The Bum's 2016 NBA Best Bets-Trends-News-Stats !

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, April 30


Washington @ Boston

Game 735-736
April 30, 2017 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
125.022
Boston
124.291
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 4 1/2
214 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+4 1/2); Over

Utah @ LA Clippers

Game 721-722
April 30, 2017 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
123.919
LA Clippers
130.838
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 7
199
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 3 1/2
190 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-3 1/2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 30

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UTAH (54 - 34) at LA CLIPPERS (54 - 34) - 4/30/2017, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 91-64 ATS (+20.6 Units) on Sunday games since 1996.
UTAH is 38-16 ATS (+20.4 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 74-49 ATS (+20.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 209-263 ATS (-80.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 191-235 ATS (-67.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=98 points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 9-8 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 12-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (53 - 35) at BOSTON (57 - 31) - 4/30/2017, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 3-15 ATS (-13.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
BOSTON is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game since 1996.
BOSTON is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 8-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Sunday, April 30

Western Conference – Round 1 – Best of 7 – Game 7 – Series Tied At 3-3

Utah at LA Clippers, 10:35 PM ET
Utah: 38-16 ATS revenging a home loss vs opponent
LA Clippers: 17-5 UNDER in home games against Northwest division opponents

Eastern Conference – Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1

Washington at Boston, 1:00 PM ET
Washington: 31-17 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent
Boston: 7-0 OVER after covering 4 of their last 5 against the spread




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 30

Wizards won Game 6 in Atlanta Friday nite, have quick turnaround here in Boston, where they lost last four visits (0-4 vs spread). Home side won eight of last ten series games; under is 3-2 in last five meetings. Washington lost three of last four road tilts; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games overall. Celtics were down 2-0 to Bulls, then Rondo broke his thumb and Boston won four straight. C’s are 2-3 vs spread in last five home games; three of their last four games stayed under total. This is first time Boston is past 1st round since 2012; Celtics are 4-3 in last seven 2nd round series.

Utah bench was -48 in Game 6 home loss, shooting 8-29 from floor, when they could’ve finished off series; they had outscored Clipper subs 102-53 in Games 4-5, but were outscored 26-20 last game- Crawford had 12 points for LA. Road team is 4-2 SU in this series; under is 4-2. Gobert turned his ankle late in game, his status here is ??able. Underdogs covered four of six series games; Utah split last four games here vs Clippers- they covered their last four road tilts overall. LA is 4-2 in last six first round series. Jazz last won a playoff series in 2010; this is first time they have been even been in playoffs in five years. Griffin is out for the Clippers.

First round playoff series:
Boston-Chicago
Chi 106-102, +7, O207
Chi 111-97, +7.5, O206.5
Bos 104-87, -2.5, U206
Bos 104-95, -1.5, U204
Bos 108-97, –7.5, U205.5
Bos 105-83, -2, U203
Celtics win series 4-2

Cleveland-Indiana
Clev 109-108, -9, O208.5
Clev 117-111, -9, O210
Clev 119-114, –1.5, O210
Clev 106-102, -4, U214
Cavaliers win series, 4-0

Toronto-Milwaukee
Mil 97-83, +7.5, U197.5
Tor 106-100, -8, O195
Mil 104-77, –2, U197
Tor 87-76, +2.5, U194
Tor 118-93, -6, O193
Tor 92-89, +1.5, U196.5
Raptors win series, 4-2

Washington-Atlanta
Wash 114-107, -5.5, O209.5
Wash 109-101, -6.5, U211.5
All 110-108, -2.5, O211
Atl 111-101, -2.5 U212.5
Wash 103-99, -6.5, U212
Wash 115-99, +3, O208.5
Wizards win series, 4-2

Golden State-Portland
GState 121-109, -15.5, O220
GState 110-81, –12, U219
GState 119-113, -5, O217.5
GState 128-103, -9, O222.5
Warriors win series, 4-0

San Antonio-Memphis
SA 111-82, -9.5, O190.5
SA 96-82, -10.5, U189
Mem 105-94, +3.5, O188
Mem 110-108, +5.5, O187
SA 116-103, -10.5, O188.5
SA 103-96, -5.5, O190.5
Spurs win series, 4-2

Houston-Oklahoma City
Hst 118-87 -7.5, U227.5
Hst 115-111, -7.5, O225.5
OC 115-113, -2.5, O224
Hst 113-109, +1, U223.5
Hst 105-99, -7.5, U223.5
Rockets win series, 4-1

LA Clippers-Utah
Utah 97-95, +6, U198.5
LAC 99-91, -9, U200
LAC 111-106, -1.5, O197.5
Utah 105-98, -5, O196
Utah 96-92, +3, U195.5
LAC 96-93, +5.5, U195.5

Favorites: 19-23-1 vs spread
Over: 22-21




NBA

Sunday, April 30

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Trend Report
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1:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Washington

1:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. BOSTON
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Chicago's last 23 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Chicago

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday’s NBA Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds


Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 215)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (53-35 SU, 45-42-1 ATS, 54-33-1 O/U): John Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday's closeout game at Atlanta and drew raves for his defensive effort, especially a chase-down block in the fourth quarter that helped cut off a Hawks run. "It’s really not fair - a point guard being able to do what he does," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "It’s only one player in the league who does that, and we all know who that is. But (Wall) does it every game. That’s a sign of a champion. You chase down plays. You stay in plays." Wall, who averaged 29.5 points and 10.3 assists in the first round, was held to 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four meetings with Boston in the regular season.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (57-31 SU, 44-42-2 ATS, 42-42-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas averaged 28.9 points in the regular season but watched his shooting numbers take a dip as he averaged 23 points in the six games against Chicago and went a combined 3-of-26 from 3-point range in the final three games of the series. Boston's other players picked up their hurting leader over the final four games, with Avery Bradley emerging as the hero of Friday's 105-83 Game 6 triumph. "I was really proud of our guys for how they treated each other, how they stood together, stuck together, and how nobody pointed fingers," coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "They were just a great support network for one another, and especially for Isaiah."

LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 4.5-point home chalk in this opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals and that number has held. The total hit the betting books at 214.5 and has gone up slightly to 215.

INJURY REPORT:

Wizards - C Ian Mahinmi (Out Indefinitely, calf).

Celtics - No injuries to report.

TRENDS:

* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Wizards last 4 road games.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Celtics last 4 home games.
* Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
* Wizards are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston.



Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers (-3.5, 189.5)

Series tied 3-3

ABOUT THE JAZZ (54-34 SU, 40-44-4 ATS, 44-44-0 O/U): Utah hasn't won a playoff series since 2010 and it squandered a big opportunity by losing Game 6 at home. The Jazz received poor shooting performances from series star Joe Johnson (nine points on 3-of-9 shooting) and backup shooting guard Rodney Hood (four points on 2-of-10 shooting) and that sabotaged their ability to score. "I'm not sure if we got tired or got tired of missing," Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "(The Clippers) were the more energetic team. Their physicality on the defensive end, we didn't respond offensively the way that we needed to, or as forceful as we needed to be. When you're not aggressive enough with your frame of mind, I don't think you shoot the ball as well."

ABOUT THE CELTICS (54-34 SU, 42-45-1 ATS, 46-41-1 O/U): Los Angeles held a 91-77 edge with 3:58 left in Game 6 and had to hold off a frantic Utah charge to even the series. Chris Paul helped quell the comeback attempt and will again be counted on heavily Sunday in a series in which he is averaging 27.3 points and 10 assists and topped 20 points in all six games. "He's so unselfish he wants to get other guys going, but sometimes we need him to get going," Jordan told reporters of Paul. "He's been able to do that in this series and just take advantage of whatever they're giving him and then still be able to get other guys involved and keep everybody engaged. As one of the leaders of this team, he's done a great job of that all season and even more in the playoffs."

LINE HISTORY: The Clippers opened as 3.5-point home favorites in this single elimination game and some early action on the chalk bumped that number to -4 before returning to the opening number of -3.5 Sunday morning. The total opened at 193 and has been bet all of the way down to 189.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Jazz - SG Alec Burks (Doubtful Friday, knee).

Clippers - PF Blake Griffin (Out for Season, toe), C Diamond Stone (Out Indefinitely, knee).

TRENDS:

* Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss.
* Clippers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS win.
* Under is 5-0 in Jazz last five road games.
* Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles.
* Road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.

[StarDust Bum]

Game 1's in second round of NBA Playoffs producing a crazy total trend

The total for Game 1 of the Raptors-Cavaliers series on Monday has a total of 208.5 and the Over has been cashing at a remarkable rate in opening games of the second round since 2010.

The first round of the NBA playoffs is winding down. Teams like the Warriors and Cavaliers have already advanced while most other series are nearing their conclusions. So that means it’s time to start looking ahead to Round 2.

The second round may be the most interesting to bet in the NBA playoffs. Some teams are coming off long breaks while others are riding the momentum of battling through a tough series.

The big difference between the first and second round seems to be on the offensive side of the ball. Where no matter how you got to the second round, you are more than likely used to the bright lights of the postseason and the jitters of the first round as passed.

This has created one of the most profitable wagering opportunities in the NBA playoffs – betting the Over in Game 1 of Round 2.

The Over is a remarkable 21-7 in Game 1’s in the second round since 2010. That’s a success rate of 75 percent.

What makes the number more remarkable is while obviously scoring is up in the NBA over that past few years, it appears sportsbooks have tried to adjust to this trend and it still hasn’t worked.

Between 2010 and 2013 the average total in these second round Game 1’s was 189.1 with the Over going 12-4, once again a 75 percent success rate. Compare that to the last three years and the average total is over 10 points higher per game at 199.8 and yet the Overs still went 9-3, for, say it with us, a 75 percent success rate.

What's worth more to NBA playoff oddsmakers: rest or rhythm?: Live From Las Vegas
As we enter the second round of the NBA playoffs, teams like Cleveland will be well rested after sweeping its first round opponent while other teams will be coming off grueling series battles. How do those situations impact the oddsmaking for series and Game 1 prices? We talk to Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports for MGM Resorts.

Last year the Overs went 3-1 (75 percent) in second round Game 1’s with an average total of 200.4. It was the highest average total in second round Game 1’s since 2010. Not only did those three of the four games go Over last season, they did so easily, doing so by a margin of 17.3 points per contest.

Looking ahead to this year, there are only three of the four second round Game 1’s on the board, but a quick look tells you two things: scoring is up once again in the NBA and books are still trying to catch up to this trend.

The average total for the three games this year is currently 212.8. That’s another 10 points higher even just compared to last year. Not to mention the fact, that number may go even higher with Golden State still waiting in the wings for the winner of Utah and Los Angeles.

Heck, the highest total in the Game 1’s last year was 210 and that was between the Warriors and Trail Blazers.

So while this trend is red-hot, make sure to study the matchups wisely and exercise caution when diving into your NBA Playoffs second round Game 1 total bets this year.

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, APRIL 30

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at BOS 01:00 PM

BOS -5.0

O 216.0

UTA at LAC 03:30 PM

UTA +3.5

U 190.5

[StarDust Bum]

NBA roundup: Jazz oust Clippers; Celtics win opener
April 30, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Gordon Hayward scored 26 points and collected eight rebounds to lead seven Utah scorers in double figures, and the Jazz eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers from the Western Conference playoffs with a 104-91 victory in Game 7 on Sunday at Staples Center.

George Hill and Derrick Favors contributed 17 points apiece as the Jazz advanced to the second round, where they will meet the Golden State Warriors. Game 1 is Tuesday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Favors also grabbed 11 rebounds before fouling out with 5:24 remaining. Joe Ingles had 12 points, Rodney Hood 11 and Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw 10 each.

DeAndre Jordan had 24 points and 17 boards to lead the Clippers. Jamal Crawford added 20 points and Chris Paul had 13 points and nine assists. Paul Pierce scored six points in 21 minutes in his final NBA game.

Celtics 123, Wizards 111

BOSTON -- Boston spotted Washington the first 16 points and then roared to an opening win in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Celtics, winning their fifth straight playoff game, trailed 22-5 just 5 1/2 minutes into the game but caught up in the second quarter, stayed close and then exploded in a 36-point third quarter to lead by 15 before holding off a Wizards charge.

Isaiah Thomas, who flew from Chicago to Tacoma, Wash., to attend the funeral of his sister, Chyna, before flying back late Saturday, scored 12 of his 33 points and Jae Crowder 11 of his playoff career-high 24 in Boston's 36-16 third quarter.

Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 27 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Jazz flatten Clippers to advance
April 30, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) The young Utah Jazz have grown up quickly.

Gordon Hayward scored 26 points and the Jazz eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday with a 104-91 victory, closing out the first-round series 4-3 to earn the franchise's first postseason victory since 2010.

''We've been through some pretty hard downs,'' said Hayward, a seventh-year veteran. ''It definitely feels really good to go from 25 wins to where we were this year making the playoffs, winning a series.''

George Hill and Derrick Favors added 17 points apiece for the Jazz in what proved to be the easiest game of the back-and-forth series.

The Jazz advanced to face top-seeded Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors swept Portland 4-0 and have been waiting since Wednesday to find out their next opponent.

Game 1 is Tuesday in Oakland.

The Clippers' DeAndre Jordan had 24 points and 17 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the series. Jamal Crawford added 20 points off the bench.

Chris Paul had 13 points for the Clippers, who were sent packing in the first round for the second straight year. Last season, they lost to Portland after Paul and Blake Griffin went down with injuries. This time, they didn't have Griffin again after he was lost in Game 3 with a big-toe injury.

''It came down to today to keep us afloat, keep us alive,'' Paul said. ''We're done.''

In the most closely contested series of the first round - and the only to go seven games - the Clippers came up strangely flat with their season on the line. J.J. Redick didn't hit his first 3-pointer until the game's final 3 1/2 minutes, drawing the Clippers within eight.

''Late, when we did start scoring, we couldn't get stops,'' Paul said.

He couldn't muster any of his fourth-quarter magic, either. Paul went scoreless with three assists in the period after tweaking an ankle in the third.

''We made it difficult for Chris Paul to get in the lane, get his little pullup jump shot,'' Hayward said. ''Guys on the weak side were rotated, making them make the extra pass and make some other guys try to create for them.''

In the fourth, the Jazz were well in command, ahead by 17 points and hardly feeling pressured by foul trouble for Rudy Gobert and Favors, who both fouled out. Gobert finished with one point in 14 minutes. Favors had 11 rebounds off the bench.

''I was struggling a lot this season with injuries and my teammates had to hold it down for me,'' Favors said. ''I felt like I owed them, especially in this game.''

The first six games between the fourth-seeded Clippers and No. 5 Utah were decided by eight points or less with Los Angeles outscoring Utah 98.8 points to 98.0 points. The teams had identical 51-31 records in the regular season.

But this one was all Utah in the second half.

The Jazz opened the third on a 23-9 run, extending their lead to 69-48 - largest in the series. Boris Diaw had eight points, Hayward added six and Hill four as the Jazz had three three-point plays.

The Clippers got bogged down with a shot-clock turnover, a delay of game warning and Redick's airball on a 3-point attempt while the home crowd went silent.

This time, the Jazz didn't need the big-shot heroics of Joe Johnson or the presence of Gobert.

The Clippers, whose only lead was one point minutes into the game, shot 44 percent, and were outscored 56-46 in the paint and 12-9 on fast-break points.

''There's no excuses,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. ''We lost.''

TIP-INS

Jazz: They improved to 3-2 all-time in Game 7s. ... Hayward made 43 of 45 free throws in the series.

Clippers: They fell to 3-4 all-time in Game 7s. ... They dropped to 3-1 with Paul in first-round Game 7s, having beaten Memphis in 2012, Golden State in 2014 and San Antonio in 2015. ... Beyonce and Jay Z sat courtside behind sunglasses.

WINNING ON THE ROAD

The Jazz won three road games in the series, gaining valuable experience away from the confines of their loud, boisterous home arena.

''It's unusual,'' coach Quin Snyder said. ''If we were going to be able to advance, in some ways it was fitting that it would be kind of through a difficult set of circumstances.''

FAREWELL TO THE TRUTH

Paul Pierce's 19-year NBA career came to an end at the final buzzer. The 39-year-old forward had six points and three rebounds in 21 minutes for the Clippers. He averaged 11.1 minutes in the series.

MAKING UP FOR BLAKE

Crawford, Luc Mbah a Moute and Austin Rivers combined to score 31 points while making up for the loss of Griffin. They totaled 38 points in winning Game 6 on the road.

Rivers started his second straight after missing the series' first four games while being out with a strained left hamstring.

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics rally to top Wizards in Game 1
April 30, 2017

BOSTON (AP) Nothing it seems can stop Isaiah Thomas this postseason - be it pains big or small.

The All-Star led the Celtics to a first-round win over Chicago in a haze after learning the day before that series began that his younger sister, Chyna Thomas, had died in a car accident outside of his native Tacoma, Washington.

That pain persisted on the eve of Boston's second-round pairing with the Washington Wizards, when he flew cross-country to attend her funeral.

Then Sunday's game brought the latest dose of adversity, when he had one of his front teeth dislodged after an early game collision. But as he's done all postseason, he continued to find a way to push through it.

Thomas had 33 points and nine assists, and the Celtics made 19 3-pointers to beat the Wizards 123-111 and take a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.

''I got in at 4 a.m.,'' Thomas said of his second flight to Washington in two weeks. ''It's tough, but it's the playoffs so there are no excuses. I decided to play and I just tried to give it all for my team.''

The Celtics star flew to the funeral with Boston president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and assistant coach Jerome Allen.

During player introductions, Thomas pointed to the TD Garden rafters when his name was called.

Al Horford added 21 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jae Crowder finished with career playoff-high 24 points.

Game 2 is set for Tuesday night.

The Wizards were more energetic at the outset, jumping out to a 16-0 advantage and leading by as many as 17 points. But the Celtics rallied with Thomas briefly sidelined while getting his tooth repositioned in the second quarter.

''I didn't know if we'd ever score and I didn't know if they've ever stop scoring,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.

Bradley Beal led Washington with 27 points. John Wall added 20 points and 16 assists.

Washington starter Markieff Morris played just 11 minutes before leaving with a sprained left ankle in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on Horford's foot.

The Wizards also had a tough time responding after Stevens started Marcus Smart in place of Gerald Green in the third quarter.

''They were a little more aggressive than we were,'' Beal said. ''Our defense slipped a little. We lacked some IQ and focus.''

A rivalry has been simmering between the teams since last year, when Boston swept the season series.

They split their four regular-season matchups this season, but each included intense moments.

Sunday's matchup was played at just as high a level, with a frenzied pace at times and physical play underneath the basket.

After the Wizards' early scoring flurry, Thomas lost his tooth, but initially kept playing. He found it during a timeout, but started the second quarter in the locker room. His teammates went on a 13-2 run without him to cut into Washington's lead. Boston led by 15 by the end of the third.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Shot 10 of 23 from 3-point line. ... Washington shot 62 percent (16 for 26) in the first quarter. ... Grabbed the first 12 rebounds of the game.

Celtics: Didn't score their first field goal until 6:42 remained in the first quarter, on a layup by Avery Bradley. ... Didn't register their first rebound of the game until the 5:57 mark. ...Kelly Olynyk has scored in double figures in three of his last four games, after doing so just twice in his first 11 career playoff games.

INJURY UPDATE

Despite what appeared to be on replays a serious sprain, Morris said afterward that it was just a normal basketball play.

''He stepped right under my foot,'' Morris said of Horford. ''Not sure if it was intentional or not, but that's what happened.''

He intends to play in Game 2.

''Oh yeah,'' Morris said. ''It ain't broke. That's what I do know.''

THOMAS' PLEDGE

In a clip of Thomas eulogizing Chyna posted by Washington NBC-affiliate King 5, Thomas was full of emotion as he expressed his pledge to live the rest of his life in her honor.

''I wanted to give up and quit and never in my life have I thought about quitting,'' Thomas said. ''I realized quitting isn't an option. That's the easy way out. I will keep going for my sister, because I know she wouldn't want me to stop.''

[StarDust Bum]

We meet again: Cavs, Raptors back together in postseason
April 30, 2017

CLEVELAND (AP) We The North vs. We Are The Champions.

One round earlier than a year ago, Toronto and Cleveland are meeting again in the NBA playoffs.

On the way to winning their first title last season, LeBron James and the Cavs took care of the Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals, a series that was tied 2-2 before Cleveland won the final two games. The teams finished this season with identical 51-31 records and their history makes for an intriguing May matchup.

''They know us,'' James said, ''and we know them.''

After sweeping Indiana in the opening round, the Cavs will have waited a full week before Monday's Game 1 tips off at Quicken Loans Arena, where Cleveland is 15-1 against conference opponents over the past three postseasons.

The down time gave James and his teammates a chance to recharge, heal some nagging bumps and bruises and prepare for a Toronto team that not only added Serge Ibaka (acquired from Orlando in February) and P.J. Tucker (acquired from Phoenix at the trade deadline) this season, but is looking for revenge after having its season ended by Cleveland in 2016.

These Raptors don't want that to happen again.

''We've got some fighters and scrappers,'' coach Dwane Casey said after Toronto eliminated Milwaukee in six games. ''The guys are going to compete. We make it hard on ourselves sometime, but at the end of the day we're going to go down swinging.''

They submitted last year in Game 6 at home, when James scored 33 points with 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in Cleveland's 113-87 win.

''He canceled Christmas,'' Casey said earlier this season. ''One of these days ... one of these days.''

For the Raptors to knock off the Cavs, whose shaky defense still showed some significant holes against the Pacers, Toronto stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry will have to be at their best.

''The two-headed monster,'' Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said.

DeRozan averaged 23.5 points per game in the opening round against the Bucks, and may need to bump that into the 30s for the Raptors to have a chance. He believes the Raptors are better equipped to battle the Cavs this time.

''It's just on us to put it together consistently,'' he said. ''We showed spurts of how great of a team we can be then we have lapses here and there. If we come together out there on the floor no matter what happens, as long as we come together, we can compete with anybody.''

Toronto lost three of four against Cleveland this season with the only win coming in the season finale, when Lue rested James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

Here are some other things to keep in mind as James takes another step toward a possible seventh straight trip to the Finals:

ROAD WARRIOR: James loves the road, where he has won at least one game in a record 27 consecutive playoff series.

The three-time champion revels in the discomfort of being booed and hated.

''Home cooking is great; love the home fans for 14 years,'' he said. ''But I love playing out on the road more than I love playing at home. It's just a weird thing. I love the adversity. ... It's the bunker mentality of knowing it's 15 guys plus the coaching staff and whoever there that's traveled with us against the whole state and the whole city.''

Or in this case, all of Canada.

KYLE IS KEY: Lowry is back to full speed after missing 21 games following surgery on his right wrist. He averaged 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds against the Bucks, but the Raptors will need more from him to dethrone the Cavs.

Lowry might be able to exploit Cleveland's suspect perimeter defense and lack of a true rim protector by driving to the basket.

FREE-THROW WOES: After making a career-low 67 percent of his free throws in the regular season, James went only 22 of 38 (58 percent) from the line in the opening round.

None of his misses was too costly, but the pressure only intensifies from here with every make and every miss meaning more.

DEMAR THE STAR: DeRozan can get his shot off any place, any time. Like they did with Paul George in the first round, the Cavs are expected to focus their attention Toronto's best player, harassing him with double teams to make him give up the ball.

''He's one of the best one-on-one players in our league right now, and he does a good job of getting to the free-throw line,'' Lue said. ''His mid-range jumper is automatic and he can also get to the basket where he's very athletic. He's a tough cover and we just want to make him make field goals and not free throws and make it hard on him.''

ON THE MOVE: James has been climbing various lists all season and he's still rising. He enters the series 60 points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5.682) for the second place on the career postseason scoring list. Once he passes Mr. Sky Hook, next on the list is His Airness, Michael Jordan (5,987).

[StarDust Bum]

Spurs facing tough task containing high-scoring Rockets
April 30, 2017

SAN ANTONIO (AP) After surviving an intense, physical battle with the Memphis Grizzlies, the San Antonio Spurs now face James Harden and the freewheeling Houston Rockets.

With a leading MVP candidate leading its offense in Harden, Houston averaged 112.8 points in its five-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets attempted 169 3-pointers in that series, making 34 percent, and were 134 for 168 from the free throw line.

Led by their own MVP candidate in Kawhi Leonard and a resurgent Tony Parker, the Spurs will have to match Houston's offensive output if they can't contain the Rockets when the series tips off Monday night in San Antonio.

''We don't want to, but I feel if we have to, I think we're capable,'' said Spurs guard Danny Green, who will be among those trying to slow Harden. ''We have enough guys that can put the ball in the basket, especially at an up-and-down-pace type of game. I think most guys prefer it. I think they'll give us an opportunity to score more, we've just got to take care of the ball.''

San Antonio has not faced Houston in the playoffs since the 1995 Western Conference finals, two seasons before the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan with the first overall pick. Still, the intra-state rivals are extremely familiar with each other.

San Antonio defeated Houston three times in the regular season, but the average margin of victory was three points in the four-game series.

''We know it's going to be tough, an extremely tough series,'' Harden said. ''San Antonio isn't going to beat themselves. So, we've got to be mentally focused and prepared to go out there and execute every possession, every game.''

Houston has capable outside shooters in Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Patrick Beverley, Eric Gordon and Lou Williams, but Harden is the focal point.

Harden averaged 29.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists against the Spurs in four regular-season games. He had triple-doubles in the first two games and double-doubles in the final two meetings.

Green and Leonard will likely alternate defending Harden, but neither expects to do so alone.

''We have a great group of guys that have a mindset of guarding,'' Leonard said. ''One guy can't guard someone one on one the whole game, it's going to be a team effort.''

Leonard turned in one of his most memorable performances of the season against Houston in the team's final meeting March 6. After hitting what became the game-winning 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining, Leonard blocked Harden's layup attempt to preserve a 112-110 victory.

The Spurs' 6-foot-7 defensive anchor averaged 28.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists against the Rockets.

San Antonio will need is greater output from veterans Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge averaged 14.8 points against the Grizzlies, down from the 17.3 points he scored during the regular season.

Parker, the Spurs' 16-year veteran point guard, was able to make up the difference by averaging 16.3 points and 3.0 assists against the Grizzlies. Parker averaged only 10.1 points during the regular season, the lowest output since his rookie season in 2002.

Some other things to know about the Rocket-Spurs matchup:

---

REMEMBER WHEN: Harden was on the winning end the only time he faced the Spurs in the playoffs. In his third season, Harden came off the bench as Oklahoma City beat San Antonio in six games to capture the 2012 Western Conference Finals. ''He was tough,'' Green said. ''Especially with Russ (Westbrook) and K.D. (Kevin Durant). Him coming off the bench, he was kind of like their mediator, I would say, kind of controlled Russ and K.D. He came off the bench and kind of calmed them down a little bit controlled the tempo a little, changed it up a little bit.''

WELCOME BACK: Houston forward Sam Dekker will be available to play Monday after missing four weeks following surgery to repair a fractured left hand. Dekker averaged 6.8 points in four games against the Spurs this season.

LIVING OUT LOUD: The Rockets have not faced the Spurs in the postseason in more than two decades, but many of their players have. So, they know what to expect from the sold-out crowd at the AT&T Center. ''It's pretty loud in there,'' Harden said. ''Those fans are extremely loyal to their team and they're going to be there cheering their team on to the highest level. So, we can't let that affect us.''

[StarDust Bum]

Capsule preview of the Rockets-Spurs series
April 30, 2017

Capsule and prediction for the Western Conference semifinal series between San Antonio and Houston that begins Monday:

No. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (61-21, 4-2) vs. No. 3 HOUSTON ROCKETS (55-27, 4-1)

Season series: Spurs, 3-1.

Story line: Houston goes from the spectacular Russell Westbrook to the sturdy Spurs in the first postseason matchup between the division and Texas rivals since 1995. San Antonio limited the record-setting Rockets to 29.2 percent shooting from 3-point range in a four-game season series in which the Spurs won by two, two and six.

Key Matchup: Kawhi Leonard vs. James Harden. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called Leonard the best player in the league right now and it certainly would've been hard to argue after San Antonio's 112-110 victory on March 6, when Leonard made the go-ahead 3-pointer and then blocked Harden's shot in one of the signature sequences of the NBA season. He spearheaded a defensive effort that limited Harden to 29.4 percent shooting behind the arc in the season series.

Prediction: Spurs in 7.

***************************************

Capsule preview of the Raptors-Cavaliers series
April 30, 2017

Capsule and prediction for the Eastern Conference semifinal series between Cleveland and Toronto that begins Monday:

No. 2 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (51-31, 4-0) vs. No. 3 TORONTO RAPTORS (51-31, 4-2)

Season series: Cavaliers, 3-1.

Story line: Rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finals, won by Cleveland in six games. The Cavaliers then beat the Raptors three more times in the first six weeks of this season before Toronto won on the final night with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love all sitting out.

Key matchup: James vs. Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker. Toronto acquired the defensive-minded forwards during the regular season but they didn't have much success stopping Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. Antetokounmpo is good. James, who averaged a spectacular 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 9.0 assists in a first-round sweep of Indiana, is better.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 7.-

[StarDust Bum]

Second Round Series Odds
April 30, 2017

Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)

Eastern Conference - Second Round

Boston vs. Washington (Celtics lead 1-0)
Celtics (-185)
Wizards (+160)

Cleveland vs. Toronto
Cavaliers (-525)
Raptors (+400)

Western Conference - Second Round

Golden State vs. Utah
Warriors (-10000)
Jazz (+2000)

San Antonio vs. Houston
Spurs (-240)
Rockets (+200)

Exact Game Props - Prior to Series (4/30/17)

Celtics vs. Wizards
7 Games Celtics Win 7/2
6 Games Wizards Win 4/1
6 Games Celtics Win 9/2
5 Games Celtics Win 5/1
7 Games Wizards Win 6/1
5 Games Wizards Win 8/1
4 Games Celtics Win 12/1
4 Games Wizards Win 20/1

Cavaliers vs. Raptors
5 Games Cavs Win 12/5
7 Games Cavs Win 7/2
6 Games Cavs Win 4/1
4 Games Cavs Win 5/1
6 Games Raptors Win 17/2
7 Games Raptors Win 10/1
5 Games Raptors Win 25/1
4 Games Raptors Win 35/1

Spurs vs. Rockets
7 Games Spurs Win 16/5
5 Games Spurs Win 7/2
6 Games Spurs Win 9/2
6 Games Rockets Win 5/1
7 Games Rockets Win 7/1
4 Games Spurs Win 8/1
5 Games Rockets Win 12/1
4 Games Rockets Win 25/1


Odds Subject to Change

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s six-pack

— Nationals 23, Mets 5— Noah Syndegaard is headed to the DL (lat). No bueno.

— Anthony Rendon was 6-6 with three HR’s, 10 RBI; his 16 total bases is three short of the all-time record (Shawn Green).

— Jazz 104, Clippers 91— People who run the Clippers have some hard decisions to make.

— Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 0 (13)— Weirdly low-scoring game between these division rivals.

— Cold-weather Cleveland Browns traded up to draft a kicker from Arizona State; what could possibly go wrong?

— Buffalo Bills fired their GM the day AFTER the draft, which is very strange.

**********************

Monday’s Den: NFL over/under win totals for 2017…….

South Point Casino’s NFL over/under win totals for 2017:

New England 11, over -$120

Pittsburgh 10.5, over -$120, Seattle 10.5, over/under -$110

Atlanta 10, under -$120, Green Bay 10, under -$120

Dallas 9.5, over -$120, Oakland 9.5, over -$120, Tennessee 9.5, under -$120, Baltimore 9.5, under -$125

Carolina 9, over -$120, Kansas City 9, over -$120, NJ Giants 9, over -$115 Indianapolis 9, under -$115

Cincinnati 8.5, over -$120, Denver 8.5, over -$120, Houston 8.5, over -$120

Minnesota 8.5, over/under -$110, Philadelphia 8.5, over/under -$110, New Orleans 8.5, under -$120

Detroit 8, over/under -$110, Tampa Bay 8, over/under -$110

Washington 7.5, over -$120, Arizona 7.5, over/under -$110, Chargers 7.5, over/under -$110, Miami 7.5, over/under -$110

Buffalo 6, over/under -$110

Jacksonville 5.5, over -$120, LA Rams 5.5, over -$120, NJ Jets 5.5, over -$120

Chicago 5, over/under -$110

San Francisco 4.5, over/under -$110

Cleveland 4, over/under -$110

[StarDust Bum]

Monday's Tip Sheet
April 30, 2017

Eastern Conference Semifinals
No. 3 Toronto at No. 2 Cleveland (TNT, 7:05 p.m. ET)

2016-17 Regular Season (Cavaliers 3-1)
Oct. 28 Cavaliers (-2.5) at Toronto 94-91 (Under 206)
Nov. 15 Raptors at Cavaliers (-5.5) 121-117 (Over 209)
Dec. 5 Cavaliers (+2) at Toronto 116-112 (Over 214.5)
Apr 12 Raptors (-3) at Toronto 98-83 (Under 201)

The Cavaliers knocked out the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games last season as the two teams meet again in postseason. Cleveland pulled off a four-game sweep of Indiana even though the Cavaliers won those contests by a total of 16 points. The most memorable victory in that series came in Game 3 when the Cavaliers erased a 25-point halftime deficit to stun the Pacers, 119-114, while covering as two-point favorites.

LeBron James put up three double-doubles in the series, while compiling a triple-double in the Game 3 comeback with 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. Point guard Kyrie Irving had a terrific series for Cleveland by scoring at least 23 points in three of the victories, while midseason pick-up Deron Williams posted a 14-point effort in the series clincher at Indiana.

The Raptors rode a roller-coaster in their first round series against the Bucks as Toronto fell behind, 2-1 after three games. However, Dwane Casey’s squad rebounded with three consecutive wins to close out the series in six games, while limiting Milwaukee to 93 points or fewer in those victories. Toronto’s offense scored 83 points or less in its two losses to Milwaukee, but had inconsistent scoring outputs in its four wins by posting 106, 87, 118, and 92 points.

Only two Raptors scored in double-figures in the series clinching win over the Bucks, as the backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 45 points. DeRozan stepped up in the final three wins by scoring 33 and 32 points in two of those victories, but Lowry eclipsed the 20-point mark only once. Milwaukee covered in each of the first three games of the series, but Toronto cashed in each of its last three wins.

Cleveland captured three of four games in the regular season against Toronto, as the Raptors won a meaningless contest on the final night at Quicken Loans Arena. In the meaningful matchups, Cleveland picked up the three victories by a total of 11 points. In the first meeting at Air Canada Center in late October, the Cavaliers held on for a 94-91 win as 2 ½-point favorites, while the Raptors were held to 39% shooting from the floor.

The Raptors managed a cover as six-point underdogs at Cleveland in mid-November in a 121-117 defeat. Both teams shot the ball well (Cleveland – 53%, Toronto – 48%), but James took over with 28 points and 15 assists, while Channing Frye chipped in 21 points off the bench for the Cavaliers. In early December, the Cavaliers beat the Raptors for the third time in less than six weeks, 116-112 as two-point underdogs. Cleveland’s big three of James, Irving, and Kevin Love combined for 86 points, while Toronto dynamic duo of Lowry and DeRozan scored 55 points in the defeat.

In last year’s conference finals, the Cavaliers dominated the Raptors in all three home matchups by winning each time by 19 points or more. Toronto picked up two underdog victories at Air Canada Center in Games 3 and 4, but lost the final game of the series, 113-87 at home as 6 ½-point underdogs.

Toronto struggled on the road in the playoffs from 2014-16 by putting together a 3-11 SU and 4-10 ATS record. However, the Raptors won two of three away games in the opening round at Milwaukee. Since the start of last postseason, the Cavaliers own an 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS at home, but failed to cover in their first two victories over the Pacers in the quarterfinals.

At Sportsbook.ag, Cleveland is the overwhelming favorite to advance at -525 odds (Bet $525 to win $100), while Toronto sits at hefty underdog odds at +400 (Bet $100 to win $400) to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Western Conference Semifinals
No. 3 Houston at No. 2 San Antonio (TNT, 9:35 p.m. ET)

2016-17 Regular Season (Spurs 3-1)
Nov. 9 Rockets (+8.5) at Spurs 101-99 (Under 212)
Nov. 12 Spurs (-1.5) at Rockets 106-100 (Under 208)
Dec. 20 Spurs (+1) at Rockets 102-100 (Under 213.5)
Mar. 6 Rockets at Spurs (-3.5) 112-110 (Push 222)

Plenty of eyes in the Western Conference will be on the Lone Star State showdown between the Spurs and Rockets. The last time these state rivals hooked up in the playoffs came way back in 1995 when Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets eliminated David Robinson and the Spurs in the conference finals in six games. Each of these teams showcase MVP candidates with San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Houston’s James Harden squaring off.

Leonard torched the Grizzlies in the opening round for 31.6 points per game, including 43 points in a Game 4 overtime loss at Memphis. However, the Spurs won the final two games of the series after being locked up at 2-2 after four contests, capped off by a 103-96 triumph in Game 6 as five-point road favorites. Veteran point guard Tony Parker came alive for San Antonio in the series clincher with 27 points, three games after being held scoreless in an 11-point setback in Game 3.

The Rockets advanced past the first round for only the second time since 2010 by knocking out the Thunder in five games. It wasn’t easy for Mike D’Antoni’s club, as the last four games against Oklahoma City were decided by six points or less as Houston went 1-2 ATS in the favorite role. The Rockets cashed in both opportunities as an underdog, while Harden topped the 34-point mark in four of the five contests.

Houston lives and dies by the three-point ball and things didn’t work out well for long distance against Oklahoma City. The Rockets converted on less than 31% of their attempts from three-point range in four of five games, including a dreadful 6-of-37 performance in the clinching Game 5 victory at home. Harden finds way to get his points, but the Rockets’ All-Star guard shot a combined 13-of-41 in the final two games from the floor, while knocking down only 2-of-20 attempts from distance.

The Rockets won the opening matchup against the Spurs on November 9 at AT&T Center, 101-99 as 8 ½-point underdogs, but ultimately lost the next three meetings. Two of the three wins by San Antonio came by two points apiece, including a 112-110 home triumph on March 6 as the Spurs erased a 16-point deficit after the opening quarter. Leonard and Harden cancelled each other out with 39-point performances, but Parker helped lift San Antonio to the comeback win with 19 points.

Since the start of the 2015 postseason, the Rockets have slumped to a 3-10 road record in the postseason, while six of those losses came by double-figures. San Antonio won and covered in all three home games against Memphis, while putting together a 13-game winning streak in home Game 1’s in the playoffs dating back to 2012.

San Antonio heads into this series at 9/1 odds to win the NBA championship at Sportsbook.ag, while Houston sits at 25/1 to capture the title. For the series, the Spurs are -240 favorites to advance to the Western Conference Finals, while the Rockets are listed at +200 to reach the conference finals for the second time in three seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

Overall Picks of the Day:..........APRIL'S NBA PLAYOFF TOTALS
Date W-L-T % Units Record

04/30/2017 3-1-0 75.00% +950
04/28/2017 3-3-0 50.00% -150
04/27/2017 2-2-0 50.00% -100
04/26/2017 1-1-0 50.00% -50
04/25/2017 2-1 66.66% +450
04/24/2017 NO PLAYS
04/23/2017 4-4-0 50.00% -200
04/22/2017 5-2-1 71.43% +1400
04/21/2017 2-3-1 40.00% -650
04/20/2017 3-3-0 50.00% -150
04/19/2017 3-3-0 50.00% -150
04/18/2017 5-1-0 83.33% +1950
04/17/2017 1-3-0 25.00% -1150
04/16/2017 3-5-0 37.50% -1250
04/15/2017 6-2-0 75.00% +1900

Totals:.......43 -34..55.84%..+ 28.00


Best Bets Daily:
Sides / Totals

04/30/2017..................2 - 0..............+2.00.................1 - 1 -0.10
04/28/2017..................1 - 2...............-1.20.................2 - 1 +0.90
04/27/2017..................0 - 2..............- 2.20.................2 - 0 +2.00
04/26/2017..................1 - 0..............+1.00.................0 - 1 -1.10
04/25/2017..................2 - 1..............+0.90.................0 - 3 -3.30
04/24/2017 NO PLAYS
04/23/2017..................2 - 2...............-0.20..................2 - 2 -0.20
04/22/2017..................2 - 1 - 1.........+0.90..................3 - 1+1.90
04/21/2017..................1 - 1 - 1..........-0.10..................1 - 1 -1.20
04/20/2017..................0 - 3...............-3.30..................3 - 0+3.00
04/19/2017..................1 - 2...............-1.20..................1 - 2 -1.20
04/18/2017..................3 - 0..............+3.00..................2 - 1+0.90
04/17/2017..................1 - 1...............-0.10..................0 - 2- 2.20
04/16/2017 .................2 - 2..............- 0.20..................1 - 2 -1.20
04/15/2017..................3 - 0.............+ 3.00..................1 - 2 -1.20

Totals................21 - 17 - 2....55.26%..+ 2.30................19 - 19...50.00%..- 3.00

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, May 1


Houston @ San Antonio

Game 725-726
May 1, 2017 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
120.234
San Antonio
123.768
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 3 1/2
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 6
213
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+6); Over

Toronto @ Cleveland

Game 723-724
May 1, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
115.327
Cleveland
128.897
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 13 1/2
205
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 6 1/2
209
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-6 1/2); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, May 1

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

TORONTO (55 - 33) at CLEVELAND (55 - 31) - 5/1/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 48-39 ATS (+5.1 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CLEVELAND is 37-45 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 9-8 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 11-6 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (59 - 28) at SAN ANTONIO (65 - 23) - 5/1/2017, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1000-873 ATS (+39.7 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 89-75 ATS (+6.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 509-426 ATS (+40.4 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 80-51 ATS (+23.9 Units) in home games in all playoff games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 282-233 ATS (+25.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 180-132 ATS (+34.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 7-5 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-3 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, May 1

Eastern Conference – Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1

Toronto at Cleveland, 7:00 PM ET
Toronto: 28-15 ATS in a road game where the total is 200 to 209.5
Cleveland: 45-24 OVER as a favorite

Western Conference – Semifinals – Best of 7 – Game 1

Houston at San Antonio, 9:30 PM ET
Houston: 13-2 ATS in road games revenging a loss vs opponent
San Antonio: 17-8 OVER when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, May 1

Cavaliers won five of last six games with Toronto (over is 5-5 in last ten series games). Raptors won/covered once in last five visits to Ohio. Toronto had three days’ rest since beating Bucks in six; they won/covered five of last six road games overall. Under is 5-2 in Raptors’ last seven games. Cavaliers swept Indiana by total of 16 points; they split last four home games overall. Six of their last eight games went over total. Cavaliers are 4-3 in this round with Lebron. This is only 3rd time Toronto has been in this round; they won two years ago, lost in 2001.

San Antonio won eight of last ten games with Houston (6-4 vs spread); Rockets lost four of last five visits to the Alamo (2-3 vs spread). Under is 4-0-1 in last five series games. Houston has been off for six days since beating Thunder- they split last four road games. Spurs eliminated Grizzlies in Memphis Thursday; they won/covered last three home games. Over is 7-1 in their last eight games. Over last 20 years, this is only 3rd time Rockets have been in this round (1-1); they won two years ago, lost in 2009. Spurs won five of last seven series in this round.

Second round playoff series:
Boston-Washington
Bos 123-111, -4.5, O216

Cleveland-Toronto

San Antonio-Houston

Golden State-Utah

First round playoff series:
Boston-Chicago
Chi 106-102, +7, O207
Chi 111-97, +7.5, O206.5
Bos 104-87, -2.5, U206
Bos 104-95, -1.5, U204
Bos 108-97, –7.5, U205.5
Bos 105-83, -2, U203
Celtics win series 4-2

Cleveland-Indiana
Clev 109-108, -9, O208.5
Clev 117-111, -9, O210
Clev 119-114, –1.5, O210
Clev 106-102, -4, U214
Cavaliers win series, 4-0

Toronto-Milwaukee
Mil 97-83, +7.5, U197.5
Tor 106-100, -8, O195
Mil 104-77, –2, U197
Tor 87-76, +2.5, U194
Tor 118-93, -6, O193
Tor 92-89, +1.5, U196.5
Raptors win series, 4-2

Washington-Atlanta
Wash 114-107, -5.5, O209.5
Wash 109-101, -6.5, U211.5
All 110-108, -2.5, O211
Atl 111-101, -2.5 U212.5
Wash 103-99, -6.5, U212
Wash 115-99, +3, O208.5
Wizards win series, 4-2

Golden State-Portland
GState 121-109, -15.5, O220
GState 110-81, –12, U219
GState 119-113, -5, O217.5
GState 128-103, -9, O222.5
Warriors win series, 4-0

San Antonio-Memphis
SA 111-82, -9.5, O190.5
SA 96-82, -10.5, U189
Mem 105-94, +3.5, O188
Mem 110-108, +5.5, O187
SA 116-103, -10.5, O188.5
SA 103-96, -5.5, O190.5
Spurs win series, 4-2

Houston-Oklahoma City
Hst 118-87 -7.5, U227.5
Hst 115-111, -7.5, O225.5
OC 115-113, -2.5, O224
Hst 113-109, +1, U223.5
Hst 105-99, -7.5, U223.5
Rockets win series, 4-1

LA Clippers-Utah
Utah 97-95, +6, U198.5
LAC 99-91, -9, U200
LAC 111-106, -1.5, O197.5
Utah 105-98, -5, O196
Utah 96-92, +3, U195.5
LAC 96-93, +5.5, U195.5
Utah 104-91, +3.5, O190.5
Jazz wins series, 4-3

Favorites: 19-24-1 vs spread
Over: 23-21




NBA

Monday, May 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 11 games on the road
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games at home

9:30 PM
HOUSTON vs. SAN ANTONIO
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston