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

[StarDust Bum]

Top NBA ATS Teams:

1. Celtics 17-4-1 ATS
2. Sixers 14-5 ATS
3. Pistons 13-5-1 ATS
4. Nets 13-7 ATS
5. Pacers 13-8 ATS
t6. Knicks 12-8 ATS
t6. Pelicans 12-8 ATS
8. Twolves 11-8 ATS
9. Rockets 11-9 ATS
10. Jazz 11-10 ATS

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Thursday
November 30, 2017

Game of the Night – Milwaukee (10-9 SU, 8-9-2 ATS at Portland (13-8 SU, 8-11-2 ATS)

These clubs battled in the first week of the season from the BMO Harris Bradley Center and it looked like Portland was going to remain undefeated at 3-0. The Trail Blazers led the Bucks 110-109 late in the fourth quarter and they had possession. Then, Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo took over the game with a steal and game-winning dunk and Milwaukee snuck out with a 113-110 victory as a three-point home favorite.

Fast forward to Thursday’s rematch in Portland and the oddsmakers have installed the Trail Blazers as three-point home favorites.

Portland enters this game with momentum again, winners in three straight and seven of its last nine games. The club just finished off a 4-1 road trip and the first game back at home is never an easy matchup but the Blazers have been off since Monday.

If you haven’t followed the Trail Blazers this season, then you’re probably not aware that they’ve become much better defensively. The unit is ranked first in field goal defense (43.3%) and third in scoring defense (98.8 PPG). Last season, they allowed 109 PPG which was ranked 25th in the league.

While the defense has improved, Portland has taken a step back this season. It’s averaging 103.2 PPG compared to 107.6 PPG and that production has led to a league-best 15-6 ‘under’ mark. The club is expected to get forward Al-Farouq Aminu back in the lineup tonight after missing 13 games and while he’s not well known to many, he can spread the floor and take the pressure off the talented backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

The Bucks will counter the Blazers top pair tonight with point guard Eric Bledsoe, who they acquired via trade from the Suns in early November. Since he’s been in the lineup, Milwaukee has gone 6-3 and that includes a 112-87 win at Sacramento on Tuesday.

Even with Bledsoe, the Bucks have been a tough team to figure out and their 5-5 record (5-4-1 ATS) on the road sums that statement up. Including the win over Portland, the Bucks have gone 6-3 versus the West this season.

The Trail Blazers have gone 7-4 at the Moda Center this season but they’ve won their last three games while holding opponents to 88.6 PPG. The ‘under’ has gone 9-2 at home this season. Tonight’s total opened 200 ½ and was listed as high as 203 this morning. The low side is on a 5-2 run in this series and that includes the last three games between the pair played in Portland.

Tip-off is slated for 10:05 p.m. ET and NBATV will provide national coverage.

Along with this matchup, we have four other games slated in the NBA on Thursday.

Philadelphia (11-8 SU, 14-5 ATS) at Boston (18-4 SU, 17-4-1 ATS)

This had potential to be a great game but the 76ers are expected to give center Joel Embiid the night off with the team facing a back-to-back spot. Last night, Philadelphia defeated Washington 118-113 but failed to cover as a seven-point home favorite. The win came two days after the 76ers were blasted by 22 points (113-91) at home on Monday to the Cavaliers. This will be the second game this season for Philadelphia on zero days rest and the first outcome was a 128-94 blowout loss at Toronto and Embiid didn’t suit up in the loss.

Since winning 16 straight, the Celtics have gone 2-2 both SU and ATS which includes a 118-108 home loss to the Pistons on Monday. Despite the setback, Boston has gone 8-2 SU and 7-2-1 ATS at TD Garden this season. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 102-92 on Oct. 20 as three-point road underdogs and that win improved their record to 12-1 in the last 13 meetings.

It’s hard to make a case for the 76ers without Embiid and Philadelphia hasn’t been great against opponents above .500 (5-7) this season. Also, Boston is 4-0 versus teams in the Atlantic Division while Philadelphia remains winless (0-2). NBATV will provide national coverage of this game at 7:35 p.m. ET.

Cleveland (14-7 SU, 8-12-1 ATS) at Atlanta (4-16 SU, 8-11-1 ATS)

The Cavaliers opened as 7 ½-point road favorites in this matchup and I thought the line would be a tad higher based on their form and the clear-cut edge in talent they have over the Hawks. Cleveland has won nine straight (5-4 ATS) and five of those wins came on the road.

Atlanta has four wins on the season and it averaged 119 PPG in those victories which tells you that it can’t beat anybody unless it shoots lights out. Ironically, one of those victories for the Hawks came in a 117-115 result at Cleveland on Nov. 5 as 11 ½-point road underdogs. Can the Hawks capture lightning in a bottle again? Including the recent win, Atlanta is 4-1 both SU and ATS in its last five meetings against Cleveland while the ‘over’ has gone 5-0.

Even though the Cavs have been much better defensively (101 PPG) during their winning streak, the Hawks own the best ‘over’ mark (7-2) at home this season and I would expect a hot pace in this spot.

Chicago (3-16 SU, 8-10-1 ATS) at Denver (11-9 SU, 8-12 ATS)

The Bulls (+11) are catching a healthy number again and this will likely be the ninth time this season that the club closes as double-digit ‘dogs. Chicago has gone 0-8 in this role so far and a 4-4 ATS mark isn’t horrible but a couple of those losses watched them get drubbed by 39 and 49 points to the Spurs and Warriors respectively.

Denver certainly isn’t in the same class as that pair, but it has won its last five games (4-1 ATS) when laying 10-plus points. I like Mike Malone as a coach and while he’s got a young team that is now short-handed (Paul Millsap injury), they bounce back quickly. The Nuggets just had a rough loss on Tuesday at Utah (106-77) but the club has only dropped back-to-back games once this season. Off a loss, Denver has gone 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS.

A couple other reasons you could lay the points tonight – Denver owns an 8-4 record vs. sub .500 teams and they’ve won six of their last seven games versus foes from the East. Meanwhile, Chicago is a dreadful 0-10 against the West this season and it’s 1-9 ATS in those games with nine of the setbacks decided by double digits. Now you see why Denver is a healthy favorite.

Utah (10-11 SU, 11-10 ATS) at L.A. Clippers (8-11 SU, 8-11 ATS)

These teams met on Oct. 24 from the Staples Center and the Clippers captured a 102-84 win over the Jazz as five-point home favorites. Blake Griffin (22, 9, 6) and Patrick Beverly (19, 4, 5) and combined for 41 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the win. I mention the pair because L.A. lost Beverly for the season due to a knee injury on Nov. 20 and Griffin just went down with a knee sprain in Monday’s win 120-115 win over the Lakers. He’s expected to miss up to two months.

Along with those guys, key offseason acquisitions Danilo Gallinari (hip) and Milos Teodosic (foot) aren’t expected back until late December. Utah was dealt an injury blow this season as well with center Rudy Gobert (knee) going down in early November and he’s not expected back until January at the earliest. Also, Rodney Hood (ankle) sat out Tuesday’s win over Denver and is ‘questionable’ for Thursday.

Despite all the absences, both clubs bring three-game winning streaks into this matchup and guessing who will win their fourth is a toss-up. If Hood plays for the Jazz, I would expect Utah to close as a short road favorite.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at ATL 07:30 PM
CLE -7.0

PHI at BOS 07:30 PM
PHI +9.0
O 211.5

CHI at DEN 09:00 PM
DEN -10.5
U 209.5

MIL at POR 10:00 PM
POR -3.0

UTA at LAC 10:30 PM
UTA -2.0
U 200.0

[StarDust Bum]

NBA roundup: Cavs clip Hawks for 10th straight win
November 30, 2017

ATLANTA -- Cleveland's defense wasn't what it had been during most of its winning streak, but a season-best 18 3-pointers in 39 attempts were enough to carry the Cavaliers past the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on Thursday for their 10th consecutive victory.

Kevin Love had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and LeBron James had 24 points and 12 assists as Cleveland held on despite a scare from Atlanta.

The Hawks, down by 12 points late in the third quarter, closed to 113-112 on two free throws by Ersan Ilyasova, but James hit a 3-pointer with just under two minutes left to help the Cavaliers regain control.

Dennis Schroder had 27 points and Ilyasova 22 for Atlanta.

Celtics 108, 76ers 97

BOSTON -- Kyrie Irving scored 36 points to power Boston over undermanned but feisty Philadelphia.

Irving and Marcus Morris keyed a 17-7 fourth-quarter run that broke the game open and gave the Celtics a ninth win in their last 10 home games. It was also the seventh straight TD Garden victory for Boston over the 76ers.

The Celtics' Al Horford had 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Morris finished with 17 points off the bench, one off his season high. He scored six straight points late in the third quarter and seven more during the fourth-quarter spurt. Dario Saric led Philadelphia with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Nuggets 111, Bulls 110

DENVER -- Will Barton hit a driving layup with 3.2 seconds left to finish with a career-high 37 points, and Denver overcame Nikola Jokic's ankle injury to pull out a win over Chicago.

Barton scored six points in the final 45 seconds to rescue the Nuggets against the team with the worst record in the NBA. Gary Harris scored 21 for Denver.

Jokic was hurt with 44 seconds left in the first half. He went to the locker room for X-rays and didn't return. Lauri Markkanen had 20 points and nine rebounds, Robin Lopez also scored 20 and Kris Dunn had 19 points for the Bulls, who lost their seventh straight game.

Jazz 126, Clippers 107

LOS ANGELES -- Alec Burks scored 28 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 24 as Utah moved their win streak to four games with a victory over Los Angeles.

The Jazz improved to 2-7 away from home this year, with the other victory coming at Orlando on Nov. 18. It was only the fourth time Utah defeated the Clippers in the past 23 meetings.

Austin Rivers scored a season-high 25 points for Los Angeles, which saw its three-game win streak come to an end. Lou Williams scored 20 points for the Clippers, while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 16 rebounds and added eight points.

Bucks 103, Trail Blazers 91

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Khris Middleton scored 26 points and Eric Bledsoe added 25 as Milwaukee defeated Portland.

Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots for the Bucks. Bledsoe scored 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting to lead Milwaukee to a 60-45 halftime edge.

Jusuf Nurkic collected 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Damian Lillard had 18 points, seven boards and seven assists for the Trail Blazers, who saw their three-game win streak end.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA notebook: Heat C Whiteside sidelined with knee injury
November 30, 2017

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside will miss at least one week after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.

Whiteside was injured during Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. He underwent an MRI on Thursday and that is when the seriousness of the injury was detected.

The Heat said Whiteside's rehab process will include a strength and conditioning program over the next one to two weeks. The first game Whiteside will miss is Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Whiteside is averaging 14.9 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game this season. He ranks third in the NBA in rebounding.

--Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross will miss "a significant amount of time" after being diagnosed with a sprained MCL and a non-displaced fracture of his right tibial plateau, the team announced.

Ross sustained the injury while attempting to challenge Russell Westbrook's drive to the basket with 4:38 left in the second quarter in Wednesday's 121-108 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 26-year-old Ross was averaging 9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists while playing in all 22 games this season for the Magic.

--An MRI on New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis' injured right ankle was negative.

Porzingis sustained the injury after Miami forward Justise Winslow stepped on his right foot during the first quarter of Wednesday's 115-86 win over the Heat.

Porzingis averages 25.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and a league-best 2.1 blocks per game this season.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Detroit Pistons Washington Wizards Capital One Arena
7:00 PM Golden State Warriors Orlando Magic Amway Center
7:30 PM Indiana Pacers Toronto Raptors Air Canada Centre
8:00 PM Charlotte Hornets Miami Heat AmericanAirlines Arena
8:00 PM Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena
8:00 PM Sacramento Kings Chicago Bulls United Center
8:00 PM San Antonio Spurs Memphis Grizzlies FedExForum
9:00 PM New Orleans Pelicans Utah Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena

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


November's NBA Best Bets And Opinions ( Based on 5 Units )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

11/30/2017 1-6-1 14.28% -28.00
11/29/2017 6-8-1 42.86% -14.00
11/28/2017.........6-4-0.........60.00% .............+8.00
11/27/2017......... 6-8-0 .........42.86% ............-14.00
11/26/2017..........2-2-2.........50.00%................-1.00
11/25/2017........10-9-0.........52.63%...............+0.50
11/24/2017........8-10-0.........44.44%...............-15.00
11/22/2017......15-11-2.........57.69%..............+14.50
11/21/2017.........1-1-0.........50.00% ................-0.50
11/20/2017........9-13-0.........40.91%..............-26.50
11/19/2017 ........7-5-0........ 58.33%.............. +7.50
11/18/2017.......10-3-1.........76.92%.............+33.50
11/17/2017.........8-9-0..........47.05%..............-9.50
11/16/2017........ 3-1-0......... 75.00%............. +9.50
11/15/2017.......11-5-2..........68.75%............+27.50
11/14/2017....... 3-1-0 .........75.00% .............+9.50
11/13/2017 ......11-7-0 .........61.11%........... +16.50
11/12/2017 ........3-5-0 .........37.50%............ -12.50
11/11/2017 .......10-9-0 .........52.63% ............+0.50
11/10/2017 .........8-6-1 .........57.14%............. +7.00
11/09/2017 .........6-4-0 .........60.00% .............+8.00
11/08/2017 .........6-4-0......... 60.00% ..............+8.00
11/07/2017 ........6-10-0 ........37.50%.... .........-25.00
11/06/2017.......... 2-4-0 ........33.33%............. -12.00
11/05/2017.......... 8-6-0 ........57.14% ..............+7.00
11/04/2017 .........5-2-1 .........71.43% ............+14.00
11/03/2017 ......10-13-0......... 43.48% .............-21.50
11/02/2017 ..........2-2-0......... 50.00%.............. -1.00
11/01/2017 .......12-12-0 ........50.00% ...............-6.00

Totals..............194- 174 - 8......52.71%...............+25.00

Best Bets:

Date.................................ATS.......... .....Units.............Over/Under............Units

11/30/2017....................1-2-1 .............-6.00...............0 - 3.................-16.50
11/29/2017..................4 - 2 - 1.............+9.00..............1 - 3 ................-11.50
11/28/2017.....................1 - 1...............-0.50................2 - 2.................-1.00
11/27/2017.....................2 - 3...............-6.50................2 - 2.................-1.00
11/26/2017..................2 - 0 - 1.............+10.00.............1 - 2.................-6.00
11/25/2017.....................3 - 2...............+4.00...............2 - 5................-17.50
11/24/2017.................... 1 - 2................-6.00................1 - 3................-11.50
11/23/2017.......................NO GAMES SCHEDULED THANKSGIVING
11/22/2017..................3 - 3 - 1..............-1.50................1 - 2................-6.00
11/21/2017....................1 - 0................+5.00................0 -1 ................-5.50
11/20/2017....................2 - 2................-1.00.................1 - 3................-11.50
11/19/2017.....................2 - 1...............+4.50................4 - 1................+14.50
11/18/2017...................3 - 0 - 1............+15.00..............4 - 0................+20.00
11/17/2017.....................3 - 3...............-1.50.................2 - 3................-6.50
11/16/2017.....................1 - 1...............-0.50.................2 - 0...............+10.00
11/15/2017.....................2 - 3...............-6.50.................4 - 1...............+14.50
11/14/2017...................2 - 0 -1............+10.00...............1 - 1................-0.50
11/13/2017.....................2 - 3...............-6.50.................2 - 3................-6.50
11/12/2017.....................1 - 1...............-0.10.................2 - 1...............+4.50
11/11/2017.....................3 - 1..............+9.50.................1 - 6...............-28.00
11/10/2017.....................1 - 2...............-6.00.................1 - 2.................-6.00
11/09/2017.....................2 - 2...............-0.20.................1 - 2.................-6.00
11/08/2017.....................2 - 2...............-0.20.................2 - 1................+4.50
11/07/2017.....................2 - 3...............-6.50.................2 - 2.................-0.20
11/06/2017.....................1 - 1...............-0.10.................1 - 1.................-0.10
11/05/2017.....................3 - 1..............+9.50.................1 - 1.................-0.10
11/04/2017.....................1 - 1...............-0.10.................2 - 1.................+4.50
11/03/2017.....................2 - 3...............-6.50.................4 - 3.................+3.50
11/02/2017.....................1 - 1..............- 0.10.................1 - 1..................-0.10
11/01/2017.....................4 - 1..............+14.50...............4 - 3 .................+3.50

Totals.........................58- 38 - 6............+29.90.............52 - 59...............-48.50

[StarDust Bum]

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

13) When I shop on the Interweb, it is a little eerie how the sites where I shop suddenly show up in ads when I surf the Web from that point on. Its like you’re getting stalked by people who watch where you visit on the Interweb. Who would care where I go?

12) Did Arizona State really pay Todd Graham $12M to go away, just so they could hire Herm Edwards as their new coach? I mean, UCLA paid Jim Mora to take a hike, but they wound up hiring Chip Kelly, which should pay off down the road. Herm Edwards has never coached in college football; maybe he’ll be great. We’ll see.

11) Cowboys 38, Redskins 14— Alfred Morris is only second RB ever to run for 100+ yards in Redskin-Cowboy games, for both Dallas and Washington. Duane Thomas was the first player to do that.

10) UConn 77, Columbia 73 OT— Red flag for the Huskies; if they need OT to beat a second-tier Ivy League team, could be a long winter— fans in the Nutmeg State aren’t used to long winters.

By way of reminder, 75-year old Jim Calhoun will be coaching a D-III team next winter.

9) Current list of college football coaches who will get raises/improvments from their current employer, just because they didn’t bolt when another school showed interest in them:
— Matt Campbell, Iowa State
— Dave Doeren, NC State
— Jeff Brohm, Purdue
— David Cutcliffe, Duke

8) Baylor’s basketball team loses Terry Maston until conference play starts; he was averaging 11.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg.

7) Kansas only has 8 scholarship basketball players right now; they’ll get ASU transfer Sam Cunliffe eligible later in December, but they also added a tight end from the football team to be a practice player.

6) You know you’re watching a TV broadcast from the Midwest when the game’s stats are sponsored by Purina Dog Chow, the way they were on the UNLV-Northern Iowa broadcast on ESPN3 Wednesday night.

5) Speaking of UNLV, coach Marvin Menzies has a goal of 35 deflections per game, which means if you’re watching the game, look and see if they deflect a pass every two possessions or so.

4) Ben Simmons took 24 foul shots in the 4th quarter Wednesday, as the Wizards played Hack-a-Ben in their 118-113 loss in Philly. Simmons was 15-29 on the foul line— he needs to improve his shooting. 24 foul shots in one quarter by one player is a new NBA record.

3) Atlanta Braves traded reliever Jim Johnson to the Angels for a minor leaguer; Johnson used to be a good closer for the Orioles, but over the last four years, his WHIP has been:
2014: 1.95, 2015: 1.46, 2016: 1.19, 2017: 1.48. Not good.

Amazing he is still in the major leagues.

2) Georgia’s 20-19 win over Notre Dame in September is their only game this season that was decided by less than 14 points; they’re playing Auburn in SEC title game tomorrow- Auburn is only team to beat the Dawgs this year- they beat Georgia 40-17 on November 11.

1) Bowl bids come out Sunday; will be interesting to see where Florida State winds up, and if Jimbo Fisher will still be coaching them. Three recruits already de-committed from FSU, when word of Texas A&M’s dalliance with Fisher hit the Interweb.

[StarDust Bum]

B]NBA
Dunkel

Friday, December 1[/B]

Detroit @ Washington

Game 701-702
December 1, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
115.998
Washington
127.549
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 11 1/2
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
N/A

Golden State @ Orlando

Game 703-704
December 1, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
130.548
Orlando
112.316
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 18
225
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 11
230
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-11); Under

Indiana @ Toronto

Game 705-706
December 1, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
120.049
Toronto
129.841
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 10
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 6
215
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-6); Over

Minnesota @ Oklahoma City

Game 707-708
December 1, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
114.450
Oklahoma City
124.367
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 10
201
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 4 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-4 1/2); Under

San Antonio @ Memphis

Game 709-710
December 1, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
122.185
Memphis
115.658
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 6 1/2
198
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 3 1/2
193 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-3 1/2); Over

Sacramento @ Chicago

Game 711-712
December 1, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
115.724
Chicago
105.865
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Sacramento
by 10
201
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Sacramento
by 1
193
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(-1); Over

Charlotte @ Miami

Game 713-714
December 1, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
116.001
Miami
119.104
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 3
200
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
N/A

New Orleans @ Utah

Game 715-716
December 1, 2017 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
122.324
Utah
121.324
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 1
217
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
N/A

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, December 1

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DETROIT (14 - 6) at WASHINGTON (11 - 10) - 12/1/2017, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (16 - 6) at ORLANDO (9 - 13) - 12/1/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 92-63 ATS (+22.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game since 1996.
ORLANDO is 43-59 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 3-2 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 5-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA (12 - 10) at TORONTO (13 - 7) - 12/1/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 213-160 ATS (+37.0 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-7 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 9-6 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (13 - 9) at OKLAHOMA CITY (8 - 12) - 12/1/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 47-76 ATS (-36.6 Units) after scoring 115 points or more since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 183-136 ATS (+33.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 25-41 ATS (-20.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-4 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-4 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (14 - 7) at MEMPHIS (7 - 13) - 12/1/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 1014-888 ATS (+37.2 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 812-691 ATS (+51.9 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 53-32 ATS (+17.8 Units) in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 410-329 ATS (+48.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 10-8 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 15-4 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SACRAMENTO (6 - 15) at CHICAGO (3 - 17) - 12/1/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 158-203 ATS (-65.3 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
CHICAGO is 156-120 ATS (+24.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
CHICAGO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 265-323 ATS (-90.3 Units) in the first half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 44-66 ATS (-28.6 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
CHICAGO is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHARLOTTE (8 - 12) at MIAMI (10 - 11) - 12/1/2017, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-7 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 8-7 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (11 - 10) at UTAH (11 - 11) - 12/1/2017, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, December 1

Wizards won seven of last nine games with Detroit; four of last five series games went over. Pistons are 2-3 vs spread in last five games in this building. Detroit won four of its last five games; they’re 7-1 vs spread as road underdogs. Five of their last seven games stayed under the total. Washington lost five of last seven games; three of their last four games went over. Wizards are 3-6 as home favorites.

Golden State won its last nine games with Orlando (6-3 vs spread); last three series games went under total. Warriors covered their last four visits to Orlando. Golden State won seven of last 10 games; they’re 0-5 vs spread in last five road games. Three of their last four games went over the total. Magic lost nine of last ten games; they’re 3-1 as a home underdog. Last five Orlando games went over the total.

Home side won eight of last ten Indiana-Toronto games (under 7-3); Pacers are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Canada. Indiana won six of its last eight games; they’re 6-4 as road underdogs. Pacers won four of last five road games (under 3-2). Raptors won six of their last eight games; they’re 5-3 vs spread as home favorites. Five of their last six games stayed under the total.

Thunder lost three of last four games with Minnesota; Wolves are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Oklahoma City. Under is 6-4 in last ten series games. Minnesota is 3-4 in last seven games but won three of last four on road; they’re 3-4 as road underdogs. Four of their last six games went over total. Thunder lost five of their last six games; they’re 4-3-1 as home favorites. Three of their last four games stayed under.

Spurs won last three games with Memphis; home side won nine of last ten series games. San Antonio is 1-3 vs spread in its last three visits to Memphis. Last five series games went over the total. Spurs won five of last six games but split last four on road; they’re 1-4 as a road favorite- their last four road games stayed under. Grizzlies lost their last nine games; they’re 1-2 as home underdogs. Five of their last six games stayed under.

Bulls won their last five games with Sacramento; under is 8-2 in last ten series games. Kings are 4-1 vs spread in last five visits to Windy City. Sacramento lost seven of last ten games; they’re 2-7-1 vs spread on road, 0-1 as a favorite. Four of their last five games went over total. Bulls lost their last seven games (2-5 vs spread); they’re 3-4 as home underdogs. Four of their last six games stayed under the total.

Miami won four of last six games with Charlotte; seven of last nine series games stayed under. Hornets are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits to Miami. Charlotte lost its last three games; over is 5-3 in their last eight games. Hornets are 2-5-1 as road underdogs. Heat are off a 2-2 road trip; they’re 1-6-2 vs spread at home, 0-4-1 as a home favorite. Last four Miami games stayed under the total.

Jazz won their last four games with New Orleans; four of last five series games went over total. Pelicans are 2-2-1 vs spread in last five visits to Utah. New Orleans is 3-4 in its last seven games, losing three of last four on road- they’re 7-4 vs spread on road, 4-0 if favored. Under is 3-1 in their last four games. Jazz won five of their last six games; they’re 8-6 vs spread at home. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, December 1

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Trend Report
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GOLDEN STATE @ ORLANDO
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
Golden State is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State

DETROIT @ WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home

INDIANA @ TORONTO
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana

SACRAMENTO @ CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Sacramento's last 8 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento

SAN ANTONIO @ MEMPHIS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games

MINNESOTA @ OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

CHARLOTTE @ MIAMI
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Charlotte's last 14 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Charlotte's last 9 games when playing Miami
Miami is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games

NEW ORLEANS @ UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Utah
New Orleans is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Tip Sheet
November 30, 2017

Game of the Night: Wolves at Thunder – 8:05 PM EST

Twenty games into the season and Oklahoma City (8-12 SU, 8-12 ATS) sits in last place of the Northwest division. The Thunder has dropped five of their past six games, including Wednesday’s 121-108 setback at Orlando as six-point favorites. OKC has lost eight consecutive road contests, but has won four of its past five games at Chesapeake Energy Arena. As a single-digit favorite recently, the Thunder crashed to a 1-8 ATS record in November with the only cover coming against the Clippers on November 10.

Minnesota (13-9 SU, 9-11-2 ATS) has been up and down recently by alternating wins and losses in its last six games. The Wolves routed the Pelicans, 120-102 on Wednesday as six-point road underdogs, highlighted by seven players in double-figures. Minnesota converted 58% of its shots, led by Andrew Wiggins’ 28 points, while the Wolves outrebounded the Pelicans, 44-28. Since losing as 10-point underdogs at Phoenix in mid-November, Minnesota has won three of its past four games away from Target Center.

The Wolves have captured each of the first two meetings with the Thunder by a combined five points. Wiggins drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to knock off Oklahoma City in the first matchup on October 22 by a 115-113 count as four-point road underdogs. Minnesota rallied past OKC in the second meeting at Target Center, 119-116 five days later as both games easily sailed OVER the total.

Memphis Bleak

The Grizzlies (7-13 SU, 6-13-1 ATS) started the season at 7-4, but nine losses later and Memphis has fired its head coach and franchise point guard Mike Conley is sidelined indefinitely with an Achilles injury. The latest defeat in this cold stretch came to the Spurs on Wednesday, 104-95, but Memphis picked up a push as nine-point underdogs. However, the Grizzlies’ stagnant offense was held to below 95 points for the sixth consecutive game, while going 5-1 to the UNDER in this span.

San Antonio (14-7 SU, 10-10-1 ATS) improved to 10-2 at home this season with Wednesday’s victory over Memphis, but the Spurs have slumped to a 4-5 record on the road. Gregg Popovich’s team owns a 7-2 mark to the UNDER away from AT&T Center, while scoring less than 100 points in seven of those contests. On the flip side, each of the past five meetings between these Southwest division rivals have sailed OVER the total.

Heading East

The Warriors (16-6 SU, 9-13 ATS) started a six-game road trip in nearby Los Angeles as the defending champions pulled out a hard-fought 127-123 overtime victory. Golden State failed to cash as 13-point favorites for the second straight game, while dropping to 2-7 ATS the last nine contests. Steve Kerr’s squad seeks a season sweep of Orlando after knocking off the Magic at home on November 13 by 10 points, 110-100, while failing to cash as 12-point favorites.

Orlando (9-13 SU, 10-11-1 ATS) snapped a nine-game skid in Wednesday’s impressive 121-108 home underdog triumph against Oklahoma City. The Magic finished OVER the total for the fifth straight game, while yielding at least 105 points for the ninth time in the past 10 contests. Since December 2013, the Magic has dropped nine straight meetings with the Warriors, including each of the past four at home by double-digits.

Duel in D.C.

The Wizards (11-10 SU, 11-10 ATS) own the worst record of any division leader in the NBA, but Washington will take it if it means sitting atop the Southeast. Washington has dropped three of its past four games, including a 118-113 setback at Philadelphia on Wednesday, even though the Wizards cashed as seven-point underdogs. Scott Brooks’ squad hosts Central division leader Detroit, as the Wizards have lost each of their past two games at Capital One Arena.

The Pistons (14-6 SU, 14-5-1 ATS) have heated up of late by picking up three straight wins, including a 131-107 home blowout of the Suns on Wednesday. Prior to that easy victory, Detroit compiled a pair of impressive road victories at Oklahoma City and Boston as an underdog, while putting together a 4-1 ATS mark in its past five games away from Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons struggled with the Wizards last season by losing three of four matchups, including both meetings in Washington.

Home Cooking

The Raptors (13-7 SU, 12-8 ATS) have been nearly automatic at Air Canada Center this season by winning seven of eight home games. Toronto looks to capitalize off Wednesday’s 126-113 home victory over Charlotte as the Raptors attempt to avenge a 107-104 setback at Indiana last Friday. The Raptors squandered a 10-point halftime lead, while Toronto connected on only 9-of-30 attempts from three-point range.

The Pacers (12-10 SU, 13-9 ATS) have dropped two of three since a five-game winning streak as the two defeats came to two of the league’s elite teams, Boston and Houston. Nate McMillan’s squad dropped a pair of games to the Rockets in November by over 20 points, while falling apart in the second half of a 118-97 setback on Wednesday as 11 ½-point underdogs. Indiana had its four-game road winning streak end in the loss at Houston, but the Pacers own a solid 7-3 ATS mark in the past 10 contests.

Head-to-Head Matchups

-- For years, the Heat owned the Bobcats/Hornets franchise. However, Charlotte has evened the playing field recently after taking Miami to seven games in the opening round of the 2016 playoffs, while splitting four meetings last season. Charlotte has been terrible on the road by compiling a 1-9 record, as the Hornets look to beat a Heat squad that has covered in only one of nine opportunities at home this season.

-- The Bulls return home with no rest following a one-point loss in the final seconds at Denver on Thursday. Chicago hosts Sacramento as the Bulls have captured each of the past five meetings with the Kings since February 2015. The Bulls fell to 0-11 against the Western Conference after losing to the Nuggets, while Sacramento invades the Windy City owning a dreadful 2-9 road record.

-- Utah swept the season series from New Orleans last season as the two Western Conference foes meet in Salt Lake City. The Pelicans dropped their second straight in Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Wolves, but New Orleans is 3-0 SU/ATS this season off back-to-back losses.

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

DET at WAS 07:00 PM
DET -2.0
O 206.0

GS at ORL 07:00 PM
ORL +10.5
U 227.0

IND at TOR 07:30 PM
TOR -7.5
U 218.0

MIN at OKC 08:00 PM
MIN +5.5
U 209.5

CHA at MIA 08:00 PM
CHA +2.5
U 201.0

SA at MEM 08:00 PM
MEM +4.0
O 192.0

SAC at CHI 08:00 PM
SAC -1.0
U 195.0

NO at UTA 09:00 PM
UTA +2.5
O 205.5

[StarDust Bum]

NBA roundup: George rescues Thunder in win vs. Timberwolves
December 1, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Thunder's troublesome trend of letting second-half leads disappear looked like it was going to show itself again.

The Minnesota Timberwolves cut a double-digit Thunder lead to one possession with less than a minute to play, but Paul George hit two free throws with 5.2 seconds to play as the Thunder closed out a 111-107 win Friday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

George had 36 points and Oklahoma City center Steven Adams had 27.

Andrew Wiggins' 3-pointer with 9.8 seconds to go had Minnesota as close as it had been since the first quarter, but unlike the Timberwolves' last trip to Oklahoma City -- when Wiggins banked in a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer -- the Thunder put this one out of reach.

Heat 105, Hornets 100

MIAMI -- Josh Richardson scored a career-high 27 points to lead Miami over Charlotte.

Dion Waiters finished with 19 points and Wayne Ellington scored 14 points as the Heat overcame a 15-point first-quarter deficit.

Miami took the lead for good and secured the victory with nine unanswered points late in the fourth quarter. Goran Dragic's short jumper with 2:23 remaining in the period began the surge putting the Heat ahead 97-96.

Jazz 114, Bucks 108

SALT LAKE CITY -- Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 41 points and Alec Burks added 24 to help Utah rally past New Orleans.

Derrick Favors chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds for Utah as the Jazz won their fifth straight.

New Orleans had no way to slow Mitchell down after Anthony Davis exited with an apparent leg injury in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Davis had to be helped off the court and did not return. He finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Kings 107, Bulls 106

CHICAGO - Zach Randolph scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and Garrett Temple finished with 13 as Sacramento was victorious on the road.

Willie Cauley-Stein also had 10 points for the Kings, who handed the Bulls their eighth straight loss.

Bogdanovic capped the victory by splitting a pair of free throws in the closing seconds before Jerian Grant hit a 3-point field goal at the buzzer as the Bulls suffered their second one-point loss in as many nights.

Spurs 95, Grizzlies 79

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and Rudy Guy added 18 to lead San Antonio. The Spurs extended the Grizzlies' losing streak to 10 games, the longest in the NBA this season.

Marc Gasol had 16 points to lead the Grizzlies and Ben McLemore scored a season-high 14. Chandler Parsons added 12.

The Spurs (15-7), who beat Memphis 104-95 Wednesday night in San Antonio, pulled away from the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 28 points down the stretch.

Warriors 133, Magic 112

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Klay Thompson scored 27 points and hot-shooting Golden State led from start to finish.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and made 10 of 14 shots, but he was ejected with 4:52 remaining for cursing at an official following his final basket.

Steph Curry had 23 points and 10 assists. Jordan Bell had 16 points. Draymond Green scored 12 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers in the second period.

Wizards 109, Pistons 91

WASHINGTON -- Washington outscored Detroit 35-15 in the third quarter and evened its record on the season without All-Star John Wall.

Markieff Morris scored a season-high 23 points and Otto Porter had 17 for the Wizards, who had lost five of seven games. That includes two of the last three without Wall. The point guard was shut down on Nov. 25 after receiving injections in his left knee to help relieve inflammation.

Tobias Harris scored 15 points for the Pistons. Detroit had won three in a row.

Raptors 120, Pacers 115

TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points and added five assists and five rebounds to lead Toronto.

It was the third win in a row for the Raptors and the second straight loss for the Pacers who got 36 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Victor Oladipo.

The Raptors took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter and expanded it to 13 nearing the midway point of the period.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
1:00 PM Phoenix Suns Boston Celtics TD Garden
2:00 PM Los Angeles Clippers Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center
3:00 PM Atlanta Hawks Brooklyn Nets Barclays Center
7:30 PM Detroit Pistons Philadelphia 76ers Wells Fargo Center
7:30 PM Memphis Grizzlies Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena
8:30 PM Sacramento Kings Milwaukee Bucks BMO Harris Bradley Center
9:00 PM Los Angeles Lakers Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center
10:00 PM New Orleans Pelicans Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center at the Rose Quarter

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DECEMBER NBA BEST BETS & OPINIONS (BASED ON 5 UNITS )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/01/2017 3-7-0 30.00% -2350


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

12/01/2017....................2 - 5 -1......................-17.50...........................1 - 3..........................-11.50