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

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


NO at LAC 03:30 PM

LAC -8.5

O 205.0


DAL at MIN 05:00 PM

MIN +4.0 BEST BET

O 198.5


BOS at MEM 06:00 PM

MEM +2.5

U 191.5 BEST BET


CLE at PHI 06:00 PM

CLE -16.5

U 206.5


IND at HOU 07:00 PM

IND +1.5 BEST BET

O 207.0


MIL at NY 07:30 PM

NY -5.0 BEST BET

O 200.0


CHA at DEN 08:00 PM

DEN -1.5

U 199.0


OKC at POR 09:00 PM

OKC -7.5

U 215.0


UTA at LAL 09:30 PM

UTA -1.5 BEST BET

U 193.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

-- Seahawks 10, Vikings 9-- Going to be long winter for Minnesota K Walsh.

-- Packers 35, Redskins 18-- Road teams won all four games this weekend.

-- Dolphins hired Adam Gase as their new HC, as they desperately try and prove that Ryan Tannehill can be an effective NFL QB.

-- Eagles are interviewing future Hall of Famer Tom Coughlin for their head coaching job today; does he have to bring a resume?

-- Next weekend's NFL games: AFC: Chiefs-Patriots, Steelers-Broncos. In the NFC, Packers-Cardinals and Seahawks-Panthers.

-- Over last nine years, in next weekend's round of NFL playoffs, favorites are 14-22 against the spread.

**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend.......

13) We start with disappointing but not surprising news: UNLV fired its basketball coach Dave Rice Sunday after the Rebels started 0-3 in conference play. A national search will take place for the next coach. Dave Rice is a good man, a very patient guy who has an autistic child, which requires great patience, but his teams didn't play to their talent level and at the end of the day, it is a performance-based business.

12) Carnage wasn't limited to the college game; Lionel Hollins was let go by the Nets Sunday, with Brooklyn languishing with a 10-27 record and a big payroll. GM Billy King was also re-assigned; how he ever gets these jobs is beyond me.

11) Seahawks 10, Vikings 9-- Minnesota missed a 27-yard FG wide left in the last minute on a frigid day in the Twin Cities. Vikings led 9-0 in 4th quarter but failing to score a TD wound up costing them the game. In 260 NFL games this year, Denver is the only team to win a game without scoring an offensive TD-- they did it twice this year, in Weeks 1-5.

10) Before the game, 88-year old Bud Grant, who led the Vikings to four Super Bowls, came out for the coin toss without a coat on, with the temp at -6. The whole game reminded me of my teenage years, when the LA Rams went to Minnesota three times in playoff games in frigid conditions and came up empty in all three against Grant's Vikings. No bueno. How I hated Metropolitan Stadium; when they knocked it down, they built the **** of America on the same spot. Better use of real estate.

Quick trivia on Grant: He also played for the Minneapolis Lakers and played in the lowest scoring game in NBA history. Interesting guy.

9) Chuck Knox was the coach of those really good Rams teams in the 70's; he went 186-147-1 in 22 years as a head coach, but was only 7-11 in playoff games, never making the Super Bowl, a little bit like Marvin Lewis, who is 112-94-2 in his regular season tilts, 0-7 in playoff games. Going to be a long winter for Bengal fans.

8) Not only did Arizona lose two basketball games in LA this weekend, they lost leading scorer Allonzo Trier for 4-6 weeks with a broken hand. These days, very few teams have much depth; injuries like this are tough to overcome.

7) Wake Forest 77, NC State 74-- Deacons are 8-0 in games decided by six or less points- they're on the right track under 2nd-year coach Danny Manning.

6) Illinois 84, Purdue 70-- Illini were 10.5-point home underdog. Big win.

5) Jason Garrett is 17-28 (60.7%) on replay challenges in his career, best of current NFL head coaches. Detroit's Jim Caldwell (16-27, 59.3%) is next best.

4) Villanova 60, Butler 55-- High-level Big East game; along with Xavier, these are the best teams in the conference this season.

3) Indiana 85, Ohio State 60-- This game was 48-18 at the half; rough game for the Buckeyes, who are #346 in experience this season. .

2) When Knile Davis ran the opening kick back for a TD in Houston Saturday, it was the fifth opening kickoff in playoff history run back for a TD.

1) I think it is important to remember when these coaches get fired that they have families like the rest of us and job changes affect a lot of people. Yes, they make a lot of money but would you want your job history chronicled in the local paper or have nitwits like me writing about you from 2,300 miles away?

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, January 11

Hot teams
-- Spurs won last seven games, covered four of last five.
-- Chicago won six of last seven games (4-1 last five HF).
-- Warriors won last six games, covered last three. Miami won four of its last six games (3-1 last four AU).

Cold teams
-- Brooklyn lost last four games; they fired the coach yesterday.
-- Wizards lost five of their last seven games (6-2 last eight AU).

Series records
-- Spurs won eight of last ten games with Brooklyn.
-- Wizards won six of last nine games with Chicago.
-- Warriors won five of last seven games with Miami.

Totals
-- Five of last six San Antonio games went over total; Nets' last six games all stayed under.
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Washington games.
-- Four of last six Golden State games went over total.

Back/backs
-- None




NBA

Monday, January 11

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

7:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. BROOKLYN
San Antonio is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Brooklyn is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
Brooklyn is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against San Antonio

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHICAGO
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chicago's last 23 games at home

10:30 PM
MIAMI vs. GOLDEN STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Miami's last 14 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami's last 9 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Golden State's last 16 games when playing Miami

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, January 11


San Antonio @ Brooklyn

Game 501-502
January 11, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
132.067
Brooklyn
115.997
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 16
185
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 14
193
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-14); Under

Washington @ Chicago

Game 503-504
January 11, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
115.163
Chicago
124.643
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 9 1/2
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 8
207 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-8); Under

Miami @ Golden State

Game 505-506
January 11, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
118.104
Golden State
128.200
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 10
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 13 1/2
205 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+13 1/2); Over

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

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, January 11

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

SAN ANTONIO (32 - 6) at BROOKLYN (10 - 27) - 1/11/2016, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 64-46 ATS (+13.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 50-32 ATS (+14.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games in January games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

WASHINGTON (16 - 19) at CHICAGO (22 - 13) - 1/11/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-5 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 8-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

MIAMI (22 - 15) at GOLDEN STATE (35 - 2) - 1/11/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 47-27 ATS (+17.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 53-40 ATS (+9.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 46-32 ATS (+10.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 140-106 ATS (+23.4 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 2-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
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 4 Losses for the this season (+11.6 units)

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO against the spread in All games as a favorite
The record is 26 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+13.9 units)

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

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
Play AGAINST BROOKLYN using money line in Home games after 3 or more consecutive losses
The record is 3 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.75 units)

NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-01-11 22:35:00 - 2016-01-11 22:35:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in All games against Pacific division opponents
The record is 10 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.75 units)

NBA > (503) WASHINGTON@ (504) CHICAGO | 2016-01-11 20:05:00 - 2016-01-11 20:05:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO using money line in Home games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 18 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-31.9 units)

NBA > (503) WASHINGTON@ (504) CHICAGO | 2016-01-11 20:05:00 - 2016-01-11 20:05:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO using money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 34 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-37.95 units)

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

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games after a non-conference game
The record is 33 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.8 units)

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 10 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+8.9 units)

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

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-01-11 22:35:00 - 2016-01-11 22:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games after a non-conference game
The record is 9 Overs and 34 Unders for the last two seasons (+24.1 units)

NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) GOLDEN STATE | 2016-01-11 22:35:00 - 2016-01-11 22:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 6 Overs and 23 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.4 units)

NBA > (501) SAN ANTONIO@ (502) BROOKLYN | 2016-01-11 19:35:00 - 2016-01-11 19:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 21 Overs and 54 Unders for the last three seasons (+30.9 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, JANUARY 11

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


SA at BK 07:30 PM

BK +14.5

O 195.0


WAS at CHI 08:00 PM

CHI -8.0

U 207.0


MIA at GS 10:30 PM

MIA +13.5 BEST BET

U 208.0 BEST BET

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Suns (13-26) at Pacers (21-16)
Date: January 12, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Although they've been one of the league's top defensive clubs over the past couple seasons, the Indiana Pacers have had a difficult time containing the Phoenix Suns' electrifying guard play.

That might not be as much of a concern with only one high-scoring guard currently healthy in Phoenix.

In their first home game in 10 days, the Pacers seek their 13th win in their past 16 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday night by snapping a four-game losing streak against the struggling Suns.

Indiana ranked second in the NBA in defensive scoring in 2013-14 and fourth last season, but scuffled in that area while getting swept by Phoenix in each of those seasons. The Suns have scored 112 per game and hit 48.3 percent from 3-point range while winning those meetings by an average of 18 points.

After featuring Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas the past two seasons, Phoenix had a similarly prolific backcourt with Bledsoe and Brandon Knight both averaging around 20 points this season. However, they lost Bledsoe to season-ending knee surgery after he suffered a torn meniscus on Dec. 26.

Knight has averaged 23 points over his last four games after finishing with 26 in Friday's 103-95 home loss to Miami. He's also put up 24.2 per game in his past five versus Indiana dating to his time with Milwaukee.

Rookie guard Devin Booker has provided a spark by averaging 16 points in his last four games.

Phoenix, though, has averaged 97.1 points during a 1-10 stretch after scoring 104.8 over its first 28.

"To beat these teams, you have to consistently make plays - and that's not just scoring the ball or not turning it over," coach Jeff Hornacek said after his team fell to 13-26.

Indiana ranks sixth with 98.3 points allowed per game this season and has won 12 in a row at home when holding opponents under 103. It's limited opponents to 88.4 in regulation over its last five.

The Pacers (21-16) have held opponents to 38.9 percent shooting in that 3-2 stretch but had to settle for a split of their four-game road swing following a 107-103 overtime loss at Houston on Sunday.

"We have to figure out how to close out these games," coach Frank Vogel told the team's official website after his team's second overtime loss on the trip. "There is no consolation prize for losing close games."

Paul George had a team-high 20 points and keyed the defensive effort with seven steals, six rebounds and two blocked shots. He scored 14 in the third quarter but Indiana couldn't hold a 12-point lead in the fourth.

The star forward, who missed both games in last season's series with Phoenix, looks to break out of a shooting slump after going 5 for 23 (21.7 percent) from 3-point range in his last three games.

'We didn't stick with what was working,' George said Sunday. 'It's the same story every game for us.'

Indiana will try to take care of the basketball after committing 43 total turnovers over its last two games. The Pacers should have a better offensive showing against the Suns, who are surrendering a league-high 47.5 field-goal percentage and rank near the bottom with 106.1 points allowed per game.

Phoenix's P.J. Tucker is probable with a quad contusion and Ronnie Price is questionable with a toe injury.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Celtics (19-18) at Knicks (19-20)
Date: January 12, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

After winning their first meeting with New York this season, the Boston Celtics were streaking and challenging Toronto for first place in the division.

Just over two weeks later and it's the Knicks who are making noise in the Atlantic.

New York tries to win for the sixth time in eight games since losing to the Celtics when the teams meet at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

Boston's 100-91 home win over the Knicks on Dec. 27 was its fourth straight and left it one game back of the Raptors. The Knicks were handed their third four-game skid of the season and fell 4 1/2 behind the Celtics.

Few likely anticipated the 180-degree turnaround for both clubs since that night, particularly in light of what Carmelo Anthony said after his team shot 37.1 percent and missed 15 of 19 from 3-point range.

"It's more stress than anything because you're praying (for shots) to go in, you're hoping for them to go in," said Anthony, who scored 29 points with 10 rebounds. "It's not confident when you're shooting the ball."

New York (19-20) appears to be feeling it now, and ending a four-game series skid against Boston (19-18) will draw them even for second place in the Atlantic. The Celtics have dropped five of six since beating the Knicks.

The Knicks have had one bad game in their last seven, losing 108-81 at Chicago on New Year's Day, and their other loss in that span may have done more to build their confidence than squash it. They nearly handed San Antonio its first home defeat Friday, but Jose Calderon's 3-pointer bounced off the rim at the buzzer in a 100-99 loss.

New York returned home to begin a stretch of six of seven in the Big Apple - one of its two road games is in Brooklyn - with a 100-88 win over Milwaukee on Sunday. Anthony had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Kristaps Porzingis scored 15 and sparked a big third quarter with a putback dunk and one of his five blocks.

The Knicks, allowing 95.2 points per game in their last five, led by 22 entering the fourth and won despite missing 17 from beyond the arc.

"Every spectacular play we have, we just gain energy from that on the defensive end and we're able to play better, more together as a team on the defensive end, just because we have that energy from that highlight or whatever happened," Porzingis said.

The rookie will look for a better performance in this matchup after going 4 for 13 in Boston, though he did finish with 16 points and 12 boards.

Isaiah Thomas was the key for the Celtics in that game with 21 points, and he nearly willed his team to victory in Memphis on Sunday.

Thomas scored 35 points, but his 3-pointer was ruled to have left his hand after the horn in a 101-98 loss. He hit two free throws with 5.1 seconds left and then stole the ball after the ensuing inbounds pass.

The Celtics have been limited to 94.7 points per game in their last three and been outscored by at least 11 in the fourth quarter in two of those contests.

"We know that we gave this one away," guard Avery Bradley told the team's official website after the Grizzlies outscored them 33-22 in the fourth. "We can't keep letting games slip away from us, but we need to stay positive and focus on the next game."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Thunder (26-12) at Timberwolves (12-26)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The 3-point line was the Oklahoma City Thunder's downfall in the second stop on a three-game trip, but there's virtually no chance of a long-range rampage hurting them in the finale.

The Thunder will try to avoid back-to-back losses to close what looked like a harmless trip Tuesday night in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves have continued to ignore the 3-point line during a stretch of 10 losses in 11 games.

Oklahoma City (26-12) has established itself as the Western Conference's third-best team behind Golden State and San Antonio, and it's often looked on par with those two while going 15-3 in its last 18 with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy.

But the Thunder had to fight to hold off the West-worst Los Angeles Lakers 117-113 on Friday and couldn't hang on Sunday in Portland. They led by eight after Andre Roberson's 3-pointer with 3:19 left, but the Blazers hit six of their 19 3-pointers in the next two minutes to rally for a 115-110 win.

Considering how contested at least five of them were, Durant didn't seem concerned with the Thunder, who have given up 108.6 points per game over their last eight.

"They were coming off pick-and-rolls, shooting fall-away 3s, step-back 3s," he said. "You've got to give them credit. That's what they do."

That's not at all what the Timberwolves (12-26) do. The Thunder have to forget about the Blazers, who take the fifth-most 3s in the league (28.2 per game), and focus on Minnesota, which averages a league-low 15.2 attempts.

That number's dipped to 12 per contest - with 3.7 makes, for 31.1 percent - over an 11-game dry spell in which the Timberwolves have averaged just 90.3 points.

"Part of it is we're not making shots, part of it is we're not moving the ball enough and part of it is we're too selfish. If you put (all of that) together, it impedes you from the 3-point line," Ricky Rubio said after Minnesota went 4 for 16 in Sunday's 93-87 loss to Dallas - the Wolves' sixth straight defeat.

"Either we learn it, or every game we're going to lose that battle. The NBA right now, it's all about 3s."

Minnesota has been outscored 297-123 from the 3-point arc in this 11-game stretch and been outrebounded by an average of seven per game.

"We're trying not to let a losing mentality set in," Andre Miller said. "It's tough. We have a lot of young guys, a lot of inexperienced guys, and we're just trying to go out there and put a good 48 minutes together on both ends of the court. ... We've gotta figure out how we're gonna get the monkey off our back."

That will be tough to do against a Thunder team they've yet to face but will be quite familiar with by the end of the month. These teams meet again Friday in Oklahoma City and back at the Target Center on Jan. 27.

The Thunder have won seven straight in the series overall and 16 of 18 when both Durant and Westbrook have been on the floor. Oklahoma City won last season's four meetings by an average of 16.5 points despite not having Durant for three of them, with Westbrook totaling 71 points in the two in Minneapolis.

Karl-Anthony Towns continues to impress and Andrew Wiggins has totaled 66 points in his last two games, but one of Minnesota's other building blocks is struggling. The Wolves have been outscored by 147 points in the past 11 when Zach LaVine has been on the floor, and he's totaled just 21 points while shooting 20.5 percent in his last seven.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockets (19-19) at Grizzlies (21-18)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

After delivering stirring comebacks to extend their winning streaks, the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets each hope they've finally put their sluggish starts behind.

One of the Southwest Division rivals will be able to maintain momentum when the teams square off Tuesday night.

The inconsistent Rockets enter FedEx Forum having won three straight after a four-game skid, while the Grizzlies have won five of seven following a 3-6 stretch. Memphis (21-18) is taking advantage of a season-high six-game homestand in which it's won the first two tests without its starting backcourt of Mike Conley and Courtney Lee.

The Grizzlies recorded a sixth straight victory at home in thrilling fashion, rallying from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Boston 101-98 Sunday. They held the Celtics to 28.6 percent shooting in the fourth quarter, outrebounded them 35-14 in the second half and scored 14 points off 10 turnovers over the final two periods.

While it remains among the league's poorer offensive teams, Memphis continues to rely on its perennially strong defense. The Grizzlies rank near the top of the NBA with 16.9 turnovers forced and are yielding 92.9 points over their last seven.

"Our focus defensively has gotten much better the last three weeks," coach Dave Joerger said. "Guys are flying around and helping each other."

The Grizzlies have shut down high-scoring Houston (19-19) in winning two prior matchups this season, with the Rockets committing a combined 43 giveaways and making just 25.4 percent of 3-point attempts. Houston shot 37.8 percent in a 96-84 road loss on Nov. 20, its eighth defeat in its last 10 trips to Memphis.

Turnovers have been a season-long issue for the Rockets, whose 16.8 per game rank 29th in the NBA. They overcame 23 Sunday against Indiana, where they trailed by 12 midway through the fourth quarter before rallying for a 107-103 overtime win.

"We were fortunate (Sunday) to have a lot of turnovers and come up with the win," said Patrick Beverley, who matched a season high of 16 points. "Against Memphis, in Memphis, it won't be that easy. We have to value the ball."

Trevor Ariza sparked Sunday's comeback by scoring a season-high 24 points and holding Paul George in check much of the night. The defensive-minded forward hit three 3-pointers in the final 4:49 of regulation, the last tying the game at 93-all with 17.1 seconds left.

'He plays so hard no matter what," teammate James Harden said. "If the shots are going in or not, he still plays hard. He led the team in scoring after guarding a (tough) guy on defense - shows a lot of character about the guy.'

Ariza had 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in Houston's last visit to Memphis but was held to eight on a 2-of-10 effort in a 102-93 home loss to the Grizzlies on Nov. 25, a game in which Harden finished scored 40.

Conley was a major factor in both wins over Houston, shooting 65.4 percent while amassing 45 points. He could miss a fourth straight game with a sore Achilles', however, although Lee (hip contusion) is expected to return from his two-game absence.

Mario Chalmers has helped offset Conley's loss by averaging 17.7 points over the three games, while Zach Randolph is averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds over his past four after posting 25 and 13 against Indiana.

Houston's Ty Lawson will serve the last of a three-game suspension for a DUI arrest in California last July.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cavaliers (26-9) at Mavericks (22-16)
Date: January 12, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki have each lived up to their star status of late, but the next matchup between their teams figures to keep just one trend climbing.

While James seeks to continue his regular-season success against the Mavericks, Nowitzki hopes to end his struggles versus the Cleveland Cavaliers when they meet in Dallas on Tuesday night.

James matched a season high with 37 points to lead Cleveland (26-9) past NBA-worst Philadelphia 95-85 on Sunday. He shot 15 of 22 and added nine assists with seven rebounds as the Cavaliers won their seventh straight and 13th in 15 games.

After shooting 38.0 percent while scoring 18.8 per game in four late-December contests, James has averaged 27.8 and shot 57.8 percent in his last six. The Cavs went 2-2 through their MVP forward's slump but are 6-0 since, including three wins to open a season-high six-game trip.

"They look at me as the leader of this team and I've got to be that way all year round," he said. "They needed me a lot (Sunday night) and I was able to come through."

No other Cavaliers player scored more than 15 against the 76ers. Kyrie Irving has shown glimpses of his top form since returning from knee surgery in mid-December, but he made just 3 of 15 shots for eight points in 31 minutes.

James has dominated Dallas (22-16) outside of a six-game loss in the 2011 NBA Finals while with Miami. He has averaged 35.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists in his last four against the Mavs and has scored 30 or more in nine of 23 regular-season meetings.

Conversely, the Cavs are the only team in the league Nowitzki averages fewer than 20 points against. The 18-year veteran has scored 19.7 per game in 28 regular-season matchups while shooting 43.4 percent - lower than versus any other opponent. Nowitzki has averaged 16.2 points while shooting 44.0 percent in his last five against Cleveland.

He's found a groove of late during an up-and-down season, helping Dallas win three of four. After playing a season-high 43 minutes a day earlier, Nowitzki was rested in Wednesday's 100-91 win at New Orleans. He returned by averaging 24.5 points and 8.0 rebounds between Friday's 96-95 loss at Milwaukee and Sunday's 93-87 win at Minnesota.

The 37-year-old scored 29 points, converted a late three-point play and grabbed a loose ball in the closing seconds against the Timberwolves. He's also made 12 of 29 from 3-point range over his last four games.

"Classic Dirk," point guard Deron Williams said. "Hitting shots from everywhere, making big shots, big plays. That's why he's one of the greatest."

Nowitzki averaged 12.0 points on 29.5 percent shooting in the three games prior to his recent surge, including a season-low seven in a Dec. 28 win over Milwaukee on 3-of-15 shooting - tied for his 15th lowest shooting percentage in 1,286 career games in which he's played at least 10 minutes.

The Mavericks have won eight of the last 10 in this series, but Cleveland took the most recent 127-94 on March 10 in Dallas. While James finished with 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Nowitzki made just 3 of 10 shots for 13 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pelicans (11-25) at Lakers (8-31)
Date: January 12, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

After he criticized Anthony Davis for a perceived lack of effort, New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry ironically lost the All-Star big man to injury when he dove into the stands for a loose ball.

Injuries are starting to pile up for the retiring Kobe Bryant, who has been playing better in recent weeks.

A pair of last-place teams could be missing their star power when the Pelicans visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night to open their season series at Staples Center.

Gentry made headlines earlier this month when he told reporters he thought Davis was "coasting" in a 105-98 win at Dallas on Jan. 2. He added that he was going yell at Davis every day to get him to play harder.

The extra effort Gentry was pushing for got Davis into trouble Friday when he injured his back diving over the first row of seats for a loose ball in a 91-86 home loss to Indiana. The two-time All-Star is questionable after having to sit out Sunday's 114-111 overtime road loss to the Clippers.

'It's just a bruise, and he feels good,' Gentry said. 'But certain positions or certain moves that he makes, he gets a sharp pain. So it's not worth the risk of putting him out there if he's not fully ready to go.'

Davis had totaled 57 points in his previous two games and 40 rebounds in the previous three. He's averaged 25.0 points, 66.3 percent shooting and 3.4 blocks in New Orleans' five-game winning streak over the Lakers.

The Pelicans, a major disappointment with a 11-25 record, have dropped all four games without Davis this season. Jrue Holiday had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Tyreke Evans added 26 points, seven boards and seven assists Sunday, but New Orleans dropped its third in a row and fifth in six games.

'If we go into every game with that type of effort, we will continue to give ourselves a chance to win," said Holiday, who will play in his native Los Angeles for a second straight game.

The Lakers (8-31), the only Western Conference team with a worse record than the Pelicans, might have to try and snap their four-game losing streak without Bryant. The future Hall of Famer missed three games earlier this month with a shoulder injury and is questionable with a strained right Achilles.

After averaging 15.8 points and 31.3 percent shooting in his first 20 games, Bryant has scored 21.1 per game and shot 41.7 percent over his last 11. He averaged 20.3 points and 36.7 percent from the field while playing in three of the four matchups with New Orleans in 2014-15.

Rookie guard D'Angelo Russell has been upgraded to probable after spraining his right ankle in Friday's 117-113 loss to Oklahoma City. The rookie was coming off a season-high 27-point effort in a 118-115 loss to Sacramento on Thursday.

Fill-in starters Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson totaled 32 points and went 2 for 12 from 3-point range as Los Angeles posted a season-low point total and shot 32.6 percent in Sunday's 86-74 home loss to Utah.

"You get more open shots when (Bryant) is out there, because the entire defense is focused on taking away No. 24," forward Larry Nance Jr., who had 10 points and 11 rebounds, told the team's official website. "When he's not, we take some more contested shots."

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Six highest ranked college basketball conferences...........

6) SEC-- Vanderbilt, LSU are disappointments; South Carolina is 15-0.

5) Big 14-- Looks like five teams in NCAAs, unless Ohio State picks it up.

4) Big East-- Eight strong teams and then there are DePaul/St John's.

3) Pac-12-- Parity rules; Arizona lost its leading scorer for next month.

2) ACC-- Pitt, Miami look like biggest threats to UNC, Duke.

1) Big 12-- What a league, very tough. TCU is improved in its new arena.

**********

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

13) Alabama 45, Clemson 40-- Some quick thoughts on this exceptional game:
-- Special. Teams. In fourth quarter alone, Alabama recovered an onside kick and ran a kick back for a TD and that was the difference.
-- Deshaun Watson should've won the Heisman Trophy. Period.
-- It is fair to list Nick Saban as one of the greatest college coaches ever; he's won five national titles, four at Alabama.
-- That said, Saban chose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees as a free agent QB when he was coaching the Dolphins- had he picked Brees, he likely never would've become the Alabama coach, because he would've stayed with Miami.
-- Florida coach Jim McElwaine, who was very relaxed/friendly on ESPN2 with the other coaches, pointed out matter-of-factly that Alabama will probably have a staff meeting tomorrow to deal with recruiting- they get 12 hours to enjoy the title, and that is it. Not sure that is healthy, but thats the business.
-- Signing Day is three weeks from Wednesday; future games are won/lost then, so it imperative that coaches work like hell on recruiting for the next three weeks.

12) Wound up watching the game on ESPN2 with five college coaches and ESPN's Chris Spielman/Brian Greise sitting in a room giving commentary. Can learn lot more listening to coaches, but that coaches' clicker, where they rewind plays over and over quickly, it just makes me queasy.

11) Wednesday's Powerball jackpot is $1.4B, thats billion, with a B. Never bought a ticket myself, though I did go in with co-workers back in my working days. What in God's name would you do if you won that much money?

10) Playing field used for the Clemson-Alabama game is not the same one the Arizona Cardinals use; they keep the grass fields outside the dome and wheel them into the dome for the game.

9) There are rumors that Chick-fil-A is coming to Albany, which would be excellent news for me-- they say they don't have a site yet, but hopefully will soon. Love their chicken sandwiches. Still have to try the new Sonic about ten miles from here.

8) The outgoing university president at Alabama make $545K last year. Strength coach for the Alabama football team will make $600K next season. Strength coach at Clemson needs a new agent; he makes $245K a year.

7) I'm still amazed at how NBA coaches are standing there coaching their teams and there are fans sitting six inches from them, right there on the sidelines. There have to be interesting conversations that go on, like when Jack Nicholson used to sit by the visitors' bench at Laker games.

6) Robert Griffin III will be a free agent this winter; if you ran an NFL team and needed a QB, would you take a chance on him? Can he lead a team? When the 2016 season starts it will be 20 months since he's played in an NFL game.

5) UNLV hosts New Mexico tonight, two days after they fired coach Dave Rice; it is ironic that the picture on tickets for tonight's game is Coach Rice and that Elijah Brown plays for New Mexico- he is (former Cavaliers coach) Mike Brown's son. Rumors out there are saying that Mike Brown is a popular choice to be the Rebels' next coach.

4) NFL suspended Vontaze Burfict for three games for his hijinx during the playoff game Saturday night, all of which sets up the inevitable Steeler-Bengal game on Sunday Night Football in Week 4 next season.

3) ACC ran a promotional video at halftime of the game last night; one of the players they touted as a former ACC player was Russell Wilson, who transferred from NC State to Wisconsin before his senior season.

2) So Tom Brady and I have two things in common:
a) We both attended state universities.
b) Neither one of us has ever had a drop of coffee.

Other than that, there are zero similiarities. None.

1) First spring training workouts are only 37 days away-- Reds-Phillies-Giants.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 12

Phoenix @ Indiana

Game 701-702
January 12, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
109.053
Indiana
124.271
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 15
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 9 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-9 1/2); Over

Boston @ New York

Game 703-704
January 12, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
116.713
New York
126.668
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 10
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 2
200
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-2); Over

San Antonio @ Detroit

Game 705-706
January 12, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
129.883
Detroit
125.038
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 5
186
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 7
194
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+7); Under

Houston @ Memphis

Game 707-708
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
121.459
Memphis
119.819
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
by 1 1/2
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+1 1/2); N/A

Chicago @ Milwaukee

Game 709-710
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
117.563
Milwaukee
118.777
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 4
202
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+4); Over

Oklahoma City @ Minnesota

Game 711-712
January 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
119.944
Minnesota
113.031
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 7
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 11
210
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+11); Over

Cleveland @ Dallas

Game 713-714
January 12, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
124.574
Dallas
116.725
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 8
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6
198 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-6); Under

New Orleans @ LA Lakers

Game 715-716
January 12, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
116.874
LA Lakers
110.956
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 6
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
N/A

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 12

Hot teams
-- Knicks won four of their last five games (6-3HF).
-- Spurs won last eight games, covering five of last six. Detroit won its last three games (2-2HU).
-- Rockets won their last three games (2-6AU). Memphis won five of its last seven games (4-0 last four HF).
-- Thunder won six of their last eight games (5-7AF).
-- Cavaliers won their last seven games (4-10-1AF). Dallas won three of its last four games (2-2HU).

Cold teams
-- Indiana is 3-4 in its last seven games (8-5HF). Suns lost nine of their last ten games (1-6 last seven AU).
-- Celtics lost five of their last six games (11-3 last 14AU).
-- Bulls lost last two games after winning previous six (3-2AF). Bucks lost three of last four games (1-3 last four HU).
-- Minnesota lost its last six games (0-6 vs spread).
-- Lakers lost their last four games (6-2 vs spread in last eight). New Orleans lost five of its last six games (2-4 vs spread).

Series records
-- Suns won their last four games with Indiana.
-- Knicks lost their last four games with Boston.
-- Spurs won six of last nine games with Detroit.
-- Grizzlies won six of last eight games with Houston.
-- Bulls won seven of last ten games with Milwaukee.
-- Thunder won their last seven games with Minnesota.
-- Mavericks won five of last six games with Cleveland.
-- Lakers lost their last five games with New Orleans.

Totals
-- Four of last five Phoenix games went over total.
-- Seven of last nine Phoenix games stayed under.
-- Five of Spurs' last seven games went over total.
-- Six of last seven Houston games went over total.
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Chicago-Milwaukee games.
-- Seven of last eight Thunder games went over total.
-- Seven of last eight Dallas games stayed under total.
-- Over is 7-3 in last ten Pelican-Laker games.

Back/backs
-- San Antonio is 6-0 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Chicago is 3-2 vs spread if it played night before.