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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Magic (19-17) at Nets (10-25)
Date: January 08, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Because the new year hasn't been kind, the Orlando Magic are desperate to avoid falling into the losing ways that plagued them the past three seasons.

First-year coach Scott Skiles hasn't been afraid to tinker with the lineup, and Victor Oladipo could be a long-term fix at point guard regardless of Elfrid Payton's health.

The Magic look to end their longest slide of the season Friday night with their third victory in four weeks over the Brooklyn Nets, who can't buy a win at Barclays Center.

After winning 20, 23 and 25 games in the last three seasons, respectively, Orlando (19-17) seemed to have turned a corner under Skiles by going an Eastern Conference-best 13-5 from Nov. 25-Dec. 30.

The Magic, though, opened 2016 with three straight road defeats by an average of 21.0 points before falling 95-86 to Indiana in their return home Wednesday. They averaged 104.0 points on 51.0 percent shooting in a 7-2 stretch before scoring 86.3 per game during the skid.

"There's no way that we're going to go back to losing like last year. We've worked too hard for that," guard Evan Fournier, who hopes to play through an in-grown toenail, told the team's official website. "We've just got to trust each other and believe that it is going to be all right."

Skiles has responded by moving Oladipo, a reserve the last six weeks after opening the season as a starter, into the point guard role the past two games. Oladipo has played well, totaling 38 points and hitting 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He could be there to stay since Payton, who started the first 34 games, averaged 2.3 points on 25.0 percent shooting over a four-game stretch before missing the past two with an ankle injury.

Nikola Vucevic finished with 17 points Wednesday when the Magic shot 40.5 percent - including 6 for 31 from beyond the arc - and committed 17 turnovers. Tobias Harris is among those struggling to find his stroke, missing 9 of 10 from 3-point range in the last three games, and Fournier is 3 for 19 from deep during the losing streak.

Orlando hopes to get right against the team it defeated to cap its best December (10-5) since going 12-3 in 2008. Vucevic led the way with 20 points and Fournier added 17 in a 100-93 home win over the Nets on Dec. 30.

The Magic also dealt Brooklyn (10-25) a loss during its current eight-game home slide with a 105-82 victory at Barclays on Dec. 14. Vucevic had 18 points and Payton contributed 17 as Orlando shot 53.9 percent while limiting the Nets to 38.8.

Brooklyn, which has made 10 for 39 (25.6 percent) from 3-point range in the two meetings, has averaged 91 points during its worst home skid since a 14-game dive during the 2009-10 season. The club scored a season-low total in a 91-74 home loss to Toronto on Wednesday.

'We need to work through some things,' said center Brook Lopez, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds. 'It hasn't all gone as planned.'

Lopez has been a bright spot, averaging 24.6 points and 11.6 boards in his last five games. That includes a 24-point, 15-rebound effort last week in Orlando.

Joe Johnson had five points Wednesday after totaling 41 in his previous two.

The Nets haven't lost a season series to the Magic since moving to Brooklyn in 2012-13. The teams will play one more time in Orlando on March 29.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (20-15) at Pelicans (11-23)
BT Movements · Line Movements
· Bet Now at Sportsbook.co
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Pacers have produced a promising string of defensive efforts to open 2016 and earned a rare road win with their latest.

The Pacers will try to remain stingy Friday night while extending their dominance over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Indiana (20-15) has allowed an average of 90.3 points on 37.8 percent shooting in its last three games with opponents connecting at 19.2 percent from 3-point range. The Pacers held Orlando to a 6-of-31 performance from beyond the arc in a 95-86 victory Wednesday, the halfway point to a four-game trip.

In 10 games since Dec. 19, they're allowing a league-low 25.0 percent on 3-pointers.

"We're focusing on (defense) a little bit more," coach Frank Vogel said. "We're playing big a little bit more so we've got some size out there. We're also continuing to score the ball too so it's coming around."

Indiana had just three players in double figures in its second win in the past nine road games, but Monta Ellis scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. George Hill had 16 points after missing a 103-100 overtime loss to Miami on Monday because of food poisoning.

"I thought (Hill) looked good. He knocked down some big (3-pointers). He was 3 for 3 from 3. He knocked down his free throws late and made some big plays off the bounce," Vogel said. "He's obviously a huge part of what we do, and when he's out of the lineup, we're weakened. It was good do see him back out there."

The Pacers seek a third win in four games, which would surpass the total from their final seven contests in 2015, by earning their ninth in a row against the Pelicans (11-23).

Indiana has also won in each of its last four visits to New Orleans.

The Pelicans have dropped back-to-back home games for the first time since an 0-3 start after a 100-91 loss to Dallas on Wednesday. They shot 37.0 percent, including a 7-for-30 mark from 3-point range, against a team that was resting starters Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Zaza Pachulia and Deron Williams.

New Orleans connected at 48.2 percent in a 105-98 win at the Mavericks on Saturday.

"I don't really know, to be honest with you. I wish I had answers. I don't have answers, but we're going to come up with answers," coach Alvin Gentry said. "It's not fair to the fans. It's not fair to anybody for us to come out and have that kind of effort. It really isn't.

"And when I say 'us,' I mean all of us: coaches, players, everybody. It's just not good. I'm really disappointed in the way we approached the game."

The Pacers have won their past three meetings with New Orleans by a combined 42 points while limiting the Pelicans to an average of 86.3 points.

Leading scorer Paul George, averaging 28.8 points in his last four games, scored 56 in two meetings with the Pelicans in 2013-14 after missing last season's series.

Ellis has averaged 27.3 points and shot 53.8 percent in his past three matchups.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mavericks (21-15) at Bucks (14-23)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Zaza Pachulia provided the Milwaukee Bucks with not only a physical presence off the bench but a big man who could fill a starting role.

He's been so much more for the Dallas Mavericks since they acquired him in July.

After he was one of four starters to take a night off, Pachulia will return to Milwaukee for the first time Friday night when the Mavericks go after their seventh straight win over the Bucks.

The 13th-year center averaged 8.0 points and 6.6 rebounds with Milwaukee from 2013-15, making 88 starts over that span primarily due to injuries. He helped the Bucks reach the playoffs last season in former Mavs point guard Jason Kidd's first year as coach.

Pachulia was viewed as merely a consolation prize when Dallas traded for him just hours after DeAndre Jordan reneged on a verbal agreement and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 31-year-old, however, has been terrific for the Mavericks (21-15) with 18 double-doubles in 35 starts after totaling 15 in his 73 games with the Bucks last season. With 10.7 points and a career-high 10.7 rebounds per game, he's one of only nine players averaging a double-double.

Pachulia, who says he loved his time in Milwaukee, faced his former team for the first time last week and had nine points in the first seven minutes as Dallas raced to a 10-point lead. He finished with 17 points and eight boards, and Wesley Matthews scored 22 with five 3-pointers as the Mavericks never trailed in a 103-93 home win Dec. 28.

Pachulia also gave his teammates some advice before they finished with a season-low four turnovers against a team that entered third in the NBA with 19.3 points off turnovers.

"They have length, but once you move the ball from side to side, that's where they can struggle," Pachulia said. "Whenever we moved the ball, we got quality shots."

That's likely to be the strategy again with Pachulia, Matthews, Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams set to return after sitting out a 100-91 win at New Orleans on Wednesday. Raymond Felton stepped up with 22 points and Chandler Parsons added 21 with eight rebounds.

A night earlier, Nowitzki, Williams, Pachulia and Matthews had all played 40-plus minutes in a 117-116 double-overtime win over Sacramento. Nowitzki has totaled 47 points in his last two games but had a season-low seven on 3-of-15 shooting against the Bucks.

Matthews has hit 28 of 55 (50.9 percent) from 3-point range in his past eight games and is 9 for 14 in his last two versus Milwaukee (14-23).

The Bucks hope to avoid a third straight loss after falling 117-106 at Chicago on Tuesday. They've particularly struggled defensively, allowing 114.4 points per game over their last five.

"We're going to have to keep working on it - every day," said interim coach Joe Prunty, filling in while Kidd recovers from hip surgery.

Khris Middleton finished with 26 points Tuesday, while Michael Carter-Williams added 20 points and 12 assists and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17.

Middleton has been a bright spot with 23.2 points per game while sinking 27 of 53 (50.9 percent) from long range over his last nine. Jerryd Bayless led the Bucks with 19 points in the first meeting, but he could be out after missing 12 of the past 17 games with an ankle injury.

Milwaukee's six-game losing streak to Dallas is its longest in the history of this series, and the Bucks haven't beaten the Mavs at home since Jan. 1, 2011.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cavaliers (24-9) at Timberwolves (12-24)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

With a healthy Kyrie Irving rounding into form, the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked nearly unstoppable at the outset of 2016.

That could mean another rough night for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their scuffling offense.

The Cavaliers enter Friday night's matchup having won five straight and they've been particularly impressive in their three games to open January. After blowing out Orlando and Toronto at home by a combined 47 points, Cleveland (24-9) had its offense clicking again in Wednesday's 121-115 at Washington that began a season-high six-game trip.

Irving showed he's fully over the fractured kneecap he suffered in last June's NBA Finals by playing a major role in the last two wins. The star point guard amassed 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting against the Wizards after scoring 25 with eight assists in Monday's 122-100 rout of Toronto.

Those games are the Cavaliers' two highest scoring efforts of the season. They're 6-1 when Irving's played since his Dec. 20 return.

'The first few games were just being able to solidify myself back in the league and being an elite athlete and get around guards,' Irving said. 'That was the hump I needed to get over, and now I think I'm starting to get over it going from game to game going against great matchups, great players every single night, great teams.'

Cleveland, winners of 11 of 13, has also received a boost from J.R. Smith during the new year. The streaky guard has recorded 49 points while going 13 of 27 from 3-point range over the last two wins.

The Cavaliers may not need such precision to handle Minnesota (12-24), which has failed to reach 100 points during a 1-8 stretch. The Timberwolves have lost four straight following Wednesday's 78-74 defeat to visiting Denver, their lowest point total since an 87-72 setback to Milwaukee on Nov. 6, 2009.

Minnesota was 2 for 20 from the field during a nine-point fourth quarter, 12 less than Irving tallied during the final period against Washington.

The Timberwolves' struggles have coincided with slumps from their two young stars. Andrew Wiggins was 4 of 14 on Wednesday and is shooting 39.0 percent from the floor and 59.6 percent on free throws over his last eight. Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 10.0 points on 35.9 percent shooting over the past three games after scoring 20.0 per game over his previous nine.

"I'm pressing, I don't know if anyone else is, but I am," Towns said. "We've got to change the talk, we can't keep losing these games. It's this theme that we are commonly giving up games that are very close."

Minnesota did receive a spark from Nikola Pekovic's season debut. The powerful center, returning from offseason surgeries to his ankle and Achilles', had 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench.

"I thought his 15 minutes were very productive," coach Sam Mitchell said. "I think without Pek, with the way we shot the ball (Wednesday), it would have been a tougher game."

Wiggins tied a career high with 33 points during Cleveland's visit to the Target Center last season, but the Cavaliers got 36 from LeBron James in a 106-90 win that swept the two-game season series. Kevin Love added 14 points and 17 rebounds in the former Timberwolves star's first game in Minneapolis since being traded to Cleveland in a deal that included Wiggins' draft rights.

The Cavaliers have won 11 straight from Minnesota with James on the roster, with the four-time MVP averaging 30.1 points during the streak. The Timberwolves' last victory over a Cleveland team that included James occurred on Nov. 26, 2005.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nuggets (13-23) at Grizzlies (19-18)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies can secure their longest win streak on their own court this season in the opener to their longest homestand, but it's unclear if their starting backcourt will play.

Mike Conley and Courtney Lee are considered questionable as the Grizzlies attempt to extend their mastery over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Memphis came within one home win of matching the franchise single-season record in 2014-15, going 31-10, but started just 7-6 there in this campaign. The Grizzlies (19-18) found their groove at FedExForum last month, earning four straight wins before a road trip to start 2016.

They went 1-2 on the trek, dropping the opener in overtime against Utah on Saturday. Memphis was forced to play without Conley against Oklahoma City on Wednesday because of a sore left Achilles, and shooting guard Courtney Lee exited in the second half of a 112-94 loss with a bruised hip.

Mario Chalmers had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds off the bench but the Grizzlies shot 38.9 percent. Marc Gasol missed nine of 11 attempts while finishing with eight points.

'It's hard to sometimes figure out what we try to accomplish offensively, what our goal is in every set. We're not very disciplined," Gasol said. "I don't know why, but I know it ended up with me. I've got to be more assertive. I've got to be a playmaker."

The Grizzlies will try to open a six-game stay in Memphis with a sixth consecutive home win over the Nuggets. They've taken four of the past five overall matchups.

Denver (13-23) snapped a six-game skid and a season high-tying string of four road losses with a 78-74 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Nuggets shot 35.8 percent but held the Timberwolves to 38.4 percent.

"It wasn't pretty basketball at times but there's no such thing as an ugly win," coach Michael Malone said.

Danilo Gallinari was just one of two players in double figures with 20 points. Jusuf Nurkic had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks off the bench in his third game back from offseason knee surgery.

"Fifteen points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in his third game back is a helluva effort. I think as he gets in game shape ... that's going to get better and better," Malone said.

The Nuggets are hoping to get starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay back from a sprained right ankle that's kept him out since Dec. 11. The No. 7 overall pick was too sore to return Wednesday following what was reportedly a strenuous practice the previous day.

He is averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 assists in 23 games.

The Grizzlies' Zach Randolph is averaging 19.9 points and 13.7 rebounds in his last seven games against Denver. He also has double-doubles in each of his last five matchups but he'll likely have to try to extend that streak while coming off the bench.

Randolph, who has one double-double in his last 10 games, has started in just one of the past 13 contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Knicks (18-19) at Spurs (31-6)
Date: January 08, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Carmelo Anthony believes the New York Knicks are showing signs of going on a run, though their next matchup certainly doesn't inspire much confidence.

The San Antonio Spurs are not only on the verge of the best 38-game start in franchise history, but they're also blowing opponents out at an historic rate.

The Knicks will close their trip with a season high-tying fourth straight win Friday night if they can become the first visitor to win at San Antonio in nine months.

After sweeping a home-and-home against Atlanta, New York (18-19) continued its three-game road swing with a 98-90 win at Miami on Wednesday. Anthony led the way with 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while Robin Lopez added 19.

The Knicks have averaged 105.3 points on 50.8 percent shooting in the three victories to surpass last season's win total after 37 games. They had scored just 93.5 per game and shot 44.2 percent while dropping five of their previous six.

New York's 55.7 shooting percentage was the best by any team against the Heat, who came into the game second in the NBA with a 42.5 defensive percentage.

The Knicks have won four in a row on two other occasions, most recently Dec. 12-19.

"These past three games we've shown something," Anthony said. "When we play the way we should be playing, we can beat any team that's out there. We're showing that in these past couple of games. We just got to keep that up."

New York will have to be at its best to keep it going against the Spurs, who rolled to a 123-98 victory over Utah on Wednesday. They've won a franchise-record 30 straight regular-season home games since a 128-125 overtime loss to Cleveland on March 12.

"They're always one of the best teams in the NBA," Anthony said. "We've got to go in there with the same mentality... It's gonna be tough, but we feel like we can do it."

San Antonio's 21-0 start at AT&T Center is the second best at home by a Western Conference team. The club's 31-6 record is tied for the best in franchise history after 37 games and its plus-526 scoring margin is the best in league history.

Tim Duncan led eight players in double figures Wednesday with a season-high 18 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists. David West had season highs with 14 points and 13 boards while filling in for the resting LaMarcus Aldridge.

Tony Parker also missed his second straight game because of a sore right hip.

"We're going through the process of trying to get better every game," West said. "Continue to protect our home court and continue to focus on our defense. Regardless of who plays, we're trying to make sure that we attempt to make it perfect. Even though perfection is not a possibility, we're still looking to achieve it."

The Spurs easily lead the NBA with an 89.5 defensive field-goal percentage and they've averaged 118.7 points on 56.5 percent shooting in their last three games.

They held New York to 36 percent shooting in a 94-84 win at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2. Aldridge had 19 points and Kawhi Leonard scored 18 with 14 boards.

Leonard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, also held Anthony to 19 points on just 4-of-17 shooting. Arron Afflalo did not play due to a strained left hamstring.

The Knicks had won two straight at San Antonio before a 109-95 loss Dec. 10, 2014.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Heat (21-14) at Suns (13-25)
Date: January 08, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

Management and players for the Phoenix Suns seem to have made clear what they think of Goran Dragic. Now it's the fans' turn.

Dragic plays his first game in Phoenix since his unpleasant departure and will try to help the Miami Heat beat the Suns for an 11th straight time Friday night.

This may be a contentious affair after the first meeting following Dragic's trade to Miami included six technical fouls, three ejections and two altercations. Dragic played through back spasms and committed five fouls in less than 15 minutes but had 21 points in a 115-98 home victory March 2 which the point guard said afterward "means a lot."

That came less than two weeks after Dragic was shipped to Miami in a three-team deal. He had previously asked for a trade, unhappy with the direction of the Suns and getting fewer touches after the addition of Eric Bledsoe.

What further angered Phoenix brass was Dragic telling reporters, "I don't trust them anymore." Team president Lon Babby said the remarks were "unfair and I think unwarranted," and Dragic surely drew his ire again this week by reportedly saying the Suns tinker with their roster too much and are "always changing something."

At least one Phoenix player showed his distaste for Dragic in the last meeting. Markieff Morris was ejected early in the third for a flagrant-2 after shoving Dragic in the back on a fast break, resulting in a hard fall. Shortly thereafter, Heat center Hassan Whiteside and Suns big man Alex Len were tossed after a scuffle under the basket.

Whiteside's 17 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes keyed Miami's 10th straight win in the series, a run dating to Nov. 3, 2009, during Dragic's first stint with the Suns. The Heat's seven-game streak in Phoenix since January 2007 pre-dates Dragic's career.

Joining Miami hasn't led to Dragic rediscovering the superior form he displayed in 2013-14 when he made the All-NBA third-team after averaging 20.3 points. He's at 11.9 this season, shooting a career-worst 29.3 percent from 3-point range, and hasn't had 10 assists since March despite averaging 32.4 minutes - second on the team to Chris Bosh.

Bosh's strong play has lifted Miami (21-14) into the Southeast Division lead, and he's averaging 24.7 points in the last 10 games.

The Heat had won three straight and nine of 13 before a 98-90 home loss to New York on Wednesday. Bosh had 28 points but was 1 of 4 from 3-point range and Miami finished 2 of 17, though he was more concerned about the Knicks hitting 55.7 percent from the field - the highest by a Heat opponent this season. The previous three were held below 40.

"We're not good enough to just come in and show up," Bosh said. "We really have to get to our identity, play the way we're supposed to play. You give up 50-plus percent, good things are not gonna happen.

"... We've gotta get stops, that's what it's about. It's not about 3-point shooting."

A season-high 19 3-pointers keyed Phoenix (13-25) halting a nine-game skid Wednesday with a 111-102 win over Charlotte.

It was some much-needed relief for a Suns team which had been mired in its longest losing streak in nearly two years, during which Bledsoe (knee) was lost for the season, Morris was suspended two games for throwing a towel at coach Jeff Hornacek and two assistants were fired.

"Just get a win," said Hornacek, who became the eighth Suns coach to record 100 victories. "It's been a rough stretch for us."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (33-2) at Trail Blazers (15-23)
Date: January 08, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Portland Trail Blazers are back at full strength following an embarrassing blunder that cost them their second-leading scorer last time out.

They'll need all hands on deck for a chance to take down the potent Golden State Warriors, who'll have their best player in the lineup as they resume their road trip Friday night.

Portland (15-23) was unintentionally short-handed for Wednesday's game with the Los Angeles Clippers after C.J. McCollum was inadvertently left off the pregame active sheet submitted to the officials. With the standout guard ineligible, the Trail Blazers couldn't keep up with one of the league's hottest teams in a 109-98 loss that opened a five-game homestand.

Coach Terry Stotts took responsibility for the snafu afterward.

'I signed the paper without really noticing it, but it's my fault for not looking at it," he said. "Although we caught the error, we thought we'd caught it in time, apparently we did not, so C.J. was ruled inactive, and that's that.'

McCollum, averaging a career-high 21.0 points per game this season and 27.4 over his last five, will be available when Portland takes on a Warriors team that tops the NBA at 113.7 points per game.

Golden State (33-2) has remained hard to stop even with Stephen Curry dealing with a nagging left leg bruise that sidelined the reigning league MVP for two games and limited him for another last week. He still managed 30 points in Monday's 111-101 victory over Charlotte and was able to rest the entire fourth quarter during Tuesday's 109-88 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors' fourth consecutive win.

'Long-term, it's not something I have to worry about. It's just playing through an injury that's there," he said. "It doesn't get worse if I play on it unless I get kicked, and it's happened three times since I did it.

"It is what it is, and we'll just keep treating it and keep playing."

The Warriors have withstood Curry's injury behind big performances from Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who's averaging 32.5 points over a four-game stretch and had 36 while going 6 of 13 from 3-point range against the Lakers.

"I was just getting open shots running the break, running off screens, and just having no hesitation about it, just letting it fly," Thompson said.

Green had recorded three consecutive triple-doubles prior to Tuesday's win. The versatile forward is averaging 18.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists through his last 12 games.

Curry and Thompson comprise the NBA's highest scoring starting backcourt at 50.2 points per game, five more than Portland's duo of McCollum and Damian Lillard. Lillard had 20 points Wednesday in his second game back after missing seven with plantar fasciitis, but he's shot just 28.2 percent since returning.

Curry averaged 33.0 points and went 14 of 27 on 3-pointers as the Warriors won all three meetings with Portland last season. He had 33 and 10 assists as Golden State survived Lillard's 29 points in a 122-108 victory at the Moda Center on March 24.

The Warriors have won four of five in Portland and eight of the last 10 matchups overall.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (863) NEW YORK@ (864) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-01-08 20:35:00 - 2016-01-08 20:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+12.7 units)

NBA > (857) CLEVELAND@ (858) MINNESOTA | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA against the spread in All games in home games
The record is 3 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (-13.5 units)

NBA > (863) NEW YORK@ (864) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-01-08 20:35:00 - 2016-01-08 20:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO against the spread in all games
The record is 26 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+13.9 units)

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

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (865) MIAMI@ (866) PHOENIX | 2016-01-08 21:35:00 - 2016-01-08 21:35:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in Home games in non-conference games
The record is 9 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (-27.3 units)

NBA > (861) DENVER@ (862) MEMPHIS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DENVER using money line in All games after scoring 85 points or less
The record is 3 Wins and 17 Losses for the last three seasons (-19 units)

NBA > (865) MIAMI@ (866) PHOENIX | 2016-01-08 21:35:00 - 2016-01-08 21:35:00
Play AGAINST PHOENIX using money line in All games in all games
The record is 13 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (-26.3 units)

NBA > (859) DALLAS@ (860) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in Road games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 34 Wins and 10 Losses for the last three seasons (+24.5 units)

NBA > (861) DENVER@ (862) MEMPHIS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play ON MEMPHIS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 13 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+11.35 units)

NBA > (869) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (870) LA LAKERS | 2016-01-08 22:35:00 - 2016-01-08 22:35:00
Play AGAINST LA LAKERS using money line in Home games against Northwest division opponents
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.8 units)

NBA > (855) INDIANA@ (856) NEW ORLEANS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play AGAINST NEW ORLEANS using money line in All games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 5 Wins and 15 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.9 units)

NBA > (855) INDIANA@ (856) NEW ORLEANS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play ON NEW ORLEANS using money line in Home games on Friday nights
The record is 12 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.25 units)

NBA > (859) DALLAS@ (860) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play ON DALLAS using money line in Road games in non-conference games
The record is 18 Wins and 5 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.25 units)

NBA > (851) TORONTO@ (852) WASHINGTON | 2016-01-08 19:05:00 - 2016-01-08 19:05:00
Play ON WASHINGTON using money line in All games after playing 3 consecutive home games
The record is 9 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+10.9 units)

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

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (867) GOLDEN STATE@ (868) PORTLAND | 2016-01-08 22:05:00 - 2016-01-08 22:05:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND ?>in the first halfin Home games in January games
The record is 0 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (-11 units)

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

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (853) ORLANDO@ (854) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-08 19:35:00 - 2016-01-08 19:35:00
Play UNDER ORLANDO on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+12.8 units)

NBA > (865) MIAMI@ (866) PHOENIX | 2016-01-08 21:35:00 - 2016-01-08 21:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 5 Overs and 23 Unders for the last two seasons (+17.5 units)

NBA > (863) NEW YORK@ (864) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-01-08 20:35:00 - 2016-01-08 20:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 25 Overs and 58 Unders for the last two seasons (+30.5 units)

NBA > (865) MIAMI@ (866) PHOENIX | 2016-01-08 21:35:00 - 2016-01-08 21:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games in January games
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the last two seasons (+12.8 units)

NBA > (855) INDIANA@ (856) NEW ORLEANS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play UNDER NEW ORLEANS on the totalin All games off a upset loss as a favorite
The record is 3 Overs and 17 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.7 units)

NBA > (853) ORLANDO@ (854) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-08 19:35:00 - 2016-01-08 19:35:00
Play UNDER ORLANDO on the totalin Road games on Friday nights
The record is 0 Overs and 10 Unders for the last two seasons (+10 units)

NBA > (863) NEW YORK@ (864) SAN ANTONIO | 2016-01-08 20:35:00 - 2016-01-08 20:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 24 Overs and 56 Unders for the last three seasons (+29.6 units)

NBA > (859) DALLAS@ (860) MILWAUKEE | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play OVER MILWAUKEE on the totalin Home games after a division game
The record is 19 Overs and 4 Unders for the last three seasons (+14.6 units)

NBA > (861) DENVER@ (862) MEMPHIS | 2016-01-08 20:05:00 - 2016-01-08 20:05:00
Play UNDER MEMPHIS on the totalin All games in January games
The record is 8 Overs and 26 Unders for the last three seasons (+17.2 units)

NBA > (869) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (870) LA LAKERS | 2016-01-08 22:35:00 - 2016-01-08 22:35:00
Play UNDER LA LAKERS on the totalin All games on Friday nights
The record is 6 Overs and 20 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- SMU 59, Cincinnati 57-- Mustangs stay unbeaten, outscoring Cincy 11-2 over last 3:30.

-- Why are Lakers on national TV last night and tonight? They're awful.

-- Ole Miss 74, Alabama 66-- Rebels opened up their brand-new arena.

-- SF Giants signed OF Denard Span for three years, $31M.

-- UCLA 87, Arizona 84-- Bruins blew 13-point lead in last 5:00, won it late.

-- Luke Walton was named after Maurice Lucas, Bill Walton's teammate with the great Trailblazer teams in Portland.

**********

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

13) One college basketball rule that should be changed to increase scoring: when a TV timeout is due and a foul is committed, the TV commercials happen before the foul shots are taken, which makes them harder to make, especially late in a close game. No way to prove this, but I'm telling you more foul shots would be made if the foul shots were taken before the TV commercials, the way they used to be.

12) Your Powerball jackpot is $675M. Good luck to everyone. What would you do if you won that much money?

11) Supposedly the Buccaneers fired Lovie Smith because they do not want to lose OC Dirk Koetter, who worked very well with rookie QB Jameis Winston this year. Smith had six OC's in his 11 years as a head coach; word is Bucs' front office did not have faith in him to find another reliable OC to work with their franchise QB. That is an indication that Koetter could be the Bucs' new HC.

10) Mike Piazza is the first catcher elected to the Hall of Fame since Gary Carter was elected in 2003.

9) 49ers fired coach Jim Tomsula after only one season, which seems unfair, then you realize the guy gets $14M to go away and you stop feeling sorry for him. He can go be an assistant coach somewhere, or try for a TV job or just buy a really nice couch and lay on it for the rest of his life- he's set for life financially.

8) George Karl's son Coby is an assistant coach with Knicks' D-League team in Westchester. He played ball at Boise State, is working his way up the coaching ladder.

7) Six of the ten basketball coaches in the Big X have coached in a Final Four.

6) Not only does Nick Saban make around $7M/year as football coach at Alabama, he is part-owner of a Mercedes dealership in the Tuscaloosa area. So every time one of the rich boosters buys a fancy new car, he's lining coach Saban's pockets even more.

5) Sign of the Times: A daytime show on ESPN this week was discussing betting props for the Clemson-Alabama game Monday night. Interesting stuff; I'm sure the casinos are treating this game like a mini version of the Super Bowl.

4) In his great pitching career, one that will end up in the Hall of Fame eventually, Trevor Hoffman threw to 41 different catchers, first of which was Kevin Higgins, who is now an assistant coach at UNLV. Higgins played in 71 big league games, 26 as a catcher-- pretty good claim to fame, the first catcher for a future Hall of Famer.

3) Rockets are 11-4 if James Harden scores 30+ points, 7-15 when he does not.

2) 1.1 million people entered Germany just last year, looking for asylum from other countries; what the hell do you do with 1.1 million extra people?

1) Every HS/college basketball player should've watched D-League showcase on NBA.TV this week-- there are 19 teams in the D-League, thats roughly 190 guys that are really good basketball players who can't make an NBA roster. Should make guys who are marginal prospects think twice about leaving school early-- it iis really, really hard to make an NBA roster. Maximize your skillset before you go for the money.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, January 8

Miami @ Phoenix

Game 865-866
January 8, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
121.156
Phoenix
112.597
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 8 1/2
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
by 4 1/2
197 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-4 1/2); Under

Golden State @ Portland

Game 867-868
January 8, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
124.889
Portland
117.894
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 7
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 9 1/2
214
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(+9 1/2); Under

Oklahoma City @ LA Lakers

Game 869-870
January 8, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
122.523
LA Lakers
116.084
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 6 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 14
208 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Lakers
(+14); Under

Toronto @ Washington

Game 851-852
January 8, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
118.752
Washington
120.240
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
202
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+1 1/2); Under

Orlando @ Brooklyn

Game 853-854
January 8, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Orlando
113.786
Brooklyn
117.260
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn
by 3 1/2
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brooklyn
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn
N/A

Indiana @ New Orleans

Game 855-856
January 8, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
120.843
New Orleans
116.317
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 4 1/2
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 2
206
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-2); Over

Cleveland @ Minnesota

Game 857-858
January 8, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
124.039
Minnesota
110.115
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 14
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 10
195
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-10); Over

Dallas @ Milwaukee

Game 859-860
January 8, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
116.747
Milwaukee
118.605
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 1
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+1); Over

Denver @ Memphis

Game 861-862
January 8, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Denver
113.556
Memphis
118.659
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Memphis
by 5
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Memphis
N/A

New York @ San Antonio

Game 863-864
January 8, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
120.783
San Antonio
137.339
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 16 1/2
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
N/A

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, January 8

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

TORONTO (22 - 15) at WASHINGTON (15 - 18) - 1/8/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 54-78 ATS (-31.8 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 352-421 ATS (-111.1 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 134-176 ATS (-59.6 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 8-5 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-5 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

ORLANDO (19 - 17) at BROOKLYN (10 - 25) - 1/8/2016, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-3 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 5-4 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

INDIANA (20 - 15) at NEW ORLEANS (11 - 23) - 1/8/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 201-145 ATS (+41.5 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
INDIANA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

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

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

CLEVELAND (24 - 9) at MINNESOTA (12 - 24) - 1/8/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 48-67 ATS (-25.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-15 ATS (-13.5 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 18-30 ATS (-15.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 42-60 ATS (-24.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

DALLAS (21 - 15) at MILWAUKEE (14 - 23) - 1/8/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 72-48 ATS (+19.2 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
DALLAS is 451-372 ATS (+41.8 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 83-55 ATS (+22.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
DALLAS is 154-119 ATS (+23.1 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.
DALLAS is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 45-69 ATS (-30.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 231-287 ATS (-84.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 4-1 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 5-0 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DENVER (13 - 23) at MEMPHIS (19 - 18) - 1/8/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 4-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 5-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NEW YORK (18 - 19) at SAN ANTONIO (31 - 6) - 1/8/2016, 8:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

MIAMI (21 - 14) at PHOENIX (13 - 25) - 1/8/2016, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 139-106 ATS (+22.4 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game since 1996.

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

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

GOLDEN STATE (33 - 2) at PORTLAND (15 - 23) - 1/8/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 78-55 ATS (+17.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 72-49 ATS (+18.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 5-2 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 5-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

OKLAHOMA CITY (25 - 11) at LA LAKERS (8 - 28) - 1/8/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 27-40 ATS (-17.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, January 8

Hot teams
-- Toronto is 5-3 in its last eight games (5-6AF).
-- Cavaliers won their last five games (3-9-1AF).
-- Dallas won six of its last eight games (3-2AF).
-- Knicks won four of their last five games (11-7AU). Spurs won their last six games (5-1 vs spread).
-- Miami won three of its last four games (3-2AF).
-- Warriors won nine of last ten games (4-5 vs spread in last nine).
-- Thunder won five of last six games (4-1 last five AF). Lakers are 3-2 in their last five games (4-6HU).

Cold teams
-- Washington lost four of its last five games (6-2HU).
-- Orlando lost its last four games (3-0AF). Brooklyn lost five of its last seven games (1-6 last seven HU).
-- Pelicans lost three of last four games (3-1 last four HU). Indiana is 4-6 in its last ten games (4-4AF).
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last nine games (2-8-1HU).
-- Milwaukee lost five of its last seven games (1-3 last four HU).
-- Denver lost six of its last seven games (7-3 last ten AU). Memphis lost four of its last seven games (3-0 last three HF).
-- Phoenix lost nine of last ten games (3-1HU).
-- Portland lost three of its last four games (4-4HU).

Series records
-- Raptors won last two games with Washington by 2-3 points.
-- Magic won last two games with Brooklyn by 7-23 points.
-- Pelicans lost their last eight games with Indiana.
-- Cavaliers won three of last four games with Minnesota, which is 6-3 vs spread in last nine series games.
-- Mavericks won their last six games with Milwaukee.
-- Grizzlies won four of last five games with Denver.
-- Knicks are 4-3 in last seven games with San Antonio
-- Heat won last ten games with Phoenix (9-1 vs spread).
-- Warriors won eight of last ten games with Portland.
-- Lakers lost last six games with Oklahoma City (1-5 vs spread).

Totals
-- Six of last eight Toronto games went over total.
-- Five of last six Orlando games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six New Orleans games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last nine Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Dallas games stayed under total.
-- Last five Denver-Memphis games stayed under.
-- Four of last five San Antonio games went over.
-- Six of last eight Phoenix-Miami games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Golden State-Portland games went over.
-- Five of last six Thunder games went over the total.

Back/backs
-- Lakers are 5-3 vs spread if they played night before.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, January 8

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

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home

7:30 PM
ORLANDO vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Orlando's last 14 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games
Brooklyn is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games

8:00 PM
DENVER vs. MEMPHIS
Denver is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Denver

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Dallas's last 23 games when playing Milwaukee
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Milwaukee's last 23 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Indiana's last 24 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of New Orleans's last 24 games when playing at home against Indiana

8:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
Cleveland is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:30 PM
NEW YORK vs. SAN ANTONIO
New York is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing New York

9:30 PM
MIAMI vs. PHOENIX
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Miami's last 12 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Miami

10:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State

10:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. LA LAKERS
Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games on the road
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
LA Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Top Action
January 8, 2016

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (24-9) at MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (12-24)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland -9.5

The Timberwolves will be hoping to avoid a five-game losing streak when they host the Cavaliers on Friday.

The Cavaliers faced the Wizards in Washington on Wednesday and came away with a 121-115 victory as 7.5-point road favorites. Cleveland has now won five straight games and 11 of its past 13 as well. The team has been scorching hot over the past two contests, shooting 55.4% from the field against the Raptors and 53.9% last game against the Wizards. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have shot less than 40% in two of their past three games. They have dropped four straight contests and eight of their past nine after Wednesday’s 78-74 loss at home against the Nuggets.

Cleveland has gotten the better of Minnesota over the past few years, winning three of the past four meetings between the teams SU. The Cavaliers covered in the most recent two games, but they are just 1-2 SU and ATS in their past three games in Minnesota. One trend that really pops out when looking at this game is the fact that the Cavaliers are just 3-9-1 ATS when playing as a road favorite this season. The Timberwolves may not be able to take advantage of that, though, as they are just 2-7-1 ATS as a home underdog on the year. Both teams will be playing this game at close to full strength.

The Cavaliers are at full strength now and the team is really starting to play some excellent basketball. SF LeBron James (25.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.5 SPG) has been at the forefront of that, and he is coming off of a 34-point performance against the Wizards. James is shooting 55.3% from the field and 42.3% from the outside over the past five games and is going to be coming into this meeting with the Timberwolves with a ton of confidence. Minnesota has no match for James, so he will be aggressive going to the basket and will also create a ton of space for his teammates to operate.

One huge plus for Cleveland has been that PG Kyrie Irving (17.4 PPG, 4.0 APG) is no longer feeling the effects of his knee injury. Irving is averaging 28.5 PPG over the past two contests and has been incredibly efficient in doing so. Irving made 24-of-38 shots over the past two games and will need to continue to play well for the Cavaliers moving forward. The team will, however, need to get PF Kevin Love (16.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG) more involved. He has taken just 10.6 shots per game over the past five contests and the Cavs must find a way to get all three of their superstars involved offensively.

The Timberwolves have really struggled recently and the team is going to need to start playing better soon or there could be some roster changes coming in the near future. The success of Minnesota comes down to the play of young stars PF Karl-Anthony Towns (15.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.9 BPG) and SF Andrew Wiggins (20.1 PPG). Towns is coming off of a 14-point, 14-rebound and two-block performance against the Nuggets on Wednesday. He will likely be matched up with Kevin Love in this one and that would bode well for him. Love is not a great defender and Towns will have the pleasure of going after the guy that the crowd will likely be booing all evening.

Wiggins, however, has really struggled recently. The forward is averaging just 16.8 PPG over the past five contests and has been miserable shooting the ball in those contests. He’s hitting just 38.2% of his shots in that span and must start to play more efficient basketball beginning on Friday.