Merry Christmas To All Bettors Chat Buddies ~~

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Merry Christmas To All Bettors Chat Buddies ~~

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Hoop Trends - Christmas
December 25, 2015


ATS TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Cavaliers are 11-0-2 ATS (7.77 ppg) since Dec 29, 2009 on the road with rest after they allowed fewer than 85 points.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Heat are 0-14 OU (-11.64 ppg) since May 20, 2014 as a favorite with rest after they has at least twice as many assists as turnovers.

PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Thunder are 0-12 OU (-10.67 ppg) since Dec 27, 2013 after Russell Westbrook played fewer than 30 minutes on the road.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Rockets are 10-0 ATS (10.05 ppg) since Feb 12, 2013 as a dog off a loss in which they scored more than 50 points in the paint.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Clippers are 0-7-1 OU (-7.94 ppg) since Jan 31, 2015 after Chris Paul was the Clippers’ high scorer in a loss

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Preview: New Mexico vs Washington St.
When: 1:00 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, Hawaii


Waking up on time might be the biggest challenge for Washington State and New Mexico when they meet in a consolation game Friday morning at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. That's because tip off is scheduled for 8 a.m. local time and won't even be televised nationally, the end result of both teams losing the first two games of the tournament.

Washington State wasn't competitive in a 28-point loss to No. 3 Oklahoma in the tournament opener Tuesday, and then committed 19 turnovers Wednesday in a 63-59 loss to Northern Iowa. Josh Hawkinson has remained consistent for the Cougars, however, reaching double figures in points and rebounds in both games to match his career high of six straight doubles-doubles. Derrien King, a 6-foot-7 sophomore forward for Washington State, could be in line for more playing time after taking advantage of his season-high 23 minutes against Northern Iowa and matching his career high with 10 points. New Mexico leading scorer Elijah Brown is still searching for consistency this season, as he scored a season-high 33 points in the tournament-opening five-point loss to Auburn, but was held to 16 points on 3-for-11 shooting in Wednesday's 30-point drubbing against BYU.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (7-4): The Cougars just didn't have enough scoring depth to make a dent in this tournament, and that weakness will likely carry over to Pac-12 play. Ike Iroegbu is a solid backcourt player for Washington State and Que Johnson is a capable wing, but fellow starters Charles Callison and Valentine Izundu are fairly one-dimensional players. Izundu, a 6-10 center, is a premier shotblocker who came into Thursday ranked sixth in the nation at 3.18 swats a game, and Callison is a decent distributor, but neither is a threat to fill up the scoring column.

ABOUT NEW MEXICO (7-5): Cullen Neal probably didn't make his father too happy with his eight-turnover performance against BYU. Neal, the son of New Mexico coach Craig Neal, has been hampered with the turnover bug most of December, committing at least three in six of the last seven games and a combined 17 in the last three, all losses. Tim Williams doesn't handle the ball nearly as much as Neal, but he's yet to turn the ball over in the first two games of the tournament while contributing 26 points on 12-for-20 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. Washington State is 11-9 all-time in games played in Hawaii and has never gone home without a tournament win.

2. The Cougars came into the tournament 10th in the nation in field-goal percentage at 50.6, but have fallen into a tie for 26th with Gonzaga (48.7) as of Thursday.

3. Brown, who averages a team-leading 20 points, was the fourth-leading scorer (6.8) as a freshman at Butler two years ago.

PREDICTION: New Mexico 70, Washington State 63

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Preview: Northern Iowa vs Brigham Young
When: 3:30 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, Hawaii

QUICK HITS

Overall Team Offense

The Brigham Young Cougars are ranked 63 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 46.4% while attempting 64.5 shots per game. The Cougars shooting percentages include 65.7% for free throw percentage and 37.9% for three point percentage so far this season.

The Northern Iowa Panthers are ranked 22 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 48.9% while attempting 51.9 shots per game. The Panthers shooting percentages include 73.3% for free throw percentage and 40.0% for three point percentage so far this season.


Home and Away

The Brigham Young Cougars are 7-0 at home this season, and 0-0 against 8-4 opponents.
At home the Cougars are averaging 84.3 scoring, and holding teams to 70.7 points scored on defense.


The Northern Iowa Panthers are 2-3 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents, and 8-4 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Panthers are averaging 69.2 scoring, and holding teams to 68.4 points scored on defense.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Auburn at Hawaii
When: 6:30 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, Hawaii


Hawaii must be feeling much better about itself than Auburn heading into their third-place game Friday at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The Rainbows nearly upset No. 3 Oklahoma before losing 84-81 when a 40-footer went wide at the buzzer Wednesday evening, a couple hours after Auburn went ice cold from the floor in a 69-51 loss to Harvard, losing another key player to injury in the process.

The Tigers came into the semifinal averaging 83.8 points, but shot 30 percent from the field and 1-for-18 over the final 9:04 against Harvard. Auburn has been riding the coattails of Kareem Canty this season and that was definitely the case against Harvard - but in the wrong direction - as Canty missed all but one of his 15 field goal attempts and finished with three points, miles below his 20.3 average coming in. Look for Canty to be active and aggressive against the Rainbows, who left a lot of sweat on the floor against Oklahoma. Roderick Bobbitt exploded for 32 points against the Sooners, but the senior guard also played all 40 minutes.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT AUBURN (6-4): T.J. Dunans was helped off the floor with a knee injury late in the first half and the team's third-leading scorer won't play Thursday, according to coach Bruce Pearl, but the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Auburn is already without backup point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen, who last week suffered a shoulder injury that appears more long term than Dunans'. Further changes could be coming to the starting lineup as two others besides Canty and Dunans finished with three points or less against Harvard.

ABOUT HAWAII (8-2): The Rainbows may have also suffered a problematic injury as starting point guard Quincy Smith had to be helped off the floor in the closing minutes of the semifinal after going down under a basket. Bobbitt can also play point guard, but that will only require more exertion after a heavy workload in the tournament already. Hawaii may need to repeatedly pass down low to 6-11 forward Stefan Jankovic, who's probably feeling confident after putting up 17 points against the Sooners.

TIP-INS

1. Auburn assistant coach Todd Golden played three seasons at Saint Mary’s when Hawaii head coach Eran Ganot was a volunteer assistant and then director of basketball operations from 2005-07.

2. The Rainbows are off to their best start since the 2004 season.

3. Bobbitt averages 6.7 assists, which leads the Big West Conference and is 15th in the nation.

PREDICTION: Hawaii 82, Auburn 78

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Preview: Harvard vs Oklahoma
When: 8:30 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, Hawaii


Oklahoma probably won't be taking anything for granted Friday when the No. 3 Sooners meet Harvard in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. Oklahoma escaped with an 84-81 victory against Hawaii in the semifinals after blowing a 16-point first-half lead and can't afford to glide against a Harvard team that looked impressive while beating Auburn by 18 points in the other semifinal.

Buddy Hield continues to be the talk of the tournament and he'll receive national exposure on a popular day for basketball junkies. He scored another 27 points against Hawaii, giving him 115 points in the last four games, and continues to light it up from long distance, as he's 17-for-30 from beyond the 3-point arc in that stretch. Just as impressive, he showed his coolness down the stretch against Hawaii, making all four of his free throws in the last 1:42, the final two with 12 seconds left that stretched the lead back to four. Hield and the Sooners will face a tough test against the Crimson, who limited Auburn to 30 percent shooting from the floor and tightened the knot as the game wore along, forcing the Tigers to miss 17 of their last 18 field-goal attempts.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT HARVARD (5-6): The name of the game is defense for the Crimson, but they'll likely have to score more than the 69 points they did against Auburn to beat Oklahoma. Harvard leading scorer and rebounder Zena Edosomwan, perhaps a bit heavy-legged after playing 40 minutes in Tuesday's first-round overtime win against BYU, was held to 13 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes against Auburn, but the 6-foot-9, 245-pound center should be better rested for the final after getting Thursday off. Fellow starting forward Evan Cummins, in his fourth year with the Crimson, has suddenly become a hot commodity after producing career highs of 13 points and five assists in the semifinal win.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (10-0): One player who will be looking to improve for the Sooners is starting point guard Jordan Woodard, who finished with nine points against Hawaii on 1-for-5 shooting and had as many turnovers as assists (three) in 32 minutes. He also picked up his fourth foul with 6:56 left and was the main defender most of the game on Roderick Bobbitt, who scored 32 points for the Rainbows. Ryan Spangler hasn't done much since arriving on the Islands either, finishing in single digits in points and rebounds after arriving averaging double figures in both.

TIP-INS

1. Khadeem Lattin, a 6-9 starting sophomore forward for Oklahoma, is coming off career highs in points (17), steals (two) and minutes (27) against Hawaii.

2. Spangler began his college career at Gonzaga and led the Big 12 in rebounding (9.3) his first season at Oklahoma in 2013-14.

3. Harvard is 8-0 all-time in regular season tournament games under coach Tommy Amaker.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 72, Harvard 65

[StarDust Bum]

TRENDS:

ATS TRENDS

New Mexico

Lobos are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Lobos are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall.
Lobos are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Lobos are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.
Lobos are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss.
Lobos are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 vs. Pacific-12.
Lobos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.

Washington St.

Cougars are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Cougars are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 Friday games.


OU TRENDS

New Mexico

Over is 4-0 in Lobos last 4 overall.
Over is 4-0 in Lobos last 4 non-conference games.
Under is 5-0 in Lobos last 5 Friday games.
Over is 4-1 in Lobos last 5 neutral site games.
Under is 17-7 in Lobos last 24 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Washington St.

Under is 13-3-2 in Cougars last 18 neutral site games.
Over is 13-4 in Cougars last 17 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 9-4 in Cougars last 13 Friday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

No trends available.

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ATS TRENDS

Northern Iowa

Panthers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games.
Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Panthers are 16-7-3 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win.
Panthers are 20-9-3 ATS in their last 32 games overall.
Panthers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Friday games.
Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.


Brigham Young

Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Cougars are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Cougars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.
Cougars are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Cougars are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Cougars are 16-36 ATS in their last 52 neutral site games.
Cougars are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Cougars are 9-23 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Cougars are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.


OU TRENDS

Northern Iowa

Under is 4-1-1 in Panthers last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 3-1-1 in Panthers last 5 neutral site games.
Over is 20-9 in Panthers last 29 games following a ATS loss.


Brigham Young

Over is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 overall.
Over is 8-0 in Cougars last 8 neutral site games.
Over is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 non-conference games.
Under is 4-1 in Cougars last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Over is 4-1 in Cougars last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 Friday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

No trends available.

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

ATS TRENDS

Auburn

Tigers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Tigers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Tigers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Tigers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall.
Tigers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Tigers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Tigers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Hawaii

Warriors are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss.
Warriors are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 home games.
Warriors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Warriors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Warriors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Warriors are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Southeastern.


OU TRENDS

Auburn

Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 6-2 in Tigers last 8 overall.
Over is 6-2 in Tigers last 8 non-conference games.
Over is 9-3 in Tigers last 12 Friday games.
Over is 23-9 in Tigers last 32 games following a ATS loss.


Hawaii

Over is 8-2 in Warriors last 10 Friday games.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. Southeastern.
Over is 7-3 in Warriors last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 39-17 in Warriors last 56 games following a ATS win.
Over is 13-6 in Warriors last 19 home games.
Over is 39-19 in Warriors last 58 non-conference games.


HEAD TO HEAD

No trends available.

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ATS TRENDS

Harvard

Crimson are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games.
Crimson are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Crimson are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.


Oklahoma

Sooners are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Sooners are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Sooners are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Sooners are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.


OU TRENDS

Harvard

Under is 4-0 in Crimson last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-1 in Crimson last 5 vs. Big 12.
Under is 8-2 in Crimson last 10 games following a straight up win.
Under is 13-4 in Crimson last 17 non-conference games.
Under is 6-2 in Crimson last 8 neutral site games.
Under is 37-16-1 in Crimson last 54 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 11-5 in Crimson last 16 overall.


Oklahoma

Under is 4-1 in Sooners last 5 Friday games.
Under is 16-5 in Sooners last 21 neutral site games.
Under is 5-2 in Sooners last 7 games following a ATS loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

No trends available.

[StarDust Bum]

Christmas Day NBA betting preview and odds
Dec 24, 2015

New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat (-5, 200)

The New Orleans Pelicans have looked a lot like a playoff contender the last two games instead of the last-place club that struggled through the first eight weeks of the season. The Pelicans will try to prove the latest improvements are no fluke in front of a national audience when they visit the Miami Heat on Friday.

New Orleans seemed to find another low in a 104-88 loss at Phoenix on Dec. 18 that dropped the team to 7-19. The Pelicans, who shot 36.6 percent from the field in that loss, turned things around as Anthony Davis fought off an illness in a 130-125 win at Denver on Sunday and put it together on both ends in Wednesday’s 115-89 home triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers. Davis will get a challenge on the inside from the Heat frontcourt of Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh, who are combining to average 30.4 points and 18.8 rebounds. Whiteside grabbed 16 boards and blocked four shots on Tuesday but could not keep the team from squandering an 18-point lead in a 93-92 loss to Detroit.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN, FSN Sun (Miami)

LINE HISTORY: The Heat opened as 5-point home favorites and have been bet up to -5.5. The total has opened at 200.

INJURY REPORT:

Pelicans - C A. Ajinca (questionable Friday, calf), PG N. Cole (questionable Friday, knee), SF Q. Pondexter (out indefinitely, knee).

Heat - SG T. Johnson (questionable Friday, shoulder), PF C. Andersen (questionable Friday, illness), SG G. Dragic (questionable Friday, hand), J. McRoberts (out Friday, knee).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Pelicans (+3) - Heat (-7.7) + home court (-3) = Heat -13.7

ABOUT THE PELICANS (9-19, 11-17 ATS, 12-16 O/U): Davis, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday have all battled nagging injuries at times this season, and all three went over 20 points as New Orleans shot 56.4 percent in the win at Denver. The three nearly reached the mark again on Wednesday, but Holiday was held to just 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench. Davis recorded 28 points and Evans narrowly missed a triple-double with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and the trio will try to guide the Pelicans to their second three-game winning streak on Friday.

ABOUT THE HEAT (16-11, 12-14-1 ATS, 8-19 O/U): The loss to the Pistons dropped Miami to 1-2 on its four-game homestand, but the team still feels like it’s moving in the right direction. “It’s competitive and it’s disappointing to lose those games at the end,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after Tuesday’s setback. “We’ll just regroup and learn from it and just keep on plugging away. You know, this is the way this season’s been, though, for a lot of teams this year and you just have to forge ahead until you get your breakthrough.” Bosh scored 20 points in the loss and has reached that plateau in five of the last seven contests.

TRENDS:

* Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
* Home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Under is 13-6-1 in the last 20 meetings in Miami.
* Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Miami.

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

Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder (-9, 205.5)

The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to notch their sixth consecutive home victory over Chicago when they host the Bulls on Christmas Day. Chicago hasn't left Oklahoma City victorious since delivering a 96-86 victory on Jan. 27, 2010.

The Bulls limp into town on the heels of three straight losses, including a lethargic 105-102 home loss to the lowly Brooklyn Nets on Monday. "The only way we are going to win basketball games is if we come together as a team and stay together, through the good times and bad," shooting guard Jimmy Butler told reporters. "We've got that group of guys, we're talented enough. We just have to buy into it.” Oklahoma City has won three straight games and nine of its last 10 after rolling to an easy 120-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant had 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting and has scored 20 or more points in 15 straight contests.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Thunder have opened as 9-point home favorites. The total opened at 205.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Bulls - C J. Noah (Mid January, shoulder), SG M. Dunleavy (Mid January, back).

Thunder - None.

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Bulls (-4.2) - Thunder (-12.5) + home court (-3) = Thunder -11.3

ABOUT THE BULLS (15-11, 9-17 ATS, 10-15-1 O/U): Center Joakim Noah sprained his left shoulder in the loss to Brooklyn and will miss at least two weeks. "The shoulder pooped out of joint for a brief second, so he's going to be sore and stiff," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "So it's rehabbing for the next couple of weeks, and then re-evaluated from there." The 30-year-old Noah has struggled this season with a career-low 4.5 scoring average as the switch from Tom Thibodeau's system to Hoiberg's faster pace isn't a good for fit for his game.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (20-9, 13-16 ATS, 9-20 O/U): Durant's economical performance against the Lakers was impressive in the eyes of first-year coach Billy Donovan. "I thought Kevin could have taken a lot more shots," said Donovan, "but he was really insistent on doing a great job of finding people, setting people up and making the game easy." Point guard Russell Westbrook had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against Los Angeles and is averaging 28 points over the past two games.

TRENDS:

* Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Under is 7-0 in Thunder last 7 home games.
* Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 overall.

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Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-7, 210)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been waiting for another shot at the Golden State Warriors and will finally get it on Christmas Day. The Cavaliers, who lost the NBA Finals in six games to the Warriors, will visit Golden State on Friday with the two clubs again atop their respective conferences.

Cleveland will have to make some history to beat the Warriors, who ran their home regular-season winning streak to 31 straight with a 103-85 triumph over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. "The memories will come back as soon as we walk into the building," Cavaliers superstar LeBron James told reporters. “But also understand that it's one of 82, and I'm not going to put everything into this game.” While the Warriors have not lost a regular-season game at home in nearly 11 months, they did drop Game 2 of the Finals in their own building as James led Cleveland to a 95-93 overtime victory with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists but Golden State took the best-of-seven set in six games.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 6.5-point home favorites and have been bet up to -7. The total is still at the opening number of 210.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - None.

Warriors - SF H. Barnes (doubtful Friday, ankle), SF K. Looney (Late January, hip).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Cavaliers (-9.5) - Warriors (-18.7) + home court (-3) = Warriors -12.2

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (19-7, 11-15 ATS, 13-13 O/U): The big difference between the Finals and Friday’s matchup for Cleveland will be the presence of forward Kevin Love and point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed all or most of the series. Irving, who suffered a fractured kneecap in Game 1 of the Finals, made his return this week and will be monitored closely as the Cavaliers begin a stretch of four games in five nights. "It's a great opportunity for our fans to have five games on Christmas and for our game to continue to get so much exposure, but for us as a team, Friday will not be the end of our season, like it was in June,” James said. “…We want to play well, going against a great caliber team, the best team in our league right now, but it's not like the season ends if we lose or if we win, or whatever the case may be."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (27-1, 18-9-1 ATS, 17-11 O/U): Golden State’s players are not singling out the matchup, either, and continue to roll through their schedule. “Our players are great about staying present and staying in the moment and taking the next game ahead of them,” Warriors interim coach Luke Walton told reporters. “Honestly, I haven’t heard a single thing (about the Cleveland game) from any of them. … “That’s the way it should be, because we know in this league that you can lose on any night, to any team. You show the other teams the proper respect by paying attention to them.” The Warriors do not expect to get coach Steve Kerr (back) or forward Harrison Barnes (ankle) back by Friday.

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a ATS loss.
* Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
* Over is 7-0 in Warriors last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 overall.

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San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets (+6.5, 200.5)

The streaking San Antonio Spurs seek their eighth consecutive victory when they visit the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day. San Antonio has won by an average of 21.4 points during its hot stretch and pummeled the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-83 on Wednesday.

The rout of Minnesota was the Spurs' fourth victory by 20 or more points during the streak and they also defeated Washington by 19. "I think we're competing at a high level," San Antonio power forward LaMarcus Aldridge said after Wednesday's victory. "We're paying attention to detail, playing good defense and as long as we keep doing that, things should go well for us." Houston is 10-5 since starting 5-10 but dropped a disappointing 104-101 decision to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. "We can't have mental lapses where we do everything the right way for a couple possessions and go back to just taking it easy on teams," center Dwight Howard said after the loss. "We have to do a better job of playing the same way for 48 minutes."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CW35 (San Antonio), ROOT (Houston)

LINE HISTORY: The Rockets haven't moved off the opening number of +6.5. The total also haven't moved off the opening number of 200.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Spurs - None.

Rockets - SF S. Dekker (Mid February, back).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Spurs (-17.5) - Rockets (-1.6) + home court (-3) = Rockets +12.9

ABOUT THE SPURS (25-5, 21-9 ATS, 12-17-1 O/U): After holding Indiana star Paul George to seven points on 1-of-14 shooting on Monday, reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard was at it again by helping hold Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins to 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting on Wednesday. Leonard finished with 19 points but was headed toward a rare low-scoring effort until he scored 12 fourth-quarter points on 5-of-7 shooting. "Nobody's perfect all the time in 48 minutes," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "I don't worry about why he didn't score in this quarter or that quarter. That happens to every player. He got his 19 points and he was great in the fourth quarter."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (15-15, 12-18 ATS, 13-17 O/U): Small forward Trevor Ariza is experiencing a shooting funk and is just 6-of-20 from the field and averaging 6.5 points over the last two games. He missed all eight of his 3-point attempts in the loss to Orlando and is shooting a meager 31.8 percent from behind the arc this season while shooting a career-worst 38.3 percent overall. Standout guard James Harden is averaging 33.5 points on 21-of-34 shooting over the past two contests.

TRENDS:

* Spurs are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
* Home team is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
* Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 overall.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

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Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (+11.5, 205)

The Los Angeles Clippers own the title as professional basketball's best team in Southern California and they look to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth consecutive time when the clubs meet on Christmas Day at the Staples Center. The Clippers have won the past seven meetings by an average of 24.6 points, including victories by 48, 36, 28, 25 and 23 points.

Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant will be playing on Christmas Day for the 16th and final time. Bryant holds the NBA record for points (383) on Christmas and is enjoying his best stretch of the season with a 23.8 average over his past five games. Bryant fell one point short of his fifth straight 20-point outing on Wednesday as he scored 19 in a 120-85 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have suddenly dropped into a funk with three straight losses after winning nine of their previous 11 games.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Clippers), TWC SportsNet (Lakers)

LINE HISTORY: The Lakers opened as 12-point home dogs and have been bet down to to +11.5. The total hasn't moved from its opening number 207.

INJURY REPORT:

Clippers - SF P. Pierce (probable Friday, back), PF B. Griffin (probable Friday, knee), SG A. Rivers (out Friday, ankle).

Lakers - PF J. Randle (questionable Friday, ankle), SF N. Young (questionable Friday, illness).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Clippers (-5.8) - Lakers (+8) + home court (-3) = Lakers +10.8

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (16-13, 10-16-3 ATS, 14-15 O/U): The Clippers have been off since Monday's 100-99 loss to the Thunder and are hoping a few days of practice will help cure their woes. "It's all about synergy," point guard Chris Paul told reporters. "It's all about the team. If all of us know something and everybody else doesn't, it doesn't matter, because this is the ultimate team sport." Paul has been getting everybody involved and also providing consistent scoring with six double-doubles in the past eight games.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (5-24, 10-19 ATS, 13-16 O/U): Bryant had been shooting the ball better over the past 10 days but was just 7-of-22 from the field in Wednesday's contest. He is averaging 19.4 points in 12 December games while scoring in double digits 11 times and appears to have accepted that his final season will be a long one for the team. "Listen, you have to be realistic about what we're facing and where we are right now as a team and as an organization," Bryant said after Wednesday's loss. "I mean, you can train a cat to bark all you want, but the damn cat's not going to bark. So there's no sense in yelling at it."

TRENDS:

* Clippers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
* Favorite is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
* Over is 6-1 in Clippers last 7 vs. NBA Pacific.

[StarDust Bum]

The gift of Christmas Day NBA betting trends
Dec 24, 2015

With presents stacked under the Christmas tree, here's my gift to you, for all NBA fans to see. With the Cavs and Warriors taking off in flight, a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

CHRISTMAS PAST

Here’s a breakdown of the 10 teams playing on Christmas Day this season and how they’ve performed in games played on Dec. 25 since 1990:

• Chicago Bulls: 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS and 3-7-1 O/U
Trending: 1-5-1 UNDER last seven games

• Cleveland Cavaliers: 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS and 1-4 O/U
0-4 UNDER last four games

• Golden State Warriors: 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS and 2-2 O/U
Trending: the favorite in Warriors games is 4-0 SU

• Houston Rockets: 3-3 SU and 5-1 ATS and 2-2-2 ATS O/U
Trending: 5-0 ATS last five games

• L.A. Clippers: 3-4 SU and 4-3 ATS and 3-4 O/U
0-6-1 UNDER last seven games

• L.A. Lakers: 7-11 SU and 10-7-1 ATS and 5-11-2 O/U
Trending: 5-0 ATS last five as a dog

• Miami Heat: 9-2 SU and 6-5 ATS and 2-9 O/U
Trending: 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS last six games

• New Orleans Pelicans: 0-1 SU and 0-1 ATS and 0-1 O/U
Trending: not enough games to assess

• Oklahoma City Thunder: 4-3 SU and 4-3 ATS and 3-4 O/U
Trending: 2-0 SUATS home Xmas games

• San Antonio Spurs: 3-4 SU and 3-3-1 ATS and 2-5 O/U
Trending: the dog is 3-0 SU and ATS last three Spurs/Xmas games


WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?

Most recent noteworthy team trends wrapped inside each Christmas Day game…

• Bulls: 3-1 SU and ATS as non-conference dogs, but 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS on Fridays this season.

• Cavs: LeBron James is 7-2 SU on Christmas Day, including 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS vs. non-conference opponents; and 5-1 SU on Fridays this season.

• Clippers: 11-1 SU and 9-3 ATS vs. the Lakers, and 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS off 3 losses-exact.

• Heat: 6-0 SU and 4-1-1 ATS home off a loss this season; and 16-6 ATS home off a SU home favorite loss.

• Lakers: 1-14 SU and 2-13 ATS vs. conference foes this season; and 2-7 SU and ATS in Fridays. (*note: add Wednesday result vs. the Thunder)

• Pelicans: 14-4-1 ATS vs. Miami; but 3-10 SU and 2-11 ATS away on Fridays.

• Rockets: 4-0 SU and ATS last 4 home games off an away; and 8-2 ATS vs. Spurs.

• Spurs: 14-2 SU and 11-4-1 ATS on Fridays; and 16-2 SU and 14-4 ATS vs. sub .545 opponents this season. (*note: add Wednesday result vs. the Timberwolves)

• Thunder: 1-7 ATS after facing the Lakers; and 2-4 ATS vs. foe off SU favorite loss this season.

• Warriors: 12-0 SU and 10-2 ATS home on Fridays; but 8-14-1 ATS off a win vs. non-conference opponents.


DEFENDING CHAMPION DOLDRUMS

Christmas Day has not been a gifting experience for NBA’s defending champions.

That’s confirmed by their lousy 1-6 SU and 0-7 ATS mark since 2000 when facing an opponent playing with one-day rest exact.

The Cavs hope to add to that number when they visit the reigning champion Warriors at Oracle Arena Friday.


UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Non-conference games certainly bring the best defensive effort out in teams on Christmas Day.

Only 4 of the nineteen games played on Dec. 25 involving Eastern and Western Conference foes have managed to top the total, bringing the tally to 2-14-1 UNDER in these games since 1991.


THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Since 2000 teams on Christmas Day playing off back-to-back SU and ATS losses (Chicago Bulls), the last as a favorite, are 8-0 SU and ATS.

Now, who said Santa Claus isn’t real?

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: New Orleans At Miami
When: 12:00 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida


The New Orleans Pelicans have looked a lot like a playoff contender the last two games instead of the last-place club that struggled through the first eight weeks of the season. The Pelicans will try to prove the latest improvements are no fluke in front of a national audience when they visit the Miami Heat on Friday.

New Orleans seemed to find another low in a 104-88 loss at Phoenix on Dec. 18 that dropped the team to 7-19. The Pelicans, who shot 36.6 percent from the field in that loss, turned things around as Anthony Davis fought off an illness in a 130-125 win at Denver on Sunday and put it together on both ends in Wednesday’s 115-89 home triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers. Davis will get a challenge on the inside from the Heat frontcourt of Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh, who are combining to average 30.4 points and 18.8 rebounds. Whiteside grabbed 16 boards and blocked four shots on Tuesday but could not keep the team from squandering an 18-point lead in a 93-92 loss to Detroit.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN, FSN Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (9-19): Davis, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday have all battled nagging injuries at times this season, and all three went over 20 points as New Orleans shot 56.4 percent in the win at Denver. The three nearly reached the mark again on Wednesday, but Holiday was held to just 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench. Davis recorded 28 points and Evans narrowly missed a triple-double with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and the trio will try to guide the Pelicans to their second three-game winning streak on Friday.

ABOUT THE HEAT (16-11): The loss to the Pistons dropped Miami to 1-2 on its four-game homestand, but the team still feels like it’s moving in the right direction. “It’s competitive and it’s disappointing to lose those games at the end,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after Tuesday’s setback. “We’ll just regroup and learn from it and just keep on plugging away. You know, this is the way this season’s been, though, for a lot of teams this year and you just have to forge ahead until you get your breakthrough.” Bosh scored 20 points in the loss and has reached that plateau in five of the last seven contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Holiday (leg) has played in five straight games and is averaging 17.6 points in that span.

2. Heat PG Goran Dragic (wrist) sat out Tuesday and is day-to-day.

3. New Orleans took both meetings last season, including a 105-91 triumph at Miami on Feb.27.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 101, Heat 99

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

ATS TRENDS

New Orleans

Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Pelicans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Pelicans are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.
Pelicans are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.

Miami
Heat are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up loss.
Heat are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Heat are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Heat are 5-17-1 ATS in their last 23 vs. NBA Southwest.
Heat are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
Heat are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.


OU TRENDS

New Orleans

Over is 9-2 in Pelicans last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 6-2-1 in Pelicans last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 15-5-1 in Pelicans last 21 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 7-3 in Pelicans last 10 Friday games.
Under is 9-4 in Pelicans last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 35-16-1 in Pelicans last 52 road games.


Miami

Over is 4-0 in Heat last 4 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 7-1 in Heat last 8 Friday games.
Under is 5-1 in Heat last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 4-1 in Heat last 5 home games.
Under is 11-3 in Heat last 14 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 15-5 in Heat last 20 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 9-3 in Heat last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 19-7 in Heat last 26 overall.
Under is 37-14 in Heat last 51 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 10-4 in Heat last 14 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 7-3 in Heat last 10 games following a straight up loss.


HEAD TO HEAD

Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Pelicans are 13-5-1 ATS in the last 19 meetings.
Under is 13-6-1 in the last 20 meetings in Miami.
Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Miami.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Chicago At Oklahoma City
When: 2:30 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to notch their sixth consecutive home victory over Chicago when they host the Bulls on Christmas Day. Chicago hasn't left Oklahoma City victorious since delivering a 96-86 victory on Jan. 27, 2010.

The Bulls limp into town on the heels of three straight losses, including a lethargic 105-102 home loss to the lowly Brooklyn Nets on Monday. "The only way we are going to win basketball games is if we come together as a team and stay together, through the good times and bad," shooting guard Jimmy Butler told reporters. "We've got that group of guys, we're talented enough. We just have to buy into it.” Oklahoma City has won three straight games and nine of its last 10 after rolling to an easy 120-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant had 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting and has scored 20 or more points in 15 straight contests.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE BULLS (15-11): Center Joakim Noah sprained his left shoulder in the loss to Brooklyn and will miss at least two weeks. "The shoulder popped out of joint for a brief second, so he's going to be sore and stiff," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "So it's rehabbing for the next couple of weeks, and then re-evaluated from there." The 30-year-old Noah has struggled this season with a career-low 4.5 scoring average as the switch from Tom Thibodeau's system to Hoiberg's faster pace isn't a good for fit for his game.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (20-9): Durant's economical performance against the Lakers was impressive in the eyes of first-year coach Billy Donovan. "I thought Kevin could have taken a lot more shots," said Donovan, "but he was really insistent on doing a great job of finding people, setting people up and making the game easy." Point guard Russell Westbrook had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against Los Angeles and is averaging 28 points over the past two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. PG Derrick Rose scored 29 points as the Bulls recorded a 104-98 home win over the Thunder on Nov. 5.

2. Oklahoma City is just 6-7 against Eastern Conference foes compared to a 14-2 mark versus the West.

3. Rose is 6-of-21 shooting over the past two games and has scored in single digits in four of the past six games.

PREDICTION: Thunder 101, Bulls 96

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

ATS TRENDS

Chicago

Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Bulls are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Bulls are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Bulls are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.

Oklahoma City

Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 vs. NBA Central.
Thunder are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Thunder are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Thunder are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.


OU TRENDS

Chicago

Under is 4-0 in Bulls last 4 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 10-1 in Bulls last 11 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-1 in Bulls last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 15-4-2 in Bulls last 21 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 10-3 in Bulls last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2-1 in Bulls last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 3-1-1 in Bulls last 5 Friday games.
Under is 15-5-1 in Bulls last 21 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Bulls last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 23-9 in Bulls last 32 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 20-8 in Bulls last 28 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Oklahoma City

Under is 5-0 in Thunder last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 Friday games.
Under is 7-0 in Thunder last 7 home games.
Under is 6-0 in Thunder last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 9-0 in Thunder last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-1 in Thunder last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 8-1 in Thunder last 9 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 8-1 in Thunder last 9 games following a ATS win.
Under is 15-3 in Thunder last 18 games following a straight up win.
Under is 20-7 in Thunder last 27 overall.
Under is 20-7-1 in Thunder last 28 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 20-7 in Thunder last 27 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.


HEAD TO HEAD

Favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

Under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Oklahoma City.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cleveland At Golden State
When: 5:00 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California


The Cleveland Cavaliers have been waiting for another shot at the Golden State Warriors and will finally get it on Christmas Day. The Cavaliers, who lost the NBA Finals in six games to the Warriors, will visit Golden State on Friday with the two clubs again atop their respective conferences.

Cleveland will have to make some history to beat the Warriors, who ran their home regular-season winning streak to 31 straight with a 103-85 triumph over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. "The memories will come back as soon as we walk into the building," Cavaliers superstar LeBron James told reporters. “But also understand that it's one of 82, and I'm not going to put everything into this game.” While the Warriors have not lost a regular-season game at home in nearly 11 months, they did drop Game 2 of the Finals in their own building as James led Cleveland to a 95-93 overtime victory with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists but Golden State took the best-of-seven set in six games.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (19-7): The big difference between the Finals and Friday’s matchup for Cleveland will be the presence of forward Kevin Love and point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed all or most of the series. Irving, who suffered a fractured kneecap in Game 1 of the Finals, made his return this week and will be monitored closely as the Cavaliers begin a stretch of four games in five nights. "It's a great opportunity for our fans to have five games on Christmas and for our game to continue to get so much exposure, but for us as a team, Friday will not be the end of our season, like it was in June,” James said. “…We want to play well, going against a great caliber team, the best team in our league right now, but it's not like the season ends if we lose or if we win, or whatever the case may be."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (27-1): Golden State’s players are not singling out the matchup, either, and continue to roll through their schedule. “Our players are great about staying present and staying in the moment and taking the next game ahead of them,” Warriors interim coach Luke Walton told reporters. “Honestly, I haven’t heard a single thing (about the Cleveland game) from any of them. … “That’s the way it should be, because we know in this league that you can lose on any night, to any team. You show the other teams the proper respect by paying attention to them.” The Warriors do not expect to get coach Steve Kerr (back) or forward Harrison Barnes (ankle) back by Friday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors G Stephen Curry scored a season-low 16 points in Wednesday’s win.

2. Cleveland has held opponents to 87.2 points during it six-game winning streak.

3. Golden State G Klay Thompson scored 20 or more points in eight of his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Warriors 109, Cavaliers 106

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

ATS TRENDS

Cleveland

Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Cavaliers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Friday games.
Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Pacific.
Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Cavaliers are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a ATS loss.

Golden State

Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Warriors are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Warriors are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 Friday games.
Warriors are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central.
Warriors are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Warriors are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up win.
Warriors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Warriors are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Warriors are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Warriors are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.


OU TRENDS

Cleveland

Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 8-1 in Cavaliers last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 road games.
Under is 10-3 in Cavaliers last 13 Friday games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Cavaliers last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 6-2-1 in Cavaliers last 9 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-3-1 in Cavaliers last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Golden State
Over is 4-0 in Warriors last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-0 in Warriors last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 6-0 in Warriors last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 7-0 in Warriors last 7 games following a ATS win.
Over is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 10-2 in Warriors last 12 overall.
Over is 9-2 in Warriors last 11 games following a straight up win.
Over is 9-2 in Warriors last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 Friday games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 11-4-1 in Warriors last 16 vs. NBA Central.
Under is 15-7-2 in Warriors last 24 home games.


HEAD TO HEAD

Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Golden State.
Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings.

Favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

Cavaliers are 5-13 ATS in the last 18 meetings.
Cavaliers are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Golden State.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: San Antonio At Houston
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas


The streaking San Antonio Spurs seek their eighth consecutive victory when they visit the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day. San Antonio has won by an average of 21.4 points during its hot stretch and pummeled the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-83 on Wednesday.

The rout of Minnesota was the Spurs' fourth victory by 20 or more points during the streak and they also defeated Washington by 19. "I think we're competing at a high level," San Antonio power forward LaMarcus Aldridge said after Wednesday's victory. "We're paying attention to detail, playing good defense and as long as we keep doing that, things should go well for us." Houston is 10-5 since starting 5-10 but dropped a disappointing 104-101 decision to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. "We can't have mental lapses where we do everything the right way for a couple possessions and go back to just taking it easy on teams," center Dwight Howard said after the loss. "We have to do a better job of playing the same way for 48 minutes."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CW35 (San Antonio), ROOT (Houston)

ABOUT THE SPURS (25-5): After holding Indiana star Paul George to seven points on 1-of-14 shooting on Monday, reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard was at it again by helping hold Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins to 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting on Wednesday. Leonard finished with 19 points but was headed toward a rare low-scoring effort until he scored 12 fourth-quarter points on 5-of-7 shooting. "Nobody's perfect all the time in 48 minutes," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "I don't worry about why he didn't score in this quarter or that quarter. That happens to every player. He got his 19 points and he was great in the fourth quarter."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (15-15): Small forward Trevor Ariza is experiencing a shooting funk and is just 6-of-20 from the field and averaging 6.5 points over the last two games. He missed all eight of his 3-point attempts in the loss to Orlando and is shooting a meager 31.8 percent from behind the arc this season while shooting a career-worst 38.3 percent overall. Standout guard James Harden is averaging 33.5 points on 21-of-34 shooting over the past two contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs have won the past three meetings after the Rockets emerged victorious in the previous six matchups.

2. San Antonio SG Danny Green made three 3-pointers against Minnesota after going 11-of-47 over the previous 12 games.

3. Houston PG Patrick Beverley is 7-of-25 shooting over the past three games.

PREDICTION: Spurs 101, Rockets 92

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

ATS TRENDS

San Antonio

Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Spurs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Spurs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Spurs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Spurs are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Spurs are 37-16 ATS in their last 53 games overall.
Spurs are 39-19-1 ATS in their last 59 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 vs. NBA Southwest.

Houston

Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Rockets are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up loss.
Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.


OU TRENDS

San Antonio

Over is 6-1 in Spurs last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 9-3-1 in Spurs last 13 road games.
Over is 6-2 in Spurs last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 5-2 in Spurs last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 14-6-1 in Spurs last 21 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Houston

Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 overall.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 vs. NBA Southwest.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 17-4 in Rockets last 21 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Rockets last 10 vs. Western Conference.


HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Spurs are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Spurs are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: L.A. Clippers At L.A. Lakers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California


The Los Angeles Clippers own the title as professional basketball's best team in Southern California and they look to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth consecutive time when the clubs meet on Christmas Day at the Staples Center. The Clippers have won the past seven meetings by an average of 24.6 points, including victories by 48, 36, 28, 25 and 23 points.

Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant will be playing on Christmas Day for the 16th and final time. Bryant holds the NBA record for points (383) on Christmas and is enjoying his best stretch of the season with a 23.8 average over his past five games. Bryant fell one point short of his fifth straight 20-point outing on Wednesday as he scored 19 in a 120-85 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have suddenly dropped into a funk with three straight losses after winning nine of their previous 11 games.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Clippers), TWC SportsNet (Lakers)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (16-13): The Clippers have been off since Monday's 100-99 loss to the Thunder and are hoping a few days of practice will help cure their woes. "It's all about synergy," point guard Chris Paul told reporters. "It's all about the team. If all of us know something and everybody else doesn't, it doesn't matter, because this is the ultimate team sport." Paul has been getting everybody involved and also providing consistent scoring with six double-doubles in the past eight games.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (5-24): Bryant had been shooting the ball better over the past 10 days but was just 7-of-22 from the field in Wednesday's contest. He is averaging 19.4 points in 12 December games while scoring in double digits 11 times and appears to have accepted that his final season will be a long one for the team. "Listen, you have to be realistic about what we're facing and where we are right now as a team and as an organization," Bryant said after Wednesday's loss. "I mean, you can train a cat to bark all you want, but the damn cat's not going to bark. So there's no sense in yelling at it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers have scored more than 100 points just once during the seven-game losing streak against the Clippers.

2. Lakers PF Julius Randle (ankle) could miss his second straight game while backup SF Nick Young (gastroenteritis) should be back after missing the Oklahoma City contest.

3. Clippers backup SF Paul Pierce (back) is expected to return from a one-game absence while it remains unclear whether backup F Josh Smith (benching) will see action.

PREDICTION: Clippers 130, Lakers 106

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ATS TRENDS

L.A. Clippers

Clippers are 4-1-3 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Clippers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Clippers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Clippers are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss.
Clippers are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 vs. Western Conference.
Clippers are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Clippers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Clippers are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.


L.A. Lakers

Lakers are 17-36-2 ATS in their last 55 vs. Western Conference.
Lakers are 15-33-3 ATS in their last 51 games playing on 1 days rest.
Lakers are 8-18 ATS in their last 26 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Lakers are 8-20-2 ATS in their last 30 vs. NBA Pacific.
Lakers are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 home games.
Lakers are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.


OU TRENDS

L.A. Clippers

Under is 7-1 in Clippers last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 7-1 in Clippers last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Clippers last 7 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 13-4 in Clippers last 17 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Under is 7-3 in Clippers last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 35-16-2 in Clippers last 53 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

L.A. Lakers

Under is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 12-2 in Lakers last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 Friday games.
Over is 7-2 in Lakers last 9 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 7-2 in Lakers last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Under is 10-3 in Lakers last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Lakers last 7 home games.
Over is 5-2 in Lakers last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Lakers last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.


HEAD TO HEAD
Over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles.

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

Clippers are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

Favorite is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

Home team is 15-7 ATS in the last 22 meetings.

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


NO at MIA 12:00 PM

NO +4.5 DOUBLE PLAY

U 199.0 DOUBLE PLAY


CHI at OKC 02:30 PM

OKC -9.0 DOUBLE PLAY

U 204.5


CLE at GS 05:00 PM

GS -7.0 BLOW OUT

U 209.5 DOUBLE PLAY

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


UNM at WSU 01:00 PM

UNM -3.5 DOUBLE PLAY

U 147.5


UNI at BYU 03:30 PM

UNI +4.0 TRIPLE PLAY

O 146.0 TRIPLE PLAY