury-riddled Nuggets, who've now dropped six of seven. They were once again without Danilo Gallinari (sprained left ankle) and rookie Emmanuel Mudiay (sprained right ankle).

Trailing by 11 with 3:07 remaining, the Nuggets resorted to fouling Tristan Thompson, who's a 56 percent free throw shooter. Thompson struggled at the line, hitting 1 of 4, but Denver couldn't capitalize.

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


BK at ORL 07:00 PM

ORL -7.5 TRIPLE PLAY

O 200.0


LAC at CHA 07:00 PM

CHA +2.5

U 200.5


LAL at BOS 07:30 PM

BOS -13.5 DOUBLE PLAY

U 206.0 TRIPLE PLAY


WAS at TOR 07:30 PM

TOR -7.5

O 203.5


UTA at MIN 08:00 PM

MIN -3.0 *****

U 191.5


IND at CHI 08:00 PM

IND +3.5 TRIPLE PLAY

O 201.5


GS at DAL 08:30 PM

GS -4.0

U 209.0 TOTAL OF THE DAY


PHO at SA 08:30 PM

SA -14.5

U 196.5


PHI at SAC 10:00 PM

SAC -10.0 TRIPLE PLAY

O 213.5 TRIPLE PLAY


DEN at POR 10:00 PM

POR -6.5

U 201.0

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bucks (12-21) at Pacers (18-12)
Date: December 31, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

An inability to defend the 3 has been one of the biggest reasons for the Milwaukee Bucks' struggles on the road

That's not a good sign for facing one of the league's top 3-point shooting teams in the Indiana Pacers, who have already bombarded the Bucks from deep once this season.

The Pacers, however, have the disadvantage of playing on a second straight night Thursday when they face a Milwaukee team trying to avoid losing for the 15th time in 16 road games.

The Bucks (12-21) are allowing opponents to shoot a league-worst 40.1 percent from 3-point range on the road and surrendering an average of 10.0 made 3-pointers during a 1-14 stretch outside Milwaukee.

Indiana (18-13) made 15 of 30 3-pointers in a 123-86 home win over the Bucks on Nov. 21, their most lopsided victory of the season. The Pacers had six players score at least 12 while Milwaukee's leading scorer was Greg Monroe with 11.

Indiana has won 11 of 13 at home and shoots 36.7 percent from 3-point range, but Milwaukee may be catching a break with the Pacers finishing up a back-to-back after Wednesday's tough 102-100 overtime loss in Chicago.

After storming back from 14 down, Indiana looked like it was going to win as it took a seven-point lead with just over 2 1/2 minutes to go, but the Bulls closed regulation on an 11-4 run. Chicago answered Monta Ellis' game-tying 3-pointer with 3.7 seconds left with Jimmy Butler's alley oop with 1.2 to go, and Butler then defended Paul George's tip-in attempt as time expired.

Coach Frank Vogel was irate there was no foul called on Butler on the game's final play but that wasn't the only reason why the Pacers lost.

'We were up seven and pretty much in control before we got to OT," George said. "We let this one get away.'

George had another poor shooting night, going 7 of 20 - the eighth time in 10 games he shot less than 40 percent - and matched a season high playing 42 minutes. The quick turnaround seems problematic for George, who is shooting 29.1 percent - including 4 of 25 from 3-point range - in the second half of Indiana's last three back-to-backs with the Pacers being outscored by an average of 15.3 points in losing each.

Ellis is averaging 7.0 points on 37.5 percent shooting in the second half of Indianapolis' last four back-to-backs and C.J. Miles has totaled seven points on 3-of-16 shooting in the last two.

Miles, second on the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game, was scratched about an hour before Wednesday's tipoff due to a sore lower back. He had a team-high 21 points against the Bucks last month as the Pacers won for the eighth time in nine meetings in Indianapolis.

Khris Middleton had a career-high 36 points and made 6 of 9 3-pointers Tuesday in Milwaukee's 131-123 loss at Oklahoma City.

'We're not going to be able to win with just one man doing everything, though," said Middleton, who also had seven assists. "We need to play as a team and figure it out.'

Over the last five games, Middleton is shooting 57.1 percent while averaging 23.6 points - 7.8 better than his season average. He had eight points on 3-of-11 shooting against Indiana last month.

Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a huge game Tuesday, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds after totaling 15 points and 11 boards in his previous two contests. He scored nine in the first meeting with Indiana.

The Bucks have lost three straight and six of eight. This is their fifth three-game losing streak of the season and haven't lost four in a row since March.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Timberwolves (11-20) at Pistons (17-15)
Date: December 31, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves found a way to snap their losing streak against a short-handed team.

They will have little time to savor a rare home win before taking the court against an opponent they have dominated in recent years.

Towns and the visiting Timberwolves will try to win back-to-back games for the second time this month when they face the Detroit Pistons on New Year's Eve.

Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota to a 94-80 win over injury-plagued Utah on Wednesday. It snapped a four-game losing streak for the Wolves and marked just their fourth victory in 16 games.

Ricky Rubio racked up 17 assists, tying a career and franchise high, with six coming in a big fourth quarter. Minnesota (12-20) shot 13 of 19 from the field while scoring 32 points in the fourth after shooting 39.7 percent over the first three.

Towns, the No. 1 overall draft pick in June, had 12 points in the fourth after being pulled by coach Sam Mitchell following some sloppy play in the third.

"What he's doing offensively for a 20-year-old is just amazing," Mitchell said. "The way he's scoring the basketball, how efficient he is. But to Karl's credit, when I took him out of the game he said, 'Coach I know why you're taking me out of the game.' He's a unique individual."

The Timberwolves piled up 27 assists on 36 made shots, including 11 on 13 baskets in the fourth quarter.

They improved to 5-12 at home but have been better on the road, going 7-8.

Location hasn't made a difference when they play the second half of a back-to-back, though, as they're 0-5 in such games.

Detroit (17-15) enters on a three-game losing streak, one off a season worst.

Ersan Ilyasova had 19 points in a 108-96 loss at New York on Tuesday. Andre Drummond was held to 13 points and nine rebounds after going nine consecutive games - and 14 of 15 - with double-digits boards.

"I'm tired of losing. Tired of watching fans walk out of here up 15, going home excited about a win," said Reggie Jackson, who had 17 points and nine assists. "We can't continue to watch ourselves sink."

Jackson has been held to less than 20 points in each of his last four games after scoring at least 20 in each of the previous five.

The guard had 18 points when the Pistons snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Timberwolves with a 96-86 win on Nov. 20 in Minneapolis. Drummond led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds, scoring 15 in the third quarter.

The Pistons have given up an average of 104.7 points in the last three while scoring 96.3 points. That fits with a season-long pattern, as the Pistons are 14-2 when scoring at least 97.

The Pistons are 10-4 when holding teams to 45.1 percent shooting or worse. Each of their opponents during the skid has gone above that number, shooting a combined 49.6 percent.

Kevin Martin has sat out the past four games for Minnesota as the team continues shopping him around.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Clippers (19-13) at Pelicans (10-21)
Date: December 31, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

It was probably an unthinkable feat when they lost Blake Griffin this past weekend, but the Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to sweep a five-game road trip for the first time.

They need only to top the last-place New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.

Griffin was expected to miss at least two weeks when he tore a tendon in his left quad in a 94-84 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Instead of folding without their leading scorer, the Clippers (20-13) have extended their win streak to four and matched their 4-0 start.

The team's reserves have played a significant role, averaging 48.3 points and 17 more than in the first 30 games. They scored 47 in a 122-117 win over Charlotte on Wednesday.

Austin Rivers had a season-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting while starting guard J.J. Redick hit 8 3-pointers and scored 26 to lead six players in double figures.

"It's by committee," point guard Chris Paul said. 'When you're missing somebody as big as Blake is for us, we're just trying to make do and stay afloat until he gets back."

In their attempt to make history, the Clippers will seek to end New Orleans' season-high three-game home win streak. The Pelicans (10-21) edged Houston 110-108 on Saturday for their lone victory in their last three overall contests.

They were beaten 104-89 in Orlando on Monday with Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans their only starters in double figures. Eric Gordon had three points on 1-of-6 shooting after scoring 26 and making 10 of 12 shots against Houston.

New Orleans went 13 of 24 from 3-point range versus the Rockets and 5 of 20 on Monday.

"We have games where we're really locked down, very unselfish and everyone scores, but we're just not consistent with that," Gordon said. "We don't do it day in and day out each game and when things don't go right, it takes a toll on our whole team."

The Clippers have won 11 of 14 over New Orleans and earned a 111-90 victory in the first meeting this season Nov. 27. Doc Rivers rested his starters in the fourth quarter of that game while Davis was forced to leave in the third after bruising his right knee in a collision with Paul.

Redick had 20 points in that game and is averaging 18.3 while shooting 47.8 percent from beyond the arc in his last four matchups.

The Clippers have lost in each of their last two visits to New Orleans, and the Pelicans prevailed 108-103 in the latest Jan. 30 even with Davis sitting out because of a strained left adductor.

The closest the Clippers have come to sweeping a road trip of five games or longer was a 6-1 mark Nov. 19-29, 2014. They swept a four-game trip Dec. 11-17, 2012.

Gordon is averaging 22.3 points in his last three games against his former team and had 28 points in the most recent matchup in New Orleans. The Clippers acquired Paul in the Dec. 14, 2011, trade that sent him to the Big Easy.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Suns (12-21) at Thunder (22-10)
Date: December 31, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The short-term picture shows Oklahoma City seeking to maintain its offensive rhythm in a bid to wrap up a four-game homestand with three consecutive wins. That may lead to long-term benefits of the Thunder's reserve players further defining their roles in the rotation against a reeling Phoenix Suns team whose season is quickly going off the rails.

After a Christmas Day loss Chicago, the Thunder (22-10) have run up 253 points in beating Denver and Milwaukee, shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 90.2 percent (55 of 61) from the foul line. While stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have hovered right around their respective scoring averages of 26.6 and 25.6, respectively, and combined for 109 points, it's been Oklahoma City's bench that has provided an extra push.

"Everybody is touching it and everybody is feeling good," Durant told the team's official website. "When guys are scrambling, we're driving those clouts, trying to find the open man. That's easy basketball."

The reserves have accounted for 88 points in the last two contests, sparked by Enes Kanter's best stretch of the season. Kanter is averaging 18.5 points on 68.2 percent shooting and 10.0 rebounds in his last four games and has posted consecutive 20-point efforts for the first time this season after scoring 23 in Tuesday's 131-123 win over the Bucks.

"He did a great job tonight of playing off of our guards," Westbrook said of Kanter.

Durant added: "He's doing a great job of making himself available, catching passes, finishing well and rebounding the ball on the offensive glass."

While Kanter has been solid all season, averaging 12.0 points and 8.2 rebounds, rookie Cameron Payne is finally finding his sea legs. The 14th overall pick, who has as many DNPs (16) as games played, hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 16 points and matched a season high with three assists.

"All I can say is hard work pays off. Just stay in the gym, keep working,' said Payne, who also hit a pair of 3s in the victory over Denver. "Really it's just the confidence from the other payers that they give me and I just come out there and play comfortable."

As the Thunder have found their comfort zone, the Suns (12-22) are completely out of sorts, mired in a six-game losing streak that has put coach Jeff Hornacek's job in jeopardy after assistants Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting were fired Monday.

Hornacek's task to get Phoenix on track became more difficult after losing leading scorer Eric Bledsoe to a season-ending knee injury, and the pall from his absence lingered in Wednesday's 112-79 drubbing by San Antonio.

"We caught a break," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "They've had some injuries and are missing guys that they need."

Unlike Monday's 101-97 competitive home loss to Cleveland, the Suns were run out of the building from the opening tip - getting outscored 32-12 in the first quarter and trailed by as much as 38. Devin Booker has totaled 19 points starting the last two games - less than Bledsoe's season average of 20.4.

Bledsoe was in the lineup in the first meeting between the teams Nov. 8 and scored 28, but the Thunder pulled away for a 124-103 victory as Durant had 32 points, Westbrook added 21 and 13 assists and Kanter contributed 21 points off the bench.

Oklahoma City has averaged 117.9 points during a nine-game home winning streak over Phoenix.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play ON UTAH against the spread in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 25 Wins and 4 Losses for the last two seasons (+20.6 units)

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play ON UTAH against the spread in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 45 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+27.4 units)

NBA > (505) GOLDEN STATE@ (506) HOUSTON | 2015-12-31 19:05:00 - 2015-12-31 19:05:00
Play ON HOUSTON against the spread in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 27 Wins and 8 Losses for the last three seasons (+18.2 units)

NBA > (503) MINNESOTA@ (504) DETROIT | 2015-12-31 18:05:00 - 2015-12-31 18:05:00
Play ON MINNESOTA against the spread in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 10 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+8.9 units)

-------------------

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (503) MINNESOTA@ (504) DETROIT | 2015-12-31 18:05:00 - 2015-12-31 18:05:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points
The record is 4 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (-20.75 units)

NBA > (505) GOLDEN STATE@ (506) HOUSTON | 2015-12-31 19:05:00 - 2015-12-31 19:05:00
Play ON HOUSTON using money line in Home games after a non-conference game
The record is 19 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+16.7 units)

NBA > (507) PHOENIX@ (508) OKLAHOMA CITY | 2015-12-31 20:05:00 - 2015-12-31 20:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in All games in all games
The record is 12 Wins and 21 Losses for the this season (-25.15 units)

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play ON UTAH using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 19 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+22.9 units)

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play ON UTAH using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 33 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (+25.05 units)

-------------------

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (501) MILWAUKEE@ (502) INDIANA | 2015-12-31 18:05:00 - 2015-12-31 18:05:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE ?>in the first halfin Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10 units)

NBA > (501) MILWAUKEE@ (502) INDIANA | 2015-12-31 18:05:00 - 2015-12-31 18:05:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE ?>in the first halfin Road games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-10 units)

------------------------

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 10 Overs and 34 Unders for the last two seasons (+23 units)

NBA > (511) PORTLAND@ (512) UTAH | 2015-12-31 21:05:00 - 2015-12-31 21:05:00
Play UNDER UTAH on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 34 Overs and 82 Unders for the last three seasons (+44.6 units)

NBA > (509) LA CLIPPERS@ (510) NEW ORLEANS | 2015-12-31 20:05:00 - 2015-12-31 20:05:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 2 Overs and 13 Unders for the this season (+10.8 units)

NBA > (509) LA CLIPPERS@ (510) NEW ORLEANS | 2015-12-31 20:05:00 - 2015-12-31 20:05:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 3 Overs and 14 Unders for the this season (+10.7 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (29-2) at Rockets (16-17)
Date: December 31, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Golden State Warriors have survived an injury to their head coach, but they're clearly not the same without their best player.

Coming off their worst loss in nearly three years, the Warriors conclude a brief road trip Thursday night against the Houston Rockets with Stephen Curry's status in question.

With Curry unavailable due to a bruised lower left leg, the Warriors had by far their worst performance under interim coach Luke Walton in Wednesday's 114-91 loss at Dallas. They trailed by as many as 30 in their most lopsided defeat since a 140-109 setback at Houston on Feb. 5, 2013.

Golden State shot 40.7 percent while failing to replace Curry's league-leading 30.5 points per game. Klay Thompson managed just 10 points and Draymond Green had 11 as both finished 4 of 15 from the field.

'We had great looks," Thompson said. "It was just one of those nights.'

The Warriors (29-2), second in the NBA with a 48.3 percent field goal percentage, shot under 41 percent for only the third time during their historic 31-game start with Walton running the team as Steve Kerr recovers from back surgery. One came during the Dec. 12 loss at Milwaukee that halted their 28-game regular-season winning streak, the other in a double-overtime win at Boston a night earlier.

'He's one of those rare players in this league that affects the entire game just by being on the court,' Walton said of Curry. 'Obviously without him the spacing won't be as good.'

Walton hinted that he may rest Curry again Thursday, a move the erratic Rockets surely won't object. The reigning MVP averaged 31.2 points while shooting 49.1 percent on 3-pointers to lead the Warriors past Houston in five games during last season's Western Conference finals. He then scored 25 in 27 minutes in a 112-92 rout at Houston on Oct. 30 for Golden State's ninth win in the past 10 matchups, including the postseason.

Curry isn't the only Golden State player ailing. Harrison Barnes remains sidelined with an ankle sprain, reserve guard Leandro Barbosa (sprained shoulder) is expected to miss a third straight game and center Festus Ezeli (toe) also sat out Wednesday.

Houston (16-17) is relatively healthy with forward Terrence Jones over an illness that kept him out of Tuesday's game against Atlanta, though it's hardly in top form. After dropping a 110-108 decision at struggling New Orleans on Saturday, the Rockets squandered a 16-point third-quarter lead in a 121-115 loss to the Hawks.

The Rockets shot a torrid 69.2 percent during a 71-point first half but 36.4 percent after the break, and had 11 of their 20 turnovers over the final two quarters.

"We gave up too many offensive rebounds and we turned the basketball over," guard James Harden said. "We're kind of beating ourselves in that aspect."

Harden was 6 of 16 from the field and is shooting 36.2 percent over a three-game stretch, though Dwight Howard ended 10 of 12 for a season-high 30 points and added 16 rebounds.

Howard wasn't much of a factor in the teams' previous meeting, mustering nine points on 4 of 11 shooting while saddled with foul trouble much of the night.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Some NFL trends to ponder with Week 17 upon us..........

-- Tennessee is 7-21-2 vs spread in last 30 games as an underdog.

-- Chicago covered twice in its last ten home games.

-- Miami covered once in its last nine games.

-- 49ers covered once in their last eleven divisional games.

-- Chiefs covered seven of their last nine games.

-- Minnesota covered its last six road games.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Our last article for 2015.......

13) Scott Kazmir gets $48M for three years from the Dodgers, who will probably start the season with an all-lefty starting rotation- very unusual. Kazmir started LY with the A's, so I've seen him pitch a lot. He was not 100% healthy last season- he came out early a couple times, fought thru it other times- buyer beware.

12) December 30 is a very strong day for celebrity birthdays: Lebron James, Sandy Koufax, Eldrick Woods. There will be guys in this world who read that and mark the calendar to have sex with their wife on March 29-31 every year.

11) Peyton Manning will begin Sunday as the backup QB for Denver, which could become interesting if the Broncos struggle early against San Diego.

10) So I go into Denny's for breakfast at 10am Wednesday and the place is packed!!! Doesn't anyone work anymore? Almost had to wait for a table. By the way, if you get the Grand Slam breakfast, its a better deal to get eggs/pancakes rather than a double order of eggs. Its a good food value

9) This older lady in Denny's has a new Patriots' jacket on; it says "Four-time Super Bowl champs" on it, with the years they won. I don't do it, but I'm dying to go up to her and ask her who the Patriots' coach was before Belichick. A non-bandwagon fan would know the answer (Pete Carroll) pretty quickly. I was curious if she knew.

8) Seton Hall 83, Marquette 63-- Pirates start five sophomores; if Kevin Willard can keep this group together, the next three years will be fun for Seton Hall fans.

7) Clemson sent its #2 WR home from the Orange Bowl, along with two other subs; rumor had them failing drug tests. Usually when kids get sent home from a big game like tonight's, the team has capable reserves ready to step in. Go figure.

6) NCAA reports that 44% of men's basketball transfers go to another D-I school, which means that 56% of them wash out and play at a lower level. There is nothing simple about recruiting and mistakes are often made.

5) Boston Celtics gave Kobe Bryant a piece of their parquet floor as part of their gift to him on his last appearance in Boston. They gave Julius Erving a similar gift when he retired from the 76ers; according to ESPN, years later, Dr J sold the gift for $15,766.

4) FS1 analyst in the first minute of DePaul-Georgetown game: "JTIII has done a great job with this Georgetown program....." OK, you've lost your credibility in less than a minute. He hasn't done a great job- if his last name isn't Thomposon, he would have been fired by now. Just ask Craig Esherick, the Hoyas' last coach.

3) I don't get ESPN's fascination with Stephen A Smith/Skip Bayless, professional nitwits who would fit in better on WWE telecasts. You try and watch talkshows and learn something, then all of a sudden one of these nitwits appears and chaos ensues. It makes no sense why they would be highly paid centerpieces of a TV network.

2) Odd fact of the day: Baylor didn't have any field goals longer than 40 yards this year. Memphis had seven field goals longer than 50 yards. .

1) Our condolences to Michigan State hoop coach Tom Izzo, who lost his dad this week at age 90. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but it is a little tougher when it happens around the holidays

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, December 31

Hot teams
-- Warriors won five of last six games, but Curry didn't play last nite and probably won't tonite (10-5-1AF).
-- .Thunder won 11 of last 13 games (0-4 last four HF).
-- Clippers won their last four games (6-6-1AF).
-- Portland won its last three games (9-8AU).

Cold teams
-- Bucks lost six of their last eight games (7-9AU). Indiana lost four of its last six games (7-2 last nine HF).
-- Minnesota lost four of last five games (10-3AU). Detroit lost its last three games (7-1 last eight HF).
-- Rockets lost three of last four games (4-1HU).
-- Suns lost their last six games (1-5 vs spread).
-- Pelicans lost 12 of their last 16 games (3-3HU).
-- Utah lost three of its last four games (5-6HF).

Series records
-- Pacers won six of last eight games with Milwaukee.
-- Pistons lost nine of last ten games with Minnesota.
-- Warriors won nine of last ten games with Houston.
-- Thunder won four of last five games with Phoenix.
-- Clippers won eight of last ten games with New Orleans.
-- Trailblazers won seven of last nine games with Utah.

Totals
-- Last six Indiana home games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last nine Detroit home games went over.
-- 10 of last 12 Golden State road games went over.
-- Under is 7-3 in Oklahoma City's last ten home games.
-- Over is 9-4-1 in Clipper road games.
-- Five of last seven Portland road games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Indiana is 2-4 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Minnesota is 2-2 vs spread when it played night before.
-- Warriors are 5-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Phoenix is 2-4 vs spread if it layed night before.
-- Clippers are 1-4 vs spread on road if they played night before.