Announcement

**Udog** · 05-19-2017, 08:47 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

— Kansas City Chiefs went 12-4 last year; still, 33-year old QB Alex Smith thinks the Chiefs will dump him after this coming season and go with Patrick Mahomes.

— Who knew that the Rockies-Twins series this week would be a matchup of first-place teams?

— Angels bolstered their pitching staff by adding veteran hurler Doug Fister.

— Among active players with 300+ PA, Dustin Pedroia (.328) has the highest batting average in interleague games.

— Miami Marlins will be sold soon, either to Jeb Bush’s group or one led by Mitt Romney’s son. Good luck fixing that payroll.

— In 1976, a guy named Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake in Apple for $800. Today it would be worth $80 billion- thats billion, with a B.

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Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with the weekend here……..

13) Bad news for my Rams (and the Chargers); there has been so much rain in Los Angeles this year that excavation at the construction of the new stadium in Inglewood has been delayed- the opening date for the new stadium has been pushed back until the 2020 football season.

12) One small quirk here; the Super Bowl after the 2020 season is supposed to be in this stadium, but NFL rules say a stadium can’t host a Super Bowl in the first year it is open. We’ll see about that.

11) More LA Coliseum news; the Coliseum has apparently sold its naming rights to United Airlines; hopefully this doesn’t mean fans will get dragged out of the stadium by their feet if games are sold out.

10) Jose Altuve had two doubles and two triples Wednesday, the first major leaguer to do that since Carl Crawford in 2005. Oddly, Altuve didn’t score a run despite the four extra-base hits.

9) There are seven schools in the SEC West; all seven of their football coaches make $4M+ a year. Boosters at the schools who finish 6th and 7th ain’t gonna be happy.

8) Jalen Poyser has transferred from UNLV to St Bonaventure; there are very few places in this country more different than Las Vegas and Olean, NY.

Mountain West and Atlantic 14 are very similarly-ranked leagues. Poyser is from Ontario so he is a lot closer to home now. He should be a much stronger kid by time he is eligible to play in 2018-19.

7) New York Mets’ starting pitchers have an ERA of 5.13 this season, 14th in the 15-team NL, which is really hard to believe, given the level of hype their pitchers get.

6) Bad news for the Atlanta Braves; star 1B Freddie Freeman has a broken wrist, is out 8-10 weeks. He was hit by a pitch Wednesday night.

5) Miguel Cabrera will miss the next couple of games with an oblique strain, which I think used to be called an abdominal muscle. Not having many muscles myself, I’m not totally sure.

4) Weird story of the day: A Girl Scout leader in Kentucky absconded with $15,000 in Girl Scout cookies and is now on the lam. What makes people do stuff like this?

3) A writer in California who used to write jokes for Jay Leno is suing Conan O’Brien for stealing at least five jokes from him in 2014-15. Stealing jokes is no laughing matter.

2) In the NBA this season, 77.2% of free throws were made, the highest percentage ever. Last year, 11 of 12 teams in the WNBA shot higher than 77.2% on the foul line- Connecticut shot 71.5% on the foul line. Seven of 12 WNBA teams shot higher than 80% on the charity stripe last year.

In the NBA this season, 35.8% of 3-pointers were made. Only three of 12 WNBA teams shot better than that on the arc last season, even though the basketball is smaller and the arc is slightly closer than in the NBA.

1) Somebody didn’t vote Russell Westbrook 1st team all-NBA this season; this person needs to be identified, because thats just dumb. They should probably lose their voting rights, too.

**Udog** · 05-19-2017, 10:46 AM

Friday’s NBA Eastern Conference Finals Betting Preview: Cavaliers at Celtics

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (+4.5, 219.5)

Cavaliers lead series 1-0

The Cleveland Cavaliers displayed little signs of rust in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals and look to take a 2-0 lead when they visit the Boston Celtics on Friday. Cleveland had been off since May 7 before annihilating Boston for the first three quarters of Wednesday's Game 1 and settling for a 117-104 victory.

The second-seeded Cavaliers are 9-0 in the postseason and are the recipients of a slew of superb efforts by forward LeBron James, who had 38 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in Game 1. "He's playing at a high level, and that's the reason why we're riding him so much," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "When LeBron's playing at that level other guys just have to be solid and we have a good chance to win." The third-seeded Celtics are looking to avoid digging a huge hole at home but point guard Isaiah Thomas declared his squad isn't intimidated. "They lace up their shoes just like us," Thomas told reporters on Thursday. "They just happened to play better than us in Game 1. We just gotta protect home court in Game 2 and get the win."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 5-point home dogs for this critical Game 2 and that line was quickly bet up to 6 on Thursday morning before fading back to 5 on Thursday night. The total hit the betting board at 220 and came down slight to 219.5.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Each team was in a completely different scheduling situation in Game 1 on Wednesday. The Cavaliers had nine days off after an easy four-game sweep of the Raptors, while the Celtics had a just one day of rest after a grueling seven-game series versus the Wizards. The Cavaliers were not rusty, or maybe the Celtics were just flat, as Cleveland stormed out to a 22-point lead at halftime. Now Boston must try to regroup on their home court where they are 35-14 SU this season." - Steve Merril.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - C Edy Tavares (Out For Season, hand), PG Kay Felder (Out Indefinitely, leg).

Celtics - No injuries to report.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (60-31 SU, 42-45-4 ATS, 54-36-1 O/U): LeBron James is averaging 34.8 points, nine rebounds and 7.1 assists in the postseason and has scored 30 or more points in each of the last seven games. He received help in Game 1 from power forward Kevin Love (career playoff-high 32 points to go with 12 rebounds) and center Tristan Thompson, who tallied a career playoff-best 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting. "I felt like everybody was moving the ball, passing the ball well," Love, who drained six 3-pointers, told reporters. "On both ends of the floor our game plan was pretty tight."

ABOUT THE CELTICS (61-35 SU, 49-45-2 ATS, 47-44-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas tallied just 17 points on 7-of-19 shooting in the opener, marking the fourth time in the past six games he has scored fewer than 20 points. As the contest spiraled away from Boston, rookie forward Jaylen Brown made a case for more time in the series by producing 10 points (on 5-of-7 shooting) and nine rebounds in 20 minutes and going toe-to-toe with James after more experienced Celtics were exposed. "It was just playing basketball," Brown told reporters. "He laces his shoes up like I lace mine up. Coming out, playing basketball and trying to make it tough for him. I feel that's my job."

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.

* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

* Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games following a straight up win.

* Over is 7-1 in Celtics last 8 games following a straight up loss.

* Road team is 8-2-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 64 percent of users are siding with the road favorite Cleveland Cavaliers and 55 percent of are on the Over.

**Udog** · 05-19-2017, 10:49 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, May 19

Cleveland @ Boston

Game 501-502
May 19, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
131.306
Boston
121.704
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 9 1/2
216
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 5 1/2
220
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-5 1/2); Under

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 19

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CLEVELAND (60 - 31) at BOSTON (61 - 35) - 5/19/2017, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 44-29 ATS (+12.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 72-49 ATS (+18.1 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 8-7 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 12-4 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 19

Cleveland is 9-0 in playoffs (6-2-1 vs spread), 5-0 on road (4-0-1 vs spread); over is 7-2 in their last playoff games. Cavaliers were up 22 at the half here in Game 1 Monday; they’re 8-2 in last ten games vs Boston, winning five of last six games in this building. Four of last six series games went over the total. Boston lost four of last six games overall but won five of last six home games. Over is 6-2 in Celtics’ last eight games. Boston is playing for third time in five nights; Cleveland had 11 days off before starting this series.

Conference finals:
San Antonio-Golden State
GState 113-111, -10, O209.5
GState 136-100, -13, O211

Cleveland-Boston
Clev 117-104, -4.5, O219

NBA

Friday, May 19

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Trend Report
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8:30 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Cleveland is 4-0-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

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**Udog** · 05-19-2017, 11:03 AM

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, May 19

Washington @ Los Angeles

Game 659-660
May 19, 2017 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
109.732
Los Angeles
121.255
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 11 1/2
156
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 4 1/2
160
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-4 1/2); Under

Atlanta @ Chicago

Game 657-658
May 19, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
108.963
Chicago
111.496
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 2 1/2
167
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 1 1/2
157 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+1 1/2); Over

Phoenix @ San Antonio

Game 655-656
May 19, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
111.789
San Antonio
104.016
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 8
150
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 6
153 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(-6); Under

WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 19

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PHOENIX (1 - 1) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 2) - 5/19/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 14-33 ATS (-22.3 Units) in May games since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (1 - 0) at CHICAGO (0 - 1) - 5/19/2017, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.

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

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WASHINGTON (1 - 0) at LOS ANGELES (1 - 0) - 5/19/2017, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 295-351 ATS (-91.1 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 57-87 ATS (-38.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 52-75 ATS (-30.5 Units) in home games against Eastern conference opponents since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 52-75 ATS (-30.5 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 88-118 ATS (-41.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 165-212 ATS (-68.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 4-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 4-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Friday, May 19

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

8:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
San Antonio is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. CHICAGO
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 10 games at home

10:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. LOS ANGELES
Washington is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Los Angeles is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Washington

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**Udog** · 05-19-2017, 11:26 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, May 20

Golden State @ San Antonio

Game 723-724
May 20, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
132.047
San Antonio
131.026
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 1
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 6
212
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+6); Over

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 20

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GOLDEN STATE (77 - 15) at SAN ANTONIO (69 - 27) - 5/20/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1004-877 ATS (+39.3 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 510-428 ATS (+39.2 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 81-53 ATS (+22.7 Units) in home games in all playoff games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 75-50 ATS (+20.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 181-134 ATS (+33.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 104-88 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 149-120 ATS (+17.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 91-67 ATS (+17.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 90-70 ATS (+13.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-6 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-5 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA

Saturday, May 20

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Trend Report
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9:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. SAN ANTONIO
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Golden State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games at home
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

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Announcement

Friday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 5/19

Friday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 5/19

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