Announcement

**Udog** · 12-15-2015, 07:35 AM

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Alabama's strength coach makes $420K a year; only one head coach in the MAC makes more $$$ than that. Amazing.

-- Baseball won't re-instate Pete Rose, which is no big surprise; they can be in bed with Draft Kings, but they act high and mighty about gambling. Go figure.

-- CBS' referee analyst Mike Carey played college football at Santa Clara, where he was a teammate of former NFL quarterback Dan Pastorini.

-- On NFL Network Sunday night, Deion Sanders went out of his way twice to rip Kyle Shanahan, the Falcons' OC. "QBs start to play worse when he is around."

-- SF Giants scooped up Johnny Cueto for six years, $132M; Cueto bags $12M more by turning down Arizona's $120M offer.

-- Giants 31, Dolphins 24-- As a result, the Giant-Viking game will be the Sunday night game in Week 16, replacing Pittsburgh-Baltimore game. Bad news for Viking fans, who will now be 7.5 hours colder with a December 27 night game. Oy.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Top 8, bottom 5 teams in NFL......

32) Ravens-- They move out of bottom five if Schaub comes back, but Clausen is just awful- he's started two games this year, with no touchdowns in 26-0/35-6 losses. 7 of nine Baltimore losses this season are by six or less points.

31) Falcons-- Lost seven of last eight games since a 5-0 start; they scored 36.8 ppg in first four games- they scored two TDs on last 29 drives and gave up almost 300 yards in first quarter at Carolina Sunday.

30) Titans-- They're 1-8 vs spread when they score less than 33 points; if you want to play a rookie QB, thats fine, he's going to be good, but how do you fire the coach if you know damn well you're going to struggle with a rookie QB playing?

29) Browns-- Their offseason will be fascinating; will they change coaches again- that would make six coaches in nine years in 2016? Will they keep Manziel? If they trade him, what do they get for him and then who plays QB? Interesting decisions loom.

28) Lions-- Good grief, I wish the Rams had Matthew Stafford; how can you be so bad with a QB like that? Detroit is 0-9 vs spread this year when they allow more than 16 points. Lions are on TV next Monday; think is my fourth time in row they've been on in primetime when I'm in Las Vegas, which I will be next week.

8) Vikings-- They move into a new domed stadium next year; Week 16 game with the Giants will be their last game in the Gophers' stadium. Need to win and right the ship this week by beating hard-to-figure Bears, who play lot of close games.

7) Bengals-- Giving them benefit of doubt in this spot, with Dalton hurt. McCarron makes first NFL start this week against 49ers, who play pretty good defense at home. If Bengals win one of remaining two AFC games, they clinch division, but can they get that valuable first round bye?

6) Chiefs-- On a freakin' roll with seven wins in row (6-0-1 vs spread); they're using WRs lot more this year, and had goal line stand at end of rainy win over Chargers last week. First team since '70 Bengals to win seven in row after losing five straight.

5) Packers-- Great fun to watch Rodgers play QB; never ceases to amaze me how he didn't get a college scholarship out of high school- he played a year of junior college ball in Boise. That said, Green Bay ran ball better in McCarthy's first game back as the playcaller for Green Bay.

4) Seahawks-- How great are the cameras they put in pylons? Give you great shots of close plays around the end zone. Whoever invented those deserves a raise. As for the Seahawks, they figure to be a very tough out in January, even if they're on the road.

3) Patriots-- Why does NFL make referees run to the stands and look at the replays himself? Why not have people in New York who look at these things and then decide what the right call is? Wouldn't this be a better, faster system? Was thinking other day whether or not Tom Brady will go on TV when he's done playing? Would be he good at it? You never know which ex-players will emerge as TV stars.

2) Cardinals-- Now-or-never for Arizona; they're going to win NFC West, have to win maybe one road game to get to Super Bowl. Carson Palmer's 36th birthday is in a couple weeks- this is their best shot to win a championship.

1) Panthers-- If Arizona has to win NFC title game on road, it'll be in Charlotte with the Panthers hosting. Carolina beat the Redbirds in the playoffs LY, but #3 QB Ryan Lindley was playing for Arizona and it was a lousy game. Palmer vs Newton for the NFC championship would be a tremendous game.

**Udog** · 12-15-2015, 07:40 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, December 15

Cleveland @ Boston

Game 701-702
December 15, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
120.618
Boston
128.068
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 7 1/2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 2
201
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+2); Over

Denver @ Minnesota

Game 703-704
December 15, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
114.938
Minnesota
118.462
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 3 1/2
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 5 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(+5 1/2); Over

Houston @ Sacramento

Game 705-706
December 15, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
116.053
Sacramento
120.579
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 4 1/2
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(-2); Under

Milwaukee @ LA Lakers

Game 707-708
December 15, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
117.202
LA Lakers
111.210
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 7
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 2 1/2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-2 1/2); Under

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, December 15

Hot teams
-- Cleveland won last two games, by 5-35 points (2-6AF). Boston won five of its last seven games (1-1-1HU).
-- Nuggets won four of last five games (6-4AU).
-- Rockets won five of their last seven games (2-3AU). Kings won three of last four home games (3-3HF).

Cold teams
-- Minnesota lost six of its last seven games (0-4HF).
-- Bucks lost their last five road games (0-0AF).
-- Lakers lost their last six games (2-3HU).

Series records
-- Cavaliers won last four games against Boston.
-- Nuggets won four of last six games with Minnesota.
-- Rockets won their last seven games with Sacramento.
-- Lakers lost six of last eight games with Milwaukee.

Totals
-- Six of last seven Cleveland-Boston games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Denver games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Houston-Sacramento games.
-- Four of last five Laker games went over the total.

NBA

Tuesday, December 15

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
DENVER vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing at home against Denver
Minnesota is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Denver

10:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. SACRAMENTO
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing Houston
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

10:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA LAKERS
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Milwaukee is 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-11-2 ATS in their last 18 games when playing Milwaukee

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

**Udog** · 12-15-2015, 07:44 AM

NBA

Tuesday, December 15

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Cavaliers at Celtics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isaiah Thomas had chances to win Friday night’s game at the end of regulation and overtime but came up short both times.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (+2, 200.5)

The Boston Celtics took the reigning NBA champions to double overtime before falling just short on Friday and are hoping to get over the hump when they host the other NBA finalists. The Celtics, who bounced back from that loss to the Golden State Warriors by knocking off Charlotte on Saturday, will welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers began their playoff run last spring by sweeping Boston in the first round and kicked off a two-game road trip with one of the more impressive victories of the season by crushing Orlando 111-76 on Friday. “I just thought we played a full game, from the very beginning, all the way throughout,” Cleveland coach David Blatt told reporters after watching his team shoot 56.9 percent from the field. Boston is emerging as more of a threat to the Cavaliers than they were last season and impressed with their effort at Charlotte one night after the tough loss to the Warriors. “(Friday) was an emotional loss, whether we want to act like it or not,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters. “So to come back and play that way (Saturday) and get a win on the road against a really good team is a heck of a night.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), CSN New England (Boston)

LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 2-point home dogs and the total opened 201.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavs - SG J.R. Smith (Probable, illness), SG Matthew Dellavedova (Probable, back), SF LeBron James (Probable, ankle), PG Kyrie Irving (Out, knee).

Celtics - SG R.J. Hunter (Questionable, hip), PG Marcus Smart (Early January, knee).

POWER RANKINGS: Cavs (-7.3) + Celtics (-8.5) + home court (-3.0) = Celtics -4.2

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Cavs are a team that continues to get too much respect at the betting window (due to LeBron). Still short-handed, they are a woeful 6-14 ATS when favored. An argument could be made that the Celtics are the East's best. They have the best per game point differential and nine wins by 15 or more points (trails only Golden State)."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (15-7 SU, 8-14 ATS, 12-10 O/U): Cleveland got closer to full strength with the return of guard Iman Shumpert (wrist) on Friday but are still taking things slowly with Kyrie Irving (knee). The star point guard is practicing with the team and feels strong but is not expected to make his season debut on Tuesday. “We’d like him to work a few more days in practice,” Blatt told reporters of Irving, who averaged 23.3 points, five rebounds and 4.3 assists against Boston I the playoffs.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (14-10 SU, 14-9-1 ATS, 11-13 O/U): Isaiah Thomas had chances to win Friday night’s game at the end of regulation and overtime but came up short both times. The diminutive guard bounced back with 21 points and 13 assists in the 99-93 triumph over the Hornets to post his second straight double-double. “That’s one of my favorite things about Isaiah,” Stevens told reporters. “He really cares about winning and losing. He’s not down necessarily because of anything else, other than he wanted to make a shot to help us beat Golden State. The guy really cares.”

TRENDS:

* Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Cavaliers are 0-6 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Atlantic.
* Under is 6-1 in Celtics last seven vs. NBA Central.

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

**Udog** · 12-15-2015, 07:47 AM

NBA

Tuesday, December 15

NBA roundup: Clippers edge Pistons in OT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Blake Griffin poured in 34 points, and he found Jamal Crawford for a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12.4 seconds left in overtime as the Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Detroit Pistons 105-103 Monday at The Palace.

J.J. Redick supplied 24 points and Chris Paul chipped in 13 points and 12 assists for Los Angeles, which a 4-1 game road trip. Crawford had 14 points off the bench.

Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Andre Drummond added his league-high 22nd double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Pacers 106, Raptors 90

INDIANAPOLIS -- After falling into a 21-point, first-quarter hole, Indiana countered with a 39-4 run on its way to a roller-coaster-like victory over Toronto.

The Pacers' huge run that spanned the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter gave Indiana a 44-30 lead. The home team never trailed again, beating the Raptors for the first time in the past six meetings between the Eastern Conference rivals.

Jordan Hill led the Pacers with 20 points and 13 rebounds, each a season high. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each had 20 for Toronto.

Grizzlies 112, Wizards 95

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Marc Gasol and Mike Conley posted double-doubles as Memphis defeated Washington.

Gasol finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, plus six assists, and Conley scored 18 points with 11 assists. Gary Neal paced the Wizards with 24 points.

Just 24th in the NBA in field-goal percentage and 29th in 3-point percentage before Monday, Memphis shot a season-best 56.4 percent from the floor and hit 10 of 15 from long range.

Heat 100, Hawks 88

ATLANTA -- Miami ended a seven-game losing streak to Atlanta with a dominating performance on the backboards and a big effort from the bench.

Chris Bosh had 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during the Heat's first win in Atlanta since Feb. 20, 2013. Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 28 points.

Gerald Green came off the bench to score 20 points for Miami. Led by Green, Miami's reserves outscored Atlanta's bench, 31-17. The Heat outrebounded the struggling Hawks, 54-37.

Bulls 115, 76ers 96

CHICAGO -- Overcoming a five-point halftime deficit, Chicago rolled to a victory over Philadelphia.

The 76ers led 56-51 at halftime before the Bulls took control by outscoring Philadelphia 34-12 in the third quarter. Tony Snell outscored the 76ers 13-12 in the period and recorded 15 of his 16 points in the second half. He also had 11 rebounds.

Chicago's Jimmy Butler scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half. He shot 8-for-9 from the field prior to the break.

Magic 105, Nets 82

NEW YORK -- Nikola Vucevic scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in a critical third quarter, and Elfrid Payton added 17, leading Orlando past Brooklyn.

The Magic broke open a close game with a 31-24 third quarter, keyed by the perimeter prowess of Vucevic, who made six of eight shots in the period.

Orlando received 15 points from Tobias Harris, who was questionable to play right up until game time due to a lower leg contusion, and from Andrew Nicholson added 15 points. Jarrett Jack topped the Nets with 15 points.

Spurs 118, Jazz 81

SAN ANTONIO -- Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points, and San Antonio smashed Utah.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker added 18 points apiece for the Spurs. No San Antonio starter played more than 24 minutes as the Spurs won their third game in a row in blowout fashion.

Derrick Favors led the Jazz with 16 points.

Nuggets 114, Rockets 108

DENVER -- Will Barton scored 23 points and added nine rebounds, Gary Harris scored a career-high 21 points, and Denver held on to beat Houston.

Joffrey Lauvergne got his second double-double of the season with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for Denver, which swept the three-game season series from Houston.

James Harden led the Rockets with 24 points, and Donatas Motiejunas scored 19 off the bench.

Mavericks 104, Suns 94

DALLAS -- Deron Williams scored 18 in his return, and Dallas snapped a three-game home losing streak by holding off Phoenix.

Dirk Nowitzki snapped out of mini-shooting slump with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, and he added seven rebounds for the Mavericks. Devin Harris scored 12 and tied his career high with six steals.

Phoenix, which had won three of its previous four games, got 23 points and seven assists from Eric Bledsoe.

Trail Blazers 105, Pelicans 101

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Damian Lillard scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half as Portland hung on to bead New Orleans.

Gerald Henderson came off the bench for 19 points, C.J. McCollum chipped in 16 points and Mason Plumlee collected 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for Portland, which had lost three of its previous four games.

Anthony Davis poured in 28 points with nine rebounds for New Orleans, which has lost eight of its last 10 contests.

**Udog** · 12-15-2015, 12:02 PM

NBA
Short Sheet

Tuesday, December 15

Cleveland at Boston, 7:35 ET
Cleveland: 1-11 ATS on road after scoring 105 points or more 2 straight games
Boston: 33-18 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins

Denver at Minnesota, 8:05 ET
Denver: 19-7 OVER after having won 3 of their last 4
Minnesota: 0-7 ATS in home games revenging a loss vs opponent

Houston at Sacramento, 10:05 ET
Houston: 9-1 ATS on Tuesday nights
Sacramento: 20-34 ATS as a favorite

Milwaukee at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
Milwaukee: 30-16 ATS after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog
Los Angeles: 25-39 ATS after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7

Announcement

Tuesday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/15

Tuesday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 12/15

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment