Announcement

**Udog** · 12-03-2015, 08:35 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Conference championship games this weekend..........

-- MAC-- Bowling Green (-11.5) vs Northern Illinois

-- C-USA-- Western Kentucky (-7) vs Southern Mississippi

-- AAC-- Houston (-6) vs Temple

-- Pac-12-- Stanford (-4.5) vs USC

-- SEC-- Alabama (-17.5) vs Florida

-- MW-- San Diego State (-3.5) vs Air Force

-- ACC-- Clemson (-5.5) vs North Carolina

-- Big 14-- Michigan State (-3.5) vs Iowa

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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud......

13) First of all, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in San Bernadino after yesterday's killings at a county office complex. It is just very sad; I'm not going to go on a rant here about guns or anything, but stuff like this needs to stop.

12) It is interesting how CNN brings in experts in to talk about these situations as cameras from helicopters show police activity. Former CIA people, police offficers, military experts- they all speculate on a fluid situation-- live TV is very interesting.

On to more pleasant subjects........
11) There is an interesting article in ESPN the Magazine on agent Jimmy Sexton, who is one of the major power brokers in college football- he represents fifty college coaches, and NFL players like Philip Rivers and Julio Jones.

Put it this way: last week, Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Florida State, USC-UCLA all played rivalry games. Sexton represents the head coach from all six of those schools.

10) David Price got $31M a year from the Red Sox; he's a damn good pitcher, but his 0-7, 5.27 career postseason record has to raise eyebrows. He is also 30 years old, so he will be 37 when his contract runs out. Lot of $$$ to commit to one player.

Price is 104-56, 3.09 in 213 career regular season starts; he was 18-5, 2.45 in 2015.

9) Miami Marlins are really going to hire Barry Bonds as a hitting coach? Does that mean he has to talk to the media? Don Mattingly as a manager, Bonds as hitting coach would put a lot of hitting expertise in Miami's dugout.

Mark McGwire is going to be the Padres' bench coach; interesting times we live in.

8) Mark Richt is the new football coach at Miami, his alma mater, where he backed up Jim Kelly in the early 80's. Richt is highly regarded as a person, averaged 9.6 wins a year at Georgia. I am very, very curious what Michael Irvin says about this hire.

7) Interesting development: Ivy League is considering having a postseason hoop tournament, starting in 2016-17. Guess they've finally seen the light that getting the whole league together for a weekend would be a money maker, plus it would give the league's basketball programs some national publicity. Right now, Ivy League is the only Division I league that doesn't have a postseason tournament.

6) 76ers suspended Jahlil Okafor for two games; they can't do anything right. This is why teams do exhaustive research on draft prospects and still, problems pop up and screw things up. I mean, the season is five weeks old and he's already had incidents involving the police three times. No bueno.

Meanwhile, Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis says the 76ers never worked him out before the draft. Seriously? The NBA should make these idiots sell the team, or hire a new GM, at the least. The guy running things now is an imbecile.

5) San Diego State-San Diego are playing basketball outdoors at Petco Park Sunday, just before the Chargers play Denver at Qualcomm. Interesting concept; Toreros have a new coach, Aztecs are offensively challenged. Big sports day in San Diego.

4) ESPN's Dan Dakich last night said that he's always thought Rick Pitino is the best coach in the country at player development. Interesting comment coming from a guy who both played and coached at Indiana.

3) Basketball scheduling note: Duke doesn't play a true road game until their ACC slate starts January 2 at Boston College. Until then, Blue Devils play nine home tilts, only one of which (vs Indiana, ACC-Big 14 challenge) is against a team in top 100.

They're also playing four neutral court games, all in New York City, all against top 50 opponents, all on national TV. Interesting how different teams schedule.

2) Central Florida signed Oregon OC Scott Frost as its new coach; UCF is a really big school, a sleeping giant athletically. Frost played at both Nebraska/Stanford, then played in NFL for six years with four different teams.

1) Michigan State 71, Louisville 67-- Funny how the new rule, really going back to an old rule, how coaches can't call timeouts while the clock is running, has created a few problems early on-- players haven't adjusted to calling timeouts yet.

Wisconsin 66, Syracuse 58, OT-- Jim Calhoun is worth listening to on TV; he talks lot slower than he did when he was coaching, he obviously knows a ton and gives out good basic basketball knowledge.

I have to look this up; teams that win these Thanksgiving tournaments at fun places tend to let down in their first game back on campus. Something I sense, have to find out for sure. There are peaks and valleys to every season.

Butler 78, Cincinnati 76-- You have to be damn good to score 78 on Cincy.

**Udog** · 12-03-2015, 08:38 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, December 3

Hot teams
-- Thunder won four of last five games (1-3AF). Miami won four of its last six games (0-0HU).
-- Toronto won five of its last six games (3-3HF).
-- Magic won their last four games (1-1AU).
-- Spurs won six of their last seven games (5-3AF). Memphis won four of its last five games (0-1HU).
-- Celtics won three of their last four games (1-3AF). Kings won three of last four home games (1-3 last four HU).
-- Indiana won its last five games (1-1AF).

Cold teams
-- Denver lost its last seven games (0-6 vs spread in last six0.
-- Utah lost six of its last ten games (2-3HF).
-- Portland lost three of its last four games (2-2HU).

Series records
-- Thunder won three of last four games with Miami.
-- Raptors won four of last five games with Denver.
-- Jazz won eight of last ten games with Orlando.
-- Spurs won eight of last ten games with Memphis.
-- Home side won last seven Boston-Sacramento games.
-- Pacers lost four of last five games with Portland.

Totals
-- Five of last six Okahoma City games stayed under.
-- Last four Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Boston games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Indiana games went over the total.

**Udog** · 12-03-2015, 08:40 AM

NBA

Thursday, December 3

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Miami
Oklahoma City is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Miami is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Oklahoma City

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 7:30 PM
DENVER vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games on the road
Denver is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Toronto is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Denver
Toronto is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing Denver

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 9:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 9:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MEMPHIS
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Memphis's last 13 games when playing San Antonio

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 10:00 PM
INDIANA vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games when playing Indiana

See more trends!
DECEMBER 3, 10:00 PM
BOSTON vs. SACRAMENTO
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Sacramento is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Boston

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**Udog** · 12-03-2015, 09:33 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, December 3

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OKLAHOMA CITY (11 - 7) at MIAMI (10 - 6) - 12/3/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 68-41 ATS (+22.9 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
MIAMI is 115-154 ATS (-54.4 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
MIAMI is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 40-57 ATS (-22.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI 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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DENVER (6 - 13) at TORONTO (12 - 7) - 12/3/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 156-206 ATS (-70.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
TORONTO is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1 straight up against DENVER 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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ORLANDO (10 - 8) at UTAH (8 - 8) - 12/3/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 55-40 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 43-14 ATS (+27.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 3-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 3-2 straight up against ORLANDO 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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SAN ANTONIO (15 - 4) at MEMPHIS (11 - 8) - 12/3/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 113-82 ATS (+22.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 70-42 ATS (+23.8 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 917-797 ATS (+40.3 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 727-615 ATS (+50.5 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 308-243 ATS (+40.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

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

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BOSTON (10 - 8) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 12) - 12/3/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 32-52 ATS (-25.2 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1996.
BOSTON is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 40-56 ATS (-21.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 37-54 ATS (-22.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 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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INDIANA (12 - 5) at PORTLAND (7 - 12) - 12/3/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 52-32 ATS (+16.8 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
INDIANA is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA 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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**Udog** · 12-03-2015, 09:49 AM

NBA

Thursday, December 3

NBA roundup: Bryant scores 31 as Lakers end skid

WASHINGTON -- Guard Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 31 points including the go-ahead jumper with 30.8 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 108-104 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Bryant, who announced his retirement Sunday, scored 18 points in the first half and 12 in the fourth quarter for the Lakers (3-15). Displaying vintage moves with pull-up and fadeaway jumpers before a crowd roaring his every move with approval, the 20-year veteran efficiently scored in the first half while leaving enough energy left for the fourth quarter.

After the lead switched sides eight times in the fourth quarter, Bryant drained his fourth 3-pointer for a 101-99 lead. Washington center Marcin Gortat's layup tied the game on the next possession, but Bryant put Los Angeles ahead with a long jumper, his fifth basket of the period.

Guard John Wall had 34 points and 11 assists for the Wizards (7-9). Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 18 for the Lakers. Forward Julius Randle had 15 points and 19 rebounds.

Warriors 116, Hornets 99

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Stephen Curry erupted for 40 points in his annual homecoming, scoring the final 24 points of the third quarter, and Golden State remained perfect with a victory over Charlotte.

The Warriors were in control throughout, racing to a 28-13 lead midway through the first quarter and building the lead to as many as 26 in the second half.

Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and played collegiately at nearby Davidson, finished 14 of 18 from the field and eight of 11 from 3-point range. He had just 12 points at halftime, and then exploded for 28 third-quarter points, including the Warriors' last 24 over the final 4:55 of the period. He hit four 3-pointers in the final 1:53 of the third. He then sat out the entire fourth quarter with the game well in hand.

Knicks 99, 76ers 87

NEW YORK -- New York snapped a four-game losing streak, turning back Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden.

Rookie Kristaps Porzingis registered his ninth double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Arron Afflalo added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Carmelo Anthony returned after missing one game due to illness, scoring 12 points in the wire-to-wire win.

Philadelphia, which ended its 18-game losing streak at the start of the season with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, was without Jahlil Okafor, who was suspended for two games earlier on Wednesday. Okafor, the third pick in the NBA draft out of Duke, will also miss Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

Raptors 96, Hawks 86

ATLANTA -- Kyle Lowry shook off flu-like symptoms to score 31 points and help Toronto overcome a 17-point deficit en route to defeating Atlanta.

Lowry actually left the court with 4:11 in the first half when he felt sick to his stomach. He returned in the second half and scored 16 of the team’s points during an 18-4 run in the fourth quarter, when the Raptors went from seven points behind to seven points ahead. He scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Lowry shot 9-for-17 from the field and was 11-for-12 from the line. He added five rebounds and five assists. DeMar DeRozan added 17 points and guard Cory Joseph added 10 points for the Raptors.

Pistons 127, Suns 122 (OT)

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Reggie Jackson scored 18 of his game-high 34 points after the third quarter to help Detroit rally from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to earn an overtime win over Phoenix at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons (10-9) trailed 102-86 with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, but rallied with a 21-2 run to take a 107-104 lead with 1:47 left in the fourth after a layup by Jackson, a guard.

Phoenix answered and took a 112-110 lead with 30.7 seconds left in the fourth on a 3-pointer by Brandon Knight, but the Pistons tied the game with 14.3 seconds to go on two free throws by Andre Drummond, who was fouled at midcourt unintentionally by P.J. Tucker of the Suns.

Bulls 99, Nuggets 90

CHICAGO -- Pau Gasol had 26 points and 19 rebounds to lead Chicago to a comeback win over Denver at the United Center.

The Bulls trailed the Nuggets by four points entering the fourth quarter and outscored them 31-18 in the final 12 minutes. The Nuggets were ahead 79-77 when the Bulls went on a 12-2 run. Gasol had six points during the run.

The Bulls won their fourth consecutive home game and improved to 7-1 at the United Center this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only other team in the Eastern Conference with just one home loss.

Spurs 95, Bucks 70

SAN ANTONIO -- Tim Duncan scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds despite not playing in the fourth quarter as San Antonio shrugged off some early ragged play and defeated Milwaukee to remain undefeated at home.

San Antonio substituted liberally beginning in the first two minutes and kept running fresh players at the young Bucks, whose starting five combined have the number of years in the league as Duncan, who is in his 18th year in the NBA.

The Spurs trailed by three points in the game's first two minutes but reeled off a 14-4 run and never looked back. San Antonio rested most of its starters the entire fourth quarter but still outscored the Bucks 19-15 in the period.

Rockets 108, Pelicans 101

HOUSTON -- James Harden posted a double-double, and three Houston reserves scored in double figures for the first time this season as Houston clawed out a win over New Orleans at Toyota Center.

Harden finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds while adding six assists. He didn't hit his first 3-pointer until the 3:15 mark of the fourth quarter, a huge basket that pushed the Rockets to a 99-92 lead.

Terrence Jones (15 points), Corey Brewer (14) and Ty Lawson (12 points and six assists) delivered off the Houston bench. Trevor Ariza added 13 points and Patrick Beverley had 10 for Houston.

Pacers 103, Clippers 91

LOS ANGELES -- Paul George scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Indiana won its sixth in a row with a victory over short-handed Los Angeles at Staples Center.

Reserve Rodney Stuckey added 18 points, Ian Mahinmi chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Hill contributed 13 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who have captured 12 of 14 after an 0-3 start.

Blake Griffin and reserve Lance Stephenson, the former Pacer, scored 19 points apiece for the Clippers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Jamal Crawford finished with 16 points.

Announcement

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/3

Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/3

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