Announcement

**Udog** · 05-20-2017, 08:54 AM

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

— Rory McIlroy has back/rib injuries, has pulled out of the BMW tourney next week. His status for the US Open is up in the air.

— Cavaliers 130, Celtics 86— Cleveland led 72-31 at the half— 72-31!!!!

— Nationals, Twins are only teams with an extra base hit in every game this season.

— RIP Wayne Walker, a LB for the Lions who also their punter, then later a good announcer on TV. There was a time when punters played other positions; Walker was a very good LB.

— NASCAR driver Alric Almirola is out 8-12 weeks with a broken vertebrae after his scary accident at Bristol Motor Speedway.

— Jason deGrom pitched seven innings last nite, the first time in 18 games a Mets’ starting pitcher got an out after the sixth inning.

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Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind……

13) Paolo Espino is 30 years old; he’s pitched in the minor leagues for 10 years— 291 games, 191 starts, 1,304 IP. Finally, this week he got the call to the major leagues and started for Milwaukee at Wrigley Field Friday.

Imagine the emotion he felt? How excited he must’ve been? His dad flew all the way from Panama to see the game. Luckily for him, the wind was whipping hard and it was blowing in, which makes Wrigley a supreme pitchers’ park.

12) Brandon Kintzner is the Twins’ closer; he’s 32 years old, from Palo Verde HS in Las Vegas and Dixie State in Utah. Back in 2009, he was offered a chance to try out for the role of Tim Hudson in Moneyball, but chose instead to play in an independent league all-star game.

Luckily for him, the Brewers spotted him at the All-Star Game, signed him to a minor league deal and he made it to Miller Park the next year. Now he is the Twins’ closer and a good one.

11) Jose Abreu hasn’t homered in 66 plate appearances at home this year; he’s hit seven in 95 PA’s on the road. That could be weather-related; Abreu’s bat has often heated up when the weather does. Hasn’t been too warm on the south side of Chicago this spring.

10) Quick story from my days coaching Little League:

I was an assistant coach; my future ex-wife’s nephew was on the team, which wasn’t a good team. I’m warming up our starting pitcher at practice one night; he throws strikes, but didn’t throw hard, but at least he throws strikes.

After three pitches, the kid says to me, “You know, I can pitch left-handed.” I’m thinking to myself, “Kid, you can barely pitch right-handed.” But our team wasn’t good, so I tell him to throw me a couple left-handed.

Well, what do you know; the kid threw much harder, and a heavy ball— he was good!!!! I’m like, what took you so long to tell us? Now I have to break the news to our head coach without him thinking I’m pranking him.

We didn’t have a good season, but the kid did real well pitching lefty (he also was a catcher and played righty as a catcher); he would’ve made the All-Star team except his dad got transferred out-of-state for work so the family moved as soon as school got out.

Just goes to show you; keep your ears open. You never know what you might hear.

9) Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Perry has three overtime goals in the NHL playoffs this spring, the first player to do that since Maurice Richard in 1951.

8) There have been 26 overtime games in the NHL playoffs this spring; the record is 28 (1993), they had 27 in 2013. Playoff hockey is way more fun to watch than the NBA playoffs.

7) When the Las Vegas Golden Knights have their expansion draft next month (yes, the NHL has a team in Las Vegas now), the Knights will select 30 players- they have to take at least one player from every team in the league.

6) Stayed up late Thursday night watching a replay of Super Bowl XIV, from January of 1980, Rams-Steelers. Long time ago, but I had never seen the replay of that game. Rams had won seven division titles in a row, but only made the Super Bowl in ’79 after they started the season 4-5 and survived a bunch of injuries.

Some observations from the broadcast:
— Football was way different in 1980; guys got hit out of bounds a few times- no flags.
— TV graphics were obviously way worse; no game clock on the screen until the last minute.
— CBS analyst Tom Brookshier wouldn’t have lasted two weeks in today’s politically correct world. He was funny as hell and told the truth, but people today don’t always want the truth.
— The whole world is so different now; there were over 100,000 people there, doubt any of them had phones in their pockets. How many people go to games now without a cellphone?
— Rams basically played that Super Bowl at home, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It was their last year at the Coliseum before they moved to Anaheim.
— Teams substituted so much less then than they do now, from play-to-play.

5) Miami Marlins hired former big league OF Todd Hollandworth as a TV analyst this year; he is very good, and for one reason— Marlins’ broadcasts are like listening to Hollandsworth and Rich Waltz sit around and talk about ball. They’re not announcing the game as much as they’re just talking about baseball and having a good time. Very relaxed; fun to listen to.

4) My personal opinion on the NBA Draft is this: If I ran an NBA franchise and could take Lonzo Ball, I wouldn’t let his father’s antics make me pick someone else.

That is assuming I thought Ball was the best player available and fitted what my team needed. UCLA had a terrific season this past year; the kid is a really good player. NBA players are well-versed in tuning out distractions.

3) Ryan Fitzpatrick signed as a free agent QB with the Buccaneers; if he throws a pass for Tampa Bay this season, he’ll be the sixth QB in NFL history to throw a pass for seven different teams, joining: Jeff Blake, Steve Bono, Chris Chandler, Gus Frerotte and Vinny Testaverde.

2) Je’rell Springer didn’t play HS basketball last winter due to eligibility issues after he changed schools in Las Vegas, but he got a scholarship from Southern Utah anyway, turning down BYU, an unusual choice. Springer is a great get for the Big Sky’s Thunderbirds.

1) Will Nerd Power catch on in Milwaukee? Eric Sogard (he wears glasses when he plays) came up to the Brewers this week and went 10-17 (.588) in his first six games with the Crew, with two 4-hit games. This is the same guy who hit .239 in 1,210 AB’s over six years in Oakland.

Sogard was once a 2nd round draft pick by the Padres out of Arizona State; terrific fielder. Wish he had hit like this for the A’s.

My condolences to Brewers’ TV analyst Bill Schroeder, whose mom passed away this week. I lost my dad two years ago last night; miss him every day.

**Udog** · 05-20-2017, 09:54 AM

Saturday's NBA Western Conference Finals Game 3 Betting Preview: Warriors at Spurs

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry were both named to the All-NBA second team on Thursday while forward Draymond Green was a third-team selection.

Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (+6, 212.5)

Warriors lead series 2-0

The Golden State Warriors have yet to lose in the postseason and certainly didn't look like a team that was on the verge of taking its first "L" while blasting the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday. The Spurs had a few days off to get healthy and try to put the 136-100 thrashing behind them and will get the chance to play host when the series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 on Saturday.

The Spurs watched Game 1 turn when superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard went down with an ankle injury and are hoping he can return to the lineup for Game 3, though a change in attitude is necessary whether or not Leonard is on the floor. "I don't think they believed," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after watching his team get crushed in Game 2. "And you have to believe. I don't think as a group they really did, which means probably a little bit feeling sorry for themselves psychologically, subconsciously, whatever psycho-babble word you want to use. … That was disappointing." The Warriors are feeling pretty good about themselves after shooting 56.2 percent from the floor in Game 2 while holding the Spurs to 37 percent. "We just came out and played our game," Golden State forward Kevin Durant told reporters. "We moved the ball. Everybody touched it and felt good about themselves, and that generated some good looks."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 6.5-point road chalk against heading into Game 3 in San Antonio and that line has been bet down to an even 6. The total hitting the betting board at 212 and has yet to move off the opening number.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The San Antonio Spurs learned to adjust without Kawhi Leonard in their Game Six rout over Houston in they year’s playoffs. However, they’ve looked lost without him in this series, having been outscored by 59 points since he left the floor and failed to return in Game One. Compounding the problem has been LaMarcus Aldridge’s disappearance on the floor (one field goal in the first half of Tuesday’s rout). After being hogtied and embarrassed, expect a concerted effort from the Spurs tonight." - Marc Lawrence

INJURY REPORT:

Warriors - SG Andre Iguodala (Questionable, knee), C Zaza Pachulia (Questionable, heel), PF Draymond Green (Questionable, back), SF Kevon Looney (Out Indefinitely, hip)

Spurs - SF Kawhi Leonard (Questionable, ankle), PG Tony Parker (Out For Season, quadricep).

ABOUT THE SPURS (69-27 SU, 49-45-2 ATS, 54-40-2 O/U): Leonard is the only player in the series to make the All-NBA first team but sat out two of the last three playoff games due to left ankle issues and did not do any on-court work while reporters were at the San Antonio practice facility on Thursday. If Leonard is limited or unable to go, the Spurs will need more from LaMarcus Aldridge, who managed eight points on 4-of-11 shooting in Game 2. "LaMarcus has to score for us," Popovich told reporters. "He can't be timid. He turned down shots in the first quarter. He can't do it. You've got to score. Scoring has to come from some place."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (77-15 SU, 46-43-3 ATS, 39-53-0 O/U): Durant and point guard Stephen Curry were both named to the All-NBA second team on Thursday while forward Draymond Green was a third-team selection. All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson was left off the All-NBA teams and is one of the few Golden State players struggling in the postseason while averaging 14.6 points on 38.8 percent shooting - down from 22.3 points on 46.8 percent shooting in the regular season. "When you look around, what did we win? Sixty-seven games or something like that? And we probably just handed teams three or four," Green told reporters when asked about Thompson missing out on an All-NBA team. "You're talking a possible 70-win season. I think Klay is one of our top three guys, and to not be on an All-NBA team, I think it's pretty crazy."

TRENDS:

* Over is 7-1 in Spurs last eight games following a ATS loss.
* Over is 13-3 in Spurs last 16 overall.
* Over is 5-1 in Warriors last six games following a ATS win.
* Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. NBA Pacific.
* Warriors are 9-0 ATS in their last nine road games.

CONSENSUS: 56 percent of users are taking the road favorite Warriors and 70 percent are on the Over.

**Udog** · 05-20-2017, 09:57 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
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, May 20

Golden State is 10-0 (6-4 vs spread) in playoffs, 4-0 on road (4-0 vs spread) with three of four road wins by 11+ points. Leonard didn’t practice Friday, is ?able here; Spurs led by 23 when he went out in Game 1, have been outscored by 61 points in 5.5 quarters since then. Warriors are 2-3 in last five visits to San Antonio; four of last five series games went over the total. Underdogs are 4-2 vs spread in last six series games. Six of Warriors’ last seven wins were by 11+ points- over is 6-2 in their last eight games overall. Over is 8-2 in Spurs last ten games.

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
Clev 130-86, -5, U218.5

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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**Udog** · 05-20-2017, 10:02 AM

WNBA
Dunkel

Saturday, May 20

Minnesota @ Dallas

Game 663-664
May 20, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
117.147
Dallas
104.522
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 12 1/2
155
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 8 1/2
165
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-8 1/2); Under

Connecticut @ Indiana

Game 661-662
May 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
106.144
Indiana
115.755
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 9 1/2
163
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 4 1/2
159
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-4 1/2); Over

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 20

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CONNECTICUT (0 - 1) at INDIANA (0 - 2) - 5/20/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in road games in May, June, or July games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (2 - 0) at DALLAS (1 - 0) - 5/20/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

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

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WNBA

Saturday, May 20

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Connecticut's last 18 games when playing Indiana
Connecticut is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games

8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota

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Announcement

Saturday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 5/20

Saturday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 5/20

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