The Bum's 2017 NBA Best Bets-Trends-News Thru Playoffs !

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s 6-pack

— Cavaliers 105, Pacers 101— Lebron James was 16-25 from floor; rest of his team was 16-49.

— Pirates 5, Cardinals 0— Rookie P Kingham retired first 20 batters in his MLB debut.

— Giants 4, Dodgers 2— LA’s OF Bellinger got benched for not hustling.

— Rockets 110, Jazz 96— Houston wins first game of 2nd-round series.

— Bengals’ rookie Malik Jefferson gets free pizza for a year from Pizza Hut for being the 78th pick in the draft (14th pick, 3rd round….3.14= pi, get it?)

— Red Sox 4, Rays 3— Tampa Bay’s winning streak ends at 8 in a row.

Quotes of the Day
“I got a text from Charles Woodson who told me ‘your son has to retire’.There’s no way he can put that red helmet on his head’. Part of me felt that way, but in all seriousness it’s a good opportunity for him and I was hoping that he would land at a spot that will kind of grow him to that position. He can play D-tackle, but I think he could be special on the offensive line.”
Raiders’ GM Reggie McKenzie

Monday’s quiz
Who threw the last perfect game in the major leagues?
(Hint: He is still an active player)

Sunday’s quiz
Before this week, Mets had played 14 series at Petco Park in San Diego; they won one of the 14 series, in 2011.

Saturday’s quiz
Jason Witten played his college football at Tennessee.


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


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

13) Lost in the Ravens taking QB Lamar Jackson in the draft this week is this:

It gets Baltimore completely off the hook for potentially signing Colin Kaepernick; Ravens have Joe Flacco, Robert Griffin III and Jackson- they don’t need another QB.

12) In baseball, you can wager on teams to win series as opposed to games. Here are best and worst teams in series so far this season:

Best: Arizona 9-0, Red Sox 7-2, Mariners 6-1-2, Braves 6-1-2
Worst: Royals 0-6-3, Orioles 2-7, White Sox 1-7-1, Reds 2-6-1, Rangers 2-6-1

11) When Pablo Sandoval pitched an inning in the Giants’ 15-6 loss Saturday, he was the first position player to pitch for the Giants since 1991, when Greg Litton threw an inning vs Houston.

10) Marlins 3, Rockies 0— Colorado went to Miami and scored two runs in three games against the sad sack Marlins.

Cubs 2, Brewers 0— Milwaukee went 0-4 in Wrigley this week, scoring total of two runs.

9) Philadelphia Eagles drafted Jordan Mailata, a 6-foot-8, 346-pound rugby star from Australia; he has no football experience, but is expected to play tackle. From the film I saw of him carrying the ball and running over rugby opponents, maybe he should play fullback.

8) New England Patriots made seven trades this weekend; they’ve got six picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft.

7) Sprint and T-Mobile are going to merge, creating a wireless phone provider with 100M customers, second only to Verizon. The all-stock deal would combine Sprint, which has a market value of $26B, with T-Mobile, which has a market value of $55B, based on Friday’s closing prices. The two companies also have about $60B of combined debt.

6) Al Pedrique is the A’s first base coach this year; in 2007, he convinced the Astros to sign a second baseman from Venezuela. Kid named Altuve; you may have heard of him.

5) Baseball players get hurt a lot:
— Padres’ RF Wil Myers pulled an oblique swinging the bat Saturday and is on the DL
— Arizona P Robbie Ray hurt his oblique pitching, left his start in 2nd inning.
— Miguel Cabrera (biceps) left Sunday’s game in the 5th inning.
— Yoenis Cespedes hurt his hand sliding into third base, left game in 3rd inning.

4) Michigan’s football team had their spring practice in France; why? Who foots the bill for that?

3) 123 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft; 83 were drafted.

2) I still don’t get why teams bat their pitcher 8th; haven’t seen one compelling argument for doing it, other than “Tony LaRussa did it.”

1) This year was Mel Kiper’s 35th NFL Draft on ESPN; the man knows his stuff. Not often one person stays in the same place for 35 years in the TV business.

[StarDust Bum]

Game 1 - 76ers at Celtics
April 29, 2018

Easttern Conference – Game 1
Philadelphia at Boston (TNT, 8:05 p.m. ET)

2017-18 Regular Season (Celtics 3-1)

Jan. 18 76ers (+3) at Celtics 89-80 (Under 203)
Jan. 11 Celtics (-2) vs. 76ers 114-103 (Over 212) - in London, England
Nov. 30 Celtics (-8) vs. 76ers 108-97 (Under 210.5)
Oct. 20 Celtics (+3) at 76ers 102-92 (Under 216.5)

Boston (56-31 straight up, 51-34-2 against the spread) wrapped up its opening-round series with Milwaukee by capturing a 112-96 win as a 4.5-point home ‘chalk’ in Friday night’s Game 7 at TD Garden. The 208 combined points elevated ‘over’ the 196-point total.

The Celtics raced out to a 30-17 lead in the game’s first 12 minutes, easily covering the number for first-quarter wagers (-1.5 or 2). Milwaukee trimmed the deficit to eight by intermission, but Boston still hooked up its backers on first-half bets (-3 at most spots). The Bucks pulled to within three at 54-51 early in the third quarter, but the Celtics extended the lead back into double digits by the midway mark of the stanza.

From there, Milwaukee didn’t get any closer than seven points. Al Horford was the catalyst with 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot. The former Atlanta Hawks All-Star made 13-of-17 field-goal attempts. For the series, Horford averaged 18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. The 10-year veteran shot at a 58.8 percent clip from the field, made 43.8 percent of treys and buried 76.5 percent of his free throws.

Terry Rozier was Horford’s co-star in Game 7, finishing with 26 points, six rebounds, one steal, one blocked shots and nine assists compared to only two turnovers. Jayson Tatum added 20 points, six boards and five assists compared to just one turnover. Marcus Morris was also in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds.

Jaylen Brown, who set career playoff highs with 20, 30 and 34 points in Games 1, 2 and 4, respectively, left Game 7 with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. He is listed as ‘questionable’ for Monday’s Game 1 vs. Philadelphia.

As of early Sunday afternoon, most betting shops had Philadelphia (56-31 SU, 51-34-2 ATS) installed as a two-point favorite for Game 1 of the East semifinals at Boston. The total was 210 points and the Celtics were +115 on the money line (risk $100 to win $115).

Sportsbook.ag has the 76ers as -400 ‘chalk’ to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics are the +300 underdogs (risk $100 to win $300).

These storied franchises would determine who would win the East back in the early 1980s. However, this is just the third time they have collided in the playoffs since 1985.

Brad Stevens’s club has produced a 31-14 SU record and a 26-17-2 ATS mark in its home games this season. Meanwhile, Philadelphia owns a 24-19 SU record and a 22-19-2 ATS ledger in its road assignments.

Boston has won five in a row at home both SU and ATS. Going back further, the Celtics are 8-1 both SU and ATS in their past nine home contests. They’ve been home underdogs eight times this year, producing an 8-0 spread record with seven outright victories. Boston’s only outright defeat as a home underdog was a 125-124 overtime loss to Washington as a four-point home underdog.

Philadelphia advanced past Miami in five games, clinching the series with a 104-91 win as a 10-point home favorite on April 24. Therefore, Brett Brown’s team is well rested opening the series six days later in Boston.

In the Game 5 triumph over the Heat, J.J. Redick scored 27 points by draining 5-of-10 attempts from 3-point land and all 10 of his free throws. Joel Embiid added 19 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot, making 8-of-14 FGAs. Ben Simmons finished with 14 points, 10 boards, six assists, two steals and one rejection.

Embiid missed 10 games with an orbital fracture that required surgery, but he returned in Game 3 at Miami and the 76ers went 3-0 both SU and ATS with him back in the lineup. Embiid averaged 18.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and 1.3 steals per game versus Miami. Redick averaged 20.0 PPG in the opening round while posting a 13/5 assist-to-turnover ratio. Simmons averaged 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.4 SPG vs. Miami.

Boston went 3-1 both SU and ATS in the head-to-head rivalry during the regular season. However, we should note that Kyrie Irving scored 20, 36 and 21 points in the Celtics’ wins, and he didn’t play in the lone defeat.

The first regular-season encounter went down at Wells Fargo Center on Oct. 20, with Boston winning a 102-92 decision as a three-point road underdog. The 194 combined points dropped ‘under’ the 216.5-point total. Irving led six Celtics in double figures with a game-high 21 points. Redick had a team-best 19 points and four assists without a turnover in the losing effort.

Boston beat Philadelphia by a 108-97 count on Nov. 30 to take the money as an eight-point home ‘chalk.’ The 205 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 211.5-point tally. Irving scored 36 points while Al Horford contributed 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots. The two-time national-title winner at the University of Florida hit 9-of-12 FGAs, including 2-of-3 launches from downtown.

On Jan. 11, Boston won 114-103 over Philadelphia in London as a 1.5-point favorite. The 217 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 212-point total. Brown and Morris scored 21 and 19 points, respectively, for the winners. Redick had a team-best 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long distance for the 76ers.

One week later on Jan. 18, Embiid scored 26 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, dished out six assists and blocked two shots in the 76ers’ 89-80 victory at Boston as three-point underdogs. Dario Saric added 16 points, six boards and three steals, while T.J. McConnell finished with 15 points and three steals. Horford and Morris shared team-high scoring honors for the Celtics with 14 points apiece.

Chris David of VegasInsider.com believes Boston will win this series but is hesitant to step up the betting counter for Game 1. He explained his lean on the Celtics and his trepidation for the opener.

“Taking Boston at 3/1 odds on the series provides a lot of value, especially with homecourt advantage. Even though the 76ers boast the two best players on the court, both Simmons and Embiid have struggled about the Celtics defense this season. That’s not a surprise, considering Boston plays arguably the best team defense in the league. Philadelphia has turned into a jump-shooting team and if it often puts up crooked numbers but it’s hard to ignore the fact that they also turn the ball over more than anybody in the league and they struggle from the free-throw line,” he said.

“I’m expecting a hard-fought series that will likely go seven games but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end sooner if Philadelphia can’t connect from 3-point land. For Monday, the let-down factor for Boston could be in play but it’s hard to ignore how good Boston has been as a home ‘dog (7-1 SU, 8-0 ATS) this season. At the same time the 76ers have dominated as road favorites (15-6 SU, 12-9 ATS) and they enter this game with 10 straight wins in that role as visitors, which includes a pair of wins over Miami in the first round.”

The total for Game 1 opened 210 and was pushed down to 208 ½ as of Sunday. David agrees with the move but did bring up a great ‘over’ angle for the opener.

He said, “Both teams play great defense and I would expect these totals to drop as the series continue barring a lights-out shooting display. If you enjoy seasonal angles and factor them into your handicapping then make a note that Philadelphia has watched the ’over’ go 15-4 (79%) when listed as a road favorite. The 76ers haven’t been held under triple digits in any of those games and while a lot of the results came against losing clubs, the offense posted 113.5 PPG versus playoff teams. I respect Boston’s defense but Philadelphia’s team total ‘over’ might be worth a look.”

Totals have been an overall wash for the 76ers (43-43-1), but they’ve seen the ‘over’ cash at a 23-20 clip in their road assignments. The ‘under’ was a winner in three of Philadelphia’s last four games against Miami.

The ‘over’ is 48-40-1 overall for Boston, 26-19 in its home outings. The Celtics have seen the ‘over’ go 11-3 in its past 14 contests.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Philadelphia is 20-1 SU since March 15, producing a 15-4 spread record in its past 19 contests.

-- If you somehow missed it on Saturday, Utah took a crushing blow with the loss of starting point guard Ricky Rubio to a hamstring injury sustained in the first quarter of the Jazz’s close-out win over Oklahoma City in Friday’s Game 6 in Salt Lake City. Rubio is expected to be out for 1-2 weeks. In his postseason debut vs. the Thunder, the veteran point guard averaged 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.3 SPG. And those numbers are dragged down by him leaving Game 6 after seven minutes in which he was scoreless with three assists, one rebounds and zero steals.

-- Boston is 9-1 ATS in its past 10 home games.

-- We noted how Irving played in all three Boston wins and didn't play in its lone loss to the 76ers during the regular season. We should also mention how veteran late-season acquisitions Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova didn't play in any of the four games against Boston. Belinelli averaged 16.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game against Miami in the first round. Ilyasova averaged 10.0 points and 9.2 RPG versus the Heat.

-- Sportsbook.ag now has the 76ers as +120 favorites to win the East. The top-seeded Raptors have the next-shortest odds at +160. I filed this preview before the Game 7 conclusion of Indiana-Cleveland, so odds for both teams are listed. The Cavs are at +425, while the Celtics have 20/1 odds. The Pacers are at 40/1 to make the NBA Finals.

-- After coasting to a blowout win Saturday in Game 1 without Steph Curry, Golden St. is a -3000 ‘chalk’ to advance past New Orleans. The Pelicans are at +1100 odds to defeat the Warriors in this series (risk $100 to win $1,100). Curry is listed as ‘probable’ for Tuesday’s Game 2. The Warriors were 10.5-point favorites at most spots early Sunday, while the total was 226.5 or 227. Alvin Gentry’s squad was +600 on the money line (risk $100 to win $600).

-- Sportsbook.ag has the Warriors as the -120 ‘chalk’ to repeat as NBA champs. The Rockets have the second-shortest odds (+200), followed by the 76ers (+800), Raptors (12/1), Cavs (25/1), Jazz (50/1), Celtics (100/1), Pelicans (100/1) and Pacers (200/1).

[StarDust Bum]

C's, Sixers renew rivalry with new casts
April 29, 2018

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are about to find out what the NBA playoffs are really about.

After dispatching the Miami Heat in five games in the first round in their first career postseason appearance, the Philadelphia 76ers' youngsters will open the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night in Boston against the Celtics.

All those banners hanging from the Garden rafters.

All that history on the parquet floor.

All that bad blood between the two cities.

A civic rivalry that dates back to the Revolutionary War era came of age on the basketball court with Wilt Chamberlain leading the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the 76ers, against Bill Russell's Celtics in the 1960s. Larry Bird and Julius Erving picked it up in the 1980s.

Celtics forward Marcus Morris, a Philadelphia native, grew up watching the Allen Iverson-led 76ers that went to the NBA Finals in 2001 but lost to Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker's Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals the following year.

He's not expecting any favors from his hometown crowd.

''I'm expecting the same treatment as far as them not even caring that I'm from Philadelphia,'' he said after practice on Sunday, a day after the Celtics advanced by eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series. ''I really don't care either, when I'm competing against them.''

The franchises have met 19 times in the playoffs (though only three times in the past 33 years), with Boston holding a 12-7 edge.

YOUTH IS SERVED

Two years after winning just 10 games, the Process is paying off for the 76ers.

Embiid, the third overall pick in 2014, returned after missing the first two games of the playoffs and averaged 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in three wins over Miami.

Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 before missing all of last season, averaged 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds against the Heat - both improvements over his regular-season numbers.

''They're super-talented,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ''That's what happens when you're in the NBA playoffs. It's fun.''

HOMETOWN SHOUTOUT

Morris said he's enjoyed watching the hometown Eagles win the Super Bowl, followed by Villanova's NCAA basketball championship.

''Philly, we had a great year,'' the Celtics forward said. ''(Rapper) Meek Mill got out of jail - it's funny, but it was pretty big for our city. A lot of people really appreciated it. You can tell that feeling when you get there, where it's coming back. A guy that's been there my entire life and not really seeing it at its peak. Right now Philly is at its peak with everything, sports, living out there. It's coming back.''

RUNNING GAME

The Celtics held Milwaukee and star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to zero fast break points in Game 7 of their first-round series.

They know that transition defense will also be a key against Philadelphia, which was one of the best in the NBA on the break.

''In transition, they just make you pay,'' Celtics center Al Horford said. ''They just present a whole different challenge.''

BROWN OUT

Stevens said guard Jaylen Brown still had some soreness from a hamstring injury he sustained in Game 7 and is doubtful for Game 1 against the Sixers. Tests on Sunday were negative, the coach said.

''It looks like it could be something that allows him to play as the series goes on,'' Stevens said.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brown averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. He said on Saturday he would be back.

''Whatever it takes, I wouldn't miss this series for the world,'' Brown said.

The Celtics are already without stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, as well as Daniel Theis.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday's NBA Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds: 76ers at Celtics

The third-seeded 76ers needed five games to get past Miami in the opening round and have been waiting for an opponent since finishing that series Tuesday night.

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (+3, 208)

Series tied 0-0.

The Boston Celtics needed everything they had to survive a seven-game, first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks. Their reward is an Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with one of the hottest teams in the league in the rested Philadelphia 76ers, who visit second-seeded Boston for Game 1 of a rivalry-fueled best-of-seven series Monday night.

"It's more than you can imagine, just a great feeling," Celtics big man Al Horford told reporters after the first-round series, during which the home team won every game. "Our fans really gave us that energy. This is why you work so hard in the regular season, to put yourself with home-court advantage." The third-seeded 76ers needed five games to get past Miami in the opening round and have been waiting for an opponent since finishing that series Tuesday night, affording more rest for the team that is far healthier coming into the series. "I can see in their faces that they are spirited, they are rested, for sure," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters Saturday. "But they're also antsy. They want to play." The Celtics won three of four meetings during the regular season, including a matchup in London on Jan. 11.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):



LINE HISTORY: The Sixers opened as two-point road favorites for Game 1 and as of Sunday evening that number has been bet up to 3. 62 percent of consensus betting action is on the favorite 76ers. The total hit betting boards at 210 and has been dropped to 208.

INJURY REPORT:

Sixers - SG T. Luwawu-Cabarrot (Out Indefinitely, Knee).

Celtics - SG J. Brown (Doubful, Hamstring), PG K. Irving (Out For Season, Knee), PF D. Theis (Out For Season, Knee), SF G. Hayward (Out For Season, Ankle).

MATCHUP CHART:



ABOUT THE 76ERS (56-31 SU, 51-34-2 ATS, 43-43-1 O/U): While players may be antsy to play again, the prolonged rest cannot be a bad thing for star center Joel Embiid, who returned from an orbital fracture to play the final three games of the series with the Heat. He averaged 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in those three games and shot 8-of-14 from the floor in Game 5 after struggling a bit with his shot in the previous two contests. JJ Redick was Philadelphia's top scorer versus the Heat with 20 points per game while rookie Ben Simmons showed he is well-suited for the big stage, averaging 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, nine assists and 2.4 steals in the series.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (59-30 SU, 55-32-2 ATS, 48-40-1 O/U): The big question heading into Game 1 will be the status of shooting guard Jaylen Brown, who left the clincher against Milwaukee due to a hamstring injury and hopes to not miss any time. "I was told that if we got in a pinch that he could play," coach Brad Stevens told reporters after the win. "We decided that that was not going to happen. With hamstrings, let's see how he feels tomorrow." Brown averaged 17.9 points against the Bucks, just a shade behind Horford (18.1), who will take on the assignment of matching up with Embiid.

TRENDS:

* 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
* Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Under is 13-5 in 76ers' last 18 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 7-1 in Celtics' last 8 home games.
* Road team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, April 30

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PHILADELPHIA (56 - 31) at BOSTON (59 - 30) - 4/30/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 53-32 ATS (+17.8 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 20-5 ATS (+14.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-35 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-20 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-6 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 10-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA 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
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 30

Philly lost three of four games with Boston this year, but won last meeting 89-80 January 18. Three of those four games stayed under the total. Celtics won Game 7 over Milwaukee at home Saturday; they’ve won/covered last five home games. Over is 9-2 in their last 11 games. 76ers beat Miami in five games in first round; they haven’t played since Tuesday. Sixers won their last nine road games; they’re 20-1 in last 21 games overall. Philly’s last road loss was March 8 in Miami. Three of 76ers’ last four games stayed under the total.

Pelicans-Warriors
GState 123-101, -7.5, O223.5

Jazz-Rockets
Hst 110-96, -11.5, U206.5

Wizards-Raptors
Tor 114-106, -7.5, O211
Tor 130-119, -7, O214
Wsh 122-103, -1, O217.5
Wsh 106-98, +1.5, U217
Tor 108-97, -7, U216
Tor 102-92, -2, U214.5
Raptors win series, 4-2

Heat-76ers
Phil 130-103, -6.5, O212
Mia 113-103, +6.5, U217
Phil 128-108, -2.5, O213.5
Phil 106-102, -4, U212.5
Phil 104-91, -10, U215.5
76ers win series, 4-1

Bucks-Celtics
Bos 113-107 OT, -4.5, O199.5
Bos 120-106, -1, O200
Mil 116-92, -5, O205.5
Mil 104-102, -5.5, O203.5
Bos 92-87, -4.5, U202.5
Mil 97-86, -4.5, U201.5
Bos 112-96, -4.5, O196
Celtics win series, 4-3

Pacers-Cavaliers
Ind 98-80, +7.5, U212.5
Clev 100-97, -8, U209
Ind 92-90, -1.5, U209.5
Clev 104-100, -1.5, U206.5
Clev 98-95, -6.5, U206
Ind 121-87, -1.5, O202
Clev 105-101, -5.5, O200.5
Cavaliers win series, 4-3

Spurs-Warriors
GState 113-92, -8, U209.5
GState 116-101, -9 O205.5
GState 110-97, -3.5, O205.5
SA 103-90, +5.5, U206.5
GState 99-91, -11, U204.5
Warriors win series, 4-1

Pelicans-Blazers
NO 97-95, +5.5, U216.5
NO 111-102, +6, U216
NO 119-102, -3.5, O215.5
NO 131-123, -6.5, O217
Pelicans win series, 4-0

Jazz-Thunder
OKC 116-108, -4.5, O205
Utah 102-95, +4, U206.5
Utah 115-102, -5, O209
Utah 113-96, -5, O208
OKC 107-99, -2.5, U207.5
Utah 96-91, –7, U207.5
Jazz win series, 4-2

Wolves-Rockets
Hst 104-101, -11.5, U215.5
Hst 102-82, -10.5, U212.5
Minn 121-105, +6, O217
Hst 119-100, -6, O217
Hst 122-104, -12, O217
Rockets win series, 4-1




NBA

Monday, April 30

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Trend Report
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Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games
Philadelphia is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Philadelphia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Celtics
Boston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Boston's last 11 games
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games at home
Boston is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games when playing at home against Philadelphia


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NBA
Dunkel

Monday, April 30


Philadelphia @ Boston

Game 555-556
April 30, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
127.743
Boston
117.304
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 10 1/2
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 3
208
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-3); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Eastern Conference Semis
April 30, 2018

After what ended up being a super intriguing first round, the NBA playoffs are marching on and BetOnline.ag has everything you need to get rolling. The two Western Conference semifinals are already underway but seem relatively spoken for. The Warriors spanked the Pelicans in Game 1, and the Rockets did the same to the Rubio-less Jazz on Sunday night. I think both series are intriguing, but we all know how they will end.

As for the action out east, it’s a little more complicated though not by much. Let’s break this down as best we can.

Philadelphia 76ers -385 over Boston Celtics +325

The Boston Celtics just pushed a seven game series with tar, mortar and spit because the Milwaukee Bucks had a great team that didn’t have their act together. The Philadelphia 76ers are a better team that has their act together. Eventually time runs out for these gritty playoff teams that seem to be running on fumes and burning cardboard.

The Sixers improved their season point differential from +4.5 to +10.8 in a five game set while dousing the Miami Heat in a series that really never seemed close. Along the way, the Sixers took everything about their game to the next level.

Having the two best players in the series also helps a ton. These NBA playoffs are about Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Just back them as the Celtics get overpriced due to Brad Stevens, and enjoy the Sixers doing their thing. Every bit about their production and swagger seems for real. I just don’t think Boston can keep this duct tape minivan rolling along the highway to hell.

Philadelphia in 5

Game 1 – PHI -3 over BOS (Monday, April 30th)

Cleveland Cavaliers +170 over Toronto Raptors -195

This is not what Toronto wanted. Nothing about their six-game series win over Washington convinced me that Toronto thinks that they’re good. They played that series scared because of the expectation placed on them for being the top seed. It’s like they can feel the window closing, instead of doing everything they can to pry that thing open.

I know that Toronto won the series, but did they seem galvanized to you, because they seemed more relieved than anything else. Now they face the same guy who has sent them walking papers in the past two playoffs in embarrassing fashion.

The difference between Cleveland surviving the Indiana Pacers, and Toronto beating Washington is that I think the former has totally had their confidence boosted while the latter has had their worst fears realized. Toronto knows it’s not a truly elite team, or they would have taken care of business against Washington in Games 3 and/or 4.

DeMar DeRozan has the same sort of game that Oladipo does, but he by no means has the takeover capacity that the Indiana guard showed in the playoffs. Maybe a game here or there, but not the whole way through. And defence has never been a big part of DeMar’s game.

Toronto’s clearly a better team. They’re deeper. They have the pillars underneath that prove problematic for Cleveland. If Sabonis and Turner were more polished, the Pacers would’ve ended the Cavaliers. I don’t know if Jonas Valanciunas is that guy, but he can be.

If you’re sold on Toronto, then go for it. But I’m not. I’m not sold on Cleveland either, but they at least look like a team that’s brazen enough to hold the candle despite all of their shortcomings. Toronto seems like they’re scared of the light in spite of being the best team in the conference. So at +170, the Cavs are the best lotto ticket money can buy.

Hopefully this series is better than we think it is. More likely, it’s exactly what we expect it to be.

Cavaliers in 6

Game 1 – CLE +6 over TOR (Tuesday, May 1st)

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics' Brown doubtful for Game 1
April 29, 2018

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is doubtful for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers with a strained right hamstring, coach Brad Stevens said, while adding that he could return later in the series.

Stevens said Brown still had some soreness on Sunday, a day after the Celtics eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks and a day before the second-round opener. Brown had said he was going to have an MRI, and Stevens said tests were negative.

''It looks like it could be something that allows him to play as the series goes on,'' Stevens said.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brown averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. He left Saturday night's clincher against the Bucks in the first quarter; the team announced that he was available to return, but Stevens decided to play it safe.

Brown said afterward he was told it was a Grade 1 injury - the least severe kind. He was put on anti-inflammatory medication.

''Whatever it takes, I wouldn't miss this series for the world,'' Brown said Saturday night.

The Celtics are already without stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, as well as Daniel Theis.

''We don't think about what's happened throughout the season,'' center Aron Baynes said. ''We have that `next man up' mentality. We'll miss Jaylen; he's definitely hard to make up for. It's just all being able to collectively do it.''

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, APRIL 30
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at BOS 08:00 PM
BOS +3.5
U 206.5

[StarDust Bum]

Rozier (29 pts), Tatum (28) help Celtics beat 76ers 117-101
April 30, 2018

BOSTON (AP) Boston's rising stars stalled The Process and led the Celtics to victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Substitute point guard Terry Rozier scored 29, and first-year Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a career-high 28 points to outplay redshirt rookie Ben Simmons on Monday night and lead Boston to a 117-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

With much of the attention focused on 76ers youngsters Simmons and Joel Embiid, Boston's youth movement of Tatum and Rozier led the way. Two days after scoring a career playoff-high 26 points in Game 7 against Milwaukee, Rozier topped it, while also adding eight rebounds and six assists.

''It's been a dream come true. I want to keep going,'' said Rozier, who was wearing a Drew Bledsoe Patriots jersey to milk one more chuckle out of his pseudo-feud with vanquished Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe. ''I'm just a guy just living in the moment.''

Embiid scored 31 points with 13 rebounds for Philadelphia, which lost for just the second time in 22 games. Simmons, the likely rookie of the year, scored 18 with seven boards and six assists.

But with six days of rest since eliminating Miami, the Heat missed 15 of their first 20 shots and hit 5 of 26 from 3-point range to lose for just the second time since March 13.

''We're NBA players and we have to be ready,'' Embiid said. ''We weren't ready tonight.''

Al Horford had 26 points and seven rebounds for Boston, which will host Game 2 on Thursday night. The Celtics are hoping to have guard Jaylen Brown back from a hamstring injury he sustained in the clincher against the Bucks, leaving him sidelined along with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

Playing in place of Irving, Rozier picked up where he left off in the first round by scoring 10 points and six assists in the first quarter on Monday night. He was 7 for 9 from 3-point range overall, combining with Tatum to overshadow the lottery picks accumulated by Philadelphia during The Process.

The first overall pick in the 2016 draft who sat out all of last year with an injury, Simmons was heckled by the Boston crowd with chants of ''Not a Rookie!'' In the fourth quarter, as Tatum stepped to the free throw line to protect a double-digit lead, the chant turned to ''He's a Rookie!''

''I love when people talk trash,'' Embiid said. ''Keep bringing it, and we'll see how it goes.''

Tatum was Boston's first pick last year - third overall - after swapping the No. 1 pick to the Sixers and grabbing a 2018 first-rounder as well. Philadelphia picked Markelle Fultz; he did not play on Monday night.

''It's been great to see Jayson and Terry and just our guys play like that,'' Horford said. ''I think that Jayson's starting to figure it out. ... And it's great to see for our team.''

It was 33-all with just over seven minutes left in the half when the Celtics ran off 10 points in a row. Horford had four of the five baskets and assisted on the other. Boston led 87-70 in the final minute of the third quarter when Philadelphia scored nine straight points to make it a nine-point game.

After Simmons made a layup to make it 97-88, Horford hit a 3 from the top of the key with 5:30 left and it was never within single digits again.

PUT ME IN COACH

Up until about an hour before game time, Brown was still trying to figure out a way to play on his strained right hamstring.

The Celtics' second-leading scorer in the first round with 17.9 points per game, Brown was finally ruled out about a half-hour before tipoff following a conversation with doctors, trainers and Horford.

''Jaylen's a competitor, I know he was doing everything he could to be out there,'' Horford said. ''His health is most important. We didn't want any setbacks with him. One of the things when I talked to him, I was like `Hey, we obviously really need you out there, but we need you for the long run. We need you to be healthy and to feel good.'

''Hopefully now he has a couple of day to recover and he'll be back Thursday.''

OLD SCHOOL FEEL

Sixers coach Brett Brown is familiar with the Philadelphia and Boston matchups of the 1980s, having grown up in South Portland, Maine. Though he knows other teams in the East remain relevant, he thinks there is enough young talent on the current 76ers and Celtics rosters to give the rivalry a rebirth.

''I hope so,'' Brown said. ''I personally grew up with this rivalry, just right on your doorstep and just a big part of your basketball life as a young kid. It sure seems like both programs are heading into the right direction.''

TIP-INS

Sixers: Embiid is the first Sixer with 30 points in a playoff game since Andre Miller in 2009. He is the first one with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a postseason game since Allen Iverson in 2001. ... Embiid again wore the mask he has needed since missing 10 straight games - including the first two of the playoffs.

Celtics: It was the first time that Boston has had three players score 25 or more points in a playoff game since Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in 2009. ... Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell was in the crowd.... Smart missed his first five shots. ... The Celtics put T-shirts on every seat that said ''BEAT PHILA.'' The ''L-A'' were in bold, a nod to the longtime rivalry with the Lakers.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s 6-pack

Players who have come up with most men on base, and % of those runners they drove in:

— Khris Davis, Oak: 95 runners, drove in 16 (16.8%)

— Scooter Gennett, Cin: 93 runners, drove in 12 (12.9%)

— Giancarlo Stanton, NYY: 92 runners, drove in 10 (10.9%)

— Didi Gregorius, NYY: 90 runners, drove in 20 (22.2%)

— Marcell Ozuna, StL: 88 runners, drove in 15 (17.0%)

— Carlos Correa, Hst: 87 runners, drove in 16 (18.4%)

Quotes of the Day
“I don’t know how to take time off. I had somebody tell me, ‘Take a break and enjoy your life.’ This is my life.”
Pacers’ star Victor Oladipo, after the Game 7 loss in Cleveland

Tuesday’s quiz
Which starting pitcher in the National League used to be a wide receiver at Notre Dame?

Monday’s quiz
Felix Hernandez threw the last perfect game in the major leagues, in 2012.

Sunday’s quiz
Before this week, Mets had played 14 series at Petco Park in San Diego; they won one of the 14 series, in 2011.

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


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

13) Victor Oladipo’s 3-pointer at the end of Game 7 of Pacers-Cavaliers didn’t help Indiana win the series (they lost Game 7 by 4) but it helped Pacer backers win their bets. Most sports books opened Game 7 with the Cavaliers as 6.5-point favorites and closed at either 5 or 5.5.

“It was probably a swing of $3 million to $5 million in Nevada. These types of things happen five or more times a week in our industry, whether it’s a two-run home run to cover the run line in the bottom of the ninth or an empty-net goal in the last minute of an NHL game.”
Johnny Avello, head of race and sportsbook for the Wynn in Las Vegas

12) Review of 40 notable mock drafts by the Arizona Cardinals’ PR guy shows average of 1st round “hits” (right player/right team) was just 3/32; average of the previous five years was 4.2.

For second straight year, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah led these mock drafters with 8 hits.

11) Tough times for the Dodgers: Dodgers’ SS Corey Seager will have Tommy John surgery, is out for the season. Yasiel Puig is on the DL after getting hurt running into the wall in San Francisco Saturday. Rich Hill is on the DL with a cracked fingernail, which is a big deal if the nail is on your pitching hand.

10) Manny Machado is making $16M this season and the Orioles are terrible; he’ll be a free agent after this season. Would the Dodgers trade for Machado to fill Seager’s spot?

9) In 1983, Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas put up a 126-foot tall sign that contained 9,280 individual lamps; they started taking that sign down Monday, as part of a $192M project to modernize the Palace Station. Hopefully they keep the good Subway sub shop in their sportsbook.

8) Veteran NBA player Ener Kanter said at the start of his N.B.A. career in 2011, he swore at referees, but exclusively in Turkish, his native tongue. He went his entire first season without referees calling a technical on him- he’s had 15 technicals since- “I should’ve stuck with Turkish,” was how Kanter described those.

At the start of this year’s NBA postseason, 62 foreign-born players from 33 countries were on playoff rosters.

7) Red Sox (Xander Bogaerts) hit their 6th grand slam of the season last night; 14 teams haven’t hit one yet this season.

6) Leading money winners on the PGA Tour this season:
1) Justin Thomas $5,221,300 2) Bubba Watson $3,690,454 3) Patrick Reed $3,580,252

5) Leading money winners on the Senior Golf Tour this year:
1) Steve Stricker $630,235 2) Jerry Kelly $539,890 3) Vijay Singh $500,380

4) High school basketball star Romeo Lankford will stay close to home and go to Indiana this fall; the hoopla surrounding his announcement was ludicrous, with roughly 4,000 people in his high school gym for the event.

Lankford is a 6-5 guard who was listed as the #6 HS prospect in this year’s class, but he was the best prospect who had to yet to commit. This is the first time since 2007 that the Hoosiers signed up the top-ranked senior from Indiana.

3) An authenticated signed Sandy Koufax jersey that he wore pitching for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 was sold for $414,279 at a recent auction.

2) Cubs 3, Rockies 2— Chicago won its last five games, allowing total of four runs.

1— Guy named Joe Ganim is the mayor of Bridgeport, CT; never heard of him until just now, but he wants to enter the Democratic primary to be governor of Connecticut. He’s been elected mayor of Bridgeport five times, with a little break in between.

The “little break” in between was a 7-year federal prison sentence; from his Wikipedia page:

“On March 19, 2003, Ganim was convicted of 16 federal counts: one count each of racketeering, extortion, racketeering conspiracy and bribery; two counts of bribery conspiracy; eight counts of mail fraud and two counts of filing a false tax return.”

Would you vote for this guy to be governor of your state? Good grief.

[StarDust Bum]

Curry ready to return for Warriors in Game 2 vs. Pelicans
April 30, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The last time Golden State got Stephen Curry back from a knee injury in the playoffs, he immediately returned to brilliance.

Curry returned for Game 4 of the Warriors' five-game Western Conference semifinals against Portland two years ago and made 16 of 32 shots with five 3-pointers and scored 17 points in overtime on the way to 40 in a 132-125 victory. He grabbed nine rebounds and dished out eight assists.

If that is any indicator, the New Orleans Pelicans better be ready for a superstar as eager as ever to get back on the court and chase a repeat championship.

The two-time MVP, sidelined since spraining his left knee March 23, is expected to play Tuesday night in Game 2 against New Orleans with what is sure to be a fired-up crowd at Oracle Arena. The Warriors have won a franchise-record 13 straight home playoff games.

In late December against Memphis, Curry came back after being sidelined 11 games with a sprained right ankle to score 38 points with 10 3-pointers.

''I'm not too worried about him. I've seen him come back from injuries many times,'' coach Steve Kerr said Monday. ''... Sometimes it's just one shot that gets him going.''

And what a boost Curry's presence could be for the defending champions who are already clicking on both ends.

''He loves the game just as much as anybody I ever been around and I know he wants to play. I've just been thinking about that, just worrying about how he feels not playing,'' reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant said. ''... Excited for him to get back just to be in a place where he enjoys most, which is playing ball, and the other stuff, we'll figure it out. But I'm more so excited as his brother that he's out there, he gets to play basketball, something that he loves to do.''

The Pelicans prepared all week to see Curry back on the court and they know they must bounce back fast to stay in this best-of-seven series after a 123-101 flop in Saturday night's Game 1.

Golden State scored 41 points in the second quarter and 76 in the first half - both new franchise-bests for the postseason. The Warriors shot 13 for 20 in the second, making four 3s and 11 of 14 free throws.

While New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry thought his team's long layoff might have hurt, the players said it was much more.

''We hang our hats on defense,'' Rajon Rondo said. ''What happened in the second quarter is inexcusable. I can't blame it on a week off of rest. It's a lack of communication and not being disciplined. If we can clean that up, I think we'll be fine.''

Anthony Davis and Rondo will challenge the Pelicans to play with more intensity on the defensive end. The Warriors thrived when they made things hard on Davis to take shots, got stops and pushed the ball in transition.

''We're very confident. It's one game. They win by 40, you win by one, 90, it's one game,'' Davis said. ''It's still best-out-of-seven. Our job is to learn from what we messed up tonight and get prepared for Game 2.''

The Warriors have taken their defense to another level, led by Durant and Draymond Green - who is coming off a triple-double and has 15, 19 and 18 rebounds in his past three games, respectively.

Golden State also is pushing the pace, a far different game than in the first round against the Spurs.

''We all like to get out in transition,'' Warriors guard Shaun Livingston said Monday. ''We can slow it down and we understand to win games we'll have to execute and maybe win some grind-out games, that's just part of playoff basketball, but everybody loves to run.''

Here's something to know about the Cleveland-Toronto series opener, also Tuesday:

CAVALIERS AT RAPTORS. Game 1, 8 p.m. EDT, TNT

LeBron James just won his fifth straight Game 7 and now the Cavs will face the Raptors for the third consecutive postseason.

Toronto eliminated the Wizards in a six-game first round and now the challenge is stopping LeBron and his supporting cast.

''We understand everything starts and stops with him,'' Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. ''There's certain things you want to give up with him, there's certain things you have no choice in the matter. There's a pecking order as far as what we want to give up, what we live with.''

The Cavs are 8-2 against Toronto the past two postseasons and went 5-2 in matchups during the regular season the past two years.

[StarDust Bum]

Raptors ready for third shot at LeBron
April 30, 2018

TORONTO (AP) The Toronto Raptors seem to have everything lined up in their favor heading into their postseason matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

They're rested. The Raptors feel they are ready. They have home-court advantage.

But they've been confident before heading into a playoff showdown with James and have come up short - twice.

''Gotta go through the best to get to that trophy,'' All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said. ''Every step of the way we're going to come across somebody.''

The Raptors open their second-round playoff series at home to James and the Cavs on Tuesday night. Cleveland has eliminated Toronto in two straight postseasons, including the 2016 conference finals and a second-round sweep last year.

This time, however, Toronto is the top-seeded team in the East after a team-record 59-win season. The Raptors have been off since a Game 6 victory over Washington last Friday night finished their first-round series, while James and the Cavs were pushed to the limit in grinding out a Game 7 win over Indiana on Sunday.

That's a stark contrast to 2016, when Cleveland had eight days of rest before facing a Toronto team that had played consecutive seven-game series. Or last year, when the Cavs got a week off while waiting for Toronto to complete a six-game victory over Milwaukee in the opening round.

''They're coming off a series where they were banging and bumping for seven games,'' Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. ''I think our energy has been great. I think the days off will definitely have helped us a little bit.''

James, meanwhile, has shouldered a heavy load for the Cavs, scoring 40 or more three times in the first round. He played 43 minutes in Game 7, and was briefly forced off the court in the second half because of leg cramps.

Nevertheless, Raptors coach Dwane Casey expects James to be fully fresh once tip-off time arrives Tuesday.

''I don't believe he's tired,'' Casey said. ''He's on a mission. I'm not saying he's a lying man, but I don't think he's tired.''

These Cavs don't have All-Star guard Kyrie Irving anymore, either, while Toronto has flourished with a new emphasis on ball movement and 3-point shooting.

''We have a great opportunity ahead of us to show how good of a team we've been,'' Lowry said. ''We're ready.''

DeRozan agreed, saying there's ''no question'' the Raptors are better equipped to face Cleveland than in years past.

''I feel it,'' DeRozan said. ''We all have that confidence in ourselves.''

Some other things to watch in the series between the Cavaliers and the Raptors:

BENCH MOB

Lowry and DeRozan started resting before their first-round series with the Wizards was even over. Lowry played 31 minutes in the clincher, and DeRozan 33, as Toronto's deep bench took over in the fourth quarter. The reserve unit was bolstered by the return of guard Fred VanVleet, who had missed all but three minutes of the first five games because of a sore right shoulder. Pascal Siakam led Toronto's bench with 11 points in Game 6 as the Raptors outscored Washington 29-14 in the fourth.

''That's the type of intensity that we need from every quarter, every time we step on the floor,'' Siakam said. ''That's what we want, just being able to wear down our opponent and playing physical.''

HOME SWEET HOME

The Raptors matched Houston with an NBA-leading 34-7 home record during the regular season and won all three home games against Washington in the first round. Toronto's two wins against Cleveland in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals came north of the border, and its only win in three meetings with the Cavs this season happened at home, a 133-99 win on Jan. 11.

''They're a very tough team that plays well at home,'' Cavaliers forward Kevin Love said. ''They're another team, like Indiana, that can play a number of different ways. They have bigs that are somewhat unorthodox and can play inside or outside, pick and pop. They have a lot of guards, especially those two guys out front in Lowry and DeRozan, that are going to be very tough to stop.''

FINALS FOUR

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue used four different starting lineups against the Pacers, but the one he went to in Game 7 might stick for a while. Lue started Kyle Korver alongside James, Love, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith - the four remaining players from Cleveland's 2016 championship team. The move was as savvy as it was desperate, but it worked. Now Lue, who has used 34 starting lineups this season, has something to fall back on if things don't go as planned against the Raptors.

''We've been in situations before,'' James said of the Game 7 starters. ''We've played big games before so that's a comfort starting the game.''

BY GEORGE

Back spasms sidelined Cavs guard George Hill for three games against Indiana, but he returned in Game 7 and sparked Cleveland. Hill attacked the rim and finished with 11 points - nine on free throws - and had six rebounds and three assists while playing the final 19 minutes. He gives the Cavs not only another ball handler to take pressure off James, but a dependable veteran who has been through playoff battles with San Antonio and Indiana. The 31-year-old has played in 87 postseason games, starting 75.

''George is a really good player,'' Lowry said. ''He's been doing this a long time. Having a healthy Hill helps them.''

Hill had one of his best games with Cleveland against the Raptors on March 21, scoring 22 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cavaliers (50-32) at Raptors (59-23)
Date: May 01, 2018 8:00 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have eliminated the Toronto Raptors from the playoffs two years in a row.

The Raptors have a chance to reverse that trend this year, starting Tuesday night when they host the Cavaliers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round playoff series at the Air Canada Centre.

The Cavaliers won their way into the second round by defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games with LeBron James producing 45 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while playing 43 minutes in the decisive game Sunday.

"I'm burnt right now," James said after the game. "I'm not thinking about Toronto right now until tomorrow, I'm ready to go home. Can we? I'm tired. I want to go home."

James averaged more than 41 minutes per game in the series, averaging 34.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.

The Raptors will be the more rested team, having wrapped up their first-round series against the Washington Wizards in six games on Friday.

When Raptors coach Dwane Casey was asked what his team could learn from the way the Pacers played the Cavaliers, he said: "Playing hard. They played their behinds off, put themselves in position to win."

The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 before going on to win their first NBA championship.

Cleveland swept Toronto in four games in their second-round series last year.

That series loss led the Raptors to change their approach by spreading the attack around more instead of relying so much on their All-Stat guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. They also have developed a potent bench led by guard Fred VanVleet, who missed most of the series against the Wizards with a sore shoulder but played 19 minutes in Game 6.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, still depend so much on James, who became the NBA's career playoff leader in steals and minutes played during the first round. He became the points leader in 2017.

James ranks first in points (6,404), first in minutes played (9,415), first in steals (399), third in assists (with 1,543), sixth in games played (224), seventh in rebounds (1,993) and 19th in blocks (216).

The Pacers left Bojan Bogdanovic to cover James for much of the series without help and Casey thought it was a good move.

"I thought it was good for Indiana because it took them to seven games," Casey said. "You are not going to take away everything from anybody whether it's Cleveland or Boston or Philadelphia. You are going to give up something and you have to decide what that is on that particular play or that particular night that you are trying to take away.

"That is what the chess match is in a playoff series. What you are trying to take away and what you are going to ****** and live with?"

James did get some help in Game 7 against Indiana from Toronto-native Tristan Thompson, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

"We started the game with a unit that we knew," James said Sunday. "All five of us, we knew what we could get out of each other. We've been in situations before, we've played in big games before, so that's a comfort to start the game."

"I just think with it being Game 7, just go with the guys that have been here and been through it all," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue. "They know what it takes."

"I've been telling (Thompson) all series long to just wait his turn until his name is called, and when it's called, be that spark," said Cavaliers guard George Hill, who had a strong fourth quarter. "From the jump, he was that spark that we needed, and I think he just had a phenomenal game -- probably the best I've seen him play in a while."

James praised Hill and Thompson. "Half a game ball should go to Tristan and half to G Hill," he said.

The Raptors do not believe James will be tired when Game 1 comes around.

"You believe he's tired? I don't believe it," Casey said Monday. "I'll believe it when I see him sitting over on the bench, and I haven't seen that very much because he's playing at such a high level. It's amazing the type of condition he's in. We're not banking on that."

"I don't believe it, I bet he'll be ready to go (Tuesday)," Lowry said.

The Raptors do intend to make James work hard.

"He's on a mission," Casey said. "But there's certain things we want to do to make him expend some more energy and there's a variety of ways we can do that. ... I don't want to sit up here and give away our game plan, what we want to do, how we want to do it, what we want to take away, what we want to give them, that wouldn't be prudent on my part."

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday's NBA Playoffs betting preview and odds

Round 2 tips off for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors go to battle in Game 2 of their series out west.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (-6.5, 214.5)

Series tied 0-0.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have knocked the Toronto Raptors out of the playoffs the last two years but the Raptors are finally the favored team and hope to play like it when the teams begin their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup Tuesday night with Game 1 in Toronto. The Cavaliers won the conference final in six games over the Raptors in 2016 and swept a semifinals meeting last season en route to their third consecutive conference crown. LeBron James averaged 36 points in that sweep for Cleveland and carried his squad through a seven-game battle with the Indiana Pacers in the first round by pouring in 34.4 per game, including 45 in the 105-101 clincher Sunday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, TSN (Toronto)

LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Raptors opened as 6-point home favorites and as of Monday night that spread has been bumped up to -6.5. 55 percent of wagers have come in on the Raptors as chalk. The total hit betting boards at 218 and has been dropped considerably to 214.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - No injuries to report.

Raptors - No injuries to report.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (54-35 SU, 33-55-1 ATS, 41-46-2 O/U): James played 41.2 minutes per game in the series with Indiana after playing all 82 games during the regular season, and remarkably he is showing no ill effects of the heavy workload. "That's why you play the minutes throughout the course of the season the way he does: When these types of situations happen, you're prepared for them," coach Tyronn Lue told the media. "So he's used to playing 41, 42 minutes and being able to take it with his body and still be able to produce. A lot of guys, they get in the playoffs, they're not used to playing that many minutes, and then it being a high-intensity atmosphere, it's kind of hard for those guys to perform." James, who admitted after Sunday's win that he was "burnt right now," produced 29.3 points, eight assists and 6.7 rebounds in three matchups with the Raptors during the regular season.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (63-25 SU, 47-40-1 ATS, 44-43-1 O/U): Toronto figures to have a big advantage when the teams go to their benches, and the Raptors' reserves were given a big boost with the return of guard Fred VanVleet for Game 6 against Washington. "He just keeps us all calm out there, even when things are not going right," fellow reserve Pascal Siakam told reporters of VanVleet, who missed four games in the series due to a shoulder injury. "He just controls the tempo. We just have a cool factor when he's there." Cleveland knows all about VanVleet's ability to provide a spark, as the second-year pro averaged 15.7 points and five assists in 25.3 minutes off the bench against the Cavaliers this season.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Raptors are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
* Under is 6-2 in Cavaliers' last 8 overall.
* Over is 6-1 in Raptors' last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
* Cavaliers are 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.




New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors (-10.5, 226.5)

It appears Golden State star guard Stephen Curry will be back in action on Tuesday when the Warriors host the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Curry hasn't played since spraining the MCL in his left knee on March 23 but coach Steve Kerr classified him as probable after Monday's practice.

Curry participated in a lengthy scrimmage on Sunday and had no issues during Monday's practice, which prompted Kerr to say, "I'd be very surprised if he didn't play."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Warriors opened as 10.5-point home favorites and as of Monday night that number has yet to move. 57 percent of early wagers are on the underdog Pelicans. The total hit betting boards at 226.5 and has not budged off the opening number.

INJURY REPORT:

Pelicans - C A. Ajinca (Out For Season, Knee), PG F. Jackson (Out For Season, Foot), C D. Cousins (Out For Season, Achilles).

Warriors - PF Luc Mbah a Moute (Questionable, shoulder).

ABOUT THE PELICANS (52-35 SU, 49-37-1 ATS, 50-37 O/U): New Orleans posted a four-game sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in its first postseason series but never found a groove or clicked on all cylinders during the Game 1 loss to the Warriors. "It's one game," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "At the end of the day, it's one game, and you know, we've been playing great basketball, and I'm not so sure if the week off helped us, really. I thought we lost a little bit of our rhythm." Star power forward Anthony Davis had 21 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1 but was just 9-of-20 shooting while guard Jrue Holiday had only 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (63-25 SU, 38-49-1 ATS, 42-45-1 O/U): Kerr said there wouldn't be a minutes restriction placed on Curry and standout forward Kevin Durant is expecting Curry to play at his typical "elite" level. "When somebody is as consistent as he is, no matter if you miss time, between games when he was hurt he was putting in major work," Durant told reporters after Monday's practice. "When great players leave like this with an injury and come back, I expect him to be who he is." Shooting guard Klay Thompson scored 27 points in the opener and Durant added 26 as Golden State didn't lack for firepower with Curry seated on the bench in street clothes.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Pelicans are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
* Warriors are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
* Over is 8-2 in Pelicans' last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 5-1-1 in Warriors' last 7 home games.
* Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Golden State.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, May 1


Cleveland @ Toronto

Game 557-558
May 1, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
115.244
Toronto
123.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 8 1/2
211
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 6
215
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-6); Under

New Orleans @ Golden State

Game 709-710
May 1, 2018 @ 10:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
118.204
Golden State
132.118
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 14
208
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 10 1/2
227
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-10 1/2); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, May 1

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

CLEVELAND (54 - 35) at TORONTO (63 - 25) - 5/1/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 33-54 ATS (-26.4 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 48-40 ATS (+4.0 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 35-56 ATS (-26.6 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
TORONTO is 199-249 ATS (-74.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 12-7 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 14-6 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
12 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NEW ORLEANS (52 - 35) at GOLDEN STATE (63 - 25) - 5/1/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-37 ATS (+19.3 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 102-74 ATS (+20.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 62-35 ATS (+23.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 49-37 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 37-48 ATS (-15.8 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) on Tuesday nights this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-5 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 11-1 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, May 1

Cavaliers @ Raptors (0-0)

Cavaliers won Game 7 vs Toronto Sunday; quick turnaround here on road vs Toronto team they beat two of three this year, with home side winning all three games. Cavaliers lost by 33 in Toronto Jan 11, then won pair of home games vs Raptors by 3-6 points after that. Cleveland is 3-4 in its last seven road games; six of their last eight games stayed under the total. Toronto beat the Wizards in six games; their last game was Friday. Raptors won last seven home games, are 5-0-1 vs spread in last six. Last three Toronto games stayed under the total.

Pelicans @ Warriors (1-0)
Warriors cruised by 22 in Game 1; they led 76-55 at the half, after a 35-34 first quarter- they took 32 FT’s, Pelicans only 11. Golden State won 10 of last 11 games with New Orleans; Pelicans are 5-4 vs spread in last nine series games; they’re 2-4 vs spread in last six visits to Oakland. Over is 9-2 in last 11 series games. New Orleans won/covered nine of their last ten games, six of which were on road; they’re 3-1 in last four games as road underdogs. Warriors are 4-0 at home in playoffs, winning home tilts by 8-15-21-22 points. Under is 4-3-1 in their last eight games.

Second Round
Pelicans-Warriors
GState 123-101, -7.5, O223.5

Jazz-Rockets
Hst 110-96, -11.5, U206.5

76ers-Celtics
Bos 117-101, +5, O205

First Round
Wizards-Raptors
Tor 114-106, -7.5, O211
Tor 130-119, -7, O214
Wsh 122-103, -1, O217.5
Wsh 106-98, +1.5, U217
Tor 108-97, -7, U216
Tor 102-92, -2, U214.5
Raptors win series, 4-2

Heat-76ers
Phil 130-103, -6.5, O212
Mia 113-103, +6.5, U217
Phil 128-108, -2.5, O213.5
Phil 106-102, -4, U212.5
Phil 104-91, -10, U215.5
76ers win series, 4-1

Bucks-Celtics
Bos 113-107 OT, -4.5, O199.5
Bos 120-106, -1, O200
Mil 116-92, -5, O205.5
Mil 104-102, -5.5, O203.5
Bos 92-87, -4.5, U202.5
Mil 97-86, -4.5, U201.5
Bos 112-96, -4.5, O196
Celtics win series, 4-3

Pacers-Cavaliers
Ind 98-80, +7.5, U212.5
Clev 100-97, -8, U209
Ind 92-90, -1.5, U209.5
Clev 104-100, -1.5, U206.5
Clev 98-95, -6.5, U206
Ind 121-87, -1.5, O202
Clev 105-101, -5.5, O200.5
Cavaliers win series, 4-3

Spurs-Warriors
GState 113-92, -8, U209.5
GState 116-101, -9 O205.5
GState 110-97, -3.5, O205.5
SA 103-90, +5.5, U206.5
GState 99-91, -11, U204.5
Warriors win series, 4-1

Pelicans-Blazers
NO 97-95, +5.5, U216.5
NO 111-102, +6, U216
NO 119-102, -3.5, O215.5
NO 131-123, -6.5, O217
Pelicans win series, 4-0

Jazz-Thunder
OKC 116-108, -4.5, O205
Utah 102-95, +4, U206.5
Utah 115-102, -5, O209
Utah 113-96, -5, O208
OKC 107-99, -2.5, U207.5
Utah 96-91, –7, U207.5
Jazz win series, 4-2

Wolves-Rockets
Hst 104-101, -11.5, U215.5
Hst 102-82, -10.5, U212.5
Minn 121-105, +6, O217
Hst 119-100, -6, O217
Hst 122-104, -12, O217
Rockets win series, 4-1




NBA

Tuesday, May 1

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

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
Cleveland is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing Toronto
Cleveland is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Cleveland's last 25 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Toronto is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Toronto is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Toronto is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Toronto's last 25 games when playing at home against Cleveland


New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games
New Orleans is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Orleans's last 10 games
New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans's last 10 games on the road
New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
New Orleans is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing Golden State
New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State
New Orleans is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Golden State is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games at home
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Golden State is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Golden State is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans


Current NBA Playoffs betting stats heading into Tuesday's Round 2 action:

Home Teams:
37-11 Straight Up
30-17-1 ATS (63.83%)

Favorites:
39-9 Straight Up
31-16-1 ATS (65.96 %)

Over-Under: 24-24