Announcement

**Udog** · 04-16-2017, 08:18 AM

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

— Jazz 97, Clippers 95— Rudy Gobert hyperextended his knee, a problem for Utah.

— Cavaliers 109, Pacers 108— CJ Miles missed a 14-footer at the buzzer for Indiana.

— Bucks 97, Raptors 83— Surprisingly easy win for Milwaukee.

— Ottawa 4, Bruins 3 OT— Senators even series 1-1, scoring at 1:59 of overtime.

— Maple Leafs 4, Capitals 3, 2OT— Toronto scored 11:53 into the second overtime.

— Anaheim 3, Calgary 2— Flames have now lost 29 games in a row in Anaheim.

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

13) Saturday was Jackie Robinson Day across major league baseball; Mr Robinson put up with a lot of BS when he broke into the major leagues and deserves recognition, but what about Larry Doby, who did the same thing, only in the American League with Cleveland? No one ever mentions the guy.

12) Underrated baseball record: Most consecutive times reaching base— 17, held by Earl Averill (1962) and another guy who did it in 1883.

11) 26 players on the Cincinnati Reds’ 40-man roster are pitchers; because of that, the Reds are targeting versatile players who give their manager more flexibility within games and also in making players, giving starters days off.

10) You listen to Reds’ games on TV, no hometown homers there; oh they want the Reds to win, but if they play badly, their own announcers will rip them. Much different than most places.

9) Dodgers 8, Arizona 4— Since start of the 2014 season, Diamondbacks are now 17-42 against Los Angeles.

8) Blue Jays 2, Orioles 1— Kendrys Morales won it with a walk-off tater, a much-needed win for a Toronto team off to a dismal 2-9 start.

7) Astros 10, A’s 6— Houston scored 10 runs, despite not getting a hit in the first six innings. It is hard to describe how badly the A’s played in the last three innings- they led 5-0 after five.

6) On February 12, 2016, the A’s to Khris Davis from Milwaukee for minor leaguers Bowdien Derby and Jacob Nottingham.

Derby is a pitcher who was 6-13, 5.59 in the Class A Florida State league last year. He is a relief pitcher in AA this season.

Nottingham is a catcher who hit .234 in the AA Southern League LY and is back there this year.

In a year-plus with Oakland, Khris Davis has hit 47 homers in 161 games.

5) Former Washington Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar signed on with Arizona as an assistant coach, taking the place of Joe Pasternack, the new coach at UCSB.

4) Nashville 5, Chicago 0— Blackhawks didn’t score a goal in two home playoff games this week.

3) Speaking of Nashville, they had 11,097 fans for a AAA baseball game Saturday. Not bad.

2) Our thoughts and prayers are with Celtics’ star Isaiah Thomas, who lost his 22-year old sister in a car accident in the state of Washington Saturday morning. Terrible tragedy.

1— I am a basketball guy, but the NHL playoffs are so much better than the NBA’s version; there is nothing sign sports quite as dramatic as overtime in a playoff game.

San Jose has a player named Logan Couture who to hit in the face with a puck, but is still playing, even though it hurts him to breathe!!!!! Think about that for a second.

While NBA players ask for days off for a mental break from a long season, Couture is playing with a mouth held together by plastic and wire- he probably needs 7 or 8 teeth replaced/taken out completely after the season.

**Udog** · 04-16-2017, 08:35 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Sunday, April 16

Oklahoma City @ Houston

Game 515-516
April 16, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
113.442
Houston
126.724
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 13 1/2
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 7
228
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-7); Over

Chicago @ Boston

Game 513-514
April 16, 2017 @ 6:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
118.151
Boston
127.694
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 9 1/2
204
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 7 1/2
207 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-7 1/2); Under

Portland @ Golden State

Game 511-512
April 16, 2017 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
117.617
Golden State
137.152
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 19 1/2
226
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 14
222 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-14); Over

Atlanta @ Washington

Game 509-510
April 16, 2017 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
119.011
Washington
121.055
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 5
211
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+5); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 16

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ATLANTA (43 - 39) at WASHINGTON (49 - 33) - 4/16/2017, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 17-37 ATS (-23.7 Units) in road games in all playoff games since 1996.
ATLANTA is 78-56 ATS (+16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 10-7 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-8 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (41 - 41) at GOLDEN STATE (67 - 15) - 4/16/2017, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 98-84 ATS (+5.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 143-116 ATS (+15.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 83-60 ATS (+17.0 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 124-90 ATS (+25.0 Units) in April games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 87-63 ATS (+17.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 51-26 ATS (+22.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 11-5 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 14-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
12 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHICAGO (41 - 41) at BOSTON (53 - 29) - 4/16/2017, 6:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-5 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-5 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (47 - 35) at HOUSTON (55 - 27) - 4/16/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 55-74 ATS (-26.4 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 220 since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 45-36 ATS (+5.4 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 177-130 ATS (+34.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 81-55 ATS (+20.5 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
HOUSTON is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 9-2 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-3 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Sunday, April 16

Atlanta at Washington, 3:00 PM ET
Atlanta: 13-3 UNDER vs. division opponents
Washington: 16-7 ATS in a home game where the total is 210 to 219.5

Portland at Golden State, 3:30 PM ET
Portland: 28-11 UNDER in road games revenging 4 or more losses vs opponent
Golden State: 19-9 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more

Chicago at Boston, 6:30 PM ET
Chicago: 23-11 ATS in road games off a home win
Boston: 26-14 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders

Oklahoma City at Houston, 9:00 PM ET
Oklahoma City: 20-9 UNDER after a division game
Houston: 25-15 ATS after playing a home game

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 16

Wizards won their last three games with Atlanta, by 3-26-4 points, but teams played only once since late January. Washington is 3-5 in its last eight games overall; three of their last four games stayed under total. Hawks won four of their last five games, under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Washington is in playoffs for third time in last four years, after a 5-year drought; they won last two first round series. Atlanta is in playoffs for 10th year in row; they’re 5-4 in last nine first round series, winning in first round last two years.

Warriors swept Portland this season, winning four games by 23-45-8-2 points; teams haven’t met since January 29. Golden State won 15 of its last 16 games overall, win 10-3-2 vs spread in last 15 games- over is 5-3 in their last eight. Portland won nine of its last 12 games to get into the playoffs; they covered five of their last six road games. Golden State won NBA title in 2015, lost Finals LY, added Durant last summer. Since 2001, Portland is 2-7 in first round series, with wins coming in last three years (2-1).

Home side won all four Boston-Chicago games this season; Bulls lost here, by 7-20 points. Celtics won nine of their last 12 games; they’re 1-6 vs spread in last seven home games. Bulls won seven of last nine games to sneak into playoffs; their last five games stayed under the total. Boston is in playoffs for ninth time in last 10 years, but their last series win was 2012- they lost last three first round series. Chicago is 83-81 under Hoiberg, missing playoffs LY, barely making it this year- they’re they’re 3-2 in last five first round series.

Houston won three of four games with Oklahoma City this year; three of the four were decided by 3 or less points, with Rockets winning last three. Rockets were just 4-5 in their last nine games (under 6-3). Thunder won four of last six games, with last four staying under the total. Houston is in playoffs for fifth year in row, making Western final two years ago, but since 1998, the Rockets are 2-9 in first round series. Oklahoma City won 8 fewer games this year than last; they won their last five first round series, but without Durant, they’re obviously not as good a team now.

First round playoff series:
Boston-Chicago
Cleveland-Indiana
Clev 109-108, -9, O208.5
Toronto-Milwaukee
Mil 97-83, +7.5, U197.5
Washington-Atlanta

Golden State-Portland
San Antonio-Memphis
SA 111-82, -9.5, O190.5
Houston-Oklahoma City
LA Clippers-Utah
Utah 97-95, +6, U198.5

Favorites: 1-3 vs spread
Totals: 2-2

NBA

Sunday, April 16

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Trend Report
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1:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Atlanta's last 15 games
Washington is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

3:30 PM
PORTLAND vs. GOLDEN STATE
Portland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 8 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games

6:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. BOSTON
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Chicago's last 20 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
Boston is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games

9:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. HOUSTON
Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

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**Udog** · 04-16-2017, 08:38 AM

NBA

Sunday, April 16

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Sunday’s NBA playoffs betting preview and odds
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The defending Western Conference champion Warriors are 13.5 favorites at home and are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.

The remaining four series tip off on the hardwood Sunday, including the Golden State Warriors who are looking to purge last years NBA finals from their memory. That journey begins Sunday afternoon against when Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers travel to Oracle Arena. We break down the betting angles for each and every matchup.

Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (-5, 211)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (43-39 SU, 39-43 ATS, 32-48-2 O/U): Atlanta won four straight in impressive fashion before falling in the regular-season finale while resting most of the its key players. The last time the full squad took the floor it put together one of its biggest wins of the campaign, a 103-76 drubbing of the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. Center Dwight Howard, who will be playing in his 90th career playoff game on Tuesday, recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win and enters the postseason averaging a double-double at 13.5 points and 12.7 boards.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (49-33 SU, 42-39-1 ATS, 51-31 O/U): Washington brushed off the slow finish to its season and is looking for a little revenge after losing to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals two years ago. "We're one of eight teams that have a chance to advance and we’re excited about the opportunity," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "I’m looking forward to seeing how we’ll play, and I’m very confident with how we’re going to play. I know we’re going to play with great effort." Brooks doesn't need to worry about effort from Wall, who posted career highs in points (23.1), assists (10.7), steals (2.0) and field goal percentage (45.1) in the regular season.

LINE HISTORY: The Wizards opened as 5 point home favorites against the Hawks and the line hasn’t moved off the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 210, was quickly bet up to 211 and has since faded back to 210.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Hawks - C Dwight Howard (Probable, back)

Wizards - PG John Wall (Probable, quadricep), C Ian Mahinmi (Late April, calf)

TRENDS:

* Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Wizards are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 6-1 in Hawks last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.

Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (-14.5, 222.5)

ABOUT THE BLAZERS (41-41 SU, 40-42 ATS, 44-37-1 O/U): While Damian Lillard was the star of Portland's surge down the stretch, center Jusuf Nurkic was a key piece and helped jumpstart the team after being acquired from the Nuggets. Nurkic, who averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in 20 games with the team, sat out the final seven games with a nondisplaced fracture in his right leg, and his return for the postseason is undetermined, according to head coach Terry Stotts. "If it’s up to me, I play right now," Nurkic told reporters. "I do my part and I feel better. I make great progress the last couple of days but I’m not there yet, so we're still waiting on that right now. Undecided."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (67-15 SU, 40-39-3 ATS, 32-50-0 O/U): Kevin Durant averaged 29.3 points on 60 percent shooting in four games during the regular season against Portland - all Golden State wins. He also did not show any sign of being hampered by the knee injury while scoring 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, in the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors developed a solid chemistry prior to Durant's injury and are hoping to find that again in the playoffs while hanging onto the increased production that Stephen Curry enjoyed with his fellow former MVP sidelined.

LINE HISTORY: The defending Western Conference champion Warriors opened as 13.5 point home chalk over the Blazers and that number wasn’t high enough for bettors and he been bet up to 14.5. The total hit the betting board at 223 and has been dropped half point to 222.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Blazers - PG Damian Lillard (Probable, foot), SG Allen Crabbe (Probable, foot), C Jusuf Nurkic (Questionable, leg), SG C.J. McCollum (Questionable, hand), C Festus Ezeli (Out for season, knee), PF Ed Davis (Out for season, shoulder)

Warriors - C Zaza Pachulia (Probable, knee), SF Kevon Looney (Questionable, hip), SF Matt Barnes (Doubtful, ankle)

TRENDS:

* Trail Blazers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
* Warriors are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
* Over is 12-3 in Trail Blazers last 15 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (-7.5, 207.5)

ABOUT THE BULLS (41-41 SU, 42-40 ATS, 32-49-1 O/U): Rajon Rondo came off the bench for much of the season but re-entered the starting lineup in the final month and looked - at times - to be his old self, averaging 12.5 points, 8.8 assists and 8.5 rebounds over his final six games. Veteran star Dwyane Wade returned late in the season from en elbow injury while All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler finished with career highs in scoring (23.9), rebounding (6.2) and assists (5.5), and he is excited to help slow down Thomas. "I look forward to that matchup, especially what he's done this year for that team. I know it's going to come at some point," Butler told reporters of the potential matchup. "I'm going to make it tough for him. ... I'm going to get beat at times, and I'm going to need guys to be there."

ABOUT THE CELTICS (53-29 SU, 40-40-2 ATS, 39-39-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas averaged 24.8 points while shooting 53.8 percent against the Bulls - his highest percentage against any Eastern Conference opponent - as Boston gained a four-game season series split. Fellow guard Avery Bradley had his best season with averages of 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds, although he missed 27 games, while center Al Horford had a dip in many statistical categories in his first season with the Celtics but brings loads of playoff experience after appearing in 74 postseason games with Atlanta. "He's been really important to my success," Thomas said of Horford. "I remember earlier in the year he told me like, 'I'm here to make things easier for you. You're gonna lead this team and I'm gonna make things as easy as possible.' He's been exactly what he said since Day 1."

LINE HISTORY: The top-seed in the Eastern Conference Celtics opened as 7.5 point home favorites against the Bulls and that number has yet to move. The total hit the betting board at 205.5 and has been bet up two full points to 207.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Bulls - No injuries to report

Celtics - SG Avery Bradley (Probable, hand)

TRENDS:

* Bulls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Celtics are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 overall.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Celtics last 8 vs. NBA Central.
* Home team is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (-7, 228)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (47-35 SU, 45-36-1 ATS, 37-44-1 O/U): Russell Westbrook led the NBA in scoring (31.6), ranked third in assists (10.4) and was 10th in rebounding (10.7) to join Oscar Robertson (1961-62) as the lone players to average a triple-double over an entire season. His superb performances equated to victories as the club was a stellar 33-9 in his triple-doubles and coach Billy Donovan expects his star to rub off on his teammates in the postseason. "I think he's excited from a leadership role to try to help guys that don't have that kind of experience, haven't been through it or are going through it for the first time," Donovan told reporters. "I think he'll be the same as he always is. As the season's gone on, I really haven't seen a whole lot of change in Russell from the first day of training camp to now."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (55-27 SU, 42-40 ATS, 41-40-1 O/U): James Harden finished second in scoring (29.1), led the NBA in assists (11.2) and averaged 8.1 rebounds during the regular season and he is eager to compete with the tenacious Westbrook. "He brings it every night," Harden said of Westbrook. "Definitely a team game. Stats don't matter. You have to go out there and try to get as many wins, first one to four. I just want to win." Houston set an NBA record with 1,181 3-point baskets -- an average of 14.4 per game -- with Harden (262), backup shooting guard Eric Gordon (246) and forward Ryan Anderson (205) all over 200 and forward Trevor Ariza (190) not far off the pace.

LINE HISTORY: The Rockets opened as 7-point home favorites against the Thunder and that line briefly went up to 7.5, before returning to the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 228.5 and has been lowered a half point to an even 228.

INJURY REPORT:

Thunder - SF Doug McDermott (Questionable, knee)

Rockets - SF Sam Dekker (Early May, hand)

TRENDS:

* Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Rockets are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Thunder are 1-9 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

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Announcement

Sunday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 4/16

Sunday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 4/16

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