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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, May 24


Golden State @ Houston

Game 507-508
May 24, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
129.975
Houston
125.838
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 4
212
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 1
220 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(+1); Under




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 24

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GOLDEN STATE (68 - 28) at HOUSTON (75 - 21) - 5/24/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-53 ATS (-18.3 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 65-40 ATS (+21.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 41-54 ATS (-18.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 108-143 ATS (-49.3 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 11-7 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 13-6 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, May 24

Golden State @ Houston (2-2)
Rockets outscored Golden State 34-18 in 2nd quarter, 25-12 in 4th quarter; four Warriors subs who played were a combined -29 in 48:00 of play. In their two series wins, Houston has taken 80 treys, 87 2-point shots. In their two losses, they took 71 treys, 95 2-point shots. Under is 6-2 in this round so far, 3-1 in both series. Under is 6-1 in Golden State’s last seven games. Road team is 7-4 in last eleven games between these teams. Under is 10-4 in last 14 series games. Warriors other than Curry were 3-14 on arc in Game 4; he needs lot more help.




NBA

Thursday, May 24

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

Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games on the road
Golden State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing Houston
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Golden State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Rockets
Houston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Houston's last 22 games at home
Houston is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Golden State
Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
Houston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games when playing at home against Golden State

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics win and cover again on home court - now 10-0 SU and ATS in this year's playoffs. NBA playoffs betting stats:

Home Teams:
53-20 Straight Up
42-30-1 ATS (58.3%)

Favorites:
55-18 Straight Up
43-29-1 ATS (59.7%)

Over-Under: 34-39

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, MAY 24
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

GS at HOU 09:00 PM

HOU -1.0

U 219.5

[StarDust Bum]

Gordon leads Rockets over Warriors 98-94 to take series lead
May 24, 2018

HOUSTON (AP) Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State's last possession secured a 98-94 victory Thursday night that gave the Houston Rockets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The Rockets head into Game 6 on Saturday night in Oakland, California one win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-95.

Chris Paul scored 20 points and James Harden struggled for his 19, but Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY MAY 25, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:30 PM Boston Celtics Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY MAY 26, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Houston Rockets Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY MAY 27, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:30 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics TD Garden

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY MAY 28, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center


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MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )

05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50

Totals.............11-19-0........36.66%.....-48.50


BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL

05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50

Totals.......................5 - 10................-30.00..................6 - 9...............-19.50............-49.50

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

College football lines that moved 4+ points Thursday:

— Texas (+1) to (-3) vs USC

— North Carolina (+11) to (+7) vs Central Florida

— West Virginia (+3) to (-1.5) vs Texas Tech

— Texas (+12) to (+6) vs Oklahoma

— Arkansas State (pick) to (-4) vs Appalachian State

— Oregon (-9) to (-13) vs Arizona State

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff after a fun vacation…….

13) Rockets 98, Warriors 94— Golden State’s bench was a combined 2-8 from floor in 53:00 in this game; I didn’t think Houston could beat the Warriors unless they outran them, but they held Golden State to 92-94 points in their last two games.

In their three series wins, Houston has taken 123 3-pointers, 122 2-pointers; in Golden State’s two wins, Rockets have taken 71 treys and 95 2-point shots. Harden was 0-11 behind the arc in this game, but his team leads series, 3-2.

12) Again, in their three wins, Houston has taken 81.7 shots/game; in their losses, 83, so they’re winning with their defensive performance, which is a big surprise.

11) Had an excellent conversation in the Westgate SuperBook Wednesday night with a smart bettor who retired from the military and now lives in Las Vegas. He likes to play parlays and explained to me why; he knows a lot about soccer (I know NOTHING). Learned a lot from talking to him.

10) My godson Tom knows a lot about soccer; he likes Belgium in the World Cup.

9) There have been 23 baseball games this season where a pitcher had a no-hitter going thru six innings. That seems like a lot.

Thru Wednesday, the MLB batting average was .244; last time a full season ended with a batting average that low was 1972, the year before the DH came into being.

8) UConn totally dominates women’s college basketball, so I’m wondering, how many UConn players are in the 12-team WNBA? Must be two or three per team, no?

Turns out there are currently 17 UConn alumni in the 12-team WNBA. 1.4 per team.

7) SEC-Big X college basketball challenge this winter has some solid matchups: West Virginia-Tennessee, Florida-TCU, Kansas-Kentucky being three of the best.

6) Baseball’s amateur draft is coming up; apparently it is very wide open this year. Detroit has the first pick and consensus is they’re still torn on who their #1 pick will be. Unusual.

5) New England Patriots were practicing in OTA’s in number-less jerseys; the NFL told them to grow up and put numbers on, so Belichick had them wear numbers they won’t (can’t) wear in regular season games. Do rival teams spy on OTA’s?

4) Orioles’ Dylan Bundy is 2-1, 2.86 in three starts since he gave up seven runs on 28 pitches in a hideous start against the Royals earlier this month.

3) Since 1970, 50 QB’s were taken in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft; of those 50, 42 started at least one NFL regular season game. Christian Hackenberg hasn’t even gotten into a game yet; I’m curious why the Raiders traded for him this week.

2) Last year, Oakland averaged 4.14 points less per game than their weekly over/under; Atlanta averaged 4.06 less points per game. Falcons were an “over” machine in 2016; last year, not so much.

1) Indians’ Trevor Bauer and Astros’ Gerrit Cole played college baseball together at UCLA- they did not get along well.

Says Bauer: “We had a rocky relationship in college, because he told me that I had no future in baseball and he insulted my work ethic as a freshman.” Alrighty then.

The two hurlers face each other in Cleveland Sunday.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 betting preview and odds: Celtics at Cavaliers

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (-7, 201.5)

Celtics lead series 3-2.

The Boston Celtics are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday. The Celtics possess a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals but are just 1-6 on the road this postseason, including two setbacks in Cleveland.

Cavaliers forward LeBron James could be playing in his final game in Cleveland before his expected dive into free agency but he is currently focused on earning one more trip to Boston. "We're looking forward to having an opportunity to force a Game 7," James told reporters after his squad's 96-83 loss in Wednesday's Game 5. "It's up to us to see if we can come back here for one more." Boston continues to persevere behind its young roster but it will have to step up if it is to close the series on the Cavaliers' home floor. "Now we have a big challenge to go on the road," Boston veteran big man Al Horford told reporters. "We're going to have to play a great game come Friday because they're tough at home. At least in our series, they've had their way."

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

SERIES PRICE:



LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 7-point home favorites with their backs against the wall for Game 6 and as of Thursday night that pointspread has not moved. The total hit betting boards at 201.5 and has not moved off the opening number.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The home team is now a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS in this playoff series. It is not a surprise as the Celtics are now it 10-0 SU at home this postseason. Boston is a young, well-coached team that feeds off the energy of their home crowd, but has struggled to perform on the road, with their only playoff road win coming in overtime." - Steve Merril.

INJURY REPORT:

Celtics - PG Shane Larkin (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), PG Kyrie Irving (Out For Season, Knee), PF Daniel Theis (Out For Season, Knee), SF Gordon Hayward (Out For Season, Ankle).

Cavaliers - No injuries to report.

MATCHUP CHART:



ABOUT THE CELTICS (66-33 SU, 62-35-2 ATS, 52-46-1 O/U): Small forward Jayson Tatum scored 24 points in Game 5 for his ninth 20-point outing of the postseason. The 20-year-old is putting together one of the best scoring playoff runs by a rookie in NBA history with 312 points and he trails only Elgin Baylor (331), Alvan Adams (341) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (352). "It's just been a lot of fun," Tatum told reporters. "I've just been enjoying it, the level of play, the atmosphere. The playoffs bring the best out of people and out of players, and hopefully we keep it going. ... We're one win away from going to the Finals. "

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (60-38 SU, 38-59-1 ATS, 45-51-2 O/U): James had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while going 11-of-22 shooting in Game 5 and he downplayed interrogating questions about his level of fatigue. "I had my moments, but I think everybody at this point is tired, worn down whatever the case may be," James told reporters. "I was still trying to make plays, put our team in position to win." James topped 40 points twice in this series and six times in the postseason and has at times single-handedly kept his team afloat.

TRENDS:

* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Cavaliers are 17-35-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Celtics' last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers' last 6 games following a straight up loss.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Early consensus numbers show 63 percent of spread bets are coming in on the underdog Celtics while 68 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 25

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BOSTON (66 - 33) at CLEVELAND (60 - 38) - 5/25/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 60-35 ATS (+21.5 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games this season.
BOSTON is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
BOSTON is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 39-20 ATS (+17.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 38-58 ATS (-25.8 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 23-48 ATS (-29.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-9 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 13-7 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 20 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 25

Boston (3-2) @ Cleveland
Home side won/covered all five series games; four of the five games stayed under the total- in last 14 games between these teams, under is 9-5. In Game 4, Hill-Smith-Thompson shot 2-14 from floor, James/Love were 17-35 but they need help!!! Rozier/Brown shot a combined 7-30 in Game 4 and Celtics still won by 13. In games 3-4, the two games in Cleveland, Cavaliers led by 20-15 points at halftime. All five games were decided by 9+ points. Boston lost five of its last six road games- they won Game 3 in Philly.

Conference finals
Cavaliers-Celtics
Bos 108-83, +1, U204.5
Bos 107-94, +1, U205.5
Clev 116-86, -6.5, U207
Clev 111-102, -7, O205
Bos 96-83, -1.5, U205

Warriors-Rockets
GState 119-106, -1.5, U225.5
Hst 127-105, -1.5, O225
GState 126-85, -7, U228
Hst 95-92, +8, U227
Hst 98-94, +1, U220




NBA

Friday, May 25

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Boston Celtics
Boston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Boston is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 14 games at home
Cleveland is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, May 25


Boston @ Cleveland

Game 709-710
May 25, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
117.295
Cleveland
126.885
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 9 1/2
207
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 7
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-7); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Playoff Essentials
May 25, 2018


Eastern Conference Finals - Game 6 - Celtics lead 3-2
Boston at Cleveland (-7, 201.5), ESPN, 8:35 ET

Hope your week went as planned. When it began on Monday, the dire circumstances that accompany Friday’s Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals once again ring true.

If the Celtics pull off the upset at Quicken Loans Arena, this might be the final time we ever see LeBron James suiting up for Cleveland. Even if they lose, it’s still possible that this will be James’ swan song playing for his hometown team since Boston gets to host Game 7.

To extend the series even that far, James must continue to at least get help at home from a supporting cast that has largely abandoned him at TD Garden. The Celtics feature young players in their rotation that you expect to struggle on the road in crucial games like these, but the Cavs don’t have that excuse.

J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson have won a championship. George Hill is closing in on 100 career playoff games. All three were awful in the 96-83 loss on Wednesday night. While James and Kevin Love managed to score 40 points while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, the three other members of Tyronn Lue’s starting lineup combined to make just two of 14 shots. They were all liabilities on the offensive end and didn’t make enough of a dent defensively to justify being out there.

That’s where Lue most went wrong in Game 6, leaving Kyle Korver on the bench after he’d been the x-factor in both of the Cavs’ home wins, shooting 9-for-12. The excuse that Semi Ojeleye’s benching threw his substitution patterns for a loop was unacceptable, lending credence to the belief that he’s putting his team at a disadvantage from a strategy standpoint against Brad Stevens.

As things stand, a Boston team that came in +220 to win the series now has two chances to win one game in order to play their way into the NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward will watch on Friday and into June if the Celtics are still playing, which means that the team with the most championships in league history may play for one more with little chance to actually win one.

That’s not to say they can’t.

Although they would be a heavier underdog than they are in this series against the Western Conference champ, the potential that they run into a Houston team playing with a compromised Chris Paul could leave the door slightly ajar for the unlikely to transpire in order to cap a postseason that had largely gone as expected considering the four teams everyone expected would survive into the conference finals did exactly that.

Entering Friday’s action, both series underdogs own 3-2 leads despite being heavy underdogs entering Game 6. Full disclosure, I’ve pledged allegiance to both Cleveland and Golden State squaring off in a fourth consecutive NBA Finals and can honestly write that I haven’t deviated from that stance despite the current long odds.

That’s only half the battle. With Chris Paul’s status now a mystery, the Warriors are actually still favored in the series despite being down. Cleveland is currently an underdog to win at all despite being a substantial favorite to push things to the limit in tonight’s game.

Chris David of VegasInsider.com believes Cleveland will force a Game 7 but he doesn’t want to back the club on the points (-7) and the money-line (-350) is a tad inflated. He did offer an alternative approach for bettors that want to back the Cavaliers in Game 6.

“I expect Cleveland to win on Friday and set up a decisive finale on Sunday, but I’m still not willing to lay seven points with a team that has buried gamblers all season at home (12-27-2 ATS) plus it’s gone 3-5 ATS at home in the playoffs. I expect this game to be a dogfight and a potential matchup on Game 7 will likely be even tighter. Rather than taking a chance on the spread or betting $100 to win $28 on the money-line, I’d rather direct my attention to the Cavaliers on the adjusted series price,” explained David.

As of Friday, Sportsbook.ag had Cleveland listed as a plus-170 underdog (Bet $100 to win $170) to win the next two games and advance to the NBA Finals. Boston is a minus-200 favorite (Bet $100 to win $50).

David added, “Along with many other pundits, I picked Cleveland to win the series and I was calling for a victory in seven games. I believe that outcome will occur and catching a positive return (+170) heading into a Game 7 will provide me with a hedge and perhaps a middle if the Cavaliers end up laying points on Sunday.”

My exact series pick of Cavs in six was doomed in Wednesday’s loss, which was particularly disappointing since Terry Rozier shot so poorly, finishing 3-for-15, including 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. For the series, he’s 5-for-31 (22.6 percent), so it’s not like he’s adequately replacing Kyrie Irving like he did in turning back Milwaukee and Philadelphia. The fact is, he’s been a liability who the Celtics have had to overcome. Considering he’s fearless and due for a big performance, Boston could just be one hot flurry away from reaching a level the Cavs can’t get to, even at home.

LeBron looked visibly fatigued in Game 5, betrayed by tell-tale signs like his hands on his hips and other clear examples of being worn out. Considering he’s been carrying such a heavy load for so long, helping secure even a No. 4 see when they probably should’ve lost the Central Division, his exhaustion is to be expected. What remains to be seen is whether he can overcome it. If he can conquer fatigue, a series deficit would be nothing new.

“James is facing elimination in a non-Game 7 situation for the tenth time since 2009,” said VegasInsider.com NBA expert Kevin Rogers. “Over the last three seasons, the Cavaliers have not had their backs against the wall against an Eastern Conference opponent. Golden State sent Cleveland to the limit four times, as the Cavs went 2-2 SU and 2-1-1 ATS.

“In the only scenario in which Cleveland was a home favorite, the Cavaliers blew out the Warriors, 115-101 in their championship season of 2016 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The last time James faced elimination against an Eastern foe came at Boston in 2012 as a member of the Heat, as Miami won by 19 points in Game 6 and eventually won the series.”

Although he’s 2-4 in attempting to try and rally his team from an 0-2 deficit, James has managed to get the job done in the conference finals against the Pistons in ’07 and the ’16 Finals vs. Golden State. Boston is 37-0 all-time after taking a 2-0 advantage. The Celtics are 1-6 on the road this postseason, suffering every loss by double-digits and barely claiming the win they managed to get.

Despite all the noise about James knowing he’s done in Cleveland and wanting no part of a 3-6 career Finals record that would likely be in his future if he manages to get his team back into the championship round, he’s been brilliant and can be counted on to show up here. For the series, he’s averaging 30.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists, shooting 53 percent from the field.

Love has averaged just 12 points over the past three games and has to fare better if the Cavs are going to pull this out. He’s performed worse at home than on the road against both the Pacers and Celtics after averaging 22 points in arguably his two most efficient games against Toronto, so nothing is a given. James is the only player who can be counted on, so betting on this game hinges on whether you believe he can raise the level of play of multiple teammates.

We’ve been treated exclusively to blowouts thus far in the conference finals. Boston has the potential to end that if it can gain its bearings early, but they were way behind in Games 3 and 4 before the first quarter ended and have dropped five of its seven road games by nine or more points.

Totals-wise, the number for Game 6 is the lowest of the series, opening at 201.5 and residing there entering Friday. The closing figure in every game thus far has been in the 204.5-207 range, typically winding up at 205-205.5. The under has prevailed in four of the five contests so it’s no surprise to see a dip since the teams combined for just 179 points in Game 5, the lowest output of the series.

Game 7, if necessary, will be played Sunday in Boston.

[StarDust Bum]

LeBron, Cavs facing win-or-else Game 6
May 24, 2018

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue was answering a question about Boston's defense on LeBron James during a teleconference when he tripped the security system at his home.

A piercing alarm sounded.

''Uh-oh,'' Lue said Thursday as he punched in a code to silence the screaming siren.

While Lue and his home were clearly safe, and the light-hearted moment passed quickly, it was also symbolic of Cleveland's urgent situation.

The Cavs are in a dangerous spot.

Beaten for the third time in Boston in these home-sweet-home Eastern Conference finals, Cleveland will face its second elimination game of the postseason on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Game 6 is for everything.

Except, of course, if there's a Game 7 on Sunday in Boston.

Fueled by fueled-up Boston fans who must feel some sort of birthright to see their cherished team play in the Finals, the youthful Celtics again showed zero fear or hesitation on their parquet floor on Wednesday night during a 96-83 win in Game 5 that was never in any doubt.

Despite shooting only 36 percent, the Celtics improved to 10-0 at home in the playoffs as coach Brad Stevens changed his starting lineup, shortened his rotation to seven and released waves of defenders at James, who looked worn down as he attempts to advance to the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year.

Lue noticed early in Game 5 that James was dragging, but he's confident the 33-year-old, who was chosen All-NBA first team for a record 12th time, will be ready to save his season and prolong what could be his final games with the Cavs.

''I know he'll be ready to play Game 6, so fatigue won't be a problem and an issue,'' Lue said. ''I'm pretty sure a lot of guys are tired during this stretch of the year. If I had to pick one guy and choose one guy to prevail, it would be LeBron. I know he'll be great come tomorrow.''

Stevens started center Aron Baynes for the first time in the series and the move helped slow James, who had been crushing the Celtics when guard Terry Rozier switched on him. Rozier fronted James and got help from Baynes, the 6-foot-10, 254-pound Australian who contributed seven rebounds, six points and attitude.

''We've got a lot of tough guys on our team,'' Stevens said. ''But I think they all will tell you Baynes is one of the toughest we've all been around.''

Now Stevens needs his team to show that same tenacity on the road, where Boston is just 1-6.

The Cavs, on the other hand, are counting on James to rebound.

He pushed as hard as he could in Game 5, but for one of the only times in what has been a transcendent 13th postseason, he couldn't summon greatness.

He didn't have his usual burst. He bent at the waist grabbing his shorts, his breathing labored. During timeouts, he wiped sweat and perhaps some frustration from his forehead.

James is tired - for good reason. His teammates are draining him.

Once again, James, who will play in his 99th game this season Friday, didn't get nearly enough help from Cleveland's other starters and Lue didn't do him any favors, either.

James had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Solid, but sub-par by his standards and he committed six turnovers and missed some makeable layups. James still managed to outscore the rest of Cleveland's starters - Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, George Hill and J.R. Smith - 26-24.

Lue inexplicably left Kyle Korver off the floor for long stretches and following the game he curiously explained that Stevens' rotation ''kind of threw us for a loop.''

Asked Thursday if he wished he had done anything differently, Lue bluntly said: ''No.''

Thankfully, he's got James, who has six 40-point games and two buzzer-beaters in these playoffs, to save the season.

He's done it once already this spring, playing through cramps and scoring 45 points in a Game 7 win over Indiana. But he's played nine games since, and gotten less and less rest as the playoffs have progressed. His body has been forced to handle more than he imagined.

James has been down 3-2 in the conference finals before. In 2012, he faced a Game 6 elimination in Boston and scored 45 points with 15 rebounds and five rebounds as Miami won.

Now he's trying to keep this flawed Cavs team alive long enough for another trip to Boston.

On Friday, James will take the floor with his future hanging in the air. His second stint with the Cavs could end this summer if he opts out of his $35.6 million contract for next season and leaves again as a free agent, a decision he can delay again with a win.

But before he picks home or Philadelphia or Los Angeles or anywhere else, he's got at least one more game in Cleveland.

Game 6.

''No question in my mind that he'll bounce back,'' Lue said.

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, MAY 25
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at CLE 08:30 PM

BOS +7.0

U 202.5

[StarDust Bum]

LeBron pushes Cavs to Game 7 vs. Celtics
May 25, 2018

CLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James chose Boston as the place he'll play next.

Game 7 is on. And any talk about James' future is on hold.

Delivering another performance for the ages, James scored 46 points and preserved his reign atop the Eastern Conference for at least one more game as the Cleveland Cavaliers shook off losing All-Star Kevin Love with a head injury and beat the Celtics 109-99 on Friday night to force a decisive climax to this back-and-forth series.

James, playing in perhaps his final game for the Cavs in Cleveland, added 11 rebounds and nine assists while playing all but two minutes - to avoid elimination and delay any decisions about where he'll continue his remarkable career next season.

''Greatness,'' Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. ''Championship pedigree. Giving it his all. We needed that, especially when Kevin went down. We had to play `Bron as many minutes as he had to. He delivered. He was up for the challenge. He carried us home as usual.''

The king is not dead, and he still has a chance to make his eighth straight NBA Finals.

This series, in which home court has meant everything, will have a fitting conclusion Sunday at TD Garden, where the Celtics are 10-0 this postseason.

''It's a Game 7,'' James said. ''It's something that you wish you had when you're done playing, but more than that, it's just basketball for me. I know what I'm capable of doing, and I'm going to trust everything I put into it.''

George Hill added 20 points, and Jeff Green 14 for the Cavs, who lost Love in the first quarter after he banged heads with Boston rookie Jayson Tatum.

Terry Rozier paced the Celtics - now 1-6 on the road - with 28 points, and Jaylen Brown had 27.

The Celtics were still within seven in the final three minutes before James made consecutive 3-pointers, punctuating the second by pounding his chest with both fists and screaming along with 20,562 others.

''The love of the game,'' James said, explaining his reaction. ''It's a feeling you can't explain.''

Just for good measure, he added a three-point play and then was taken out of the game to a rousing ovation and chants of ''Cavs in 7!''

Boston's improbable run through the postseason without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward will now take the Celtics back home, where they play with more intensity, togetherness and before fans hungry to see an 18th title banner raised to their arena's rafters.

''It's not going to be pretty,'' Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. ''We've got to come out ready to get our nose bloody and our mouth bloody. We've got to come out ready to fight. You've got to find a way, whatever it takes.''

Love went out with a head injury in the first quarter, forcing Lue to juggle his rotations and keep James on the floor longer than he wanted to. The three-time champion played the first 35 minutes without a break and then endured the final eight while nursing a right leg.

James didn't know until after the game that teammate Larry Nance Jr. had banged into him.

''I felt some pain throughout my entire right side of my ankle into my leg,'' he said. ''I was just hoping for the best, obviously, because I've seen so many different injuries, and watching basketball with that type of injury, someone fall into one's leg standing straight up. Luckily, I was able to finish the game.''

Hill, who came over in a deadline trade, has been awed by what James has done in this postseason.

''I've been in the league for some years and ran across him on the other side and really hated his guts,'' said Hill, who was on Indiana teams eliminated by James. ''But to have him on our side, it kind of lets me take a deep breath of fresh air. It's just something that you really can't explain what he's doing night in, night out. It's just something special.''

''I thought the best was when he always put us out. But to actually see it when he's on your team, I can't even put it into words.''

The real possibility that James was playing his last game in Cleveland hung over the game - and this city - in the hours leading to tip-off. Everyone had an opinion on what James will do next and that discussion filled the sports talk radio airwaves, bars and barber shops.

The 33-year-old has said several times since coming home in 2014 that he wants to retire with the Cavaliers, but fans are uneasy because he can opt out of his $35.6 million contract this summer and test free agency.

And, of course, he left in 2010.

James has said he'll sit down after the season ends to decide next move, and he's already being courted in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York where fans can only dream of him joining their rosters.

For now, he's only going to Boston.

NO LOVE

The game began ominously for the Cavs as Love was forced to leave following his violent collision with Tatum.

Love and Tatum were away from the ball and didn't see each other until it was too late. They banged heads and both immediately dropped to the floor with Love raising his left arm as if to signal he needed help.

As Love stayed down, the Cavs huddled around him. He was helped off and walked to the bench unsteadily before heading to the locker room for further treatment and evaluation.

His status for Game 7 is uncertain.

THE OTHER SIDE

Tatum stayed in following his nasty collision with Love. The rookie passed the concussion testing that he was given on the bench.

''I didn't see him coming, it was bad,'' Tatum said. ''I have a knot on the back of my head and he didn't return. I wish the best for Kevin Love because he's a great player and it's been a long season.''

PREGAME MEAL

Hill said he's played well after eating has tacos with barbacoa and guacamole before games.

''I'm for sure going to find a Chipotle in Boston, I'll tell you that,'' he said.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Own a 37-0 record when leading a series 2-0. ... Dropped to 1-4 in Game 6s over the last four postseasons. ... Coach Brad Stevens praised James for his consistency, and ability to exceed expectations. ''Nobody else has what he has on his shoulders playing the game,'' he said. ''I think that the way in which he's done that and all of the years now that he's made The Finals and gone deep into the playoffs, it's unbelievable.''

Cavaliers: Improved to 6-2 in elimination game since 2015. James has scored at least 40 in five of those wins. ... James' teams are 5-2 in Game 7s. ... This was the seventh 40-point game for James this postseason. Michael Jordan also had seven, one off Jerry West's record set in 1965. ... James passed Karl Malone (2,062) for sixth place on the career postseason rebounds list.

[StarDust Bum]

Love leaves Game 6 after banging head with Boston's Tatum
May 25, 2018

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love will miss the remainder of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals after banging heads with Boston's Jayson Tatum.

Love and Tatum inadvertently collided midway through the quarter and both dropped to the floor. Love, who missed a March 28 game at Charlotte with a concussion, immediately raised his left arm as if to signal he needed help.

He stayed down for several minutes before he was pulled to his feet. Love walked unsteadily to the bench with guard George Hill holding one of his arms. Love sat briefly before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

The Cavs said Love is being evaluated for a concussion and being kept out as a precaution.

Love was replaced by Jeff Green, who sparked the Cavs to a 54-43 halftime lead.

Tatum stayed in the game.

Love, who is in his fourth season with Cleveland and is the club's second-best player, is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY MAY 26, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Houston Rockets Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY MAY 27, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:30 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics TD Garden

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY MAY 28, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Toyota Center


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


MAY'S NBA BEST BET RECORD: ( BASED ON 5 UNITS )

05/25/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/24/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/23/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/22/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/21/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/19/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/16/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/15/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
05/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
05/13/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0,50
05/03/2018 0-4-0 0.00% -22.00
05/02/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
05/01/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50

Totals.............11-21-0........31.25%.....-59.50


BEST BETS................ATS....................UNITS.. ................O/U..............UNITS..............TOTAL

05/25/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1...............-5.50.............-11.00
05/24/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/23/2018...............1 - 0.................+5.00....................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/22/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/21/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/20/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/19/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00.............-0.50
05/16/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0- 1...............-5.50..............-11.00
05/15/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-11.00
05/14/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................0 - 1..............-5.50..............-0.50
05/13/2018...............0 - 1..................-5.50....................1 - 0..............+5.00..............-0.50
05/03/2018...............0 - 2..................-11.00..................0 - 2..............-11.00............-22.00
05/02/2018...............1 - 0..................+5.00...................1 - 0.............+5.00.............+10.00
05/01/2018...............1 - 1..................- 0.50...................0 - 2.............-11.00.............-11.50

Totals.......................5 - 11................-35.50..................6 - 10...............-25.00............-60.50