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**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 08:22 AM

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

— Louisville 76, Syracuse 72, OT— First ACC home loss for the Orangemen. Cardinals survived 16-30 foul shooting.

— Texas Tech 84, Baylor 78— Life on the road is tough in the Big X.

— Kansas 84, West Virginia 80 OT– Jayhawks were down 14 with 2:49 left in regulation.

— Monmouth 102, Siena 82— Surging Hawks have won 12 games in a row.

— Washington Nationals signed 1B Adam Lind, giving them another solid lefty bat.

— New Jersey Giants released Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings Monday. Dumping Cruz saves them $10M on their salary cap.

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Armadillo:Tuesday's List of 13: Looking at top 13 conferences in college basketball……..

13) Southern Conference— Fastest rising league in country; three years ago, they were #30, two years ago #25, LY #19, now they’re 13.

Furman (11-2) leads East Tennessee State by a game right now, but Chattanooga, NC-Greensboro and Wofford could all win conference tourney too. Their games are well worth watching on ESPN3.com.

12) Colonial— NC-Wilmington and Charleston are on top of league, but have both struggled the last few games. Towson State has been surging but one of their better players was shot in the leg in a drive-by shooting in Philly Saturday night. Not sure when he will play again.

11) West Coast— Gonzaga and St Mary’s and……no one else. BYU is very young this year, so they have taken a step back. Four first-year coaches in this league but the WCC is a lot like the Big West when UNLV ruled it during Jerry Tarkanian’s heyday.

10) Missouri Valley— Wichita State is tied with Illinois State for first place, despite losing Baker and Van Vleet from LY’s team; Redbirds lost star F McIntosh, a big loss for a team that is 21-5 and was headed for a showdown with the Shockers in Arch Madness. Northern Iowa has won eight of last nine games, after a 5-11 start.

9) Mountain West— Totally wide open this year, with San Diego State having a down year. Colorado State/Nevada are two of best teams, but both have zero depth, so winning three days in a row in conference tourney will be dicey. Does that open the door for Boise State?

8) Atlantic 14— League that should get more games on TV. VCU, Dayton, Richmond are all very good; Rhode Island always seems to be a half-step behind the top teams. Davidson is having a disappointing season. St Bonaventure is tough place to play, unless the students storm the court before the game is over.

7) American— SMU-Cincinnati will get in NCAA’s. Bearcats shoot it better than they usually do, could be sleeper in March. Houston/Memphis will try to steal a bid at the conference tourney. UConn has been racked by injury this season.

6) Pac-12— Conference of Champions has Arizona-Oregon-UCLA, fun teams to watch. Knocking on NCAA’s door are USC, Cal and Utah. Trojans’ non-conference schedule was #263, which could haunt them on Selection Sunday.

5) SEC— Kentucky rules this league, obviously, but I like Florida as a sleeper in March; South Carolina will get in tourney this year, but after that, NIT it is. Florida’s Canyon Barry, Rick’s son, has now made 39 foul shots in a row— he shoots underhanded like his dad.

4) Big 14— Committee didn’t have any of these teams in top 16 seeds for NCAA’s, then Wisconsin lost at home to Northwestern, which drops them more. Purdue is probably the best team in league, Maryland is strong but VERY young. Rest of the league is mediocre, but Izzo’s Spartans can’t be ignored, because Izzo is a Hall of Famer. Northwestern is going to make the tournament for the first time ever- -good for them.

3) Big East— Villanova is defending national champ, but Xavier/Creighton both lost their PG for the season with injuries, so they’ll be wounded targets in March. Butler looks like a tourney team, but they’ve lost three of last four games.

2) ACC— TV types keep saying they’re getting ten teams in tournament; I’m not seeing it. Think nine is most they’ll get. Fifteen teams is too many for a league, but they care more about football so they let Notre Dame play basketball here. Irish have been in Elite 8 the last two years; not this season. As I type this, Louisville is in a tie game in last minute at Syracuse and they have a walk-on playing. Did every ESPN play-by-play guy go to Syracuse?

Louisville’s walk-on, by the way, is from Sarasota, FL– Dick Vitale recommended him to Rick Pitino.

1— Big X— No easy outs here, now that TCU has become a good team; Texas/Oklahoma are two worst teams in league this year. Kansas has off-court issues; they’ve looked shaky of late. Baylor looks very strong, but they lost in first round the last two years, as a 5-seed and a 3-seed. Oy.

**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 08:45 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, February 14

Chicago lost its last three games, all on road; they’re 5-8 vs spread in last 13 games overall. Five of their last seven games went over total. Toronto lost 10 of last 14 games; they’re 2-5 vs spread in last seven home games. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Bulls won/covered their last ten games with Toronto, winning last five played here (5-0 vs spread). Nine of the ten games went over the total.

Cavaliers won five of their last six games; they’re 4-6 in last 10 road games, 3-1 in last four. Last six series games went over total. Timberwolves lost five of last seven games; they’re 3-6 vs spread in last nine home games. Last 11 Minnesota games went over total. Cleveland won its last five games with Minnesota (4-1 vs spread); five of last six series games went over total. Cavaliers won by 16-26 points in last two visits to Twin Cities.

Sacramento won eight of its last nine games with the Lakers, winning/covering last three series games here; last four series games stayed under the total. Kings won four of last five games; this is their first road game this month. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Los Angeles split its last six games; they’re 5-3 in last eight home games. LA covered seven of its last eight games. Five of their last six games went over.

NBA

Tuesday, February 14

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. CHICAGO
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Toronto is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

10:30 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. LA LAKERS
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing at home against Sacramento
LA Lakers are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games

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**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 09:55 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, February 14

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TORONTO (32 - 23) at CHICAGO (26 - 29) - 2/14/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 117-153 ATS (-51.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 61-75 ATS (-21.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 40-57 ATS (-22.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-0 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CLEVELAND (37 - 16) at MINNESOTA (21 - 34) - 2/14/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CLEVELAND is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games this season.
CLEVELAND is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-32 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 46-70 ATS (-31.0 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 29-42 ATS (-17.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 346-407 ATS (-101.7 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 20-33 ATS (-16.3 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 202-250 ATS (-73.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-0 straight up against MINNESOTA 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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SACRAMENTO (23 - 32) at LA LAKERS (19 - 37) - 2/14/2017, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 131-90 ATS (+32.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 26-39 ATS (-16.9 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 61-87 ATS (-34.7 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 168-209 ATS (-61.9 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 150-195 ATS (-64.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 60-86 ATS (-34.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 62-82 ATS (-28.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 63-94 ATS (-40.4 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 8-2 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 01:23 PM

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, February 14

Sacramento @ LA Lakers

Game 705-706
February 14, 2017 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
119.780
LA Lakers
118.883
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 1
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Lakers
by 1 1/2
218
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+1 1/2); Under

Cleveland @ Minnesota

Game 703-704
February 14, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
125.950
Minnesota
118.472
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 7 1/2
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 4
219
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-4); Over

Toronto @ Chicago

Game 701-702
February 14, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
120.790
Chicago
109.471
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 11 1/2
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7
205 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-7); Over

NBA
Short Sheet

Tuesday, February 14

Toronto at Chicago, 8:05 PM ET
Toronto: 14-4 ATS after a home game where both teams score 100 or more points
Chicago: 43-70 ATS after playing a road game

Cleveland at Minnesota, 8:05 PM ET
Cleveland: 19-8 ATS after allowing 55 points or more in the first half in 2 straight games
Minnesota: 5-17 ATS after a win by 10 points or more

Sacramento at LA Lakers, 10:35 PM ET
Sacramento: 3-11 ATS after playing a game as favorite
Los Angeles: 18-8 ATS after covering 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread

**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 01:54 PM

NBA

Tuesday, February 14

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Tuesday’s NBA Game of the Day: Raptors at Bulls
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The Raptors are struggling into the All-Star break with losses in 10 of the last 14 games to fall from second in the Eastern Conference to fourth.

Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls (+7, 205.5)

The Chicago Bulls are limping along without the services of their two highest scorers and hope to get some of their injured players back when they try to snap a three-game slide against the visiting Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The Raptors could use an easy mark after blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in Sunday's 102-101 home loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler (heel) sat out four of the last five games while future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade (wrist, illness) missed two of the last three and role players Nikola Mirotic (back spasms) and Paul Zipser (ankle) are day-to-day as well. The talent drain led Chicago to drop its last three games by an average of 25.7 points, capped by Sunday's 117-89 loss at Minnesota that finished out a 2-4 road trip. The Raptors are struggling into the All-Star break as well with losses in 10 of the last 14 games to fall from second in the Eastern Conference to fourth. "Yeah, I am starting to get worried, yeah," All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. "It’s not going the way it’s supposed to be going, things aren’t changing, so I’m starting to get worried."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), CSN Chicago

LINE HISTORY: The struggling Raptors opened as 6.5-point road favorites over the depleted Bulls and that number was quickly bet up to 7 immediately after release. The total hit the board at 205.5 and has been steady thus far.

INJURY REPORT:

Raptors - PF P. Patterson (Questionable, knee).

Bulls - SF P. Zipser (Doubtful, ankle), SG D. Wade (Out, wrist), SF J. Butler (Probable, heel), PF N. Mirotic (Doubtful, back).

POWER RANKINGS: Clippers (-8.6) - Jazz (-3.2) + home court (-3) = Raptors -2.4

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (32-23 SU, 31-23-1 ATS, 32-23 O/U): It was less than a month ago that Toronto was putting pressure on the Cleveland Cavaliers atop the East, but the recent slump and Sunday's blown lead are pushing the team back and dragging the spirits down. "We can (get back to our previous form) but it has to be quick," All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "Like I said, 27 more games and that's going to fly by. We haven't got much time. When it comes to practice time, we have to be able to take things on the go and run with it." DeRozan is averaging 29 points in three games since returning from an ankle injury but missed the potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds on Sunday.

ABOUT THE BULLS (26-29 SU, 26-29 ATS, 21-33-1 O/U): Wade fell hard on both wrists in Friday's 115-97 loss at Phoenix and had X-rays come back negative before sitting out Sunday but is still feeling pain. "It ain't right," Wade told reporters of his swollen right wrist prior to Sunday's loss. "I can't bend it either way. If I feel like I need an MRI when I get back to (Chicago), then I'll do that, more so the hand than the wrist, I think." Butler returned from a three-game absence on Friday and scored 20 points in 30 minutes but was out again on Sunday after feeling pain in the heel again and considers himself day-to-day.

TRENDS:

* Raptors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
* Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 6-1 in Raptors last 7 road games.
* Over is 8-0 in Bulls last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 8-0 in the last 8 meetings.
* Raptors are 1-10 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 63 percent of users are siding with the home underdog Chicago Bulls and Over is picking up 68 percent of the totals wagers.

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**Udog** · 02-14-2017, 07:30 PM

NBA Betting Road Map: No Zeller, no cash for Hornets bettors?

The Hornets are 2-10 SU and 1-10-1 ATS over their last 12 games and this losing streak has coincided with the absence of Cody Zeller, who has missed nine of the Hornets last 10 games.

As we approach the All-Star Break, little has happened to shake anyone's confidence that it will be the Warriors and Cavaliers in the Finals. It's true that Cleveland has scuffled on the road (e.g., 0-7 ATS when the Cavs are unrested; and 0-9 ATS versus foes off a loss), but when the playoffs come around they'll, no doubt, be more focused.

Although this is a short week, it's long on opportunity to make some money, so let's take a look.

Spread Watch

The Charlotte Hornets are in a major funk. After losing at home to the 76ers, as 8-point favorites, the Hornets are now 2-10 SU and 1-10-1 ATS over their last 12 games. This losing streak has coincided with the absence of Cody Zeller, who has missed nine of the Hornets last 10 games. Zeller is one of the better defensive players in the league and he's also averaging 10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and has a 17.22 PER.

This week, the Hornets will have one more game before the All-Star break and that will be on the road at Toronto on Wednesday. Charlotte won the first meeting, 113-78 at home but Zeller was in the lineup for that game. Unless he's back on the court, it's best to stay away from the Hornets.

Totals Watch

Well, so much for the Timberwolves morphing into a stand-out defensive team under new coach Tom Thibodeau. Minnesota ranks No. 24 in defensive efficiency, and has now gone Over the total in nine straight games.

This week, the Timberwolves will host the Cavaliers on Tuesday, before finishing up their pre-All-Star break schedule with a road game in Denver on Wednesday. Given that the Cavaliers are also going Over of late (six straight Overs and 11 of 13), and all three meetings the past two seasons have gone Over, look for Tuesday's game to be relatively high-scoring.

Injury Watch

The Milwaukee Bucks have not had very good fortune. On the night that Khris Middleton returned from his injury, they lost forward Jabari Parker for a long time. Parker tore his left ACL for the second time in three years, and he'll miss about 12 months - if not more. Parker was averaging over 20 points per game, over six rebounds per game, and he had the fourth-highest points per game improvement (over last season) among forwards in the league.

For Milwaukee fans, the most depressing thought is that the Bucks have had their top three players on the floor for only one game this season - and now won't for the first half of next season, as well. The Bucks did start their week off on the right foot, with a 102-89 win over Detroit (Milwaukee's first game in its last 21 that it held its opponent under 100 points), but that was just the Bucks' fourth win (both SU and ATS) in their last 16.

Don't be surprised if Milwaukee finishes up its week with a loss to Brooklyn which is also struggling - riding a 13-game losing streak. For technical support, consider that teams playing on the road in their final game before the All-Star Break are a poor 19-39-1 ATS vs. losing teams, off back-to-back losses, since 1991.

Schedule Watch

The Boston Celtics have won 10 of 11, including their last three which were road wins at Portland, Utah and Dallas.

This week, Boston returns home to play the 76ers (also winners of three straight - all as an underdog) before finishing up with a road game at Chicago. Since 1990, home favorites off three road wins have gone 75-55 ATS versus foes off a win. That bodes well for the Celtics. As does the fact that teams (like Philly) off three straight upset wins have gone 2-17 SU and 4-14-1 ATS in their next game. Look for Boston to blow out the 76ers on Wednesday.

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Tuesday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 2/14

Tuesday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 2/14

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