The Bum's National Basketball League Apri's Picks/Trends/News Thru the Playoffs !!

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Top Action
April 22, 2016

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (59-25) at DETROIT PISTONS (44-40)
Eastern Conference – Game 3
Tip-off: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland -4.5, Total: 201

The Cavaliers visit Detroit looking to take a 3-0 series lead on Friday.

Although Cleveland has needed to put away the Pistons late in the opening two games of this series, the Cavs looked relatively comfortable in a 17-point Game 2 victory. The team shot 50.0% from the field and hit 20 three-pointers, compared to just four for the Pistons, which made a huge difference in the final score.

Still, Detroit will feel relatively confident heading home, having shown that they can play with the Cavaliers. The team shot poorly from both three-point range and the free-throw line in Game 2, so an improvement in those two categories could lead to a win in Game 3.

The Pistons are 12-3 ATS in home games revenging a loss of 10 or more points this season, while Cleveland is 15-7 ATS when playing just their second game in five days during the same time period.

Detroit has no injury concerns, and Cleveland PG Mo Williams (Knee) is questionable.

The Cavaliers played a sharp Game 2, in which they were led by SF LeBron James (25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 52.0 FG% in regular season), who had 27 points on an effective 12-for-18 shooting performance.

PG Kyrie Irving (19.6 PPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG in regular season) scored 22 points, and SG J.R. Smith (12.4 PPG, 1.1 SPG in regular season) added 21 on 7-for-11 shooting from three-point land.

PF Kevin Love (16.0 PPG, 9.9 RPG in regular season) had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the big man’s play will be crucial to his team’s success in the series.

Detroit saw solid Game 2 performances from C Andre Drummond (16.2 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 52.1 FG% in regular season), who had 20 points and seven rebounds, and SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14.5 PPG, 1.5 SPG in regular season), who added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Drummond, however, was a worrisome 4-for-16 from the free-throw line, and PF Marcus Morris (14.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG in regular season) and SF Tobias Harris (14.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG in regular season) had off nights.

The Pistons were 26-15 at home during the regular season, and they are hoping to get a win at The Palace in their first home game of the postseason.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (69-15) at MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (42-42)
Western Conference – Game 3
Tip-off: Friday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: San Antonio -11, Total: 182

The Spurs aim to open up a 3-0 advantage over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday night.

San Antonio was the NBA’s best team at home this season, so a depleted Memphis squad never stood a chance to win away from home.

The injury-riddled Grizzlies averaged just 71 PPG as a team over the first two games, including a 68-point outing in Game 2. The team shot just 32.6% from the field and made only two of its 14 three-point attempts against the stingy Spurs defense.

On the bright side for Memphis is the fact that the team is 11-3 ATS in home games after a road loss this season. The Spurs, however, are 19-9 ATS as a road favorite of 6.5 to 12 points over the past two seasons.

San Antonio will be at full strength, while C Marc Gasol (Foot), PG Mike Conley (Achilles), SG Jordan Adams (Knee) and PF Brandan Wright (Knee) will all be sidelined with injuries for the Grizzlies.

The Spurs have been in complete control thus far in the series, and an all-around performance in which no player played more than 27 minutes characterized Game 2.

PG Patty Mills (8.5 PPG in regular season) paced San Antonio with 16 points off the bench, and PF LaMarcus Aldridge (18.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG in regular season) had 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.

Two-time Defensive Player of the Year SF Kawhi Leonard (21.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG in regular season) contributed 13 points and two steals, and he was the only other starter in double figures.

A similarly well-rounded outing should be expected from the Spurs in Game 3.

Memphis was led by SG Tony Allen (8.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.7 SPG in regular season), who had 12 points off the bench. PF Zach Randolph (15.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG) was the only other Grizzlies player to reach double-digit points with 11, although he shot just 5-for-17 from the field.

SF Matt Barnes (10.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG in regular season) and PG Jordan Farmar (9.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 SPG in regular season) had identical 3-for-11 shooting nights, and the rest of the team was similarly cold.

This series could very easily end in four games, and the Grizzlies are in danger of not being within striking distance in any of the games.

They will need a much better offensive outing if they hope to stay with the Spurs, even in the “Grindhouse” that is the FedExForum.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Tip Sheet
April 21, 2016


**Cleveland at Detroit**

-- As of late Thursday afternoon, most books had Cleveland (59-25 straight up, 38-43-1 against the spread) listed as a 4.5-point road favorite for Game 3. The total was 200.5 points, while the Pistons were +165 on the money line (risk $100 to win $165). For first-half bets, the Cavaliers are favored by two with a total of 102.5 points.

-- Tyronn Lue’s squad took a 2-0 series advantage by winning a 107-90 decision over Detroit on Thursday night at Quicken Loans Center. The Cavaliers took the cash as 10.5-point home favorites, while the 197 combined slithered ‘under’ the 202-point total. The Pistons led nearly the entire first half but trailed 55-53 at intermission, only to start the third quarter with a 7-0 run to take a five-point advantage. However, the Cavs outscored them 27-8 the rest of the stanza and coasted through the fourth quarter. LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points, but J.R. Smith’s long-range shooting was the difference in Game 2. Smith buried 7-of-11 from 3-point range in a 21-point effort. Kyrie Irvin finished with 22 points and four assists compared to one turnover. Kevin Love added 16 points and 10 rebounds.

-- Detroit (44-40 SU, 43-39-2 ATS) had all five of its starters in double figures in the Game 2 setback. Andre Drummond scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but he was limited to five points in the second half and was an atrocious 4-of-16 from the free-throw line. Reggie Jackson finished with 14 points, four rebounds and six assists compared to only one turnover. Tobias Harris contributed 13 points, eight boards and four assists, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 13 points, eight boards, two assists and one rejection.

-- Detroit is 26-15 SU and 24-15 ATS at home this year, while Cleveland is 24-17 SU and 17-21 ATS on the road this year.

-- Cleveland reserve guard Mo Williams is listed as ‘questionable’ for Game 3 with a sore knee. The University of Alabama product hasn’t played since April 6. Williams averaged 8.2 points, 2.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds during 41 regular-season games.

-- Detroit has no fear of Cleveland with three outright wins in four regular-season meetings. The Pistons are 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS against the Cavs this year after dropping Games 1 and 2 (but covering in the series opener). They won 104-99 in the first encounter at The Palace in Auburn Hills back on Nov. 17, earning the upset scalp as 4.5-point home underdogs. Cleveland won the second meeting on the road by a 114-106 score.

-- I’m not a believer in the whole ‘bulletin-board material’ thing, especially in the NCAA Tournament and the NBA Playoffs. In other words, if an individual isn’t playing at the highest intensity level one can produce, then that individual doesn’t have any business competing this time of year. Therefore, I don’t think Detroit rookie Stanley Johnson committed some sort of cardinal sin with his postgame comments Thursday night. In fact, if the stats didn’t tell a different story, I would like it – a lot! However, according to ESPNStatsInfo’s twitter account, James went 13-of-15 from the field with 28 points in the possessions in which Johnson was his primary defender in Games 1 and 2. So Johnson’s comments are far from accurate, but they are bold and audacious nonetheless. Here’s what Johnson said after Game 2 when asked about a bump delivered by James as both teams were walking to their respective benches for a timeout. “That was fugazi (a slang term for fake). He didn’t bump me. I just didn’t move out of his direction. I don’t know what ya’ll take from that. I don’t take anything from it. But a cheap-ass shot, a cheap-ass bump. I’m definitely in his head, that’s for sure. He jabbers. I wish he would just talk when the game is 0-0, not when he’s up 16. He moves his mouth sometimes. Their whole team does, kind of like their little cheerleaders on the bench.”

-- VegasInsider.com’s Chris David has these thoughts on Game 3: “Outside of the second half of Game 2, Detroit has gone toe to toe with Cleveland all year, and you have a club that can be very competitive at the Palace on Friday, especially since the locals haven’t had a playoff game in over six years. However, I can’t ignore the track record for the Pistons as home ‘dogs this season and this was one of the few teams to beat Golden State, too. Overall, the club has gone 4-7 SU and 4-6-1 ATS when catching points at home and that includes a split against Cleveland.”

-- The ‘over’ is 4-2 in the six head-to-head meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals this season, going 2-0 in the pair of contests at Detroit.

-- Totals have been an overall wash for the Cavs (42-42), but they have seen the ‘under’ go 22-19 in their road contests.

-- The ‘over’ is 43-41 overall for Detroit, 24-17 in its home games.

-- Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**Atlanta at Boston**

-- Atlanta (50-34 SU, 43-40-1 ATS) took a 2-0 series advantage by winning Game 1 by an 89-72 count as a 6.5-point home favorite. The 161 combined fell points ‘under’ the 205.5-point total. Mike Budenholzer’s squad raced out to a 24-3 lead to start the game and had a 24-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter. It was the lowest-scoring quarter for the Celtics in their franchise’s storied postseason history. The Hawks easily covered the number for first-quarter and first-half wagers.

-- Kyle Korver missed all seven of his 3-point attempts in Game 1, but he drained 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first quarter of Game 2. He and Al Horford shared team-high scoring honors with 17 points apiece Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Horford had five rebounds, five blocked shots, two assists and one steal, while Korver had seven boards and two assists without a turnover. The Creighton product went 6-of-9 from the field and 5-of-7 from downtown. Jeff Teague added 13 points, six assists and a pair of steals, while Thabo Sefolosha had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.

-- Atlanta won easily in Game 2 despite getting meager production out of leading scorer Paul Millsap. Millsap went 1-of-12 from the field and missed all five of his launches from 3-point range. He did have seven rebounds and four blocked shots, but he committed five turnovers compared to just one assist. In the series opener, Millsap was much better with 14 points, seven boards and three blocked shots, but that was still below his season averages of 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

-- In the Game 2 setback, Boston (48-36 SU, 43-40 ATS) made only 28-of-88 shots from the field (31.8%) and was 5-of-28 from long distance (17.9%). Isaiah Thomas scored a team-high 16 points, but he went 4-of-15 from the field and 1-of-6 from 3-point range. Thomas had more turnovers (three) than assists (two). Amir Johnson had a solid game with 14 points and eight rebounds in just 20 minutes of playing time. Evan Turner and Terry Rozier also scored in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

-- As of late Thursday afternoon, most betting shops had Boston installed as a three-point home favorite for Game 3. The total was 200.5 points, while the Hawks were +140 on the money line (risk $100 to win $140). For first-half wagers, the Celtics were listed as 1.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 97.

-- Sportsbook.ag has Atlanta as a -700 favorite for the updated series price, leaving the Celtics at +500 on the comeback (risk $100 to win $500).

-- Atlanta has won five in a row over Boston this year, going 4-1 ATS. The Celtics won the first game these clubs played, but it’s been all Hawks since then. The ‘over’ went 3-1 in the four regular-season meetings, but the ‘under’ has cashed in the last two encounters here in the postseason.

-- Boston will be without Avery Bradley again in Game 3. He remains unlikely to return at all in the series due to a significant hamstring strain sustained in the second half of Game 1. Bradley, who was the Celtics’ second-leading scorer (15.5 PPG) during the regular season, had scored 18 points in the series opener before sustaining the injury. Center Kelly Olynyk didn’t play in Game 2 due to a shoulder injury and is ‘questionable’ for Game 3. Olynyk averaged 10.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game during the regular season.

-- Atlanta back-up point guard Dennis Schroder is ‘questionable’ for Game 3 after spraining his ankle in Game 2. Schroder averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 80 regular-season contests.

-- Boston owns a 28-13 SU record and a 23-17 ATS mark at home this year. Meanwhile, the Hawks are 21-20 SU and 20-20-1 ATS on the road.

-- Atlanta owns a 9-8 spread record with eight outright victories in 17 games as a road underdog this year.

-- The ‘under’ is 45-39 overall for the Celtics, 21-20 in their home games.

-- The ‘under’ is 46-38 overall for Atlanta, going 22-19 in its road assignments. The ‘under’ has cashed in four consecutive games and six of the last seven for the Hawks (regardless of the venue).

-- VI’s David is bullish on the Celtics going ‘over’ their team total. He said, “Since Mike Budenholzer took over the Hawks, the ‘under’ in home playoff games has produced some great results (11-2). Unfortunately for ‘Budz’ and Atlanta, those great defensive efforts at Philips Arena haven’t carried over to the road and that was evident last season when the club allowed an average of 103 PPG in the postseason, which helped produce a 5-3 ‘over’ record. Plus, you have to believe Boston rebounds after being held to a season-low 72 points in Game 2. Including that dreadful offensive performance, the C’s have been held under 90 points three times this season and they’ve rebounded with 98, 111 and 116 points in the following games. Even though Boston is short-handed, I’m going to buy its team total ‘over’ (101 ½) on Friday.”

-- Tip-off is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

**San Antonio at Memphis**

-- San Antonio (69-15 SU, 46-38 ATS) took a 2-0 series advantage with a pair of blowout wins (and covers) against a depleted Memphis squad. Gregg Popovich’s team captured a 94-68 win in Game 1 as a 17.5-point home ‘chalk.’ The 162 combined points easily stayed ‘under’ the 186-point tally. The Spurs cruised to a 106-74 triumph as 17-point home favorites in Game 1, with the 180 combined points dipping ‘under’ the 188.5-point total.

-- As of late Thursday afternoon, most spots had San Antonio installed as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 181.5 points. The Grizzlies were +600 on the money line (risk $100 to win $600). For first-half wagers, the Spurs were favored by 6.5 points with a total of 84.5.

-- In Tuesday’s Game 2 victory, all 13 San Antonio players scored and four were in double figures. Patty Mills had a team-high 16 points thanks to 4-of-6 shooting from downtown. Kawhi Leonard scored 13 points, while Kevin Martin and LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 10 points apiece. Aldridge had eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

-- Tony Allen scored a team-best 12 points for the Grizzlies in Game 2. Zach Randolph had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Allen and Randolph are being forced to play this series without their long-time starting teammates in Mike Conley (Achilles) and Marc Gasol, who both went down with season-ending injuries after the All-Star break. Without another post threat, Randolph is being greeted with double-teams galore. The Spurs held the Michigan St. product to six points in Game 1 on 3-of-13 shooting from the field. Randolph was 5-of-17 in Game 2, leaving him shooting at a 8-for-30 clip (26.6%) for the series.

-- Not only are the Grizzlies playing without Gasol (16.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and Conley (15.3 PPG, 6.1 APG), but they are also sans Mario Chalmers, who was waived after injuring his Achilles just seven games after being acquired from the Heat. Chalmers was averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Brandan Wright (6.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG) is also out with a knee injury that’s further depleted Memphis’s frontcourt.

-- San Antonio is 27-14 SU and 21-20 ATS on the road. The Spurs have been double-digit road ‘chalk’ eight times, producing an unbeaten SU record and a 5-3 ATS ledger.

-- Memphis (42-42 SU, 42-41-1 ATS) owns a 26-15 SU record and a 23-18 ATS mark at home in the Grind House. The Grizzlies have been home underdogs 15 times, compiling a 9-6 spread record with seven outright wins. They covered in the lone double-digit home ‘dog situation, a 100-99 loss to Golden St. while catching 13 points.

-- Memphis has lost 12 of its last 13 games dating back to March 22, going 4-9 ATS during this miserable stretch. However, we should note that the Grizzlies have covered the number in three straight and nine of their last 12 games as home ‘dogs.

-- San Antonio has won seven in a row over Memphis, including all six encounters this year. The Spurs are 6-1 ATS in those seven victories. Five of this year’s six wins have come by double-digit margins.

-- The ‘under’ has cashed in five consecutive San Antonio games to improve to 47-35-2 overall. The Spurs have watched the ‘under’ go 24-16-1 in their road assignments.

-- The ‘over’ is 45-37-2 overall for Memphis, cashing at a frenetic 25-14-2 clip in its home games.

-- The ‘under’ is 4-2 in the six meetings between these teams this season, 6-2 if we go back to last season.

-- ESPN will have the telecast at 9:35 p.m. Eastern.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (539) CLEVELAND@ (540) DETROIT | 2016-04-22 19:05:00 - 2016-04-22 19:05:00
Play ON DETROIT against the spread in All games after a division game
The record is 24 Wins and 8 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.2 units)

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NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DALLAS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 15 Wins and 35 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.9 units)

NBA > (539) CLEVELAND@ (540) DETROIT | 2016-04-22 19:05:00 - 2016-04-22 19:05:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in All games in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points
The record is 7 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-20.3 units)

NBA > (541) ATLANTA@ (542) BOSTON | 2016-04-22 20:05:00 - 2016-04-22 20:05:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using money line in Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 14 Wins and 28 Losses for the last three seasons (-26.9 units)

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO@ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games as a favorite
The record is 48 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+26.5 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 21 Wins and 28 Losses for the last three seasons (-32.2 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 25 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+18 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND using money line in All games in April games
The record is 93 Wins and 127 Losses for the since 1992 (-92.45 units)

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO@ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games in all games
The record is 49 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (+23.2 units)

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play ON TORONTO using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 27 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+14.15 units)

NBA > (539) CLEVELAND@ (540) DETROIT | 2016-04-22 19:05:00 - 2016-04-22 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 36 Wins and 14 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.4 units)

NBA > (539) CLEVELAND@ (540) DETROIT | 2016-04-22 19:05:00 - 2016-04-22 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in Road games when leading in a playoff series
The record is 16 Wins and 4 Losses for the since 1992 (+14.2 units)

NBA > (547) MIAMI@ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 167 Wins and 99 Losses for the since 1992 (+65.2 units)

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NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO@ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 28 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (+14.8 units)

NBA > (539) CLEVELAND@ (540) DETROIT | 2016-04-22 19:05:00 - 2016-04-22 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND ?>in the first halfin Road games in all playoff games
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the last three seasons (+10 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DALLAS ?>in the first halfin Home games on Saturday games
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-11.1 units)

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NBA TOTALS

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO@ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games after allowing 85 points or less
The record is 1 Overs and 16 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.9 units)

NBA > (541) ATLANTA@ (542) BOSTON | 2016-04-22 20:05:00 - 2016-04-22 20:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 15 Overs and 44 Unders for the this season (+27.5 units)

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO@ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 12 Overs and 45 Unders for the last three seasons (+31.8 units)

NBA > (541) ATLANTA@ (542) BOSTON | 2016-04-22 20:05:00 - 2016-04-22 20:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 25 Overs and 58 Unders for the this season (+30.5 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play OVER OKLAHOMA CITY on the totalin Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Overs and 6 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 21 Overs and 39 Unders for the this season (+15.9 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play UNDER DALLAS on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 22 Overs and 40 Unders for the this season (+15.8 units)

NBA > (547) MIAMI@ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games in a road game where where the first half total is 100.5 to 103
The record is 0 Overs and 9 Unders for the last two seasons (+9 units)

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TOP POWER LINES

Users of our matchup reports are familiar with our Power Line ratings, calculated using both teams' ratings and home field advantage. The Top Power Lines tool offers a way to view and compare current Power Lines in one simple report, as well as the Power Line Edge, where the Power Line differs significantly from the current line.

NBA > (541) ATLANTA @ (542) BOSTON | 2016-04-22 20:05:00 - 2016-04-22 20:05:00
Line: ATLANTA BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA3
Edge On: ATLANTA (6)

NBA > (543) SAN ANTONIO @ (544) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-22 21:35:00 - 2016-04-22 21:35:00
Line: SAN ANTONIO BTB PowerLine: SAN ANTONIO12
Edge On: SAN ANTONIO (1)

NBA > (545) TORONTO @ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Line: INDIANA1.5 BTB PowerLine: INDIANA1
Edge On: INDIANA (0.5)

NBA > (547) MIAMI @ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Line: MIAMI BTB PowerLine: MIAMI1
Edge On: MIAMI (3)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY @ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Line: OKLAHOMA CITY BTB PowerLine: OKLAHOMA CITY11
Edge On: OKLAHOMA CITY (1)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS @ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Line: LA CLIPPERS BTB PowerLine: LA CLIPPERS6
Edge On: LA CLIPPERS (4)

[StarDust Bum]

4/21 - 1 -5
Overall: 20 - 23

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at DET 07:00 PM

DET +4.5

U 200.0


ATL at BOS 08:00 PM

BOS -3.0

U 201.5


SA at MEM 09:30 PM

SA -12.0

U 183.5

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

Some more pointspreads on NFL games this season.........

Week 2-- Colts @ Broncos (-5)-- You laying 5 without knowing who is playing QB for Denver this season?

Week 3-- Cardinals (-2.5) @ Bills-- Big break for Arizona, getting the Buffalo trip in

September and not December.

Week 4-- Saints @ Chargers (-3)-- Drew Brees against his old team.

Week 7-- Giants vs Rams (even)-- London game has 9:30 AM ET kickoff. Oy.

Week 11-- Texans vs Raiders (-2) (Mexico City)-- Monday night game in Mexico.

Week 14-- Raiders @ Chiefs (-4.5) Long trip east on short week for Oakland.

**********

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind.......

13) Cleveland Browns aren't favored in any of their first 15 games this year; they play at Pittsburgh in Week 17, so they won't be favored there, either, so new coach Hue Jackson has his work cut out for him.

12) Free agent CB Josh Norman got big money from the Redskins last night, which means he'll line up against Odell Beckham twice a year when Giants play the Redskins in divisional games. Little strange how Carolina suddenly did an about face and let Norman walk, rather than pay him.

11) Hartford Yard Dogs are the AA farm club of Colorado Rockies; they do not have a home game until May 31, since their new home park is still being worked on. They'll play their first 52 games on the road- they are 11-4 so far this season and in first place in their division.

10) Last year, Biloxi of the Southern League played their first 54 games on the road, while their new stadium was being finished; guy who managed that team is now the first base coach for the big league Milwaukee Brewers.

9) White Sox turned a 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play last night that involved Prince Fielder being caught in a rundown; suffice to say it will not be included on Tom Emanski's next baserunning instructional video.

8) Why has the state of Virginia given 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote? Virginia is the 8th state to allow felons to vote, after they're released from supervision. To me, it doesn't make much sense.

7) Keelon Lawson is an assistant basketball coach at Memphis; the Tigers' top two returning scorers are his sons. He has a third son who is listed as a top 10 recruit in the Class of 2019, which is why Lawson is still employed by Memphis, even after head coach Josh Pastner was paid $1.25M to go away and take the Georgia Tech job earlier this month.

New coach Tubby Smith wasn't going to keep Lawson as an assistant coach, so one of the sons, Dedric Lawson applied for NBA Draft, an implied threat to keep the father as an assistant. This hasn't been resolved yet. Stay tuned.

6) Going thru some college basketball stuff, getting stuff ready for next year and saw this: over the last 11 years, DePaul is 39-155 in conference games. How in the name of Ray Meyer is this possible? DePaul is in Chicago, there are lot of good high school players in Chicago-- recruit some of them!!!!

5) Texas Rangers are 15-3 in their last 18 games vs AL West rival Houston.

4) Baseball season is in its third week and my fantasy team is already in deep trouble; Stanton/Abreu have been awful, two of my top three pitchers are hurt and I'm going to be 0-3 come Sunday night. No bueno; Carlos Gomez, Marcell Ozuna and Avasail Garcia have all proven to be stiffs in my outfield.

3) Yasiel Puig made an amazing throw from the rightfield fence last night to nail Trevor Story at third base, trying for a triple. Reminded me of Ellis Valentine throwing from RF for the old Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium.

2) Coaching carousel: Northern Colorado fired BJ Hill, amidst allegations of NCAA issues. Detroit Titans named Michigan assistant Bacari Alexander their new hoop coach. UNLV approved Marvin Menzies' contract, but for whatever reason, he won't be paid as much as Chris Beard was going to be paid. Oy.

1) Matt Holliday may be 37, but over last three years, he is hitting .379 with RISP, best such mark in the major leagues.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 23

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TORONTO (58 - 27) at INDIANA (46 - 39) - 4/23/2016, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 46-38 ATS (+4.2 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 72-47 ATS (+20.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.
TORONTO is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
INDIANA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 12-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 10-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MIAMI (50 - 34) at CHARLOTTE (48 - 36) - 4/23/2016, 5:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 35-26 ATS (+6.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 36-26 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 12-6 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 14-4 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
12 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (57 - 28) at DALLAS (43 - 42) - 4/23/2016, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 37-45 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-48 ATS (-20.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 23-32 ATS (-12.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 347-280 ATS (+39.0 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season.
DALLAS is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
DALLAS is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
DALLAS is 56-81 ATS (-33.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
DALLAS is 29-42 ATS (-17.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 38-52 ATS (-19.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 7-7 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-6 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA CLIPPERS (55 - 29) at PORTLAND (44 - 40) - 4/23/2016, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 192-250 ATS (-83.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 66-41 ATS (+20.9 Units) in road games after allowing 85 points or less since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 7-6 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 9-4 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Saturday, April 23

Toronto at Indiana, 3:05 ET
Toronto: 4-13 ATS after 3 or more consecutive unders
Indiana: 17-7 ATS when playing 4 or less games in 10 days

Miami at Charlotte, 5:35 ET
Miami: 32-50 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins
Charlotte: 18-9 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent

Oklahoma City at Dallas, 8:05 ET
Oklahoma City: 30-41 ATS after playing a game as favorite
Dallas: 13-5 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more

LA Clippers at Portland, 10:35 ET
Los Angeles: 12-3 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less
Portland: 8-19 ATS in home games off a road loss




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 23

Indiana-Toronto (T 2-1)
Pacers made 10-42 on arc in losing Games 2-3, after making 11-21 in Game 1 upset- Indiana shot just 38.2% from floor in Game 3, in a game they trailed by 17 at half. Raptors won 8 of last ten games with Indiana, winning four of last five here; Toronto covered 11 of last 13 series games- six of last ten went over total. Pacers won seven of last 11 overall, Raptors won nine of last twelve overall, covering seven of last ten.

Dallas-Oklahoma City (OC 2-1)
Durant scored 34 points, went 11-25 from floor in Game 3 rout of Dallas, after 7-33 debacle in Game 2 loss; Thunder won six of last seven games with Dallas, but Mavericks are 7-6 vs spread in last 13 series games. Thunder two of last three visits here. Eight of last eleven series games went over. Dallas won eight of last 12 games, covered five of last eight as a dog- 10 of last 12 Dallas games stayed under total.

Charlotte-Miami (M 2-0)
Hornets lost five of last seven games with Miami (over 6-0); in series where home side won eight of last ten games. Heat lost three of last four visits here. Hornets are 4-8 in their last 12 games overall against Miami. Charlotte won four of its last seven games (over 7-0); they won three in row at home, but all were against non-playoff teams. Miami won six of its last eight games- they shot over 51% in both Games 1-2, leading by 17-12 at half, scoring 67-72 points. Heat is 18-34 on arc in series.

Portland-LA Clippers (LA 2-0)
Portland lost eight of last ten games with Clippers, losing by 20-21 in first two series games- Blazers shot under 40% in both games, making 15-56 on arc. Trailblazers won seven of their last 11 games overall; six of their last eight games stayed under the total. Clippers won last seven home games, covering six of them. LA led by 8-4 points at halftime of Games 1-2, were +12/+17 in second halves- they blocked 16 shots in first two series games.

Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 15-7, Over: 6-16




NBA

Saturday, April 23

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Trend Report
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3:00 PM
TORONTO vs. INDIANA
Toronto is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Toronto

5:30 PM
MIAMI vs. CHARLOTTE
Miami is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
Charlotte is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Miami

8:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. DALLAS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games
Oklahoma City is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

10:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games
Portland is 10-5 SU in their last 15 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Early Tips
April 22, 2016


Eastern Conference – Game 4 – Raptors lead 2-1
Toronto (-1 ½, 193) at Indiana - TNT, 3:05 p.m. ET

Since dropping Game 1 to Indiana, Toronto has rebounded with a pair of dominating victories both straight up and against the spread and now leads this first round series 2-1. The Raptors captured a wire-to-wire 101-85 win on Thursday over the Pacers and the double-digit blowout shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering their production as visitors this season.

Outside of the Warriors and Spurs, the Raptors were tied for the third best road record in the NBA during the regular season and the oddsmakers have installed them as 1 ½-point favorites for Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.

Including Thursday’s loss in Game 3, the Pacers are now 2-5 as home underdogs this season (3-4 ATS) while the Raptors improved to 16-7 (69%) as road favorites.

Indiana wasn’t exactly a super home team this season, producing a 26-15 SU and 21-20 ATS mark in the regular season. Similar to other lower seeds in this year’s postseason, the Pacers were bullies and racked up a 24-8 record against teams with records below .500 while going 21-29 versus winning opponents.

While all of the above angles and stats lean to the Raptors, the difference in this series has been defense and Toronto has dominated Indiana. The Raptors have held the Pacers to 41 percent shooting through the first three games and it’s apparent that Indiana doesn’t have any chance to win unless it hits a high percentage from 3-point land. That was the case in the Game 1 victory when the Pacers were 11-of-21 from beyond the arc. In the two losses, the club was just 10-of-42 (23%).

Paul George has easily been the best player in this series but the sum is usually greater than the parts and Indiana’s remaining roster doesn’t come close to Toronto’s group. Backing teams that lack an inside presence that can score is always dangerous and that’s certainly been the case with Indiana in this matchup.

The ‘under’ has been a great bet in this year’s NBA playoffs and this series has helped that cause with the low side cashing in all of the first three games.

The total for Game 4 is hovering around 193 and VegasInsider.com NBA expert Kevin Rogers believes that trend will continue on Saturday.

Rogers explained, “The Raptors busted the 100-point mark for the first time in their last six road playoff games in Thursday’s 101-85 victory. Toronto owns a 5-1 mark to the ‘over’ in its last six games after allowing less than 100 points on the road, but the Raptors have cashed the ‘under’ in five of its last six contests away from the Air Canada Center. Indiana continued its trend of low-scoring home games in the playoffs as the Pacers are now 6-2 to the ‘under’ in its previous eight home postseason contests, while scoring less than 100 points seven times in this span.”

I’m not a big fan of the afternoon games and I believe it can screw with your rhythm. Toronto was caught napping in the opener, which was played at 12:35 p.m. ET. This matchup is slated a little later and for what it’s worth, the Raptors are 2-2 in afternoon games this season while the Pacers are 2-1 and that includes the result for Game 1.

Sportsbook.ag now has the Pacers listed as 6/1 underdogs (Bet $100 to win $600) to win the series while the Toronto is listed as a minus-850 favorite (Bet $100 to win $11.75).

After Saturday’s tilt, the pair will get two days off before meeting in Game 5 on Tuesday from Toronto.

Eastern Conference – Game 3 – Heat lead 2-0
Miami at Charlotte (-2, 201) – TNT, 5:35 p.m. ET

The NBA is often called the “make-or-miss” league and the first two games of this series was evident of that with the Heat notching back-to-back victories over the Hornets from American Airlines Arena.

Miami was ranked near the bottom of the league in 3-point shooting during the regular season at 34 percent but we certainly didn’t see that team in Game 1 or 2. The Heat have connected on 18-of-34 (53%) of their shots from downtown while Charlotte is 7-of-33 (21%) and that pretty much has been the series.

In Game 2 on Wednesday, Miami earned a 115-103 win as a 4 ½-point home favorite and a lot of the success came early as the club exploded with 43 points in the second quarter. Charlotte actually closed the gap to seven points (105-98) late but the Heat finished the game with a 10-5 run, resulting in a win and cover.

The Hornets were beat up in all facets in Game 1 but in the second installment, they won the battle

The Heat 56-36 in paint Game 1 but Charlotte won the battle in the paint in Game 2. They had the edge on the board (54-40) and Al Jefferson helped the team outscore the Heat frontcourt 48-46 with a 25-point effort. If Charlotte can carry that production back home, most would believe that Miami’s outside shooting will cool off and that will benefit the home squad.

If your handicapping leans to recent playoff history then Rogers has pointed out a solid angle on the Heat. “Miami has jumped out to a 2-0 series lead in the first round for the fifth consecutive time since 2011. The Heat won and covered in each of their last four opportunities as a road favorite in Game 3 when up 2-0, but are flipped to a road underdog on Saturday,” said Rogers.

One small caveat left out by Rogers is those Heat teams also had LeBron James and Chris Bosh, which is why Charlotte has been installed as a two-point home favorite for Game 3.

Miami hasn’t exactly been great as a visitor in the second-half of the season, going 7-8 SU and 6-9 ATS since the All-Star break. Delving into those numbers deeper, the Heat are 1-5 as an underdog in those games and the five losses came by an average of 14.2 PPG.

Meanwhile, Rogers notes how good Charlotte has been at home down the stretch. He added, “The Hornets have won 13 of their last 15 home contests since losing to the Heat on February 5, but Charlotte beat only four playoff teams in that span (Indiana, Houston, Detroit, and San Antonio), while needing to erase a 21-point deficit to stun the Spurs.”

The betting angles certainly lean to Charlotte in this spot and the line would probably be higher if the Hornets were healthier. The team will be without small forward Nicolas Batum for Game 3 and possibly the rest of the series. He rolled his ankle late in Game 2 and the Hornets will need somebody to step up and replace his all-around solid numbers (14.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.8 APG). Jeremy Lin could jump into the starting backcourt or Charlotte might go big with Frank Kaminksy as it continues to bring the aformentioned Jefferson off the pine.

The series was expected to be tight with Miami listed as a minus-165 favorite prior to Game 1 but those odds have changed drastically after the first two outcomes. The Heat are now minus-850 favorites while the Hornets have been pushed up to 6/1 underdogs to win the series.

Charlotte hasn’t dropped three straight games since early January when it was mired in a seven-game losing skid. Since then, the team has dropped back-to-back games four times including the first two losses in this series. In the following game after the second loss, Charlotte went 3-0 both SU and ATS while averaging 112 PPG.

The Hornets averaged more than four points more at home (105-101) in the regular season and that number could have you leaning ‘over’ Charlotte’s team total of 101 ½.

The teams will meet again Monday at Time Warner Cable Arena for Game 4.

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Late Tips
April 23, 2016

Western Conference - Game 4 - Thunder lead 2-1
Oklahoma City (-9/201.5) at Dallas, 8:05 p.m. ET - ESPN

The Mavericks pulled off the biggest NBA playoff upset in two decades, defeating the Thunder in OKC in Game 2 as a 14-point underdog. Money line players who somehow foresaw Kevin Durant having one of the worst games of his career earned anywhere from +1100 to +1300 as reward for their clairvoyance. Durant recovered from shooting 7-for-33 in the loss by scoring 34 points on 11-for-25 in Oklahoma City’s 131-102 victory. He still missed six of his nine 3-point attempts and is shooting just 34 percent from the field and 7-for-26 from beyond the arc, so Dallas has been able to make things difficult on the NBA’s No. 3 scorer (28.2), primarily using Wes Matthews or rookie Justin Anderson on him and running bodies at him to mix things up.

Russell Westbrook has averaged 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists but curiously didn’t grab a single rebound in Game 3, something that hadn’t happened since a game he left after just nine minutes in after breaking his hand on Oct. 30, 2014. His regular-season low this season had been a single board.

It has to be disconcerting for the Mavericks that they have been able to win a few key points of contention thus far in this series but have still been blown out in two of three. The Thunder won every quarter in Game 3 and scored 73 second-quarter points to run away with Game 2. Game 1 saw the Thunder lead 26-11 after one, 59-33 at halftime and 91-53 through three. It was a complete annihilation.

Dallas came into the series hobbled and is a little healthier as they enter this one. Dirk Nowitzki is a few days removed from the bone bruise suffered earlier in the series. J.J. Barea returned after missing Game 2 with a groin injury that forced him to leave the series opener and scored 15 points while dishing out seven assists. Although he’s a defensive liability due to his lack of size, he is the team’s primary catalyst on the offensive end with Chandler Parsons out for the season and Deron Williams (abdominal strain) sidelined. Williams, David Lee (foot) and Anderson (shoulder) are all considered questionable but are expected to play in what is essentially a must-win situation.

Backup center Enes Kanter has been an x-factor in OKC’s wins, averaging 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He was just 2-for-7 in the loss, scoring six points and grabbing eight boards. Oklahoma City hasn’t won consecutive road games since March 19. Serge Ibaka is 7-for-9 from 3-point range in this series in addition to his strong work defending Dirk Nowitzki. Dion Waiters’ 19 Game 3 points were a welcome contribution, punishing Dallas for understandably keying on the Thunder’s big guns. The Mavs are being outrebounded by an average of 14.7 rebounds in the three games, hanging within 10 in only the Game 2 win. The ‘under’ had prevailed in the OKC’s last four prior to Game 3, while coming in 9 of the previous 11 games for Dallas.

Western Conference - Game 3 - Clippers lead 2-0
L.A. Clippers (-1.5/207.5) at Portland, 10:35 p.m. ET - ESPN

The Clippers dominated both games at Staples Center to seemingly grab a stranglehold on the series that was expected to be the most competitive of the Western Conference’s first-round offerings, but all the clichés are being spouted prior to this Game 3. Doc Rivers is warning against over-confidence and complacency, understanding the old adage that a series doesn’t really start until a home team loses a game. The rationale is that the Clips handled the business they were expected to, but face a far greater handling in attempting to get at least a game in Portland. From their standpoint, the Trail Blazers remain confident, knowing they tend to be a different team at home and understanding that regardless of how ugly Games 1 and 2 were, tonight’s must-win can instantly gain them a foothold in this 4-5 pairing.

Losing by 20 points in Game 1 last Sunday, Portland fell 102-81 on Wednesday night in the series that’s been the most spread out schedule-wise. While every other series will have completed at least three games and the Thunder and Mavs will already be through four, the Moda Center will be the final venue to debut as a host venue in the 2016 Playoffs. The Trail Blazers went 28-13 at home this season, tied with Boston and Miami for the seventh-best mark in the NBA. C.J. McCollum will receive his NBA Most Improved Player trophy before a sellout crowd prior to the game, giving the Blazers an opportunity to capitalize on a raucous atmosphere that should be fired up early. Thus far, strong starts have eluded Portland, which fell behind 26-21 in Game 1 and 22-17 in Game 2. The Clippers have won every quarter thus far, doing the most damage in fourth quarters by outscoring the No. 5 seed 69-49.

Multiple factors have gone into the Blazers seemingly running out of gas down the stretch. Chief among them is that they’ve been playing from behind for two games and have simply seen their energy level depleted by the time the final 12 minutes have rolled around. L.A.’s bench was outscored 42-33 in Game 1, but compounded matters Portland by completely dominating Game 2, winning the battle of reserves 43-10. We’ll see whether being back home we’ll help Allen Crabbe get going since the key backup wing has gone just 2-for-8 thus far, scoring just six points and coming up empty from 3-point range. He averaged 10.3 points during the regular season, shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Sixth Man of the Year winner Jamal Crawford is averaging 12 points off the bench, while Austin Rivers has added 10 and Jeff Green, Wesley Johnson and center Cole Aldrich have all made solid contributions. Between DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and Aldrich, the Clips have been a handful inside, wearing down the Portland front line.

Damian Lillard has struggled thus far in the series, shooting just 33 percent and averaging 19 points, six below his regular-season average. He feels he got a lot of good looks early in Game 2 but wasted opportunities by not shooting it well. McCollum, who broke through by averaging 20.8 points, has averaged just 12.5 on a 32 percent clip. He’s 3-for-12 from beyond the arc. All season, Lillard and McCollum were in the mix with Golden State’s Splash Brothers and Toronto’s All-Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan among the NBA’s top scoring backcourts. In this series, they’re a combined 22-for-67 (33 percent) and 6-for-26 from 3-point range. That simply won’t cut it, especially with Chris Paul dominating, averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. The ‘under’has prevailed in six of the last eight Clippers games and has hit in four straight Blazers games. Portland beaten L.A. only once in six contests, going 1-for-4 in the regular season and getting run out of Staples thus far in the series. The win came at home way back on Nov. 20. Three of the four regular-season meeting went ‘under’ the posted total.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA ATS

NBA > (555) GOLDEN STATE@ (556) HOUSTON | 2016-04-24 15:35:00 - 2016-04-24 15:35:00
Play ON HOUSTON against the spread in Home games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 13 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.9 units)

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

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (-14.45 units)

NBA > (555) GOLDEN STATE@ (556) HOUSTON | 2016-04-24 15:35:00 - 2016-04-24 15:35:00
Play ON HOUSTON using money line in Home games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 22 Wins and 2 Losses for the last three seasons (+19 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DALLAS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 15 Wins and 36 Losses for the last two seasons (-27.9 units)

NBA > (557) ATLANTA@ (558) BOSTON | 2016-04-24 18:05:00 - 2016-04-24 18:05:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using money line in Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 14 Wins and 29 Losses for the last three seasons (-27.9 units)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games as a favorite
The record is 49 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+27.5 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play ON PORTLAND using money line in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 25 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+18 units)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using money line in All games in all games
The record is 50 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (+24.2 units)

NBA > (559) CLEVELAND@ (560) DETROIT | 2016-04-24 20:35:00 - 2016-04-24 20:35:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 38 Wins and 14 Losses for the last two seasons (+21.4 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play AGAINST PORTLAND using money line in All games in April games
The record is 93 Wins and 127 Losses for the since 1992 (-92.45 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in Road games second half of the season
The record is 22 Wins and 28 Losses for the last three seasons (-31.2 units)

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play ON TORONTO using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 27 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+14.15 units)

NBA > (547) MIAMI@ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Play ON MIAMI using money line in Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 167 Wins and 99 Losses for the since 1992 (+65.2 units)

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NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play ON SAN ANTONIO ?>in the first halfin All games versus the 1rst half line in road games
The record is 28 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (+14.8 units)

NBA > (559) CLEVELAND@ (560) DETROIT | 2016-04-24 20:35:00 - 2016-04-24 20:35:00
Play ON CLEVELAND ?>in the first halfin Road games in all playoff games
The record is 10 Wins and 0 Losses for the last three seasons (+10 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play AGAINST DALLAS ?>in the first halfin Home games on Saturday games
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (-11.1 units)

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

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (557) ATLANTA@ (558) BOSTON | 2016-04-24 18:05:00 - 2016-04-24 18:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 15 Overs and 45 Unders for the this season (+28.5 units)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 7 Overs and 30 Unders for the last two seasons (+22.3 units)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 15 Overs and 47 Unders for the last two seasons (+30.5 units)

NBA > (557) ATLANTA@ (558) BOSTON | 2016-04-24 18:05:00 - 2016-04-24 18:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 8 Overs and 28 Unders for the this season (+19.2 units)

NBA > (557) ATLANTA@ (558) BOSTON | 2016-04-24 18:05:00 - 2016-04-24 18:05:00
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the totalin All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 25 Overs and 58 Unders for the this season (+30.5 units)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO@ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 38 Overs and 84 Unders for the last two seasons (+42.2 units)

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin Home games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 4 Overs and 21 Unders for the last three seasons (+16.6 units)

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play UNDER TORONTO on the totalin All games off an upset win as an underdog
The record is 4 Overs and 18 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.6 units)

NBA > (545) TORONTO@ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 15 Overs and 40 Unders for the last three seasons (+23.5 units)

NBA > (559) CLEVELAND@ (560) DETROIT | 2016-04-24 20:35:00 - 2016-04-24 20:35:00
Play UNDER CLEVELAND on the totalin All games on Sunday games
The record is 67 Overs and 129 Unders for the since 1992 (+55.3 units)

NBA > (559) CLEVELAND@ (560) DETROIT | 2016-04-24 20:35:00 - 2016-04-24 20:35:00
Play OVER DETROIT on the totalin All games in a home game where where the first half total is 98 to 100.5
The record is 13 Overs and 2 Unders for the last two seasons (+10.8 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play OVER OKLAHOMA CITY on the totalin Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Overs and 6 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS@ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games as a favorite vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 21 Overs and 39 Unders for the this season (+15.9 units)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Play UNDER DALLAS on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 22 Overs and 40 Unders for the this season (+15.8 units)

NBA > (547) MIAMI@ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games in a road game where where the first half total is 100.5 to 103
The record is 0 Overs and 9 Unders for the last two seasons (+9 units)

[StarDust Bum]

TOP POWER LINES

Users of our matchup reports are familiar with our Power Line ratings, calculated using both teams' ratings and home field advantage. The Top Power Lines tool offers a way to view and compare current Power Lines in one simple report, as well as the Power Line Edge, where the Power Line differs significantly from the current line

NBA > (545) TORONTO @ (546) INDIANA | 2016-04-23 15:05:00 - 2016-04-23 15:05:00
Line: INDIANA1.5 BTB PowerLine: INDIANA1
Edge On: INDIANA (0.5)

NBA > (547) MIAMI @ (548) CHARLOTTE | 2016-04-23 17:35:00 - 2016-04-23 17:35:00
Line: MIAMI BTB PowerLine: MIAMI1
Edge On: MIAMI (4)

NBA > (549) OKLAHOMA CITY @ (550) DALLAS | 2016-04-23 20:05:00 - 2016-04-23 20:05:00
Line: OKLAHOMA CITY BTB PowerLine: OKLAHOMA CITY11
Edge On: OKLAHOMA CITY (2)

NBA > (551) LA CLIPPERS @ (552) PORTLAND | 2016-04-23 22:35:00 - 2016-04-23 22:35:00
Line: LA CLIPPERS BTB PowerLine: LA CLIPPERS6
Edge On: LA CLIPPERS (6)

NBA > (553) SAN ANTONIO @ (554) MEMPHIS | 2016-04-24 13:05:00 - 2016-04-24 13:05:00
Line: MEMPHIS13 BTB PowerLine: MEMPHIS12
Edge On: MEMPHIS (1)

NBA > (555) GOLDEN STATE @ (556) HOUSTON | 2016-04-24 15:35:00 - 2016-04-24 15:35:00
Line: HOUSTON8.5 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON4
Edge On: HOUSTON (4.5)

NBA > (557) ATLANTA @ (558) BOSTON | 2016-04-24 18:05:00 - 2016-04-24 18:05:00
Line: ATLANTA BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA1
Edge On: ATLANTA (2.5)

NBA > (559) CLEVELAND @ (560) DETROIT | 2016-04-24 20:35:00 - 2016-04-24 20:35:00
Line: DETROIT6.5 BTB PowerLine: DETROIT5
Edge On: DETROIT (1.5)

[StarDust Bum]

4/22 - 3 - 3
Overall: 23 - 26

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TOR at IND 03:00 PM

TOR -1.0

U 195.0


MIA at CHA 05:30 PM

MIA +3.0

U 200.5


OKC at DAL 08:00 PM

DAL +8.5

U 203.0


LAC at POR 10:30 PM

LAC -1.0

U 207.5

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

Some betting props for this week's NFL Draft..........

-- Who gets drafted first? Goff -$185, Wentz +$150

-- Who gets drafted first? Treadwell -$135, Doctson -$105

-- Quarterbacks drafted in first round: Over 2.5 (-$600), under 2.5 (+$375)

-- RBs/WRs drafted in first round: Over 5.5 (+$180), under 5.5 (-$260)

-- Players from SEC drafted in first round: Over 8.5 (+$120), under (-$160)

-- Total Ohio State players drafted in whole draft: Over 13.5 (-$115), under -$125

**********

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday........

13) Hornets 96, Heat 80-- First playoff win for Charlotte in 14 years; they had lost their last 12 playoff games in a row.

12) Charlotte coach Steve Clifford makes around $4M a year now working for Michael Jordan's team, but in 1994-95, he was an assistant coach at Siena College here just outside of Albany, where he made far less than $4M a year.

11) Why did the Knicks let Jeremy Lin go? Never made sense to me; the team was winning when he ran the point, they were fun to watch-- everyone (except Carmelo Anthony) seemed happy. He would still be the best point guard on their roster.

10) Twins' rookie OF Max Kepler was born in Germany; both of his parents are professional dancers over there.

9) Atlanta Braves are 4-13, haven't homered in their last 12 games- could be a very long year on Peachtree Street, but they move into their new stadium next year and have lot of good young prospects down on the farm, not far from the big leagues.

8) There have been 15 pinch-hit homers in the major leagues this month; Cardinals have seven of them.

7) In Japan, the baseball season is 143 games long and Monday is a mandatory day off; during batting practice, they use two cages at once, placed next to each other.

6) I'd watch a Japanese League Game of the Week; could have American graphics and maybe a couple of guys on MLB Network studios analyzing the game wthout going all the way over there. Am curious to see waht their games are like.

5) When minor league teams play doubleheaders, both games are seven innings.

4) A 29-year old African man is facing deportation from Canada after he posed as a 16-year old basketball star and was attracting interest from American colleges.

3) New York Mets scored in top of first inning in six of the eight games on their current road trip- they have 38 games against Philly/Atlanta and 19 more with the dysfunctional Marlins- it must be nice.

2) Dodgers 4, Rockies 1-- Japanese import Kenta Maeda has allowed one run in 25.1 IP in his first four American starts.

1) Has to be hard for ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy to be calling the one-sided Detroit-Cleveland series, seeing as the losing coach is going to be his brother Stan. He does as well as he can hiding the fact that he is rooting for the Pistons.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, April 24


San Antonio @ Memphis

Game 553-554
April 24, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
126.196
Memphis
110.056
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 16
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 12 1/2
183
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-12 1/2); Over

Golden State @ Houston

Game 555-556
April 24, 2016 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
128.251
Houston
117.690
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 10 1/2
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 8 1/2
217 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-8 1/2); Over

Atlanta @ Boston

Game 557-558
April 24, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
122.609
Boston
120.748
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 2
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 2
204 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+2); Under

Cleveland @ Detroit

Game 559-560
April 24, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
124.245
Detroit
121.723
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2 1/2
192
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6 1/2
198 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+6 1/2); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 24

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SAN ANTONIO (70 - 15) at MEMPHIS (42 - 43) - 4/24/2016, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-23 ATS (-11.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 951-829 ATS (+39.1 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 45-34 ATS (+7.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 89-63 ATS (+19.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 69-54 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 10-5 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 13-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (75 - 10) at HOUSTON (42 - 43) - 4/24/2016, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 45-28 ATS (+14.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 46-36 ATS (+6.4 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 43-35 ATS (+4.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 118-88 ATS (+21.2 Units) in April games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) against Southwest division opponents this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 35-24 ATS (+8.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 61-43 ATS (+13.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 38-47 ATS (-13.7 Units) in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 99-131 ATS (-45.1 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 11-7 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 14-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (50 - 35) at BOSTON (49 - 36) - 4/24/2016, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 16-34 ATS (-21.4 Units) in road games in all playoff games since 1996.
BOSTON is 92-76 ATS (+8.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 56-41 ATS (+10.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 98-81 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 35-24 ATS (+8.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 96-129 ATS (-45.9 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-7 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 9-5 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

CLEVELAND (60 - 25) at DETROIT (44 - 41) - 4/24/2016, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 33-42 ATS (-13.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
DETROIT is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games when leading in a playoff series since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 8-7 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 10-5 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 24

Detroit-Cleveland (C 3-0)
Pistons lost Game 1 despite shooting 15-29 from arc; they were 10-40 in last two games and lost by 17-10 points. Five of last eight series games went over total- under is 19-7 in playoffs this month. Cavaliers won four of last five visits here, but lost two of last three road games overall; Detroit lost three of its last four home games. Cleveland had only 26 turnovers total in Games 1-3 (+3).

Boston-Atlanta (A 2-1)
Home side won all three series games; Boston shot 46% in Game 3 win, after shooting 36.3%/31.8% in Atlanta. Celtics lost five of last six games with Atlanta, with four of six going over the total- Hawks are 2-3 in last five visits here, and lost their last four road games overall. Six of last nine Atlanta games stayed under the total, as did three of last four Celtic games.

Memphis-San Antonio (S 3-0)
Grizzlies lost 12 of last 13 games, losing by 32-26-9 in first three games of series. Memphis lost its last eight games with Spurs (1-7 vs spread), six by 10+ points. Grizzlies lost four of last five series games played here. Seven of last nine series games stayed under total. Spurs are 3-2 in last five road games, with no win by more than nine; they only led by a point at half in Game 3, but made 12-26 on arc and pulled away to win.

Houston-Golden State (G 2-1)
Curry's ankle should be vastly improved now that Warriors lost Game 3- they were only 6-25 on arc in 97-96 loss. Warriors won by 9 without Curry in Game 2, going 27-38 on line. Golden State won 11 of last 13 games (8-5 vs the spread) against Houston, covering three of last five played here. Rockets cut turnovers down to 16 last game, winning despite 39% shooting from floor. After missing two games, how will Golden State's chemistry be with him back?

Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 17-9, Over: 7-19




NBA

Sunday, April 24

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

1:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. MEMPHIS
San Antonio is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Memphis is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio

3:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Golden State's last 16 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games when playing Golden State

6:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. BOSTON
Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta

8:30 PM
CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Sunday, April 24

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday's NBA playoffs betting preview and odds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cavaliers will attempt to sweep the Pistons out of the playoffs with a win in Detroit Sunday.

The San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to be the first teams to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs Sunday. We break down all the action in our betting preview.

San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies (+12.5, 183)

Spurs lead series 3-0

The second-seeded San Antonio Spurs look to complete a four-game sweep of Memphis when they visit the Grizzlies on Sunday. San Antonio rolled to easy victories in the first two games and swatted aside Memphis' determined effort in Game 3 while posting a 96-87 victory.

Spurs All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard had a monster outing in Game 3 as he made six 3-pointers and had 32 points, seven rebounds, five blocked shots and four steals. "Kawhi Leonard’s got to be one of the top two, top three, players in the league at both ends," Memphis forward Zach Randolph told reporters. "That kid is the silent assassin." Randolph was quieted by the San Antonio defense in the first two games but delivered a better effort in Game 3 with 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Grizzlies don't figure to lay down as they aim to avoid the sweep. "They're going to fight until the end, so we've got to come out Sunday even more physical and more intense and match their energy," said Spurs small forward Danny Green, "because we know they'll come out with more than they did (Friday)."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: Its not looking good for the Grizzlies, who on the brink on elimination, opened as 13-point home pups. They have since been bet down to +12.5. The total opened at 183 and has yet to move off that number. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE SPURS (70-15, 46-39 ATS, 35-48-2 O/U): Leonard is averaging 21.7 points in the series but is making an even bigger impact on the defensive end with averages of 3.3 steals and three blocked shots. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has altered numerous other Memphis shots and has repeatedly jammed up passing lanes to highlight San Antonio's defensive prowess. All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has scored in double digits in all three games but hasn't had a big outing while averaging 14.3 points.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (42-43, 43-41-1 ATS, 45-38-2 O/U): Memphis is averaging just 76.3 points and shooting 37.7 percent from the field in the series and only Randolph (12.3) and veteran swingman Vince Carter (10.3) are averaging in double digits. The Grizzlies went to a smaller lineup for most of Game 3 and that alignment included Randolph at center and Matt Barnes playing power forward in an attempt to improve the offensive efficiency. Randolph is shooting just 33.3 percent in the series and Barnes' accuracy has been even worse - 30.3 while averaging 9.3 points.

TRENDS:

* Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games.
* Grizzlies are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in Spurs last six versus Southwest Division opponents.
* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings overall.



Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (+8.5, 217.5)

Warriors lead series 2-1

The first-round series between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors is starting to get testy and controversial. The Rockets will try to build on their contested victory in Game 3 and even the series at two wins apiece when they host the Warriors in Game 4 on Sunday.

Houston pulled out a 97-96 victory on James Harden’s basket with 2.7 seconds remaining in Game 3 on Thursday, only to have the NBA come out on Friday and say the shot shouldn’t have counted because Harden initiated contact with Golden State forward Andre Iguodala before releasing the ball. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey fired off a pair of tweets during and after the game questioning the officiating and Warriors forward Draymond Green was given a retroactive flagrant foul 1 on Friday for his conduct in the final second of Game 3. Houston pulled out the one-point win after seldom-used Golden State guard Ian Clark had given his team the lead with 10 seconds remaining while absorbing the crunch-time minutes that usually go to superstar Stephen Curry, who missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle. Curry dressed for Game 3 but was ruled out by the coaching staff and coach Steve Kerr said Saturday that Curry will play in Game 4.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Rockets opened as 6.5-point home dogs, but with Curry's expected retuen to the lineup in Game 4, the line has moved to Rockets +8.5. The total has also seen some predictable movement, going from 216 to 217.5. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (75-10, 47-36-2 ATS, 46-38-1 O/U): Curry tried to talk his way into the lineup in Game 3 before being overruled by the staff but went through practice on Friday and Saturday and declared himself ready to go. "It's not pain. It's like soreness that comes along with all that my ankle's been through," Curry told reporters. "It's kind of to be expected and I see it as, this is kind of my playoff thing. Everybody has something they're dealing with in some way shape or form. It's stable ... no swelling or anything, so I can do everything I need to do." Green struggled to nine points, seven rebounds, seven assists and seven turnovers in Game 3 while fellow All-Star Klay Thompson went 0-of-7 from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (42-43, 38-47 ATS, 48-37 O/U): Houston had no issues with Harden’s game-winner immediately following the win and suggested it was par for the course for the superstar. "The last shot was typical of what James does," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters in the post-game press conference. "The move we've seen before, the finish we've seen before, the hold of the ball we've seen before. You do get spoiled by it. At times, in these moments, the biggest of moments, you can't but help but appreciate it." Harden, who drew some criticism for not being aggressive enough after failing to go to the free-throw line in Game 1 and making only one trip to the line in the second half of Game 2, finished with 35 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in Game 3 while going 9-of-11 from the line.

TRENDS:

* Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
* Under is 6-0 in Warriors last six road games.
* Under is 6-1 in Rockets last seven games following a straight up win.



Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-2, 203.5)

Hawks lead series 2-1

The Boston Celtics made their way back into the series behind 42 points and some controversy from All-Star Isaiah Thomas. The point guard managed to escape without a suspension after appearing to hit Atlanta point guard Dennis Schroder in the face, and the Celtics will try to even the series at two wins apiece when they host the Hawks on Sunday.

Schroder and Thomas battled back and forth in Game 3 and Thomas sent a hand toward Schroder’s face in the first quarter after the two were assessed technical fouls for jawing at each other. The refs missed the hit to the face but did catch Schroder knocking Thomas down seconds later. "I still feel disrespected (about) what he did," Schroder told reporters after the decision to hand Thomas a flagrant 1 foul on Saturday. "I (had) just scored a basket and tried to go back on defense and he smacked me. It had nothing to do with basketball.” Thomas’ career-high 42 points were the key to Boston’s 111-103 victory which got the team back into the series after a pair of terrible offensive performances in the first two games.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, TNT, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), CSN New England (Boston)

LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 2-point home favorites for Game 4 and the line hasn't yet to move off that number. The total opened st 204.5 and has been bet down one point to 203.5. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (50-35, 43-41-1 ATS, 39-46 O/U): Atlanta was down 17 at the end of the first quarter on Friday and trailed by as much as 19 early in the third before battling back and taking the game down to the wire. “It was going to be tough to sweep this team anyway,” Hawks forward Kent Bazemore told reporters. “Being down 2-0 and them having a home game, we knew they were going to put up a fight. We know that we’ve got to do a lot better. Our defense wasn’t where it should have been for a chunk of a game." Bazemore has sandwiched a pair of 20-point outings around a 2-of-14 effort in Game 2.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (49-36, 44-40-1 ATS, 40-45 O/U): Boston is still without starting shooting guard Avery Bradley (hamstring) and switched up the lineup in Game 3 in an effort to coax some more offense out of the team, inserting Jonas Jerebko and Evan Turner. Those two combined for 28 points and spaced the floor for Thomas, who attacked the basket and joined Hall of Famers like Larry Bird and John Havlicek as Celtics who have gone for 40 or more points in the playoffs. "I’m just glad we got the win, first and foremost," Thomas told reporters. "But, I mean, that makes me feel happy, just to be in same category of those great players and I just want to follow in the footsteps of all the Celtics greats.”

TRENDS:

* Hawks are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games.
* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a ATS win.
* Under is 4-1 in Hawks last five games overall.
* Under is 12-3 in Celtics last 15 games following a straight up win.



Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (+6.5, 198.5)

Cavaliers lead series 3-0

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to dominate Detroit in the postseason and look to finish off a four-game sweep of the host Pistons in Sunday's first-round contest. Cleveland has won 11 consecutive playoff games against Detroit, one off the postseason record held by the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in 12 straight playoff games from 1980-89.

The Cavaliers took the commanding 3-0 lead with a 101-91 victory on Friday when point guard Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and forwards LeBron James and Kevin Love each scored 20. "I think right now we're in a great flow as far as us three," James told reporters. "When we're on the floor we understand what we want individually and as a team. Guys are picking their spots." Being swept would leave Detroit with 10 consecutive playoff losses since a victory against the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals. Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson is averaging just 14.7 points in the series - more than four below his regular-season average - and was just 1-of-8 from 3-point range in the Game 3 loss.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Detroit

LINE HISTORY: The Pistons opened as 6.5-point home favorites and have yet to move off that number. The total has also not moved off its opening number of 198.5. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (60-25, 39-43-3 ATS, 42-43 O/U): The trio of James, Irving and Love are meshing and Detroit hasn't figured out how to slow any of the three. Love has also been a force on the boards with three consecutive double-doubles while averaging 21.3 points and 11.7 rebounds, and Irving is averaging a team-best 26.3 points. James is averaging 22.3 points and had 13 rebounds and seven assists in Game 3 despite being just 8-of-24 shooting after making 21-of-35 over the first two games.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (44-41, 43-40-2 ATS, 43-42 O/U): All-Star center Andre Drummond spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench in Game 3 as his porous free-throw shooting again was a problem. Drummond was 1-of-6 from the line in Game 3 - he is 6-for-24 in the series - and only played 93 seconds in the final stanza as coach Stan Van Gundy couldn't afford to give possessions away. "Yeah, because you can't do anything with him," Van Gundy told reporters. "He can't run to set a screen, he can't do anything. You've just got opportunities to foul him. Now would they have [fouled]? I don't know. But I gave him one possession - we're behind. We can't go down and play for zero points."

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on one days rest.
* Road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Under is 5-1 in Pistons last six home games.
* Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers last six Conference Quarterfinals games.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday's Tip Sheet
April 24, 2016

Western Conference – Game 4 (Warriors lead 2-1)
Golden State (-8 ½, 217 ½) at Houston – 3:35 PM EST – ABC

The Warriors lost only nine games in the regular season, but dropped their first playoff game in Thursday’s 97-96 defeat at Houston. Golden State hasn’t lost consecutive contests this season, while last season’s Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry is expected back in the lineup after missing each of the previous two games with a sprained right ankle.

The Rockets jumped out to a 17-point advantage in Game 3 before the Warriors rallied back to take a one-point lead with 10 seconds remaining. James Harden drilled the go-ahead jumper to give Houston a 97-96 lead, as Golden State’s Draymond Green mishandled the ensuing in-bound pass to clinch a Rockets’ victory and a cover as 3 ½-point underdogs. Harden scored a game-high 35 points, while the front-court duo of Dwight Howard and Donatas Motiejunas combined to pull down 26 rebounds.

The Warriors went from 115 points in Game 2 to just 96 in Game 3, as Steve Kerr’s club shot 49% from the floor in the Game 2 victory. With the series shifting to Houston, the defending champions couldn’t buy a shot from three-point range by hitting 6-of-25 attempts from downtown, including an 0-for-7 effort from Klay Thompson. The usually explosive Warriors’ squad depended on a pair of role players to be key contributors in Game 3 as Marreese Speights put up a team-high 22 points and rookie guard Ian Clark chipped in with 11 points.

Seven times in the regular season the Warriors were held below 100 points, while winning just twice when scoring in double-digits. However, Golden State bounced back by compiling a 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS record following a loss when it was limited to less than 100 points with the two non-covers coming as double-digit favorites.

The Rockets have won eight of their last 12 games at the Toyota Center, while winning and covering in each of their past three opportunities as a home underdog. Since 2013, Houston has taken care of its business as a home ‘dog in the postseason by compiling a 5-1 SU/ATS record, including four consecutive SU/ATS wins since last season’s playoffs.

Eastern Conference – Game 4 (Hawks lead 2-1)
Atlanta at Boston (-2, 203 ½) – 6:05 PM EST – TNT

The home team has won each of the first three games of this series as Boston avoided a 3-0 deficit by holding off Atlanta on Friday, 111-103. Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 42 points for the Celtics, while the Boston offense rebounded in a big way after being limited to 72 points in a Game 2 loss at Philips Arena. The Celtics put a halt to a six-game playoff losing streak under head coach Brad Stevens, while winning its first postseason contest since 2013 in the opening round against the Knicks.

Thomas avoided a suspension after being assessed a technical foul in Game 3 for his run-in with Atlanta guard Dennis Schroder. The Celtics posted a 37-point first quarter on Friday following a seven-point opening frame in the Game 2 blowout loss. Boston jumped out to a 20-point advantage before Atlanta climbed back to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter. The Hawks were limited to 9-of-36 shooting from three-point range, as guard Kyle Korver was the only Atlanta player to heat up from downtown by hitting 5-of-9 attempts from long range.

Atlanta suffered its fourth consecutive road loss since March 30, while allowing at least 105 points in each of those defeats. The Hawks have put together a 3-6 SU and 4-5 ATS record away from Philips Arena in the past nine postseason contests, while hitting the ‘over’ six of nine times during this span.

Since January 13, the Celtics have dominated at home by going 20-3 SU and 16-7 ATS in the last 23 games at TD Garden. Dating back to the start of February, Boston owns a dazzling 9-3 ATS record as a favorite of 5 ½ points or less, while going 2-1 SU/ATS against Atlanta at home this season.

Eastern Conference – Game 4 (Cavaliers lead 3-0)
Cleveland (-6 ½, 198 ½) at Detroit – 8:35 PM EST – TNT

The Cavaliers are one victory away from becoming the first Eastern Conference team to advance to the second round. Cleveland swept Boston in the opening round last season and are looking to duplicate that feat against Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills. After allowing 101 points in the series opener, Cleveland’s defense tightened up the last two games by giving up 90 points in Game 2 and 91 points in Game 3.

The Pistons trailed the Cavaliers on Friday night by one point at halftime, but Cleveland pulled away late to grab a 101-91 victory to cover as five-point road favorites. Kyrie Irving drilled a three-pointer as the shot clock expired in the final minute to give Cleveland an eight-point cushion and basically guarantee the Cavaliers a cover. Following a 53-point output in the first half by the Pistons, Cleveland’s defense tightened up and allowed Detroit to score only 38 points in the second half.

Cleveland’s Big Three dominated in Game 3 as Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love combined to score 66 points, while the Cavaliers outrebounded the Pistons, 46-32. All five Detroit starters put up double-figures, but the bench contributed only 14 points, while the team shot 6-of-23 from three-point range, a far cry from Game 1 when the Pistons hit 15 shots from downtown.

The Cavaliers posted a 3-0 SU/ATS record in close-out games in the 2015 playoffs, including road victories at Boston and Chicago. Since 2011, James-led teams have compiled a 13-4 SU and 11-6 ATS mark when trying to clinch a series, but two of those losses came with his team (Heat) leading 3-0 on the road in the first round in 2011 and 2012.

The Pistons have rebounded off a home loss since the All-Star break by going 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in this situation, including a victory at Cleveland on February 22 as 9 ½-point underdogs. Stan Van Gundy’s team continues to be an ‘under’ squad at home recently by cashing the ‘under’ in five of the last six games at the Palace of Auburn Hills.