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

[StarDust Bum]

May's Best Bets:
Date W-L-T % Units Record

05/07/2017.......... 2-4-0......... 33.33%.......... -12.00
05/06/2017.......... 0-2-0........... 0.00%.......... -11.00
05/05/2017.......... 2-2-0......... 50.00%........... -1.00
05/04/2017.......... 0-4-0........... 0.00%.......... -22.00
05/03/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%......... + 9.50
05/02/2017.......... 4-0-0......... 100.00%........ +20.00
05/01/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%........... +9.50

Totals................14 - 14...........50.00%%..........- 7.00

Best Bets Daily:
Sides / Totals

05/07/2017............2 - 1..........66.66%............+0.90............0 - 3.......0.00%...-3.30
5/06/2017.............0 - 1...........00.00%............-1.10.............0 - 1.......0.00%...-1.10
5/05/2017.............1 - 1...........50.00%............-0.10.............1 - 1......50.00%...-0.10
05/04/2017............0 - 2...........00.00%............-2.20.............0 - 2......0.00%.....- 2.20
05/03/2017............1 - 1...........50.00%...........- 0.10.............2 - 0......100%....+ 2.00
05/02/2017............2 - 0..........100.00%.........+ 2.00.............2 - 0.......100%....+ 2.00
05/01/2017............2 - 0..........100.00 %........+ 2.00.............1 - 1.......50%.......- 0.10

Totals...................8 - 6............53.33%.........+1.40..............6 - 8........40.00%...-2.80

MONDAY, MAY 8

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

GS at UTA 09:00 PM

UTA +8.5

U 206.0

[StarDust Bum]

Warriors await challenge after cruising to 8-0 in playoffs
May 9, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The Golden State Warriors are four wins from their third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals - and likely a third straight showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With four All-Stars, including two MVPs, it's not hard to see why.

The Warriors eliminated the Utah Jazz in a sweep Monday night and are 8-0 in the postseason for the first time in franchise history. The Cavaliers, coincidentally, also swept their first two opponents.

For Golden State, the games mostly haven't been close. Only one victory, Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers, was decided by fewer than 11 points, and the Warriors never trailed in three of the four games against Utah. The trio of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green has been consistently dominant, and Golden State's elite length and athleticism on defense have been stifling.

''We are mostly impressed with how we are playing our brand of basketball,'' Green said. ''We really imposed our will on the other team. That's big. In the playoffs, you let a team get in a groove and it's hard to win games like that.

''We have imposed our will all eight games. That's important on the offensive and defensive end, and if you can do that, with the talent that we have, with the experience that we have, it will be tough to beat us.''

In the Western Conference finals, Golden State will face the winner of the Spurs and Rockets, who are tied 2-2.

The Warriors are averaging a playoff-high 115.3 points per game, ahead of the Cavaliers' 114.5. Golden State is allowing 98.8 points in the postseason to lead all teams still alive and has a playoff-best 96.9 defensive rating.

The offense has come in waves. One second, it's Curry shining, then Durant or Green the next. All-Star Klay Thompson has been in a bit of a slump, but still scored 21 points in the 121-95 victory Monday night.

Even as games have gotten more physical, Golden State has stayed strong on the ball and kept turnovers to a minimum, said interim coach Mike Brown. The Warriors' 11.5 turnovers per game lead all teams still playing, and Brown thinks combining that with their elite shooting and defense makes for a peerless combination.

''We feel like have good shooters, good scorers and we would rather take a bad shot than us trying to make a hero play,'' Brown said. ''And we have a tendency, at times, to try to make hero plays with the basketball because these guys all appreciate each other. For the most part, they want to make the pass to somebody as opposed to making the shot. They get some sort of satisfaction out of it.

''It doesn't matter if Steph comes down, crosses half-court and launches it. At least we got a shot at the rim. We feel like most of those are going to go in at the end of the day, so we're good with it.''

The Warriors have been without coach Steve Kerr since Game 3 of the first round and haven't missed a beat. He remains out after having a spinal cord leak procedure at Duke University on Friday, and there is no timetable for his return. He and Brown speak regularly, but that's an obstacle to overcome.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder raved about the culture Kerr has created.

''They demonstrate it in everything that they do,'' Snyder said. ''When a team kind of lives who they are, that is a unique group. They all believe in each other and they are willing to sacrifice for one another.

''Just the unselfishness that that group plays with and the care they have for one another on the court. They've got each other's backs.''

So far, the Warriors have only been slowed during self-created lulls, like when the Jazz cut a 26-point second-quarter lead down to five before Golden State got back in gear.

The competition will get tougher, though. In the conference finals, they'll have to deal with either San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard or Houston's James Harden, and both players are better than any the Warriors have seen so far this postseason.

And then there's LeBron James, likely waiting in the finals.

''They're a historically great team,'' Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said. ''They make you pay for mistakes. You have to be almost perfect every possession or they turn it into an 8-0 run, 9-0 run, 10-0 run. So you can't have mental lapses against a team like this.''

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo:Tuesday's six-pack

— A’s 3, Angels 2—Oakland walks off for 3rd day in a row; tremendous!!!! Jed Lowrie homered twice, including the game-winner.

— Orioles 6, Nationals 4—Baltimore homered three times in first inning.

— Capitals 5, Penguins 2—Game 7 is in Washington Wednesday nite.

— Warriors 121, Jazz 95—Next up for Golden State, the Spurs-Rockets survivor.

— I am told Matt Harvey’s 3-day suspension amounts to roughly $84,000.

— Get well soon Jameson Taillon; the Pirates’ pitcher is apparently being treated for testicular cancer.

**********

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

13) New York-Chicago played an epic 18-inning game on Sunday Night Baseball; games like this are what baseball unique- lot of odd decisions have to be made and it tests the mental toughness of the players. Excellent theater.

Of course, in today’s softening society, some people want there to be tie games in baseball. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how wrong it is.

12) One thing that is really irritating; hearing someone who is getting paid to watch baseball complain that a game went extra innings. You have a cushy job; too bad there is a small bit of inconvenience involved. If you quit your job, I’m guessing a ton of people would wait outside in a snowstorm to take your place.

11) 583 pitches in the game; umpire Joe West is 64 years old. Hope he has today off. He basically umpired a doubleheader behind the plate Sunday night.

10) Interesting stuff on the Interweb about Kansas State football and succession plans for 77-year old coach Bill Snyder, who battled throat cancer this past winter.

Snyder is an icon in Manhattan, KS—it is hard to describe how pathetic Kansas State was before he became coach. Barry Switzer’s Oklahoma teams used to beat K-State 64-3 without breaking a sweat, but Snyder made the Wildcats winners and he carries a lot of influence- he wants his son Sean to take his place as head coach.

Others have resisted this succession plan, but some of those others have moved on to other jobs. It appears as if Snyder will get his way and his son will succeed him, but the real question will be, can Sean Snyder succeed as his dad’s successor?

9) In France, they hold elections on weekends and get a higher voter turnout than we do in this country.

8) Mets are so spineless they pushed back Matt Harvey’s next start until Friday in Milwaukee- they don’t want him starting at home right away. Hell, part of his punishment should be having to pitch in front of the home fans, who will give him the grief he deserves if he doesn’t do well.

If Harvey pitched well, the home fans would love him, no doubt.

7) Cincinnati Reds in first place after five weeks of baseball? Surprising.

6) Patrick Ewing is going to be an interesting study as the new basketball coach at Georgetown- the Hoyas picked up a grad transfer this weekend from South Dakota (43.8% inside arc, 31.6% outside arc), a team that won the Summit League regular season title- Monday they offered a 9th grader (Class of 2020) from Washington DC a scholarship.

5) Red Sox scored a total of 15 runs in Chris Sale’s first six starts; they scored 17 in his 7th start, Sunday in Minnesota.

4) If Kyle Lowry stays with the Toronto Raptors, they can offer him a contract worth $205M for five years; if he goes elsewhere, he can get $152M for four years. I’m not sure of the tax implications of playing in Canada, but it sounds like he would be forfeiting a lot of cash if he chooses to leave Toronto.

3) Average attendance at all minor league baseball games in April: 3,986, best-ever for April. Owning a minor league team is a solid investment.

2) Former New Mexico/Ole Miss guard Cullen Neal will be a grad transfer at St Mary’s next year; Neal was headed to St Mary’s out of high school, but then Steve Alford got the UCLA head coaching job and his dad Craig Neal inherited the Lobos’ job, so Cullen stayed in Albuquerque and played two years, but the fans were tough on him when the team struggled, so Cullen transferred to Ole Miss. Craig got fired this past spring.

1) This from Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, on the Matt Harvey story:

“Several hours after Harvey texted a Mets coach (or texted the coach back, depending on who tells the story) to let him know that he was ill and wouldn’t be coming to Citi Field for Saturday night’s game against the Marlins, the Mets’ pitcher was visited at his Manhattan apartment by a couple men — Mets security people — sent by the team to see what was happening with him.

Harvey, it seems, sensed the Mets were checking up on him with their surprise visit around 10 p.m. (to see if his headache story checked out). Meanwhile, people close to the Mets suggest that, after many messages went unreturned, the security men were merely checking on him (to see if he was OK, or needed help).”

Harvey is a free agent after the 2018 season. Everyone involved needs him to pitch well; Harvey so he can break the bank next winter, the Mets so they can get rid of him before than and still get someone of value in return.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, May 9

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HOUSTON (61 - 30) at SAN ANTONIO (67 - 25) - 5/9/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1002-875 ATS (+39.5 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 90-76 ATS (+6.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 510-427 ATS (+40.3 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 152-105 ATS (+36.5 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 81-52 ATS (+23.8 Units) in home games in all playoff games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 32-13 ATS (+17.7 Units) when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 75-49 ATS (+21.1 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 283-234 ATS (+25.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 181-133 ATS (+34.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 27-17 ATS (+8.3 Units) in road games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-7 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 11-5 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, May 9

Houston went 41-93 on arc in their two series wins, 20-63 in two losses; they put three starters other than Harden in double figures in Game 4- they’re so much better when they have balanced scoring. Rockets are 3-8 in last 11 games with San Antonio- they split last four visits to Alamo (3-1 vs spread). Over is 9-2 in last 11 series games, 3-1 in this playoff series. Spurs won/covered four of last five home games; over is 8-2 in their last ten games overall. All four games in this series have been decided by 11+ points. Underdogs are 5-3 vs spread in last eight series games.

Second round playoff series:
Boston-Washington
Bos 123-111, -4.5, O216
Bos 129-119 O, -5, O218.5
Wash 116-89, -5.5, U218
Wash 121-102, -5, O214.5

Cleveland-Toronto
Clev 116-105, -7, O211
Clev 125-103, -7, O214.5
Clev 115-94, -3, U215
Clev 109-102, -7, O210.5
Cavaliers win series, 4-0

San Antonio-Houston
Hst 126-99, +6, O215.5
SA 121-96, -5.5, O215
SA 103-92, +5.5, U215
Hst 125-104, -5, O213.5

Golden State-Utah
GState 106-94, -13, U206.5
GState 115-104, -13.5, O206
GState 102-91, -7, U209
GState 121-95, -9, O207
Warriors win series 4-0

Favorites 11-4-1 (31-26-2)
Over 10-6 (32-27)




NBA

Tuesday, May 9

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. SAN ANTONIO
Houston is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Houston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals betting preview: Rockets at Spurs

Star small forward Kawhi Leonard scored just 16 points in Game 4 after averaging 27 over the first three games.

Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (-5.5, 214.5)

Series tied 2-2

The San Antonio Spurs have seen the Houston Rockets turn the Western Conference semifinals into a best-of-3 series and they are feeling the urgency heading into Tuesday's Game 5. Host San Antonio will need to ratchet up the intensity after Houston operated at will while evening the series at two wins apiece on Sunday night.

The third-seeded Rockets drained 19 3-pointers in the 125-104 victory and they carved up the Spurs for 68 second-half points in the impressive showing. "This is a big stage they did it on," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We have a lot of work left, but there's no reason why we can't go down to San Antonio and repeat the performance." The second-seeded Spurs will be attempting to turn the page as Sunday's loss certainly was a mighty blow and opened the door for the Rockets. "Game 5 is a Game 7," Ginobili told reporters. "We had a great opportunity to go back to San Antonio 3-1 and in a better situation. Now it's 2-2. Game 7 - We've really got to be knowing that every possession is a game-winning possession."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Spurs opened as 5.5-point home favorites for Tuesday's crucial Game 5 and that number hasn't moved. The total hit the betting board at 215 and came down slightly to 214.5 on Monday.

INJURY REPORT:

Rockets - PG P. Beverley (Probable, probable), C Nene (Out For Season, groin).

Spurs - PG T. Parker (Out For Season, quadricep).

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (61-30 SU, 47-44 ATS, 46-44-1 O/U): Houston suffered a huge blow in Game 4 as backup center Nene suffered a torn left groin - officially termed a torn adductor - and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Nene and starter Clint Capela were giving Houston solid production in the middle and the Rockets will be forced to use power forwards Montrezl Harrell and Ryan Anderson at center -- the latter being more of an outside shooter than an interior player. "Obviously I'm not a very conventional 5-man, but it also makes it difficult for the other team to figure out how to guard us with pick-and-pops or if I'm rolling to the basket or whatever it is," Anderson told reporters. "Our ability to run, we have to take those opportunities to our advantage."

ABOUT THE SPURS (67-25 SU, 47-43-2 ATS, 51-39-2 O/U): The point guard situation is a huge issue for San Antonio after the season-ending quadriceps injury suffered by veteran Tony Parker in Game 2. Rookie Dejounte Murray started the past two games and averaged five points and 1.3 assists while backup Patty Mills averaged 12.5 points and 3.5 assists but made just 8-of-21 field-goal attempts. Star small forward Kawhi Leonard scored just 16 points in Game 4 after averaging 27 over the first three games while power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is enduring a mostly quiet series by averaging 15.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.

TRENDS:

* Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
* Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Over is 9-2 in Rockets last 11 Conference Semifinals games.
* Over is 7-1 in Spurs last 8 overall.
* Over is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in San Antonio.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, May 9


Houston @ San Antonio

Game 707-708
May 9, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
118.580
San Antonio
125.422
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 7
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 5
215
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-5); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Game 5 - Rockets at Spurs
May 8, 2017

Although the still-unbeaten Cavaliers and Warriors are seemingly on a collision course for another date in the NBA Finals, there’s still some drama remaining in this postseason. By that, I mean that we still have two extremely competitive series that can still go either way. By the word, “seemingly,” I really mean undoubtedly unless a dude named LeBron James gets injured.

But that’s why we watch, right? Because injuries and “stuff” does happen. After all, we’ve seen players like Tony Parker, Nene and Kyle Lowry get injured in these playoffs already.

With the series knotted at 2-2, the Western Conference semifinals matchup between the Spurs and Rockets moves back to San Antonio for Tuesday’s all-so-crucial Game 5.

As of Monday night, most betting shops had San Antonio (67-25 straight up, 47-43-2 against the spread) installed as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 214.5. Gamblers can support the Rockets on the money line for a +190 return (risk $100 to win $190). For first-half wagers, the Spurs are favored by three with a total of 110 points.

Gregg Popovich’s squad has a 35-11 SU record and a 23-23 ATS mark at home this season. However, San Antonio was dealt woodshed treatment by Houston in Game 1, losing 126-99 as a six-point home ‘chalk.’ The Spurs would respond with back-to-back wins in Games 2 (121-96) and 3 (103-92) to take a 2-1 series advantage.

Houston (61-30 SU, 47-44 ATS) owns a 27-18 record both SU and ATS in its road assignments this year. Mike D’Antonio’s team avoided a three-game losing streak by crushing San Antonio 125-104 in Sunday’s Game 4 at Toyota Center. The Rockets easily took the money as five-point home favorites. The 229 combined points sailed ‘over’ the 213.5-point total.

James Harden led seven Rockets in double figures with 28 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and two steals. Eric Gordon added 22 points thanks to 6-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. Ryan Anderson and Lou Williams chipped in 13 points apiece, while Bobby Brown and Patrick Beverley scored 11 and 10, respectively.

Kawhi Leonard had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists in the losing effort. LaMarcus Aldridge contributed 16 points and five boards, while Jonathon Simmons had a team-best 17 points. Patty Mills finished with 10 points and five assists compared to one turnover.

Beverley played Game 4 with a heavy heart. As he arrived at the arena, he was informed that his grandfather had passed away. Beverley, who is from Chicago, is expected to play in Game 5.

Nene went down with a groin injury in Game 4 that has him out for the rest of the postseason. The veteran center was averaging 10.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in the playoffs. He had made 36-of-51 shots from the field (70.6%). Nene exploded for 28 points and 10 rebounds in an important Game 4 win at Oklahoma City in the opening round.

Leonard has been nothing short of sensational through 10 playoff games. He is averaging 28.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The San Diego St. product is shooting at incredible percentages from the field (54.2%), downtown (48.9%) and the free-throw line (92.9%).

Harden ranks third in the NBA in postseason scoring (30.0 PPG) and fifth in assists (8.4 APG). Clint Capela, who will get even more playing time without Nene, is third in the Association in blocked shots during the postseason (2.7 BPG).

The ‘over’ has hit a 3-1 clip in this series so far, but the ‘under’ went 3-0-1 in four regular-season meetings between these in-state adversaries.

The ‘over’ is 51-39-2 overall for the Spurs, 25-19-2 in their home games. They’ve seen the ‘over’ go 4-1 in their five postseason home contests.

The ‘over’ is 46-44-1 overall for the Rockets, 22-22-1 in their road outings.

The total for Game 5 opened at 216 ½ and quickly dropped to 214 ½. VegasInsider.com NBA analyst Chris David is siding with the move, especially if you believe Houston’s outside shooting simmers down on Tuesday.

He explained, “This series is a very straightforward handicap and it comes down to the Rockets ability to make outside jumpers. They captured Game 1 with 22 bombs from downtown and rebounded in Game 4’s victory with 19 hits from 3-point land. When you’re connecting on that many triples, it’s nearly impossible to overcome because the margins are tough to make up.”

“San Antonio answered the bell in Game 2 at home and held the Rockets to 96 points after surrendering 126 in the opener. I dug up numbers after that loss and noted on VI that the Spurs only gave up 110 or more points in nine games this season. Including the setback in the opener of this series, that number jumped to 10. In the ensuing game, the Spurs held their opponents to 97.9 PPG and that’s including the aforementioned result from the second game in this series.”

David continued, “Fast forward to Tuesday and the Spurs will be starting at this situation again after allowing 125 on Sunday. Betting against Houston’s outside shooting is dangerous and when the shots are falling, all bets are off. However, the Rockets haven’t shot the ball well from 3-point land (33.4%) in the playoffs outside of the two wins in this series and it’s hard to ignore the fact that San Antonio is 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in games this season after allowing 110 PPG or more.” Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern on TNT.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Like Houston, Washington pulled even with Boston on Sunday’s in their best-of-seven Eastern semifinals series that moves back to Beantown for Wednesday’s Game 5. As of Monday night, most spots had the Celtics favored by 4.5 points with a total of 215.5. The Wizards were +160 to win outright.

-- Washington’s John Wall is fourth in the NBA in postseason scoring, averaging 28.8 PPG. He paces the league in assists, dishing out 11.1 helpers per contest. Wall, a one-and-done guy at Kentucky, is fourth in steals with 2.2 SPG.

-- The updated series prices at Sportsbook.ag are San Antonio -170, Houston +150; and Boston -145, Washington +125.

[StarDust Bum]

Spurs, Rockets try to wake up playoffs
May 8, 2017

Maybe San Antonio and Houston can still salvage the second round.

Their series, just like the other three in the NBA's conference semifinals, hasn't provided much in the way of must-see moments. No need to stay up late for a frantic finish when the outcomes are decided so early.

But the Spurs and Rockets did play four tight games in the regular season, with three decided by two-point margins. So perhaps there's still drama ahead, starting Tuesday in Game 5 in San Antonio with the teams tied 2-2.

Often the pivotal game in a best-of-seven series, maybe it's the one to bring out the best in both teams at the same time. For some reason, it hasn't happened in Texas - or really anywhere else in May.

''I wish I was that smart and I could figure that out,'' Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. ''I don't know. We made shots, don't make shots. I guess when both teams start making shots you'll get it close.''

It's been blowout basketball all over the second round, where Cleveland didn't even trail in the fourth quarter against Toronto until it was in the midst of finishing a sweep Sunday with a 109-102 victory. That was the first game of the entire round decided by single digits - even the overtime game between Boston and Washington in Game 2 of their series ended with a 10-point victory for the Celtics.

The games have been so non-competitive down the stretch that the NBA hasn't needed to generate a Last 2 Minutes report for any game except that one in Boston. During the postseason, the league issues the officiating reviews for all games within three points at any stage in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, or the last two minutes of any overtime period.

The starters have largely been on the bench and the fans on the way to their cars by late in the fourth quarter.

This series has featured Houston victories by 27 and 21, while the Spurs took the two games in between by 25 and 11. That's nothing like the type of basketball they played against each other during the season series, when the Spurs outscored the Rockets by an average of 104.8-102.8 while winning by six, two and two.

''I mean, it's crazy. I've never seen nothing like that,'' Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. ''It's all about tempo. When you slow the game down, it almost kind of favors them. And when you play fast, it favors us. I think now we have kind of really figured out what needs to happen and what we need to do to win.''

The Spurs bounced back fine after getting clobbered in the opener and will try to do so again following Houston's 125-104 victory on Sunday.

A look at the only game on the schedule Tuesday:

---

Rockets at Spurs, series tied 2-2. Game 5, 8 p.m., TNT.

NEED TO KNOW: Simple stuff so far. The record-setting Rockets have rolled when they've made their 3-pointers, hitting 22 in Game 1 and 19 more in Game 4. They averaged just 11.5 3s in the two losses, shooting 31.5 percent.

KEEP AN EYE ON: The Spurs' transition defense. Gregg Popovich pointed to it as San Antonio's biggest problem Sunday and the Spurs know they have to get back and set up to keep the Rockets from playing the quicker pace they prefer. ''I think we have to communicate better in transition and try to get to shooters better,'' Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge said after Game 4. ''We got caught in the middle trying to find guys and not really locking them up tonight.''

INJURY UPDATE: The Rockets lost backup center Nene for the remainder of the postseason because of a muscle tear in his left thigh. And guard Patrick Beverley missed practice Monday to be with his family after his grandfather died Sunday, but he will return to the team and start Tuesday.

PRESSURE IS ON: In this situation, both. The winner of Game 5 in the 196 times the series was tied won the series 82.7 percent of the time, according to information provided to the NBA by Elias.

[StarDust Bum]

Rudy Gay to opt out of Kings' contract
May 8, 2017

Rudy Gay will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Sacramento Kings, according to a report Monday.

Gay's agent, Roger Montgomery, confirmed to The Undefeated that his client plans to become a free agent.

The 30-year-old Gay, who signed a three-year contract extension worth $40 million with the Kings in November 2014, was scheduled to make $14.2 million next season.

Gay made the decision to opt out despite suffering a season-ending tear of his left Achilles tendon on Jan. 18. Montgomery said Gay is "ahead of schedule" in his rehabilitation and expects to return to the court in mid-June.

An 11-year veteran, Gay averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 30 games with Sacramento prior to his injury. He averaged a career-high 21.1 points in 2014-15, his first season with the Kings.

A first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) in 2006 out of the University of Connecticut, the 6-foot-8 Gay owns career averages of 18.4 points and 5.9 rebounds with the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and Kings.

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

Raptors PG Lowry will opt out of final year of contract
May 8, 2017

TORONTO (AP) �� After another unsuccessful attempt at taking down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors face a summer of change.

Kyle Lowry will opt out of the final year of his contract to test free agency. Forwards Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, acquired at the trade deadline to beef up Toronto's front line, are free agents. So is forward Patrick Patterson. Will the Raptors retain their stars and reload for another run at James? Or is Toronto headed toward a teardown?

Swept out of the second round of the playoffs by James and the defending champion Cavaliers a day earlier, the Raptors weren't offering many answers about their future Monday as they met for exit interviews and end-of-season physicals.

The only clear-cut decision came from Lowry, who confirmed he will decline a $12 million option for the final season of the four-year, $48 million contract he signed in July 2014.

As for what he's looking for in free agency, Lowry said the chance at a championship is top of his list.

"I want a ring," he said. "That's all that drives me. I want to just get better, I want to have fun, I want to win a ring. I want to make sure my family is happy. That's all I've thought about right now."

Lowry averaged career bests of 22.4 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game this season but was limited to 60 games because of a right wrist injury that required surgery in February. After suffering a sprained left ankle in Game 2 against the Cavaliers, he was unable to play in the final two games of the series.

With James better than ever and the Cavaliers firing 3-pointers from all over, Toronto lost to Cleveland for the second straight postseason. James and the Cavs beat the Raptors in six games in last year's Eastern Conference Finals.

Guard DeMar DeRozan, who signed a five-year, $135 million deal to stay with Toronto last summer, said he feels the Raptors are close to competing for a conference title. Still, DeRozan acknowledged it won't be easy to close the gap on Cleveland.

"It's kind of like being in traffic," DeRozan said. "You've got to go two blocks, but if there's traffic, it'll take you an hour to get somewhere that's two minutes away."

Lowry, who will be a free agent for the third time, called the experience an emotional roller coaster.

"It's fun, but it's a little bit stressful," Lowry said. "You're making a franchise-altering decision, period."

The 11-year veteran, now 31, said his age should not be an issue with potential suitors.

"People say, 'Oh, you're over 30,'" Lowry said. "Look at the technology. Dieting, training, everything has changed. The guy we just lost to (James), he's 32 years old, he's still playing at a 25-year-old pace."

While he still believes his body is young, Lowry said he's matured over his five seasons with the Raptors.

"I understand that every day I have to be a leader on and off the court," he said. "I feel I've grown a lot here."

Ibaka, 27, said he enjoyed his time in Toronto after coming over in a Feb. 14 trade with Orlando.

"I like the style of the team, the way they play, the locker room," Ibaka said. "Those guys, they're great, great guys. Since I got here, everything was easier, and I had fun with them."

A rim protector who can shoot and defend on the perimeter, Ibaka fits the 3-point friendly style currently employed by many of the league's top contenders. Toronto has tended to rely more on DeRozan's mid-range game, but coach Dwane Casey said the Raptors need to evolve.

"There's not a player on our roster that should not work on their 3-point shot if they want to get more time," Casey said. "That's going to be a huge part of our offense going forward. The day of 30 and 40 attempts is going to be the norm here pretty soon."

DeRozan also said improved shooting will be an essential ingredient in Toronto's offseason plans.

"The 3-point line is definitely deadly now and the more shooters you have on your team, the deadlier you can be," he said.

[StarDust Bum]

Howard pulled over before Hawks' Game 6 loss
May 9, 2017

Atlanta Hawks star Dwight Howard was pulled over for speeding and ticketed for driving without insurance hours before his team was eliminated by the Washington Wizards in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series.

Howard, a 31-year-old Atlanta native, was stopped by police on I-285 in Dunwoody, Ga. at 2:06 a.m. ET on April 28 after he was clocked going 95 mph in a 65 mph zone, per a police report obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The 6-foot-11 center received a verbal warning for speeding and for driving with a suspended registration, but was fined for the insurance infraction. Police also had Howard's vehicle -- a 2016 Audi Rs7 -- towed.

When told of the infractions, Howard appeared confused and told the officer that he had insurance, but could not present proof of insurance, according to the Journal-Constitution.

Howard's car was being followed by a black SUV, which police later determined was his personal security detail.

Howard had nine points and seven rebounds in the Hawks' 115-99 loss in Game 6 to the Wizards, who advanced the face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Howard averaged eight points and 10.7 boards for the series.

The eight-time All-Star just completed the first season of the three-year, $70.5 million contract he signed with Atlanta last summer.

[StarDust Bum]

May's Best Bets:
Date W-L-T % Units Record

05/08/2017.......... 0-2-0 ..........0.00%.......... -11.00
05/07/2017.......... 2-4-0......... 33.33%.......... -12.00
05/06/2017.......... 0-2-0........... 0.00%.......... -11.00
05/05/2017.......... 2-2-0......... 50.00%........... -1.00
05/04/2017.......... 0-4-0........... 0.00%.......... -22.00
05/03/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%......... + 9.50
05/02/2017.......... 4-0-0......... 100.00%........ +20.00
05/01/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%........... +9.50

Totals................14 - 16...........46.66%%..........- 18.00

Best Bets Daily:
Sides / Totals

05/08/2017............0 - 1..........00.00%............-1.10.............0 - 1 ......0.00%....-1.10
05/07/2017............2 - 1..........66.66%............+0.90............0 - 3.......0.00%...-3.30
5/06/2017.............0 - 1...........00.00%............-1.10.............0 - 1.......0.00%...-1.10
5/05/2017.............1 - 1...........50.00%............-0.10.............1 - 1......50.00%...-0.10
05/04/2017............0 - 2...........00.00%............-2.20.............0 - 2......0.00%.....- 2.20
05/03/2017............1 - 1...........50.00%...........- 0.10.............2 - 0......100%....+ 2.00
05/02/2017............2 - 0..........100.00%.........+ 2.00.............2 - 0.......100%....+ 2.00
05/01/2017............2 - 0..........100.00 %........+ 2.00.............1 - 1.......50%.......- 0.10

Totals...................8 - 7............53.33%.........+0.30..............6 - 9........40.00%...-3.90


TUESDAY, MAY 9

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

HOU at SA 08:00 PM

SA -5.5

O 215.0

[StarDust Bum]

Spurs overcome Leonard injury, Harden to beat Rockets in OT
May 9, 2017

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Danny Green scored seven of his 16 points in overtime, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame an injury to Kawhi Leonard to beat James Harden and the Houston Rockets 110-107 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their second-playoff series.

Leonard had 22 points and 15 rebounds in 38 minutes before exiting with an injured right ankle. Leonard stepped on Harden's foot with 5:37 left in the third quarter and then played limited minutes before sitting out overtime.

Harden had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He had a chance at potential tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of OT, but was blocked from behind by Manu Ginobili.

Game 6 is Thursday in Houston.

Each team stalled at the start of the extra period. Patrick Beverley made a 3-pointer with 2 minutes remaining for the first points of the period, giving Houston a 104-101 lead.

Green made a go-ahead 3-pointer and converted a three-point play to make it 109-107 Spurs with 30.1 seconds left. He also made a foul shot down the stretch to help San Antonio hold on.

Two questionable plays closed regulation with the game tied at 101.

Harden was whistled for a charge after dribbling all but a few seconds off the shot clock before driving to the basket on Jonathon Simmons. The Spurs failed to take a shot on their final possession, with Patty Mills banking in a 3-pointer after the buzzer sounded.

Harden also played solid defense, helping hold Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to 15-for-42 shooting as he rotated assignments in Houston's smaller lineup. But he finished with nine turnovers.

With the Rockets leading 82-81, officials ruled a ball out of bounds on the Spurs that replays showed was actually off Harden. Beverley drained a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, prompting San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich to scream and point at official Derrick Stafford.

The play ignited what had been a rather listless San Antonio, leading to a 10-2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters for a 92-87 lead.

The Spurs tried to exploit a size advantage over the Rockets' small lineup early, especially when Harden was guarding either Aldridge and Pau Gasol. The Spurs' big men only managed 2-for-5 shooting in the opening three minutes, leading San Antonio to abandon the strategy midway through the first quarter and sub Simmons for Gasol.

Simmons responded by scoring 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting in 26 minutes.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Houston has lost four straight best-of-seven series when it was tied 2-2. The last time the Rockets won a series after being tied 2-2 was in the 1995 Western Conference finals when they beat the Spurs. . Nene is out for the remainder of the postseason after tearing his left adductor in Game 4. . The team that led at the half had won every game in the series until Game 5.

Spurs: Ginobili has 313 3-pointers in his postseason career, which is third in league history behind Ray Allen (385) and Reggie Miller (320). . Ginobili drove the lane for a one-handed dunk with 2 minutes left in the first half.

[StarDust Bum]

May's Best Bets:
Date W-L-T % Units Record

05/09/2017.......... 1-1-0......... 50.00%........... -0.50
05/08/2017.......... 0-2-0 ..........0.00%.......... -11.00
05/07/2017.......... 2-4-0......... 33.33%.......... -12.00
05/06/2017.......... 0-2-0........... 0.00%.......... -11.00
05/05/2017.......... 2-2-0......... 50.00%........... -1.00
05/04/2017.......... 0-4-0........... 0.00%.......... -22.00
05/03/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%......... + 9.50
05/02/2017.......... 4-0-0......... 100.00%........ +20.00
05/01/2017.......... 3-1-0.......... 75.00%........... +9.50

Totals................15 - 17...........46.87%%..........- 17.50

Best Bets Daily:
Sides / Totals

05/09/2017............0 - 1 .........00.00%............-1.10.............1 - 0......100.00....+1.00
05/08/2017............0 - 1..........00.00%............-1.10.............0 - 1 ......0.00%....-1.10
05/07/2017............2 - 1..........66.66%............+0.90............0 - 3.......0.00%...-3.30
5/06/2017.............0 - 1...........00.00%............-1.10.............0 - 1.......0.00%...-1.10
5/05/2017.............1 - 1...........50.00%............-0.10.............1 - 1......50.00%...-0.10
05/04/2017............0 - 2...........00.00%............-2.20.............0 - 2......0.00%.....- 2.20
05/03/2017............1 - 1...........50.00%...........- 0.10.............2 - 0......100%....+ 2.00
05/02/2017............2 - 0..........100.00%.........+ 2.00.............2 - 0.......100%....+ 2.00
05/01/2017............2 - 0..........100.00 %........+ 2.00.............1 - 1.......50%.......- 0.10

Totals...................8 - 8............50.00%.........-0.80..............7 - 9........43.75%...-2.90

[StarDust Bum]

Pivotal Game 5 awaits Boston as it returns home vs. Wizards
May 9, 2017

BOSTON (AP) After four games, the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the Celtics and Wizards is exactly back where it began.

Following back-to-back comeback wins by the East's top seed in the first two games in Boston, Washington returned the favor with a pair of dominant wins on its home court. The series now shifts back to the Garden for a pivotal Game 5 matchup on Wednesday night.

The winner of Game 5 in an NBA best-of-7 series tied at 2-2 has gone on to win the series 83% of the time (162-34), according to ESPN Stats & Info.

While happy to return to friendlier confines, the Celtics say they aren't feeling any added pressure despite being unable to recover from game-changing runs by the Wizards in Games 3 and 4.

''That's the playoffs for you,'' Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas said. ''We said it before the playoffs started, you lose a couple and you might get swept. I mean, that's what the world is gonna say. `You're not good enough to be here,' or you win a couple and everybody loves you.''

Meanwhile, Washington may have found the anecdote to containing Boston's leading scorer - making the game as physical as possible.

Thomas has managed just 13 and 19 points, respectively, over the last two games, while being held to 22 field goal attempts. That comes after his 53-point night in Game 2's overtime win.

Despite having to win at least one game at the Garden over the next three games to advance, Wizards point guard John Wall said their confidence is higher than it was at the start of the series.

''We have a lot of confidence, understanding that we had a chance to win all four games,'' said Wall, who is coming off a 27-point, 12-assist effort in Game 4. ''Even though we only won two, and they won two at their place, we had an opportunity to win those games even though we didn't shoot the ball well or we didn't play great defense.''

Here are some things to know about Wednesday night's Game 5:

---

NEED TO KNOW: Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. can expect to get a cold reception from Boston's fans. Oubre returns to action after serving a one-game suspension for charging over Celtics center Kelly Olynyk in Game 3. Washington coach Scott Brooks was asked Tuesday about what advice he had for Oubre. ''Bring some ear plugs,'' he said after a long pause. ''They're definitely going to let him have it. But you just go out there and play, play hard.''

KEEP AN EYE ON: Isaiah Thomas' free-throw attempts. The All-Star said he felt the Wizards were able to get away with holding and grabbing him at times during a Game 4 loss in which he didn't once visit the foul line. But he said he hadn't been contacted by the league office about a fine for criticizing the officiating. ''I felt like things should be called different. But I didn't say that's the reason why we lost,'' Thomas said. ''So I don't feel like I should get anything.''

INJURY UPDATE: Celtics guard Avery Bradley suffered a left hip-pointer in Game 4 after being slowed by a right hip-pointer in Game 2. But Stevens said he is set to go for Game 5.

PRESSURE IS ON: The Wizards. Though Boston is the higher seed, the Celtics will get all kinds of energy returning home, and Washington can set itself up with a closeout opportunity at home for Game 6 with a win.

[StarDust Bum]

Ainge's leadership in spotlight for C's
May 9, 2017

BOSTON (AP) When you work for the Boston Celtics, there's no need for daily reminders about your motivations. They're constantly casting shadows overhead.

''There's only one goal in Boston,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens recently said. ''There's 17 banners hanging above us. We only go for one goal here.''

And few people are as keenly aware of that chase as Danny Ainge.

Boston's front office chief has already been to the NBA's mountaintop; first as player winning a pair of championships in the 80s and then as the architect of the Big 3 that brought the Celtics their 17th NBA championship in 2008.

He's since progressed from Kevin Garnett's triumphant ''Anything's possible'' declaration in `08, to believing in the possibilities of the present with a corps of young talent that's two wins away from returning the franchise to the conference finals for the first time since 2012.

But with the East's top seed locked in 2-2 tie with Washington, the outcome of this series could go a long way toward affirming the recent moves Ainge has made, or exposing the holes that still exist as his team chases banner No. 18.

Ainge, who has shown willingness to make big moves, stood pat at February's trade deadline despite holding a wealth of coveted assets. It's a decision Ainge hasn't second-guessed.

''Make no mistake that we did try to improve our team,'' Ainge said. ''But we do have a lot of confidence in our team and the guys that don't get a chance to play. It doesn't seem really fair when we have guys that are healthy and that we like and aren't even getting on the court to bring in other guys just because they're playing and everyone assumes they're better.''

After brushing off initial overtures, Ainge was lured back to Boston as the president of basketball operations in 2003 with the endorsement of none other than Celtics' legend Red Auerbach.

The way Ainge once told the story to a church group, Auerbach called Ainge ''the luckiest guy I know'' in recommending him to owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca.

While Ainge has acknowledged some fortunate outcomes to get the Celtics back to this point, such as the rise of Isaiah Thomas into an All-Star, there have also been plenty of pivotal moves by Ainge.

One of the league's most-tenured front office heads, he has recently used that experience to his advantage.

It started with the hiring of Stevens, then just a 37-year-old college coach at Butler, in 2013. That was followed by the trade of Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, which netted the Celtics three first-round picks and the right to swap picks with the Nets this season.

That led to the drafting of rookie Jaylen Brown last summer and a wealth of possibilities with this year's Brooklyn pick, which has the best odds of being No. 1 overall.

It's a bargaining chip that only still exists because of Ainge's decision to not make any trade deadline in each of the last two years.

Though Boston did miss on wooing Kevin Durant to town last summer, it was able to land big man Al Horford, who has since credited Ainge's vision as one of the major factors that swayed him to sign.

Horford's addition has not only has provided the Celtics with needed veteran leadership, but he's been one of the sustaining elements for a group that was able to rally behind Thomas after his sister's sudden passing on the eve of the playoffs.

''I think that that showed the character of all the players involved,'' Ainge said. ''I think the first two games (of Chicago series) there was a little bit of a cloud because one of our family was hurting really, really bad...It was like no one knew how to really react to the whole situation. Credit goes to Isaiah, first and foremost, for inspiring his team and the team for fighting for Isaiah.''

TNT analyst and former NBA coach Kevin McHale played alongside Ainge as a player and later saw him in action as an executive. He said while the word patient didn't used to be one he'd have used to describe his friend, it is one example of how his style has evolved.

McHale said Ainge has also shown a willingness to bring tools like analytics into how he looks at his roster - even if at the end of the day he ultimately still relies on his instincts.

''He's not a pigeonhole guy,'' McHale said. ''He uses everything and I think you have to...He has a good eye for grit and toughness. None of that analytics can show that.''

Whether it's luck or skill, Ainge isn't waiting for an 18th banner to fall in his lap.

''It's like being player...You don't sit around and wait for luck,'' Ainge said. ''You work your way into having good fortune go your way. You behave and act certain way with integrity and character so that when opportunities present themselves you're ready.''