The Bum's 2017 WNBA Picks-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Sparks' Parker tries to back up triple-double vs. Wings

Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks produced one of the greatest al-around games in WNBA history on Friday but won't rest on her considerable laurels when the Sparks square off against the Dallas Wings on Sunday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Parker scored 11 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and distributed a career-high 11 assists in the Sparks' 85-73 win over San Antonio for the sixth triple-double in league history and the first since Seattle's Temeka Johnson accomplished the feat on July 24, 2014, against New York.

Parker is averaging 16 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season for the Sparks, who own the WNBA's second-best record at 16-6.

"When you have the weapons around you like I do, it shouldn't have been this long," Parker said of the triple-double. "This road win was so special for our team, that is the most important thing."

Parker also became the second Sparks player to fashion a triple-double.

Lisa Leslie scored 29 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and had 10 blocked shots for Los Angeles against Detroit on Sept. 10, 2004, in what is considered the best single-game, all-around performance in league history.

Odyssey Sims led Los Angeles against San Antonio with a season-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Jantel Lavender added 18 points and Nneka Ogwumike poured in 11 points.

Dallas heads down the Pacific Coast after a 109-93 loss on Friday to Seattle. The Wings (11-13) have lost eight of their 12 road games this season and face a Los Angeles team that has won 10 of 11 games at home.

The Wings trailed by as many as 19 points before clawing back to within nine in the fourth quarter before Storm came back to the take control of the game.

The Wings got plenty of scoring in the game against Seattle, led by Skylar Diggins-Smith's 18 points. Glory Johnson added 16 points for Dallas and led the Wings in rebounds with eight. Allisha Gray scored 15 and Kayla Thornton came off the bench to add 10 points.

It was the defense that let down the Wings in the loss as Seattle shot 61.5 percent from the floor and made 73.3 percent of its 3-pointers. It was the most points Dallas has allowed in a game this season.

For the Wings, the game in Seattle marked the start of a two-game trip that continues in Los Angeles. They then play the same two teams at home, with every game now important in the playoff picture.

"Seattle has two All-Stars from this year and (Jewell) Loyd is another player who's in that mode," Dallas coach Fred Williams said. "They're a triple-threat team and they get you with those types of quality players. Defensively, we just have to get over the young mistakes that we're having. Once we learn all of those things, it'll all come together."

Dallas and Los Angeles have already played twice this season, with the Wings winning 96-90 at home on June 9 and the Sparks claiming a 97-87 victory at Staples Center on June 13.

[StarDust Bum]

Dolson, Sky look to keep offense clicking vs. Liberty

The Chicago Sky hope for another big night from forward-center Stefanie Dolson on Sunday as they host the New York Liberty at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Dolson scored a career-high 29 points in Friday's 86-80 home loss to Phoenix. It was also the highest production by any Sky player this season.

"We were just executing on offense really well," Dolson said. "Defensively, we were playing our best (this season). We've been getting big stops, we've been finishing games really well. I think tonight, each quarter, we would come out really strong, but then we would let them go on too big of a run."

The Sky (8-15) will have to contend with the hot-shooting Tina Charles on Sunday.

New York (11-10) rallied from a 15-point deficit to upend Indiana 85-84 on the road Friday behind Charles' 25 points. Bria Hartley matched season highs of 17 points and made three 3-pointers.

Charles has scored 20-plus points in three straight games and in seven of her last eight. She's second in WNBA scoring (20.9 points).

The Liberty have won three of their last four and remain in the mix for the WNBA postseason.

"I think some teams are able to find their identity early in the season," Charles told reporters recently. "For others, it takes longer. The more we're able to see what each of us is able to do, the more we can depend on each other."

Chicago was without center Imani Boyette, who suffered a left ankle injury during practice earlier this week. Her status for Sunday was not immediately known.

The Sky have lost two straight and fallen back into a tie for last place in the Eastern Conference with Indiana.

Chicago holds a 1-0 series lead this season thanks to a 78-68 victory on July 14 at Madison Square Garden. After Sunday's game, the teams will have one more meeting on Aug. 22 in New York.

The Liberty and Sky are tied 22-22 in the all-time series. Chicago leads 12-10 at home.

Chicago travels to Indiana on Friday and hosts Atlanta on Saturday.

New York continues a five-game road trip on Tuesday at San Antonio and wraps up Friday at Los Angeles before returning home for an Aug. 8 game against Indiana.

[StarDust Bum]

Mercury look to turn up the heat against Stars

The Phoenix Mercury will try to complete a season sweep of San Antonio on Sunday when they host the Stars at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Phoenix (12-10) won twice in San Antonio earlier this season -- 78-72 on May 19 and 92-77 on July 7.

Almost every team in the WNBA has been beating up on the Stars, who are last in the 12-team league with a 3-20 record. They have been better lately after opening the season with 14 consecutive losses.

San Antonio is coming off an 85-73 home loss to Los Angeles on Friday night when Sparks center Candace Parker became the sixth player in league history to post a triple-double. Los Angeles shot 55.2 percent from the field, thanks in part to 22 points in transition.

"We can't allow that to happen," Stars coach Vickie Johnson told the San Antonio Express-News. "We're the team that's supposed to run on them. But when you turn the ball over at the top of the key, it's hard to recover defensively."

Phoenix won 86-80 at the Chicago Sky on Friday night, snapping a four-game losing streak. It was the Mercury's first victory since losing center Brittney Griner, the WNBA's leading scorer, to knee and ankle injuries. She could return in mid-August.

"I'm excited to go to Phoenix and be on their home court," Stars forward Isabelle Harrison said. "I think we can do a good job against them, knowing that BG isn't playing. We have to make sure we take advantage of that and contain Diana (Taurasi) as well."

Taurasi is averaging 19.0 points per game -- seventh best in the league -- but had only nine Friday night as the Mercury reserves stepped up in a big way, combining for 43 points. Backup center Cayla George, who has had to play more recently, posted career highs in points and rebounds with 14 each.

This will be the second game between the teams since a trade in late June that brought 12-year WNBA veteran wing Monique Currie to the Mercury. Currie scored 18 points in 14 minutes off the bench Friday night.

That was her season-high scoring total with the Mercury. She had a 29-point game this season with San Antonio.

"I think I can bring another scoring option, a veteran presence," Currie said after the trade.

The Stars, who are last in the WNBA in scoring at 74.1 points per game, are led by guard Kayla McBride, averaging 15.6 points per game. Harrison averages 11.7 and is second in rebounding at 5.6 per game.

[StarDust Bum]

Storm face uphill battle trying to slow surging Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx are so dominant right now that opposing coaches are praising the losing efforts of their teams.

"They're not the champions, but they play like champions," Atlanta Dream coach Michael Cooper told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after his team's 90-80 loss to the Lynx on Friday night.

"I'm very pleased with the effort. I don't like the loss, but I was very pleased with the way we played to stay in that game so long."

Minnesota, which is 18-2 and on a five-game win streak, returns home Sunday to face the Seattle Storm (10-12) at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Center Sylvia Fowles led Minnesota with 29 points and eight rebounds in the win over Atlanta.

For Fowles, her 10th season has likely been her best: She's third in the league in scoring (20.1 points per game), second in rebounding (10) and second in blocked shots (1.9). Fowles is also averaging career highs in assists (1.7) and steals (1.6), and her 66.3 percent field goal shooting is tops in the WNBA.

Fowles credited the Minnesota coaching staff for helping her to an MVP-caliber season.

"I definitely have to thank my coaches, starting with (Lynx head coach) Cheryl Reeve," Fowles told the website SLAM Online recently. "The coaches that we brought in this year have done a good job keeping me poised, but at the same time making sure I'm locked in on what I'm dominant at. That's taking my time in the paint and doing what I do best."

Fowles has been named Western Conference Player of the Week four times and was its Player of the Month in May and June.

Fowles said she is anticipating a tougher second half of the season as teams make their playoff pushes.

"I think teams are going to come out and be more physical. I think a lot of teams are going to be more antsy to try and make a run," Fowles told the team's website. "As for us, I think we just need to stay aggressive and stay the way we've been playing and continuing this run."

Seattle comes to St. Paul on the heels of an offensive breakthrough.

The Storm fell two points short of the franchise scoring mark in a 109-93 win over Dallas on Friday, just three days after being held to 60 points in a loss in Los Angeles.

"It was just good to see consistent effort, consistent focus and consistency throughout the game," Storm coach Jenny Boucek told the Seattle Times. "We've had a lot of brilliant moments this season, but the consistency has been lacking a little bit in closing out games. Teams are always going to make a run on you at some point, and we kind of got wobbly a little bit losing so many close games early, to be honest with you."

Brianna Stewart on Friday night hit the 20-point mark for the ninth straight game as the Storm shot 61.5 percent from the field, a franchise record.

"When things are flowing, no matter what they did, we wanted to punch them again," Stewart said. "When you have a crowd like that, it's a lot more fun. There's energy in the building, and we thrive off that."

The Lynx host Atlanta on Thursday, and Seattle will be in Dallas on Friday to face the Wings.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

Odds on some long shots to win the college football national title:

Auburn 30-1

Texas, Oklahoma State 40-1

Florida, Miami 50-1

Tennessee, Kansas State 80-1

Nebraska, Boise State 100-1

Iowa, Arkansas 300-1


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Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Stuff for a summer Sunday……..

13) Las Vegas sports books are usually pretty quiet, just the announcers on games/races drowning out conversations. When a big run or touchdown is scored, there is some yelling, but it is usually subdued and business-like (and a lot of fun).

Last night I sat down for the 7pm ET baseball games; the Houston-Detroit game was in the bottom of the 2nd. Immediately I could hear the guy behind me moaning at every out made. I figured he had the Tigers, who trailed 3-0.

But then the Astros came to bat and he kept it up:
— “You bleeping idiot”
— “You goddamn bleep-bleeper”
— “How can you take that pitch?”— This one made me laugh; it was the first pitch of an inning and the guy exploded because the batter took it.

In the 4th inning he got a phone call: “I have to sweat out 8 more runs. These bleeps are terrible.” Just then, someone hit into a double play; he was not happy.

Obviously, this guy had bet the over, which was 10.5. Detroit won 5-3, and the guy was gone, off to make someone else’s night a little more pleasant.

12) A’s 5, Twins 4— Rajai Davis ht a walk-off homer as Oakland ended a 5-game skid and gave manager Bob Melvin his 1,000th win as a major league skipper.

Melvin is a very good manager; too bad he works for an ownership that doesn’t give a rat’s ass about winning, just about making $$$$.

11) Class A Salem Red Sox are 61-44 this year, good news for manager Joe Oliver, since two of his players are the sons of big league managers Mike Matheny/Torey Lovullo. Can move up the ranks a lot quicker if you impress people at the major league level.

10) Edwin Nunez is 5-9 in his first two games for Boston; looks like the Red Sox found their missing infielder.

9) Red Sox have had 53 runners thrown out running the bases this season; no one else has made more than 46 outs on the basepaths.

8) Speaking of Boston, Eduardo Rodriguez threw 107 pitches last night, but only finished four innings. Part of why guys like Kershaw/Scherzer make a freakin’ fortune is that they eat up innings and take a lot of stress off the bullpen, which over a 162-game in 182-day season, is very important.

7) Zack Cozart/Matt Kemp/Troy Tulowitzki go on the DL; Robbie Ray goes on the concussion DL after he got beaned with a line drive Friday night.

6) Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter in Toronto in 1990; until this week, he had never seen a replay of the game, just clips of Dave Henderson catching the last out in CF. Monte Moore, who was the Kansas City A’s radio guy in the 60’s/70’s, had a CD of the 1990 broadcast and sent it to the A’s TV people, who showed it to Stewart this week.

5) Dodgers have won the last 51 games in which they led; that is a major league record and the old record was only 32 games.

4) Dodgers are 18-0 this season when Cody Bellinger drives in 2+ runs. It is weird that Bellinger didn’t come to the majors until April 25; they obviously had very little idea how good he is.

3) When umpire Tom Hallion calls a third strike on a hitter, he prances like Leslie Nelson in The Naked Gun movies, pretty much showing up the hitter. Do hitters get mad at this? Why doesn’t he get all excited when a pitcher walks a guy?

2) Congrats to the late Bill King’s family, after Mr King was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. Mr King broadcast the A’s/Raiders/Warriors; he is on NFL Films a lot in the old Raiders’ highlights. He was also in Moneyball, when Scott Hatteberg hits a walk-off for the A’s 20th straight win: “How do you explain it? Crazy!!! Just plain crazy!!!”

Congrats, sir.

1) I’m not fond of trade rumors; I know these writers get paid to provide information, but it gets old: “…..Sonny Gray will get traded to (fill in blank)”

Or “Justin Verlander will only get traded to the Cubs” or “Dodgers really want Yu Darvish”

Hey, I’d like to date Gina Gershon, but it ain’t happening. You can’t always get what you want. Just give me the facts, people.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Sunday, July 30


Seattle @ Minnesota

Game 635-636
July 30, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
111.664
Minnesota
121.341
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 9 1/2
169
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 12
165
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+12); Over

New York @ Chicago

Game 633-634
July 30, 2017 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
111.112
Chicago
112.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 2
163 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+2); Under

San Antonio @ Phoenix

Game 631-632
July 30, 2017 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
104.476
Phoenix
111.058
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 6 1/2
153
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 8 1/2
158
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+8 1/2); Under

Dallas @ Los Angeles

Game 629-630
July 30, 2017 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
103.059
Los Angeles
118.514
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 15 1/2
176
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 12
170
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-12); Over

Washington @ Atlanta

Game 627-628
July 30, 2017 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
115.166
Atlanta
108.909
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 6 1/2
159
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 1
164 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+1); Under

Indiana @ Connecticut

Game 625-626
July 30, 2017 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
101.926
Connecticut
117.458
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 15 1/2
172
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 12
166 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(-12); Over

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, July 30

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INDIANA (8 - 15) at CONNECTICUT (13 - 9) - 7/30/2017, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after a division game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 12-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-4 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-3 straight up against CONNECTICUT 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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WASHINGTON (13 - 9) at ATLANTA (10 - 12) - 7/30/2017, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 305-361 ATS (-92.1 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 14-28 ATS (-16.8 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 20-39 ATS (-22.9 Units) in road games on Sunday games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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DALLAS (11 - 13) at LOS ANGELES (16 - 6) - 7/30/2017, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-33 ATS (-17.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 15-29 ATS (-16.9 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 62-92 ATS (-39.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 92-122 ATS (-42.2 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 173-222 ATS (-71.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 87-120 ATS (-45.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-4 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 7-3 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (3 - 20) at PHOENIX (12 - 10) - 7/30/2017, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games in May, June, or July games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 8-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW YORK (11 - 10) at CHICAGO (8 - 15) - 7/30/2017, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in home games this season.
CHICAGO is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
CHICAGO is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games this season.
CHICAGO is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games vs. division opponents this season.
CHICAGO is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) in home games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 5-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SEATTLE (10 - 12) at MINNESOTA (18 - 2) - 7/30/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 73-102 ATS (-39.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-5 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 9-1 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Sunday, July 30

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Trend Report
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3:00 PM
INDIANA vs. CONNECTICUT
Indiana is 4-8-2 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games on the road
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Connecticut's last 10 games when playing at home against Indiana

3:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home

5:00 PM
DALLAS vs. LOS ANGELES
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Dallas
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas

6:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games on the road
New York is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing New York
Chicago is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing New York

6:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota's last 13 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, JULY 30

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

IND at CONN 03:00 PM

IND +11.5

WAS at ATL 03:00 PM

WAS +1.0

DAL at LA 05:00 PM

LA -12.0

SA at PHO 06:00 PM

PHO -9.0

NY at CHI 06:00 PM

NY -2.0

SEA at MIN 07:00 PM

MIN -11.5

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules
July 30, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Sylvia Fowles had 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting and added 12 rebounds to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 93-82 on Sunday night for their sixth straight victory.

Maya Moore had 24 points, and Rebekkah Brunson added 20 for WNBA-leading Minnesota (19-2). Jia Perkins, starting with Seimone Augustus out for personal reasons, had a career-high seven assists and a season-high six rebounds.

Breanna Stewart's layup trimmed Seattle's deficit to 44-40 early in the third, but Fowles scored 14 points in the quarter - including a personal 10-7 run in which she converted two offensive rebounds into four second-chance points - and the Lynx went into the fourth leading 69-57. Moore had 12 points in the final quarter and her 3-pointer with 1:35 to go gave Minnesota its biggest lead, 91-65.

Jewell Loyd led Seattle (10-13) with 26 points, and Breanna Stewart added 24. The Storm have lost three of four.

SPARKS 95, WINGS 74

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Candace Parker had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Nneka Ogwumike scored 22 pointsin Los Angeles' victory over Dallas.

Parker and Ogwumike combined to go 20 of 25 from the field. Chelsea Gray added 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Los Angeles (17-6).

Aerial Powers led Dallas (11-14) with a career-high 23 points.

SUN 89, FEVER 73

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, eight assists and four steals in Connecticut's victory over Indiana.

Jonquel added finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and Jasmine Thomas led Connecticut (14-9) with 15 points. The Sun have won 13 of their last 17.

Erica Wheeler and Jazmon Gwathmey had 13 points apiece for Indiana (8-16).

LIBERTY 86, SKY 82

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Tina Charles had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Kiah Stokes added 10 points and 16 rebounds and New York beat Chicago.

Sugar Rodgers hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points for New York (12-10). The Liberty, who have won four of five, shot a season-high 53.3 percent (8 of 15) from 3-point range.

Allie Quigley had 22 points for Chicago (8-16).

MYSTICS 77, DREAM 70

ATLANTA (AP) - Emma Meesseman scored a career-high 30 points, Kristi Toliver added 19 and Washington held off Atlanta Dream on Sunday.

Elena Delle Donne had 10 points and Krystal Thomas grabbed 15 rebounds for Washington (14-9).

Elizabeth Williams had 18 points for Atlanta (10-13).

MERCURY 81, STARS 64

PHOENIX (AP) - Monique Currie hit four 3-pointers and had 20 points to help Phoenix beat San Antonio.

Diana Taurasi added 13 points, and Danielle Robinson had 10 for Phoenix (13-10).

Shay Murphy scored a season-high 14 points for San Antonio (3-21).

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 1, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:00 PM New York Liberty San Antonio Stars AT&T Center

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:00 PM Atlanta Dream Minnesota Lynx Target Center

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 4, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Chicago Sky Indiana Fever Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7:00 PM Phoenix Mercury Connecticut Sun Mohegan Sun Arena
8:00 PM Seattle Storm Dallas Wings College Park Center
8:00 PM Washington Mystics San Antonio Stars AT&T Center
10:30 PM New York Liberty Los Angeles Sparks Staples Center

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:00 PM Atlanta Dream Chicago Sky Allstate Arena
8:00 PM Seattle Storm San Antonio Stars AT&T Center

Updated Sun Jul 30 11:04 PM EDT


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

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Rank Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

#1 Minnesota Lynx19 2 0.905 - 11-0 10-1 9-1 9-1 W 6

#2 Los Angeles Sparks17 6 0.739 3 8-3 11-1 6-5 7-3 W 3

#3 Connecticut Sun14 9 0.609 6 8-4 7-3 7-6 8-2 W 2

#4 Washington Mystics14 9 0.609 6 10-2 8-2 6-7 6-4 W 3

#5 Phoenix Mercury13 10 0.565 7 5-6 7-6 6-4 6-4 W 2

#6 New York Liberty12 10 0.545 7.5 5-5 7-4 5-6 5-5 W 2

#7 Dallas Wings11 14 0.440 10 5-8 7-5 4-9 4-6 L 2

#8 Atlanta Dream10 13 0.435 10 4-8 7-5 3-8 4-6 L 2

#9 Seattle Storm10 13 0.435 10 5-5 8-6 2-7 4-6 L 1

#10 Indiana Fever8 16 0.333 12.5 4-6 5-6 3-10 1-9 L 4

#11 Chicago Sky8 16 0.333 12.5 3-9 2-9 6-7 5-5 L 3

#12 San Antonio Stars3 21 0.125 17.5 0-12 2-10 1-11 3-7 L 3

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s six-pack

Odds to win the college basketball national title next April……

7-1— Michigan State

8-1— Duke

10-1— Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky

12-1— Louisville

20-1— North Carolina, Wichita State

25-1— Villanova

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

Monday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend…….

13) The Jaime Garcia Era in Minnesota was short and sweet; in fact, Garcia never stepped foot in Minnesota during the six-day long era— he won a game in Oakland Friday night, but was traded to the Bronx Sunday, less than a week after the Twins acquired him from Atlanta.

— Colorado acquired catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the Rangers.

12) They played the Cubs-Brewers volume at the Westgate Sportsbook Sunday; good choice. Ernie Johnson doing a ballgame with Ron Darling is about as good as televised baseball gets.

Every game is on in the sportsbook, but only one has the volume turned up. Before the game in Milwaukee, they had the YES Network on with Michael Kay/Paul O’Neill— no thanks.

11) White Sox 3, Indians 1— Josh Tomlin didn’t allow a hit in the first four innings, but then his hamstring tightened up and he left the game. Matt Davidson had the walk-off hit for Chicago.

10) Cardinals 3, Arizona 2— Diamondbacks’ TV guy Bob Brenly doesn’t think DJ Reyburn is a good umpire; he said on the air Sunday, “This won’t be fixed until he retires,” meaning Arizona’s thinking that Reyburn is a terrible umpire who also may not like the Diamondback team.

9) Guy wearing a Dodger hat sitting by the first base dugout in San Diego Sunday had a t-shirt with “Arrogant Bastard” in big letters on the front. Alrighty then.

8) Still seems weird that the Dodgers haven’t been in a World Series since 1988. I do not want to talk about the ’88 World Series, but thats the last time LA has been in one.

7) If the Astros started the playoffs tomorrow, who would their #1 starter be?

Lance McCullers is 0-2, 10.61 in his last four starts; Dallas Keuchel threw 79 pitches in only three innings of work in his first start back from the DL. Very surprised they haven’t added a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.

6) Congrats to Adrian Beltre on his 3,000th hit, a double against the Orioles; Saturday, some goofball on TV listed his top 4 third basemen of all time and left Brooks Robinson off.

Um, no. Schmidt-Brett-Robinson would be my top three, then you can have a healthy debate on who #4 would be, with Beltre included.

5) Blue Jays 11, Angels 10— There is no clock in baseball; Angels led 10-4 after 8.5 innings, but then the Halos couldn’t even get an out in the bottom of the 9th, as Toronto scored seven runs. Steve Pearce hit his second walk-off grand slam in four days for Toronto.

4) Lucas Duda is 3-7 with two homers, four walks in his first three games for Tampa Bay.

3) LA Clippers’ forward Danilo Gallinari broke his thumb in a fight while playing in some international basketball game Sunday. He punched a guy and broke his own thumb— no bueno.

2) Very happy to see that Tim Raines got into the Hall of Fame Sunday; he was an underrated player because in his prime, and he was really great in his prime, he played for the Montreal Expos, an obscure team. When the ’94 Expos had a legit chance to win the World Series, the Series was cancelled by a work stoppage.

1) I’m thinking the Cubs benefitted from having only one guy in the All-Star Game; their position players could rest for four days, and they’ve gone 13-3 since the All-Star break.

I’m thinking back to 2014, when the A’s had seven guys in the All-Star Game and then they limped to the finish line, with a tired nucleus of older players.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA July Record:

Date.................... W-L-T................... % ...................Units Record

07/30/2017............4-2-0.............66.67%.......................+9.00
07/28/2017............4-6-0.............40.00%......................-13.00
07/25/2017............7-5-0.............58.33%.......................+7.50
07/20/2017............1-3-0.............25.00%.......................-11.50
07/19/2017............4-4-0.............50.00%.........................-2.00
07/18/2017............0-2-0...............0.00%.......................-11.00
07/17/2017............1-1-0.............50.00%.........................-0.50
07/16/2017............7-0-1...........100.00%......................+35.00
07/15/2017............2-0-0............100.00%.....................+10.00
07/14/2017............0-6-0................0.00%......................-33.00
07/13/2017............0-2-0................0.00%......................-11.00
07/12/2017............0-2-0................0.00%......................-11.00
07/09/2017............1-3-0...............25.00%.....................-11.50
07/08/2017............4-2-0...............66.67%......................+9.00
07/07/2017............2-2-0...............50.00%.......................-0.20
07/06/2017............0-4-0.................0.00%.....................-22.00
07/05/2017........... 5-1-0 ...............83.33%................... +19.50
07/02/2017........... 2-2-0............... 50.00% ......................-0.20
07/01/2017........... 0-4-0................. 0.00%.................... -22.00

Totals:...............44 - 53 - 1...........45.36%.......................- 53.90

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Odds to win the college basketball national title next April……

40-1— Gonzaga, Butler

60-1— Notre Dame, Virginia

80-1– Purdue, St Mary’s

100-1— Minnesota, Syracuse

200-1— Georgetown, Providence

300-1— Tennessee


**********

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

13) I went to a minor league baseball game with my friend Mike last night; Colorado Springs-Las Vegas, AAA teams of the Brewers-Mets. Solid entertainment for $11, and we sat under the misting machines, making it seem cooler than it was (100 degrees).

12) Brett Phillips plays CF for Colorado Springs; he has a GREAT throwing arm. Threw out a guy at third from deep right-center. Damn near threw a guy out at the plate from the warning track in left-center. He went 8-35 in 15 games for Milwaukee; he had three hits last night, and looks like a good prospect down the road.

11) Was hoping to see Mets’ SS prospect Amed Rosario play last night, but he got the call to the majors Monday and will be with the Mets in Denver tonight.

10) White Sox 7, Blue Jays 6— Toronto scored 7 in bottom of the ninth to win 11-10 Sunday, then they blew a 6-0 lead in this game.

9) LaDanian Tomlinson is getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, but the Chargers aren’t letting his longtime teammates Philip Rivers/Antonio Gates go to Canton for the ceremonies. Apparently it is normal for teammates to go to these events, but new coach Anthony Lynn wants his two veterans at practice Saturday.

8) Landry Shamet, MVC Freshman of the Year last year, broke his foot and will be out until around Thanksgiving, tough news for Wichita State as they move up to the AAC this season.

7) Orioles traded for pitcher Jeremy Hellickson last week, but he got into a car accident on the way to the airport and hasn’t pitched for Baltimore yet.

6) Phillies are 21-19 against the NL East, 18-45 against everyone else. Oy.

5) Braves fought like hell to get to .500 at 45-45, but they’re 3-11 since then and looked like a very tired team during their 7-6 loss in Philly Monday afternoon.

4) It is widely assumed that David Ortiz will get into the Hall of Fame when the time comes, but I’m adamant that if Ortiz gets in, then Edgar Martinez should, too. Next year is the last year on the ballot for Martinez. Seattle isn’t a media hub like Boston- that shouldn’t penalize him.

3) I’m wondering when trades are made in the major leagues, how similar is it to fantasy trades you make with your friends? Do guys call each other late at night to negotiate? Do they get mad if they think a team is busting their chops?

Obviously the stakes are much higher but lot of these guys know each other; some teams trade a lot more with one team than others.

2) Since I’m a longtime A’s fan (1965), some thoughts on the Sonny Gray trade:
— I never would’ve traded with New York, just on principle. Screw them.
— 2 of the 3 players the A’s got back are hurt; Fowler has a ruptured patellar tendon, the pitcher is recovering from Tommy John surgery. No bueno
— I mentioned Brett Phillips earlier; would’ve liked to get him instead of someone who won’t be playing baseball until 2019 (Fowler).
— Jorge Mateo is in AA, but gets high grades as a prospect, probably a center fielder.
— When you root for a small market team, July 31 is a bad day. Plain and simple.

1) Thought the Astros would do more than add Francisco Liriano; they put McCullers on the DL, so unless they can add a starter in a waivers deal in August, their pitching going into the playoffs is going to be extremely shaky.

[StarDust Bum]

Betting Recap - 7/24-7/30
August 1, 2017

League Betting Notes (Monday, July 24 through Sunday, July 30)

-- Favorites went 14-8 straight up (SU)
-- Underdogs went 12-10 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 14-8 SU record
-- Road teams posted a 12-10 ATS record
-- The 'over/under' went 11-11

Team Betting Notes

-- Atlanta (10-13) lost a pair of games at home, slipping three games below .500 for the first time this season. One of the losses came against first-place Washington (14-9), a team the Dream has had no answer for so far. Atlanta is 0-3 SU/ATS wrapped up the season series against Washington 0-3 SU/ATS.

-- The only thing that could cool off the Mystics was a leaking roof at their home court, the Verizon Center. Their showdown against Connecticut (14-9), a team they're tied with atop the Eastern Conference, was called 50 minutes after schedule tip due to moisture on the court. The game normally could have been moved to Saturday, but that option was unavailable this week due to an Arena Football game being played that night.

-- The Mystics have won and covered three in a row, and they look for a season-high cover streak of four games when they travel to San Antonio (3-21) on Friday.

-- The Stars were showing some signs of life in early July, especially posting a respectable 5-3 ATS run from June 25-July 20, but they're back to their losing ways. San Antonio has dropped three in a row and they've failed to cover in each outing.

-- Chicago (8-16) was another club showing signs of life until recently. In fact, the Sky rattled off five wins in six contests from July 8-20, including confidence-building victories against title contenders Los Angeles (17-6) and Minnesota (19-2). However, the Sky are now 0-3 SU/ATS over the past three outings, and they shook things up by dealing Tamera Young and Imani Boyette to the Dream for Jordan Hooper and a first-round pick in 2018.

-- Dallas (11-14) is another team doing a slown tumble down the standings. Since a season-high four-game winning streak from June 18-25, the Wings have been clipped in six of their past nine games while posting a dismal 2-7 ATS record during the span.

-- Indiana (8-16) has dropped four in a row, and nine of their past 10, as they make a beeline for the basement in the East. Despite the tumble, they're still a decent 3-2 ATS over the past five, including two losses by a total of three points.Total bettors have enjoyed the Fever, as the 'under' is a profitable 11-4 over their past 15 outings.

-- After a shocking straight-up loss at home to the Sky on June 20, the Sparks have posted three straight wins while going 2-1 ATS. Even more consistent is the 'under', going 12-2 over the past 14 for L.A.

-- The Lynx also found a loss to the Sky to be a wake-up call. They have rattled off six straight wins since their July 8 setback in the Windy City, although they have alternated wins and losses against the spreadover the past eight.

-- New York (12-10) is quietly trending upward, going 4-1 SU/ATS over the past five outings, with their only setback a one-point loss in Minnesota on July 25.

-- Phoenix (13-10) picked on the dregs of the league this past week, winning and covering in Chicago and at home against San Antonio. The Mercury have also covered four of their past five on the road.

-- Seattle (10-13) continues to spin its wheels in the win-loss columu, but the Storm have tied a season-high with three covers in a row heading into their trip to Dallas on Friday. They're 2-0 SU/ATS in two previous meetings with the Wings this season, including an 89-69 win July 1 in the Metroplex back as a four-point underdog.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Tuesday, August 1

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

8:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 2-17 SU in its last 19 games at home
San Antonio is 3-22 SU in its last 25 games

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

WNBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, August 1


New York @ San Antonio

Game 651-652
August 1, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
117.077
San Antonio
101.234
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 16
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 8 1/2
154
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-8 1/2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, August 1

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

NEW YORK (12 - 10) at SAN ANTONIO (3 - 21) - 8/1/2017, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-3 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 6-0 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons