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

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIA at BK 07:30 PM

MIA -6.0

O 214.0

DEN at NY 07:30 PM

DEN +1.0

O 229.0

SA at DET 07:30 PM

DET +4.5

U 209.0

GS at MEM 08:00 PM

MEM +7.5

U 216.0

NO at MIN 08:00 PM

MIN -3.5

U 212.0

IND at WAS 08:00 PM

WAS -5.5

U 214.5

LAL at MIL 08:00 PM

MIL -5.0

O 218.0

ATL at SAC 10:30 PM

ATL -1.5

U 208.5

CHI at PHO 10:30 PM

CHI -2.5

O 217.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

— Random fact: 5,411 people renounced their American citizenship last year. Not sure why people do this, but they did.

— Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers is also a 7-handicap golfer.

— Wisconsin Badgers won their last seven overtime games.

— Duke hasn’t won the ACC regular season title since 2010.

— Oregon’s hoop team has only one kid from Oregon on its roster.

— North Carolina announced that football DC Gene Chizik quit Thursday, just before the hoop game with Duke, interesting time for a news dump.

**********

Armadillo:Saturday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……

13) Baseball is going to experiment with a rule in the low minor leagues where teams start extra innings with a runner on second base; this is when you know idiots are taking over at the top of the sport.

If you really need to shorten/quicken baseball games, here are some ideas that would work, without making the major leagues look like girls’ softball:

— Make a pitcher have to face at least two batters in every appearance; would result in way fewer pitching changes, each of which is 5-6 minutes in length.
— Pitching changes are subbed in, just like basketball. You call time, the guy jogs in from the bullpen and the game resumes. No conferences on the mound, which leads us to……
— No visits to the mound by any coach/manager. Ever. If a coach comes to the mound because of an injury to the pitcher, the pitcher has to leave the game.
— Get rid of the DH; then, more pitching changes would happen via pinch-hitting and you’d have less pitching changes within the half-inning.
— If you hate extra inning games so much (I love them myself), then instead of cheapening the game by having runners start the inning on base, just have tie games, like they do in Japan. If the game is tied after 10 or 11 innings, it ends.

I’m not in favor of this; extra inning games create some unique happenings that make the game great fun but better tie games than starting an inning with men on base.

— Eliminating replay reviews would be useless, because managers’ arguments with umpires took up just as much time as replay reviews and with far fewer benefits.

The thing is, MLB is harping on this issue because games are 8-10 minutes longer than they used to be; 8-10 minutes!!!! Who cares? The game is fine the way it is; people who don’t like baseball have way too much influence over the game’s decision makers.

12) Jeffrey Loria supposedly has reached an agreement to sell the Miami Marlins for $1.6B to a guy in NYC, but the guy (a real estate magnate) doesn’t have enough cash on hand- his wealth is tied up in real estate, so it is unclear if MLB would approve the sale. Baseball would be better off to get rid of Loria, though.

Kicker is, the real estate guy who wants to buy the Marlins is Ivanka Trump’s brother-in-law; how much money do these people have?

11) Tough break for the Milwaukee Bucks; Jabari Parker tore an ACL, is done for the season. Portland loses Evan Turner for 5-6 weeks with a broken hand.

10) Jordan Spieth got into a verbal spat with professional autograph collectors/sellers this week, saying that “….they should get a job” instead of selling his signature on the Interweb. Actually, selling autographs, memorabilia is a job.

I’ve seen NFL players bark at collectors too; Torry Holt for one, at the Football Hall of Fame in 2001 when I was watching the Rams practice before the Hall of Fame Game. Guys with thick binders filled with pictures are guys who collect signed stuff and sell them. Players are very cool with kids; they sign a lot and willingly. With collectors, they have way less patience.

It is the American way, I guess; make money any legal way you can.

9) Houston Astros players lost only 413 days to the disabled list last year, least in the major leagues; Oakland A’s lost the most, with 1,966 player days on the DL.

8) Just when Northwestern looked headed to their first NCAA tourney, their best player gets mono and the Wildcats lose their next two games. Their non-conference schedule was so weak, their margin for error is less than most teams.

7) Central Michigan beat Ohio U 97-87 Tuesday night; the two teams combined to take 72 3’s, 60 2-point shots and only 43 foul shots. Basketball is trending that way, for better or worse.

6) Apparently, Michael Buffer got paid $10,000 to do his shtick introducing the starting lineups at the UNLV-Nevada game in Reno Wednesday night. He did the same thing at a Kentucky game couple of weeks ago. Now thats a good gig.

5) Saint Louis Billikens lost at St Bonaventure Wednesday night; afterwards, they couldn’t find the team bus. Turns out the bus driver was drunk and she took off without any passengers- she and the bus were found 40 miles away, because coach Travis Ford’s I-Pad was on the bus and he could locate it with his IPhone. Oy.

its been a bad season for the Billikens but at least that provided some comic relief, once they got on the chartered plane back home.

4) RIP Mr Mike Ilitch, 87, who owned the Little Ceasar’s pizza chain, as well as the Red Wings and the Tigers. He won four Stanley Cups as owner of the Red Wings, who had a farm club in Glens Falls for many years

3) Louisville will be back at full strength for Saturday’s game with Miami; PG Snider is healthy again and the two late-night partiers are back in good graces after being suspended for the game at Virginia, after they missed curfews (supposedly by four hours).

2) Atlanta Falcons had a great season, right? Well, they fired their defensive coordinator and their defensive line coach, so they’ll have two new coordinators next season. Unusual to fire assistant coaches after you came so close to winning a championship.

1— It hadn’t dawned on me until I just heard it on TV: the 49ers will have their 4th different head coach in four years next season, and that doesn’t include interim coaches. That would indicate the problem may be the owner, since he is the only decision maker who has been there the whole time.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, February 11

Clippers are 3-7 since Paul got hurt; they covered three of last four road games. Seven of their last eight games went over total. Hornets lost eight of last nine games; they’re 0-6 vs spread in last six home games. Five of their last seven games went over the total. Clippers won nine of last ten games with Charlotte (7-3 vs spread); they won five of last six visits here. Under is 5-3 in last eight series games.

Milwaukee lost 12 of last 14 games, is 1-7 vs spread in last eight road games. Six of their last nine games went over total. Indiana lost two in row since their 7-game win streak; they’re 2-4-1 vs spread in last seven home games. Five of last seven Pacer games stayed under. Road team won six of last ten Buck-Pacer games; teams spit last four series games played here. Five of last seven series games went over total.

Heat won its last 13 games (11-2 vs spread); they covered last four road games. Three of their last four road games stayed under. 76ers lost five of its last six games, but they covered their last nine home games. Over is 10-2 in their last dozen games. Miami won six of last seven games with Philly but 76ers covered three of last five; Heat won/covered three of last four visits here (over 3-1).

Denver is 6-4 in its last ten games but lost three of last four on road; seven of their last nine games went over total. Cleveland won four of last five games; they’re 12-7 vs spread in last 19 home games. Last five Cavalier games went over the total. Cavaliers won five of last six games with Denver; under is 6-2-1 in last nine series games. Nuggets won three of last five visits to Ohio.

Warriors won seven of last eight games; they’re 6-3 vs spread in last nine road games. Four of their last six road games stayed under. Oklahoma City won/covered eight of its last nine home games; three of their last four home games went over. Golden State is 2-0 vs Durant-less Thunder this season, winning by 21-26 points; this is Durant’s first game back in OKC. Warriors won/covered last five series games overall. Under is 8-2 in last ten series games.

Suns snapped 5-game losing skid last night; they covered one of last six road games. Over is 10-2 in their last 12 games. Rockets won four of last five games; they’re 3-6 vs spread in last nine home games. Under is 9-4 in their last thirteen games. Road team won seven of last eight Phoenix-Houston games; teams split last four series games played here. Seven of last eight series games went over.

Magic lost five of their last six games; they’re 2-5 vs spread in last seven road games. Over is 9-6 in their last fifteen games. Mavericks won five of their last six home games, covered six of last seven; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Dallas won eight of last ten games with Orlando, but Magic covered three of last four- they lost last four visits to Dallas (1-3 vs spread). Over is 8-2 in last ten series games.

Boston won eight of its last nine games, is 7-4 vs spread in its last 11 road games. Four of their last five games stayed under the total. Utah won four of its last five games overall; they won nine of last 11 home games (6-5 against the spread). Last four Jazz games went over the total. Celtics won eight of last ten games with Utah; teams split last four games played here (over 3-1).

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Saturday, February 11

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Trend Report
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5:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. CHARLOTTE
LA Clippers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games when playing Charlotte
LA Clippers are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
Charlotte is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games when playing LA Clippers
Charlotte is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. INDIANA
Milwaukee is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Indiana
Milwaukee is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games at home

7:30 PM
DENVER vs. CLEVELAND
Denver is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing Denver
Cleveland is 8-14-1 ATS in its last 23 games

7:30 PM
MIAMI vs. PHILADELPHIA
Miami is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

8:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Golden State is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Golden State is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Oklahoma City's last 14 games when playing at home against Golden State

9:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Orlando's last 11 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Orlando
Dallas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

9:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. HOUSTON
Phoenix is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Houston
Phoenix is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games when playing Phoenix

10:00 PM
BOSTON vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Boston's last 25 games
Boston is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Utah
Utah is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, February 11

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LA CLIPPERS (32 - 21) at CHARLOTTE (24 - 29) - 2/11/2017, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 105-141 ATS (-50.1 Units) in February games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 258-309 ATS (-81.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
CHARLOTTE is 159-200 ATS (-61.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
CHARLOTTE is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

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

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MILWAUKEE (22 - 30) at INDIANA (29 - 24) - 2/11/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 20-32 ATS (-15.2 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 30-46 ATS (-20.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 142-185 ATS (-61.5 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 26-40 ATS (-18.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
MILWAUKEE is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

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

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MIAMI (24 - 30) at PHILADELPHIA (19 - 34) - 2/11/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-21 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 138-103 ATS (+24.7 Units) in February games since 1996.
MIAMI is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days this season.
MIAMI is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
MIAMI is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MIAMI is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 12-0 ATS (+12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MIAMI is 12-0 ATS (+12.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 7-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DENVER (24 - 29) at CLEVELAND (36 - 16) - 2/11/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 166-218 ATS (-73.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
DENVER is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CLEVELAND is 22-40 ATS (-22.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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GOLDEN STATE (45 - 8) at OKLAHOMA CITY (31 - 23) - 2/11/2017, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in home games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) in home games on Saturday games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 84-70 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 131-103 ATS (+17.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 80-55 ATS (+19.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 79-54 ATS (+19.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 207-162 ATS (+28.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 10-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 12-4 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
11 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHOENIX (17 - 37) at HOUSTON (39 - 17) - 2/11/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 23-36 ATS (-16.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 51-32 ATS (+15.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
HOUSTON is 27-16 ATS (+9.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 93-62 ATS (+24.8 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 15-30 ATS (-18.0 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 7-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ORLANDO (20 - 35) at DALLAS (21 - 32) - 2/11/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 69-96 ATS (-36.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
ORLANDO is 17-26 ATS (-11.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 51-76 ATS (-32.6 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
DALLAS is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 28-18 ATS (+8.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
ORLANDO is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.

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

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BOSTON (34 - 19) at UTAH (34 - 20) - 2/11/2017, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 69-40 ATS (+25.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 116-86 ATS (+21.4 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 2-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-1 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Tip Sheet
February 11, 2017

Game of the Night – Warriors (-7, 227) at Thunder – 8:00 PM EST – ABC

Valentine’s Day is three days away as we’ll see if Kevin Durant gets showered with love in his first game back in Oklahoma City since signing with rival Golden State last summer. Durant had OKC within one victory of knocking off Golden State in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, owning a commanding 3-1 series lead. However, the Warriors rallied back for three consecutive victories to advance to the NBA Finals and eventually break up the eight-year marriage of KD and Russell Westbrook as the dynamic duo of the Thunder.

It’s business as usual this season for Golden State (45-8 SU, 25-26-2 ATS), as Durant leads the Warriors in scoring at 25.7 points per game, with last season’s Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry right behind at 25.2 ppg. The Warriors play with no rest tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena following Friday’s 122-107 rout of the Grizzlies to cash as 7 ½-point favorites. Golden State avenged a pair of earlier losses this season to Memphis thanks to a 36-point effort from Klay Thompson, which included eight three-pointers.

The Thunder (31-23 SU, 30-23-1 ATS) are holding their own without Durant this season, led by Westbrook and his league-high 26th triple-double in Thursday’s 118-109 home triumph over the Cavaliers. OKC attempted 106 shots from the floor compared to 79 for Cleveland, while the backcourt pair of Westbrook and Victor Oladipo combined for 52 points in the third straight home win for the Thunder.

Golden State has won five consecutive games against Oklahoma City since falling in that 3-1 hole in last season’s conference finals, but only one of those victories came at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The first two wins this season by the Warriors over the Thunder came at Oracle Arena in Oakland, each in convincing fashion. Golden State dominated OKC, 122-96 as 12-point favorites on November 3 as Durant dropped 39 on his former squad, while Westbrook was limited to 4-of-15 shooting from the floor.

In the second meeting on January 18, the Warriors steamrolled the Thunder once again, 121-100 as 15-point favorites with Durant putting up a 40-point effort on 13-of-16 shooting from the field.

Steve Kerr’s club owns a solid 8-2 record on no rest this season, however, the Warriors have covered only twice in this situation. The Thunder is listed as a home underdog for the fourth time this season, compiling a 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS mark, while not receiving this many points at home since a 113-88 setback to the Spurs as six-point ‘dogs on April 7, 2015.

From a totals perspective, each of the first two meetings finished UNDER the total this season, while eight of the past 10 matchups have gone UNDER.

Surprising Leaders

Nearly halfway through February and both the Celtics and Jazz are leading their respective divisions. Boston visits Utah tonight for the third of a four-game road trip, looking to capitalize off Thursday’s comeback victory at Portland. The Celtics covered for the first time in their last five opportunities with a 120-111 triumph at Moda Center, avenging a home loss last month to the Blazers. Now, Boston goes for the season sweep at Utah, while capturing four of the past five meetings with the Jazz.

Utah squandered a 21-point advantage in Thursday’s overtime setback at Dallas, ending a four-game winning streak. The Jazz are riding a seven-game home hot streak against Eastern Conference foes, while cashing in five of those contests. Quin Snyder’s squad has compiled a 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS record off a road defeat this season, but three of those ATS losses have come as a favorite of seven points or more.

Fighting for Fourteen

The Heat continue to rack up victories as Miami extended its winning streak to 13 games after last night’s 108-99 triumph at Brooklyn. Miami has returned to life in the Eastern Conference playoff race by pulling within one game of Detroit for the eighth spot, while trying to sweep its four-game road swing. The Heat heads to Philadelphia this evening, as the two teams have split a pair of meetings this season.

The 76ers will be without Joel Embiid for the ninth straight game with a knee contusion, as Philadelphia is fresh off a 112-111 victory at Orlando on Thursday. Philadelphia continues to cash tickets at Wells Fargo Center by covering nine consecutive home games since the start of January, while winning seven times with the two losses coming to Houston and San Antonio.

Monster Mavs

Philadelphia is riding the longest home ATS streak in the league, but Dallas is right behind with eight consecutive covers at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks shoot for their seventh home victory in nine tries after rallying past the Jazz on Thursday in overtime, 112-105. Dallas owns a solid 7-1 SU/ATS as a home favorite as the Mavericks host the Magic tonight.

Orlando has stumbled to a 2-9 record in the last 11 road contests, while dropping three straight games overall. The Magic held off the Mavericks earlier this season as 7 ½-point home favorites, 95-87, but Orlando has lost four consecutive visits to Dallas.

Head-to-Head Trends

-- The Clippers have had their way with the Hornets by capturing nine of the past 10 meetings, including season sweeps in the last two seasons. Los Angeles heads to Charlotte tonight as the Hornets have dropped four of their last five home contests.

-- The Bucks and Pacers are meeting for the second time this season as the Central division rivals hook up in Indianapolis. Milwaukee rolled past Indiana in its first matchup in November, 125-107, avenging a 1-3 record from last season against the Pacers. Both teams are playing without rest coming off losses on Friday as the Bucks are 3-8 SU/ATS and the Pacers own a 3-7 SU and 2-7-1 ATS mark on the second of a back-to-back.

-- Cleveland has won five of the past six matchups with Denver as the teams meet up at Quicken Loans Arena. The Nuggets have put together a 1-8 SU/ATS record off a road victory this season, coming off Friday’s triumph at New York. Cleveland is in an interesting scheduling spot tonight off a four-game road swing, then traveling to Minnesota on Tuesday.

-- The Suns are fresh off a rare home victory last night against the Bulls as Phoenix travels to Houston. The Rockets have posted a perfect 2-0 SU/ATS record against the Suns this season, while the road squad has won eight of the last 10 meetings in this series. Seven of the previous eight matchups between these Western Conference squads have flown OVER the total, including both December wins by Houston.

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

LAC at CHA 05:00 PM

CHA -3.0

O 217.5

MIL at IND 07:00 PM

IND -7.0

U 212.5

DEN at CLE 07:30 PM

DEN +11.5

O 232.0

MIA at PHI 07:30 PM

PHI +3.5

U 208.5

GS at OKC 08:30 PM

GS -7.5

O 227.5

PHO at HOU 09:00 PM

HOU -14.5

U 235.0

ORL at DAL 09:00 PM

DAL -6.5

U 203.5

BOS at UTA 10:00 PM

BOS +6.5

U 205.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

— Bill Walton/Dick Vitale are working an NBA game together Wednesday night. Play-by-play guy will get paid and he’s not going to be able to get a word in edgewise.

— I’m not fond of watching amateurs play golf on TV; I like watching the pros, but I’m turning the channel before I watch a bunch of actors, CEO’s, athletes play golf.

— Draymond Green had a triple/double Friday night, the first one ever where the guy didn’t score at least 10 points.

— Three college hoop teams have won this year after trailing in that game by 25+ points; Nevada, Navy and Utah Valley.

— Southern Illinois honored the 50th anniversary of its 1967 NIT title team this weekend; the best player on the team was Hall of Famer Walt Frazier, who was also a great player for the Knicks.

— RIP Professor Irwin Corey, who passed away this week at age 102. One of my favorite comedians as a kid, his madcap antics made him popular on talk shows for years.

**********

Armadillo:Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a basketball Saturday……

13) There were three 4-OT games during the week: here is how those six teams bounced back from those long games:
— Alabama (+7.5) lost 67-58 to Kentucky
— South Carolina (-5.5) won 77-73 at Mississippi State but didn’t cover.
— Samford (+6.5) lost 90-73 at Furman
— Wofford (+1.5) lost 73-65 to Chattanooga
— Wyoming (+3) lost 81-74 at Utah State
— Fresno State (+3) lost 78-62 at Colorado State

Summing up, those six teams combined to go 0-6 vs spread today; only South Carolina won.

12) Duke 64, Clemson 62— Mike Krzyzewski turns 70 on Monday; how long is he going to keep coaching? Clemson led this game with by a point with 10:10 left, but Duke made 11-26 on the arc and Tigers were only 2-9. Tough to overcome that.

Luke Kennard was only Blue Devil to score in double figures in this game; a small red flag.

11) Coming into today, Big X home favorites of 8+ points were 1-15-1 vs the spread this season. but all four of the league’s home favorites covered Saturday, so that stat is now 5-15-1.

10) St John’s 78, Seton Hall 70— CBS announcers said on air that part of why Chris Mullin is recruiting more international players is that they tend to be more team-oriented and are often better fundamentally. I don’t disagree but it is disappointing to hear, isn’t it?

9) Wm & Mary 89, Charleston 79
Elon 77, NC-Wilmington 76— Both frontrunners in the CAA go on the road and lose.

8) Rider 112, Quinnipiac 107— Broncs were 13-19 on arc, 31-36 on foul line; Rider really played only seven guys (an 8th guy played 3:00) in an 89-possession game- they must be tired.

7) Michigan State 77, Iowa 66— Not one Big 14 team was a top 4 seed in the initial NCAA bracket that was released Saturday, a very interesting development. Wisconsin fans have to be a little upset by that- they’re 21-3, but not considered a top 4 seed.

6) Georgia 76, Tennessee 75— Dawgs lost five of last seven games, but they’re 7-0 as an SEC road underdog- their last five road games were all decided by 4 or less points or in OT.

5) Appalachian State 77, Georgia State 72— Panthers fall out of a tie for first in Sun Belt. App State crawls out of a tie for last place.

4) Villanova 73, Xavier 57— Xavier has major injury issues, but congrats to Jay Wright on his 500th career coaching win.

3) Tennessee Tech 83, Belmont 70— First OVC loss of the season for the Bruins, who are 6-2 vs spread in OVC road games.

2) Gonzaga 74, St Mary’s 64— Next difficult game for Gonzaga should be when BYU visits Spokane; surprisingly, Cougars won two of last three visits to Spokane.

1— Ole Miss 90, Auburn 84— Rebels were down 20 at the half, 47-27, so if you took Auburn +4, you can stop reading this now. Terence Davis scored 26 points in this game, he had zero points at halftime. Ole Miss scored 27 points in first half, 63 in second half.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, February 12

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

SAN ANTONIO (41 - 12) at NEW YORK (22 - 33) - 2/12/2017, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 31-21 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 75-56 ATS (+13.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 329-270 ATS (+32.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 59-40 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
NEW YORK is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games in February games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

CHICAGO (26 - 28) at MINNESOTA (20 - 34) - 2/12/2017, 3:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DETROIT (25 - 29) at TORONTO (32 - 22) - 2/12/2017, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games after a non-conference game this season.
DETROIT is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 20-33 ATS (-16.3 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 31-22 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
DETROIT is 35-14 ATS (+19.6 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 since 1996.
TORONTO is 117-152 ATS (-50.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

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

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

NEW ORLEANS (21 - 33) at SACRAMENTO (22 - 32) - 2/12/2017, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 38-64 ATS (-32.4 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 54-78 ATS (-31.8 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 7-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, February 12

Spurs won five of their last six games; they’re 5-4 vs spread in last nine road games. Five of their last six games stayed under total. New York lost its last four games, all at home; they’re 3-10 vs spread in last 13 home games. Seven of their last eight games went over. Knicks lost three of last four games with San Antonio; teams split last four series games played in Manhattan. Over is 7-2 in last nine series games.

Chicago lost five of its last eight games; they’re 7-4 vs spread in last 11 road games. Four of their last six games went over. Timberwolves lost five of last six games; they’re 2-6 vs spread in last eight home games. Last 10 Minnesota games went over the total. Minnesota won its last three games with Chicago by 9-7-5 points, but Bulls won four of last five visits to Twin Cities. Under is 5-2 in last seven series games.

Detroit lost six of its last seven road games (2-5 vs spread); they covered five of last seven games overall. Three of their last four games stayed under total. Raptors won three of last four home games; they’re 4-9 in last 13 games overall. Under is 8-4-1 in their last thirteen games. Toronto won seven of last ten games with Detroit; Pistons lost last three visits to Canada, by 4-4-18 points. Eight of last nine series games went over.

New Orleans lost five of its last seven games; they’re 7-4 vs spread in last 11 road games. Over is 8-4 in last 12 Pelican games. Sacramento is 4-11 vs spread in its last 15 games; they won three of last four games overall, all at home. Four of their last six games stayed under. Kings lost six of last seven games with New Orleans; Pelicans won four of their last five visits to Sacramento. Three of last four series games went over.




NBA

Sunday, February 12

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

3:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. NEW YORK
San Antonio is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing New York
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

3:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

6:00 PM
DETROIT vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 11 games
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. SACRAMENTO
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Sacramento is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, February 12


New Orleans @ Sacramento

Game 837-838
February 12, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
119.077
Sacramento
117.414
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 1 1/2
220
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 4
210 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+4); Over

Detroit @ Toronto

Game 835-836
February 12, 2017 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
119.128
Toronto
118.642
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
Even
221
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 6 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+6 1/2); Over

Chicago @ Minnesota

Game 833-834
February 12, 2017 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
113.817
Minnesota
116.327
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2 1/2
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
N/A

San Antonio @ New York

Game 831-832
February 12, 2017 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
128.236
New York
111.884
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 16 1/2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 8
213
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-8); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday's NBA Essentials
February 12, 2017

Game of the Night - New Orleans at Sacramento (NBA TV, 9:05 ET)

Although Denver and Portland are currently just ahead of them, tonight's showcase game features teams that are in the thick of the race for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed as the All-Star break approaches. Although that last playoff spot is all that seems to be available, New Orleans and Sacramento will likely be playing meaningful games in March, a welcome change from last season.

The Kings come off a dramatic 108-107 win over Atlanta that was saved by a Matt Barnes' block of Darren Collison's would-be game winner at the rim. They pulled off a spirited comeback win that saw them rally back from a 22-point deficit, much of it with DeMarcus Cousins on the bench.

The Pelicans come off a win too, opening the four-game road trip that's taking them into the break by trouncing Minnesota. Anthony Davis scored 42 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the 122-106 win over the Timberwolves, finishing 16-for-22 from the field in getting the better of another product of the Kentucky basketball factory, Karl-Anthony Towns.

While Towns was controversially left off the Western Conference All-Star team, Davis and Cousins will be in New Orleans as part of next weekend's festivities, although neither has had a smooth first few months. Davis has displayed toughness in playing through a number of varying injuries, the most severe caused by an injured hip suffered during an in-game fall.

Cousins has dominated despite feuding with everyone from opposing assistant coaches to media to trash cans. Referees remain his primary nemesis, so he's already racked up 16 technicals and secured a league-mandated suspension. He's one shy of his entire total from last season with 26 games remaining and will be suspended an additional game for every two technicals he receives. At the rate he's racked them up so far, he'll miss another four if he doesn't curb the temper.

An interesting thing has transpired this week, though. While Cousins sat on Wednesday, Sacramento blew the doors off Boston. The Celtics have gone on to commanding wins, but couldn't hang with the Cousins-less Kings, losing 108-92. Although the tantrums and sulking continued as Atlanta ran out to a lead that swelled as large as 22 points, Cousins calmed down as his team fought back again without him, then made countless clutch plays down the stretch, hitting an enormous 3-pointer and fouling out Dwight Howard to help complete a huge win.

Afterwards, Cousins lauded his team's fight and seems to have bought in more than he has. Whether it affects future behavior remains to be seen, but the Kings have come together enough to impress him.

"It was just a matter of us getting our heads (right), starting with me," said Cousins, who committed nine turnovers in contributing to the awful start against the Hawks. "Just a lot of things going through my head, wrong place, wrong time but my teammates pulled me along.

"I'm fighting my demons right now."

With Cousins having issues, Rudy Gay (Achilles) done for the season, Omri Casspi out with a calf injury and Ty Lawson dealing with an ab strain and a hand injury, seeing Darren Collison and Ben McLemore raise their levels and getting key contributions from veterans Matt Barnes, Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver has really pulled this team together. McLemore's 22 points against the Hawks were a season-high. Recent draft picks Willy Cauley-Stein and Malachi Richardson have even gotten in the mix and been effective, so we'll see if the Kings can string together some lasting momentum.

Over the past three weeks, Sacramento has beaten both Cleveland and Golden State. Only the Spurs and Grizzlies have done that. The Kings will get another crack at the Warriors on Wednesday in Oakland after visiting the Lakers on Tuesday, so this Pelicans game will conclude a six-game homestand that could yield four wins if they capture this one, giving them their second-longest winning streak of the season.

The Pelicans are looking to string together consecutive wins for just the fourth time. They've done so only once in 2017 and continue to be besieged by injuries. Tyreke Evans (knee) and Terrence Jones (thumb) missed the Timberwolves win but are hoping to play here. Before winning in Minneapolis, New Orleans had dropped five consecutive road games. They've surrendered 100 points in 11 straight.

These teams will play one more time on March 31 in what could be a key game if these teams are still in the playoff hunt. They've met just once this season, as the Kings won 102-94 in Sacramento on Nov. 8 to snap a six-game losing streak at the hands of the Pelicans that dated back to Nov. 2014. Cousins scored 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting, while Davis went for 34 points on 14-of-22 from the field, adding eight rebounds and four blocks. Three of the last four matchups have gone over the posted total.

Border Battle - Detroit at Toronto (NBA TV, 6:05 ET)

The Pistons make the short trip north to Toronto to challenge the Raptors in Sunday's only meeting between teams that would currently make the playoffs. Separated by less than 250 miles, these teams will see each other three times between now and April 5, so they'll play a large role in each other's aspirations.

Toronto has fallen three games behind Boston in the Atlantic Division due to a dreadful run that began with a Jan. 18 loss at Philadelphia and has seen them go 4-9. The latest loss, a 112-109 setback to the Wolves way back on Wednesday, came despite them shooting 60 percent in the first half.

DeMar DeRozan has finally gotten healthy and the Raptors certainly put the three days off to good use considering they crammed four road games into the first eight days of February. They've slipped to the No. 4 seed, which puts them right into the firing line of a conference semifinal date with the Cavs.

Detroit would currently be first on that list, residing as the East's No. 8 seed. The Pistons are one game behind Chicago and just ahead of Charlotte, Miami and Milwaukee. They fell 103-92 to San Antonio on Friday, putting an end to a two-game winning streak built on home takedowns of the 76ers and Lakers. They haven't beaten a team with a winning record since Jan. 21 and have lost six of their last seven road games. Their 9-18 road mark is tied for fourth-worst in the East.

Toronto's 18-9 record at Air Canada Centre is the fifth-best at home in the East and tied for 10th overall with Utah.

These teams opened the season against one another back on Oct. 26, when DeRozan opened with a 40-point night, shooting 17-for-27. Jonas Valanciunas added 32 points and 11 rebounds, landing Andre Drummond and backup Aron Baynes in major foul trouble. Point guard Reggie Jackson didn't play. Toronto has won eight of the last 11 head-to-head matchups, taking five of the last six at home, including three straight.

Afternoon Tips

-- In case anyone in the country missed out on the Charles Oakley-James Dolan controversy on the heels of the Carmelo Anthony-Phil Jackson mess, a full rehashing of their dirty laundry will be available on ABC since New York has the misfortune of a home date against San Antonio.

Leave it to the Knicks to engineer a full-scale implosion on the same week they have two nationally-televised home games. The Oakley drama went down on Wednesday against the Clippers with an ESPN audience tuned in, and now the most dysfunctional franchise in the NBA faces the best-run one in a contest everyone can watch.

Anthony has responded to being booed at home in last Saturday night's loss to Cleveland by having one of his most productive individual weeks. After going 6-for-20 and costing New York a potential upset of the Cavs, he's gone 33-for-60 this week, shooting 9-for-19 from three-point range. Despite him averaging 29 points per game, the Knicks have lost to Lakers, Clips and Nuggets. All three game went over the posted total due to New York's brutal defense. All resulted in losses. It has dropped four straight and 20 of the last 26. San Antonio swept last season's two meetings and has started 2-1 on its annual Rodeo road trip that sees them remain on the road until March 1 once action resumes after the break.

-- Chicago visits Minnesota in the league's other 3:35 ET start. There's considerable doubt lingering over whether Jimmy Butler will play. Although he returned from a three-game absence in Friday's 115-97 loss to Phoenix, he shot just 6-for-16 and felt pain in his injured heel that may require more time off.

Dwyane Wade returned to the lineup against the Suns after an illness and a wrist issue and is probable to play here. The Bulls have dropped three of four but reside as the seventh-best team in the East.

Chicago is in danger of being swept by the Timberwolves for the second straight year since the first meeting saw Tom Thibodeau walk out of the United Center a winner in his return despite Towns shoot 6-for-21. Zach LaVine, who led the way with 24 points, is now out for the season after tearing his ACL last week. Minnesota has lost five of its last six games, beating only the Raptors, and now owns the third-worst record in the Western Conference.

[StarDust Bum]

Hoop Trends - Sunday
February 12, 2017

ATS TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Pelicans are 0-12 ATS (-7.33 ppg) as a dog with rest after a game as a road dog in which they shot over 50% from the field since Jan 11, 2012.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Pelicans are 10-0 OU (13.90 ppg) off a game as a dog in which they had fewer than 4 times as many field goal attempts as turnovers since Mar 31, 2013.

PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Timberwolves are 12-0 OU (14.08 ppg) at home off a home game in which Karl Anthony Towns was the high scorer since Dec 07, 2015.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Kings are 11-0 ATS (13.09 ppg) at home with rest off a win in which they had assists on at least 70 percent of their field goals since Dec 03, 2004.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Pelicans are 0-9 ATS (-10.56 ppg) off a win as a dog in which Jrue Holiday had at least 10 assists - since Dec 04, 2013.

[StarDust Bum]

Cavs dump slump as bandwagon pulls up

If you want to take lessons from Super Bowl LI while they're still fresh, making sure you don't make premature declarations of victory or wallow in defeat halfway through certainly stand out, especially when there's greatness involved.

You don't write off goats.

That's why you're going to want to back the Cavs to get out of the Eastern Conference this season and you're going to want to do it sooner than later. Backing them to win it all depends on how much faith you have in the reigning Finals MVP. It would be wise to take his cranky nature and defiance of late as a sign that he has no intentions of being satisfied with winning one trophy for Cleveland.

Like Tom Brady, LeBron James has been at the top of his sport most of this century. Watching him navigate his way through season after season over the last decade-plus has been incredibly entertaining, and since his return to Northeast Ohio, a pattern has developed when the calendar turns to January. Turning the corner into a new year has perennially been an adventure. In 2015, he was feeling so out of sync and worn down that he took a break, returning to Miami to handle business and train, getting himself mentally prepared for the remaining grind and leaving teammates behind to figure it out.

In 2016, he played all the way through in part because he was feeling so good. James shot 55 percent last January, his best shooting clip for any month in the entire season, leading the Cavs to a 13-3 mark.

This season, he played 38.4 minutes for the second consecutive month, working in every contest in a January that featured two back-to-backs. He shot nearly 55 percent and averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists.

Cleveland went 7-8.

Archives (2017)1-18-2017Archives (2016)1-23-20161-25-20161-28-20162-6-20162-14-20162-15-20162-19-20163-1-20164-6-20164-26-20165-31-20166-6-20168-23-20168-8-201611-9-2016Archives (2015)9-8-20159-13-20159-20-20159-29-201510-5-201510-6-201510-14-201510-19-201510-21-2015LeBron's fire worth backing in East future
Won seven games, lost eight. They fell in four of the final six games, clinching a losing month in a listless 104-97 setback at Dallas. Throughout January, LeBron provided entertainment by lashing out at the front office, yelling that he needed more help, another playmaker to be exact. There was nothing playful or light-hearted about it because it wasn't meant that way. James wanted no trace of the cuddly version that smiles while selling you a Big Mac to seep into his message, so he uncharacteristically dropped a few F-bombs and seemed to throw teammates under the bus.

At 32 years old, it definitely sounds like James is seeing the crossroads approaching. He's seen Father Time conquer all the greats and knows his fate won't be any different. Currently, there are no diminishing returns. He's averaging better numbers than he ever has since heading back to Cleveland. The 8.8 assists per game he's dishing out would be a career-high. He's grabbing 7.9 boards, one-tenth off his career-best.

Charles Barkley called his request for more help "whiny." I'm in agreement, but can understand the desperation in it. James knows his legacy is tied to rings and has gained first-hand knowledge in what it takes to win a title and what it's like to be denied. He's gone through both with two separate franchises.

Although he's been slow to click and even cost the team a game with awful defense, Kyle Korver's addition was labeled a home run and should still pay off. He was brought into take J.R. Smith's spot as he mends after thumb surgery, so presumably, the Cavs will be all set depth-wise when he returns and they have their pick of sniper they want out there to capitalize off double-teams.

Cleveland says it has no interest in moving Kevin Love for New York's Carmelo Anthony, and even though LeBron and Melo are great friends, there would be too great of an adjustment required to expect them to seriously challenge the Western Conference champ come June if such a move were made. They can win with Love. They have won with Love. He's actually having his most productive season since arriving from Minnesota. The continuity has helped. Love scored 39 points and grabbed 12 boards in Monday's 140-135 OT win in Washington, further diffusing the rumor.

"It's always about outside noise and this is outside noise for us," James said afterward, dismissing the report that he's interested in joining forces with Anthony even if it costs the Cavs Love as "trash."

He's ornery, has driven up the intensity level in the locker room and has satisfied concerns that he'll be any less locked in due to last year's success. James doesn't want anyone to feel satisfied. That message has come through loud and clear.

Cleveland has opened February with victories over the Timberwolves, Knicks and Wizards, recording its first three-game win streak since it closed out 2016 by beating the Celtics and Hornets before opening up the new year with a home conquest of the Pelicans. Between now and the All-Star break, they'll be on the road at Indiana, Oklahoma City and Minnesota. There's a home-and-home with the Pacers too in addition to a home game with Denver.

All those games are challenging, yet winnable.

In truth, it doesn't really matter how they fare so long as no one gets injured and there's not a total freefall, because the Cavs are that much better than everyone else in the East. The Wizards got a brilliant 41-point night from Bradley Beal and still fell short in extending a 17-game home winning streak when James sent the game to OT with a miracle banked-in three at the buzzer to end regulation.

No one in the East is going to beat a team led by James, Kyrie Irving and Love four times in seven games. That's why James' cries for more help fall on deaf ears. He's already got more than enough on board around him to repeat as champions, and that's going to become all the more apparent after the All-Star break. The Cavs do likely have one more move coming that will further stack the deck in their favor, so coming off a losing month, this very second is the most opportune time to hop on the bandwagon and place your Eastern Conference champion future bet.

Books had the Cavs at 5-to-2 to win the NBA title entering the season and the new year. They're now 2-to-1 at the WestgateLV Superbook. They were 1-to-2 to start the season to take the east and are now 1-to-5 despite their January struggles.

Oddsmakers have essentially told you that, barring injury, they're not going to come off Cleveland as a heavy favorite. Boston has emerged as the biggest threat to the throne, coming in at 5-to-1. The Celtics don't have enough to beat the Cavs. If you're going to take the plunge on the Eastern Conference future, it's time to cash in a sure thing before the odds provide even less of an advantage.

Most of us are anticipating a third consecutive Warriors-Cavs Finals. It's definitely more likely that Golden State fails to show than Cleveland. The Cavs will be there. James won't let them lose to an inferior team. That label can be placed on all of their Eastern Conference competition.

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CHI at MIN 03:30 PM

MIN -2.0

U 207.0

SA at NY 03:30 PM

SA -9.0

U 211.5

DET at TOR 06:00 PM

DET +6.5

O 211.5

NO at SAC 09:00 PM

SAC -3.0

O 212.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

— Michigan 75, Indiana 63— Wolverines sweep Indiana for first time in 22 years.

— SMU 60, Cincinnati 51— First loss since December 10 for the Bearcats.

— Virginia Tech 82, Virginia 80 2OT— Game meant lot more to Hokies, who are on bubble.

— FOX made an additional $20M in ad revenue because the Super Bowl went into overtime.

— Apparently the Cowboys think they can get a third round draft pick for Tony Romo.

— Only two sportswriters, Jerry Green and Jerry Izenberg, have covered all 51 Super Bowls.

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Armadillo:Monday's List of 13: Random thoughts on a snowy night

13) Joel Embiid hasn’t played for the 76ers since January 27; they’re 13-18 when he plays, 7-16 when he doesn’t. Apparently Embiid has a slight meniscus tear in his knee, which is why he hasn’t been playing, but then video of him dancing on the stage of a Meek Mill concert in Philly the other night showed up and people in Philly are, uh…….not real happy.

Coach Brett Brown: ”The conversations I had with Joel after I saw the video included a lot, some of which you mentioned. By and large, I’d probably prefer it was a private conversation.’’

I’m guessing the player was introduced to the word “perception” as in, ‘When you’re getting paid millions and you can’t play because your knee hurts, then don’t show up on stage at a concert dancing. People might perceive that you’re not taking your knee rehab seriously.’

12) San Diego State 70, Nevada 56— Aztecs are 6-6 in the Mountain West this season, as their lack of shooting has caused the program to take a dip— last time the Aztecs finished under .500 in conference play was 2005.

In his last two road games, Nevada’s leading scorer Marcus Marshall is 2-22 from the floor.

11) Grant Napear is the Kings’ TV announcer; Friday night, Sacramento is playing terribly against the Hawks, just getting killed. Kings fans are chanting “Ref u suck!!!” when they don’t get calls and Mr Napear says, “The way they’re playing, the fans should be chanting that to the Kings.”

Wow. You don’t get that kind of honesty very often on local broadcasts. Sacramento rallied to win the game, by the way.

10) This info is from Sports Insights: So far this season, 84.5% of NBA games closed with a total of 200+ points. just two years ago, that figure was only 49.6%.

9) Northwestern 66, Wisconsin 59— The long drought is over; if they get Lindsey back soon, they will be in the NCAA’s. Credit to Chris Collins, tough to turn a losing program around.

8) The following passage is from writer Jeff Passan: he is talking about Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, who hopefully is selling the ballclub soon:

“Over the last 18 years, as Jeffrey Loria sprayed the stench of his naked greed across baseball like the skunk he is, as he destroyed the sport in one city and bilked another out of billions of dollars, as he tore asunder a championship team and micromanaged countless others and behaved like the lamest sort of wannabe George Steinbrenner possible, all blowhard, zero substance, the aggrieved could take solace in one thing and one alone: some day, the game would rid itself of him.”

7) Golf is really hard; on the European Tour this week, guy named Bernd Weisberger had nine straight birdies in his round on Friday. Doesn’t happen much. On the same nine holes the next day, he was +2 and drifted out of contention.

6) If Indiana misses the NCAA tournament, would the school reach out to Steve Alford to see if he would come home to be its coach? Alford coaching UCLA just seems weird; Alford coaching Indiana seems like it should happen.

I’m thinking that UCLA is/was/always will be a really hard job; the shadow of John Wooden, even 40 years later, is tough to coach under. Ben Howland went to three Final Fours and they couldn’t wait to get rid of him.

5) Raiders gave coach Jack Del Rio a 4-year contract extension. You wonder where he’ll be working four years from now; Las Vegas, San Diego, Oakland?

4) If Kevin Durant thinks it is necessary to hire ARMED security for his mother at a game, why would she even bother going to the game? She was surprised that people are steamed at her son bolting to Golden State? That should not be surprising; unfortunate maybe, but not surprising.

3) Tampa Bay Rays signed P Nathan Eovaldi to a $2M deal for 2107, with a club option for ’18; what makes this odd is that Eovaldi had Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch this season, so it is really a future contract for 2018.

2) Reds traded Brandon Phillips to the Braves; LY, he turned down a trade to the Nationals, a contending team. Now he approves a trade to the rebuilding Braves? Unusual.

Braves may have made the trade because Sean Rodriguez needs shoulder surgery after he was injured in a car accident. Initial reports said he was uninjured in the accident.

1) So I’m (trying to) sleep Saturday morning, my doorbell rings, then there is a knock on the door, so I think it might be important- it wasn’t.

Some guy wants to know if I’d like him to shovel the inch or two of snow that fell late Friday night off my sidewalk. I’m not a morning person, but I managed to decline politely and go back to sleep. Don’t be knocking on people’s doors on a Saturday morning.

Sunday, we got a foot of snow; think the guy will show up and want to clear off my sidewalk today? Nah, me either.