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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, December 7

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DETROIT (12 - 9) at CHARLOTTE (11 - 8) - 12/7/2015, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 5-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 5-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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SAN ANTONIO (17 - 4) at PHILADELPHIA (1 - 20) - 12/7/2015, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-2 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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DALLAS (12 - 9) at NEW YORK (10 - 11) - 12/7/2015, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 3-1 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 straight up against NEW YORK 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 (3 - 17) at TORONTO (12 - 9) - 12/7/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in all games this season.
LA LAKERS are 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
LA LAKERS are 41-58 ATS (-22.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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WASHINGTON (8 - 10) at MIAMI (12 - 6) - 12/7/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 159-206 ATS (-67.6 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
MIAMI is 117-154 ATS (-52.4 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
MIAMI is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.


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




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BOSTON (11 - 9) at NEW ORLEANS (5 - 15) - 12/7/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 60-45 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-0 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 2-2 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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PHOENIX (8 - 13) at CHICAGO (11 - 6) - 12/7/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 103-78 ATS (+17.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 56-34 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 64-42 ATS (+17.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHOENIX is 51-32 ATS (+15.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 114-153 ATS (-54.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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PORTLAND (9 - 12) at MILWAUKEE (8 - 13) - 12/7/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 42-65 ATS (-29.5 Units) against Northwest division opponents since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 225-282 ATS (-85.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 56-82 ATS (-34.2 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 48-82 ATS (-42.2 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


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




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LA CLIPPERS (11 - 9) at MINNESOTA (8 - 11) - 12/7/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 31-51 ATS (-25.1 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 20-32 ATS (-15.2 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 32-45 ATS (-17.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games first half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-4 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 8-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (709) WASHINGTON@ (710) MIAMI | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI against the spread in All games after allowing 85 points or less
The record is 1 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.2 units)

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NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in Home games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 3 Wins and 17 Losses for the last two seasons (-18.4 units)

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 5 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-21.45 units)

NBA > (705) DALLAS@ (706) NEW YORK | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 25 Wins and 7 Losses for the last three seasons (+20.6 units)

NBA > (705) DALLAS@ (706) NEW YORK | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play AGAINST NEW YORK using money line in Home games first half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 31 Losses for the last three seasons (-29.45 units)

NBA > (715) PORTLAND@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using money line in All games in non-conference games
The record is 15 Wins and 43 Losses for the last three seasons (-30.85 units)

NBA > (703) SAN ANTONIO@ (704) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play AGAINST PHILADELPHIA using money line in Home games in December games
The record is 41 Wins and 59 Losses for the since 1992 (-51.4 units)

NBA > (709) WASHINGTON@ (710) MIAMI | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI using money line in All games after allowing 85 points or less
The record is 2 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.45 units)

NBA > (713) PHOENIX@ (714) CHICAGO | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-11.6 units)

NBA > (701) DETROIT@ (702) CHARLOTTE | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games after playing 3 consecutive home games
The record is 5 Wins and 12 Losses for the last three seasons (-16.35 units)

NBA > (715) PORTLAND@ (716) MILWAUKEE | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in All games first half of the season
The record is 59 Wins and 26 Losses for the last three seasons (+28.6 units)

NBA > (701) DETROIT@ (702) CHARLOTTE | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 21 Wins and 31 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.45 units)

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NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin Home games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 3 Wins and 19 Losses for the last two seasons (-17.9 units)

NBA > (707) LA LAKERS@ (708) TORONTO | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO ?>in the first halfin Home games in non-conference games
The record is 2 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (-15.6 units)

NBA > (707) LA LAKERS@ (708) TORONTO | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play ON LA LAKERS ?>in the first halfin Road games when playing on back-to-back days
The record is 16 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.8 units)

NBA > (707) LA LAKERS@ (708) TORONTO | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO ?>in the first halfin Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 6 Wins and 24 Losses for the last two seasons (-20.4 units)

NBA > (703) SAN ANTONIO@ (704) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games after a non-conference game
The record is 29 Wins and 9 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.1 units)

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA ?>in the first halfin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 13 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.5 units)

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NBA TOTALS

NBA > (703) SAN ANTONIO@ (704) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 19 Overs and 53 Unders for the last two seasons (+32.1 units)

NBA > (703) SAN ANTONIO@ (704) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-12-07 19:05:00 - 2015-12-07 19:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 8 Overs and 29 Unders for the last two seasons (+20.2 units)

NBA > (711) BOSTON@ (712) NEW ORLEANS | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 33 Overs and 70 Unders for the last two seasons (+33.7 units)

NBA > (709) WASHINGTON@ (710) MIAMI | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games first half of the season
The record is 3 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+11.7 units)

NBA > (709) WASHINGTON@ (710) MIAMI | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the total in all games
The record is 3 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+11.7 units)

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 15 Overs and 38 Unders for the last two seasons (+21.5 units)

NBA > (717) LA CLIPPERS@ (718) MINNESOTA | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER MINNESOTA on the totalin Home games after allowing 105 points or more
The record is 4 Overs and 18 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.6 units)

NBA > (711) BOSTON@ (712) NEW ORLEANS | 2015-12-07 20:05:00 - 2015-12-07 20:05:00
Play UNDER BOSTON on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 13 Overs and 33 Unders for the last two seasons (+18.7 units)

NBA > (707) LA LAKERS@ (708) TORONTO | 2015-12-07 19:35:00 - 2015-12-07 19:35:00
Play UNDER TORONTO on the totalin All games in a home game where where the first half total is 100.5 to 103
The record is 1 Overs and 11 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.9 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SA at PHI 07:00 PM

PHI +10.5 *****

U 189.0 DOUBLE PLAY



DET at CHA 07:00 PM

DET +2.5

O 198.0



WAS at MIA 07:30 PM

MIA -9.5

O 193.5



LAL at TOR 07:30 PM

TOR -12.5 DOUBLE PLAY

U 198.5



DAL at NY 07:30 PM

DAL -1.5 TRIPLE PLAY

U 198.0


LAC at MIN 08:00 PM

MIN -1.0 *****

U 203.0


POR at MIL 08:00 PM

POR -1.0 BLOW OUT

U 198.5



PHO at CHI 08:00 PM

PHO +6.5 DOUBLE PLAY

O 203.5



BOS at NO 08:00 PM

BOS +1.0 DOUBLE PLAY

U 210.5 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Six of the more interesting NFL games in Week 14

-- Vikings @ Arizona (-7)-- Interesting Thursday game in the desert.

-- Bills @ Philadelphia (-1)-- LeSean McCoy visits his old friends.

-- Falcons @ Carolina (-7.5)-- These teams play twice in next three weeks.

-- Saints @ Tampa Bay (-4)-- Buccaneers heading towards the playoffs.

-- Patriots (-3.5) @ Houston-- New England visits their old QB coach.

-- Cowboys @ Green Bay (-8.5)-- 3:25 local time kickoff on frozen tundra.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.......

13) Steve Sarkisian is suing USC for wrongful termination; he is asking for a lot of money. He got fired for showing up drunk- he might even have coached a game or two under the influence. Takes a lot of onions to sue your employer after that happens.

12) Dodgers signed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma as a free-agent; Seattle then filled that hole by acquiring Wade Miley from Boston. Iwakuma is good if he is healthy.

11) Speaking of the Dodgers, Peter Gammons wrote last week that new manager Dave Roberts wasn't allowed to pick any of his coaches-- very unusual. Why would you hire a guy who has never managed, then not let him pick any of his coaches?

10) Saints ran a blocked PAT back for two points Sunday, first time that happened in an NFL game-- rule has been in college for lot longer. Counting that block, there were nine PATs missed this week- there were eight missed all of last year.

9) UMass-Lowell 68, Boston College 66-- If you're in same league as Louisville, Duke, North Carolina and Virginia, and you lose to Mass-Lowell, its going to be a very long winter. Some BC players apparently got food poisoning at a Chipotle, too- they didn't practice on Monday.

8) When Austin Davis started for Cleveland Sunday, he became their 24th starting QB since 1999. If you own the Browns, just hire a coach, keep him there for a few years, give him a chance. Without continuity, it is hard to develop a good program.

7) Oklahoma 78, Villanova 55-- This game was played in a neat old arena on Pearl Harbor; no air conditioning, seats close to the court. It really did look like a summer league game. Both of these teams should be high seeds in March, but this was really a surprisingly easy win for Oklahoma.

6) Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House from 2007-11; she is obviously a very influential politician. About ten years ago, her husband was an investor in an ill-fated football league, the UFL. Apparently he and others lost tens of millions on the deal. I'm reading s book about a guy who coached in that league- must be nice to be rich.

5) In Matt Schaub's last nine starts, he's thrown six pick-6's; no bueno.

4) Indianapolis Colts fired OC Pep Hamilton earlier this year, replaced him with Rob Chudzinski. Problem is, Chudzinski doesn't know the language of Indy's offense, so when he calls plays, it has to go thru a third party so the QB gets the right terminology called in to the quarterback's helmet.

Wouldn't it be easier to let Matt Hasselbeck call his own plays? He's started 157 NFL games, he has to be able to call his own game. QBs called the plays in the old days-- it is not always progress when you change things.

3) Last four years, Big 14 teams have played in 33 bowl games; they've been the underdog in 27 of those 33 games, going 13-20 SU.

2) Under-reported sports story of the year: Remember Michigan State's miracle TD on last play of the game to beat Michigan? Well, when the Michigan State players ran on the field to celebrate, so many of them jumped on the pile that the kid who scored the TD dislocated his hip and is out for the year, may never play again.

1) Cowboys 19, Redskins 16-- Three NFC East teams are 5-7; they're all tied for first place, with Dallas at 4-8. You win your division, you get a home game in the playoffs; it is almost guaranteed that the #5 seed will be a hefty road favorite over the NFC East champ in the first round of the playoffs.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, December 8

Hot teams
-- 22-0 Warriors are 8-3 as road favorites. Indiana won six of its last eight games (2-1HU).
-- Rockets won five of their last six games (2-1AF).
-- Thunder, Grizzlies both won five of last seven games; Thunder is 1-4 as road favorite, Memphis is 0-2 as a home dog.
-- Orlando won five of its last six games (1-0AF). Denver won its last two games, after losing previous eight (2-5HU).

Cold teams
-- Cleveland lost last three games, by 12-6-15 (5-5HF). Portland lost five of its last eight games (5-4AU).
-- Nets lost six of their last nine games (4-1HU).
-- Utah is 3-4 in its last seven games (5-1AU). Kings lost five of their last six games (2-2HF).

Series records
-- Pacers won six of last nine games with Golden State.
-- Trailblazers won seven of last nine games with Cleveland.
-- Rockets won eight of last ten games with Brooklyn.
-- Thunder lost four of last five games with Memphis.
-- Nuggets won seven of last eight games with Orlando.
-- Jazz won five of last seven games with Sacramento.

Totals
-- Last six Golden State games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Four of last six Houston-Brooklyn games stayed under.
-- Last six Oklahoma City games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Denver games stayed under.
-- Last three Utah games went over; three of last four King games stayed under the total.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Tuesday, December 8

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Portland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Portland
Cleveland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Portland

See more trends!
DECEMBER 8, 7:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. INDIANA
Golden State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Indiana
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State

See more trends!
DECEMBER 8, 7:30 PM
HOUSTON vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Brooklyn is 2-16 SU in its last 18 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston

See more trends!
DECEMBER 8, 8:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MEMPHIS
Oklahoma City is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 7-12-2 ATS in its last 21 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

See more trends!
DECEMBER 8, 9:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. DENVER
Orlando is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Denver
Orlando is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Denver
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Orlando

See more trends!
DECEMBER 8, 10:00 PM
UTAH vs. SACRAMENTO
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Utah is 5-11-1 ATS in its last 17 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Utah
Sacramento is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, December 8


Golden State @ Indiana

Game 501-502
December 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
129.903
Indiana
126.459
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 3 1/2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 6
215
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+6); Under

Portland @ Cleveland

Game 503-504
December 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
118.334
Cleveland
119.385
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1
194
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 9
200
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(+9); Under

Houston @ Houston

Game 505-506
December 8, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
121.817
Houston
115.976
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 6
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 3 1/2
206 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-3 1/2); Over

Oklahoma City @ Memphis

Game 507-508
December 8, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
125.205
Memphis
120.660
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 4 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 2
202
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-2); Over

Orlando @ Denver

Game 509-510
December 8, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
121.032
Denver
115.928
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 5
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 2 1/2
199
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(-2 1/2); Over

Utah @ Sacramento

Game 511-512
December 8, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
116.948
Sacramento
121.038
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 4
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 2
205 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(-2); Over

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, December 8

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GOLDEN STATE (22 - 0) at INDIANA (12 - 7) - 12/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 148-109 ATS (+28.1 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
INDIANA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) first half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 43-24 ATS (+16.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 48-35 ATS (+9.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-25 ATS (+13.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 44-27 ATS (+14.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-2 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 2-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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PORTLAND (9 - 13) at CLEVELAND (13 - 7) - 12/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 19-33 ATS (-17.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 132-180 ATS (-66.0 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.


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




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HOUSTON (10 - 11) at BROOKLYN (5 - 15) - 12/8/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 293-233 ATS (+36.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 119-81 ATS (+29.9 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 3-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-2 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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OKLAHOMA CITY (12 - 8) at MEMPHIS (12 - 9) - 12/8/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 18-30 ATS (-15.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 143-105 ATS (+27.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 8-7 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 8-8 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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ORLANDO (11 - 9) at DENVER (8 - 13) - 12/8/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 35-53 ATS (-23.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 36-17 ATS (+17.3 Units) in home games against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
ORLANDO is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 4-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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UTAH (9 - 9) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 15) - 12/8/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 39-60 ATS (-27.0 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
UTAH is 56-41 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 40-24 ATS (+13.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 41-58 ATS (-22.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 19-33 ATS (-17.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 37-55 ATS (-23.5 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Tuesday, December 8

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Game of the Day: Warriors at Pacers
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The Warriors are just 2-12 ATS in the last 14 meetings with the Pacers in Indiana.

Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers (+5.5, 215)

The Golden State Warriors are on the verge of matching the second-longest winning streak in NBA history but may be looking at their biggest challenge. The Warriors will try to make it 27 straight wins dating back to last season when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Golden State improved to 4-0 on its seven-game road trip with a 114-98 win at Brooklyn on Sunday after escaping Toronto with a three-point triumph the previous night, and Stephen Curry continues to put on a show. The reigning MVP is averaging 34.5 points and is 26-of-43 from 3-point range over the first four games of the trip, with a pair of 40-point performances thrown in. The Pacers have their own superstar in Paul George, who bounced back from a lackluster performance in Portland by pouring in a career-high 48 points in a 122-119 setback at Utah on Saturday that closed out a 2-2 road trip. Indiana recovered from a 17-point deficit to force overtime before falling to the Jazz and are 1-2 in December after an 11-2 November.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), FSN Indiana

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Warriors as 5.5-point road faves and the total at 213.

INJURY REPORT:

Warriors - SF Harrison Barnes (Mid December, ankle), Kevon Looney (Late January, hip).

Pacers - PF Myles Turner (Late December, hand).

POWER RANKINGS: Warriors (-16.5) + Pacers (-11.3) + home court (-3.0) = Warriors -2.2

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Warriors are 22-0 SU this season and they will now face their toughest test in the past ten games. This is the smallest Golden State has been favored since they played at the Clippers on November 19th. The Warriors have won four straight games on this current 7-game road trip, but no team in NBA history has ever gone a perfect 7-0 SU on a seven-game road swing. The Pacers have a 32% chance to win this game straight-up according to the betting odds, which means the Warriors have a 68% chance of improving to 23-0 SU."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (22-0 SU, 15-7 ATS, 13-9 O/U): Curry scored 16 of his 28 point during a third-quarter barrage on Sunday and picks his spots to dominate in nearly every game. “Steph knows he’s going to be on the court for most of the game, and he’s going to have the ball in his hands for most of the game,” interim coach Luke Walton told reporters. “He can pick and choose when he wants to get aggressive and take over and when he wants to get his teammates involved. That’s his call out there, and he does a great job judging when to do both.” Curry gets plenty of help from a deep roster and Draymond Green collected 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on Sunday in his latest flirtation with a triple-double.

ABOUT THE PACERS (12-7 SU, 12-7 ATS, 10-9 O/U): George had his worst game of the season at Portland on Thursday with 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting but went 15-of-27 from the floor, including 8-of-11 from 3-point range, at Utah. "It was just one of those games,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel, brushing off George’s tough game, told reporters of his star’s turnaround. “Stay aggressive, stay relentless in his attack of the basket and keep playing his pull-up game and catch-and-shoot.” The Pacers have not lost in their own building since Oct. 31 and will play five of their next six at home.

TRENDS:

* Warriors are 2-12 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Indiana.
* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Indiana.
* Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
* Pacers are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games playing on two days rest.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-nine percent of users are backing the Warriors.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Tuesday, December 8


NBA roundup: Suns beat Bulls on last-second fade away

CHICAGO -- Mirza Teletovic grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a fade-away shot with 0.3 seconds remaining, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 103-101 comeback win against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Teletovic's rebound was off an open 3-pointer taken by Jon Leuer from the corner with two seconds left, after the Suns battled back from a 16-point deficit to tie the game.

Chicago led 77-61 starting the fourth quarter but coughed up the advantage. They were outscored 25-11 in the first seven minutes of the fourth and 42-24 overall in the frame, letting Phoenix cap a tough six-game road trip by ending a four-game losing streak.

Raptors 102, Lakers 93

TORONTO -- Kyle Lowry compiled 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Toronto was strong down the stretch to defeat Los Angeles.

Terrence Ross added 22 points -- including nine in the fourth quarter -- for the Raptors, who lost their previous two games.

Kobe Bryant scored 21 points and had eight rebounds.

Mavericks 104, Knicks 97

NEW YORK -- In a contest billed as the best European player in the history of the league against the upstart Latvian rookie, it was Dallas that overtook the New York.

The 7-foot-3 Kristeps Porzingis, playing against his childhood idol from Germany, led the Knicks with 28 points, one point shy of his brief career high. He single-handedly brought New York back from a 98-81 deficit with 5:52 to play by scoring eight straight points to slice the deficit to 101-97 with 43 seconds to play.

Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams closed it out by making two free throws apiece. Nowitzki topped Dallas with 25 points and six rebounds. Williams poured in 20 points and added seven assists.

Spurs 119, 76ers 68

PHILADELPHIA -- LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 26 points as San Antonio embarrassed woeful Philadelphia Monday night.

The Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard did not play because of illness. San Antonio nonetheless shot a season-high 61.8 percent from the floor, and recorded 32 assists on a season-high-tying 46 field goals.

Aldridge, who made 11 of 15 shots from the floor, also grabbed nine rebounds. Tony Parker collected 12 points while playing only the first half for the Spurs, who improved to 18-4 with their eighth victory in nine games.

Celtics 111, Pelicans 93

NEW ORLEANS -- Isaiah Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, including all four of his 3-point attempts, and the stifling Boston defense held New Orleans' five starters to just 25 points.

The Celtics led 53-44 at halftime, extended their lead to 81-67 at the end of three quarters and led by as many as 22 in the fourth quarter. The victory gave the Celtics a 3-2 record on their five-game road trip.

Kelly Olynyk had season-high 21 points and Jae Crowder added 17 for the Celtics, who held the Pelicans to 41.1 percent shooting.

Hornets 104, Pistons 84

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cody Zeller led a balanced attack with 20 points, and Charlotte cruised to an easy win.

The Hornets won for the seventh time in their last nine games and raised their record at home to 9-3.

They took control early and led by as many as 14 in the first half, then pushed the lead up to as many as 26 in the third quarter. They held Detroit to 36.8 percent shooting from the field and held a whopping 57-41 rebound advantage.

Wizards 114, Heat 103

MIAMI -- Bradley Beal had a key steal and dunk to lead Washington past Miami.

Beal, who had 21 points, stripped Dwyane Wade of the ball at midcourt and then beat him down the court, slamming the ball to punctuate the play that snapped a 103-103 tie.

Washington overcame productive games by the Heat's backcourt -- Wade had 26 points and nine assists, and Goran Dragic had 20 points and nine assists.

Bucks 90, Blazers 88

MILWAUKEE -- John Henson blocked Meyers Leonard's shot at a possible game-winner giving Milwaukee the win.

Henson's final stand capped off a furious rally for the Bucks, who watched a 14-point lead disappear in the second half and fell behind by six late in the final quarter.

Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 17 points while Greg Monroe added 16 with 12 rebounds.

Clippers 110, Timberwolves 106

MINNEAPOLIS -- DeAndre Jordan scored a team-high 20 points, leading Los Angeles Clippers past Minnesota.

The game featured 15 lead changes, including several in the fourth quarter. Forward Blake Griffin's lay-in with 25.5 seconds left gave the Clippers the lead for good.

The loss was Minnesota's fourth consecutive.

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Tuesday
December 7, 2015


All eyes will be on Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday as Golden State (22-0 straight up, 15-7 against the spread) looks to extends its NBA-record start to a season when it meets Indiana (12-7 SU, 12-7 ATS).

Oddsmakers opened the defending champions as 5 ½-point road favorites and VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia believes the Pacers have a legit chance as home underdog to snap the Warriors' 22-game winning streak.

He said, “The Warriors are more than halfway through a seven-game road trip that was expected to deliver their first loss. So far, they’ve enjoyed blowout wins over Charlotte and Brooklyn, covering the number, while surviving close calls at Utah and Toronto. Golden State lost last season’s trip to Indiana 104-98 back in February, but didn’t have Stephen Curry available as he missed his first game of the season due to ankle soreness. The Pacers were without Paul George, who has been brilliant in his return from a horrific compound fracture of both bones in his right leg. George comes off a career-high 48 points in a 122-119 OT loss to Utah, going 8-for-11 from 3-point range. Over the last 14 games, he’s averaged 29.4 points per game and has scored over 30 eight times.”

Saturday’s loss to the Jazz was the second straight for Indiana, who had gone 12 -2 both SU and ATS in its previous 14 games after starting the season 0-3.

Nobody has figured out a blueprint to stop Golden State thus far but Mejia believes Indiana will try to run with the unbeaten club at home and total (214) could go to the high side.

“I expect a fast-paced game as the Warriors have seen the ‘over’ come in six straight times, while Indiana has been involved in games that have gone ‘over’ the posted total in six of eight. George Hill is one of the better defenders at the point, so look for him to be on Curry throughout most of this one. George will likely see a lot of Draymond Green, who has averaged 15.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists on the road trip so far,” said Mejia.

“To pull off the upset, Indiana is going to need a big night from wings Monta Ellis, CJ Miles or Rodney Stuckey. Ellis has been struggling, averaging just 6.0 points per game in three December contests, shooting 7-for-20 from the field. Miles shot 11-for-24 from 3-point range within that same span.”

What’s even more impressive about Golden State is that 12 of its 22 victories have come on the road and they’ve covered 75 percent (9-3) of those games.

Indiana has gone 6-2 both SU and ATS at home this season, which includes a current win streak of six straight from the Fieldhouse but it hasn’t played in front of its fans since Nov. 27. The first game back from a long road trip is never easy for any team, especially traveling back from the West Coast.

NBATV will provide national coverage of this game at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Along with this matchup, bettors have five other games to follow in the Association on Tuesday.

For those keeping track, favorites went 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS on Sunday and managed to churn out a 5-4 record on Monday but the underdogs produced a 6-3 mark versus the number.

Portland at Cleveland: Betting against the Cavaliers this season (13-7 SU, 7- 13 ATS) has been a winning proposition. Cleveland has only lost once at home (9-1) but it’s only managed to cover 40 percent (4-6 ATS) of those games. They limp into this game with three straight losses, but LeBron James and company should be ready to go after getting two days off and they face a Portland team on zero days rest as the Trail Blazers lost at the Bucks 90-88 on Monday. Including that loss, the Blazers are 4-8 SU and 6-7 ATS on the road. Plus, Portland is 1-4 both SU and ATS in back-to-back spots this season. The home team has won and covered three straight in this series and the Cavs (-9) are heavy favorites for Tuesday’s tilt. The ‘under’ has gone 3-0 during this span.

Houston at Brooklyn: After dropping seven of eight, the Rockets have quietly won five of six and they covered four of those wins. Houston opened as a four-point road favorite and it’s a pedestrian 4-4 both SU and ATS as a visitor this season. The Nets upset the Rockets 106-98 as 11-point road underdogs earlier this season on Nov. 11. That result was very surprising, considering Houston had captured eight of the previous nine encounters. Brooklyn was on an eye-opening 10-1 ATS run (5-6 SU) but it enters this game with two straight losses, both by double digits. The Rockets could sit Dwight Howard since they play at Washington on Wednesday and he’s normally been sitting at least one of the two games in back-to-back situations this season. The team is 2-4 without him in the lineup.

Oklahoma City at Memphis: Memphis went 3-1 both SU and ATS against Oklahoma City last season and it won the first meeting this season, capturing a 122-114 victory as a 2 ½-point home favorite on Nov. 16. The combined 236 points easily went ‘over’ (197 ½) and that result snapped a four-game ‘under’ streak between the pair. For this game, OKC is listed as a short road favorite (-2.5) and that sets off alarms for me to fade the Grizzlies. Memphis 6-14 SU and 7-12-1 ATS in its last 20 at home when catching points, and that includes a 0-2 mark this season. I wouldn’t bet the whole bankroll on OKC, especially the way it’s played recently (6-5 SU, 2-9 ATS). Not to mention that Billy Donovan's team is 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS on the road this season.

Orlando at Denver: After losing eight in a row, Mike Malone and the Nuggets closed their five game road trip with a pair of wins albeit they came by a combined four points. Denver now faces a very sound team in Orlando, who just had a five-game winning streak snapped last Saturday at the L.A. Clippers, 103-101. When you see the Magic giving points on the road, you realize the oddsmakers are respecting Scott Skiles and company these days but you could still be hesitant to back them. For what it’s worth, Orlando is 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS as a ‘chalk’ this season. Also, the Magic have dropped five straight and eight of their last 10 meetings (3-7 ATS) to the Nuggets. Danilo Gallinari (knee) is listed as ‘questionable’ for Denver in this game.

Utah at Sacramento: The Kings are listed as two-point home favorites over the Jazz and if Utah had center Rudy Gobert (knee) available, I believe this line would be flipped the other way. Sacramento has only been favored four times this season and it’s gone 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS in that role. The Kings are 5-7 both SU and ATS at home while the Jazz have produced a 5-5 SU and 7-3 ATS record as visitors. The Jazz took three of four against the Kings last season but were 1-1 in their two road games. The total went 2-2 during this span. The total is hovering around 206 and that’s the highest number the Jazz have seen all season. Utah is 2-0 to the ‘over’ in its last two and has allowed 100-plus in three of the four games that Gobert has missed this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Early Surprises
December 7, 2015


Preseason prognosticators and handicapping analysis focuses in on what they expect to happen, based on the draft and offseason moves, but there are always surprises at the start of each season.

Here's a look at some teams that have turned heads after one month of action.

Detroit Pistons: They have rebuilt in a hurry in Motown! 6-11 Andre Drummond is only 22 years old but is off to a monster season on the glass, blocking shots and even providing offense. He is a terrific rock to build around and has one thing in common with Shaq -- they're both awful from the free throw line.

Reggie Jackson has been carrying the offense but gets some help with the return of point guard Brandon Jennings, who had been on the shelf since January while rehabbing. Hats off to coach Stan Van Gundy for getting the kids to play tough defense, too. The bounce-back Pistons are 21-7 ATS after a loss and 14-3-1 under the total against the Pacific division.

Chicago Bulls: You can't call the Bulls a surprise, but there were concerns for this season after making a coaching change. New coach Fred Hoiberg ran wide-open offenses at Iowa State, but Chicago is still a fierce defensive team, tops in field goal shooting defense and Top 10 in points allowed.

They are still a handful under the glass with Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson, while Jimmy Butler is an offensive force and Derrick Rose has had a healthy start (knock wood...or parquet floor). You wonder if their physical style under the previous coach made them more injury-prone come playoff time, so stay tuned.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Rebuilding Minnesota has a ways to go, of course, but they have been a surprise on the road this season, with straight up wins at the Lakers, Bulls, Nuggets and Hawks all as a dog. When you're a +9 or +8 dog on the road, that offers exceptional money-line value.

They're not doing it with defense, but an attacking offensive approach behind three guards, 20-year old Andrew Wiggins (20 ppg), Kevin Martin and 25-year old Ricky Rubio (13 ppg, 9 apg). Throw in 7-foot rookie Karl-Anthony Towns (15 ppg, 10 rpg) and they finally have a dominant big man at both ends of the floor since the MVP days of Kevin Garnett. On paper they look like a team to look at over the total but note the T-Wolves are 24-9 under after scoring 100+ in their previous contest.

Denver Nuggets: No one expected much from the no-name Denver Nuggets, but they have surprised early on. 27-year old 6-10 Danilo Gallinari stars on offense while Kenneth Faried is a hard worker on the glass. The big surprise has been 20-year old guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who does everything well. Teamed with veteran Jameer Nelson the backcourt duo have limited turnovers. Jason Kidd said recently that Mudiay will be better than him when all is said and done. Denver is home from a rough road trip, but won two in a row, including a win at Toronto as a +10 dog. The team is also 7-2-1 under the total playing on no days rest.

Utah Jazz: The team few want to play! Up and coming Utah remains competitive with a ferocious defense, sort of a Memphis Grizzlies of the West. They are Top 10 in the West in points allowed and field goal shooting defense. Utah is 7-1 ATS after a defeat and 19-9 under the total following a spread loss.

Gordon Hayward leads the offense, a versatile talent, along with 6-6 Alec Burks, while Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert crash the glass. When they face a good offensive team beware: Utah is 7-1-1 ATS when their opponent tops 100 points in their previous game. The Jazz are also 19-7 under the total against the Eastern Conference.

Indiana Pacers: Indiana revamped its roster in the offseason, losing a pair of key cogs, but the return to health of star Paul George has made the transition smoother than expected. He teams with Monte Ellis to provide the offense, but the real story is that this is still a strong defensive club, Top 10 in points allowed and at defending beyond the arc. Jordan Hill and 6-11 Ian Mahinmi have picked up the rebounding role since Roy Hibbert moved West.

[StarDust Bum]

In the East, it's an absolute early season standings logjam
December 8, 2015

MIAMI (AP) After six weeks of the season, the Eastern Conference looks better than it did a year ago.

Looks messier, too.

Out West, it's easy to see who stands out. Golden State's record-setting 22-0 start has the reigning NBA champions as the league's unquestioned favorites, and San Antonio is the only team that hasn't let the Warriors run away and completely hide in the early season standings.

But in the East, Cleveland's 13-7 mark is good enough for first place right now, Indiana's 12-7 mark is second-best - and Detroit's 12-10 start wouldn't be good enough to get in the playoffs if that field was decided today, after two teams with losing records got into the postseason mix last season.

''I think the players and the teams should take pride in it,'' said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team fell from first to third with its loss to Washington on Monday night. ''This is what you want as competitors. You want it to be really competitive in your conference. You want your games to have significance and meaning every single night.''

That's been the case so far, without question.

The top 10 teams in the East are separated by two games, the top seven separated by only one. To put it in further context, the eight-game gap between No. 1 Cleveland and No. 14 Brooklyn in the East is actually smaller than the nine-game divide between No. 1 Golden State and No. 3 Oklahoma City in the West - probably both a testament to the parity-laden start on one side of the league and the dominance by the Warriors on the other.

''It's not like kind of the past couple seasons in the East where there was three, four teams and then it was a big gap between everybody else,'' said New York's Carmelo Anthony, whose Knicks are off to a 10-12 start. ''Seems like everybody is playing good basketball this season, especially in the East, so we don't want to dig ourselves a hole.''

The season isn't even one-quarter complete, so this logjam almost certainly won't last. But it's a sign the East isn't dreadful, either.

''Seems that way,'' Washington coach Randy Wittman said. ''From top to bottom, it's a lot more competitive than it has been.''

Well, maybe not the actual bottom.

Philadelphia fell to 1-21 with its blowout home loss to San Antonio on Monday night, the 31st defeat in the last 32 games for the 76ers going back to last season. The Sixers are on pace to finish with the worst record in NBA history and seem well on their way to seeing their win total drop for the fifth straight season - so it's a safe bet that even the most ardent Philly fan isn't exactly counting on a playoff berth happening next spring.

Everyone else, there's still reason for optimism.

''I think it's a lot better personally,'' Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. ''Of the three years I've been here, it's been by far better. And I think the discrepancy between the East and the West has narrowed a lot too. There's a lot of good teams in te East now. You're going to have to play well any night to win.''

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Trail Blazers (9-13) at Cavaliers (13-7)
Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Stating the obvious is to say the Cleveland Cavaliers aren't the same without LeBron James. Less clear is exactly where they will be with him back but a couple other key pieces still on the mend.

James will return from his brief absence Tuesday night as the Cavaliers look to snap their losing streak against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.

Cleveland (13-7) has lost three straight games, the last Saturday's 99-84 defeat at Miami after coach David Blatt decided to rest James for the first time this season.

The Cavaliers shot just 36.5 percent from the floor as James watched from the bench a little more than a month after stating he would like to play all 82 games.

Blatt's decision followed Friday's 114-108 overtime loss at New Orleans. James played 45 minutes and the Cavaliers didn't settle into their Miami hotel room until about 5 a.m.

'It's totally different,' J.R. Smith said of playing without James. 'He's like a coach on the floor on top of being the best player.'

Cleveland is shooting 38.1 percent during its losing streak and 27.5 percent from 3-point range. The Cavaliers have posted their two lowest point totals of the season within the last three games.

"It's not about talk, it's about going out and doing it," James said. "There's going to be games where you just don't make shots, but you've got to be able to defend and make timely shots when it has to be there. And you live with the results."

Offensive help would come with the impending return of Kyrie Irving after offseason knee surgery. Irving practiced on Monday but was ruled out for Tuesday, as was defensive specialist Iman Shumpert, who hasn't played due to a wrist injury. They're both on track to return this month.

Portland (9-13) seemed to find a rhythm with Thursday's 123-111 win over Indiana followed by Saturday's 109-103 victory over Minnesota to open a four-game road trip.

But the Trail Blazers were denied their sixth win in nine games Monday when Milwaukee stole a 90-88 victory in the final minute.

Portland led 88-87 with possession and 16.3 seconds left, but a jump ball was called off the inbounds pass. The Bucks won it, followed with a go-ahead layup and the Trail Blazers' final shot was blocked.

Portland, which shot 38.4 percent and fell to 0-7 when failing to score 100 points, trailed by as many as 14 in the first half.

"It was a good comeback and a good effort on the road," coach Terry Stotts told the team's official website. "It hurts to lose a game like this, but at the same time on the road and when you're struggling offensively to stay in the game, that's a positive. But it still stings to lose one."

Damian Lillard finished with 23 points and C.J. McCollum added 17. Ed Davis had 10 points and 13 boards off the bench.

Despite not having James for the last matchup with Portland, the Cavaliers won 99-94 on Jan. 28 in Cleveland behind Irving's 55 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (22-0) at Pacers (12-7)
Date: December 08, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

There's a growing debate whether Stephen Curry is eclipsing LeBron James as the NBA's best player after winning his first title and league MVP a season ago.

Curry could help the unbeaten Golden State Warriors match one of James' distinguished marks Tuesday night.

The Warriors can improve to 23-0 and post their 27th straight regular-season victory when they visit an Indiana Pacers team that features the Eastern Conference's top scorer in Paul George.

Already with the best overall start to a season in NBA history, Golden State can become the first team to open 13-0 on the road and can tie the second-longest regular-season win streak in league history. James' 2012-13 Miami Heat won 27 straight, with the NBA's only longer run being the 33-game streak by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.

The Warriors were severely tested Sunday in Brooklyn, blowing an early 17-point lead and falling behind by five in the third quarter. That's the period in which Curry scored 16 of his 28 points, and Golden State pulled away in the fourth for a 114-98 victory.

'Just trying to see if I could get some room and figure out a way to impact the game,' Curry said, 'and things started to click.'

Curry, who will likely be defended in this contest by George Hill, totaled 84 points in his previous two games and averages a league-best 32.4. His average of 17.8 points against the Pacers is his second-worst against an opponent.

George is averaging 27.6 points this season after the Indiana swingman scored a career-high 48 in Saturday's 122-119 overtime loss at Utah.

He and the Pacers (12-7) feel they match up well as they search for a seventh straight home victory.

"We're definitely geared with our personnel to match up with this team," George said. "It looks good on paper, we've just got to go out and execute."

While the Warriors lead the league with 115.1 points per game, the Pacers have also been potent with 103.3. Indiana is averaging 112.8 in a 6-2 stretch.

These are the league's best 3-point shooting teams, with Golden State at 43.7 percent and Indiana at 40.1. Curry is shooting 47.2 percent on 3s and George is at 45.4 to rank among the NBA's leaders.

Curry can match the record Rashard Lewis set from 2007-09 by making a 3-pointer in his 87th straight road game Tuesday. His 11.2 3-point attempts per game would mark the most in NBA history since 1979-80.

Indiana knows that Golden State has more than Curry. Klay Thompson is averaging 17.2 points, including 22.0 through four games of this seven-game trip, and Draymond Green leads all forwards with a team-high 7.2 assists per game.

"Steph gets a lot of attention because he's incredible but they're a great team," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said.

One edge for Indiana is that it is one of the best defensive teams in steals (9.2 per game) and forcing turnovers (17.3 per game). Golden State averages 16.0 turnovers for one of the NBA's worst marks.

The Pacers have received an offensive boost from Rodney Stuckey, averaging 19.3 points in his last three games.

Warriors forward Harrison Barnes will miss his sixth straight game with a sprained left ankle. Former Pacers guard Brandon Rush is expected to again start in his place.

Center Andrew Bogut returned to the lineup Sunday after missing Saturday's victory at Toronto with back spasms.

George was out when these teams split their 2014-15 meetings, with Curry sitting out the Warriors' 104-98 road loss with a foot injury.