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

[StarDust Bum]

Warriors, Cavs earned fourth straight Finals the hard way
May 30, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Cleveland and Golden State were stressed and stretched to their limits in the conference finals this time around, leaving little time to recoup and prepare for their latest showdown in the NBA Finals.

''Splintered'' is how Stephen Curry described what he feared could happen in the second quarter of Game 7 at Houston, with the Warriors pushed to the brink by the Rockets.

So, Golden State held a serious team chat and got it together at last. LeBron James willed his Cavaliers back to the big stage with another spectacular performance against Boston.

''It was a special moment for us. And I think one that we'll look back, if we get the job done over these next two weeks, where, again, as an appreciation of all that goes into winning a championship,'' Curry said Wednesday, ''and doing it by committee and making sure every guy, whether you're playing well or not, or things are going your way or not, that we all bring something to the fold that have gotten us to four straight Finals.

''And we've done it by appreciating everybody that's a part of that group. I think that two and a half minutes was a special moment for us, and it should give us great momentum going into the series.''

Now, James and the Cavs and Curry and the defending champions find themselves in familiar territory, facing off in a fourth straight NBA Finals - just with far less prep time after each team played furious Game 7s on the road to get back here.

Cavs-W's, Act IV is a little bit different, indeed. Game 1 is Thursday night at Oracle Arena.

King James stands in the way of a Warriors repeat, just as he did in spoiling that quest for Golden State and leading the Cavs to a championship two years ago with a Game 7 win on the Warriors' home court, where they have currently won 17 of the last 18 postseason games.

James never counted out Golden State.

''Just going against the Warriors in the last three years in the Finals, I kind of figured or thought that they could get it done,'' he said. ''Just because of the 18 of a possible 21 Finals games that I've played against them in the last three years, I figured out that they could make it happen.''

Here are some things to watch for heading into the best-of-seven series:

JAMES' SHOT: James isn't ready to make any bold predictions about how great he might be in his eighth straight Finals.

Yet the way he prepares, there's no doubt in his mind he will be ready when the ball tips.

''The level that I can play at is to be seen, but the level that I put into the game and put into my craft is who I am,'' James said. ''So numbers and things like that kind of take care of itself. But for me, I understand and I know how much I put into the game. So everything else is OK.''

NO REST FOR THE WEARY: With only two days between games after the Warriors eliminated the Rockets 101-92 on Monday night, Draymond Green is happy to have an opponent in Cleveland he knows so well.

''In recent years we've been kind of having a week off, at most, to prepare for the Finals. It's almost a day to prepare this time,'' he said. ''So it definitely helps knowing the opponent, knowing, obviously, everything stops and starts with LeBron, and trying to do what we can to make things tough on him, but also take other guys out of the game.''

The Cavs finished their series Sunday at Boston, so James spent a relaxing Memorial Day Monday with family having a barbecue.

INJURY WOES: Both teams face significant injury concerns: Golden State defensive stopper and 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala was ruled out for Game 1 with a bone bruise in his left knee, while Cleveland's Kevin Love remains in the NBA's concussion protocol with his status uncertain.

GOLDEN STATE AMONG GREATEST: James considers Golden State among the greatest teams ever, and insists each side has earned this. James is ignoring the critics who say this annual matchup might be bad for basketball.

''Teams have had their opportunities to beat the Cavs over the last four years and teams have had opportunities to beat the Warriors over the last four years,'' James said. ''If you want to see somebody else in the postseason then you've got to beat `em.''

[StarDust Bum]

It's an annual tradition for LeBron James: The NBA Finals
May 30, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) LeBron James spent Memorial Day with his kids enjoying some barbecue. Once the grill got turned off, the television went on and he tuned in to study Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

Golden State at Houston.

James had no doubt who would win.

''Going against the Warriors in the last three years in the finals, I kind of figured or thought that they could get it done,'' James said. ''Just because of the 18 of a possible 21 finals games that I've played against them in the last three years, I figured that they could make it happen. Just their championship DNA.''

He was right. And Warriors-Cavs IV now awaits.

The NBA Finals are now as much a part of James' calendar each year as birthdays and holidays. He's always there, now eight consecutive years and counting, the last four of those with the Warriors standing in the way of James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 is Thursday night, and even with James playing at absurd levels the Cavs find themselves as significant underdogs.

James is averaging 34 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in these playoffs. Anything less than that, and he'd have a lot more time for those barbecues with his kids. And in this series, even more might be required if he's to win his fourth ring in the past seven years.

''He doesn't walk around acting like he's carrying a team, like he's carrying an organization,'' Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver said. ''He doesn't walk around like that. I mean, he knows he's LeBron James, and he knows who he is. But he's really for all of his teammates. He's always talking to guys, trying to help them get better. He's a really great leader.''

That's one of the countless areas where James has gotten better - one of the countless reasons why the finals are now an annual rite for him.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr remembers watching the last Miami-San Antonio title matchup in 2014 when the Spurs basically dared James to shoot the ball from the perimeter by sliding under every screen the Heat would set for him.

The Spurs won that series in five games. They made it look easy at times, too.

''Contrast that to now where he's shooting fadeaway 3s from 30 feet to close games out,'' Kerr said. ''I think his confidence level in his shot is the biggest thing. But I think it is pretty remarkable when you've got a guy who is already considered one of the top few players ever to play the game can make that much improvement late in his career. It's a testament to his work ethic and to his work on his skillset.''

The Warriors have more talent, by a very wide margin. They have four All-Stars - Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. They have former MVPs in Curry and Durant. They have a former Finals MVP coming off their bench, or rather they will when Andre Iguodala returns from the bone bruise that has kept him sidelined of late.

The Cavaliers have James.

That represents hope. He makes the Cavs better. He even makes the Warriors better.

''LeBron's one of those guys that in order for you to be great like that, you've got to do it, day after day after day,'' Durant said. ''A lot of people don't have that mental capacity to even think about being that great every day, you know what I'm saying? So that's inspiration right there. That's just motivation to be the best that you can be as well.''

Once that TV went on Monday night, James locked in on this series.

Around-the-clock treatment on his body Tuesday, including 4 1/2 hours of it on the team's flight to San Francisco. Treatment and workouts on Wednesday. Treatments and pregame shooting on Thursday. Then game time.

Unlike that Rockets-Warriors game, he doesn't know what will happen in Game 1.

But he's ready. He's always ready.

''The level that I can play at is to be seen, but the level that I put into the game and put into my craft is who I am,'' James said. ''So numbers and things like that kind of take care of itself. But for me, I understand and I know how much I put into the game. So everything else is OK.''

[StarDust Bum]

Andre Iguodala out for Golden State in Game 1 of NBA Finals
May 30, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State forward Andre Iguodala will be out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night as he recovers from a bone bruise in his left knee that cost him the final four games of the Western Conference finals.

The Warriors said Iguodala, who was injured in Game 3 against the Rockets on May 20, was evaluated Tuesday and is making progress but still has the bruise and inflammation of the nerve surrounding his knee. Coach Steve Kerr has said Iguodala wouldn't play until he can run without pain. He will be re-evaluated ahead of Sunday's Game 2.

Kevin Love's status for Cleveland remained unclear as he went through the concussion protocol after he was injured in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston. He wasn't scheduled to attend media day Wednesday at Oracle Arena, where the Warriors host the series opener.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Favorites for the Memorial golf tournament this weekend:

12-1— Dustin Johnson, Jason Day

14-1— Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy

16-1— Jordan Spieth, Eldrick Woods

20-1— Rickie Fowler

25-1— Henrik Stenson

33-1— Matsuyama, Reed, Leishman, Watson


**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud

13) Didn’t write about this yesterday because I was trying to fully grasp whats going on, but there are strange doings on social media this week. Apparently 76ers’ GM Bryan Colangelo was discovered to be running five burner Twitter accounts, which did various things that a GM shouldn’t be doing, like disclosing players’ medical information and ripping his predecessor.

12) 76ers put out a statement saying they’re investigating the whole thing.

Joel Embiid said “I talked to him and he said that he didn’t say that. He called me just to deny the story. Gotta believe him until proven otherwise. If true though, that would be really bad.”

One thing no one in Philly wants to do is tick off Embiid.

11) There are 30 teams in the NBA- their draft is two rounds, so that is 60 guys who will get drafted in late June.

Last I heard, 77 kids have bolted college early for the NBA; when you add in foreign players and international players, going to be lot of disappointed kids after the draft. G-League draft will have lot of recognizable names in it.

10) Cleveland Browns’ DB Demarious Randall tweeted this week that if the Cavaliers beat Golden State in the NBA Finals, he would buy everyone who re-tweeted his tweet a Cavaliers’ jersey (they cost around $100).

Well, 831,404 re-tweeted his tweet, and since Randall doesn’t make anywhere near $9M a year, he had to use the “obviously it was a joke” line, referring to his offer to buy lot of jerseys.

9) Did some research this week; looking at which umpires call the highest %age of strikes, Here is part of what I found. Most every umpire is somewhere around 17%.

Highest %age of strikes called (for starting P’s only):
Culbreth 20.8%, Greg Gibson 20.6%, Nelson 19.9%, Lentz 19.5%

8) Lowest %age of strikes called (for starting P’s only):
Reynolds 14.4%, Woodring 14.9%, Bucknor 15.4%, Welke 16.0%

7) Duke, Northwestern, Purdue are leading the race for Clemson transfer QB Hunter Johnson, who has to sit this season out, but then will have three years to play. Johnson was rated asthe #2 pro-style passer in the 2017 recruiting class

6) Cubs scored 8+ runs in seven of Jon Lester’s 11 starts.

5) Dodgers put P Kenta Maeda (hip strain) on DL.
Phillies put LF Rhys Hoskins (jaw) on DL.

4) Washington 3, Vegas 2— This is just third time since 2005 that Stanley Cup finals are tied 1-1.

3) Nevada Wolf Pack got very good news Wednesday, as the Martin twins are coming back to Reno to play another year of ball, which makes the Wolf Pack a top 20 team.

2) The baseball commissioner hinted this week that calling balls/strikes via automation isn’t impossible in the future. Does this guy even like baseball? Why would this be a good idea?

Having humans call balls/strikes is as important as having humans play the game.

Call me paranoid, but if my favorite team the A’s was playing New York in the ALCS, with the big money TV ratings for the World Series at stake, do you think I’d be trusting that someone wasn’t rigging the automated umpire to favor New York? You bet your ass I’d think that.

1) If you want a laugh, find the front page of today’s New York Post. It has a picture of two people sitting in the Oval Office, after their discussion about prison reform. I’m not going to say anything else about it, other than you can find the picture on Twitter or the Post’s website.

Read the captions above the picture; classic New York Post stuff.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Finals Game 1 betting preview and odds: Cavaliers at Warriors

Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors (-12.5, 214.5)

Series tied 0-0.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight game and the series begins Thursday night in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors won two of the first three meetings and the latest matchup will likely begin with Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (concussion) sitting out.

Cleveland star LeBron James doesn't understand why there is complaining that the two teams are one again sharing the Finals' stage. "Teams have had their opportunities to beat the Cavs over the last four years, and teams have had the opportunities to beat the Warriors over the last four years," James said at his Wednesday press conference. "If you want to see somebody else in the postseason, then you got to beat them." There also has been a lot of chatter about how James lacks a supporting case - an odd notion for a team that is in the NBA Finals and one Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn't prescribe to in the least. "You don't get to The Finals with one man, no matter how good that one man is," Kerr said at his press conference. "So we have great respect for the Cavs, their resiliency. The fact that they're here four years in a row - we know exactly how hard that is. So we're preparing for a lot more than just LeBron, that's for sure."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 11.5-point home favorites when the odds were first released Monday night and as of Wednesday night that number is up to -12.5. The total hit betting boards at 216 and has been dropped to 214.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - C K. Love (Questionable, Concussion).

Warriors - PF D. Green (Probable, Ankle), SF A. Iguodala (Out, Leg), SF C. Boucher (Out Indefinitely, Ankle).

MATCHUP CHART:



ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (62-38 SU, 40-59-1 ATS, 46-52-2 O/U): Love suffered a concussion in Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics and has yet to pass the protocol and coach Tyronn Lue doesn't know if he will be available. Love, a five-time All-Star, was seen on the practice floor Wednesday and Lue did indicate that Love will start the contest if he is cleared to play. Love's presence would alleviate some pressure off James, who is averaging 34 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in a stellar postseason.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (70-29 SU, 43-55-1 ATS, 44-54-1 O/U): Veteran defensive stopper Andre Iguodala (left leg) will miss his fifth consecutive contest, leaving Golden State without a player who typically shadows James. "Well, he was MVP of the series in 2015, largely because he took that role on of guarding LeBron, but also because of what he did offensively," Kerr told reporters in reference to Iguodala's importance. "He's doing a little bit better. Some encouraging signs, but we have ruled him out for Game 1." Kerr did the duty of guarding James will be spread among at least four players - forwards Kevin Durant and Draymond Green and guards Klay Thompson and Shaun Livingston.

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Warriors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers' last 4 road games.
* Under is 5-0 in Warriors' last 5 overall.
* Under is 8-2-2 in the last 12 meetings in Golden State.

CONSENSUS: 53 percent of pointspread bets are on the underdog Cleveland Cavaliers while 59 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Thursday, May 31


Cleveland @ Golden State

Game 501-502
May 31, 2018 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
123.624
Golden State
131.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 8
220
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 12 1/2
214
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+12 1/2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 31

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

CLEVELAND (62 - 38) at GOLDEN STATE (70 - 29) - 5/31/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 40-58 ATS (-23.8 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 24-40 ATS (-20.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 65-43 ATS (+17.7 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 67-41 ATS (+21.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 42-54 ATS (-17.4 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-48 ATS (-12.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 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 10-8 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 12-6 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, May 31

Warriors-Cavaliers meet in Finals for 4th year in row; Golden State won seven of last eight series games (6-2 vs spread). Cleveland is 1-4 vs spread in its last five visits to Oakland. Over is 4-2 in last six series games. Both teams won last series in seven games; Golden State split its last six games; under is 9-1 in their last ten games. Off days since western final give Curry/Thompson time to rest their injuries. Cavaliers won four of last five games after going down 2-0 to Boston; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Iguodala has been ruled out for the Warriors.




NBA

Thursday, May 31

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

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Golden State
Cleveland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Golden State
Cleveland is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 10 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games
Golden State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
Golden State is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Golden State is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Golden State's last 10 games when playing at home against Cleveland

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, MAY 31
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at GS 09:00 PM

CLE +12.5

O 214.5

[StarDust Bum]

James left in disbelief after brilliant Game 1 performance
June 1, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) LeBron James defied belief with another brilliant playoff performance and was in utter disbelief at teammate J.R. Smith and the officials about key plays down the stretch that sent the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-114 loss to Golden State in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

James posted the first 50-point game in the finals since Michael Jordan did it 25 years ago and had the Cavaliers in position to stun the heavily favored Warriors in the opener before Smith's blunder turned the tide in Golden State's favor.

James finished with 51 points and had the Cavaliers in position to win when his pass down low to George Hill drew a foul on Klay Thompson with 4.6 seconds left and Cleveland trailing 107-106. Hill hit the first shot to tie the game but missed the second.

Smith secured the rebound but dribbled to half court, thinking that Cleveland was leading the game. James was calling for the ball that entire time and could only hold his arms out in shock before walking back to the huddle for overtime.

The Warriors then scored on their first possession of overtime when Durant drew a foul from Hill that upset James once again and never looked back, outscoring Cleveland 124-114 in the extra session.

The game ended with James jawing with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and then teammate Tristan Thompson getting ejected for a flagrant foul when he hit Draymond Green with the ball.

There were several calls down the stretch that angered James. He appeared to make a clean strip on Keven Durant that was called a foul and then he was visibly upset when he didn't get a call on a drive on the other end.

Then after James drove past Stephen Curry for a three-point play that put Cleveland up 104-102 with 50 seconds left, he appeared to draw a charge on Durant. But officials went to the replay and changed the call to a block.

James answered with an impressive drive, changing hands in midair before scoring to give the Cavs the lead. But it wasn't enough when Curry answered with a three-point play and Smith made his blunder.

The opener of the fourth straight finals between these teams followed a familiar script with the deeper Warriors overcoming a sensational individually effort by James the way they did in winning the past two titles.

James had his highest-scoring playoff game ever, tied Jerry West for the most 40-point games in a single postseason with eight and almost single-handedly led the Cavs to the win.

He made 19 of 32 shots, added eight rebounds and eight assists and played nearly 48 minutes for a third straight game.

But the lasting image of this game will be of James calling for the ball behind the 3-point line as Smith dribbled out the clock in a play reminiscent of one made by Dallas' Derek Harper in a playoff loss to the Lakers 34 years ago.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:00 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Golden State Warriors ORACLE Arena

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 6, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
9:00 PM Golden State Warriors Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena


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

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS
1- 0
05/31/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00


TOTALS............2-0-0 100.00% +10.00


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

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

05/31/2018....................1 - 0....................+5.00......................1 - 0...................+5.00..........+10.00


TOTALS...........................1- 0.....................+5.00......................1 - 0...................+5.00.........+10.00

[StarDust Bum]

James in disbelief after Game 1
June 1, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) LeBron James defied belief with another brilliant playoff performance and was in utter disbelief at teammate J.R. Smith and the officials about key plays down the stretch that sent the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-114 loss to Golden State in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

James posted the first 50-point game in the finals since Michael Jordan did it 25 years ago and had the Cavaliers in position to stun the heavily favored Warriors in the opener before Smith's blunder turned the tide in Golden State's favor.

James finished with 51 points and had the Cavaliers in position to win when his pass down low to George Hill drew a foul on Klay Thompson with 4.6 seconds left and Cleveland trailing 107-106. Hill hit the first shot to tie the game but missed the second.

Smith secured the rebound but dribbled to half court, thinking that Cleveland was leading the game. James was calling for the ball that entire time and could only hold his arms out in shock before walking back to the huddle for overtime.

The Warriors then scored on their first possession of overtime when Durant drew a foul from Hill that upset James once again and never looked back, outscoring Cleveland 124-114 in the extra session.

The game ended with James jawing with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and then teammate Tristan Thompson getting ejected for a flagrant foul when he hit Draymond Green with the ball.

There were several calls down the stretch that angered James. He appeared to make a clean strip on Keven Durant that was called a foul and then he was visibly upset when he didn't get a call on a drive on the other end.

Then after James drove past Stephen Curry for a three-point play that put Cleveland up 104-102 with 50 seconds left, he appeared to draw a charge on Durant. But officials went to the replay and changed the call to a block.

James answered with an impressive drive, changing hands in midair before scoring to give the Cavs the lead. But it wasn't enough when Curry answered with a three-point play and Smith made his blunder.

The opener of the fourth straight finals between these teams followed a familiar script with the deeper Warriors overcoming a sensational individually effort by James the way they did in winning the past two titles.

James had his highest-scoring playoff game ever, tied Jerry West for the most 40-point games in a single postseason with eight and almost single-handedly led the Cavs to the win.

He made 19 of 32 shots, added eight rebounds and eight assists and played nearly 48 minutes for a third straight game.

But the lasting image of this game will be of James calling for the ball behind the 3-point line as Smith dribbled out the clock in a play reminiscent of one made by Dallas' Derek Harper in a playoff loss to the Lakers 34 years ago.

[StarDust Bum]

Nola, Phillies spoil Kershaw's return
June 1, 2018

LOS ANGELES (AP) Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.

Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.

Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.

Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk.

Alfaro, who had an RBI single in the second, broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning when he doubled to the wall in right-center field off Fields (2-2). He was thrown out at third base trying to extend the hit to a triple.

ASTROS 4, RED SOX 2

HOUSTON (AP) - Carlos Correa snapped an 0-for-10 slump with a two-run homer in the first and Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick had an RBI each to help Houston beat Boston.

Lance McCullers (7-3) allowed four hits and two runs in six innings to help the Astros win this rematch of last year's ALDS, which Houston won in four games.

Ken Giles gave up a single to Sandy Leon with two outs in the ninth before walking Jackie Bradley Jr., but Marisnick grabbed a fly ball hit by Blake Swihart to end it and give Giles his 10th save.

Boston's Drew Pomeranz (1-4) allowed six hits and four runs in five innings after failing to pitch longer than four innings in his past three starts. The Red Sox, playing without Mookie Betts (soreness in left side) for fifth straight game as well as Dustin Pedroia, snapped a three-game winning streak.

BRAVES 4, NATIONALS 2

ATLANTA (AP) - Sean Newcomb pitched seven strong innings for his sixth straight win, leading Atlanta back into first place in the NL East.

The Braves snapped Washington's six-game winning streak and reclaimed first place by a half-game over the Nationals.

Newcomb (6-1) was roughed up by the Nationals in his season debut April 2. Since then, he's 6-0 with a sparkling 2.16 ERA in 10 starts.

Anthony Rendon drove in in both Washington runs with a sacrifice fly in the first and an RBI single in the third. Newcomb was dominant the rest of the way , retiring 14 of 15 hitters before he was lifted for a pinch hitter after a 1-2-3 seventh. He threw 93 pitches - 61 for strikes.

The Braves went ahead for good in the bottom of the third off Tanner Roark (2-5).

Arodys Vizcaino got the last three outs for his 10th save in 12 chances.

TIGERS 6, ANGELS 2

DETROIT (AP) - Victor Reyes hit a three-run triple in the five-run first to lead Detroit.

Tigers starter Ryan Carpenter was on pace to pick up his first career victory, but left the game after four innings with an oblique strain.

Warwick Saupold (3-1) replaced Carpenter and pitched two perfect innings. Carpenter gave up one run and five hits.

Andrew Heaney (2-4) allowed five runs and eight hits over five innings. He had given up a total of six runs over his previous six starts.

CARDINALS 10, PIRATES 8

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Yairo Munoz hit a three-run, game-ending homer to cap St. Louis' five-run ninth inning .

Munoz ripped the first pitch from closer Felipe Vazquez (2-2) over the wall in center field to give St. Louis its sixth walk-off win of the season.

Francisco Cervelli hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth to give the Pirates an 8-5 lead. However, Pittsburgh couldn't hold on and lost in St. Louis for the fifth straight time and 12th in the last 14.

Josh Bell also homered for the Pirates

Mike Mayers (2-0) picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

INDIANS 9, TWINS 8

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Francisco Lindor's second home run of the game snapped an eighth-inning tie after Minnesota erased an eight-run deficit, and Cleveland held on for the win.

Lindor also hit two doubles and drove in four runs for the Indians, who stretched their winning streak to a season-best six straight games despite another wobbly performance by their bullpen until Cody Allen finished by getting the final four outs - his ninth save in 10 opportunities.

Tyler Olson (1-1) got the last two outs of the eighth.

In the next inning, Lindor straightened the Indians out with his one-out drive off Addison Reed (1-4). The star shortstop became the first player in the major leagues since Adrian Beltre for Seattle in 2007 to hit two doubles and two homers in two different games in one season.

The Twins lost for the seventh time in their last eight games.ATHLETICS 7, RAYS 3

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Daniel Mengden allowed three runs over eight innings and Oakland avoided a four-game sweep.

Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Matt Joyce all homered, providing some much-needed punch to an offense that had sputtered since their leading home-run hitter Khris Davis went on the disabled list 10 days earlier.

Davis was activated before the game and doubled and scored as part of a three-run second inning to help Oakland end a three-game losing streak.

Joey Wendle had three hits for Tampa Bay.

Mengden (6-4) gave up six hits, struck out five and extended his scoreless streak to a career-high 25 innings before giving a two-run double to Wilson Ramos in the ninth. Blake Treinen got the last out for his 13th save.

Ryne Stanek (1-1) started for Tampa Bay and retired four batters in his second major league start.

CUBS 5, METS 1

NEW YORK (AP) - Jose Quintana pitched six shutout innings, Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer and Chicago won the opener of a four-game series.

Zobrist also doubled and singled in the leadoff spot as the Cubs won for the fourth time in five games. Chicago improved to 2-8 at Citi Field since the 2015 NL Championship Series.

An inconsistent Quintana (6-4) continued his run of strong starts following poor ones. The left-hander allowed three hits and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third when he threw a called third strike past Jose Bautista and retired cleanup man Michael Conforto on a grounder.

Quintana struck out six and walked two on a foggy, misty night in Queens. Brandon Morrow, the fourth Chicago reliever, needed only two pitches to earn his 13th save.

Brandon Nimmo hit his career-high sixth home run in the eighth for the Mets, off Brian Duensing.

The Mets have lost eight of 11 since a four-game winning streak.

Zobrist went deep against Hansel Robles (2-2) with two outs in the fifth.

PADRES 8, MARLINS 3

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Christian Villanueva hit his 15th home run, Jordan Lyles pitched seven solid innings and San Diego won its third straight.

Villanueva's homer total before June 1 is the most by a National League rookie since St. Louis' Albert Pujols hit 16 in 2001. His power surge has helped the Padres win four of their last six games.

After taking a perfect game into the eighth inning in his last start at Petco Park, Lyles (2-1) wasn't as dominant against the Marlins. But he limited them to two runs and six hits while walking one and striking out seven in his fifth start after 13 appearances out of the bullpen.

Brad Hand got the last out with the bases loaded for his 17th save after.

Derek Dietrich homered off Kirby Yates in the eighth for Miami.

Wei-Yin Chen (1-3) got just five outs in his shortest stint of the season. He allowed four runs and four hits, and walked two and struck out four.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Over/under totals for TD passes thrown this season:

27.5— Carson Wentz

26.5— Kirk Cousins

22.5— Alex Smith

21.5— Patrick Mahomes

20.5— Case Keenum

3.5— Nick Foles


**********

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

13) Sports betting starts in Delaware Tuesday; a vote is scheduled in New Jersey for Thursday and when that passes, it’ll start in the Garden State soon after that.

12) In 1971, Nike changed its name from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike; a college student named Carolyn Davidson designed the now-famous swoosh logo. She was paid $35 and a few shares of Nike stock for her artwork. She should’ve held out for more.

11) A televangelist from Louisiana says Jesus has asked his followers to buy a new private jet- this one costs a mere $54M. The guy already has three other jets.

Oy.

10) Shohei Ohtani in day games: 4-0, 2.18, Angels won all five of his daytime starts.

Shohei Ohtani in night games: 0-1, 5.84, Angels lost two of his three night starts.

9) Former NFL coach Mike Martz will coach the San Diego team in the new AAF next spring, which means San Diego will score a lot of points and waste a lot of timeouts.

8) Joe Namath turned 75 years old this week; QB of the Jets who won Super Bowl III that made the AFL-NFL merger happen. Namath became a hideously overrated player because he won a title for a team in New York City- the playoff games he won that year were the only playoff games he ever won, but he also turned out to be a really nice guy who is always pleasant with fans and is a really good ambassador for the game.

7) There was an odd play early in the Phillies-Dodgers game Thursday; Mikael Franco tried to score from second on a single, the throw bounced away from the catcher, but Franco never touched home plate, in fact, he never came close to touching it.

No one said anything, the run scored and the game went on.

6) Carlos Torres was the ump for the Rays-A’s game Thursday; someone needs to tell him to call some damn strikes. He was squeezing both pitchers badly; the game is better if the ball is in play more. Get the hitters swinging the bat.

5) Baseball players get hurt a lot:
— Cardinals P Alex Reyes (lat strain) goes on the DL
— Clayton Kershaw will have an MRI on his back tomorrow.

4) St. John’s poached Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron; with the Big East expected to be a little down next winter, Red Storm could make some noise in conference for first time in a while.

3) Phillies 2, Dodgers 1— Bad news for LA; Clayton Kershaw’s back tightened up during this game and he’ll have an MRI on it.

2) Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114— Golden State wins Game 1 in OT, overcoming Lebron James’ 51 points— he also had 8 rebounds, 8 assists.

This game didn’t sell out in Oakland, which is surprising. Golden State won, which isn’t surprising.

1) JR Smith rebounded a missed free throw in a tie game with 0:04.7 left; instead of shooting the ball, he dribbled it out, thinking Cleveland was ahead by a point. Whoops.

Smith was -20 in his 38:00 on the court, the worst plus/minus of anyone in the game. In the 15:00 Smith sat out, the Cavaliers were +7.

A guy who has played 13 years in the NBA didn’t know the score of a tie game with 0:04.7 left. That not good, especially if you bet the under.

[StarDust Bum]

Replay overturn plays key role in G1
June 1, 2018

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Block or charge?

One of the most difficult calls to make in the split second of fast-paced NBA action helped swing Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Golden State's favor. Officials went to a replay review because they weren't sure if LeBron James' feet were outside the restricted area when Kevin Durant slammed into him in the final minute of regulation in a game Cleveland lost 124-114 in overtime Thursday night.

The play came with about 30 seconds left and the Cavaliers leading 104-102 after James converted a three-point play as part of a 51-point night.

The initial signal was for a charge, which would have given Cleveland the ball. But the officials then called for a replay, as NBA rules allow for that type of play in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime.

''We were told they were reviewing if I had my feet outside the line,'' James said. ''And when I knew that, I was like, OK, that's going to be our ball. I knew I was outside the charge line, so that's what the communication was to us. We were over on the sideline, drawing up a play, you know, to try to execute, try to go up a couple possessions.''

During the replay, officials can also look to determine if the defensive player was in a legal guarding position, and they decided James wasn't.

''It was determined he was out of the restricted area, but he was not in a legal guarding position prior to Durant's separate shooting motion,'' referee Ken Mauer told a pool reporter. ''So we had to change it to a blocking foul.''

The overturn angered the Cavaliers, who were upset the call even went to review because they felt James was clearly outside the restricted area.

''It doesn't make sense to go review something if the review is if he's on the line or if he's close to the charge circle, that's the review. He wasn't close,'' coach Tyronn Lue said. ''So what are we reviewing? Either call a blocking foul or call an offensive foul. For our team to come out and play their hearts out and compete the way we did, man, I mean, it's bad.

''It's never been done before where you know he's outside the restricted, and then you go there and overturn the call and say it's a block. It's never been done, ever, in the history of the game. And then tonight in the finals on the biggest stage, when our team played well, played our (butt) off, man, it ain't right. It ain't right.''

Durant said he had seen that play reviewed before and was confident he would get the call once officials looked at the replay.

''I knew that. I knew he was late on the drive, and I knew I had my man beat and he came over a little late,'' he said. ''So when they called the charge, I was surprised, but I'm glad they reviewed it.''

While James was moving when Durant left the ground, he still believed he was in a legal position and should have gotten the call even after it went to replay.

''I thought I read that play just as well as I read any play in my career, defensively,'' he said. ''I saw the drive, I was outside the charge line, I stepped in, took the contact. It's a huge play. It's a huge play.''

Durant made both foul shots to tie the game.

[StarDust Bum]

Cavs putting up a fight
June 1, 2018

NBA Finals - WE HAVE A SERIES

Great games inevitably come down to singular moments that forever encapsulate the moment, and nothing will be more memorable in Game 1 of the NBA Finals than J.R. Smith trying to dribble out a tie game because he forgot the damn score. Never change, Swish. Please, for the love of god, always do you.

I’ve been telling everyone that will listen that the NBA Finals will be far more compelling than people realize for simple reason that it’s potentially the greatest team of all time clashing with potentially the greatest player to ever exist. And Game 1 delivered in so many ways that it’s not even fathomable at this very moment.

LeBron scored 51 points in a loss. FIFTY-ONE POINTS. Steph Curry hit a wide open three at the buzzer to tie the game at the half while ending with 29-9-6 of his own. The Cavaliers were great, and people won’t even have noticed that Kevin Love notched a double-double. They were ferocious from the onset, and were one of the only teams to really hold off the Warriors in the third quarter. Hell, even Tristan Thompson got ejected! The Warriors almost eventually covered a -12.5 point line thanks to Cleveland blowing it in overtime. So. Much. Drama!

In many ways, this game delivered the promise that the NBA Finals always does – thrilling basketball. This series may end up being a sweep. It might go five games. The Warriors are going to win. But it’s going to be fun to watch, and Cleveland has found a scheme that can at least keep them competitive.

By the way, if you weren’t betting on the Game 1 props (which I pretty much nailed, in part thanks to overtime) then you should get on the second batch coming up for Sunday’s mega tilt.

Let’s look at this from the important angles as we barrel in to Sunday’s game. Cleveland not only covered the spread, they nearly won the game if not for J.R. Smith being an idiot and saving George Hill from scrutiny for missing a free-throw that might’ve actually won the game. If anyone was a sore spot for the Cavaliers, it was Hill who continued to be embarrassing with just 7 points and a horrendous effort on defence.

But there are so many bright sides here for Cleveland. First of all, Kevin Love looked engaged and was mightily effective despite going just 1-for-8 from distance. The Cavaliers had a definitive plan to get him involved, and Love was relatively effective, while shooting 9-for-20 from the field. Even Larry Nance Jr. was getting to the rim when he needed to, and was monstrously effective as a rebounder with 11 boards total.

The hard part is accepting that the brunt of scoring by Cleveland was done by LeBron James. Listen, this isn’t Jeff Green unloading 35 points randomly. This is the King. He doesn’t just kiss the sky, he lives up there. He can do that again only because he has to. The freedom he’s enjoying without Andre Igoudala in front of him is obvious. Honestly, if there were anyone else on the planet – including Kevin Durant – I’d be skeptical. James has earned your faith as a 40+ scorer each and every night.

The OVER was slammed because of the 24 points scored in overtime, but it was set at an incredulous 217.5 mark to begin with. If anything, you have to assume that Game 2 is ending in regulation and that means that the actual TOTAL is going to sit right on the rim in Game 2. Even then, it’s hard to convince yourself that the Cavaliers are going to stay in this fight.

Or is it? Look at what they’ve done in these playoffs alone from a birds eye view. Lost to Indiana handedly in Game 1 and then squeaked through in Game 2 and eventually won the series. Survived Toronto in Game 1 and then swept the series. Destroyed by Boston so badly in the two opening matchups that people thought they were done, and came back to win in seven.

This is not a Cleveland team that is going to go peacefully. LeBron James against a double-digit line isn’t necessarily even money because the team that’s laying those points is Golden State, but you almost have to take it.

A one win advantage has nearly doubled the series price on the Warriors to win the NBA Finals to -1750 from -1000, while the Cavaliers have merely inched up to +850 to steal the series somehow someway. I’m not saying that they’re going to do that, because you’d have to be a lunatic to think that Cleveland is going to win this series (or Damarious Randall). I’d be saying that even if Hill hit that free throw or J.R. Smith wasn’t a complete blockhead.

What I’m thankful for more than anything is that we have a series on our hands. It’s one that is going to be absolutely amazing. For all the glitz and glamor that Golden State paraded on the court during Game 1, the one thing you have to know is that they pretty much played at their ceiling…and nearly lost. This is a gettable team, and more so than any other time because Igoudala is that important how they play defence.

That’s why you’re betting on Cleveland again in Game 2, while holding the UNDER. It’s not that LeBron won’t have a great game, because he will. But you can expect a better matchup from his teammates, and the same somewhat leaky defence from Golden State that doesn’t have a way of slowing down the tidal force that LeBron breaks out.

This is the series we were all hoping for, and no matter the result of Game 2, I’m going to be glued to the television enjoying every second of what unfolds. LeBron is the greatest underdog bet of all time, and you’d be foolish to underestimate how much of a difference maker he can be. Yes, even against Golden State.

Game 2 NBA Finals – Cleveland +12.0 over Golden State (UNDER 215.5)

[StarDust Bum]

Game 2 - Top Wager
June 1, 2018

NBA Finals - Game 2
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The Golden State Warriors played with fire in Game 1 and were lucky not to get burned. The Cleveland Cavaliers had two chances to win the game at the end of regulation but couldn’t get it done and Golden State dominated in overtime to claim the victory. The Warriors can take a strong lead in this series by taking care of business once again in Game 2.

Golden State is at home again and will be the favorites to win the back-to-back contests. LeBron James had another dominant performance and will need to keep it up in order to give his team a chance to pull the upset.

Cleveland may have missed its chance to steal a game in Oakland. The Warriors hope to control Game 2 better in NBA basketball betting.

Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals is on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The contest will be nationally televised on ABC.

We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Odds Analysis

The Warriors were big favorites in Game 1, as the spread moved up to 13 points before the tip. The Cavaliers actually barely covered despite the game going to overtime, but they were close throughout. In Game 2 the oddsmakers are thinking similarly as the Warriors have opened up as 12-point favorites. About 73 percent of the early action is on Cleveland to cover again.

The scoring total is listed at 216 points with the “under” the more popular pick.

Golden State is listed as the -900 favorite on the moneyline to claim Game 2, while the Cavaliers are listed as +614 underdogs. Cleveland almost paid off nicely on the moneyline last time out but couldn’t quite pull out the win.

Last Time Out

James had 51 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Cavs needed just one more point late in regulation to pull out the win. But George Hill missed the game-tying free throw and then J.R. Smith inexplicably brought the offensive rebound out as time expired instead of laying it back up.

The Warriors dominated in overtime to claim the 124-114 win. Steph Curry had 29 points while Draymond Green added 13 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and five steals. Kevin Durant wasn’t great but did finish with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists,
The Cavaliers got a boost from the return of Kevin Love, who missed Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a concussion. He had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the contest.

Injury Report

Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson left the game momentarily in the first half due to a leg injury but returned and played the rest of the way. He was solid, finishing with 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting.

James got hit in the eye by Green in Game 1 and it was red in the second half. James fought through it and it does not figure to be an issue moving forward.

Golden State was without small forward Andre Iguodala, who missed a fifth consecutive game with a knee injury. He wants to get back badly but it’s unknown when he will be available. The Warriors have been cycling through different players as the fifth man in crunch time alongside the stars Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green.

Free NBA ATS Picks

The spread was much too high in Game 1, and the Cavaliers proved that by exchanging blow for blow with the Warriors from start to finish. It remains to be seen, though, if Cleveland expended too much energy in that one and can bounce back both physically and mentally.

James may be due for a letdown as he has been playing at an unbelievably high level and even the best players have mediocre performances. Take the Warriors to jump out to an early lead and cruise to the victory, covering the spread along the way in NBA basketball wagering.

Best Bet: Warriors 118, Cavaliers 102